The King was sent into the world and then was crucified for our sins. Now the King, the Divine Administrator and Judge, has returned to the Father.

The Holy Spirit has been sent into the world to bring us to the King. The Holy Spirit is as Eliezer who was sent by Abraham to gain a bride for Isaac, the son.

The Holy Spirit never seeks to be worshiped, to be preached, or to be exalted in any manner. The Holy Spirit always speaks of the Son and glorifies the Son. He is faithful in performing His role.

Something is going wrong today in religious circles, particularly among the Pentecostal-Charismatics (of which we are one). The ministers of the Gospel are seeking to use the Holy Spirit to perform works of power in order to glorify their ministry, to draw people to themselves. They do not recognize that their motive is to glorify themselves but suppose that if all these people come to them then Jesus is automatically glorified.

The believers are being encouraged to come and take advantage of the power and blessing of the Spirit. This is not in Divine order. The Spirit is never to be preached, sung to, prayed to, or commandeered in any manner whatever. It is Jesus whom we are to be seeking and glorifying.

When Jesus is lifted up He will draw all men to Himself.

Perhaps the ministers will protest they really are lifting up Jesus. But their advertisements and pronouncements reveal otherwise. They are seeking to use the power of the Spirit according to their own wisdom and desires. This is the False Prophet and in the future will be the supporter of man-centered government.

Because the ministers are seeking large numbers of people they are not bringing the seekers to the death of the cross. They are encouraging them to come and experience a thrill of one sort or another. While the name of Jesus may be recited over and over again as some kind of ritual (like the prophets of Baal), it is a feeling or experience that is being sought.

What, then, are people receiving, because it is obvious that spiritual experiences and manifestations are exhibited? Perhaps it is a spirit of delusion.

One can note that those who participate in such extravaganzas do not come away lifting up Jesus. What they talk about is their experiences. Believers with money can travel about to such centers of "refreshing" but the critical demands of discipleship are not usually enjoined upon them.

It is not scriptural to pray to the Holy Spirit or to seek His Presence in this manner. It is scriptural to seek Jesus Christ with all of our might. When we do this the Spirit will always be present to help and bless us.

When we attempt to direct the Spirit of God we are taking away from the Lord Jesus His God-given authority to administrate the resources of the Kingdom of God. Man is in the driver's seat. This is the False Prophet.

To be continued.