Luke 19:45-47 Then He
went into the temple and began to drive out those who bought and sold in it,
saying to them, "It is written, `My house is a house of prayer,' but you
have made it a `den of thieves.'" And He was teaching daily in the temple.
But the chief priests, the scribes, and the leaders of the people sought to
destroy Him.
Jesus went on the offense. He intentionally made the religious leaders angry.
He pushed them to react against him. He spoke against their evil ways and was
turning the people against the religious leaders. He exposed them for who and
what they were-- children of the devil. He became a threat to their security
and wealth.
Jesus is not earning points with the religious leaders of the day. The house of
God had been turned into a place where people were merchandising God's people. Jesus
had to offer what had the potential of destroying the present security and
income of the religious leaders.
There is a major message to the church today concerning the same group of money
changers that existed during the time of Jesus and existing today. There are
the international moneychangers who have infiltrated into every aspect of human
life and control the monetary wealth of the world. But what is interesting is
that the international moneychangers are losing their power hold and are doing
everything in their power to destroy those who are turning over their tables.
Then there are the moneychangers within the church who are profiting from the
gullible. It is time to turn over their tables. Let’s look at these moneychangers
and their influence on our world today.
This is an important message to Christians today because the end results are
the same as the time of Jesus. The moneychangers will seek to destroy all who
stand in their way. The course of human events repeat and what is happening in
the world today is no more than a repeat of what took place during the time of
Jesus. The wars and conflict that are taking place right now in the world are
all because the tables of the international moneychangers have been turned over
and they are threatened by what might happen to their present security and
income. When there is a threat to their wealth the moneychangers will use every
resource available even war.
The course of events may not take place as rapidly as this week in the life of
Jesus but it is taking place right now before our very eyes and many are
totally unaware of what is about to happen. American’s are obsessed with
entertainment, sports, and gaining material wealth and do not have time to
serve the LORD. We have allowed the moneychangers to steal our freedom and
liberty from under our very eyes without so much a word of disapproval.
Entering the Temple, Jesus saw the money changers, along with merchants who
were selling animals for sacrifice. Pilgrims carried coins from their home
towns, most bearing the images of Roman emperors or Greek gods, which Temple
authorities considered idolatrous. But that changed when the high priest ordered
that only Tyrian shekels would be accepted for the annual half-shekel Temple
tax because they contained a higher percentage of silver, 94%-- so the money
changers exchanged unacceptable coins for these shekels. Of course, they
extracted a profit, sometimes much more than the law allowed.
Every year, a Jewish man, 20 years old and older, paid a voluntary half shekel
Temple tax to the Jerusalem Temple. This tax, instituted by Moses (Ex
30:11–16), was paid in either the Tyrian
shekel (for himself and another person) or half-shekel (for only himself) during
the Second Temple period.
The shekel, (a pagan deity) on the front and an eagle (a graven image) on the
reverse, averaged 14.2 gm in weight and contained at least 94 per cent silver.
These coins were minted in [tire] Tyre between 126-18 BC and After the Roman
government closed the Tyre mint, these coins continued to be minted at an
unknown mint, probably in or near Jerusalem, from 18/17 BC until AD 69/70. The
Jewish coin makers continued to strike coins with the image of
Melqarth-Herakles and the eagle. This was contrary to the clear teachings of
the Word of God (Ex 20:3, 4: Dt. 4:16–18; 5:8). Yet the rabbis declared that
the Tyrian shekels were the only legal currency that was acceptable in the
Temple. The rabbis decided that the commandment to give the half-shekel Temple
tax, with its proper weight and purity, was more important than the prohibition
of who or what image was on the coin. Enter Jesus-
Jesus was so filled with anger at the desecration of the holy place that he
took some cords and wove them into a small whip. He ran about, knocking over
the tables of the money changers, spilling coins on the ground. He drove the
exchangers out of the area, along with the men selling pigeons and cattle. He
also prevented people from using the court as a shortcut. As he cleansed the
Temple of greed and profit, Jesus quoted from Isaiah 56:7: "My house shall
be called a house of prayer, but you make it a den of robbers." (Matthew
21:13, ESV) The disciples and others present were in awe of Jesus' authority in
God's sacred place. His followers remembered a passage from Psalm 69:9:
"Zeal for your house will consume me." (John 2:17, ESV) The common
people were impressed by Jesus' teaching, but the chief priests and scribes
feared him because of his popularity. They began to plot a way to destroy
Jesus.
