Ministrymaker Magazine

Exodus 7:8 “Then the LORD spoke to Moses and Aaron, saying, “When Pharaoh speaks to you, saying, ‘Show a miracle for yourselves,’ then you shall say to Aaron, ‘Take your rod and cast it before Pharaoh, and let it become a serpent.’ “

In the story of when Moses was sent out to deliver God’s chosen people from their bondage to the Egyptians, God gave Aaron a rod to use to show God’s supreme power. However, the enemy always has a copycat. In this case, as we read on in this chapter, Aaron laid down his rod as Moses gave Pharaoh his command from the Lord to release His people. The rod turned into a serpent. Pharaoh, not impressed, called on his magicians to perform the same act (thus the copycat). However, God allowed this to happen to prove His superiority, for Aaron’s rod swallowed up the rods of the magicians.

Exodus 7:11 “But Pharaoh also called the wise men and the sorcerer’s; so the magicians of Egypt, they also did in like manner with their enchantments. For every man threw down his rod, and they became serpents. But Aaron’s rod swallowed up their rods.”

Tradition has taught that the names of these head magicians were Jannes and Jambres. The people of Egypt were big believers in magic, sorcery and the like. Their minds were incapable to think that any superior being could top the likes of a good magic trick. Thus God used this very act to prove His superiority when the rod of Aaron swallowed up their rods.

People miss the fact that Satan knows how to disguise himself (2 Corinthians 11:14). Just as these magicians were able to create a similar liking, it really wasn’t them that created it; but the devil himself.

2 Timothy 3:8 “Now as Jannes and Jambres resisted Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, disapproved concerning the faith; but they will progress no further, for their folly will be manifest to all, as theirs also was.”

In Second Timothy, Chapter 3, we learn as Paul taught Timothy, of some facts regarding the last days. No one knows exactly when these days will actually arrive; but as we wait we see the manifestations all around us. One of the biggest clues was given to us in this chapter. The state of man would fall from being God focused to self focused on the inside of the church. Inside the church man would resemble that rod of power; but its form would come from that of a familiar spirit and not a manifestation of God Himself (2 Thessalonian 2:9). They speak a convincing word and if one is not on their guard they can easily become deceived. Paul says that ‘even God’s elect will be deceived (Matthew 24:24).’ Those deceived will have no understanding of God’s love through His grace (2 Thessalonian 2:10).

These men will proclaim greatness and claim to have a divine power. This power will come in the form of healings, Holy Spirit encounters, and clouds of glory (gold dust, feathers both falling from nowhere) to name a few. Their music may not necessarily be music that brings on the glorification to Jesus Christ, or to the Heavenly Father but will be self focused. Matter of fact, man will lay claim that they carry something ‘special’ from God and if you want to experience this ‘then come.’ They make the experience of Christ one of personal signs and wonders. They teach words that enlightens ones personal self interest (John 4:28).

BEWARE! Test the spirits to see if they are of God (1 John 4:1). If it does not point one to Jesus Christ then it denies Christ and is not holy. Take heart; for just as the magicians were overthrown in their power so will those who try to manifest the power of God in the form of human effort. People run to this because it’s false truth. People would rather believe a lie because it doesn’t involve change.

I heard someone say this week that “to accept truth one must embrace change.” You cannot change unless you have received truth. Jesus was truth. He spoke truth; He lived truth; He is truth (John 14:6). No one can come to the Father except through Jesus Christ. The signs and wonders follow AFTER they believed. The outpouring of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost was a result of people in a room praying and fasting together…for several days!

Remember Satan always will have a copycat. If a sign or wonder or miracle appears it will be confirmed by the Holy Spirit and through the Word of God (Hebrews 2:4). No man can give you a sign…only GOD! When the magicians laid down their rods and the snake appeared it resembled human effort – the deception of the enemy. However, God was mightier, as His rod consumed the rods of man.