EVEN THE VERY ELECT If Possible
by George Kirkpatrick

Vital Words to the Body of Christ

Proclaiming the Everlasting Gospel of the Kingdom

 
Freely We Have Received, Freely We Give
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Under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, Paul informs us that all scripture is given by the inspiration (anointing) of God.

As we study the history of the Bible, we become acutely aware that, when the writers of the New Testament refer to the scriptures, they are referring to the Old Testament writings. Paul did his writings over a 14-15 year period. When Paul wrote II Timothy, it was another twenty or thirty years before John wrote his five books: St. John, I John, II and III John and Revelation which were the last books in the Bible to be written.

When Paul wrote "All scripture is given by the inspiration of God", he was referring to the Old Testament writings of Moses and the prophets. At the time Paul wrote his second letter to Timothy, the New Testament was then a number of letters that were scattered all over the known world. It would be much later before they would be gathered and compiled to become what we know as the New Testament. 

We can safely say that the Old Testament was given by the inspiration of God and is profitable for:

# 1 Doctrine (teaching)

# 2 Reproof (to bring light or

rebuke)

# 3 Correction (to be restored to an

upright position)

# 4 Instruction in righteousness (to

chasten, to train, to correct in

the ways of righteousness)

God gave us the Old Testament that we may study Israel. We are able to read about their sin and how God dealt with them. The Old Testament exposes what God expects of us. We have learned from Israel what we should do and what we should not do. We also know what to expect in the way of correction if we are disobedient. Paul wrote to the Corinthians:

Everything that happened to Israel and Judah were examples to us that live in this last hour of time. One of the warnings that God gave us through His Holy Writ is a warning of those who would lead us away from our walk in Him. Those who entice us with the ways and the things of the world.

In the Bible, Egypt represents the world and the things that hold us in captivity to the world. God's example to us, Israel, was delivered from Egypt and the bondage of the clay pits. This is an example of our being delivered from the bondage of sin and the corruption of the flesh.

When Nebuchadnezzar overthrew Israel and Jerusalem, (586 B.C.) Israel was carried away captive into Babylon. A small group of people were left in Israel. These were the poorest of the people who had nothing in the land of Judah. They were given vineyards and fields at this time, *** Jeremiah 39:10. Those who had nothing were given an inheritance in the land. When Israel was captured by the Babylonians, Jeremiah had been bound in chains and put in the prison house by King Zedekiah because he had prophesied the fall of Israel.

Nebuchadnezzar sent Nebuzar-adan, the captain of his host, to appoint Israel a leader who would rule in their midst. Nebuzar-adan appointed Gedaliah to rule over the remnant in Israel. Nebuzar-adan loosed Jeremiah from his chains and gave him a choice. He could remain with Gedaliah in Israel or he could go to Babylon. Jeremiah chose to stay in the land as a free man.

When God removes the bondage of sin from us, He sets before us many choices. He gives us a free will that we may make those choices, good or bad, right or wrong. God told Israel before they ever entered into their promise land:

Israel was given a choice to choose life or death, blessings or cursings from God. God always gives us choices to make that we may choose the good and shun the evil.

God interceded in Jeremiah's life because he had spoken God's Word to all Israel. Israel was to repent, from the king down to the youngest child, and God would spare Israel. But Israel, like most of God's people today, refused to repent and turn to God with their whole heart. Nebuzar-adan told Jeremiah:

Jeremiah was given a choice. No one else had the freedom of choice. Jeremiah decided to stay in Israel. 

The remnant of Israel had been scattered. Jerusalem had become uninhabitable. The city had been completely destroyed. The temple and every house had been burned. Nebuzar-adan, the captain of the host, had made Gedaliah governor over the cities of Judah and over the people who were left in the land. All the people had gathered unto Gedaliah. *** Jeremiah 40:5

The people gathered in Mizpah which means "watchtower". Gedaliah was a puppet of Babylon and he informed the people,

God's people were in slavery to a Babylonian, puppet governor. They were told to fend and provide for themselves and that Gedaliah would serve the government and rule over God's people. How like the religious system today. A puppet pastor stands in the pulpit, espousing what the denominational headquarters tells them to say, telling the people to fend and provide for themselves. They are no longer the shepherds of the flock but, as Jesus called them, they are "hirelings" who will flee from the flock when danger approaches. *** John 10:12-13

Isaiah also prophesied of this enslaving, hireling system:

They sit in their prison houses and are told, "Do not make any waves. Do not say anything against the old doctrines. Do not tell people there is more to God then this." In *** Jeremiah 40:10, Gedaliah told the people not to worry about these things that are going to happen. "Just relax, everything is going to be fine. Go out and get your wine and your oil and your summer fruits and put it in your vessels and dwell in your cities. Everything is going to be fine." We are warned about those who proclaim, "Peace and Safety", in *** I Thessalonians 5:3. This is when sudden destruction will come.

