HIDDEN IN THE CHURCHES
Written in 2012
by Tony Alamo
aka Bernie Hoffman
“Another parable spake HE [JESUS] unto them; The kingdom of Heaven is like unto leaven [yeast], which a woman took, and hid in three measures of flour, till the whole was leavened” (Matthew 13:33). This is a parable JESUS told HIS disciples, warning them of how Satan and his worldly, sinful doctrines gradually enter into churches and destroy them.
The word “leaven” or “yeast” is used in the Bible to represent sin, or poisonous, false doctrine. JESUS told HIS disciples, “Take heed and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees” (Matthew 16:6). “How is it that ye do not understand that I spake it not to you concerning bread, but that ye should beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees? Then understood they how that HE bade them not beware of the leaven of bread, but of the doctrine of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees” (Matthew 16:11-12).
Jezebel was the most wicked queen of Israel.1 Her husband Ahab was contaminated by her wickedness (1 Kings 21:25-26). The LORD stated that the churches of these last days would be infiltrated by Jezebel, by the leaven of false doctrine (Revelation 2:20-23). In order to avoid persecution or increase the membership, many churches allow worldly doctrines (lukewarmness, unholiness, compromise instead of separation from the world, and sin) into their churches. This is what Jezebel does.
JESUS gave this message to one of HIS seven churches, which was in Thyatira: “I know thy works, and charity, and service, and faith, and thy patience, and thy works; and the last to be more than the first. Notwithstanding I have a few things against thee, because thou sufferest that woman Jezebel, which calleth herself a prophetess, to teach and to seduce MY servants to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed unto idols [yeast, leaven]. And I gave her space to repent of her fornication [sinfulness]; and she repented not. Behold, I will cast her into a bed, and them that commit adultery with her into great tribulation, except they repent of their deeds. And I will kill her children with death; and all the churches shall know that I am HE which searcheth the reins and hearts: and I will give unto every one of you according to your works” (Revelation 2:19-23). I thank YOU and praise YOU, JESUS, for the warning.
JESUS continued, “But unto you I say, and unto the rest in Thyatira, as many as have not this doctrine, and which have not known the depths of Satan, as they speak; I will put upon you none other burden. But that which ye have already hold fast till I come. And he that overcometh, and keepeth MY works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations: 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. And I will give him the morning star [more understanding]. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the SPIRIT saith unto the churches” (Revelation 2:24-29).
After we have been born again of the HOLY SPIRIT, we are commanded by JESUS to continue doing HIS works in this world to the end of our lives.2 “Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only.…For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also” (James 2:24, 26).
JESUS also addressed the church in Pergamos: “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: 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. 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.3 So hast thou also them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which thing I hate. Repent; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will fight against them with the sword of MY mouth” (Revelation 2:12-16).
If a pastor of a church is not extremely careful, he may not notice the demonic activity, but the LORD says, “Watch” (Mark 13:37). Again, in the Bible, leaven is always symbolic of sin, the world, the devil, and anything ungodly or false,4 and in the above two examples in Revelation, the LORD exposes this fault in churches which are supposed to be the spotless bride of CHRIST.5
Holiness and separation from sin is required for us to walk in fellowship with GOD.6 “Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? And what concord hath CHRIST with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? And what agreement hath the temple of GOD with idols? for ye are the temple of the living GOD; as GOD hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their GOD, and they shall be MY people. Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the LORD, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, And will be a FATHER unto you, and ye shall be MY sons and daughters, saith the LORD ALMIGHTY” (2 Corinthians 6:14-18).
“Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the FATHER is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the FATHER, but is of the world. And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of GOD abideth for ever” (1 John 2:15-17).
“Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with GOD? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of GOD” (James 4:4).
Even when the SON of Man is sowing the good seed, it is very possible for the enemy to sow tares (weeds) among the wheat (GOD’S elect).7 “Another parable put HE forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of Heaven is likened unto a man which sowed good seed in his field: But while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat, and went his way. But when the blade was sprung up, and brought forth fruit, then appeared the tares also. So the servants of the householder came and said unto him, Sir, didst not thou sow good seed in thy field? from whence then hath it tares? He said unto them, An enemy hath done this” (Matthew 13:24-28).
