† Zechariah 4:1-10 “Says This” : At least in the modern western countries and cultures, the official Christian church has become thoroughly-domesticated. That is to say that as to its divine life and purposes as seen in the first church (and at spotty times throughout history since then) today’s Christian church system resembles very little of what God established some 1,995 years ago.

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We are going to look at that today—and why? Because what we will see of the true church in the first century is what the Lord has prophesied will emerge again in these last days. If you know what that consists of then you can pray toward that end (if you will) and yourself be a participant in the wonderful moves of God in the next few years just before the Lord Jesus returns.

What do I mean by the title “The Domesticated Church”?

It is not a good thing as you will realize by the very definition of something that is domesticated:

Domesticated: Tamed, acclimated or adapted to a new [but unnatural] environment, brought under control, made more ordinary, brought under human control and made to fit there; something that from its natural state has adapted over time to fit-in and be comfortable with its new surroundings, its nature having become very different than it was created to be.

Consider this: A spirited horse in the wild is captured, corralled, and tamed in order that it can be useful to its human master. A falcon is caught while young and its free-will redirected to serve the pleasure of its handler—usually wearing a hood and dangling straps. Your dog has been conditioned to rely on your care, to obey your commands, maybe do a few tricks, and learns affection for you but is often jealous of others. Are you getting the picture? Each creature has had its free-born life and original nature changed and tamed and come under the control of others.

𝕃ikewise has the institutional Christian church become domesticated—in these ways: • Non-profit corporations (think businesses) and 501c3 tax exempt • Denominations = divisions (think jealousies, suspicions and disagreements) • Often one man in control instead of 1, 2 or more spiritual elders guiding the local church • Usually a Church Board of the elite in the church in control the operations of the church • Most churches today do not condemn sin, water baptize, or offer the Communion Table • Most Statements of Faith exclude some vital elements of a true NT church • Many have the worldly influences of “Seeker Friendly” and “Purpose Driven” goals • Many rely on entertainment methods to draw-in and keep members coming back • Known sin in leaders or members is condoned and ignored • The Word of God is not used or may only get an honorable mention • The Name of Jesus is rarely heard and the Gospel is a forgotten subject • A growing membership and their money is coveted with nary a thought of “making disciples” of Jesus • Such churchianity represents “another gospel” that is devoid of the power of God [Some examples of what we see today:]

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† Matthew 15:7 Ye hypocrites, well did Esaias prophesy of you, saying, 8 This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me. 9 But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.

† 2 Peter 2:20 For if after they have escaped the pollutions 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. 21 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.

† Titus 1:15 Unto the pure all things are pure: but unto them that are defiled and unbelieving is nothing pure; but even their mind and conscience is defiled. 16 They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate.

† 2 Corinthians 11:3 But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ. 4 For if he that cometh preacheth another (different) Jesus [i.e. Mormons, JWs, RCC], whom we have not preached, or if ye receive another spirit, which ye have not received, or another gospel, which ye have not accepted, ye might well bear with him.

† 2 Timothy 3:1 This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. 2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, 3 Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, 4 Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; 5 Having a form of godliness [Remember the big chocolate Easter bunnies—that were hollow inside???], but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.

† Galatians 1:6 I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another (different, altered, strange) gospel: 7 Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. 8 But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.

𝔸NOTHER 𝔾OSPEL ??? What can that mean at least in our day? • In Galatia it meant getting physically circumcised to be saved… • Today, “many things in the Word of God do not apply past the first century” • “The miracles, signs and wonders seen in the first church were only for them” • “Healing and the baptism in the Holy Ghost was for them but not for today” • “God understands that we will continue to sin—there is nothing we can do” • “God has no problem with homosexuality in the church, shacking-up, abortion, illicit drug use, personal idolatries” • “’It’s my body, my choice’; you can make decisions that are best for you” • “God means for you to be wealthy, if you are not, something’s wrong” • “Christians cannot have a live-in evil spirit.” • “God will forgive you for taking ‘the mark’ if it is to feed your family”

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† Proverbs 1:22 How long, ye simple ones, will ye love simplicity (from “open” [How long will you be ‘open’] to deception, delusion—to be seduced, foolish; “simple minded, a simpleton”) [“I believe the last person I heard!” What if he or she is dead wrong?!]? and the scorners delight in their scorning, and fools hate knowledge? 23 Turn you at my reproof: behold, I will pour out my spirit unto you, I will make known my words unto you. 24 Because I have called, and ye refused; I have stretched out my hand, and no man regarded; 25 But ye have set at nought all my counsel, and would none of my reproof: 26 I also will laugh at your calamity; I will mock when your fear cometh...

It is suggested that circus owners have the teeth of their lions or tigers removed and some people even declaw their cats. Many ranchers prevent the growth of or remove the horns of their cattle. Those that have herds of goats burn off the horn-buds of their kids. In many places, the devil through men has effectively done these kinds of things to the church of the living God.

By government legislation and the failure of church leaders to teach the Word of God the churches’ leaders and members today are unable to defend the Gospel or themselves and have become playful, purring pussycats.

