SHOULDER TO SHOULDER #170 ---- 4/9/01
Posted by: lifeunlimited <lifeunlimited@...>
As We fight The Good Fight In This New Millennium
SHOULDER TO SHOULDER #170 ---- 4/9/01
Title: "Why Christ Came ---- to Destroy the Works of the Devil"
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My Dear Friend and Partner in the Kingdom Adventure:
Greetings in the majestic and victorious Name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
My letter to you today has taken a major turn as a result of some
disturbing news I have just received from Croatia. I find it compelling
to share this information with you, and then also share some personal
thoughts pertaining to the primary issue.
Before I do that, let me first tell you about . . .
NEW E-MAIL ADDRESS:
Effective immediately, my new personal e-mail address is
<[email protected]> . As a matter of "self defense" from SPAM
and also good stewardship of my time, money, and computer equipment, it
has been necessary to finally do what I've known was inevitable for a
couple of months. But, when you're looking at thousands of letters filed
in folders and multiplied hundreds of entries in your address book, you
tend to put if off.
But, no more.
I will continue checking my old Juno account through April, but I am now
using the above address as my official address. Please write to me at
that address.
You may have received an explanatory letter from me. If you did not, I
will be happy to send it upon request. If you are a Juno user, you may
particularly want to read it.
URGENT PRAYER REQUESTS:
Three things are heavy on my heart today as I write, and I'd like to ask
your prayer regarding all three.
1. St. James Bible College in Kiev, Ukraine, is facing a critical
financial problem. If relief does not come, it is possible the school
could close. Please ask God to touch the hearts of specific individuals
and ministries of His choosing and release the bounty from His
storehouses upon St. James. They are in dire need of $50,000 right away.
In his most recent letter, Vice-President of U.S. Operations Glen Wescott
says, " . . . [this] has put the college in a very precarious position
and now I am faced with making some very tough decisions. . . . I will
have to take drastic measures including release of several of the
classrooms and the library. . . . I am also considering letting the
Freshman Class go and just continuing with the Senior students until
graduation. If this is the case, then I will have to cut the staff size
by over half."
Go back and reread my January letters (#'s 155-159) about this school and
see how God has raised it up and used it. Frankly, I know of few
ministries that has had a greater impact on the Ukraine and on Russia
than St. James. It's a ministry very close to my heart, and I am pained
over their struggles. This is where our ministry to eastern Europe all
began in January, 1995. Please ask God to intervene.
2. Billed as "the world's largest Satanist gathering", an estimated
3,000 Satanists from the U.S., Europe, and former Yugoslav countries are
currently gathered (1-15 April) in Croatia's capital of Zagreb. I
received the following information from several friends in Croatia. Here
is just one:
"Dear friends and intercessors,
"Yesterday one of the main Croatian newspapers "Vjecernji List" (not
given to sensationalism) carried the headlines 'The Largest Satanist
Gathering In the World!'
"I received the information about this from the Headquarters of the
Evangelical Church in Croatia who are taking it very seriously.
"The article, which is also on the newspapers web site
http://www.vecernji-list.hr/2001/03/25/Pages/zatjedan.html (sorry only in
the Croatian language) goes on to say that in a week's time 3000
satanists from the USA, Europe and all of the Former Yugoslav Republics
will begin a two week gathering in Zagreb, Croatia. The Largest Satanist
Gathering In the World is planned to last from the 1st to the 15th of
April.
"The article also reports that the "Devil Worshipers" have already begun
their "preparations" by desecrating children's graves, kidnapping
children and raping women. This is backed up by a copy of the satanist
magazine "Black".
"Croatia and the other Former Yugoslav Republics have gone though a very
harrowing 10 years during which Satan seems to have had a field-day.
"We do not need this here! Please pray with us. The best prayer is that
this gathering in Croatia does not happen. Also that it never happens
somewhere else! Please send this prayer request to all of the
intercessors who you know.
