AND AS HE SAT UPON THE MOUNT OF OLIVES, THE DISCIPLES CAME UNTO HIM PRIVATELY, SAYING, TELL US WHEN THESE THINGS SHALL BE? AND WHAT SHALL BE THE SIGN OF YOUR COMING, AND OF THE END OF THE WORLD? AND JESUS ANSWERED AND SAID UNTO THEM, TAKE HEED THAT NO MAN DECEIVE YOU. FOR MANY SHALL COME IN MY NAME, SAYING I AM CHRIST; AND SHALL DECEIVE MANY. AND YOU SHALL HEAR OF WARS AND RUMORS OF WARS, SEE THAT YOU BE NOT TROUBLED: FOR ALL THESE THINGS MUST COME TO PASS, BUT THE END IS NOT YET. FOR NATION SHALL RISE AGAINST NATION, AND KINGDOM AGAINST KINGDOM: AND THERE SHALL BE FAMINES, AND PESTILIENCES, AND EARTHQUAKES; IN DIVERS PLACES. ALL OF THESE ARE THE BEGINNING OF SORROWS. THEN THEY SHALL DELIVER YOU UP TO BE AFFLICTED, AND SHALL KILL YOU: AND YOU SHALL BE HATED OF ALL NATIONS FOR MY NAMES SAKE. AND THEN SHALL MANY BE OFFENDED, AND SHALL BETRAY ONE ANOTHER, AND SHALL HATE ONE ANOTHER. Matthew, Chapter 24, Verses 3-10.
Jesus told His Disciples of the many signs which would proceed His coming in the last days and the end of the World. Two of the signs Jesus specified were OFFENCES and people HATING one another. Early in 2014 the Lord spoke to me and told me that we were entering into a new season of OFFENCES, and it was imperative that His people not get caught up in the snares of OFFENCES. An OFFENCE is anything we may do or say that offends others in word or deed.
Many Christians do not have a clear understanding of what OFFENCES are and how they can adversely impact their life. There are many snares that lead to OFFENCE both to the Offender and the Offended. We need to understand that Satan is the source from which OFFENCES come. We need to know we can be delivered from the snares of the Serpent who is the instigator of all OFFENCES. We must understand how OFFENCES affect us in order that we may not fall prey to them. Many times people offend others without ever realizing they have offended them. Even a small difference of opinion can become a stumbling block and offence to people if we are not careful to confront them in a spirit of love and compassion.
The word “offence” is derived from the Greek word “skandalon.” Skandalon means “a stumbling block, occasion to fall and a thing that offends.” The word “scandal” is the English derivative of “skandalon.”
THE OFFENDERS
WOE UNTO THE WORLD BECAUSE OF OFFENCES! FOR IT MUST NEEDS BE THAT OFFENCES COME; BUT WOE TO THAT MAN BY WHOM THE OFFENCE COMETH. WHEREFORE IF YOUR FOOT OR YOUR HAND OFFEND YOU, CUT THEM OFF, AND CAST THEM FROM YOU: IT IS BETTER FOR YOU TO ENTER INTO LIFE HALT OR MAIMED, RATHER THAN HAVING TWO HANDS OR TWO FEET TO BE CAST INTO THE EVERLASTING FIRE. Matthew, Chapter 18, Verses 7-8.
In the above scriptures Jesus is addressing the Offender. In many places in the Bible trespasses and sins are defined as OFFENCES. It is not our place to condemn or judge others for their sins and trespasses or OFFENCES. Jesus rules and reigns upon the Judgment Seat. He is the judge, jury and executioner of all who trespass and offend. The LAW OF SIN AND DEATH is not negotiable. If people continue in their sins they will die in their sins. The wages of sin is death. Christ, our Judge, however does allow for some plea bargaining regarding our sin. If we admit our guilt and confess our sins, He is Faithful and just to forgive us of our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteous OFFENCES.
Offenders who do not repent of their sins will be judged without mercy. That is what the LAW OF SIN AND DEATH requires.
According to Jesus, in the last days OFFENCES and HATRED will abound. The increase in OFFENCES is a sign that His returning is drawing near.
In 2014 the Lord gave me an Open Vision of the United States. It was as though I was in the sky looking down at the North American Continent. There were dark clouds which had formed all over the United States. In the middle of the Country (the heart) a much darker cloud rose up above the other clouds and moved toward and covered the East Coast of the United States. This cloud was more ominous and threating than all the other clouds. That is not the first time I have seen storm clouds over the United States. I have had several dreams and visions of storm clouds engulfing this Nation and the entire World. I go into more detail about THE STORM in my book titled I AM--A Prophetic Look At End Time Events.
