Category: False Teaching

The Seventy Weeks of Daniel #2

Thursday, April 24, 2025

“Seventy weeks are determined upon thy people and upon thy holy city, to finish the transgression, and to make an end of sins, and to make reconciliation for iniquity, and to bring in everlasting righteousness, and to seal up the vision and prophecy, and to anoint the most Holy” (Daniel 9:24 KJV).

What precisely are these seventy weeks of Daniel? How do they form the backbone of prophecy?

In the context of today’s Scripture (read verses 3-20), the Prophet Daniel prays as he and his nation live outside the Promised Land. Since the Jewish people violated the Law of Moses by participating in heathen idolatry for centuries, the LORD God punished them by removing them from the Land of Canaan and exiling them to Babylon. See Leviticus 26:27-46, especially verses 39,40: “And they that are left of you shall pine away in their iniquity in your enemies’ lands; and also in the iniquities of their fathers shall they pine away with them. If they shall confess their iniquity, and the iniquity of their fathers, with their trespass which they trespassed against me, and that also they have walked contrary unto me;….”

Daniel confesses his nation’s sins of breaking the Old Covenant; Israel’s restoration to God and her return to the Promised Land depend on such a confession. According to Daniel 9:1,2, Daniel learned from the Prophet Jeremiah how the Babylonian Captivity would last 70 years. “And this whole land shall be a desolation, and an astonishment; and these nations shall serve the king of Babylon seventy years. And it shall come to pass, when seventy years are accomplished, that I will punish the king of Babylon, and that nation, saith the LORD, for their iniquity, and the land of the Chaldeans, and will make it perpetual desolations” (Jeremiah 25:11,12; cf. Jeremiah 29:10; cf. 2 Chronicles 36:20,21).

Having been deported via the Babylonian Captivity in chapter 1 as a teenager, Daniel has lived all 70 years of it. Confessing Israel’s sins, the aged Prophet seeks further understanding as to his nation’s future, especially since a believing remnant is now returning to Judaea/Jerusalem from Babylon (2 Chronicles 36:22,23; cf. Daniel 5:30,31; Daniel 9:1,2). God thus sends the Angel Gabriel to teach Daniel so he can write more prophecy for Israel’s sake (see Daniel 9:21-23). Verses 24-27 (today’s Scripture and context) are God’s words to Daniel through Gabriel….

The Awareness of a Temporary Earth

Tuesday, April 22, 2025

“And, Thou, O Lord, in the beginning hast laid the foundation of the earth; and the heavens are the works of thine hands: they shall perish; but thou remainest; and they all shall wax old as doth a garment; and as a vesture shalt thou fold them up, and they shall be changed: but thou art the same, and thy years shall not fail” (Hebrews 1:10-12 KJV).

On this Earth Day, let us not confuse the creation with the Creator!

Today, people worldwide celebrate “environmental awareness.” According to the secular, naturalistic worldview, our planet and its sun could last many more billions of years. They claim that we have done so much damage to our planet—climate change, overpopulation, deforestation, pollution, et cetera—that we must change our attitude toward “mother earth” and change our lifestyles before we destroy her and civilization as we know it! You can sense the zeal in their message, can you not? While these people are sincere, they are wasting all of their time, energy, and resources on a temporary planet.

Let us be very clear that the Lord Jesus Christ placed man on the earth, especially the Garden of Eden, to “dress it and keep it” (Genesis 2:15). Adam was to take care of the Earth: he was God’s representative, God’s king, who had a divine commission to rule this planet for God’s glory (Genesis 1:26-28).

It was not long, however, before Satan distracted mankind from understanding God’s purpose for him. Adam began to focus on himself: like Satan, he began to “worship and serve the creature more than the Creator” (Romans 1:25). Thus began man’s continual downward spiral into spiritual ignorance. He would continually worship himself, as we well know today.

Today’s Scripture reminds us that, because of sin, this creation will pass away. The Lord Jesus Christ, however, will live forever. Why worship that which is temporary? It makes no sense! The Lord Jesus Christ gave you life, not the pagan goddess “mother earth.” Environmental awareness? Indeed, be aware that our world is temporary, as God will one day create “a new heaven and a new earth” (Revelation 21:1).

