This vital message is an excerpt from the book Deceivers and False Prophets Among Us
The Divine Guarantee of Counterfeit Leaders
and Their Subversion of Truth
GOD alone is in control and not the false prognosticator false watchmen! HE’s in control of the timing of all things, not you or any other fraud! … REMEMBER, when that demonic maniac hitler was on the world scene, many thought it was the end! Wrong! Think!
Any man calling himself (self-appointed) a prophet, is suspect. True servants of the lord simply do their LORD’s work humbly, never drawing attention to themselves by using titles – which Jesus forbids (Matthew 23:8-12).
BEWARE OF THE “PROPHETIC” WARLOCKS! The term “prophetic” never appears in Scripture, much less phrases invented by modern wolves such as “prophetic praise,” “the prophetic,” “prophetic warfare,” “prophetic worship,” etc. RUN from this witchcraft which is designed to bring you under the control of Satan’s warlocks pretending to have a word for you as a prophet of God! Wolves in sheep’s clothing! You have God’s Word and Holy Ghost – from Genesis to Revelation – which is the “MORE sure word of prophecy” (2 Peter 1:16-21).
2 Peter 1:12-21 is so important in realizing that the WRITTEN Word is “the MORE sure word of prophecy.” The Holy Scriptures are the divine Word which is prophetic in nature because God who gave it “inhabiteth eternity” and declared that He spoke it. He spoke “the end from the beginning” and it’s all recorded in the Holy Scriptures (Isaiah 46:9-10; 57:15). God’s written Word is even more divinely authoritative, sanctioned than the actual audible voice of the Father speaking from Heaven! Life changing revelation here. Hope it will be poured over carefully by His saints. Go read this passage in the King James Bible (always). 2 Peter 1:12-21
“But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily (secretly) shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction. 2 And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of. 3 And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not.” 2 Peter 2:1-3
Notice the promise given us here: “there shall be false teachers among you.” This is a definitive statement – “there SHALL be false teachers among you.”
The so-called “prophetic” movement is for those who want to self-actualize, a luciferian New Age term and practice. Pure damnable pride. These are warlocks and witches, operating in witchcraft while using the name of the LORD in vain.
Many seek to capitalize on your desire to discern, know, and follow God’s will. Beware.
God’s Word says “despise not prophesyings” and yet in the very next sentence it also warns us to “prove (test) all things” (1 Thessalonians 5:20-21). I don’t even read most “prophecies,” prophetic words, dreams, visions, etc. that circulate these days. Most of these “words” are coming from un-grounded novices, or flagrant flakes who don’t simply “Preach the word” but rather keep the circus wheels of their “ministry” spinning by their continual words (2 Timothy 4:2-4). Not that I despise them and yet the Word of God is inherently prophetic and the primary way God leads and guides His New Testament church (Isaiah 46:9-10; 2 Timothy 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:19-21, etc.).
“Despise not prophesyings. 21 Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.” 1 Thessalonians 5:20-21
GOD already told us in His Word all we need to know about these final days (Isaiah 46:9-10; 2 Peter 1:3-4; 19-21, etc.). Gauging all things by the written Word is key to escaping the prophesied end time apostasy. Some people choose to be led astray by the “MANY false prophets” Jesus warns us about who would “deceive MANY” (Matthew 24:11).
Here’s what the so-called “prophetic” is all about… scary…. SHOCKING DOCUMENTARY – False spirits invade the church – KUNDALINI WARNING – Andrew Strom
The Son of God warned:
“Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening (devouring) wolves. Ye shall know (discern) them by their fruits.” Matthew 7:15-16
“Beware.” This Scriptural instruction is seldom found on a refrigerator door in a Christian household, yet maybe it should be, to keep us alert to our need for vigilance and discernment concerning the reality of those in our midst who are “false prophets” and operate in “sheep’s clothing” and yet are “ravening (devouring) wolves.”
Is it not possible that Jesus is alerting and warning His people that the very leaders, to whom you and I now listen, are deceivers among us? Doesn’t His statement make this obvious? Who will we trust and serve, the One who bled for us and is soon to return, or those who claim to be leading us in the right way?
Over reaction on the Bible topic of false leaders? If you can find the phrase “many true prophets” in God’s Word, show it. Hint: It’s not there. Yet, we are repeatedly warned of “many false prophets” who would “deceive many” and how in these last days “evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived” (Matthew 24:11; 1 John 4:1; 2 Timothy 3:13).
CLUE: False leaders say what they say and do what they do TO GET YOU TRUSTING IN THEM, PATRONIZING THEIR MINISTRY. True servants of Christ preach you into a corner so that you have nowhere else to look but upward to the LORD and nothing else to do but to cry out to JESUS in full surrender (1 Corinthians 1:29-2:5).
In the most basic sense, a true prophet is simply one who represents the LORD from a pure heart and according to His Word, whereas a false prophet misrepresents the LORD by his refusal to adhere to the teachings of Christ and His apostles.
In this same text, Jesus told us we would know all leaders according to the “fruit” of their lives and this includes whether or not they teach the pure Word of God (Matthew 7:15-20). It simply does not matter how upstanding, educated, well-spoken or popular a man is – he is still only a man, and if he is not establishing God’s Word in the hearts of people, he is false.
“Sheep’s clothing” – Whether knowingly or unknowingly, “wolves” labor among God’s people undetected by most. Stealth deceivers could be their nomenclature. Those who are convicted to love and serve their LORD to the end discern the false from the true and depart from the false, while the unsuspecting remain and unknowingly endanger their own lives and perhaps the lives of others.
“Inwardly” – God looks on the heart, not the outward appearance (1 Samuel 16:7). In walking close to the LORD, we must seek and learn to see things the way He does. He plainly reveals to us here that there are those among us who pose as His and yet are leading His sheep into deception and ultimately destruction.
“Ravening (devouring) wolves” – Many in the church world today are not even aware of and/or do not perceive the severity of the Master’s warning. Remaining under the leadership of a devouring wolf (or wolves) who exists to destroy God’s sheep, can be deadly. In general, the wolf disguised by his sheep’s clothing, is simply a person in leadership who refuses to obey the Word of God, specifically in the doctrinal essentials (John 8:47; 1 Corinthians 15:1-4; 2 Corinthians 11:1-4; 2 Timothy 3:16-17; 3 John 9-12). The written Word of God has always been and will always be the primary way the LORD Jesus Christ leads His true followers (Mark 13:31; John 10:35; 2 Timothy 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:16-21, Revelation 22:18-19).
WHEN deceivers use the phrase “Don’t put God in a box” what they are really saying is “Don’t listen to how God described Himself, His will, and His attributes, etc. Don’t listen to HIS own Word, let me show you an alternative, something that contradicts His Word!” Apostasy! Run! See Acts 17:10-11; Psalms 33:11; 119:89, 105; John 8:47; Romans 3:4; 2 Timothy 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:19-21.
“God is not the way we say He is, God is the way the Bible says He is.” A.W. Tozer
In his book The Great Gospel Deception, David Kirkwood writes:
“False teachers are very deceptive. They have some exterior indications of being genuine. They may call Jesus their Lord, prophesy, cast out demons and perform miracles. However, the ‘sheep’s clothing’ only hides the ‘ravenous wolf.’ They aren’t of the true sheep. How can it be known if they are true or false? Their true character can be known by examining their ‘fruits.’
What are the fruits of which Jesus was speaking? They are the fruits of obedience to all He has taught. Those who are true, teach and do the will of the Father. Those who are false, teach what is not true and ‘practice lawlessness’ (7:23). Our responsibility, then, is to compare their teaching and lives with what Jesus taught and commanded.
False teachers abound today in the church, and we should not be surprised, because both Jesus and Paul forewarned us that, as the end approaches, we should expect nothing less (see Matt. 24:11; 2 Tim. 4:3-4). The most prevalent false prophets of our day are those who teach that heaven awaits the unholy. They are responsible for the eternal damnation of millions of people. Of them, John Wesley wrote:
‘How terrible is this!-when the ambassadors of God turn agents for the devil! – when they who are commissioned to teach men the way to heaven do in fact teach them the way to hell … If it be asked, Why, who ever did this?…I answer, Ten thousand wise and honourable men; even all those, of whatever denomination, who encourage the proud, the trifler, the passionate, the lover of the world, the man of pleasure, the unjust or unkind, the easy, careless, harmless, useless creatures, the man who suffers no reproach for righteousness’ sake, to imagine he is in the way to heaven. These are false prophets in the highest sense of the word. These are traitors both to God and man…They are continually peopling the realms of the night; and whenever they follow the poor souls they have destroyed, ‘hell shall be moved from beneath to met them at their coming!’” p. 164, 165
Faith Ranger writes:
“Psychics are sometimes accurate, does this make them prophets? Does the enemy not have his own prophets? The woman that followed the disciples, telling others that they were men of God, was a false prophet and the disciples rebuked her. But what she was saying was true.”
Can devils do miracles? “For they are the spirits of devils, working miracles, which go forth unto the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty” (Revelation 16:14). See also 2 Thessalonians 2:9-12 and Deuteronomy 13:1-10.
EVEN IF SOMEONE PROPHESIES AND IT ACTUALLY COMES TO PASS, OR DOES A REAL MIRACLE, DOES NOT MEAN THEY ARE TRUE! GET FAMILIAR WITH DEUTERONOMY 13:1-10 SAINTS. 1. CHECK THEIR DOCTRINE, AND 2. IF THEY ARE ANNOUNCING THEMSELVES AS A “PROPHET,” THAT IS A RED FLAG.
