Kobus van Rensburg and his Tower of Babel
It has come to DTW’s attention that Kobus van Rensburg from Spirit Word Ministries feels it absolutely necessary to pray for the entire area of Stilfontein on a regular basis. Now this sounds normal to the unlearned, the problem is, Kobus van Rensburg is not a genuine Christian, he is a false prophet, who teaches the doctrine of Latter Rain / Manifest Sons of God (New Apostolic Reformation). He is a faith healer, that preys on the sick and those seeking a miracle. He has built an empire from the money that falls into his collection baskets given to him by people who have health issues and seek God through Kobus van Rensburg as their mediator to heal them.
But now it would appear Kobus is not close enough to God, or is having a problem hearing Him and has built a tower to enter daily and pray over the community.
Yes, I will repeat that in case you think I am joking….
Kobus has built himself a gigantic tower on Spirit Word Ministries property in Stilfontein. From what we can gather the building is approximately 4-5 stories tall, with windows that surround the top. A nice scenic view of Stilfontein.
Now, in the Bible we have the story of the Tower of Babel:
Genesis 11:1-9
1 And the whole earth was of one language, and of one speech.
2 And it came to pass, as they journeyed from the east, that they found a plain in the land of Shinar; and they dwelt there.
3 And they said one to another, Go to, let us make brick, and burn them throughly. And they had brick for stone, and slime had they for morter.
4 And they said, Go to, let us build us a city and a tower, whose top may reach unto heaven; and let us make us a name, lest we be scattered abroad upon the face of the whole earth.
5 And the LORD came down to see the city and the tower, which the children of men builded.
6 And the LORD said, Behold, the people is one, and they have all one language; and this they begin to do: and now nothing will be restrained from them, which they have imagined to do.
7 Go to, let us go down, and there confound their language, that they may not understand one another’s speech.
8 So the LORD scattered them abroad from thence upon the face of all the earth: and they left off to build the city.
9 Therefore is the name of it called Babel; because the LORD did there confound the language of all the earth: and from thence did the LORD scatter them abroad upon the face of all the earth.
God commanded the human race to (Genesis 9:1) “increase in number and fill the earth” , but they did the exact opposite. Instead they said, (Genesis 11:4) ‘Come, let us build ourselves a city, with a tower that reaches to the heavens, so that we may make a name for ourselves and not be scattered over the face of the whole earth”. The human race thought it best to build a great city and congregate there, and because of pride they decided to build a gigantic tower (which became known as the Tower of Babel) as a symbol of their power, their superiority, they wanted to make a name for themselves, they wanted to be little ‘god’s. God was angry, and in response confused the languages of the human race, that people could no longer communicate with one another (Genesis 11:7).
Does Kobus van Rensburg think that going up into his tower to pray over the community is going to get him closer to God or into the presence of God? If so does not the Holy Spirit ABIDE IN YOU when you become a child of God? That is what the bible says:
1 Corinthians 6:19 “19 What? know you not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which you have of God, and you are not your own?”
Hebrews 3:6 “6 But Christ as a son over his own house; whose house are we, if we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm to the end.”
Does Kobus van Rensburg think that by building this tower and situating himself high up in the sky overseeing the community and praying, that his prayers will be answered? Why can’t he do what he needs to to down on the ground? Is Kobus’ faith not strong enough that he now needs to build himself a towel to try reach God?
Does Kobus van Rensburg think that by building a tower he can increase his spiritual warfare power as he prays out the windows; North, South, East and West over Stilfontein? Does he not realise that no where in the Bible does God ask of a believer to do these strange spiritual warfare rituals.
Is Kobus van Rensburg displaying the same traits as the people did back in Genesis who built the Tower of Babel? Is Kobus’ tower actually a symbol of power and superiority over everyone? I think so.
