THE LAST WORDS JESUS SPOKE
                                                                            
                                                                                                                                                                       By W. G. Guy

          The very last words Jesus spoke right before He ascended to heaven are very significant.  Yet most of what is called “church” ignores those words and even denies that they apply today.  One thing that they ignore is the fact that the Word, or Words spoken by the Lord, will never pass away; they are eternal.

Luke 21:33 –  Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away.

          After His resurrection, Jesus’ disciples inquired if it was now time for Him to established His kingdom on earth; as they had heard Him preach for three and half years.  Jesus’ answer may have been disappointing to them, but there was a reason; it wasn’t time yet, as much has yet to be fulfilled in bringing His gospel of redemption to the people of the world. 

Acts 1:5-7 –  When they therefore were come together, they asked of him, saying, Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel?   And he said unto them, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power.

          So what are these very last words that Jesus spoke that have eternal weight to them?  These were words of instruction, not just for those disciples that watched Him ascend into heaven, but especially for us in these last days.

Acts 1:8-9 – But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.   And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight.

          What most of the modern day church ignores, or refuses to accept, is the POWER OF THE HOLY SPIRIT which is given to believers to be equipped with His supernatural ability to be his witnesses to the entire world.  Note: to the uttermost part of the earth means “unto the end of the age”.  As a result of this denial, today we have a powerless church that exists in form but fails in function to bring about the changes in fleshly behavior to produce holiness and true righteousness.  Thus we now have the kind of churches that the apostle Paul foretold would exist in these last days.

1 Timothy 3:1-5 – This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.   For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,  Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,   Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;  Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.

          Much of the present day church is described in Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof.  What did Paul instruct us to do regarding such churches?  from such turn away.   But why turn away from such a church?  Obviously because
there is no power of the presence of God operating in it that can change lives, much less have a positive impact on the world.  Such
a church is merely deceiving people into a false hope and false belief system that changes nothing. 

          Thus you see in churches the same carnal behavior that is common in the world as described in verse one through four above.  This also aligns with the call of the LORD for His people to remove from such a false form of church.

Revelation 18:4 – And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues.

          The apostle Paul prophesied that such conditions would be found in various churches; starting even back in his time of ministry.

Acts 20:28-31 – Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.  For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock.   Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them.   Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears.

          This all goes to confirm what Jesus declared Himself, that there would be false ministers, doing their own thing, to form followings unto themselves: just like we have in abundance today.  (Mega churches where there is no true shepherd.)

Matthew 7:21-23 –  Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.  Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?   And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.

         This warning especially applies in these last days as Jesus warned that MANY would be deceived.  (Deceived means to believe what is not true.)

Matthew 24:4-5 –  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.  This warning is repeated again:
Matthew 24:24-25 – For there shall arise false Christs (anointed ones), and false prophets, and shall shew great (satanic or occult) signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.  Behold, I have told you before.

          I know that this message is a repeat of what I have written multiple times in the past; but the Spirit of Lord is emphatic about this serious condition in churches today that must be repented of, and turned away from.  So, church – listen up and pay attention, because this situation is more serious than most realize.  

          Please do not reject the divine power that Jesus told us to receive through the Baptism in the Holy Spirit so that we can be truly equipped to properly represent Him in this corrupt world as His witnesses.  We are to testify of Him with His power that changes lives, heals, sets the captive free and transforms lives.  Jesus’ last words are still in effect today, and still will be tomorrow until He comes.

1 Corinthians 1:7 – So that ye come behind in no gift; waiting for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ: