SOUGHT OUT—SEALED UP—and SAVED

By Karen Connell

 *All Scripture is from the KJV or NKJV unless otherwise specified—all numbers are from the Strong’s Concordance.

(Ezek 9:4) And the Lord said Go … and set a mark upon the foreheads of those that sigh and that cry for all the abominations that are being done…

There is a large segment of Christian believers who serve God, who minister through acts of love, and who have genuine faith in Jesus Christ. Yet, these same people, who have started out very sincere in their faith and in their love and service for God, have now fallen prey to powerful wicked principalities that have conned and bewitched them through the power of witchcraft and sorcery. I am referring at this point to the spirit of Jezebel. This is an ancient principality that has been around since the fallen angels rebelled against God. Their influence has shipwrecked the faith of many through false teachers and prophets. Jesus revealed the workings of this spirit: (Rev 2:18-20) “And to the angel of the church in Thyatira write, ‘These things says the Son of God, who has eyes like a flame of fire, and His feet (i.e. the means for treading upon) like fine brass (i.e. symbolizes sorcery)… “I know your works, love, service, faith, and your patience; and as for your works, the last are more than the first… Nevertheless I have a few things against you, because you allow that woman JEZEBEL, who calls herself a prophetess, to teach and seduce My servants to commit sexual immorality and eat things sacrificed to idols.

 “4” Apostate Traits of the Jezebel Spirit

The spirit of Jezebel is the spirit behind the great endtime apostasy. It is camouflaged by seemingly good looking works —love —faith and patience. Many believe Jesus is commending the church in Thyatira for these things, however Jesus is NOT commending them for these things. Notice, His “eyes like a flame of fire” thus, revealing he is discerning and judging these things to be false acts that are motivated by Jezebel—the spirit behind false worship (service). I want to look more closely at the five things Jesus mentioned above, concerning the church being ruled by the Jezebel spirit. Great deception is associated with these five things that are found among apostate ministers and ministries that “look good” to those being deceived by them.

#1 WORKS …Apostate churches (as well as individual Christians) that are ruled by Jezebel have MANY good looking “works”—such as programs, productions and products—to promote their false apostate ministries, teachings and prophets.

#2 LOVE … The Jezebel spirit has also perverted the idea of “love” so that Christians now believe it is “not loving” to make God’s people feel bad or uncomfortable by exposing, correcting or rebuking them concerning their sin and deception. However, if we truly love those who profess to follow Christ, we will not want them to be deceived and will most certainly desire do what is necessary to warn and correct them. True godly love is the motivation for doing so. It is not an act of love to withhold the truth from someone at the expense of sparing their feelings. Two of the Jezebel spirit’s most effective tactics are intimidation, and self-pity. Unless we are discerning, these tactics (spiritual influences) will shut the mouths of those who are carriers of truth. I explain these in greater detail in my book and audio teachings on THE JEZEBEL AND AHAB SPIRITS  As a result sexual sin, idolatry and false teaching and false prophets along with witchcraft are running rampant throughout modern day Christianity.

#3 FAITH … these false concepts of works and love, have opened the door to many false gospels and seducing and deceiving spirits. As a result, many who think they are involved in “service” (or ministry) are being used to seduce God’s people by teaching pseudo “faith” through  false dominion” messages that have elevated Christians to the position of being “gods” who can “speak, command and believe” things into existence by taking dominion over anything they want to control or change. All of the many “works” associated with these false faith and dominion teachings (i.e. prophecies, prayers and preaching) are also based upon faith in a false gospel and another Jesus. Don’t believe me? Seek God’s Word and research what is really being taught and find these things out for yourself. I personally sat under those who were teaching the false Gospels that present “another Jesus” for many years! It wasn’t until I had my eyes opened, by getting free of the Jezebel influence in my own life that I discerned these false teachings that were contrary to the truth of Scripture.

