Test 37: The Counterfeit and the Genuine

Matthew 7:21-27 —

>

(21) "Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven.

>

(22) Many will say to Me in that day, 'Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?'

>

(23) And then I will declare to them, 'I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!'

>

(24) Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock:

>

(25) and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock.

>

(26) But everyone who hears these sayings of Mine, and does not do them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand:

>

(27) and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it fell. And great was its fall."

• Introduction: The Most Terrifying Passage in Scripture

Read the passage above again. Slowly.

This may be the most unsettling statement Jesus ever made — not to atheists, not to pagans, not to the openly wicked — but to people who called Him "Lord." People who prophesied. People who cast out demons. People who performed miracles. People who were utterly convinced they were saved.

And He tells them: "I never knew you."

Not "I once knew you but you fell away." Not "I knew you but you disappointed Me."

"I NEVER knew you."

These were not half-hearted believers. They had power. They had results. They had ministries that produced visible, supernatural fruit. They prophesied — and presumably, some prophecies came true. They cast out demons — and demons left. They did "many wonders" — not a few, but many.

By every external measure, these people looked like the real thing.

And yet they were counterfeits.

• The Questions This Passage Forces Us to Ask

If people with supernatural power, prophetic gifts, and miracle-working ministries can be rejected by Christ — then:

1. What did they have, if not the Holy Spirit?
2. Where did their power come from?
3. How were they so thoroughly deceived?
4. What was the fatal flaw that condemned them?
5. And most urgently — how do I know I'm not one of them?

Jesus gives the answer in one Greek word: anomia — lawlessness.

"Depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness."

Not "you who lacked sincerity." Not "you who didn't try hard enough." Not "you who didn't have enough faith."

LAWLESSNESS. Living without regard for God's law.

This passage is not a warning to the irreligious. It is a warning to the religious — to those who prophesy, speak in tongues, perform healings, and do wonders in Jesus's name, yet disregard His commandments.

If that doesn't make you pause, nothing will.

• What This Test Will Examine

This investigation will demonstrate that:

1. Supernatural power does not prove divine approval — Satan can counterfeit miracles
2. The Holy Spirit is given conditionally — to those who obey (John 14:15-17)
3. Those who reject God's law cannot have the true Spirit — the Spirit produces obedience
4. Their power, if real, came from another source — a counterfeit spirit
5. Scripture provides a clear test — "To the law and to the testimony" (Isaiah 8:20)
6. The Sabbath question is directly relevant — lawlessness includes fourth commandment violation
7. Modern movements that display power but deny commandments are in grave danger — they fit the Matthew 7 profile

The evidence will show that some of the most "Spirit-filled" appearing Christians may be operating under a deception so complete that only the law of God can expose it.

Are you prepared to examine the evidence?

• PART 1: SUPERNATURAL POWER WITHOUT DIVINE APPROVAL

Section 1.1: The Biblical Precedent — Pharaoh's Magicians

The applicable legal principle:

UK — Historical Precedent:

Past instances establish that a phenomenon is possible.

The case of Jannes and Jambres:

Exodus 7:10-12 — "Aaron cast down his rod before Pharaoh and before his servants, and it became a serpent. But Pharaoh also called the wise men and the sorcerers; so the magicians of Egypt, they also did in like manner with their enchantments. For every man threw down his rod, and they became serpents."

Analysis:

Moses and Aaron	Pharaoh's Magicians
Power from God	Power from... where?
Rod became serpent	Rods became serpents
Genuine miracle	Genuine miracle (or sophisticated counterfeit)
Divine authority	Satanic/occult authority

The magicians replicated:

• Rods to serpents (7:11-12)
• Water to blood (7:22)
• Frogs (8:7)

Finding: Supernatural acts can be performed by those who do not serve God. Power does not prove source.

• Section 1.2: The End-Time Warning — Signs and Lying Wonders

The applicable legal principle:

UK — Explicit Statutory Warning:

When a statute warns against a specific danger, that danger is legally recognised.

2 Thessalonians 2:9-11 — "The coming of the lawless one is according to the working of Satan, with all power, signs, and lying wonders, and with all unrighteous deception among those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth... For this reason God will send them strong delusion, that they should believe the lie."