Honesty is Essential to Kingdom Learning
Saint of the LORD, before we continue, please allow a somewhat parenthetical assertion here, which will assuredly optimize this read. Being a truthful person, void of the predisposition of bias, is imperative to prosperous learning in God’s kingdom. Such is foundational to authentic learning and fruitfulness and demonstrates before the Supreme Court of the Universe, the absence of the sinful idolatry of mere men. Many of us are grossly steeped in what Christ and Paul termed “the doctrines of men” and we don’t even realize it (Mark 7:7-9; Colossians 2:22). Let us establish that in order to “grow” in the LORD, we are to “desire” and pour over the oracles of God and “receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls” (James 1:21). “The sincere milk of the word” is to be consumed and when it is, spiritual nutrients fill the heart (1 Peter 2:2). The true, born-again believer will hunger for the spiritual food of God’s Word. In order to glorify God by knowing why we believe what we believe, we must embark upon being more deeply rooted in the divine truth of holy Writ.
Especially in light of this guaranteed last days epidemic of beguilers and their false teachings, it is essential that we become more doctrinally intensive in order to more perfectly serve the One we love (Acts 18:24-26; 2 John 7-9). Without the sincere resolve to know God’s Word, it is evident that one possesses “no root in themselves” and is going to forfeit the blessed apprehension of divine truth and place his own soul in grave danger of deception (Mark 4:17). The upright character trait of honesty when looking at God’s Word is essential to fruitful learning and living in the kingdom (Luke 8:15).
“Thou shalt not wrest (pervert, twist, dilute) judgment; thou shalt not respect persons, neither take a gift: for a gift doth blind the eyes of the wise, and pervert the words of the righteous. That which is altogether just shalt thou follow, that thou mayest live, and inherit the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee.” Deuteronomy 16:19-20
In this all-important text, God instructs His people concerning divine truth and how they are to handle it. Note in particular: “thou shalt not respect persons…That which is altogether just shalt thou follow.”
Beloved, one must be sincerely willing to stop and make the grounded determination that the LORD truly is his God, and that the words, personalities, and teachings of all mere men (people in places of spiritual leadership) are vastly inferior and less aggrandized than the words of the Almighty. Such repentance from this subtle and deadly idolatry will include laying the axe to the root of the esteeming of best-selling authors and influential speakers. We must realize that hero worship is plainly spiritual adultery and actually causes our hearts to depart from the only One worthy of our heart worship and affections (Hos. 4:11).
Deceivers Guaranteed
“And as he sat upon the mount of Olives, the disciples came unto him privately, saying, Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world? And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you. For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many.” Matthew 24:3-5
When His twelve asked Jesus what would be the “sign” of His return, the very first thing He revealed and promised as a sign of the end of this age would be deceivers who come in His name (using His name) bearing messages to deceive “many.” This perhaps can apply to those evil emissaries who work within and outside of the church world. Many have claimed “I am Christ.” One particular world religion has as its head a “Pope” who is said to be the Vicar of Christ, or the one on earth who takes the place of Christ. More on this later (2 Thessalonians 2:9-12).
The Son of God warned “Take heed that no man deceive you.” To the believer, the deceiver who is operating within the church world, posing as a true servant of Christ, offers by far the most dangerous threat. This is what Jesus was talking about when He spoke of wolves who wear sheep’s clothing (Matthew 7:15-23).
Who are the agents He warned would come to give persuasive, seducing, delusions and messages which would deceive “many”?
“Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown.” Revelation 3:11
The Son of God warns here to “hold fast” to Him and to allow “no man” to “take thy crown.”
It is unfortunate that most in leadership today refuse to teach on the subject of the end times. God’s people would be so blessed to know the very first and most prevalent sign of the last days. Is this not amazing that we have refused to inform them? Isn’t it amazing that we seldom hear this cornerstone and safeguarding truth of the end times that Christ provided? According to the LORD Jesus, the most prevalent sign that would indicate that His return is coming soon is the manifestation of deceivers! Isn’t it high-time that His Word on this matter is made known?
This epidemic of evil being perpetrated in Christ’s very name is far too important to overlook. So, let us review and make sure this word sinks down into our hearts (Luke 9:44). What did the LORD say would be the most obvious sign of the end and of the soon return of Jesus Christ to the earth? In the most popular chapter on the return of Christ in the entire Bible, the disciples of Christ asked Him an all-important question and He answered them clearly. Can we read it again?
“And as he sat upon the mount of Olives, the disciples came unto him privately, saying, Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world? And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you. For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many.” Matthew 24:3-5
The warning here is two-fold: “And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you. For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many.”
Deception through the vehicle of men is the very first sign that the return of the LORD is near. – “Take heed that no man deceive you.”
“Beware of men.” Matthew 10:17
Most people, especially born-again believers, would like to think the best of people around them, especially their leaders. But Jesus warned us to beware and not to serve men but God alone (Luke 4:8).
“Many,” Not a Few
Deception through self-appointed leaders bearing false witness of themselves is the second earmark of deceivers.
“For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many.” Matthew 24:5
In order to cause His remnant to awake to the grave danger of those who “shall deceive many,” the Son of God goes on to lace this last days’ narrative with warnings of false prophets.
“And many (not a few) false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many (not a few).” Matthew 24:11
Here Jesus promised that not a few, but “many false prophets shall rise” and “shall deceive many.”
Fundamentally, the Master desires to embed in His people the reality of false prophets who look like they are His yet aren’t. Christ’s goal and desire is that we be not deceived by these “false brethren” working amidst His people (2 Corinthians 11:26; Galatians 2:4).
“And he said, Take heed that ye be not deceived: for many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and the time draweth near: go ye not therefore after them.” Luke 21:8
Christ repeatedly foretold that in the final days of this age “there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall show great signs and wonders (lying signs and wonders); insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect” (Matthew 24:24).
In iteration and warning concerning these last days in which we live, our LORD revealed that “many (not a few) false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many” (Matthew 24:11).
The apostle John states:
“For many deceivers are entered into the world ….” 2 John 7
The Bible foretells a great falling away in the end, not a great revival. So, when we hear such claims of a supposed revival, a red flag should go up. See 2 Thessalonians 2:13, 9-12 and 2 Timothy 3:13.
Of all those who fill pulpits, write books, speak on radio programs, and produce any number of Christian media communications, isn’t it amazing that so little is ever stated about the danger and prevalence of deceivers and false teachings in this last day? In fact, to the contrary, at the same time so many crassly neglect warning God’s people of deceivers, some even teach that these last days will bring a great revival. This is in stark contradiction to the prophesied “falling away” of the final days (2 Thessalonians 2:3).
“Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him, That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand. Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition.” 2 Thessalonians 2:1-3
Preceding the manifestation of “the son of perdition,” the Holy Spirit warned us that there would “come a falling away first.” It seems apparent that the LORD’s people must be blindfolded and the truth must be shunned in order for this mass deception to occur. According to the biblical revelation, this mass apostasy will come and is presently well under way, at the hands of a literal global army of deceived leaders, many who have formed a “conspiracy” against the LORD (Ezekiel 22:25-27).
Should we be surprised that God is angry with leadership? Is His wrath toward leadership a new thing? No, it is an ancient “controversy” (Isaiah 56:10-12; Jeremiah 23; Ezekiel 34; Hosea 4:1-19). Israel’s leaders were throughout the centuries specifically addressed and rebuked, and cited for their evil doings and how they had led astray God’s people (Isaiah 9:16).
“Thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I am against the shepherds; and I will require my flock at their hand.” Ezekiel 34:10
“Controversy” is an integral part of walking with the LORD (Ezek. 22:25-27; 44:23-24). As long as the LORD Almighty allows evil to exist, there will be conflict – until He returns in His time to put down all rebellion. Until then, conflict is a reality, so we must face it in His truth and power as He leads (Ps. 94:16). Since the fall of man, conflict has been and will be until His kingdom is established upon the earth with His full reign (Matt. 11:12; Eph. 1:20-22; 1 Cor. 15:24-28; Heb. 2:8; Rev. 12:11).
Make no mistake: there is a “conspiracy” (Ezekiel 22:25-27). Mass apostasy comes at the hands of false teachers and their false teachings, and yet there must be those who believe and support these false teachings in order to facilitate this departure from the faith.
Speaking of “A Foreign Grace,” David Kirkwood, in his book The Great Gospel Deception, says:
“It is not only the fruit of people’s deeds that mark them as false teachers, but also the fruit of their words. If they teach what is contrary to essential New Testament doctrine, they are false teachers.
Of course, no teacher in the church is going to stand up and declare that he is teaching what is contrary to the New Testament. Rather, he will neglect certain important scriptures and twist others to persuade his constituency that he is teaching the truth. This is being done today by many very popular and influential teachers who teach about a grace that is foreign to the Bible. The grace they proclaim is not the true grace that leads to holiness…” p. 230
As David Kirkwood points out here, the false teacher is not going to stand up and announce that he is a wolf. It is the individual believer’s responsibility to discern leaders by the fruit of their teaching. What is not taught (left out of the message) can be more deadly than what is taught. What we don’t know can kill us. “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge” (Hos. 4:6). To be able to discern one must study the Word diligently and be exercised therein (2 Tim. 2:15; 3:16; Heb. 5:11-14). This gross lack of knowledge among those claiming to know the LORD is also an indication that many have not diligently studied the Word of God for themselves, but rather have relied upon their leaders to tell them what God has said. Consequently, so very many have been deluded with a false gospel.
Saint of the LORD, is Jesus Christ important enough to you to learn what He has stated to you in His Word? Is the LORD truly your first love? Are you actively and diligently memorizing Scripture – His words?
