// The VIRUS \\

corona - (covid) 19

The Church open or The church closed?

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 Written word Authority - CIVIL 

Rom 13:1-5  CHAPTER 13  New King James

Romans 13:1 Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God.

2 Therefore whoever resists the authority resists the ordinance of God, and those who resist will bring judgment on themselves.

3 For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to evil. Do you want to be unafraid of the authority? Do what is good, and you will have praise from the same.

4 For he is God's minister to you for good. But if you do evil, be afraid; for he does not bear the sword in vain; for he is God's minister, an avenger to execute wrath on him who practices evil.

5 Therefore you must be subject, not only because of wrath but also for conscience' sake.  (NKJ)

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Authority - SPIRITUAL 

Acts 3:1-9  CHAPTER 3 New King James

An Example:

Acts 3:1 Now Peter and John went up together into the temple at the hour of prayer, being the ninth hour.

2 And a certain man lame from his mother's womb was carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple which is called Beautiful, to ask alms of them that entered into the temple;

3 Who seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple asked an alms.

4 And Peter, fastening his eyes upon him with John, said, Look on us.

5 And he gave heed unto them, expecting to receive something of them.

6 Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk.

7 And he took him by the right hand, and lifted him up: and immediately his feet and ancle bones received strength.

8 And he leaping up stood, and walked, and entered with them into the temple, walking, and leaping, and praising God.

9 And all the people saw him walking and praising God:  (KJV)

Peter & John explain in chapter four

Acts 4:1 Now as they spoke to the people, the priests, the captain of the temple, and the Sadducees came upon them,

2 being greatly disturbed that they taught the people and preached in Jesus the resurrection from the dead.

3 And they laid hands on them, and put them in custody until the next day, for it was already evening.  (NKJ)

Acts 4:5 And it came to pass, on the next day, that their rulers, elders, and scribes,

6 as well as Annas the high priest, Caiaphas, John, and Alexander, and as many as were of the family of the high priest, were gathered together at Jerusalem.

7 And when they had set them in the midst, they asked, "By what power or by what name have you done this?"

8 Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, "Rulers of the people and elders of Israel:

9 "If we this day are judged for a good deed done to a helpless man, by what means he has been made well,

10 "let it be known to you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead, by Him this man stands here before you whole.

11 "This is the 'stone which was rejected by you builders, which has become the chief cornerstone.'

12 "Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved."

13 Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated and untrained men, they marveled. And they realized that they had been with Jesus.

14 And seeing the man who had been healed standing with them, they could say nothing against it.

15 But when they had commanded them to go aside out of the council, they conferred among themselves,

16 saying, "What shall we do to these men? For, indeed, that a notable miracle has been done through them is evident to all who dwell in Jerusalem, and we cannot deny it.

17 "But so that it spreads no further among the people, let us severely threaten them, that from now on they speak to no man in this name."

18 And they called them and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus.

19 But Peter and John answered and said to them, "Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you more than to God, you judge. (NKJ)

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 Rhema:  Prophetic to the church here at RMMMI 

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I have laid my word down, says the Lord, and that is the only authority that stands, says the Father God.  Therefore whatever is in my word you can claim, you can stand on it, you can be affirmed and confident knowing that you will not falter or fall, says the Lord, if you are based on my word.  For my word shall give you the things that you have need of, for I shall provide for you the things that you have need of, says the Lord.  Therefore if the law comes against my church my word will prevail against that law, says the Lord and, therefore, you have victory, says the Lord, do not stand down.

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NEWS reports on TV concerning Churches:

On the nightly news there was a story about a church that was open and during choir practice many received the COVID virus. 

On the Spectrum morning  news there was a news story with a reporter interviewing people coming out of the church parking lot on Sunday in Ohio.  I don’t recall the correct name of the church  (it was something like (On The Rock Church or Solid Rock Church) anyway he was questioning the people coming out of the parking lot.  He said to one lady why are you going to church instead of staying home.?  The lady replied to his questions and among other things said   “Psalm 91 READ IT".