Over Twenty Years ago I had a dream of a great storm which engulfed the entirety of the United States, consuming everything in its path. The Storm also engulfed the entire World and brought great trials and TRIBULATION upon all who dwelt upon the Earth at that time. I wrote about this Storm calling it the “Perfect Storm” in one of the books I wrote over ten years ago called “I AM-A Prophetic Look at End Time Events.
As I said earlier, the Lord told me that we were entering into a new season of OFFENCES, and that OFFENCES would become more prevalent in the last days. Many people will succumb to the many traps and snares of the enemy. Many, but not all, of these OFFENCES will come from deep seated animosities which have been hidden in people’s hearts because of the way their ancestors were treated and enslaved. This will result in many great divisions and battles for the souls of men and women. Whoever we may be, we must not be entrapped by the SLAVERY of OFFENCE or we will not be able to free others from their bondage.
FOR NATION SHALL RISE AGAINST NATION, AND KINGDOM AGAINST KINGDOM. Matthew, Chapter 24, Verse 7.
In the above scripture the word “Nation” is derived from the Greek word “ethnos,” which means “race or tribe.” The English word “ethnic” is a derivative of “ethnos.” The word “Kingdom” is derived from the Greek word “basileia,” which means “Kingdom or Sovereign Nation. Jesus is saying that people from different ethnic groups would rise against each other, and that Sovereign Nations would also rise against each other. Before Christ returns there will not only be wars and rumors of wars, but ethnic wars between people of different races.
WHEREFORE ALSO IT IS CONTAINED IN THE SCRIPTURE, BEHOLD I LAY IN ZION A CHIEF CORNERSTONE, ELECT, PRECIOUS: AND HE WHO BELIEVES ON HIM SHALL NOT BE CONFOUNDED. UNTO YOU THEREFORE WHICH BELIEVE HE IS PRECIOUS: BUT UNTO THEM WHICH BE DISOBEDIENT, THE SAME STONE WHICH THE BUILDERS DISALLOWED, THE SAME IS MADE OF THE CORNER, AND A STONE OF STUMBLING, AND A ROCK OF OFFENSE, EVEN TO THEM WHICH STUMBLE AT THE WORD, BEING DISOBEDIENT: WHEREUNTO ALSO THEY WERE APPOINTED. 1 Peter, Chapter 2, Verses 6-8.
The Message of Christ is quickly becoming an OFFENSE to the unbeliever and the disobedient. Many people are becoming more and more OFFENED by the preaching of the Gospel. This is why lawmakers in many States are passing laws to prevent the Message of the Cross from being preached. The Cross of Christ is a stumbling block, and an offense to those who oppose the Truth and try to legitimize their unholy agendas.
The devil is using every tactic he can in order to stop the Body of Christ from reaching out to the lost and preaching Christ to the Nations. Christ is our ROCK OF SALVATION, but he is also a ROCK OF OFFENSE to those who reject the Truth. Evil men do not want their evil hearts and deeds to be exposed so they try to suppress the Message of Salvation. They do not wish to be found “weighed in the balance and found wanting.” Therefore their only recourse is to stifle the preaching of the Gospel so they can continue to dwell in the lewdness of their uncircumcised hearts without shame or sorrow. Christ, the Rock of Offense, becomes a stumbling block to them. All who reject the Truth will be found guilty of their sins and OFFENCES and will be judged and punished for their crimes.
They Lord spoke to me and told me over twenty years ago that a time was coming when the Gospel could no longer be preached, nor the name of Jesus spoken in public places. We are slowly seeing that prophecy come to pass. Many people are OFFENDED by the Message of the Cross because their hearts are evil. Many Pastors no longer preach Christ and the Cross because it OFFENDS their congregations. Holiness is no longer a way of life. It has been replaced with bickering, complaining, contention and a hotbed of strife.
Many preachers are no longer preaching the Truth of the Gospel of Christ because they do not want to OFFEND their congregations. The term “the Blood of Jesus” has become an OFFENSE to many main stream denominations. Any reference to the “Blood of Jesus has been taken out of some Bibles and many sermons. Even the story of the birth of Christ is being removed from Christmas because Christ has become an OFFENSE to those who reject the Truth. Preachers will be held accountable for disobedience and for every lamb they have led astray. According to Scripture if we are ashamed of Jesus, He will be ashamed of us. On judgment day all teachers and ministers of the Gospel shall “receive the greater condemnation” if they fail to preach the Truth and warn people of the consequences of their sin. See James, Chapter 3, Verses 1-2
THE OFFENDED
OFFENCES are nothing new. Everybody is or has been offended at one time or another for one reason or another. Some people are very effective and seem to just have a knack for offending others. Some OFFENCES are intentional and purpose driven while others are totally unintentional. How we handle OFFENCES is important.