It seems Kobus is infatuated with towers as he had this to say just 13 hours ago on Facebook:
Prophet Kobus van Rensburg – 13 hours ago
Its time to take God on His word, get renewed in the Spirit of our minds and get the word of God working in our lives for a change, we are destined for nothing but success…
IN A VISION: I saw a tall tower with a steep stairway going to the top, and at the top of the tower was ; SUCCESS, PROSPERITY, JOY, PEACE, MARRIAGE, BETTER CARS, BETTER JOBS, HEALING, ALL THE DESIRES OF GOD’S PEOPLE… and people were walking up this stairway to get to the top, but somewhere in the middle they would slip and slide down to the bottom, some of the people would hang on somewhere in the middle, but no one really got to the top… BUT ON THIS DAY I DECLARE YOU WILL GET TO THE TOP IN THE NAME OF THE LORD JESUS… I BIND YOU TO YOUR BREAKTHROUGH, YOUR SUCCESS, YOUR HEALING, YOUR PROSPERITY, WHATSOEVER IT MAYBE… IT IS YOURS IN JESUS’ NAME… THIS IS YOUR MIRACLE WEEK IN THE NAME OF THE LORD JESUS!!! [Emphasis added]
Better cars? ALL THE DESIRES of the people? All righty then…
The Bible has this to say about these people who seek wealth on earth instead of gathering their treasures in heaven…
1 Timothy 6:9-11
9 But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition.
10 For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.
11 But you, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness.
Proverbs 13:7 “7 There is that makes himself rich, yet has nothing: there is that makes himself poor, yet has great riches.”
Mark 10:20-22
20 And he answered and said to him, Master, all these have I observed from my youth.
21 Then Jesus beholding him loved him, and said to him, One thing you lack: go your way, sell whatever you have, and give to the poor, and you shall have treasure in heaven: and come, take up the cross, and follow me.
22 And he was sad at that saying, and went away grieved: for he had great possessions.
The disciples were poor, weak, hungry, beaten and had no home, etc…
1 Corinthians 4:10-12
10 We are fools for Christ’s sake, but you are wise in Christ; we are weak, but you are strong; you are honorable, but we are despised.
11 Even to this present hour we both hunger, and thirst, and are naked, and are buffeted, and have no certain dwelling place;
12 And labor, working with our own hands: being reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we suffer it.
Pay attention to this, church of Laeodecia:
Revelation 3:16-19
16 So then because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spew you out of my mouth.
17 Because you say, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and know not that you are wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked:
18 I counsel you to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that you may be rich; and white raiment, that you may be clothed, and that the shame of your nakedness do not appear; and anoint your eyes with eye salve, that you may see.
19 As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.
Riches corrupt
James 5:1-3
1 Go to now, you rich men, weep and howl for your miseries that shall come on you.
2 Your riches are corrupted, and your garments are moth-eaten.
3 Your gold and silver is corroded; and the rust of them shall be a witness against you, and shall eat your flesh as it were fire. You have heaped treasure together for the last days.
1 John 4:1 “1 Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world. (Jer 29:8; Matt 24:4; Eph 5:6; Col 2:18; Matt 7:15-16; 1Cor 14:29; 1Thess 5:21; Matt 24:5; Matt 24:24; 2Pet 2:1; 2John 1:7)
Notice that in the bible the disciples WORKED for a living and NEVER requested money from anyone to preach the gospel.
1 Thessalonians 2:9 “9 For you remember, brothers, our labor and travail: for laboring night and day, because we would not be chargeable to any of you, we preached to you the gospel of God.”
Those who seek after signs and wonders and miracles, Jesus has this to say to you:
Matthew 12:39-40
39 But he answered and said to them, An evil and adulterous generation seeks after a sign; and there shall no sign be given to it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas:
40 For as Jonas was three days and three nights in the whale’s belly; so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.
Jesus’ death, burial and resurrection is your MIRACLE people. Jesus Christ saves us from our sins, and from the penalty of death. Have you trusted in Him, in His death on the cross of Calvary for your sins, and His resurrection from the dead, so that you may have eternal life?
Please open your eyes and have faith in the GREATEST MIRACLE of them all.
—————————
Pictures of Kobus van Resburg’s Tower of Babel (pictures courtesy of Robbie and © to DTW)
In Islam, most mosques have a tower called a minaret, where the Adhan is sung out from or they put the speakers on the minaret to recite the Adhan. The Adhan is a very special Islamic call to salat (prayer). The one who recites it is called a Mu’azzin. He stands up there and sings his lungs out, praying, worshipping Allah and calling everyone to stop what they are doing and come to the mosque as their prayers will start soon.When I first heard about Kobus’ tower, I immediately thought of him standing up there on his tower praying like a Mu’azzin. I mean honestly, Kobus follows a false gospel, so he may as well build himself a tower and pray over the community, like the Muslims do.
