Scoping, Identifying, and Taking Aim at Deceivers
Knowing How and When to Mark
(A Must-Read for all who desire more discernment to escape the evil one in this late hour. This is an excerpt from the book titled Deceivers False Prophets Among Us which is available on this site)
THE witches and warlocks parading their witchcraft as they pretend to be Christ’s ministers vainly believe they are not going to be exposed by Christ’s true disciples! NOTTTTT!!!!!! Both barrels blazing!!!!! Unleashing the power of God on these devils!!!
“Mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them.” Romans 16:17
Identifying and marking “them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine” of the LORD, is to be a regular part of the Christian life. In an hour when the proliferation of false teaching is mutating at an increasingly exponential rate, those who love the LORD must examine and test everything against the final authority of the recorded oracles of God (Acts 17:11).
Note: There’s a difference between Satan accusing God’s people and God’s people identifying wolves in sheep’s clothing among us. Be careful not to mix things up: Note that Satan is the “accuser of our BRETHREN” (Revelation 12:10)… and the “brethren” are NOT the wolves the “brethren” are commanded to “MARK” and “earnestly contend” AGAINST (Romans 16:17-18; Jude 3). Read that again. God commands His disciples to “MARK” which means to make known, to identify those wolves so God’s people can be protected. Beware of those who are misusing Scripture. Stop it now. You cannot “rightly” divide the Word of truth until you are daily, diligently studying and walking with other of His saints in the revelation that is the written Word of God (2 Timothy 2:15).
The following warning enlightens us to understand this:
“Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.” Colossians 2:8
Would the all-knowing God have put such a warning in His Word if being spoiled were not possible? People can be spoiled (derailed, made shipwreck of) through false doctrines and philosophies, which, without fail, elevate men and demote Christ (Col. 2:8-9; 18-19).
These derailment elements are designed to steal glory from Christ. If we love Him, we are to “hear God’s words” and “hate every false way.” (Jn. 8:47; Ps. 119:104, 128; Amos 5:14-15)
GOD told you to “mark them” and not support them! (Romans 16:17-18)
SO WHY aren’t you exposing Christ’s enemies? Is it because 1. you are a moral coward who refuses to lay down your life in this world?, or is it 2. because you do not truly know Him who “is love” and therefore could care less about the protection of others?
IF you aren’t warning, you aren’t walking in God’s love. Repent now! Obey!
Let’s break this extremely important Bible text down:
“Mark them” – Beloved, we are mandated to simply and truly hearken to this divinely given instruction, to personally own this truth and walk in it, to be possessed with the protective love of our holy and “Great Shepherd of the sheep.” (Heb. 13:20) One of the ways the “Great Shepherd” protects the sheep of His pasture, is by His other sheep, scoping out and marking the wolves whose venomous lies would devour.
The clear instruction of the Word is to “mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine.” All human sentiments, reasonings, and excuses must be crucified.
“Mark them” – the Greek word here for “mark” is skopeo, which means “to scope out; to take aim at, consider, watch.”
Believers are here mandated to wisely scope out closely, observe and scrutinize all teachings and spiritual leaders under the lamp of God’s holy Word. We are to closely discern between true and false doctrines and leaders and sound the alarm on that which is found to be inconsistent with holy Writ. This is to be done especially when dealing with foundational, essential truths (which are a salvation issue).
Did Jesus ever instruct His people to debate the wolves? No. Yet He did command us through His apostle Paul to “rebuke them sharply” and to “mark them.” (Titus 1:13; Romans 16:17-18)
“Therefore I esteem all thy precepts concerning all things to be right; and I hate every false way.” Psalms 119:128
Looking closely at leaders from a Bible perspective is a mandate. Such only becomes a negative when done out of a critical spirit instead of out of love and obedience to the LORD and for the keeping of the way of the LORD in ourselves and others (1 Tim. 4:6, 16). Disciples are to examine every teaching, philosophy, and notion encountered in the light of His holy oracles. In such, the disciple is to identify deceivers, false teachings and practices and “mark them,” that is, watch out for and take aim at them, while warning others. The Holy Spirit also says we are to “avoid them.” (Rom. 16:17)
Concerning this text in Romans 16, Donald Stamps, in the Life In the Spirit Study Bible, writes:
- “At the end of his letter, Paul gives a strong warning to the church in Rome to be alert to all those who do inestimable damage to the church by corrupting and extorting the ‘doctrine’ (teaching) of Paul and the other apostles. They are to ‘mark’ the proponents of false doctrine and ‘avoid them’ and their ministry. Those marked may have been antinomians (i.e., against the law), who taught that because salvation is by grace, saving faith does not necessarily include obedience to Christ Jesus (cf. 6:1-2; 2 Cor. 4:2; 11:3; Eph. 4:14; Rev. 2:4-5).”
They believed that a person could live in sin and reject God’s moral law, and yet possess eternal salvation. These false teachers were eloquent orators, speaking with comforting words and flattering speeches (cf. Jude 16), but deceiving simple Christians.” (p. 1759)
This commentator denotes a specific teaching, all too alive and well in the modern church, that is to be marked and avoided along with those who propagate it.
William MacDonald states:
- “It is an ungodly tolerance that has allowed so many pulpits in America to be filled with ‘false apostles and deceitful workers, transforming themselves into apostles of Christ’. Detecting a resemblance to conditions in Elijah’s day, J Sidlow Baxter writes ‘Such are the people who today, with sickly kindness, will tolerate teachers of errors in our pulpits because they are such smooth-mannered and amiable gentlemen. They would rather allow error to be preached and souls to be deceived than hurt the preacher’s feelings. Let Baal be worshipped rather than drought come! Let the cancer kill its victim rather than the cruel surgeon use the knife!…The best thing that could happen to some so-called Christian ministers of today is that they should be denounced in God’s name by their hearers.’
It is a sinful tolerance [1] that refuses to castigate a false church system that leads millions to eternal destruction with its perverted gospel. [2] That honours its head as a great evangelist at the same time that he is condemning evangelicals as wolves. [3] That labels God’s prophets as divisive when they denounce its idolatry, its mariolatry and its other heresies. [4] That sends converts back into its deadening clutches.
What has happened to the church of the martyrs?
We have an enormous craving for popularity. This is the stuff of which false prophets are made. We have a desire to avoid unpleasantness at all cost. A desire like this keeps us from confronting, from intervening when we should.
We have a distaste for being different. We find it easier to move along with the crowd, to drift with the tide. It is all too easy to remain silent when we are in an adverse theological climate. We are ‘slaves who dare not to be right with two or three’.
We have lost the capacity for being angry. We are not easily enough disturbed. We are in the sorry state of having no capacity for indignation. We are experts at putting off decisiveness simply because we don’t want to act.
Sometimes we are too blinded by friendship to stand against wrong. When a Christian spoke out against E. J. Carnell’s book ‘The Case For Orthodoxy’ because it argued against the inspiration of the Scriptures, a friend of the author said ‘Well you do not know him personally as I do. He is a gracious gentleman, a godly man’.
Jay Adams was right when he said ‘In some circles, the fear of controversy is so great that preachers and congregations following after them will settle for peace at any cost – even the cost of the truth – God’s truth. The idea is that peace is all- important. Peace is a biblical ideal…but so is purity. The peace of the church may never be bought at the price of the purity of the church. The price is too dear’.
Ecumenism and catholicity are two great buzzwords today. Let’s all get together. Don’t do or say anything to rock the boat. Doctrine divides, they say. What we need is unity.
What we really need is to contend earnestly for the faith in a day when it is being attacked, diluted and denied. We will be tolerant in matters of indifference but intolerant of departure from the truth of God. With Luther, ‘Here we stand. We can do no other’.”
Disciples of Christ are held accountable for progressively learning and proclaiming the whole will and counsel of God, which includes warning others of false teachings and those responsible for them (see also Isa. 58:1; Ezek. 33:7-9; 34:1-10; Acts 20:26-32; Gal. 1:6-9; 2 Tim. 2:17-18).
