The Matrix

Mark 13:14-21

I pray that all is well with you and your family. While minding my own business, a thought hit me, " What if the world as we know it really didn't exist?" That would mean the people around us weren't real...our friends, our family, and our loved ones. Before you think I'm off my "rocker" hear me out. Put this in a Biblical perspective.

The "Name it and Claim it" message is sweeping the earth at an unprecedented rate. Whatever you ask for its yours. But does the Bible REALLY say that? While others are trying to find the "perfect" church, the Lord took me on a journey to the perfect church. The reward of my quest was more than anything I could ever imagine. I not only found the perfect church but there is another one just like it. I know you're as shocked I was! But it's true! Let me give you the map that was given to me....

Fighting For The Faith

First Stop: The Book of Jude. (You know that tiny 25-verse book that only gets quoted during the benediction). Verse three tells us "we should earnestly contend (fight) for the faith which was once delivered to the saints". We know that the perfect church has to fight. Nothing is going to be handed to you.

He also said that MEN crept in unawares and they were ordained to condemnation, ungodly men giving the people a license to sin and calling it grace. Denying the only LORD God and our Lord Jesus Christ. Saying the name of the Lord is NOT enough. Many will come to the Lord on the Day of Judgment and say all the wonderful things they did in His name (Sermon on The Mount, Matt 7:15-20). They did a lot of "charity" work and they probably did it with good intentions but they did it in the image of another god.

Winning Witnesses

Next Stop: The Book of Revelation. I know most don't ever turn to this book because we have been trained not to because its either "too scary" or "we're not going to be here, so why bother reading it”. Please read chapters 1-3 twice. Then read chapter one, verses 17-20 (focus on verse 20). Now read Rev. 11 (The Two Witnesses)

Revelation chapters 2 and 3 cover the Seven Letters to the Seven Churches. Jesus had some problems with every church except two Smyrna and Philadelphia. The two churches that Jesus saw as perfect had some things in common.

Smyrna- didn't have a lot of money verse 9 "I know thy works, and tribulation, and POVERTY, (but thou are rich) and I know the blasphemy of them which say they are Jews (keepers of the Word) and are NOT, but are of the synagogue (school) of Satan". Some were cast into prison and some lost their lives for speaking the truth when they were brought up before Satan and his council.

Philadelphia-had "little strength and has kept MY word, and has NOT denied My name". They were also dealt with those who are of the "synagogue of Satan". They kept His word so the Lord kept them from the hour of temptation.

These two "perfect" churches didn't have a lot of money nor did they have a lot of strength. Let me stop right there before someone says that I'm saying you have to be poor and feeble to be received by the Lord. That's not what I'm saying at all...I'm saying if you're looking for big buildings or the best choir or the state of the art children's church to find the perfect church; you're looking in the wrong places. These two churches had the Blood of the Lamb and the Word of their testimony. They had been saved (but that's not all) they also had been filled with Holy Ghost. Being saved (having the Blood) just gets your sins forgiven but the Holy Ghost is your testimony. Acts 1:8 Jesus said, " But you shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you and you shall be WITNESSES unto Me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth."

When see something or hear something firsthand you are a WITNESS to it. When someone is accused of something they didn't do but you saw what actually happened then your are summonsed to give a "testimony" on their behalf in court. But if you haven't seen nor heard anything the accuser will switch and twist your words until you crack and you have to admit you didn't see or hear anything at all. When you have seen the Truth and heard the Truth you ARE a WITNESS and no matter what others may say you will stick to your testimony because it's the TRUTH.

Made up Mind

Now Back To The Matrix: Neo was caught in a deep sleep and it took some unusual events to wake him up. But when he woke up from the Matrix he went back in to get others. He couldn't help anyone until he was awakened and he was filled with truth. Some people didn't want to wake up but he still warned them anyway. The last words that he said after the "evil one" kept trying to overtake him, the evil one asked him, "Why won't you stay down?! Why do you continue to get up and fight?! Neo responded, "Because I choose to". Faith is a choice. What will you choose when the enemy presents you before the court? Will you allow the Holy Ghost to speak through you or will you grieve (blaspheme against) Him?

I wish I could share with you all the signs Jesus told his disciples in this email but that would turn this essay into a novel. (Wink)

If you would like more information on "the Witnesses, the Mark of Beast, and The Holy Ghost" please contact us at Pastor@TEMPLEOFTHEREMNANT.ORG or you may order the series via telephone at 214-929-6011. The lessons and tapes are FREE. May God Continue To Bless You.

Pastor A. James Tutson