A Man Who Was Caught Up Into Paradise

Lystra Sacrifice Painting by Raphael, 1515

“Near the turn of the 20th century, God gave Seneca Sodi the glorious experience of spending forty days in Heaven. This book will challenge your life and give you hope and encouragement to set aside all hindrances and press on into the glory of God.

As he relates his experiences to Elwood Scott, you will feel as though you are right with him, seeing the many different scenes of the Celestial Kingdom, escorted by King David. You will wonder at the glory and immensity of what God has prepared for us.

Your heart will he stirred at the description of the Holy Convocation around the Throne as Jesus speaks an end-time message of preparation for His coming. Your mind and heart will be enlarged as you look into a world beyond the veil and knowing that it will be worth it all!”  —The Publishers of Paradise, the Holy City and the Glory of the Throne by Rev. Elwood Scott.

The following is an excerpt in which Seneca Sodi recounted to Elwood Scott what happened during his visit to heaven when he spoke with the apostle Paul.

On the way I said to Paul, who sat by my side: "It does seem so good to be here with you, it seems indeed too good to be true. Fancy painted many fair pictures while we were in the world which were made to glow on the canvas of our imagination in reference to the future, but none ever equaled the reality."

"No," said Paul, "it was impossible for man to conceive of the glory while in the flesh. The Lord once gave me just a glimpse into paradise while yet in the world. The glory was beyond my power to describe."

I replied to Paul: "I have often wondered how it occurred, for we have a brief account in the divine word on earth which you left concerning it." (II Corinthians 12:2)

"Well," said he, "while at Lystra in Lyconia I was stoned and dragged out of the city for dead, but God raised me up, and I, with the brethren, went back to the city. (Acts 14:19) But that night I could not sleep, being restless and burdened with the word of the Lord. I arose and, all alone, went out of the city to pray. I ascended the side of old Karadogh, an extinct volcano. I seemed to be greatly helped, for an angel constantly held my hand. When some little distance up the mountain, one of the chariots of God, with a driver of light, appeared at my side. I was so enraptured by the presence and glory of God and both overawed and overcome by the royal chariot and driver that I hardly could tell whether I had died or was in a trance; but I soon found myself lying prostrate in the chariot and mounting far above the old mountain. We arose above the pillars of the skies. I soon heard the strains of music from the third heaven in the plains of paradise. They were singing some new songs, which as a mortal man, I had not power to repeat. I opened my eyes just for a moment, glanced at the crystal river and heard a loud voice proclaiming the mystery of the trees upon its banks. It was the closing words of a sermon uttered by Moses to a vast company of Jews, as I was told by the driver afterwards, giving them light upon these that they could not know while under the law and subject to an inferior experience, for you have already found that we have preaching here in heaven as we used to have on earth.

"Only an instant we remained and the chariot darted with the speed of sound toward the earth. In a few moments the old town of Lystra, lying at the foot of the mountain, with its streets and domes, shone out with their best appearance under the light of the full moon beaming upon them; but the people were fast asleep. I stepped from the chariot as the driver, with a pleasant wave of his hand, said, good-bye, and in an instant it was gone. On the top of Karadogh I continued my prayer and praise to God until near the break of day. I never could really tell while in my flesh whether I was loosened for the time being from my body or whether bodily I was taken to glory. Ever after this I had a longing to go back and forever remain; to depart and be with Christ. The words of the sermon and the strains of music could never be forgotten, but were an element of strength in my life during the many afflictions God permitted to come upon me."

Search for Mount Karadogh

Volcanic Mount Karadagh, near Karaman, Turkey

I did some research on this to try and locate this mount Karadogh. Paul told Seneca Sodi that he ascended the side of Karadogh, an extinct volcano.

In my research, I found in Wikipedia that there is a Kara Dag (formerly often written Kara Dagh), which is a volcanic mountain, located a few miles north of Karaman, Turkey.  Kara Dag or Qara Dag (Dag/Dağ/Dagh, occasionally Daq or Tagh) is Turkic for "Black Mountain". It may be written as one word (Karadag), a hyphenated word (Kara-dag), or as two words (Kara Dag).

This volcanic mountain is located 62 miles south of Konya, which was known during classical antiquity and during the medieval period as Iconium in Latin, and Iκόνιον (Ikónion) in Greek.

Paul and Barnabas preached in Konya (Iconium).  The Scripture says, “In Iconium they entered the synagogue of the Jews together, and spoke in such a manner that a large number of people believed, both of Jews and of Greeks.” (Act 14:1)  But after they were persecuted there, they went to the cities of Lycaonia, Lystra and Derbe. “And when an attempt was made by both the Gentiles and the Jews with their rulers, to mistreat and to stone them, they became aware of it and fled to the cities of Lycaonia, Lystra and Derbe, and the surrounding region; and there they continued to preach the gospel.” (Act 14:5-7).

Then the Jews from Konya (Iconium) came south to Lycaonia to persecute Paul: “But Jews came from Antioch and Iconium, and having won over the crowds, they stoned Paul and dragged him out of the city, supposing him to be dead. But while the disciples stood around him, he got up and entered the city. The next day he went away with Barnabas to Derbe.” (Act 14:19-20).

It should be noted that where the Scripture says, “they stoned Paul and dragged him out of the city, supposing him to be dead. But while the disciples stood around him, he got up and entered the city,” this happened in Lystra in Lyconia. According to Wikipedia, Lystra is located 30 kilometres (19 mi) south of the city of Konya, Turkey. Although Lystra is the ancient name of the village where the apostle Paul visited, the present name is "Klistra," which is near Gökyurt, Turkey. There is a road from Konya (Iconium) known today as D696, which the Jews from Iconium would have used for part of their journey to persecute Paul in Lystra.  Iconium is only 19 miles north of Lystra.  It would probably take 6 to 8 hours to walk that far.

Klistra (Lystra), Turkey is marked by an "A"map pin

I was curious to see on the map where Klistra (Lystra) is located, since that is the city where Paul was when he climbed Karadogh.  I needed to get a visual reference on this, and I was expecting it to be right at the base of this volcanic mountain in Turkey called Karadagh.  

In the Google map above, you can see Klistra (Lystra) at point A, located southwest of Konya (Iconium).According to Ancient Locations, Lystra is located at the following latitude and longitude: 37.66469499, 32.21062472.  On the bottom right corner of the map is Karaman, just south of Karadagh, which is very obviously a volcanic mountain.  When you zoom in on it, you can see that there is a big hole in the middle where it erupted at one time.

From the map, I could easily see that Karadagh is some 80 miles from Klistra (Lystra).  That may seem like fairly close, when you consider that it could have been located any place in the world.  However, I was sure that the apostle Paul did not walk 80 miles from Lystra during the night to climb this mountain. So I examined the terrain near Lystra, now known as Klistra.

Sattelite photo of apparent extinct volcanic mountain near Lystra, Turkey

Amazingly I discovered that there is an apparent extinct volcano located about six tenths of a mile (1 km) from Klistra (Lystra).  In the satellite photo on the left (courtesy of Google), you can see this volcano marked by a white arrow.  The bear rock at the top of this mountain forms a crater, or mouth of a volcano.  Inside the crater you can see the caldera, or depression. According to the Google terrain map, this mountain reaches a height of 4,593 feet (1400 meters).  This is about the same size as Mount Liberty in New Hampshire, USA, which I used to hike.  Liberty is 4,460 feet (1,359 m) high. And since this mountain pictured in the satellite photo above is just a little more than half a mile from Lystra, it  would have been easy walking distance for Paul on that moonlit night

Antique painting titled "Kara Dagh near Lystra"

But I was left wondering why this mountain does not have the name Karadagh like the other volcanic mountain 80 miles from Lystra.  After all, this is what Paul called it in his conversation with Seneca Sodi.  Could Paul have mistakenly called it by the name of another similar "black mountain" in the same region?  Upon further research, I discovered an antique painting of mount Kara Dagh that was made in 1869.  It's titled "Kara Dagh near Lystra!"  What are the chances of this!! I liked it so much that I bought a print copy of it.

