Q. I read your doctrinal statement in regard to the Holy Spirit which contains a single line concerning the spiritual gifts which states:
We believe that speaking in tongues was never the common or necessary sign of the baptism nor of the filling of the Spirit. (Acts 4:8, 31; Rom. 8:23; 1 Cor. 13:8)
I would like to learn more on this area.
A few questions: (1) What was the purpose of the speaking in tongues and is there a change in this ministry today. (2) What about praying in tongues (1 Cor 14:14)?
Thank you for your website. It's been helpful.
The Purpose of Tongues
A. As I'm sure you know, the issue of the use of Spiritual gifts, both in the early church and in our own day, is somewhat controversial and involves numerous subtleties which can be difficult to address in a simple question-and-answer format.
Our doctrinal statement recognizes that while speaking in tongues did occur in the initial giving of the Spirit to different people groups in the book of Acts: (1) Jews (Acts 2), (2) Samaritans (implied in Acts 8:18), (3) Gentiles (Acts 10), and (4) disciples of John the Baptist (Acts 19) and was also a practice of the early church (1 Corinthians 13; 14), this ministry of the Spirit occurred within a historical context associated with the initial formation of the body of Christ (which began on the Day of Pentecost) and was not�as many assume�used to preach the gospel to foreign people groups. Moreover, the New Testament teaches that tongues are one of several "sign gifts" which were destined to pass away (1 Cor. 1:8). Although we recognize there are different views within the Church concerning what 1 Cor. 1:8 is teaching concerning when tongues would cease (e.g., at the close of the canon, at the maturing of the Church, at the advent of Christ), the teachers on our website believe the practice of true biblical tongues (e.g., speaking in unlearned known human languages) is no longer active in our age. [1]
Speaking for myself, I was saved within the Pentecostal movement where I learned the use of "ecstatic speech"�supposedly as a sign that I had been "baptized with the Holy Spirit" (just like in Acts!) and also for use in private prayer. As I grew to see problems with the practice�and came to a more Scriptural understanding of the historical context of Acts, I gave up the practice of ecstatic speech and eventually left the Pentecostal movement entirely. I came to believe, by the study of God's Word, that tongues were bona fide languages, and saw major differences concerning how they were used in the early church vs. modern practices. As a point of reference, my experience with ecstatic speech spanned about the first five years of my Christian experience.
Tongues in the Early Church
A brief survey of the use of tongues in the early church yields the following observations:
In every documented case, tongues were known human languages (Acts 2, possibly Acts 8:18; 10; 19)�not ecstatic speech. [2]
Tongues were not used to preach the gospel�even in settings where the gospel was being given to a new people group (Acts 2; 8; 10; 19). In Acts 2, after the disciples erupted in tongues of praise, the unsaved people subsequently received the gospel message by the preaching of Peter in their native tongue (Acts 2:14-41). In Acts 10, the persons receiving the gospel message were the ones who spoke in tongues�and then only after Peter had preached the gospel to them in their native tongue (Acts 10:34-43).
When the Spirit uses tongues to communicate in a language or languages which some who are present do not know, they are unable to understand God's message. In such a circumstance, the use of Tongues can be associated with judgment (1 Cor. 14:21-22). It is my belief that this was the case when the Jews of the dispersion could understand what was being said on the Day of Pentecost (Acts 2:8) but the local Jews could not (Acts 2:13).
Tongues were used as a sign to different groups on different occasions. (1) In Acts 2, tongues were used by God as an indication to the disciples who were waiting for the Promise of the Father that the promise had indeed arrived. Tongues were also used in Acts 2 as a miraculous sign to the Jews of the diaspora who were in Jerusalem for the feast of Pentecost. Tongues were used yet again in Acts 2 as a sign of judgment in that local Jews did not understand what was being said. This was a strong hint that God's focus was now turning outward from Jerusalem. (2) In Acts 8:17-18, there is a strong implication that tongues were used by God to indicate the giving of the Spirit to the Samaritans was dependent upon the Jews. It was only when John and Peter laid hands on the Samaritans that the Spirit was given. This communicated that "salvation is of the Jews" (John 4:22) and establishing the priority of the message of the Jewish apostles over the rival religious views of the Samaritans. (3) In Acts 10, God uses tongues as a sign to those who already believed�the Jews�that He was bringing the Gentiles into the Church. Peter's gospel presentation, in a language already understood by the Gentiles, was unexpectedly interrupted when the Gentiles erupted in tongues. Significantly, unlike the Samaritan case, they did this independently of Peter laying his hands on them (Acts 10:45; 11:18). The Gentiles were being brought in on equal terms with the Jews (Eph. 2:14-16). (4) In Acts 19, God uses tongues as a sign to the followers of John the baptist that Paul had God-given authority and that his message concerning Jesus was true. [3]
Although not everyone in the early church spoke in tongues (1 Cor. 12:30), they were all baptized by the Holy Spirit (1 Cor. 12:13). In fact, it is impossible to be joined to the body of Christ�the Church�without having undergone Spirit baptism. Therefore, in our age in which the Spirit has already been given (John 7:38-39), it is not a second work beyond salvation.