Some people are more easily offended than others. Many people are willing to harm someone if they offend them. Others will kill someone for offending them. The improper response to OFFENCE is to strike back to hurt the Offender. According to Christ, the proper response to OFFENCE is to FORGIVE the offender and never to retaliate. By this reaction we are portraying the Love of God we possess to others.
FOLLOW PEACE WITH ALL MEN, AND HOLINESS, WITHOUT WHICH NO MAN SHALL SEE THE LORD: LOOKING DILIGENTLY LEST ANY MAN FAIL OF THE GRACE OF GOD; LEST ANY ROOT OF BITTERNESS SPRINGING UP TROUBLE YOU, AND THEREBY MANY BE DEFILED. Hebrews, Chapter 12, Verses 14-15.
Nations have gone to war with other Nations just because someone was offended. OFFENCES hurt people’s feelings and emotions. Offended people can become bitter and want to strike back to hurt the offender. Too often the response to offence is retaliation rather than FORGIVENESS. OFFENCES can cause a Root of Bitterness to grow in an individual which can trigger animosity and hatred in the offended.
While writing this Chapter there was a Terrorist Attack at a newspaper in Paris, France, by Muslim Extremists and 12 people were murdered. The attackers were OFFENDED by the Newspaper’s Satiric Cartoons of their Prophet Mohammed. Many people have been killed by Muslim Extremists over the years because of OFFENCES relating to religion. This plague by Muslim Extremists is growing and will continue to grow in these last days. Many in these ethnic groups will continue to deceive and to be deceived by Satan.
In 2014 a movement started by a very few or minority of Native Indians to try to get the Washington Redskins to change their name. The Washington Redskins of the National Football League was established in 1932. They have retained the named REDSKINS since their inception 83 years ago. As far as I know, until last year there were never any complaints about the name “Redskins.” Now, all of a sudden, people have become OFFENDED by the name being used, so they say, and are using the RACE CARD of OFFENSE to further their agenda.
The term “Redskins” was never meant to be a slur upon Native Americans. Certain names are usually picked for sports teams because they want to portray strength and pride. They are never meant to slander or degrade anybody or anything.
OFFENCES are a tool Satan uses to divide and conquer people. They are satanic traps the enemy uses to incite chaos, instability and lawlessness around the World. If you are not careful you will be caught in the trap of OFFENCES. We must be SOBER and VIGILANT as we live amongst each other or we could find ourselves snared in the trap of OFFENCE as many have and many will. It is not a question of IF “we are offended,” but WHEN “we are offended.” Jesus warned us, “OFFENCES will come.” We need to be on the lookout and be prepared for them lest we fall prey to them.
HE WHO LOVES HIS BROTHER ABIDES IN THE LIGHT, AND THERE IS NONE OCCASION OF STUMBLING IN HIM. BUT HE WHO HATES HIS BROTHER IS IN DARKNESS, AND WALKS (wanders) IN DARKNESS, AND KNOWS NOT WHERE HE GOES, BECAUSE THAT DARKNESS HAS BLINDED HIS EYES. 1 John, Chapter 2, Verses 10-11.
Cain was offended when his sacrifice was rejected by God. God’s intent was not to offend Cain, but to instruct him what would be a proper and acceptable sacrifice to Him. However, Cain was not one to follow Heavenly protocol. Instead he made up his own rules of what was and was not acceptable behavior. His focus was not a Heavenly one, rather an Earthly one. Cain was not focusing on the Tree of Life which represented Christ when he offered up his sacrifice. His focus was upon the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil which represented alienation from God and His Commandments. Cain’s offense resulted in the death of Abel and Cain’s expulsion from the PRESENCE OF GOD.
WHATSOEVER THINGS ARE TRUE, WHATSOEVER THINGS ARE HONEST, WHATSOEVER THINGS ARE JUST,WHATSOEVER THINGS ARE PURE, WHATSOEVER THINGS ARE LOVLEY, WHATSOEVER THINGS ARE OF GOOD REPORT; IF THEIR BE ANY VIRTUE, AND IF THERE BE ANY PRAISE, THINK ON THESE THINGS. THOSE THINGS, WHICH YOU HAVE BOTH LEARNED, AND RECEIVED, AND HEARD, AND SEEN IN ME, DO: AND THE GOD OF PEACE SHALL BE WITH YOU. Philippians, Chapter 4, Verses 8-9.