The Bible’s Season of New Life

Monday, April 21, 2025

“God that made the world and all things therein… he giveth to all life, and breath, and all things;” (Acts 17:24,25 KJV).

May we never forget the true meaning of Eastertime!

Satan is the master counterfeiter: from Genesis to Revelation, the Scriptures reveal how the devil schemes to “be like the most High” (Isaiah 14:14). Whatever God does, Satan defiles that work by introducing false doctrine, distracts mankind from God’s truth by mimicking His actions, discourages God’s people from His ministry by using incorrect thinking patterns, and so on. Why? Satan wants the worship that God alone deserves (Matthew 4:8-10; Luke 4:5-8).

Consider Christmastime. Centuries before Christ, Satan had pagans worshipping the birth of the sun god in early winter—near the date that Jesus Christ (God the Son) took upon human flesh in the virgin Mary’s womb! Now, consider Eastertime. Centuries before Christ, Satan had pagans worshipping fertility deities and new life in early spring, near the date that Jesus Christ (God the Son) died for our sins and resurrected victoriously over sin, death, hell, and Satan to give us new life! (To Satan’s delight, today’s average church member is not mindful of relevant sound Bible doctrine during Christmastime and Eastertime—the devil’s distractions have never lost their efficacy!)

The God of the Bible instituted in Israel a festival, Passover (the killing of a spotless lamb and its bloodshed in early spring), while they were still in Egypt (Exodus chapter 12)—Passover’s annual observance reminded them of JEHOVAH delivering them from Egyptian slavery unto new life. Israel did not understand its meaning until 1,500 years later. The true Passover lamb, Jesus Christ, died and shed His sinless blood during that annual Passover feast (early spring), and He resurrected in new life to give them spiritual life and liberty.

Yes, the pagans may have “hijacked” this time of year for the devil’s glory, but we can disregard their ignorance: spring is God’s season for new life. We can still use this season to bring the God of the Bible glory by remembering that He has given us physical life (today’s Scripture), and He offers us new life (that is, spiritual life) through Jesus Christ’s death and resurrection! 🙂

Brutish! #3

Wednesday, April 9, 2025

“For he seeth that wise men die, likewise the fool and the brutish person perish, and leave their wealth to others” (Psalm 49:10 KJV).

The Authorized Version mentions “brutish” individuals some 13 times—who and what are they?

Having surveyed the relevant verses to pick out context clues, we realize “brutish” means “stupid, dull, unreasonable, thoughtless, irrational.” How exactly does one wind up in such a pathetic condition? Again, a few of those verses supply hints.

Read Jeremiah 10:6-8,14,15,21: “Forasmuch as there is none like unto thee, O LORD; thou art great, and thy name is great in might. Who would not fear thee, O King of nations? for to thee doth it appertain: forasmuch as among all the wise men of the nations, and in all their kingdoms, there is none like unto thee. But they are altogether brutish and foolish: the stock is a doctrine of vanities…. Every man is brutish in his knowledge: every founder is confounded by the graven image: for his molten image is falsehood, and there is no breath in them. They are vanity, and the work of errors: in the time of their visitation they shall perish…. For the pastors are become brutish, and have not sought the LORD: therefore they shall not prosper, and all their flocks shall be scattered.” Also see Jeremiah 51:17: “Every man is brutish by his knowledge; every founder is confounded by the graven image: for his molten image is falsehood, and there is no breath in them.”

This context is pagan idolatry in Israel. Images of wood, stone, and metal distract the Jewish people from the LORD God. Such empty belief systems, worthless lies, and futile conduct resulted from a failure to walk in the light of the one true God’s words to them. That evil world system of Jeremiah’s day will originate the future “natural brute beasts” (animalistic or beastly people) of 2 Peter 2:12 and Jude 10. Such spiritual animals are created, such spiritual insanity is generated, because of a deliberate rejection of God’s knowledge, wisdom, and understanding. Brethren, if we refuse the Lord’s words to us through our Apostle Paul, Romans to Philemon, we are just as “brutish” (1 Corinthians 14:37,38)!

