"I AM"...

Peace to those who may read.

If we keep the “daily” sacrifice (ALWAYS bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus), then His life shall also be made manifest in our mortal bodies. This is a “here-and –now” thing and not a “after we die- and-go-to-heaven” event.

If we are ALWAYS (daily) delivered unto “death” (dying to sin always, not living after the flesh but after the Spirit) for Jesus’ sake, then the life of Jesus shall be made manifest in our mortal flesh (as the Spirit that raised Jesus shall also give our mortal bodies life).

This heavenly life of Jesus is to be made apparent in us to everyone around us in this earth so that they may see His appearing glory and will glorify our Father in heaven. They will see what it truly means to DO His will and praise Him.

The "daily" sacrifice = ALWAYS bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus.

2 Corinthians 4:10-11 KJV
(10) Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body.
(11) For we which live are alway delivered unto death for Jesus' sake, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our mortal flesh.

The life of Christ within us is to shine outwardly in our mortal flesh. We are to be the light of the world.

Yet, this message is not understood by false apostles….false prophets…nor are they preaching it. They come to deceive us with their “good words and fair speeches” into sitting together with them in their churches where no flesh is being saved as the life of Jesus (the Son of man) is not being made manifest.

He gives His flesh for the life of the world....but there are many false prophets who have gone out in the world to lead us astray.

These men follow in the footsteps of Judas (the “MULTITUDE” with him) who came to get Jesus in the garden. Like Judas, they do these things for money.

If we fall “asleep”…forgetting to have love for one another, then they have the power to deceive us with their “kiss”….the flattering lips. They take His life away from ever appearing in our mortal flesh by the removing of the keeping of the “daily” sacrifice out of our lives.

Luke 22:46-48 KJV
(46) And said unto them, Why sleep ye? rise and pray, lest ye enter into temptation.
(47) And while he yet spake, behold a multitude, and he that was called Judas, one of the twelve, went before them, and drew near unto Jesus to kiss him.
(48) But Jesus said unto him, Judas, betrayest thou the Son of man with a kiss?

They eat of our bread rather than work with their own hands to support themselves. The Son of man (the appearing life of Jesus within our mortal flesh) is betrayed for His life is prevented from appearing in the lives of their congregations. The "Son of man goes away as it is written of Him"....but woe unto that man that betrays Him.

Matthew 26:23-24 KJV
(23) And he answered and said, He that dippeth his hand with me in the dish, the same shall betray me.
(24) The Son of man goeth as it is written of him: but woe unto that man by whom the Son of man is betrayed! it had been good for that man if he had not been born.

These men come to cause divisions among us (they come with “swords).

Luke 22:52-53 KJV
(52) Then Jesus said unto the chief priests, and captains of the temple, and the elders, which were come to him, Be ye come out, as against a thief, with swords and staves?

“When I was DAILY with you in the temple….” If we keep the DAILY sacrifice in the temple (the mortal body), then they have no power to deceive us. But when we fall “asleep” to always (daily)having love for each other, then they have power to lead us astray (as they use that forgetfulness…the power of darkness…against us and deceive us).

(53) When I was daily with you in the temple, ye stretched forth no hands against me: but this is your hour, and the power of darkness.
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MANY…MANY…are being led astray from the command : “whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them.” They “kill” the two witnesses…the fulfilling of the law and the prophets…out of our lives.

Matthew 7:12-15 KJV
(12) Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets.

MANY are being led astray and down the broad way that leads to the destruction of the mortal flesh as the life of Jesus is being prevented from appearing in the bodies of those they are deceiving.

(13) Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat:
(14) Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.

The false prophets prophesy “peace” in their midst. They come to us in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravening wolves.

(15) Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.

When they have successfully “killed” the keeping of the two witnesses (the fulfilling of the law and the prophets) out of our lives, then they can then extract “gifts” from us. They “rejoice” in this situation as they are getting their earthly needs met.

Revelation 11:7-10 KJV
(7) And when they shall have finished their testimony, the beast that ascendeth out of the bottomless pit shall make war against them, and shall overcome them, and kill them.
(8) And their dead bodies shall lie in the street of the great city, which spiritually is called Sodom and Egypt, where also our Lord was crucified.

The “dead bodies” of the two witnesses are not put in “graves”…that is, memorials….or rather be REMEMBERED. IF we do not REMEMBER to fulfill the law and the prophets, then the false prophets who “dwell on the earth” as they are minding the earthly things (what to eat, what to drink, what to wear), have power to deceive us so that that may earn a living.

(9) And they of the people and kindreds and tongues and nations shall see their dead bodies three days and an half, and shall not suffer their dead bodies to be put in graves.
(10) And they that dwell upon the earth shall rejoice over them, and make merry, and shall send gifts one to another; because these two prophets tormented them that dwelt on the earth.

