False Teachers - Twice Dead
Hi Friends,
Today I am writing about a four part vision. I hope you will read this and share with others. It has to do with false teachers and those who would lead the church astray. This is a topic that so many prophets, leaders, and apostles in the Bible have spoken about. Even the Lord spoke about false teachers and false prophets warning us that they will come like a wolves in sheep’s clothing.
The Vision
The Facade
In the vision I saw a child’s set of Legos put together to resemble the front face of a house. There was a door opening in the front with a simple pitched roof. It was a facade because that is all there was. There were no sides or back to the house, only the front face that stood upright by itself. This was something simple that a child could build. A hand holding a slender long piece, about the size of a pencil, placed it down in front of the facade.
A Facade is what is visible from the walk or street. It is treated with paint or shutters, windows and doors, to dress up the building and give it identity. The facade is as important as signage to let everyone know that this is a hardware store, a beauty parlor or a dress shop. It is usually treated with brick or stone only on the front face because of the expense of the materials. Why cover the whole house in stone, if one only sees it from the front?
The outside of the remainder of the building can look very ordinary, and nondescript. People have come to ignore the sides and back of a building, as long as the front and interior meet with their expectations.
But when we speak of a person putting on a facade, we understand that it is simply a look, an air, or a manner that is put on to cause others to see one as being something that he is not. I have heard people say, “fake it until you make it.” But of course that is a viewpoint that comes from the world, not from the Lord. A facade hides the true character of the person putting it on. It is a show; there is nothing genuine about it. People do this all the time. Women look at magazines or go to cosmetic counters in hopes of finding a new look that makes them appear more attractive, more confident or more successful. Some people put on an affectation in their voice to elevate their status or give them the air of nobility, education or wealth. Many classic movies use the affectation in the voice to create a woman character with social standing.
A facade is nothing but window dressing. It does not reflect the character or moral substance of the person. Those that put on airs or a facade want to be admired or accepted by a certain social class or group of people. This form of deceit can be used to take advantage of the unsuspecting. A man with bad intentions can pose as a pastor or doctor or policeman to gain confidence with a trusting person or one who lacks discernment.
In the Bible, we are warned over and over about people who will attempt to take advantage and deceive others by appearing to be one of us. Jesus taught his followers to:
“Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. You will recognize them by their fruits. Are grapes gathered from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? So, every healthy tree bears good fruit, but the diseased tree bears bad fruit. A healthy tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a diseased tree bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus you will recognize them by their fruits.” Matthew 7:15-20
Peter also warns us of false prophets coming from among us:
“But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing upon themselves swift destruction. And many will follow their sensuality, and because of them the way of truth will be blasphemed. And in their greed they will exploit you with false words. Their condemnation from long ago is not idle, and their destruction is not asleep.” 2 Peter 2:1-3
The Bull’s Eye and Straight Pins
In this next vision which was given only a minute or two from the previous one, I saw a bull’s eye with softly muted colors having its center red surrounded by a yellow ring. Piercing the center were two straight pins. Because I sew, and use straight pins all the time, I thought that the bull’s eye must have been printed on fabric, but I wasn’t sure. Then suddenly, what came to mind was the bull’s eye that is produced on the skin by a tick that infects a person with lyme disease.
The straight pins also reminded me of darts on a dart board. But because they were pins placed directly into the center of the bull’s eye, I realized that the two pins were illustrating what is done in “voodoo” or “acupuncture.”
Both voodoo and acupuncture have a common source. They are demonic, sourced in witchcraft and false religion, which is the worship of demons. Voodoo’s purpose is to use the power of the devil to curse, to kill or to harm. Acupuncture is the flip side of the same coin. It uses the supernatural power of the devil to “heal.” There is not much difference between a witch doctor, and eastern medicine. Today we have people all over our nation parading as doctors, calling themselves “holistic practitioners.” Many use diagnostic equipment which serves as a Ouija board to communicate with demons who will give them a diagnosis. This is truly a practice of divination. It is abominable to God. A person consulting with such doctors is deceived, and then becomes ensnared and taken captive by the demons that the practitioner consults.
The two pins in the vision make it clear what is happening. The first pin inserted into the targeted person causes an ailment or sickness. This represents voodoo or any demonic attack. When the person develops symptoms with or without pain, he then goes to a doctor for help.
A regular medical doctor can prescribe medicine or give some type of treatment to treat the problem. But if the source was truly demonic, the medicine will have no effect on curing the disease or alleviating the symptoms. After finding no help with regular doctors, the patient then goes to see an acupuncturist or a holistic practitioner. The second pin represents the miraculous “healing,” that occurs when the demonic powers lift off the affliction showing how effective acupuncture or holistic medicine can be. The patient is overjoyed at finding relief so he continues to go to be treated by this doctor and recommends him or her to others who will also become ensnared.
