"How is Sheshak taken! and how is the praise of the whole earth surprised!"

Jeremiah 51:41

This is dedicated to those saints who would "Flee out of the midst of Babylon". This teaching is not for the faint of heart, the fearful nor the unbelieving, but for the mature disciple who has reached the "appointed time of the father". Those who seek the truth at any cost and desire to "possess their possessions", which is their spiritual inheritance in the Kingdom of God. To those who know that there is much more to experience with Christ in this life. My prayer is that something in these pages will help someone who finds themselves "in the midst of Babylon". That they might embark on an adventurous journey with Christ once again... Ye did run well, who did hinder you that you should not obey the truth?... find out about the seducing spirit of Babylon in your midst. Godspeed!

Introduction

SHESHAK is a cipher or code word derived from an ancient Hebrew coding process known as Atbash. This coding process involves a substitution of successive letters of a word by letters from the opposite end of the Hebrew alphabet. Thus "bbl" ("Babel", "Babylon") becomes "sh sh k". The second letter of the alphabet "b" is replaced by the second to last, "sh", and the "l" by the "k". When this cipher is arranged in the original Hebrew language it spells out the word "shesh ak". The word "shesh" in the Hebrew language literally means "fine linen", and "ak" signifies the possessive "thy", thus Sheshak or Sheshach is literally translated "thy fine linen" in the Hebrew language. It's significance will be discussed in detail later.

The word "Sheshach" is only mentioned twice in the entire bible (and only in the book of Jeremiah), therefore one might be tempted to dismiss it as obscure and insignificant. Though the bible has little to say about the cipher "Sheshach", it has much to say about the subject for which it has been encrypted, which is "Babylon". Babylon is mentioned over 300 times in the bible, in one form or another. It is unfortunate that God’s people are, for the most part, totally ignorant of the powerful significance of Israel’s captivity in Babylon and what it means to the Church today. This crucial knowledge of Babylon has truly been "Mystery Babylon" to the Church. But the "fine linen" veil which concealed Babylon's deceit is finally being taken away, even this very hour, and the shame of her (Babylon's) nakedness is beginning to appear (see Jeremiah 51:41 and Revelation 18:16).

The purpose of this prophetic teaching is to join the voice of prophecy being raised in this hour to speak against the destroying mountain of Babylon saying "be thou removed and be thou cast into the sea" : "And a mighty angel took up a stone like a great millstone, and cast it into the sea, saying, Thus with violence shall that great city Babylon be thrown down, and shall be found no more at all." (Rev. 18:21) (see also Jer. 51: 42,63, 64) This rising voice is sending the rain of truth, the floods of righteousness and the mighty rushing wind of the Spirit to beat upon the house which is built upon the false foundation of Babylon. Every house which is built upon this foundation will fall, and great shall be it's fall!

We have come to realize the significance of Israel’s captivity and bondage in Egypt and what that means to the Church. We understand that we are called out of Egypt (Egypt being a type of the "world system"). However, the church has failed to realize that she is also called out of Babylon's "religious system": "Go ye forth of Babylon, flee ye from the Chaldeans..." (Isaiah 48:20) "Remove out of the midst of Babylon, and go forth out of the land of the Chaldeans..." (Jer. 50:8) "Flee out of the midst of Babylon, and deliver every man his soul: be not cut off in her iniquity; for this is the time of the Lord's vengeance; he will render unto her a recompense." (Jer. 51: 6) "Deliver thyself, O Zion, that dwellest with the daughter of Babylon." (Zechariah 2:7) "And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues." (Rev. 18:4)

While Egypt symbolizes a type of "worldly bondage", Babylon represents a type of "religious bondage", "idolatry" and a cleverly devised "system of false doctrine and deceit". The idolatry and falsehoods were established over many years of religious tradition. Many erroneous teachings have become "sacred cows" to the Church. Much of which has been passed along for so many hundreds of years that the Church readily and ignorantly excepts many false teachings as the gospel truth. This deception has been one cleverly devised Satanic plan, a work of cunning skill, a demonic masterpiece! The sad thing is that most of God's people don't even know it exists!