He interviewed another man with the question, what if someone in there was sick, he replied there isn’t.  The interviewer said how do you know that?  He replied because I am the pastor. 

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Here in my area of upstate New York the government allowed Walmart and Lowe's to be open along with the liquor stores and I heard also the abortion clinic’s were allowed to be open too.   The government called them essential but the government didn't consider God important and ordered his  churches closed.   

In light of what we just read about Peter and John in Acts 4:19 “Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you more than to God, you judge".  Thought provoking. 

Every man is going to have to stand before God some day and be accountable.   Is the government going to be there and stand accountable before God in place of you or I?  

I think NOT, the answer to that question is NO.

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There was a news item on the nightly TV news about a church choir practice where many got sick with the COVID virus.  Certainly it wasn’t a good thing for them to be open.  A question comes to mind, do they really know Jesus had they ever accepted him in their hearts?  Do they know the word?  Do they believe God's word?  Have they got it in their heart so they can stand on it?

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And then other churches God spoke to were open and things went well for them. 

It is very important to be open to the Holy Spirit so he can speak to you and lead you into all truth. 

2 Tim 2:15 Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. (NKJ)

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Also it is important to know the word of God so you have understanding.  Ground yourself so you can stand on the word and he will lead you into all truth.  Do churches that shut down  know really know where they stand?   In this case it is important to know what God says and to be able to stand on his word.

The lady interviewed on the Spectrum morning  news told the reporter,  Psalm 91 read it.   She obviously knew Psalm 91 and knew how to stand on God's word and confess it. 

So lets take a look at Psalm 91.

Psalm 91:1 He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.

2 I will say of the LORD, "He is my refuge and my fortress; my God, in Him I will trust."

3 Surely He shall deliver you from the snare of the fowler and from the perilous pestilence.

4 He shall cover you with His feathers, and under His wings you shall take refuge; his truth shall be your shield and buckler.

5 You shall not be afraid of the terror by night, nor of the arrow that flies by day,

6 Nor of the pestilence that walks in darkness, nor of the destruction that lays waste at noonday.

7 A thousand may fall at your side, and ten thousand at your right hand; but it shall not come near you.

8 Only with your eyes shall you look, and see the reward of the wicked.

9 Because you have made the LORD, who is my refuge, even the Most High, your dwelling place,

10 No evil shall befall you, nor shall any plague come near your dwelling; (NKJ)

What do they refer to this virus as, A PLAGUE a pandemic.

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The RHEMA WORD

The Holy Spirit  shared this with the church body at RMMI

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I have laid my word down, says the Lord, and that is the only authority that stands, says the Father God.  Therefore whatever is in my word you can claim, you can stand on it, you can be affirmed and confident knowing that you will not falter or fall, says the Lord, if you are based on my word.  For my word shall give you the things that you have need of, for I shall provide for you the things that you have need of, says the Lord.  Therefore if the law comes against my church my word will prevail against that law, says the Lord and, therefore, you have victory, says the Lord, do not stand down.

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For there is nothing that you need to fear, for have not I said I would watch over you, that I would protect you, that I would keep you safe and yet your trust and your confidence only needs to be in me.  So do not be concerned about the other things that are going on, you do not have to be concerned about the election, for I have already showed you what shall take place.  You do not need to be concerned with the virus, for I have said that I would protect you if your trust was in me. etc

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etc. even in this virus that you are in, the world doesn’t understand that nor are they looking at the truth.  They are blaming China, no, it is not China, America, America, for it is your President that funded all that money to start that over there and yet you don’t understand that, you don’t know that, you are not aware of that.  And because you are not aware of it you cannot realize that the devil is trying to fulfill the thirteenth chapter of the book of Revelation, not the sixth chapter, not the seventh chapter, not the eighth chapter, but the thirteenth chapter.  Therefore, you need to search my word etc.

