Sopp Ministries Blog

Matthew 3:7-10: “But when he (John) saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming for baptism, he said to them, ‘You brood of vipers, who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Therefore bring forth fruit in keeping with repentance; and do not suppose that you can say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham for our father’; for I say to you, that God is able from these stones to raise up children to Abraham. And the axe is already laid at the root of the trees; every tree therefore that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.’” (NASB)

The following will likely cause most to be offended, but I beg you to please ponder and take what is said very, very seriously; for the following is a word not from me, but from the God of Jacob, Isaac, and Abraham. Never before, as God’s Watchman, has my spirit felt such a heavy burden. Therefore, I also beg you to pass this Blog post on to as many people as you can.

A word from God: Before My Church age began and I placed Israel aside for a time, I warned My people, Israel, that the axe was at their root for I could find no fruit. They were blind to the fact that they needed to genuinely repent and seek My salvation through my Son, Jesus. They all needed to be born-again with My Spirit – the Holy Spirit from within as spoken of in the Old Testament. Why? Because after the fall of mankind, mankind’s spirit became dead to God – dead to Me, dead to My nature – dead to My ways. Yet they continued to trust upon the earthly, e.g., being from the seed of Abraham; and yes, even trusting in the earthly and ceremonial act of water baptism. An observance which they felt comfortable with for it nicely mimicked their ceremonial washing with water from their old traditions. Yet in reality, they remained totally lost because water could not – cannot wash their sins away, nor change their earthly, godless, and dead nature (spirit) within.

You say, “I know this.” Yet even today I see the same thing within the Church at-large as they also trust in the earthly ceremony of attending a church and/or professing with their mouth, “I’m a Christian! I love God and believe in Jesus as my Savior!” However, the Church at-large statistically continues to reflect the world in such things as divorce and pornography. So I now say to you, as I did to My people Israel: “Church, bring forth fruit in keeping with repentance; and do not suppose that you can say to yourselves, ‘I professed Christianity and have been baptized’; for the axe is already laid at the root of the trees; every tree therefore that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.’” Therefore, Church, search your heart and repent now for I come quickly.

Stop now! Quit meditating on your navel (self), looking for people who will comfort you with pleasant words to soothe your shaking heavy heart – a heart which is without peace. Beware of Shepherds who twist My words of love, grace, and mercy to trick you into thinking all is well when it’s not. Stop and think! Do you not realize your heart is heavy and without peace because I’m trying to wake you up? Do you not realize I’m trying to get you to examine yourselves to see if you recognize Christ, i.e., the Holy Spirit within you – to see if you’re truly born-again? Remember My word, unless you’re born-again you CANNOT see the kingdom of God.

Again, do not allow My words above to be twisted as the religious (Pharisees) love to do. I’m not talking about perfection in this world. Just as My apostle Paul stated: “I have not reached the finish line yet, but this one thing I do, forgetting what lies behind I press forward on to the finish line.” What finish line? The finish line of maturity, even My holiness.

For the one who is genuinely born-again, the work of sanctification begins from the inside and expresses itself on the outside as fruit – yes, holy fruit. The work of sanctification is indeed a process and is a progressive work. That said, do you still not realize, oh foolish one, that if the Church at-large is statistically reflecting the world, where is the evidence of a changed nature? There is none! This statistic cannot be justified – no, not even in the most fertile imagination. If the Holy Spirit was truly present in its members, let’s say even a small percentage, should not the Church at-large at least be statistically a little better than the world? Of course it should! Do you not realize this is just another warning sign of the end? As it is written, the end will not come before the apostasy, even the falling away from the true faith – a true repentant faith.

Yet, you still say in your heart, “I’m okay. It cannot be me. It must be the other person.” Well, that’s exactly what the Pharisees thought as they sought John’s water baptism. But I say, seek Me with all your heart now while I still can be found and I’ll show you the true condition of your heart, that is, if you love the truth more than yourself. Then go be a light for Me as I wish for none to perish.

