#308.19
 

LEAVEN of the PHARISEES

and the

LEAVEN of HEROD
 

Elwin R. Roach

"...Take heed, beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, and of the leaven of Herod." Mark 8:15.

Throughout the scriptures leaven is symbolic of sin or error. Common areas wherein they can be seen are carnal-minded traditions, fables, creeds, dogma, lying, hypocrisy, pride, doctrines, and legalism to name a few. Leaven of the Pharisees, of course, is not only that which existed when Jesus warned His disciples about it back then, but continues to be served in the church systems of the world today. Much of it has morphed over the centuries and new types have been invented; yet, it can still be called the leaven of the Pharisees.

Some of what the early church had to beware of were doctrines of error in the new religion that was sweeping the world; for example, the Christian Gnostics mixed Oriental philosophy with Christianity. A man by the name of Zoroaster had his flavor of leaven, and also Ammon who had incorporated Pagan precepts with the doctrines of Christ. Plato and his philosophy was another that some embraced. And we cannot omit what became a major tenant of faith for a large number of churches around the world — the doctrines of varied punishments after death, and especially the one of eternal torment in hellfire. Jerome's Latin Vulgate translation of the Bible and Dante's "Devine Comedy" were major players of that Leaven.

The heathens themselves confess to the invention of the dogma, and of all the fabulous stories of the infernal regions; the legislators and sages very frankly state that the whole thing was devised for its supposed utility in governing the gross and ignorant multitude of men and women

Thomas B. Thayer wrote that the old fables of Hades and Tartarus (hell) were incorporated as a means of governing the ignorant people (The  Origin And History Of The Doctrine of Endless Punishment). It is truly a wonder that there was not a mass exodus of Christians due to this point alone; for it was so opposed to the simplicity of the apostles' teachings. For that matter, it is more of a wonder why there has not been such an exodus since the Bible came into to hands of the brethren. Of course, the rampant mistranslation of key words surely made it difficult to abandon the Pharisees' leaven; for such was much of its foundation and structure of beliefs. Ancient Pagan theology and politics found place among these many corruptions which have remained to this point in time.

Additional leaven propagated is a reference Lucifer and his fall from heaven along with one third of the angels. The popular story, as we all have heard, states that prior to the Garden of Eden, they were led in rebellion against God by the archangel, Lucifer. Upon losing the war, the vandals were cast out of heaven whereupon they took over planet Earth.

God then created man in His image and likeness, but evidently made the mistake of putting him on the same planet where the little devils were ruling. It did not take long before Lucifer, that became Satan, pulled a fast one on the man and woman that God had created. He first tricked the woman to fall under the spell of sin and death.

As the story goes, this was Satan’s way of getting back at God for kicking him and his confidants out of heaven. He supposedly paid God back by bringing ruin, chaos, darkness, and especially death upon His beautiful creation in the earth and all mankind that was to come thereafter.

With a scenario as this, we can see God scrambling around to come up with Plan B. He, therefore, summons Michael and Gabriel. Together with His two remaining, loyal "archangels," they regrouped and devised a means by which to hopefully regain control back from the devil. This top-level plan was for God to send His Son, Jesus, into the world to regain control of the earth and mankind. Ah, but after more than two thousand years, and with the major portion of humanity still being held in the clutches of the archenemy, it seems that the plan has not been real effective.

These thoughts, of course, have undergirded in the teachings of religious scholars and preachers for centuries, and we say with assurance that they are erroneous. They make a mockery of the wisdom, the sovereignty, the omniscience, and the omnipotence of God. Such leaven of the Pharisees makes it look like He is a fumbling, blundering old frazzled man who doesn’t know what in the world He’s doing!

Such a God surely could not give much hope to His followers, and now they see the world going up in flames with very little wherein to place their trust. Turmoil and insecurities are overtaking people all over the world of believers and unbelievers alike. Some, however, have put their trust in a pseudo God and Kingdom; that is, leaven which has been made by man's creative imagination.

One part of the leaven that gained popularity since its inception by a Jesuit priest named Francisco Ribera in the early 1800s is known as "the rapture." Afterwards, another Jesuit priest, Emmanuel Lacunza, built on what Ribera taught in his book,"The Coming of Messiah in Glory and Majesty." He didn't use his own name, but wrote under the name of Rabbi Ben Ezra, an educated Jew who become a Christian. Scotland Born, Edward Irving, embraced Lacunza's book and taught the doctrine in open-air meetings. From there other influential ministers of the Christian faith followed; such as, John Nelson Darby, C.I. Scofield, and D.L. Moody.