The instructions to tarry in Jerusalem for the "Promise of the Father" (Acts 1:4)�the Baptism of the Spirit�is anchored in the historical context of the formation of the body of Christ following the ascension of Jesus. After the literal body of Christ ascended to the right hand of the Father (Acts 1:9), the Holy Spirit descended to form the spiritual body of Christ which is to serve in His absence (Acts 2; Acts 11:16 cf. John 7:38-39). The Holy Spirit came in a new ministry of Spirit baptism to form the body of Christ, the Church (Rom. 6:3; 1 Cor. 12:13; Gal. 3:27). "I will not leave you orphans, I will come to you" (John 14:18).
Some aspects of the private use of tongues within the early church remain unclear (e.g., 1 Cor. 14:2,4,14-15). However, when attempting to understand what tongues were and how they were used, we must begin with the clear passages and move to the less clear ones rather than using the less clear passages to build our understanding. Failure to follow this priority has led to the mistaken notion, in my view, that there are multiple kinds of tongues (e.g., unlearned human languages for preaching the gospel, heavenly angelic languages for praise, and ecstatic speech for private prayer).
Conclusion
It is my view that the New Testament gift of tongues is no longer evident within the Church. My assessment of the "ecstatic speech," which I at one time practiced and many in the Church still practice today, is that it results from a zealous but misguided attempt to recreate, in the flesh, what the Spirit is no longer giving in our day. I also believe that the commonly encountered practice among Pentecostals of coaching people to "speak in tongues" (e.g., "start making a sound... just let a sound rise up from your mouth...") is nowhere to be found in the New Testament. This method of "learning" to speak in tongues is at complete odds with the use of tongues in Acts. Can you imagine Peter ever having coached Cornelius and his household in this manner�when the Jews themselves had no idea that God would cause the Gentiles to spontaneously erupt in tongues? The view that Spirit baptism is a second work beyond salvation in our day betrays a lack of understanding concerning the historical context surrounding the Promise of the Father, the transition from the gospels through Acts to the formation of the Church, and the nature of the body of Christ beyond the transitional period recorded in the book of Acts. At the time of Acts, the Holy Spirit had not yet been given (John 7:38-39) and could not be given until Christ had departed and been glorified (Luke 11:13; John 7:39; 16:7). These preconditions for the giving of the Spirit were met in the one-time historical event of His departure which led to the events of Acts 2, the establishment and maturing of the early Church, and the formation of the New Testament canon. None of which continues in our day.
As believers there are certain principles to which we must be thoroughly committed. For example, our experience cannot determine our theology. Instead, we must submit our experience and our theology to God�s word. Peter illustrates this principle for us when he explains that even though he had witnessed Christ in His glory at the transfiguration (Mt 16:28-17:2; 2 Pet 1:16-18), the prophetic word regarding Christ�or God�s revelation�confirmed the issue (2 Pet 1:19-21). What Peter says on this subject is important, because even if God did presently use experiential or sensory means, it would be secondary to His word.
Tongues, Prophecy, and Knowledge
Peter also describes in those verses how God spoke to people�the Holy Spirit moved men to speak the word of God (2 Pet 1:21). Certainly, God did speak to people in dreams and other ways (e.g., Heb 1:1). And Paul agrees that all Scripture is God-breathed (2 Tim 3:16-17). Still, in 1 Corinthians 13 Paul describes how the confirming gifts of tongues, prophecy, and knowledge�gifts whereby God spoke to people�would fulfill their purpose and come to a conclusion.
