Discerning the Times: Equipping Saints and UFOs
May 17, 2021 at 3:27 PM 8 comments
Audio for this article here: SermonAudio.com/studygrowknow
Equipping Saints
There are basically two trains of thought regarding the actual purpose of the Church:
- Evangelizing the lost
- Building up Christians to maturity
Some fall mainly in the first category, based on Jesus’ own commission of His disciples (Matthew 28:19-20), where He told them (and us), to, “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen. (KJV)
It seems a lot of Christians, pastors included, stop at the end of verse 19 with “…the Holy Ghost.” Evangelizing the lost, telling them of their need of repentance, and to realize that salvation comes only through Jesus is their main focus. Verse 20 is often left out, but refers to living the Christian life; what that means and how to do it.
To this end, many pastors essentially present salvation messages every week or topical messages, usually ending with an “invitation” to receive salvation. A personal invitation to come “down front” is often given to allow folks to make a public decision for Jesus after repeating a simple prayer.
However, if we consider Peter’s sermon on the Day of Pentecost, we don’t see the type of “invitation” often made today from most pulpits (Acts 2:14-36). Peter spoke and hearts were changed as a result of God’s Spirit working in people.
Now when they heard this they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, ‘Brothers, what shall we do?’ (v 37)
Peter’s preaching of God’s Word did the job. They were “cut to the heart” and asked a very natural question; “Brothers, what shall we do?” Peter’s answer is listed in verse 38. and where he tells them to “repent and be baptized.”
Verse 40 tells us that Peter, with “…many other words he bore witness and continued to exhort them…” Verse 41 says those who gladly received his words were baptized.
Their hearts awoke to the truth Peter preached and they embraced it, joyfully. Their resultant water baptism was their public testimony of what had occurred in their hearts. Clearly, evangelism is at the very heart of responsibilities that all Christians have to the lost of this world. Jesus said so. Peter proved it as did Paul and others. But is that it?
Ephesians 4:11-13 reveals that equipping the saints is a major part of the Church’s responsibility. This results in living the Christian life in sincerity and power and being a witness for Him to the lost. Without properly equipped saints, too many churches will look like the Corinthian church in Paul’s first letter. They were carnal “babes” in Christ, only wanting “milk,” not “meat” (also echoed in Hebrews).
But what exactly is meant by the word equipping?
And it was He who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, to equip the saints for works of ministry and to build up the body of Christ, until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God, as we mature to the full measure of the stature of Christ.…
God equip His children by providing certain gifts to those within His Body for everyone’s equipping.
- apostles
- prophets
- evangelists
- pastors
- teachers
The word “equip” literally means to build, to make ready, to complete. If the main focus of the church leaders is solely evangelistic, a problem exists, like trying to fly a plane with only one wing. While evangelism needs to be part of the whole, it cannot be the only thing that is emphasized.
How are the saints equipped when they go to church?
- worshiping the Lord together
- fellowship with one another
- expositional (verse-by-verse) teaching of God’s Word
Only as Christians are taught doctrine, theology and all aspects of Scripture, will they be in a far better position to go into the world when they leave church and be ready to provide an answer to anyone who asks about the hope that we have in Christ. We should do this with gentleness and respect (1 Peter 3:15). In that verse, Peter also tells us to “sanctify” our hearts, meaning we should actively and continually separate our hearts to God, ridding ourselves of the things in this world that compete for God’s attention. This must be taught and lived by each Christian in order that they might become better evangelists. Obviously Christians have a responsibility to study the Bible on their own as well.
Christians are to live in obedience to God while we reach out to our neighbors with the salvation message. This twofold aspect of Christian living is pleasing to God, brings Him glory and increases our spiritual maturity.
If more pastors would teach God’s Word expositionally (again, going verse-by-verse through books of the Bible, however long that takes), Christians would become equipped and live lives that glorify God. While not all are given the gift of evangelism, we are all called to spread the Gospel.
I’ve talked to numerous pastors who are of this frame of mind: “Whatever it takes to get the lost in the door.” The Church is primarily for Christians; the saved. If all pastors do is focus on those who are lost, they are shirking their responsibilities to help equip Christians to become evangelists. Yes, we should bring the lost to church, but the church is there to equip the saints.