Remember, many sought Me for food and for the things of this world, but again, only a handful remained when I talked about eating the Bread which comes from heaven, which is Me. Feeding the poor is good, but at best that only lasts for a day or two; you make sure to give them the Bread which comes from heaven which lasts for eternity. Would you see them put in the lake of fire for eternity with full bellies? Is that what you call compassion? Is that why I left you here? If you, who call yourself My Church and call yourself by My name don’t hold My eternal salvation of being born-again with My Spirit through My Son Jesus’ sacrifice of utmost importance, who will? If you do not, have you even experienced My salvation? For if you have, it surely would be of utmost importance. Why? Because there’s no greater miracle than being born-again. Store up your treasure in heaven, not here on earth. Wake up, oh sleeper, before it’s too late!

Are your priorities out of wack? Is it not because you have not sought Me with all your heart? Do your priorities reflect the world’s priorities? How can this be if your mind is truly renewed through My Word and My Holy Spirit truly resides within you? Are you lacking fruit? Wake up, oh sleeper, and seek Me while I still can be found. This age of the Church is passing away quickly. Is your heart and mind consumed with when the end will come? Well, that’s only for Me to know. But you, oh foolish one, who guaranteed you a tomorrow? Again I say, oh foolish one, seek Me with all your heart now – even today while I still can be found for I wish for none to perish.

Website: www.SoppMinistries.org

Matthew 23:15: “Woe to you, scribes and pharisees, hypocrites, because you travel about on sea and land to make one proselyte; and when he becomes one, you make him twice as much a son of hell as yourselves.” (NASB)

Now isn’t that interesting! The scribes and pharisees knew the Word of God by heart, yet, according to Jesus Himself, all they were doing with their great knowledge of Scripture was solidifying the people’s place in hell. How could this be? Well, just maybe it’s because the only thing that can deliver you from hell is the gospel – is God’s salvation – is Jesus. Satan just loves all forms of religion – yes, he’ll even promote religion, because “religion” absolutely has no power to save.

So what is religion? In a nutshell, religion says: I have the power to save myself through my own works. In other words, thank you God for Your willingness to help, but I can take care of my own salvation through works. That’s interesting, I thought Jesus prayed, as He sweated blood, Father, if there’s any other way, please take this cup from Me. Well, obviously, there was no other way. Ergo, there is no form of “religion” that can save you. Unless, of course, you’re ready to call God, God forbid, a liar or a masochist.

2 Corinthians 11:2-3: “For I am jealous for you with a godly jealousy; for I betrothed you to one husband, that to Christ I might present you as a pure virgin. But I am afraid, lest as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, your minds should be led astray from the simplicity and purity of devotion to Christ.” (NASB)

I find it so interesting that it’s Satan’s job to complicate the gospel. The writers of the New Testament did have a lot to say, but they never allowed the gospel (Jesus) to be out of sight for very long in their writings. After all, is it not written that the work of God – the power of God is the gospel, even Jesus.

We now have a lot of teachers – a lot apologists – a lot of “end time” studies – even great historians, but how is that working for us as we see things such as divorce and pornography ravish the “Church” at-large – even as we see this world becoming more hellish every day? Could it be because in all the clutter (knowledge) we’re losing sight of God’s work – God’s power, the gospel? Don’t get me wrong, there’s a place for things like apologetics, but if we don’t keep our eye on the work and power of God, the gospel, we’ve already lost the battle for souls. After all, God left us here on earth to proclaim the gospel, not to start a religion.

Titus 3:4-11: “But when the kindness of God our Savior and His love for mankind appeared, He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out upon us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, that being justified by His grace we might be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life. This is a trustworthy statement; and concerning these things I want you to speak confidently, so that those who have believed God may be careful to engage in good deeds. These things are good and profitable for men. But shun foolish controversies and genealogies and strife and disputes about the Law; for they are unprofitable and worthless. Reject a factious man after a first and second warning, knowing that such a man is perverted and is sinning, being self-condemned.” (NASB)

Are we losing the battle for souls to Satan, because we’re fighting over things which have nothing to do with God’s salvation? Again, I find it so interesting it’s written that a factious – a divisive man should be rejected and he is sinning, perverted and self-condemned. Factious? Look at the Church at-large today. Can it be any more divided than it is now? Let’s be sure we’re not part of the problem by keeping our focus on the good news – the gospel. After all, there’s really only one thing that will keep anyone out of heaven: The rejection of God’s salvation – Jesus