Christ’s true representatives are known by their purity of character and doctrine (Tit. 1:5-9; 2:6-8).
Friend of Christ, are you beginning to see this truth and understand the reason our LORD instituted such?
“Mark (scope out, take aim at and watch) them which cause divisions and offences contrary (against; opposed) to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them.” Romans 16:17
Christians are held accountable for proclaiming the whole counsel of God and warning others of false teachings and those responsible for them.
Dark Works are to be Exposed
“And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove (EXPOSE) them.” Ephesians 5:11
When false teaching is discovered, it is to be exposed. At times, when a false prophet or teacher is detected, if unrepentant, they are also to be exposed.
Discernment Hint: If someone continues to teach false doctrine, they simply have not repented and are to be exposed and marked for their rebellion. God counts heretics to be rebels whom He told us to “reject.” (Tit. 3:10).
Sinning elders are to be openly rebuked in order that all may learn and more fervently fear God:
“Them that sin rebuke before all, that others also may fear.” 1 Timothy 5:20
It is a sin to condone and not expose deadly falsehoods propagated by leaders “who privily (secretly) shall bring in damnable heresies.” (2 Pet. 2:1) The divine purpose here is to identify and announce those who are marked for destruction so they don’t bring others with them.
Here in 2 Peter, the Holy Spirit speaks of “false teachers” and “false prophets” who teach “damnable heresies” –which means lies that damn their listeners to hell (2 Pet. 2:1-3).
The LORD has identified those who teach falsehoods as Satan’s ministers – “such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ.” (2 Cor. 11:12-15) In this passage, we are told that Satan’s “ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.”
Let us no more deny Christ the LORD by hiding Satan’s prophets and teachers. Why would any child of God want to jeopardize the souls of those around them? How can we so misunderstand the LORD by thinking that silence in this matter is loving? At times, silence can be hatred instead of love.
“If thou faint in the day of adversity, thy strength is small. If thou forbear to deliver them that are drawn unto death, and those that are ready to be slain; If thou sayest, Behold, we knew it not; doth not he that pondereth the heart consider it? and he that keepeth thy soul, doth not he know it? and shall not he render to every man according to his works?” Proverbs 24:10-12
For the sake of the offending party and those under his influence, there are instances where open rebuke is called for instead of love that is hidden and withheld.
“Open rebuke is better than secret love.” Proverbs 27:5
Who is to be marked?
“I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.” Galatians 1:6-9
Those who teach “any other gospel” are “accursed” of God and to be marked. The term “ANY other gospel” is incriminating, and cuts closer into the core of Christian leadership than many may want to acknowledge. Yet, any other gospel than that given by Christ and His apostles is false and identifies the one who espouses and teaches it as a deceiver.
On a personal note: Throughout my walk with the LORD, I have seen several people fall away who once served Him. Several of these who have fallen away have been derailed due to false teachings they bought into. One particular long-time friend was diverted from Christ by beginning to make Saturday his new “savior.” Jesus no longer remained as his Rest, but rather the idolatry of a certain day that Christ made. Paul warned strongly against this and other pagan idolatrous emphases which are designed to rob glory from Christ. It is fine to gather on Saturday or any day, but when the day becomes the focus instead of Jesus Christ, the Head of the Church, the leaven of idolatry is present (Col. 2:14-19).
The convincing cult was successful in alluring and snaring this man with their false emphasis and diabolically diversionary tactics. What might have been the outcome if someone would have preemptively taught this man biblical truth and warned him against the cult that snared him?
Beware of “Fair Speeches”
“Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them. For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple.” Romans 16:17-18
The apostle Paul tells people here to “mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine” of the LORD which is found in the Holy Scriptures.
Carefully note the phrase “fair speeches” which is defined as “fine style of utterance, giving the appearance of reasonableness.” So, the Scripture here informs us that such beguilers will “deceive the hearts of the simple” by “fair speeches.” This is the very way so many are being led astray in this late hour. The message and manner of these men have the appearance of godliness, and might even include a few tears, but their hidden motives center around their own agenda and not the LORD’s. This alone makes one a false prophet.
Does anyone you know come to mind when you hear these words of holy Writ?
While attending a local fellowship for some time, I had observed the sentiments of the senior pastor month after month, year after year. There was an arrogant spirit, which was like a perfume, sensed more than seen. I witnessed the tears and emotions of this pastor and his wife (as they stood with their thousand dollar outfits – seldom, if ever, worn twice). I tried to be patient but there never seemed to be a difference in the way they lived. There was seemingly no reduction in the high-mindedness. Pride and self-service seemed to fill their lives and therefore exuded from their ministry. So, after ample time had expired, it was time to move on to be with the humble in heart (Prov. 16:19). O how refreshing!
The stylish, persuasive reasonings of this pastor, even his use of Scripture, were compelling. His “fair speeches” were commanding and emotionally and intellectually stimulating. They gave the appearance of reasonableness and godliness. In the final analysis, many of those eloquent of speech and rich with persuasive words, are found to be empty hearted, void of the life of Jesus due to serving self instead of the Savior – “whose god is their belly.” (Phil. 3:19) Paul purposely avoided becoming an eloquent orator in order to establish God’s people in the LORD Himself and not in the wisdom of mere men (1 Cor. 2:1-5).
“And I, brethren, when I came to you, came not with excellency of speech or of wisdom, declaring unto you the testimony of God. For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified. And I was with you in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling. And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man’s wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power: That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.” 1 Corinthians 2:1-5
Saints, the LORD promised us that He was going to shake all things in these last days. As he shakes the foundations of our lives – that is, tests with fire the actual materials our faith is based upon, what shall we do? Shall we be willingly broken before His holiness, letting Him have His way in us?
“…but now he hath promised, saying, Yet once more I shake not the earth only, but also heaven. And this word, Yet once more, signifieth the removing of those things that are shaken, as of things that are made, that those things which cannot be shaken may remain. Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear: For our God is a consuming fire.” Hebrews 12:26-29
We have all unduly espoused the teachings and personalities of certain men and women in ministry. He is calling us to repent of our spiritual adulteries, where we have alienated our heart affections from Him and placed them in mere men.
Beloved, let us see the big picture of eternity in this. – “Wherefore we receiving a kingdom (forever with Jesus) which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear: For our God is a consuming fire.” May He grant us His “grace” with “godly fear” and bring upon our lives His “consuming fire” to burn away all spiritual adultery, that we might soundly worship Him alone in spirit and in truth.
A tell-tale sign: If we can peacefully receive the expose’ of one of these ministers we have grown to like, we know that the LORD has delivered us from spiritual adultery. Perhaps if we get upset and come to the defense of these mere men while excusing their deadly errors, we have not yet laid down our idolatry of these men.
Like Paul, the apostle of Christ, true disciples of Jesus who serve in leadership go through painstaking measures to root and ground their audiences in Christ alone and not themselves – “For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified…That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.” (1 Cor. 2:1-5)
The Savior is calling His remnant to relinquish all idols of the heart and place our affections upon Him alone who is our life and salvation.
In the ultimate end, many who tickle ears and move hearts and have spent lots of God’s monies to establish themselves, are discovered to be those who bellow out empty words from hollow hearts, void of the fruit of authentic Christ-likeness. These men are what Jude identified as “clouds they are without water, carried about of winds; trees whose fruit withereth, without fruit, twice dead, plucked up by the roots.” (Jude 12) All this is being perpetrated while these people are drowning in the wealth they reap from God’s people, most of whom have no clue as to the disingenuous nature of this type of deceiver. These men, multitudes of whom operate in our midst, “by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple.” (Rom.16:18)
Doesn’t it seem like those who have no guile or malice in their hearts are most vulnerable to deception? Could this be due to the fact that it may seldom if ever enter such a pure mind that anyone would be operating according to an insidious, selfish, malicious agenda? The harmless heart many times cannot imagine someone could operate this way since such motives are not within themselves.