Gedaliah's message is the same message that is going forth into the world today. Take care of ole' number one. Do not worry about anyone else except yourself. Grab the golden ring. You only go through this life once.

There was no mention of worshipping or praising God. They were told only to sit back, get comfortable and relax; everything was going to be fine.

Many of the churches have adopted this same message, setting back on their lees and taking their ease, saying the Lord will do neither good nor evil. *** Zephaniah 1:12

Gedaliah's message was a message of slavery. Every man would become a slave to the Babylonian system. Today, God's people have become slaves to the government and the church system, both exercising control over their lives. Jesus stated, 

The Son sets us free, but man enslaves.

Gedaliah was governor but for a short time. All Israel had returned and gathered themselves to Gedaliah in Mizpah. Baalis, King of the Ammonites, sent Ishmael to kill Gedaliah. There was a man by the name of Johanan who had returned with all the captains of the forces that were in the field, the remnant of Israel's army. Johanan knew of the plot to kill Gedaliah. Even though Johanan warned Gedaliah of the plot that Ishmael was sent to kill him, Gedaliah rejected Johanan's word and Ishmael succeeded in his treachery. Israel was left without any leadership. Ishmael was pursued and his band of murderers were destroyed, although Ishmael escaped.

Johanan became the self-appointed leader of those who were left in the land. Johanan drew all the remnant of Israel unto himself in Chimham, which means "pining or yearning". Johanan's intention was to lead God's people down to Egypt. Johanan was fleeing back into Egypt because he feared the Chaldeans. *** Jeremiah 41:18

All Israel was living in fear. They feared the government, they feared their future and they feared the leadership over them. Like many of God's people today, they did not know where to turn. Their only hope was in turning back to Egypt. God's people today have no fear of God, nor do they have any faith in God. They believe they must work out their problems by themselves instead of turning to God with their whole heart and allowing Him to fulfill their needs.

Johanan and all the people from the least unto the greatest came to Jeremiah to seek godly council: 

The remnant in Israel desired Jeremiah to intercede for them. Johanan wanted to know what God wanted them to do. The Bible speaks much of the remnant of God and God's plan for His remnant. Johanan's request was:

Jeremiah replied that he would seek the Lord and then speak God's Word to them, whether it be good or evil. Johanan proclaimed, 

Jeremiah sought the Lord for ten days, unlike many today, who ask God something and expect Him to answer immediately, When God does not answer them right away, they go ahead with what they were planning to do anyway. Jeremiah tarried before the Lord ten days before he answered Johanan. After the ten days, Jeremiah called Johanan and all the people to reveal the Word and desire of the Lord unto them. The Lord's Word was:

God told Israel, "Don't worry about the King of Babylon. I will save you from him. Be not afraid. I will have mercy on you and will return you to your land." 

God did not tell Israel to serve Babylon. He told them to seek His deliverance from Babylon and, through that obedience, He would return and restore the land unto them. God was informing the people that, through Him, they could overcome any situation in their lives.

God also informs us of the blessings of obedience and the curses of disobedience. God showed all the remnant of Israel what would happen if they went down into Egypt.

God told them exactly what would happen if they would stay in the land and what would happen if they went back to Egypt. Like so many today, Judah was camped at Chimham, a place of pining and yearning. Chimham was between Bethlehem and Egypt. Bethlehem means "house of bread" (God's provision). Johanan and the remnant of Israel were dwelling in the place between God's provision and the world. To those who choose the world, God will bring their fears upon them. Those who turn to God with their whole heart, God will protect and care for. There will be no sword, no famine and no pestilence.

Johanan, whose name means "who God graciously gives", was dwelling somewhere between the place of depending upon "the arm of the flesh" (the world) and the "house of bread" (total dependence upon God). Today, many are camped at Chimham in their walk with God. They know what is in the world, but they are not sure what God has to offer. They see God's promises in His Word, but are unsure that He will perform them in their lives. They are pining and yearning. By their actions, many deny God. 