Babylon has been extremely successful for the kingdom of darkness. The success of this demonic plan can be attributed to the fact that Satan has been able to disguise this deception under the auspices of "Church government" for the sake of "Church order" and for the "good of the Church". But instead of government it has brought the Church confusion. Instead of Church order it has ushered in chaos, division, envy, strife, a spirit of competition, sensuality, and much darkness. In the gospel of Matthew, Jesus declared "upon this rock I will build my church...". Well, Satan wasn't going to just sit around and watch. While Jesus began building His church, Satan decided he would build a church too! This is in keeping with Satan's pattern of "I will be like (make myself like) the Most High". Satan set out to build something that would closely resemble the true Church, like "tares among the wheat". After laying a false foundation we see the walls of Babylon begin to go up! This marked the beginning of division caused by denominations in the New Testament Church. *As early as the beginning of the second century a distinct cleavage had begun to appear between clergy and laity, and this in spite of the fact that in the first century every Christian was held to be a priest unto God. By the end of the second century the clergy had clearly become a "separate order"... Those who regarded themselves as Christians separated into organizations which denounced one another and as an indication of their disagreement excommunicated...those from whom they differed. (*A History of Christianity, Vol. I, pg.133). Satan gave Babylon "gates" which speaks of government, power and administration. For a season this elaborate religious system has succeeded.

BABYLON AND THE CHURCH

There are many aspects of the Babylonian order, touching many realms of religion and the world system as well. For our understanding as believers and God's elect, we will touch on Babylon as it concerns us. It is a religious system and a kingdom at work in the midst of God's people. This system has been set up by Satan to dupe, divide, control and neuter (render powerless) the sons and daughters of God, the body of Christ. It can be traced back as far as Nimrod and the Tower of Babel. However, as far as the Church is concerned we find it's influences creeping in soon after the departure of the first order of apostles in the early church. In fact, before he was martyred Paul prophesied concerning this and cried tears doing so, see Acts 20:29-31. There are many evil works to speak of in Babylon, for she has in her hand a golden cup "full of abominations and filthiness of her fornication" (Rev. 17:4). Those who are ignorantly conforming to this Babylonian system are ignorantly being conformed to this world (Grk, aion, "age").

This Babylonian system reduces sons to impotent "temple eunuchs" in perpetual service to a king. Under this regime, sons are never able to realize their right, privilege, inheritance and liberty as sons in the family of God. Like Israel of old, the church has desired a king. When we read the passage of scriptures below we are able to see the heart of God concerning anything less then Theocracy. That is anything short of Him being King in the hearts of men and in His Church. As we read it let it reveal to us where we have gone wrong in the Church today because we also have desired a king, but instead of saying "My King" we call him "my pastor". The verses below lets us know what privileges we neglect when we desire a king. Read it with this in mind and let us learn from what was written in I Samuel 8:10-18, these things were "written for our admonition."

And Samuel told all the words of the Lord unto the people that asked of him a king. And he said, This will be the manner of the king that shall reign over you: He will TAKE YOUR SONS, and appoint them for himself, for his chariots, and to be his horsemen; and some shall run before his chariots.

And he will appoint him captains over thousands, and captains over fifties; and will set them to ear his ground, and to reap his harvest, and to make his instruments of war, and instruments of his chariots.

And he will TAKE YOUR DAUGHTERS to be confectioneries (ointment makers), and to be cooks, and to be bakers.

And he will TAKE YOUR FIELDS, and your vineyards, and your oliveyards, even the best of them, and give them to his servants.

And he will TAKE THE TENTH OF YOUR SEED, and of your vineyards, and give to his officers, and to his servants.

And he will take your maidservants, and your goodliest young men, and your asses, and put them to his work.

He will take the tenth of your sheep: AND YE SHALL BE HIS SERVANTS.

And ye shall cry out in that day because of your king which ye shall have chosen you; and the Lord will not hear you in that day.