Is Silence Really Golden?
Refusing to sound the alarm by speaking out and warning others of Satan’s lies is paramount to being in league with the evil one! In such a case, does not Satan say, “Silence is Golden”?
Such unjust silence endangers the souls of others and will be brought to light in the Judgment.
On numerous occasions, Jesus audibly verbalized His righteous anger toward the Pharisees of His day and so are we called to do at times.
We should ask ourselves: Are we reasoning or seeking to simply obey what God told us to do? Who are we trying to please?
Those who expose false teaching and ministers do the work of God.
- “Behavior unchallenged is behavior condoned.” Unknown
Love that emanates from the LORD speaks the truth (Prov. 12:17; 16:6; Eph. 4:15).
The defense of the New Testament, apostolic faith, once given to the saints, will bring division and persecutions (2 Cor. 11:12-15; Gal. 1:9; Phil. 1:15-17). The enemy does not like his strongholds being plundered by the cannons of divine truth spoken by the LORD’s saints.
Jesus commanded HIS people to “JUDGE righteous judgment.” (John 7:24) And, He commanded us to know/discern others “BY THEIR FRUITS” and that’s exactly what we’re doing under the command of KING JESUS (Matthew 7:16, 20). Dare you interfere with HIS work and become His enemy? You are bidding Godspeed to evil doers, satan’s wolves in sheep’s clothing, and you will be judged with those enemies of Christ if you don’t repent (2 John 10-11).
When discernment and separation are enacted, a sharp sword of division seems to unfailingly separate the remnant from the tares (those who do not love the truth). The tares are those who live to gratify the fleshly lusts in the guise of being a real Christian (Rom. 6).
“Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. 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
The returning LORD Himself is our reward, comfort, and consolation (Rev. 22:12; 2 Cor. 1:3-7).
The LORD dislikes when men are not strong in His truth and don’t stand for it and defend it:
“They are not valiant for the truth upon the earth.” Jeremiah 9:3
“…if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him.” Hebrews 10:38
He actually equips and anoints men to preach and defend His truth – and sometimes this is in a violent fashion.
“But truly I am full of power by the spirit of the LORD, and of judgment, and of might, to declare unto Jacob his transgression, and to Israel his sin.” Micah 3:8
“Hearken unto me, ye that know righteousness, the people in whose heart is my law; fear ye not the reproach of men, neither be ye afraid of their revilings… I, even I, am he that comforteth you: who art thou, that thou shouldest be afraid of a man that shall die, and of the son of man which shall be made as grass; And forgettest the LORD thy maker…” Isaiah 51:7, 12-13
Gospel workers are to be ever ready to “…reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine” with “the Word.” (2 Tim. 4:2)
Naming Names? Is that Biblical?
Have you ever personally counted the people the apostle Paul marked by name in the book of 2 Timothy? Try it. Read 2 Timothy (4 chapters) and keep a count of the deceivers Paul identifies and names. You will find 8 men named by name as deceivers in 2 Timothy alone.
“Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample. (For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ: Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly (selfish interests), and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.) For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself.” Philippians 3:17-21
Saints, are we so naive as to believe that in our day there are no “enemies of the cross of Christ”? Not only are there Christ’s enemies in our day, the Bible foretold that just before the return of our LORD there would come a great falling away at the hands of these end-time predators who operate in the church world, many who are very famous ministers (2 Thess. 2:3; 1 Tim. 4; 2 Tim. 3-4; 1 Jn. 4:1-6).
There are some essential truths embedded and revealed here in this Bible text that are very important to know concerning these “enemies of the cross of Christ.” Let’s look at some:
- They are many (plentiful) not a few – “For many walk…”
- Paul repeatedly warned of deceivers – “I have told you often…”
- Paul warned with tears – “…now tell you even weeping…”
- These men pose as His servants but are actually His enemies – “they are the enemies of the cross of Christ”
- These men are going to hell unless they repent – “Whose end is destruction…”
- They serve themselves in ministry while supposedly representing Christ – “whose God is their belly (selfish interests)…”
- They revel in things they should be ashamed of – “whose glory is in their shame…”
- They speak affectionately of movies and other secular interests and tend to things of this fleeting world – “who mind earthly things…”
- These “ENEMIES of the cross of Christ” must be marked by the LORD’s remnant no matter what the cost (Rom. 16:17-18). We are mandated to “mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine” of Christ in order to protect the sheep of the LORD’s pasture.
Have you ever personally counted the people the apostle Paul marked in the book of 2 Timothy? Try it. Read 2 Timothy (4 chapters) and keep a count of the deceivers Paul identifies by name. You will find several men named by name as deceivers in 2 Timothy alone. When the Holy Spirit moved upon Paul to foretell that “evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived,” he also led him to name some of those “enemies of the cross” in his and previous days (Phil. 3:17-20). The naming of these men is for an eternal memorial of the just wrath of the Almighty upon those who defame His holy name through deception and false teaching (2 Pet. 2, 3; Jude). When reading the Old Testament especially, we see a Redeemer who will destroy the enemies of His people – because He loves His people (Isa. 49:25; 54:17, etc.). This is the protective love of the LORD.
SETTING THE BIBLICAL RECORD STRAIGHT
Here is the list of the 8 evil doers the great apostle was divinely inspired to justifiably identify by name in 2 Timothy – in order to protect God’s people:
- 1) Phygellus 1:15
- 2) Hermogenes 1:15
- 3) Hymenaeus 2:17
- 4) Philetus 2:17
- 5) Jannes 3:8
- 6) Jambres 3:8
- 7) Demas 4:10 (apostate)
- 8) Alexander the coppersmith 4:14
Note that Philetus was a false teacher who was teaching cancerous lies – false doctrines – and Paul said that the “word” Philetus was teaching will eat up the faith of believers like a cancer. – “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. 16 But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness. 17 And their word will eat as doth a canker: of whom is Hymenaeus and Philetus; 18 Who concerning the truth have erred, saying that the resurrection is past already; and overthrow the faith of some.” (2 Timothy 2:15-18)
It is interesting to observe here that in the same letter Paul names these names of beguilers, he also states:
“I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.” 2 Timothy 4:7-8
We readily gather here that naming names is an integral part of real New Testament ministry and those who obey can like this apostle of Jesus, be confident that they have completely fulfilled the will of God – “I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown.” In this text, the Holy Ghost says that the LORD is a “righteous judge.” I believe that those who mark deceivers in obedience to divine mandate, are going to be rewarded eternally for such obedience.
We see clearly here that fighting the good fight and finishing our course involves and includes marking deceivers.
Men of God today are mandated to do the same, yet only by the revelation of the Word of God. Marking people is commanded in the Bible (Rom. 16:17-18). If a public leader is teaching people falsehood, he is to be confronted and exposed. The fruit of truly repenting of teaching something that contradicts God’s Word is that the leader will publicly amend his way and doctrine.
Naming names must never be done recklessly or out of a personal vendetta, but only according to the Word and in the Spirit for the glory of God and protection of His beloved people.
