CONCERNING VISIONS OF HEAVEN AND HELL AND THE DEEP THINGS OF SATAN,BELIEVERS SHOULD NOT BE IGNORANT

I was surprised Jesus congratulated a particular church in the Book of Revelation for not knowing the deep things of satan.

But unto you I say, and unto the rest in Thyatira, as many as have not this doctrine, and which have not known the depths of Satan, as they speak; I will put upon you none other burden.Revelation 2:24

But to the rest of you in Thyatira, who do not hold this teaching, who have not explored and known the depths of Satan, as they say — I tell you that I do not lay upon you any other [fresh] burden. Revelation 2:24 (AMPLIFIED)

There are many times we hear the interview discussions of people who were once occults, witches, wizards and Satanists who convert and become Christians. We normally hear them confess the secrets of the dark world and the demonic things done by Satan and the inhabitants of darkness. I’m not against it, but against the effect these revelations they bring out make on the faith of immature believers.I strongly don’t believe witches, wizards and occults who convert should be giving us tips or information of their former demonic world; it’s not necessary

because we are not ignorant of the devices of the enemy. I think we should be the ones unveiling great insights and revelations of the great kingdom of Jesus Christ to them, so they will appreciate and embrace the reality of our divine union with divinity. Paul said he counted everything from his former religious cult as dung, loss and garbage for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus, the power of His resurrection, the fellowship of His suffering and being conformed to His death. Paul says, “Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus”  (Philippians 3:13-14).

They should also keep silent with information of their underworld stuff so we could overwhelm them with the revelation of our upper-world stuff. I stopped reading books on the demonic world and their modus operandi because it kept my focus on the devil and not on Jesus. I believe you also have this same experience when you read such books.

Paul says, “For I determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified (1Corinthains2:2)”. That should also be our determination today. Therefore, let us not give the devil the advertising space in our minds, hearts and pulpits. There are few scriptures I want you to read about the devil; Hebrews 2:14, Genesis 3:15, Luke 10:18, 19 and John 12:31.
        
We sometimes hear of how the food we eat, clothes we wear, cars we drive, wigs or weave-ons, deodorants and the like are all contaminated by the underworld. These deep things of Satan most times keep believers in fear and extreme caution. Hearing these revelations, some believers decide not to eat certain foods again, wear certain clothes or hair products again or even visit certain places again.
We begin to live a life of defeat through fear in the devil and his activities. Jesus Himself tells us not to know, search or explore the deep things of Satan. Why do you have to stop eating certain food because someone brought some deep secrets of the satanic world about it? Paul warns us:

Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron; Forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth. For every creature of God is good, and nothing to be refused, if it be received with thanksgiving: For it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer. If thou put the brethren in remembrance of these things, thou shalt be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished up in the words of faith and of good doctrine, whereunto thou hast attained. 1 Timothy 4:1-6

It is very surprising that Paul in this verse said, “If thou put the brethren in remembrance of these things, thou shalt be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished up in the words of faith and of good doctrine, whereunto thou hast attained.” This means a good minister is one who teaches the body of Christ that these doctrines of demons and deep things of Satan and so called gods, together with their activities, can have no effect on the life of the believer who knows his or her position in Christ.

A good minister is one who teaches the body of Christ the liberty they have in Christ to eat anything, wear anything, go anywhere and touch anything without anything harming them because they are sanctified by the word of God and prayer. A good minister nourishes the children of God with words of faith and good doctrine of their oneness and union with God. 

As concerning therefore the eating of those things that are offered in sacrifice unto idols, we know that an idol is nothing in the world, and that there is none other God but one. For though there be that are called gods, whether in heaven or in earth, (as there be gods many, and lords many,) But to us there is but one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we in him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by him. Romans 8:4-6

Instead of trying to know or search the deep things of Satan, Paul says:

. . . for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God. Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God. 1 Corinthians 2:10, 12

We should seek to know the deep things of God. Focus on the light and the darkness will disappear. God has given us His Spirit that we might know the things that has freely been given to us by God. Beloved, it does not matter whether the person came from the sea or from hell or even from Heaven; never be swayed from the faith to which you have been called.

