Barabbas

Ecce Homo by Antonio Ciseri (1821-1891)

The following is an excerpt from the ten-page article: Barabbas by E.E. Brooks

Is it any wonder that those who claim to the Sons of God today are persecuted by the religious leaders of our day? Those who set up denominational walls and keep people within their confines are the modern day Pharisees. They make up things and masquerade them as truth. They say, “Thus saith the Lord”, when He never said such a thing. They may even do miracles of healing, and use them as an endorsement from God. They say, “See how many were healed? I must be anointed!” In reality it is only proof of the goodness of God, in spite of their Phariseeical ways. Those who say, “I am anointed”, are really saying, “I am Christ!” These are strong words, but no stronger than the words Jesus used toward them in His day. Most people think that Satan’s ministers are those in the Occult or devil worship, but he also has ministers in every single major denomination. I agree that those ministers are not aware they are really of their father the Devil, but that does not change the fact that they are. Probably the biggest lie that is being taught is the so-called “rapture”. It simply will not happen, and is a subtle way to keep the Christian from finding the truth.

Barabbas was a murderer and a thief, but he did not claim to be a spiritual leader. God forgives those who acknowledge their sin, even if it includes murder. God used people like King David and Paul who were both guilty of murder. At some time of another that includes everyone reading this page. You do not have to physically kill anyone to be guilty of murder under the New Testament.

1 John 3:15, “Whosoever hated his brother is a murderer: and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him.”

I used to hate Barabbas because he was released instead of Jesus. Now I know that he and I were no different in God’s eyes. Jesus was angry with those who were misleading the people and telling them, “Thus saith the Lord.” He had mercy on the sinners who were in the deepest pit of sin, but read the riot act to the Pharisees. Ezekiel tells us about those who set up walls (denominations) that are whitewashed with false teachings, from so-called prophets who claim to have the word of the Lord.

Ezekiel 13:1-16 (NIV). . .

1 The word of the Lord came to me: 2 “Son of man, prophesy against the prophets of Israel who are now prophesying. Say to those who prophesy out of their own imagination: ‘Hear the word of the Lord! 3 This is what the Sovereign Lord says: WOE to the foolish prophets who follow their own spirit and have seen nothing! 4 Your prophets, Israel, are like jackals among ruins. 5 You have not gone up to the breaches in the wall to repair it for the people of Israel so that it will stand firm in the battle on the day of the Lord. 6 Their visions are false and their divinations a lie. Even though the Lord has not sent them, they say, “The Lord declares,” and expect him to fulfill their words. 7 Have you not seen false visions and uttered lying divinations when you say, “The Lord declares,” though I have not spoken?

8 “‘Therefore this is what the Sovereign Lord says: Because of your false words and lying visions, I am against you, declares the Sovereign Lord. 9 My hand will be against the prophets who see false visions and utter lying divinations. They will not belong to the council of my people or be listed in the records of Israel, nor will they enter the land of Israel. Then you will know that I am the Sovereign Lord.

10 “‘Because they lead my people astray, saying, “Peace,” when there is no peace, and because, when a flimsy wall is built (denomination?) , they cover it with whitewash (false doctrine?), 11 therefore tell those who cover it with whitewash that it is going to fall. Rain will come in torrents, and I will send hailstones hurtling down, and violent winds will burst forth. 12 When the wall collapses, will people not ask you, “Where is the whitewash you covered it with?”

13 “‘Therefore this is what the Sovereign Lord says: In my wrath I will unleash a violent wind, and in my anger hailstones and torrents of rain will fall with destructive fury. 14 I will tear down the wall you have covered with whitewash and will level it to the ground so that its foundation will be laid bare. When it falls, you will be destroyed in it; and you will know that I am the Lord. 15 So I will pour out my wrath against the wall and against those who covered it with whitewash. I will say to you, “The wall is gone and so are those who whitewashed it, 16 those prophets of Israel who prophesied to Jerusalem and saw visions of peace for her when there was no peace, declares the Sovereign Lord.”

They say there is going to be a rapture, but they have not heard the word of the Lord. They tell people there is no need to prepare for there is peace and no tribulation for Christians. They whitewash their words to deceive many. It is those religious leaders who are being used by Satan to mislead God’s people. They tell you that there is safety within the confines of their walls. They will try to scare you of the wolves outside the fold who will devour you, when in reality THEY are the wolves. They will tell you that you need to be under their covering to keep you from being deceived and getting into error. [Apostolics and Pentecostals take note here!]

Isaiah 30:1, “WOE to the rebellious children saith the LORD, that take counsel, but not of me; and that cover with a covering, but not of My Spirit, that they may add sin to sin.

They claim they will be your covering, but WOE to them and all who take cover there. Those who will be the Sons of God will be led by the Spirit, and not any denominational or manmade organization. The Spirit is the only covering you can trust.

Romans 8:14, “For as many as are led by the SPIRIT of God THEY are the Sons of God.”

Modern day Pharisees try to keep people in their groups and say, “Look how large our group is!” See how many thousands we have in our organization, there is surely safety here!”

Isaiah 31:1, “WOE to them that go down to Egypt for help; and stay on horses, and trust in chariots, becasue they are many; and in horsemen, because they are very strong: but they look not unto the Holy One of Israel, neither seek the LORD! (KJV)

Jeremiah 23:1-2, “WOE be unto THE PASTORS that destroy and scatter the sheep of my pasture! saith the Lord. 2 Therefore thus saith the Lord God of Israel against the pastors that feed my people; Ye have scattered my flock, and driven them away, and have not visited them: behold, I will visit upon you the evil of your doings, saith the Lord.

Ezekiel 13:3, “Thus saith the Lord God; WOE unto the foolish prophets, that follow their own spirit, and have seen nothing!

The organized church today is interested in making money and merchandising the word of God. They pretend to be helping people when in reality they feed upon the people by fleecing the flock. It is a sad state of affairs. They beg for money to keep this or that program and claim that it is the work of the Lord when it is no such thing. The wolves in sheep’s clothing today are the religious leaders in their 3-piece wool suits!

Ezekiel 34:2-3, “Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel, prophesy, and say unto them, Thus saith the Lord God unto the shepherds; WOE be to the shepherds of Israel that do feed themselves! should not the shepherds feed the flocks? 3 Ye eat the fat, and ye clothe you with the wool, ye kill them that are fed: but ye feed not the flock.

The leaders of the churches mentioned in the Book of Revelation were called the “angels of the Churches”. The word “angel” simply means MESSENGER, and can also refer to a PASTOR or a LEADER. Here is the Strong’s definition of the Greek word for “angel”: Strong’s #32 aggelos (ang’-el-os): (to bring tidings); a messenger; especially an “angel”; by implication, a pastor: KJV — angel, messenger.

It was always the “angel” of those churches to whom God was speaking when he rebuked them. The people of those churches were simply deceived by their whitewashing leaders.

“And the great dragon was cast out,

that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan,

which DECEIVETH THE WHOLE WORLD:

he was cast out into the earth,

and HIS ANGELS were cast out with him.”

Revelation 12:9

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