Whenever a true work of GOD which is destined to bring souls to salvation and strengthen the people of GOD is started, then the enemy (the devil) comes immediately to infiltrate it for the purpose of destroying it.8 The devil will work through weak souls to sow rumors, lies, division, false accusations and doctrines, lawsuits, and anything else pertaining to the three major lusts.9
Evil spirits are assigned to break up congregations and scatter the flock through offenses, sexual sin, partiality, hypocrisy and more. Many witches specialize in worming their way into congregations, even taking active parts in the workings of the church, in order to insidiously cause strife, compromise, and sow false doctrine into the congregation, as well as tempting weak souls to fall into immorality. They slowly, but surely, lower the standards of holiness in all aspects of the church. The once holy, zealous, and productive work of GOD diminishes and is neutralized. Thus, their work is finished, and they move on to their next target.
The LORD JESUS, the MESSIAH, warned: “Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them. Not every one that saith unto ME, LORD, LORD, shall enter into the kingdom of Heaven; but he that doeth the will of MY FATHER which is in Heaven. Many will say to ME in that day, LORD, LORD, have we not prophesied in THY name? and in THY name have cast out devils? and in THY name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from ME, ye that work iniquity” (Matthew 7:19-23).
JESUS said, “Either make the tree good, and his fruit good; or else make the tree corrupt, and his fruit corrupt: for the tree is known by his fruit” (Matthew 12:33).
This woman, the spirit of Jezebel, like so many churches today, has allowed Satan to secretly enter in, and a little leaven leavens the whole lump (the entire church) (Galatians 5:9).
“Your glorying is not good. Know ye not that a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump? Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened. For even CHRIST our passover is sacrificed for us: Therefore let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, neither with the leaven of malice and wickedness; but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth” (1 Corinthians 5:6-8).
“Husbands, love your wives, even as CHRIST also loved the church, and gave HIMSELF for it; That HE might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the WORD, That HE might present it to HIMSELF a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish” (Ephesians 5:25-27).
“But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them; And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in CHRIST JESUS. All scripture is given by inspiration of GOD, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of GOD may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works” (2 Timothy 3:14-17).
JESUS said, “Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of GOD. Nicodemus saith unto HIM, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother’s womb, and be born? JESUS answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the SPIRIT, he cannot enter into the kingdom of GOD. That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the SPIRIT is SPIRIT. Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again” (John 3:3-7).
He that has a spiritual ear, let him hear what the SPIRIT says unto the churches (Revelation 2:29). Make your decision to follow the LORD with all of your heart today. To be saved, to be born again, say this prayer:
Prayer
My LORD and my GOD, have mercy upon my soul, a sinner. 1 I believe that JESUS CHRIST is the SON of the living GOD. 2 I believe that HE died on the cross and shed HIS precious blood for the forgiveness of all my former sins. 3 I believe that GOD raised JESUS from the dead by the power of the HOLY SPIRIT 4 and that HE sits on the right hand of GOD at this moment, hearing my confession of sin and this prayer. 5 I open up the door of my heart, and I invite YOU into my heart, LORD JESUS. 6 Wash all of my filthy sins away in the precious blood that YOU shed in my place on the cross at Calvary. 7 YOU will not turn me away, LORD JESUS; YOU will forgive my sins and save my soul. I know because YOUR WORD, the Bible, says so. 8 YOUR WORD says that YOU will turn no one away, and that includes me. 9 Therefore, I know that YOU have heard me, and I know that YOU have answered me, and I know that I am saved. 10 And I thank YOU, LORD JESUS, for saving my soul, and I will show my thankfulness by doing as YOU command and sin no more.11
After salvation, JESUS said to be baptized, fully submerged in water, in the name of the FATHER, and of the SON, and of the HOLY SPIRIT.12 Then study the King James Version Bible, and, for your benefit and the benefit of others, do what it says.13
CHRIST and GOD the FATHER now live in you through the HOLY SPIRIT. There is a way you can receive a fuller portion of the divine nature of GOD in you. The more the divine nature of GOD lives in you, the more you will be able to stand against the temptations that have so easily moved so many millions of Christians away from salvation. Pray for the baptism in the HOLY SPIRIT.14 For instructions on how to receive the baptism in the HOLY SPIRIT and to receive more of GOD’S holy nature, ask for our literature or call. For without holiness, no man shall see GOD (Hebrews 12:14).