The caption beneath the painting reads: "This view of the mountain which forms so remarkable a feature in the scenery among which Timotheus passed his childhood, is due to the kindness of Rev. G. E. Weston, who crossed Lycaonia in 1845.  It represents the appearance of the Kara Dagh as seen from the approach of Iconium."  So this would have been the view that the Jews had of Kara Dagh, as they traveled down the road from Iconium to persecute Paul.

The painting proves that there is a mount Karadagh located near Lystra. It was painted in 1869, decades before Seneca Sodi's visit to heaven, in which Paul spoke to him about climbing Karadogh the night that he returned to Lystra after being stoned and dragged outside the city.  Elwood Scott did not record Seneca Sodi's experience until the turn of the century, so the artist who painted this could not have known that this was the mountain Paul climbed.  In fact, this mountain is never mentioned in Scripture.

This was a pretty amazing find for me. It seems to corroborate the story that the apostle Paul told to Seneca Sodi during his visit to heaven.  This gives us further insight into what happened on that night when Paul was caught up into heaven.  As he wrote to the Corinthians, "I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago was caught up to the third heaven. Whether it was in the body or out of the body I do not know—God knows. And I know that this man—whether in the body or apart from the body I do not know, but God knows— was caught up to paradise and heard inexpressible things, things that no one is permitted to tell." (2 Cor 12:2-4).

If you have not read this account of Seneca Sodi's forty days in heaven, I encourage you to read it.  You can find it at Insights of God where you can find both PDF and Word formats of the book at this link. Please prayerfully read the book, and use the Testimony Review Process adopted by this blog, as you decide for yourself whether this was a true testimony.  For issues and concerns, each person must confirm with the Lord, whether something is valid or not.

I can assure you that the book will bless you with many other amazing stories like this one.  Even in our day today there are people who, like Paul, are being caught up into heaven like brother Yong-Doo Kim, Angelica Zambrano, Oden Hetrick, Anna Rountree, and brother Daniel Ekechukwu.  Heaven is real! Jesus has prepared it for those who love and obey Him.  Please don't miss it for anything!

Attribution notice: Most Scripture taken from The Holy Bible, New International Version® NIV®, unless otherwise noted.

Author's note: If you enjoyed this post, you may find more articles like it on the Home page of this blog, and you may find more of my blogs at Writing for the Master. I also encourage you to read the online book by Elwood Scott about Seneca Sodi called Paradise, the Holy City and the Glory of the Throne.

Do You Want to Know Him?
If you want to know Jesus personally, you can. It all begins when you repent and believe in Jesus.  Do you know what God's Word, the Bible says?

“Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of God, and saying, ‘The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.’” (Mar 1:14b-15).  He preached that we must repent and believe.

Please see my explanation of this in my post called "Do You Want to Know Jesus?"

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Len Lacroix is the founder of Doulos Missions International.  He was based in Eastern Europe for four years, making disciples, as well as helping leaders to be more effective at making disciples who multiply, developing leaders who multiply, with the ultimate goal of planting churches that multiply. His ministry is now based in the United States with the same goal of helping fulfill the Great Commission. www.dmiworld.org.

Teen Dies, Enters Heaven, Meets Jesus -- Catherine's Testimony

I would like to share with you the testimony of sister Catherine Hughes, one of our students in England, who is currently in her second year of our three-year Doulos Training School. This is about her first encounter in heaven in 1971, at the age of seventeen years old, when she committed suicide and was confirmed clinically dead by the doctor for twenty minutes. Here is her testimony: 

Testimony of Catherine Hughes

Good evening, everybody. I'm Catherine Hughes, and I'm here to give you my testimony of miracles that Jesus has done. My story begins at age two, when my parents were traveling down south from Manchester to Southend for a holiday. There was a car accident, and my parents died, but I survived. I was put into a children's home at that time. Then at age four, some foster parents came, who had three sons, and they fostered me. But they didn't have any love at all, and I was abused a lot from ages four to fifteen. 

When I was seven, the next door neighbor sent me and the boys to Sunday School. One day, the Sunday school teacher had told us of many miracles that Jesus had done; and he said, "Throw your hands up, whoever wants to ask Jesus into your heart." So I put my hand up, and everybody else did as well. At age seven, I didn't really know what that meant, and I just believed that one day, maybe I'll meet this wonderful Jesus who does miracles. So that was all I knew to start with. 

Things got worse with my foster family. When I was fourteen, I had a nightmare that I was drowning, and the foster family members were drowning. I thought, "Oh, this is it! I'm going to die!” It was a very horrific nightmare. Then I woke up. It was midnight, and the moon was shining through my window. I sat up in bed, and I pinched myself to make sure I was still alive. I was glad that I was. 

Then I saw a bright light in my bedroom, and I saw a figure. I thought, “Oh, is this an angel? There's no wings, so it’s not an angel.” And then I saw this woman. She had a veil and a blue and white gown. Then I realized, because I'd been to Sunday school, that it was Mary, Jesus' mother. And she said to me, “You are a child of God.” And I thought, “Me, a child of God? I don't feel good enough to be a child of God.” I didn't say anything though, but just smiled. 

Then I heard Jesus' voice, and He said, “Don't be afraid. I'm always with you.” I looked around to the other side of my bedroom, but I couldn't see Jesus. Then when I came around to see Mary, she'd gone. 

I sat up in bed all night, and I just couldn't believe what I had seen -- that Mary had come to see me and had said, “You're a child of God.” And that Jesus had said, “Don't be afraid. I'm always with you.” 

Jesus later told me the reason he brought His mother to see me was because when I was two years old, I was in a children's home, and I'd lost my mother and father. I never knew what it was like to have a real mother and a loving mother, and I always had so much pain. So that is the only reason Jesus sent his mother to see me in a vision, and it had nothing to do with the Catholic Church. Jesus wanted to show His love for His mother, and that was so important to me.  

So I stayed up all night thinking about it. Then at six o'clock I thought, “I've got to go back to school this morning, so I need to go to sleep.” I went back to sleep and I went back into the nightmare again. 

But then there was like a flash, and then I was in heaven with Jesus and his mother. I knew I was in heaven, because I could feel the breeze and smell the flowers, so I knew it was different from a dream.

So Mary His mother took me to a table where the disciples were. Jesus was at the top and there were two empty chairs -- one at the top, one at the bottom of the table. I sat at the bottom, and I said, “This is where I belong.” But Mary said, “No, you don't.” And she told me to meet Jesus, and Jesus said, “This is My body, and this is My blood that I give for you as my sacrifice for you. I want you to do it as often as you can.” Then I woke up. I had come back to my room. 

I went to school, and Sandra my best friend was in the class. I kept falling asleep, so she said, “What's wrong with you? You keep falling asleep.” I said, “I've been awake all night. I saw Mary. I had a vision, and I went to heaven.” She said, “Nonsense! You must have been dreaming.” I said, “No, it's true. All right, let's go to the old church tomorrow (Saturday), and I'll tell you the story again.” She said, “All right then.” 

