Thy mercy, my God, is the theme
of my song. Welcome, friends, to another
broadcast of commercials for Zion's Tour. Satan has a counterfeit of every
spiritual activity. Those who promote a religion
which appeals to the flesh of men generally deal in these counterfeits. Where this fool's goal appears
in all of its glory is where the emissaries of darkness will
be found, peddling their wares to the simple and those who seek
a religion which fits their own design. These purveyors of error
generally appear in many ways to be genuine, yet the fact that
they glory in something other than Jesus Christ and Him crucified,
rejoicing in and promoting signs and wonders, while busily gathering
a following, shows them to be those of whom the apostle speaks.
For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming
themselves into the apostles of Christ. And no marvel, for
Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. When
Paul said, But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross
of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto
me, and I unto the world, he is not simply expressing a personal
preference, but is defining the very nature of gospel truth and
the preaching of it. The corruption of the truth is
most often found in very subtle errors which in time grow to
epic proportions along the way, causing multitudes who may have
some sort of confession of salvation in Christ to be completely blinded
to the truth and unable to discern between good and evil. The prophet
Isaiah spoke of this situation saying, Woe unto them that call
evil good and good evil, that put darkness for light and light
for darkness, that put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter.
Woe unto them that are wise in their own eyes and prudent in
their own sight. The sin and inequity of which
he speaks is not necessarily that of immorality or debauchery,
but rather a perversion of truth which allows men free reign to
glory in their own free will, and to disregard the inability
of the flesh to either know the way of God or to walk therein.
When the central message of any form of ministry is not the glory
and preeminence of Christ in all things, then that ministry
must be viewed as false. One of the most prolific parlor
tricks of these angels of light is that of making a theatrical
display which is described by them as being slain in the spirit.
I find no scriptural example of anything remotely like the
performances of these charlatans and religious hucksters. There
is always a willing crowd ready to submit themselves to these
shamans who are more than happy to bask in the spotlight as they
demonstrate their prowess and proficiency in the gifts of the
Spirit as they would have us believe, all the while babbling
away in their own confusion. There are genuine cases in the
scriptures where men were slain in the spirit, but there was
never someone prancing about with a microphone in their hand
when these things occurred. In fact, there was no one even
present most of the time other than the Lord and the person
slain. In the book of Daniel we read, Therefore was I left
alone and saw this great vision, and there remained no strength
in me, for my comeliness was turned in me into corruption,
and I retained no strength. Yet heard I the voice of his
words, and when I heard the voice of his words, then was I in a
deep sleep on my face, and my face toward the ground. John
tells of a similar experience. And he had in his right hand
seven stars, and out of his mouth went a sharp two-edged sword,
and his countenance was as the sun shineth in his strength.
And when I saw him, I fell at his feet as dead. We also read
of the experiences of the disciples at the Mount of Transfiguration
and, of course, the Apostle Paul. It is interesting that the direction
of the fall of these who are slain in the Spirit in the Scriptures
is face down, yet the babbling slayers' victims always fall
backwards for more theatrical effect. We read of the true worshippers
of God falling upon their faces in obeisance to the Lord of Lords
and King of Kings. The only record in the scriptures
that we have of those who fell backwards at the manifestation
of His glory is those who were intent on betraying Him and bringing
Him to judgment. And Judas also, which betrayed
him, stood with them. As soon as then as he had said
unto them, I am he, they went backward and fell to the ground.
When a man is truly slain in the spirit, he will fall upon
his face and worship at the overwhelming glory of the true and living
God, which can only be seen in Jesus Christ, and then only by
those whose blind eyes are opened by his spirit. For God, who commanded
the light to shine out of darkness, has shined in our hearts to give
the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face
of Jesus Christ. When a man is truly slain in
the Spirit, Christ alone will be the object of his desire and
praise. Howbeit, when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he
will guide you into all truth, for he shall not speak of himself,
he shall glorify me. When a man is truly slain in
the Spirit, he will be brought to a place of self-loathing and
repentance, even as Job. True repentance always acknowledges
the holiness of God, the justice of God, and one's own abject
wickedness and unworthiness to stand in His presence. Have you
thus been slain? If you would like a free transcript
of this broadcast, email us at forthepoor at windstream.net.