In a context describing the superiority of love (1 Cor 13:1-13), Paul explains that the gift of tongues would cease on its own (13:8). Tongues was a gift which enabled people to speak God�s word in actual languages that the speaker didn�t understand. This is illustrated in Acts 2:9-11, a passage which includes a list of at least sixteen different languages or dialects by which God used the disciples (and those with them) to proclaim God�s gospel. This gift served as a sign to unbelievers (1 Cor 14:22) that God had sent His Holy Spirit (Acts 2:36-38, 10:45-46, 19:5-6). Paul rebuked the Corinthian church for not utilizing the gift properly at times, and challenged them regarding the importance of love. After that commentary in 1 Corinthians, written in about 51AD, the Bible never mentions the gift of tongues again�not even in the letter Paul wrote to that same church just a few months later. Very early in church history, the gift of tongues had fulfilled its purpose and ceased on its own, just as Paul said it would.
Partial prophecy and knowledge (1 Cor 13:9), on the other hand, would continue until the complete would arrive (13:10), at which time the partial�or incomplete�would be ended. Considering the Greek terminology and syntax of 13:9-10, the issue is not that prophecy and knowledge would be fulfilled by the coming of the complete (to telian), but rather that partial (ek merous) prophecy and knowledge would be ended by it. The simplest understanding of these comments by Paul, is that there would come a time when God�s revealing through prophecy and words of knowledge would come to a conclusion�that He would have said all He had to say. It is evident that milestone is achieved at the conclusion of the book of Revelation, when Jesus leaves the reader expecting no further communication from God (with only the remaining exception of the two prophets of Revelation 11) until the return of Christ (Rev 22:18-20).
Hebrews 1:1-2 tells us that while God used many methods in former times to communicate, in these last days, He �has spoken to us in His Son.� Jesus prepared His disciples for His ascension, telling them the Holy Spirit would come to guide them into all the truth (Jn 16:13-14). Upon His departure, He reminded them to �make disciples�teaching them to observe all that I commanded you� (Mt 28:20). The Holy Spirit fulfilled that ministry of guiding the disciples into all the truth, as Peter says, �men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God� (2 Pet 1:21). Jesus� communication, through the Holy Spirit to His disciples, was finished at the end of the book of Revelation.
So, does God speak to us today? Can we interpret dreams or other experiences as His revelations to us?
Simple answers: no and no. We have to understand where we fit in the chronology of God�s unfolding plan. There were times when God used dreams to reveal His plans (e.g., Dan 2, etc.), but as the above passages describe, He simply doesn�t utilize those methods right now to speak to His people. That is not to say that He can�t use dreams or other experiences to spur us to thought or even possibly to draw my attention to His word�certainly He uses many circumstances in our lives to encourage, nudge or even redirect us. But God has spoken, His word is the only thing that of which we can be certain. As 2 Timothy 3:16-17 says, all Scripture is God-breathed, and useful to equip us for every good work.
Knowing the Will of God
So, how do we know what God would have us do in areas that His word hasn�t specifically addressed? For example, a believer may wonder if he or she should move from one vocation to another. Gideon had a fleece. Hezekiah had shadows. But what do believers have to give us confidence in the Lord�s direction? How can a believer know God�s will for his or her life when the Bible doesn�t specifically address it?
James 1:5 tells us if we are going through difficulty and we don�t know how to handle it, that we should ask Him for wisdom, believing in Him, and He will provide it. That means if we are focused on Him as He prescribes, He will give us what we need in order to maneuver the challenges of life. Not by some mystical revelation, but by provision of wisdom so that we can make sound decisions.
Also, Psalm 37:4 is an encouraging and liberating passage: �Delight yourself in the Lord; and He will give you the desires of your heart.� If I am taking pleasure in Him, then what my heart wants will align with what He wants. When making difficult decisions, we can simply pursue His glory (1 Cor 10:31), ask Him for wisdom believing He will provide (James 1:5), and delight in Him (Ps 37:4). We can make the tough decision and trust Him with the outcome.
Summary:
He provides confidence, peace, and direction, if we will but listen to what He has already said (in the BIBLE!!!!) and has already provided. Let�s stop asking Him to repeat Himself, and just take Him at His word.