The false prophets do not serve our Lord Jesus Christ but their own belly…preaching for money in order to have their earthly needs met: what to eat, drink and wear. They are minding earthly things. To those that put food in their mouths, they cry “peace”….but then they prepare war against those who do not pay them so that they may have their earthly needs met.

Micah 3:5-11 KJV
(5) Thus saith the LORD concerning the prophets that make my people err, that bite with their teeth, and cry, Peace; and he that putteth not into their mouths, they even prepare war against him.

They have no understanding of the Scriptures as the knowledge of the Lord is hidden from their fleshly minds. They open the Bible and it is “night” unto them. It is “dark” unto them. They have no understanding of what they read.

(6) Therefore night shall be unto you, that ye shall not have a vision; and it shall be dark unto you, that ye shall not divine; and the sun shall go down over the prophets, and the day shall be dark over them.
(7) Then shall the seers be ashamed, and the diviners confounded: yea, they shall all cover their lips; for there is no answer of God.
(8) But truly I am full of power by the spirit of the LORD, and of judgment, and of might, to declare unto Jacob his transgression, and to Israel his sin.
(9) Hear this, I pray you, ye heads of the house of Jacob, and princes of the house of Israel, that abhor judgment, and pervert all equity.
(10) They build up Zion with blood, and Jerusalem with iniquity.

Their transgression: they are judging for reward and teach for hire and divine for money. They prophesy false “peace”….none evil can come upon us.

(11) The heads thereof judge for reward, and the priests thereof teach for hire, and the prophets thereof divine for money: yet will they lean upon the LORD, and say, Is not the LORD among us? none evil can come upon us.

Why can’t they understand? Because the “god of this world”…their own belly…has blinded their minds of them which truly do not believe in the good news of Christ for the here and now. The shepherds are literally feeding themselves and spiritually feeding no one as they "preach themselves".

2 Corinthians 4:1-5 KJV
(1) Therefore seeing we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we faint not;
(2) But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God.
(3) But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost:
(4) In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.
(5) For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus' sake.

Christ in us the hope of His appearing glory in our mortal bodies. His life shall be made manifest by the keeping of His daily sacrifice in our lives.

Colossians 1:26-28 KJV
(26) Even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints:
(27) To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:
(28) Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus:

When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then we shall appear with Him in glory as His life is made manifest (to shine) in our mortal flesh for this dark and dying world to see where they will glorify God.

Colossians 3:1-8 KJV
(1) If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.
(2) Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.
(3) For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.
(4) When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.
(5) Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry:

If we sit together with those who are called “brothers” but are covetous, we suffer the wrath of God with them. Our mortal flesh is destroyed…decaying away to the grave just like the outside world who does not profess to know God.

(6) For which things' sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience:

We must come out from among them and put on Christ.

(7) In the which ye also walked some time, when ye lived in them.
(8) But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth.

We must not “eat” with them…with those who are called “brothers” but are covetous as they preach for their earthly things. They go about upon their “belly”.

1 Corinthians 5:9-13 KJV
(9) I wrote unto you in an epistle not to company with fornicators:
(10) Yet not altogether with the fornicators of this world, or with the covetous, or extortioners, or with idolaters; for then must ye needs go out of the world.
(11) But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such an one no not to eat.
(12) For what have I to do to judge them also that are without? do not ye judge them that are within?
(13) But them that are without God judgeth. Therefore put away from among yourselves that wicked person.

We must not eat with those who go “upon the belly” as they preach for money in order to get their earthly needs met. They are minding “earthly things” as they go “upon their belly” .

Leviticus 11:41-44 KJV
(41) And every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth shall be an abomination; it shall not be eaten.
(42) Whatsoever goeth upon the belly, and whatsoever goeth upon all four, or whatsoever hath more feet among all creeping things that creep upon the earth, them ye shall not eat; for they are an abomination.

We must not be defiled by sitting together with them in their churches.

(43) Ye shall not make yourselves abominable with any creeping thing that creepeth, neither shall ye make yourselves unclean with them, that ye should be defiled thereby.
(44) For I am the LORD your God: ye shall therefore sanctify yourselves, and ye shall be holy; for I am holy: neither shall ye defile yourselves with any manner of creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.

The false prophets prophesy “peace” in their churches (I will give you assured peace in this place)…but there is none in their midst. We cannot sit together with them or we perish along with them in their error by the "sword, famine, pestilence".

Jeremiah 14:11-15 KJV
(11) Then said the LORD unto me, Pray not for this people for their good.
(12) When they fast, I will not hear their cry; and when they offer burnt offering and an oblation, I will not accept them: but I will consume them by the sword, and by the famine, and by the pestilence.
(13) Then said I, Ah, Lord GOD! behold, the prophets say unto them, Ye shall not see the sword, neither shall ye have famine; but I will give you assured peace in this place.

