We are given reference in this verse to three separate individuals, that in three different times and places committed acts grievous to God. Believing that these accounts are recorded and preserved down through the ages for our instruction and benefit, I wanted to learn what and how they erred, and how to avoid committing the same offenses, and suffering the same fate.

Far too often, we tend to relegate these real life events to stories like unto Aesop's Fables, treating them as suggestions on moral conduct, rather than applying them to our own world and lives today. Anytime the Word states - "Woe unto them!" - we should take notice and pay strict attention. When the Spirit of God prompts us to examine an event, it is because we need to learn from what transpired. Again, too often, we fail to avail ourselves of the warnings given for our benefit. Ages have come and gone, but in each generation, men have encountered the same life lessons. History is a glaring example that mankind seldom learns from the mistakes of the past ... but each generation must make their own mistakes. The lessons best learned are the ones that involve suffering. We would like to think that we are wiser than all those who have gone before us, but that is the same thing each generation have assumed about themselves. History repeats itself over and over again, with subsequent generations.

Isaiah 8:13 Sanctify the LORD of hosts himself; and let him be your fear, and let him be your dread. And Leviticus 20:7 Sanctify yourselves therefore, and be ye holy: for I am the LORD your God.

In the above verses, which are but two of many found in the scriptures regarding this, we are told to sanctify both the Lord and ourselves. Sanctification is seldom heard these days, and little understood. To sanctify means to "be free from sin; to grow in Divine Grace; to be set apart to a sacred purpose." Our perceptions are vitally important. What we choose to believe and how we act upon our beliefs will determine where we spend eternity. It is our responsibility to reverence and honor God, as well as to keep all of His commandments to us.

There are 9 verses that make reference to the last days, and 12 verses making reference to the latter days. While one makes reference to the latter times; 1Timothy 4:1-2 Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron;

There is much we can learn from these three men; Cain, Balaam and Korah, as to what NOT to do in our Christian walk and relationship with God. Each age has looked for the return of the Lord Jesus Christ to earth. Matthew 24:36 But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only. We have been given many signs which must come to pass before Christ's return. And many down through time have diligently studied in an attempt to predict the generation when Christ will return. For us today, one of the clearest indicator's is the restoration in 1949 of Israel as a nation. Another is the warning expressed in the above verse in Timothy. We are in the fullness of times. We are in the latter times; evidenced by the multitudes who are departed from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron.

The shallow easy-believism that is prevalent today is all that the younger generation has ever known. To much of the world, it is simply normal. Yet there are those alive who have seen the fall into decadence and apostasy as it has subtly evolved over the past 50 years within the Church, and are greatly grieved in the Spirit at the condition of the Christian Church.

Is it not strange, that though mankind has looked for Christ's return down through the ages, when the signs are all in place, they still refuse to believe? Jeremiah 5:31 The prophets prophesy falsely, and the priests bear rule by their means; and my people love to have it so: and what will ye do in the end thereof?

Taking a look at these three men, what can we learn? The account is recorded in Genesis 4. Cain offered God the fruit of the land. His offering was unacceptable. And rather than conform to God's requirements, and give an acceptable offering, he lashed out in anger and jealousy, killing his brother because Abel's offering was accepted. There are not a lot of details given, but there is no mistaking that there is a right and a wrong way to go about doing service to God, and Cain chose the wrong way.

The next account in scripture is laid out in Numbers 16. What Jude refers to as the gainsaying of Korah. Gainsay means to: take exception to; to declare false, deny, oppose, especially by contradiction. The error of Korah is much easier to understand, as the account is very specific. Korah was a leader among the people. He acted presumptuously, in that he rebelled against the leadership of Moses and Aaron. His declaration "Are not all the people holy" is a clear indication that he was not ignorant concerning spiritual things. However, he was not satisfied with his place or portion in the camp of the Israelites. His assumption cost him his life, and the lives of all who sided with him in his rebellion. How many today are guilty of making the same assumptions? And feel confident in their assumptions when they can convince others to stand in agreement with them?