John MacArthur has long been concerned about the dangers of Pentecostalism and the Charismatic Movement. Over twenty years ago he wrote Charismatic Chaos which documented many of the excesses of the movement. The major criticism at the time of MacArthur's position was that he painted too broadly and thus lumped those on the lunatic fringe of charismania with those who were substantially more biblically sound. The fringe crowd, after all, composed a small minority of the total Pentecostal/Charismatic family. Whatever MacArthur's critics might think of Strange Fire, they can no longer claim that the extreme Charismatics are either the minority or unusual. The fastest growing, and most visible, segments of the movement are those formerly identified as fringe. There are still many doctrinally sound Charismatics within Christendom today and MacArthur takes great pains to say so (pp. 81-82). But the extremists are everywhere and growing rapidly. In addition there are newer concerns such as the Reformed Charismatics, or Neo-Calvinists, who are combining some excellent theology in some areas with openness to the charismatic gifts. These include Wayne Grudem, John Piper, D.A. Carson, and Mark Driscoll. MacArthur devotes his final chapter to pleading with these men to re-examine their position biblically.
Strange Fire
'Strange Fire' by John MacArthur
MacArthur's overarching concern is that the Pentecostal/Charismatic Movement's commitment to subjectivism and experience dominates their belief in biblical revelation (pp. 16-17) and is leading much of evangelicalism to embrace this philosophy. MacArthur traces the roots of this emphasis on subjectivism at least back to Schleiermacher and Ritschl, the founders of theological liberalism, since they replaced revelation with experience as their source of authority (pp. 215-218). Pentecostalism itself had its beginnings in the Wesleyan/Holiness Movements of the 18th and 19th centuries, but was officially birthed in 1901 by Charles Parham. The recognized start of the Charismatic Movement was 1960. Today we have witnessed the Third Wave, the Latter Rain, the New Apostolic Reformation, the Word-of-Faith and the Prosperity Gospel Movements, among others. Yet the movements are riddled with theological and practical problems. Scandals have been common within Pentecostal leadership (pp. 60-65), the doctrine of the sufficiency of Scripture has been declared demonic by some (p. 69), bogus claims abound, and believers are being led astray.
What can be done about all this? MacArthur spends two chapters showing how the Christian is to test the spirits of the age (pp. 37-82). Most importantly, he clearly and often emphasizes that whatever is happening today is not what happened in the New Testament: biblical tongues were actual languages whereas tongues today are gibberish (pp. 133-154); biblical healings were undeniable, miraculous healings of organic diseases and ailments whereas healings today are unverified, selective, and practiced in controlled environments; and prophecies in the Bible were without error whereas today most are full of mistakes and are products of human imaginations.
The issue of "fallible" prophecy is an important one due to its acceptance by many leading evangelicals in the Neo-Calvinism camp. Often known as continuationists, these leaders teach that the Lord continues to give prophecies today, those prophecies however, unlike biblical ones, are fallible. A certain revelation may be partly from the Lord and partly from the mistaken imagining of the "prophet." The doctrinal basis for this view is found in Wayne Grudem's groundbreaking work, The Gift of Prophecy in the New Testament and Today, and in his Systematic Theology, both of which attempt to show that, unlike Old Testament prophecy which was infallible, New Testament prophecy was flawed being a mixture of true revelation and human interpretation. MacArthur demonstrates that Grudem is wrong in his thinking and that all revelation from God is without error (pp. 105-123). Later MacArthur provides an appendix showing that his view, known as cessationism, has been the historic stance among major evangelicals (pp. 251-261).
One of the important, and erroneous, criticisms of cessationism is that it diminishes the role of the Holy Spirit. MacArthur spends over 50 pages refuting this idea by showing the active ministry of the Holy Spirit in our salvation (pp. 179-195), our sanctification (pp. 197-213), and inspiration of Scripture�the means by which God speaks to His people today (pp. 213-230). He also includes a helpful discussion of the illuminating work of the Holy Spirit (pp. 224-226).
Strange Fire is a timely and valuable work. The reader will learn much about the history, doctrine, dangers and influences of the Pentecostal/Charismatic Movement. For those who identify themselves as New Calvinists, and are open to the charismatic gifts of tongues, healings and prophecy, it is hoped that this book will cause them to reconsider their position.
And there shall be a bridle in the jaws of the people,
Causing them to err.
Isaiah 30:27-28
My Jewish brother - a rabbi- Yaakov teaches Jews:
�In this week�s Torah portion of Shemini (Leviticus 9:1-11:47) we read about the deaths of Nadav & Avihu, sons of Aharon the High Priest.