#4. PATIENCE … “patience” is mentioned by Jesus in (Rev 2:19) and is a Greek word, which according to the N.T. Complete Word Study Dictionary, literally means to endure or to show “tolerance” for something or someone, which in the context of (Rev 2:19) it refers to … TOLERATING the Jezebel spirit. Tolerance is something Satan has keenly promoted in this generation as a worldly virtue. Tolerant people don’t “judge anyone.” The saying “DON’T JUDGE ME” is heard everywhere. But that is not what the Bible tells Christians to do. On the contrary, the Bible says … (1 Cor 2:15) But he who is spiritual judges all things…

This false concept of tolerance has now invaded the church and now deceived Christians are tolerating sins like abortion, homosexuality, adultery, greed and not to mention numerous pagan practices, including that of making an idol of being a “priest” (pulpit minster). This is why TV ministers are idolized and worshipped (served) by their followers and the Scriptures are no longer the standard for truth that exposes their false teachings. Idol worship is self-centered, focusing on what a person can get from serving an idol that promises good fortune, prosperity, long life, and success and of course power and prestige. This happened to God’s people when they fell into idolatry. They expected to gain these self-centered things when they fell into idolatry in the Old Testament.

However, the worship of the true God is just the opposite. True believers are to be selfless rather than self-centered. Instead of expecting God to serve us, we are to serve him, expecting nothing in return. We serve God for who he is, not for what we get from him. The false worship mentioned above, again are traits of the Jezebel spirit within apostate Christianity that is ruled over by the “great whore” of (Rev 17:1). We can see the spirit of Jezebel at work in the Old Testament through Korah, who rebelled against Moses and Arron and his sons the Levites, who were selected by to be priests.

Korah and his associates as mentioned in (Numb 16:1-10) had seen the many advantages of the priesthood in Egypt. Egyptian pagan priests had great wealth and political influence, something Korah wanted for himself. Wealth and political influence are definite ear marks of the present day “prosperity” false gospel and the false “dominion” gospel, which both are advocated by the current NAR (New Apostolic Reformation) cult, of which I was part of from 1995-2007, until my eyes were opened to the truth of what was really happening.

 Korah may have assumed that Moses, Aaron, and his sons were trying to make the Israelite priesthood the same kind of political machine (which now operates in apostate churches), and he wanted to be a part of it. He did not understand that Moses’ main ambition was to serve God rather than to control others for self-serving reasons. Moses discerned their true motivation— these Levites wanted the power of the priesthood.

Like Korah, those under a Jezebel spirit are often jealous and competitive and covet what others have such as Korah, who desired what God has given to Aaron. Korah had significant, worthwhile abilities and responsibilities of his own, however, his ambition and greed for more caused him to lose everything in the end. Inappropriate ambition is greed in disguise, which is definitely a Jezebel trait. A study on Jezebel in the Bible reveals much about how this spirit operates.

The spirits of Jezebel and Ahab are empowered by carnality. Those who are carnally minded (who follow the flesh or carnal human nature) will be ruled and ultimately destroyed by the Jezebel spirit! What Moses said to Korah, is an important key for understanding what God is looking for in His true remnant Bride. The true remnant Bridehood saints are SELECTED as SEALED SERVANATS for God’s people (i.e. those who are born again). These sealed servants are represented by the Old Testament “Levites” who were specially selected out of the congregation of God’s people (representing the New Testament Body of born again believers) to serve (i.e. minster to) God’s people. The Levites who lived in the “Tabernacle of God” represent the “chosen Bridehood Saints” who live in the heavenly tabernacle the “New Jerusalem.” They are those who have been chosen, cleansed and consecrated by God to serve His people (i.e. God’s congregation) just as the sons of Levi in the Old Testament.

(Num 16:8-10) Then Moses said to Korah, “Hear now, you sons of Levi: Is it a small thing to you that the God of Israel has separated you from the congregation of Israel, to bring you near to Himself, to do the work of the tabernacle of the Lord, and to stand before the congregation to serve them… and that He has brought you near to Himself, you and all your brethren, the sons of Levi, with you? And are you seeking the priesthood also?