Through God’s salvation we are born-again from within – reborn out of this world into God’s kingdom. Yes, a supernatural change of our heart (nature) which was dead to God – to His holy heart (nature) which is vibrant and alive to God. Yes, a holy heart (nature) which desires to produce good fruit. Whereas, the Law could not reach our hearts (nature), now through God’s salvation – through being born-gain, our hearts can now reach the Law without the Law being burdensome. Why? Because fruit is just the expression of a work that has already been accomplished.

Luke 17:1-2: “And He said to His disciples, `It is inevitable that stumbling blocks should come, but woe to him through whom they come! It would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck and he were thrown into the sea, than that he should cause one of these little ones to stumble.’” (NASB)

In these last of the Last Days, we better make really sure we’re not trying to hang the ponderously heavy millstone of religion upon someone’s neck, because if you are, in the day of God’s judgment you will wish for that millstone to be around your neck as opposed to facing God’s judgment – even His wrath.

This Blog post does not paint a pretty picture, but if I don’t paint it for you, woe to me. Yes, woe to me as God’s watchman if I do not give you His warnings and admonishments. For if I kept silent, how could His love – His nature be in me? You (we) must not be deceived anymore, for you (we) will surely be held accountable now that you (we) know.

Prayer: Father, may Your Holy Spirit open the eyes of those who read this Blog post. In Jesus’ name. Amen and Amen!

God bless you,
Minister Raymond D. Sopp

Website: www.SoppMinistries.org

www.SoppMinistries.org/index37.htm

I awoke this morning with this world’s horrible economic condition upon my heart – that it was extremely tenuous at best. It was then that our Lord placed three Scriptures upon my heart. As I dwelt upon them, I asked my Lord if I should share the Scriptures with others. His answer to me was yes, but I was to do so without comment.

Wall Street’s Destruction of Wealth:

Matthew 6:19-21: “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal; for where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” (NASB)

Losing or Lost Your Job:

Luke 16:4-9: “‘I know what I shall do, so that when I am removed from the stewardship, they will receive me into their homes.’ And he summoned each one of his master’s debtors, and he began saying to the first, ‘How much do you owe my master?’ And he said, ‘A hundred measures of oil.’ And he said to him, ‘Take your bill, and sit down quickly and write fifty.’ Then he said to another, ‘And how much do you owe?’ And he said, ‘A hundred measures of wheat.’ He said to him, ‘Take your bill, and write eighty.’ And his master praised the unrighteous steward because he had acted shrewdly; for the sons of this age are more shrewd in relation to their own kind than the sons of light. And I say to you, make friends for yourselves by means of the mammon of unrighteousness; that when it fails, they may receive you into the eternal dwellings.” (NASB)

Your Savings Account:

Luke 12:15-21: “And He said to them, ‘Beware, and be on your guard against every form of greed; for not even when one has an abundance does his life consist of his possessions.’ And He told them a parable, saying, ‘The land of a certain rich man was very productive. And he began reasoning to himself, saying, ‘What shall I do, since I have no place to store my crops?’ And he said, ‘This is what I will do: I will tear down my barns and build larger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods. And I will say to my soul, Soul, you have many goods laid up for many years to come; take your ease, eat, drink and be merry.’ But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your soul is required of you; and now who will own what you have prepared?’ So is the man who lays up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God.” (NASB)

He who has ears, let him hear what the Spirit is saying!

God bless you,
Minister Raymond D. Sopp

Website: www.SoppMinistries.org

October 5, 2008, I was abruptly awakened from a very sound sleep three times by a very troubled spirit — heart, which just does not happen to me. At the time, I could not figure out what my Lord was trying to tell me. Nonetheless, being it happened three times I inherently knew it was very important. It was as if the Father, Son and Holy Spirit had witnessed to my spirit during the night.