(Book free upon request: "THE RAPTURE — an in-depth study" or
 https://www.godfire.net/Elwin/The_Rapture_Question.htm)

There is not enough space or time in this short article to deal with what truly is the Kingdom of God; but we can be sure, the nominal church system is not it and neither is it the United States of America as some suppose. Those who believe such dine from the Pharisee's table of leaven rather than from the banqueting table of the Lord.

Many over the years have understood what the leaven of the Pharisees is referring to religious dogmas, lies, doctrines, tenets of faith, ordinances, rituals, and the likes; but what about the leaven of Herod? What could Jesus have been talking about? We don’t hear much about this; but it would be good if we knew.

THE LEAVEN OF HEROD

While the Pharisees symbolize the religious world, Herod symbolizes the secular world, especially that of politics. For the most part, many of us have shed the religious trappings from our lives, but more than a few have remained at Herod's table. Unwittingly, we may still be enjoying the leaven which is freely being served. With some it is Liberal leaven, while with others is Conservative leaven, a mixture of the two, or a flavor that is so far out that it defies description.

It is amazing that they all think their table is the only one that is rightly spread, with the others being totally blind to the truth and have no clue to what is good for the nation. The fact is, none of the political, and/or religious factions are on target. One or the other may be closer to hitting the mark of truth; but regardless of their accuracy and the palatable flavor of their leaven, it is not from the Kingdom of God. When it comes to His manifested Kingdom with the rule of His elect, few there are who can see it.

His Kingdom is not of this world. It is neither Socialistic, Democratic, nor even a Republic. It is Theocratic! It is a Theocracy — God Rules!

We might wonder how Christians could eat from Herod’s table? Most likely, because they believe the salvation of our country depends on their ability to cage the lions of political power and get them under the collective control of a people-led democracy or a socialistic government that rules over the people. They also believe that the more "Christian-like the President might be, the sooner the nation will flourish as the Garden of Eden.

However, all the presidents as far back as they go, regardless of their supposed or real commitment to Christ, have neither gotten us closer to living in the Kingdom of God nor given His sons dominion over the nation, much less the world. And to set our minds straight, such will never be the case; for it does not work that way.

I don’t think we have ever seen such frenzied political concern and frantic warnings in the nation as well as in the churches today. It is apparent that the leaven of Herod has infected incalculable numbers.

Quite a number of those in the Christian faith feel that : "Since this is a Christian nation, it is our Christian duty to elect a man or woman who will turn things around and bring God back into focus, then prosperity and honor will return to our country."

This may or may not be true, depending on the word from the throne. It is as Barbara Allen said in her letter to us: "The watchers have decreed! The heavens DO RULE! The ballots do not!"

Notwithstanding, some believe Donald Trump is the man who will do this. Although religiously and politically speaking, he is very different from his predecessor, no man can bring about or legislate the Kingdom of God in the earth. Although many know nothing about this Kingdom, they believe if the right man or woman is elected president and has the support of congress that a utopian nation can be known. However, by not embracing the truth, they will be deceived and are destined to failure:

"And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: That they all might be damned (Grk. krinō: to distinguish, to try) who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness." 2 Thessalonians 2:10-12.

We should be a people who will not be fooled by political rhetoric or the news media's biased reporting. We are not to buy into the schemes of any of the self-serving heads of State, nor should we exalt them as if they are someone special. We've been conditioned to believe that only politicians can solve our problems; but when reality sets in, we see that it was the politicians that often created the problems. Therefore, rather than looking to this president, or to any others, as our source of deliverance, we will continue in our calling of Sonship. We will keep doing the work of God's kingdom until our goal is fully reached as the apostle wrote in 2 Peter 1:10.

"Therefore...brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall." We will focus our attention on Jesus and be who we are in Him while pressing toward the mark, for the prize of His high calling. We refuse to be identified with any outside party or power of our day; for we are His, His ambassadors, and His alone!

Does this then mean that we must have nothing to do with politics? I cannot say. That is between each of us and what we know is right in the Spirit. Whether we sign petitions, write letters to congressmen, vote, or we do none of these, let us be free in the Spirit to do or be free not to. Whether we do or we do not, it is to be without feasting on either the Pharisees' leaven or that of Herod's. 

Let us understand that when a lion roars, whether from the oval office of the White House, or from the throne of God’s Kingdom, it is by the decree of the Lord in the mouths of his Watchers. For surely, "...The Lord GOD will do nothing, but he revealeth His secret unto His servants the prophets. The lion hath roared, who will not fear? the Lord GOD hath spoken, who can but prophesy? Amos 3:7-8.