We are instructed to rightly divide the Word of truth (2 Tim. 2:15). When Jesus’ disciples sought to call down fire from Heaven to destroy those who would not receive the Messiah into their town, the LORD rebuked them, and said, “Ye know not what manner of spirit ye are of. For the Son of man is not come to destroy men’s lives, but to save them.” (Lk. 9:55-56) Jesus instructed us to “judge righteous judgment” and in this case He obviously counted the judgment of His disciples to be unrighteous instead of righteous (Jn. 7:24). Though sin also, unbelief of a group of lost people is obviously different than wolves who operate in disguise among His people in sheep’s clothing and deceive the sheep of His pasture. Of these the Word tells us that they have “crept in unawares” and “privily (secretly) shall bring in damnable heresies.” (2 Pet. 2:1; Jude 4) The “Great shepherd of the sheep” broods jealously over His beloved people and will smite the wolves who seek to devour His precious sheep (Ps. 23; 91; Matt. 23:37; Heb. 13:20; James 5:5-7). The same LORD who corrected His disciples for having a wrong spirit in trying to call down fire upon unbelievers also instructed those who serve Him to “mark” those who mislead His people and to “earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints” against the “certain men” who are “crept in unawares.” He told us that those men who would mislead His people “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) Concerning those who would mislead any one of His precious children, Jesus says that “it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea.” (Matt. 18:6)
WHAT IS SATAN’S FAVORITE VERSE TO TWIST AND MISUSE? ! ATTN Whining “judge not” Scripture twisters: Jesus was speaking of HYPOCRITICAL JUDGING in Matthew 7:1-5 and not all judging. READ the passage. Jesus commands His people to “JUDGE righteous judgment.” (John 7:24) – YOU need to get into the Word. You are a novice and are judging others for judging and therefore hypocritically breaking the very thing you are judging others for. Now, it’s time to repent, to get into and obey God’s Word which mandates that all false teachers and false teaching be exposed. You must die, to lay down your life and when you do, Jesus will embolden you to obey Him. If calling out, naming, and exposing false teachers is wrong judgment, Jesus and His apostles were sinning by often doing so. The LORD would have us to repent and “judge righteous judgment.” (John 7:24).
Those leaders who refuse to expose lies clearly reveal that they are operating in ministry for themselves and not the LORD. They are not protecting God’s sheep and are thereby disobeying the LORD. Identifying falsehoods and at times the people teaching them, is a protective measure to keep God’s people from being spoiled/deceived (Col. 1:27-2:8). By the way, this Bible topic like all others, does not hinge upon what you or I think should be done – BUT UPON WHAT THE LORD HAS CLEARLY TOLD US. So it is time to die to the self-life and all of its emotional affinities and sentiments and just DO the Word.
“For what if some did not believe? shall their unbelief make the faith of God without effect? God forbid: yea, let God be true, but every man a liar…” Romans 3:3-4
Note “Let God be true, but every man (including ourselves) a liar… ”
What makes people get upset when names of deceivers are mentioned? It’s biblical, so what are they stirred about? Are the scalded dogs barking? Are those who have made idols of these mere sinful men covering for them? What’s at stake?
Saints, naming names is a divine mandate. Naming names has its place in God’s economy. If one has a problem with that, let him argue with Him. It’s time to catch up with truth and begin to walk in it – seasoned with the protective love of Christ.
Taking offense because certain ministries name the false doctrine in the church world or even the names of false leaders just may be a matter of the heart. Perhaps we need to look within and beg the LORD to search us out and lead us in His way everlasting (Ps 139:23-24).
What does God say about this?
Who are we truly worshipping? Whom do we fear? Who do we seek to please? Upon whom are our affections set? If a person gets upset because their favorite limelight leader or pet pastor or prophet is identified by name as false, perhaps that person has an unnatural soul tie to that leader and his ministry. Is this not idolatry of the heart?
“Woe to the idol shepherd…” Zechariah 11:17
Friend, God’s kingdom is all about Jesus Christ and His eternal, unchanging Word, not any mere man or group of men (Mk. 13:31).
“I am the LORD: that is my name: and my glory will I not give to another, neither my praise to graven images.” Isaiah 42:8
Why Some Don’t Want to Expose
Could it be self-preservation? What is it that is behind the refusal of some to dispense God’s truth after He has clearly instructed us to do such? And on top of that, why is it that some who fear men and therefore refuse to identify and expose the false, exude an air of spiritual pride as if they are being “loving” by allowing people to remain under the dark shadow of false teaching while hiding the doctors of deception who espouse these falsehoods? How perverse a picture is this and how very absurd for some to believe they are being “loving” by hiding this soul-saving information!
Could it be that these are cloaking pride and self-preservation behind a pseudo “love”? God’s pure love rejoices in and speaks the truth – (Prov. 12:17; 1 Cor. 13:6; Eph. 4:15). When God’s love is truly made perfect in us, we will speak His truth in His love.
“He that speaketh truth showeth forth righteousness: but a false witness deceit.” Proverbs 12:17
Is it not personal and evil pride that is at the foundation of such thinking and inaction, cloaking itself in a false “love” that is not according to the constitution (Word, Counsel) of the One who is love?
Jesus told us He is the “truth” and the Word tells us that “God is love.” (Jn. 14:6; 1 Jn. 4:8, 16) These two attributes are equally a part of the divine character and an imbalance is the result of His people not acknowledging both. God’s method is to get to the root of our iniquities and purge them with His “mercy and truth.” Study Jeremiah 1:10 and Proverbs 16:6.
Do we realize what is at stake here?
“For many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist. Look to yourselves, that we lose not those things which we have wrought, but that we receive a full reward. Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son. If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed: For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds.” 2 John 7-11
In case you were still wondering if what a person believes is important to their eternal destination, wonder no more. Let these sobering words of Holy Scripture grip your soul deeply:
“Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth (remains) not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God.” 2 John 9
“Let that therefore abide (remain) in you, which ye have heard from the beginning. If that which ye have heard from the beginning shall remain in you, ye also shall continue in the Son, and in the Father.” 1 John 2:24
Weakness, Disobedience, Self-love Masking Itself as Tolerance
“Thou shalt not hate thy brother in thine heart: thou shalt in any wise rebuke thy neighbour, and not suffer sin upon him.” Leviticus 19:17
Here the LORD equates hating one’s brother to the neglect of rebuking and allowing sin to prosper in his life. The Bible tells us that “the wages of sin is death” and so to allow sin to prosper in our brethren is to hate them (Rom. 6:23). “Open rebuke is better than secret love” right? (Prov. 27:5-6) We should admonish, correct, and at times even rebuke each other for espousing unbiblical teachings and/or living in sin.
“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.” Colossians 3:16
In Colossians 3:16 we are told to:
“Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly”
Handle the Word of God
- “in all wisdom”
- “teach and admonish one another”
- “singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord”
Hatred withholds truth that would otherwise set someone free as only the truth can do when communicated and adhered to (Jn. 8:31-32, 36). This applies not only to sin but also to loving our neighbor enough to wisely and lovingly attempt to guard him with truth from being deceived and drawn away from pure devotion to the One who died to save us.
Some of us act as if it is a Christian virtue to tolerate any and everything that comes down the pike – “every wind of doctrine” (Eph. 4:14). We mask our selfish preservation and self-idolatry behind a false “love” that has no reconciliation with Bible truth.
In his book Man to Man, Richard Halverson wrote:
“There are times when tolerance is not a virtue, but weakness. There is certainly no virtue in being tolerant if one holds no convictions, and it is not uncommon for the man who believes nothing, who speaks themost of tolerance, to be the most intolerant of one who really believes something. Jesus’ absolute intolerance of sin and error was in no way inconsistent with His love for men, even the sinner or the liar.” (p. 59)
Martin Luther said:
“I was born to fight devils and factions. It is my business to remove obstructions, to cut down thorns, to fill up quagmires, and to open and make straight paths. But if I must have some failing, let me rather speak the truth with too great severity than once to act the hypocrite and conceal the truth.”
When teachings that flood the church world would bring God’s people into spiritual deception, are speared and exposed, God will bless.
“Real valor consists not in being insensible to danger, but in being prompt to confront and disarm it.” ~ Sir Walter Scott
God rewards those who vigilantly expose His enemies, especially when He leads them to do so – and He certainly will lead His people to do so (Romans 16:16-18; Ephesians 5:11; Jude 3). The LORD can only use us inasmuch as we have His Word in our hearts. Thank God for the modern-day Jaels (Judges 5:24). Thank God for the valiant Phinehas’ of today who spear the sin of false doctrine. These are the resolute defenders of God’s glory who decisively deal with the evil corruption of the divine image in the minds and hearts of His people.
