The Agora

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The Agora

By Augusto A. Kho
September 3, 2017; Sunday; 9:00 A.M

Updated: September 28, 2017; Thursday; 9:30 P.M.

Agora in Greece

Down from Acropolis where the Temple of Athina is and Parthenon, the world’s oldest building is where I saw agoras for the first time in 1985. Agora’s if often referred as a market or store but it has a broader etymological meaning that comprises life’s daily activities in Hellenistic culture.

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While people today are too busy meeting their daily needs and others are acquiring heaps of wealth, God is also giving a strong emphasis of acquiring treasure in heaven. Jesus Christ said:

True Treasure

True treasure? Should you want to invest for a 100% return-of-investment, what would that be?

“Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto treasure hid in a field; the which when a man hath found, he hideth, and for joy thereof goeth and selleth all that he hath, and buyeth that field, (Matthew 13:44)

“Treasure” in Greek “thesaurus” is a place in which goods and precious things are collected and laid up; a treasury; storehouse; repository; or a deposit.

Bank withdrawal is only possible provided you have a deposit in a bank. And there is no unauthorized withdrawal except from the depositor. The same thing goes in the Kingdom of the Lord.

Just like the economic terms of “demand and supply,” “income and deficits,” the Kingdom reveals that His principle is exactly the same things when He used the words, “buying and selling.”

Buying-and-selling principle in my own understanding is both positive and negative. In the Book of Revelation, you will find that the enemy’s last recourse of controlling the world is through economic manipulation followed by severe persecution and prosecution. Would that be global? The physical needs are under attack otherwise you will not survive.

Revelation 13:16-18 says, “And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads:17 And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name.

18 Here is wisdom. Let him that hath understanding count the number of the beast: for it is the number of a man; and his number is Six hundred threescore and six.”

Perhaps that is the reason why Jesus Christ said in Matthew 4:4, “Man does not live on breath alone but by the Holy Words that come out from the mouth of God.” The Word of God must be placed as supreme over our physical needs but His Words sustain us.

Buying-and-Selling

The buying-and-selling principle only applies when you find something of greater value and you barter what you have to have better and higher proceeds or income.

Peter and Andrew found the Kingdom of God is greater than their fishing trade. The Zebedee brothers – James and John saw Christ’s calling for the Kingdom’s sake is greater than their relationship with their father, they too, forsook their nets and their father when Jesus called them. (Matthew 4:17-21).

The above four fishermen in the Sea of Galilee were the first ones whom Christ called for the ministry and they traded their profession in exchange for the calling of God.

The word “sell” in Greek “poleo” means “to barter” while the word “buy” from “agorazo” means “to be in the marketplace” or “to to business to buy and sell.” To “barter” to Miriam-Webster Dictionary means “to exchange things (such as products and services) for other things instead of for money.” It is derived from the Anglo-French word “bartren” meaning “to do business.”

There is nothing wrong or worldly in secular economy for God is the source of all things. But when creations of God are well-served rather than God to be best-served, materialism creeps in. There is no principle in this world that is not of God. But when godly principles become perverted, that makes them demonized.

God is a businessman

God is not merely a businessman. He is in fact, a good businessman. He won’t trade something for nothing.

Take the case of the Parable of the Talent in Matthew 25:14-30. Talent there is not to be spiritualized and not to be referred as spiritual gifts. Talents there in verse 15 in Greek “talanton” refers “to scale of balance, a pair of scales or according to the changes in the laws regulating currency” according to Thayer. Strong calls it “sum of money” or “a coin.” The first two servants were commended by their master because they gained more to the talent that has been provided to them. In verses 24-30, the servant with one talent did not merely gave an excuse even accused his master as a “hard” man. Hard is Greek “skleros” means “harsh, rough, stern, violent, and offensive.” It is like badmouthing his own master to justify his unproductiveness, laziness and indifference. His master said this to the lazy servant:

“Thou oughtest therefore to have put MY money to the exchangers, and then at my coming I should have received mine own with usury,” (Matthew 25:27).

The capital outlay has been provided by God to us be our “own” lives, money, family, professions, saving accounts and so forth are HIS not OURS. The Master accused the slothful servant for not putting it in USURY. The word “usury” in Greek “tokos” means “interest of money, usury (because it multiplies money as it were ‘breeds’).”

So when God provides you with money or any other material thing or even spiritual gifts, God expects, if not demands “return of investment” (ROI) or “profits.”

So when you trade God as the Source, and His Calling to you and the gifts he bestowed upon you to lesser value, then that would makes you a lousy businessman who had losses rather than profits.