Critical observations:

Element	Greek Term	Meaning
"Power"	dunamis (δύναμις)	Mighty works, miracles
"Signs"	sēmeion (σημεῖον)	Authenticating signs
"Wonders"	teras (τέρας)	Marvels, prodigies

These are the same words used for Christ's miracles. The "lawless one": Greek anomos (ἄνομος — "ah-NO-mos") — literally "without law," the same root as anomia (lawlessness) in Matthew 7:23. The connection is direct:

Matthew 7:23	2 Thessalonians 2:9
"You who practice lawlessness (anomia)"	"The lawless (anomos) one"
Rejected despite miracles	Deceives through miracles
Same Greek root	Same Greek root

Finding: End-time deception involves genuine supernatural power from a satanic source, wielded by those characterised by lawlessness.

• Section 1.3: Spirits of Devils Working Miracles

The applicable legal principle:

UK — Source Identification:

When multiple sources can produce similar effects, the source must be identified by other criteria.

Revelation 16:14 — "For they are spirits of devils, working miracles, which go forth unto the kings of the earth and of the whole world."

Revelation 13:13-14 — "He performs great signs, so that he even makes fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men. And he deceives those who dwell on the earth by those signs which he was granted to do."

The implication:

Source	Can Perform
The Holy Spirit	Miracles, signs, wonders
Demonic spirits	Miracles, signs, wonders

The miracles look the same. Fire from heaven. Healings. Wonders. The appearance is identical. If miracles alone cannot distinguish, what can? Finding: Demonic spirits can and do perform miracles. Miracles alone are not proof of divine approval.

• PART 2: THE CONDITION FOR THE TRUE HOLY SPIRIT

Section 2.1: The Spirit Is Promised to the Obedient

The applicable legal principle:

UK — Conditional Grants:

When a grant is made subject to conditions, the conditions must be satisfied before the grant is received.

John 14:15-17 — "If you love Me, keep My commandments. And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever — the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive."

The structure is explicit:

Condition	Result
"If you love Me"	Prerequisite: love
"Keep My commandments"	Expression of love
"He will give you... the Spirit"	Consequent: Spirit given

This is not arbitrary. The sequence is logical:

1. Love for Christ is the foundation
2. Love is demonstrated by obedience (not merely felt)
3. The Spirit is given to those whose love is genuine

The world cannot receive the Spirit. Why? Because the world does not love Christ or keep His commandments. Finding: The Holy Spirit is conditionally promised to those who demonstrate love for Christ through commandment-keeping.

• Section 2.2: The Spirit Produces Obedience to the Law

The applicable legal principle:

UK — Purpose of Grant:

A grant is understood by its purpose.

Ezekiel 36:26-27 — "I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you... I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will keep My judgments and do them."

The Spirit's purpose:

The Spirit Does	NOT
Causes walking in God's statutes	Abolishes God's statutes
Produces law-keeping	Produces law-breaking
Writes law on heart	Erases law from heart

The New Covenant confirms:

Jeremiah 31:33 — "I will put My law in their minds, and write it on their hearts."

Hebrews 8:10 — Same promise, quoted as the New Covenant.

Finding: The true Holy Spirit produces obedience to God's law. A spirit that produces lawlessness is not the Holy Spirit.

• Section 2.3: The Spirit Hates Sin — Which Is Lawlessness

The applicable legal principle:

UK — Mutual Exclusivity:

Two mutually exclusive things cannot coexist.

1 John 3:4 — "Sin is the transgression of the law" (anomia — lawlessness).

1 John 3:8 — "He who sins is of the devil."

The logic:

Premise 1	Sin = lawlessness (1 John 3:4)
Premise 2	He who sins is of the devil (1 John 3:8)
Premise 3	The Spirit produces obedience (Ezekiel 36:27)
Conclusion	Lawlessness indicates the devil's influence, not the Spirit's

The Spirit and lawlessness are opposites:

Galatians 5:16-17 — "Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another."

Finding: The Holy Spirit and lawlessness are mutually exclusive. Where there is deliberate, persistent lawlessness, the Holy Spirit is absent.

• Section 2.4: The Devastating Implication

The applicable legal principle:

UK — Logical Deduction:

If A requires B, then the absence of B proves the absence of A.