There are lions in every kingdom whether it is the animal kingdom, man's kingdom, or that of God's. They all possess awesome powers in the realm wherein they abide. But we can know this: When the lions of God roar, when the Watchers decree, they have heard from on high, and that which they demand will come to pass over all realms to which they decree! We believe it is the same with presidential lions, they roar that which is from the heavens; but they often know not what they are saying or do. It is the Watchers who have an ear to hear and understand what they speak into the hearts of lions to fulfill the desires of He who rules and judges in the kingdoms of man as declared in the book of Revelation:

"And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations. And he shall rule them with a rod of iron; as the vessels of a potter shall they be broken to shivers: even as I received of my Father." Revelation 2:26-27.

In times past we all may have viewed those who rule with a rod of iron as being sternly austere, harsh, unforgiving, unbending, dreadful authoritarians, and totally void of compassion for those over which they rule. The rod-wielding rulers are seen by some as having abandoned mercy altogether. Sympathy has no part of their job. They ruled by rote, by the letter of the law, and with the same grim "justice being met out upon every hapless soul, regardless of their ignorance of the truth, their shortcomings, or the degree of sins.

What a dreadful interpretation we may have once had. But it is great to know that to rule with a rod of iron simply means that due to the wrath of God, that is, the intense passion of His incomprehensible love for His creation, He will supply the essentials needed for every soul whether it is fire, hail, or heaven’s rain.

The Greek word for rule in verse 27, as well as the other places in the book of Revelation, means to tend to as a shepherd. It is the same word in Matthew 2:6 with reference to Jesus: "...for out of thee shall come a Governor, that shall rule my people Israel." The Greek word is used four other times in the New Testament and is translated as to feed. (ref. John 21:16, Acts 20:28, 1 Peter 5:2, and Revelation 12:6).

To rule, or shepherd, with a rod of iron in the hands of the sons of God will furnish each person with what is necessary that will bring them to green pastures whereby to be nourished. The iron rule will relentlessly tend to its subjects with unwavering, unbending tenacity and love. It will rule unto death, unto life, unto destruction, unto health, unto chastisement, salvation, unto complete deliverance, and finally ultimate reconciliation that leads to the ultimate life of the ages in the Lord Jesus Christ.

How many really believe this? It surely appears impossible to some, especially since we are somewhat aware of the plans and advancements of the global powers that be. It is no great mystery that the rulers of the world’s nations, including our own, especially our own, are largely controlled by unseen oligarchs. It is also no mystery, at least to those who hear from on high that these nefarious people are not foiling the will of God, and we know this from what we mentioned in our previous study:

"This matter is by the decree of the watchers, and the demand by the word of the holy ones: to the intent that the living may know that the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever He will, and setteth up over it the basest of men." Daniel 4:17.

When we look at it objectively, and even without a shred of revelation by the Spirit of Christ, any rational person should be able to understand that there had to be more to the elections of the two latest presidents of our nation than mere votes. How could anyone think that either could have made it to the presidency without divine help. Of course, some believe it was help from evil sources, which typically could be; but if so, they were motivated by lying spirits sent from God as He did the same with Ahab's prophets.

Surely, their supporters, as with all those of the other presidents had their roles in these grand productions. They didn’t miss one word of the script; but the crux of the matter is that all the players thought they had written the script and had conducted the whole matter themselves. Ah! But the joke is on them as they were engulfed by the folly of their pride, right down to the last player, and it will be known in due time after they all have fallen into the ditch together.

With God always being Sovereign in the kingdoms of man, it is a given that as it was with Babylon, it mattered not which Persian king was set in office by Him — Cyrus or Darius (Obama or Trump) — Babylon fell from power each time the decree came from the Watchers. It was made clear that it is God who rules and not narcissistic men of dust. It behooves us to know it is the same when we see coming to pass that which the Watchers of this day have decreed.

It is difficult to grasp the fact that as it was with Cyrus, all of our presidents, including Obama and Trump, have been the anointed of the Lord. And please know — the anointing has nothing to do with their righteousness, but has everything to do with the Anointer, the One who anoints His servants to fulfill His flawless purpose whether it is for ill or well upon the people.

It is still hard for many to wrap their minds around the thought that God could have anything to do with a nation’s political agendas or the outcome of elections. They believe the Russians have more power to do so than Him. But elections are no more the outcome of man’s majority rule than wishful thinking of who would have been the next Roman Emperor during the persecution of Christians.

To be reminded:

"...There is no power but of God: the powers that be are *ordained of God. Romans13:1. "For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: ALL things were created by Him, and for Him." Colossians 1:16.

*ordained: Grk tassō; to arrange in an orderly manner, that is, assign or dispose (to a certain position or lot) Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance

This is the God of love from whom thrones, dominions, principalities, and powers were created. This same God unconditionally loves all that came from Him. How could He do otherwise? And like any parent, He chastises those He loves, as we see happening with this great nation today. Its destiny is in His sovereign hands, not carnal minded ones. So please, dear saints, know that it is not about presidents, politicians, or any other men and women of power whether behind the scene or in the forefront. It is about God and Him judging this nation and also the world.

