PART 37 RED ALERT!!! HOW FASTING AND RETREATS TRANSFORMS ONE TO BE THE SON OF PERDITION

It is a function of what the scripture describes as the affliction of the soul which God prescribed to the children of Israel to keep on the Day of Atonement. The Day of Atonement is often observed yearly, on the tenth day of the seventh month of the Jewish calendar. On this day God commanded the children of Israel to rest from all their labors. This was declared the Sabbath of rest. They must afflict their souls in the sense that they must refrain from all bodily refreshments, delights and pleasures to reflect their inward repentance, humiliation and dealings of their soul for the sins they have committed. They all must abstain from food and drinks (fasting) on this day. The scriptures in Leviticus 16:29-30 states thus: And this shall be a statute for ever unto you: that in the seventh month, on the tenth day of the month, ye shall afflict your souls, and do no work at all, whether it be one of your own country, or a stranger that sojourneth among you: For on that day shall the priest make an atonement for you, to cleanse you, that ye may be clean from all your sins before the LORD Lev 16:29-30KJV Beloved, this annual repetition of the sacrifices and practices of rests (Sabbaths) and fasting showed that there was in them that inefficiency towards the making of atonement. It was done effectually only by the offering up of the Body of Christ once and for all. Jesus Christ therefore is the true High priest and the only true atoning sacrifice. Above when he said, Sacrifice and offering and burnt offering and offering for sin thou wouldest not, neither hadst pleasure therein: which are offered by the law. Then said he, lo, I come to do thy will. O God. He taketh away the first, that He may establish the second .By the will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Christ once for all. Hebrews 10:8-10 KJV. Fasting is of the law and not of Grace. It should not be practiced in the dispensation of Grace. Galatians 3:10-13 states For as many as are of the works of the Law are under the curse: for it is written, Curse is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in book of law to do them. But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God .It is evident that the just shall live by faith. And the law is not of faith; but, the man that doeth them shall live in them. Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the Law, being made a curse for us .For it is written cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree. Galatians3:10-13KJV

