Do Not Be Deceived

“Arise, shine; for your light has come! And the glory of the Lord is risen upon you. For behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and deep darkness the people; But the Lord will arise over you, and His glory will be seen upon you. The Gentiles⁽¹⁾ shall come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your rising. Lift up your eyes all around and see; they all gather together, they come to you; your sons shall come from afar, and your daughters shall be nursed at your side. Then you shall see and become radiant, and your heart shall swell with joy; because the abundance of the sea shall be turned to you, the wealth of the Gentiles shall come to you……” Isaiah 60:1-5  ⁽¹⁾nations of non-believers

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Here we are in 2023 and if the past three years have taught us anything, they have taught us to be more diligent in what we hear, what we see, what we say, and what we believe. In other words, we are to test the spirits. We live in a world more divided than we’ve seen in our lifetime; and, when we speak to people in countries other than our own, we hear the same thing, “people are waking up and see the sinister plan of the enemy.” Not only have followers of Yeshua (Jesus) began to wake up, the non-believers are waking up to the deception that abounds. The sheep are tired of being led to slaughter and are scattering from the false shepherds (those who are suppose to lead the people/nations in truth) who have not fed them but have fattened themselves (Ezekiel 34).

The Christian tune of “Wake Up!” has been fairly steady throughout the past few years. 

Yeshua’s call has been for the body of Christ to be awake, to be sober and watchful, be prepared for the day of the Lord for the past few thousand years. Why are we just now starting to get the message to wake up? 

We are encouraged because from our perspective, we can see God’s hand moving mightily in the midst of this battle. We recognize and acknowledge that His ways are higher than our ways and His thoughts higher than ours, and if we look really close to what is happening across the globe, we are seeing the remnant of the true body of Christ rising up which also include those who don’t or didn’t even realize they have been called to be part of the body. They are waking up and ready to shake off the dust, i.e their worldly doctrines, principles, and traditions of man. We also recognize that the main stream media displays a united front on focusing their viewers on division, world control, power, manipulation, and negativity. However, behind the scenes, those who have ears to hear and eyes to see what the Spirit of God is doing and saying are being strengthened into a united front in the Spirit. God is doing a new thing and that which He has purposed shall be done. Hallelujah!

You Are Awake, Now What?

There are many principles in the Word of God, all of which have a universal, non-optional cause and effect relationship. Within those are principles for the body of Christ to arise. Many Christians have not connected the principles to the benefits of arising let alone how they relate to the pillars of awakening. If one does not understand the principles, it is nearly impossible to glorify God by walking in them. One can end up serving the god of compromise over the One true God and it does not bode well serving the wrong god. As mentioned above, people are waking up but now it is up to the ambassadors of Christ to help them understand what is required to endure and overcome the wicked schemes in the world.

Three Pillars of Awakening

Before we look at what the benefits of the awakening are, it may be helpful to understand what the three pillars of awakening are. For clarification purposes, the Strong’s concordance defines pillars as: stand, column, platform.

1) Arise

And I said, What shall I do, Lord? And the Lord said unto me, Arise, and go into Damascus; and there it shall be told thee of all things which are appointed for thee to do. (Acts 22:10)

And now why are you waiting? Arise and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord. (Acts 22:16)

Therefore he said, Awake you who sleep. Arise from the dead, and Christ will give you light. (Ephesians 5:14)

2) Seek the Light

Whoever believes in Him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe has already been condemned, because he has not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son. And this is the verdict: The Light has come into the world, but men loved the darkness rather than the Light because their deeds were evil.  Everyone who does evil hates the Light, and does not come into the Light for fear that his deeds will be exposed.…(John 3:18-20)

Once again, Jesus spoke to the people and said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows Me will never walk in the darkness, but will have the light of life.” (John 8:12)

But if from there you shall seek the LORD your God, you shall find him, if you seek him with all your heart and with all your soul. (Deut. 4:29)

3) Walk Wisely

See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is. (Ephesians 5:15-17)

Who is wise? Let him understand these things. Who is prudent? Let him know them. For the ways of the LORD are right; The righteous walk in them, But transgressors stumble in them. (Hosea 14:9)

The above three pillars work hand in hand and each have their own set of principles. This blog will address the principles of arising and their benefits to the body of Christ.