"Clifford Luckhurst"
3. Balkans team financial needs. Three young ladies on our upcoming
Balkans team are having major struggles raising their $2800 needed
support for this trip. Our team is already small, so we cannot afford to
lose any members. Please ask God to remind potential donors of the
letters the girls have written and calls they have made, and prompt them
to give quickly and generously. Ask God to even raise up new donors,
unknown to the girls, and manifest His mighty power and glorify His Name.
Thanks for praying. I appreciate your involvement in this way.
NOW TO THE MAIN THING:
Prayer request #2 so attracted my attention that I wrote a personal note
to Cliff Luckhurst, a missionary of 23 years in Croatia, expressing my
burden and commitment to pray.
In response he sent me a copy of the article that appeared in the paper.
Here is that copy.
On the 25th March 2001 one of Croatia's leading papers "Vjecernji List"
known and respected for its level headed reporting carried the Headlines
"The largest Satanist Gathering in the World!"
The article continues "In a weeks time 3000 Satanists will be calling up
the Devil. In preparation for this gathering satanic worshipers have
begun an ever increasing number of desecration of childrens graves,
child kidnappings and raping of women, claims occultist Sarah Z.
"During the first two weeks of April 2001, the largest gathering of
Satanists in the world will take place. 3000 Satanists from the USA,
England, Germany, Italy and other European Countries as well as
representatives from all of the Republics arising out of the break up of
the Former Yugoslavia, will arrive here. Our informant is 33 year old
Sarah Z a Zagreb occultist and spiritualist, was confirming the
information contained in the satanic magazine Black.
"She claims that the Satan worshipers have already begun preparations for
the gathering with increasing numbers of desecration of childrens
graves, kidnapping of children and raping of women. She added that the
outbreak of a bloody war in the East (I presume the Gulf war), and the
complete chaos of the worlds weather system are simply the result of
magic by which the devil is announcing his arrival.
"They are very dangerous. Some of the things that Satanists do are not
generally known. For example cannibalism, ritual slaying of people and
animals. Many graves are empty, dead bodies disappear from mortuaries
"There is no way that their identity can be discovered or that they can
be arrested. They are too powerful! They are mostly rich people and
people in high places in society. Among them are priests, actors, singers
and politicians.
The article goes on to say that the Satanists brotherhood and sisterhood
began in Croatia 24 years ago in Varazdin. This information was given by
27 year old Josip M. from Split who is a member of the Church of Lucifer
and of the Satanist brotherhood. He also said that there are six Satanist
groups in Croatia totalling over 100 members and a seventh group made up
exclusively of women, witches, which is shrouded in mystery even for the
other Satanists.
Celebrate and Enjoy.
"Our worst enemy is the church which forbids free choice and freedom.
That is the opinion of the greatest psychiatrist and thinker of the
century Carl Gustav Jung, whose knowledge from the area of occultism and
Alchemy agrees with the thinking of Szandora la Yeya who in 1996 created
the first Satanist church" we were told by a brown haired man from Split
who declined to comment on the April gathering in Zagreb but quoted the
British Warlock Alistier Crowley who was renounced by the church as the
worst Satanist of the century. "Celebrate and enjoy!"
He went on to tell us that based on the teaching of Crowley the "Order of
the Eastern Temperas s (O.T.O.) meets in Velika Gorica, a town on the
outskirts of Zagreb. The leader of the O.T.O. Ranko Blazekovic, who is
also the high priest of the organisation, says "We are waiting for the
new law regulating religious organisations to come into force then we
will go public."
Why Croatia?
A. New laws on regulating religious groups will soon come into force in
Croatia. The Satanists are planning to legally be registered. Under the
new law the Christian church will not be allowed to say anything negative
about other registered groups. That means that Christians will not be
allowed to warn against the dangers of Satanism. The punishment will be
the closing of the church.
B. Croatia, along with the other republics of Former Yugoslavia, has
experienced centuries of bloodshed. Much bloodshed and the massacre of
civilians took place in Croatia during the recent war making it a ripe
place for powerful magic and curses of Satanism.