The man with one talent was thrown to the “outer darkness” for being “unprofitable servant” in Matthew 25:30. Darkness in Greek “skotos” is both literal and figurative meaning “blindness or ignorance” or “darkness or hell.”

Jude described that “darkness” in Jude 1:13, as “Raging waves of the sea, foaming out their own shame; wandering stars, to whom is reserved the blackness of darkness forever.”

In Greek mythology, Erebus or Erebos (Greek: "deep darkness, shadow"), was often conceived as a primordial deity, representing the personification of darkness; for instance, Hesiod's Theogony identifies him as one of the first five beings in existence, born of Chaos. Since hell have different layers and chambers, each layer or chamber must have “being” who is in charge. Hierarchy of power is both to the physical and spiritual world I believe.

Agora in Pergamum

Again, the word agora came as life again during our recent visit to Pergamum of Asia Minor last June 11, 2017.

Burrak Sanzal wrote: “In the Acropolis, the remains that you see on the left hand side while going in,are the monumental tombs or heroons built for the kings of Pergamon during the Hellenistic period. Shops are situated at their side. When you enter the Acropolis, the remains seen at your left side, are the foundations of Propylon (monumental gates) which were constructed by Eumenes II. When you pass to the square surrounded with three stoas of the Doric order you'll notice the ruins of the temple of Athena.”

Church of Pergamos

This is the very condition of the Church of the End-time which is now and the days to come.

Rev. 2:12 “ And to the angel of the church in Pergamos write; These things saith he which hath the sharp sword with two edges; 13 I know thy works, and where thou dwellest, even where Satan's seat is: and thou holdest fast my name, and hast not denied my faith, even in those days wherein Antipas was my faithful martyr, who was slain among you, where Satan dwelleth. 14 But I have a few things against thee, because thou hast there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balac to cast a stumblingblock before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed unto idols, and to commit fornication.”

Why Pergamos was rebuked by the Lord being the seat of Satan and where Satan lives? What Balaam and Balac stand for that become a doctrine of today’s Church? And how this doctrine becomes a stumbling block? We will discuss this “Balaam and Balac” later.

Agora Defined

Trudy Ring, “Historical Dictionary of Historical Places “ (1996) writes, “The agora was a central public space in ancient Greek city-states. The literal meaning of the word is "gathering place" or "assembly". It is the centre of the athletic, artistic, spiritual and political life of the city. The Ancient Agora of Athens was the best-known example.”

Looters of Pergamum?

What inspired from Pergamum, Turkey; June 11, 2017 when we were there?

The historical value of such city which Apostle John mentioned in the Book of Revelation must tells us the present condition of the church today. Miss Meltem our tourist guide narrated:

“During Ottoman Empire, they were careless. They were horrible people. That time, the European travelers were kept looking for ancient ruins, treasures or remains. No modern archaeology then yet. To they would take their loot back to Europe. When Germans came they found the Temple of Zeus. They excavated this Zeus temple and brought them piece by piece to Germany and even called this “Pergamum Museum” (in Germany). Not only that they put the Temple of Zeus in their museum in Germany but they have taken also many of our artifacts there.”

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Is it the past is the future of the end? Because what Meltem shared as part of History of Pergamum is exactly what is happening today.

And where I heard that, I do not wonder now why some (false) teachers, pastors or teachers would walk in casually in our churches then later “mesmerized” the most gullible believers and bring them out from our respective churches. Shall we call them, “temple-raiders?” That could be another teaching? Or, “tomb-raiders”? How about, “treasure-hunters?” or simply “Looters of Pergamum?”

A financially-stricken pastor came to me one day for a counseling. He said he was befriended by a Korean missionary, offered him a free Theological Studies in Manila, an allowance of P5,000.00 per month. When this Filipino pastor came back to his church which he personally founded and pioneered, the Korean minister said, “You left your flock already, why would you come back?’

Too close for a comfort. A little money there in exchange for the flock. How about the Korean, is he cunning or not? And this Korean shared to me one time, “I will build the biggest church in Pangasinan!?” What a delusion! The same Korean minister also proselyte some of our flock. Does it sounds familiar to you?

Like the Germans who “looted” the Temple of Zeus in Pergamum, be on watch to others brethren posing as true shepherds of the Lord but “Christian looters.”

John 10:7-10, “Then said Jesus unto them again, Verily, verily, I say unto you, I am the door of the sheep. 8 All that ever came before me are thieves and robbers: but the sheep did not hear them. 9 I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture. 10 The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.”

