Birds of a Feather Truly Do Flock Together
“For MANY deceivers are entered into the world . . .” 2 John 7
There is obviously little threat from external Satanists and yet those who serve the enemy within the body of Christ are strategic plants, positioned to infect those who surround them. Yet, the Holy Spirit who is the Author of the Word of God, spends volumes of time utilizing many words to warn us of the impending and guaranteed danger of these wolves who prey upon the sheep of the LORD using various messages, methods and manipulation. These “deceitful workers” work most effectively within, not without (2 Corinthians 11:13-15). They are at work in our midst–strategically, internally planted. There is a conspiracy of false prophets and false teachers united by the spirit of antichrist and purposed to malign, ever so subtly, the image of the one true God.
“There is a conspiracy of her prophets in the midst thereof, like a roaring lion ravening the prey; they have devoured souls; they have taken the treasure and precious things …” Ezekiel 22:25
Where are the “prophets” who conspire? They are strategically positioned “in the midst” of the saints of the LORD. They steal the “treasure and precious things” of the LORD by robbing His sheep of His clear and full-counsel truth which bears the abundance of His spiritual blessings in heavenly places through Jesus Christ.
According to the Holy Scriptures, false prophets are known by their affiliations. See Ezekiel 22:25-27.
Packs of wolves adorned behind the sheep’s clothing of their denomination, church building, affiliation, degree and charisma, operate in the modern church, leading people to the knowledge of a false Christ.
The antichrist spirit opposes Christ under the pretense of representing Him and leading His Church.
“There is a conspiracy of her prophets in the midst thereof, like a roaring lion ravening the prey; they have devoured souls; they have taken the treasure and precious things; they have made her many widows in the midst thereof. Her priests have violated my law, and have profaned mine holy things: they have put no difference between the holy and profane, neither have they showed difference between the unclean and the clean, and have hid their eyes from my sabbaths, and I am profaned among them. Her princes in the midst thereof are like wolves ravening the prey, to shed blood, and to destroy souls, to get dishonest gain. And her prophets have daubed them with untempered mortar, seeing vanity, and divining lies unto them, saying, Thus saith the Lord GOD, when the LORD hath not spoken.” Ezekiel 22:25-28
Note the classes of leadership listed here–prophets, priests, princes, and prophets. There were many levels of leadership involved and operating in a conspiracy against the LORD. Where are the conspiratorial false “prophets”?–“in the midst” of God’s people. What are the false prophets doing in the midst of God’s people and what have they done?
- “ravening the prey (they see God’s people as an opportunity for self gain)” (v25)
- “have devoured souls (do not flinch to deceive and destroy precious souls)” (v25)
- “they have taken the treasure and precious things (stolen the spiritual blessing of His glorious salvation)” (v25)
- “they have made her many widows in the midst thereof (caused spiritual death)” (v25)
- “Her priests have violated my law (do not hold to and preach God’s pure Word, but rather use their position to profit themselves)” (v26)
- “have profaned mine holy thing (made common that which is holy)” (v26)
- “they have put no difference between the holy and profane (mixture)” (v26)
- “neither have they showed difference between the unclean and the clean (did not teach His people to discern)” (v26)
- “have hid their eyes from my Sabbaths (did not set the LORD and His rest apart as holy)” (v26)
- “I am profaned among them” (v26)
- “Her princes in the midst thereof are like wolves ravening the prey” (v27)
- “shed blood, and to destroy souls” (v27)
- “get dishonest gain (made merchandise of God’s people)” (v27)
- “her prophets have daubed them with untempered mortar (built their organizations in a way not prescribed in the Word)” (v28)
- “seeing vanity” (v28)
- “divining lies (conjuring up “words” that are not from God)” (v28)
- “saying, Thus saith the Lord GOD, when the LORD hath not spoken (using His holy name in vain for their own selfish gain)” (v28)
This enumeration of the characteristics and operating tactics of false leaders is no different today than what it was in Ezekiel’s day.
JIHAD IN THE MODERN CHURCH
There is a war raging in the church world today. It is the war for truth, which is opposed by the liars and lies of the enemy of all of God’s people, who makes war against the saints (Daniel 7:21). The enemy is greatly assisted in his cause, by those fruitless leaders who refuse to openly and continually dispense divine truth. This war goes unnoticed by most but will determine the future of the souls of countless men.
The LORD instructs all of His people, especially those in leadership, to discern and detect such lies and to “Speak thou the things which become sound doctrine.” (Titus 2:1)
The evil silence of so many in leadership who do not know nor “preach the word” is contemptible, despicable, shameful, offensive and insidious (2 Timothy 4:2). There is no doubt that these in leadership in today’s church, who do not teach the pure Word of God, are the most powerful emissaries of the evil one. If God’s people know His Word, the will not be destroyed for lack of knowledge (Psalms 17:4; Hosea 4:6).