When lies are exposed with divine truth, God will bless (Num. 25; Judges 5:24-31).
When God’s love is truly made perfect in us, we will speak His truth with boldness and kindness (Eph. 4:15).
There is a “Difference”
Matthew 18:15-17 ….This passage is often misapplied. DOES Matthew 18:15-17 apply to wolves? No. Notice how He begins – “Moreover if thy brother (not a lost soul or wolf) shall trespass against thee…” What Jesus was teaching us in Matthew 18:15-17 is for the members of His body exclusively. Wolves are Satan’s plants to deceive His body and not members His body but rather ministers of Satan (2 Corinthians 11:12-15).
“Moreover if thy brother (not a lost soul or wolf) shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother. 16 But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established. 17 And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican.” Matthew 18:15-17
As we discern we are then responsible to expose our findings to others (1 Tim. 4:6, 16).
“And they shall teach my people the difference between the holy and profane, and cause them to discern between the unclean and the clean. And in controversy they shall stand in judgment; and they shall judge it according to my judgments: and they shall keep my laws and my statutes in all mine assemblies; and they shall hallow my sabbaths.” Ezekiel 44:23-24
Discernment is not condemnation. Discernment is simply the ability and act of distinguishing between holy and unholy, true and false.
Jesus Christ condemned hypocritical judgment, and commanded “righteous judgment.” (Matt.7:1-5; Jn. 7:24)
Speaking of those who follow Him, the LORD tells us here in Ezekiel 44:23 that “They shall teach my people the difference” – to discern between “holy and profane” and “unclean and clean.” The love of God which abides in true under-shepherds, is protective and trains others to discern and be guarded from the mischief intended upon them by the evil one who works through deceivers disguised in sheep’s clothing and their teachings.
Naivety is not a virtue in God’s kingdom, it is a curse.
Our LORD instructed us to pray for and obtain discernment and 1 John tells us to test every spirit and to not blindly receive and believe every person who comes in the name of Jesus because “many (not a few) false prophets are gone out among you.” (Rev. 3:18; 1 Jn. 4:1; Matt. 24:11)
The Bible speaks of the overseer as one who must “Take care of the church of God.” (1 Tim. 3:5) According to Proverbs 27:23, the overseer of the sheep of God’s pasture must be diligent to know the state of his flocks and to look well (oversee closely with the jealous love of God) to his herds.
“Be thou diligent to know the state of thy flocks, and look well to thy herds.” Proverbs 27:23
He should diligently look out over the horizon for wolves coming in to devour the LORD’s sheep with their deadly lies. All doctrinal error must be met with the full force of divine truth by those who love Him. Divine truth is the safety of the believer in abiding in Christ to the end (Prov. 30:5).
Discernment is simply the dividing of truth from error, relying fully upon God’s Word, which is the final authority for all matters concerning the faith once delivered to the saints (Mk. 13:31; Jn. 10:35; 2 Tim. 3:16; Jude 3-4). When the believer studies to show himself approved unto God, he will then be able to “rightly” divide “the word of truth” from error (2 Tim. 2:15).
In the Scriptures, the Holy Ghost divides between “the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error.” One of the earmarks of the “spirit of antichrist” and the foretold “many false prophets” is that “the world heareth them.” Those under the “spirit of antichrist” do not endure sound doctrine, they cannot hear it – instead they rebel. These love darkness rather than light. See John 3:19-21; 8:47; 2 Timothy 4:2-4; 1 John 4:1-6. These are those leaders and followers who purposely affirm instead of rebuking their sinful nature (2 Tim. 4:2-4). We must discern those deceivers who affirm people in their sins by not declaring God’s holiness, the biblical definition of sin, and the essential nature of repentance.
When Solomon became king, he was asked what he desired from the LORD.
“In Gibeon the LORD appeared to Solomon in a dream by night: and God said, Ask what I shall give thee…(Solomon answered) Give therefore thy servant an understanding heart to judge thy people, that I may discern between good and bad: for who is able to judge this thy so great a people? And the speech pleased the Lord, that Solomon had asked this thing.” 1 Kings 3:5, 9-10
Solomon wisely chose to covet from the LORD the ability to “discern between good and bad.” The Bible records that this request “pleased the Lord.”
Shouldn’t discernment be what we covet from our LORD in this late hour where we have been told to watch closely for deceivers? – “Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; Speaking lies in hypocrisy…” (1 Tim. 4:1-2)
Discernment is sought out and then taught to others by leaders who are true to the LORD (Ezek. 44:23). They are ever diligent to feed and guard “the flock of God” from the spiritual rabies of the promised wolves who “lie in wait to deceive.” (1 Pet. 5; Eph. 4: 14)
Check out the state of the people of God in Isaiah’s day, when wolf packs had hijacked the positions of authority, designed to be occupied by men who authentically feared God.
“The Lord GOD which gathereth the outcasts of Israel saith, Yet will I gather others to him, beside those that are gathered unto him. All ye beasts of the field, come to devour, yea, all ye beasts in the forest. His watchmen are blind: they are all ignorant, they are all dumb dogs, they cannot bark; sleeping, lying down, loving to slumber.” Isaiah 56:8-10
Do we think that our day is altogether different from Isaiah’s when the leaders of the people were self-serving, “blind… ignorant…dumb dogs…sleeping, lying down” and “loving to slumber”?
At the helm, insidiously guiding the Church into deep darkness, are men who have only an outward form or formula of godliness, yet are not submitted under the Lordship of Jesus Christ.
“Wolves” and “beasts of the field” must be marked so that “his people, and the sheep of his pasture” can be warned, be wise to them and able to stay out of harm’s way (Matt. 7:15; Ps. 100:3).
“Warn Them from Me”
“So thou, O son of man, I have set thee a watchman unto the house of Israel; therefore thou shalt hear the word at my mouth, and warn them from me.” Ezekiel 33:7
God told Israel that its leaders “are all dumb dogs, they cannot bark; sleeping, lying down, loving to slumber.” (Isa. 56:10)
A watchdog instinctively sounds the alarm by barking. What should be instinctive is now asleep in the hearts of those in leadership who have slipped away from their first love. Because of this, they do not warn the people of God of the many dangers that are lurking and being openly taught in the church world.
The Ancient of Days told His prophet Jeremiah:
“I have set thee for a tower and a fortress among my people, that thou mayest know and try (test) their way.” Jeremiah 6:27
“Like People, Like Priest”
“And there shall be, like people, like priest: and I will punish them for their ways, and reward them their doings.” Hosea 4:9
It appears that the influence of priest and people works both ways. Although the leaders will bear the greatest responsibility, the influence seems to work in both directions. Leaders and non-leaders within the realm of professing Christendom will be rewarded according to their adherence to the clear will of God (Hos. 4:9-11; Matt. 15:14; Prov. 29:12; Isa. 9:16, 24:1-11).
To the one who has never heard a balanced diet of God’s Word, including love, judgment, discernment and correction, the person who exposes may automatically be viewed as judgmental. Someone who exposes is seen by regular churchgoers, who have been conditioned under a soft and incomplete false gospel, as judgmental, divisive, etc. This is only because their pastors are doing NOTHING to protect them from the MANY deceptions that abound in the church world. This is sad. Who is really at fault?
According to the biblical record, the defense of the faith should be a regular part of New Testament Christianity. Paul stated:
“I am set for the defence of the gospel.” Philippians 1:17
Or, perhaps they have heard some who “expose” and realize that they themselves (the exposers) are needing to expose their own self-righteous, pride-filled Pharisaical hearts before seeking to get the speck out of another’s eye (Matt. 7:1-6). Nonetheless, the defense of the faith is a biblical, essential, and regular part of New Testament Christianity, which all believers should be as actively engaged in as Paul was.