Applying the logic to Matthew 7:

Premise	Support
The Holy Spirit is given to those who keep commandments	John 14:15-17
The Holy Spirit produces obedience to God's law	Ezekiel 36:27
Those in Matthew 7:23 "practice lawlessness"	Matthew 7:23
Therefore: Those in Matthew 7:23 do not have the Holy Spirit	Logical conclusion

But they performed miracles, cast out demons, prophesied! If they did not have the Holy Spirit — and they had supernatural power — where did it come from? There are only two sources of supernatural power:

1. God (through the Holy Spirit)
2. Satan (through demonic spirits)

If not the first, then the second. Finding: Those who practice lawlessness while performing supernatural acts are operating by a spirit other than the Holy Spirit.

• PART 3: THE DECEPTION EXPOSED

Section 3.1: They Were Deceived — And Deceiving

The applicable legal principle:

UK — Fraudulent Representation:

A party who acts in another's name without authority is guilty of fraud.

The rejected workers claimed to act in Jesus's name:

"Have we not in Your name... in Your name... in Your name?"

Three times they invoke His name. Three times they claim His authority.

But Jesus says: "I never knew you." Oudepote (οὐδέποτε — "oo-DEH-poh-teh") — never, not even once, at no time.

Not "I once knew you but you fell away." Not "I knew you but you disappointed Me."

"I NEVER knew you." They were operating under a false assumption. They believed they had Christ's authority. They believed their power validated their ministry. They believed their results proved their relationship. They were deceived.

And if they were teaching others, they were deceiving others.

Finding: Sincere conviction does not prevent deception. These people genuinely believed they were Christ's servants — and they were utterly wrong.

• Section 3.2: The Counterfeit Spirit

The applicable legal principle:

UK — Counterfeits and Originals:

A counterfeit is designed to appear identical to the original while being fundamentally different.

Satan is a counterfeiter:

2 Corinthians 11:14-15 — "Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also transform themselves into ministers of righteousness."

Counterfeit miracles. Counterfeit prophecy. Counterfeit tongues. Counterfeit ministry.

All designed to look like the real thing.

How does one tell the difference?

Not by the appearance of power. Not by the impressiveness of results. Not by the sincerity of the practitioner.

But by the FRUIT — specifically, alignment with God's law. Finding: Satan provides counterfeit spiritual experiences designed to mimic genuine Holy Spirit manifestations.

• Section 3.3: The Test of the Spirits

The applicable legal principle:

UK — Verification Procedures:

When fraud is possible, verification procedures must be employed.

1 John 4:1 — "Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world."

Scripture commands testing. Why? Because:

• Not every spirit is from God
• Many false prophets exist
• Deception is real and dangerous

What is the test?

• PART 4: "TO THE LAW AND TO THE TESTIMONY"

Section 4.1: The Biblical Standard for Testing

The applicable legal principle:

UK — Established Testing Criteria:

When a statute provides testing criteria, those criteria govern.

Isaiah 8:20 — "To the law and to the testimony! If they do not speak according to this word, it is because there is no light in them."

This is the divine test for all spiritual claims:

Element	Meaning
"The law"	Torah — God's instruction, the commandments
"The testimony"	The witness of Scripture, prophetic word
"Speak according to"	Teach in harmony with
"No light in them"	No truth, no divine illumination

The test is devastatingly simple:

Does this prophet, teacher, movement, or manifestation align with God's law?

If yes — further investigation warranted. If no — "there is no light in them."

Finding: God's law is the primary criterion for testing spiritual claims. Those who contradict the law are to be rejected, regardless of signs and wonders.

• Section 4.2: The Law and the Prophets — An Inseparable Pair

The applicable legal principle:

UK — Statutory Pairs:

When two elements are consistently paired, they function as a unit.

Throughout Scripture, "law" and "prophets/testimony" are paired:

Reference	Pairing
Isaiah 8:20	"The law and the testimony"
Matthew 5:17	"The law or the prophets"
Matthew 7:12	"The law and the prophets"
Matthew 22:40	"All the law and the prophets"
Luke 16:16	"The law and the prophets"
Luke 16:29	"They have Moses [law] and the prophets"
Acts 24:14	"The law and... the prophets"
Acts 28:23	"The law of Moses and... the prophets"
Romans 3:21	"The law and the prophets"

The pairing is consistent. Law and prophets. Torah and testimony. Commandments and witness. They validate each other:

• True prophets uphold the law
• The law confirms true prophets
• Reject one, you lose both

Finding: Law and prophetic testimony are inseparable. A prophet who rejects the law is a false prophet. A movement that abandons the law has no valid prophetic voice.