2000 years later, the world is gripped in a financial mess. Most of it
orchestrated by the modern moneychangers—the same group of evil men which were
at work during the time of Christ is at work today. These forces operate across
the borders of every country. They have permeated religion, politics and the
economic spheres. What is interesting is the modern day international
moneychangers got their start in the Temple—the House of God.
The high priest received a percentage of the profit from the money changers and
merchants, so their removal from the Temple area would have caused a financial
loss to him. Because pilgrims were unfamiliar with Jerusalem, the Temple
merchants sold sacrificial animals at a higher price than elsewhere in the
city. The high priest overlooked their dishonesty, as long as he got his share.
These religious leaders were bought and paid for by the moneychangers just as
our religious leaders, along with our politicians are bought today. Tell me how
elected officials can enter Congress making $174,000 a year and by their second
or third term are millionaires? The median estimated net worth of Congress is
$966,000, according to the center. By contrast, the median net worth of the
typical American household is slightly more than $66,000. Ten members had a net
worth greater than $100 million on one or both sites. How can the largest
percentage of our politician today become multimillionaires when they make
less than $200,000 a year? Or how can we have ministers in this country making
a salary of $2 million a year? They have been bought and paid for by the
moneychangers of today. It is alarming that most Christians seem to be
blissfully unaware of the fact that the principles of the Word-Faith movement being
trumpeted from pulpits across the land, stem from the same principles used by
the moneychangers of the world—control and transfer wealth.
Much of Christianity today is nothing more than a disguised form of legal theft
found during the time of Jesus with a license to rob and steal from gullible,
unsuspecting and fragile-minded individuals. So many false-prophets use
prophecy to manipulate believers. Instead of equipping the saints for works of
service and releasing them by the Spirit, modern day high priest must always
keep dangling the proverbial carrot in front of you by “prophesying” that you
that will be serving God “someday”. In doing this they are actually keeping you
distracted from serving God today so that you will continue to sow into their ministries
while you are waiting for this “word” to come to pass. We don’t have to sow
money in order for God’s prophetic word to come to pass in our lives. God
responds to our faith, not our money. We do not have to sow money in order to
serve God; we give money so that we can support the work of the Gospel and to
be a blessing to others not to make some preacher rich. If you are sending your
money to support these false prophets and not support your local church you are
deceived. When was the last time a TV preacher visited your home or asked how
you are doing? When did they visit you when you were in the hospital? When have
they paid your utility bills? NEVER!
There will be some “Christians” who will say, this is God's way of blessing his
ministers. They deserve this for leading God's people." I wonder if these
people ever really stop to think about what they are saying. Do they really
think that God would bless those in leadership with lifestyles that totally
contradict everything that Jesus taught? First century church leaders led by
example they were servant leaders. Ask yourself if any of the apostles would've
chosen pricey homes or affluent areas for themselves. More to the point, would
Jesus have done so? Ask yourself if the apostles would have used the
contributions and tithes of the people in order to acquire wealth? We know what
Jesus did he turned over the moneychangers tables and drove them from the
Temple.
Here is a short history:
First of all, let us
look at Jewish history as a point of reference where there is a record of the
common practice of setting up money changers in the temple area during the
Jewish Passover.
The Talmud gives us some insight into the moneychangers and the Temple tax.