C. The Evangelical church is small weak and struggling. Croatian
population is 4,500,000 but there are only about 4,000 born again
Christians. The prayer movement is at the beginning stages. There are not
many intercessors. The Roman Catholic church here is very much centred
around Mary worship. Croatia has been dedicated to the Queen of Heaven
(who feeds on death and occultism.)
D. There is a spirit of death over the land.
E. The Knights Templars had several centres and large estates in Croatia
during the times of the Crusades (middle ages) and they practised black
magic and the black mass. Modern day Templars O.T.O. are planning to go
public.
F. Before the recent war in the former Yugoslavia a group of Satanists
came to Croatia and cursed the area with war and bloodshed. This
information was given by a former British Satanist after he was converted
to Christianity. They may be uniting to enjoy the fruit of their work!
G. The ten yearly population census in Croatia will take place from the
1st. to the 15th. April 2001. The same time as the Satanist gathering.
Foreigners resident here are included in the census. Although as tourists
these Satanists from abroad would not be included in the census they may
have plans to be included. In this census everyone will have to state to
which religion they belong to. An exaggerated figure of how many
Satanists there are in Croatia would give Satanism a lot of credibility.
WHY CHRIST CAME:
My dear friend, the Bible is clear that, among other things, Jesus came
to destroy the works of the Devil (I John 3:8). Because my letter is
already too long, I can't take the time to develop the concept, but
suffice it to say that the Devil is the one primarily responsible for
man's fall in the first place, and God sent His only Son, our Lord Jesus
Christ, to expose Satan for who he really is, show us how he really
operates, help us know what his true motive is, and ---- most importantly
of all ---- demonstrate for us His own personal total victory over this
prince of darkness.
When you and I became believers in Jesus as Savior and Lord, we
automatically were enlisted in the mighty army of God. And, it is no
place for shirkers, but only the strong of heart. Satan, as an
intimidator, deceiver, liar, and destroyer, is attempting again to
rebuild his own kingdom that was so soundly shut down at the Cross.
That's what this season of the year is all about. Yesterday we
celebrated what we call Palm Sunday ---- the day when Jesus made His
"triumphal entry" into Jerusalem.
Did you ever notice the first thing Jesus did when He entered the city?
He headed straight for the temple.
Now, if He was indeed preparing to set up His kingdom as His disciples
believed, then He'd have gone elsewhere first. You don't overthrow a
system by going to the temple.
If He were going to set up a military kingdom, He'd have galloped in on a
white stallion followed by soldiers rather than ride in on a donkey's
colt and followed by a bunch of ragamuffin Galileans, and would have gone
directly to the headquarters of the Roman Army to defeat them.
If He were going to establish a political kingdom, He'd have headed for
Herod's house, announced a coup de tat and demanded Herod's resignation.
If He were going to establish a "people's" movement as a folk hero whom
many felt He was, He'd have gone to the masses and instigated a riot and
ground swell against the establishment.
If He were going to create a religious kingdom, He'd have gone directly
to the house of Caiaphas and announced that his days of religious bigotry
and denominational domineering were gone.
But He didn't do any of that . . . . . because He didn't come for any of
those reasons.
He headed straight for the temple.
Why?
Because that's where the problem was, and He came to fix the problem.
So, how was He planning on fixing the problem of religious legalism and
deadness?
By cleansing the temple.
And my friend, that is always going to be the starting place when it
comes to doing battle against Satan and his minions.
But we forget that ---- except maybe during revival meetings . . . . or
around Easter.
Jesus had the right to do what He did. Matthew 21:13 reveals that He
identified the temple as "My" house. Not the scribes, not the Saducees,
not the Pharisees, not even the peoples'.
It was His house, and His alone. Therefore, He had the right to cleanse
it and run out all the religious legalists and the materialistic
merchandisers of religion who were taking advantage of the people.
If Satan is going to be vanquished in Croatia ---- or any other place
---- we must first recognize that Jesus has the absolute legal right to
cleanse the temple, the Church of the living God. A dirty army is a sick
army; a sick army is a weak army; a weak army is an inept army; an inept
army is . . . . . a defeated army.
