FIVE SMOOTH STONES - The Five Ascension Gifts in the Heavenly Shepherds Bag

FIVE SMOOTH STONES — The Five Ascension Gifts in the Heavenly Shepherd’s Bag

had against them, that they had left their first love. It is interesting that the Church in Ephesus was actually exhibiting the fulfillment of the prophecy that Jesus gave which is recorded in the gospel of Matthew: Matthew 24:10- 12: " And then many will be offended, will betray one another, and will hate one another. Then many false prophets will rise up and deceive many. And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold ." The connection here between the false ministries and the love of people affected by those ministries is very clear, just as it is in the book of Revelation. It is clear that Jesus was stating that after His departure there would be false prophets and deceivers who would draw people away from the truth. But not everyone would be drawn away; He was warning people so that they would watch and guard their hearts and not be deceived. Likewise, the apostle Paul gave a similar warning to the elders whom he had ordained over the Church in Ephesus, Acts 20:17-20 and 28-31: " From Miletus he [Paul] sent to Ephesus and called for the elders of the Church. And when they had come to him, he said to them: "You know, from the first day that I came to Asia, in what manner I always lived among you, serving the Lord with all humility, with many tears and trials which happened to me by the plotting of the Jews; how I kept back nothing that was helpful, but proclaimed it to you, and taught you publicly and from house to house, … Therefore take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the Church of God which He purchased with His own blood. For I know this, that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock. Also from among yourselves men will rise up, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after themselves. Therefore watch, and re- member that for three years I did not cease to warn everyone night and day with tears ." Paul made it clear to the leaders what a true leader and apostle looked like by using his own life and example as an illustration. He let them know what a true servant-leader looked like as they had witnessed how he had ministered to them and served them tirelessly. Then he went on to prophesy to them that after he was gone others would come, and some would even rise up from among them, that would attempt to draw disciples away from the truth and after themselves.

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