So we went round the old church, and I told this story again. Then we came across this monk. He held our hands and said, “Girls, you must pray the Lord's Prayer every day. Then you'll go to heaven. You promise?” We were scared of him, so we said, “Yes.” Then we saw him walk away. He said, “Bye, girls. I'll see you in heaven.” And Sandra said, “Did you see that!” I replied, “Yes! He walked through the wall of the church! He's an angel!” Sandra said, “Well, I believe you now.” So I thought, “Great! That's wonderful!” 

After that, I left school, and I went to work in a car firm in the office, where the head lady was going to try me out to be her partner. When my first foster mother heard of this, she wasn't going to have it. So she decided, “After our holiday, I'm going to send you to a working-girls hostel.” 

So anyway, we went on holiday to Minehead, which is down south. There's a big hill right near it. It’s a Butlins Holiday Camp. And one day she said her son was going to get married. She said, “We don't want you there. So here's a green pound note for the day, and we'll see you about five o'clock tonight." They locked their chalet, and I felt quite upset -- rejected again. 

So I walked right towards this big hill, which was miles away from the holiday camp. I walked to the top, and I talked to God all day. When it was getting dark, I came down the hill. When I got to the bottom, there were a lot of trees, and I thought, "I can't see the Holiday Camp, because all the trees are in the way." So I thought, “Well, where do I go? I'm lost!” Suddenly, a Jewish-looking man with a beard came up to me. He said to me, “You are lost aren’t you?" I replied, “Yes. I don't know how to get back to the chalet.” He said, “Well, I've got a Jeep, and I'll take you home.” 

So when we got in the Jeep, he said, "Jesus sent you a vision of his mother to tell you that you are a child of God and Jesus told you not to be afraid, as He is with you always." I said, “Yes! How do you know? The only person I've told was my school friend Sandra.” He told me, “Well, I know all about your first foster parents, because I'm from Heaven.” I thought, “Wow! Must be an angel!” Anyway, he took me home, and I didn't even know the chalet number, but he did.  

My foster mother said, “What time do you call this?!” I said, “I got lost, and your friend Paul took me home.” She said, “We don't have a friend called Paul!” Then I looked around to say goodbye to Paul, but I hadn't heard the Jeep move away. He disappeared!  

I went into my bedroom and read in the Bible, where it says, “You will entertain angels and not know it.” So I thought, “That was another angel! Wow, that's awesome!”  

When it was time for me to go to the working-girls hostel, I got a job at a publishing company. There were four girls from Barstool, who were bullies. They kept threatening me every time I got paid, since they wanted my money, and they used to do séances. So the atmosphere at that workplace was just like my foster mother's home, because there, they did the same thing. 

Then I made friends with Linda, who was also from a foster home, as I was; she wasn't like the others. She suggested to me that we run away, as we were very unhappy in the hostel. I agreed with the idea, and so we did, sneaking out at six o'clock in the morning. We raided the pantry of biscuits, and then got a train to London. After walking around London all day, we went to a pub in the evening and met these Irish guys, who were Catholics. We told them we had run away, and they said, “All right, girls. We'll look after you.” They had a really posh house. They had also told us, “We'll pray for you.” So I kept praying, “Lord, keep us safe,” because I didn't know where we were in such a strange place. 

At seven o'clock in the morning, the police came, and the Irish guys told us, “Sorry, girls. We can't look after you, because we have to go to work. But God will look after you.” So we returned to the hostel, and the police said to us, “Anything could have happened to you girls! It's a miracle that you're both okay.” I replied, “Of course it's a miracle. I’ve been praying all night.” 

After that, they sent Linda away. So the next year I was very depressed, because the girls kept bullying me for money, and the pain of what my foster parents did to me was just horrific. I couldn't stand the pain, and I had nobody to talk to. 

During the summer on the 21st of July 1971, I decided to end my life. It was a Wednesday, six o'clock at tea time. They were all having their tea, except for me. I got a glass of water and two bottles of tablets, went to my bedroom, and opened the window. I sat in the window, and said to God, “If you love me, save me now.” After taking two bottles of tablets with water, I felt dizzy and jumped out the second floor bedroom window. 

Then, next minute I found my spirit by a light bulb on the ceiling of the hospital. When I looked down, I could see they were trying to revive my heart with the electric pads. The monitor was already a straight line, and I shouted, “Don't stop doing that! I can't get back in my body if you stop trying to revive me!”

However, they did stop reviving me, and put the sheet over my face. I was watching them, and the doctor said, “It's a shame…A seventeen year-old has thrown her life away. She must have suffered.” I thought, “Oh, no! I'm sorry, God! I didn't mean to end it all. It was a cry for help.” 

As soon as I said that, everything went black for a minute, and I then found myself going down this tunnel quite fast. I felt safe, and there was a bright light at the end of this tunnel. Then I saw a beautiful garden and paths of clear gold. And I saw angels flying around. I thought, “This must be heaven.” But wow, what a beautiful garden! The colors were so bright, and I could feel the breeze on my face like warm breath and could smell the perfume of roses. It was a beautiful place. I could feel God's love like soft waves coming through. I began to feel so much joy and felt like dancing. There was nothing negative inside of me anymore -- no pain -- but only a very powerful love and a strong feeling of belonging. I felt as if it were my home, like I'd always been there. I also felt a very close, intimate connection, as though God were hugging me the whole time.

Then Jesus came. I knew it was Jesus, because I had seen in Sunday school what He looked like and had also remembered hearing His voice when I was fourteen. Then Jesus held my hands and said, “It's not your time yet. I've got work for you to do, but I can't promise you'll be free from pain.” When I saw the Lord, He conveyed His love like electric waves, and I felt so warm. 

When He spoke, He was very authoritative. I felt like I had to stand at attention, but then also He was like my best friend. 

I thought, “I don't want to go back. I had so much suffering. I really don't want to go back.” But then I thought, “We can't say no to Jesus.” He showed so much love, like I had never known before, and there was so much light and warmth coming from Him. I looked into his eyes and said, “Yes, Lord. Whatever you say, I'll do.” Then the Lord smiled at me. 

The next moment, I went back down this tunnel really fast and came to the light. Then I came back to consciousness. The sheet was over my face and a tag was on my toe. I pulled the sheet off and climbed out of bed, but I fell on the floor, because I didn't know I had broken my left heel. 

The doctor and the nurses looked as though they had seen a ghost. "We'd given you up for dead!" they told me. "You've been dead for twenty minutes. You're in the morgue!” But I replied, “Well, Jesus has just brought me back.” They just couldn't believe it. The doctor said, “Well, I have read about near-death experiences, but usually they're only dead for five or ten minutes, and then they'll come round.” He said, “You've been dead for twenty minutes! It's a miracle!” I replied, “Yes, it is a miracle.” The nurse asked me, “Do you mind if I test your brain? Because you should be brain dead.” I said, “Okay.” I was told, “There's absolutely nothing wrong with you apart from you breaking your foot. Yet you were dead for twenty minutes.” I said, “Yes, well Jesus works miracles.” 

After that, I went back to the hostel for a couple of weeks and traced my Aunt Hilda. Then I went to college and stayed with her and my Uncle Ted. They were loving and caring Christians, and I went to church there. Then I went to a conference with some friends, and the leader was talking about the baptism of the Holy Spirit. I said, “Well, a friend had prayed for me for the baptism with Holy Spirit already.” But he told me, “Well, the Lord wants to fill you again.” So I agreed, and he prayed over me for the baptism with the Holy Spirit. I felt a heat and something like electricity going right through me. He said, “Praise the Lord!” And when I praised the Lord, this tongue (or language) came. I thought, “Wow!”  

