......... Hi, everybody. Was just rereading this series of posts and the phrase "the fellowship of His sufferings" jumped out at me.
This seems to say that fellowship is based on sharing the sufferings of Christ.
On the whole, however, the contemporary church seeks to avoid suffering (i.e. promote prosperity).
Perhaps this is why we're experiencing such a dearth of true fellowship ... there aren't many who desire it on these terms.
"As Appolus explains when the remnant are full of the power and presence of God it will expose the false church and the false church will drive the persecution against the remnant in these fast approaching last days.
"This is where conflict will come even unto death. Like the religious hated Jesus because he exposed them for what they were and they eventually killed him, so the religious today will hate the remnant because it will expose their lies and empty words and deeds." Peter Lawrence
This strikes home so much because of my recent experience in Jerusalem. The Lord set me right down in the middle of this false, lying church...[ They praised C. Peter Wagner, Jim Goll, and Kim Clement, who just "ministered" there, as prophetic hero's of the faith...]
I also became aware, for the first time in my life, of "THE SYNAGOGUE OF SATAN"....actual Satan worshippers, [ probably of the ancient Wikken clan..] who masqueraded as Messianic Jews, worshipped with singing, and quoted the Bible.
The Lord showed me them cursing me, and a strong demon was sent to me according to their curses. I felt like I would die, was blinded for a short time, and am still somewhat sick. Almost every day there..[ about 44..], I fought for my life, and was miserable. Yet, in the midst of that, I was comforted.
In the midst of the darkest attack, the Holy Spirit came to me, with a measure of joy, saying; " the worst is over now."...and it was. Members of that coven called me, and asked me..."How are you?"..when I knew they were amazed I survived.
The opposite side of the coin is now, that I did, they are exposed unto the Lord, and He is following me, and hears me, and others, that the Lord would remove them from the presence of one lamb, and diminish them as He rewards them according to their deeds. They will all fall into the pit that they have dug against me, and the Lord.
This is our inheritance. Yet, the land is now filled with Philistine kings; giants. As in Paul's day, and according to Matthew 10; "YOU SHALL BE HATED BY ALL!"
The clergy/laity, the religious systems, the emerging new-age church...[ Kundalini masters ] the NAR usurpers and all of the false prophets, and every "christian" that loves this present world and their own lives more than Jesus....they all will hate you; Read Jeremiah to get an idea of the misery of this calling..[ a man destined to be among the greatest in all of Heaven..]
We too will have our moment in the Sun...Remember Stephen...and our Lord. If unto the Master, what about His servants?
Praise God. PRAISE GOD. Thank you all for sharing in this edifying thread, He uses it to build me up.