Endless Genealogies

When it comes to spotting a cult, it doesn’t always come easy for everyone. However, it does help when people are in line with God and walking in the Holy Spirit. We can then see if their teachings are from the Bible or not, or even still based on the laws of Moses. This makes it easier to spot them. One of these teachings in that law was to write down all the genealogy of every person in the office of Priests and Levites. So the names of their ancestors were recorded and continued to be written throughout the generations, along with their family members. It is said that ¹“their genealogy of males, from three years old and upward, even unto every one that entereth into the house of the Lord, his daily portion for their service in their charges according to their courses; Both to the genealogy of the priests by the house of their fathers, and the Levites from twenty years old and upward, in their charges by their courses; And to the genealogy of all their little ones, their wives, and their sons, and their daughters, through all the congregation: for in their set office they sanctified themselves in holiness: Also of the sons of Aaron the priests, which were in the fields of the suburbs of their cities, in every several city, the men that were expressed by name, to give portions to all the males among the priests, and to all that were reckoned by genealogies among the Levites.” (2 Chronicles 31:16-19) This was very important to them and God. However, this practice was for those times only, which is key to understand in life. The people of Israel were obeying the law and, therefore, in line with God’s laws and commands. Praise God that they were doing His will.

Concerning these genealogies and the collection of the offerings, that Hezekiah the king mandated, it was all for the glory of God. For it was written also, ¹“and thus did Hezekiah throughout all Judah, and wrought that which was good and right and truth before the Lord his God. And in every work that he began in the service of the house of God, and in the law, and in the commandments, to seek his God, he did it with all his heart, and prospered.” (2 Chronicles 31:20,21) But is this practice of keeping genealogies still important to believers in our time? It is important to ask this question, so we can know if we are doing God’s will or man’s. Thankfully, Paul answers this question when he said, ²“as I besought thee to abide still at Ephesus, when I went into Macedonia, that thou mightest charge some that they teach no other doctrine, neither give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which minister questions, rather than godly edifying which is in faith: so do. Now the end of the commandment is charity out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned.” (1 Timothy 1:3-5) So the practice of keeping of genealogies was kept until Jesus came into the world, but now it is done away with. So these family history centers across the globe, that come from Mormonism, are going against God’s new commands. They are unfortunately living unto the old law, and are far from doing God’s will now. This is especially bad since they have added baptism for the dead in combination with this practice, which is very wicked. Now, the point is that we need to be reading the Bible daily so that we do not get sucked into a false religion unknowingly.

Let us pray:
Oh Lord, I pray that people will begin to read and study the Bible for themselves. It is one thing to hear another person speak and even participate in a lesson in church, then reading for ourselves in Your Word daily. How can Your Word become a lamp unto our feet, if it is only this way for another person, but not for ourselves? And how can a person teach that doesn’t actually abide in your word daily? Oh, how twisted our minds get when we are not anxiously engaged with Your Word and in prayer each day. Even our belief systems get stained with the thoughts of other religions and the thoughts of this world because we did not make it a choice to live for You daily. This is very sad since many people are now tied to many false religions and cults because they did not make it a priority to learn for themselves what is truth in the Bible. Surely, we should not put all our trust in people, for they can unknowingly or knowingly lie to our faces. People may seem to be so genuine in what they do, but really they may be a wolf in sheep’s clothing while doing Satan’s work unknowingly. And then these same people that are brought in to do the same things and are now servants of the devil also. This is very disturbing and needs to stop, Lord. Yes, God, I pray that people will desire to know for themselves what the Bible actually says. Then, if people would begin to read Your Words as a child, then their understanding would be opened. Even fountains of knowledge, wisdom, and counsel for their lives now. Lord, the Bible has become a lamp unto my feet. People may try to sway me to believe in certain things, but if You have not said it, then I’d rather put my trust in You. I know that the Bible speaks of our day and is a guide to our lives now. Help everyone in the faith realize this, that they may not turn their hearts from You. I love You, Lord. Amen.

Let us read the Bible:
Note: Any Numbered References, found above, are listed below.