The Gold today

The gold today truly matters. Materialism and worldliness captivate most of the people. The simple or the poor, the educated and the ignorant, the great and the mighty or the defenseless, money or gold is the focus of everyone’s heart. Look at this!

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Sits on gold

“Philippines sits on gold,” the former First Lady Imelda Marcos said in TV interview just recently. She was referring to the 7,000 tons of gold bars that her late husband former President Ferdinand E. Marcos have accumulated or saved throughout his lifetime. Mrs. Marcos said the following on “State of the Nation Address” by GMA Channel 7; aired on September 01, 2017 and also from the 2013 interview of Mel Chianco to the former FL.

“Philippines is sitting on the gold,” says former First Lady Imelda Marcos.
700 Foreign Banks Documents gold bars worth $240-Billion
“We are sitting on the gold. It is enough to save the world,” she said.
Lito Atienza confirmed the Marcoses as shared to him by the FL have 7,000 tons deposits of gold bar.
The Marcos declared their lat SALN at $340,000.00

So you have enormous amount of gold, treasure or wealth? What does the Bible says?

Mark 8: 36 “ For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?” Christ offers a better investment in Rev. 3:17, “Buy from me gold tried in a fire.”

Ares, god of war?

Do you remember my teaching, “Ares, god of war”? Visit www.clsfrosales.com I did mention there about the “wealth of this world.” This is the excerpts:

Ishtar, is the goddess of the underworld or lower world according to Library of Alexandria. According to Matthew 16:18, the god of the underworld (nether)or the realm of the dead is a Greek name called “Orcus.” It also refers “Pluto” the god of the lower regions which is synonymous to grave, death and hell. Isthar is called “hades” or “the place of departed soul” in Greek. The word “Pluto” is called “hell” by Jesus Christ in Matthew 16:18 which presently located at Heliopolis near Laodicea and Colossae in Asia Minor which we personally visited last June 13, 2017. And how true that Allah is linked to Ares, Cybele, Nemesis, Demeter, Orcus and Pluto, Ishtar, Egypt god-Ra and other ancient gods and goddesses of the underworld? God forbids! Surprising, Hades the Greek god of the Dead and King of the Underworld.. And since Hades have dominion that lies between secret places of the earth, according to the Odyssey, he knows where the treasures underneath, Hades is also called, God of Wealth or “the rich one” because he possessed the precious metals of the earth. Hades is described by some sources as the god of the earth’s fertility. The gold or the minerals underneath is under the control of the enemy. Satan tempted Christ to worship him in exchange of the world’s glory, splendour and wealth in Matthew 4: 8-9.

When CIA allegedly helped Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA) to dismember themselves from Serbia and Yugoslavia and USSR, what follows next is the exploitation of $1-Trillion world of Mineral in Kosovo, is it true? CIA who formerly tagged MNLF and MILF as “terrorist group” is now urging the Philippines to pursue BBL? Question? Is it CIA is also arming the Mindanao rebel groups to dismember the island from the Philippines exploit the gold in Mindanao?

On June 12, 2017 we went to Laodicea and Sardis in Asia Minor. The first gold coin, called Lydian coin was first minted there under King Alyattes, 910-900 B.C. which is made of electrum-laden quartz. The Paktolos River acquired its electrum from electrum-laden quartz deposits near Mount Tmolos (called Mount Bozdag today).

In Revelation 3:17-18, Jesus Christ sharply rebuked the Laodicea Church for “being rich yet poor” and He encouraged them these words, “I counsel thee to buy from Me gold tried in fire.”

The Impeachment

One congressman shared to me, “We were asked to sign our names on the said Impeachment Complaint otherwise, the House of Representatives will not release our congressional initiative allocations (collectively labelled as “pork barrel).”

And I was shocked in disbelief, a guilt imposed to an innocent man for the sake of money? As the Bible puts it this way, “If the foundations be destroyed, what can the righteous do?,” (Psalm 11:3). And the word “foundation” in Hebrew “shathah” means “political and moral base or support.” It means that our government officials lacks moral ascendency and spiritual substance.

A vice-mayor confided, “I could not take the pressure… I saw the barangay captains in the congressman’s house while the money were all placed inside a small paper bags…” He said, millions of money was carted away that night selling our politicians integrity for money.

Poor Filipinos voters, they are being sold even before they go to electoral post to cast their votes.