“These false teachers literally deny (notice the titles Jude used) the “only Lord God” (Jude 4). Because obedience is, in their minds, optional for those on the way to heaven, Jesus need not be one’s Master and Lord. Thus they deny that He is who He is by their teaching and lifestyles.” The Great Gospel Deception, David Kirkwood, P. 231
Outnumbered
“And there shall be, like people, like priest: and I will punish them for their ways, and reward them their doings.” Hosea 4:9
The Table of Jesus or Jezebel?
Mass apostasy was foretold (2 Thessalonians 2:3; 2 Timothy 4:3-4). When mass departure from the faith occurs, both classes are involved – leader and listener. It takes both parties to complete the circle and conspire against the LORD Almighty. Remember that Lucifer was the very first conspirator against the Almighty and was actually successful in convincing one-third of the angels in Heaven to depart with him (Revelation 12:4). Rebellion against the LORD is a reality today as it has been throughout history, yet there is a remnant, as has also been the case throughout history (1 Kings 18:4, 19).
“For it was so, when Jezebel cut off the prophets of the LORD, that Obadiah took an hundred prophets, and hid them by fifty in a cave, and fed them with bread and water.)…Now therefore send, and gather to me all Israel unto mount Carmel, and the prophets of Baal four hundred and fifty, and the prophets of the groves four hundred, WHICH EAT AT JEZEBEL’S TABLE.” 1 Kings 18:4, 19
Like the days of Elijah, today is no different. The “MANY false prophets” we are often warned about today, eat at the table of the enemy (Matthew 7:15; 24:11). They are known in that they have sacrificed Christ for provision, a salary, the applause of sinful men, and if they don’t repent will perish.
Apparently, as we see in this scenario, those true prophets that Obadiah fed were outnumbered by the false prophets 850 to 100.
We are missing the very warnings about deception which we most urgently need. We must not allow our ears to wax heavy amidst the activities of this fleeting life lest we lose out in the end (Luke 21:34-36).
Is it not utterly astounding that many leaders do not care enough to warn their listeners to “beware of false prophets” and teachers who spawn and perpetuate the multiplicity of deceptions present within the church world today? Perhaps their refusal to warn reveals that some of them do not want to be detected as false themselves.
One of the greatest tragedies is that, in many cases, these damnable doctrines, taught by “false teachers” and “false prophets” go unchecked, unchallenged and unannounced by those in leadership (2 Peter 2:1). Does such dreadful negligence not make suspect these who refuse to recognize and announce such?
When was the last time you personally heard a message preached warning believers to “beware of false prophets” and to “beware lest any man spoil you?” (Matthew 7:15; 1 Jn. 4:1; Colossians 2:8).
Friend, are you aware that whole chapters of Scripture are dedicated to exposing false prophets? (See Deuteronomy 13, Jeremiah 23, Matthew 23, Ezekiel 22, Ezekiel 34, Jude, 2 Peter 2, Revelation 2 and 3, the end of Isaiah 56 and Philippians 3.) The frequency of such divine warnings underscore the vital nature of staying in the doctrine and will of Christ and guarding against the beguilers who “lie in wait to deceive” (Ephesians 4:14). What is staggering is that even though the LORD Himself considered it extremely important to have numerous warnings recorded concerning the prevalence and danger of deceivers and false teachings, today we are hard-pressed to find any of our leaders saying a single word about such an onslaught against the minds and eternal destiny of God’s people. What an outrage! Much is at risk. Who has ordered this gag rule? This can be nothing less than diabolical!
Storm Clouds Have Gathered
“That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive.” Ephesians 4:14
Those leaders who are true to God preach, warn, and teach in order to prepare His people for Christ’s soon return (Colossians 1:27-29). God’s people are to take personal responsibility to become grounded in His Word so that they can discern, and no more be tossed about by the many and various storm winds of false doctrine blowing through the world of the Church at large. Being grounded in the Word and able to discern truth from error is a mark of maturity.
It is a divine mandate for those who are called to “feed the flock of God” to establish His truth in the hearts of the sheep of the Great Shepherd (1 Peter 5:2). By hearing and adhering to the pure Word of God, His people are matured and no more as vulnerable to the winds which are blown into the midst of the body of Christ on the wings of an army of false teachers. God’s people are nourished and secured in His truth (Proverbs 4:20-24; 30:5; Luke 4:4; Acts 20:27-32). Those who are not being fed and who are not personally taking time to study the Word of God, are sickly, malnourished, and have become prey to the wolves in our midst. The Psalmist cried:
“Lift up thy feet unto the perpetual desolations; even all that the enemy hath done wickedly in the sanctuary. 4 Thine enemies roar in the midst of thy congregations; they set up their ensigns for signs. 5 A man was famous according as he had lifted up axes upon the thick trees. 6 But now they break down the carved work thereof at once with axes and hammers. 7 They have cast fire into thy sanctuary, they have defiled by casting down the dwelling place of thy name to the ground.” Psalms 74:3-7
Note in the above text that David sought the LORD in weeping because the enemy of souls roared “in the sanctuary…of thy (God’s) congregations.”
The fact alone that the word “beware” appears 14 times in connection with deceivers and deception in the New Testament Scripture is evidence enough that those who don’t openly declare such to the sheep of God’s pasture are, at best, deceived. It is nothing less than reprehensible that men who stand in places of leadership would not pay attention to and communicate these divinely-inspired warnings. Those who don’t are suspect as those who intentionally and dishonestly dodge truth that does not play into their own personal agenda. It seems that, unlike David, the overwhelming majority of men in leadership positions today do not care nor cry out for the LORD to deliver His people from the enemy and his ravaging lies. They also refuse to awake and warn God’s people with a warning which would otherwise secure His children in the safety of His truth (Prov. 30:5).
Sounding the Alarm
In any developed nation, alarms and meteorologists sound off when storms are approaching, in order to warn the people of that local geographic area to take cover or measures to prevent the harm the coming storm could bring. For sure, the threat is announced loud and clear repeatedly in order to warn all of the people to beware and take precaution. Yet, amazingly enough, the most deadly danger in the universe exists in the Church world which threatens the spiritual health and eternal well-being of the very people of God, and warnings arise from so few.
In 2005, when hurricane Katrina was approaching the gulf coastal states, the beckoning call to flee was sounded long and loud to people who lived in those areas. Most fled, some stayed. The winds were at 160 MPH, so the severity of the threat was at level 5. Such approaching danger could not be overly stressed, just as the great threat of the hurricane winds of deception rushing upon the coasts of the people of God cannot be over exaggerated.
When some envision deceivers, they picture one who manipulates people out of their earthly monies, yet much more evil are those who rob men of their eternal souls by not leading them to the only One who can save and secure them. One can go to Heaven while poor on earth, but he cannot go to Heaven without possessing and maintaining the riches of Christ’s salvation. Far more insidious and dangerous are those who withhold divine truth and the warning they are supposed to be giving to the souls they are called to feed, oversee, guard, and nurture.
Because they don’t drink in and heed the “more sure word of prophecy,” the Holy Scriptures, many men in leadership today do not see/perceive the storm clouds that have gathered to converge upon the people of God (2 Peter 1:19-21). We have been warned about the great falling away and the fact that Satan has but a short time and has therefore come down with great wrath upon the saints, yet little or no warning is ever heard amidst the many words of the leaders who forge ahead, building their own names and kingdoms (2 Thess. 2:3; Rev. 12:12). Have you ever wondered if we possess even a clue?
YOU won’t find many church buildings in the book of Acts (Acts 2:42-47). Yet you find true worshipers!
“Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked.” Revelation 3:17
Like those in Laodicea whom the LORD addressed here, many in leadership positions are preoccupied with self-interests. These men are blinded, having no idea how separated they are from the LORD. Perhaps these men haven’t fasted even one day for years, don’t read the Bible more than five minutes daily, and have little or no intimacy in their personal prayer lives. Like the leaders of Isaiah’s day, they are greedy and blind and cannot respond to the alarm of God much less give it to the people they oversee.
“His watchmen are blind: they are all ignorant, they are all dumb dogs, they cannot bark; sleeping, lying down, loving to slumber. Yea, they are greedy dogs which can never have enough, and they are shepherds that cannot understand: they all look to their own way, every one for his gain, from his quarter. Come ye, say they, I will fetch wine, and we will fill ourselves with strong drink; and to morrow shall be as this day, and much more abundant.” Isaiah 56:10-12
Did you notice the root cause of the blindness of these wayward leaders? Read the above text again and notice the selfishness and self-idolatry of these false prophets the LORD cites. The LORD warned us prophetically that In the final days there would be those who would have a “form of godliness” and at the same time would be “lovers of their own selves” (2 Timothy 3:1-5).
Satan is plundering the people of God with numerous cyanide-laced poisons and, like the armies of Israel, most leaders seem to be doing little about it. They are too busy with their own self-life. Like David, the man with a heart that panted after the LORD, and a valiant warrior of Jehovah, we must ask as he did:
“Is there not a cause?” 1 Samuel 17:29
The ‘giant’ of exponential falsehoods is stealing the glory of the Most High and poisoning His very people. Is this not reason enough to be outraged? Why do some take such an atrocity that strikes at the heart of our LORD so lightly and crassly overlook such a deadly threat which causes men to be spiritually spoiled (ruined)? (See Col. 2:8.) How can this be?! Perhaps the LORD is calling us to revisit and obey Isaiah 58.
False doctrines, peddled by wolves in sheep’s clothing, place the souls of men in danger of hell fire. Friend, speaking specifically of the very last days, the divinely inspired terms “doctrines of devils” and “damnable heresies” clearly communicate to us that there are devils behind certain doctrines and they will damn the souls of those who buy into them (1 Timothy 4:1; 2 Peter 2:1). Furthermore, it is essential to remain in Christ and in His doctrines and to give no approval to falsehoods, but to remain in right standing with God (2 John 9-10). How needed are those who love Christ and His body enough to obey the mandate to establish His truth and warn His people to beware!