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For of a truth this virus is my judgment on the church first and then on the world  11 Chronicles chapter seven first verse, verse thirteen will clearly, clearly explain it to the doubters, it was for this time and this time only. etc

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etc my heart is heavy this day, saith your Father God, for as I look upon my churches and I see all, all the things that hinder them and stop them from being there and yet they are still not there.  Where are they, do they not know the season, do they not know the times, why, why do they not know why this virus came.  Surely they are not that unaware that they don’t know 11 Chronicles, the whole seventh chapter and what verse thirteen says before the verse they quote if my people.  It way placed there for this time and this time only and it tells you the virus, the crown virus, the corona virus, the corona nineteen virus, it couldn’t be any clearer, it couldn’t be any plainer.  For judgment shall first come to my house and I need repentance in order to have a church without spot or wrinkle.  For if I don’t have a church without spot or wrinkle there is no rapture and the rapture is due to take place very soon now.

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Do you really worship me because of who I am, do you know who I am, this virus that Satan has sent your way has caused many of you to be leopards who stand a far off, you won’t touch anybody, you won’t do anything, you haven’t followed the orders of Jesus who gave unto them to go unto the priests, get their deliverance, get their repentance.  Look round about you this morning and see where this whole restriction lifted by the President of the United States and yet where is my church, where is my church?  Where are my priests, where are my prophets, where are they?  Oh there are many, many that I have and there are many that serve me with all of their hearts, with all of their soul, with all of their mind, very few serve me with all of their mind.

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etc. told you and explained to you all about the virus and I am still explaining to you about the virus. But many want to believe the government, they want to believe the mayors, they want to believe the governors, they don’t know what they’re talking about, it is time that you wake up and listen. For the virus will not come to an end as I have told you until next Passover season and don’t wait then to repent, cause if you wait that long you may have missed your opportunity to repent. I am calling upon my church to set their house in order, to deal with their sin, to repent, to come back to me one hundred percent, not ninety eight, not ninety seven, one hundred percent. You must walk with me in holiness and righteousness and as you do then the greater things shall come, the things that you desire, the blessings, the promises, they shall all be fulfilled, for that is my word unto you.

 

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2 Chronicles 7:13 If I shut up heaven that there be no rain, or if I command the locusts to devour the land, or if I send pestilence among my people;
14 If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin,  (KJV)

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Some things to think about:  

Has America and the world in general turned  away from God?  YES.  Here in the United States anyway they have turned their back on God going their own way, doing their own things,  abortions, the booze, the drugs, people living together without taking vows,  these are just a few things.  

Have God's people the church turned back to God with their whole heart walking in righteousness and holiness,  we don't see any signs of it yet.  God says no sin will enter heaven just think about that,  he God says we are in the thirteenth chapter of Revelation that doesn't leave us with much time left.  He is calling his church to make a turn around and walk one hundred percent with him.   In other words, TIME'S UP!

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Holy Spirit to the church here at RMMI

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I have laid my word down, says the Lord, and that is the only authority that stands, says the Father God.  Therefore whatever is in my word you can claim, you can stand on it, you can be affirmed and confident knowing that you will not falter or fall, says the Lord, if you are based on my word.  For my word shall give you the things that you have need of, for I shall provide for you the things that you have need of, says the Lord.  Therefore if the law comes against my church my word will prevail against that law, says the Lord and, therefore, you have victory, says the Lord, do not stand down.

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etc. You do not need to be concerned with the virus, for I have said that I would protect you if your trust was in me. etc.

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For of a truth this virus is my judgment on the church first and then on the world, 11 Chronicles chapter seven first verse, verse thirteen will clearly, clearly explain it to the doubters, it was for this time and this time only. etc

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For the hour is now and I shall come, yes, I shall come, but will you be ready, will you be ready?  For the church is still asleep, the virus hasn’t woken them up, maybe the bubonic plague will wake them up, but they’re asleep. etc

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etc. many evils shall come now, sicknesses shall come now, but fear not for they shall not come nigh your dwelling. For I watch over you, no sickness, no disease, no pestilence can enter your dwelling, for it dies instantly in the name of Jesus. etc.

