POSTED 15 APRIL, 2004

Hold Fast to the Faith!

by Mark Huey
mhuey@outreachisrael.net

In the past day, I have been pummeled by a series of e-mails, phone calls, and news reports that have been very disturbing to my spirit. While serving the Messiah on the frontlines of His battle with the forces of evil, we have discovered that many who are sincerely seeking “truth” are often beguiled by the wiles of the Devil. At times, the recognition of these attempts to deceive the elect of God are obvious to the discerning, but occasionally the barrage is so intense that you are compelled to issue a warning to those who may not yet perceive the insidious nature of the deception. Today is such a time that will hopefully prompt some to consider the origin of the temptations—because we are firmly warned by the Messiah Himself, that if it were possible, His elect would be deceived:

“For false Messiahs and false prophets will arise and will show great signs and wonders, so as to mislead, if possible, even the elect” (Matthew 24:24).

With the politics of the United States and Israel in full electoral array, the reports emanating from worldly sources abound. These are to be expected, and without taking the time to distill all the decisions being made, all I will say is that God is in control with all that is happening. Certainly, gestures of sincerity are being made with the collective wisdom of people who have agendas, which in their minds are noble and just. But quite frankly, the geopolitical gyrations of peace-seeking leaders are not what have disturbed me the most. Instead, what is more disconcerting to me is the growing ability of men and women in the religious community to subtly propagate false beliefs to the unsuspecting masses. This, my friends, is something we should all be wary of in this hour of increasing delusion, especially in the Messianic community of faith.

Here in a season when Messianics should be counting the days between Passover and the Feast of Weeks, the Internet is being used as a tool of false prophets to direct many to consider the claims of those who have denied Messiah Yeshua. And because we are constantly being inundated by the shattered lives of those who embrace lies, our hearts are in turmoil. Indeed, our efforts to point seeking people to the merits of the whole counsel of God, have had to become the primary focus of Outreach Israel Ministries.

Now that I have been making a concentrated effort to seek His face by taking serious the Torah admonition to Count the Omer,[1] my sensitivity to what the Lord is doing has been heightened. This has been a tremendous blessing on one hand, but on the other, when hit by the luring bait of false teachers—the contrast is beyond good and evil. As Believers in the whole counsel of God, epitomized by the work accomplished by Yeshua—the Word made flesh—the need to choose life over death is a far more vivid choice.

It is my sincere exhortation that as you receive various invitations to read this or attend that or consider this, that you call upon the indwelling power of the Holy Spirit to inform you as to whether you should acknowledge those requests. If the Spirit is truly abiding in you, then when you call upon Him for understanding, comfort, and instruction—the Lord will be faithful to respond. Just the Apostle Paul warned the Believers of his era, his admonitions are still applicable in this day of strong delusion:

“Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption” (Ephesians 4:30).

“Rejoice always; pray without ceasing; in everything give thanks; for this is God's will for you in Messiah Yeshua. Do not quench the Spirit; do not despise prophetic utterances. But examine everything carefully; hold fast to that which is good; abstain from every form of evil” (1 Thessalonians 5:16-22).

Do not grieve or quench the Spirit of the Most High, but instead test everything that comes into your mailbox or across your computer screen. The enemy is indeed like a roaring lion, seeking to devour unsuspecting saints.

Until the restoration of all things…

Mark Huey (B.A., Vanderbilt University in History and Graduate Studies at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University) is the Director of Outreach Israel Ministries (www.outreachisrael.net). He is the author of several books, including: TorahScope, Volumes I & II, and Counting the Omer: A Daily Devotional Toward Shavuot. He is also co-author of Hebraic Roots: An Introductory Study.

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