Mayor’s Hurt

I was about to get in to SM-Rosales when this mayor from another town accidently bumped me. He pulled me to one corner and said, “Pastor, nasaktan ako sa mga kasamang mga pastors sa bayan namin. They were given P10,000 each by my political rival in exchange of junking me…” That was the mayor’s hurts that made my face blushing red for the “pastors for sale.”

I once heard Aniano A. Desierto, a former DILG Secretary defining “graft and corruption” which he said, “It is using public office for personal benefit.”

That is exactly what the Pastoral Movement did when they received money from a political aspirant in exchange of their votes. It is using your pastoral office for personal gain.

Not for sale

In 2 Cor. 2:17 (NIV), it says, “Unlike so many, we do not peddle the word of God for profit. On the contrary, in Christ we speak before God with sincerity, as those sent from God.”

The word, “peddle” in Greek “kapeleuo” is interpreted ”to corrupt” in King James Version (KJV). It means “to retail; to peddle; to make money by selling anything; to adulterate or to corrupt.”

Our pastoral office, our position or sphere of influence nor our gifting must not be used to farther our personal motives and ambitions or even our need for money.

One time, a governor in one province requested me personally see him in his office. He said, “I know you have a school. Can you give me your school name so I could issue you a check under the name of your school.” I asked him, “Governor, thank you for your generosity but may I ask whether it is coming from your personal money?”

When the governor said, the money will be coming from his development fund, I politely said, “Sir, I really appreciate that you can trust me giving me such a huge donation. But I could not accept that because our school is a church-school. One you give us a donation from your public funds that is tantamount of abuse of authority, malversation of funds because of the Separation of the State and the Church.” The Governor thanked me for being honest. Only God deserves the glory.

Few pastors however name-dropping my name to this Governor in order for them to get some financial donations, if not to get a few position in the bureaucracy. How did I know? The governor secretary often calls me for background check when such instances occur.

Philip, the evangelist

In Acts 8:5-8, Philip, preached Christ in Samaria and the he people “paid heed…seeing miracles” and they saw unclean spirits crying for many were possessed; and they taken with palsies, lame healed and they was a great joy in the city and “they were baptized, men and women” (v. 12.).

Sorcerer believed

One sorcerer witnessed that and he believed and got converted. His name is “Simon, the sorcerer.” Simon the sorcerer of Samaria believed on Philip while Saul during that time bring havoc to the church persecuting Christians. When Philip went to Samaria and he preached Christ there, many were healed liked the blind and the lame. Philip performed miracles and many were baptized. And Simon was baptized also and he “continued with Philip” (Acts 8:13). It means that Simon, the sorcerer became proskartereo or devoted as servitor to Philip. Simon is like acting as a deacon then or helper.

Baptism and Bribery

When the apostles came from Jerusalem in the persons of Peter and John they manifested an enormous display of power of the Spirit when the Samarian believers were prayed for and baptized in the Spirit. Tongue-tied with eyes rolling up-and—down, Simon the sorcerer said,

“And when Simon saw that through laying on of the apostles' hands the Holy Ghost was given, he offered them money, Saying, Give me also this power, that on whomsoever I lay hands, he may receive the Holy Ghost,” (Acts 8:18-19). There was an evident malice in Simon’s heart.

Gifts for sale?

Is the gifts of the Holy Spirit is for sale?

James 1:16-17, “Do not err, my beloved brethren. Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.”

The word “gift “ in Greek “dorema” (do-ray-mah) i.e. “a gift, bounty, benefaction, bestowment.” It derived from the root word “doron” i.e. present, gifts offered in expression of honour. Money cast into the treasury for the purposes of the temple and for the support of the poor.

I saw and heard how Sadhu Selvaraj prayed over to this young congressman for his deliverance from over 6 criminal lawsuits filed by a very powerful man in authority. I heard Sadhu prophesying this man his future, and even spoken the congressman’s past and present during that time. I know because he joined us for meal at VIP room and he was just seated 2 more seats away from me. This congressman professed as a Christian. But he is now a top aide of the present administration. You see him on the TV and on the papers each day displaying his flabbergasted mouth and narcissistic arrogance. He used the pastoral movement in his district as his campaign vehicle even to this very day. This pastoral head of that district whom I knew very much have lost his zeal to Christ and more active in attending the man but not to his Lord.

In the same way, I saw anointed pastors and evangelists who use their “gift of speaking” to be a spokespersons of politicians or political party. Let’s face it, sometimes we uses our church as a stage for their political rallies or our “gifts of speaking” for their political endorsements.

Temple Bribery?