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For I said you could charge my angels to blow the virus right off of your property and those who are my faithful ones have already done that.  So realize that this is a safe place, but I have also said that you can cause your angels to blow it off, to blow it out of your household.  For if you are one of mine then you don’t have anything to worry about, but if you are walking in fear then you are not safe anywhere, for there is a door open and you have left ways for the enemy to come in.  Realize this, realize that, because of the days you are living in things are different now and so you need to rise even higher than you have before, you need to stand even stronger than before.

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etc fear not, there is nothing, there is nothing, absolutely nothing that can override and overcome the name of Jesus.  So fear not the virus that their trying to call up again, for it was only for that one time, if you remember my word, it was a warning to the church, it was only for that time.  The church lost very few, but those that weren’t really saved did not know Jesus, could not stand by the name of Jesus and therefore they died. etc

 

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A recent news article

:: 7-25-20 Citizens Journal :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: :: ::

Church Will Fight Ventura County Threat to Shut it Down

Added by Citizen Reporter on July 25, 2020. By George Miller

County Medical Director threatens action on Calvary Chapel Godspeak’s refusal to shut down as ordered. Church responds defiantly. Calvary Chapel Godspeak (CCTO- Newbury Park) Senior Pastor Rob McCoy does not shy away from controversy in the name of what he believes right. With no regrets, he watched congregants peel away when he took controversial and politically incorrect positions of principle on multiple social and political issues over the years. But this also attracted new supporters to the congregation and allies such as Sen Rand Paul, Senator Shannon Grove, Charlie Kirk (Turning Point). He turned down a prestigious university deanship to stay and minister to his flock. He attracted supporters who poured millions of dollars into Calvary Chapel to turn the YMCA into a new church.

He was Thousand Oaks Mayor and a Councilman. When he and church elders decided to reopen the church in defiance of government orders, he first resigned his Council office. The church was reopened with strict precautions- stricter than stores open. Around the same time, the county permitted reopening again. When the County recently ordered churches closed again, Calvary T.O. did not comply.

McCoy announced a Saturday evening online “fireside chat,” promising it would be an important announcement, vital to the church/congregation.

It seems that having the church fully open has attracted attention, leading to complaints and threats from the county to “take action”.

During the event, McCoy said County Health Director Rego Vargas contacted him and asked him if he was in compliance with the order. McCoy asked him if he had called all churches and added that they are in compliance with the First Amendment (which keeps government out of religious affairs). He wondered why BLM isn’t being prosecuted for its destructive actions.

He believes that the sick should be quarantined, not the healthy.

County Health Officer Dr. Robert Levin, who has attracted so much attention due to hyper-enforcing state guidelines, claiming the force of law, works for Vargas.

McCoy said he told Vargas to consider his “Return On Investment” in any enforcement actions and that he would vigorously contest any shutdown actions, make it difficult and ensure that it received very high visibility and “national narrative.” The county has had brutal coverage from conservative media for what sounded like threats to forcibly relocate quarantined people and from last week’s forcible lockdown of the apartment building at 137 S. Palm in Ventura.

He said he told Vargas that he might succeed in shutting the church down, but it wouldn’t go quietly and that he might even take it to the President. McCoy said they would demand the unsealing of records to show actual causes of death, testing records and people who were classified positive with no testing, that families would be asked about cause of death and this would be compared with records, claims of causes of deaths.

He told the congregation that the “gloves are off”, that they are “all lawyered up” ready for a fight and that he would hold an emergency meeting with the church elders to decide on next actions.

He noted that some other churches are also defying orders and noted their compliance with a higher authority. But he said we should not shake our fists and said he told Vargas that he was praying for him, asked that God give him wisdom and said that he stood only against his ideology, not him and that the congregation should do the same.