The Old Testament priesthood is a ministry position of responsibility that corresponds to the offices of Apostle, Prophet, Evangelist, Pastor/Teacher. These positions are God appointed, not man appointed ministries. The Jezebel spirit has planted many tares (false ministers) within God’s field (the Body of Christ), who are posing as “God appointed ministers.” In these endtimes we need God selected, sanctified ministers to lead and guide us if we are truly to be saved from what lies ahead!

Selected and Sealed

God is looking for true servants among His born again ones who have “come out from among all that is carnal” and who have God’s heart and His perspective concerning all of the horrible wickedness in this world: (Ezek 9:4) And the Lord said Go … and set a mark ^[1] upon the foreheads of those that sigh and that cry for all the abominations that are being done…

[1] OT:8420 tav (tawv) CWSD: it was a sign of exemption from judgment.

The above verse also reminded me of the following verse:

(Rev 7:2,4) And I saw another angel ascending from the east, having the seal (i.e. mark) of the living God …Saying, Hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, till we have sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads. And I heard the number of them which were sealed: and there were sealed an hundred and forty and four thousand of all the tribes of the children of Israel.

From the above text concerning the 144,000 … I recently was given more insight into who these may represent. I see this number 144,000 as representing the Bridehood Saints of God. I say this because the number 1000 in the Bible is symbolic God’s millennial reign through Jesus Christ and His saints, over the people of the earth, at His second coming. It is during this age that all people will be under the authority of Christ’s earthly kingdom for the purpose of separating the sheep from the goats, before Jesus hands the kingdom over to the Father, at the end of His 1000 year reign with His saints, before entering the New eternal heavens and earth. All sin and rebellion will have been put down at that time. The number 1000 is also associated with God’s covenant and His covenant with Israel, which according to the Apostle Paul, the Bridehood Saints are the true Israel.

(Ps 105:8-10) Be ye mindful always of his covenant; the word which he commanded to a thousand generations (i.e. eternal people) … Which covenant he made with Abraham, and his oath unto Isaac … And confirmed the same unto Jacob for a law, and to Israel for an age abiding covenant. (see also: 1 Chron 16:15 Dt 7:9).

(Romans 9:6-8) 6For they are not all Israel who are from Israel, 7nor are they all children because they are the seed of Abraham; but, “In Isaac (who is the progenitor of the seed of Christ and not Ishmael) your seed shall be called.” 8That is, those who are the children of the flesh, these are not the children of God; but the children of the promise (i.e. Jesus Christ is the promise) are counted as the seed (of God’s covenant promises).

The Bride of Christ then, is made up of “people” whose home is the “New Jerusalem” (see: Rev 21:9-14). We are told the New Jerusalem has twelve gates (representing the twelve tribes), each tribe having a particular aspect of God’s authority. The number twelve in Bible typology represents the full authority of God. In my TWELVE TRIBES OF ISRAEL teaching Manual, I identify how each tribe functions in their particular aspect of God’s authority, as seen by the typology of their assigned gem stone, and by what the prophecies given to them by Moses and Jacob reveal.

The New Jerusalem also has twelve foundations, which represent the authoritative government and doctrinal foundation for the New Covenant church and Christianity that was agreed upon and laid down by the twelve founding Apostles. It is upon this foundation that the Holy Nation is built upon, with Jesus Christ (the Word of God) as the Head cornerstone.

(Revelation 21:14) And the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and in them the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.

(Ephesians 2:19-20) Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints, and of the household of God; … And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone.

Again, in Bible typology the number “12” represents God’s full authority, and the word “gates” also represents the governmental aspect of God’s authority and power. In the Old Testament reveals that the rulers or elders of a city positioned themselves at the cities gates to conduct governmental affairs. Each gate in (Revelation 21:12) had the name of one of the tribes upon it. Thus, the 12 foundations x 12 gates = 144, this number representing these aspects (government and doctrine) of God’s authority that will be exercised during the 1000 millennial reign by those saints who rule and reign with Jesus Christ.

Together these represent the Old Testament Covenant (promises for the true Israel) and the New Testament Covenant (fulfillment of God’s prophesied OT promises for the true spiritual seed of Abraham) or the Holy Nation, meaning those born again from Abraham’s seed (i.e. Jesus Christ).