Three Principles of Arising

1) Be A Witness for Christ Jesus – Stand on Your Feet

But rise, and stand upon thy feet: for I have appeared unto thee for this purpose, to make thee a minister and a witness both of these things which thou hast seen, and of those things in the which I will appear unto thee; (Acts 26:16)

Paul is recounting his conversion before King Agrippa from being against Jesus to following Jesus. Christ promised that he would deliver Paul “from the Jewish people,” that is Israel, and “from the Gentiles.” As an educated religious Jewish man and a member of the Jewish Council, Paul had his awakening encounter with Jesus. It’s evident that Paul was called to a very large ministry and his obedience to the call has been monumental to the body of Christ throughout the ages and today. But what about you and I? It’s easy to say, “well, I’m not a Paul and I’m not called to anything big like he was.” How do you know? Do you think for one minute when Paul woke up that morning he had any indication that he would be called to the gentile nations on that day he was headed to Damascus to persecute followers of Christ?

Even so, what message do we as believers in Christ receive when we read 2 Corinthians 5:20 when Paul says “we are ambassadors of Christ, as though God were pleading through us; we implore you on Christ’s behalf, be reconciled to God. For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.”? 

Regardless of what calling you may have, you have a call to be a minister of Christ—to represent Him in your coming and your going (home, workplace, relationships etc.) Jesus said in Matthew 22:1-14 in the parable of the Marriage Feast, that many are called, but few are chosen.  You are called. Make it your heart’s desire to be chosen and serve Jesus.

And I said, What shall I do, Lord? And the Lord said unto me, Arise, and go into Damascus; and there it shall be told thee of all things which are appointed for thee to do. And when I could not see for the glory of that light, being led by the hand of them that were with me, I came into Damascus. And one Ananias, a devout man according to the law, having a good report of all the Jews which dwelt there, came unto me, and stood, and said unto me, Brother Saul, receive thy sight. And the same hour I looked up upon him. And he said, The God of our fathers hath chosen thee, that thou shouldest know his will, and see that Just One, and shouldest hear the voice of his mouth. For thou shalt be his witness unto all men of what thou hast seen and heard. (Acts 22:10-15)

2) Be Filled with the Holy Spirit

And he said unto me, Son of man, stand on your feet, and I will speak to you.  Then as He spoke to me the Spirit entered me and set me on my feet, and I heard Him speaking to me.  (Ezekiel 2:1-2)

It is the Spirit of God that empowered Ezekiel to do his ministry. This same Spirit will empower you to your calling. God does not want you cowering down and being complacent (dead or lukewarm). Feet are an important part of the body in the Word of God, as they are referred to in the armor of God as what is required to be shod in preparation for the gospel of peace. Without the empowering of the Holy Spirit, you will not be able to stand against the wiles of the enemy let alone be prepared to share the gospel of peace in these end times. 

It is the baptism by the Holy Spirit that empowers you to stand on your feet and take your place in the body and it is the baptism of the Holy Spirit that imparts and manifests the necessary gifts to train and equip you in your calling. Take a look at scripture with Ezekiel being the example. You will want to read Ezekiel, Chapters 1, 2 and 3 to receive more revelation.

The works of the Spirit:

Sets you apart (Ezek 2:6-10)

Feeds and fills you with the word (Ezek 3:1-3)

Trains you for ministry (Ezek 3:4-7)

Strengthens your face (Ezek 3:8-11)

Takes you into supernatural experiences (Ezek 3:12-14)

Gives you a heart after the heart of the Father (Ezek 3:15-21)

Takes you into the wilderness (tests) (Ezek 3:22)

Shows you the glory of God (Ezek 3:23)

Take you to the Spirit of Revival (Ezek 3:24-27)

3) Be Obedient to the Spirit 

When you are obedient to the Spirit of God, you demonstrate to Him that you have made a decision to arise in the different areas of your life and I am not talking about picking and choosing certain areas like in a buffet line. It is the works of the Spirit that brings supernatural impartation and releases the gifts of the spirit.