That Sunday morning, as it is my custom to do, I proceeded to spend at least an hour with my Lord in prayer in order to prepare myself — my spirit to hear and receive what my Lord had for me that day. As I did, the following Scripture came to mind:

Luke 22:39-46: “And He came out and proceeded as was His custom to the Mount of Olives; and the disciples also followed Him. And when He arrived at the place, He said to them, ‘Pray that you may not enter into temptation.’ And He withdrew from them about a stone’s throw, and He knelt down and began to pray, saying, ‘Father, if Thou art willing, remove this cup from Me; yet not My will, but Thine be done.’ Now an angel from heaven appeared to Him, strengthening Him. And being in agony He was praying very fervently; and His sweat became like drops of blood, falling down upon the ground. And when He rose from prayer, He came to the disciples and found them sleeping from sorrow, and said to them, ‘Why are you sleeping? Rise and pray that you may not enter into temptation.’” (NASB)

I then immediately knew what my Lord was trying to tell me by waking me up three times. Although, it is written in the Old Testament by God’s foreknowledge that the Shepherd would be struck down and the sheep would be scattered, could it be by Jesus saying, “Pray that you may not enter into temptation,” He was telling His disciples that the fleeing (scattering) did not have to happen? I believe so! If they stayed awake and prayed with Jesus would they have entered into this temptation and fled from Jesus’ side? Jesus seemed to be saying, no!

Although Jesus is the Son of God — Emmanuel (God with us), it is also written that He also identified with us by coming in a body of flesh and blood. Therefore, in order to have the strength that He needed to face His temptation — His cross, a temptation so great that His sweat turned to blood resisting the temptation to turn away from His cross — His cup, He relied solely on prayer.

Yes, Jesus received the strength to face His cross — His temptation from His Father only after He endured in prayer, thereby, giving us an example to follow. If that is what Jesus had to do, how much more do we need to endure in prayer to find the strength to face our temptations?

Now what I’m about to say next is not from me, but from God. And yes, I’m very aware of the consequences I face if I attribute something as coming from God which is not from Him. So let me reaffirm this to you again. The following is not from me, but it is from God: “Temptation and deception, and the evil one are now afoot — on the move globally in a mighty way — more powerful than ever before, because he knows his time is short. So why then are you sleeping? Rise and pray that you may not enter into temptation and deception so you will be kept safe from the evil one and his lies!”

He who has ears, let him hear what the Spirit is saying!

Prayer: Father, during this church age we are Your ambassadors of light in this world — there is no other light. Darkness cannot overcome light, yet we see darkness doing just that; therefore, we must conclude that the light through Your Church is becoming dim — going out, or perhaps even false, i.e., proclaiming an adulterated gospel, ergo, darkness is filling the void that is left. Father, as Your prophets of old felt alone and brokenhearted so do I — even knowing, according to Your word, there always remains a godly remnant. Father, even if a few — or none are willing to listen, don’t allow us to fail in these last of the Last Days. Fully equip us in Your Holy Spirit so that we may burn bright with Your glorious unadulterated gospel message; as You have given us Your heart for those who are lost, or those who merely profess being a Christian without Your Spirit. My Lord, is there anything I — we have left undone? If there is, please my God, show us now! Father, may we hear Your voice clearly and be found in the exact center of Your will — and doing Your will when your Son returns for His bride. Father, as our Lord instructed us to pray, also keep us from temptation, deception and the evil one. May Your Holy Spirit give us ears to hear and eyes to see. In Jesus’ name. Amen and Amen!

God bless you,

Minister Raymond D. Sopp

Website: www.SoppMinistries.org

This ministry God has called me to do is directed toward both the professing Christian and nonbeliever alike: To warn as many as I can before the great and terrible Day of the Lord.

This has become a very, very, heavy burden upon my heart as I look at the fruit which is produced by the “Church” at-large. Its fruit is identical to this world! The “Church” at-large is actually reflecting the world in its overall behavior! Using statistics, there is NO appreciable difference.

Where is the light? Where is the witness? Where is the Gospel?

I humbly come before you with this request: I would deeply appreciate it if you can help in any way to encourage people to visit this ministry’s website, and/or please consider giving a donation to this 501(c)3 nonprofit ministry. Either would be a great help in my effort to reach the lost both within and without the “Church” at-large.