QUESTION 4: Jesus spoke on fasting in Matthew 6;16-18,19-21; Was it during the dispensation of the Law or Grace ? Let us re-examine the statements of Jesus with our spiritual eyes taking proper cognizance of the dispensation He was, where He was and to which group of people He spoke with. Matthew 6:16 states: Moreover when ye fast, be not, as the hypocrites,………..Jesus spent three and a half years in the work of His ministry in the dispensation of the law. The dispensation of Grace began after His death and resurrection. This is confirmed in Hebrew 9:17. For a testament is of force after men are dead otherwise it is of no strength at all while the testator liveth Hebrew9:17KJV. Jesus Christ stated in Matthew 5: 17 that He did not come to destroy the law or the prophets but to accomplish their works. Most of us follow the law and fast for spirituality as the Pharisee in Luke 18:12 who claimed to have fasted twice in a week and paid his tithe regularly to justify himself before God. Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican. The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican. I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess. And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner. I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted. Luke 18:10-14KJV Although Jesus did not stop them because it was still part of the works of the law that should be fulfilled, He did not instruct His disciples to fast like them. The scripture in Matthew 9:14-17 explains why the disciples of Christ even Christians all over the world should not fast because the Bridegroom, the Lord Jesus Christ is for them, with them and living in them. Then came to him the disciples of John, saying, Why do we and the Pharisees fast oft, but thy disciples fast not? And Jesus said unto them, Can the children of the bridechamber mourn, as long as the bridegroom is with them? but the days will come, when the bridegroom shall be taken from them, and then shall they fast. No man putteth a piece of new cloth unto an old garment, for that which is put in to fill it up taketh from the garment, and the rent is made worse. Neither do men put new wine into old bottles: else the bottles break, and the wine runneth out, and the bottles perish: but they put new wine into new bottles, and both are preserved. Matt 9:14-17KJV He had to criticize their practices in hypocrisy. The Pharisees often boast of having fasted twice a week. These days some believers declare publicly to have fasted for more than forty days. Let us examine this pharisaic type of fast if it actually adds to one’s spirituality. Jesus observed and responded as follows in the pharisaic fast of Matthew 6:16-19 Moreover when ye fast, be not, as the hypocrites, of a sad countenance: for they disfigure their faces, that they may appear unto men to fast. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. But thou, when thou fastest, anoint thine head, and wash thy face; That thou appear not unto men to fast, but unto thy Father which is in secret: and thy Father, which seeth in secret, shall reward thee openly. Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.Matthew6:16-19KJV 1) He cautioned them against hypocrisy in their fast. 2) It is often not an act of self denial or humiliation of the soul but an act of starvation of the body from its basic nourishment. 3) They proclaim their fast to the hearing of everybody while it was meant to be in secret. 4) Many show pomp and pride appearing to men to fast to be extolled as devout and mortified men. 5) Here we see Jesus indicting their spirituality. We shall look at the next verses in Matthew 6:19-21 where Jesus began to introduce again what He had revealed to the former prophets as the true meaning of Fast. He stated: Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth where moth and rust doth corrupt and where thieves do break through and steal. But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt and where thieves do not break through nor steal: For where your treasure is there will your heart be also. Jesus brought out two concepts here. a) Laying up treasures upon the earth: b) laying up treasures in heaven: The Lord is revealing to us that whatever treasure we lay here on earth will face corruption and decay and thieves are often ready to break in and steal from us; but when we lay our treasures in heaven, we are often sure of its safety. How do we lay up treasures in Heaven? Jesus answered, in Matthew 19:21 if thou be perfect go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shall have treasure in heaven and come and follow me. This verse reveals that giving to the poor, the destitute and the needy is like one laying up treasures in heaven. Beloved God’s chosen fast in Isaiah 58:1-14 exposes us to self denial of all our possessions for the benefit of the poor, the needy and the destitute in our society. This same principle was established and explained by the Lord Jesus Christ in the New Testament order in Matthew 25:33-40. For I was an hungred and ye gave me meat; I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me. I was in prison, and ye came unto me. Then shall the righteous answer him saying, Lord when saw we thee an hungred and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave ye drink?.When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in…………Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me. As we sacrifice all our possessions to the poor, the needy and the destitute we are sacrificing our soul to the LORD. This is what God’s chosen fast is all about. God is not interested in our type of Pharisaic or Body fast where we deny ourselves of nothing because our meals were stored to be taken after the fast. Certainly beloved, we cannot call this a fast and an acceptable day to the Lord. QUESTION 5 Does the act of deliverance, for example, casting out of devils from a demoniac require FASTING as one of the pre-requisite conditions for ministers or the recipient as a way to facilitate deliverance from the devil? If so where is GRACE? CASE STUDY: The account of the boy with demons in Matthew 17:14-21, Mark 9:29. Beloved whenever we discuss the topic NO MORE BODY FASTING IN THIS DISPENSATION OF GRACE what quickly comes into the mind of our present day believers is that Jesus fasted for forty days and for any form of works of deliverance Jesus also said ‘Howbeit this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting.’ The scripture in 2 Timothy 2:15 states: Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needed not to be ashamed rightly dividing the word of truth. The scriptures expose to us all about Grace. The Grace of God is an unmerited favor therefore it is not of our works for any to boast of. Fasting is of the Works of the Law. For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not of works, lest any man should boast. Ephesians 2:8-9 KJV And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then is it no more grace otherwise work is no more work .Romans 11:6 KJV But if it is grace (His unmerited favor and graciousness), it is no longer conditioned on works or anything men have done. Otherwise, grace would no longer be grace (It would be meaningless) Romans 11:6 AMPLV I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the Law, then Christ is dead in vain Galatians 2:21 KJV A.THE ACCOUNT OF THE BOY WITH THE DEMONS Let us examine the account of the boy with the demon and others, perhaps weigh them according to these two translations: THE KING JAMES VERSION and THE NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION of the BIBLE.