Then he said, “Now I want you to pray over my thumb.” I asked, “Why? What's wrong with it?” He said, “Well, I was chopping vegetables yesterday, and I cut my thumb right to the bone and had to go to hospital for stitches.” I responded, “Well, I don't know anything about the healing ministry." But he told me, “Well, all you have to do is obey the Lord.” So I said, “Okay. I believe Jesus works miracles. I've read and heard so much about Jesus working miracles.” So I held his thumb and prayed, and this tongue (language) came out of my mouth. And as I prayed, the heat and the tingling in my hands were so strong! When he took the bandage off, the stitches dropped off, and he exclaimed, “Gosh, there's not even a scar!” I said, “Well, Jesus does heal today!” 

Then a lady heard what had happened. She was young with three children. She told me, “I've got cancer of the stomach, and I've only got three months to live. Will you pray over me?” I agreed to do so, and said, “Well, Jesus heals. I don't know anything about healing, but I know Jesus healed." So I prayed over her and prayed in tongues again. Then after a while, she said to me, “I didn't know you spoke Spanish.” I said, “I don't know a word in Spanish. Jesus talked to you in Spanish. So what did He say?” She replied, “He said I've been thinking about being saved, and Jesus said that now's the time for me to ask Him into my heart.” So I said, “Okay, well, ask Jesus to forgive you for your sins, and believe that he died on the cross for your sins, and ask him into your heart now.” So I led her in that prayer, and then I prayed for her healing again and the pain in her stomach completely went away. Then she said, “The pain's gone!” She was completely healed. 

Then the leader said to me, “I want you to go on stage.” I thought, “Me, go on stage? You must be joking.” “No, I'm not joking,” he said, “I want everybody to know.” So I went on stage, and he was waving his thumb and telling about how it had been healed. And I told them about the young lady who had had cancer of the stomach. And there were other miracles as well, which were absolutely amazing. 

Then I went to Birmingham with some friends, because they had some Christian meetings. They worked for Birmingham Bible Institute. And they said to me, "Just go window shopping while we have a meeting.” So I said, “Yeah, okay.” And she added, “By the way, don't talk to strangers.” I said, “Yeah, alright.” I was nineteen by this time. 

So, I walked across the road, and as I was just about to cross over, this posh car drove up and stopped; and the driver said to me, “You can tell me about God.” I thought, “Oh, Lord, I'm not supposed to speak to strangers.” But the Lord said, “You're going to witness him.” So I said, “Lord, am I safe?” He replied, “Oh, yes. Trust me.” So I said, “Okay.” 

We went to his very posh house -- he was very rich. And as I looked around, he said, “You think I've got everything, don't you?” I replied, “Yes, it looks like it. It really does.” But he said, “None of this means anything to me. I'm empty. I'm looking for what you've got. You've got God, and I want what you've got.” I told him, “Well, you'll need to sit down, because it's quite a story.” So I told him the whole story, and he was crying on his knees. I said, “Don't go on your knees. I'm just human like you.” He asked me, “What do I do to get saved?” I responded, “Well, believe that Jesus died on the cross for you, for your sins. He's the Son of God, and if you believe in Him, ask Him to forgive you, ask Him into your heart, and live for Jesus and God the Father, you'll be saved.” So he said, “Well, how do I thank God? And how do I thank you?” But I said, “Oh, don't thank me; thank God. Go to church and ask the leaders to help you serve the Lord.” So he put me back where he found me, and he was so happy. 

When I told my friend, she said, “I told you not to speak to strangers.” But I said, “Well, the Lord had other plans.” So she was amazed. And she said, “Well, God's going to use your story, I believe.” 

So if anybody wants to get saved, all they have to do is pray this prayer, which is to ask Jesus into their heart, and believe that Jesus died in the cross. He's the Son of God, and He died for us all on the cross for our sins, to set us free so that we can serve the Lord and worship Him. So ask Jesus into your heart and say, “Dear Lord Jesus, forgive me for my sins. I believe you died on the cross for me, and I want to serve you and worship you. I want a personal relationship with you, Lord Jesus, the Son of God. And I want to serve you and worship the Father the rest of my life, in Jesus’ precious name. Amen.”

END OF CATHERINE'S TESTIMONY

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Closing Words

What an amazing testimony! Let me just comment regarding the Jewish man named Paul, who met Catherine at the bottom of the hill, told her all about her life, and then disappeared after he dropped her off at the chalet where her parents were staying--even though she didn't know which chalet it was. She told me that the picture to the left most closely resembles him. While it could have been an angel, since the Bible clearly tells us we may encounter angels without being aware of it, it is my belief that this was the apostle Paul. It is just as easy for God to have one of the living saints in glory appear and help us in some way, as it is for Him to send an angel or another earth-dwelling human being. 

When I told Catherine that I and my family all believe it was the apostle Paul, she replied, "Yes I agree with you, I do believe it was St Paul that was sent to me. He had so much love and compassion just as he does in his letters to the churches in the New Testament, and his love and passion for Jesus our Lord is awesome. When I read his letters in the New Testament, it's like I know him in Spirit and I remember my encounter with him."

Why should any of you consider it incredible that God could do this? He is the Sovereign Lord and nothing is too difficult for Him. Just as Moses and Elijah appeared talking with Jesus on the Mount of Transfiguration (Matthew 17:1–8, Mark 9:2–8, Luke 9:28–36), so the Lord can permit anyone He so wishes to have this sort of experience. 

This is all part of the communion of the saints that is spoken of in Scripture and in the Apostles' Creed. We believe in the communion of the saints. According to the apostle John, "...if we walk in the light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, His Son, purifies us from all sin." (1Jn 1:7). Those who walk in the light in this way not only have fellowship with the Lord, but with the saints here on earth. And if God chooses to allow it, they also have fellowship with the saints in glory. 

However, we are not to seek to initiate direct contact with them. Such encounters come to those who diligently seek the Lord Himself, like John did on the Isle of Patmos. While he was in the Spirit on the Lord's Day, he had an amazing revelation from God that he wrote down in the book of Revelation. Not only did he see the Lord Jesus Christ and the heavenly Father, he also saw angels and saints in glory, including the twenty-four elders. In fact, he spoke with one of the twenty-four elders (Rev 7:13). And many believe that the particular angel who spoke with him and showed him things in heaven was actually the prophet Daniel. John wrote:

"At this I fell at his feet to worship him. But he said to me, 'Don't do that! I am a fellow servant with you and with your brothers who hold to the testimony of Jesus. Worship God! For it is the Spirit of prophecy who bears testimony to Jesus.'" (Rev 19:10)

The reason many believe this was the prophet Daniel is that he told John that he is a fellow servant with him and his brothers who hold to the testimony of Jesus. A fellow servant (Gr. sumdoulos) of John and other disciples of Christ signifies being one of them and coequal with them. And the reason he is believed to be the prophet Daniel is that God gave Daniel an apocalyptic revelation of the end times, too, as written in the book of the Bible that bears his name. The books of Daniel and Revelation fit together like a lock and a key. How fitting it would be for Daniel to speak with John during his heavenly encounter and show him the things he showed him.

When I asked Catherine what Mary looked like, she said, "Mary had dark hair and brown eyes, and looked like a young Jewish girl (closely resembling woman in photo to left). The Catholic Church portrays her as English with fair hair and blue eyes. She doesn't look like they portray; they have her wrong. She spoke with great authority, and a strong voice. She spoke the same English as I do, with the South London accent, as I was brought up in South London." 

She stated: "The Holy Spirit later reaffirmed to me that Jesus sent his mother to me, to help heal the trauma of having an abusive foster mother, and never having a loving mother." 