The different areas in life I refer to require you to:

Make a decision to arise from the dead (Eph. 5:14) and from dead works (Heb. 6:1)

Make a decision to arise and walk through the land (The ministry of Jesus)

Make a decision to arise and eat (Gen 1:16-17; Isaiah 55) 

Make a decision to arise and be doing (John 4:34-38)

Make a decision to arise and shine and see the glory of the Lord (Isaiah 60:1-3)

Understand the Benefits of the Awakening

God wants to prepare the church for the day of the Lord

Watch therefore, for you do not know when the master of the house is coming—in the evening, at midnight, at the crowing of the rooster, or in the morning—lest, coming suddenly, he finds you sleeping. And what I say to you, I say to all” Watch!” (Mark 13:35-37)

But who can endure the day of His coming? And who can stand when He appears? For He is like a refiner’s fire and like launderers’ soap. (Malachi 3:2) 

God wants to strengthen the church of Christ

And when they had preached the gospel to that city and made many disciples, they returned to Lystra, Iconium, and Antioch, strengthening the souls of the disciples, exhorting them to continue in the faith, and saying, “We must go through many tribulations to enter the kingdom of God.”  (Acts 14:21)

Now may our Lord Jesus Christ Himself, and God our Father, who by grace has loved us and given us eternal comfort and good hope, encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good word and deed. (2 Thessalonians 2:16)

Now this I say lest anyone should deceive you with persuasive words. For though I am absent in the flesh, yet I am with you in spirit, rejoicing to see your good order and the steadfastness of your faith in Christ. As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, as you have been taught, abounding in it with thanksgiving. Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ. For in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead body; and you are complete in Him, who is the head of all principality and power. (Colossians 2:4-10)

God wants to clothe the naked and rugged church of Christ

And he showed me Joshua the high priest standing before the angel of the LORD, and Satan standing at his right hand to resist him. And the LORD said unto Satan, “the LORD rebuke thee, O Satan; even the LORD that hath chosen Jerusalem rebuke thee: is not this a brand plucked out of the fire?” Now Joshua was clothed with filthy garments, and stood before the angel. And he answered and spake unto those that stood before him, saying, “take away the filthy garments from him.” And unto him he said, “behold, I have caused thine iniquity to pass from thee, and I will clothe thee with a change of raiment.” And I said, “let them set a fair mitre upon his head.” So they set a fair mitre upon his head, and clothed him with garments. And the angel of the LORD stood by. And the angel of the LORD admonished (warned) Joshua, saying, “Thus saith the LORD of hosts; If thou wilt walk in my ways, and if thou wilt keep my charge, then thou shalt also judge my house, and shalt also keep my courts, and I will give thee places to walk among these that stand by.” (Zachariah 3:1-7)

I will greatly rejoice in the LORD, My soul shall be joyful in my God; for He has clothed me with the garments of salvation, He has covered me with the robe of righteousness, As a bridegroom decks himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels. (Isaiah 61:10)

And I heard, as it were, the voice of a great multitude, as the sound of many waters and as the sound of mighty thunderings, saying, “Alleluia! For the Lord God Omnipotent reigns! Let us be glad and rejoice and give Him glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and His wife has made herself ready.” And to her it was granted to be arrayed in fine linen, clean and bright, for the fine linen is the righteous acts of the saints. (Rev. 19:6-8)

God wants to restore the Spirit of holiness to the church of Christ

Speak to all the congregation of the children of Israel, and say to them: ‘You shall be holy, for I the LORD your God am holy’. (Lev. 19:2)

Concerning His Son Jesus Christ our Lord, who was born of the seed of David according to the flesh, and declared to be the Son of God with power according to the Spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead. Through Him we have received grace and apostleship for obedience to the faith among all nations for His name, among who you also are the called for Jesus Christ. (Romans 1:3-6)

If the blood of bulls and goats and the ashes of a heifer, sprinkling the unclean, sanctifies for the purifying of the flesh, how much more shall the blood of Christ who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without spot to God, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God? (Hebrews 9:13-14)

Therefore strengthen the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees, and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame many not be dislocated, but rather be healed. Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord. (Hebrews 12:12-14)

God wants to remove the flesh from the church of Christ

This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that you cannot do the things that you wish. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these: Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, strife/selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like: of the which I tell you beforehand, as I have also told you in time past, that those who practice such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, long suffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self control. Against such there is no law. And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. (Galatians 5:16-24)