Historical Sketch
Should we be surprised that God is angry with leadership? Is His wrath toward leadership among His people a new thing? No, it is ancient. Israel’s leaders were throughout the centuries specifically addressed and rebuked, and cited explicitly for their evil doings.
“Thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, I am against the shepherds; and I will require my flock at their hand.” Ezekiel 34:10
Terrorist Warnings
Would it be wrong for the government of any nation to neglect to warn their own people of certain cataclysmic events they have knowledge of? If information of an attack was known prior to the violence transpiring, and the government didn’t warn the people, would the people of that nation be justified in their outrage? Thousands of lives could be at stake. Would the withholding of known information by our political leaders concerning an attack on America be criminal treason? The answer is obvious.
Israeli, American, and British intelligence of criminal terrorist activities is the best in the world. Having intelligence of a terrorist plot to kill and maim the citizens of a nation, encumbers the entity that possesses that information with a moral obligation. At best, it would be contemptuous to withhold such vital data, which would lead to the prevention of many casualties. On the other hand, a national agency, having been informed of a planned terrorist attack at a certain location and time, which doesn’t divulge that information to the people, has committed treason and is responsible for the harm that comes upon that people. The written laws of civilized nations include the criminal act of conspiring to withhold information and obstruct justice. Such is contemptuous and criminal.
In the same way, if those who hold positions of spiritual leadership, armed with numerous scriptural intelligence warnings of evil emissaries and their teachings, do not warn God’s people, they are conspiring with the enemy of all souls and placing themselves under the judgment of a holy divine Shepherd. These leaders have refused to arm themselves and warn according to the divinely breathed intelligence report once delivered to the saints of Christ in holy Writ. The refusal of leaders to warn God’s people of those terrorists whom He repeatedly guaranteed would creep in secretly and sow deadly poisons is criminal.
If the officials of your city possessed intelligence of a terror attack planned against your neighborhood and refused to warn the people, how would you feel if such an attack came and killed and maimed many? Would you feel outraged? Would you now feel violated? Would you feel vulnerable or safe and secure?
Are You Outraged?
Friend, are there not people being spiritually destroyed due to the refusal of those in leadership to warn, according to the perfect divine source of intelligence, God’s Word? The apostle Paul clearly told us that warning was an integral part of the divine calling mandated upon true shepherds (Colossians 1:27-29; 2:8).
Consider the divine mandate upon those in leadership and the severe consequence for not warning:
“But if the watchman (leader) see the sword come (judgment coming), and blow not the trumpet (warn), and the people be not warned; if the sword (judgment) come, and take any person from among them, he is taken away in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at the watchman’s hand.” Ezekiel 33:6
Men who refuse to warn of the evil winds of doctrine blowing upon the people of God are liable before the holy Judge of the Supreme Court of the Universe. Without repentance and life change, these men will be found guilty of causing many of God’s blood-bought people to go astray. Such gross negligence is criminal and will be punishable at the Judgment seat.
“Whoso causeth the righteous to go astray in an evil way, he shall fall himself into his own pit: but the upright shall have good things in possession.” Proverbs 28:10
The absence of such warning transmitting from supposed men of God is nothing less than criminal.
If Paul Warned, Why Don’t Leaders Today Warn?
Paul the apostle of Jesus Christ, sets forth the standard for all who will be true to the LORD in their leadership:
“…Christ in you, the hope of glory: Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus: Whereunto I also labour, striving according to his working, which worketh in me mightily.” Colossians 1:27-29
The Holy Spirit empowered Paul to preach about Jesus while also warning and teaching. Paul openly announced here that his calling was to preach, warn, and teach. That’s right, we are instructed to preach, warn and teach. – Not just preach and teach, but also to warn. This is the Gospel calling, and anyone who will please the LORD will do all three of these things when ministering. Does this mean that a third of what we do should be to warn? Think about it.
The apostle Paul warned the Ephesian elders:
“For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them.” Acts 20:29-30
It should be noted here that this great apostle of Jesus was deeply concerned with safeguarding the souls of God’s people, thus this explicit prophetic warning extends to all Christians of the New Testament era. He told the Philippian believers that he did “write the same things” (Philippians 3:1). Paul continually reiterated the pillar doctrines of Christ. This apostle of Jesus stated that such continual reestablishing of eternal truth was “safe” for the Philippian Christians. This servant of God was a safeguard to the people of God by teaching and continually infusing divine truth in them.
Counterfeit ministers in prominence are the very first sign that our LORD’s return is near. Why then do those in leadership seldom if ever tend to this Biblically prevalent doctrine today? This utterly astounds me personally. As I read through the New Testament, I witness the multiplicity of warnings concerning deceivers and false prophets and marvel that this is almost never mentioned much less taught in the church world today! Wow! Where is the protective concern in our leaders? Are they so busy serving their own selfish, ego-driven appetites that they have no heart for God’s sheep?
Was Jesus lying when He told us that there would be “many false prophets” cloaked in “sheep’s clothing”? (See Matthew7:15.) If we truly believe upon Jesus, we should embrace all of His Counsel, and we are mandated to divulge it (Mark 8:38).
Here is a partial Bible list by term of the type of counterfeit leaders to beware of in this last hour:
- False prophets (term appears 7 times: Matthew 7:15;24:11,24; Mark 13:22; Luke 6:26; 2 Peter 2:1; 1 John 4:1)
- False teachers (2 Peter 2:1)
- False apostles (2 Corinthians 11:13; Revelation 2:2)
- Deceivers (Job 12:16; Malachi 1:14; Titus 1:10; 2 John 7)
If Jesus Warned, Why Don’t Leaders Today Warn?
The deafening silence of those who lead today enables deceivers and false teachings and allows for God’s people to be led astray. Carte blanche access has been given to Satan’s emissaries who wear sheep’s clothing to distort, deceive, and bring ultimate damnation. Leaders (and all believers) are mandated and responsible to warn, in obedience to Christ.
On many occasions, Christ warned of false prophets and deception. Anyone who is following Him should be doing the same – in an attempt to protect those who are His. The Son of God made a public announcement, warning all to “Beware” of the writers of His day and at all times:
“Then in the audience of all the people he said unto his disciples, Beware of the scribes, which desire to walk in long robes, and love greetings in the markets, and the highest seats in the synagogues, and the chief rooms at feasts; Which devour widows’ houses, and for a show make long prayers: the same shall receive greater damnation.” Luke 20:45-47
The Method of Deception
Plainly Christ warned “Beware of the scribes.” The Greek word here for “scribe” is grammateus, which means a writer, i.e., (professionally), a scribe or secretary. As in Christ’s days on earth, we should be very careful of the writers of today, the modern-day scribes who write books, many of which are best-sellers that fill the shelves of Christian bookstores. In my estimation, the modern church world today clearly demonstrates its lack of discernment and apostasy by the way it neglects the 66 books of the Bible and runs after deceptive and doctrinally misleading and heretical fad books. Specific resources are available concerning some of these fad books on this site.
“Scribes” would include any religious or “Christian” communicator today such as Bible translators, writers, journalists, bloggers, etc.
Discernment is a landmark of spiritual maturity and to be sought for by all believers. It is the duty of all leaders to foster such in those they lead (Colossians 2; Revelation 3:18).
“Let no man deceive you with vain words.” Ephesians 5:6
The apostle Paul here warns us that false prophets, who are prevalent in our midst, deceive through words. Also, under the inspiration of the Holy Ghost, the apostle Peter and Jude penned these words of warning:
“For when they speak great swelling words of vanity, they allure through the lusts of the flesh, through much wantonness, those that were clean escaped from them who live in error.” 2 Peter 2:18
“These are murmurers, complainers, walking after their own lusts; and their mouth speaketh great swelling words, having men’s persons in admiration because of advantage.” Jude 1:16
The Test of Deception
“People want a word from God instead of the Word OF God.” Warren Smith
You may be asking: Why would the LORD allow such deceivers and deception to operate and even abound? Here is the reason:
“For there must be also heresies among you, that they which are approved may be made manifest among you.” 1 Corinthians 11:19
Apparently, we have a glimpse into the mind of God here concerning the dividing purpose of truth and lies. He ultimately rules over deceivers and their deceptions. If one can be led astray from the LORD by false teachings and false prophets, it is because his heart is simply not in right standing with the LORD. The true disciples of Christ are made “manifest” by embracing the truth of God’s Word amidst the many deceptions that abound in the church world in this last hour. In contrast, those who are not true in their heart of hearts to the LORD, even though they have an outward appearance of serving Him, will be taken in by the deceptions of the last day false prophets and their deceptive teachings, luring them to serve the lusts of their own flesh.
“For there are certain men crept in unawares (undiscerned; not noticed by most), who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness (in their teachings), and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ.” Jude 4
Ultimately, the LORD created all and is in charge of all.
“With him is strength and wisdom: the deceived and the deceiver are his.” Job 12:16
It is undeniable that there are and will be those who will be drawn away from the truth after having known it:
“Now the Spirit speaketh expressly (clearly), 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; Forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth.” 1 Timothy 4:1-3
To religious people (those who are religious but don’t know Jesus), Christ states:
“Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.” John 8:44
Satan knows he only has a short time to use his tool of deception to lure us away from the LORD, so he has come down with great wrath through the use of many a media method and messenger.
“Therefore rejoice, ye heavens, and ye that dwell in them. Woe to the inhabiters of the earth and of the sea! for the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time.” Revelation 12:12
Remaining in the Truth
We are to nurture and remain in the truth of the Gospel of Christ until the end of our lives.
“Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth (remains) not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth (remains) in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son.” 2 John 9
It is imperative that we also help others to hearken to the voice of the LORD and escape the fate of the “many” who are being deluded all around us.
