ATTENTION CHRISTMAS BASHERS….. WHEN IS THE LAST TIME YOU LED SOMEONE TO JESUS? Are we spending more time and energy Christmas bashing than we are spending ministering the Word of the Gospel?
“Jesus was the greatest gift we have ever received!! Why would we not celebrate Him at all times, everywhere??” Karen Cochran
“Unto the pure all things are pure: but unto them that are defiled and unbelieving is nothing pure; but even their mind and conscience is defiled.” Titus 1:15
How we choose to view things that are non-essential to salvation.
“Note the marvelous power we possess of viewing things in the light or gloom cast upon them from our own temperament. We see life and the world in a glass colored from within. Oh, that we might possess that pure and untarnished nature that passes through the world like a beam of sunshine, irradiating all but contaminated by none! The true test of the knowledge of God is a holy life. These act and react. The better you know God, the more you will resemble Him; compare Psa_111:1-10; Psa_112:1-10. The more you are like God, the better you will know Him.” FB Meyer
“To the pure – Those whose hearts are purified by faith this we allow. All things are pure – All kinds of meat; the Mosaic distinction between clean and unclean meats being now taken away. But to the defiled and unbelieving nothing is pure – The apostle joins defiled and unbelieving, to intimate that nothing can be clean without a true faith: for both the understanding and conscience, those leading powers of the soul, are polluted; consequently, so is the man and all he does.” John Wesley
When we honor God we know there is no power greater than Him, right…. unless we give those things power. God’s perfect love in us “casteth out fear” right? (1 John 4:16-18)
In non-essentials such as holidays, if you don’t have faith to do something, don’t do it. And shut your mouth concerning other of Christ’s saints in these things. It’s none of your business. Read Romans 14 and 1 Peter 4:15. Speaking of non-essentials – things NOT essential to salvation – the apostle Paul writes:
“Who art thou that judgest another man’s servant? to his own master he standeth or falleth. Yea, he shall be holden up: for God is able to make him stand. 5 One man esteemeth one day above another: another esteemeth every day alike. Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind. … 20 For meat destroy not the work of God. All things indeed are pure; but it is evil for that man who eateth with offence. … 22 Hast thou faith? have it to thyself before God. Happy is he that condemneth not himself in that thing which he alloweth. 23 And he that doubteth is damned if he eat, because he eateth not of faith: for whatsoever is not of faith is sin.” Romans 14:22-23
Some are so busy bashing paganism that they have said nothing of the Word, nothing of the Gospel, nothing of the absolute necessity of the virgin birth of Jesus Christ. The divine command is to “Preach the word.” (2 Timothy 4:2) No one is going to be saved by the exposing of paganism.
Jesus and His holy apostles didn’t seem to spend a lot of time exposing paganism – which is everywhere, EVERY day of every year in this fallen world. This has been the case since the fall, 6,000 years. No, instead Jesus and His apostles brought the SOUL-ution – the Gospel.
With no apology to anyone, I celebrate Jesus Christ and all that pertains to Him, 24/7/365. No I don’t celebrate “Christmas” in any manner as do the heathen.
Some conflate all the paganism which Christians as if they are saying “Oh, we celebrate the roman cult, tammuz, semiramis, nimrod, etc”. Not. They have no idea about all that and are just spending time with their family and friends and hopefully witnessing to them. Are they going to hell for that? No.
Lynne Parker writes:
“There is no question that “Christmas” is highly commercialized and there are elements attached that are pagan or paganistic. And anyone with two functioning brain cells knows that Dec 25 is not Jesus actual date of birth. But it has been set aside to commemorate his birth. Consider also 1. It is not a sin to give someone a gift. 2. It is not a sin to sing hymns or read scripture concerning his birth (children particularly love that). 3. It is not a sin to gather with family and friends and eat together. 4. It is not a sin to decorate one’s home with beautiful lights and greenery to bring joy to the household. 5. It is not a sin to basically attend a candlelight service that glorifies the Lord and read scripture. 6. It is not a sin to bake cookies. 7. It is not a sin to enjoy a quiet fire with your spouse. 8. It is certainly not a sin to share Christ with people whose hearts may be open or somewhat softened at this time to hear the gospel. If someone is convicted about it they shouldn’t celebrate. But I can say my mom made very sure that I understood what Christmas meant – I remember well attending church before anything else. We live in a society ladened with deception and a professing “church” as well – but the truth remains Jesus Christ was born and he was born to be our redeemer. This is the message that’s important.”
It seems that some are so intent on exposing the obvious that they do no ministering and never mention the absolute cardinal necessity of the virgin birth and first coming of Jesus….. Which was specifically celebrated by many…. Instead of celebrating His birth, they spend their time pouncing on the paganism….. acting as if it’s more powerful that God. They lead no one to Jesus.
If the birth of Jesus means nothing to you, that means His death on the cross for our sins means nothing to you. His first coming, His birth was essential to His propitiatory death on the cross for our sins and His glorious second coming. His birth was the grand fulfillment of prophecy and celebrated by the Holy Ghost, the angels of Heaven, Simeon, Ana the prophetess, wise men, and shepherds. Read Luke 2.
On the calendar of the righteous what day do we hand over to Satan? None. EVERY day is the right, the privilege to celebrate any and all things concerning Christ. No one is going to hell for celebrating Jesus 365 days a year, including on Dec 25. This is a NON-essential to which Romans 14 speaks. We are not to judge other Christians on non-essentials (Romans 14). Sounds like some have handed over Dec 25 to satan as if any day is his day.
Feel free to correct, steer, shed light on this direction, observation …..
What darkness did Jesus and His apostles expose by the light?
Seems Jesus and His holy apostles warned most of false doctrines in the church world, not paganism, which is not of the kingdom of Christ at all.
Paul warns of the false teachers within the church world who would draw away disciples after them (Acts 20:20-32). Jesus warned of the same – people posting as His representatives while being wolves (Matt 7:15; 24:11).
Establishing God’s people in Christ – to be ever more rooted and grounded in Him – seems like a prominent endeavor of Christ and His apostles (Col 2:3-10; Matt 7:19-29, etc.).
If you are going to insist upon exposing paganism, you may wish to do it 24/7/365 because it’s happening at all times, in every place in this fallen world.
Are we more busy cursing the darkness than we are shining the light of Christ straight into the darkness of this fallen world? What did Jesus say in Matthew 5:16?