Johanan had a choice: He could accept Jeremiah's words or reject them. Johanan had come to the place God brings all His people; a place of choice, whether to be obedient to the voice of God, or fulfill the lust of the flesh. Those who are obedient will remain in the land. But the wrath will come upon the children of disobedience. *** Colossians 3:6

God has proclaimed in His Word what He expects of His children. He has also proclaimed the judgment that will come upon His house for disobedience. We, as Johanan and all the remnant of Israel, know the consequence of our actions before a just and Holy God.

Johanan said to Jeremiah, "God did not speak to you. You listened to Baruch who wanted us destroyed. You are a liar. You speak falsely." As many today, Johanan had purposed in his heart to do what he wanted to do. He only came to Jeremiah to have God's stamp of approval. But when the direction of God did not condone what Johanan and the others wanted to do, they turned on the man of God and accused him of lying and having an ulterior motive when he spoke the words of God. 

Many say, "If God would only show us what He wants us to do, we would do it." Then, when they are shown God's desire for His people, they cry out, "It's too hard." They begin to look for a Johanan to lead them back into the world and to tell them they are O.K. They have no fear of being disobedient to God. They fear government and the church more than God.

Many teach that once you are saved you can do whatever you want to and you are forgiven and are therefore in a right standing with God. The Bible does not teach this in word, example, type or shadow.

God told the remnant of Israel, through Jeremiah, exactly what Judah (the people of praise) could expect if they went down into Egypt to live. God was looking for a separated, sold out, trusting people who would remain in the land. But fear ruled their lives. Jeremiah proclaimed, 

God's warning to Israel is the same warning that God gives His people today. The words of Jesus, recorded by Luke when He spoke of the coming wrath, stated:

Jesus was speaking of the old man, or the old, Adamic nature. If we try to save our life in the old man, we will lose the life He wants to bring forth in the new creation, which He is bringing forth in the earth today. Paul wrote:

The outward man must perish if the inward man is to be renewed and allowed to come forth in power. If we try to save the old man, we will perish in the world. Our only hope is to remain in the land of praise no matter what we see coming in the physical.

God is trying to get our eyes off worldly things and upon Him. The world is not our answer, just as Egypt was not the answer for Johanan and the remnant of Judah. God is looking for a people who will get the world out of their lives and allow God to clean them up, straighten them up and get their prayer life in order. God's punishment on those who went down into Egypt was the sword, famine and pestilence. 

Matthew recorded Jesus' Words to His disciples: 

This is the coming wrath that God will send upon the whole earth to judge not only the sin of the world, but also the sin in His people who have not turned from their ways and put off the old man; those who have not allowed the new man to be created in righteousness and holiness.

Johanan told Jeremiah, "You are a liar. We are going to Egypt." That was the beginning of God's wrath upon Johanan and God's people.

Today, when those who are hearing God's voice, try to warn God's people to rid themselves of the world, they, too, are called liars. They are called alarmists, doom dayers, moral freaks, fanatics and various other things. God has given us a promise through the prophet Amos, 

God has revealed His intentions and has made them very clear to those whose teacher is the Holy Spirit of Revelation. God revealed His coming wrath to John on the Isle of Patmos. Jesus showed John four horses and the riders of these horses, forewarning of His coming wrath. At the time of this Revelation, John was caught up into the heavenlies; the Spiritual realm. So the things John saw were Spiritual.

Many believe the white horse rider to be the antichrist because he had a bow and went forth conquering and to conquer. 

The word for conquer is NIKO and does not mean to throw down by force. It means "to overcome, prevail and gain the victory over". This is what God is expecting His people to do. 

The white horse rider had a bow. The word for bow was only used one time in the New Testament and means "made of the simplest materials". It is not a weapon of war. 