2 Chronicles 31

¹2 Chronicles 31 (KJV)
1 Now when all this was finished, all Israel that were present went out to the cities of Judah, and brake the images in pieces, and cut down the groves, and threw down the high places and the altars out of all Judah and Benjamin, in Ephraim also and Manasseh, until they had utterly destroyed them all. Then all the children of Israel returned, every man to his possession, into their own cities.
2 And Hezekiah appointed the courses of the priests and the Levites after their courses, every man according to his service, the priests and Levites for burnt offerings and for peace offerings, to minister, and to give thanks, and to praise in the gates of the tents of the Lord.
3 He appointed also the king’s portion of his substance for the burnt offerings, to wit, for the morning and evening burnt offerings, and the burnt offerings for the sabbaths, and for the new moons, and for the set feasts, as it is written in the law of the Lord.
4 Moreover he commanded the people that dwelt in Jerusalem to give the portion of the priests and the Levites, that they might be encouraged in the law of the Lord.
5 And as soon as the commandment came abroad, the children of Israel brought in abundance the firstfruits of corn, wine, and oil, and honey, and of all the increase of the field; and the tithe of all things brought they in abundantly.
6 And concerning the children of Israel and Judah, that dwelt in the cities of Judah, they also brought in the tithe of oxen and sheep, and the tithe of holy things which were consecrated unto the Lord their God, and laid them by heaps.
7 In the third month they began to lay the foundation of the heaps, and finished them in the seventh month.
8 And when Hezekiah and the princes came and saw the heaps, they blessed the Lord, and his people Israel.
9 Then Hezekiah questioned with the priests and the Levites concerning the heaps.
10 And Azariah the chief priest of the house of Zadok answered him, and said, Since the people began to bring the offerings into the house of the Lord, we have had enough to eat, and have left plenty: for the Lord hath blessed his people; and that which is left is this great store.
11 Then Hezekiah commanded to prepare chambers in the house of the Lord; and they prepared them,
12 And brought in the offerings and the tithes and the dedicated things faithfully: over which Cononiah the Levite was ruler, and Shimei his brother was the next.
13 And Jehiel, and Azaziah, and Nahath, and Asahel, and Jerimoth, and Jozabad, and Eliel, and Ismachiah, and Mahath, and Benaiah, were overseers under the hand of Cononiah and Shimei his brother, at the commandment of Hezekiah the king, and Azariah the ruler of the house of God.
14 And Kore the son of Imnah the Levite, the porter toward the east, was over the freewill offerings of God, to distribute the oblations of the Lord, and the most holy things.
15 And next him were Eden, and Miniamin, and Jeshua, and Shemaiah, Amariah, and Shecaniah, in the cities of the priests, in their set office, to give to their brethren by courses, as well to the great as to the small:
16 Beside their genealogy of males, from three years old and upward, even unto every one that entereth into the house of the Lord, his daily portion for their service in their charges according to their courses;
17 Both to the genealogy of the priests by the house of their fathers, and the Levites from twenty years old and upward, in their charges by their courses;
18 And to the genealogy of all their little ones, their wives, and their sons, and their daughters, through all the congregation: for in their set office they sanctified themselves in holiness:
19 Also of the sons of Aaron the priests, which were in the fields of the suburbs of their cities, in every several city, the men that were expressed by name, to give portions to all the males among the priests, and to all that were reckoned by genealogies among the Levites.
20 And thus did Hezekiah throughout all Judah, and wrought that which was good and right and truth before the Lord his God.
21 And in every work that he began in the service of the house of God, and in the law, and in the commandments, to seek his God, he did it with all his heart, and prospered.

1 Timothy 1

¹1 Timothy 1 (KJV)
1 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the commandment of God our Saviour, and Lord Jesus Christ, which is our hope;
2 Unto Timothy, my own son in the faith: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God our Father and Jesus Christ our Lord.
3 As I besought thee to abide still at Ephesus, when I went into Macedonia, that thou mightest charge some that they teach no other doctrine,
4 Neither give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which minister questions, rather than godly edifying which is in faith: so do.
5 Now the end of the commandment is charity out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned:
6 From which some having swerved have turned aside unto vain jangling;
7 Desiring to be teachers of the law; understanding neither what they say, nor whereof they affirm.
8 But we know that the law is good, if a man use it lawfully;
9 Knowing this, that the law is not made for a righteous man, but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and for sinners, for unholy and profane, for murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers, for manslayers,
10 For whoremongers, for them that defile themselves with mankind, for menstealers, for liars, for perjured persons, and if there be any other thing that is contrary to sound doctrine;
11 According to the glorious gospel of the blessed God, which was committed to my trust.
12 And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who hath enabled me, for that he counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry;
13 Who was before a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious: but I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief.
14 And the grace of our Lord was exceeding abundant with faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.
15 This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief.
16 Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might shew forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting.
17 Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honour and glory for ever and ever. Amen.
18 This charge I commit unto thee, son Timothy, according to the prophecies which went before on thee, that thou by them mightest war a good warfare;
19 Holding faith, and a good conscience; which some having put away concerning faith have made shipwreck:
20 Of whom is Hymenaeus and Alexander; whom I have delivered unto Satan, that they may learn not to blaspheme.