This Babylonian system opposes "sonship" and vies to destroy the power and authority given to sons. It emphasizes "ministry" as a "goodly Babylonish garment" to cover the importance of our belonging to God's "family". We will look more closely at this "goodly Babylonish garment" just ahead. Satan knows that if he can cover the importance of God's family with this garment, then the importance of our sonship, with all it's rights, inheritance and power will never be realized. The Babylonian order exults the power of one man to the point of idolatry. While this system of idolatry is easily recognized and judged by evangelicals, as we observe it's work in Catholicism, we evangelicals fail to realize that this Babylonian order has also, more subtly been working in our midst also, for hundreds and hundreds of years. The Babylonian system is a religious order which is given to idolatry. It is a false order, a false pattern, a false structure built on a false foundation. This religious system is blatantly flaunted in Catholicism where a man, namely the Pope, is so highly magnified that he has become "like God" to the people. And not only the Pope, but many Roman Catholics worship many other idols of their peers, both alive and dead. But the scripture says: "For we dare not make ourselves of the number, or compare ourselves with some that commend themselves: but they measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise." (2 Cor. 10: 12) But on the contrary, listen to the humility, the meekness, the self abasement and the seemingly despicable natural state, of God's holy apostles and prophets:

"For I think that God hath set forth us the apostles last, as it were appointed to death: for we are made a spectacle unto the world, and to angels, and to men. We are fools* for Chris's sake but ye are wise in Christ: we are weak, but ye are strong; ye are honorable, but we are despised. Even unto this present hour we both hunger, and thirst, and are naked, and are buffeted, and have no certain dwellingplace; And labor, working with our own hands: being reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we suffer it: Being defamed, we intreat: we are made as the filth of the world, and are the offscouring of all things unto this day. I write not these things to shame you, but as my beloved sons I warn you. For though ye have ten thousand instructors in Christ, yet have ye not many fathers..." (1 Cor. 4: 9-15) (*fool here is "moros" in the Grk, from where we get our English word, "moron")

Truly these apostles and prophets were men who, like Christ, "made themselves of no reputation"! They did not go around demanding to be recognized as master, apostles, prophets, bishops, pastors and so on, commending themselves. Certainly they knew what they were in Christ, but what mattered more to them was that they should be humble holy men, counted worthy to fellowship the sufferings of Christ! And in so doing they loved Christ and His church. These were men of decrease. They understood what great effect their self-abasement, their humility, their suffering, their weakness, their emptying out (kenosis), and even their death would bring about in the body of Christ. They knew as they bore Christ's death, the body would live! They knew how to be abased and they knew that the more they decreased the more Christ, in the body, would increase! They properly discerned the Lord's body and were very careful about their relationship to it, seeking only it's edification, not their own! 5. For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus' sake. 10. Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body. 11. For we which live are always delivered unto death for Jesus' sake, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our mortal flesh. So then death worketh in us (apostles), but life in you (the church). (2 Corinthians 4: 5,10&11) For we are glad, when we are weak, and ye are strong: and this also we wish, even your perfection. (2 Corinthians 13:9).

SHESHAK IS TAKEN!

Observe this cryptic name for Babylon found in Jeremiah 51:41, "Sheshak". As explained in detail earlier, Sheshak means "thy fine linen". This speaks of Babylon's garments, her appearance and ultimately her "false righteousness". This fine linen is Babylon's ability to appear righteous. In II Corinthians 11:14 Paul called it Satan's ability to "transform himself into an angel of light." Furthermore Paul states in the very next verse, "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." He proceeds still further saying in verse 20, "...ye suffer fools gladly... for ye suffer, if a man bring you into bondage, if a man devour you, if a man take of you, if a man exalt himself, if a man smite you on the face." If you study this out you will see that Paul is speaking in reference to the close relationship that the church in Corinth had with false apostles.

This Babylonian order has the ability to change its fine linen garments. So not only does Babylon exist beneath the miter and fine garments of the Papal realm, but she also subtly exits behind the backward collars and robes of the Episcopalians, the Methodists, and the Baptists. Furthermore, she is also able to change her fine linen to subtly lurk behind the silk ties and three piece suits of some of todays Pentecostal leaders! But God shall take away Sheshak, thy fine linen O' Babylon!

"How is Sheshach taken! and how is the praise of the whole earth surprised! how is Babylon become an astonishment among the nations!" (Jeremiah 51: 41)

Her garments are removed! She is astonished and surprised! She will have nothing to hide behind! She will be fully exposed and her falsehood fully revealed! Yes, and Sheshak is already being removed! And she will no longer have a change of garments because thy fine linen, is taken! And then shall come to pass the sayings of these prophets:

"Alas, alas that great city (Babylon) that was clothed in fine linen, and purple and scarlet, and decked with gold, and precious stones, and pearls. For in one hour so great riches is come to naught. (Rev.18:16,17)