Bribery is not limited among brethren or businessmen or in the government.

Bribery is very much inside the temple of God. Is it not the sons of Eli, the priests received enormous amount of bribes as priests? 1 Samuel 8:3, “And his sons walked not in his ways, but turned aside after lucre, and took bribes, and perverted judgment.” And bribes blinds the eyes of the discerning (Deut. 23:8).

One Sunday afternoon while I was alone in the Church office while the utility man was in his room sleeping, two men came and knocked on the gate. They were Lotto franchisers and they offered me a handsome amount for donation of exchange of something. I politely turned it down of course.

In one instance, another politician walked in. After a few chats, I ushered him around in the church compound. Later he offered me a very good preposition. He will donate a big amount of his “funds” in millions provided “he will get his share of a bigger proportion.”

No one is indispensable. I am not a good or strong as you think. Each one of us can be bribed or tempted. In one instance, a good Christian gave me P750,00.000 cash for the ministry. And to be honest, I felt like coveting it. When we were dirt poor pastor in the first few years in the ministry, I was almost tempted to steal P100.00 because we have not food nor grain of rice at all during that time. And Isaac was merely a year old that time.

Was it Christ have been bribed too? I believe so. Satan bribed Jesus Christ showing him the wealth and power of this world in Matthew chapter 4.

Read E.E. Johnson on “Bribery” below.

Temple desecrated

The “house of prayer” has been profaned that got the ire of Jesus Christ who have gone wild shooing away the worshipper-businessmen and worship-pretender. It happened before in the Old Testament. I did happen again in Christ’s time. And it is happening today in our times. Is it not Paul said that “Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever”?

The past 10-15 years, I noticed a sharp down-trend of zeal among pastors. Unlike before in the 1990’s you see pastors’ unrequited love to the service of the Lord and to their brethren displaying such a deep, sincere fellowship. I often host pastoral meetings not just here in my town and district but to another districts and provinces as well.

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When multi-level-marketing (MLM) came to the picture, it became most-attended by many pastors including their flocks. When the so-called, “foundations” are being marketed supposedly to financially support Christian ministries and ministers especially the “struggling ones”, many will attend their meetings as well.

But “pastoral meetings “fellowships” or “prayer-gatherings” many among my contemporaries are either busy or uninterested or got down the drain?

The church’s prostitution

Yet I seen their churches became “venues” for profitable business interest. I saw churches being converted as venue for MLM’s seminars. In fact, one big pastoral movement duly registered in S.E.C. also into “illegal recruitment” to South Korea “disguised as prayer-tour”. I was there and I rebuked them for being too nasty against the work of the Lord.

Like Esau, have we given up our birthright in exchange for the belly (Genesis 25:32)? Like Esau, will God called us “But Esau I have hated” (Romans 9:13)? Like Esau, shall we be called as “fornicator” and “profane”? (Hebrews 12:16). Fornicator in Greek “pornos” means “a male-prostitute?” The temple of God as the “house of prayer” became a den of thieves? Or den of prostitutes and gluttons?

“Lest there be any fornicator, or profane person, as Esau, who for one morsel of meat sold his birthright,” – Hebrews 12:16

Imperial Cult today

I noticed that many Christian today and pastors rally more on men and politicians rather that God.

Since 2014, I was asking others to join me in my campaign against two dubious bills namely “Anti-SOGIE Discrimination Act” and “BBL.” Very few joined me. While most of our brethren attends more to political rallies and MLM seminars more than of my appeal even to prayer meeting in Dagupan.

Then I heard that many brethren fought like “gladiators?” over the Face –Book in connection with their political bets during the last Presidential Election. They were “ravishing each others like beasts” says a Manila-based Bishop.

I sat down with Christian lawyers, few Christian politicians prior to the 2016 Election. They were all gone now. Their Christian principles were being compromised.

One anointed pastor-prophet laid hands on me and said, “You voice is too faint and it could hardly be heard. The Lord says that He will increase you voice and you will be speaking to many people in the government…”

Two months later, that prophetic word came to pass. Time after time, I have spoken to police colonels and police generals, directors of government agencies, politicians and I was invited to Malacanan twice by two different presidents.

This pastor-prophet is so anointed that I will personally rate his prophetic gift as 95% accuracy. I saw his big church that serves 6 worship services every Sunday whose single attendance swells as much as 3,000.

Where is now? He didn’t have a church anymore. He have given that up to his MLM? He is no longer serving as a prophet to the nation or to me or to you? You will see him more on TV a spokesperson to the men not to God anymore.