God wants to purify the church of Christ

Just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her, that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word, that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish. (Ephesians 5:25-27)

Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. Make me hear joy and gladness, that the bones You have broken may rejoice. Hide your face from my sins, and blot out all my iniquities. Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. (Psalm 51:7-10)

Speak to all the congregation of the children of Israel, and say to them: ‘You shall be holy, for I the LORD your God am holy’. (Lev. 19:2)

God wants to remove the dust from the church of Christ

Shake thyself from the dust; arise, and sit down on your throne, O Jerusalem: loose thyself from the bands of thy neck, O captive daughter of Zion. (Isaiah 52:2)

Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ. (Colossians 2:8)

These people honor Me with their lips, but their hearts are far from Me. They worship Me in vain; they teach as doctrine the precepts of men.’” Jesus called the crowd to Him and said, “Listen and understand.… (Matthew 15:8-10)

God wants to bring peace to the restless church of our days

Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” (Matthew 11:28-30)

There remains therefore a rest for the people of God. For he who enters His rest has himself also ceased from his works as God did from His. (Hebrews 4:9-10)

Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. (Romans 15:13)

God wants to loose the church from the bands of her neck and bring her back to the captivity of Christ.

But now since you have been set free from sin and have become [willing] slaves to God, you have your benefit, resulting in sanctification [being made holy and set apart for God’s purpose], and the outcome [of this] is eternal life. (Romans 6:22)

For in Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set you free from the law of sin and death. (Romans 8:2)

It has been God’s master plan throughout the ages for mankind to inherit the kingdom of God. Satan’s works were defeated on the cross and his only weapon against God’s people is deception. God spoke so clearly to Isaiah regarding our redemption coming near to deliver us from the bonds of Satan. Jesus spoke it so clearly in the New Testament gospels. There is One Creator, One Redeemer, One Spirit and you and I need all three (Yahweh, Yeshua, and the Holy Spirit). 

We will conclude this post with Isaiah 52. After reading the above, we believe you will find even more meaning and revelation in God’s word because you now understand the principles.

Awake, awake! Put on your strength, O Zion’ put on your beautiful garments, O Jerusalem, the holy city! For the uncircumcised and the unclean shall no longer come to you. Shake yourself from the dust, arise and sit on your throne, O Jerusalem! Loose yourself from the bonds of your neck, O captive daughter of Zion!

For thus says the Lord: “You have sold yourselves for nothing, and you shall be redeemed without money.”

For thus says the Lord God: “My people went down at first into Egypt to dwell there; then the Assyrian oppressed them without cause. Now therefore, what have I here,” says the Lord, “That My people are taken away for nothing? Those who rule over them make them wail,” says the Lord, “and My name is blasphemed continually every day. Therefore My people shall know My name; Therefore they shall know in that day that I AM He who speaks; ‘Behold, it is I.’”

How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him who brings good news, who proclaims peace, who brings glad tidings of good things, who proclaims salvation, who says to Zion, “Your God reigns!” Your watchmen shall lift up their voices, with their voices they shall sing together for they shall see eye to eye when the Lord brings back Zion. 

Break forth into joy, sing together, you waste places of Jerusalem! For the Lord has comforted His people, He has redeemed Jerusalem. The Lord has made bare His holy arm in the eyes of all the nations; and all the ends of the earth shall see the salvation of our God.

Depart! Depart! Go out from there, touch no unclean thing; go out from the midst of her, be clean, you who bear the vessels of the Lord. For you shall not go out with haste nor go by flight; for the Lord will go before you, and the God of Israel will be your rear guard. 

Behold, My Servant shall deal prudently; He shall be exalted and extolled and be very high. Just as many were astonished at you, so His visage was marred more than any man, and His form more than the sons of men; so shall He sprinkle many nations. Kings shall shut their mouths at Him; for what had not been told them they shall see, and what they had not heard they shall consider.

We pray you have been blessed by this teaching and have new understanding. Please feel free to reach out with questions or comments. Also, please take a moment to subscribe if you are not a subscriber so you will be notified when new blog posts on Seeking The Light, Walking Wisely and others become available.  This post is also available on Spotify and Apple Podcast.

May you be blessed and know that you are loved, in Jesus’ name!

All scriptures are from the NKJV, BSB, AMP, or KJ