Just exactly what darkness did Jesus and His apostles expose strategically, most prominently? It was those wolves within – not so much without the professing kingdom. The false leaders within the professing church world (Matthew 23; Acts 20:20-32; 1 Timothy 4:1-2; 2 Timothy 3:1-13; 4:1-5; 2 Peter 2:1-3; Revelation 2-3, etc.). Revelation 2 and 3 are Jesus’ letters to the CHURCHES, right?
“Go” do what?
Did Jesus ever command His people to “Go ye into all the world and protest paganism”? No. Did Jesus command us to “Go ye into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature”? Yes (Mark 16:15). That’s the point, where is our energy being expended? What shall we answer to the LORD on Judgment Day? Surely we know He’s not going to say “well done my good and faithful servant for exposing paganism.” WHO are we planting the seed of the Word of God into? Isn’t that how we were born again? Yes (1 Peter 1:23).
It seems that we get lost in condemning the paganism of Christmas. This completely incapacitates us from doing what Jesus directly commanded us to do – “preach the gospel to every creature.” (Mark 16:15) Should we not use every occasion, including the month of December, to redeem the time by ministering to others?
“Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.” Ephesians 5:15
PWT is the apostolic balance – Preach. Warn. Teach. Colossians 1:28.
WHEN did the announcement of the Savior’s birth cease to become “good tidings of great joy … to all people”?
“And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.” Luke 2:10
Jesus could never had died for us to bring us back to God if He had not first come to us, been born through a virgin in perfect fulfillment of the prophecies of the prophets of God (Isaiah 7:14; 9:6-7; Micah 5:2; Matthew 1:21-23, etc.).
“For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit:” 1 Peter 3:18
God’s People Celebrate King Jesus 24/7/365, not 364 – including December 25th. They don’t celebrate paganism or “Christmas” – they celebrate Christ.
Is celebrating JESUS, not paganism, on December 25th, a sin? Chapters and verses please.
Beware of the false conflation which is commonly done by the self-righteous of our day. Examples ….
- You praise Jesus on December 25 and thank Him for coming the first time to die for your sins so you are a pagan because there’s a lot of paganism in Christmas. False.
- You voted for trump so that means you worship trump and do not trust God. False.
Hint: You are not a hero for identifying obvious paganism. But that will lead no one to Jesus. What did Jesus say in Matthew 5:13-16? Are you ministering His Gospel to the sinners you scorn?
Read Psalm 1 afresh: IS today the day we repent and get out of “the seat of the scornful”?
If the birth of Jesus means nothing to you, that means His death on the cross for our sins means nothing to you. His first coming, His birth was essential to His propitiatory death on the cross for our sins and His glorious second coming. His birth was the grand fulfillment of prophecy and celebrated by the Holy Ghost, the angels of Heaven, Simeon, Ana the prophetess, wise men, and shepherds. Read Luke 2 for a clue.
In this fallen world who declared that the birth of Jesus would be celebrated on December 25?
“Under Emperor Constantine, the Church in Rome began celebrating Christmas on Dec. 25 in 336. Some say the date was chosen to outshine the Sol Invictus and pagan celebrations.”
YET, some put more stake in Constantine, Rome, than they do the Bible. So who’s really owned by Rome? They are – because Rome dictates what they do and when they do it, not the Bible. Instead of going back to the Bible, Luke 2 for example, they live in reaction to Constantine, Rome…. in other words they are owned by these pagan entities. They give themselves to serve in reaction to them instead of serving the bless-ed Savior according to what the final divine authority of His Word states concerning the first coming, the birth of the only begotten Son of God (Luke 2).
Read Luke 2 before you continue in your error. The Bible reveals that the Holy Ghost, the heavenly host, the angels of God, Joseph and Mary, the wise men, Simeon, and “Ana, a prophetess,” all celebrated the first coming, the birth of Jesus – without which there would be no second coming, there would be no salvation. How could Jesus have died for our sins had He not first come to the earth, had He not be born into the world? Read Luke 2 before you consider continuing in your error. Imagine the excitement to see with their very eyes all the prophecies of the Messiah unfolding before their very eyes!
If you can’t deny, and you can’t, that all those above celebrated the long awaited birth of Jesus, then you may wish to consider your approach.
Pagan worship is sin, not celebrating Jesus’ and His first or second coming.
If Jesus hadn’t come the first time, we would not be looking for His soon return. The Bible calls His return “that blessed hope.”
“Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;” Titus 2:13
SOME seem to preach more about, against paganism than they do preach the Word, the Gospel.
Did Jesus say “Go ye into all the world and preach against paganism”? OR “Go ye into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature”? See Mark 16:15.
Hello everyone ….. Read Luke 2 … notice the host who celebrated Christ’s birth which included angels from Heaven, the Holy Ghost (GOD), the angels, the wise men, Ana, Simeon, etc. How could Jesus have come to died for us if He wasn’t born into the earth? Isn’t that why He came – to die? And if He didn’t come in fulfillment of prophecy, how could He have died for the sins of the world?
“I’ve noticed that many of the hardliners against Christmas have also fallen prey to the Hebrew Roots/Torah Keeping! They seem to go together much of the time!” Gloria Marshall Sykes | Beware of the Antichrist Judaizing Hebrew Roots Devils
THE VOICE OF HYPOCRISY SAYS “HOW DARE YOU GET SOMEBODY SAVED ON DECEMBER 25TH!!!!!!!” …
“How dare you help someone on the sabbath, on December 25th!!!”
…. when these same pharisees lead no one to Jesus, any day of the year. They can’t lead someone else to Jesus where they themselves are not willing to go.
Healing of a Man on the Sabbath
“He (Jesus) constantly defied the traditions of the scribes and Pharisees. And He did not do so by accident but with great deliberation”. Pagan Christianity
“And it came to pass, as he went into the house of one of the chief Pharisees to eat bread on the sabbath day, that they watched him. 2 And, behold, there was a certain man before him which had the dropsy. 3 And Jesus answering spake unto the lawyers and Pharisees, saying, Is it lawful to heal on the sabbath day? 4 And they held their peace. And he took him, and healed him, and let him go; 5 And answered them, saying, Which of you shall have an ass or an ox fallen into a pit, and will not straightway pull him out on the sabbath day? 6 And they could not answer him again to these things.” Luke 14:1-6
Divine Love Never Ceases its Activities!