“If thou put the brethren in remembrance of these things, thou shalt be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished up in the words of faith and of good doctrine, whereunto thou hast attained…Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee.” 1 Timothy 4:6, 16
As “a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished up in the words of faith,” other “brethren” are to “hear thee…(as you) put the brethren in remembrance” of “the words of faith.”
The Danger of Being Led Astray
“Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these things before, beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own stedfastness.” 2 Peter 3:17
Even though the New Testament and Old are replete with such warnings, it may be the very first time anyone has ever pointed out to you that God has promised that there would be “many false prophets” in our day and that you are personally in danger of being led astray if you don’t guard your heart with His Word.
“Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try (test; examine) the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.” 1 John 4:1
Because of the numerous revelations from our LORD, we understand that there are “many false prophets” who are “gone out into the world.” And, in the complete absence of any such statement in Holy Scripture of many true prophets, we should be left to understand that the false far outnumber the true. The Bible simply never hints, much less promises, that there would ever be many true prophets or servant-leaders. The phrase “many false prophets” appears in Scripture, yet the term “many true prophets” never does. By simple deduction of what we read in Holy Scripture, we know that there are “many” false and few true godly leaders in the world.
“And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many.” Matthew 24:11
If the Apostle John Warned, Why Don’t Leaders Today Warn?
False prophets are simply identified by the fruit of their lives which would include the falsehoods they teach, leading the righteous away from the LORD and His ways. Identifying, staying clear of them, and helping others discern, are all-important tasks in this last hour before Christ returns. Consider the pastoral words of the apostle John in warning those he wrote to then, and now, to be careful of “them that seduce you.”
“These things have I written unto you concerning them that seduce you. But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him. And now, little children, abide in him; that, when he shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before him at his coming.” 1 John 2:26-28
With all confidence, John assures all believers of the “anointing,” which is the presence of the Holy Ghost indwelling us. John confirms that the Holy Ghost will lead us into all truth, as we abide in the LORD and His Word. It is when we are continuing in the doctrine and life of the LORD Jesus Christ that “we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before him at his coming” (1 John 2:26-28).
Each and every follower of Jesus Christ is personally responsible to remain in the truth, living in the clear doctrines of Holy Scripture given to us by our Maker and Redeemer. In his book entitled Life In the Son, Dr. Robert Shank pens these words:
“John warns his dear children in the faith against the efforts of apostates to lead them astray through false doctrines, exhorting them to ‘Let that therefore abide (remain) in you, which ye have heard from the beginning [the true Gospel]. If that which ye have heard from the beginning shall remain in you, ye also shall continue in the Son, and in the Father. And this is the promise that he hath promised us, even eternal life.’ (1 Jn. 2:24-25. Cf II Tim. 3:13-15, Col. 1:21-23).
It is the testimony of our Savior and the New Testament writers that an initial reception of the word of the Gospel must be followed by faithful retention, if men are to continue in the saving grace of Christ and the eternal life of God.” Shank, Robert Lee, Life in the Son, Bethany House Publishers, Minneapolis, Minnesota, 1960. pp. 33-34)
The Promised Increase of Deceivers
We also discover from reading the New Testament that the closer we get to the end, the greater will be the proliferation of deceivers and their deceptions.
“But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived.” 2 Timothy 3:13
For some reason, unknown fully to this writer, it appears from Scripture and my own perspective of experience, that so many people who get into ministry simply are not genuinely rooted in God. Perhaps, many who enter into ministry are zealous and driven, yet may not realize motives which are foreign to the will of God.
ARE you seeking to experience God OR to KNOW HIM? (John 17:3)
Some, at least in part, enter into ministry service viewing it as a profession instead of being impelled by divinely instilled holy passion for His people. When we are not led of the Holy Spirit to do full-time ministry, will we inevitably serve ourselves utilizing this profession as a means to personal gain? Is it not His will that each of His children be led by His Spirit in the divine call which He has for their individual lives?
Like Judas and others listed in Scripture, many of those in ministry have already fallen away and certainly many more to come will also. The dangerous aspect of this fact is that many of those who have fallen away in their hearts still remain in positions of leadership. Does this not allow the enemy to truly operate through them to mislead others?
In most cases, these men have enlisted themselves into the army of Satan by simply neglecting their own personal relationship with the One who bought them with His perfect blood (2 Peter 2:1-3).
In this late hour in which the love of many is waxing cold toward the LORD and His people, the 6 o’clock news and general media have more to report concerning fallen ministers than ever before. Is this not a fulfillment of the prophecy of our Savior?
“And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another. And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many. And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold. But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.” Matthew 24:10-13
The faithful follower of Christ will lay down his life to serve God and others fully, escaping the snare of the fowler by the precious divine grace imparted into his life (1 Peter 1:5; Revelation 2-3).
The danger of falling away is a reality according to our LORD. Jesus said that there would be those who “have no root in themselves, and so endure but for a time: afterward, when affliction or persecution ariseth for the word’s sake, immediately they are offended.” (Mark 4:17)
Discernment Clue: Ministries that aren’t provoking you to get into God’s Word FOR YOURSELF DAILY, simply want you to depend on them-not God!
The LORD Jesus Christ personally promised Judas an eternal throne in Heaven, yet this fallen man kissed the gates of glory and turned and marched right into the bowels of unending damnation (Matthew 19:28).
It is obvious that some do not get into the ministry for the LORD, but more for themselves, which ultimately sets them up to become false. Like Judas, many today start out true and end up spiritually bankrupt (Acts 1:25; 1 Timothy 1:19; 6:10).
“Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints. For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ.” Jude 3-4
“Believe Not Every Spirit”
“Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try (test) the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.” 1 John 4:1
Deceivers and deceptions are promised. Any person who believes “every spirit,” that is, every person who comes in the name of the LORD, is simply in direct disobedience to the command of God clearly stated in 1 John 4:1 – “Believe NOT every spirit.”
“It is no sin to doubt some things, but it may be fatal to believe everything.” ~ A.W. Tozer
Naivety is to be pitied, not esteemed nor counted as humility or bliss. There is a clear biblical case against being naïve. Here is a mere sampling of biblical truth, which details such:
“The simple believeth every word: but the prudent man looketh well to his going.” Proverbs 14:15
In order to weaken the strength of the true Church, Satan wants to attack the very place that the LORD designed to build up His people “for the work of the ministry” (Ephesians 4:11-13). The main purpose of the church building is for the assembling of the believers to equip them for the work of the ministry – that is, so they can go out and be lights for Jesus in their daily lives. In an article entitled, The Seeker-Friendly Way of Doing Church, T.A. McMahon writes:
“The church is for the maturing and equipping of the saints, who then go out to reach the lost.”
Beloved, be not deceived. It is unfortunately observable that most local churches are nothing more than social clubs which entertain their audiences and seek to accommodate the sins of men in their language and programs. Everything seems to be honored except Christ and His words. Dispersed abroad in your community and in mine, in church buildings, on television, radio, in books, and various media, are false prophets, teachers and deceivers who “lie in wait to deceive” (Ephesians 4:14).
“These pastors put on shows that totally mock or minimize the greatness of God. The root of it is self-love, they have become ‘movie stars’ seeking self-praise in the name of ‘greatness.’ But they are clouds without water.” Bill Wegener
Jesus told us to “look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh,” when we see these things happening before our eyes (Luke 21:28). Fret not beloved, but rather rejoice! This all must transpire that the ultimate end of evil and beginning of Christ’s perfect reign might come to pass.
God has only one people, and the visible church is not the true Heaven-bound remnant church. This has always been the case, as is observable with the Pharisees of Jesus’ day (Matt. 23). The visible church is the manifested and displayed expression of the tares who will be gathered up and thrown into eternal fire (Matthew 13:40; 7:19; 15:13).
If your current pastor is not teaching discernment and warning you of the danger of deception and deceivers, you should pray for him and perhaps have a talk with him (Ezekiel 44:23; Colossians 1:17-2:8). If he refuses to repent, you should leave at once and find a true New Testament overseer (1 Peter 5:1-6).
PRAYER: LORD, please bring my heart into the reality of the blessings of security I have in abiding in You and in Your holy Word. Instill in the depth of my being Your holy fear. Please alert my heart and mind to the presence and danger of deception and the possibility of being deluded and derailed, so clearly revealed in Your Word. Fill me with Your fullness and teach my heart to trust in You fully as I obediently search out and learn the full-counsel of Your Word. I love You, Jesus. Amen.
Capture Points
- Write Matthew 7:15-16 on an index card with reference and say it aloud 3 times.
- In 2 Thessalonians 2:1-3, what is foretold in light of the soon return of Christ?
- What is the warning of 2 Peter 3:17?
- Write 1 John 4:1 on an index card with reference and say it aloud 3 times.
From the book Deceivers and False Prophets Among Us.
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Articles
Is Your Church Your Idol? [podcast]
Is Your Church Your Idol? (below)
Is Church Membership Biblical? (below)
SO, YOU TALK ABOUT YOUR CHURCH, THE PASTOR, THE PROGRAM, AND HOW YOU LOVE IT AND THE MUSIC AND EVENTS…YET THE NAME OF JESUS NEVER FLOWS FROM YOUR LIPS IN PRAISE? WOW! IT’S TIME FOR YOU TO REPENT, RETURN TO CHRIST, AND COME OUT FROM AMONG THE WICKED BEFORE IT’S TOO LATE! (2 CORINTHIANS 6:14)
EVER stop to ponder how we’ve commercialized, monetized, and grossly complicated what God ordained to be a time of rejoicing and blessing? Fellowship! Read Acts 2:42 and Colossians 3:16. Study the biblical model. Real fellowship with other saints is so simple, biblically. The bureaucracy of wolves has completely ruined such simplicity and that’s why so many no longer patronize their church busine$$e$ (2 Peter 2:1-3).
