Not all who claim to be apostles are apostles. 

A true apostle must have SEEN Messiah, becoming a WITNESS to His resurrection¹². Having SEEN the risen, glorified Savior, the true apostle proclaims His resurrection and that the Lord Yeshua indeed LIVES. Thus, the true apostle receives the whole gospel and the authority to declare it and  to preach it. 

An apostle is taught by the Lord Himself while sitting at His feet^12a. 

An apostle is trained in humility and meekness, in righteousness and holiness.  He is Yeshua's "bondslave" not only as one "bought," but as one wholly surrendered to the will of His beloved Master and Lord, having no agenda of his own but only Yeshua's interests at heart. When sent out  – for “apostle” / “shaliach” means being SENT – he is sent in the power of the Holy Spirit and the authority that comes from Messiah being seated at the right hand of G-d the Father, working signs, wonders and miracles which undo the works of the evil one¹³. 

What have flying light balls, fireballs and gold dust to do with the Glory of G-d? Do they undo the devil’s works? Do they pull down satanic strongholds that exalt themselves against the knowledge of G-d?¹⁴ Does punching in the stomach, kicking in the face with boots, and stomping on one lying on the floor manifest the power of the Holy Spirit or the glory of the Lord’s Presence? Is the Lord a sadist who enjoys inflicting violence and pain on those who seek healing from Him? Does a true servant of the Lord say he does not need the Presence of G-d to do his “thing” because his “gift” also works apart from G-d? 

Can anyone take even so much as one single breath apart from G-d? Though the atheist not know it, he lives only by the power and mercy of G-d. Can anyone tell what the next day, the next hour will bring, apart from God’s disclosing it? 

I have personally witnessed the fall of one called as an evangelist, but who served as a pastor. The Lord nevertheless blessed and prospered his ministry until the man boasted of himself, apart from G-d, even declaring himself to be a prophet while prophesying falsely. He fell as fast as a meteorite entering the earth’s atmosphere, burning up in a flash. Now he proudly spreads strange, unholy fire, using the name of the Lord to satisfy his own cravings for luxury and fame. 

Those who are not jealous for the Lord’s Holy Name and for His truth and on fire for Him will be “spat out” by the Lord. The thrill seekers, ever searching for the spectacular while failing to know and abide in the Lord, will find themselves outside the door of the Kingdom, looking on but not allowed in. 

Once He is our Alpha and Omega, our Aleph and our Tav, our beginning and our end, THEN we begin to come to know Him. If He is not our All in all and above all, then He will never reveal Himself fully to us, for He is a jealous G-d Who is displeased with half-hearted loving Him. 

As Yeshua said, “I wish you were either hot or cold [for this at least speaks of strong convictions]; but if you are lukewarm [being half-hearted about the things of G-d, about the cause of Messiah, vacillating in your love for Him] I will spit you out [as intolerable, disgusting, not fit to have any part in Me].”¹⁸

So let us beware of “strange fire” that excites and stirs up the flesh, rendering us ever more insensitive toward the Holy Spirit and the things of G-d. Let us sit at His feet. Let us look to the cross, the foundation of our salvation, which is the crucifixion of our flesh. Let us not be seekers after thrills but seekers after G-d and His will, plan and purpose for our lives. May we be enthralled with His awesome Presence and Holiness, delighting in His steadfast love and faithfulness. May we be jealous for our G-d and Father and for His Son, our Lord, opposing and pulling down every stronghold that exalts itself against the KNOWLEDGE of G-d and take captive every opposing thought and bring it under the lordship of Messiah Yeshua. 

Neither accept nor help spread “strange, unholy” fire. Rather, join us in extinguishing it for the glory of G-d and the escape of those who are deceived.

Yours in Yeshua,
Annelore

A few sample letters of people's response (full names known to me) to this article, featured here with their permission:

Judy Wilcox wrote:

Annelore,  How I enjoyed your article!!  A good friend of mine was telling me a couple of weeks ago that the Lord was impressing her to study about "strange fire."  I admire this woman and she is such a great researcher.  So, I was waiting to hear from her about it.  I was so shocked when I got your email on the same subject.  I'm sending her a copy of your article.  And, I'm sending a copy of it to other friends of mine who don't have computers.  I just think the Lord has inspired you to write a fantastic study on "strange fire."  It is so good to study our Father's Word.  Thanks for thinking of me, Annelore.  Love........Judy

And, with giving me her permission to post her letter, she wrote:

Go ahead, Annelore.  What occurred to me was that this must be something the Lord wants His people to understand - to discern what we listen to and understand what it means to Him... Judy

Bev wrote:

Thank you, thank you for sending this article to me. You have no idea how this comforted me, stirred me and put a greater longing in my heart to be pure, love truth and cry out for The Spirit of Discernment. Oh, to be a wise widow, (virgin) and be ready with a pure fire in my heart when the Bridegroom calls. Every word ministered to my heart and mind, tears of compassion for the friends and family members that are caught up in the deception that you write about.

Thank you for your obedience, love is in every word and because of your obedience many will be set free. Oh, may TRUTH invade us, and make us ready for Jeshua's coming.

Blessings, love and SHALOM,  Bev

Jo wrote:

Excellent!  Excellent! May I forward it to others?... Shalom, Jo