• Section 4.3: Where There Is No Law, There Is No Vision

The applicable legal principle:

UK — Consequential Relationships:

When the absence of A causes the absence of B, A is necessary for B.

Lamentations 2:9 — "The law is no more; her prophets also find no vision from the LORD."

This verse is explosive. The structure:

Condition	Consequence
"The law is no more"	Abandoned, rejected, set aside
"Her prophets find no vision"	No genuine prophetic revelation

The causal connection:

When the law is set aside, prophetic vision ceases. When God's commands are rejected, prophetic guidance is withdrawn.

Why? Because:

1. The Spirit who gives prophecy is the Spirit of obedience (Ezekiel 36:27)
2. The Spirit who speaks through prophets upholds the law (Isaiah 8:20)
3. Rejecting the law grieves the Spirit (Ephesians 4:30; Isaiah 63:10)

The result: "Her prophets find no vision from the LORD."

They may still prophesy. They may still claim visions. But it is not from the LORD.

Finding: Abandoning God's law results in the loss of genuine prophetic vision. Those who reject the law and claim prophecy are receiving visions from another source.

• Section 4.4: The Modern Application

The applicable legal principle:

UK — Contemporary Application:

Principles established in law apply to current situations.

Consider modern Christianity:

Observation	Implication
Many claim the Spirit's power	Good — if genuine
Many speak in tongues	Good — if genuine
Many prophesy	Good — if genuine
Many perform healings	Good — if genuine
Many reject the fourth commandment	Fatal — disqualifying

If Isaiah 8:20 is the test:

"To the law and to the testimony! If they do not speak according to this word, there is no light in them."

And if Lamentations 2:9 describes the consequence:

"The law is no more; her prophets find no vision from the LORD."

Then movements that:

• Claim Holy Spirit power
• Display supernatural manifestations
• Prophesy and speak in tongues
• BUT reject God's commandments (including the Sabbath)

...are in grave danger of operating by a counterfeit spirit. Finding: Modern movements that display spiritual power while rejecting God's law fit the profile of Matthew 7:22-23 — active, convinced, powerful, and rejected.

• PART 5: THE CHARACTERISTICS OF TRUE VS. FALSE PROPHETS

Section 5.1: The Fruit Test

The applicable legal principle:

UK — Outcome-Based Assessment:

When instructions specify assessment by outcomes, outcomes govern.

Matthew 7:15-20 — "Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. You will know them by their fruits... Every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit... Therefore by their fruits you will know them."

This immediately precedes the "Lord, Lord" passage (7:21-23). Jesus provides the context: False prophets are real. They look genuine. They must be tested. The test is fruit. What is the fruit?

Good Fruit	Bad Fruit
Obedience to God's commands	Lawlessness (anomia)
Alignment with Scripture	Contradiction of Scripture
Spirit-produced character (Gal 5:22-23)	Works of the flesh (Gal 5:19-21)

Finding: The fruit that identifies true vs. false prophets is obedience vs. lawlessness. Supernatural power is not the test — law-keeping is.

• Section 5.2: True Prophets Uphold the Law

The applicable legal principle:

UK — Established Pattern:

A consistent pattern establishes the norm.

Every true biblical prophet upheld God's law:

Prophet	Law-Upholding Evidence
Moses	Gave the law; called for obedience
Samuel	Called Israel to obey (1 Sam 12:14-15)
Elijah	"How long halt ye between two opinions?" (1 Kings 18:21)
Isaiah	"To the law and to the testimony" (Isa 8:20)
Jeremiah	"Obey My voice" (Jer 7:23); "My law" (Jer 31:33)
Ezekiel	"Walk in My statutes" (Ezek 36:27)
Daniel	Kept God's law despite persecution (Dan 6:5)
Malachi	"Remember the law of Moses" (Mal 4:4)
John the Baptist	Called for repentance from sin
Jesus	"Do not think I came to destroy the law" (Matt 5:17)
Paul	"We establish the law" (Rom 3:31)
James	Quoted the Decalogue as binding (James 2:10-12)
John	"Keep His commandments" (1 John 5:3)

Not one true prophet set aside God's law. Not one. Finding: True prophets consistently uphold God's law. A prophet who undermines the law fails the biblical test.