Strange that Kobus’ tower bares an uncanny resemblance to some very historic Islamic mosque towers.
Shocking, to say the least… But then again, I shouldn’t be shocked.
This type of preaching is absolutely disgusting…a con-man delux…a wolf in sheeps’ clothing…the sheep are are being led to be devoured.
It’s really hard to believe that people that want the truth can be so naive…obviously they cannot be bothered to read God’s word.
They are themselves lusting after the material things of the world and this false preacher knows this…keep tithing brothers and sisters…leds build “Gods” kingdom on earth…you will reap a hundredfold! I have noticed in Benny Hinn collections that they no longer use collection bags or plates but plastic buckets.
I think God must have the hottest seats in Sheol for these shysters.
>>>”Strange that Kobus’ tower bares an uncanny resemblance to some very historic Islamic mosque towers”<<<
Now that is exactly what I would think. Can't wait for the finished product… if they make it to the top. Hope they've installed a lightning detector this time?
But seriously, We shall not cease to pray for this flock… and its flockist – ?
This boy’tjie must have “fallen” from the tower and now “suffers” from “tower-concussion” . . . 😉
Kobus van Rensburg yesterday (Mon 5/11/2012) on Facebook wrote:
Its time to take God on His word, get renewed in the Spirit of our minds and get the word of God working in our lives for a change, we are destined for nothing but success…
IN A VISION: I saw a tall tower with a steep stairway going to the top, and at the top of the tower was ; SUCCESS, PROSPERITY, JOY, PEACE, MARRIAGE, BETTER CARS, BETTER JOBS, HEALING, ALL THE DESIRES OF GOD’S PEOPLE… and people were walking up this stairway to get to the top, but somewhere in the middle they would slip and slide down to the bottom, some of the people would hang on somewhere in the middle, but no one really got to the top… BUT ON THIS DAY I DECLARE YOU WILL GET TO THE TOP IN THE NAME OF THE LORD JESUS… I BIND YOU TO YOUR BREAKTHROUGH, YOUR SUCCESS, YOUR HEALING, YOUR PROSPERITY, WHATSOEVER IT MAYBE… IT IS YOURS IN JESUS’ NAME… THIS IS YOUR MIRACLE WEEK IN THE NAME OF THE LORD JESUS!!!
This this Koos has very good foresight for the not too distant future and is a man of insight to be building that minaret. The religion of the NAR has most certainly enlightened him to make appropriate plans for the future – brilliant stuff this!
As Islam is infiltrating South Africa he can quickly adapt to lodge the Mu’azzin and so gain favour with the Imam and prosper in this life as he preaches while the rest of the saints are being slaughtered for their steadfast unwavering faith and faithfulness for King of Kings.
Chris
Gosh, you are so right, Kobus has it all worked out!!
Smuggler…
I find this interesting…
Kobus says: “Its time to take God on His word, get renewed in the Spirit of our minds and get the word of God working in our lives for a change”
1) He is going to “take God on His Word?” What does that mean? He is going to command God to do his bidding? Because Kobus is certainly not obeying the Word of God.
2) And then “get renewed in the Spirit of our minds” ? By stating this he admits he is not saved and does not have the Holy Spirit abiding IN HIM…
3) It appears God is not working in Kobus’ life, based on what he says here: “get the word of God working in our lives for a change”
And this…”THIS IS YOUR MIRACLE WEEK”
Kobus’ “Jesus” only does miracles on certain days of the year. LOL This is almost as ridiculous as Benny Hinny’s 2 minute miracle period.
The NAR excel in absurdity with their grand decrees as they pretend to ramify all over the “heavenlies” and “earthly realms.” If their work was not so deadly to the unsuspecting, they’d make caricatures suitable for comic books.