The devil has now had success with his two pin strategy. He has captured a new soul who can be used in his work. The Bible makes it very clear that we are not to consult with the dead, with fortune tellers, witches, and practitioners calling themselves “doctors.” These people partner with demons to gain information about their clients to diagnose, and deceive them. Gaining information from a source that should not be able to give it is the practice of divination. Should tea leaves in a cup or special cards tell someone about their future? No. These physical things are simply used to communicate with demons in their practice of witchcraft and sorcery.
“You must not turn to mediums or spiritists; do not seek them out, or you will be defiled by them. I am the LORD your God.” Leviticus 19:31
“’I will set my face against anyone who turns to mediums and spiritists to prostitute themselves by following them, and I will cut them off from their people.” Leviticus 20:6
These are serious passages of scripture. Anyone who follows or seeks out those who use witchcraft to diagnose or treat people will be defiled and cut off from others. God does not want this sin to come into the House of God or into the body of believers. It is a grave sin.
A Green Paint Brush
In the third part of this vision, I saw a green paint brush that one might use to paint a picture or a small project. It was a 1” wide flat brush with natural bristles and a straight edge across the top. The shaft of the brush was about 7” in length, painted green and gracefully tapered to a rounded point. The brush was clean, appearing to be perfectly new.
The color green in the Bible, usually refers to plants and trees. It can mean verdant, new, flourishing, and prosperity. In some passages green refers to leprosy. And according to Bible Study.com, the Greek word “chloros” is used in the New Testament, to describe one of the four horses of the apocalypse. We interpret it as “pale,” but it actually means green, for the word chlorophyll comes from this same Greek word. Chlorophyll is the photo chemical made by the plants leaves which give them their green coloration.
Green is used to describe the emeralds which adorned Lucifer, and the emeralds and other green gemstones on the Breastpiece of Judgement which the high priest wore. The fourth layer in the foundation of the New Jerusalem was also emerald.
In our culture, green can also represent envy or jealousy or someone who is new to an endeavor or task.
So what does the paintbrush in the vision mean?
A paint brush applies paint to whatever needs painting. Paint covers uniformly, creating a sense of oneness. If the walls, doors, trim and ceiling were all painted a single color, the whole room would become uniform, with nothing standing out. Everything would be the same. Blemishes and imperfections would no longer be seen.
An artist can take advantage of color, light and shadow to create something for the viewer to see from the artist’s imagination. He can take a two dimensional canvas and give it depth and shape to bring his image to life. Some artists are excellent at something we call “trompe l”oeil,” which means “to fool the eye.” It is usually applied to large walls to appear as an opening to another space, room or dimension, which does not actually exist. I have done this myself when painting sets for church plays.
An artist can use the paint brush to influence how a viewer sees the subject of the painting. I remember a story told of King Henry the VIII who asked his artist to paint portraits of his prospective brides. The painter not only tried to capture their likeness accurately, but he attempted to capture their personalities as well, so as to influence the King in his selection of a bride.
I believe that the paint brush in the vision was green because it can represent envy and jealousy, which are two very negative traits that cause people to sin. And, if green is the color of the emeralds that Lucifer wore, then satan plays a role in this vision. He is the deceiver, and he uses envy and jealousy to tempt people to sin. The two previous visions concerned false teachers and false prophets who mislead people with their heresies. And just as a skillful portrait artist can influence people with their craft, false teachers can influence people by their skillful manipulation of the Word of God. They paint pictures with their words, hoping to woo followers away from the faith and follow them. The false prophets deceive those who willingly listen to their stories and messages which they claim to have come from God.
And the Lord said to me: “The prophets are prophesying lies in my name. I did not send them, nor did I command them or speak to them. They are prophesying to you a lying vision, worthless divination, and the deceit of their own minds. Therefore thus says the Lord concerning the prophets who prophesy in my name although I did not send them, and who say, ‘Sword and famine shall not come upon this land’: By sword and famine those prophets shall be consumed. Jeremiah 14:14-15
The Two Dead Leaves
In this vision I saw two dried up and somewhat crumpled or twisted dead leaves.
The words that immediately came to mind were the words “twice dead,” found in the following passage:
“These are hidden reefs at your love feasts, as they feast with you without fear, shepherds feeding themselves; waterless clouds, swept along by winds; fruitless trees in late autumn, twice dead, uprooted; They are wild waves of the sea, foaming up their own shame; wandering stars, for whom blackest darkness has been reserved forever.” Jude 1:12-13
The leaves represent those who because of sin will die twice. The first death is the natural death that we experience when our physical body dies. But the second death is a spiritual death. They will be found to be guilty of sin and will suffer eternal separation from God in hell or the lake of fire.
“And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.
And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged, every man according to their works.
And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.
