My Father’s House
Jesus spoke these words to those who were buying and selling in the Temple at Jerusalem. “For it is written My Father’s House shall be called a House of Prayer, but you have made it a den of thieves.”
We no longer have the Temple at Jerusalem, however, we assemble in homes, Churches, and meeting rooms in cities and towns throughout the world. We do so, hopefully, in obedience to Hebrews chapter 10 verses 23 through 25 which says, ” Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;) And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.”
God looks upon those who gather and says “those that join themselves to the LORD, to serve him, and to love the name of the LORD, to be his servants, everyone that keepeth the sabbath from polluting it, and taketh hold of my covenant; Even them will I bring to my holy mountain, and make them joyful in my house of prayer:” We no longer sacrifice animals but we bring the spiritual sacrifices of praise, honor, thanksgiving, singing, and even the spiritual offering of a broken spirit and a contrite heart. To those God says “their burnt offerings and their sacrifices shall be accepted upon mine altar; for mine house shall be called an house of prayer for all people.”
God looks upon our assembling together. God has an angel at every gathering with a Book of Remembrance open, and the angel records everything. The place where we assemble together in His Name he calls A House of Prayer for All People.
This information is contained in Isaiah chapter 56. In verses 1 through 8 God speaks very kindly, softly, lovingly toward those who come to his House of Prayer.
Then in verses 9 through 12 he speaks about the leaders of those assemblies. The tone is strikingly different. Let’s take a look at Isaiah Chapter 56.
Isaiah Chapter 56
Isa 56:1 Thus saith the LORD, Keep ye judgment, and do justice: for my salvation is near to come, and my righteousness to be revealed.
Isa 56:2 Blessed is the man that doeth this, and the son of man that layeth hold on it; that keepeth the sabbath from polluting it, and keepeth his hand from doing any evil.
Isa 56:3 Neither let the son of the stranger, that hath joined himself to the LORD, speak, saying, The LORD hath utterly separated me from his people: neither let the eunuch say, Behold, I am a dry tree.
Isa 56:4 For thus saith the LORD unto the eunuchs that keep my sabbaths, and choose the things that please me, and take hold of my covenant;
Isa 56:5 Even unto them will I give in mine house and within my walls a place and a name better than of sons and of daughters: I will give them an everlasting name, that shall not be cut off.
Isa 56:6 Also the sons of the stranger, that join themselves to the LORD, to serve him, and to love the name of the LORD, to be his servants, everyone that keepeth the sabbath from polluting it, and taketh hold of my covenant;
Isa 56:7 Even them will I bring to my holy mountain, and make them joyful in my house of prayer: their burnt offerings and their sacrifices shall be accepted upon mine altar; for mine house shall be called an house of prayer for all people.
Isa 56:8 The Lord GOD which gathereth the outcasts of Israel saith, Yet will I gather others to him, beside those that are gathered unto him.
When that verse ends, God ceases to talk about His sheep. From the next verse to the end of the chapter, God turns his attention to the shepherds.
Isa 56:9 All ye beasts of the field, come to devour, yea, all ye beasts in the forest.
Isa 56:10 His watchmen are blind: they are all ignorant, they are all dumb dogs, they cannot bark; sleeping, lying down, loving to slumber.
Isa 56:11 Yea, they are greedy dogs which can never have enough, and they are shepherds that cannot understand: they all look to their own way, every one for his gain, from his quarter.
Isa 56:12 Come ye, say they, I will fetch wine, and we will fill ourselves with strong drink, and tomorrow shall be as this day, and much more abundant.
The shift in tone in this chapter is stunning. God describes his watchmen as blind, ignorant, dumb dogs, lazy, self-seeking, greedy, and careless. It is fitting that it ends by describing their attitude as seeking more abundance. This gospel of abundance has replaced the gospel of the kingdom of God.
