'THE THIEF COMES TO STEAL
“THE THIEF COMES TO STEAL”
Sunday, March 19,2023, the Year of Our Lord
Pastor Carolyn Sissom
“DO NOT FEAR LITTLE FLOCK”
John 10:10: The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly. I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep.
In the present world system, riches are uncertain. But our God gives to us richly all things to enjoy.
In the first two weeks of March 2023, three major banks closed their doors to business, Silvergate, Silicon Valley Bank (SVB), and Signature Bank.
What effectively happened is the Biden administration nationalized or federalized the American banking system. It is no longer private. It is now backstopped by the government, ultimately, the taxpayer.
This is the work of the “thief” to steal, kill and destroy to set up a one world currency for the antichrist.
Jesus has already made provision for His sheep/Church amid all financial crisis’ now and future. However, we must operate by faith and not by fear.
Matthew 6:25-34: Do not worry about your life, saying “what shall we eat?” or “what shall we drink?” or “what shall we wear?” for the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore, do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
Satan, the thief had a day of reckoning at Golgotha (Col. 2:15) Having spoiled principalities and powers; Jesus made a show of them openly, triumphing over them in it.
At the cross there were three men crucified---the man in the middle cross was Jesus Christ, the Messiah, God Almighty in the flesh. The thief on the right who repented was re-membered, and entered paradise with Jesus. He was a type of Adam, man in the flesh. The other thief who had returned that day to be dealt with was Satan in the flesh. His calling card---If Thou be the Son of God…
In one grand, finished work, the cross of Jesus Christ destroyed the power of Satan and the first man Adam! After Calvary, Christians are not to give place to either.
Jesus mortally wounded our adversary at the cross.
Carnal men always look for the alternative, some “other” or different way. Jesus described such a one as a “thief,” a “stealer.” Moreover, he is a “robber.” One who plunders openly and violently (Jn. 10:1).
In John 10:8, the Good Shepherd warned us about “thieves.” All that ever came before Me are thieves and robbers; but the sheep did not hear them.
A thief can be anyone or anything men put before or above Jesus Christ. The first commandment reveals these to be other gods---“thieves” are idols!
These other gods are anyone or anything that mean more to us than Jesus. This includes all thoughts and ideas that disagree with His Word. That is why Jesus emphasized that He is the Door and anyone that enters another way is a thief.
Our idols can be readily identified: the things we think about the most, the things we talk about the most, and the things for which we spend the most of our money. Do you trust in God for out economy, or do you trust in the government that prints the money?
Excuses are idols. The real issue has to do with the objects of our affection, the desires of our hearts---what we worship.
These critical times necessitate the recognition of the many thieves of John 10:8 to be the “many antichrists” of 1 John 2:18 and the “deceivers” of 2nd John 7.
1 John 2:18: Little children, it is the last time; and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time.
2 John 1:7: For many deceivers have entered the world, who do not confess that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist.
The thieves of John 10:8 are wolves, antichrists, and deceivers. The liars deny the Father and the Son, refusing to confess that Jesus Christ “is come” in the flesh. These religious spirits and concepts operate through vagabonds, and spiritual bums who roam from church to church, preying upon pastors and unsuspecting saints.
Note the narrowness of Jesus’ claim. The way to heaven, despite the liberal tendencies of modern times can never be wider than the Person of Christ. There is no other way to God.
Jesus shifts from the “Door” figure to that of the “Shepherd.” The true shepherd is the flock’s owner. His name is Jesus Christ. The scene is a heroic risking of the shepherd’s life as he combats the wolf. The wolf represents all spiritual danger with Satan as the instigator.
Matthew 6: 19-21: Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
Luke 12:24-27: Consider the ravens, for they neither sow nor reap, which have neither storehouse nor barn, and God feeds them. Of how much more value are you than the birds? Which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature? If you then are not able to do the least, why are you anxious for the rest? Consider the lilies, how they grow; they neither toil nor spin, and yet I say to you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.
By the Blood of Jesus Christ, I rebuke the thief and the spirit of fear over God’s people. Lord Jesus, thank you for your Word that reminds us that we should not put our trust in material things or store up for ourselves treasures here on earth, for they can wither away in a moment, but instead, we should store up treasures in heaven. We thank you that you never change and that we are safe and secure in your economy.