They are FALSE prophets who speak out of the deceit (fraud) of their heart.

(14) Then the LORD said unto me, The prophets prophesy lies in my name: I sent them not, neither have I commanded them, neither spake unto them: they prophesy unto you a false vision and divination, and a thing of nought, and the deceit of their heart.
(15) Therefore thus saith the LORD concerning the prophets that prophesy in my name, and I sent them not, yet they say, Sword and famine shall not be in this land; By sword and famine shall those prophets be consumed.

The “band of men and officers” with Judas comes posing as ministers of light (with their lanterns and torches).

John 18:3-8 KJV
(3) Judas then, having received a band of men and officers from the chief priests and Pharisees, cometh thither with lanterns and torches and weapons.

They say that they seek Him.

(4) Jesus therefore, knowing all things that should come upon him, went forth, and said unto them, Whom seek ye?
(5) They answered him, Jesus of Nazareth. Jesus saith unto them, I am he. And Judas also, which betrayed him, stood with them.

But they take the “I AM”…I EXIST…I AM ALIVE NOW AND FOREVERMORE…and cast this truth to the ground. If Jesus WAS dead and IS ALIVE (IS RISEN now), then we are to have His life now in this earth.

(6) As soon then as he had said unto them, I am he, they went backward, and fell to the ground.
(7) Then asked he them again, Whom seek ye? And they said, Jesus of Nazareth.
(8) Jesus answered, I have told you that I am he: if therefore ye seek me, let these go their way:

By preaching their covenant with death and their agreement with the grave (we have to die and go to heaven to get His life), they contradict that Jesus WAS dead and IS ALIVE NOW forevermore. If He died for us already and is risen, then we are to have His life NOW in this earth and not after we “die and go to heaven”.

Revelation 1:18 KJV
(18) I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death.

But “they” do not want to hear that. They do not want His disciples to come along and preach that Jesus is truly RISEN NOW to their congregations.

Matthew 27:62-66 KJV
(62) Now the next day, that followed the day of the preparation, the chief priests and Pharisees came together unto Pilate,
(63) Saying, Sir, we remember that that deceiver said, while he was yet alive, After three days I will rise again.

They want to make the tomb a sure thing. We are going to get resurrected later on the “third day”….so they preach.

They do not want His disciples to come along and “steal” their congregations away from them by saying that Jesus IS RISEN already from the dead. He IS the resurrection now.

(64) Command therefore that the sepulchre be made sure until the third day, lest his disciples come by night, and steal him away, and say unto the people, He is risen from the dead: so the last error shall be worse than the first.
(65) Pilate said unto them, Ye have a watch: go your way, make it as sure as ye can.

They “seal the stone” with their commandments and doctrines of men and “set a watch” over their congregations so that none escape from their churches.

(66) So they went, and made the sepulchre sure, sealing the stone, and setting a watch.

Why do they do such things? For money’s sake of course in order to get their earthly needs met. Satan savors the things of men rather than the things of God.

“I AM”: the resurrection and the life. He has the keys of death and the grave: I AM He that lives and WAS dead. We must believe that HE EXISTS NOW and that we shall live NOW as He is alive now and forevermore.

Yet, Martha puts her brother’s resurrection at the “last day” when it is a PRESENT reality. How many are like Martha and putting it still in the future when Jesus is “I AM”…living now so that we might have life now?

John 11:23-26 KJV
(23) Jesus saith unto her, Thy brother shall rise again.
(24) Martha saith unto him, I know that he shall rise again in the resurrection at the last day.
(25) Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:
(26) And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?

We must believe that He is “I AM”….alive now. Because He is alive, we shall live also. If we do not believe that He is “I AM”…that is, HE is living now , we shall die in our sins. The word “he” was inserted by the translators. By men preaching that we have to die, they at casting the Truth that He is ALIVE NOW to the ground in the ears of many.

John 8:24 KJV
(24) I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins: for if ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins.

Yet, the Lord is merciful and delivers us from wicked men who are only preaching themselves. The Lord takes away the “handwriting of ordinances” of carnal church men which are contrary to us….against us for leaving their church…their “grave” that they have hollowed out for themselves in their own honor. They are against us…they are contrary to us. Those “principalities and powers” prevent us from leaving their churches out of fear.

Colossians 2:13-23 KJV
(13) And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses;
(14) Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross;
(15) And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it.
(16) Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days:
(17) Which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ.

Let no man beguile you of your reward….eternal life in the here and now…by leading you into his church bondage of doctrines and commandments of men.