Jesus attended two Passovers during His earthly ministry. One at the beginning of His ministry and one at the end of His ministry the night before His crucifixion. Both times He went up for the Passover He found people buying and selling in the temple during the Passover. Both times He took a whip to them and drove them out of the temple. Is there something wrong with doing a little business? After all, what is wrong with making a couple of bucks providing what the people need?
Since He did it two times, I guess you could say we have two witnesses as to how Jesus feels about it. I would like you to observe that it was not only the people selling that Jesus took a whip to, it was also the people buying.
John 2:13 And the Jews’ Passover was at hand, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem,
John 2:14 And found in the temple those that sold oxen and sheep and doves, and the changers of money sitting:
John 2:15 And when he had made a scourge of small cords, he drove them all out of the temple, and the sheep, and the oxen; and poured out the changers’ money, and overthrew the tables;
John 2:16 And said unto them that sold doves, Take these things hence; make not my Father’s house an house of merchandise.
The above passages from John 2 are the first Passover at the beginning of Jesus’ earthly ministry. Below is the account from Mark 11 about the second Passover right before His crucifixion.
Mark 11:15 And they come to Jerusalem: and Jesus went into the temple, and began to cast out them that sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the tables of the moneychangers, and the seats of them that sold doves;
Mark 11:16 And would not suffer that any man should carry any vessel through the temple.
Mark 11:17 And he taught, saying unto them, Is it not written, My house shall be called of all nations the house of prayer? but ye have made it a den of thieves.
Every disciple that Jesus called, Jesus called using the same two words, “Follow me”. This is the fundamental principle of discipleship, following Jesus. Even further, take up our cross daily and follow Him. So I ask you, did Jesus turn his ministry into a business? Did Jesus write any books? Did Jesus charge anyone for reading them and counseling them, or take up any offerings before or after healing all who are sick or oppressed by the devil?
The answer is no. But I will tell you what He did say about ministering with the gifts of the Holy Spirit, “Freely you have received, freely give”. You see if you truly have received anything from God, any teaching, any revelation, any gift of the Holy Spirit, you received it from God free of charge. Free of charge but not free of responsibility.
Let’s take a look at how Jesus instructed His disciples to go about ministering in the power and authority of the Holy Spirit.
Matt 10:1 And when he had called unto him his twelve disciples, he gave them power against unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all manner of sickness and all manner of disease.
Matt 10:5 These twelve Jesus sent forth, and commanded them, saying, Go not into the way of the Gentiles, and into any city of the Samaritans enter ye not:
Matt 10:6 But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.
Matt 10:7 And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand.
Matt 10:8 Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give.
Matt 10:9 Provide neither gold, nor silver, nor brass in your purses,
Matt 10:10 Nor scrip for your journey, neither two coats, neither shoes, nor yet staves: for the workman is worthy of his meat.
Matt 10:11 And into whatsoever city or town ye shall enter, enquire who in it is worthy; and there abide till ye go thence.
Matt 10:12 And when ye come into an house, salute it.
Matt 10:13 And if the house be worthy, let your peace come upon it: but if it be not worthy, let your peace return to you.
Matt 10:14 And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear your words, when ye depart out of that house or city, shake off the dust of your feet.
Matt 10:15 Verily I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrha in the day of judgment, than for that city.
Afterward, Jesus sent out seventy more, here are His instructions:
Luke 10:1 After these things the Lord appointed other seventy also, and sent them two and two before his face into every city and place, whither he himself would come.
Luke 10:2 Therefore said he unto them, The harvest truly is great, but the labourers are few: pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he would send forth labourers into his harvest.
Luke 10:3 Go your ways: behold, I send you forth as lambs among wolves.
Luke 10:4 Carry neither purse, nor scrip, nor shoes: and salute no man by the way.
Luke 10:5 And into whatsoever house ye enter, first say, Peace be to this house.
Luke 10:6 And if the son of peace be there, your peace shall rest upon it: if not, it shall turn to you again.