She continued, "When I tell people about this vision, I always point out that Jesus sent his mother to me so that I would know who I belong to -- 'Jesus' -- and not to become a Catholic as some people have said. For although I didn't see Jesus that night, He was still there, because I heard his voice loud and clear, which is a witness to Catholics that Jesus is our Saviour, and they must not pray to or worship Mary." 

Her second encounter in heaven occurred later in life during a time of grief that she was experiencing. In her second encounter, she describes how she saw God on His throne with Jesus at His right hand, and the four living creatures around the throne, as well as the twenty-four elders and myriads of angels all around. You may read about that here in my related article called Catherine Hughes' Second Encounter in Heaven. (See important note below).

Author's note:  If you enjoyed this testimony, I think you'd enjoy this other testimony about Catherine: Catherine Hughes' Second Encounter in Heaven. You may also enjoy watching a short, five-minute version of her testimony produced by God TV. Catherine is not Catholic, nor does she follow the Catholic practices associated with Mariolatry. As a former Catholic myself, I want to be very clear that neither Catherine, nor the Lord, nor my article about her experience in any way whatsoever condone the unbiblical Catholic practice of adoring Mary, worshiping her, or praying to her, which constitute idolatry. Please see my two very important articles about that called Unbiblical Practices of the Catholic Church and Messages from the Lord for Catholics Worshiping Idols. Also related are Baptized with the Holy Spirit, The Gift of Speaking in Tongues, and The Body Parts Storehouse in Heaven.

You are also invited to read or listen to the many, amazing testimonies of the supernatural on the Home page of this blog, some of which are listed below.  You may access my complete blog directory at Writing for the Master.

Forty Days in Heaven and Hell	Only the Holy -- Three Shocking Testimonies	Angelica Zambrano Hell and Heaven
Baptized by Blazing Fire	Ian McCormack's Revelation of Heaven and Hell	Revelation of Hell to Seven Colombian Youths
Australian Pastor Raised from the Dead	Nigerian Pastor Raised from the Dead	Michael Thomas Sambo's Revelation of Heaven and Hell

Do You Want to Know Him?
If you want to know Jesus personally, you can. It all begins when you repent and believe in Jesus.  Do you know what God's Word, the Bible says?

“Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of God, and saying, ‘The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.’” (Mar 1:14b-15).  He preached that we must repent and believe. 

Please see my explanation of this in my post called "Do You Want to Know Jesus?"

_________________________________________________

Len Lacroix is the founder of Doulos Missions International.  He was based in Eastern Europe for four years, making disciples, as well as helping leaders to be more effective at making disciples who multiply, developing leaders who multiply, with the ultimate goal of planting churches that multiply. His ministry is now based in the United States with the same goal of helping fulfill the Great Commission. www.dmiworld.org.

Eternal Places Prepared by God

I'd like to tell you about the places that God has prepared, and the preparation that is needed to ensure we end up in the right place.

Places Prepared by the Father
Jesus taught that the places immediately on His right and left in heaven were prepared by His Father.

Jesus said to them, "You will indeed drink from my cup, but to sit at my right or left is not for me to grant. These places belong to those for whom they have been prepared by my Father." (Mat 20:23, NIV)

Places Prepared by the Son
Just as there are places prepared by the Father, there are places prepared by Jesus.

Jesus said, "In My Father's house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself, so that where I am, you may be also." (Joh 14:2-3, MKJV)

Jesus taught that He went to heaven to prepare a place for us there.  In this instance, the place for us that He was referring to was a mansion or dwelling place.

He said that He has prepared the kingdom of heaven for His sheep since the creation of the world.

"Then the King will say to those on his right, 'Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world.'" (Mat 25:34).

It's important to note that God prepared His kingdom for the righteous since the world was created. This earth is just a temporary testing ground, but the kingdom of heaven is eternal.

The apostle wrote to the Hebrews that God has prepared a city for all who live by faith in Him.

"Instead, they were longing for a better country—a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them." (Heb 11:16)

Place prepared for the devil and his angels
Just as there are places prepared for the saints in heaven, there is a place prepared for the devil and his angels. In that place there is everlasting fire.

"Then He also shall say to those on the left hand, Depart from Me, you cursed, into everlasting fire prepared for the Devil and his angels." (Mat 25:41).

Jesus taught that the wicked will go to the same place that is prepared for the devil and his angels. It was not meant for humans but for the devil and the demons. Yet when people follow satan, they must go to the same place where he goes, which is into eternal hell fire.

"And the Devil who deceived them was cast into the Lake of Fire and Brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet were . And he will be tormented day and night forever and ever." (Rev 20:10)

Our Preparation for Heaven
Even we ourselves must prepare for the Lord. The great multitude in heaven will one day shout:

"Let us rejoice and be glad and give him glory! For the wedding of the Lamb has come, and his bride has made herself ready." (Rev 19:7)

The Bride of Christ must make herself ready, in other words she must prepare. Our preparation includes being born again, baptized with the Holy Spirit, baptized with fire, repenting, separating ourselves from the world, washing our robes in the blood of the Lamb and making them white, purifying ourselves, praying, being in the Word, doing the Father's will, as well as keeping our flasks full of oil and our lamps burning for the Lord.

The Consequences of Failing to Prepare Ourselves
The Lord also warned about the terrible consequences of failing to prepare.

"And that slave who knew his master's will and did not get ready or act in accord with his will, will receive many lashes." (Luk 12:47, NASB)

Notice He said that the unworthy slave did not prepare or act in accord with his Master's will. Therefore this is what the Master of that slave will do:

"The master of that slave will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour he does not know, and will cut him in pieces, and assign him a place with the unbelievers." (Luk 12:46, NASB)

Closing Words
So the Lord spoke of places prepared by His Father, such as the thrones at his right and left hand. He also spoke of places that He was going to prepare for us in heaven, which are mansions or dwelling places. We know that God has prepared a heavenly city for those who walk by faith.  He has prepared the kingdom of heaven since the creation of the world for the righteous whom He has blessed.

The Lord said that everlasting fire is prepared for the devil and his angels, where they, as well as all the unrighteous, will be thrown. Indeed, even the Master's servants who know His will and do not act in accordance with it will be thrown into that terrible place. According to Scripture, ultimately death and hell will be cast into the lake of fire, along with the devil, the beast, and the false prophet.

I trust that this study has encouraged you to prepare yourself so that you end up in the right place.  No matter which place you go to, that is where you will all throughout eternity. Please take this seriously, since your eternal destination is at stake.

Attribution notice: Most Scripture quotations taken from the Holy Bible NIV, copyright Zonervan, used by permission. Other Scriptures from the NASB, copyright the Lockman Foundation, used by permission, as well as the MKJV where noted.

Author's note: If you enjoyed this post, I recommend Where Will You Go When You Die?, The Place of Weeping and Gnashing of Teeth, Separation from the World, Walking in the Perfect Will of God, The Four Tallest Homes in Heaven, Ezekiel Moses Testimony of Heaven and Hell, James Agboola Revelation of Heaven and Hell, Eudoxia Varga Testimony of Heaven and Hell, and Lynn Veasley's Revelation of Heaven. You may enjoy a couple of poems written by two of my daughters called Make Your Bride Ready and Preparation. Please also see the Main Directory for Eternal Destinations. You may also access my complete blog directory at "Writing for the Master."

Do You Want to Know Him?
If you want to know Jesus personally, you can. It all begins when you repent and believe in Jesus.  Do you know what God's Word, the Bible says?

“Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of God, and saying, ‘The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.’” (Mar 1:14b-15).  He preached that we must repent and believe.

Please see my explanation of this in my post called "Do You Want to Know Jesus?"

_________________________________________________

Len Lacroix is the founder of Doulos Missions International.  He was based in Eastern Europe for four years, making disciples, as well as helping leaders to be more effective at making disciples who multiply, developing leaders who multiply, with the ultimate goal of planting churches that multiply. His ministry is now based in the United States with the same goal of helping fulfill the Great Commission. www.dmiworld.org.

Claire Andoun Solomon's Encounter with Jesus

Claire Andoun Solomon

It was four years ago that I had the privilege of coming to know sister Claire Andoun from Cameroon. Initially I saw a video she produced with a warning for women, so I contacted her to vet her character and see if she was genuine. We spoke together on the phone for the first time on May 21, 2013. In that phone conversation, she shared with me her testimony, which I would like to share with you here.

She spoke about the need to be blameless, according to God's Word (Mt 5:48). The will of God is our sanctification. As the apostle Paul said, "For this is the will of God, your sanctification; that is, that you abstain from sexual immorality." (1Th 4:3)

He is preparing us. She gave God the glory for her life. She grew up in an environment of fearing God, praying at 5:00 AM. In her household, they believed that Jesus is the only way.

When she was a teenager, one day while she was sleeping after prayer, a bright light appeared to her, heaven opened, and a ladder came down. She saw a man, who had the skin of a white man, dressed as a King, wearing sandals. She knew He was Jesus. She could see the Holy City and words in front of her. He said, “If you read my Word and obey, then I will give you that city.” Afterward the words disappeared and the ladder rolled back up and all became dark.

Later on she began to disobey the Lord. She left home, lived a worldly life, and became stubborn. Although she went to medical school, she actually wanted to be a musician. She sang in nightclubs and pubs. During this time, she forgot all about seeing Jesus in that encounter she had as a teenager.

Her mother told her that when she was in the womb, the doctor told her the child would trouble the world. When she was in prostitution, her mother called her and told her to abandon that practice and give her life to Jesus, but she didn't. Then she began to have children.

In 2009 she saw the testimony of Daniel Ekechukwa from Nigeria. She got convicted by the Holy Spirit, saw her nakedness, and fell on the floor, crying out, “Jesus, have mercy on me!” She repented of her sins. The next day, she found a Bible and looked for a church. It was a Wednesday morning. She found a lady who gave her a Bible, whose husband was a pastor. He talked to her, but ran out of time.

She continued to look for a church that she could understand, and one that preached the Word, but she could not find one. There was no hunger for God in the churches. Then her landlord invited her to his church.

She cried out to God and saw herself praying for a sick woman who got healed. Heaven opened, Jesus came down, and she was afraid. He said, “Peace be with you.” He instructed her and the woman who was healed to keep praising God, so they did so, and He praised with them. He also danced with them.

Then He opened the Bible and said, “I have something to show you. You’re lazy.” She had been previously wondering if laziness was a sin. And He said, “If you’re lazy, you won’t pray or read your Bible.” She asked the Lord if she should go to that church that she was invited to by her landlord. He said there were things He didn’t like about it, but said, “Go there for now.” At that church, she was not allowed to sing in the choir until she dressed properly.

One day as she was crossing the street, a tour bus driver called out to her and wanted to get her phone number. Although she told him that she was a child of God, he didn’t recognize her as one, due to the way she was dressed. In fact, he mocked her when she told him that. She couldn’t understand why he didn’t recognize that she was a child of God.

Afterward a lady, who wasn’t even born again, told her that the way she was dressed was not holy. So she cried out to God. At church the pastor’s wife affirmed that she was not dressed properly. Then she found the testimony of the woman who had been a worker for the devil, and she got rid of the trousers. She stopped bleaching her skin, but mascara was the hardest thing to let go of.

She prayed with a brother, who apparently did not believe in outward holiness and thought that she had some kind of spiritual confusion. He took anointing oil and prayed over her eyes. Then he said, “There! You can put on mascara.” In saying this, he implied that it wouldn’t be a spiritual problem now.

Then one day after that the spirit of death came to her, and she felt as if she was dying. She thought, “The mascara is going to take me to hell.” She got up and threw it in the toilet.  After that she could breath freely again.

Afterward she stood firm on her conviction about holiness, without which the Scripture says no man shall see the Lord (Heb 12:14). She didn’t go back to her old ways, and the Lord showed her the real beauty in her. She continued to seek Him in the Word. Then one day during the second day of a three-day fast, the Lord showed her that the Church is dirty. In a deep sleep she saw herself in the Church. The Lord took her out of the church in a vision. She could see that women, men, and children in church were half naked. He said, “My Church is Dirty!” Then He showed her that there is a strange power that has come into the Church, because this unclean spirit has been invited in by the women of God, and the pastors will not preach against it.  This strange power is the Queen of the Coast, who leads the sisters in the Church to dress immodestly. That was how the Lord birthed her ministry to transform the world, which she called Virtuous Women in Christ. Her ministry emphasized the need for holiness, not only inwardly, but the kind that can be observed outwardly in one's life

During the course of time, my wife and I became friends with sister Claire and had many other conversations with her. Then recently on May 10, 2017, nearly four years after we came to know her, she went home to be with the Lord, which I have written about in my article, The Home Going of Sister Claire Andoun Solomon. If this message of complete holiness is new to you, then I encourage you to prayerfully investigate it to see if it is really true, because your soul depends on it. This is the will of God, even your sanctification.

Attribution notice: Most Scripture quotations taken from the NASB.

Author's note:  Please prayerfully listen to this sister's testimony, and use the Testimony Review Process adopted by this blog, as you decide for yourself whether the Lord has spoken to her.  For issues and concerns, each person must confirm with the Lord, whether something is valid or not. For more information on our position, please see Disclaimers.

Author's note: If you enjoyed this post, you may also like The Home Going of Sister Claire Andoun Solomon, Revelation of Sister Claire Andoun in Heaven, Godly Attire and Adornment -- Seven Divine Revelations, Garments of Godliness, Rapture Revelation to Sister Claire Andoun Solomon, The Bodily Form of the Holy Spirit, The Marine Kingdom and Queen of the Coast, Is a Woman's Hair Her Head Covering?, Carrying Your Cross or Cross Dressing?, Keeping Your Body Pure and Holy , The Wardrobe of the Saints, Tattoos and Body Piercing, Judging with Righteous Judgment, Interview with Brother Michael Thomas Sambo, Seven Reasons to Believe the Seven Divine Revelations, An Open Mind that Loves the Truth, Nigerian Pastor Raised from the Dead, Visitation of Jesus to Samuel Oghenetaga, James Agboola Revelation of Heaven and Hell, Called to be Blameless, The Refiner's Fire, Compelled by Love, and the other posts in this blog available through the Eternal Destinations Directory. For a special treat, I invite you to read my daughter's poem Beauty Unfading. You may also access my complete blog directory at Writing for the Master.

Do You Want to Know Him?
If you want to know Jesus personally, you can. It all begins when you repent and believe in Jesus.  Do you know what God's Word, the Bible says?

“Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of God, and saying, ‘The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.’” (Mar 1:14b-15).  He preached that we must repent and believe.

Please see my explanation of this in my post called "Do You Want to Know Jesus?"

_________________________________________________

Len Lacroix is the founder of Doulos Missions International.  He was based in Eastern Europe for four years, making disciples, as well as helping leaders to be more effective at making disciples who multiply, developing leaders who multiply, with the ultimate goal of planting churches that multiply. His ministry is now based in the United States with the same goal of helping fulfill the Great Commission. www.dmiworld.org.