Thirdly, we have Balaam, recorded in Numbers 22-24. Balaam operated in the supernatural realm, as many do today. King Balak sent for him, because of his reputation of getting results "for I know that he whom thou blessest is blessed, and he whom thou cursest is cursed." Many today are enamored by the supernatural. Many are caught up in following after signs and wonders, regardless of their source. Balaam was a diviner or prophet for hire. He operated in the supernatural for reward.

I sent out a letter to a few fellow believers, seeking their insights into Balaam. Here is one of the responses I received:

"Amen, the battle is a spiritual one. It is the spirit of anti-christ enjoined with the rulers of darkness, wickedness in high places, principalities, dominions. It is a battle whereas the kingdom of darkness vies for dominion over the earth. Two things I have seen in the Spirit of which I will share a portion. I saw God...and this is very important to know that in the vision, He was not there as the Son, nor Father, nor Holy Spirit...but GOD...Almighty, Ruler, Sovereign, Lord...in both of these visions. He stood and there was a man who was lying on the ground 'trying' to boss orders to Him - give me this and give me that and His reply was yes and amen. I stood in the middle of this interaction and His reply to him and somehow for me to relay it that in the yes and amen He had given this one over to his own deception. I think it's quite clear what is being shown here. He is Sovereign Lord, He Rules and He Reigns...not man! We only in joint-participation with Him, being obedient to His will. In the dream, here was someone talking to God but the whole motive was one of selfish gain. His response was, YES and AMEN! Giving them over to their own delusion. The 'blessing' became one of curse. These one's thinking in their own delusion, that He is with them when in all actuality, He is Sovereign and has given them over to a spirit of deception. 'As from their own heart and imaginations'. As you said not in exact quote but can God use whomsoever for His purposes? YES! All the more reason we stay before Him in intimate relationship and examine our heart before Him! And let Him reveal the 'secrets' of our heart to us that He may create in us a clean heart and renew a right spirit within us." [1Tim.4,2Tim.3] (Kathy Bippus/Moderator on Open Heaven Forum).

In studying the account as recorded in Numbers it is clearly evident that being of the household or family of God is in no way a requirement for speaking prophetically. God can and does use whomever and whatever HE will to speak forth what He desires. That alone should quench any tendency toward becoming puffed up over being used prophetically. He can cause an ass to speak if it suits His purpose. We gain further insight into Balaam's error from the words of Christ Himself, in His letters to the Church's in Revelation 2:14-16 But I have a few things against thee, because thou hast there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balac to cast a stumblingblock before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed unto idols, and to commit fornication. So hast thou also them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitanes, which thing I hate. Repent; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth.

There is no disputing that Balaam erred. And we should also recognize that the error of Balaam did not end with his death (in Numbers 31), but still survives today. Perhaps we could sum up the error of Balaam as any teaching or doctrine which causes people to commit spiritual fornication. Our LORD linked it to the doctrine of the Nicolaitanes, which He hates.

A search of the 'Nicolaitans' came up with the following: It has been suggested that the teaching of the Nicolaitans was the division of the clergy from the laity, whereas before no such distinction was formalized in the church. This idea comes from an etymological analysis of their name: 'nicao' meaning "to lord over" and 'laitans' meaning "laity". Therefore the thought is that the Lord Jesus' death abolished the old covenant need for any mediator between God and Man, such as a priest or pastor - He, Himself, being the High Priest. In his instructions to the early church, Paul stated the callings within the (body) church of teachers, apostles, pastors, etc. However he never even slightly suggested that any believer should place all of their trust in any person, while he emphatically declared that each one should diligently press in to their own personal relationship with Christ; Who is the Head of the Body.

And from Easton's Bible Dictionary: The church at Ephesus (Rev. 2:6) is commended for hating the "deeds" of the Nicolaitanes, and the church of Pergamos is blamed for having them who hold their "doctrines" (15). They were seemingly a class of professing Christians, who sought to introduce into the church a false freedom or licentiousness, thus abusing Paul's doctrine of grace (comp. 2 Pet. 2:15, 16, 19), and were probably identical with those who held the doctrine of Baalam (q.v.), Rev. 2:14.