If this tower is also supposed to mean that Kobus is closer to God, it is interesting that the Bible never speaks of being closer or nearer to God, that is, using those words with the “er” suffix. We are either near or far. Once we have drawn near through repentance toward God and faith in Christ, there can be no greater access to God. God does not have anyone who is closer to him than another, that is, as far as access goes. This is because it is Christ alone who purchased the access we have. No one can add to it or have a greater amount of it. We all have the right through faith to approach confidently and freely to the Throne of Grace. The “closer” idea comes from mystics among whom are the NAR. They wish to create the illusion of super-saintliness in order to win over men’s admiration so that they will gladly part with their $$ and often even their women. As Paul said of the Corinthians, they gladly receive false apostles who put on airs or slap them in the face.
True shepherds watch over their flocks and protect them from wolves. Of course, that means they’re not hirelings or wolves themselves as too many are. May the Lord raise up shepherds to care for His flock (Jeremiah 23:4).
Stan
My volk gaan ten gronde as gevolg aan ‘n gebrek van kennis. Ai.
in die kol Linda. Blindes lei die blindes.
Probleem is… BEIDE val in die put.
Just something my wonderful Dad says: A minister should have a job, a real job, during the day and preach the Gospel during his off time. This usually keeps him honest and without time to think up schemes…HAHA
Further, a minister should get enough money to only cover his costs related to his church work.
Dad recons a minister getting no money spends all time with God,
if he gets a little money he spends 90% of his time with God,
if he gets lots of money he spends 0% time with God…because he has to figure out what to do with all that money…and that takes A LOT of time and planning!
I always think about that when I see Benny Hinn…
1st things first: I do not belong to Mr Van Rensburgs church, I’ve heard many testimonies from it, and against it. i know that the church of Christ will suffer persecution. And this is what this sound like to me.. I’m not English so bare with me.
I Think you should check yourself….
You complaining about the sick showering him with money? When Jesus was asked by which power he healed he answered: Mar_3:24 And if a kingdom be divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand.(Go read it fully, and in context). My goodness, If i were sick and somebody was healing people in Jesus name, then i would recon they are sowing into blessed ground. i would sure well not mind paying my tithing to a man God used to heal a loved ones Cancer , or have leg grow that was causing lots of back pain.
As for the tower: If you are going in to war. Efs 6,then you need to get the high ground, its a old war strategy. I have not researched it, but if as you say he wants to make it a prayer house. I think it is a brilliant idea. The devil has been using the power of the tong proclaiming it into the airwaves for centuries from foreign faiths-towers with load speakers.They even get together on mountain tops. Fight back, take it back in the spiritual realm. Calling it the tower of babel…. sho sho sho… I’d be very careful speaking such words. The tower of Babel was built out of pride and man thinking they can be like God or better. This sound like the work we have been ordained to do…Pray for the sick, heal the land…
Now if there is one thing i’v learnt it is to never speak against a anointed from God. Even King David had to repent after he cut the seem of Saul’s Prayer Taliet. And we all new that Saul had by that time already lost the plot. Yet David still respected him for being a Anointed, and repented before God for disonering him.
To sum up my story: When last did you heal somebody in Jesus Name? Did Jesus not say We will do greater miracles, Lay our hands on the sick, and make desiples for Him.
If you are in dis agreement with that teaching, then so be it
What is DTW?
Sorry, DTW: Discerning the world. I should have read.
one question i will ask u again is this does the get higher than the skycrepers in the us,china and other countries?im glad u said its just a 4storey building.in all ur writings i have not seen u tell us how many people God has used u to heal or set free.u are just one of those doing nothing in the kingdom but only lazying around looking at other peoples work.
@Smuggler :Isa 55:11 So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall NOT return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall PROSPER in the thing whereto I sent it. (KJV)
Luk 14:28 For which of you, intending to build a TOWER, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it?
Luk 14:29 Lest haply, after he hath laid the foundation, and is not able to finish it, all that behold it begin to mock him,
Luk 14:30 Saying, This man began to build, and was not able to finish.(KJV)
Eph 4:23 AND BE RENEWED IN THE SPIRIT OF YOUR MIND; (KJV)
Linda, you have an English name but posted in Dutch. So this is a translation I found for the readers (I think it’s right), “My people perish for lack of knowledge. Amen”
Well done Kobus you are a real prophet!
Keep on doing what you do this people realy do not know the Bilble!
This goes back aways to Oral Roberts who was sort of a “pioneer” in the word faith, NAR, with his “seed faith” nonsense. He built a Prayer Tower on his ORU campus in Tulsa, Oklahoma. I remember visiting that campus while in my charismatic fog many years ago and thinking it was all good.