Due to his ceaseless intercessory praying for the LORD’s people, James, the brother of our LORD and human author of the book of James, was called “The Just” and “The safeguard of the people.” As a martyr, James died at the hands of antichrist religious zealots, but not before he set the example of diligently seeking to protect God’s flock as every servant-leader is called to do – to be “set for the defence of the gospel.” (Phil. 1:17)
Paul Marked Alexander the Coppersmith
“Alexander the coppersmith did me much evil: the Lord reward him according to his works: Of whom be thou ware also; for he hath greatly withstood our words. At my first answer no man stood with me, but all men forsook me: I pray God that it may not be laid to their charge.” 2 Timothy 4:14-16
Paul told the brethren to “be thou ware” of “Alexander the coppersmith” who “did me much evil.” Note here that the apostle Paul warned these believers to beware of someone he named and who had done him “much evil.” Today when someone dares to do as Paul did in this instance, they are accused of being “judgmental.” Instead, we tolerate what God never intended us to. Paul marked several men by name in his two letters to Timothy alone.
The apostle warned the believers of those who worked against the true work of the Gospel.
Beloved, you may be being tempted in your thinking to pander to the sinful nature of men, instead of leading them to the Fountain of Living Waters by showing them, by divine strength, grace and Word, their need to understand what He stated. Now is the time to submit all to the LORD and to accept that we are called to suffer as He did (Phil. 1:29; 1 Pet. 4:1, 2, 12). We are not our own, but bought with the very price of His blood and should be willing to say with Christ, “Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done.” (Lk. 22:42)
Our own will must be laid down and His given total reign. This is what He has called us to beloved.
- “It is not a difficult matter to learn what it means to delight ourselves in the LORD. It is to live so as to please Him, to honor everything we find in His Word, to do everything the way He would like to have it done, and for Him.” ~ S. Maxwell Coder
Defending the faith is a standard and vital part of the Christian life. The faith must be defended by its adherents. We must die to self-isms and obey the One we claim to serve.
Friend, when you create your own Universe, you can then decide what the rules are, but until then, those who claim to know Christ are to submit our lives to Him fully and simply follow His clear directions.
We must mature and realize that exposing false teaching and teachers has always been and will always be an integral, essential and regular occupation of New Testament Christianity and the responsibility of Christ’s disciples of all ages.
PRAYER: Heavenly Father, please strengthen my heart with the might of Your Holy Spirit. LORD Jesus You must increase in my life and I decrease. Please break me and make me LORD and cause me to wisely discern while walking in the Spirit. May I be dead to the self life and reputation and fully obedient to walk in Your eternal truth, including being ready to answer your call to expose those doctrines which are contrary to Your holy Word. Lead me my LORD Jesus and allow this to be done in Your love. Please protect Your people Jesus and turn men’s hearts back to Yourself. Bless Your body to see and live in Your Spirit and holy, eternal truth. I love You Jesus. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
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ORDER Deceivers and False Prophets Among Us
Beware of Wolf Defenders | List of Wolves
Part 2 Below
Articles
Conspiracy Among the False Prophets [podcast]
The Prophesied End Times Conspiracy of False Leaders [podcast]
Birds of a Feather Truly Do Flock Together
“For MANY deceivers are entered into the world . . .” 2 John 7
So many today tell you exactly who they are when they quote absolute frauds like John Calvin, Mother Teresa, Joyce Meyer, Kenneth Hagin, Kenneth Copeland, Rick Warren, James R. White, Todd White, etc. The list is endless of false prophets who are still heralded by heretical pawns who are part of the “conspiracy” of false prophets who are against the LORD (Ezekiel 22:25-27).
Stop endorsing and quoting and esteeming mere sinful men, now! Obey God by exposing them! (Matthew 10:26-28; 23; Romans 16:17-18; Jude 3, etc.).
“Cease ye from man, whose breath is in his nostrils: for wherein is he to be accounted of?” Isaiah 2:22
“Seems so many miss the little things by not investigating for themselves. I wish they would just stick to the Bible and give honour where God hath given honour: like unto Paul, Timothy, Epaphras, John, Peter, etc. There are plenty of examples to us in the written Word without having to laud men that we truly know very little of or were written of by secular historians.” Jon Crane
The Word of God has very much to say about discernment, and one of those cardinal truths is found in Ezekiel 22:25-27 which speaks of how birds of a feather DO flock together and so that’s one way we know them by their fruits (Matthew 7:16, 20). When you see someone hanging with, colluding with a known false prophet, you know that they’re both wolves. Also we should become very familiar with 2 John 10-11. Example: The history of the roman church is to infiltrate, to send their trojan horse wolves in our midst, acting like Christians while coming to subvert. The jesuits infiltrated the protestant seminaries beginning in the 1950’s and that’s when the prophesied final great departure from the truth began (1 Timothy 4:1-2, etc.). So, when you see a preacher who isn’t exposing this antichrist cult but rather colluding with them, you know he’s antichrist. Examples of such include Billy Graham, Paul Washer, James Robison, Jonathan Roumie, Sean Feucht, etc. See Catholicism/Ecumenism category.
“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
Beware of the bombardment, the constant delusions of the enemy, who “is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time.” (Revelation 12:12) For example: The Jesus Revolution Movie, the fake revivals such as Asbury, etc. There is a culminating “conspiracy”, a concerted effort by Satan and his human agents, to deceive the elect, wolves in sheeps’ clothing among us! Beware saints.
“For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be. 22 And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect’s sake those days shall be shortened.” Matthew 24:21-22
Over reaction on the Bible topic of false leaders? If you can find the phrase “many true prophets” in God’s Word, show it to us. 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)
“Many pastors have destroyed my vineyard, they have trodden my portion under foot, they have made my pleasant portion a desolate wilderness.” Jeremiah 12:10
WHO DID GOD TELL US IS MISLEADING HIS PEOPLE?
“For the leaders of this people cause them to err; and they that are led of them are destroyed.” Isaiah 9:16
Is false leadership, those who mislead, not the greatest threat to the body of Christ? Yes!
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.
According to 2 John 10-11 we will be judged with evil doers if we condone, support them in any way. Also, a major truth of discerning is found in 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?
Ezekiel 22 Outline
- “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 the 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
The man who isn’t warning isn’t loving and isn’t protecting Christ’s sheep. Run from such a devil for he is part of the antichrist “conspiracy” against Christ! (Ezekiel 22:25-27) Such a man is completely unlike Christ and His prophets and apostles who repeatedly warned of false prophets and their heresies!
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, for bidding God speed in any way to a wolf that is Your enemy. I now this moment repent and desire never to commit this sin again. Please unite my heart to fear Thy holy name LORD Jesus! Teach me to discern and to cling to You according to the lamp of Your precious Precepts! In the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
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Apostasy
Biblical Case Against Naivety
Ignorance and Gullibility are a Curse
“The simple (silly, seducible, foolish) believeth every word: but the prudent man looketh well to his going.” Proverbs 14:15
Are you silly or savvy? Concerning the most important Book in the world, are you ignorant or intelligent?
ALL who remain too lazy to diligently study God’s Word for themselves prove they do not love Christ or truth and will be sent “strong delusion” and “damned.” (2 Thessalonians 2:9-12)
“Destroyed for Lack of Knowledge”
In the days of Hosea the prophet and today, there are many who claiming to know the LORD and yet are void of the knowledge of His Word – and it’s because they have “rejected knowledge” due to not knowing and loving the LORD truly. If they loved God, they’d be pouring over His words prayerfully, daily (Psalm 1:1-3).
“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
Any person who is not in God’s Word daily clearly demonstrates that they do not know nor want Him in their life.
“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
Are you silly, seducible, and foolish?
Those who are not being grounded in God’s Word by diligent and daily study of the Bible, are easily misled and will ultimately be damned for not loving God and His Word supremely. Is Jesus Christ truly your “first love” today?