Beginning on the 1st of Adar (the month before Passover), it is the 6th month
of the Jewish calendar a proclamation was made to the people that they should
prepare the Temple tax it was like an invoice being sent out get ready to pay
your Temple tax. On the 15th day of Adar, moneychangers were sent out to
collect the Half-Shekel for its donation . . . On the 25th day of Adar,
moneychangers were installed in the Temple itself to help in the collecting the
Half-Shekel donation.” So what was the big deal about the moneychangers in the
Temple? It was the excessive profits they were making. Not only were the
moneychangers robbing the people, but history records that excessive prices
were being charged by those who were selling animals used in Temple sacrifice.
Because of greed, the market for birds rose so much that the poorer woman of
the community could not afford them.
Many of the high priests during the first century seemed to have given up their
love of God for the love of money. Jewish history records that these high
priests who walked the temple courts during the first century, were despised by
the majority of the people for their brutality and hunger for money. They were
bought by the moneychangers who were the hidden power behind what was going in
Jerusalem.
The moneychangers are the power behind the ministries you find on Christian
Television. Ministers have sold out just like Judas for 30 pieces of silver.
They are more interested in money than winning souls. They prophesy with
expressions of, “it could”, “it might”, “I think”, “it looks like”, these are
not words from the LORD. When the Old Testament prophet proclaimed the word of
the LORD he said, “Thus saith the LORD”. He didn’t tell you to buy his book,
video or CD to find out what was coming. The message of the LORD is without price.
By Old Testament Law all of these modern day charlatans who call themselves
prophets would be put to death by stoning. But there are Christians who will
support them and defend them even when they are wrong.
It’s not enough the Church is filled with those who have been bought by the
moneychangers so is our government. History recounts how Sir Josiah Stamp,
Director and President of the Bank of England during the 1920′s made these
fascinating claims that:
“The modern banking system manufactures
money out of nothing. The process is perhaps the most astounding piece of
sleight of hand that was ever invented. Banking was conceived in iniquity and
born in sin. Bankers own the earth. Take it away from them, but leave them the
power to create money and control credit, and with the flick of a pen, they
will create enough money to buy it back again. Take this great power away from
the bankers and all the great fortunes like mine will disappear, and they ought
to disappear, for this would be a better and happier world to live in. But if
you want to continue the slaves of bankers and pay the cost of your own
slavery, let them continue to create money and to control credit.”
This is from a money-changer who was the second richest man in Britain at the
time of Great Depression One.
Cecil Rhodes argued that the secret banking cabal only directive is to see
that: “Our goal is gradually absorb the wealth of the world”.
Why is America in the mess we are today? Because the Christians have sit on
their righteous rears and have done nothing because they think that the LORD is
going to come and take them out of this mess and it is not their problem. What
makes you think you are going to avoid the suffering that is about to come upon
the earth? My Bible tells me that this generation is lukewarm and makes the
LORD sick. There will need to be a lot of repenting and getting busy doing the
work of the LORD before you are "Raptured out". He is not coming back for a bunch
of self-righteous wanna-bes. He is looking for a people who have been tried in
the fire and refined like gold pure and holy not those who just talk about
being a Christian. My Bible does not address the unrighteous, the unholy, the
sinner, it addresses the Saints.
“ To all those in Rome who are loved by God and called to be saints: Grace to
you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.”
“Unto the church of God which is at Corinth, to them that are sanctified in
Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all that in every place call upon the
name of Jesus Christ our Lord, 67 times those called of God are referred to as
saints.”
“If you want to make someone angry tell him a lie; if you want to make him
furious, tell him the truth.” Yet the Bible reminds us that men will believe a
lie for the truth!
Thomas Jefferson reminded us that, “If the American people ever allow private
banks to control the issue of their money, first by inflation and then by
deflation, the banks and corporations that will grow up around them (around the
banks), will deprive the people of their property, until their children will
wake up homeless on the continent their fathers conquered.”
