Accurate “End Time” Prayer

As we have discussed in previous lessons, there are multiple positions that “believers” can take in prayer. They are "the good, the acceptable, and the perfect". We were also able to discern that the positioning in these three areas was a matter of choice. And as with all choices, there are varying degrees of responsibility and consequence. Hence the need for accuracy in prayer.

Being an “end time” people, our positioning in prayer, may be critical to the timing of the Fathers desired actions. This is not a season for inaccurate or “me” focused prayers. The cost must be counted, decisions for service must be made, and the “martyr” spirit must rise above our own personal desires and wishes.

The entire focus of prayer technology is to align man in the earth with the Father in heaven, within the power of agreement, for the purpose of “pleroma”, that is, the completion of the Fathers plan.

Designed into the “technology” is the perfect agreement with the Fathers purpose in any given situation that we may face. Because of the nature of the technology, we do not have to know the Fathers purpose in order to agree with Him in it.

However, we do have to accept the consequence of our agreement with Him. Accurate kingdom prayer will release things that we may not understand, or for that matter, even like! It may cause our own situations to be affected in ways that we do not perceive before the prayer is released. We, in reality, may not be personally pleased with what comes to pass. We may not like what we “see” with our natural eyes, but we must rest in the assurance, that the Fathers plan is what we see. It is manifesting because we asked according to His will and we know that He has heard our prayer. The key, is that we know, that we asked according to His will without any “misinterpretation” of scripture hindering our prayer. Our “feelings” have absolutely no bearing upon our prayer. We have become “Christ” in our asking. Not mine, but thine, will be done. And it is in that humble posture that we please the Father.

Accurate kingdom prayer removes us from the possibility of becoming an adversary to the Fathers plan. As we discussed in regards to Matthew 16:23, we were able to see, that because Peter did not like nor relish the possibility of Jesus' crucifixion, he crossed the line to the point of desiring to hinder the preordained purpose of the Father and became adversarial towards it. It must be understood that Peter didn’t realize that the position he had taken was against what the Father had intended. He was only reacting as a natural man. He did not want to see what had to happen, happen! And even after the stern rebuke from Jesus, it can be seen later that Peter still did not comprehend what was going on.
[ See John 18:10,11]

As the “End Time” people of God, our agreement with the Father becomes critical. An understanding of certain end time events, must be seen without the preconditioning that our eschatological beliefs may cause. There is only One being in the entire universe that “knows” how the end time scenario is going to play out and that is God. For any man to say “this is how it’s going to be” with absolute certainty, is a man who knows very little! God will do it His way, in His time, and according to His purpose.

Many have devised “well meaning” and scripturally plausible scenarios for the “end”, but due to the fact that none of us have been through the end before, we must be absolutely honest and admit, we don’t know with a 100% assurance, that the end is going to happen the way we have been taught. What we believe to be true, may not be true. Whether we like it or not! The safest position may be similar to "Here, There, In the air…Who cares! He comes, We go!"

But the biggest difference between Peter’s generation and ours, is that we now have the Word in a format that allows us to research and search at almost lightening speed. Peter did not have concordances to locate scriptures, he didn’t have dictionaries to help him understand the meanings of various words, and he certainly didn’t have a computer that allowed him to search the scriptures in milliseconds? We are the fulfillment of Daniel’s prophecy, "But thou, O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time of the end: many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased." Daniel 12:4 (KJV)

With the “technology” that the Father has given us in this day, we can search more of His Word in any one sitting than our brothers could have searched in years. If at all! Even with the advent of the Bible as we know it, in one volume, that in itself would baffle our ancient relatives!
But why did God release this technology unto us, the end time church? Could it have been for the simple reason that the end time church would have to know certain things in order to agree with Father for those things to come to pass? Remember that God came as a man in order that a man would agree with the Father! And now that Jesus made a way for us to agree with the Father, we now become the “players” in the earth; The body of Christ!

Lets examine what we do know for certain! There is an end!

Jesus said on no less than three occasions that heaven and earth will pass away. [ Matt 24:35, Mark 13:31, Luke 21:33 ] That the realm as we know it will cease to exist. If Jesus said it was going to happen, whether we like the thought or not, it will happen!

Peter gave us much insight into our proper positioning in the last days.

But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up. 11 Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness, 12 Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat? 2 Peter 3:10-12 (KJV)

What Peter confirms is that there is an end, but he also tells us we should be looking for it and hastening its coming. The end should be seen with a hopeful anticipation and we should be doing all we know to do to speed its progress by urging the Father to fulfill His will. Regardless of how it may affect us personally!

If this was not the case, then why did Jesus give us so much insight into the end. Could he have been releasing to us the technology of “standing”? Jesus gave us many truths that pertain specifically to the end time. Lets examine some of them to see how they may relate to us and our positioning ourselves “for” the Father to use.