Leviticus 10:2 - And a fire went forth from before the L-rd and consumed them [Nadav & Avihu], and they died before the L-rd.
There are many explanations given as to why they were punished so severely but the most obvious reason is stated in the verse prior.
Leviticus 10:1 - And they brought before the L-rd a foreign fire, which He had not commanded them.
Let us apply this passage to our daily lives and help gain some insight on our mission with respect to our own personal service of G-d.
Boastful people from all religions today �claim� to know what G-d wants. They make up all kinds of offerings which are not commanded.
One might normally think that going �above & beyond� for G-d is a good thing. This Torah portion teaches us that it�s not necessarily so.
G-d doesn�t want �fire� [passion] which is not commanded. Don�t bring your own personal offerings to the L-rd. Bring what he commands of you
By applying this concept to our daily lives, we must make sure that we bring what we are asked, not what we want to offer. Big difference.�
Leviticus 9
The Priestly Ministry Begins9 It came to pass on the eighth day that Moses called Aaron and his sons and the elders of Israel. 2 And he said to Aaron, �Take for yourself a young bull as a sin offering and a ram as a burnt offering, without blemish, and offer them before the Lord. 3 And to the children of Israel you shall speak, saying, �Take a kid of the goats as a sin offering, and a calf and a lamb, both of the first year, without blemish, as a burnt offering, 4 also a bull and a ram as peace offerings, to sacrifice before the Lord, and a grain offering mixed with oil; for today the Lord will appear to you.��
5 So they brought what Moses commanded before the tabernacle of meeting. And all the congregation drew near and stood before the Lord. 6 Then Moses said, �This is the thing which the Lord commanded you to do, and the glory of the Lord will appear to you.� 7 And Moses said to Aaron, �Go to the altar, offer your sin offering and your burnt offering, and make atonement for yourself and for the people. Offer the offering of the people, and make atonement for them, as the Lord commanded.�
8 Aaron therefore went to the altar and killed the calf of the sin offering, which was for himself. 9 Then the sons of Aaron brought the blood to him. And he dipped his finger in the blood, put it on the horns of the altar, and poured the blood at the base of the altar. 10 But the fat, the kidneys, and the fatty lobe from the liver of the sin offering he burned on the altar, as the Lord had commanded Moses. 11 The flesh and the hide he burned with fire outside the camp.
12 And he killed the burnt offering; and Aaron�s sons presented to him the blood, which he sprinkled all around on the altar. 13 Then they presented the burnt offering to him, with its pieces and head, and he burned them on the altar. 14 And he washed the entrails and the legs, and burned them with the burnt offering on the altar.15 Then he brought the people�s offering, and took the goat, which was the sin offering for the people, and killed it and offered it for sin, like the first one. 16 And he brought the burnt offering and offered it according to the prescribed manner. 17 Then he brought the grain offering, took a handful of it, and burned it on the altar, besides the burnt sacrifice of the morning.18 He also killed the bull and the ram as sacrifices of peace offerings, which were for the people. And Aaron�s sons presented to him the blood, which he sprinkled all around on the altar, 19 and the fat from the bull and the ram�the fatty tail, what covers the entrails and the kidneys, and the fatty lobe attached to the liver; 20 and they put the fat on the breeasts. Then he burned the fat on the altar; 21 but the breeasts and the right thigh Aaron waved as a wave offering before the Lord, as Moses had commanded.
22 Then Aaron lifted his hand toward the people, blessed them, and came down from offering the sin offering, the burnt offering, and peace offerings. 23 And Moses and Aaron went into the tabernacle of meeting, and came out and blessed the people. Then the glory of the Lord appeared to all the people, 24 and fire came out from before the Lord and consumed the burnt offering and the fat on the altar. When all the people saw it, they shouted and fell on their faces.
Leviticus 10:1-7
The Profane Fire of Nadab and Abihu1 Then Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, each took his censer and put fire in it, put incense on it, and offered profane fire before the Lord, which He had not commanded them. 2 So fire went out from the Lord and devoured them, and they died before the Lord. 3 And Moses said to Aaron, �This is what the Lord spoke, saying:
�By those who come near Me
I must be regarded as holy;
And before all the people
I must be glorified.��
So Aaron held his peace.4 Then Moses called Mishael and Elzaphan, the sons of Uzziel the uncle of Aaron, and said to them, �Come near, carry your brethren from before the sanctuary out of the camp.� 5 So they went near and carried them by their tunics out of the camp, as Moses had said.
