The Sorcerer's Assistants
Once upon a time there was a powerful Sorcerer who had two young assistants, named John and Martin. They were foolish boys, not at all interested in serving their master, but only in competing with one another. You see, they loved being known as the Sorcerer's assistants, and each boy wanted their village to see them as the one who is closest to the Sorcerer. They tried to grow beards like him, but produced only meager sprouts. They tried to wear his clothes when he was away, but looked ridiculous in such large sizes.And because of their foolishness, they paid little attention when the Sorcerer often said, "Remember, my sons, that I was born a sorcerer, and you were not. Since you can never become a sorcerer, do not consider yourselves apprentices, like that stupid mouse. You are privileged to be my assistants, and nothing more."
One day, the Sorcerer announced he would be traveling for two weeks to collect the ingredients for a new potion. He said to John and Martin, "My sons, I am leaving and will not return for a fortnight. I have written a note to each of you regarding your responsibilities during this time, which are many. Do not read each others' notes, and do nothing apart from what is written in them. If you have trouble fulfilling these duties, consult the Great Manual, and you will find the answer you need. Goodbye for now!"
The Sorcerer turned around and in a moment, he was gone. The boys found their notes and read them silently.
"Oh man!" John said. "I can't do all this stuff! What does yours say?"
"Forget it!" spouted Martin. "I'm not showing you mine."
John walked to the window to see his master strolling down the path and over the hill. "Hey Martin! Have you ever wondered what's in all those spellbooks on the wall?"
"Maybe." John walked over to a tall shelf and scanned the titles. When he found an interesting one, he pulled it down and started leafing through it.
"Hey! Here's that spell that makes him invisible!" John recited a long list of nonsense, and then stood there while nothing happened.
"No, that's not it," Martin said, "You've got to pronounce the J's like Y's" Martin recited it again accordingly. Again, nothing happened.
"Well, maybe it's the inflection."
"No it's not... give me that!"
Sadly, things continued along this vein for the entire two weeks. John and Martin made a complete mess of the Sorcerer's home, and managed to turn a few lamps into ducks. And then, to their shock, the Sorcerer was standing before them.
"Is it safe to assume, my sons, that you have completed nothing on your lists?"
"No... it was too much, Master!"
"Did you consult the Assistant's Manual?" They said nothing.
"No, of course you didn't. I should punish you severely for the damage you have done, but I will not." The boys shot each other a glance of relief. The Sorcerer continued, "Instead I have merely replaced you. Say hello to Austin and Keisha." John and Martin couldn't say a word as they were ushered out, all they could think about was how young and silly Austin and Keisha looked. How could Master choose them? What was He thinking?
------------------------
We have our instructions. But how much time do we spend actually carrying them out, as opposed to splitting theological hairs with each other, or trying to reproduce a work of God on our own? After decades of neglect, many, many Christian leaders will be shocked to see God replace them with their spiritual "inferiors".
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Posted at 4:13 PM
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Yesterday before I started my work, I needed to read something fun ~ entertaining or thought provoking… Reading something new (assuming I am interested) gives me courage to face the day.
So I opened my email expecting to find the usual 10 to 20 pieces of SPAM, which I found and deleted ---before moving on to the Internet and Web Sites I like, or whatever…
…In the middle of the SPAM was The CORE News…..just what the “doctor ordered”.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading the new CORE Blog, so I promptly forwarded it to my husband.
Usually my husband says nothing until I ask him; but this time, in a half hour or so, he came out of his office and said (paraphrased):
“Just read the CORE Blog – that was very good”
I agreed with him.
Thank you for the “Sorcerer’s Assistants”
By the way, many times God does not replace Christian leaders with their spiritual inferiors. Quite often, God will simply give the job to a new generation of Spiritual Leaders who are anointed for the purpose of continuing the work of their Ancestors on Earth as it is in Heaven, and in Heaven on Earth as it is in the Eternal City.
On the other hand, even Spiritual Inferiors can carry on the work of their Spiritual Superiors if they only believe in Christ and the Bride of Christ. Belief is the only requirement… not brains, not power, not money, not superior spiritual or prophetic understanding, only Belief in what their Superiors were attempting to convey.
