Page 15 - Prophetic Word Newsletters Archive 2006 by Pastor Randy Shupe

The first point I would like to establish is that the “FOR I AM JEALOUS FOR YOU WITH GODLY
church has been betrothed to be married JEALOUSY. FOR I HAVE BETROTHED YOU TO
to Jesus Christ. It is stated clearly in verse 2: ONE HUSBAND, THAT I MAY PRESENT YOU
AS A CHASTE VIRGIN TO CHRIST.
However, betrothal is not the only point Paul
establishes. He continues his thoughts with a (2 Cor. 11:2)
contrasting concern expressed
by the word “But” in verse 3: BUT I FEAR, LEST SOMEHOW,
AS THE SERPENT DECEIVED EVE
Paul then prophetically reveals that the BY HIS CRAFTINESS,
potential exists for satanic deception SO YOUR MINDS MAY BE CORRUPTED
in the church. It will take FROM THE SIMPLICITY (PURITY)
place by means of preaching. THAT IS IN CHRIST.
This satanically inspired preaching (2 Cor. 11:3)
will present to God’s people what Paul
calls “another Jesus, a different spirit, FOR IF HE WHO COMES PREACHES ANOTHER
and a different gospel” as stated in verse 4: JESUS WHOM WE HAVE NOT PREACHED,
OR IF YOU RECEIVE A DIFFERENT SPIRIT
WHICH YOU HAVE NOT RECEIVED,
OR A DIFFERENT GOSPEL WHICH YOU HAVE
NOT ACCEPTED,
(I FEAR) YOU MAY WELL PUT UP WITH IT.”

(2 Cor. 11:4)

The above passages not only proclaim the wonderful revelation that the church has been betrothed to be
presented to Jesus Christ as His Bride, but also contains a fearful concern for some that this event may
not become a reality. Paul expresses the potential corruption of that espoused Bride. If it were
theologically impossible for some betrothed believers to fall short of the Bride of Christ (as many teach),
then Paul would have been in error for saying what he did in these verses. Paul is not in error, but rather
is doing what he always does – preach the whole counsel of God:

“THEREFORE I TESTIFY TO YOU THIS DAY THAT I AM INNOCENT OF THE BLOOD OF ALL
MEN. FOR I HAVE NOT SHUNNED TO DECLARE TO YOU THE WHOLE COUNSEL OF

GOD…FOR I KNOW THIS, THAT AFTER MY DEPARTURE SAVAGE WOLVES WILL COME IN
AMONG YOU, NOT SPARING THE FLOCK. ALSO FROM AMONG YOURSELVES MEN WILL

RISE UP, SPEAKING PERVERSE THINGS, TO DRAW AWAY THE DISCIPLES AFTER
THEMSELVES. THEREFORE WATCH, AND REMEMBER THAT FOR THREE YEARS I DID NOT

CEASE TO WARN EVERYONE NIGHT AND DAY WITH TEARS.” Acts 20:26-31

“…TO PRESENT YOU HOLY, AND BLAMELESS, AND IRREPROACHABLE IN HIS SIGHT –IF INDEED YOU
CONTINUE IN THE FAITH, GROUNDED AND STEADFAST, AND ARE NOT MOVED AWAY FROM THE HOPE
OF THE GOSPEL WHICH YOU HAVE HEARD, WHICH WAS PREACHED TO EVERY CREATURE UNDER HEAVEN,

OF WHICH I, PAUL, BECAME A MINISTER…
…HIM WE PREACH, WARNING EVERY MAN AND TEACHING EVERY MAN IN ALL WISDOM,
THAT WE MAY PRESENT EVERY MAN PERFECT IN CHRIST JESUS. TO THIS END I ALSO LABOR…”

Col. 1:22-29 excerpts

It is insufficient to present only the positive message of the church being betrothed to Christ. This is half of
the message that Paul preached. The negative side of “your minds being corrupted” by means of “another
Jesus, a different spirit, or a different gospel,” and of “warning every man…that we may present every
man perfect in Christ” is greatly lacking in the teaching of the Bride of Christ today. There is rather an
elitism attached to being a member of the church by means of the new birth. The Old Testament saints
are not considered equal with the New Testament saints and are relegated to only being “friends of the
Bridegroom” rather than part of the Bride itself. Such elitism has propagated high-minded doctrines such
as “once saved, always saved,” and the notion that the born-again Christian “got it all when I got saved.”
Romans Chapter 11 will deal a death blow to such high-mindedness.

Look once more at the three different passages on this page alone (2 Cor. 11:2-4, Acts 20:26-31, Col 1:22-29)
and decide for yourself if Paul preached such nonsense. No, dear saint, he did not, and would not
endorse such concepts as are being presented today. Rather what we have is the prophetic fulfillment of
“…men among you…speaking perverse things to draw away disciples unto themselves.” What we have is
“another Jesus whom we have not preached…a different spirit which you have not received…a different
gospel which you have not accepted.” Paul’s expressed fear has become a reality in our day.