Brutish! #2

Tuesday, April 8, 2025

“For he seeth that wise men die, likewise the fool and the brutish person perish, and leave their wealth to others” (Psalm 49:10 KJV).

The Authorized Version mentions “brutish” individuals some 13 times—who and what are they?

Such “brutish” people are in juxtaposition with fools. “…[T]he fool and the brutish person perish” (Psalm 49:10). “A brutish man knoweth not; neither doth a fool understand this” (Psalm 92:6). “Understand, ye brutish among the people: and ye fools, when will ye be wise?” (Psalm 94:8). “Surely the princes of Zoan are fools, the counsel of the wise counsellors of Pharaoh is become brutish…” (Isaiah 19:11). “But they are altogether brutish and foolish:…” (Jeremiah 10:8).

“Brutish” also stands in opposition to knowledgeable. “A brutish man knoweth not…” (Psalm 92:6). “Whoso loveth instruction loveth knowledge: but he that hateth reproof [criticism, blame] is brutish” (Proverbs 12:1). Moreover, “brutish” is connected to “without understanding.” “Understand, ye brutish among the people…” (Psalm 94:8). “Surely I am more brutish than any man, and have not the understanding of a man” (Proverbs 30:2). To lose wisdom—or to fail to obtain it—is to become “brutish.” “…[T]he counsel of the wise counsellors of Pharaoh is become brutish…” (Isaiah 19:11).

Such who “understand not” and “know not” are like “brute beasts” (stupid animals). “But these, as natural brute beasts, made to be taken and destroyed, speak evil of the things that they understand not; and shall utterly perish in their own corruption;…” (2 Peter 2:12). Those who are “brutish” are said to be “But these speak evil of those things which they know not: but what they know naturally, as brute beasts, in those things they corrupt themselves” (Jude 10).

Using context clues, we recognize “brutish” and “brute” are associated with foolishness—especially a lack of knowledge, wisdom, and/or understanding. Basically, it is irrationality or stupidity (“brutus” is Latin for “dull, stupid”). Incidentally, the Greek word rendered “brute” in 2 Peter and Jude is “alogos” (“no thought”). It was translated “unreasonable” in Acts 25:27: “For it seemeth to me unreasonable to send a prisoner, and not withal to signify the crimes laid against him.” Of course, Judaean Governor Porcius Festus deemed it senseless to send Paul to stand trial before the Roman Emperor without first specifying the charges!

Let us summarize and conclude this devotionals arc….

Brutish! #1

Monday, April 7, 2025

“For he seeth that wise men die, likewise the fool and the brutish person perish, and leave their wealth to others” (Psalm 49:10 KJV).

The Authorized Version mentions “brutish” individuals some 13 times—who and what are they?

Before we can make any analysis, we ought to read the pertinent verses. “For he seeth that wise men die, likewise the fool and the brutish person perish, and leave their wealth to others” (Psalm 49:10, today’s Scripture). “A brutish man knoweth not; neither doth a fool understand this” (Psalm 92:6). “Understand, ye brutish among the people: and ye fools, when will ye be wise?” (Psalm 94:8). “Whoso loveth instruction loveth knowledge: but he that hateth reproof is brutish” (Proverbs 12:1). “Surely I am more brutish than any man, and have not the understanding of a man” (Proverbs 30:2).

“Surely the princes of Zoan are fools, the counsel of the wise counsellors of Pharaoh is become brutish: how say ye unto Pharaoh, I am the son of the wise, the son of ancient kings?” (Isaiah 19:11). “But they are altogether brutish and foolish: the stock is a doctrine of vanities…. Every man is brutish in his knowledge: every founder is confounded by the graven image: for his molten image is falsehood, and there is no breath in them…. For the pastors are become brutish, and have not sought the LORD: therefore they shall not prosper, and all their flocks shall be scattered” (Jeremiah 10:8,14,21). “Every man is brutish by his knowledge; every founder is confounded by the graven image: for his molten image is falsehood, and there is no breath in them” (Jeremiah 51:17).