Colonel Edward Mandel House a modern day moneychangers-a banker who was a highly
influential back-stage politician during the time of Woodrow Wilson: This is
found in President Wilson’s diary it was written between 1913 and 1921 said
this:
“Very soon, every American will be
required to register their biological property (that's you and your children)
in a national system designed to keep track of the people and that will operate
under the ancient system of pledging. By such methodology, we can compel people
to submit to our agenda, which will affect our security as a charge back for
our fiat paper currency. Every American will be forced to register or suffer
being unable to work and earn a living. They will be our chattels (property)
and we will hold the security interest over them forever, by operation of the
law merchant under the scheme of secured transactions. Americans, by
unknowingly or unwittingly delivering the bills of lading (Birth Certificate)
to us will be rendered bankrupt and insolvent, secured by their pledges. They
will be stripped of their rights and given a commercial value designed to make
us a profit and they will be none the wiser, for not one man in a million could
ever figure our plans and, if by accident one or two should figure it out, we
have in our arsenal plausible deniability. After all, this is the only logical
way to fund government, by floating liens and debts to the registrants in the
form of benefits and privileges. This will inevitably reap us huge profits
beyond our wildest expectations and leave every American a contributor to this
fraud, which we will call "Social Insurance." Without realizing it,
every American will unknowingly be our servant, however begrudgingly. The
people will become helpless and without any hope for their redemption and we
will employ the high office (presidency) of our dummy corporation (USA) to
foment this plot against America."
This became a reality in 1935 under the Social Security Act. Then in March of
2010 the final phase was implemented.
A close examination of the past [9] decades would show that through all the
recessions, depressions, untold personal and corporate bankruptcies, wars and
human suffering – only one industry has consistently shown growth, and
phenomenal growth at that – and that is the banking industry.
Do your own facts check and see how much the global banking industry has
received in handouts from taxpayers dollars! If that is not wealth-transfer,
then what is it? If you own the golden goose that lays the golden eggs, you
can’t help but accumulate enormous wealth.
In 1913 our government gave the private bank called the Federal Reserve the
power to control the wealth of this country. When this foreign banking company
took control of American wealth the economy of this country was doomed. Every
effort has been made by the Federal Reserve Board to conceal its power but the
truth is the Federal Reserve Board has USURPED THE GOVERNMENT OF THE UNITED
STATES. IT CONTROLS EVERYTHING HERE AND IT CONTROLS ALL OUR FOREIGN RELATIONS.
IT MAKES AND BREAKS GOVERNMENTS AT WILL.—
Yet many remain apathetic as to the course our world is currently on,
especially Americans who are seeing their wealth disappear, their jobs
dissipate and their social structure inch toward another Great Depression. But
it is time to turn-over the tables of the moneychangers and get them out of the
church and government.
Larry Bates, a member of the Tennessee House of Representatives, Chair on the
Committee on Banking and Commerce and author of the bestselling book The New
Economic Disorder warns:
“I can tell you right now that there is
going to be a crash of unprecedented proportions. A crash like we have never
seen before in this country. The greatest shock of this decade is that more
people are about to lose more money than at any time before in history, but the
second greatest shock will be the incredible amount of money a relatively small
group of people will make at the same time. You see, in periods of economic
upheaval in periods of economic crisis, wealth is not destroyed, it is merely
transferred.”
Let me ask you this why are American billionaire dumping their stock? What do
they know that you don’t know?
There you have it – clearly the more things seem to change – the more they stay
the same. The moneychangers have not changed their agenda in over 2000 years.
They continue to fleece us on every level they buy influence in government and
the church. Yet mankind seem impotent to do anything while a select group rob
us blind of our right to exist as free, moral agents created in the image of a
Sovereign God who does not even violate our power to choose.
Back to the moneychangers at the time of Jesus look what they did.
Luke 20:20 So they watched Him, and sent
spies who pretended to be righteous, that they might seize on His words, in
order to deliver Him to the power and the authority of the governor.