This is true, even if their spiritual superiors were not successful in their life-long attempts.
Thank you very much, Ariel. I appreciate the encouragement.
But just so you're aware, I put quotes around "inferiors" in the phrase spiritual "inferiors" because I wanted to suggest that they were not really inferior at all, but rather, that is the perspective of the established leaders.
Thank you for explaining the sarcasm of “inferiors” because I was not aware….I agree, many established leaders become “know-it-alls” as though they have a “corner on the market” when it comes to knowledge about God and their "sheep" (or subordinates) are mere “inferiors”
Yes, you are most probably correct in that ‘head honchos’ in the church tend to think that they are better qualified, or at least have more knowledge than their “inferiors”….. For this reason, in the mid 80’s, after literally searching the world for a CHURCH that might accept my prophecy and me God finally said to my heart and mind:
“Stop Ariel! Stop looking. I accept you but they will not accept you [referring to various and sundry Christian and Messianic denominations] Now, I want you to begin your own Church.”
Anyway, thanks for explaining...
I think it's important to note that different "body parts" have different functions. God clearly tells us through His Word that He creates some people for "noble" and "common" purposes. He also clearly says (and this should be very plain to anyone with a rational thinking brain) that some people are more skilled, experienced, and/or knowledgeable than others, and that we should submit ourselves to their mentorship (He also inversely tells those holding these qualifications to train up others). So I do think it's absolutely foolish to say that God always (to quote Him again) "uses the weak to lead the strong" in the sense that we understand it. When He says this, he is not referring to one's degree of knowledge or ability, but whether or not they are humble with what they have. Not that He doesn't sometimes call people with little Biblical knowledge, ministry experience, or charisma to serve as leaders in the Church. He does. But He always equips those He calls, without fail. And lest we lean on the false interpretation of this truth--that the call generally comes before the impartation of the gift--let's not forget that God knows from infinity past what He is calling us to do, and has been using our entire lives previously to prepare us for what He may later reveal to us that He has called us to do. So when we consider whether we believe God is calling us to do something, let us not forget the absolute necessity of looking at the circumstances of our past and present, and the giftings that He had made manifest in us, in order to understand whether it is He who is calling, or merely our flesh.
That said, don't misinterpret my intentions and think that I'm standing up for the leader that "lords his authority" over others. That's clearly unbiblical as well. And I will "Amen" the general point you are trying to make. But I think the distinguishing factor for up-and-coming leaders is vision, not qualification. If the Church is to be healthy in the future and accomplish its mission, then it will need leaders who know the Bible extremely well from cover to cover, are able to interpret it correctly, are able to apply it effectively, and have proven that they have submitted themselves to it consistently. There are many, many innovative leaders in our past to whom we owe a tremendous amount of gratitude and respect. May we not, for one minute, start thinking that all the "old fogeys" are like ostriches with their heads in the sand, and we are like eagles soaring on the wind. Someone passed the Gospel along to you. Someone taught you the Bible and helped you apply it to your life. Someone translated it into language you could understand. Someone did all the research and hard work to write the many books that have influenced your life and helped make the person you are today. These did not come without a price tag for them, and they did not come about by sitting around touting their calling. They came by careful, diligent theological study, and rigorous, gracious service in the name of Christ.
If there is one thing that is going to trip up our generation, it will be our arrogance and disregard for our elders. May this not prove true for us.
I agree with you 100% beloved.
Only I need you to know that I don't see anything "ageist" in my blog. There is no "older vs. younger" or "educated vs. uneducated" in it. The two main points are this:
1) Much more time has been spent arguing over our secondary doctrines than fulfilling our primary purposes. I think you got that.
2) Those who consider themselves worthy of the call of God will always be replaced by those who seem completely unworthy to them. This could be a factor of age, culture, education, charisma, talent, appearance, or any number of things. I see people of all ages and backgrounds who consider themselves worthy. So it's not an issue of one demographic replacing another at all... it's completely a matter of the heart.