Christians today need answers and stronger faith in God and His Word. Now is the absolute perfect time to be teaching through books like 1 & 2 Thessalonians, Joel, 1 & 2 Peter, Jude, Revelation, Ezekiel, Daniel, Isaiah, etc because we are in the last days. This is what strengthens and equips believers to be about the Father’s business, with resultant evangelism.
UFOs: Evacuation or Rapture?
What does the New Age believe regarding the Rapture or what they call the “great evacuation”? I’ve talked about this before in numerous articles here, here and here.
The idea of a great evacuation of millions of people from the earth to other planets has been part of New Age thought and belief since the days of George Van Tassel when he first wrote about it circa 1950. Barbara Marciniak and other New Age leaders have carried the idea forward and it remains popular today.
Now we learn the Pentagon might possibly release information in June regarding the reality of UFO sightings by military personnel; a number of whom have caught UFOs on video.
Humanity may be just weeks away from finding out the truth about UFOs and potential aliens. This would be the most profound event in human history.
The author of the article quoted a UFO lobbyist who eagerly awaits this great reveal by our government. This may well lead to an acceptance of Satan’s New Age “rapture” belief, which appears to be gaining momentum.
Consider if in the “twinkling of an eye,” millions of people are removed from the earth at the same time. Wouldn’t Satan think to have an alternative explanation for something as huge as the Rapture if it is actually occurs, the same way he is bringing forward the Antichrist as though he is THE Savior/Messiah of humanity? Satan has prepared.
Based on the Bible and the activity Satan views in the spiritual realm, he understands that the Rapture is likely a coming world event on God’s schedule. If so, it would be ridiculous of him not to have a ready explanation for it.
UFO sightings and abduction of human beings began in the USA in 1961 with Betty and Barney Hill. Their story is interesting but when you remove aliens and replace them with demons, it is easy to see the big deception being perpetrated. I’ve discussed these things at length in my two books on the subject, Demons in Disguise and Nephilim Nightmare, as have many others.
What if the world is being set up to believe that when millions of people instantly disappear throughout the globe at the same time, it will be due to an alien “great evacuation” as the reason? The concocted story of UFOs above earth’s atmosphere (and out of sight of human eyes), vacuuming up and removing people to other planets where they will be allowed to progress “spiritually” at the own pace without holding back the rest of the “woke” people on the earth will offer the perfect cover.
If world and New Age leaders step up to calm people and explain what “really” happened, wouldn’t that bring calm throughout the world for those remaining? Of course it would. The only people who might believe that it was actually the Rapture will be those who heard about it prior but never received salvation, so they were left behind.
Just last night “60 Minutes” did a broadcast in which they stated that the Pentagon has said UFOs are “real.” People would much rather believe in intelligent life on other planets than the fact that God created. The former absolves them of responsibility to God, while the latter comes with huge responsibility to take God seriously.
The world is moving toward greater upheaval and major paradigm shift. Christians need to understand what the Bible says about these days, which is part of the equipping of the saints. Greater biblical knowledge provides greater understanding, greater wisdom, strength and faith, as well as allows Christians to have answers to the lost.
Too many Christians are simply not being equipped.
Entry filed under: 9/11, Agenda 21, alienology, Atheism and religion, christianity, Communism, Council on Foreign Relations (CFR), Cultural Marxism, Demonic, devil worship, Eastern Mysticism, emergent church, Emotional virtue, eternity, Global Elite, israel, Maitreya, new age movement, Political Correctness, Politically Correct, Politics, rapture, Religious - Christian - End Times, Religious - Christian - Prophecy, Religious - Christian - Theology, salvation, Satanism, second coming, Shadow Government.
Study - Grow - Know 
1.