"And it shall come to pass in the day of the Lord’s sacrifice, that I will punish the princes and the kings children, and all such as are clothed with strange apparel." (Zephaniah 1:8)

Her fine linen was part of her "uncertain riches" in which she trusted. Here we see that Babylon was clothed in fine linen. But she won't be any longer. Her fine linen will be taken! But what will happen to this fine linen? Where will it end up? Immediately after the fall of Babylon in Revelation chapter 18, chapter 19 says:

"And unto her (the Bride of Christ) was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of the saints" (Rev. 19:8)

This fine linen belonged to the church all the time! To her they are true riches! But as usual, the thief (Satan) cometh not but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. Satan, the king of Babylon, stole this fine linen only to pervert it, so that he, by Sheshak, might blind us to the true order of God these many, many generations. Satan knows that Divine order brings Divine authority to the sons of God!

The Lord shall take away Sheshak everywhere it is found! Observe! Fine linen is also used for the bed! "I have decked my bed... with fine linen of Egypt" (Prov. 7:16). This speaks of worldly harlotry or prostitution. A prostitute is a woman who sells her body. This is the "merchandising of the gospel of Christ" , be it the word preached or be it gospel music. It also speaks of the prostitution of spiritual gifts such as prophecy and healing! "The heads thereof judge for reward and the priests thereof teach for hire and the prophets thereof divine for money: yet will they lean upon the Lord and say, Is not the Lord among us, none evil can come upon us." (Micah 3:11) Harlotry is rampant in the body of Christ. This abominable harlotry is able to exist within the body of Christ because of Sheshak, the fine linen of deceit. In fact the Babylonian system promotes this harlotry so much that she is called "THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS". In other words, Babylon is posing as a "Madame" or "Pimp" as some churches "turn tricks". But when Sheshak is taken, the fine linen will also be removed from the bed of harlotry, and all those who occupy this bed will be revealed there in it, naked and full of shame!

"Notwithstanding I have a few things against thee, because thou sufferest that woman Jezebel, which calleth herself a prophetess, to teach and to seduce my servants to commit fornication, and to eat things offered unto idols. And I gave her space to repent of her fornication; and she repented not. Behold, I will cast her into a bed, and them that commit adultery with her into great tribulation, except they repent of their deeds. 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." (Revelation 2:20-23)

"Therefore behold, the days are coming when I shall punish the idols of Babylon; and her whole land will be put to shame, and her slain shall fall in her midst." (Jeremiah 51:47) NASB

And why are they ashamed? in verse 51 we read:

"We are disgraced, for we have been insulted and shame covers our faces, because foreigners have entered the holy places of the Lord's house. But days are coming, declares the Lord, when I will punish her (Babylon's) idols, and throughout her land the wounded will groan." (Jeremiah 51: 51, 52) NIV

Perhaps this will be the reason for the great falling away. Whenever an idol falls, many that worship idols also fall away. No different in this case. Leaders who encourage such idolatry will soon be fully "punished" and "made low". Indeed many shall be made weak, "wounded" and "groan" because they loved their idols. They will become offended and weak, and so fall away during these days.

The Lord says; "I will punish Bel in Babylon, and I will bring forth out of his mouth that which he hath swallowed up: and the nations shall not flow together any more unto him: yea, the wall of Babylon shall fall." My people, go ye out of the midst of her, and deliver ye every man his soul from the fierce anger of the Lord. And lest your heart faint, and ye fear for the rumor (report) that shall be heard in the land; a rumor shall both come one year, and after that in another year shall come a rumor (report), and violence in the land, ruler against ruler. (Jeremiah 51: 44-46)

Bel means "lord", "the chief deity of Babylon". What is it that the Lord will bring forth out of Bel's mouth? What has Bel taken and swallowed up? Bel has taken and swallowed up the inhabitants of Zion, God's people!

"Nebuchandrezzar the king of Babylon hath devoured me, he hath crushed me, he hath made me an empty vessel, he hath swallowed me up like a dragon, he hath filled his belly with my delicates, he hath cast me out. The violence* done to me and to my flesh be upon Babylon, shall the inhabitant of Zion say; and my blood upon the inhabitants of Chaldea, shall Jerusalem say." (Jeremiah 51:34, 35)

*This word violence is the Hebrew word "chamas" and according to Vines this word means: the disruption of the divinely established order of things. It connotes a "violent wrongdoing" which has not been righted, the guilt of which lies on an entire area (its inhabitants) disrupting their relationship with God and thereby interfering with His blessings.