And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.” Revelation 20:12-15
So who are the “twice dead” that Jude was describing? Jude was speaking of false teachers. All four visions are given to warn us of people who want to mislead or ensnare believers with their lies and trickery. These can be fellow members of the church, someone leading a Bible study or someone who has a prophetic gift. Not everyone in the church is fully submitted to following the Lord. There will always be those who have another agenda, doing their work “under the radar.” Some teachers deceive others simply because they themselves are deceived. Others know what they are doing to undermine the faith, divide the church and lead people astray. They want to stir up enough emotion and be so convincing that their followers will feel self righteous and leave the church to follow them. This is how some church splits occur.
As in my last post, I emphasized the importance of knowing the Word of God for ourselves. We need teachers who know the word of God and can properly teach it and apply its principles. Pastors, teachers and other leaders are given to the body of Christ to build them up in their most holy faith. It is God’s design to equip the church for the work of the ministry.
“And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ. Then we will no longer be infants, tossed about by the waves and carried around by every wind of teaching and by the clever cunning of men in their deceitful scheming.” Ephesians 4:11-14
If we do not know the word of God or know only a bit, we could be led astray and not know it. But if we know the word of God well, then we will be able to point to the deviant teaching and expose it. Otherwise, we can go for years deceived into following teachings that are not from God. This can cause a whole world of problems. It is the truth that sets us free! And knowing the word of God is our defense against false teaching.
In my personal experience with several individuals, I have found that some people are enticed to follow deceiving spirits because there is an unhealthy desire to see miracles, and supernatural power. They hear voices, receive dreams, and experience supernatural manifestations and are determined to believe that it all comes from God. Unfortunately, the devil parades as an angel of light and he is more than happy to give you what you long to see and feel. He has the power to do counterfeit signs, wonders and miracles. And he is very happy to lead you to himself and into darkness and confusion.
An Example
Years ago, I had a friend who was “ever learning, but never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.” (2 Tim 3:7) She came to church to be with me, not to be with God. She held the Lord in contempt because she questioned, “What kind of God would kill his own son rather than just forgiving us?” She found fault with the Lord because of this. Well, she was confused about nearly everything. She grew up in Indonesia, a country with the largest population of Muslims. She was sent to a Catholic school, but had a Muslim nanny. I met her in a church wandering the halls. I befriended her, hoping that she would find the Lord.
After several years of praying and witnessing again and again, I asked the Lord, what is wrong? Why is it that she can’t acknowledge you as God and become born again and filled with the Spirit? I was praying and fasting for 21 days. Finally, I got an answer in a vision that the Lord gave me.
A Woman and a Wolf
I saw a woman standing next to a very tall wrought iron fence and an equally tall gate that was locked. The woman had dark hair and brown eyes. She wore a white full length dress and held out her hand with the palm up. On the same side of the fence was a wolf that had human traits. He stood upright on his hind legs and held a key in his hand. He was enticing her to take the key and open the gate and enter into the dark, dense forest that was on the other side. This forest is a forest of deception. The wolf, representing a demon, wanted her to open the door and go inside the forest to become hopelessly lost, and confused. The woman dress in white represents the church.
I knew immediately that this is what my Indonesian friend had done. She was bitter towards the Lord because of the teachings that she received from the Muslim culture. She could not acknowledge the truth, no matter how much time and effort I put forth.
Time passed, so again I asked the Lord, what I should do. He gave me the parable of the fig tree that bore no fruit. The master wanted to cut it down, but the gardener, said:
“‘Sir, let it alone this year also, until I dig around it and put on manure. Then if it should bear fruit next year, well and good; but if not, you can cut it down.’” Luke 13:8-9
So I understood that the Lord wanted me to wait another year, so I did. Then one day, at church, in worship, I heard the Lord say, “You must decrease, and I must increase.” So I told her that I was breaking off our friendship.
I didn’t see her for two and a half years. When I finally saw her, I discovered that she had found the Lord! She was coming to church to be with God! Hallelujah! Finally everything that caused confusion and bitterness towards the Lord was gone! She had for the longest time suffered poor health as you can imagine by holding the Lord in contempt for all those years. But being ten years my senior, she died and is at peace with God in heaven! Hallelujah! What a glorious outcome, after so many years of frustration with a friend who could not see straight!
My friend had opened many doors to the devil through her desire to read extra Biblical material. The devil continued to place books and people in her path that would undermine her faith. She went to a lecture from a man whose agenda was to change the Episcopal Church’s doctrine and to embrace a female/neuter God. He wanted to remove all references from the Bible that spoke of God as Father.
I hope that these visions concerning false teachers and false prophets will provide the proper warning to avoid them at all cost. Please read and study the Bible for yourself so that you will be a true disciple of Christ, and can recognize and refute false teachings using the scriptures.
“Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.” 2 Timothy 2:15
God bless you! Thanks for reading. Please share with others, for we do not want anyone to be deceived!