It seems that when Jesus began to tell His disciples of the end time scenario, he always started with this phrase “Take heed that no man deceive you 1 . The word 'deceive' is the Greek word planao, which means to cause to roam from safety, truth, or virtue, to go astray, to deceive, to cause to err, to seduce, to wander, or to be out of the way. It needs to be said that man would be the vehicle used in this deception. Whether or not that man is influenced by the Devil or not, has no relevance. It will be a man who will do the deceiving.

Another curious factor is that this man will say he is Christ. Now, hopefully, if someone came up to us and told us that he was the Christ, we would have enough spiritual discernment to realize the error of this brothers way and run! But what if someone came to us and said “I have an anointing”. Would we be so quick to discern the truth? And how often do we hear that phrase now?

It has become common place for people to come into the “church” environment and proclaim that they have “special giftings” and anointings and we receive them without much concern. This is an extremely dangerous position. We have become so “gift” oriented, that we may not be discerning properly. We have also become focused upon the manifestation of signs and wonders. Signs and wonders are supposed to follow the believers (not the other way around), but it will also be signs and wonders that are used of the deceiver’s!

Then if any man shall say unto you, Lo, here is Christ, or there; believe it not. For there shall arise false Christ’s, and false prophets, and shall show great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect. Matthew 24:23-24 (KJV)

Jesus is telling us that there is a possibility of believers being led astray by false anointings and false prophets, who will manifest great signs and wonders. The word used for 'wonders' is the Greek word teras, and means a prodigy or an omen. A prodigy is a person with exceptional talents or powers who manifests acts or events so extraordinary or rare as to inspire wonder among the viewers. We have become so enamored with various manifestations, that we don't hesitate to travel great distances to sit in meetings, under “great anointings” for the express purpose of witnessing a manifestation. We have become more interested in witnessing the manifestation, than becoming the manifesting witness!

Jesus said; Take heed! In another place2, scripture states:
“There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.”.

There is a road that we can be on that looks like the right one, but it leads us where we don’t want to be![para] Just because it “looks right” doesn’t mean it is! Notice what Jesus further tells us in Matthew 24: 11,12

And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many. 12 And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold. (KJV)

Jesus is telling us that a byproduct of these false prophets is that “iniquity shall abound”. The word used here for 'iniquity' is the same word used in Matthew 7:21-23.

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 7:21-23

Though the “works” of these people appeared to be the right thing to do, they, in fact, moved into an area of “illegality”, an area that they were forbidden to move within. They became trees that bore corrupt fruit and their end has been determined.

Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. Matthew 7:15-19 (KJV)

Jesus tells us that they come into our midst looking just like us, but they inwardly have their own motives. The word 'ravening' is the Greek word harpax and means to be rapacious. It comes from a root word that means to take for oneself. to be greedy. To be rapacious is a taking of something by force and plundering it. To plunder means to seize wrongfully or by fraud. They come into the kingdom environment seeking their own will rather than the Fathers. And what adds insight into these “wolves” is the definition of the word itself. The word 'wolves' is the Greek word lukos, which comes from a root word that means light. This then adds to the appearance factor of the wolves fitting in amongst us.

Peter gives us an interesting insight into these false prophets that we need to uncover and analyze.

But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction. And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of.
2 Peter 2:1-2 (KJV)

The phrase 'false teachers' is the Greek word pseudodidaskalos and it means one who is a spurious teacher, a propagator of erroneous Christian doctrine. The word 'spurious' holds insight into this particular individual that may sound strikingly familiar.

Spurious: 1. Lacking authenticity or validity in essence or origin; not genuine; false. 2. Of illegitimate birth. 3. Similar in appearance but unlike in structure or function. The American Heritage® Dictionary, Third Edition © 1992

The definition tells us that they may look like and act like us, but their function is not the same as ours. It also tells us that they are of illegitimate birth. In the book of Hebrews, the writer gives us insight into the lives of the illegitimate.

And ye have forgotten the exhortation which speaketh unto you as unto children, My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of him: For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth. If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not? But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons. Hebrews 12:5-8 (KJV)

This scripture shows us that the illegitimate despise the chastening of the Lord. In our natural mind we see chastisement as strictly a corrective action, but the definition gives us a proper insight. The word 'chasteneth' is the Greek word paideia, which means tutorage. It comes from a word that speaks of the training of a child. Though it does have the implication of disciplinary correction, its purpose is to instruct, educate and train. And it also means to nurture. Could the possibility exist that much of what we call attacks of the enemy, may actually be the Father “training” us? And we may be quick to pass the Glory of God off as something it is not?