Maranatha Today | May 17, 2021 at 5:17 PM
Demons are flying around or just video games footage!ð¤
On Mon, May 17, 2021 at 5:17 PM Maranatha Today wrote:
> [image: image.png] > > Look at the same shape of the Pentagon! > > On Mon, May 17, 2021 at 3:27 PM Study – Grow – Know comment-reply@wordpress.com> wrote: > >> modres posted: “Audio for this article here: >> SermonAudio.com/studygrowknow Equipping Saints There are basically two >> trains of thought regarding the actual purpose of the Church: Evangelizing >> the lost Building up Christians to maturity Some fall mainly in t” >>
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2.
modres | May 17, 2021 at 5:21 PM
The image you included didn’t come through. But in general, yes, the Pentagon is staffed by military brass who are mainly statists. They are interested primarily in their careers, moving up the ladder and the prestige that comes with that. I just read yesterday that an officer in Space Force relieved of his duties after his book and comments against Marxism and Critical Race Theory. The military is trying to be “woke.”
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3.
Maranatha Today | May 17, 2021 at 5:17 PM
[image: image.png]
Look at the same shape of the Pentagon!
On Mon, May 17, 2021 at 3:27 PM Study – Grow – Know wrote:
> modres posted: “Audio for this article here: SermonAudio.com/studygrowknow > Equipping Saints There are basically two trains of thought regarding the > actual purpose of the Church: Evangelizing the lost Building up Christians > to maturity Some fall mainly in t” >
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4.
modres | May 17, 2021 at 5:22 PM
No image again, Maranatha…
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5.
Jen b | May 17, 2021 at 4:40 PM
Wow. The ufo thing would explain why that keeps popping up more and more lately. I might point out to those still under the illusion that Fox News is reliable, it has been a talking point there frequently. If covid is any indication of how vulnerable people are t fear…Waking up to find out millions of people disappeared would also line up people to take a “mark” that would keep them safe from the ufo’s perhaps? Just a thought.
With regard to the schools of thought regarding the purpose of the church, It is true that that in the seeker friendly system the verses that follow v 19 are not discussed. I began attending a seeker friendly church in the early 2000’s with my sister who “received salvation” at a bible study. I was not a believer then, but she brought me to church and I could tell my sister was attending because she liked the pastor in a romantic way. The pastor ended up committing adultery with one of the women in the church which broke up the church, with 1/2 indignant that he stay because he was “doing so much for Lord”. My sister left the church and is a psychotherapist/aka humanist. I don’t even know if she considers herself a christian anymore. Years later, I came under the conviction of the Holy Spirit while reading the Gospel of John. I admit that later I did say the so called “sinner’s prayer” about 10,000 times because I was told that I had to be sure of my salvation and have an experience. I never had the experience, thankfully, and have come to see that I had already come to faith and placed my faith in Jesus for forgiveness. I knew nothing else, but I believed in Him and knew that I was filthy and had a desire to be clean. God soon got me out of the apostate church and under solid bible teaching. Also what is up with all the humanist personality profiles. here’s one: Sinner. That sums us all up.
I will add also that for at least 5 years I attended church services, bible studies and other activities and not once did anyone explain to me that I was a sinner who was separated from a Holy God. Not once. My father on his death bed told me Jesus Christ loves me and gave me the Gospel of John. That was the seed. However within church walls, I do not even recall hearing the Gospel. I am a firm believer in the scriptural truth of eternally saved through the new birth, however, because the link between obedience and faith is ignored, and because people go up during an alter call to “receive salvation” under no conviction whatsoever, the church is a mess.
In the mega church I attended years ago, I was discipling a young woman who I am convinced had a demon. I am not a Pentecostal nor do I think demons are responsible for much of what christians think..more often it’s the sin nature, however in her case, I think it may have been extreme oppression at the least. No one knew how to handle this woman..the pastors, leaders would just try to avoid her. I was out of my depth and tried to bring her to conviction through scripture. She got very angry and never spoke to me again. A few weeks later she was marched proudly up to give a testimony of salvation, I didn’t believe she had repented and believed.
So this is completely off topic and no pressure for a response anytime soon, but I watched a documentary on Johnny Cash recently. While a talent, there is a tremendous amount of darkness in everything he produced. Even his gospel songs seem under the spirit of oppression. Apparently Billy Graham had him ministering. Many believe he was a devout Christian. In his own words he “had demons”…it causes one to wonder.