A father brought his demon stricken child to Jesus and complained that he took him to His disciples and they could not cast out the devil that possessed him and cure him. Jesus rebuked His disciples because after He had given them powers in chapter 10 verses 1 and 8, to cast out devils they could not perform as expected. Jesus rebuked his disciples and the people and said O faithless and perverse generation, how long shall I be with you, how long shall I suffer you. Bring him here. And Jesus rebuked the devil and he departed outs of him and the child was cured from that very hour. The disciples came and privately asked the Lord: why could not we cast him out? Beloved let us examine the Lord’s response as we compare the translations of King James Version with that of New International version.

KING JAMES VERSION Because of your unbelief.

NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION Because you have so little faith

KING JAMES VERSION For if ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed.ye shall say unto this mountain, remove hence to yonder place and it shall remove and nothing shall be impossible unto you. Beloved, this is conclusive; No more or less.

NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION If you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, move from here to there and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.

KING JAMES VERSION Howbeit, this kind goeth not out but by PRAYER AND FASTING. Beloved the above statement in verse21 should not be here because it made the entire statement of Jesus contradictory. It is also written in italics therefore the omission of the verse in NIV as not found in the original text should be correct. This same account is recorded in Mark 9:29 and it states: this kind can come forth by nothing but by PRAYER AND FASTING.

NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION Verse 21 is not in NIV Translation with a strong proof that it was not in the original TEXTS. He replied, This kind can come out only by PRAYER Firstly, We noticed that NIV did not include FASTING in Marks’ record of the same account, confirming the fact that it was not in the original text. Secondly, Jesus spoke on their lack of faith as the main reason why they could not cast out the devil. The Lord said with faith nothing is impossible then fasting is not required in this situation. Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God (Rom. 10:17) and not by fasting.

B. JESUS FED THE FOUR THOUSAND KING JAMES VERSION Jesus fed the four thousand in Matthew 15:29-32 and Mark 8:3. Jesus had ministered to four thousand people and kept them for a period of three days. He said in verse 32: I have compassion on the multitude because they continue with me now three days, and have nothing to eat and I will not send them away FASTING lest they faint in the way.

NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION Let us compare the king James translation with that of NIV; I have compassion for these people. They have already been with me for three days and have nothing to eat. I do not want to send them away HUNGRY or they may collapse on the way. We can notice that while King James Version translated the word as FASTING, NIV translates the same Greek word as HUNGRY. Beloved the correct translation of the Greek word King James Version claimed to be FASTING should be ‘HUNGRY.’

C. ACCOUNT OF CORNELIUS WHEN HE CALLED PETER KING JAMES VERSION Let us examine the account of Cornelius when he called for Peter. Acts 10:30; And Cornelius said, Four days ago I was FASTING until this hour, and at the ninth hour I prayed in my house and behold a man stood before me in bright clothing. NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION The same Acts 10:30 accounts in NIV states: Cornelius answered, four days ago I was in my house PRAYING at this hour at three in the afternoon .Suddenly a man in shining clothes stood before me. Here the word FASTING was not mentioned at all. Instead the word PRAYING was used

D. PAUL SAILED FOR ROME AND HAD A SHIPWRECK

KING JAMES VERSION Paul sailed for Rome .On the way they met with a dangerous wind which resulted to their having shipwreck. King James described their experience and fears but declared that they were all FASTING as it were a spiritual fast unto the Lord. But NIV described it differently.Acts.27:8, 21-23, Acts 27:33-38. King James Version declared in verse 33. And while the day was coming on, Paul besought them all to take meat, saying this day is the fourteenth day that ye have tarried and continued FASTING, having taken nothing. NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION Let us examine the account in NIV. In Acts 27:8 it states: we moved along the coast with difficulty and came to a place called Fair Havens, near the town of Lasea. Verse 21-23, after the men had gone a long time without food, Paul stood up before them and compelled them to eat food. Verse 33-38 revealed what happened. Just before dawn Paul urged them all to eat” For the last fourteen days” he said” you have been in constant suspense and have gone without food- you haven’t eaten anything. Now I urge you to take some food. You need it to survive. Not one of you will lose a single hair from his head. “After he said this, he took some bread and gave thanks to God in front of them all. Then he broke it and began to eat. They were all encouraged and ate some food themselves. Altogether there were 276 of us on board. When they had eaten as much as they wanted, they lightened the ship by throwing the grains into the sea. You can see here that there was no indication of fasting as suggest by King James. This is a common human experience of loss of appetite which occurs when one is in suspense, stress and tension.

