IF ITS OF GOD IT’LL STAND
(ANOTHER LIE OF SATAN)
Brother James, OIC
Act 5:29-39 Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men. The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom ye slew and hanged on a tree. Him hath God exalted with his right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour, for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins. And we are his witnesses of these things; and so is also the Holy Ghost, whom God hath given to them that obey him. When they heard that, they were cut to the heart, and took counsel to slay them. Then stood there up one in the council, a Pharisee, named Gamaliel, a doctor of the law, had in reputation among all the people, and commanded to put the apostles forth a little space; And said unto them, Ye men of Israel, take heed to yourselves what ye intend to do as touching these men. For before these days rose up Theudas, boasting himself to be somebody; to whom a number of men, about four hundred, joined themselves: who was slain; and all, as many as obeyed him, were scattered, and brought to nought. After this man rose up Judas of Galilee in the days of the taxing, and drew away much people after him: he also perished; and all, even as many as obeyed him, were dispersed. And now I say unto you, Refrain from these men, and let them alone: for if this counsel or this work be of men, it will come to nought: But if it be of God, ye cannot overthrow it; lest haply ye be found even to fight against God.
The god of this world, Satan, can and does make things appear to stand and be called by the Name of God the Creator. And it may be many years before the realization that these things that are not of God but called by His Name are truly not of Him. Like out of the Book of Job many want to quote those whom God said are liars;
Job 2:11 Now when Job's three friends heard of all this evil that was come upon him, they came every one from his own place; Eliphaz the Temanite, and Bildad the Shuhite, and Zophar the Naamathite: for they had made an appointment together to come to mourn with him and to comfort him…….
From verses 2:12 - 42:7 Many things were spoken by Jobs three friends on behalf of God and I've heard many in the Church today quote them as if what they said is of God, but God says:
Job 42:7 And it was so, that after the LORD had spoken these words unto Job, the LORD said to Eliphaz the Temanite, My wrath is kindled against thee, and against thy two friends: for ye have not spoken of me the thing that is right, as my servant Job hath.
In Acts it’s true that a Pharisee named Gamaliel warned others to let the Apostles be,which was good for them, in case they are of God and those striving against them actually be found fighting against God. What makes his statement dangerous is that it is made in judgment of the outward appearance of things. And many of these Apostles had violent ends that in many peoples minds meant they were not of God, for the very reason of Gamaliels statement.
To know if something or someone is of God you will know it by it’s fruit. A work may or may not stand, if it does stand it could be because of worldly connections and money, but false prophets and workers of iniquity will become more and more known by their dead loveless fruit. God will judge!
It would be wonderful if the statement by Gamaliel was an absolute Truth. That way every Church Denomination would be true and of God and every Loveless Ministry would be of God. But simply because they exist in this present evil age does make it so.
Mat 7:15 -23 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. 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.