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6.
modres | May 17, 2021 at 5:41 PM
Let me start with Johnny Cash. I’ve no idea really. I saw a biopic about him on TV that seemed to confirm his inner “demons.” He had a rough life apparently, spent time in Folsom and dressed as the “man in black.” He was talented yes, but I wouldn’t have a clue as to whether or not he was actually a Christian.
Regarding that woman in the mega church, she could’ve been demonized. She could also have simply had a personality disorder. Once, while my wife and I were in an eatery in San Francisco (we’d just gotten off a plane), there was a woman at a table a few tables away. She was the only other person there besides the workers. As we got our meal, we bowed our heads to pray and I heard the woman in a real snarky voice say something like, “Oh look at them! Praying!” etc., etc. I was taken a bit back, looked up and said, “Did you say something?” She responded, “No” but her eyes were really weird and they sort of rolled back into her head.
At that point, a waiter walked passed and in a very normal voice now, she asked very politely, “May I have a spoon please?” Weirdest thing I had seen in quite a while. Demons exist of course, as you know and during the middle of the Tribulation, they’ll be out in force.
If I had been told early on that my salvation had nothing to do with my feelings, that would’ve been very helpful. Instead, since I had not been discipled at all, I was kind of on my own. The church where I had walked down the front to “receive” Christ was concerned enough to pray for me and give me a booklet. But they never brought anyone alongside me to help me understand what salvation meant. One would think the Youth Director/Pastor would have helped, but I don’t even recall who he was at the time. It was a very large church. I myself have prayed the sinner’s prayer many times over the years. The confusion was real and difficult to wade through.
I’m sorry about your sister. I’m sure you continue to pray for her. I find it fascinating that she brought you to church, but you became the Christian. Fascinating.
Regarding the adultery of that pastor, I just read a situation where apparently, a pastor and his wife starting having a “swinger” relationship with another guy at a hotel. The wife then began a secret relationship with the guy apart from the husband. Then she talked the guy into killing her pastor husband. Human beings are so good at acting. No one in the church had a clue and after it all came out, they were dumbfounded. Certainly, we cannot “judge” them but it is true that your sin will find you out. It’s true for all of us if we do not fear the Lord.
Yeah, the UFO thing is looming larger. I don’t watch any mainstream media, not even Fox. There seems to be little point to it, but I get it if someone tunes in once in a while to see how things are portrayed. I still recall my brother-in-law saying that he watches CNN and FOX in order to get a “balanced” viewpoint. There is no balanced viewpoint, in my opinion.
I think once the Rapture occurs and the UFO explanation is provided, there will probably be a great deal of celebrating by most and a complete willingness to take whatever mark or adopt any policy that world leaders will offer as “solutions.” From what I’ve read from New Age leaders, most New Agers actually yearn for the day when the reality of aliens and UFOs are revealed. They live for it because they believe, by and large, aliens are caring and want only what is best for human beings. I’ve read too many books and “testimonials” that indicate these things. There are a few “branches” of aliens who are malevolent, however, they are believed to be kept in check by the more beneficent aliens. Pleadians and, if I’m not mistaken, the Grays, are all “good” and benevolent. It’s been a while so I’d have to research to refresh my memory as to which species are not to be trusted.
Of course, we all know that demons masquerading as aliens are ALL malevolent but project a caring disposition to lower people’s guard. What is most astounding to me is that the same people who refuse to believe in God or His Word, have absolutely no problem believing every word uttered by aliens and also believe that these aliens only want what’s best for people. In truth of course, they want us to realize the torment of hell, just as they will one day. To that end, they play this game of make-believe.
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7.
Robert (452Rob) | May 17, 2021 at 4:40 PM
So true. I’ve been in the “only evangelism” churches often it leaves the untrained believers feeling they constantly need to consider their calling and be certain they are saved, or get things right with the Lord. There’s never a time they aren’t pressed to feel guilty during the invitations. They stay unlearned and immature constantly laying again the foundation of faith toward God and repentance from dead works, never being weened off milk.
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8.
modres | May 17, 2021 at 4:42 PM
Well put! Yes, the guilt cues used to make ppl feel like they aren’t really saved is ridiculous. It’s a carry over from the days of Finney. There is no movement toward maturity in Christ.
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