Shepherds

Shepherds are mentioned many times in God's Word. From Abel early on to Amos the prophet and figuratively, Christ Himself. Sheep are one of the more helpless creations in the world. A flock needs a shepherd to guide, protect, and take care of them. Special tenderness was need for the young ones.

The shepherd's equipment usually consists of a robe of sheepskin, pouch for food and naturally a staff with a crook that served as a weapon and a tool to manage the sheep. Let's turn to God's word and find out who protects the sheep and who does not.

John 10:1-2

1 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that entereth not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber.

2 But he that entereth in by the door is the shepherd of the sheep.

A shepherd always watches over the flock at the door when he brings in the flock at the end of the day. The thief would have to find another way to the flock to steal sheep.

John 10:3-4

3 To him the porter openeth; and the sheep hear his voice: and he calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth them out.

4 And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice.

A flock know their shepherds voice because he is always talking to the sheep and guiding them to pasture. Never get ahead of Christ in doing His will or you’re going to fail. He understands what we go through in this world doing His will.

John 10:5

5 And a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him: for they know not the voice of strangers.

God’s elect are very familiar with His voice and know a strangers voice immediately and will not follow. For instance the strange voice or saying of the "fly away" doctrine. Satan will appear as antichrist and speak similarly.

John 10:6

6 This parable spake Jesus unto them: but they understood not what things they were which he spake unto them.

The disciples didn’t quite catch on that Jesus spoke of Himself as the shepherd here.

John 10:7

7 Then said Jesus unto them again, Verily, verily, I say unto you, I am the door of the sheep.

If you are one of the ten virgins that run out of truth or oil this same door will be closed to you.

John 10:8

8 All that ever came before me are thieves and robbers: but the sheep did not hear them.

False christs came before and they will come afterwards. Many came claiming to be men of God and still do today.

John 10:9

9 I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.

Have you found green pasture in His word? It’s the only place you will be fed.

John 10:10

10 The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.

Who is the Destroyer? Satan of course. We receive blessings and life abundantly in Christ.

John 10:11

11 I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.

There’s only one chief or good shepherd. Jesus gave His life upon the cross for the sheep, us. That being accomplished that He might destroy death, that is the devil (Heb. 2:14).

John 10:12

12 But he that is an hireling, and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth: and the wolf catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep.

A hireling does something for money only. A pastor shoud teach for the love of the Word.

John 10:13

13 The hireling fleeth, because he is an hireling, and careth not for the sheep.

The hireling cares for himself and not the sheepfold.

John 10:14-16

14 I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine.

15 As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep.

16 And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd.

Many shall come into the fold when salvation is opened for all after the crucifixion. It being only available for Israel at this before the crucifixion.

Shepherds are also called pastors and prophets in God’s Word. The word "pastor" come from the word "pasture". A pastor should feed the sheep meat not milk. Let’s go to Jeremiah and find out what God says about the pastors who don’t do what they should.

Jer 23:1-2

1 Woe be unto the pastors that destroy and scatter the sheep of my pasture! saith the LORD.

2 Therefore thus saith the LORD God of Israel against the pastors that feed my people; Ye have scattered my flock, and driven them away, and have not visited them: behold, I will visit upon you the evil of your doings, saith the LORD.

The so-called pastors don't feed the people with God's word, but rather the traditions of man. The flock leave because they are not fed the meat and become lost. Driven away by beggars to keep their "church" going. This won't be tolerated when God gets a hold of these false pastors. Judgment begins at the house of God (1 Pet 4:17).

Jer 23:3

3 And I will gather the remnant of my flock out of all countries whither I have driven them, and will bring them again to their folds; and they shall be fruitful and increase.

God will again bring those lost sheep of Israel back to their proper tribes and people and they will prosper. You don't have to wait until His return you can be prosperous today if you absorb the wisdom in His word.

Jer 23:4

4 And I will set up shepherds over them which shall feed them: and they shall fear no more, nor be dismayed, neither shall they be lacking, saith the LORD.

Who are these shepherds? They are God's elect and they will teach His people in the millennium (Ezek. 44:23).

There is a shepherd coming that is even worse than all the false ones put together. The "idol shepherd", antichrist. Just like he tried to tempt Christ with scripture.

Zech 11:16

16 For, lo, I will raise up a shepherd in the land, which shall not visit those that be cut off, neither shall seek the young one, nor heal that that is broken, nor feed that that standeth still: but he shall eat the flesh of the fat, and tear their claws in pieces.

This shepherd will take advantage of and consume in deception the spiritually dead. Those who do not know God's word or the first one that appears is claiming to be Jesus is the false shepherd.

Zech 11:17

17 Woe to the idol shepherd that leaveth the flock! the sword shall be upon his arm, and upon his right eye: his arm shall be clean dried up, and his right eye shall be utterly darkened.

This idol shepherd will leave the innocent flock desolate, for he is the Desolator spoken of by Daniel the prophet. Your arms are your strength. Antichrist's strength dried up and his eye darkened means his one world system will be destroyed at Christ's second coming. Your eyes are the mirror to the soul and his eye is dark because their is no light in him.

As there are two morning stars, so there are two shepherds. There is the fake and the true or good. Can you distinguish between their voices? Satan knows the scriptures and he will use it to deceive the world just as he tried with Jesus. He will look and sound like Jesus, look like the lamb slain but speak as a dragon (Rev. 13). Study God's word and be familiar with it. Don't allow some pre-trib rapture to cloud your spiritual eyes. It is a lie of Satan and he will use it to the fullest.

Never forget the LORD is your shepherd and no other. Do not be deceived by the idol shepherd.

Written by Phil Najera

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