SO MANY TODAY WILL TALK ABOUT THEIR “CHURCH,” THEIR PASTOR, OR FAVORITE MINISTER – BUT NOT JESUS! THEIR WOLF HANDLERS ARE INDOCTRINATING AND USING THEM AS THEIR SALES AGENTS! SPIRITUAL ADULTERY. IDOLATRY.
Looking for the church means simply looking for other true members of Christ’s body! WE are HIS church – called out ones. Amen Jesus. Fellowship, Gatherings
NO SUCH THING AS CHURCH MEMBERSHIP IN THE EARLY CHURCH. TOTALLY FALSE. CHURCH MEMBERSHIP IS A TOOL THAT CONTROLLING LEADERS USE TO CORRAL SOULS FOR THEIR OWN SELF-SERVING PURPOSES! BEWARE! (JEREMIAH 23; EZEKIEL 34; MATTHEW 23) THEY DISCOUNT YOUR PLACE IN CHRIST BY TELLING YOU THAT MEMBERSHIP IS IMPORTANT IN THE CHURCH BUSINESS THEY ARE BUILDING TO THEIR OWN GLORY. JESUS CAME TO MAKE CAPTIVES FREE. SATAN’S AGENTS SEEK TO PUT YOU IN BONDAGE! (LUKE 4:18; JOHN 10:10; GALATIANS 5:1)
Are you ashamed of Jesus? Are you confessing your “church” or Christ? Are you inviting people to your “church” or to Christ?
“Thou shalt have no other gods before me.” Exodus 20:3
God is Jealous! (Exodus 34:14) He will not be second to anyone but MUST be your “FIRST love” – first priority in all things (Revelation 2:4-5).
IF you are not willing and obedient to forsake all, to give up every single idol, you cannot and will not be saved but rather damned in the lake of fire irrevocably (Luke 14:33; 17:33; Revelation 21:8, etc.).
PEOPLE prove they are blind and being misled when they testify anything other than CHRIST crucified! Yet many church attenders swear that they are in the truth. Delusional. They are quick to boastfully tell you they “go to church” and yet the name of Jesus never leaves their lips – because apparently He’s not in their hearts (Matthew 12:34).
“Church” today has become a staged event with a cast, crew and light show to entertain the members and seekers.
ANY thing you won’t give up for Christ – including religion – is a soul damning idol.
Are you doing the “church” thing or is your heart and life all about JESUS?
WHO, WHAT holds the ultimate “preeminence” in your heart? Colossians 1:18
IF you are not hearing that the ALMIGHTY commands you to lay down your life, you have placed yourself under a false prophet ministry and God is not going to bless you but rather going to turn you over to “strong delusion” so that you believe the cross-less lie and ultimately perish, all the while believing you were saved (Matt 7;21; 2 Thess 2:9-12; Titus 1:16; 1 John 2:4).
Is your “church” or is JESUS your “first love”? (Revelation 2:4-5)
So let me get this straight…
You run around telling people how much you love your church and pastor but never testify of the saving mercy of the Lord Jesus Christ? God is calling you to repent and be saved for real!
“Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven. 33 But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven.” Matthew 10:32-33
The vast majority of “churches” that meet in “church buildings” are simply and merely conducting “church services” where they entertain their prey. They are not equipping the saints for the work of the ministry and therefore discerned as being counterfeit (Ephesians 4:11-13). If they were, there would be salty disciples in their midst who go forth to minister Christ’s kingdom blessings where ever they went. Not even a trace of this transpiring in the apostate modern church world. Run. Run. Run.
“And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; 12 For the perfecting (equipping, maturing) of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:” Ephesians 4:11-12
Jenn W. writes:
“That’s exactly why I left the church I grew up in. It turned into a social club almost like a cult that was more focused on people and the ‘church’ but none of it was centered around Jesus Christ at all. They all beg me to come back, but every time I pray asking God, ‘Do you want me to go back there, Lord?’ I always hear Him flat out tell me ‘NO!’ God is not the author of confusion, He gives us confirmation and full rest and peace in our spirit about decisions. Whenever I even think of going back there I feel anxiety and panic because I know God doesn’t want me there. We can’t people-please just because they want us to do something or tell us to ‘not forsake the assembly.’ They will use all types of guilt trips to make you try to conform down to their lukewarm level and fit in. I refuse to do that. The church is extremely carnal, and everyone is concerned with money and building mega-churches. They say when you’re too holy or sanctified that you are ‘legalistic,’ and they hate when you are set apart.”
Holy Ghost anointed preaching will ALWAYS lead you to fresh repentance.
Brett Gibney writes:
“Many small churches are more like businesses with employees to maintain. The member becomes a customer and the church entertains them for donations and offerings. The pastor is the boss and manager operating within a strict budget. Big business in today’s Christian movement. Jesus Christ has never been to the place they call ‘church.’ He would flip their book, DVD and CD tables over! When money and theatrics are involved, God isn’t! Nowhere in the Bible is the pastor called to run the church. They appoint themselves. The only difference between a calling and a occupation is a salary.”
Church is what you are, not somewhere you go!
PLEASE show us where anyone in the New Testament Scriptures went around looking for an elder, a pastor, a church? YES, fellowship is essential and so is submitting to our elders in Christ and yet, perhaps today, far too much emphasis is placed on these things (Hebrews 10:24-25; 13:7, 17, etc.). None of this matters if the individual disciple is not engaged in seeking the face of the LORD personally.
You don’t need a preacher because you have a Bible. Read it. You don’t need a preacher to tell you what the Bible says! Read it for yourself, learning yourself. Today is your day to take more personal responsibility to seek God for yourself! Jesus taught personal responsibility and the essential nature of it when He said “Take heed to yourselves” (Luke 21:34-36) …… Jesus is Coming.
WHEN a person truly repents, he clears all idols from his life and Jesus Christ is truly reigning – on the throne of His heart. 1 idol will eternally damn the soul the same as a million idols!
NOW!
Memorize:
“Cease ye from man, whose breath is in his nostrils: for wherein is he to be accounted of?” Isaiah 2:22
Repent afresh. Seek God for real. Lay down your life in this world and follow Jesus. Cry out to Him to make you His authentic disciples, to strip all hypocrisy, deceit, depravity, and hatred in your heart. | Fresh Start with God
Many who initially believed will ultimately and eternally be damned for their idolatry…..
“Nevertheless among the chief rulers also many believed on him; but because of the Pharisees they did not confess him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue: 43 For they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God.” John 12:42-43
“And when he had called all the people unto him, he said unto them, Hearken unto me every one of you, and understand: 15 There is nothing from without a man, that entering into him can defile him: but the things which come out of him, those are they that defile the man.” Mark 7:14-15
“Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone. 24 Ye blind guides, which strain at a gnat, and swallow a camel. 25 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye make clean the outside of the cup and of the platter, but within they are full of extortion and excess. 26 Thou blind Pharisee, cleanse first that which is within the cup and platter, that the outside of them may be clean also.” Matthew 23:23-26
MESSAGE RECEIVED:
“It is Godly to have a church building to meet in. Jesus does not speak against it. If there is one, just one church that preaches the Gospel, and there is, then this comment is leading people astray. Go visit, til you find the right church…don’t be lazy and loose your soul…Amen! But that is a half truth to deter people if there is one church preaching the Gospel. You are trying to be God!”
REPLY:
I don’t agree with it being godly necessarily….. A physical building is not a necessity and is usually a great hindrance and worse. Jesus didn’t specifically speak against a physical building but He DID speak against the wolves operating in those buildings. Jesus also didn’t practice it (erecting physical buildings) because He is divine and knows all things and how men make themselves kings and rich off of the people usually as they use that central meeting place for self-serving purposes….. and no, a physical building is not a sin in and of itself. It can’t be, yet what is going on in those apostate “churches” is usually not the New Testament biblical model but rather for the self-serving purposes of those Paul says are “enemies of the cross of Christ” (Philippians 3:18-19). Any Berean, discerning Bible student sees that.
You don’t seem to be Bible intensive and perhaps that’s because the wolves who are misleading you want to keep you ignorant so they can continue to use you (Hosea 4:6; Acts 17:10-11). When Jesus spoke of building His church (called-out ones), He was not speaking of something physical like a “church” building but rather the revelation truth of Himself in the hearts of His people (Matthew 16:17-19). You are not yet a discerning person but rather gullible and this is foolish….. Question: Did Jesus and His apostles ever collect one penny to building physical “church” building? yes or no please.
Most organizations, the vast majority functioning in buildings are misleading people and not preaching the original Gospel (Jude 3) You are deceived. The real Church – people of God- don’t need to go find a church because they are the church. Where does the Bible say to go find a church, to visit till you find one? And where does God’s Word say that you will lose your soul if you don’t find a church building to go to? Nowhere. There it is: You are being led to believe that attending the church building is salvation and not Christ – WHOM you have not once mentioned so you are an idolater.
So you have to wait till Sunday morning to preach the Gospel? Wow. There it is again – false church – where most pastors don’t want you doing the work of the ministry daily but rather to patronize their church business. You are telling on yourself. You are a product of a ministry based in a building that is misleading you. Not all are but it seems you are being misled by what you are saying which is a dead give away of what you’re being taught (Matthew 12:34; 5:16, 20). You didn’t mention Jesus Christ one time so obviously Heaven’s nail-scarred risen soon coming KING is not your first love nor being taught in your building based church (Colossians 2:18-19). This proves the point.
I don’t know what I am saying while I give you Scripture? Flash Point: Reading God’s Word and living by it is not “trying to be God.”