Here is the link: http://www.oru.edu/prayer_tower/
This is a clever mix of truth and error. It all sounds so spiritual until one digs deeper to see the false teaching and hypocrisy of Roberts and his ilk. The thought that a particular tower is a preferred place to pray is so unbiblical. Maybe others will pick up on other things in the video presentation. I just thought that the tower connection to this article was interesting.
michael
>> God has done tru me.and my knowledge in the word is fantastic.go screw urself.
Fantastic language Michael, did you say you were ‘saved’? Oh wait you didn’t. You’ve just seem many miracles: Please see The Biblical Holy Spirit vs.The False Unholy Spirit of Fire Seeing that you say you know your bible, PLEASE READ THE FOLLOWING and understand.
Matthew 24:24
24 For false messiahs and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect.
Do you accept false teaching, are you happy that people’s spiritual lives are being ruined because of false doctrines that Kobus teaches? Do you want people led astray when the Bible says:
Matthew 24:4 “4 And Jesus answered them, “See that no one leads you astray.”
Should you leave people alone so that the blind lead the blind to hell? Would you allow this to happen to your OWN FAMILY? Or will you try your best to protect them from harm?
Matthew 15:1 “Let them alone; they are blind guides. And if the blind lead the blind, both will fall into a pit.”
>> i have not seen u tell us how many people God has used u to heal or set free
Regarding boasting and huge churches and large gatherings where the preacher proclaims to lead the group on behalf of God and proclaim miracles galore.
Matthew 6:5 “And when you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites. For they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, that they may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward.
In general the bible says that:
Colossians 2:8 See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ.
>> u are just one of those doing nothing in the kingdom but only lazying around looking at other peoples work.
EXPOSING FALSE TEACHING / WARNING OTHERS / APPEALING TO OTHERS TO BE CAREFUL
Romans 16:17-18 “I appeal to you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and create obstacles contrary to the doctrine that you have been taught; avoid them. For such persons do not serve our Lord Christ, but their own appetites, and by smooth talk and flattery they deceive the hearts of the naive.”
Jude 1:4 “4 For certain people have crept in unnoticed who long ago were designated for this condemnation, ungodly people, who pervert the grace of our God into sensuality and deny our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ.”
If Kobus does not stop what he is doing:
2 Peter 2:1 “1But 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 to you:
Galatians 1:6-9
I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting him who called you in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel— not that there is another one, but there are some who trouble you and want to distort the gospel of Christ. But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be accursed. As we have said before, so now I say again: If anyone is preaching to you a gospel contrary to the one you received, let him be accursed.
Adrie
>> Well done Kobus you are a real prophet!
>>Keep on doing what you do this people realy do not know the Bilble!
And how do you come to this conclusion?
Are we not suppose to stand up for God, praise Him…together.
Why are these people standing up for Kobus and praising him…he is just a sinner.
Debs,which Michael is this…this is certainly not me…and I do not see any vulgar and obscene comment like this??? Too many Michaels…shows that it is just not in a name alone but the correct identification…she like the WOF have a false Jesus and not the true Jesus of the bible.
Michael
>> Debs,which Michael is this…this is certainly not me
No, no, not you. You are identified by your TIGER picture. The other ‘michael’ has another picture. Comments at 2012/11/08 at 6:04 pm and 2012/11/08 at 5:54 pm
Riaan,
you say >>> I have not researched it <<<
I earnestly suggest you start with the Word. Your references are totally out of context and it will take a rewrite of most of DTW's postings to try and explain to you the deception concept.
I am sure you will find the answers to all your questions here… WITH correct scriptural references AND in context.
Stick around and read a little. Angus features here too. (if you are interested in the context of "healing land"
COG or what ever other name you usually use
You quote the following verses to try justify Kobus van Rensburg building his tower right?
Luk 14:28 For which of you, intending to build a TOWER, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it?
Luk 14:29 Lest haply, after he hath laid the foundation, and is not able to finish it, all that behold it begin to mock him,
Luk 14:30 Saying, This man began to build, and was not able to finish.(KJV)
Let me explain these verses to you… First we will read everything IN CONTEXT (something you guys never do)
Luke 14:25-35
25 Now large crowds were accompanying Jesus, and turning to them he said,
26 “If anyone comes to me and does not hate his own father and mother, and wife and children, and brothers and sisters, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple.