“Luke 14:1-6
Healing of a Man with Dropsy (14:1-6)
14:1-3 One Sabbath day, a ruler of the Pharisees invited the Lord to his house for a meal. It was not a sincere gesture of hospitality, but rather an attempt on the part of the religious leaders to find fault with the Son of God. Jesus saw a certain man there who was afflicted with dropsy, that is, swelling caused by the accumulation of water in the tissues. The Savior read the minds of His critics by asking them pointedly whether it was lawful to heal on the Sabbath.
14:4-6 Much as they would like to have said that it was not, they could not support their answer, and so they kept silent. Jesus therefore healed the man and let him go. To Him it was a work of mercy, and divine love never ceases its activities, even on the Sabbath (Jhn_5:17). Then turning to the Jews, He reminded them that if one of their animals fell into a pit, they would certainly pull him out on the Sabbath day. It was in their own interests to do so. The animal was worth money to them. In the case of a suffering fellow man, they didn’t care, and they would have condemned the Lord Jesus for helping him. Although they could not answer the reasoning of the Savior, we can be sure that they were all the more incensed at Him.” Believer’s Bible Commentary
Did Jesus tell us He ceases His mission of mercy to the lost, to His people who are in need, on December 25? Chapters and verses please.
Note: God will not use us to witness and win others to Him if we are too busying judging, condemning them.
“For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God. … 27 Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.” James 1:20, 27
“SINNING” ON DECEMBER 24TH????
“So last night we went to the home and took our Jesus tracts. And sang songs about Jesus! Some would say we were sinning. Not one of them had any family visiting. Those residents lit up with the songs about Jesus! What an absolute delight it was to share the gospel and to worship the Lord with these people. They were clapping and Ted even danced! What a joyous time we had in the Lord. It was a worship of our Lord and Saviour!” Tom and Karen Cochran |
“Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.” James 1:27
Some seem to seek to be known by what they are against. Yet, what are they for? WHO are they leading to Jesus? No one.
“Get out of yourself today and go help someone else! Bring the message of the cross to someone who is hopeless. Stop worrying about if it is a sin to celebrate Christmas! It’s never a sin to celebrate Jesus and bring His message to the world is a command! Matthew 28:18-20” Tom and Karen Cochran
The Condemnation of the Christmas Bashers
EVEN though some are erroneously claiming others are going to hell for celebrating JESUS on a certain day….
I never said you are going to hell for bashing the paganism in Christmas. What are we choosing to focus on? Since when is Dec 25 the day we take off, we stop shining Christ’s light into this dark world?
This seems to be a matter of maturity in Christ or lack thereof. Read Romans 14.
Wow, think with me for a moment. Let’s peer into eternity past, based on what we know from God’s Word: Just think, imagine with me of where we’d be – you and I, the worst, vilest sinners ever – IF Jesus had looked down from Heaven and acted like many condemners act today….. Just what if Jesus had said “Father, there’s nothing but paganism, sin, going on in the midst of fallen men, in the earth…. so NO Father I am staying here, I am not going into the middle of that darkness to die for any of those pagan sinners.” Wow.
Aren’t you glad God our loving heavenly the Father “so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. 17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.” (John 3:16-17) ????
Are we more busy cursing the darkness than we are shining the light of Christ straight into the darkness of this fallen world? What did Jesus say in Matthew 5:16?
“Just imagine if Jesus had said ‘no I am not going among those pagan people!’ That really nailed it! How can anyone get saved if we are afraid of anything pagan! The whole world is pagan! So we avoid the lost too?” Karen Cochran
As He personally came into this dark pagan world, the light of the world Himself, Jesus commands His own to personally never be guilty of covering His light in us, never lampshade His glorious light (Matthew 5:13-16) …. No, instead, SHINE HIS LIGHT into the darkness of this world. This is a divine command:
“Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” Matthew 5:16
***IS this the year that we finally choose to get a more godly, biblical, mature, winsome, balanced, Christ-like perspective?
Did God so LOVE or did He so HATE the world that He gave His only begotten Son? Which of these – love or hatred – characterizes your perspective?
Is today the day we repent afresh and get, be busy about our Father’s business – which was obviously not condemnation because the whole world was and is already condemned in their sin (John 3:16-18). HE gave us Himself as the Solution.
Oh, and by the way, I personally do nothing – zilch – to celebrate “Christmas”, nothing. So bear that in mind as you read this.
“Pilate therefore said unto him, Art thou a king then? Jesus answered, Thou sayest that I am a king. To this end was I born, and FOR THIS CAUSE CAME I INTO THE WORLD, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice.” John 18:37
Jesus came to die. Jesus could not have died for the sins of this fallen world unless He was first born into this world.
“Thank you for posting this. Excellent biblical explanation. Last year was the first I had heard it was a sin to celebrate Christmas because according to them Jesus wasn’t born on Dec. 25th. And there was so much shaming going on! Just as they did telling people they were in sin because they voted. And I believe the same ones who say in God’s economy you are never to divorce. Somehow they have put themselves above everyone else! Hypocrites.” Karen Cochran | The sin of self-righteousness will damn the soul (Matthew 21:31).
Are We Minding Our Own Business?
Jesus says the self-righteous lost souls “have omitted the weightier matters of the law.” That is, they overemphasize the minors and underemphasize the majors. In other words they condemn others for what THEY not God consider a sin – such as worshipping Jesus 365 days per year including December 25. The fact that Jesus uses the phrase “the WEIGHTIER matters of the law (Word)” makes it clear that some things are more important than others in His divine kingdom. Jesus even cites to us, to all, things that are of higher importance in His kingdom – “judgment, mercy, and faith:” (Matthew 23:23)
“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.” Matthew 23:23-25
The pharisees were experts at condemning others. It’s scary how much this severe warning applies to many of the self-righteous in our midst today:
“For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 5:20
“5:20 To gain entrance into the kingdom, our righteousness must surpass the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees (who were content with religious ceremonies which gave them an outward, ritual cleansing, but which never changed their hearts). Jesus uses hyperbole (exaggeration) to drive home the truth that external righteousness without internal reality will not gain entrance into the kingdom. The only righteousness that God will accept is the perfection that He imputes to those who accept His Son as Savior (2Co_5:21). Of course, where there is true faith in Christ, there will also be the practical righteousness that Jesus describes in the remainder of the Sermon.” Believer’s Bible Commentary
“Except your righteousness shall exceed – περισσευση, Unless your righteousness abound more – unless it take in, not only the letter, but the spirit and design of the moral and ritual precept; the one directing you how to walk so as to please God; the other pointing out Christ, the great Atonement, through and by which a sinner is enabled to do so – more than that of the scribes and Pharisees, who only attend to the letter of the law, and had indeed made even that of no effect by their traditions – ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. This fully explains the meaning of the preceding verse. The old English word is right-wiseness, i.e. complete, thorough, excellent Wisdom. For a full explanation of this verse, see Luk_18:10, etc.” Adam Clarke
EVERY true disciple of Jesus knows that if God could find and save the WORST sinner ever – themselves – He can find and save anyone!!!! Repent now of all self-righteousness. You are as sure for hell as if you were already there if you are self-righteous (Matthew 21:31, etc.).
