Marking and Cutting Off False Brethren
Rohnel, and my beloved husband, Peter, angels and servants of God and Christ, by God’s design unto the twelve tribes scattered in the world beloved of God, called to be saints, to the little children and to the faithful: Grace to you and peace from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ.
1Pe 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,
1Pe 1:4 To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you,
1Pe 1:5 Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.
Keep My Commandments and Live, says the Lord
Joh 14:15 If ye love me, keep my commandments.
Joh 14:21 He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him.
Introduction
Warnings about false teachers, prophets, and antichrists are most vital for us today, after the true Gospel of God, the Father, has been preached. This study overlaps with the one entitled Warnings and Commandments About Deceivers, yet due to ongoing risk and engagement within the flock, a specific warning about the spirit of the Sadducees is provided.
We are commanded to take heed and carefully guard our Doctrine, holding fast to what we have heard from the beginning. Our spiritual lives depend on it.
1Ti 4:16 Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee.
1Jn 2:24 Let that therefore abide in you, which ye have heard from the beginning. If that which ye have heard from the beginning shall remain in you, ye also shall continue in the Son, and in the Father.
Once the Holy Spirit comes, the Power of God, we entertain nothing to the contrary, no matter who speaks them, friend or foe. The Gospel is the Commandments of God, the Father, given through Christ, and we do not add to or take away from them.
Gal 1:8 But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.
Gal 1:9 As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.
We are free in Christ by the perfect Law of Liberty that now lives in us. We give no subjection to false brethren who bring in a different Gospel. We shun these deceivers and remain steadfast, taking heed that no one steal our crown in Christ Jesus.
Gal 2:4 And that because of false brethren unawares brought in, who came in privily to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into bondage:
Gal 2:5 To whom we gave place by subjection, no, not for an hour; that the truth of the gospel might continue with you.
2Co 11:3 But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.
2Co 11:4 For if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus, whom we have not preached, or if ye receive another spirit, which ye have not received, or another gospel, which ye have not accepted, ye might well bear with him.
We face many perils, which are spiritual life-threatening experiences. We obey the Lord to escape these perils and to stay alive in the Holy Spirit. This is so important, we need to hear again, as our spiritual lives in Christ are at stake. If we fall back now, it is impossible to renew us again in this age.
2Co 11:26 In journeyings often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils by mine own countrymen, in perils by the heathen, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren.
Heb 6:4 For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost,
Heb 6:5 And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come,
Heb 6:6 If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame.
False spirits come disguised as sheep, but inwardly, they are ravening wolves. Outwardly, they look like true brethren who love the Lord, but we know them by their fruits. They manifest as angels of light.
Mat 7:15 Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.
Mat 7:16 Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?
Please read Gal 5:22 about the fruit of the Spirit, and Gal 5:19-21 about the works of the flesh, to see the difference. We know a deceiver by his or her fruit.
Mat 7:17 Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit.
Mat 7:18 A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.
Mat 7:19 Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.
Mat 7:20 Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.
Mat 15:11 Not that which goeth into the mouth defileth a man; but that which cometh out of the mouth, this defileth a man.
Keeping the Lord’s Supper holy and not eating with those practicing sin, despite the outward forms of godliness, is a Commandment of Christ, and we take heed. It is the latter times, the Gospel is preached, and the end of the ages IS come upon those who have heard and is hearing. We cut off all occasions of those who bring deception into our heavens.
2Co 11:12 But what I do, that I will do, that I may cut off occasion from them which desire occasion; that wherein they glory, they may be found even as we.
2Co 11:13 For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ.
2Co 11:14 And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.
Watchmen
With this being said, let us now see who the true watchmen of the flock are. Watchmen sit on the wall of the temple, which are the Commandments, and watch over the sheep and the holy city, that is to say, spiritual Jerusalem. It is a parable. True watchmen enter in before the sheep and are not hirelings. They give their spiritual lives for the sheep. Shepherds act, and hirlings flee when the thief enters. Shepherds the Lord raises are appointed to please God and not men, and give their lives for the sheep. They keep the charge of God’s altar.