(18) Let no man beguile you of your reward in a voluntary humility and worshipping of angels, intruding into those things which he hath not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind,
(19) And not holding the Head, from which all the body by joints and bands having nourishment ministered, and knit together, increaseth with the increase of God.
(20) Wherefore if ye be dead with Christ from the rudiments of the world, why, as though living in the world, are ye subject to ordinances,
(21) (Touch not; taste not; handle not;
(22) Which all are to perish with the using after the commandments and doctrines of men?

The using of the commandments and doctrines of men do not save the flesh of anyone as all are perishing from off this earth by the using of them. They use them as a basis to judge others which is not having love for one another.

(23) Which things have indeed a shew of wisdom in will worship, and humility, and neglecting of the body; not in any honour to the satisfying of the flesh.

These men have crept in among us....while we "sleep"...that is, forgetting to DO His commandment to have love for one another. We sleep in the darkness. They use the "power of darkness" to deceive us and lead us astray from the LOVE of the Truth. Their presence is according to the working of Satan and they use all power and signs (outward ordinances of men for show) and lying wonders (flattery) and all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish from off this earth because they receive not the love of the Truth that they might be saved. NO FLESH is being saved in their presence in the churches of carnal men who cause strife and divisions and offenses among us.

2 Thessalonians 2:9-10 KJV
(9) Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders,
(10) And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.

Thanks for reading and contemplating. If you have made it this far in this overlong post, I will see you next week....

We must come out from among the churches of fleshly, earthly-minded men who have led us astray from the Way of righteousness with their good words and fair speeches and have taken us “captive” into spiritual bondage with their doctrines and commandments of men (those “powers and principalities” that bind us and are hostile and contrary to us).

They come forth in the footsteps of Judas to take away the keeping of the “daily” sacrifice of the Lord out of our lives so that His life never is made manifest in our mortal flesh which would give us His heavenly, eternal life right here in this earth.

The appearing life of Jesus in our mortal flesh (the Son of man) goes away because of the MANY false prophets who come forth to deceive us into sitting in their churches of envy and strife and divisions and hatred of one another.

They do this in order to get their earthly needs met….getting paid so that they may have food and drink and apparel. They are minding “earthly things” and are enemies of the cross of Christ who DIED ALREADY for us and IS ALIVE NOW so that we might have His life NOW in this earth. They are casting this truth to the ground as they preach that we have to “die and go to heaven” when He ALREADY DIED for us and IS RISEN NOW so that we might have His life now appear in our mortal bodies.

If we fall “asleep” to the keeping of His daily sacrifice, then the Son of man (that appearing of His life in our mortal flesh) IS BETRAYED into the hands of sinners as the “great multitude” of men who come in the footsteps of Judas in their betrayal of His appearing life in our mortal flesh come to deceive us with their “kiss”….the flattering lips. The power of forgetfulness (the power of darkness) to keep His commandments is used against us to lead us astray.

Mark 14:41-49 KJV
(41) And he cometh the third time, and saith unto them, Sleep on now, and take your rest: it is enough, the hour is come; behold, the Son of man is betrayed into the hands of sinners.

We must “rise up” from our “sleep” for those who are betraying His appearing life in our mortal bodies are at hand….right in front of us in the churches of earthly-minded men who are preaching for the “image”…money which has the image of corruptible man on it.

(42) Rise up, let us go; lo, he that betrayeth me is at hand.

These men come to cause divisions (with their “swords”) among us. They come to cause things that trip us and make us stumble into the grave. They come as rulers with their staves rather than servants as commanded by Jesus.

(43) And immediately, while he yet spake, cometh Judas, one of the twelve, and with him a great multitude with swords and staves, from the chief priests and the scribes and the elders.

They come to speak flattery so that they may lead us astray from the keeping of the Way of righteousness. The “kiss” (the kiss of death) is the flattering lips that speak good words and fair speeches. They come speaking false “peace”….leading us away “safely”.

(44) And he that betrayed him had given them a token, saying, Whomsoever I shall kiss, that same is he; take him, and lead him away safely.
(45) And as soon as he was come, he goeth straightway to him, and saith, Master, master; and kissed him.

They take His life from ever appearing in our mortal flesh in the here and now.

(46) And they laid their hands on him, and took him.
(47) And one of them that stood by drew a sword, and smote a servant of the high priest, and cut off his ear.
(48) And Jesus answered and said unto them, Are ye come out, as against a thief, with swords and with staves to take me?

If we keep the “daily” sacrifice of the Lord in our mortal bodies (the temple of the Holy Spirit), then they cannot deceive us. They do not “take” Him out of our lives…but they do these things to those they deceive so that the Scriptures must be fulfilled.

(49) I was daily with you in the temple teaching, and ye took me not: but the scriptures must be fulfilled.