The angels and wise men celebrated the coming of Christ. Since when would it be inappropriate to celebrate Heaven’s KING? Just WHAT, second, minute, or year would it be God’s will not to celebrate the bless-ed LORD and Savior who came into this world, was born of a virgin to die for our sins? Is is okay with you if God’s people celebrate JESUS – every aspect of Him, His life – every days except December 25th? WHERE does the Bible say that if one of God’s people celebrate Christ on December 25th, they are going to hell?
Why shouldn’t God’s people insert His truth into everything, at all times? – EVERY day of the year, including December 25! Isn’t that what Jesus meant when He said we are His light and salt in the earth? (Matthew 5:13-16) God is good and God is able! Ask Him to use you during this period of the year!
The prophet Isaiah foretold Jesus the Messiah’s birth! There could be no bigger news except “It is finished.” (John 19:30) Christ could never have died for us, accomplishing redemption, had He not come to the earth. In fact, over 300 prophecies of Christ were given in the Old Testament and several dealt with His first coming, exactly where He would be born (Micah 5:2), that He’d be born of a virgin (Isaiah 7:14), that He’d be divine – “God with us” (Matthew 1:23; Isaiah 9:6-7), etc. Did Christ not split time in half when He was born? Oh and what about the joy in Elizabeth, John the Baptist and a whole host of others in the early chapters of Matthew and Luke concerning the birth of the Messiah?
Are you born again? – Making Peace with God – Before it’s too late.
Support | STORE | Podcasts | Jail/Prison Ministry | Mexico Mission here | All Ministry Updates | Dispensational Theology Exposed | There’s Only One Gospel of Christ! There Heresy of Pauline Gospel Exclusivity Exploded [podcast] | H.O.T. Bible Study [podcast]
Apostasy
Billy Graham Promoted and Sent People to Go Join the Catholic Church
“One of the most troubling problems within the church today is the unwavering loyalty to a ‘christian’ personality rather than to Christ and His Word. The unwillingness to test every man’s teaching with God’s Word, coupled with a stubborn lack of discernment, produces fertile ground for deception to flourish.” Evangeline DiChristi
from Chick Publications
Billy Graham Still Sending Converts Back to the Pope
Billy Graham. We know that his messages are solid gospel. Few in or out of the Christian World have not heard of him. Since 1949 he has held the spotlight as the most prominent evangelist in Christendom. He has just finished his 416th crusade in Pasadena, California that drew over 300,000 people in four days. 13,000+ responded to his altar calls. Graham is now 86 years old and has one more crusade scheduled in New York City next year, health permitting.
The Pasadena crusade was on the anniversary of his first Los Angeles revival 55 years ago. It was after that meeting that Graham was “kissed by William Randolph Hearst” according to Dr Cathy Burns in her book, Billy Graham and His Friends. This meant that Hearst had decided to promote Graham’s ministry in his nationwide chain of newspapers.
Immediately, reporters and photographers were crawling all over the Graham meetings. Front page articles began to appear in the leading local papers wherever Graham held meetings. One reporter was assigned full time to travel with Graham’s team.
In 1991, Graham claimed that this sudden attention remained a mystery. Burns describes a more complex scenario. Regardless, the publicity propelled Graham into the national, if not international, limelight.
Jesus warned, “Woe unto you, when all men shall speak well of you.” Over the years, Graham became the friend of presidents and kings, a beloved “America’s Pastor.”
But the fame came with a price. In his book, Smokescreens, written in 1983, Jack Chick describes how Roman Catholic leaders viewed and used Graham as a key player in their ecumenical plans. As early as 1965, he was a guest speaker at Catholic Belmont Abbey College in North Carolina where he received an honorary doctor’s degree. A college official’s letter describes Graham’s address as “theologically sound” as may have been given by “any other Catholic preacher.” The letter further states, “I would state that he could bring Catholics and Protestants together in a healthy ecumenic spirit.” Graham was also speaking at several other Catholic colleges at that time.
This prediction was fully realized. In Smokescreens, Chick shows various illustrations. In 1971 Graham is shown meeting with Oakland, California, Catholic Bishop Floyd Begin who lauded Graham’s ministry. In 1972 he received a Franciscan Friars’ award for true ecumenism. In 1979 Graham praised the pope as a “moral and spiritual leader that believes in something.”
In 1981 he was closeted for almost two hours with Pope John Paul II. After the 1982 New England crusade, thousands of those who went forward for salvation were turned over to Catholic clergy for follow-up.
And this hasn’t changed. Before the Pasadena crusade this year, The Tidings, official newspaper for the Los Angeles diocese, reported that Cardinal Mahony had written to parish priests to encourage their members to attend the crusade.
Crusade officials bragged that they had “a marvelous agreement” with Graham to give all registration cards to the diocese, of the inquirers who identified themselves as Catholic. The object was to “reincorporate Catholic Crusade participants back into full sacramental life in the Catholic Church.” “This is ecumenicity at it finest,” said Alexei Smith, Ecumenical and Interreligious Officer for the archdiocese.
There is no doubt that hundreds of thousands have been swept into the kingdom during the Graham crusades. But how tragic that so many who responded to Graham’s call to salvation were then sent back to the spiritual bondage and pagan rituals of the pope’s prostitute church?
Jack Chick concludes the Smokescreens chapter: “Yes, beloved. Billy Graham, as much as I love him and hate to say it, I believe was cleverly used as a smokescreen and as a pied piper for the whore of Revelation.”