E. PAUL BOAST OF HIS SUFFERINGS

KING JAMES VERSION Let us examine the account where Paul began to boast of his sufferings in the work of his ministry as an apostle 2 Cor.6:4-5, 2 Cor11:27. But in all things approving ourselves as the ministers of God, in much patience, in afflictions, in necessities, in distresses, in stripes, in imprisonments in tumults in labor, in watching’s and in FASTINGS: 2 Cor.11:27 also states in weariness, in painfulness in watching often, in hunger and thirst, in FASTING often in cold and nakedness.

NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION The same account concerning Paul’s boasting of his sufferings in his ministry in NIV did not suggest Fasting but HUNGER as found in other passages of the scriptures. 2 Cor.6:4-5 states: Rather as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way; in great endurance, in troubles, hardships and , distresses, in beatings, imprisonments and riots; in hard work, sleepless nights and HUNGER………………; 2 Cor.11:27 states; I have labored and toiled and have often gone without sleep. I have known HUNGER and thirst and have often gone without food. NIV has the correct translation to the Greek word. It is HUNGER

F. MARRIAGE OBLIGATIONS AND FASTING

KING JAMES VERSION In 1 Cor.7:5 the scripture listed out one of the marital duties and obligations for a believing couple. It states Defraud ye not one the other, except it be with consent for a time, that ye may give yourselves to FASTING and PRAYER, and come together again, that Satan tempt you not for your incontinency.

NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION In NIV the translation of 1 Cor. 7:5 is different. It states; Do not deprive each other except by mutual consent and for a time, so that you may devote yourselves to PRAYER. Then come together again so that Satan will not tempt you because of your lack of self –control. Here we see the passage stating PRAYERS ALONE

G. ACCOUNT OF BARNABAS AND PAUL AS HOLY SPIRIT SPOKE

KING JAMES VERSION The account of Barnabas and Paul being commended to God by the church at Antioch Acts 13:3 and Acts 14:23.The scripture revealed that the gathering was a fellowship of prophets and teachers who came together to commend Barnabas and Saul to God. They worshipped God in the Spirit and were all in the Spirit realm like Jesus who was led up of the Spirit into the wilderness. The evidence was that the HOLY Ghost spoke. Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them. And when they had fasted and prayed, and laid their hands on them, they set them away. .So being sent forth by the Holy Ghost, departed unto Seleucia and from thence they sailed to Cyprus. Beloved the key areas here are that they were all in the realm of the Spirit and the Holy Ghost spoke and sent them out on the mission.

NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION This is the second occurrence where men were taken over completely by the Holy Spirit. The first was at the instance where Jesus was led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil and another is this instance when the prophets and the teachers gathered together and as they worshiped the Lord in the SPIRIT, the Spirit spoke and sent them out for the mission; because they were in the Spirit they could not fulfill the desires of the flesh. They did not speak but the Holy Spirit spoke. They did not send them but the Holy Spirit sent them. All in all the meeting was Holy Spirit controlled therefore the mention of fasting at this meeting is irrelevant.

KING JAMES VERSION Beloved research had shown that anywhere a person is indisposed to eat being under suspense, fear or distress, king James translation often describes the person’s action as one fasting unto the Lord. We have looked into king James translation and compared the accounts on fasting with that of New international version NIV which translates it as HUNGER.