God set His bow in the heavens in the book of Genesis. It was made of the simplest material (Light). It was God's promise to man that He would not destroy the earth again by water. But that promise also foretold the destruction by fire as God had shown to Adam. *** The Works of Josephus 2:70

The white horse rider is revealed in *** Revelation 19:11-16. His vesture was dipped in blood and His name was called the Word of God, *** Revelation 19:13. This was Christ Jesus our Lord. The white horse rider was given a crown, *** Revelation 6:2. What did Christ do with that crown? It was given to the sun-clad woman (the overcoming church) in *** Revelation 12:1. Praise God! The overcoming church will flee into the wilderness into the place where He will take care of them for the three and one-half years while the wrath is being poured out upon the earth. *** Revelation 12:6

The overcoming church is made up of the ones who have remained in the land. They have gotten the victory "over the beast and over his image and over his mark and over the number of his name", *** Revelation 15:2. These are the overcomers who God is bringing forth before His Great Wrath is poured out upon the whole earth.

The red horse rider was to take peace off the earth. He was given a great sword. That great sword is "war". *** Matthew 24:6 relates that there will be wars and rumors of wars. 

Man has not only prepared for war, but the total annihilation of all mankind. The United States and Russia have amassed enough nuclear weapons to destroy the population of the earth thirty-three times. The main topic in the earth today is peace. Yet God warns, 

Those who look to Egypt are the ones who will not escape. But God has prepared a protected place for His children as He did in the days of Noah.

The black horse rider had a pair of balances in his hand. The word for balances is ZUGOS and is translated "yoke" five times. It is only translated "pair of balances" in Revelation 6:5. A proper translation would be the black horse rider had a yoke in his hand and that yoke was to be put upon the people's neck to bring them under control. That yoke is in the hand of government to enslave the people. 

Verse six speaks of the price of food. A measure of wheat for a penny and three measures of barley for a penny. A penny was a days wages. Wheat and barley were the bread grains. Bread is the staff of life. Through government subsidies and storage the world's supply of grain is in the hands of the government as in the days of Joseph. We are witnessing skyrocketing food prices as Jesus forewarned would happen. A loaf of bread costs over 12 times what it did thirty short years ago.

Shortages, real or imagined, have shot up the cost of living in every household. The black horse is in the world today.

"Hurt not the oil and the wine". The original reads: "The oil and wine thou mayest not injure." What is oil? It is the anointing. What is wine? The wine is the manifested, effervescent, life-giving Word. Jesus revealed to John that the black horse rider is not going to be injurious to God's Holy Spirit filled people. God will protect His own through this time.

Those who remain in the land will be protected. Those who flee down to Egypt, expecting the government to protect them, will perish in Egypt. God has forewarned His people of the time coming when the son of perdition will come against those who do not flee into the wilderness when the call of God comes in their lives.

Those saints who do not remain in the land of praise will die. God has given us His assurance that those who remain in the land will eat the good of the land. The prophet Isaiah gives us great assurance:

God has a place for those who refuse to leave the land of praise and worship.

The pale horse represents disease. The rider of the pale horse had the name of death and the grave. He will kill with the sword (war), hunger (famine) and death (disease). Sword, famine and pestilence have always been instruments of God's judgment on sin, the three things that Jeremiah said would come upon Johanan and the remnant if they went back to Egypt.

Both famine and war bring disease. Famine brings disease because the weakened condition of the body cannot ward off disease. War brings disease because it destroys sanitation and medical needs are not met. Disease is also evident in God's judgment on sin. 

Many diseases are directly related to sin such as Aides, Herpes, Gonorrhea, Syphilis and other sexually transmitted disease. Those who live in sin can expect to suffer these diseases. 

Those who live by God's commandments and separate themselves from the sins of the world are promised, through the Holy Spirit, healing and restoration. 

Those who flee fornication will not sin against their body. All other sin is against God. He will forgive any sin when we seek His forgiveness. But where do we seek forgiveness for the sin against our own body? We must pray for healing and restoration as well as forgiveness.

God promised Israel that, when they entered into their promise land, they would not suffer from the diseases of Egypt.

Those who are sinning against the flesh will suffer the results of that sin.

Added to the sword, famine and pestilence is the beast of the earth. The beast of the earth is unregenerate man who still has his old beast nature of violence and murder. The crimes of violence and murder continue to get worse on a daily basis. Paul revealed this in his letter to Timothy:

Unregenerate man continues on his road of self destruction. Crimes of violence are ever on the increase. Law enforcement agencies are at a loss as how to control these crimes. Drug abuse is being tolerated because there is no way to deal with all those involved. The rehabilitation programs are a total failure, except those who have Christ as their focal point.