In Graham’s 1952 Pittsburgh crusade, the Pittsburgh Sun-Telegraph reported that Graham said:
“Many of the people who reach a decision for Christ at our meetings have joined the Catholic Church and we have received commendations from Catholic publications for the revived interest in their Church following our campaigns. This happened both in Boston and Washington. After all, one of our prime purposes is to help the churches in a community. If after we move on, the local (sic) churches do not feel the efforts of these meetings in increased membership and attendance, then our crusade would have to be considered a failure.” [Emphasis in the original.]
Did you notice that Graham was only interested in a church’s increased membership-but nothing was said about a person receiving Christ as his or her personal Lord and Savior. This is what is important-not church membership! Church membership could increase a 1000-fold but if people are not being saved, then all is in vain.
Graham also gave a boost to the Catholic Church (in 1952) when he added that he “hoped to hear Bishop Fulton J. Sheen at one of the masses at St. Paul’s Cathedral tomorrow. ” [Emphasis in the original.]
“In 1968, Graham was in a meeting in San Antonio, Texas. He said that the Roman Church had given ‘tremendous cooperation’ in areas where he had held crusades. He added, ‘A great part of our support today comes from Catholics. We never hold a crusade without priests and nuns being much in evidence in the audience.”
By 1973 nuns were singing in the choir at Graham’s crusades.
Continuing on with Graham’s ecumenical outlook, the June 10, 1966 issue of Time said that volunteers “will tactfully receive those stepping forward to make a decision for Christ, [and] steer them to the nearest church of their chosen denomination….”
In Poland in 1978, “Graham taught nuns and priests how to evangelize. A picture taken at the famous Polish Shrine of the Black Madonna shows Graham welcoming pilgrims to the worship of their Virgin.”
Support | STORE | Podcasts | Jail/Prison Ministry | Mexico Mission here | All Ministry Updates | Because You Care Page | Conspiracy is Reality [podcast] | The Prophesied End Times Conspiracy of False Leaders [podcast] | Billy Graham, Paul Washer, James Robison, Jonathan Roumie, Sean Feucht | Catholicism/Ecumenism category | The Dangerous Threat of False Leaders | Antichrists Among Us | Masonic Lodge Exposed | Knowing God | Christology = the Study of Christ
Abiding
10 Clues Your Love for God has Waxed Cold [podcast]
The wise virgin saints are keeping their lamps full of divine oil, they are taking personal responsibility for their own spiritual state with Christ the great and soon coming Bridegroom. Read Matthew 25:1-13.
“The Love of Many Shall Wax Cold”
“And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another. 11 And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many. 12 And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold. 13 But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved. 14 And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.” Matthew 24:10-14
Did you notice in verse 14 that those who hot for Jesus are participating in the preaching of His Word to the end of the earth (Mark 16:15).
Anyone not devouring God’s Word daily is falling away, is not enduring to the end, is choosing the let their love for Jesus wax cold, and on the wrong, the losing end of this prophecy Jesus gave here on record in Matthew 24:10-14.
“I will spue (vomit, reject) thee out of my mouth”
“So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth. 17 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 3:16-17
Praying God will help you love Him more (Matthew 22:37-40). It really all boils down to WHO we love most. THAT is exactly who we are serving (Romans 6:16).
Loving God is everything as far as what’s in our control – because it’s a choice, daily, and will determine if one remains in Christ to the end.
“Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. 38 This is the first and great commandment. 39 And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. 40 On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.” Matthew 22:37-40
“Thou hast left thy first love”
“Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love. 5 Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent.” Revelation 2:4-5
1. When you are choosing not to spend quality time with God in prayer each and every morning… When you are choosing not to spend quality time with God in His Word each and every morning (Luke 9:23-24; 1 Chronicles 16:11).
2. When your love for God’s people is being reduced instead of increased (Philippians 2:12-13; 1 John 5:1) Marks of the True Christian …. “Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good. 10 Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another; 11 Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord;” (Romans 12:9-11) See John 13:35.
“And it was told him by certain which said, Thy mother and thy brethren stand without, desiring to see thee. 21 And he answered and said unto them, My mother and my brethren are these which hear the word of God, and do it.” Luke 8:20-21
“We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not his brother abideth in death.” 1 John 3:14
“Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God: and every one that loveth him that begat loveth him also that is begotten of him.” 1 John 5:1
Reading 1 Corinthians 13 today will refresh your heart and mind on the divine importance placed upon LOVE.
3. You are not denying self and not taking up the cross daily (Luke 9:23-24; 19:27; Galatians 2:20; Colossians 3:3, etc.).
4. You aren’t communicating the light of truth to others because you no longer seek or fear the LORD and so His divine virtue isn’t teeming in and flowing out of you. Your cup no longer runs over but instead is running empty (Psalms 23). You have a lampshade over the light and are not letting His light shine in and through your life and words… “Cry aloud, spare not, lift up thy voice like a trumpet, and shew my people their transgression, and the house of Jacob their sins.” (Isaiah 58:1)
5. You live in fear instead of faith and the joy of being with Jesus (Luke 21:28; 1 John 4:16-18; Proverbs 28:1; Psalms 2:11).
6. You preach promises and not conditions…following the apostate modern church and you don’t preach the cardinal doctrines of the original Gospel which we are commanded to “earnest contend for.” (Jude 3) You begin meditating on and living by trends instead of truth (Jeremiah 9:3; 2 Timothy 4:2-4; Philippians 4:8; Romans 12:1-2).
7. You have little or no true fellowship with other born- again Bible believing disciples of Jesus as is defined in God’s Word and not by the modern church world (Acts 2:42).
The Word of God is to run rich, to be abundant among God’s people … “In all wisdom” and “all in the name of the Lord Jesus” … “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. 17 And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.” (Colossians 3:16-17)
8. You know you are backsliding when your main thrust and identity become politics, not the work of the Gospel. YOU are a blood bought disciple of Jesus, not a conservative. You are a Bible believing follower of Christ (Luke 9:62; Galatians 6:14).
9. When you love this world…..When you spend more time and money on hobbies and the things of this fleeting world than you do on attending to knowing, walking with the LORD and preparing to be used of Him (Mark 4:17-19; 1 John 2:15; James 4:4).
10. When you spend more money on trash and trinkets then helping the work of the One you claim to love and the poor. You know you are backslidden when you are not obeying God with what He’s placing in your temporal possession. He shall bring you into full account for this.