Eternal Security

One of the most popular teachings in the Church worldwide today is the doctrine of eternal security, which is the teaching of once-saved-always-saved (OSAS). They teach that once we get saved, there is nothing we can ever do to lose our salvation. It is taught as if it is the gospel. If you are in a church that teaches this error, or if you yourself teach it, then I would like you to consider the following articles of mine. In these articles, I explain from Scripture what the Bible actually teaches on this topic:

If -- A Picture Paints a Thousand Words
Drifting Away
Is Obedience Optional?
Sins That Will Keep You From Heaven
You Must Be Born Again (see the section on New Life)
Avoid Becoming a Corrupted Christian
The Apostasy Parables

New Testament Books Disproving Eternal Security
Keeping Power of God

The Fruit Test of a Genuine Disciple

These articles clearly show that eternal security is not taught in the Bible. However, if after reading them you still need more proof, then you may also read the following articles:

Is Practical Righteousness a Lost Truth?
Walking in the Perfect Will of God
Striving to Enter the Kingdom of God
The Difference Between a Disciple and a Believer
Having a Servant's Heart
Holy Living in a Perverted World
The Cost of Discipleship 
Salvation with Fear and Trembling
Faith Works! 

Being Blessable 
No Turning Back

The enemy uses the false teaching on eternal security to deceive many people to hell. Please don't let that happen to you or those you love. Prayerfully read these articles and share these articles with others who believe in eternal security, so that they will not perish but have everlasting life.

Author's note: If you would like to become a disciple, consider enrolling in our Doulos Training School. You may access my complete blog directory at "Writing for the Master."

Do You Want to Know Him?
If you want to know Jesus personally, you can. It all begins when you repent and believe in Jesus.  Do you know what God's Word, the Bible says?

“Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of God, and saying, ‘The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.’” (Mar 1:14b-15).  He preached that we must repent and believe.

Please see my explanation of this in my post called "Do You Want to Know Jesus?"

_________________________________________________

Len Lacroix is the founder of Doulos Missions International.  He was based in Eastern Europe for four years, making disciples, as well as helping leaders to be more effective at making disciples who multiply, developing leaders who multiply, with the ultimate goal of planting churches that multiply. His ministry is now based in the United States with the same goal of helping fulfill the Great Commission. www.dmiworld.org.

Tattoos and Body Piercing

It's obvious that tattoos and body piercing are a major fad these days.  Even among Christians this practice is very popular.  In fact, even pastors, evangelists, and other ministers of the gospel are doing it! It's become an epidemic!

The most common age for people to engage in this practice is eighteen to twenty-five years old.  But people of all ages are getting tattoos or body piercing, even parents and grandparents, as well as children. It may seem cool to some. Others may do it to rebel or because their friends are all doing it. Evidently they are just going along with the culture of the world. But many Christians do it because they feel it is a statement of their faith.

I'd like to ask the question whether it is right in the sight of God to get tattoos or body piercings.  With all these motives and reasons for doing it, we can't base our determination whether it is right or wrong on popular opinion or people's motives. We must go by what the Word of God says.

There are two Scriptures that immediately come to my mind.  The first one is that "You shall not make any cuts in your body for the dead nor make any tattoo marks on yourselves: I am the LORD." (Lev 19:28).  The second one is this: "Do you not know that you are a temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you? If any man destroys the temple of God, God will destroy him, for the temple of God is holy, and that is what you are." (1Co 3:16-17).

These two Scriptures alone should be plain enough for anyone to see that it's a sin to pierce your body or get a tattoo.  The very fact that it is written in God's Word should be sufficient to convince anyone. Yet these days there is very little regard for what the Bible says.  And if it comes from the Old Testament, then people disregard it all the more.  They claim that since we are not under law, we don't have to pay any attention to commandments of God written in the Old Testament. They claim that we are free in Christ to do this, and somehow they justify it as an expression of their faith in God.  However, we are not free to sin.

Moreover, Jesus and the apostles all taught about the Law and quoted the Old Testament  (Mat 5:17-22; 7:12; 22:40; 23:23; Luk 10:26,28; Luk 16:17; Jam 1:25; 2:8,9,11,12; 4:11; Eph 6:1-3; 1 Cor 7:19b; 9:7-9; 14:34,37; Rom 2:13)  During their days, that was the only Scripture that existed in written form on earth. And when Jesus was asked what the greatest commandment is, He answered by quoting from the Law.

"Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?"

And He said to him, "'You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.' This is the great and foremost commandment. The second is like it, 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.' On these two commandments depend the whole Law and the Prophets."  (Mat 22:36-40)

The first Scripture that Jesus quoted was from Deuteronomy 6:5. The second Scripture He quoted from was Leviticus 19:18. So the Lord Himself quoted from the Law, including the book of Leviticus.  In fact, He quoted from the same chapter in that book as I have quoted regarding tattoos. So we should not think that it's off limits for Christians to quote verses from these books of the Bible. These Scriptures are still profitable for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness. By quoting them, we are imitating Christ.

Paul said, "All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness." (2Ti 3:16)

The Lord is eternal and does not change. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, and today, and forever (Heb 13:8). His ways are still the same. What was morally evil in His sight 3,700 years ago is still evil today. It did not become good or right in His sight just because of the New Covenant. His ways are still holy, righteous, and good. They are still The Ways of Life, so I encourage you to read my article by that name at that link.

Tattoos Are an Occult Practice
If you don't believe that tattoos are a sin, based on what I have just presented to you, then you need to consider the fact that they are an occult practice. The word occult comes from a Latin word occultus, meaning hidden, secret, or mysterious. Occult practices include things like witchcraft, interpreting omens, tarrot cards, casting spells, palm reading, mind reading, sorcery (magic), spiritism, drugs, child sacrifice, and contacting the dead.  These things are an abomination in the sight of God (Deut 18:9-13).

By getting a tattoo, you are participating in an ancient, occult practice that most likely originated in connection with the ritual of scarification (as in scarring oneself by cutting the flesh) and bloodletting. You are opening up inlets for evil to enter! This is a pagan practice, people! If you are a Christian, you need to avoid having anything to do with that, no matter how innocent, fashionable, or spiritual it may appear to you.

If you have already gotten a tattoo, you will need to receive deliverance from the demons that have entered your life in association with it. For more on this, you should watch a video by brother David Williams, called Making an Agreement with the Devil. You could also read Tattoo: The Cup of Devils and Tattoo: The Mark of Blood, by Terry Watkins of Dial-the-Truth Ministries. 

One last thing I would like to mention are some divine revelations that the Lord has given on this topic recently, which clearly confirm His will on this matter.