𝕋he church today is not at all familiar with ...

The church today is not at all familiar with what the Holy Bible teaches us about what we have and what we are in Christ. The people that stand at the front of church congregations placate, entertain, comfort by lying, and make compromising declarations instead of exhorting, warning, and teaching the unadulterated Word of God as the truth.

What were some of the earmarks of the first church that are to be at least so in this last church age as we enter the final years of Great Trouble before Jesus returns? In the first church (and it to be true of these last days’ true church of the Lord Jesus Christ):

𝕎hat were some of the earmarks of the 1st church • God was glorified and His name extolled and the church strengthened and grew • The Gospel was boldly declared, the name of Jesus exalted, and multitudes came to be saved • The lost were drawn-in by God’s Spirit and brought to repentance by anointed preaching • Prayer and fasting were not neglected, neither was love for the Word in short supply nor love for each other • Through the believers the power of God was present to heal, deliver, and do the supernatural • Spiritual gifts were in operation as the Holy Spirit desired • Believers were baptized in water and then baptized in the Holy Ghost • And for these things there was severe persecution but the believers stood firm

It will not be long now before the Lord calls forth with an anointing those with the spiritual fortitude to rise up and reestablish the things I have just enumerated—along with so many other things that people will see and marvel at. But it will be done through those that have already readied themselves to be the instruments of God by His Spirit to step forward and be used by the Lord.

“Having readied themselves”—not then finally ready to get ready, not wish they had become ready, but are already ready to walk-in the purposes of God in their lives in the power of the Holy Spirit as He had determined and ordained before the foundation of the world.

𝕎hat the eternal God will do by His Spirit ...

What the eternal God will do, He will do by His Spirit through the devoted followers of His Son Jesus that heretofore have been obscure, those that behind the scenes are “nobodies” and the “never heard ofs” that have year-by-year been faithful to God in their preparation for such a day, are filled with the Holy Spirit, have been students of their Holy Bibles, and learned to trust God and have no inhibitions about moving in the power of God’s might and to His glory and not their own—they are and will remain humble.

The hour for becoming such a one is now very late and those in the true church today that want to be part of this last great move of God should not waste one more day of their life in frivolous activities and foolish idolatries but in drawing close to the Lord and our Savior.

I tell you today: If you are not prepared and have the fullness of the Holy Spirit you will be a mere observer of the mighty workings of God and not the vessel of His power.

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† Zechariah 4:6 Then he answered and spake unto me, saying, This is the word of the LORD unto Zerubbabel, saying, Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the LORD of hosts.

† Acts 2:14 But Peter, standing up with the eleven, lifted up his voice, and said unto them, Ye men of Judaea, and all ye that dwell at Jerusalem, be this known unto you, and hearken to my words: 15 For these are not drunken, as ye suppose, seeing it is but the third hour of the day. 16 But this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel (2:28-29); 17 And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams: 18 And on my servants and on my handmaidens I will pour out in those days of my Spirit; and they shall prophesy: 19 And I will shew wonders in heaven above, and signs in the earth beneath; blood, and fire, and vapour of smoke: 20 The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before that great and notable day of the Lord come: 21 And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved.

† Daniel 11:32 And such as do wickedly against the covenant shall he corrupt by flatteries: but the people that do know their God shall be strong, and do exploits. 33 And they that understand among the people shall instruct many: yet they shall fall by the sword, and by flame, by captivity, and by spoil, many days. 34 Now when they shall fall, they shall be holpen with a little help: but many shall cleave to them with flatteries. 35 And some of them of understanding shall fall, to try them, and to purge, and to make them white, even to the time of the end: because it is yet for a time appointed.

† John 14:12 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father. 13 And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14 If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it.

† Mark 16:17 And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; 18 They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.

Last week I challenged all by asking the question “Are you sure” of your salvation and what you believe you believe to the saving of your soul. You need to be! Today I upped the ante by informing you that the Lord has plans for some to fulfill what these last few Scriptures have divulged about what’s going to happen in these last days in spite of the devil’s wrath.

𝕀 have hope that you'll be among the ones ready ...

I have hope that you will be among the ones that have become ready to defy the antichrist and devil’s plans to destroy and kill what has become the domesticated, toothless, declawed, and dehorned representatives of the King of kings and Lord of Lords Creator, Redeemer, and very soon returning Living God. I hope that you will not just spiritually survive those days but be an overcomer through Jesus!

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† Acts 2:37 Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do? 38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. 39 For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call. 40 And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation. 41 Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls. 42 And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers. 43 And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles. 44 And all that believed were together, and had all things common; 45 And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need. 46 And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart, 47 Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.

𝕀f you are not ready to be a tool or a weapon ...

If you are not ready to be a tool or a weapon held in the firm grip of the hand of Jesus Christ, you must get ready by the study of God’s Word daily, being baptized in and then staying filled with His Holy Spirit, “and having done all,” be found standing at attention before the Captain of the Host, the Lord Jesus Christ—ready to hear and act on His orders!

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~ Brother Scott ... With ... The Right Word^© ... For Today~

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