Jihad means holy war. Those who wage such a war in the Islamic world, do so stealthily. The enemies of God, who stealthily prey upon the weak, beginning with their father the devil, are for the most part, cowardly. Do we have a well-hidden war being waged in our churches–being clandestinely waged by our very leaders? Have we not been warned that many deceivers have “crept in unawares (undetected)” who “lie in wait to deceive”? (Jude 4; Ephesians 4:14)
The Islamic terrorists seek to come within our cities and drop their undetected “dirty bombs” and kill millions of Americans. Much worse are those spiritual terrorists who hold leadership positions and yet do not “feed the church of God” and by denial are dropping their dirty bombs of error in word and lifestyle. They refuse to protect God’s people by filling them with His truth (Proverbs 30:5; Acts 20:32). These who serve themselves of the ministry are in denial and do not give protection to the people of God like true shepherds do.
“For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold (Gr. suppress) the truth in unrighteousness.” Romans 1:18
If our government did nothing to protect us from the physical terrorism the Islamic Jihadists who seek to inflict death and destruction on our nation, what would we say? We would be outraged, right? Doesn’t the physical threat of terrorism Muslims seek to bring on America, pale in comparison to the dangerous and deadly spiritual terrorism of false prophets and their potential to damn the very souls of men? Is not the future health of the Christian and Church being placed at stake by the refusal of leaders to diligently dispense the doctrinal truths the LORD gave us in His Word? If so, then why are we not completely outraged at such gross lack of warning or protection from our leaders, concerning the spiritual terrorism the enemy of all souls is bringing into the midst of our camps, and the gross lack of Bible teaching?
Perhaps we would fair well to place this following Bible promise on our refrigerators in order to keep us aware of the reality of such deception:
“For this I know (definitive), that after my departing SHALL (a Bible promise) grievous wolves enter in AMONG YOU, not sparing the flock.” Acts 20:29
Seeking to push from view the reality of deceivers and deception is a dangerous undertaking at best and a brazen betrayal of God and our fellow man. The fact of false prophets is a reality, especially as concerns these final days. Trying to hide this fact may just prove that we are a part of the conspiracy against the LORD and His children (Ezekiel 22:25-27).
There is a mountain of Bible passages dedicated to warning us to discern false prophets and false teachings. Like any good parent, our heavenly Father wants His beloved children to be “safe” and like Paul so do all true servant leaders (Philippians 3:1). To ignore what He told us about deceivers and false teaching is to indict the Almighty as being uncaring, un-thoughtful, and a bad parent. One must openly reject hundreds of verses to ignore the dangerous threat imposed by “grievous wolves.” (Acts 20:29) The threat posed by these wolves is severe. Eternal souls are in the balance.
It is highly regrettable far too little is said or addressed of this important biblical subject which has left God’s people at a place of great vulnerability (1 John 4:1). According to Ezekiel 44:23 and Colossians 1:28, true servants of Jesus are to “teach” His people to discern “the difference between the holy and profane, and cause them to discern between the unclean and the clean.”
In this late hour “evil men and seducers” of souls are waxing “worse and worse” and the LORD must have His obedient watchmen to teach, to warn, and to preach (Colossians 1:28; 2 Timothy 3:13).
All watchmen and disciples of Jesus are to diligently and without ceasing bring His people into remembrance of His Word and the many warnings therein (1 Timothy 4:6, 16). This is what the “good minister of Jesus Christ” does as well as nourishing them “up in the words of faith and of good doctrine.” (1 Timothy 4:6, 16)
THE GOOD SHEPHERD PROTECTS HIS SHEEP
Jesus Christ is “the great shepherd of the sheep” and “Jesus Christ (is) the same yesterday, and today, and forever”, then is He not still deeply concerned about the protection of His people today? (Hebrews 13:8, 20)
Please realize that the LORD holds each of us responsible to take heed to what we hear and to keep our own hearts with all diligence and stay pure from all deceivers and deceptions (Deuteronomy 4:9; Proverbs 4:20-23; Luke 21:34-36; 2 Timothy 2:15, etc.).
“Keep thyself pure.” 1 Timothy 5:22
Beloved, in light of your own personal responsibility to walk and remain in the truth, let me encourage you to avoid holding your breath till you find a true under-shepherd who will do his duty by watching, overseeing, “declar(ing) unto you all the counsel of God”, and “feed(ing) the church of God.” (Acts 20:28-32) Consider prayerfully and perpetually getting into God’s Word for yourself. Devour it and let your heart be taught in His perfect ways by his Spirit.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, please forgive me for ever helping in any way a wolf that is Your enemy. I now this moment repent and desire never to commit this sin again. United my heart to fear Thy holy name Jesus! Teach me to discern and to cling to you according to the lamp of Your precious Precepts! Amen.
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