27 Whoever does not carry his own cross and follow me cannot be my disciple.
28 For which of you, wanting to build a tower, doesn’t sit down first and compute the cost to see if he has enough money to complete it?
29 Otherwise, when he has laid a foundation and is not able to finish the tower, all who see it will begin to make fun of him.
30 They will say, ‘This man began to build and was not able to finish!’
31 Or what king, going out to confront another king in battle, will not sit down first and determine whether he is able with ten thousand to oppose the one coming against him with twenty thousand?
32 If he cannot succeed, he will send a representative while the other is still a long way off and ask for terms of peace.
33 In the same way therefore not one of you can be my disciple if he does not renounce all his own possessions.
These verses are a challenge to all of us. “He that hath ears to hear, let him hear!” Jesus is dealing with the responsibility of discipleship. God’s salvation costs nothing, but we will pay big time if we do not accept His precious gift. The cost of losing your soul is immeasurable. (Mark 8:36) “What shall it profit a man, if he gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?”
These verses are addressing those who already trusted Jesus; those who believe Him to be the Son of God, crucified, buried, rose from the dead 3 days later. Those who have put their faith in Him are now called upon to be His disciples. And discipleship costs something of ourselves. We cannot serve our Lord Jesus Christ as we should without some cost to ourselves.
So when crowds were gathering around Jesus, (Luke 14:25-27) “He turned and said unto them, If any man come to Me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be My disciple. And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after Me, cannot be My disciple.”
Now his does not mean that we are to ‘hate‘ our family, or have have ill will toward them, it does not mean that we are to bear any form of malice toward them, because this is not a Christian fruit. Jesus used very different expressions to what we would use today. For e.g., in the Bible, we find the following; (Malachi 1:3; Romans 9:13) “Jacob have I loved, and Esau have I hated.” Now God did nothate anyone in the sense we use the word the word hate, sometimes because we find the following scriptures: (John 3:16) “God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” and (Romans 5:8) “God commendeth His love toward us in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” and (1 John 4:10) “Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us, and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins.”
So we may can be absolutely sure that God loved the children of Esau just as He loved the children of Jacob; but when He said, “Jacob have I loved, and Esau have I hated,” He was referring to special privileges here on earth. Israel was given many things while the children of Esau dwelt in the wilderness. Does this mean an Edomite can’t be saved? Of course not, every individual Edomite who repents of his sin and idolatry will be saved.
Back to the verse, but our consideration for Jesus Christ, our love for Him who died for us is to be so great that in comparison to our family here on earth, if they (our family) oppose what is right, if they oppose the gospel truth and follow false doctrines, because we preach the truth, our attitude will be seen as hatred according to them.
Many people have left their homes, been excommunicated for believing in Jesus Christ. Others have lost their lives. Many people belong to so called Christian families where family members are supposed to be interested in the gospel, yet there is something clearly wrong; the family members speak about Jesus, but it is ‘another‘ Jesus. If anyone, no matter how close or dear to you, would come between Jesus Christ and yourself, you are told to ‘hate’ that person in comparison with your love for Jesus.
(John 12:25) “He that loveth his life shall lose it; and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto eternal life.” There are many people who have to give up splendid prospects and prosperity on earth in order to put Jesus Christ first. Those who refuse will lose their eternal life. Does Jesus have the WHOLE of your heart? Does He RULE your life? Or do you think of the world instead; becoming wealthy? You do not have to give up your employment to serve Jesus, but if you pray and ask God for direction in your life and yield to the plans He has for you; then pick up your cross and follow Him.
Notice that Jesus says, (Luke 14:27) “Whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after Me, cannot bemy disciple. Just an interesting point, we cannot bear His cross, though we may glory in it. The apostle Paul said, (Galatians 6:14) “But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world.”