James Agboola

In James Agboola's testimony about his revelation of hell he stated:

At a point, I now heard somebody call my name. He said, “James! Stop!” I now heard, “Stop!” It now seemed as if a man had just came from ground and put, and now hold my leg there. I now stop. I fold my hands. I bend my head, as somebody who was standing before the judge to be. And the voice now begin to speak to me in great pain. Jesus Christ speak to me in sadness. He was not happy. He speak to me with a sorrowful heart. He said, “James, you think that you cannot die, or you think you are too young to die. Look at you, but now you are dead. You are not on the planet earth again. You are dead. And where you belong is hellfire. If I should take you now, your place is hellfire because you have backslided from My Way. You have turned your back from My Way. And hell is where you belong. And that is hell that you are going.” He said, “James, do you hear the cry of people in hell?” I said, “Yes, sir.” He said, “Many of them are those who called themselves so-called ‘Christians’ like you. While on earth they claimed holiness and righteousness. But because of ‘little, little, little, little things, small, small, small things’, ‘it doesn’t matter.’” We have heard it here now: “It doesn’t matter. It doesn’t matter. It doesn’t matter.” He said, “That is why many of them are in hell. And I hear them crying that now, they believe. They want to change. But it’s too late. It is too late.” He said, “James, when I created man, I created man in my own image. And my glory was upon him.” He said, “But my enemy, the devil, now added a lot of packaging, packaging of the glory I gave man, packaging of earring, necklace, attachments, all of them. God says, “My eye cannot behold it once anything artificial, artificial...” He said, “James, when I created women, did I put hole in their ear?” I said, “No.” He said, “How come I now saw them with hole in their ears?” He said, “James, when I created man, every part of their body that is supposed to have hole, did I not put hole there?” I said, “Yes.”  He said, “How come they now begin to put hole by themselves?” He said, “And once anything artificial has been added, no matter what it is, my face cannot look at them. My face cannot behold them.”

Samuel Oghenetega

In Samuel Oghenetega's testiomony he repeated the Lord's warnings:

Warning to those wearing artificial things: "Remove every artificial thing in your body, because 'Bimbo' Odukoya is in hell crying for mercy. But it is too late."

"Tell those who say, 'Fashion does not mean anything,' it means a lot of things to Me. They are joining to hell without them knowing. The Lord has spoken. Satan will use fashion to capture millions to hell. Do not put on anything artificial like wristwatches, artificial teeth, silver and gold, etc."

"Millions of people are tripping into hell. My Father’s house is empty. Few are there."

Warning to Those Getting Tattoos: "Do not put any marks of snakes or creatures in your body," which is tattoos.

Emmanuel Agyarko
Brother Emmanuel Agyarko testified about his vision of hell saying:

"I also saw a 17 year old American boy called Phillip. This boy had a spider tattoo on his back. He said his friend told him it would protect him from sickness. I then saw Lucifer pass by him mock him. This boy was in church and thought he was  going to heaven. Unfortunately this boy is in hell now because of the tattoo. Lucifer then said, 'All those who use tattoos, serve me.' I saw many other people in this section of hell, all because they have been tattooed on their bodies. I then saw Lucifer transform himself into a young man with many tattoos on his body, with body piercings and mocking them by quoting Lev 19:28 'Ye shall not make any cuttings in your flesh for the dead, nor print any marks upon you: I am the LORD.' In hell a red hot metal had been attached to the tattoo designs and they were in much pain. I saw one boy who said he did not know about the consequences, he had just imitated a friend doing it, so he also did same. However, this boy is also in hell in much pain for having a tattoo on his body."

Scripture Meditations

We must Remember the Eternal Law of God found in His Word. The Scriptures say:

"So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them." (Gen 1:27, NIV).

"But who are you, a human being, to talk back to God? Shall what is formed say to the one who formed it, 'Why did you make me like this?'" (Romans 9:20, NIV)

"Does the ax raise itself above the person who swings it, or the saw boast against the one who uses it? As if a rod were to wield the person who lifts it up, or a club brandish the one who is not wood!" (Isaiah 10:15)

"Woe to those who quarrel with their Maker, those who are nothing but potsherds among the potsherds on the ground. Does the clay say to the potter, 'What are you making?' Does your work say, 'The potter has no hands'?" (Isaiah 45:9)

"Yet you, LORD, are our Father. We are the clay, you are the potter; we are all the work of your hand." (Isaiah 64:8)

“If anyone turns a deaf ear to the law, even his prayers are detestable.” (Pr 28:9, NIV 1984)

"But You are the same, And Your years will not come to an end." (Psa 102:27).

"I the Lord do not change." (Mal 3:6a).

"Whoever conceals their sins does not prosper, but the one who confesses and renounces them finds mercy." (Pr 28:13, NIV)

"Blessed is the one who always fears the Lord, but whoever hardens their heart falls into trouble." (Pr 28:14, NIV)

“Pure and undefiled religion in the sight of our God and Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world.”  (Jas 1:27)

"You adulteresses, do you not know that friendship with the world is hostility toward God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.”  (Jas 4:4)

“Do not love the world nor the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the boastful pride of life, is not from the Father, but is from the world.”  (1Jn 2:15-16)

"Therefore, since we have these promises, dear friends, let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God." (2 Cor 7:1, NIV)

"Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect." (Rom 12:1-2)

"Make every effort to live in peace with everyone and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord." (Heb 12:14, NIV).

Summing it Up
I don't advise anyone to get their body pierced or to get a tattoo, not even if it is one with a Christian theme.  This includes pierced earrings. Don't let the devil deceive you by telling you it's a small thing or that it doesn't matter. He is a liar. The Lord is clear in His Word about this, and He has emphasized through recent revelations his hatred for this evil practice.  People are in hell right now for committing these sins.

If you have already committed one or both of these sins, then stop treading the path of your heart's desire, repent with all your heart, and depart from these things. Remove your earrings and other body piercings.  Cover your tattoos.  Stop sinning. Cleanse yourself from these things (2 Tim 2:21). Seek deliverance from the demons that have entered your life through these inlets. Ask the Lord to forgive you and cleanse you in the blood of Jesus. These things are evil in the sight of God, and nobody who practices them will see God's face. Therefore, Ask for the Ancient Paths.

I hope the Lord will grant you repentance leading to the knowledge of the truth. I pray that you will come to your senses and escape from the trap of the devil, who has taken you captive to do his will (2 Tim 2:25-26). I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received, and to live lives worthy of God, who calls you into his kingdom and glory. If you don't know Jesus yet, then I invite you to repent and give your life to Him today. In the section below I'll tell you how (see Do You Want to Know Him?).

Attribution notice: Most Scripture quotations taken from the NASB. Most other Scriptures taken from The Holy Bible, New International Version® NIV®, unless otherwise noted.  The photos are in the public domain, including the ones of the cross tattoos and the Indian lady, which are courtesy of Wikipedia.

Author's note: Please prayerfully consider these testimonies, and use the Testimony Review Process adopted by this blog, as you decide for yourself whether the Lord has spoken to these people.  For issues and concerns, each person must confirm with the Lord, whether something is valid or not. For more information on our position, please see Disclaimers.

You are invited to read The Ways of Life, Abominations in the Sight of God, The Forgotten Sin of Worldliness, Vision of Hell by Emmanuel Agyarko, Godly Attire and Adornment -- Seven Divine Revelations, James Agboola Revelation of Heaven and Hell, Ezekiel Moses Testimony of Heaven and Hell, Visitation of Jesus to Samuel Oghenetaga, The Top Ten Things Jesus Taught, Separation from the World, Purge the Evil from Among You, Ask for the Ancient Paths, Remember the Eternal Law of God, and my daughter's lovely poem Beauty Unfading. You may access my complete blog directory at "Writing for the Master."

Do You Want to Know Him?
If you want to know Jesus personally, you can. It all begins when you repent and believe in Jesus.  Do you know what God's Word, the Bible says?

“Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of God, and saying, ‘The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.’” (Mar 1:14b-15).  He preached that we must repent and believe.

Please see my explanation of this in my post called "Do You Want to Know Jesus?"

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Len Lacroix is the founder of Doulos Missions International.  He was based in Eastern Europe for four years, making disciples, as well as helping leaders to be more effective at making disciples who multiply, developing leaders who multiply, with the ultimate goal of planting churches that multiply. His ministry is now based in the United States with the same goal of helping fulfill the Great Commission. www.dmiworld.org.