• Section 5.3: The Danger of Accepting the Miraculous Without Testing

The applicable legal principle:

UK — Fraud Warning:

Where fraud is possible, vigilance is required.

Deuteronomy 13:1-4 — "If there arises among you a prophet or a dreamer of dreams, and he gives you a sign or a wonder, and the sign or the wonder comes to pass, of which he spoke to you, saying, 'Let us go after other gods'... you shall not listen to the words of that prophet... for the LORD your God is testing you, to know whether you love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul."

This passage is devastating to the "miracles prove truth" assumption:

Element	Implication
Prophet gives a sign or wonder	Supernatural manifestation
It comes to pass	It actually happens — genuine power
But leads away from God	False message despite real miracle
"You shall not listen"	Reject the prophet regardless of signs
"The LORD is testing you"	God permits this as a test of loyalty

The test is NOT:

• "Did the miracle happen?"
• "Was the prophecy accurate?"

The test IS:

• "Does this align with God's revealed will (His law)?"

Finding: God explicitly warns that false prophets can perform genuine signs and wonders. The test is not power but alignment with God's law.

• PART 6: THE DOVE AND THE UNCLEAN BIRDS — SPIRIT SYMBOLISM UNVEILED

Section 6.1: The Holy Spirit as a Dove

The applicable legal principle:

UK — Symbolic Consistency:

When a symbol is established in one context, its meaning carries to related contexts.

At Jesus's baptism:

Matthew 3:16 — "When He had been baptized, Jesus came up immediately from the water; and behold, the heavens were opened to Him, and He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting upon Him."

Luke 3:22 — "And the Holy Spirit descended in bodily form like a dove upon Him."

The dove represents:

Characteristic	Meaning
Clean bird (Leviticus 11)	Purity, holiness
Gentle	Meekness, not coercion
Harmless	"Harmless as doves" (Matthew 10:16)
Peace-bringing	Noah's dove brought olive branch (Genesis 8:11)

The Holy Spirit's visible manifestation was a CLEAN bird — a dove. Finding: God chose a clean bird to symbolise His Spirit — establishing the principle that the true Spirit is associated with purity and cleanness.

• Section 6.2: Tongues of Fire — The Genuine Manifestation

The applicable legal principle:

UK — Authenticating Signs:

Genuine authentication follows established patterns.

At Pentecost:

Acts 2:3-4 — "Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance."

The fire represents:

Element	Significance
Divine presence	God appeared in fire (Exodus 3:2; 19:18)
Purification	"He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire" (Matthew 3:11)
Consuming holiness	"Our God is a consuming fire" (Hebrews 12:29)
Illumination	Light and truth

Critical observation: Those who received the Spirit at Pentecost were:

• Gathered in obedience to Christ's command (Acts 1:4)
• Continuing in prayer (Acts 1:14)
• United in purpose (Acts 2:1)

They were the obedient remnant — and they received the genuine Spirit. Finding: The genuine Holy Spirit came with fire (purity, divine presence) to those who obeyed. This establishes the pattern: obedience precedes genuine Spirit manifestation.

• Section 6.3: Babylon — The Cage of Unclean Birds

The applicable legal principle:

UK — Contrasting Symbols:

When symbols are deliberately contrasted, the contrast reveals meaning.

Revelation 18:2 — "Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and has become a dwelling place of demons, a prison for every foul spirit, and a cage for every unclean and hateful bird!"

The devastating contrast:

The True Church	Babylon
Dwelling place of the Holy Spirit	Dwelling place of demons
Temple of God (1 Cor 3:16)	Prison for foul spirits
Where the Dove descends	Cage of unclean birds
Filled with fire of God	Filled with corruption

The symbolism is precise:

• Dove (clean bird) = Holy Spirit
• Unclean birds = demonic spirits

Babylon has become the opposite of the Spirit-filled church. Where the true church receives the Dove, Babylon collects unclean birds. Where the true church is filled with holy fire, Babylon is filled with foul spirits. Finding: Babylon is characterised by demonic spirits (unclean birds) rather than the Holy Spirit (the Dove). This is the ultimate destination of lawless religion.