He was a prophet? He was a pastor? Where is he now?

The Pharisees are religious-leaders. They knew the Law. They have fervor. But the choice that they made between Christ and man speaks of their spiritual condition.

“But they cried out, Away with him, away with him, crucify him. Pilate saith unto them, Shall I crucify your King? The chief priests answered, We have no king but Caesar.” - John 19:15,

As Bishop Dan Balais said to a group of pastors who were fighting to one another due from the recent election, “Our allegiance is to the Christ and in His Word not to the politicians.”

The promotion

In Numbers 22, Balak offered “promotion” to prophet Balaam (v. 17) to curse Israel. Balaam’s insinuation is this, “If Balak would give me his house full of silver and gold, I could not go beyond the word of God” (v. 18).

Balaam “went with the princes of Moab” and that is a compromise (v.21) until “God sent an angel to slay him (Balaam),” (v.23).

Importance of Intercession

God was so angry against Balaam, the non-Israeli prophet and the Lord is deadly serious to slay him. He could have killed if not of the “intercession” of the donkey? Why would a donkey intercedes why the Church is not? That is paradoxically ridiculous and insane.

If the donkey can discern and intercede for God’s judgment, why can’t the Church do that?

The angel confronted Balaam after he caused the donkey to speak saying Numbers 22: 32-33 (NLT), “32 “Why did you beat your donkey those three times?” the angel of the Lord demanded. “Look, I have come to block your way because you are stubbornly resisting me. 33 Three times the donkey saw me and shied away; otherwise, I would certainly have killed you by now and spared the donkey.”

Balaam in the end-time church

In the following verses are some few but strong words that denote greed for money or position that marks ho marketing or sales strategy reinforces that power of darkness in this end time.

Nehemiah 13:2 “hired” Hebrew “sakar” i.e. purchased
Micah 6:5 “consulted” Hebrew “yaats” (yaw-ats) i.e. conspire
2 Peter 2:15 “loved the wages of unrighteousness”
Jude 1:11 Balaam “greedy,” “error” Greek “plane” (plan-ay) i.e. wandering, straying, fraud, delusional (Illusyonado),
Rev. 2:14, 12 “doctrine of Balaam” i.e. idolatry and fornication i.e. in Church in Pergamos

Church, a marketplace

Remember what was Christ’s reaction when He saw the temple in Jerusalem? Why such anger or indignation, is it or positive, an enemy’s character or from God’s?

Is it not Paul displayed such a terrible tantrums in Athens in when he saw the people of Athens worshipping an “unknown god?” Acts 17:16 says “his spirit was stirred in him”?

The word “stirred” in Greek “paroxuno” means “arouse to anger; to burn with anger.” It is in fact, “a divine anger.”

And such a fiercest, horrifying anger is what Christ displayed at the temple. It is a godly anger because He saw how the so-called “worshippers” desecrated a holy ground. Out from such agitation He did cast out all them that sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the tables of the money changers, and the seats of them that sold doves,”

"It is written," he said to them, "'My house will be called a house of prayer,' but you are making it 'a den of robbers.'" Matthew 21:12/NIV

“They are to teach my people the difference between the holy and the common and show them how to distinguish between the unclean and the clean,” Ezekiel 44:23/ NIV

Will the Christians today manifest such a holy anger when something have gone wrong that assails the Filipinos moral, political and spiritual integrity?

I wondered why the Catholics used the Exodus 18:18/ NIV “But select capable men from all the people—men who fear God, trustworthy men who hate dishonest gain—and appoint them as officials over thousands, hundreds, fifties and tens”, through “Gabay-Kristo” while the Evangelical Christians merely uses their “sphere of influence?” Who adheres to the Bible? The Catholics or the Evangelicals? Strange!

The Judases

When Christ entered Jerusalem, the crowd has gone frenzy wild exclaiming, “Hosannah! Blessed is he who cometh in the name of the Lord.” (Psalm 118:26; Luke 19:38). The very disciple whom He has communion with betrayed Him. The one who have kissed Him did betray Him. And those who shouted “Hallelujahs!” later said, “Crucify Him!”

For Judas who “traded” (Greek : agorizo) Christ with 30 pieces of silver that is how he estimated the Lord. How much shall we estimate Christ? Satan as “son of perdition” will profane the temple to as it is written in 2 Thess. 2:3.

Global economic manipulation?

In 2005 while I was in Alondra Park not far from Los Angeles, California, the word of the Lord came saying, “These people doesn’t honour Me. They love money more than Me.”