Joh 10:11 I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.
Joh 10:12 But he that is an hireling, and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth: and the wolf catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep.
Joh 10:13 The hireling fleeth, because he is an hireling, and careth not for the sheep.
Heb 13:9 Be not carried about with divers and strange doctrines. For it is a good thing that the heart be established with grace; not with meats, which have not profited them that have been occupied therein.
Heb 13:10 We have an altar, whereof they have no right to eat which serve the tabernacle.
Shepherds judge according to the Commandments regarding all things and do not judge according to the flesh, that is to say, their accusing and excusing thoughts within, which is judging according to appearance.
Gal 1:10 For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ.
Joh 7:24 Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment.
Paul reminded the Ephesian elders of the responsibility of a watchman, a warning he often gave to the Assembly in tears. Please read Acts 20:27-31.
The Sadducee Spirit
In this letter, we focus on the Sadducee spirit. We all know that Scriptures apply within us first and foremost, but in this letter, we look at the outward Sadducee. We explore several characteristics of the Sadducees. One: A very dangerous and deceiving spirit. Two: Who is the outward Sadducee today? Three: What do they say? Do they speak against authority? Four: Do they regard the angels of the Lord? Five: Do they believe in the resurrection from the dead? Six: Do they speak against the Holy Commandments, committing the sin unto death? Seven: Commandments regarding our dealings with the Sadducee spirit and deceivers.
ONE: The spirit of the Sadducees is a very cunning and deceiving spirit. Sadducees are gathered in spiritual Jerusalem, and the Lord uses them to sharpen the skills of His appointed Apostles and leaders in every age since Christ. They are vessels of dishonour, and are amongst God’s true people until the Day of the Lord when Christ destroys them with the brightness of His coming [2 The 2:1-12]. Spiritual Sadducees are needed because they teach the people of God to discern between good and evil [Heb 5:14]. This is all by God’s design.
2Ti 2:20 But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honour, and some to dishonour.
2Ti 2:21 If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master’s use, and prepared unto every good work.
They are deceiving because they have been around for many years and outwardly do not appear like ravening wolves. This strong enemy is near or in the camp, and only those with spiritual discernment can discern them. Only those who have Christ, the Living Commandments, within, discern them because they have the Spirit of God. The Spirit of Christ is the risen Christ within, and are the Commandments of God given to Christ and His Christ.
Psa 55:12 For it was not an enemy that reproached me; then I could have borne it: neither was it he that hated me that did magnify himself against me; then I would have hid myself from him:
Psa 55:13 But it was thou, a man mine equal, my guide, and mine acquaintance.
Psa 55:14 We took sweet counsel together, and walked unto the house of God in company.
1Co 2:15 But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man.
1Co 2:16 For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ.
TWO: Who are they exactly? Sadducees are spiritual Jews with lots of knowledge about the Scriptures, searching the Scriptures daily, but they are without the Promise [John 5:38-40]. They have sought the Lord for many years and have a form of godliness.
2Ti 3:2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,
2Ti 3:3 Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,
2Ti 3:4 Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;
2Ti 3:5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.
They are of the false circumcision. These deceivers are the rich young rulers, unwilling to forsake all their spiritual riches [knowledge] and follow the Living Christ they have now encountered, after hearing the Gospel preached to them. They deny the Power of Christ, that is to say, the Comforter or the risen Christ.
Act 11:2 And when Peter was come up to Jerusalem, they that were of the circumcision contended with him,
Act 13:45 But when the Jews saw the multitudes, they were filled with envy, and spake against those things which were spoken by Paul, contradicting and blaspheming.
The Sadducee spirit is a spirit of jealousy and a spirit with a root of bitterness. Pilate knew the real reason Christ was turned over to him to be crucified was because of the Jews’ envy. Christ warns against the doctrine of the Pharisees and Sadducees [Matt 16:12].
