Tim's reply:
Hi [I Have To Leave],
Thank you for your email, and I am very thankful that the web site has blessed you in some way.
I am very sorry to hear of the loss of your father but would like to encourage you with words from Matthew chapter 12.
And while He was still talking to the crowds, see, His mother and brothers stood outside, seeking to speak with Him. And one said to Him, “See, Your mother and Your brothers are standing outside, seeking to speak with You.” But He answering, said to the one who spoke to Him, “Who is My mother and who are My brothers?”
And having stretched out His hand toward His taught ones, He said, “See My mother and My brothers!
“For whoever does the desire of My Father who is in the heavens is My brother and sister and mother.”
Those who keep His commands are those who love Him, and they are your family if you also love Him and keep His commands. These words will bring comfort when you loose your natural family and when you loose your NAC family. But Yahshua calls you to His family yet he promises that His way will lead you in the way He walked, which is right to the torture-stake, so pick it up and follow Him! Though all may leave you, He will never leave you!
Back when I was a priest in the NAC, before I was born-again, I was told of many experiences of faith from members of the NAC. (Read about experiences of faith here). One elderly sister, for example, told me of her to decision to become a member of the NAC after an experience she had after her mother passed away when she was much younger. Shortly thereafter, a friend invited her to a NAC divine service. Still feeling the pains of her loss, perhaps longing for some connection with others, she accepted the invitation. This elderly sister relayed to me that in this service, she saw a vision of her deceased mother standing next to the alter beckoning her to come. Frightened, she ran out of the divine service! Later though, her fear turned to tantalizing curiosity, I think because although she was scared, she was also amazed and perplexed by this experience. This sister decided that, because there was an inexplicable power in the NAC, she would become a member. This sister has been hooked on the NAC ever since.
How does this experience stand in the light of Scripture, however?
There are a few problems with this experience from a Scriptural perspective, not the least of which is that demons can disguise themselves as “souls from the departed.” In short though, Scriptures reveal to us that somebody has been commissioned to show us miracles, signs, and wonders. Who is that somebody?
In Matthew 24:24, Yahshua reminds us,
“For false messiahs (G5580 pseudochristos, that is, false anointed-ones) and false prophets shall arise, and they shall show great signs and wonders, so as to lead astray, if possible, even the chosen ones.”
And 2 Thessalonians 2:9:
The coming of the lawless one is according to the working of Satan, with all power and signs and wonders of falsehood, and with all deceit of unrighteousness in those perishing, because they did not receive the love of the truth, in order for them to be saved.
And where is the truth found? Yahshua reminds us as we read in John 17:17, the Yah’s Word is truth! (Read about the name of the Most High here). We know that Yah’s Word is recorded in the Scriptures.
The NAC does not open the Word and read it word for word and really study it. The NAC pretends that the words that are spoken at the altar are what matters most! Imagine! They actually believe that the words of a man can supplant the Word of our Creator! They believe that it is the Holy Spirit that is speaking through them. What arrogance! What evil! The real Holy Spirit is the Spirit of Truth (John 16:13), and the truth is found in Scriptures – the same Scriptures the NAC gives lip-service to but fails to study.
So, who was that somebody? For this elderly sister, her experience was manufactured by the devil himself in order to snare her into a destructive cult, and because this sister had not set the foundation of her heart, her beliefs on a rock -- Yahshua’s teachings -- she became the serpent’s prey.
Experiences of faith, miracles and wonders must all be carefully analyzed according to the plain truths of Scriptures because, as we read in the Scriptures, the devil is commissioned to perform miracles for us to lead us astray, which is why I was very thankful to read of your commitment to study those Scriptures! HalleluYAH! \o/
Regarding an exit strategy, my best advice for you is to resign in writing clearly stating exactly why you are resigning – preferably by reading your resignation in front of the congregation – and, just as Lot and his family fled from Sodom, run for your life and don’t look back!
As Shaul wrote to the Corinthians (2 Cor. 6:14, 15)
Do not become unevenly yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership have righteousness and lawlessness? And what fellowship has light with darkness?
And what agreement has Messiah with Beliyaʽal? Or what part does a believer have with an unbeliever?
And to the Ephesians, he wrote (Eph 5:11)
Have no fellowship with the fruitless works of darkness, but rather reprove1 them. Footnote: 1Or confute, or expose.
Expose them! Separate from them.
Short of this ideal, I trust that the more and more you study the Word and apply it, the more your light – the light of Messiah Yahshua – will shine in that dark place. Do not be timid about conveying what you read in the Scriptures. Do not be timid about giving them the real Messiah Yahshua even if it agitates them – and it will! Don’t be discouraged by their disagreement with you or disagreement with the Word! Be encouraged! You will probably receive home-visits from the ministers; teach them the Word when they visit. J The more you speak the truth of the Word, the more they will want to silence you. Expect that there will be conflict because the devil will not give up his hold on their hearts easily. Conflict is difficult to endure, but be encouraged! Yahshua’s words were received with a LOT of conflict; the people wanted to kill him on many occasions. Don’t be sad about the conflict but rather remember Yahshua’s words from his famous sermon (Matthew 5:11, 12).
“Blessed are you when they reproach and persecute you, and falsely say every wicked word against you, for My sake. Rejoice and be glad, because your reward in the heavens is great. For in this way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”
If you decide not to immediately resign, please be cautioned! Limit your involvement in their rituals such as “Holy Communion,” and please avoid services for the departed, which are an abomination; do not become guilty by association, so to speak. Expect that you are on your way out, and do not let their sins sully you along the way.
Stay rooted in the truth of the Scriptures. Rejoice and be glad! For this is the victory that overcomes the world – even your faith!
In the service of Messiah Yahshua,
Tim
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