Few months later, while I was leaving New York City from John F. Kennedy Airport, the word of the Lord came while I was on board of American Airlines saying, “Mercury.” That was the only word I heard. Why Mercury? (See on the Notes below). By the time I stepped down at Chicago’s O’ Hare Airport, the Word of the Lord came saying, “In two years time starting now, I will destroy the economy of AMERICA.”

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Exactly two years when the Word of the Lord came to me, by 2008, the world’s strongest economy that is, the America stumbled down.

Do you remember the so-called “Bubble Economy” or they also called “1997 Asian Financial Crisis” as described by International Monetary Fund (IMF) when ASEAN economies had a “melt-down” on July, 1997 that started in Thailand. IMF fueled in as much as $40 billion loan- program to some ASIAN nations that time.

Do you remember the 2008 “Lehman Brothers” economic collapse from the US that as the saying goes, “When America sneezes, the whole world gets cold” that brought economies down globally? Lehman Brothers filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection on September 15, 2008. ... The filing remains the largest bankruptcy filing in U.S. history, with Lehman holding over $600 billion in assets.

Pinoy Money Talk last updated January 4, 2014 revealed that Lehman Brother’s bankruptcy entailed losses to 3 Philippine banks alone namely BDO, RCBC and MetroBank of $115.5 Million or P 7.2 billion.

Are the above are merely “economic-trend” or simply “manipulation” by the few billionaire- businessmen and those who are in power?

How about in the Philippines? Who holds the economy of our nation? Allegedly they said it is only ten (10) families.

Philippines hold the world’s 2^nd largest gold reserves says Ralph Jennings of Forbes Asia dated April 5, 2015. How much is the conservative estimate? It’s $3-Trillion. How come there is an income inequality then?

“The main cause of income inequality in the Philippines is its political culture. It is a spoils systems which is based on relationship between leader of political parties to other politician and local elites. Thus, this patron-client system has created a system where a small number of powerful and wealthy families are in control of the political system,” according to Peter Church (2209), “Philippines: A Short History of Southeast Asia.”

The poorer the people are, the greater the number that falls to Satanic economic agenda. Revelation 13:17, “so that no one could buy or sell unless he had the mark--the name of the beast or the .... of a man, computed after the usual manner among men, and it is 666.”

Why wait for the anti-Christ to control the wealth when it is right here inside our doorstep in the Philippines.

Where the money is, is where the thieves are? Will this happen again in much globalized form for the anti-Christ to reign thus manipulating the whole world with “economic manipulation” in exchange of their souls?

This global economic concern is within the “Balaam and Balaac Doctrine” that is creeping in the church today.

Balaam and Balac Doctrine

Revelation 2:12-14 “, And to the angel of the church in Pergamos write; These things saith he which hath the sharp sword with two edges; I know thy works, and where thou dwellest, even where Satan's seat is: But I have a few things against thee, because thou hast there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balac to cast a stumblingblock before the children of Israel..”

Doctrine of Balaam and Balac.

What is the doctrine of Balaam and Balac? Why these two personalities from the Old Testament time are being mentioned in the New Testament and end times? Colin Hemer has the answer which are as follows:

In Revelation 2:14, the church of Pergamum is scolded for tolerating the “teaching of Balaam,” or the “doctrine of Balaam.” Balaam’s name is also invoked in 2 Peter 2:15 and Jude 1:11, both in warnings about the conduct and message of false teachers. All of these are references to the Old Testament character of Balaam, who tried unsuccessfully to prophesy against the people of Israel (Numbers 22). He eventually advised King Balak of Moab, the enemy of Israel, to pursue a campaign of seduction against them (Numbers 31:8). The doctrine of Balaam is not only a serious problem, but a devious one. When the frontal assault failed, Balaam took a back-door approach.

Balaam, a prophet from Mesopotamia, was willing to use his God-given talents for illicit purposes. Even though he knew Balak was God’s enemy, he tried to sell his prophetic gifts to help him. When that didn’t work, Balaam counseled Balak on the most effective way to weaken Israel. This was through seduction, using Moabite and Midianite women to tempt the Israelites into sexual relationships and into pagan rituals. The Israelites who participated brought God’s judgment upon themselves (Numbers 25:1–9).

According to 2 Peter 2:15, Balaam’s “way” is a choice to promote falsehood for financial reasons.