• Section 6.4: Unclean Birds in Scripture

The applicable legal principle:

UK — Consistent Biblical Usage:

Symbols must be interpreted according to their established biblical meaning.

Unclean birds in the law:

Leviticus 11:13-19 — Lists unclean birds including eagles, vultures, ravens, owls, hawks — birds of prey, scavengers, creatures of darkness.

Unclean birds in prophecy:

Jeremiah 5:26-27 — "For among My people are found wicked men; they lie in wait as one who sets snares; they set a trap; they catch men. As a cage is full of birds, so their houses are full of deceit."

The pattern:

• Cage of birds = accumulated deception
• Unclean birds = wicked, predatory spirits
• Full cage = system saturated with corruption

Jesus's own use of bird symbolism:

Matthew 13:4, 19 — "Some seed fell by the wayside, and the birds came and devoured them... When anyone hears the word of the kingdom, and does not understand it, then the wicked one comes and snatches away what was sown."

Matthew 13:31-32 — The mustard seed grows into a great tree, "so that the birds of the air come and nest in its branches."

In Jesus's parables:

• Birds that snatch seed = the wicked one (Satan)
• Birds nesting in the kingdom = corruption infiltrating what appears godly

Revelation picks up Jesus's own symbolic language:

• Babylon = the corrupted "tree" where unclean birds nest
• The cage = a system that collects and holds demonic spirits

Finding: Scripture consistently uses unclean birds to represent demonic or wicked spirits. Babylon being full of unclean birds means it is filled with demonic influence while maintaining religious appearance.

• Section 6.5: The Connection to Matthew 7

The applicable legal principle:

UK — Parallel Structures:

Similar structures in different passages illuminate each other.

Compare:

Matthew 7:21-23	Revelation 18:2
Says "Lord, Lord"	Claims to be God's city
Religious activity	Religious system
Miracles and wonders	Impressive and influential
"Practice lawlessness"	"Dwelling place of demons"
"I never knew you"	"Fallen, fallen"
Rejected at judgment	Destroyed in judgment

Both describe:

• External religion
• Internal spiritual corruption
• Ultimate exposure at judgment

The diagnosis is the same:

Matthew 7:23 — "Depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness."

Revelation 18:2 — "Babylon... has become a dwelling place of demons."

Lawlessness opens the door to demonic habitation. When God's law is rejected, the Dove departs — and unclean birds move in. Finding: Babylon represents the corporate fulfilment of Matthew 7:21-23 — a religious system that professes Christ but practices lawlessness, and is therefore filled with demonic spirits rather than the Holy Spirit.

• Section 6.6: Why the Spirit Departs — And What Replaces It

The applicable legal principle:

UK — Cause and Effect:

When a cause is identified, the effect is predictable.

The Spirit is grieved and departs when:

Ephesians 4:30 — "Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God."

Isaiah 63:10 — "But they rebelled and grieved His Holy Spirit; so He turned Himself against them as an enemy."

What grieves the Spirit?

1 Thessalonians 5:19 — "Do not quench the Spirit."

The Spirit is quenched by:

• Rejecting truth
• Persisting in sin
• Lawlessness (anomia)

When the Spirit departs, a vacuum is created.

Matthew 12:43-45 — "When an unclean spirit goes out of a man, he goes through dry places, seeking rest, and finds none. Then he says, 'I will return to my house from which I came.' And when he comes, he finds it empty, swept, and put in order. Then he goes and takes with him seven other spirits more wicked than himself, and they enter and dwell there; and the last state of that man is worse than the first."

The principle:

• Empty house = absence of the Spirit
• Unclean spirits fill the vacancy
• The end state is worse than the beginning

Applied to Babylon:

• Rejected God's law
• The true Spirit departed
• Demons moved in
• Became "a cage for every unclean and hateful bird"

Finding: When lawlessness drives out the Holy Spirit, demonic spirits fill the vacancy. Babylon's condition is the result of persistent rejection of God's law.