Jesus Christ died in my place. His death is my death. I am one with Him whom the world has rejected. That is what it means to carry ones cross, or to enter into the truth of His cross. Here the Lord Jesus Christ speaks of the disciple carrying his own cross. Jesus carried His cross to Calvary. During the centuries of Roman rule those who were put to death on the cross were under a ban from the Government and everyone was expected to carry his own cross to the place of execution. So what Jesus is saying here is that unless one is not willing to go to death for Jesus Christs’ sake, that person is not a true disciple. It is a question of devotion to Jesus Christ in discipleship. The path of discipleship may lead to death, and this is not something to enter into carelessly and thoughtlessly. Many people fail to realize the seriousness of this matter of discipleship.
Now regarding the TOWER. What shall one do with their life? Shall they live for themselves, or shall they live for Christ? Count the cost! So Jesus used the illustrationof the builder and the tower, (Luke 14:28-30) “For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it? Lest haply, after he hath laid the foundation, and is not able to finish it, all that behold it begin to mock him, saying, This man began to build, and was not able to finish.”
We have heard of people trying to build big mansions or a tower without counting the cost. (Or better yet we have heard of men building towers because they don’t read scripture properly and think ‘ILLUSTRATIONS’ should be taken literally). They started to build and soon found themselves financially strapped and embarrassed, so much so and so they could not continue. These buildings lay as unfinished structures because someone started to build and them could not finish them. The MORAL of the story is; when you are called to devote your lives to serving God it is a very wise thing to count the cost, and ask yourself the question, “am I ready to face all that is involved in discipleship and loyalty to my Lord Jesus Christ?”
The second illustration is similar to the first: (Luke 14:31-32) “Or what king, going to make war against another king, sitteth not down first, and consulteth whether he be able with ten thousand to meet him that cometh against him with twenty thousand? Or else, while the other is yet a great way off, he sendeth an ambassage, and desireth conditions of peace.”
An example, the vietnam war, those who were involved in war, those who were responsible for it, would sit down and count the cost, that they had the strength to combat the enemy and win. Unfortunately they started a war that could never be won. In the spiritual sense, (Ephesians 6:12) principalities of evil are fighting a vicious evil battle that goes on, non stop. We need to yield ourselves totally to the control of Jesus Christ and (Ephesians 6:10-18) “put on the full armour of God”, that we may be able to (1 Timothy 6:12) “fight the good fight of faith.” Paul, definitely counted his cost. He faced many a terrible challenge, he said, (Philippians 3:7) “But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ.” God grant that we may be motivated by the same spirit of devotion! “So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be My disciple.”
Do NOT misunderstand that. It does not mean that if you have a home you are to give it away; it does not mean that if God has entrusted you with wealth you have to give it away; it does not mean that if you have friends you must now spurn them, for they will surely spurn you in the long run because of doctrinal issues: BUT IT DOES MEAN mean that you must hold everything you have as subject to God Himself.
Riaan Kasselman
Ok, so it’s clear you actually don’t read your bible, (and please don’t get mad at me) because you know it’s true. You ask me to read things in context, my goodness, LOL. I’m going to give you some articles to read to answer all your questions ok, because 1 little comment ain’t going to do it.
>> You complaining about the sick showering him with money? When Jesus was asked by which power he healed he answered: Mar_3:24 And if a kingdom be divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand.(Go read it fully, and in context). My goodness, If i were sick and somebody was healing people in Jesus name, then i would recon they are sowing into blessed ground. i would sure well not mind paying my tithing to a man God used to heal a loved ones Cancer , or have leg grow that was causing lots of back pain.
Please read:
1) Can Satan Heal?
2) Tithing – Are you really robbing God if you don’t?
>> As for the tower: If you are going in to war. Efs 6,then you need to get the high ground, its a old war strategy. I have not researched it, but if as you say he wants to make it a prayer house. I think it is a brilliant idea. The devil has been using the power of the tong proclaiming it into the airwaves for centuries from foreign faiths-towers with load speakers.They even get together on mountain tops.
You say, “then you need to get the high ground, its a old war strategy. I have not researched it” Please go and find it IN THE BIBLE, I would like to know if this is BIBLICAL. I know it’s not, but I want you to go and RESEARCH it to find out for yourself. Ephesians 6 is the only thing we as Christians need, TOO PUT ON THE WHOLE ARMOUR OF GOD. The bible is COMPLETE and a FINAL AUTHORITY on all things, do you think GOD would be so stupid to leave out the fact that we need to climb up on HIGH GROUND to make sure that Eph 6 work? No.