Again, we find Jesus pointing the way to what real truth is as opposed to the
religious traditions that were being taught and practiced by the religious
leaders of Israel. Truth is continually driving a deeper wedge between what
Jesus has to offer and what they had to offer. The religious leaders see no
other alternative than to find some way of getting rid of Jesus. They are being
threatened! In just a cursory look who did the religious leaders use to
accomplish their task—the government-- in order to deliver Him to the power and
the authority of the governor. The people behind the actions of our government
today are from those with the spirit of the antichrist. These people are using
the power and authority of the government to protect their wealth and security.
They are the power behind the last beast of Daniel and the beast of Revelation.
Just as the course of human events reoccurs we are living in the re-occurrence
of the final week of Jesus.
Jesus warned the people concerning the scribes as recorded in Luke 20:46 "Beware of the scribes,
who desire to walk in long robes, love greetings in the marketplaces, the best
seats in the synagogues, and the best places at feasts”.
The scribes were Pharisees who had become the zealous defenders of the Law and
the true teachers of the common people. By N.T. times they held undisputed sway
as the recognized exponents of the Law and the revered representatives of
Judaism. They received the deep respect of the people, as indicated in the
honorable term rabbi, meaning "my master, or teacher." Proudly they
claimed the positions of first rank, sought the public acclaim of the masses,
and dressed in long robes like the nobility.
What is happening is that there is a major tug of war going on in the hearts of
all these people. These were a people who had been taught and trained by the
scribes and now Jesus is coming along and challenging them with the truth and
real authority. Not only were the people amazed at the authority of the
teaching of Jesus so were his disciples their loyalties are now divided and
they are susceptible to being pulled in either direction dependent upon the
current situation of the moment.
It is the same as today. There are those religious leaders today that would
have the Church- the body of Jesus Christ to be in agreement with those who are
against the principles and teaching of Jesus Christ and side in with those who
despise His authority. The loyalties of Christians are being divided by
religious leaders who would have you side with evil dressed in the clothes of
righteousness. They are just like the scribes during the time of Jesus. They
have hijacked the message of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, they have perverted
the mission of the Church, and they are deceiving the very elect by appearing
as the authority of Truth. The scripture warns us that if we are not diligent
in our knowledge of Jesus Christ that they very elect would be deceived.
Jesus was unable to convince his disciple of his coming death. They along with
the Palm Sunday crowd were looking for the Messiah to destroy the Roman
government and set up a Jewish Kingdom. This is evident by the fact that the
mother of James and John wanted Jesus to seat them on his right and left sides
of the throne. The people were looking for a Deliverer, a King, someone to put
the Jewish people in control of the world. This has been the driving force of
all governments and all people world domination. But, in the midst of all that
was transpiring during this important and very crucial week of Jesus' ministry
to mankind, He now begins to expound on His second coming and the events that
will precede it.
Luke 21:25-27 "And there will be
signs in the sun, in the moon, and in the stars; and on the earth distress of
nations, with perplexity, the sea and the waves roaring; "men's hearts
failing them from fear and the expectation of those things which are coming on
the earth, for the powers of heaven will be shaken. Then they will see the Son
of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.”
Jesus is looking beyond the importance of his death and into the future of all
believers who would come to know Him. The fascinating thing about Jesus is that
He simply continues to speak the truth and the things that are necessary for
our salvation without being sidetracked by the scribes. He does not allow their
attacks or disputes steer Him away from what His real purpose is. He came to
seek and save the lost. THAT IS THE MESSAGE OF THE CHURCH.
When he comes again there will be a cleansing of the moneychangers. In the Book
of the Revelation of Jesus Christ he gives us this insight.
18 And after these things I saw another
angel come down from heaven, having great power; and the earth was lightened
with his glory. 2 And he cried mightily with a strong voice, saying, Babylon
the great is fallen, is fallen, and is become the habitation of devils, and the
hold of every foul spirit, and a cage of every unclean and hateful bird. 3 For
all nations have drunk of the wine of the wrath of her fornication, and the
kings of the earth have committed fornication with her, and the merchants of
the earth are waxed rich through the abundance of her delicacies. 4 And I heard
another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her, my people, that ye be not
partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues. 5 For her sins
have reached unto heaven, and God hath remembered her iniquities.
6 Reward her even as she rewarded you, and double unto her double according to
her works: in the cup which she hath filled fill to her double. 7 How much she
hath glorified herself, and lived deliciously, so much torment and sorrow give
her: for she saith in her heart, I sit a queen, and am no widow, and shall see
no sorrow. 8 Therefore shall her plagues come in one day, death, and mourning,
and famine; and she shall be utterly burned with fire: for strong is the Lord
God who judgeth her. 9 And the kings of the earth, who have committed
fornication and lived deliciously with her, shall bewail her, and lament for
her, when they shall see the smoke of her burning, 10 Standing afar off for the
fear of her torment, saying, Alas, alas that great city Babylon, that mighty
city! for in one hour is thy judgment come. 11 And the merchants of the earth shall weep and
mourn over her; for no man buyeth their merchandise any more: 12 The
merchandise of gold, and silver, and precious stones, and of pearls, and fine
linen, and purple, and silk, and scarlet, and all thyine wood, and all manner
vessels of ivory, and all manner vessels of most precious wood, and of brass,
and iron, and marble, 13 And cinnamon, and odours, and ointments, and
frankincense, and wine, and oil, and fine flour, and wheat, and beasts, and
sheep, and horses, and chariots, and slaves, and souls of men. 14 And the
fruits that thy soul lusted after are departed from thee, and all things which
were dainty and goodly are departed from thee, and thou shalt find them no more
at all.15 The merchants of these things, which were made rich by her, shall
stand afar off for the fear of her torment, weeping and wailing, 16 And saying,
Alas, alas that great city, that was clothed in fine linen, and purple, and
scarlet, and decked with gold, and precious stones, and pearls!
17 For in one hour so great riches is come to nought. And every shipmaster, and
all the company in ships, and sailors, and as many as trade by sea, stood afar
off, 18 And cried when they saw the smoke of her burning, saying, What city is
like unto this great city! 19 And they cast dust on their heads, and cried,
weeping and wailing, saying, Alas, alas that great city, wherein were made rich
all that had ships in the sea by reason of her costliness! for in one hour is
she made desolate. 20 Rejoice over her, thou heaven, and ye holy apostles and
prophets; for God hath avenged you on her.
The Apostle James’ warning to the rich oppressors is very stark and to the
point as well:
“Now listen, you rich people, weep and
wail because of the misery that is coming upon you. Your wealth has rotted, and
moths have eaten your clothes. Your gold and silver are corroded. Their corrosion
will testify against you and eat your flesh like fire. You have hoarded wealth
in the last days. Look! The wages you failed to pay the workmen who mowed your
fields are crying out against you. The cries of the harvesters have reached the
ears of the Lord Almighty. You have lived on earth in luxury and
self-indulgence. You have fattened yourselves in the day of slaughter.”
One final destructive act on the part of Christ will clear the threshing floor
of the husks of hypocrisy, greed and the evil gain by a system that has made
commodity of poor, booty of the innocence and collateral of the
disenfranchised.
Let me just add this-- these behind the scene power brokers and moneychangers
are right in with the anti-Christ. Keep in mind the end result of these people
is world domination.
The ultimate justice will be a world steeped in poverty for which riches and
wealth will no longer have precedence, rule or value – where the last vestiges
of a 6000 year Satanic rule will ultimately be bound up in a bottomless pit for
which they will be no reprieve. A day not far distant is coming a day where
many will mourn – yet a day where many will rejoice.
Is there hope? Yes. We must get back to the mission of the Church spreading the
Gospel of Jesus Christ and stop sitting around waiting for His return. He is
coming again but only for those who have been faithful in serving him. Serving
is action not waiting for the Rapture. Just as Jesus went on the offense the
Church needs to push back against those who have destroyed the message of the
Gospel with greed and push back against those within our government that are
destroying our freedom and liberty. It is time to cleanse the Temple.