If the Spirit of Him that raised up Jesus from the dead (Jesus is “I AM”…for He WAS dead and IS RISEN NOW) dwells in us….. as we always sow after the Spirit, then He that already raised up Christ from the dead shall also enliven our MORTAL BODIES ( “mortal”= subject to death ) by His Spirit that dwells in us. This is NOT about after we “die and go to heaven” but about NOW in this life in this earth.

Romans 8:
(11) But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.
(12) Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh.
(13) For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live.
(14) For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.

Let us hear what the Spirit as God according to His abundant mercy begets us AGAIN unto a LIVELY HOPE by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. Carnal men are preaching a "dead hope" because according to them we have to "die" and go to heaven in order to have His life.

1 Peter 1:3-5 KJV
(3) Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,

Jesus is already risen and in heaven. He gives His flesh...His life... for us in this earth...and His life is incorruptible and undefiled and does not fade away.

(4) To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you,
(5) Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.

Yet, the false prophets lead MANY astray away from the sowing after the Spirit and into their divisions of envy and strife where the life of Jesus is betrayed from ever appearing in those they are deceiving. They make the tomb a sure thing in the ears of MANY as they bring MANY into their church bondage of doctrines and commandments of men. They do these things for money as they preach things that they ought not be for filthy money’s sake.

This is the hour of the “chief priests and the captains of the temple and the elders’”…their HOUR and the power of darkness.

Luke 22:52-54 KJV
(52) Then Jesus said unto the chief priests, and captains of the temple, and the elders, which were come to him, Be ye come out, as against a thief, with swords and staves?
(53) When I was daily with you in the temple, ye stretched forth no hands against me: but this is your hour, and the power of darkness.
(54) Then took they him, and led him, and brought him into the high priest's house. And Peter followed afar off.

That “little horn”…that little hour of the power of darkness…is used to take away the “daily” sacrifice out of our lives.

Daniel 8:9-12 KJV
(9) And out of one of them came forth a little horn, which waxed exceeding great, toward the south, and toward the east, and toward the pleasant land.
(10) And it waxed great, even to the host of heaven; and it cast down some of the host and of the stars to the ground, and stamped upon them.

When the keeping of the dying of the Lord Jesus is taken out of our lives, then the place of His sanctuary….the mortal body…is cast down to the grave.

(11) Yea, he magnified himself even to the prince of the host, and by him the daily sacrifice was taken away, and the place of his sanctuary was cast down.

The multitude...the “host”... comes with Judas to take away the keeping of His “daily” sacrifice out of our lives….and all for the love of money’s sake….covetousness….transgression.

They come forth and cast the Truth to the ground as they take the “I AM” of Jesus and say that we have to DIE and go to heaven which contradicts what was done already so that we might have His life NOW.

They practice and prosper at this...they are successful against us and get paid handsomely for these things.

(12) And an host was given him against the daily sacrifice by reason of transgression, and it cast down the truth to the ground; and it practised, and prospered.

We are the place of His sanctuary. We must not have company with those who are serving for money…. idols. covetousness = idolatry.

2 Corinthians 6:15-18 KJV
(15) And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel?
(16) And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.
(17) Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you,
(18) And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.

We must not sit together with those who are serving their own belly (preaching for pay in order to feed their belly with the earthly necessities). We must not be joined together with them in their churches.

1 Corinthians 6:13-20 KJV
(13) Meats for the belly, and the belly for meats: but God shall destroy both it and them. Now the body is not for fornication, but for the Lord; and the Lord for the body.

God has already raised up the Lord and will also raise up us with His own power.

(14) And God hath both raised up the Lord, and will also raise up us by his own power.

Our mortal bodies shall be raised up…but we must not sit together with those who are preaching for money. We must not be joined together with them or we become ONE FLESH with them as they perish in their mortal bodies to the grave. They defile our mortal flesh.

They are given over to the destruction of their mortal flesh because of their covetousness. Their end is the destruction of the flesh as they are minding earthly things and do not have any understanding as their belly that they serve blinds their minds to the good news of Christ.

(15) Know ye not that your bodies are the members of Christ? shall I then take the members of Christ, and make them the members of an harlot? God forbid.
(16) What? know ye not that he which is joined to an harlot is one body? for two, saith he, shall be one flesh.
(17) But he that is joined unto the Lord is one spirit.

They take away the keeping of the daily sacrifice out of our lives and the place of His sanctuary…the mortal body...is cast down to the ground…to the grave. They set up the abomination of desolation...covetousness...and want us to live according to their lusts and pay them (the image).

We can not be joined together with them or we sin against our own mortal body as the life of Jesus is never made manifest in our mortal flesh and we perish along with them to the grave.

(18) Flee fornication. Every sin that a man doeth is without the body; but he that committeth fornication sinneth against his own body.
(19) What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?
(20) For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.

The “host” comes with Judas to take the “I AM”…I EXIST...of Jesus and cast this truth to the ground.