Jude 1:11, Balaam’s “error” was his willingness to accommodate pagan beliefs out of greed. Jude 1:4 also refers to the sin of those “who pervert the grace of our God into a license for immorality.” One trait of false teachers in the church is that they attempt to turn Christian liberty into a “freedom” to be promiscuous (see Romans 14:1–5).

Putting these ideas together gives a clear view of the doctrine of Balaam. It is the attitude that one can be fully cooperative with the world and still serve God. The doctrine of Balaam teaches compromise, wanting Christians to forget they are called to be separate and holy (Leviticus 20:26; 1 Peter 1:2); the doctrine of Balaam makes believers indistinguishable from the unbelieving world (Matthew 5:13). The doctrine of Balaam is a belief that “a little sin” doesn’t hurt (Galatians 5:9), especially if there’s some financial or personal benefit involved (1 Timothy 6:5). A person following the doctrine of Balaam is willing to compromise his beliefs for the sake of economics. He acts to enable sinful behaviors for personal gain or even participate in them (Romans 1:32).

In practical terms, the teaching or doctrine of Balaam is the view that Christians can—or even should—compromise their convictions for the sake of popularity, money, sexual gratification, or personal gain. It’s the attitude that treats sin as “no big deal.” Christians can’t—and shouldn’t—totally shun the presence of sinners or unbelievers (Luke 7:34; 1 Corinthians 5:9–13), but we are obligated to stand up for truth (Ephesians 4:25), righteousness (Proverbs 23:20; Romans 14:22), and goodness (2 Peter 1:5, Matthew 5:16), whether it’s what others want to hear or not (John 4:16–18; 8:11; Acts 24:24–25).

The white stone

In Revelation 2:16-17 as addressed to the Church of Pergamon says, “Repent; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it.”

The “stone” that Rev. 217 speaks “psephos” (psay-fos) i.e. “a small worn smooth stone, a feeble.” In ancient courts of justice the accused were condemned by black pebbles and the acquitted by white.” The stone in Mecca is colored black.

The white stone symbolizes clear conscience that your church or our church does not have the Doctrine of Balaam and Balak. If not corporate, then individually like you and me.

May God forbids that Balaam and Balak is lurking in our church.

NOTES:

Mercury. Mercury is a major Roman god, being one of the Dii Consentes within the ancient Roman pantheon. He is the patron god of financial gain, commerce, eloquence (and thus poetry), messages/communication (including divination), travelers, boundaries, luck, trickery and thieves; he is also the guide of souls to the underworld says Rupke, “The Religion of the Romans.”

E.E. Johnson: Bribery. E. E. Johnson, M. A. writes: “Christ saw a lonely path, leading through Gethsemane and its terrible agony, and rising, step after step, up to Calvary and its awful Cross. He knows beforehand His rejection and betrayal, the scourging, the mocking, and the borrowed sepulchre. Even now, amid the solitude of the wilderness and its solemn stillness, He hears that bitter, maddened cry, "Away with Him! Crucify Him! We will have a Caesar for our king, and no one else." (What is not Imperial Cult? The very Jewish who commanded not to worship false gods did worship the emperor) That is, He knows that if He now accepts the tempter's offer, instead of being afterwards rejected by " His own" nation, He will become their acknowledged king. And beyond those three years of ministry and of conflict which He Himself must endure, He sees at least nineteen centuries during which His Church must fill up that which remains behind of His appointed sufferings, praying meanwhile for the coming of His kingdom. "Save Thyself," the tempter said, "and spare Thy followers. Take the Crown without the Cross." It was a proffered bribe. The question was whether Christ should sacrifice principle, or whether He should sacrifice Himself; whether He should reach that end for which He had come into the world by God's appointed way, or by one easier; in short, whether He should make duty or policy the law of His life. You know the decision and the answer. Nevertheless, let me read it in your ears, for the voice of this very temptation comes often to us all, and therefore the Voice of the Victor is never without its lessons.”

Marketplace Defined. Miriam-Webster : an open square or place in a town where markets or public sales are held; market.

Thesaurus.com: Middle English word (1350-1400) See origin at market, place.

Yourdictionary.com define “marketplace” as an open area or square in a town where a public market or sale is set up. The world of business and commerce. A situation or place in which values, opinions, and ideas are put forward for debate or recognition: a marketplace for new ideas; the literary marketplace.

3o pierces of silver. Thirty pieces of silver was the price for which Judas Iscariot betrayed Jesus, according to Matthew 26:15 in the New Testament. The Gospel of Matthew claims that the subsequent purchase of the Potter's field was fulfillment, by Jesus, of a prophecy of Zechariah