• Section 6.7: The Final Contrast — Dove vs. Unclean Birds

Summary table:

The Dove (Holy Spirit)	Unclean Birds (Demonic Spirits)
Descends on the obedient	Inhabit the lawless
Given to those who keep commandments (John 14:15-17)	Fill those who reject commandments
Produces fruit of righteousness (Gal 5:22-23)	Produces works of the flesh (Gal 5:19-21)
Writes law on heart (Ezek 36:27)	Promotes lawlessness
Came at Pentecost with fire	Brings deception and corruption
Dwells in the true church	Cages in Babylon
Clean, pure, holy	Unclean, foul, hateful

The question every believer must ask:

Which bird dwells in me?

• The Dove — evidenced by obedience to God's commandments?
• Or an unclean bird — evidenced by lawlessness despite religious profession?

Finding: The contrast between the Dove and unclean birds perfectly illustrates the contrast between genuine and counterfeit spirituality. The test remains the same: obedience to God's law.

• PART 7: THE SABBATH AS THE SPECIFIC TEST

Section 7.1: Why the Sabbath Is Central

The applicable legal principle:

UK — Distinguishing Marks:

When a specific marker distinguishes parties, that marker is legally significant.

The Sabbath uniquely identifies the true God:

Exodus 31:13 — "My Sabbaths you shall keep, for it is a sign between Me and you throughout your generations, that you may know that I am the LORD who sanctifies you."

The fourth commandment alone contains the "seal" elements:

Seal Element	Fourth Commandment Content
Name	"The LORD"
Title	"Thy God"
Territory	"Heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is"

No other commandment identifies WHO God is. The Sabbath is the signature command. Finding: The Sabbath uniquely identifies the Creator-God. Rejecting the Sabbath is rejecting the specific sign of the true God.

• Section 7.2: The End-Time Remnant and the Sabbath

The applicable legal principle:

UK — Identifying Characteristics:

When a group is defined by specific characteristics, those characteristics are essential.

Revelation 14:12 — "Here is the patience of the saints; here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus."

Revelation 12:17 — "The dragon was enraged with the woman, and he went to make war with the rest of her offspring, who keep the commandments of God and have the testimony of Jesus Christ."

The contrast with Matthew 7:23:

The Rejected (Matt 7:23)	The Remnant (Rev 12:17; 14:12)
"Practice lawlessness"	"Keep the commandments of God"
Miracles in Jesus's name	Have the testimony of Jesus
"I never knew you"	Identified as God's people
No genuine relationship	Covenant relationship

Finding: The remnant is explicitly identified by commandment-keeping. Those who practice lawlessness are the opposite — the rejected.

• Section 7.3: The Specific Application

The applicable legal principle:

UK — Specific Instance:

A general principle applies to specific instances within its scope.

*If lawlessness (anomia) leads to rejection...

And lawlessness means transgression of God's law...

And God's law includes the fourth commandment (the Sabbath)...

Then rejecting the Sabbath is a form of lawlessness that leads to rejection. Consider a modern prophet, preacher, or movement that:

• Claims Holy Spirit power ✓
• Speaks in tongues ✓
• Performs healings ✓
• Prophesies ✓
• But teaches that the Sabbath is abolished ✗

By the Isaiah 8:20 test: "To the law and to the testimony." By the Lamentations 2:9 warning: "The law is no more; her prophets find no vision from the LORD." By the John 14:15-17 condition: "If you love Me, keep My commandments. And... He will give you the Spirit." This movement may have power. But is it from the Holy Spirit? Finding: Movements that claim spiritual power while rejecting the Sabbath fail the biblical tests and may be operating by a counterfeit spirit.

• PART 8: THE SOBERING REALITY

Section 8.1: Many Will Be Deceived — Jesus's Own Words

The applicable legal principle:

UK — Quantity Specified:

When a quantity is specified, it is legally significant.

Matthew 7:22 — "Many will say to Me in that day, 'Lord, Lord...'"

Not "a few." Not "some." "Many."

Polloi (πολλοί — "pol-LOY") — many, a large number, the majority. This is not a fringe group. This is a large contingent of professing Christians who:

• Call Jesus "Lord"
• Engage in ministry
• Experience supernatural power
• Are utterly convinced of their standing

And they are rejected. Finding: Jesus warned that MANY will be deceived. This is not a rare occurrence but a widespread phenomenon.