John 18:1-8 KJV
(1) When Jesus had spoken these words, he went forth with his disciples over the brook Cedron, where was a garden, into the which he entered, and his disciples.
(2) And Judas also, which betrayed him, knew the place: for Jesus ofttimes resorted thither with his disciples.

The "host" comes with him to take away the keeping of the daily sacrifice out of our lives so that the life of Jesus (the Son of man) never is made manifest in our mortal bodies.

(3) Judas then, having received a band of men and officers from the chief priests and Pharisees, cometh thither with lanterns and torches and weapons.
(4) Jesus therefore, knowing all things that should come upon him, went forth, and said unto them, Whom seek ye?
(5) They answered him, Jesus of Nazareth. Jesus saith unto them, I am he. And Judas also, which betrayed him, stood with them.

Those who betray Him stand with Judas and take the “I AM” of Jesus and cast it to the ground as they preach we have to die physically when Jesus ALREADY DIED for us and IS ALIVE NOW so that we might have His life now. He gives His flesh for the life of the world.

(6) As soon then as he had said unto them, I am he, they went backward, and fell to the ground.
(7) Then asked he them again, Whom seek ye? And they said, Jesus of Nazareth.
(8) Jesus answered, I have told you that I am he: if therefore ye seek me, let these go their way:

They ...the GREAT MULTITUDE who follow in the footsteps of Judas....come to hold us fast with their doctrines and commandments of men that bring us into their bondage.

Matthew 26:47-50 KJV
(47) And while he yet spake, lo, Judas, one of the twelve, came, and with him a great multitude with swords and staves, from the chief priests and elders of the people.
(48) Now he that betrayed him gave them a sign, saying, Whomsoever I shall kiss, that same is he: hold him fast.

They come forth to take Jesus out of our lives with the flattering lips. They say “hail, master”…that is REJOICE. They rejoice in their activities as they get paid and want us to join along with them. They come as a “friend” and take the keeping of the “daily” sacrifice of the Lord out of our lives .

(49) And forthwith he came to Jesus, and said, Hail, master; and kissed him.
(50) And Jesus said unto him, Friend, wherefore art thou come? Then came they, and laid hands on Jesus, and took him.

Our "kiss" should be holy and not "feigned" in order to get paid.

Romans 16:16-18 KJV
(16) Salute one another with an holy kiss. The churches of Christ salute you.

Those who come to "kiss" us with flattering lips come with their "swords" and cause divisions and offenses contrary to the teaching which we have learned: have love for one another as He loved us and gave Himself for us.

(17) Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them.

The feigned "kiss" (the good words and fair speeches) of those who follow after the footsteps of Judas are not serving our Lord Jesus Christ but their own belly.

(18) For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple.

They pose as “friends” and eat of our bread but they take away the manifestation of the life of Jesus from ever appearing in our mortal flesh as they recline at the table with their feet up and we serve them and not feed us with the Word of Truth in return.

Psalms 41:9-10 KJV
(9) Yea, mine own familiar friend, in whom I trusted, which did eat of my bread, hath lifted up his heel against me.

But the Lord is merciful and comes to deliver us from wicked men who have come forth to take the keeping of the daily sacrifice of our Lord out of our lives. We are to “arise” and depart from them.

(10) But thou, O LORD, be merciful unto me, and raise me up, that I may requite them.

The truly sent of the Lord (the true apostle) does not come forth to speak “flattering words” as a cloak of covetousness.

1 Thessalonians 2:5-10 KJV
(5) For neither at any time used we flattering words, as ye know, nor a cloke of covetousness; God is witness:
(6) Nor of men sought we glory, neither of you, nor yet of others, when we might have been burdensome, as the apostles of Christ.

A true friend does not come to take advantage of those they speak the gospel of God to…..

(7) But we were gentle among you, even as a nurse cherisheth her children:
(8) So being affectionately desirous of you, we were willing to have imparted unto you, not the gospel of God only, but also our own souls, because ye were dear unto us.

A true friend labors night and day so as not to be chargeable unto any of us. They freely give the gospel of God as they have been freely received.

(9) For ye remember, brethren, our labour and travail: for labouring night and day, because we would not be chargeable unto any of you, we preached unto you the gospel of God.
(10) Ye are witnesses, and God also, how holily and justly and unblameably we behaved ourselves among you that believe:

We must not sit together with those who are walking “disorderly” and not after the transmission of the true apostles who did not preach for earthly things.

2 Thessalonians 3:6-15 KJV
(6) Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye withdraw yourselves from every brother that walketh disorderly, and not after the tradition which he received of us.
(7) For yourselves know how ye ought to follow us: for we behaved not ourselves disorderly among you;

They did not eat any man’s bread for nothing but rather worked night and day to support their own earthly necessities. They were not chargeable unto any of those they preached to.