(1 Peter 2:9) But you are a chosen (specially selected) generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation…

(Gal 3:29) And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the (covenant) promise

The following is an excerpt from my SEPARATION OF THE BRIDEHOOD SAINTS post that I feel is worth repeating here…

The Saints (set apart ones) have counted the cost and are willing to pay the price for holiness, by dying daily to their carnal nature, and choose instead to live according to God’s Holy Spirit. This qualifies them to be selected and sealed (marked) by God to be among the saved (144,000 representing the) Bridehood Saints of Christ. Thus, the true Bride will not be harmed by God’s judgments.

We are in a season when God is “calling many out of darkness”—those who have been deceived and especially those who are God’s prodigal children, before the tribulation judgments begin. God has been using and will continue to use the many sever trials in their lives—to draw them back to Him. As with the prodigal son in the Bible, they are seeing their pigpen for what it really is and answer the call to serve. God is getting His Bride ready, and many are hearing God’s call at this time. He is drawing them to Jesus. (John 6:44) No man can come to me, unless the Father which has sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day. These are about to be “raised up” for they are reaching their “last day” or the “day” when they finally have reached their “end.” I recall my “last day” as a prodigal, when I finally reached the “end of my rope” and fell totally repentant on my face before the Lord, and He truly “raised me up!”

SAINTS: Spiritual Warriors and Agents of Conversion and Sanctification

Those who are being called to live closer to God, by answering His call to sainthood—will especially have conflict with the forces of darkness in a degree far more sever than those who are just interested in remaining in their comfort zone and are satisfied with living at a greater distance from Jesus Christ. Remember, there are just as many degrees in overcoming as there are degrees in God’s grace (His power, gifts and favor). When it comes to these things, God is not interested in equality—as demonstrated in the parable of the talents. Some think it is not “fair” if all things are not “equal” when it comes to God’s dealings with us— God is God and He alone determines the degrees of rewards and fiery trials we receive.

In any case, Bridehood Saints understand that their place is in the front of the battle facing their spiritual enemies, because they, like the O.T. Levites, have been chosen from among the whole to be the special servants of God. The Levites were the “first fruits” who were to go out in front of the army—blowing the trumpets, shouting and praising and being clothed with the beauty of holiness (2 Chr. 20:19-22).

Spiritual battles are fought in the minds of people, because the mind controls our desires, decisions and destiny. As such, the Bridehood Saints as spiritual warriors, fight these battles for the souls of people through their prayers, fasting, and through watching and giving out warnings, concerning enemy lies concerning the times and circumstances the unlearned and undiscerning don’t comprehend. There has always been a company of warring saints that have been on the forefront of spiritual warfare in every generation. These are the true overcoming Bridehood Saints who are the true AGENTS OF CHANGE!

These are God’s specially equipped spiritual servants who are used to bring about a true conversion (transformation) through their ministry of sanctification (purification) in the lives of God’s people. True Saints are the most interested in the welfare of the universal body of Christ and seeing to it that they are equipped and perfected (matured). In every church assembly on earth and throughout every generation there has always been a “few” who are more spiritually hungry and discerning than the rest. They are a small minority, usually misunderstood and considered the least in importance and without worldly power and prestige, and not often highly educated by the world’s standard. But these tried and true Saints are the genuine fathers and mothers of Zion. They are in the truest sense the “elders” (pillars) in the church of God—elders through the anointing of the Holy Spirit and not just because someone has appointed them an elder in some local assembly. (End of excerpt)-

Summing It All Up

The Bridehood Saints then, are those in the Body of Christ that have been sanctified, separated and fully consecrated (dedicated) to God’s purposes now and on into the ages to come. Thus, they are the extension of Jesus Christ as servants of God, who cause the body of Christ to be enlarged through their life giving ministry and by the continuation of the “greater works” of Jesus here on the earth in all the ages among ages.The Bridehood Saints of the Most high God, have turned their backs on this world and its ways in order to accept the high calling of God. They are truly the SELECTED—SEALED—SAVED servants of the Most High God. †