Meanwhile, he solicited everyone’s support and said while “the noose is tightening,” their resolve has grown stronger. He asked them to pray, to spread the word and invited all to live, in-person Sunday church services at 9, 11 and 1 tomorrow. He says he’s not sure if the county would move tomorrow or next Sunday.

Rationale

Prior to making the announcement, McCoy had set the stage this evening by laying out some key points for the congregation:

He mocked Dr. Anthony Fauci’s hypocrisy in telling people they should be wearing masks, making a big show of wearing one while making his disastrous first pitch for the Yankees game, then being spotted up in the stands in a lonely group not wearing masks. He pointed out that “the oligarchy” sets its own rules while mandating more restrictions for others and that they obviously don’t believe what they are telling us. Similar behavior has been observed with other officials and celebrities.

He ruefully observed the Giants nearly all kneeling, compared their conformity to NAZI Germany and pointed out that BLM preaches violence, hate and Marxism.

He berated LA Mayor Garcetti for supporting violent, anarchist, Marxist “demonstrators,” who are unrestricted in movements and association, while imposing draconian restrictions in LA.

He attacked the LA teacher’s union for refusing to go back to work without government defunding police, stopping charter school funding, imposing a state wealth tax, and federal medicare for all.

He said that the virus case numbers are being exaggerated and that the death numbers are plunging.

He criticized the US Supreme Court and particularly swing vote John Roberts for ruling against Calvary Chapel Dayton Valley in Nevada to open, while permitting casinos, liquor stores, etc. open and BLM/Antifa anarchists running wild and in apparent violation without response . He showed Justice Gorsuch’s scathing minority opposition statement. What is “essential?” Is this really about safety?

Christ, not Caesar, is the head of the church

McCoy referred to a statement by John McArthur and the Elders of the Grace Community Church that Christ, not Caesar, is the head of the church. The church is the most high-visibility non-complier in the state at present,

Excerpt:

Therefore, in response to the recent state order requiring churches in California to limit or suspend all meetings indefinitely, we, the pastors and elders of Grace Community Church, respectfully inform our civic leaders that they have exceeded their legitimate jurisdiction, and faithfulness to Christ prohibits us from observing the restrictions they want to impose on our corporate worship services.

Although McCoy invoked the Constitution, Grace Community did not:

Notice that we are not making a constitutional argument, even though the First Amendment of the United States Constitution expressly affirms this principle in its opening words: “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof.” The right we are appealing to was not created by the Constitution. It is one of those unalienable rights granted solely by God, who ordained human government and establishes both the extent and the limitations of the state’s authority (Romans 13:1–7). Our argument therefore is purposely not grounded in the First Amendment; it is based on the same biblical principles that the Amendment itself is founded upon. The exercise of true religion is a divine duty given to men and women created in God’s image (Genesis 1:26–27; Acts 4:18–20; 5:29; cf. Matthew 22:16–22). In other words, freedom of worship is a command of God, not a privilege granted by the state.

This will infuriate secular progressives, who see no authority of God- or even that He exists and is all-powerful.

Jonathan Leeman responded to McArthur’s essay with compromises to reduce conflict with state authorities and costs, while getting at least something. But his advice to meet outdoors or in smaller groups has also been forbidden in some jurisdictions.

Lastly, there is the thought that church defiance could result in increasing health risk to people. McCoy laid out a case suggesting that the danger has been vastly exaggerated and that he may bring evidence.

It should be an interesting debate and actions coming up.

https://www.citizensjournal.us/church-will-fight-ventura-county-threat-to-shut-it-down/  

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Reference: Acts 4:18-20
18 And they called them and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus.
19 But Peter and John answered and said to them, "Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you more than to God, you judge.
20 "For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard." (NKJ)

Acts 5:29 But Peter and the other apostles answered and said: "We ought to obey God rather than men.  (NKJ)



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Remember the old song:     Trust and obey for there is no other way to be happy in Jesus but to trust and obey.

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