Regrettably, people will give their money to any and every pleasure under the sun but make excuses when the opportunity to support the work of the One they claim to love and serve. The Holy Spirit foretold that in the final days before the return of Jesus, there would be those with a mere “form of godliness”, “men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous,” and “lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God.” (2 Timothy 3:1-7) According to the LORD, one of the main ways to measure our true love for Him or lack thereof, is by peering into our personal stewardship of the resources He’s placed into our temporary possession. Luke 12 and 16 offer a plethora of divine wisdom and warning concerning the judgment to come, the judgment we shall endure in giving account for our stewardship in this life.
The clear proof that God is working in our lives, that we are truly following Jesus, is that we are becoming less and less vested in this fleeting, fallen world (James 4:4; 1 John 2:15-17). And that we, our good works, our giving are more and more invested in eternity – in the eternal kingdom of Christ, laying up treasures in Heaven, sending them before us, relinquishing the things of this world for the glory of God – putting them to work for the eternal Gospel of Christ – for saints to be fed and equipped and the lost to hear the Word of God (Matt. 6:19-21).
“Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: 20 But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: 21 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. 22 The light of the body is the eye: if therefore thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light. 23 But if thine eye be evil, thy whole body shall be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in thee be darkness, how great is that darkness! 24 No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.” Matthew 6:19-24
To underscore the importance of stewardship, we should realize that 16 of our LORD’s 38 parables involved stewardship. Those who now do not wish to face and confront this truth, are apparently those who are in the most need of hearing it.
PRAYER: Father I come to You now in the name of Jesus Christ. Please cause my conscience to be super sensitive to Your conviction, Your leading, and to evade all that defiles me in Your holy eyes, sin. Here and now I submit my life afresh to You dear LORD. You must increase but I must decrease. I am crucified with Christ and thank You for conforming me to His holy image. I am all Yours LORD and thank You that You are all mine. I love You Jesus. Please make me one with You and the Father and with Your beloved body. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Support | STORE | Podcasts | Christology | Be Ready in the Morning [podcast] | The Sure Mercies of David [podcast] | That Repentance and Remission of Sins should be Preached [podcast] | At His Feet | The 7 Sayings of Jesus on the Cross | How We Know the Bible is the Only Holy Book
Apostasy
Favorite Eternal Security “Proof” Text? [podcast]
Excerpt from the book Lie of the Ages
Does John 10:27-29 Prove “Eternal Security”?
WHO are Jesus’ Sheep? Defined by, in God’s Word.
John 10:27-29
“My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father’s hand.” ~ John 10:27-29
Verse 27 is the condition necessary to appropriate the promises of verses 28-29.
Those who believe that a man can never lose his salvation, use this John 10:28-29 text but ignore the prerequisite, the divinely given condition – v27. Watch this:
Firstly, in this passage Jesus identifies those sheep whom He makes the security promise to. He says, “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.” In this we see one part divine and two parts the responsibility of the individual:
- “I know them”—the divine part toward those who are truly in Christ, presently abiding (v. 27)
- Those who are His sheep “hear” His “voice” and “follow” Him—the individual’s responsibility (v. 27)
The promise to be kept is a conditional promise which requires that we choose to continue to hear His voice and follow Him (John 10:27-29). Many today wrongly detach our LORD’s words in verse 27 from verses 28-29. In doing so, they perpetrate their “eternal security” mythology.
The problem for the eternal securists is that v27 has been intentionally been ignored…. It’s the actual condition Jesus gives for receiving the assurance promises He then gives in v28-29.
Those who seek to spread the “once saved always saved” heresy use John 10:28-29 to their advantage and conveniently ignore the preceding words of Christ in verse 27. Verses 28-29 are promises of security to those who have been genuinely born again and are currently abiding in Christ – hearing His voice and following Him (John 15:1-6). Many ignore the previous qualifying words (v. 27) of Jesus where Christ tells us that only those who are hearing His voice and following Him are promised that they are secure and will never perish. There is a condition to being secure in Christ—knowing Him—which requires continuing to abide in Him, hear His voice and follow Him (see also John 15).
“Jesus will neither leave us nor forsake us, but we can leave and forsake Him by choosing our sins OVER His love, grace and mercy!” Dino Filardo
Eternal securists have been taught to selectively interpret Scripture while ignoring mountains of Bible truth, in order to come to a predetermined conclusion.
Many a false teacher has built his own ministry empire dishonestly peddling this passage. Take a closer look. Anchor the promise to be kept in verses 28-29 on verse 27 where Jesus identifies who His sheep are – those who hear and continue to hear His voice and continue to follow Him (present tense). The promise to be kept is a glorious and yet conditional promise which requires that the individual recipient of the salvation gift of God chooses to continue to hear His voice and follow Him (John 10:27-29). Many today wrongly detach our LORD’s words in verse 27 from verses 28-29 of John 10. In doing so, they perpetrate their “eternal security” or otherwise called “once saved always saved” mythology. Beware as this was the first lie Satan told mankind, which led to the fall (Genesis 2:17; 3:4).
Instead of synthesizing the whole of Scripture, false teachers isolate certain verses for their own self-serving agenda and purpose (2 Corinthians 2:17, etc.).
The sheep Jesus’ promises are going to be kept are those who endure to the end, abide (remain) with Him (John 15:1-6). The Great Shepherd defines His sheep as those who are presently hearing His voice and following Him (present tense). John 10:27-29
It’s not difficult to mislead people in the direction of the sinful nature of their hearts – because then they can evade truly repenting which is a major life change and necessity for salvation. This is why Paul foretold of this hour and how men would “heap to themselves (false) teachers having itching ears.” (2 Timothy 4:3) “Itching ears” here represents unrepentant hearts.
OSAS people make a vain attempt at redefining the words of Scripture to fit their own self-serving agenda of lukewarmness, cross-less rebellion. For example they hyper-focus on “eternal” in the term “eternal life” while intentionally refusing to synthesize the whole of what Scripture states. They hyper-focus on the word “gift” and teach that a gift could never be lost which the rest of Scripture does not agree with. They then take the word “sealed” and make it to be permanent which it cannot possibly be because the same Greek word for “sealed” is used of Jesus’ tomb which we all know was NOT permanently sealed (Matthew 27:66). In this they bear false witness against the LORD and act like some Scriptures are more divinely inspired than others. This practice reveals the evil and deceit of their own hearts. Not just some Scripture in the Bible but rather “ALL scripture is given by inspiration of God…” (2 Timothy 3:16-17) It must all be synthesized, put together, compared (1 Corinthians 2:13). Error will result in the hearts and lives of those who do not search, study, and revere “ALL scripture” in God’s Word.
