LAST DAYS PERSECUTED CHURCH

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Listen to what this pastor in Iran said: “In the east, hearing God’s voice is absolutely crucial. Being led by the Spirit is the difference between life and death. We can not afford to get away with the sins that so easily entangle. The disciple-making lifestyle accelerates your maturity in God. You must have an active relationship with God. You must pray and remain in prayer. You must be in the Word. This is the only way forward in the days ahead – total absolute reliance on God.

 Loving your enemies is unnatural, but you can only do that if you are seeing with spiritual eyes. Natural eyes tell us to stand and fight against oppression…but what if oppression brings harvest and grows the church? That’s our tension.”

Moves of God happen in the most desperate places, and right now, Iran is one of those places. The political upheaval, economic distress, resource scarcity, social unrest, and religious persecution are creating a perfect storm for the Gospel to spread like wildfire inside Iran.     

Just as these Iranian Christians have discovered, being sold out to God is what will be required to live the Christian life in the prophesied “last days” before Jesus returns. In the west, since Gay Marriage and LGBTQ issues are now law Christians are coming under increasing persecution and this will only intensify.

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.” Hebrews 12:1-2

CHURCH AS JESUS INTENDED PART 2

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Jesus Christ started His New Testament church after prophesying the very destruction of His physical temple! Yet today most Christians are busy spending their money and time building more new temples!
In the New Testament Christ made it clear that His only building program was going to be His church, but “church” in Greek, “ekklesia”, was not a building! The Greek word “ekklesia” is defined only as a group of people. Furthermore, God once and for all abandoned His Old Testament physical building program the moment Christ died on the cross… “At that moment the curtain in the sanctuary of the Temple was torn in two, from top to bottom” (Matthew 27:51). At that moment the “Spirit of God… tore” out of the temple! Never to return! Yet 325 years later Constantine and his mother Helena started the unbiblical precedent of building temples again for God’s people! And the Christian clergy/priests have been promoting Constantine and his mother’s unbiblical precedent ever since!

http://www.housechurches.net

“The woman said to Him, Sir, I perceive you must be a prophet. So tell me, why is it that you Jews insist that Jerusalem is the only place of worship?’ Jesus replied… ‘The time is coming – indeed it’s here now – when true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and in truth. The Father is looking for those who will worship him that way” John 4:19-23
In the Old Testament God was to be identified with and in a building, the holy temple in Jerusalem. But Jesus made clear in the New Testament that worship was no longer to be identified with or in a “place of worship”… but rather “true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and in truth.” And then Jesus made clear, “The Father is looking for those who will worship him that way!”
With the new covenant the Spirit of God left the physical temple and started a new building program, a “spiritual temple” (1 Peter 2:5). No longer would the Spirit of God reside in any temple or church building. No longer does the Spirit of God want to be identified with any religious or church building. Now the Spirit of God resides only with and in His people, Christ’s new “ekklesia”, Christ’s group ꟷ “All of you together are the temple of God!”

“Do you not know that you are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in you? If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy him. For God’s temple is holy, and you are that temple.” 1 Corinthians 3:16

The only “building program” in the New Testament is the building of men and women up in Jesus Christ. In the New Testament God did not reinstitute a new physical building program as He did in the Old Testament. God sovereignly destroyed the only physical building in the world that had any reflection of Him!

When Christians deserted the house churches and met in large pagan temples, all they could do then was, as they continue to do today, sit in rows and listen to a sermon from some clergy/priest. This was contrary to what all believers did in house churches for over 300 years from the time of Christ and His apostles.

The church dramatically changed from being a participatory gathering to a spectator gathering. The church was now completely transformed into a whole different foreign and unbiblical “church” format and structure. It was nothing like what they had been instructed to do as described in the Book of Acts.

As might be expected, most clergy do not refer to such church history or such Scripture violated by it. However, there are a few unbiased Christian leaders that have written about some of this. Frank Viola and George Barna are two that have documented much of the pagan church tradition in their book Pagan Christianity.

This post is an extract from Jim McCotter’s book. Want more, can I suggest you purchase his ebook.


CHURCH AS JESUS INTENDED

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https://housechurches.net

All of the following verses clearly show that New Testament churches were only and always house churches. What about all the verses that are in the New Testament where believers met in church buildings ꟷ ZERO!