“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
— Untold “Christians” can be seen and heard talking about their studying of church history and its players. They have been sold on this false idea that in order to know the LORD and grow in Christ, they must study what mere sinful men wrote and spoke during the last 2,000 years of church history. But is this true? What happened to God’s very Word, the Bible? You see, the devil himself, through seminary beguilers, has sold so many down the river. They have incapacitated and removed many from drinking from the pure river of living water which is God’s pure Word. So many look to mere man and cling to their heroes of the faith who they want to emulate and these men are not even in the Bible. They listen to their pastors and supposed scholars because they have a degree of mere men. These devils have made studying “church history” important. So it is conveyed that Christians needs to spend endless hours reading, studying, learning who taught what and who was right and who was wrong about this and that doctrine…… whew, getting worn out thinking about this. Yet, God’s Word sits largely unread, unstudied, unlearned, unmemorized! God forgive us for being so very gullible and idolatrous! The LORD have mercy on us for alienating the affections of our hearts away from Him and onto mere sinful men (Isaiah 2:22). Those who are looking to the LORD look to His precepts and nothing else. They declare with the LORD’s apostle Paul: “Let God be true and every man a liar.” (Romans 3:4) God’s Word is final authority to all Heaven-bound followers of Jesus Christ. All others are in rebellion, deceived, and will be sent a “strong delusion … that they might all be damned.” (2 Thessalonians 2:10-12) Beloved, have you been led to believe that you must study Greek, Hebrew, Church history, etc., by those who haven’t bothered to mention much less inspired you to get directly into God’s Word for yourself? If so you have been beguiled and should flee any and every such deceiver.
“CEASE ye from man whose breath is in his nostrils.” Isaiah 2:22
If you have a Bible, God’s Word, what are you going to say on that Day? What will you say before the throne of the Almighty as to what you did or did not do with His Word?
Now that He has found and saved us, we are to study Him directly from His Word where He is revealed:
“As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him: 7 Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving. 8 Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ. 9 For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily. 10 And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power.” Colossians 2:6-10
—– ALL vain imaginations must be circumcised from our thinking. In other words, all images (root word for imaginations) must be ridden from your thinking which do not come straight from the whole counsel of God’s written Word which is His final authority. Many walk in a vain show, with great spiritual pretension, acting the part of a prideful fool as they suppose to have superior knowledge of God and other things when they don’t even know Scripture. They are ungrounded, unlearned, biblically illiterate, and therefore ignorant of God, His creation, the enemy of all souls, sinful man, and the world. They learned a couple of Bible stories as a child and therefore vainly hold an inflated view of their shallow crumbs. …..Do you take this as an insult? Well then maybe the LORD you claim to be serving will today become important enough to you to learn His Word and to cease acting as if you know anything at all when you don’t even know His Word. Perhaps He is sending to your heart a rebuke, in order to get you to truly repent. When you do, He truly will be first place in your life. Your days will begin with, be filled with, and end with Him (2 Corinthians 5:17-18).
1 John 4:1
“Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.”
These are good verses to place on an index card and memorize. So many today have bought in to the spiritually dumb syndrome where they are afraid, with evil fear, to question, investigate, or discern doctrines and the fruit of people who are in leadership.
Excuse me, but didn’t JESUS instruct us to be fruit inspectors (not with an evil heart though)?
“Ye shall know (Greek – discern) them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know (Greek – discern) them.” Matthew 7:16-20
Friend, why would the Son of God tell us that we would “know – discern” people by their “fruits” if He didn’t intend for us to do so???
Of course, what the LORD wants me to do is to first place my own heart, motives and life to the acid test of the Holy Scriptures, then I will see clearly to help others (who have needs) to be restored to their rightful relationship with God and to avoid deceivers who were promised to be in our midst (1 Cor. 11:31-32; Gal. 6:1-2; Matt. 7:1-6; Acts 20:27-32; 2 Peter 2:1-22; 1 Tim. 4:1-2; Col. 2:8…).
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Abiding
“Cry Aloud, Spare Not, Lift Up Thy Voice Like a Trumpet” [podcast]
“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
4 Commands here:
1. Cry aloud
2. Spare not
3. Lift up thy voice like a trumpet
4. Show my people their transgressions
Like today’s false leaders, in Isaiah’s day the priesthood of false prophets were backslidden by choice and therefore unable to offer even a faint bark to warn God’s people of coming judgment.
“His watchmen are blind: they are all ignorant, they are all dumb dogs, they cannot bark; sleeping, lying down, loving to slumber. 11 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. 12 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
Today’s “pastors” are never heard calling men to repentance! This alone reveals they are totally false! Satan’s seminaries and fake news “bibles” have removed this essential command and word to “repent.”
Paul did 3 things to prepare Christ’s body to meet the LORD: PWT = Preach, WARN, Teach (Colossians 1:28). Any leader not warning against false teachers and false doctrine is 100% a false leader himself and part of the “conspiracy” of false prophets who oppose the LORD and will burn forever in the fires of hell. See Ezekiel 22:25-27.
The LORD never called anyone to produce a movie for people to know His……
Today we have a never-ending string of staged “revivals” coming at us. If sin, repentance, hell, and holiness aren’t being preached, what are they actually being won to? God has not and never will changed (Malachi 3:6). The Bible foretells a great falling away, not a revival (2 Thessalonians 2). And, especially with one where the leadership is promoting the abomination of sodomy openly (Leviticus 18:22)…. Dare we take the name of the LORD our God in vain and attach it to this abomination? I refuse personally.
The Bible is full of warnings from Genesis to Revelation. If you have a problem with warnings, you have a problem with God. Warning is for protection. If you don’t like warnings, you simply give away your Bible to someone who is an authentic, honest a truth seeker.
Give the devil no rest saints! Expose his agents! Ephesians 5:11
Christ’s apostle Paul warned God’s people day and night for 3 years with tears – in order to protect them from vile wolves operating within the professing body of Christ (Acts 20:27:32). What does that reveal about the devils we call pastors today who refuse to ever warn? -They are Satan’s agents (2 Corinthians 11:12-15).
WARNING IS WHAT JESUS AND HIS APOSTLES DID AND IS FOR YOUR PROTECTION. Yet if you refuse to yield to the LORD’s warnings via His Word and saints, you are walking right into destruction.
You want to see who the false preachers are among us? Here you go!
The man who isn’t warning isn’t loving and isn’t protecting Christ’s sheep. Run from such a devil for he is part of the antichrist “conspiracy” against Christ! (Ezekiel 22:25-27) Such a man is completely unlike Christ and His prophets and apostles who repeatedly warned of false prophets and their heresies!
Table-Flipping Savior! You going to call the Son of God unloving? Repent devil. Telling the truth to religious counterfeits, sin-darkened hearts, is as loving, as Christ-like as it could possibly be. Matthew 23 anyone?
ARE YOU preaching the absolute Gospel essential of repentance beloved of God? Jesus commanded that we do just that.
IF he’s not preaching repentance and remission of sins he’s a fraud! No excuse! “And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.” (Luke 24:47)
“Preaching repentance for the remission of sin to the entire world is the last thing the Lord Jesus Christ commanded before He ascended into heaven.” Brian Craig
WHEN a man repents, all his sins are remitted! Removed!
False leaders today CODDLE men in sin instead of CALLING them out of it – so that they can be spared eternal judgment/damnation! Comforting people in their sin is the work of wolves (Jeremiah 23:17; Lamentation 2:14).
Was the message of the original Gospel always soft? Did Jesus and His holy apostles pander to the sinful sentiments and whims of sinful men? No! Read God’s Word for yourself as He commanded you to do – and cease now to be misled by the soft-peddling pansies of today’s apostate modern church world! Repent now. Follow Jesus! Then you won’t live by your sinful emotions but will rather be an authentic disciple of Jesus who loves His truth – NO MATTER WHO IT OFFENDS. But first it must offend YOU unto repentance – to drive you to real repentance and a real, a crucified walk with Jesus (Galatians 2:20). “Let God be true and EVERY man a liar.” (Romans 3:4) “You preach this Gospel JUST LIKE it’s written young man, you understand me!” | YOU Preach this Gospel Just Like it’s Written Son!