“And I will pour out mine indignation upon thee, I will blow against thee in the fire of my wrath, and deliver thee into the hand of brutish men, and skilful to destroy” (Ezekiel 21:31). “But these, as natural brute beasts, made to be taken and destroyed, speak evil of the things that they understand not; and shall utterly perish in their own corruption;…” (2 Peter 2:12). “But these speak evil of those things which they know not: but what they know naturally, as brute beasts, in those things they corrupt themselves” (Jude 10).

Within these verses lie context clues to point us toward a sound definition of “brutish….”

To Be Seen and Heard #20

Sunday, April 6, 2025

“But all their works they do for to be seen of men: they make broad their phylacteries, and enlarge the borders of their garments,…” (Matthew 23:5 KJV).

Should we be in attendance at the “Desperate-for-Attention-and-Relevance Conference?” (NO!)

It bears many labels—showing off, publicizing, theatrics, advertising, pageantry, performance, being flashy, headline-seeking, flaunting, pontificating, acting pretentiously or ostentatiously, showboating, grandstanding, wishing for a pat on the back or head, wanting applause or award, making a fair shew in the flesh, being “thirsty” (slang), aiming to be seen and heard of men. Someone is in attendance at the “Desperate-for-Attention-and-Relevance Conference!” They crave approval, recognition, approbation, regard. We would be wise not only to decline the invitation to join them but also to stay as far away from that meeting as possible.

Foreshadowing the future Antichrist, blasphemous King Herod Agrippa I attempted to be seen and heard as God’s replacement in Acts chapter 12. He silenced God’s preachers (verses 1-4) before God hushed him (verses 20-23)! “But the word of God grew and multiplied” (verse 24). Likewise, today, man’s standing ovations cease, clapping fades, trophies tarnish and melt, certificates tatter and burn, social clubs vanish, online personal profiles shut down… all are drowned out as God commends and praises His people for faithful service rendered to Him. Brethren in Christ, heart faith in sound Bible doctrine should underlie everything we say and do. Christian living is not blindly following people, denominations, religious organizations, et cetera. Outward shows do not matter, as we are not to desire man’s approval anyway but rather God’s praise. All that counts forever is to be seen and heard of God, not seen and heard of men.

“Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts: and then shall every man have praise of God” (1 Corinthians 4:5). “But he that glorieth [boasts, finds value in], let him glory in the Lord. For not he that commendeth himself is approved, but whom the Lord commendeth” (2 Corinthians 10:17,18). “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth” (2 Timothy 2:15).

-FINIS!-

Saints, please remember this work of the ministry requires monthly financial support to operate (Galatians 6:6; Philippians 4:16-17; 2 Corinthians 9:6-7). Those who prefer electronic giving can donate securely here: https://www.paypal.me/ShawnBrasseaux. Anyone who wishes to donate by regular mail can visit https://333wordsofgrace.org/contact-us-mailing-address-for-donations/ for details. Thanks to all who give to and pray for us! Unfortunately, since our ministry audience is so large and our ministry staff is so small, I can no longer personally respond to everyone. Thanks so much for understanding in this regard. 🙂

To Be Seen and Heard #19

Saturday, April 5, 2025

“But all their works they do for to be seen of men: they make broad their phylacteries, and enlarge the borders of their garments,…” (Matthew 23:5 KJV).

Should we be in attendance at the “Desperate-for-Attention-and-Relevance Conference?”

Remember, the Antichrist of the ages to come will be the utmost fulfillment of Romans 1:25. He will be seen and heard, people worshipping and serving him instead of the living and true God of creation (Daniel 7:11,25; Daniel 11:36; 2 Thessalonians 2:3,4). Revelation 13:5,6: “And there was given unto him a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies; and power was given unto him to continue forty and two months. And he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme his name, and his tabernacle, and them that dwell in heaven.”

Though Antichrist will be seen and heard, that will be short-lived. The Lord Jesus Christ will be seen and heard as His radiant and thunderous return through the skies extinguishes Antichrist and the remainder of Satan’s evil world system! “And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth [hear!], and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming [see!]:…” (2 Thessalonians 2:8). “And I saw heaven opened, and behold [look!] a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war…. And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword [listen!], that with it he should smite the nations…” (Revelation 19:11,15).