I guess I sensed a stereotype in the very last sentence that a large percentage of current leaders (the overwhelming majority of whom are much older than us) were completely off track and that we youngins with the big dreams were on deck to take their places. I wouldn't say that you said anything "age-ist" but by deduction, you certainly eliminated the probability that you were referring to anyone besides our elders with regard to arrogance. Not that that's what you intended. It's just the impression I got. But more than that, I'm responding to Ariel's responses, which are blatantly anti-anyone-who-opposes-her-regime.
"God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble." (James 4:6)
Beloved, you said:
“If the Church is to be healthy in the future and accomplish its mission, then it will need leaders who know the Bible extremely well from cover to cover..”
I agree with you. Then you go on to say:
“..and ARE ABLE TO INTERPRET IT CORRECTLY…”
With all due respect, Leaders of the Christian Church, for 1500 plus years, have been in violent opposition and disagreement about the interpretation of Scripture.
This also holds true for Jewish Rabbis and Scholars who have abjectly disagreed with each other over interpretation for about 10,000 years.
(Side Note:
I know the Hebrew Bible says something like 5000 years but it is acutally 10,000 years according to my prophecy. And according to Simcha Jacobovici’s 21st work it is something like 8000 years)
The point is, this 10,000 year disagreement explains all of the various and sundry denominations in the Christian Church and Jewish Synoquogue.
And, this is why the ‘Coreman’ thinks we should stop splitting theological hairs and try to reproduce a work of God on our own.
My late sister, a Messianic Jew, who studied the Bible for 34 years, as a Believer in Christ, an incredibly smart woman, and a member of the Messianic & Christian world for 34 years, once said: (paraphrased)
“I have found that anyone can support any side of an argument through Scripture. Leaders [in the Church] disagree all the time and support their argument through Scripture…”
From my own 30 year experience with the Chrurch (and my sister) no Leaders or Beleivers agree accept for their basic belief that Jesus is the Messiah.
So, what is the answer, one might ask?
Will, not only to shut-up, believe and get to work as the Coreman says, but also to not discount the Prophets that God brings to us... to not ostracize the Prophet and think they are crazy or ‘too weird’ because their interpretation may not follow the standard traditional, legalistic and fundamentalist bigotry of the day.
How can the Body of Christ ever be reunified if we continue to discount the Prophets that God sends to us for the purpose of truly interpreting the Scriptures? Answer: Never. We can never be reunified unless and until the Body of Christ recognizes the HEART of the Body; and the HEART is the Prophet.
From my experience, the “leaders” of the Christian Church are the worst offenders. They will not believe the TRUTH for anything, lest their physical, mental & spiritual “boat” be rocked.
The current traditional leaders of the established Christian Church are completely comparable to the Pharisees, Scribes and Sadducees of Jesus’ day and time. Not only will they stubornly not change because they have a nitch carved out for themselves, there is also the factor of TRUTH. And what is the opposite of TRUTH? Falsehood. False belief in the Church and Synogogue.
I think JFK said it best, however I will quote New Israel’s entire list about TRUTH, from our most recent publication…
..But first, here is JFK’s quote because he said it best:
The enemy of Truth is not always the lie, dishonest and deceitful. The greatest enemy of Truth is very often the myth ~ persuasive, persistent, and not true.
~JFK~
The following is from our publication:
T R U T H
All great advancements and discoveries have at one time encountered violent opposition from mediocre minds.
~ Albert Einstein ~
Universal Truth can be suppressed only for a time. But there will always come a period of history when the Truth can no longer be suppressed. ~ Unknown ~
Ignorance meets with the same fate as willful disobedience; incapacity meets with the same punishment as crime.
~ Thomas Huxley ~
The enemy of Truth is not always the lie, dishonest and deceitful. The greatest enemy of Truth is very often the myth ~ persuasive, persistent, and not true.
~JFK~
Spiritual, Prophetic and Scientific Truth need to be what they are: no more, no less. The TRUTH does not require a perception of being true, nor does it need to be fair, polite, politically correct or expedient.