Thank you and God bless you for your prayerful consideration.

Minister Raymond D. Sopp

Website: www.SoppMinistries.org

Written May 12, 2008 9:20 AM:

Although it would take away from this ministry, about four weeks ago I was considering a part time job. I sought our Lord for direction. Over those few days as I was seeking Him, I have never felt such a heaviness – a solemnness in His answer. Four times in different ways and through different people, His message to me was the same: “If I do not warn the people, their blood will be on my hands.” Needless to say, doing anything else is just not an option for me anymore.

Shortly thereafter, during this last National Day of Prayer, our Lord seemed to tell me that this nation, and this world in general, have gone past the point of no return. Although, the individual will still have an opportunity to be saved, this world will be going from bad to worse very quickly now. Surely, His return for His bride cannot be far off.

Please continue to keep me and this ministry in your prayers, because even if I take my eyes off our Lord for even a second, I begin to sink with a heavy heart as I see more and more people turn away with a deaf ear – unwilling to hear what God is saying.

Thank you and God bless you,

Minister Raymond D. Sopp

Website: www.SoppMinistries.org

Just a thought: I wanted to share with all of you a response that I sent to a dear friend. I feel that we, as God’s earthly Ambassadors, need to rethink some things concerning this word, process.

Knowing that my friend was hurt deeply, yet innocent, i.e., did not deserve the pain and abuse that were afflicted, nonetheless, how much more could Jesus say the same thing.

I know I’m going to sound very unfeeling – uncaring – cold and hardhearted, but to the contrary, I actually care so much that I’m willing to be vilified in your eyes for the sake of the truth. I also know I’m not being very diplomatic, but I believe time is too short for me to be so with you, or even to my own fleshly desires as I look into the mirror of God’s awesome holiness.

Reference: Grief Process:

My friend, I do understand, yet it is also written that we are a new creation in Christ Jesus.

My example to follow after is Jesus Himself. Through excruciating overwhelming grief, He never lost sight of reflecting His heavenly Father in both word and deed. I could also say the same for the Apostle Paul. Therefore, we must also have that same objective, that is, if His spirit is now dwelling within us. Or, do we choose to manipulate God’s Holy Word to validate us not reflecting our Lord for a period of time – for a time to process?

Easy? No! Denying ourselves and taking up our cross daily is no easy task. Yet, although I found it to be the hardest road I’ve ever traveled – I also found it to be the most blessed as well.

The Church in every way today is reflecting the world. Does that not indicate that we are doing something very wrong? Yes! If so, let’s throw out the old way of thinking and take a fresh second look at the Holy Scriptures – saying to ourselves, show me not my way, Lord, but Your way.

We must give no room for our flesh to wallow in self-pity while people are going to hell. Since the Church is called to be Jesus’ earthly Ambassadors, where else will the lost hear about or see Jesus – their only hope of salvation? We who call ourselves “God’s Church” must get this right in these last of the Last Days.

Time is too short! Therefore, let’s just eliminate the word “process” from our vocabulary and move into the very high calling of God in Christ Jesus. If we don’t, then where is our light – our saltiness during this time we use to process? Where is the Gospel? Where is the Great Commission? Since we do not know for sure the time or hour, would it not be wise for the servant to always be about his Master’s work? If the Master returned suddenly, would it be a good thing to tell the Master that you could not be about His business because you were in the middle of some kind of a process? Would it not be better, and Scriptural, just to nail your hurt – your grief – your grievances to the cross and get on with the Master’s business – the salvation of mankind? Is that not a better reflection of Jesus? Is that not being salt and light to a dying world? Is that not our collective calling?

That said, this can only be accomplished in the power of the Holy Spirit, ergo, to God be the glory! God bless you. Minister Raymond D. Sopp

Prayer: Father, may You completely equip us with Your Holy Spirit in these last of the Last Days in order to fully fulfill Your will and calling in and through our lives. May Your Holy Spirit be in – be upon – be beside us every moment of every day according to Your will – according to Your Word. In Jesus’ name! Amen and Amen!

Book: The Portrait of a Christian by Raymond D. Sopp

Book Website: www.SoppMinistries.org/index37.htm