Another interesting note in 2 Peter is that they go as far as “denying the Lord that bought them”. In a cursory reading of 2 Peter, one would assume that this denial has to do with them denying the Lordship of Christ, when in fact the word used here for denying also means to contradict Him.
Denying: 720. arneomai; to contradict, i.e. disavow, reject, abnegate:--deny, refuse.

Could this be telling us that one of the “signs” of these false teachers could be the leading of saints into an area where they contradict what Christ told us to do? Such as teaching us to curse those that curse us rather than blessing those that curse us, or praying to stop the vary wars that Jesus said would come?

Peter then begins to give us a clearer picture of these “false teachers”:
The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished: But chiefly them that walk after the flesh in the lust of uncleanness, and despise government. Presumptuous are they, selfwilled, they are not afraid to speak evil of dignities. 2 Peter 2:9,10 (KJV)

He tells us that these walk after the lust of the flesh. The word 'flesh' is the Greek word sarx and refers to the physical body as opposed to the soul or spirit of a man. It is also used as a symbol of what is external or kindred to man. It speaks of the human nature with its frailties and passions. Peter is telling us that these men are driven more by their external surroundings than they are by the things of the spirit realm.

As he continues he begins to tell us that they despise government and are presumptuous. The phrase 'despise government' speaks of the thinking against or disesteeming the divine order that has been established by God. And they do it with a presumptuous spirit, as if they “know” what they are doing. He says that they are self-willed, they are seeking their pleasure rather than God purpose.

Peter continues; Whereas angels, which are greater in power and might, bring not railing accusation against them before the Lord. But these, as natural brute beasts, made to be taken and destroyed, speak evil of the things that they understand not; and shall utterly perish in their own corruption; 2 Peter 2:11,12 (KJV)

Peter now gives us an insight into what these false teachers are leading the children of God into. They are bringing them into an arena where they speak against the spiritual order that God has put in place. This scripture is paralleled in Jude.

For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ…… 8 Likewise also these filthy dreamers defile the flesh, despise dominion, and speak evil of dignities. 9 Yet Michael the archangel, when contending with the devil he disputed about the body of Moses, durst not bring against him a railing accusation, but said, The Lord rebuke thee. 10 But these speak evil of those things which they know not: but what they know naturally, as brute beasts, in those things they corrupt themselves. 11 Woe unto them! for they have gone in the way of Cain, and ran greedily after the error of Balaam for reward, and perished in the gainsaying of Core. 12 These are spots in your feasts of charity, when they feast with you, feeding themselves without fear: clouds they are without water, carried about of winds; trees whose fruit withereth, without fruit, twice dead, plucked up by the roots; 13 Raging waves of the sea, foaming out their own shame; wandering stars, to whom is reserved the blackness of darkness for ever. Jude 1:4, 8-13 (KJV)

Likewise also these filthy dreamers defile the flesh, despise dominion,
and speak evil of dignities. Jude 8

Remove the word filthy. The use of the word dreamers makes reference to those who see visions while in a state of spiritual torpor (inactivity or stagnation of function [spurious]). And it is because of these inaccurate visions they move into the arena of despising dominion and speaking evil of Gods order. They violate His Supreme intention and move into a realm of illegality. They frustrate the purposes of God.

Despise: 114. atheteo, to set aside, to disesteem, neutralize or violate:--cast off, despise, disannul, frustrate, bring to nought, reject.
Dominion: 2963. kuriotes; mastery, rulers, dominion, government. Comes from 2962. kurios: supremacy; supreme in authority, controller; God, Lord, master, Sir.

Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God. Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation. Romans 13:1-2 (KJV)

Yet Michael the archangel, when contending with the devil, he disputed about the body of Moses, durst not bring against him a railing accusation, but said, The Lord rebuke thee. But these speak evil of those things which they know not: but what they know naturally, as brute beasts, in those things they corrupt themselves.

These men are guided by what they can discern with there natural senses. What they see! A key insight into these men is the use of the phrase brute beasts. The word 'brute' is the Greek word alogos. It is the word logos, which we use to describe the written word of God, but has in this usage the 'a' prefix which perverts it. They are being led by a perverted word of God. They have been deceived and have fallen prey to the oldest trick in the Book. The misuse and or the misunderstanding of the Word of God. To pin point their offence, Jude tells us that they bring blasphemous accusations against the devil.

This should cause all of us to rethink our positons in the “spiritual warfare” environment. Nowhere in scripture are we told to “attack” the devil. We are told to withstand and stand against, and be mindful of his “wiles”, but outright attack is highly questionable, at best.

Jude continues:
11 Woe unto them! for they have gone in the way of Cain, and ran greedily after the error of Balaam for reward, and perished in the gainsaying of Core.