This Babylonian system devours true sons and daughters, because they are never able to come into their full inheritance as kings and priests themselves! It is God's desire to birth a "habitation" of kings, lords and princes who rule as one, this is Zion! Soon will be done away the "one man" Babylonian king who reigns alone and swallows up the people.

The wall of Babylon speaks of the division in the body of Christ. The Babylonian system has kept the church divided for hundreds of years. Ruler against ruler, leader against leader, denominations, and covetous practices to control and manipulate "tithers" (whom in most cases are merely Babylonian "tax payers"); these are all strongholds of the Babylonian order.

To Pentecostals, the idolatry of Catholicism is so very obvious. And though the degrees of our conformity to this system varies, it is still prevalent and it is subtly at work among us. In varying degrees we Pentecostals still put the pastor on a very high pedestal and we are blind to our own subtle Babylonian habits and religious thinking. It is as though we haven't figured out how to revere something or someone who is holy, without worshipping him, or it. God is the only Holy One we worship. He is the only one we should exalt at all! But we have exalted the gift (the gift being the man) above the body, which is Christ. But God intends for it to be the other way around, the purpose of the doma gift (the man) is "...for the edifying of the body of Christ!" (Eph.4:12).

BABYLON, A MATTER OF THE HEART

It is very important to remember that the Babylon we contend with is spiritual and therefore becomes a matter of the heart, the inner man. Let us take a look at how the idolatry of Achan reveals this. He was only one man, yet for his sin of idolatry God's anger was kindled against the entire nation of Israel. And because of this sin, Israel was on a path to utter destruction and desolation. Israel had become powerless and could not stand before it's enemies, instead they turned their backs. Because of this abomination they were accursed, for God had said "I will not be with you (Israel) anymore, except you destroy the accursed from among you." (Joshua 7:12) Israel was in trouble and in great danger of being wiped out. Other nations would find out that their God was no longer with them. These nations would utterly destroy Israel.

This scripture below says that Achan coveted a Babylonish garment along with silver and gold. After Joshua commanded a search of every tribe and family, look where it was all found, "hid in the earth in the midst of my tent..." The earth speaks of the soil of the heart and the tent speaks of our earthly tabernacle, our body and God's temple. Is it possible that we could have a Babylonian idol hidden in our hearts? or in the midst of God's temple? The answer is yes. Yes we can have a Babylonian idol hidden in our hearts, and yes we do have a Babylonian idol in the midst of the temple of God! We don't realize it because the devil is making it appear good, hence it is referred to as a "goodly" Babylonish garment. Joshua 7: 20-22 "And Achan answered Joshua, and said, Indeed I have sinned against the Lord God of Israel, and thus and thus have I done: When I saw among the spoils a goodly Babylonish garment, and two hundred shekels of silver, and a wedge of gold of fifty shekels weight, then I coveted them, and took them: and, behold, they are hid in the earth in the midst of my tent, and the silver under it." Though He suffered it for a season, God has already judged Babylon and He will bring her system to utter ruin and desolation, in every place! Babylon the Great is Fallen, Fallen!

THE NEW ORDER PRIESTHOOD

John the Baptist belonged to the tribe of Levi but he certainly did not look like a Levite! He was the "transitional voice" between the old order (Aaronic) priesthood and the new order priesthood of our Lord Jesus Christ, a priesthood after the order of Melchisedec, who himself is an eternal King and Priest. John the Baptist refused to be clad with the "fine linen" of the Levitical order priesthood. The garments of the Levites were made of fine linen, (see Exodus 28: 2-8) But John the Baptist wore a crude leather girdle and camels hair. Why did John refuse the fine linen of his fathers? Because he was to pave the way for our High Priest the Lord Jesus Christ. John was to introduce the High Priest of a priesthood that is given to the people, given to sons and daughters in the family and kingdom of God, the eternal royal priesthood. This new order priesthood of Christ would not require "one man" to come into the presence of God for all the people, but rather, after that our Lord had offered up Himself, His High Priest ministry would enable every man to present himself before God. The vail of the temple being taken out of the way, which vail also was made of fine linen (see Exodus 26:31). Therefore, John the Baptist could not don the fine linen of his Levitical fathers knowing that the "one man-High Priest Levitical order" was to be done away in Christ.