Eternal security deceivers don’t want to talk about Bible verses that contradict and expose their proof texts. You see, they don’t want to get awaken by the truth to the scam they’ve bought into. The wolves who they gullibly believe instead of God’s Word, taught them to cry “context, context” all while THEY are the beguilers who are taking Scripture out of context. Just like the demonic democrats in America, they accuse their adversaries of the exact thing THEY themselves are guilty of (Romans 2:1-3).
YOU are defending OSAS and yet you gave no Bible verses? Self-deception. If “once saved always saved” were true, WHY O WHY didn’t God tell us? Such a term, phrase, or concept appear no where in Scripture and the verses you use to “prove” it are taken out of their context. OSAS is undeniably the very first lie Satan ever told and it led to the fall of mankind from a HOLY God (Genesis 2:17; 3:4). If OSAS isn’t a doctrine of devils, nothing is! (1 Timothy 4:1-2)
Is the unchanging, Almighty God no longer “Holy, holy, holy” now that He sent His only begotten Son? (Isaiah 6:3; Revelation 4:8) If He’s still holy, no unrepentant person with sin will enter His holy Heaven (Revelation 21:8, 27, etc.).
“Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:” Hebrews 12:14
HOW is it that so many treat the words of JESUS recorded in John 10 more divinely authoritative than the words of JESUS recorded in John 15? False teachers.
Most of the dupes who cite John 10:28-29 to “prove” they can never lose their salvation, 1. Don’t even know what the preceding verse says (v27), and 2. Have no clue what JESUS says in John 15:6.
“If a man abide (remain) not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned.” John 15:6
In this John 10 passage used by the unconditional eternal security crew to peddle their wares, some neglect to look closely at verse 27 to see who Jesus was specifically speaking to when He promised “they shall never perish.” “They” refers to those who “hear my voice” and “follow me.” According to verse 27 the promise of eternal security is conditional. Assurance of salvation is only to those who are presently following Christ. In verse 27 we learn that protection from judgment to come is only to those who are currently 1) hearing His voice, 2) known by Him, and 3) following Him. This is consistent with the message seen in the whole of Holy Writ.
“For if AFTER they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are AGAIN entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning. 21 For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, AFTER they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them. 22 But it is happened unto them according to the true proverb, The dog is turned to his own vomit AGAIN; and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire.” 2 Peter 2:20-22
WHO did Jesus say His true sheep are?
“My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me” (Jn. 10:27). According to these words of Christ, those who “know” Jesus and “follow” Him are given the promise that they will “never perish.” As long as the follower hears His voice and follows Him, they are assured “eternal life.” This is exactly what the Son of God taught just a few chapters later in John 15 where He says that if a branch that is in Him does not remain or abide in Him, that person will be cut off and cast into the fire (hell).
Those who abide or remain under the shadow of His holy and protective wing shall remain secure in Him (Ps. 91:1). The Good Shepherd here said: “Neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.” No man can pluck us out of His protection except ourselves by our own decisions. We who are abiding are protected from the snare of other men drawing us away as we remain walking with the Son of God. If you’re tucked, you won’t get plucked. If you’re not tucked under the wing of intimacy with Jesus, you will, can, and are likely to be plucked out of His holy hand by your own sinful unbelief. The LORD told us “Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown” (Rev. 3:11).
It’s also notable that those who emphasize John 10 to convince themselves and others that they are “eternally secure”, don’t even know much less acknowledge the words of the Savior in John 15:1-6.
Telling.
“If a man abide (remain) not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned.” John 15:6
Jesus taught repeatedly that some would not continue to follow Him (“abide”) and hear His voice and would consequently “fall away.” There is record of some who once believed and then stopped believing (Lk. 8:13; 13:23-30; Jn. 6:66; Acts 8:14-23).
WHY do eternal securists get all upset when their fairy tale is exposed? Well, they are hiding behind the thin veneer of this heresy, feeling all secure, emboldened to live as they please, feeling assured in their lukewarmness and sin … denying Jesus instead of self, refusing to take up the cross that Jesus commanded all who would follow Him truly (Luke 9:23-24). Christ’s apostle Paul speaks of self-serving “enemies of the cross of Christ.” (Philippians 3:18-19) What’s behind this myth? The Psychology of Eternal Security [book]
Another Example of the Twisting of Scripture
The eternal securists seek to justify their OSAS heresy by misusing the following passage…. but in this Paul is speaking of those who go to Heaven, the judgment of saints, and not those who fell away and won’t be there because they will be in hell. They will not be present when this happens….
“Every man’s work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man’s work of what sort it is. 14 If any man’s work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. 15 If any man’s work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.” 1 Corinthians 3:13-15
One More….
Common Objection to Conditional Eternal Security….
“What about Romans 8:38-39 where it says nothing can separate us from the love of God?”
REPLY:
Simple: Notice the word LOVE not life. God will love us all the way into hell if we choose not to repent. His soul will even “weep in secret places for your pride” which comes before destruction (Jeremiah 13:17). The LORD is “Holy, holy, holy,” He’s just, and He will not ever coexist with sin. See the fall of lucifer (Isaiah 14:12-15; Ezekiel 28:13-19; Luke 10:18). The wages of sin is still death and the LORD will damn every soul that dies in sin, with no exception (Psalms 5:4; Habakkuk 1:13; Isaiah 6:3; Romans 6:23; Revelation 4:8; 21:8; 22:11, etc.). Read Jesus’s parable of the prodigal son Lk 15. Did the father love and miss his son? Yes. Did the father (represents God) go chase him down? No. The son who departed had to choose to return. Much truth there. Speaking of Romans, read 11:20-22. Now read 2 Peter 2:20-22 and the book of Hebrews.