• Section 8.2: The Protection — Obedience to God's Law

The applicable legal principle:

UK — Safeguards:

When a safeguard is provided, it should be employed.

The protection against deception is clear:

Test	Source
"To the law and to the testimony"	Isaiah 8:20
"If you love Me, keep My commandments"	John 14:15
"By their fruits you will know them"	Matthew 7:20
"He who does the will of My Father"	Matthew 7:21
"Keep the commandments of God"	Revelation 14:12

The consistent answer: Obedience to God's revealed will (His law) is the safeguard against deception.

Not feelings. Not experiences. Not miracles. Not sincerity.

THE LAW. Finding: God has provided a safeguard against spiritual deception: His law. Those who obey are protected; those who reject it are vulnerable.

• Section 8.3: The Call to Examine Ourselves

The applicable legal principle:

UK — Self-Examination Requirement:

Parties are responsible for their own compliance.

2 Corinthians 13:5 — "Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves."

Questions for self-examination:

Question	Honest Answer
Do I keep God's commandments — ALL of them?
Do I observe the seventh-day Sabbath?
If I claim spiritual gifts, do I also obey God's law?
Am I trusting in experiences, or in obedience to Scripture?
Would I pass the Isaiah 8:20 test?
Which bird dwells in me — the Dove or an unclean bird?
Am I building on rock (hearing AND doing) or sand (hearing only)?

Finding: Every professing Christian should examine whether their spiritual experience aligns with God's law.

• # CONCLUSION AND VERDICT

Summary of Findings

Finding	Scripture
Supernatural power does not prove divine approval	Exodus 7:11-12; Rev 16:14
End-time deception includes lying wonders	2 Thessalonians 2:9-11
The Holy Spirit is given conditionally (to obedient)	John 14:15-17
The Spirit produces law-keeping	Ezekiel 36:27
Lawlessness proves absence of the Spirit	Matthew 7:23; 1 John 3:4-8
The test is the law and testimony	Isaiah 8:20
No law = no vision from the LORD	Lamentations 2:9
True prophets uphold the law	All biblical prophets
Signs can accompany false prophets	Deuteronomy 13:1-4
Many will be deceived	Matthew 7:22
The Holy Spirit appeared as a dove (clean bird)	Matthew 3:16; Luke 3:22
The Spirit came with tongues of fire to the obedient	Acts 2:3-4
Babylon is a cage of unclean birds (demonic spirits)	Revelation 18:2
Lawlessness invites demonic habitation	Matthew 12:43-45
The Sabbath is God's identifying sign	Exodus 31:13
The remnant keeps commandments	Revelation 14:12

• The Verdict

The rejected workers of Matthew 7:22-23 present a terrifying scenario:

1. They had supernatural power — prophecy, exorcism, miracles
2. They were convinced they were genuine — "Have we not... in Your name?"
3. Jesus never knew them — no genuine relationship existed
4. Their defining characteristic was lawlessness — anomia*

The inevitable conclusion:

• If the Holy Spirit is given to the obedient (John 14:15-17)
• And the Holy Spirit produces obedience (Ezekiel 36:27)
• And these workers practiced lawlessness (Matthew 7:23)
• Then they did not have the Holy Spirit

If they had supernatural power without the Holy Spirit, that power came from another source. They were operating by a counterfeit spirit while sincerely believing they served Christ. The test that would have protected them — and that protects us:

Isaiah 8:20 — "To the law and to the testimony! If they do not speak according to this word, it is because there is no light in them."

• The Warning

Anyone today who:

• Claims spiritual gifts and power
• Speaks in tongues
• Prophesies
• Performs healings or miracles
• BUT rejects God's commandments — including the Sabbath

...is in danger of being in the category of Matthew 7:22-23.

Not because they lack power. Not because they lack sincerity. Not because they lack conviction.

But because they fail the only test Scripture provides:

"To the law and to the testimony."

• The Hope

The solution is simple:

John 14:15 — "If you love Me, keep My commandments."

Revelation 22:14 — "Blessed are they that do His commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life."

Return to the law. Embrace the Sabbath. Receive the true Spirit. Enter the kingdom.