The Truth about God and Science is the Truth in whatever form it happens to take, regardless of the legalistic & fundamentalist standard, tradition and bigotry of the day.
~ The Prophet
I will now attempt to shut-up and reproduce another work of God, per the Coreman’s instructions. But, maybe I should shut-up and reap the rewards of my 30 year labor for New Israel. I do not know how, though. Any suggestions ~ Coreman? Anyone?
~~~~~~~~~/~~~
beloved, your new comment was snide, and it will be appropriately filed.
I guess I don't have any suggestions for this time. Just to make sure that we are taking the totality of God's scripture into account, and that we never over-emphasize "key verses."
But I do need to correct another misunderstanding, Ariel, because you seem to think I have recommended reproducing a work of God when I am saying just the opposite. We often try to overextend our authority by creating a "work of God" all by ourselves. The point is that we need to follow His direction, and leave the rest up to Him.
Beloved... in my story, I was merely using age as an example of one of the things that will make the successors seem less qualified. But I don't blame you for your perception.
Watch out for ad hominem attacks, and try to avoid proudly criticize someone's pridefulness.
This post has been removed by a blog administrator.
This post has been removed by a blog administrator.
Dear Readers:
This blog exists to encourage challenging ideas and intriguing, authentic discussion.
As the owner of this blog, I believe in exercising basic blog etiquette. On my part, that means not deleting comments unless absolutely necessary. Even if I don't like what's being said, I am not interested in censoring ideas.
However, I also expect commenters on this blog to uphold certain standards of consideration for one another. Yes, feel free to dispute ideas vigorously. But this blog is no place for personal attacks or rebukes. When you disagree, say so, and back up your words with facts, stories or examples. Do not attack the writer. When you are attacked, please respond with kindness, and (if you desire) a rational defense.
And also please steer clear of self-promotion within your comments.
I deleted the last two comments because they have each broken at least one of these rules.
If you choose to be fair, Coreman, you should also censor “Beloved’s” comment of 8:59 AM above which states:
“..But more than that, I'm responding to Ariel's responses, which are blatantly anti-anyone-who-opposes-her-regime.”
As you said Ryan:
“…expect commenters on this blog to uphold certain standards of consideration for one another...this blog is no place for personal attacks or rebukes..”
If “Beloved” saying: “anti-anyone-who-opposes-her-regime” is not a personal attack, then nothing is.
Another subject that you brought up, Coreman, which is near and dear to my heart, is “reproducing works of God”. Artists reproduce works of God all the time.
I think it was best explained by Michelangelo who said:
“True painting is the perfection of God”
If you visit the Nelson Art Gallery in Kansas City, MO you will see these words written, in relief form, on the outside of the building.
I think it was Michel. who said something to this effect:
‘Art deals with things forever incapable of definition. Among these things are love, beauty, splendor, truth, worship. Regardless of the words pouring from Mankind’s soul, we will never completely explain this eternal realm as completely as it is manifest in and through the Arts.
The shapes, powers, and glory of eternal Art is forever building, unbuilding and rebuilding in the soul of each person, and the soul of the world. Without this ideal – the world is slipping towards doom, for the soul has greater need of the ideal than of the real. It is by the real that we exist or subsist; it is by the ideal that we live.’
If true painting is the perfection of God, and I believe that it is, then some contemporary art in America is nothing more than a reflection of evil.
Art should never be censored, (just as the written word should never be censored) but it is my opinion that American contemporary Art, generally speaking, has become an abomination in the eyes and heart of God. Social commentary is always needed but many Artists carry it way too far.
I believe the Holy Spirit of Christ creates and I believe that the Evil Spirit of the Devil creates. And, of course, the Human Spirit Creates.
In my opinion, “reproducing a work of God” means following the Holy Spirit of Christ and the Bride of Christ, from within our heart and mind, & working from this point of reference.
Music, Art, Literature, Dance, Theatre, if true, should be the perfection of God.
When you say “reproduce a work of God” I take this quite literally because I spent a good portion of my life attempting to do just that.
Ariel,
Although I don't like the phrase "anti-anyone-who-opposes-her-regime", at least he is referring to your comments and not to your character.