"I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another Gospel: Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the Gospel of Christ. But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other Gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed". Galatians 1:6-9

As has been mentioned earlier, if any man preach any other Gospel unto you than that which you have received, let him be accursed. Look at Paul’s statement. He was so serious that he had to repeat that a second time in this verse. Paul warns us of drifting away from the grace of Christ unto another Gospel. Take a critical look at Paul’s Gospel.

"Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the Gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein  ye stand; By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain.   For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:"1 Corinthians 15:1-4

According to Paul, the Gospel is simply the good news about the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ (ascension and seating included). This means any other message apart from this (death, burial and resurrection of Jesus) is a motivational speech, an advice or a word of encouragement and not the Gospel. It amazes me that many people only preach the cross and the resurrection on Easter. Even with that, they only preach the story and not the life the story points to.

Through Paul’s Gospel, we discover that our life ended on the cross and the life and identity of the resurrected Lord began a new race of beings. Any other revelation or Gospel, even from heaven, apart from Paul’s Gospel should be accursed.

The word accursed in Greek is anathema, which means to be excommunicated or banned. Believers must be warned to be careful about some visions of heaven and hell.

I heard of an account of someone who says those who do not tithe will not go to heaven. He claimed Jesus told him that when he went to heaven. I also heard an account of someone who said he went to heaven and Jesus told him all those who wear short skirts, do make up and wear nails will not go to heaven. We have to be careful about hearing messages and accounts like this which add to salvation.
Beloved it does not matter where and how the person saw it. If it is not the death, burial and resurrection, let’s take heed and beware. With all humility we must be careful to guard our heart against visions of heaven that don’t exalt Jesus in His death, burial and resurrection (ascension and seating included). Nothing can disqualify you from your salvation except unbelief in the finished work of Jesus. Salvation is not faith plus tithes neither is it faith plus doing good; it is simply faith plus nothing.

Faith + Nothing = Salvation

This is what Paul taught and this is what we must teach.

"For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works". 2 Corinthians 11:13

We should beware because even Satan transforms himself into an angel of light. This should tell you that not all visions are to be accepted in the body of Christ, no matter the defense of its source. If it comes to put fear in believers, leave them empty and rob them of the hope of their calling, we should be bold to ban it both on our pulpits and in our minds and hearts.

"And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it. Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of a holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days: Which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ. Let no man beguile you of your reward in a voluntary humility and worshipping of angels, intruding into those things which he hath not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind, And not holding the Head, from which all the body by joints and bands having nourishment ministered, and knit together, increaseth with the increase of God". Colossians 2:15-19

Let no one judge or instruct you on what you should eat and drink, and let no one charm or trick you on your reward in voluntary humility and worship of angels and even what he/she claim to have seen. These things can be puffed up by the fleshy mind. This means Satan can give false vision to make it look like light and our own fleshly minds can also give visions. Sometimes we could think of things and take them into our subconscious which manifests in dreams and visions.

At times, the doctrines and distorted perceptions we have about God, eternity, heaven, hell, salvation, holiness, trinity, righteousness and even Jesus Christ can greatly damage the eyes of our hearts into seeing things not intended for the body of Christ and most often in total disagreement with the character of the Father, Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit. We are to rather hold the head who is Christ and not just some petty visions and dream that reveal nothing but empty revelations that comes to rob us of our inheritance, liberty and fullness in Christ.

Jesus Christ is the lens into heaven, hell or any other realm we find ourselves. You cannot know God outside Jesus Christ; you cannot know heaven outside Jesus Christ; you cannot know the spirit realm outside Jesus Christ; you cannot even know hell outside Jesus Christ- who is full of grace and truth. Ephesians 3:14 says, “For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named”. Colossians 1:19 says, “For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell; And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven”.

Colossians 1:17 also says, “And he is before all things, and by him all things consist. And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence”.