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If you want the world saved, as JESUS commands, then don’t rob GOD of HIS tithes and offerings. GOD said, “Will a man rob GOD? Yet ye have robbed ME. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed THEE? In tithes and offerings. Ye are cursed with a curse: for ye have robbed ME, even this whole nation [and this whole world]. Bring ye all the tithes [a ‘tithe’ is 10% of your gross income] into the storehouse, that there may be meat [Spiritual food] in MINE house [souls saved], and prove ME now herewith, saith the LORD of HOSTS, if I will not open you the windows of Heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it. And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, and he shall not destroy the fruits of your ground; neither shall your vine cast her fruit before the time in the field, saith the LORD of HOSTS. And all nations shall call you blessed: for ye shall be a delightsome land, saith the LORD of HOSTS” (Malachi 3:8-12).
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footnotes:
1. 1 Kings 16:31, 18:4, 19, 19:1-2, 21:4-15, 23-25, 2 Kings 9:7, 10, 22, 32-37 return
2. Matt. 25:14-30, Mark 16:14-18, Luke 19:11-27, John 4:35-38, 15:8, 1 Cor. 3:8-9, Gal. 6:9, 2 Tim. 4:5, Titus 2:14 return
3. Num. 31:16, 2 Pet. 2:15, Jude 1:11, Rev. 2:14 return
4. Matt. 16:5-12, Luke 12:1, 1 Cor. 5:6-8 return
5. Rom. 6:22, 12:1, 2 Cor. 7:1, 13:11, Eph. 4:11-13, Phlp. 2:15, 3:12-14, Col. 1:21-22, 1 Thes. 3:13, 4:6-7, 1 Tim. 6:11-14, Rev. 19:7-8, 21:2-4, 9-27 return
6. Rom. 6:4-14, 8:1-14, 37, Gal. 5:16, Eph. 6:10-18, Phlp. 1:6, 9-11, 4:13, Col. 1:10-11, 1 Thes. 4:7 return
8. John 10:10-13, 1 Pet. 5:8-9 return
9. John 8:44, 1 John 2:16, Rev. 12:9 return
Prayer footnotes:
1. Psa. 51:5, Rom. 3:10-12, 23 return
2. Matt. 26:63-64, 27:54, Luke 1:30-33, John 9:35-37, Rom. 1:3-4 return
3. Acts 4:12, 20:28, Rom. 3:25, I John 1:7, Rev. 5:9 return
4. Psa. 16:9-10, Matt. 28:5-7, Mark 16:9, 12, 14, John 2:19, 21, 10:17-18, 11:25, Acts 2:24, 3:15, Rom. 8:11, I Cor. 15:3-7 return
5. Luke 22:69, Acts 2:25-36, Heb. 10:12-13 return
6. I Cor. 3:16, Rev. 3:20 return
7. Eph. 2:13-22, Heb. 9:22, 13:12, 20-21, I John 1:7, Rev. 1:5, 7:14 return
8. Matt. 26:28, Acts 2:21, 4:12, Eph. 1:7, Col. 1:14 return
9. Matt. 21:22, John 6:35, 37-40, Rom. 10:13 return
10. Heb. 11:6 return
11. John 5:14, 8:11, Rom. 6:4, I Cor. 15:10, Rev. 7:14, 22:14 return
12. Matt. 28:18-20, John 3:5, Acts 2:38, 19:3-5 return
13. Deut. 4:29, 13:4, 26:16, Josh. 1:8, 22:5, 2 Tim. 2:15, 3:14-17, James 1:22-25, Rev. 3:18 return
14. Isa. 28:11-12, Joel 2:28-29, Luke 3:16, 11:9-13, John 1:29-34, 7:37-39, 14:15-29, 15:26, 16:7-14, Acts 1:1-8, 2:1-18, 32-39, 5:29-32, 19:1-7, Rom. 5:3-5, 15:13 return