There were some reasons for Jesus to cleanse the temple on that first
"Palm Sunday".
First, the religious leaders had compromised the holiness of God by
allowing sin and merchandising to enter its grounds.
Then they had also perverted the purposes of God, because the temple was
to be a place from which God would forgive, bless, heal, restore, and
cleanse His people. While the ritual of it all was still in place, the
reality of it was often nowhere to be found in the hearts of men and
women around about.
Finally, they had also prohibited the power of God. They had turned a
dynamic, living, entity of true spirituality into a lifeless and futile
exercise of religious exercise no more beneficial than the pagan
religions of Rome all around them.
When Jesus cleansed the temple, something astounding happened ---- it
began to look like it was intended to look. The blind saw, the lame
walked, the deaf heard, the dumb spoke. That should have come as no
surprise to anybody, because Jesus had announced that intent in Capernaum
three years earlier when He declared His public ministry by reading
Isaiah 61.
And, of course, the people knew of His ministry of more than three years;
even the Pharisees knew it, so much so, in fact, that they had already
initiated a plan to take Him captive and destroy Him because of how His
life and ministry exposed their own hypocrisy and failure.
There was also, as you might expect, a negative reaction to His cleansing
the temple. Sounds like today's religious world.
Verse 15 in Matthew 21 tells us that the religious leaders became
"indignant" ---- so much so that, according to Mark 11:18, they sought to
seize and destroy Him.
And, that's where the rub comes, my friend, when it pertains to coming
against the already defeated powers of darkness. Too much of the
religious world not only resists the temple getting all cleaned up, but
they also rebel violently against anything and anyone that exposes the
deadness of their own systems by manifesting miraculous, life-changing
power ---- the power of God.
IN CONCLUSION:
I know I've rambled somewhat today in my note to you, but I want to bring
us back to this one fundamental truth ---- the believers in the former
Yugoslav countries are family. They're a part of the rest of us. You
can never call them "they", because they are not "they" ---- they are
part of "we".
If these projected things come into being in Croatia, it will not be
because they are bad people, or they as believers did not take this issue
seriously. It will be because "we" stood by and did nothing.
You may ask what you can do. It's quite simple. I know of two things
you and I could immediately do.
First, invite Jesus to cleanse the temple of our own hearts so that
absolutely nothing stands in the way as we cry out to God in behalf of
our Christian brothers and sisters over there ---- or anywhere, for that
matter. We must be sure that, as we intercede for the lost, there is
"nothing between my soul and my Savior".
Second, become a prayer warrior ---- one who will fight . . . and fight .
. . and fight . . . as long as it takes in order to make sure the forces
of evil trying to take over the land of the Balkans. They have indeed
suffered enough.
Of course, you should have the same attitude for your locale as well, for
they, too, have suffered enough.
As I read the letter and article that Cliff Luckhurst sent me, I began to
understand more clearly why the Slavic nations have had such hardship.
>From the very first time I stood on the Dalmatian Coast of the Adriatic,
I have been asking myself that question.
I think I see the answer more clearly now. Someday I'll write a little
about the history and heritage of those people. Their lineage is traced
all the way back to Gomer, one of Noah's grandsons. There are incredible
spiritual dynamics that have pulsated through the centuries of Slavic
history.
We are now seeing some of the latest developments before our very eyes
---- this week and last ---- as Satan again seeks to "steal, kill, and
destroy".
Praise God, and hallelujah to the Lamb that "it was to this end that
Jesus came ---- to destroy the works of the Devil!"
Live in His Victory today, my friend.
In His Bond of Conquering Love,
Bob Tolliver ---- (Rom 1:11-12)
Copyright April, 2001. All rights reserved.
P.S. In just seven weeks, Jo Ann and I will again return to the Balkans.
We already have a full agenda, but after reading this disturbing account
above, I have an exceptional burden to minister to the believers there in
a special way. Would you please pray that God will open special doors
for us that we might stand with these brothers and sisters in Christ, and
might also bring encouragement and challenge to them as they "fight the
good fight of faith".
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Hang in there! I'm with you!
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