6 And Moses said to Aaron, and to Eleazar and Ithamar, his sons, �Do not uncover your heads nor tear your clothes, lest you die, and wrath come upon all the people. But let your brethren, the whole house of Israel, bewail the burning which the Lord has kindled. 7 You shall not go out from the door of the tabernacle of meeting, lest you die, for the anointing oil of the Lord is upon you.� And they did according to the word of Moses
Ok, Christians, what are your insights on that? What is a Foreign Fire?
My sister said:
�Shalom Bahira, Shavua' tov!
Nadav and Avihu not only offered foreign fire, by doing this as priests they gave a bad example and could incite the Israelites to false worship!
I believe that only if our fleshly nature is sacrificed on Jahweh's altar, we won't offer foreign fires anymore. Because then our flesh (soul) has learned to submit to the guidance of God's Holy Spirit. Our fleshly nature is the root problem for so many sins, and God Himself has to do His redeeming, purifying work in us.
Romans 12:1 So then, my friends, because of God's great mercy to us I appeal to you: Offer yourselves as a living sacrifice to God, dedicated to his service and pleasing to him. This is the true worship that you should offer.�
�Leviticus 10:1 And Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, took either of them his censer, and put fire therein, and put incense thereon, and offered strange fire before the LORD, which He commanded them NOT.
Strange/foreign/not holy fire is everything we say or do which God has
NOT commanded us to do. God is a Holy God and in Exodus and Leviticus
He repeatedly and specifically told the Israelites to do everything as
"Jahweh had commanded Moses"
This is also what Yeshua/Jesus teaches us John 15: "I tell you the truth: the Son can do nothing on his own; he does only what he sees his Father doing. What the Father does, the Son also does. 20 For the Father loves the Son and shows him all that he himself is doing."
I believe that Christianity and Judaism is full of strange/not holy fire. Christianity is very much polluted with pagan influences! And Judaism with man-made rules.
The Lord purifies us with His Holy fire...ough!! Sometimes that doesn't
feel nice and comfortable!!�
Shalom sister,
Let's analyze the Holy Torah again. Read: Leviticus 9,10.
Note HOW Moses offered offerings!18 He also killed the bull and the ram as sacrifices of peace offerings, which were for the people. And Aaron�s sons presented to him the blood, which he sprinkled all around on the altar, 19 and the fat from the bull and the ram�the fatty tail, what covers the entrails and the kidneys, and the fatty lobe attached to the liver; 20 and they put the fat on the breeasts. Then he burned the fat on the altar; 21 but the breeasts and the right thigh Aaron waved as a wave offering before the Lord, as Moses had commanded.
22 Then Aaron lifted his hand toward the people, blessed them, and came down from offering the sin offering, the burnt offering, and peace offerings. 23 And Moses and Aaron went into the tabernacle of meeting, and came out and blessed the people. Then the glory of the Lord appeared to all the people, 24 and fire came out from before the Lord and consumed the burnt offering and the fat on the altar. When all the people saw it, they shouted and fell on their faces.
Now look how Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron MADE a fake fire! They offered profane fire before the Lord!
A FAKE acts/fake "tongues"/ANY deception in our Church made on BEHALF of God is a FOREIGN FIRE too.
God is going to PUNISH such fake faith!
How?
�and (they) offered profane fire before the Lord, which He had not commanded them. 2 So fire went out from the Lord and devoured them, and they died before the Lord. 3 And Moses said to Aaron, �This is what the Lord spoke, saying:
�By those who come near Me
I must be regarded as holy;
And before all the people
I must be glorified.��
Brothers, NOTE what God says to you today:
'By those who come near Me
I must be regarded as holy;
And before all the people
I must be glorified.'
That is why ABANDON your sins in repentance TODAY to survive God's WRATH tomorrow which will devour soon those who offer to God FAKE faith and imitate God's FIRE by profane fire!
Remember, that the God of Israel is the Devouring FIRE!
One Christian man said:
�To be burning but not consumed, (ie) the burning bush, one must remain on the altar, to get of the altar the fire will go out.
The false or as the Old Testament describes it, strange fire, comes from the priest lighting the fire, rather than taking the fire that God Himself started, and man had to keep the fire burning.