  1. “Then the apostles returned to Jerusalem from the Mount of Olives… they went to the upstairs room of the house where they were staying… They all met together and were constantly united in prayer, along with Mary the mother of Jesus, several other women, and the brothers of Jesus” (Acts 1:12-14).
  1. “On the day of Pentecost all the believers were meeting together in one place. Suddenly, there was a sound from heaven like the roaring of a mighty windstorm, and it filled the house where they were sitting. Then, what looked like flames or tongues of fire appeared and settled on each of them. And everyone present was filled with the Holy Spirit and began speaking in other languages, as the Holy Spirit gave them this ability” (Acts 2:1-4).
  2. “They…met in homes for the Lord’s Supper, and shared their meals with great joy and generosity” (Acts 2:46).
  3. “From house to house, they continued to teach and preach” (Acts 5:42).
  4. “But Saul was going everywhere to destroy the church…he went from house to house” (Acts 8:3).
  5. “When he realized this, he went to the home of Mary, the mother of John Mark, where many were gathered for prayer” (Acts 12:12).
  6. “When Paul and Silas left the prison, they returned to the home of Lydia. There they met with the believers and encouraged them once more. Then they left town” (Acts 16:40).
  7. “There were many lamps in the upstairs room of the house where we were meeting” (Acts 20:8).
  8. “I taught you publicly and from house to house” (Acts 20:20 NIV).
  9. “Give my greetings to Priscilla and Aquila…also give my greetings to the church that meets in their home” (Romans 16:3-5).
  10. “And give my greetings to the believers from the household of Aristobulus” (Romans 16:10).
  11. “Greet the Lord’s people from the household of Narcissus” (Romans 16:11).
  12. “Give my greetings to Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermes, Patrobas, Hermas, and the brothers and sisters who meet with them” (Romans 16:14).
  13. “Give my greetings to Philologus, Julia, Nereus and his sister, and to Olympas and all the believers who meet with them” (Romans 16:15).
  14. “Gaius says hello to you. He is my host and also serves as host to the whole church” (Romans 16:23).
  15. “For some members of Chloe’s household have told me about your quarrels, my dear brother and sisters” (1 Corinthians 1:11).
  16. “The churches here in the province of Asia send greetings in the Lord, as do Aquila and Priscilla and all the others who gather in their home for church meetings” (1 Corinthians 16:19).
  17. “Please give my greetings… to Nympha and the church that meets in her house” (Colossians 4:15).
  18. “They must be silenced because they are disrupting whole households by teaching things they ought not to teach” (Titus 1:11 NIV).
  19. “I am writing to… Archippus, and to the church that meets in your house” (Philemon 1:2).
  20. “If anyone comes to your meeting and does not teach the truth about Christ, don’t invite that person into your home or give any kind of encouragement” (2 John 1:10).
  21. “Behold I stand at the door and knock. If you hear my voice and open the door, I will come, and we will share a meal together” (Revelation 3:20).

Since there is no verse in the New Testament that says “the church met” in any building, that may be one of the reasons a necessary qualification for being a New Testament leader/elder was to be “hospitable”: “An elder… must enjoy having guests in his home…” (1 Timothy 3:2).

All New Testament churches only met in believers’ homes. None of the apostles, no church leaders, or Christians ever even mentioned meeting in or constructing any kind of church building. House churches were the only church pattern for meeting in all of the New Testament. And the New Testament home church pattern was the only church model for all Christians for over 300 years!

I strongly urge anyone interested in knowing more about church as Jesus intended that you get Jim McCotter’s book Church revolution today. Jim has been involved in establishing hundreds of house churches and indirectly thousands,

DIVINELY INSPIRED WORD OF GOD

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Jesus fiercely guarded the integrity of the word of God against limiting or misleading religious traditions, does he not also do so today? He is the same yesterday, today, and forever, and I do not see him growing tired of that which motivated him on Earth.

“Jesus replied, ‘And why do you break the command of God for the sake of your tradition? For God said, “Honour your father and mother” and “Anyone who curses their father or mother is to be put to death.” But you say that if anyone declares that what might have been used to help their father or mother is “devoted to God,” they are not to “honour their father or mother” with it. Thus you nullify the word of God for the sake of your tradition.’ Matthew 15:3-6

The Pharisees were nullifying (reducing to nothing) the word of God, replacing its life-giving truths with traditions of their own invention. There is a difference in God’s eyes between the teacher and the taught. The Bible is clear that when we become teachers, we take on a new level of spiritual accountability. When we become shepherds, we answer to the Great Shepherd, who jealously guards his sheep. When we teach untruths from the pulpit and replace the word of God with powerless traditions, we harm the children of God, and God is protective of his children

Many Christians have become hopelessly compromised by insidious traditions which nullify the word of God – misleading ideas which have an appearance of humility but confuse us about the very nature of God. Let me present a single, simple example – something I hope most believers can get on board with. I’ll present the word of God first, and the tradition second.

“Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.” 2 Timothy 2:15

“Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these because I am going to the Father. And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son.” John 14, 12-13:

Jesus was speaking to his disciples from the heart, in the knowledge that the cross awaited. Contextually, he is talking about his miracles, urging his disciples to believe in him as the Son of God because of the works he has done in their sight. Caught up in the Spirit, he prophesies that those who believe in him, including believers down through the ages, will perform the same, and even greater miracles. In the power and effectiveness of his children, Father God will be glorified. What a glorious promise!