On the Isle of Patmos, Jesus revealed to John that these four things would destroy one-fourth of the population of the earth. The evidence of these sins and the judgment of God is all around us.

As we read in Matthew 24, Mark 13, Luke 17 and Luke 21, we see wars and rumors of war, famine, disease and the continuing violence toward mankind. We tend to shudder as to the outcome of all that we see. But we have God's assurance that the white horse rider is in the earth today, preparing a people who will not be affected by the red, black and pale horse riders. God is preparing an overcoming army who will not go down to Egypt (the world).

This is the Day of Preparation. Many are camped at Chimham, pining and yearning for the things of the world. Chimham is an entrance back into the world. Some are crying out, "Lord it's too hard. Your ways are too hard on the flesh and our way of life."

We need to look for the white horse rider who says, "Come unto Me all ye that are burdened and heavy ladened, and I will give you rest." *** Matthew 11:28

There are those who will enter into His rest. These have ceased from their own labors because they know all the works were finished from the foundation of the world. *** Hebrews 4

The prophet Isaiah spoke to those living in this day who will witness the judgment hand of God:

Plantings do not move. Today, many are running to and fro, looking for they-know-not-what. These have no direction, proclaiming, but not obtaining.

God is looking for a people who will stand and receive the salvation of their God. But many, like Johanan, will not heed to the voice of their God:

God's people refused to dwell in the land of praise. God had spoken through Jeremiah what would happen if Johanan and those with him, went down to Egypt. But it made no difference. They had their heart set. God's desires or what He spoke in their lives made no difference.

Today, the white horse rider is saying, "Come unto Me and I will make you overcomers." We can prevail! We can overcome! We can get the victory!

But the Johanans are speaking the exact opposite. They say, "You do not need to be separated. You do not need to worry. You do not need to have your life prepared before God. Just believe in Jesus and everything will be OK." James revealed:

The devils believe and they tremble in their knowledge of one God. Yet, most who call themselves Christians have no fear of God, nor do they take warning of His Word. They believe the Johanans who boldly state, "There will be no war, no pestilence and certainly no famine. Everything is going to be OK. Trust in me. I know the Word of God on these things." These are the modern Johanans who are leading many back to Egypt. There is only one whom we can put our trust and that is Christ Jesus. Both the Old and New Testaments state that the judgment of the sword, famine and pestilence will come upon the earth. 

Those who are camped at Chimham are in the Valley of Decision and can go either way. Joel states that this is where the multitudes are:

As the Day of the Lord approaches, we need to take warning of the Words of Jesus in *** Matthew 24:24:

False prophets and false Christs, if possible, will deceive the very elect. You may think, "I could never be deceived." God has given us His Word so we may learn by the examples that He has given. 

Consider the end of the matter with Johanan. All the people left in the land went down into Egypt:

Jeremiah the prophet, and Baruch went down into Egypt, knowing what the voice of the Father had spoken unto Jeremiah and the penalty that awaited their disobedience.

They came to Tahpanhes which means "Thou will fill hands with pity". In *** Matthew 24:24, Jesus said in the times ahead that the false Christs and False prophets (the Johanans), if possible, will deceive the very elect. The question would arise, "Can the very elect be deceived?" Certainly Jeremiah was among the elect, and he was fooled. So the very elect can be fooled if they listen to the false Christs and the false prophets. 

If we are not to be deceived, then every word we receive, whether it is written or spoken, must line up with the Word of God. But there are many Johanans today who deny the Word of God and are leading multitudes away from the kingdom, away from the land of praise, promising the people there will be no wrath and that they will be taken off the earth by some mysterious, unbiblical escape plan of God. Paul warns us in his letter to the Romans:

If you are following man, any man, you are following a LIAR. As Jesus revealed, 

The Bible speaks plainly of the coming wrath. And those who refuse to remain in the land of praise and worship will be part of that wrath. Jesus warns us through Luke:

"Be not deceived." Many shall come in His name saying they have the anointing. He further said, "As the time draws near..."; many would come to draw you away. We are warned "Go ye not therefore after them." 

We need to discern the Johanans by the Spirit, not by their words or charismatic character. We can only be safe in God as long as we remain in the land of praise, looking for, expecting and believing what He says He will do.

God is speaking with a clear voice in the earth today to stand firm and remain in the land. The deceivers are many, but we have one Father and Lord of all. Hear Him!

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