Plus, if I deleted that, I would have to delete the entire comment, which I feel also contains useful words, which, if they went missing, would break the flow of conversation.
When in doubt, I will leave it in. I deleted one of yours and one of his. I'll choose to stop there.
As far as reproducing works of God, I agree with what you're saying, I think we're just defining the word "reproducing" differently. You're talking about honoring God with creative expression, which is wonderful. I was talking about trying to slap together an artificial work of God and pass it off as real. For instance, if you painting a painting, then told people that God painted it, that would be bad. Just like if somebody planned out the most inspiring music and the most heart-wrenching monologue, complete with tears and shouts, to work people into a revivalist frenzy. I've seen it many times, and I believe it's dead wrong.
Thank you for your explanation and comment about "reproducing a work of God". And thank you for your comment that you do not like the phrase:
“anti-anyone-who-opposes-her-regime.”
Regime is the operative word here.
As an artist my entire life, few people believe in the Freedom of the Human Being and the Human Spirit more strongly than I do.
‘Freedom To Be’ has always been a great great part of my Ministry.
The fascist-oriented mentality of certain Christian and Jewish Authoritarians, is completely abhorrent and egregious to people, such as me, who believe in the Freedom to Be --- Free.
So, when “Beloved” used the word “REGIME” it not only hit a dissonant cord in my heart and soul, it is completely the opposite of what I stand for and what is in my heart of hearts.
I believe, eternally, what I believe. I have knowledge of ‘end-time’ or ‘last-day’ Scripture that the average person does not have. As a child of God and a Free American citizen, I have the right, per the U.S. Constitution, to publish my knowledge…..
….But anyone who knows me, knows that I never force my views on anyone else.
My belief system only dictates one thing, and that is:
The Universal Truth of Freedom for everyone.
Human beings have countless “shades of gray” because of an infinite amount of reasons since the fall of Adam and Eve. People with a “fascist-oriented” mentality are usually very insecure, which is why they become authoritarian in their mind-set. They have found something they believe in and damn the rest of the world because they are “RIGHT”.
But Freedom, as our President says time and again, is a gift from God that every human being should have.
“anti-anyone-who-opposes-her-regime.” was not only a snide remark, it is the exact opposite of my entire existence; though I hope that some day people will better understand my interpretations of the Holy Scriptures, specifically ‘end-time’ knowledge and understanding.
Which brings to mind a great artist who was censored for his knowledge of Scripture: Leonardo Da Vinci…
Leonardo’s inventions and writings were so controversial that the Church leaders considered him to be a Heretic.
Due to Leonardo da Vinci’s writings about his own discoveries and making logical extrapolation based on his inventions and discoveries, he was able to explain some of the events in the Bible as being due to man’s technology and not due to “miracles” of God. This was considered to be very heretical. It was lessening the “Glory of God”. The Church did not appreciate his interpretation of various Prophets of the Old Testament such as Elijah, Ezekiel and Isaiah.
The Catholic Church, in a desperate attempt to keep the Peasants illiterate and ignorant, kept their Biblical interpretations Fantastical and Magical. The ‘Holy Church’ lumped the happenings in the Bible under one general category, which was: “The Glory of God”.
But Leonardo was Light Years ahead of the Church and Light Years ahead of his time. He would expound upon and show reasons why the Bible was referring to things Man could do (and, in fact, Man did sooner or later) rather than the mindless interpretation of the Church’s one and only category: “The Glory of God”.
Leonardo was censored by the established Church; and the Church’s “accusation mentality”, that St. John calls the ACCUSER in Revelation 12: 7 – 10, has, unfortunately, resurfaced in the United States. It began to resurface approximately 30 years ago.
Thank you for that, Ariel.
I agree that we should never force our views on anyone. Some people do that overtly, and others do it in more subtle ways.
One of the primary characteristics of The Core, I believe, is to not alienate socially those who disagree with us, because to do so is a form of forcing our beliefs on people. No matter how long a person hears the truth and fails to believe, we still want to love them and build relationships with them.
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