Some are so desperate for attention and relevance they are on a crusade to attack those who are at the center of attention, for they would otherwise be ignored or forgotten. These desperate individuals are Satan, sinful man, and all fallen angels, who would be “nobodies” had it not been for their publicized revolt against their Creator God. As believers in the Lord Jesus Christ, however, we are neither at the center of attention nor should we care to be. No one needs to know about us. Read John 3:26-31. When John the Baptist was asked if he was concerned that people were leaving him to follow Jesus Christ, John was at peace, for he knew he was nothing whereas Christ was everything: “He must increase, but I must decrease!” We give a hearty “Amen!”

Let us summarize and conclude this devotionals arc….

To Be Seen and Heard #18

Friday, April 4, 2025

“But all their works they do for to be seen of men: they make broad their phylacteries, and enlarge the borders of their garments,…” (Matthew 23:5 KJV).

Should we be in attendance at the “Desperate-for-Attention-and-Relevance Conference?”

Unfortunately, certain individuals make sure they are the largest monetary donors at their local church… just to have their names placed on the public bulletin board. Others will gladly compromise with false doctrine to get a pat on the head or slap on the back from eminent “scholars” who have those same perverted views. Indeed, temporary membership in some elite manmade club is far more important to them than God’s eternal approval. Look and listen closely, for you will see and hear them on a daily basis. They broadcast on “Christian” radio and television shows, strut in pulpits, write books and “worship” songs, organize ministry projects, and teach at seminaries (Bible cemeteries).

In our computer-based world, man is more obsessed than ever with growing a “fan base.” For example, a “social-media influencer” is someone who believes his or her opinion about a product, idea, and so on, matters to such a high degree that they strive to advertise it so everyone knows. For the sake of making a name and money for themselves, they are flashy, pretentious, ostentatious, showy, flamboyant, outrageous, extravagant. There is nothing wrong with a woman looking nice with makeup or jewelry. Nevertheless, if she is wearing these simply to turn heads or make headlines, she has failed (!) miserably (!) to put more focus on the inner man (soul with sound Bible doctrine) and less on the outward man (temporary physical body) (1 Timothy 2:9,10; 1 Peter 3:1-4).

We must face it: man loves man. He loves looking in the mirror and he enjoys hearing himself. Recently, I was watching “Christian” television (HA!). One program featured a famous false teacher at the heart of the “health and wealth” movement (“prosperity theology”). Two other women were with her discussing shallow topics on the set. Ironically, she announced, “Are we doing it to glorify God or for ourselves?” Here are some pertinent details I omitted: as she moved her lips (“to be heard”), she was wearing her usual excessive makeup, abundant jewelry on her face and hands, and an expensive outfit (“to be seen”)!

Again, let us be on guard….

To Be Seen and Heard #17

Thursday, April 3, 2025

“But all their works they do for to be seen of men: they make broad their phylacteries, and enlarge the borders of their garments,…” (Matthew 23:5 KJV).

Should we be in attendance at the “Desperate-for-Attention-and-Relevance Conference?”

Romans 16:17,18: “Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them. For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple.” A false teacher uses charming words to form beautiful dialog to attract a following: their own heart, not our Lord Jesus Christ, is served. Philippians 3:19 marks them as “enemies of the cross” and says “whose God is their belly.”

Romans 1:25 is consummated in Daniel chapter 7: “I beheld then because of the voice of the great words which the horn spake: I beheld even till the beast was slain, and his body destroyed, and given to the burning flame… And he shall speak great words against the most High, and shall wear out the saints of the most High, and think to change times and laws: and they shall be given into his hand until a time and times and the dividing of time” (verses 11,25). Chapter 11, verse 36: “And the king shall do according to his will; and he shall exalt himself, and magnify himself above every god, and shall speak marvellous things against the God of gods, and shall prosper till the indignation be accomplished: for that that is determined shall be done.”

Second Thessalonians 2:3,4: “…that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God.” This Antichrist (not just “against Christ” but “replacement Christ”) will be seen and heard, “whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved” (verses 9,10). In verse 11, they believe a “lie” (cf. Romans 1:25). All that Lucifer or Satan planned (our present evil world) climaxes in this one man….