Offensive mindsets are destructive. According to the Apostle Paul, we must SET our minds to think on Heavenly things rather than Earthly things. The God of Peace rules and reigns in the hearts and minds of those who meditate daily on Him and His Word. Dwelling on OFFENCES can only produce hatred and turmoil in our hearts and minds. We must keep in mind that the Scripture states “if you do not forgive others of their sins you will not be forgiven of yours.” See Mark, Chapter 11, Verses 25-26.
FORGIVENESS
THEN PETER CAME TO HIM, AND SAID, LORD, HOW OFTEN SHALL MY BROTHER SIN AGAINST ME, AND I FORGIVE HIM? TILL SEVEN TIMES? JESUS TOLD HIM, I SAY NOT UNTO YOU SEVEN TIMES: BUT, UNTIL SEVENTY TIMES SEVEN. Matthew, Chapter 18, Verses 21-22.
FORGIVENESS is not an option, but a Command. It is not an issue which is up for debate. According to Jesus, if we do not FORGIVE people who have sinned against us of their sins (OFFENCES), God in Heaven will not forgive us of our sins. Read Mark, Chapter 11, Verses 25-26.
Some people take offence at things which were never intended to be offensive. For example, the term “Redskins.” We must understand that the underlying motive for OFFENCES is Satan’s intent to divide and conquer. It is his plan for men to argue and war against one another though conflict and chaos. To divide and conquer is one of the most effective strategies of warfare.
OFFENCES have even become a tool in the ideology of POLITICAL CORRECTNESS. Many people aspiring for political gain are using OFFENCES to promote themselves and their unholy agendas. Again, this is a trap of Satan. Over the centuries hundreds of millions of people have died because others have desired Political Position and Status. Men who lust for Political Power and Position will do anything they can to obtain it no matter who they harm.
OFFENSES also come because of different religious beliefs. False Religions are a haven for OFFENCES. Most people when verbally attacked and condemned for their religious views, will become offended. If you say anything about their IDOLS or their religious ideology, they are ready to fight to the death to defend what they believe. I am not just speaking of Radical Islamists, but also of people in other false religions and cults.
Many Christians are OFFENED when their religious beliefs are attacked. True Christians should never be OFFENDED by others who are questioning or condemning their beliefs. Our faith should be the purveyor of our beliefs. We are not to respond to OFFENCES, railing for railing or evil for evil. Retaliation is not the Christian WAY. Christians should understand that OFFENCES are a trap or snare of Satan. That is why FORGIVENESS is so important to the believer who becomes offended. We know who we are in Christ Jesus, and any attempt from Satan to hinder our walk with God should be met with Christ like motives, attitudes and responses.
We have all heard the adage, “To err is Human (carnal), but to forgive is Divine.” To FORGIVE is to be Christ like. FORGIVENESS is a matter of Choice. We must choose to forgive others of their OFFENCES because God has FORGIVEN us of our offenses. FORGIVENESS is also an act of GRACE and MERCY. We not only receive Grace and Mercy, but we are also givers of Grace and Mercy. Grace and Mercy are not just something that is bestowed upon us, but something we can also give and bestow upon others. Jesus expects nothing less.
FORGIVENESS is an act of the will. It is a CHOICE or decision we make when we are acting like Christ under the Heavenly Command to “forgive as we have been FORGIVEN.” The Scripture says “those who show no mercy shall be JUDGED without Mercy.” James, Chapter 2, Verse 13.
OFFFENCES come from the mindset of the VAGABOND. They are rooted and grounded in the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil. The Fruit of Offence can only produce more OFFENCES which lead to bitterness and unforgiveness. Grace is the only cure for OFFENCES. We are saved by the Grace of God through faith in Christ Jesus and His finished works at Calvary. Christ’s finished works must be completed in us in order that we can perform the WORKS of His Righteousness.
OFFENCES which come from the VAGABOND mindset can only lead to bitterness and hatred which causes division and animosity. The WHOLE ARMOR OF GOD is our only protection against the fiery darts and traps of Satan. One act of FORGIVENESS can save a soul from Hell and cover a multitude of sins. As Jesus hung upon the Cross He said, “FATHER FORGIVE THEM FOR THEY KNOW NOT WHAT THEY DO.” One act of FORGIVENESS opened the door for a WORLD destined for hell who needed forgiveness to find GRACE and MERCY in the eyes of God.
If we are determined to walk the Path of the VAGABOND, we will surely fall short of the Glory of God. When we forgive others, as we have been forgiven, we will walk in harmony with Heaven. There is no greater position to be in than being in harmony with God and His plan and purpose for our life. How we respond to OFFENSES as we sojourn here on Earth will determine our position in Heavenly Places with Christ. If we continue our walk with God the way HE requires us to walk, we will know Him FACE TO FACE and dwell daily IN HIS PRESENCE.