Matthew 10:29-31: Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? And one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father, but the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not, therefore, you are of more value than many sparrows.
1Ti. 6: 6-8: Godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.
Prov. 10:22: The blessing of the Lord, it makes rich and He adds no sorrow with it.
We know the Lord blesses with prosperity. Paul concedes its truth but only where it is utterly free of covetousness. Contentment for the Stoic philosopher carried the sense of an independence of and indifference to money and circumstances. For the Christian it bears a deeper meaning, a satisfaction with the situation ordained of God. In 2 Co. 9:8 it means “enough of everything.”
God is able to make all Grace abound toward you; that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work;
Phil 4:11: Not that I speak in respect of want; for I have learned in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.
1Ti. 6: 9-10: But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition. For the love of money is the root of all evil; which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.
“But they that crave to be rich fall into temptation’s snare, and into many witless and baneful desires which whelm men in pits of ruin and destruction; for love of money is a root from which spring all evils. Some have clutched there-at, have gone astray from the faith, and have impaled themselves on anguish manifold” (S. Way). He then adds the interesting footnote: ‘The metaphor…may be taken from the wild beast which, leaping at the bait, hungers over a pit, falls in, and is impaled on the stake below.’ The determination to get rich, whatever the excuse offered to the soul, cannot but prove spiritually disastrous, and Paul thinks sadly of some who through the love of money have wandered from the faith.
1 Ti. 6: 11-12 But you, O man of God, flee these things; and follow righteousness, Godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness. Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, where to you are also called, and have professed a good profession before many witnesses.
1 Ti. 6:17-19: Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not high minded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who gives us richly all things to enjoy; That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate; Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold to eternal life.
In closing, I want to briefly overview a dream given to Dutch Sheets about three doors. I urge you to watch the video from March 2022. Phyllis Garrett brought this forth at Friday Prayer Net.
Vision: God’s code is 2222. An Angel takes him to three double iron doors. All three doors had code locks which could only be open by code talkers.
#1 door – was cracked open. Inside was a dragon eating flesh out of a bowl in the shape of the United States. Translation: Satan and China/dragon are trying to destroy America. He tried to close the door, but could not close the door in his physical strength.
#2 door – again was cracked open. They could see a movie theater, showing famine, darkness, evil, war, fallen angels, and a man seated in the center was Nero. Translation: Nero represents forces aligned against the gospel. The New Testament Church was opposed by the Beast system rulers who think they are God. The beast system is the world system; Babylon represents culture, humanism, state-ism. Also, the third power in that door was backslidden Israel at the time of Christ. All the above was in opposition to Christ and the gospel. Scholars believe Nero’s name is the number 666. Satan empowering civil rulers. Government which has become oppressive, tyrannical, and lawless. Nero had both Peter and Paul martyred.
3rd door – sound was coming from the door and it too was cracked open. They pushed the door open. Powerful wind pushed them back and at the same time pulled them in. Angel said, “door of awakening and transformation of nation.” The nation of America was in the door. This door was to remain open.
The angel told them to speak God’s code of 2222 to the first two doors to command them to close. These doors will only close from the decrees of the Ecclesia. They did decree that that two evil doors would be closed and the door of awakening would remain open.
While Phyllis and the Prayer Net team were praying into the doors, I looked up the number 2222 in Strong’s Concordance: Zoe = life; lifetime:
1. Life: The state of one who is possessed of vitality or is animate. Every living soul.
2. Life: the absolute fullness of life, both essential and ethical, which belongs to God, and through him both to the hypostatic “logos” and to Christ in whom the “logos” put on human nature. (2) Life real and genuine, a life active and vigorous, devoted to God, blessed, in the portion even in this world of those who put their trust in Christ, but after the resurrection to be consummated by new accessions (among them a more perfect body), and to last forever.
The Lord has given Life and authority to His Church/Ecclesia all that we need to close the doors of war, evil, wickedness, destruction, the beast system, the dragon, Baal, and the thief of the spirit of the antichrist.
John 10:36b: Scripture cannot be broken.
Carolyn Sissom, Pastor
Eastgate Ministries Church, 10115 West Hidden Lakes Lane, Richmond, TX
Scripture from N.K.J.V. – I paraphrased a vision given to Dutch Sheets 3/22. Comments and conclusions are my own. Sermon by Pastor Carolyn Sissom, “The Love of Money” 7/3/2011.