Strange fire can be manipulation of the people by preachers claiming 'I feel the anointing', or the 'glory' is here, when if one opened their eyes they would see nothing. I have had people claim 'the glory' is here, and yet the children are not part of the service but rather are doing their own thing. I am convinced that if 'the glory' was present we would see the kids down at the front basking in the presence of God. Many times I think the church has adopted the mantra of the world, 'fake it till you make it'. Then we wonder why the people after a while lose interest, because they are tired of the manipulation and control.�
So, what is a Foreign Fire God mentioned in the Holy Torah?
That is worship of any false god. That is worship of the FALSE god in Islam!
ISLAM is a FOREIGN Fire!
It is a FALSE worship, FAKE worship.
Lets� listen to the HOLY words of the God of Israel about it:
Isaiah 30
Futile Confidence in Egypt
30 �Woe to the rebellious children,� says the Lord,
�Who take counsel, but not of Me,
And who devise plans, but not of My Spirit,
That they may add sin to sin;
2 Who walk to go down to Egypt,
And have not asked My advice,
To strengthen themselves in the strength of Pharaoh,
And to trust in the shadow of Egypt!
3 Therefore the strength of Pharaoh
Shall be your shame,
And trust in the shadow of Egypt
Shall be your humiliation.
4 For his princes were at Zoan,
And his ambassadors came to Hanes.
5 They were all ashamed of a people who could not benefit them,
Or be help or benefit,
But a shame and also a reproach.�
6 The burden against the beasts of the South.
Through a land of trouble and anguish,
From which came the lioness and lion,
The viper and fiery flying serpent,
They will carry their riches on the backs of young donkeys,
And their treasures on the humps of camels,
To a people who shall not profit;
7 For the Egyptians shall help in vain and to no purpose.
Therefore I have called her
Rahab-Hem-Shebeth.
A Rebellious People
8 Now go, write it before them on a tablet,
And note it on a scroll,
That it may be for time to come,
Forever and ever:
9 That this is a rebellious people,
Lying children,
Children who will not hear the law of the Lord;
10 Who say to the seers, �Do not see,�
And to the prophets, �Do not prophesy to us right things;
Speak to us smooth things, prophesy deceits.
11 Get out of the way,
Turn aside from the path,
Cause the Holy One of Israel
To cease from before us.�
12 Therefore thus says the Holy One of Israel:
�Because you despise this word,
And trust in oppression and perversity,
And rely on them,
13 Therefore this iniquity shall be to you
Like a breach ready to fall,
A bulge in a high wall,
Whose breaking comes suddenly, in an instant.
14 And He shall break it like the breaking of the potter�s vessel,
Which is broken in pieces;
He shall not spare.
So there shall not be found among its fragments
A shard to take fire from the hearth,
Or to take water from the cistern.�
15 For thus says the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel:
�In returning and rest you shall be saved;
In quietness and confidence shall be your strength.�
But you would not,
16 And you said, �No, for we will flee on horses�--
Therefore you shall flee!
And, �We will ride on swift horses�--
Therefore those who pursue you shall be swift!
17 One thousand shall flee at the threat of one,
At the threat of five you shall flee,
Till you are left as a pole on top of a mountain
And as a banner on a hill.
God Will Be Gracious
18 Therefore the Lord will wait, that He may be gracious to you;
And therefore He will be exalted, that He may have mercy on you.
For the Lord is a God of justice;
Blessed are all those who wait for Him.
19 For the people shall dwell in Zion at Jerusalem;
You shall weep no more.
He will be very gracious to you at the sound of your cry;
When He hears it, He will answer you.
20 And though the Lord gives you
The bread of adversity and the water of affliction,
Yet your teachers will not be moved into a corner anymore,
But your eyes shall see your teachers.
21 Your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying,
�This is the way, walk in it,�
Whenever you turn to the right hand
Or whenever you turn to the left.
22 You will also defile the covering of your images of silver,
And the ornament of your molded images of gold.
You will throw them away as an unclean thing;
You will say to them, �Get away!�
23 Then He will give the rain for your seed
With which you sow the ground,
And bread of the increase of the earth;
It will be fat and plentiful.
In that day your cattle will feed
In large pastures.
24 Likewise the oxen and the young donkeys that work the ground
Will eat cured fodder,
Which has been winnowed with the shovel and fan.