Luke 10:7 And in the same house remain, eating and drinking such things as they give: for the labourer is worthy of his hire. Go not from house to house.
Luke 10:8 And into whatsoever city ye enter, and they receive you, eat such things as are set before you:
Luke 10:9 And heal the sick that are therein, and say unto them, The kingdom of God is come nigh unto you.
Luke 10:10 But into whatsoever city ye enter, and they receive you not, go your ways out into the streets of the same, and say,
Luke 10:11 Even the very dust of your city, which cleaveth on us, we do wipe off against you: notwithstanding be ye sure of this, that the kingdom of God is come nigh unto you.
Luke 10:12 But I say unto you, that it shall be more tolerable in that day for Sodom, than for that city.
Jesus said nothing about starting churches, writing books, making cd’s, subscriptions, taking offerings, none of that. What Jesus did say was first heal the sick and then say the Kingdom of God has come near to you.
I have a warning about turning the teaching and preaching of the Word of God into a piece of merchandise….
2Pet 2:1 But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction.
2Pet 2:2 And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of.
2Pet 2:3 And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not.
Jude 1:11 Woe unto them! for they have gone in the way of Cain, and ran greedily after the error of Balaam for reward, and perished in the gainsaying of Core.
…Jesus took a whip, not to just the sellers, but to the buyers also. Turn away from these people, the apostles warned us about them.
Clearly, there are dedicated men and women of God in churches throughout the world. Wonderful, loving, passionate followers of Jesus in word, in deeds, and in truth doing their best every day to live in a way that will bring honor to God. Many know about the doctrine of Balaam who taught Balak to cast a stumbling block before the children of Israel but have not considered the error of Balaam who ran greedily after a reward from using his gift.
Isaiah 56 above describes people involved in the error of Balaam as blind Watchmen, greedy dogs, shepherds that cannot understand, and everyone wanting his gain, from his quarter. Such is the man who is interested in building his church and his ministry to satisfy his ambition and his income.
I have a personal message to every pastor, evangelist, teacher, prophet, or self-proclaimed apostle, who puts
his own name on God’s work.
It is not your ministry.
If you name your profession Kenneth Copeland Ministries, then you are ministering to Kenneth Copeland.
Furthermore, if you do not preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand and also heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, and cast out devils: then you are not proclaiming the gospel that Jesus taught.
And if you do all that, don’t you dare ask for a gift before, during, or afterward to support your ministry. It is not your ministry. Jesus never took up an offering and you should not either.
Finally, this is a word not only to pastors who have made themselves rich by devouring widows’ houses, but to every saint.
Mat 6:19 Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal:
Jesus said, DO NOT DO IT! Stock portfolios, 401k’s, fat savings accounts, large mansions, wealthy estates, expensive possessions, etc.
Mat 6:21 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.
Mat 6:24 No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.
The word mammon means wealth or possessions
10 Richest Pastors In The World & Net Worth 2022 [Forbes Ranking] https://richupdates.com/?p=1773
Kenneth Copeland ($300 Million)
Kenneth Copeland is the richest pastor in the world in 2022 with an estimated worth of $300 million. He is the founder of Eagle Mountain International Church located on a 1,500-acre campus near Fort Worth, Texas in the United States.
The campus has a private airstrip and hanger that houses a $17.5 million private jet and other aircraft and a $6 million lakefront mansion where he resides with his wife Gloria.
Matt 23:14 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye devour widows’ houses, and for a pretense make long prayer: therefore ye shall receive the greater damnation.
David Oyedepo ($200 Million)
David is the founder of Living Faith Bible Church also known as Winner’s Chapel International. The church has spread in different African cities, Dubai, the UK, and the United States.
Estimated to have a net worth of $200 million, David owns four private jets, a Mercedes-Benz C-Class, Land Cruiser, and summer houses in the UK and US.
David is also a Christian author, architect, and businessman. He works with his wife and children in overseeing the churches.