THOSE who don’t warn do not have God’s love and are suspect as hiding something! Jesus and His apostles WARNED.
WHOSE blood do you have on your hands for not warning them?
“So thou, O son of man, I have set thee a watchman unto the house of Israel; therefore thou shalt hear the word at my mouth, and warn them from me.” Ezekiel 33:7
The reason many condone the evil wolves posing as Christ’s ministers is that they do not know Jesus but are rather self-serving devils, full of self, refusing to repent for real.
True ministers of Christ, without fail, call men to Christ and out of sin – They call men to repent! (Isaiah 58:1; Ezekiel 18:30; 2 Corinthians 5:11, etc.)
THERE is nothing good in us except Christ. We are not featured but JESUS. “We preach CHRIST crucified.” (1 Corinthians 1:23) Our righteousnesses are as filthy rags and HE is the one and only righteous Redeemer whom we share (Isaiah 64:6; 1 Corinthians 9:16; Romans 7:18, etc).
Jesus’ true disciples are crucified vessels who preach with His authority, unlike the lame leaders we have today (Matthew 7:28-29). True Gospel preaching rocks the world of those who hear it – it never coddles people in their sin. That’s the work of wolves! Beware!
Most in “ministry” today are building their own empire, not Christ’s kingdom! Beware. Matthew 16:18; 1 Corinthians 1:29-2:5; 2 Corinthians 4:5; Philippians 3:18-19
GOD bless the truly God-fearing men who warn the flock of God as did Jesus and His apostles – in order to protect them. Moral coward counterfeits only warn when they are warning someone not to warn. Pitiful Pansies!
When Jesus preached the counterfeit religionists were made livid and scattered at the rebuke of His truth, spoken in divine authority (Matthew 7:28-29). Are you scattering the tares in your audience or are you coddling these rebels in their sin?
The Missing “R” in the Modern Gospel
Is it any wonder we seldom hear the word, the divine command to “repent” in the modern church world? These modern pansies we call pastors are blind guides who use new “bible” versions which are all corrupt. Here’s a sampling:
The NKJV removes “repent” 44 times
Matthew 9:13
KING JAMES BIBLE – “for I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners TO REPENTANCE.” Matthew 9:13
NASB – “For I did not come to call the righteous but sinners.” …“TO REPENTANCE” Removed!
NIV – “For I have not come to call the righeous but sinners.” …“TO REPENTANCE” Removed!
THE MESSAGE – “I’m after mercy, not religion. I’m here to invite outsiders, not coddle insiders.” …“TO REPENTANCE” Removed!
IF your preaching doesn’t include the divine command to REPENT, you are preaching another gospel – and are “accused.” (Galatians 1:6-9) Repent now! Oh and ditch the sissy “bible” (all new versions) which removed this essential command. Get a real Bible – King James Bible. More on Bible Versions Here.
Think about that and how few today are doing such! Wow! Any man not preaching that ALL men everywhere must repent, is an “accursed” false teacher! (galatians 1:6-9)
IS IT any wonder repentance is seldom heard? WHEN you realize that the “pastors” we have in the pulpits today are vatican trained by jesuit infiltrated seminaries which falsely promote the catholic “bibles” these pastors now read and get their message from. And, the people they preach to are reading those vatican “bibles” and so don’t know repentance is an essential, vital biblical doctrine. They have no excuse! King James Bible readers are much sharper, more astute Bible students due to reading the real, preserved Word of our God (Psalms 12:6-7).
John the Baptist Preached Repentance!
“And saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” Matthew 3:2
Jesus Preached Repentance!
“From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” Matthew 4:17
Christ’s Apostle Peter Preached Repentance!
“Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.” Acts 2:38
“Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord;” Acts 3:19
The Apostle Paul Preached Repentance!
“And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent:” Acts 17:30
Repentance is not only essential initially but also on an ongoing basis.
Notice below as Paul writes to the Corinthian believers how he is concerned only about those among them who had not repented. The ones who had already repented were safe. This is a key kingdom truth saints. Let’s face it, we all have need to repent and confess sin on a regular basis, right? (1 John 1:6-2:2, etc.). Now watch this closely: Those who haven’t repented are the ones Paul’s concerned about-not the ones who’ve repented.
“And lest, when I come again, my God will humble me among you, and that I shall bewail many which have sinned already, and HAVE NOT REPENTED of the uncleanness and fornication and lasciviousness which they have committed.” 2 Corinthians 12:21
When there is no repentance, there is impending doom/wrath. When there is repentance, there is a complete clearing, refreshing, a removal of all sin to infinity!
“He hath not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities. 11 For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is his mercy toward them that fear him. 12 As far as the east is from the west (infinity), so far hath he removed our transgressions from us.” Psalms 103:10-12
“If thou, Lord , shouldest mark iniquities, O Lord, who shall stand?” Psalms 130:3
When we repent, God refreshes!
“Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord;” Acts 3:19
The reason we see so many frustrated people who’ve been saved is in this verse above! Read it again and meditate on this beloved.
The fires of eternal damnation will forever feed upon the hopeless, helpless rebels who refuse to repent and “Bring forth therefore fruits meet (fitting) for repentance.” (Matthew 3:8) Any man who does not have the fruit of sound doctrine – PURE BIBLE – has not repented and is in ministry for some other reason than Christ’s glory! Run for your life!
“They say still unto them that despise me (those who live in sin), The LORD hath said, Ye shall have peace (promise rebels eternal security); and they say unto every one that walketh after the imagination of his own heart, No evil shall come upon you. 18 For who hath stood in the counsel of the LORD, and hath perceived and heard his word? who hath marked his word, and heard it?” Jeremiah 23:17-18
If you see a man who refuses to preach what the Bible says about sin and to preach the absolute necessity to repent, you are witnessing a wolf!
These are those Ezekiel shows us are part of the “conspiracy” of false leaders who are misrepresenting Christ by preaching another, any other message than the unchanging original Gospel and all of it’s doctrinal components!
“There is a conspiracy of her prophets (false leaders) 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. 26 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 shewed difference between the unclean and the clean, and have hid their eyes from my sabbaths, and I am profaned among them. 27 Her princes in the midst thereof are like wolves ravening the prey, to shed blood, and to destroy souls, to get dishonest gain.” Ezekiel 22:25-27
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Mexico Mission Part 22
Conspiracy Among the False Prophets [podcast]
Man’s Problem – God’s Redemptive Solution [podcast]
Evangelism Adventures: Stories, Reports, and Testimonies of God’s Amazing Love [podcast]
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The Seed of Salvation [podcast]
“In Due Season We Shall Reap, If We Faint Not” [podcast]
There’s Only One Savior [video]
Biblical Case Against Naivety
“Cry Aloud, Spare Not, Lift Up Thy Voice Like a Trumpet” [podcast]
ARRESTED MAN BEGINS YELLING AT ME !!! Mexico Update Part 21
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Jacob’s Ladder: What Does it Mean to Us? [podcast]
PARABLE OF THE TALENTS [podcast]
“Cry Aloud, Spare Not, Lift Up Thy Voice Like a Trumpet” [podcast]
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WHAT ABOUT PEOPLE WHO CAN’T UNDERSTAND THE KJB? [podcast]
Conspiracy Among the False Prophets [podcast]
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Biblical Case Against Naivety
There’s Only One Savior [video]
Evangelism Adventures: Stories, Reports, and Testimonies of God’s Amazing Love [podcast]
The Seed of Salvation [podcast]
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10 Steps to Restoring a Brother [podcast]
“In Due Season We Shall Reap, If We Faint Not” [podcast]
Is John MacArthur in Hell? [video]
Mexico Mission Part 22
Conspiracy Among the False Prophets [podcast]
Man’s Problem – God’s Redemptive Solution [podcast]
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