“Ministers of Righteousness”

First, I need to make this super clear. These are my ideas, not to be taken as truth. A great example of my own weakness in not always knowing the difference in the Spirit giving knowledge and my own strong thought. When this happens, our default position should be to assume that it is our own thought. We are told very sternly not to add or take away from the book of Revelation, and we should not take the warnings lightly.

Now, disclaimer aside…

I woke up this morning thinking of lyrics to a scripture song about the 7 churches of Revelation, specifically Thyatira, more specifically this passage:

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.

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. – Revelation 2: 23-25

Then I thought about the article I wrote yesterday evening, Casting Down Vain Images – specifically the ending of the article when I touched on present-day “ministers of righteousness.”

2 Corinthians 11: 13-15 — For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.

I read over what I wrote in that article and the scriptures that proceeded it along with my experience with these ministers, and you know what? Sounds very Thyatira to me.

What does the book of Revelation say about Thyatira? You can read more about that in Revelation Chapter 2: 18-29.

Whether there is something to this idea or not, these ministers trouble me for so many reasons. These Thyatira-like ministers take advantage of the corruption within mainstream Christianity, pulling in those who are more likely to receive the gospel of Jesus Christ — those who I’m trying to reach. They then take some key truths and mix in their own fables like the “heavenly family” and “Mother Holy Spirit” to name a few.

Another trend I see among these “ministers of righteousness” is a very pious attitude, making assumptions about who are “real” or “counterfeit” Christians (as if they have the right to judge the hearts of others). Not only do they peg those who do not adhere to their legalistic approach and other fables as “counterfeit” Christians, many go so far as to call them “Luciferian” Christians — teaching that the abomination of desolation is already here and active among the blinded Christian establishment.

On one hand, I get where they are coming from. But, to make these bold claims that set those who could be brothers and sisters in Christ up as worshipers of Lucifer is no small thing — not to mention the whole blasphemy against the Holy Spirit thing.

I know I have strong beliefs against many of the man-made Christian traditions, but the hate and manipulation I’ve seen portrayed by these kinds of ministers, teachers, and fake prophets is not the way to go. There is something very off about these supposed Holy Spirit-filled ministers who are so full of pride, corrupted doctrine, and manipulative charisma that does not sit well with me at all.

I’m just going to leave this here for now. Maybe more to come later.

The irony (or maybe, hypocrisy) is not lost here one me. I’ve been writing lately about how I’m fed up with people obsessing over “end-times” prophesy and making vain connections, then here I am, possibly doing the same. So, take it for what it’s worth — my own musings that may or may not be worth considering.

Also, I want to make it clear that I’m not attacking any individual, but instead shedding some light on ideas that I think are harmful — and I maintain the understanding that the best way to fight wickedness is by looking inwardly and seeking Jesus for our own spiritual growth.