The definition of Cain means to strike fast as with a lance. It tells us that these men strike fast without realizing what they are doing. For if Cain knew the consequence for his actions, the total banishment from Gods presence, he never would have killed his brother.

Jude then tells us that they “ran greedily after the error of Balaam for reward”. The name Balaam is symbolic of a false teacher and the phrase the error of Balaam, speaks of a straying from orthodox or pious position to a position of delusion and error because of false teachings. And it further tells us that it was their own greed that motivated them, what they want, not what God wants.

Jude then clues us in even further as to the make up of these. He says they perished in the gainsaying of Core. Korah rose up against Moses in Numbers 16. He gathered many of the leaders together and proclaimed that Moses needed to share the power with him and his buddies. Moses was a type of Christ, He was the deliverer that God had chosen for that day. Korah rose up with the other leaders and said we are just as anointed as you, and we want to do it our way. They rebelled against God’s plan. The name Korah means “to make yourself bald”. What this implies is that in their arrogance they actually remove the covering of protection that is given to those that serve Gods purpose. They wanted to control the outcome of the journey of Gods people to suit their own desires, and in that they perished.

Jude and Peter give us insight into the end of these “false teachers”.

These are spots in your feasts of charity, when they feast with you, feeding themselves without fear: clouds they are without water, carried about of winds; trees whose fruit withereth, without fruit, twice dead, plucked up by the roots; Raging waves of the sea, foaming out their own shame; wandering stars, to whom is reserved the blackness of darkness for ever. Jude 1:12-13 (KJV)

Notice that their fruit withereth. They bore fruit at one time but now it rots to no reward. Also they are twice dead. The believer is already dead with Christ and the second death has no part. But these are twice dead implying that they will not escape the second death!

…and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death. Revelation 21:8 (KJV)

The word 'liars' is the Greek word pseudes and it means those that are untrue, erroneous, deceitful, wicked, to utter an untruth or attempt to deceive by falsehood.

The sad part is that when something is erroneous it means that it was derived from error or that there was a mistake made. It was not necessarily a conscious action. But it cost them all that they thought they had.

And shall receive the reward of unrighteousness, as they that count it pleasure to riot in the day time. Spots they are and blemishes, sporting themselves with their own deceivings while they feast with you; Having eyes full of adultery, and that cannot cease from sin; beguiling unstable souls: an heart they have exercised with covetous practices; cursed children: Which have forsaken the right way, and are gone astray, following the way of Balaam the son of Bosor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness; But was rebuked for his iniquity: the dumb ass speaking with man's voice forbad the madness of the prophet. These are wells without water, clouds that are carried with a tempest; to whom the mist of darkness is reserved for ever. 2 Peter 2:13-17 (KJV)

And regardless of doctrinal stance as to once saved always saved, please note that these had escaped the pollution’s of the world through the knowledge of Christ. The word 'knowledge' used here is the Greek word epignosis and it means to have a full discernment and acknowledgment of Jesus as Lord and Savior. These are saved people who, through false teachings, stray into an area that may well cost them all.

For if after they have escaped the pollution’s of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning. For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them. 2 Peter 2:20,21 (KJV)

Take heed therefore that the light which is in thee be not darkness [error]. Luke 11:35 (KJV)

Jesus is admonishing us here to be sure that our understanding (light) is true light and not the delegated influence of error.

One of the other interesting scenarios of the “end” is the delivering up to affliction. Jesus tells us in Matthew 24:9,19 [ Mark 13:9/ Luke 21:12]

Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name's sake. And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another.
Matthew 24:9-10 (KJV)

Jesus is telling us that we are going to be brought into a place of trials and tribulation and notice what happens, “then shall many be offended”. This parallels the Parable of the Sower.

But he that received the seed into stony places, the same is he that heareth the word, and anon with joy receiveth it; Yet hath he not root in himself, but dureth for a while: for when tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the word, by and by he is offended. Matthew 13:20-21

Notice that when the tribulation and the persecution come that they are offended. To be 'offended' means to stumble, but these go a step further:

10 And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another. Matthew 24:10 (KJV)

Notice when they become offended, they betray their brothers! In order to betray someone, you had to have been on their side to begin with. Your enemy cannot betray you. These are “Christians” turning over fellow “Christians” to be tried. And their fate is already determined.

But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea. Woe unto the world because of offences! for it must needs be that offences come; but woe to that man by whom the offence cometh! Wherefore if thy hand or thy foot offend thee, cut them off, and cast them from thee: it is better for thee to enter into life halt or maimed, rather than having two hands or two feet to be cast into everlasting fire. Matthew 18:6-8 (KJV)

1 Matthew 24:4, Mark 13:5, Luke 21:8
2 Proverbs 14:12 , 16:25 (KJV)