MESSAGE RECEIVED:
“I’ve had people tell me that, even attending and supporting a church for over a year, that the church they were attending would not help them in a time of crisis because they were not members of that church.” M.
REPLY:
YES, have seen this same respect of persons many times brother! Sad! (Matt 25.) We shall all give full account to the One who said:
“And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me. 45 Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me.” Matthew 25:40, 45
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Articles
Neither Give Place to the Devil! [podcast]
“Neither give place to the devil.” Ephesians 4:27
“This is a really good message!” CB
— MANY have been blinded and duped to believe that either 1) there is no devil, or 2) there is a devil but he’s not active. But God’s Word tells us that Satan, the archenemy of Christ and mankind, is active and has an organized kingdom structure: “For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.” (Ephesians 6:12)
Warning:
“Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour.” 1 Peter 5:8
The Bible tells us not to be ignorant of Satan’s devices and if we are not even aware of “the wiles of the devil,” how can we possibly discern and overcome them? (2 Corinthians 2:11; Ephesians 6:11).
Communism, any communistic form of government arrangement, is an example of the work of Satan and we know this because it steals money and freedom from the people, kills people who don’t agree, and destroys everything good.
ANY person participating in the work of Satan is a child of the devil. Satan’s work is “to steal, to kill, and to destroy.” (John 10:10) Any questions? Any activity, operation, or plan to steal the freedom or money or anything from another, is the work of Satan himself. So is to kill or destroy people or property unjustly.
—- PEOPLE EVER MAKE UP THINGS ABOUT YOU? Jesus told us we would be falsely accused (Matthew 5:11) and He also tells us never to participate in a “false report” in any way (Exodus 23:1-2). The Greek word for “Satan” means accuser. ….“for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night…” (Revelation 12:7-12)
NEVER EVER DRAW CONCLUSION ON ANYTHING BEFORE YOU’VE HEARD THE WHOLE STORY
“He that answereth a matter before he heareth it, it is folly and shame unto him.” Proverbs 18:13
“He that is first in his own cause seemeth just; but his neighbour cometh and searcheth him.” Proverbs 18:17
Are not our laws in this country crafted after this truth? “Innocent UNTIL PROVEN guilty.”…
God gave us these truths for the protection of all. If, as a disciple of Jesus, you have not yet been slandered, lied about, stick around, your time is coming. David had his Shimei, Jesus had His Judas, Paul had his Alexander the coppersmith.
“Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.” Matthew 5:11
Slander includes bringing up a sin God has already forgiven someone, and/or repeating something you have no proof of.
Beloved saints, based on what Jesus foretold us of in Mathew 5:11, we’d actually better be concerned if no one is making up lies about us …. that just means Satan is upset with the fruitful relationship you have with Jesus who says “Woe unto you, when all men shall speak well of you! for so did their fathers to the false prophets.” (Luke 6:26) In light of this truth, should we not be concerned if everyone likes us, if no one is slandering us?
It’s time to “rejoice” – to obey Jesus – when we are persecuted for that only proves that we are His!!!!!!
“Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 11 Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. 12 Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.” Matthew 5:10-12
If someone is not being lied about, persecuted, and afflicted, they are suspect. That person is very possibly a counterfeit, a tare among Christ’s wheat.
Learn the resurrection power of Jesus by learning a bit more about laying down your life! Get this volume and also I Die Daily.
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Apostasy
Wolves who Weaponize and Monetize! Beware! [podcast]
Wolves who Weaponize and Monetize! Beware!
Church membership as perpetrated today was never supposed to be. It’s not found in the Scriptures. Each of His people are members of His body, His one church. Real fellowship and assembling, getting together, is biblical and yet as has always been the case, sinful men use it to exploit those who gather to worship their LORD. At the beginning and end of His ministry, Jesus destroyed the wicked leaders who were robbing the people.
“And Jesus went into the temple of God, and cast out all them that sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the tables of the moneychangers, and the seats of them that sold doves, 13 And said unto them, It is written, My house shall be called the house of prayer; but ye have made it a den of thieves. 14 And the blind and the lame came to him in the temple; and he healed them. 15 And when the chief priests and scribes saw the wonderful things that he did, and the children crying in the temple, and saying, Hosanna to the Son of David; they were sore displeased, 16 And said unto him, Hearest thou what these say? And Jesus saith unto them, Yea; have ye never read, Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings thou hast perfected praise? 17 And he left them, and went out of the city into Bethany; and he lodged there.” Matthew 21:12-17
They are making merchandise of you just as Peter foretold! Read 2 Peter 2:1-3.
Assembling as believers is commanded by God and yet not in order to be exploited by the devouring wolves we’ve been warned to beware of (Matthew 7:15; 24:11; 1 John 4:1-3, etc.). When God’s people gather, assemble, it is rather to be edified in Christ, richly blessed in the Word of God (Acts 2:42-47; Colossians 3:16; Hebrews 10:24; 2 Peter 2:1-3).
“If you go to the brick and mortar buildings and you don’t give your money then you’re nobody to them. I was out searching for a place where I could stay and hear the true gospel but that’s not happening in these brick and mortar buildings. These people need to truly repent.” Veronica
Church membership is just another attempt, lure, and seduction to misplace the faith and allegiance and identity of Christ’s saints away from Christ Himself (1 Corinthians 1:29-2:5; 2 Corinthians 4:5; Colossians 2:18-19). Beloved of God, you are bought with the precious blood of Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 6:19-20; 7:23). This highest price—the crucifixion of Jesus Christ on a cross —was paid by the Son of God to purchase you to Himself and the Father (1 Timothy 1:15; 2:5-6; Titus 2:14, etc.). HE is your identity and thereafter His true remnant body who live for Him daily, who are crucified with Christ perpetually, not counterfeit church goers/members. Memorize Galatians 6:14. For more on the body of Christ, read Romans 12, 1 Corinthians 12, and Ephesians 2 and 4. God’s Word is your final divine authority, not mere men or organizations of mere men (Mark 13:31; 2 Timothy 2:15; 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:20-21, etc.).
“Thank you for exposing this. I used to attend an assembly of God here in Olympia and I found it to be false. After a couple years my eyes were opened and I left because a lot of it was a new apostolic reformation or something similar to that they were just off, and at one point they had a homosexual male on the platform scolding the church for how they are mean and nasty to homosexuals because they think they’re better than them. I was attacked for forsaking the assembly and received other statements urging me to come back so I wouldn’t be sinning.” Bella
Anyone trying to get you to become a member of their church is seeking to monetize you to build a church business at your expense.
The reason why many professing Christian do not see the things we are seeing in the Word today in this message, is that they are not in God’s Word for themselves.
“Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” 2 Timothy 2:15
Most who claim Christ don’t know His Word and many don’t want to know it, otherwise they’d be in it and it would be in them.
“My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no priest to me: seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, I will also forget thy children.” Hosea 4:6
QUESTION ASKED:
“What if someone is born again, biblically baptized by immersion, but not a formal member of any local church, however they attend church regularly. Could they partake in the Lord’s supper?”
REPLY:
Yes, who else is a higher authority than the Most High who saved you into His church/family? WHAT other “membership” would be needed as if Christ’s saving you and putting you into His family as a member of His body wasn’t enough? Read 1 Corinthians 12. You are a member of the one universal blood bought, born again body of Christ. Any other so-called church membership is a fraud and an afront to Christ. He didn’t die and rise again to then hand over the reigns to a bunch of self-serving enterprising, greedy pharisaical nicolaitan wolves. Read Jeremiah 23; Ezekiel 34; Matthew 23; 2 Peter 2:1-3; Revelation 2:6, 15. Oh and this isn’t even to mention that these fake “churches” are 501(C)(3) corporations. They have entered into an unholy alliance with the state and by doing so have affronted, rejected the Savior. They entered into a contract with the state unnecessarily and are now under the antichrist dominion of the state, who can tell them where and what they preach and can’t preach.”
“This church membership topic riles me up! Many judge us because we don’t go to church. I want nothing to do with how apostate they have become. Most are in willful sin and could care less. Jesus is not there!” Karen Cochran
One dear sister in Christ shared this:
NEARLY EVERY LOCAL “CHURCH” IS A COMPLETE SCAM IN THIS LATE HOUR, JUST AS WAS FORETOLD.
“Partnership, as defined by most ministries, today, is you send them a check every month & they send you a letter with some Scriptures. Very sad. However, I take refuge in this Scripture – 1 Peter 4:17. It’s not a political problem, it’s a spiritual problem. During the scamdemic, I suggested we give groceries to those who needed them, have a cookout with burgers & hotdogs, offer healing to those who needed it, fellowship among the people. The church had a wonderful full circle drive so the people could pull in, we’d fill their trunk with groceries, etc. I was told “NO.” I offered to handle all of it, pay for it, still “NO.” The pastor wanted to remain shut down. I went ahead & did it from my home. I hired a Christian group to sing, we preached the Word, fed the people, prayed for anyone who wanted it. Quitting should never be a part of our vocabulary. The religious manipulation is off the charts. Filling seats & manipulating people for financial gain is repulsive.” Charlotte
The fact that most brick and mortar church building based churches are not run biblically in no way negates the need for essential, real, biblical fellowship. To this point, a brother in Christ named Peter writes:
“People want faith community even if there is church membership and mandatory tithing. People want social life with other believers. It’s safe and not that sinful. Yet, I’m against church buildings but I believe in accountability to one another and God.” Peter
Church membership ropes you into an unholy alliance with the state and a state owned church. Example:
“During the scam-demic, many churches hid behind Romans 13 and said they must obey the government. Yet there are many examples in the Bible where God’s people did not obey because it went against God and was evil. Just as in modern day with all the covid supposed mandates. Shadrach, Meshach, Abednego did not obey. Daniel, and the apostles. And many more disobeyed civil authorities when they demanded things that went against God and His will. The fake churches used Romans 13 because really they were afraid of standing for Jesus! So they cowered in fear! Hiding behind masks, closed doors and vax’s. But wearing masks was not such a big deal because most already are wearing them. Hiding behind their pharisaical and self-righteous attitudes pretending to holy.” Karen Cochran
God exposed these fake “churches” and fake “Christians” for all to see. “Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men“ (Acts 5:29). The false churches had already sold the Savior down the river for the state when they signed up for their 501C3—which is a contract with lots of small print. That contract they chose to enter into, makes those “churches” the government’s, the state’s churches. As we saw with the scamdemic, the state tells what they can preach, where they can preach, and when they can preach. I walked into a “church” to visit some friends during this period and was shocked that they all had on masks, were doing the 6-foot satanic ceremony rule etc. I departed. Sickening sacrilege.