1 John 2:19 is often also utilized to “prove” eternal security. Not.
“They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us.” 1 John 2:19
Interestingly, the word “never” does not appear in this verse above which is so often used to “prove” OSAS. Let’s read it again with an objective mind. And, also remember what Jesus says about the primary importance of His teaching of the seed and the soil, the sower and the Word:
“And he said unto them, Know ye not this parable? and how then will ye know all parables?” Mark 4:13
The honest student of the whole Counsel of God’s Word knows that numerous clear Bible truths reveal that a saved person can turn away from the LORD, so we know that the apostle John could not possibly be saying that a saved person could never depart from the LORD. In my opinion, this verse is the best argument the eternal security proponent has, yet it’s not enough. There must be two or three witnesses and not just one (2 Cor. 13:1). After a closer examination of this text, one will find that verse 19 does not teach or justify “once saved always saved.” When any one verse is taken to the exclusion of the whole Word of God, one will certainly misunderstand the doctrine of the LORD which can only be apprehended by “study.” (2 Tim. 2:15) This verse is like any other verse of Scripture – it must be taken in light of the entire Counsel of God. The context to be considered is 1 John 2:18-29).
In examining the context in which 1 John 2:19 is set, we see that false teachers whom John calls “many antichrists,” had come and were telling these believers that Jesus was not the Christ (v22).
Let’s look at verses 18 and 19 together:
“Little children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time. They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us.” 1 John 2:18-19
Note here that it is specifically of these “antichrists” that John speaks and says that “if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us.”
John was speaking of those who were once saved but then departed from the faith (1 Tim 4:1), they believed and then fell away (Luke 8:12-13) …. then departed from the believers in that fellowship.
Teddy Caldwell writes:
“OSAS insists that those are professing believers, but 1 John 2:18 says such people are antichrists. 1 John 2:22 says an antichrist is one who denies that Jesus is the Christ. Anyone who does that isn’t a believer and isn’t even trying to look like one.”
Concerning 1 John 2:19, Donald Stamps, in the Life in the Spirit Study Bible, writes:
“‘THEY WENT OUT FROM US.’ When the antichrists departed from their fellowship with true believers, they were not in a saving relationship with Christ. This allows for two possibilities: (1) They were never true believers to begin with, or (2) they had once been in a saving relationship with Christ but afterward abandoned their faith in Christ.”
Right here in verse 24 of this passage we see the doctrine of personal responsibility to “remain” in faithful obedience to the LORD or lose one’s place with God (1 Cor. 15:2; Gal. 6:9; Col. 1:23). This is a teaching found throughout Holy Writ – the divine requirement to stay saved or lose all in eternity, “suffering the vengeance of eternal fire.” (Jude 7)
“Let that therefore abide (remain) in you, which ye have heard from the beginning. IF (denotes condition) 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 John 2:24-25
Verse 24 alone tells us that we cannot think that verse 19 means that someone who is at some point in right standing with God can never depart from Him and lose out. Also, verse 25 tells us that “eternal life” (not just rewards) is at stake and the promise contingent upon the believer abiding or remaining in that “which ye have heard from the beginning” which is the Gospel. “Eternal life” is assured as long as one is remaining rooted in Jesus Christ. This is the overwhelmingly consistent message of God’s Word.
In verse 26 John says “These things have I written unto you concerning them that seduce you.” Verse 19 is written about the deceivers who sought to “seduce” these disciples John was addressing and not of true believers.
With all of Scripture in consideration, we can conclude that 1 John 2:19 is a specific example and not a rule of doctrine.
If you truly wish to search out this matter, let me encourage you to closely examine, break down and study this entire text (1 Jn. 2:18-29). In order to ascertain truth, one must compare the verse in question with all other related Scriptures, beginning with the context in which the verse is set (Isa. 28:9-10; 1 Cor. 2:13).
Go here for more on the misuse of 1 John 2:19.
Eternal Security / OSAS Exploded
Support | STORE | Podcasts | Peace with God | Soul-Damning Sins (book) | Hell’s Menu | Where Do We Go When We Die (audio) | Voices of Conviction Who Warn of Hell’s Horror
Billy Graham Promoted and Sent People to Go Join the Catholic Church
“David Encouraged Himself in the LORD his God” [podcast]
10 Clues Your Love for God has Waxed Cold [podcast]
More Good News! Mission Mexico Part 42
Why the Apocrypha Isn’t in the Bible
What is the difference between a “Textus Receptus Man” and a “King James Man?”
David’s Farewell Prayer [podcast]
Water Baptism: Understanding It [study guide]
Favorite Eternal Security “Proof” Text? [podcast]
Laboring Fervently for Christ’s Body [podcast]
Abiding Under the Shadow of the Almighty [podcast]
The Warnings of the Book of Jude [podcast]
Attend to My Words [podcast]
Gathering Fruit for Christ’s Eternal Glory [podcast]
Acquaint now thyself with him, and be at peace: thereby good shall come unto thee [podcast]
10 Clues Your Love for God has Waxed Cold [podcast]
The Damning Myth of Unconditional Eternal Security! [podcast]
Calvinism’s Origins and Historical Roots [podcast]
Name Cult Warning: Beware of the Yahweh, Yahushua, Yahuah Cults!
Favorite Eternal Security “Proof” Text? [podcast]
Water Baptism: Understanding It [study guide]
Dwelling in the Secret Place of the Most High [podcast]
Why the Apocrypha Isn’t in the Bible
Acquaint now thyself with him, and be at peace: thereby good shall come unto thee [podcast]
The Warnings of the Book of Jude [podcast]
Penknife Sacrilege [podcast]
Attend to My Words [podcast]
The Over Population Delusion Exposed [video]
Diminishing Returns or Divine Blessings? [podcast]
Be Not Moved Away from the Hope of the Gospel [podcast]
Billy Graham Promoted and Sent People to Go Join the Catholic Church
“David Encouraged Himself in the LORD his God” [podcast]
10 Clues Your Love for God has Waxed Cold [podcast]
America1 year agoThe Drugging of America: The Pharmakeia Sorcery Deception [podcast]
- Articles2 years ago
Children being Rescued in Tunnels: Happening Now – UPDATE!
- Articles8 years ago
Self-Examination in Preparation for the Lord’s Return
- Apostasy2 years ago
SHOCKING List of False Prophets Most Believe are True
Providing Christ-centered Scripture-rich resources to feed, edify, and equip the body of Christ (John 21:15-17; Ephesians 4:11-15).
Navigation
Quick links
Newsletter
Stay updated of the ministry operations. We saved a spot for you on the ministry email list.
© 2025 Safe Guard Your Soul. All Rights Reserved