(8) Neither did we eat any man's bread for nought; but wrought with labour and travail night and day, that we might not be chargeable to any of you:
(9) Not because we have not power, but to make ourselves an ensample unto you to follow us.
(10) For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat.
(11) For we hear that there are some which walk among you disorderly, working not at all, but are busybodies.
(12) Now them that are such we command and exhort by our Lord Jesus Christ, that with quietness they work, and eat their own bread.
(13) But ye, brethren, be not weary in well doing.

We must not have any company with those who are preaching themselves…preaching for money in order to get their earthly needs met. We are not to count them as an enemy but admonish them as brothers.

(14) And if any man obey not our word by this epistle, note that man, and have no company with him, that he may be ashamed.
(15) Yet count him not as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother.

These men “dwell on the earth”….that is, are minding their earthly things: what to eat, what to drink and what to wear. They dwell on these things as they preach themselves for these things. They are only feeding themselves and not those that they are deceiving and leading astray from the Way of righteousness….the narrow Way that leads to life. We must not sit together with them.

These men who “dwell on the earth” are deceiving those who are minding earthly things as well.

If we set our affections on things above (peace, joy, love, gentleness, kindness, patience, etc), then the life of Christ shall appear in our earthly mortal bodies.

We must not “dwell on the earth”…in our covetousness, envy and strife….for if we live after the flesh we shall die.

Colossians 3:1-8 KJV
(1) If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.
(2) Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.
(3) For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.
(4) When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.
(5) Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry:
(6) For which things' sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience:
(7) In the which ye also walked some time, when ye lived in them.
(8) But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth.

Those who are bogged down with the earthly things are going to be found not watching when they hear the Son of man in heaven speak His words to their ears. The Day comes as a snare on those that “dwell on the face of the whole earth”.

Luke 21:34-36 KJV
(34) And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares.
(35) For as a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth.

We are to “watch”…AWAKE …and “pray always”…that is, be of a humble and contrite spirit or breath. Those who are of a humble and contrite spirit shall be found watching…awake to His righteousness…and will be quick to hear and slow to speak and slow to wrath at what He says in the Spirit.

(36) Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.

Above all things we are to put on LOVE which is the bond of perfectness…completeness.

Colossians 3:14-17 KJV
(14) And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness.

We are to let the peace of God rule in our hearts and be THANKFUL.

(15) And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.

Let us hear and let the word of Christ dwell in us richly in all wisdom. We are to rejoice…singing with grace in our hearts to the Lord.

(16) Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.

We are to hear what the Spirit is sayings and GIVE THANKS to God and the Father by Him….the Lord Jesus.

(17) And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.

We are to “AWAKE” from our “sleep”….our forgetfulness to have love for one another…and ARISE from the “dead”…those who are preaching themselves and are dead in trespasses and sins. Why seek the living among those who are “dead”.

We must ARISE and depart. We must AWAKE to His righteousness and put on Christ who shall give us light.

Ephesians 5:14-20 KJV
(14) Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light.
(15) See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise,
(16) Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.
(17) Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is.

Let us not be found “drunk” on the wine of wrath which leads us to speak evil of what we hear the Spirit saying. Let us rather be filled with what the Spirit is saying.

(18) And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit;

Let us hear what the Spirit is saying and be slow to speak and slow to wrath. Let us instead speak to ourselves with rejoicing….in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in our heart to the Lord.

(19) Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord;

Let us give THANKS ALWAYS for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ

(20) Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;

We are to be found praising God with rejoicing…singing and making melody in our hearts to the Lord.

Psalms 150:1-6 KJV
(1) Praise ye the LORD. Praise God in his sanctuary: praise him in the firmament of his power.
(2) Praise him for his mighty acts: praise him according to his excellent greatness.
(3) Praise him with the sound of the trumpet: praise him with the psaltery and harp.
(4) Praise him with the timbrel and dance: praise him with stringed instruments and organs.
(5) Praise him upon the loud cymbals: praise him upon the high sounding cymbals.
(6) Let every thing that hath breath praise the LORD. Praise ye the LORD.

When we hear the “music”…the praising of God, let us not “fall down” and worship the things of men who preach for the “image”…money that has the image of corruptible man upon it.

Daniel 3:4-30 KJV
(4) Then an herald cried aloud, To you it is commanded, O people, nations, and languages,
(5) That at what time ye hear the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, dulcimer, and all kinds of musick, ye fall down and worship the golden image that Nebuchadnezzar the king hath set up:

Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you:
But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.
If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified.

(6) And whoso falleth not down and worshippeth shall the same hour be cast into the midst of a burning fiery furnace.
(7) Therefore at that time, when all the people heard the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, and all kinds of musick, all the people, the nations, and the languages, fell down and worshipped the golden image that Nebuchadnezzar the king had set up.
(8) Wherefore at that time certain Chaldeans came near, and accused the Jews.
(9) They spake and said to the king Nebuchadnezzar, O king, live for ever.
(10) Thou, O king, hast made a decree, that every man that shall hear the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, and dulcimer, and all kinds of musick, shall fall down and worship the golden image:

Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.