Mat 27:18 For he [Pilate] knew that for envy they [The Jews] had delivered him.
Heb 12:15 Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled;
Heb 12:16 Lest there be any fornicator, or profane person, as Esau, who for one morsel of meat sold his birthright.
There are types and shadows of spiritual Sadducees in the Old Testament. Sadducees are also spiritual Moabites and Ammonites, and they never enter into the congregation of the Lord, the true Temple which the Lord pitches in this age or in ages past. They are saved according to the Lord’s plan in the future of which we now do not speak. Moabites and Ammonites are those formed by the seed of the wicked one to keep the seed of flesh alive [See Genesis 19 about Lot and his daughters] and think spiritually. When the wall was being built, meaning when the Commandments and the Gospel are received in our hearts, we clearly see the need to separate from the Ammonites and the Moabites.
Neh 13:1 On that day they read in the book of Moses in the audience of the people; and therein was found written, that the Ammonite and the Moabite should not come into the congregation of God for ever;
Nehemiah, as a type and shadow of us, rebuilt the walls of the temple outwardly, which symbolize the Apostles and leaders today and in every age, building the wall of the city. The walls are the Commandments in type and shadow which surround and protect the Holy City of God, that is to say, His flock. Read the Books of Ezra and Nehemiah and see how the enemies of the Jews always tried to hinder the Jews from completing the work. As it was back then, so it is today. The enemies of the spiritual Jews constantly stir up contention, so the preaching of the Gospel is hindered.
Neh 4:1 But it came to pass, that when Sanballat heard that we builded the wall, he was wroth, and took great indignation, and mocked the Jews.
Act 4:1 And as they spake unto the people, the priests, and the captain of the temple, and the Sadducees, came upon them,
Act 4:2 Being grieved that they taught the people, and preached through Jesus the resurrection from the dead.
Act 4:3 And they laid hands on them, and put them in hold unto the next day: for it was now eventide.
Jas 3:16 For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work.
Most of the contention to the preaching of the Gospel comes in the early days of the Church, when the foundation is being laid, and comes from the Sadducees. It is these Jews of the circumcision, the Sadducees and the Pharisees, who bring division into the House of God and who stir up most of the contention in the church.
Act 23:7 And when he had so said, there arose a dissension between the Pharisees and the Sadducees: and the multitude was divided.
Act 23:8 For the Sadducees say that there is no resurrection, neither angel, nor spirit: but the Pharisees confess both.
Sadducees seek to bind the Apostles, that is to say, put them in a spiritual prison, and take away their ability to preach the Gospel in the House of God by stirring up dissension and strife. The Book of Acts is a parable.
Act 5:17 Then the high priest rose up, and all they that were with him, [which is the sect of the Sadducees], and were filled with indignation,
Act 5:18 And laid their hands on the apostles, and put them in the common prison.
THREE: Sadducees do not receive the Lord’s Words of Spirit and Truth [John 6:63]. They count on their feigned words of godliness to deceive the simple and speak evil of the way of Truth that is the Gospel preached by the leaders the Lord sets in the church.
2Pe 2:1 But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction.
2Pe 2:2 And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of Truth shall be evil spoken of.
2Pe 2:3 And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not.
One telling behaviour pattern in their words is that they speak against the government and the rule of order that the Lord sets in the Church. These filthy dreamers despise the dominion of the Apostles and Prophets the Lord has established in His church, and speak evil of them.
Jud 1:8 Likewise also these filthy dreamers defile the flesh, despise dominion, and speak evil of dignities.
2Pe 2:10 But chiefly them that walk after the flesh in the lust of uncleanness, and despise government. Presumptuous are they, selfwilled, they are not afraid to speak evil of dignities.
These deceivers manifest all the works of the flesh and readily deceive, beguiling the young in the Faith of Christ, which is why faithful watchmen are needed and commanded to act.