H. THOSE BELIEVERS THAT HAVE LEFT BABYLON SHOULD NOT FAST

In the book of Zechariah the prophet we saw God’s view point on this matter of fasting. This should be the melting point of all translations on the issue of fasting. Zechariah the prophet was a colleague of Haggai the prophet working together spearheading the rebuilding of the Temple. The Jews who were in seventy years of captivity in Babylon thought that their deliverance was due to the fasting they got engaged in those seventy years. The Lord Spoke out His mind in Zechariah 7:4-14 as the Jews went to Zechariah the prophet to enquire of the Lord concerning fasting. “When they had sent unto the house of God Sherezer and Regem-melech, and their men, to pray before the LORD, And to speak unto the priests which were in the house of the LORD of hosts, and to the prophets, saying, Should I weep in the fifth month, separating myself, as I have done these so many years? Then came the word of the LORD of hosts unto me, saying, Speak unto all the people of the Land, and to the priests, saying, When ye fasted and mourned in the fifth and seventh month, even those seventy years, did ye at all fast unto me, even to me? And when ye did eat, and when ye did drink, did not ye eat for yourselves, and drink for yourselves? Should ye not hear the words which the LORD hath cried by the former prophets, The Lord reminded them of the word He gave through the former Prophets listing out His requirements in His Chosen fast but they gave deaf ears to it. Zechariah 7:9-10.In Zechariah 7:11-12 the Lord said: But they refused to hearken, and pulled away the shoulder, and stopped their ears that they should not hear. Yea they made their hearts as an adamant stone, lest they should hear the law, and the words which the LORD of hosts hath sent in his spirit by the former prophets: therefore came a great wrath from the LORD of hosts.

I. GOD’S CHOSEN FAST

KING JAMES VERSION God had made a choice of the type of fast He desires among other fast. He has Chosen just one called God’s chosen fast of Isaiah 58:1-14 NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION For those that are out of Babylon, that is those that have been born again, Spirit filled, and had left the church system and glued to Christ, the scripture states that they should convert their fasting to joyful feastings. Zechariah 8:19 states Again the word of the Lord Almighty came to me. This is what the Lord Almighty says: The fast of the fourth, fifth, seventh and tenth months will become joyful and glad occasion and happy festivals for Judah. Therefore love truth and peace.

God expects us to cease from the works of the Law haven been washed by the blood of Jesus. Fasting is of the works of the Law and God has proclaimed that all fasting should be converted to joyful feastings. The early Christians in Acts2:41-47 practically demonstrated what God has established for our dispensation. The people who gladly received the word were baptized and they continued in the Apostles doctrines and fellowship and in breaking of bread and in prayers .In verse 46 the same practical demonstration is recorded. And they continued daily with one accord in the temple and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved. J. NO MORE ‘BODY’ FASTING BUT GOD’S CHOSEN FAST Beloved it takes those walking in the Spirit to work in obedience to God’s word. The choice of a particular fast by the Lord shows that there are many types of fast. Let us analyze the contents of Isaiah 58:1-14. Verse 1 and 2 “CRY ALOUD, spare not, lift up thy voice like a trumpet, and shew my people their transgression, and the house of Jacob their sins. Yet they seek me daily, and delight to know my ways, as a nation that did righteousness, and forsook not the ordinance of their God: they ask of me the ordinances of justice; they take delight in approaching to God.” It is time for the appointed true servants of God to show His people in all nations the true state of their sins, the filthiness and the abominations of Jezebel in their church systems and why they have failed to produce Disciples of Christ but of men; peradventure they will return their hearts back to God. Here in Nigeria, the diligence and constancy in attending to God’s worship is seen. Many go to church, observe the daily hours of prayers and other activities just for the sake of serving God. They have a form of Godliness and take pleasure in the exercise of religion which makes them appear to be progressing in righteousness; but God is not pleased with their works thus could not hearken to their petitions. They queried, Wherefore have we fasted, say they, and thou seest not? Many believers have gone in the way of Cain having offered so much to their Pastors, sacrificed, immensely to the building of the Church, schools, universities, banks and many lucrative ventures for their Pastors, all in the name of God, but none can truly say that they have acquired what will take them to heaven. They had fasted and afflicted their souls but God did not accept their fast nor answer the prayers they made on their fast days .Their false Pastors end up accusing them of their lack of faith. But God said that in the days of their fast they find pleasure. Finally beloved, the observances of Lent, Ash Wednesday, added to the practice of forty day body fast culminating in the celebration of Easter are all drawn from the pagan worship of the sun-god and his mother, Semiramis and have nothing to do with Christianity. Jesus Christ before He left to Heaven celebrated the feast of Passover with His disciples and instructed them to do the same to remind them of His death before He comes. We cannot replace this with a pagan feast and approve of ourselves as having dealings with God. God bless you as you take these things to heart.

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