Easton's Bible Dictionary reference to Balaam: Lord of the people; foreigner or glutton, as interpreted by others, the son of Beor, was a man of some rank among the Midianites (Num. 31:8; comp. 16). He resided at Pethor (Deut. 23:4), in Mesopotamia (Num. 23:7). It is evident that though dwelling among idolaters he had some knowledge of the true God; and was held in such reputation that it was supposed that he whom he blessed was blessed, and he whom he cursed was cursed. When the Israelites were encamped on the plains of Moab, on the east of Jordan, by Jericho, Balak sent for Balaam "from Aram, out of the mountains of the east," to curse them; but by the remarkable interposition of God he was utterly unable to fulfil Balak's wish, however desirous he was to do so. The apostle Peter refers (2 Pet. 2:15, 16) to this as an historical event.

In Micah 6:5 reference also is made to the relations between Balaam and Balak. Though Balaam could not curse Israel, yet he suggested a mode by which the divine displeasure might be caused to descend upon them (Num. 25). In a battle between Israel and the Midianites (q.v.) Balaam was slain while fighting on the side of Balak (Num. 31:8).

The "doctrine of Balaam" is spoken of in Rev. 2:14, in allusion to the fact that it was through the teaching of Balaam that Balak learned the way by which the Israelites might be led into sin. Balaam was constrained to utter prophecies regarding the future of Israel of wonderful magnificence and beauty of expression (Num. 24:5-9, 17).

We may all have our own ideas regarding where we are in God's timetable. Yet how remiss would we be if we fail to take heed of the warnings set forth in God's Word? The same lies, tactics and deceptions that worked in ancient times, are just as effective today. There is no hope for the redemption of man's fallen nature, except through the acceptance of the blood shed for the remission of sins. We will never attain the restoration of right relationship to God through any other means. And if we are not in right relationship with God, we are headed for our own destruction.

May we seek to know God intimately. There are many voices claiming to be speaking in the Name of the Lord. We cannot hope to discern with our natural ears, or with our carnal minds, what is of God from what is not.

Matthew 24:11 And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many.

1John 4:1 Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.

John 8:31-32 Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.

John 14:17 Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.

The error of Balaam and the doctrine of the Nicolaitanes are prevalent throughout Christendom today. There are many who make their living off the merchandising of Christ...thinking they are doing God great service. There are many who are operating under the power of familiar spirits, convinced that they are operating under the power of God. There are many who would lord it over the people, setting themselves up as being above those they have been commissioned to shepherd. The many deceptions today are widespread and firmly entrenched in the hearts of the people.

2 Thessalonians 2:10-12 And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.

If there has ever been a more dangerous time for the Church than the present, one would be hard pressed to find it. The entire world is reeling to and fro with fear. Terrorism is the new threat to the stability of the current world powers. Natural disasters and devastations are on the increase, affecting every nation and people to one extent or another. In the Church world, we are witness to the rise of unprecedented mega-church's, employing the same targeting strategies as the business and political world. People are being entertained, rather than coming under conviction. We are witnessing an increasing push toward tolerance and compromise across the board, laying the groundwork for the one world church, under the one world leader. Charismatic leaders are amassing huge followings, and getting rich in the process, making merchandise of our Lord and Savior. There seems to be an endless stream of prophetic voices, speaking smooth things... presenting a misrepresentation of the Lord God as being only love, and incapable of wrath. Many are glorying, not in the Lord God, but in the things they have built with their own hands, albeit using His Name. Would that God might see fit to allow our eyes to see the condition of His Church from His perspective; I dare to guess that we would all don sackcloth and cover our heads with ashes in abject repentance for our blatant apostasy, calling good evil and evil good, and doing what seemed right in our own eyes.

May we all examine our own hearts. We shall be called to give an account before God, for what we have done with His free gift. We will be held accountable for what we choose to believe; for how we conduct ourselves in this world; and for whether we obey God, in reverence and Godly fear. Galatians 6:7 Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.