Unless there is a massive repentance and a turning back to God, His judgment upon the U.S. will continue, which will come in various forms. There will be good times and times not so good; but the maladies are surely due to spiritual decadence and can only be solved spiritually! There will be no man-made solutions to resolve any of these issues! Carnal means do not dictate to spiritual matters. This should not be a mystery. The impotent prelates will flounder, as always, in their self-aggrandized pride like a shark out of water. What America needs is not the right presidential messiah, be it a man or woman, but Jesus Christ. Repentance is paramount that deliverance from the judgment of her own king Saul.

A large number look to the outcome of the recent presidential election as the solution to America's problems; but this is not wise; for all who trust in horses and chariots, whether in one man or many, or in political parties, philosophies, armies, or man in general to save America are grossly deceived and have been blinded by Herod's leaven. The election made no difference in what ultimately lies ahead; for until the hearts of the people turn from their evil ways and turn whole-heartedly to the Lord, the downward spiral to destruction will continue.

Please hear this, neither of the Bush presidents nor Barark Obama was able to reverse it, and don't count on Donald Trump, or any of the others who are presently racing for that high office! The cold fact is that regardless of the person in office, they will be contributors to the problems that swamped us. Things will not changed one iota. This is not to say that there will not be periods when conditions temporarily improve; but without repentance and a great change in people's hearts, the general trend will be toward decay.

I know we will continue to criticize the leaders of the U.S. government and heap an abundance of blame on them, and they will surely be held accountable for their infernal deeds; but the fact is, in their present state of depravity, they cannot help themselves! God has turned them over to reprobate minds and placed a veil over their hearts that causes them to walk about in an illogical daze. They are covered over with a spirit of folly, sometimes acting like imbecilic buffoons, as they remain in chains of darkness and preside over the nation's demise; for God is judging this nation! Again, the only thing that will change the kind of leadership we have is godly sorrow that works repentance unto salvation on a national level! We will surely see that this President, despite his best intentions and efforts, will come to know that he cannot reverse God’s wrath that is being laid upon us. It may be eased a bit, but not reversed.

Surely we can see that in sovereignty He has been using the Presidents, the members of Congress, the Supreme Court, and Federal agencies like pawns on His chessboard in order to humble the United States of America due to having been a nation under God to being self-sufficient from being under God. Most do not want to be under Him. They do not want to depend on Him for anything. She is full of independence, individualism, corporatism, nationalism, humanism, and moneyism. They trust more in themselves, the President, and the government for her safety and well-being than God. America has become a nation of idolatry, par excellence.

Such reminds me of worldwide Christian programs that have had drives to get tens of millions to pray at the same time with hopes of persuading God to do what THEY want, believing that the more who pray, the more likely God will give in to their wishes, especially when they attempt to back Him into a corner by quoting scriptures to Him. Carnal efforts as this have never worked and never will.

God is the one who whispers galaxies into existence, sets the sun and moon in their orbits, and raises up kings and world leaders. Like falling stars, He also removes them from power according to His timing and good pleasure. The latter was made clear in Daniel 2:21. Therefore, does it matter what their names are, or what their agendas might be? Not in the least. For they are all set in place by the left hand of God to advance His Kingdom in ways like Cyrus did when he subdued Babylon and released the Treasures of Darkness that were formerly held behind her walls. And we, the elect of God, are also His treasures hidden in darkness, but will be released in due time.

There is little difference today between our heads of State and those in the days of Jesus. Herod, Pilate, and Caiaphas the high priest had roles to play, and once those roles were carried out, the Church was born and manifested that which turned the world upside down. Without those evil entities, the Treasures of Darkness, the saints of God, would have never been known. The roles of Herod and the others were by no means righteous; but what they did was essential so Jesus could be crucified. Without Pilate’s order for His death according to the people’s demand, the Kingdom of God would have never been more than one Son of God in the earth still walking around doing wonderful works and confined to one locality of wherever He might be at any given time.

If He was preaching to a crowd on a hillside outside of Jerusalem, except for TV, no one else in the world would benefit from His glorious Sonship. You see, He had to die in order to fill every cell of His corporate body, the body that covers the entire earth. This was necessary to reach into the darkest corners of the earth and subdue all things everywhere unto Himself. Without His death and resurrection there could never be the abolition of anxieties, heartbreak, disease, death, and the grave. And some still ask, "Why did Jesus have to die?

Frankly, He loved you too much not to...