How many churches believe and teach what Jesus promised we will do and how many churches are seeing their members operating in the power of the Holy Spirit with all nine gifts of the Spirit (1 Corinth. 12:4-11) including healing.

We lower our expectations of God, reducing his incredible promises to match our experience. By doing so, we lose our hold on faith, because we are no longer clinging to his word – our grip has been transferred instead to the tradition, and we are well adrift of the truth. Once we drift from the truth of God’s active, compassionate, interventionist love, and the promises of his miraculous provision, deliverance, and healing, we lose sight of who God is altogether. We paint a lesser picture and worship it instead.

FROM CRUISE SHIP TO WAR SHIP

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WE RECOMMEND YOU LISTEN TO THIS VERY IMPORTANT MESSAGE FROM KIM!

In these last years, so many people have left “the cruise ship” and joined “the warship”. They’ve found out that church is not just about having fellowship, but it’s about making disciples. And everyone who goes from just fellowship to discipleship, from cruise ship to warship, are seeing incredible fruit.

Kim is just one amongst many pastors, leaders, elders, and Christians who are stepping out of their comfort zone, and not just talking about, dreaming about, but OBEYING the Word of God. When they do, they see God doing amazing things but also face persecution because they are impacting Satan’s territory. Please watch this video, and join the warship with us!

Have you seen the Last Reformation free movies where they show more about this life? You can do that at the link here: https://thelastreformation.com/movies

KENYA HOUSE CHURCHES IN RURAL AREAS

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The Holy Spirit is setting a fire under the believers in the rural areas of Kenya. I have been connected to the Kenya House Church Movement for about 4 years now and have seen it grow from six house churches to twenty-one. Moreover, I met with most of the leaders in April of this year in Migori, Kenya for a three-day training meeting. I reported on it in an earlier post.

Pastor Charles Otieno Owino, the leader of the KHC, is on the far left. All of the leaders received a copy of my latest book Living Eternal Now – Ready for Jesus Return. Some are holding it.

This post will help you understand the task ahead for the church in Kenya. As well, I have included pictures taken of meetings at some of the new house churches by way of inspiration which I hope will encourage some of my followers to join me in funding this work. I have put a DONATIONS icon on my Home Page for this purpose.

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Buembu House Church
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Bondo House Church
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Nyarombo House Church
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Nyarombo house church. Believers are praying after hearing the gospel message. They are not sleeping.
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Great teaching on the early church from the Book of Acts which is serving as the model on which the KHC movement is built.

VISIT TO KENYA FOR A MEETING WITH HOUSE CHURCH LEADERS

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Most of my followers will know I have been supporting the Kenya House Church (KHC) Movement for close to three years now. It has grown from 6 House Churches to 21 maybe even 22 now, in rural areas both in Kenya and Tanzania. I connected with Charles Otieno Owino through LinkedIn. We both agree that the “end times” church will be like the church in the Book of Acts, with no paid pastors and no buildings. The function of the church is mainly about making disciples who make disciples of Christ.

I have decided it is time to visit the KHC leaders to determine how best I and hopefully some of my followers can best help KHC to move forward. In particular, I want to connect them with ministries that can help train the leaders.

We will hold a three-day meeting with all the KHC leaders – April, 17th to 19th

The above picture was taken early on in the history of KHC

KENYA HOUSE CHURCH MOVEMENT – Preparing for Jesus’ Return

THREE DAY CONFERENCE – April 17th to 19th 2022

SUNDAY APRIL 17th

9.00 am Welcome and introduction – Charles Otieno

9.15 am Purpose of my trip – Ron Edwards

10.00 am CMI Zoom Meeting – Pieter le Roux Creation Ministries International

11.00 am Rest time

11.15 am  Bible provides true history of the universe (19) – R.E

12.30 pm  Lunch

2.00 pm    GOD & ISRAEL – NATIONS ARE GOD’S IDEA (24) – R.E.

3.30 pm    Rest time

3.45 pm    ISRAEL – HISTORY & PURPOSE (35) – R.E.

4.45 pm    Rest time

5.00 pm    ISRAEL – FULLY RESTORED (65) – R.E.

6.00 pm    Close

MONDAY APRIL !8th

9.00 am    ISRAEL FEAST DAYS IN TYPE & PROPHECY (33) – R.E.

10.15 am  Rest Break

10.30 am  Presentation continued

12.45 pm  Lunch

2.00 pm    PROPHESIED RESTORATION OF THE LAND TO ISRAEL (100) – R.E.