But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.

They will persecute us who will not follow after their evil behavior with their malicious words..the fiery trial of our faith.

(11) And whoso falleth not down and worshippeth, that he should be cast into the midst of a burning fiery furnace.
(12) There are certain Jews whom thou hast set over the affairs of the province of Babylon, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego; these men, O king, have not regarded thee: they serve not thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up.
(13) Then Nebuchadnezzar in his rage and fury commanded to bring Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. Then they brought these men before the king.
(14) Nebuchadnezzar spake and said unto them, Is it true, O Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, do not ye serve my gods, nor worship the golden image which I have set up?
(15) Now if ye be ready that at what time ye hear the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, and dulcimer, and all kinds of musick, ye fall down and worship the image which I have made; well: but if ye worship not, ye shall be cast the same hour into the midst of a burning fiery furnace; and who is that God that shall deliver you out of my hands?
(16) Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, answered and said to the king, O Nebuchadnezzar, we are not careful to answer thee in this matter.
(17) If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of thine hand, O king.
(18) But if not, be it known unto thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up.

Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls to him in well doing, as unto a faithful Creator.

Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.

Our faith shall be tried by their fiery, evil, false accusations as they will call us “evil doers”. Let us be faithful unto the “death”…the keeping of the dying of our Lord Jesus in our mortal bodies. Let us not return evil for their evil.

He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death.

They will persecute us with the “fire” of persecutions that will come out of their mouths. But the fire that they will speak towards us will only destroy themselves if we follow after the Son of God by not returning evil for their evil.

(19) Then was Nebuchadnezzar full of fury, and the form of his visage was changed against Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego: therefore he spake, and commanded that they should heat the furnace one seven times more than it was wont to be heated.
(20) And he commanded the most mighty men that were in his army to bind Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, and to cast them into the burning fiery furnace.

As Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were bound in their coats, their hosen, and their hats, and their other garments, and were cast into the midst of the burning fiery furnace…let us put on the armor of God also so as to withstand their persecutions in the “evil day” of their persecutions.

Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.

Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.

For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;
And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;
Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.
And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:

(21) Then these men were bound in their coats, their hosen, and their hats, and their other garments, and were cast into the midst of the burning fiery furnace.
(22) Therefore because the king's commandment was urgent, and the furnace exceeding hot, the flame of the fire slew those men that took up Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego.
(23) And these three men, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, fell down bound into the midst of the burning fiery furnace.
(24) Then Nebuchadnezzar the king was astonied, and rose up in haste, and spake, and said unto his counsellors, Did not we cast three men bound into the midst of the fire? They answered and said unto the king, True, O king.

We shall not be hurt of the “second death”…their fiery persecutions that will come out of their mouths…if we follow in the footsteps of the Son of God.

(25) He answered and said, Lo, I see four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire, and they have no hurt; and the form of the fourth is like the Son of God.
(26) Then Nebuchadnezzar came near to the mouth of the burning fiery furnace, and spake, and said, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, ye servants of the most high God, come forth, and come hither. Then Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, came forth of the midst of the fire.
(27) And the princes, governors, and captains, and the king's counsellors, being gathered together, saw these men, upon whose bodies the fire had no power, nor was an hair of their head singed, neither were their coats changed, nor the smell of fire had passed on them.
(28) Then Nebuchadnezzar spake, and said, Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, who hath sent his angel, and delivered his servants that trusted in him, and have changed the king's word, and yielded their bodies, that they might not serve nor worship any god, except their own God.
(29) Therefore I make a decree, That every people, nation, and language, which speak any thing amiss against the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, shall be cut in pieces, and their houses shall be made a dunghill: because there is no other God that can deliver after this sort.
(30) Then the king promoted Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, in the province of Babylon.

We are to follow in the footsteps of the Son of God in the midst of the “fire” of their persecutions. When He was reviled, He did not revile again. When He suffered, He did not threaten but committed Himself to Him that judges righteously. If we suffer wrongfully for His sake patiently, that is acceptable with God.

1 Peter 2:19-25 KJV
(19) For this is thankworthy, if a man for conscience toward God endure grief, suffering wrongfully.
(20) For what glory is it, if, when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye shall take it patiently? but if, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye take it patiently, this is acceptable with God.
(21) For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:
(22) Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth:
(23) Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously:
(24) Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.
(25) For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls.

Then Nebuchadnezzar spake, and said, Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, who hath sent his angel, and delivered his servants that trusted in him, and have changed the king's word, and yielded their bodies, that they might not serve nor worship any god, except their own God.