>> Calling it the tower of babel…. sho sho sho… I’d be very careful speaking such words. The tower of Babel was built out of pride and man thinking they can be like God or better.
Tower of Babel
>> Now if there is one thing i’v learnt it is to never speak against a anointed from God.
Kobus annointed of God? Do you know that ‘annointed’ means Christ? And do you know what Jesus himself said about ‘many Christs’ in the last days? Matthew 24:5 “5 For many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and they will mislead many.”
G5547 Χριστός Christos (khris-tos’) n/p.
1. (literally) Anointed
2. (transliterated) “Christ”
3. (properly) the Messiah, the Anointed One of the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob
4. (by function) the (kinsman) Redeemer, the Saviour
5. (by identity) Jesus, Yeshua, Ἰησοῦς, יְהוֹשֻׁעַ, יֵשׁוּעַ
>> To sum up my story: When last did you heal somebody in Jesus Name? Did Jesus not say We will do greater miracles, Lay our hands on the sick, and make desiples for Him.
Regarding boasting and huge churches and large gatherings where the preacher proclaims to lead the group on behalf of God and proclaim miracles galore.
Matthew 6:5 “And when you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites. For they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, that they may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward.
In general the bible says that:
Colossians 2:8 See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ.
EXPOSING FALSE TEACHING / WARNING OTHERS / APPEALING TO OTHERS TO BE CAREFUL
Romans 16:17-18 “I appeal to you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and create obstacles contrary to the doctrine that you have been taught; avoid them. For such persons do not serve our Lord Christ, but their own appetites, and by smooth talk and flattery they deceive the hearts of the naive.”
Jude 1:4 “4 For certain people have crept in unnoticed who long ago were designated for this condemnation, ungodly people, who pervert the grace of our God into sensuality and deny our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ.”
If Kobus does not stop what he is doing:
2 Peter 2:1 “1But 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 to you:
Galatians 1:6-9
I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting him who called you in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel— not that there is another one, but there are some who trouble you and want to distort the gospel of Christ. But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be accursed. As we have said before, so now I say again: If anyone is preaching to you a gospel contrary to the one you received, let him be accursed.
If you want to read further you can read the following:
3) The Biblical Holy Spirit vs.The False Unholy Spirit of Fire
4) Are Prophets for Today or has Prophecy Ceased?
5) Yes, a Future Kingdom, but Not a Kingdom Now
6) Speaking in Tongues has CEASED
Posted a comment but I had a wipe out.
The question to all the prosperity pounders is this…are you either so blind or blantantly greedy and evil…your lying and false doctrine stems from one verse in 3 John 1:2
“Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.”
This is purposely taken totally and utterly out of CONTEXT to satisfy your weak consciences and lack of integrity and honesty.
And…what’s more it’s just ONE verse ( Not sure…I think it was either Roberts or Hagan that latched on to money making scheme) compared to the MANY references in the bible mentioning the evil of greed and the love of money…too numerous to quote here.
There’s none so blind as THOSE THAT WILL NOT SEE.
The problem is they DO NOT WANT TO SEE…they serve MAMON NOT GOD.
There is nothing wrong in being well-off provided you have worked hard for it…(the philosophy of working smarter than harder is also evil because there is ALWAYS somebody that pays a huge price and it is usually the ignorant and poor) IF it fulfills a need not greed…excesses destroy the soul.
Jesus told the rich young man…
“sell whatever you have, and give to the poor, and you shall have treasure in heaven: and come, take up the cross, and follow me.”
I wonder if Kobus or Benny Hinn or Joyce Meyer was confronted by the Lord in those days hypothetically…what they would have done.
I have absolutely no doubt they would have gone the same way as this young man.
Cartoon…may I post this link…lol
False preacher – Oral Roberts Picture
[edited by DTW – that is funny!]
Yes it is funny…on the otherhand what he did to very ignorant people certainly was criminal and not funny.
I really cannot grasp how absolutely stupid people are…it is definitely a very dark spiritual force.
Oops just posted another…Another WIPE OUT?
Debs is that lost? One does not know if they go through or not…I am obviously a bit computer doff here. Computers belong to younger outjies.
Michael
You lost it 😛