2Pe 2:14 Having eyes full of adultery, and that cannot cease from sin; beguiling unstable souls: an heart they have exercised with covetous practices; cursed children:
Col 2:18 Let no man beguile you of your reward in a voluntary humility and worshipping of angels, intruding into those things which he hath not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind,
Col 2:19 And not holding the Head, from which all the body by joints and bands having nourishment ministered, and knit together, increaseth with the increase of God.
Jude reminds us to be diligent, contend for the Faith, and not let these deceivers enter and defile the flock.
Jud 1:4 For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ.
Jude brings it all back to the fruit as these deceivers promote themselves, feasting with us at the Lord’s table, bringing no Spirit [water, no Commandments] in their witness and showing no fear of the Lord, that is to say, obedience to the Lord’s Commandments.
Jud 1:11 Woe unto them! for they have gone in the way of Cain, and ran greedily after the error of Balaam for reward, and perished in the gainsaying of Core.
Jud 1:12 These are spots in your feasts of charity, when they feast with you, feeding themselves without fear: clouds they are without water, carried about of winds; trees whose fruit withereth, without fruit, twice dead, plucked up by the roots;
The Sadducee spirit appeals to flesh, which naturally does not want to be ruled over. But rulership is the way of God’s House, and when Christ comes, He comes by way of His Christ, His chosen Apostles, and the leaders He raises up who rule the House of God with a rod of iron.
Rev 2:26 And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations:
Rev 2:27 And he shall rule them with a rod of iron; as the vessels of a potter shall they be broken to shivers: even as I received of my Father.
Mat 19:28 And Jesus said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That ye which have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.
FOUR: Sadducees do not believe in angels. Angels are servants of God sent to those who obtain salvation. Angels are flames of fire and are ministering spirits.
Act 23:8 For the Sadducees say that there is no resurrection, neither angel, nor spirit: but the Pharisees confess both.
Heb 1:7 And of the angels he saith, Who maketh his angels spirits, and his ministers a flame of fire.
Sadducees deny these angels, being jealous of them and speak against them in stirring up sedition and discord among brethren, which the Lord hates.
FIVE: Spiritual Sadducees are the rich ones who need nothing and claim there is no resurrection because it is in the past for them. The discerning see this spirit of error leading away from the Lord’s Commandments. Here is a stern warning in Deut 13:1-5 about deceiving and lying prophets and dreamers of dreams, which are Sadducees. Read all. They are to be cut off, and the Israel of God is to have no part with them.
Deu 13:5 And that prophet, or that dreamer of dreams, shall be put to death; because he hath spoken to turn you away from the LORD your God, which brought you out of the land of Egypt, and redeemed you out of the house of bondage, to thrust thee out of the way which the LORD thy God commanded thee to walk in. So shalt thou put the evil away from the midst of thee.
One example of the Sadducee spirit is Hymenaeus and Philetus, who believed the resurrection was already past, meaning they claimed to have the Holy Spirit already when they did not. Sadducees believe they receive the Holy Spirit when they go down to the altar and give their hearts to Jesus. The Comforter is not a reality to them, and they deny the Power of God, that is to say, they deny the risen Christ. They deny Christ IS COME in our flesh today and every day.
1Ti 1:19 Holding faith, and a good conscience; which some having put away concerning faith have made shipwreck:
1Ti 1:20 Of whom is Hymenaeus and Alexander; whom I have delivered unto Satan, that they may learn not to blaspheme.
2Ti 2:17 And their word will eat as doth a canker: of whom is Hymenaeus and Philetus;
2Ti 2:18 Who concerning the Truth have erred, saying that the resurrection is past already; and overthrow the faith of some.
This spirit is the spirit of anti-Christ. Any spirit confessing Christ IS COME in our flesh is of God; any spirit not confessing this is not of God.
1Jn 4:1 Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.
1Jn 4:2 Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God:
1Jn 4:3 And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world.
Antichrist means an opponent of the Messiah. John introduces the term antichrist and links them to those who fellowship with us.