25 There will be on every high mountain
And on every high hill
Rivers and streams of waters,
In the day of the great slaughter,
When the towers fall.
26 Moreover the light of the moon will be as the light of the sun,
And the light of the sun will be sevenfold,
As the light of seven days,
In the day that the Lord binds up the bruise of His people
And heals the stroke of their wound.
Judgment
27 Behold, the name of the Lord comes from afar,
Burning with His anger,
And His burden is heavy;
His lips are full of indignation,
And His tongue like a devouring fire.
28 His breath is like an overflowing stream,
Which reaches up to the neck,
To sift the nations with the sieve of futility;
And there shall be a bridle in the jaws of the people,
Causing them to err.
29 You shall have a song
As in the night when a holy festival is kept,
And gladness of heart as when one goes with a flute,
To come into the mountain of the Lord,
To the Mighty One of Israel.
30 The Lord will cause His glorious voice to be heard,
And show the descent of His arm,
With the indignation of His anger
And the flame of a devouring fire,
With scattering, tempest, and hailstones.
31 For through the voice of the Lord
Assyria will be beaten down,
As He strikes with the rod.
32 And in every place where the staff of punishment passes,
Which the Lord lays on him,
It will be with tambourines and harps;
And in battles of brandishing He will fight with it.
33 For Tophet was established of old,
Yes, for the king it is prepared.
He has made it deep and large;
Its pyre is fire with much wood;
The breath of the Lord, like a stream of brimstone,
Kindles it.
What is Tophet (verse 33)?�For Tophet is ordained� - Tophet is a valley very near to Jerusalem, to the southeast, called also the valley of Hinnom or Gehenna -"the Gehenna of everlasting fire." The word "Gehenna" is used for hell. Gehennay was appointed as the place of torment for wicked men. The Targum (paraphrases, explanations, and expansions of the Jewish scriptures by rabbis) mentions that too, "for hell is ordained from the worlds (or before the worlds), because of their sins.'' The Targum says also,
"the King of worlds (of all worlds) prepared it''
Let�s read how He prepared that in the next clause:�he hath made it deep and large; to hold the whole army alive, and to bury them when dead; and so hell is large and deep enough to hold Satan and all his angels, antichrist and all his followers; yea, all the wicked that have been from the beginning of the world, and will be to the end of it�
The Targum says,
"the word of the Lord, like an overflowing torrent of brimstone, shall kindle it''. In the Lake of Fire, the wrath of God will be like a continual stream of brimstone, keeping up the fire of it, so that it shall ever burn, and never be quenched. It is called a Lake burning with fire and brimstone; into which Satan, the Beast/the Anti-Christ, and false prophet, and the worshippers of Antichrist, Muslims, unbelievers and sinners will be cast:
9 Then a third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, �If anyone worships the beast and his image, and receives his mark on his forehead or on his hand, 10 he himself shall also drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out full strength into the cup of His indignation. He shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels and in the presence of the Lamb (the Son of God). 11 And the smoke of their torment ascends forever and ever; and they have no rest day or night, who worship the beast and his image, and whoever receives the mark of his name.�
12 Here is the patience of the saints; here are those who keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus.
Revelation: 14:9-12
Muslims, ABANDON your FALSE religion Islam and believe in the Son of God because SOON:
�The Lord will cause His glorious voice to be heard,
I enjoyed the reading about tongues, and I will not cite scripture as plenty of it already cited. I would like to add to it however.
Much like those that accused Jesus of heresy for healing on sunday and those were priests, to interpret the scripture like law I believe to be why so many have fallen away from church.
For example, I come from baptist back ground, then as a young adult converted to catholism.
I was blessed with the gift of tongues when I knew little of it and out of that ignorance I fought it for a time.
I eventually fully embraced the gift and although I dont understand why i have it on a global or worldly level, I know on a personal level with God I have so much more matured spiritually.
I cannot share my other language prayer with everyone but there have been times I could not control it and there were witnesses such as my brother in law was on a machine and the family was about to un plug him and my prayer language went into tongues.
I dont think tongues has fallen away like those that interpret the bible, I think the interpretation of it is that it is rare.
The gifts were given to convince those, I think I needed them to come closer to my lord and because I was in the midst of evil and didnt know it so he gave me that language to protect me.
I think God is everywhere and in everything if we remove the vail from our eyes. I do not limit him.
I will not turn down anything that my Lord has for me.