3.30 pm    Rest time

3.45 pm    Presentation continued

4.45 pm    Rest time

5.00 pm    Presentation continued

6.00 pm    Close

TUESDAY APRIL 19th

9.00 am    ARE WE READY FOR JESUS? How to Prepare for His Return (58) – R.E.

10.15 am Rest Break

10.30 am Presentation Continued

12.45 pm Lunch

2.00 pm   Presentation Continued

3.30 pm   Rest time

3.45 pm Presentation continued

4.45 pm Rest time

5.00 pm Presentation continued

6.00 pm Close

Note, the emphasis is first on the inerrancy of God’s Word and then on Israel, and its role in Jesus’ first and second coming.

I am blessed to be involved with the International Christian Chamber of Commerce (ICCC). The President of ICCC Kenya is also on the International Board of ICCC. I have already connected him with Charles and had him involved in a Zoom with the KHC leaders. Rene has asked me to give my testimony to ICCC members at a meeting in Nairobi on April, 22nd. Each member will receive a copy of my book shown on the left. It has been used by ICCC to train up young entrepreneurs.

ICCC has some great training materials that are available free of charge for church leaders to use. The website http://www.transformedworkinglife.net

Resources for the people of God to come forth in their Calling ​and manifest the Kingdom of God in their working Life.

I would appreciate prayer support and if any of my followers who believe as I do that this is a move of God and would like to support us finacially there is a DONATION link on the Home Page.

KENYA HOUSE CHURCH MISSION TRIP

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Kenya House Church (KHC) mission trip to Osiri (Gold) region. March 9th, 2022 to March 14th, 2022.

The leaders considered the visit successful as another House Church was established with eight members. The Holy spirit’s presence was evident with healing and miracles during the many meetings.

Some of the highlights: we witnessed an elderly man and his wife turning back to Christ Jesus. A young man and his entire household surrendered their lives to Jesus. The sick were healed, and a demon-possessed person was liberated from demonic oppression.

At one point, a man and his wife stood up in the midst of the assembly and testified about the many years they have lived under an ancestral curse, something the couple said hindered them from having children. We laid hands on the couple and prayed for deliverance. We rebuked every evil spirit of ancestral curses.

Many people gave their testimonies and expressed their appreciation for us making the effort to come and visit with them. They hope we will return soon to bring more people in their village to Jesus Christ.

Another highlight was our evangelism team visited a nearby secondary school, and ministered to teachers and students.

A HOUSE CHURCH ESTABLISHED:

As mentioned a new House Church of Eight (8) members was founded at OSIRI gold mine. Mr, Daniel Moi was appointed as the pastoral leader of this new house church.

FORTHCOMING MISSION TRIPS:

KHC has suspended its field mission trip for April as Ron Edwards of Living Eternal Now is visiting Kenya April 13th to April 23rd before travelling to Arusha, in Tanzania, and later to the Republic of Rwanda.

A three-day meeting is planned with up to twenty KHC leaders from Easter Sunday, April 17th to Tuesday, April 19th. It will be a Tent Meeting hosted by Mubachi or Nyarombo house church. Ron has purchased a large TV Screen and a technician will be present to enable a Zoom Meeting with Creation Ministries International (CMI) and Ron can present PowerPoint presentations.

PRAYER REQUEST:  We are appealing to all LEN followers, friends, and KHC leaders to put in their prayers, Ron Edwards’s upcoming trip to Africa and for God’s help to provide him with sufficient funds to enable him to cover all of his trip expenses.

Mr. William with his wife, the couple who have lived under an ancestral curse and are unable to have children. They have been married for 25 yrs.
The praise and worship were sincere and changed lives were evident to all.
Mrs Anjeline Opiyo and other family members remorsefully testified of the many years of living without acknowledging Christ in their lives. This family of five surrendered their lives to Christ.
KHC evangelism team ministering in a nearby secondary school. Led by pastor Jacob & Julius, the team ministered the gospel message of salvation and Jesus second coming to rapture the church, to school teachers.
Members of Osiri House Church are attentively listening to the gospel message of the Millennial Kingdom and Jesus’ soon second coming.
Pastor Charles meeting with a good-sized house group.

If you would like to make a donation to support Ron’s Africa Trip please do so on the Home Page by clicking on the Donation icon.

MEGACHURCH EXPOSED

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The explosive three-part docu-series, Hillsong: A Megachurch Exposed, will premiere on Thursday, March 24 on discovery+, the definitive non-fiction, real-life subscription streaming service, with all three episodes available on that date. Featuring interviews with Hillsong insiders, megachurch experts and Ranin Karim, the woman whose five-month affair with celebrity senior pastor Carl Lentz led to his downfall, the series will explore the high-profile, star-studded church’s alleged exploitation, abuse and cover-ups.

Is this church as it is described in the Book of Acts? I am sure it is not, just as the institutional church model is not God’s model for His church.