1Jn 2:18 Little children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time.
1Jn 2:19 They [antichrists] went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us.
While antichrists have some truth, it is mixed with lies. The liar is a son of Satan, the carnally minded, father of death, who denies the Father and the Son, the Promise of God IS COME in our flesh.
1Jn 2:21 I have not written unto you because ye know not the Truth, but because ye know it, and that no lie is of the Truth.
1Jn 2:22 Who is a liar but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist, that denieth the Father and the Son [The Promise].
SIX: Sadducees commit the sin that is not forgiven in this age. This sin is to speak against the Lord’s Commandments. It is the sin unto death, and this makes them spiritual Moabites and Ammonites who do not enter into the Lord’s congregation in this age.
Mar 3:28 Verily I say unto you, All sins shall be forgiven unto the sons of men, and blasphemies wherewith soever they shall blaspheme:
Mar 3:29 But he that shall blaspheme against the Holy Ghost hath never forgiveness, but is in danger of eternal damnation:
1Jn 5:16 If any man see his brother sin a sin which is not unto death, he shall ask, and he shall give him life for them that sin not unto death. There is a sin unto death: I do not say that he shall pray for it.
When the Commandments, the Spirit of the Lord is denied, these deceivers are to be denied.
Luk 12:9 But he that denieth me before men shall be denied before the angels of God.
Luk 12:10 And whosoever shall speak a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him: but unto him that blasphemeth against the Holy Spirit it shall not be forgiven.
Please refer to the study on Blaspheming the Holy Spirit for more details.
SEVEN: What are the Commandments regarding Sadducees and deceivers? Here is a repeat of a few of the Commandments given earlier on, so it is written in our hearts and minds to remember and to obey to be found faithful and worthy to stand before the Lord. Separating from false brethren who disrupt the church and sow discord and spread lies are important Commandments we ignore at our own peril.
Tit 1:10 For there are many unruly and vain talkers and deceivers, specially they of the circumcision:
Tit 1:11 Whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole houses, teaching things which they ought not, for filthy lucre’s sake.
1Ti 6:3 If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness;
1Ti 6:4 He is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings,
1Ti 6:5 Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the Truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself.
2Th 3:14 And if any man obey not our word by this epistle, note that man, and have no company with him, that he may be ashamed.
We do not eat spiritually with those who bring false Gospels and are thus spiritual fornicators, idolaters who make merchandise of the Lord’s people. We let the Lord judge those who are without the Gospel. These Scriptures are not history lessons; they are Commandments for today.
1Co 5:11 But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such an one no not to eat.
1Co 5:13 But them that are without God judgeth. Therefore put away from among yourselves that wicked person.
2Ti 3:1 This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.
2Ti 3:2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,
2Ti 3:3 Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,
2Ti 3:4 Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;
2Ti 3:5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.
2Jn 1:8 Look to yourselves, that we lose not those things which we have wrought, but that we receive a full reward.
2Jn 1:9 Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son.
2Jn 1:10 If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed:
2Jn 1:11 For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds.
Final Exhortation
When the Gospel is preached, the harvest is ripe, and the time IS come for the separation of the wheat from the tares and the sheep from the goats. The Lord’s angels, the watchmen the Lord has raised, carry out this separation by warning and teaching the sheep.
Mat 25:31 When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory:
Mat 25:32 And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats:
Mat 25:33 And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left.
All in Christ shall suffer persecution from those the Lord has deceived. Only the called, chosen, and faithful remain in the end. Christ is always winnowing down His flock.
2Ti 3:12 Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.
2Ti 3:13 But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.
Rom 11:5 Even so then at this present time also there is a remnant according to the election of grace.
Will you and we be found faithful?
Luk 18:7 And shall not God avenge his own elect, which cry day and night unto him, though he bear long with them?
Luk 18:8 I tell you that he will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?
Receive ye the Gospel, receive ye the Holy Spirit.
