Today, this may be a different Easter message than you may be used to, but it is of utmost importance. We celebrate this day, Easter, as a remembrance of the fact that Jesus Christ has risen from the dead and that He defeated both sin and death, so all who would repent of their sins should follow, believe, and obey Him. Jesus did this for anyone willing to humble themselves and lay down their life for His will. His sacrifice put the nail in the coffin, derailing the plans of the Devil.
But some pastors like Paula White, Kenneth Copeland, Joel Osteen, and many more name-it-and-claim-it bandits say that on a day like today, Easter, or another day for that matter, you must give your “First Fruits” offering to them. Into their hands, that is, and this is how the Lord will bless you on the day of Resurrection. They claim that this is how all your hopes and dreams will be fulfilled in God, but only if you give above and beyond your means to them. They falsely claim that through your offering to them, you will be healed, restored to God, and put on the right path in life. Not to mention that the larger the gift in their hands, the bigger God will bless them. But this is a lie.
The “First Fruits” to God is no longer a physical offering given, such as crops, a sacrifice of an animal, or even your money. But it is the selfless sacrifice of oneself, giving yourself completely over to the love, obedience, and servitude of Jesus Christ with your whole life. The first fruits of God are people who give up everything in this world to do God’s will and release their control to be made into His instruments to further the Kingdom of God. No matter the consequences or trials it takes to accomplish His will, they follow Him wherever He goes to walk in His character of righteousness and holiness as His servants.
Revelation 14:2-5 The voice I heard was like the sound of harpists playing on their harps, and they were singing a new song before the throne and before the four living creatures and before the elders. No one could learn that song except the 144,000 who had been redeemed from the Earth. It is these who have not defiled themselves with women, for they are virgins. It is these who follow the Lamb wherever He goes. These have been redeemed from mankind as firstfruits for God and the Lamb, and in their mouth, no lie was found, for they are blameless.
The false preacher goes on into complicated speeches written as if by kindergarteners trying to trick the people into believing their manipulation and lies. Their whole purpose in life and “ministry” is to convince you by their smooth and deceptive words to follow them, praise them, and give your hard-earned money to them. Do you notice what they are doing and what kind of character traits they are displaying? These false prophets, preachers, and teachers follow the ways and persona of the Devil.
2 Peter 2:1-3 But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing upon themselves swift destruction. And many will follow their sensuality, and because of them, the way of truth will be blasphemed. And in their greed, they will exploit you with false words. Their condemnation from long ago is not idle, and their destruction is not asleep.
Do you see what they are doing? Do you understand they are trying to destroy your true relationship with God? Besides their greedy desire for wealth, power, and self-worship, their unspoken job is to bamboozle the churchgoer to follow any false god, demon, religion, or false jesus possible as long as you do not follow the Lord of lords and King of kings, Jesus Christ, the Son of God.
Jude 1:10-13 But these people blaspheme all that they do not understand, and they are destroyed by all that they, like unreasoning animals, understand instinctively. Woe to them! For they walked in the way of Cain and abandoned themselves for the sake of gain to Balaam’s error and perished in Korah’s rebellion. These are hidden reefs at your love feasts, as they feast with you without fear, shepherds feeding themselves; waterless clouds, swept along by winds; fruitless trees in late autumn, twice dead, uprooted; wild waves of the sea, casting up the foam of their own shame; wandering stars, for whom the gloom of utter darkness has been reserved forever.
Their master, the Devil, wanted to be just like the Most High God, worshiped, honored, and given praise, wealth, and glory. The Devil is the deceiver of the whole Earth, and his greatest desire is to take the people away from the love, joy, and peace of the Lord Jesus Christ. So, just like the wicked one, these foul beasts deceive, speaking lies and beguile others, desiring to pull you away from the love and obedience of Jesus to follow them instead of God and give them honor, wealth, and glory.
Do not listen to them. Wake up and see that they are the enemy. They are the opposite of what they personify themselves to be. Notice how everything is a show for them, wearing flowing white dresses and fine, rich clothing, and acting all sweet and wonderful before the crowds and television cameras. While behind closed doors, they are foul, rude, disruptive, and uncontrollable. Oh, how they reach out their hands to help all they can through philanthropy and goodwill to feed and house the poor. But it is all a ruse, a cover-up to gain prominence, power, position, and prosperity. Not to mention playing both sides of the aisle, receiving compensation from the right and the deep state.
Beware of them, and do not fall into their trap. Take a step back and observe their behavior and words. Investigate and evaluate them carefully to see what they are truly about. Know this: their downfall is coming and will not be pretty. As they say, “The bigger they are, the harder they will fall.” The Lord has spoken about them, and they will fall with a horrible crash. Trust me; you do not want anything to do with them at that time. Otherwise, the same thing may happen to you. If you don’t remove them completely from your presence, you may be collateral damage.
Jude 1:14-23 It was also about these that Enoch, the seventh from Adam, prophesied, saying, “Behold, the Lord comes with ten thousands of His holy ones, to execute judgment on all and to convict all the ungodly of all their deeds of ungodliness that they have committed in such an ungodly way, and of all the harsh things that ungodly sinners have spoken against Him.” These are grumblers, malcontents, following their own sinful desires; they are loud-mouthed boasters, showing favoritism to gain advantage.
But you must remember, beloved, the predictions of the Apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ. They said to you, “In the last time, there will be scoffers following their own ungodly passions.” It is these who cause divisions, worldly people devoid of the Spirit. But you, beloved, building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ that leads to eternal life. And have mercy on those who doubt; save others by snatching them out of the fire; to others show mercy with fear, hating even the garment stained by the flesh.
Turn away from listening to anything they say because, just like the Devil, their native language is nothing but lies and deception. Turn to Jesus Christ and repent of all your sins and foolishness. Ask Him to open your eyes, then give up your whole life to follow and obey Him and His purpose and plan.
He wants the best for you, to be His first fruit offering to God the Father. It is not about money, position, or any kind of earthly prosperity that will bring satisfaction and contentment in your life. But true honor, peace, joy, blessing, and reward will come to those who give up everything for the will of Jesus Christ and to build up the Kingdom of God. Listen to what the Lord says, take it to heart, and turn to do His will. In the end, you will not regret it.
1 Corinthians 15:56-58 The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord, your labor is not in vain.
Colossians 3:23-25 Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ. For the wrongdoer will be paid back for the wrong he has done, and there is no partiality.
Matthew 25:21 His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.’
James 1:12 Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love Him.
2 Peter 1:16-21 For we did not follow cleverly devised myths when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of His majesty. For when He received honor and glory from God the Father, and the voice was borne to Him by the Majestic Glory, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased,” we ourselves heard this very voice borne from heaven, for we were with Him on the holy mountain.
And we have the prophetic word more fully confirmed, to which you will do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts, knowing this, first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture comes from someone’s own interpretation. For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.
Peace be with you
Joel Beach ©️
The Soul Sower 