Mark 12:38 And he said unto them in his doctrine, Beware of the scribes, which love to go in long clothing, and love salutations in the marketplaces, 39 And the chief seats in the synagogues, and the uppermost rooms at feasts: 40 Which devour widows’ houses, and for a pretense make long prayers: these shall receive greater damnation.
T.D Jakes ($147 Million)
Bishop Jakes lives in a $1,700,000 mansion, he has been called America’s best preacher and has been featured on the cover of TIME magazine. He is a writer, preacher, and movie producer. Thomas Dexter “T. D.” Jakes, Sr. is the bishop/chief pastor of The Potter’s House, a non-denominational American mega church, with 30,000 members, located in Dallas, Texas. T.D Jakes wears custom-made suits and sports a diamond ring the size of a coin. This man of God has been endowed with a $147 million net worth.
Luke 20:45 Then in the audience of all the people he said unto his disciples, 46 Beware of the scribes, which desire to walk in long robes, and love greetings in the markets, and the highest seats in the synagogues, and the chief rooms at feasts; 47 Which devour widows’ houses, and for a shew make long prayers: the same shall receive greater damnation.
Chris Oyakhilome ($50 Million)
Joel Osteen ($40 Million)
Enoch Adeboye ($39 Million)
Creflo Dollar ($27 Million)
Benny Hinn ($25 Million)
T.B. Joshua ($10 Million)
Joseph Prince ($5 Million)
Megachurches, multi-media churches, churches of every denomination, churches on every corner, and the world is going to hell.
The church is now 2000 years into what should have been a 10-year plan to evangelize the world if we had only followed Jesus’ example.
Jesus’ earthly ministry lasted about 70 weeks if you include the 40 days after His resurrection. He only attended 2 Passovers. (the verse in John 6:4 incorrectly says “the Passover, a feast of the Jews, was nigh” in the Bible). Traditional teaching claims His ministry lasted 3 1/2 years but that is incorrect.
If you hold to the false teaching of a 3½ year ministry, and the scriptures are clear that He attended 2 Passovers, then the Passovers He did not attend means He did NOT fulfill the law, which means He was NOT a lamb without blemish, which means He was NOT a suitable sacrifice for your sins, which means your faith in His death is VAIN and you are NOT saved and are totally lost in sin.
Teachers need to consider the consequences of what they teach. Listeners need to think about what they are being taught.
Act 17:11 Now the Bereans were more noble-minded than the Thessalonians, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if these teachings were true.
From the time of Jesus’ baptism to the time of crucifixion was between 62 and 63 weeks just as it says in Daniel 9:26. Dan 9:26 And after threescore and two weeks shall Messiah be cut off, but not for himself: After 62 weeks but before 63 weeks. If you add the 3 days He was in the belly of the earth and the forty days after His resurrection you arrive at about 70 weeks.
Jesus’ method for preaching and teaching was to travel from place to place healing the sick, raising the dead, and casting out demons while discipling 12 men at the same time. If we had followed that formula exactly here is what the results would be.
Jesus 70 weeks 12 disciples
12 disciples 70 weeks 144 disciples
144 disciples 70 weeks 1728 disciples
1728 disciples 70 weeks 20,736 disciples
20,736 disciples 70 weeks 248,832 disciples
248,832 disciples 70 weeks 2,985,984 disciples
2,985,984 disciples 70 weeks 35,831,808 disciples
35,981,808 disciples 70 weeks 429,981,696 disciples
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Total 560 weeks 469,070,941 disciples
10 years and 9 months to disciple 469,070,941 people doing it Jesus’ way. That would have been everyone on Earth in the first century. One more 70-week cycle would be over 5 billion people. That would be 12 years and 1 month. So today in 13 to 14 years, we could disciple every man, woman, and child on earth.
We wouldn’t even need a single megachurch to get the job done. In fact, we wouldn’t need a single church building at all. Each disciple could teach his own 12 disciples in his own home.