JOSHUA THE HIGH PRIEST

Zechariah 3:4 "Take away the filthy garments* from him (Joshua). And unto him (Joshua) he said, Behold I have caused this iniquity to pass from thee and I will clothe thee with change of raiment*."

In this verse the word "garments" and the word "raiment" are two different Hebrew words. The word "garments" in Hebrew is beged which has the meaning of "treachery and deceit", thus referred to by the Lord as "filthy garments". The word "raiment" in Hebrew is machalatsah , this has the meaning of "a mantel and a robe of state". A mantel is a humble garment, and a robe of state speaks of authority, honor and privilege. This Joshua, the son of Jehozadak, was among the captives who had returned from Babylon; "a brand plucked out of the fire", the fire being the captivity in Babylon. The "filthy garments" which Joshua was wearing were the Babylonian garments of treachery and deceit! Joshua was a leader of the people, the high priest. The high priest of Israel was wearing Babylonian garments! But the Lord removes Joshua's iniquity and takes from him the garments of Babylon, replacing them with a change of raiment! There must come a change of garments in the priesthood today, beginning with those given the highest responsibility of oversight and leadership in the body of Christ! It is evident in Joshua that those who humble themselves will receive favor and strength, even a new spiritual authority! This change of raiment for the Church in these last days symbolizes the donning of glory for the Millennial reign, for we will "put on Christ" as a garment! Our mortal* bodies will be clothed with immortality! (See "The Fellowship of the Mystery.) There will be a great exchange of garments in the spirit realm which will bring about a sudden, drastic, visible change - everywhere on earth! At that time you will see the inhabitants of Zion come into power, rule on earth and overcome all things, even death!

THE FURNACE OF BABYLON

Cyrus is the Persian king who was anointed by God to conquer Babylon and release the children of Israel from seventy years of Babylonian captivity. The name Cyrus means "possess thou the furnace" (Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew definitions). The furnace is Babylon which Cyrus conquered and possessed. Also, in scripture, captivity is portrayed as being in a furnace. Jude vs. 22-23 makes reference to this Babylonian furnace and the filthy Babylonian garments as it is revealed in the New Testament. Here Jude is saying that this should be the disposition of those who contend for the faith as they attempt to pluck God's people from Babylon's furnace of deception put forth by men, that would hold us as captives. In these last days these men are mockers who walk after their own ungodly lusts, separating themselves into factions, sensual, having not the Spirit.

"(Refute [so as to] convict some who dispute with you, and) on some have mercy who waver and doubt. [Strive to] save others, snatching [them] out of [the] fire; on others take pity [but with fear, loathing even the garment spotted by the flesh and polluted by their sensuality." (The Amplified Bible) (Jude vs. 22&23)

Jude gave these instructions to those whom he exhorted to "earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints." Then Jude goes on to talk about certain evil men who have crept in amongst God's people. These men set out to pervert the pure faith, which is why they must fight to keep and promote the truth! There is still a Babylonian furnace from which many of God's people must be delivered today. This fire is the fire of captivity, bondage and deceit. It is an inability to receive the kingdom and power of God because God's people (in varying degrees) cling to a false order of idolatry and ignorantly practice ways which were established by these evil men spoken of by Jude, Peter and by Paul in the passage of scripture below:

"Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which He hath purchased with His own blood. For I know this, that after my departing, shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things to draw away disciples after them. Therefore watch and remember that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one, night and day with tears. And now brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of His grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified. I have coveted no man's silver, or gold, or apparel." (Acts 20: 28-33)

There is probably no better verse of scripture to close this teaching with. It has a healthy dose of both warning and promise. Leaders, take heed to yourselves! Take heed to your ways as you tend this flock which belongs to God! Beware of the wolf that arises! Do not seek to be a king even if the people demand it! It is very interesting that Paul should mention these three things; silver, gold and apparel. It almost seems out of place, but it is certainly there for a reason. These are the very same items which rendered Israel powerless before it's enemies when Achan coveted them and hid these things in his tent. Do not covet money nor the prestigious apparel which is Satan's goodly Babylonish garment also called Sheshak! The promise is that, in obeying God fully, we will grow and be built up. And God will give us our inheritance. Then we will all reign together with Christ in Zion, the Kingdom of God! Amen.
 

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