“God’s true church can’t be contained in a building…God’s true church is being led out of these lukewarm businesses labeled as churches….God’s true church isn’t a man led organization ….it’s a relationship with GOD Himself. God’s true church isn’t a temple made by hands….their very own body is where God resides.” Kathy Lemonds
A MEME FROM A SNAKE “PASTOR”
In a meme, “Pastor” HB Charles Jr. is promoting Michael Foster, who writes:
“Nothing grows a Christian like a serious commitment to a single church week in and week out for years and years. Not conferences. Not social media. Not even personal devotions. The local church is where mature Christians are slowly forged in the fires of mundane faithfulness.” – Michael Foster
Notice “a serious commitment to a single church.” This is something God never commanded and it contradicts the essential responsibility He gave anyone who would be HIS disciple. The fruit of good church attenders makes it more than abundantly clear that this whole church attendance, church membership push is diabolical. It’s irrefutably producing bad fruit (Matthew 7:15-21). Let’s further test ‘pastor” Michael Foster’s statement, shall we? So John the Baptist, the apostles Paul, John, Peter, etc., didn’t attend church weekly or “week in and week out” and so you are saying they didn’t grow? Wow. Michael Foster is a typical programmed pawn—an indoctrinated dupe. He reeks of pride and greed (2 Peter 2:1-3). He’s building a church busine$$. Read his words again and think $ and how he is bearing false witness against the LORD he deceitfully pretends to represent as he is seeking to ensure his income for a long time to come. Wolves are making merchandise of their prey (2 Peter 2:1-3)!
“Never heard of the church building places of ‘worship’ until Constantine came along, the father of that demonic religion called ‘Catholic.'” Mark Owen
Seminarian marketing to farm the community—not to preach the whole counsel of God but rather gain more church members. They push for their pawns to invite others in order to get them more members which means more money. They campaign for more money for their unbiblical “church” projects, and yet never push for more personal Bible reading, evangelism, more of the crucified life, more worship of God, repentance, holiness, the fear of the LORD, etc…. and you still don’t see what’s going on?
Wow!
Okay so you go to a church building on Sunday morning yet don’t seek God in His Word and prayer daily? You are backslidden—which means you are away from God. Any person saved in the past and yet who is not presently hungering and thirsting after more of Christ, of His righteousness, has backslidden and in need of true repentance before it’s too late.
“Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.” Matthew 5:6
“The activities and ‘fellowship’ only among themselves can be a big distraction to serving the Lord and doing His work and will. Not to mention keeping you enslaved to the false unbiblical doctrines they preach there. No one is allowed to disagree with the pastor(s) and leaders.” B.
Totally disagree with these “pastors” who are wolves building church businesses. How many “good church members” do we see winning souls, evangelizing, feeding Christ’s sheep His Word, denying self, taking up the cross, devouring God’s Word, living the crucified life, talking about judgment, repentance, overcoming all sin, and being ready for Christ’s return daily? None. Jesus says we know them “by their fruit” (Matthew 7:16, 20). 99% of local churches = bad fruit. The LORD’s true under shepherds are preparing and equipping Christ’s disciples “for the WORK of the ministry” not to do THEIR (the pastor’s) bidding, work in his little Sunday morning circus gathering where he performs and collects money. Only counterfeits prop up, support counterfeits (Ezekiel 22:25-27; Hosea 4:9; 2 John 10-11).
“But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction. 2 And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of. 3 And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not.” 2 Peter 2:1-3
Here’s a biblical perspective: Being a good church member at a local “church” is never once taught in the Bible. No it’s something false prophets push for their own self-serving purpose and agenda. It’s for their benefit, not yours.
1 Chronicles 21:1 David was influenced by “Satan” in numbering the people …. this is a tool in order to control, manipulate and monetize the people…
GOD never called you to be a “good church member.” No, He called you to repent, to deny yourself, to live the crucified life, to seek His holy face daily with reckless abandon, to fellowship daily with His people, and to obey His Great Commission mandate.
THE FACT that you have no Great Commission involvement, no personal evangelism, no real fruit of good works in your life…. doesn’t this clearly reveal that you, as a good church member, are merely propping up a church busine$$, funding a fraud?
Can a man or woman of God sit back and just allow lost souls to go to hell without doing something about it, without having great conviction of conscience toward repentance, refreshing, and Great Commission Gospel action?
The next time some churchianity dupe begins to preach to you about “going to church”…. Tell them you don’t wait till Sundays, you fellowship in prayer and the Word daily with other saints of Christ (Acts 2:42). Ask them when the last time was that they personally preached the Gospel, fed the flock of God the Word of God, and led someone to Jesus…. mic drop, crickets.
“Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.” Matthew 5:6
Okay so you go to a church building on Sunday morning yet don’t seek God in His Word and prayer daily? You are backslidden—which means you are away from God. Any person saved in the past and yet who is not presently hungering and thirsting after more of Christ, of His righteousness, has backslidden and is in need of true repentance before it’s too late.
The Truth about Fellowship and Going to “Church”
Perhaps a simple observance of the earliest followers of Jesus would inform us that they weren’t always “in church” serving some wolf but rather they went “every where preaching the word,” etc. (Acts 8:4), right? Oh and their gatherings were quite simple with no religious gold gathering bureaucracy! See Acts 2:42.
What they do is basically make you their good church member then get you to go tell others so that their church busine$$ grows that way. Notice how no one is being equipped “for the work of the ministry” (Ephesians 4:11-14) by being taught to minister and to do it out in the world daily…. to bring the blessing, the bless-ed Gospel to the people. No. Instead they become like little agents of their local church which is now their idol. They are sent out to invite folks to church instead of bringing the KING to those same people.
Wake up. Repent before God of wasting His time and resources on such wolves in sheep’s clothing. Deny self, take up the cross, follow Jesus (Luke 9:23-24).
“Being a Christian isn’t about making a weekly trip to a so-called church building. No, it’s about BECOMING the church, an actual place where Jesus lives.” Matt McMillen
“Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.” John 14:23
“God is greatly to be feared in the assembly of the saints, and to be had in reverence of all them that are about him.” Psalms 89:7
Good Church Member or True Disciple of Christ?
Wolves can be known in that they don’t get their prey in the Word for themselves (2 Timothy 2:15).
Going to be entertained on Sunday mornings as what some call “church” does not replace daily Bible reading and prayer and the cross (Luke 9:23-24; 2 Timothy 2:15; 1 Thessalonians 5:17, etc.).
Anyone not in God’s Word and living a life of prayer every day as they seek His holy face fervently, has told the LORD that He is not important to them … and they will not make it (Matthew 25:1-13).
There is NO work, no-thing transpiring on the earth more important than the work of our LORD’s Gospel. Most of the other things are vying for your affections. Read Luke 21 and Colossians 3:1-4. JESUS is coming.
Summation:
The instruction of Hebrews 10:24 is from God and yet never intended to give license to men to build their own kingdoms, to exploit and use the people for their own self-serving and greed-driven agenda.
Yes there are elders ordained in Christ’s body and they are to feed (John 21:15-17), to warn (Colossians 1:28), to teach sound doctrine to the members of Christ’s body (Titus 2:1), to teach them discernment (Ezekiel 44:23), etc. This can be in a regular meeting time and place. That’s not a sin. The sin comes in when we don’t see biblically stated things being accomplished and that’s how we know those are false shepherds and this would involve most local brick and mortar based “churches” today.
The truth is self-evident. Fruit. Not all but the vast majority of local churches are absolutely apostate as the Bible foretold (2 Timothy 3:13; Matthew 24:11; 1 Timothy 4:1-2, etc.). There is no blood of Jesus, no cross, no crucified life, no judgment to come, no sin, no repentance, no holiness, no readiness for Christ’s return, no KJB, etc. Apostasy. Fellowship as defined by Holy Writ is essential, not church attendance. Saints, people do not need us. They do not need our fellowship. They need Christ and His people and that should be 24/7. The headquarters of the true saint is the throne of our God, right? (Jeremiah 17:12; Hebrews 4:14-16; 7:24-26). That doesn’t mean that attending a fellowship weekly is wrong and yet, is it a real fellowship? One should examine the fruit and ask: Am I growing in Christ? Am I growing to know Him (John 17:3)? Do I live a repented life and a crucified life? Is the extent of my relationship with the LORD going to church/church attendance? Do I care for and help the body of Christ? Do I evangelize? etc. The professing church has largely misused Hebrews 10:25. Fellowshipping, assembling is essential, is commanded, and that would be according to how Scripture defines assembly fellowship, not the modern church (Acts 2:42-47; Colossians 3:16, etc.). If one is part of a rare truly Christ-centered, Scripture-rich fellowship, that’s a blessing. The problem is that most aren’t. And they must be exhorted to “try the spirits” as 1 John 4:1 instructs.
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