Mark 13:21 At that time if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Messiah!’ or, ‘Look, there he is!’ do not believe it.
Mark 13:22 For false Christs and false prophets shall rise, and shall shew signs and wonders, to seduce, if it were possible, even the elect.
Mark 13:23 So be on your guard; I have told you everything ahead of time.
Proverbs 9:8 Do not reprove a scoffer, or he will hate you, Reprove a wise man and he will love you.
2 Timothy 4:3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;
We hear allot today about God being love, yet he is also without sin, in perfect righteousness. No one comes to the Father without being found in Christ, the only mediator between God and man. The “love of God” (Agape in the Greek) was the action of sending Jesus Christ to die on a cross for the sake of all those who would believe on him.
The (natural) law has NOT been done away with, but made complete in the Lord Jesus Christ, because of the love of God in providing a redeemer, to those who are would be follow of him, in spirit and in truth, that they might be saved ultimately, having started with him.
The only thing acceptable to God the Father is to be crucified (put to death) in Christ: of the old man, known as sanctification unto new life. An actual follower of Christ in spirit and in truth, can and will identify (Biblical) truth, and will be corrected by it. Whereas, someone who is in rebellion against God; will not. This is the fruit, in which the Bible speaks about, and not legalisms.
The Lord-God is the owner of heaven and earth; the architect of everything and every event within the creation. He is the one who decides in how, whom, and what he will do his work; and the extent of his grace for his purposes alone.
Liberation theology, or any other social gospel, is simply “null and void” to the Lord, as he will bless whom he chooses, when he chooses – or not. It is crucial for men , to realize just who God is, (their owner) and to follow him alone, rather than to dictate policy towards him, by religion or demand! (May his will be done, on earth as it is in heaven).
The ordinances of God cannot be compromised or soiled, just to make the sinner “feel better” about their deprivation, and rebellion (independence) against God. God’s ordinances such as the creation order, (men, women and children) has not been done away with, just because of a flip of the calendar, nor by social engineering, nor by the “attempted normalization” of those laws changed by legislation. An example of this is a women or child, in a position of authority over men: (especially spiritually) within specific gifting’s or positions.
The “equality” of women to men, and then going about celebrating the differences of “pagan cultures and peoples” , (as in Babylon) are satanic, and an abomination to God, and his order. Western Governments today have placed themselves above God; and the people they are supposed to serve, in an attempt to “meld everything and everyone together” (globally) in social unity.
(Isaiah 3:4) “I will make mere youths their officials; children will rule over them.” (Isaiah 3: 12) As for my people, children are their oppressors, and women rule over them. O my people, they which lead thee cause thee to err, and destroy the way of thy paths. (Isaiah 9:12) The Syrians before, and the Philistines behind; and they shall devour Israel with open mouth. For all this his anger is not turned away, but his hand is stretched out still.
This is akin to what occurred in the Tower of Babel in the story of Genesis; along with the rebuilding of Babylon in the book of Revelation.
Division is God’s way with man.
Romans 9:13-26
9:13 As it is written, Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated.
9:14 What shall we say then? Is there unrighteousness with God? God forbid.
9:15 For he saith to Moses, I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion.
9:16 So then it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that sheweth mercy.
9:17 For the scripture saith unto Pharaoh, Even for this same purpose have I raised thee up, that I might shew my power in thee, and that my name might be declared throughout all the earth.
9:18 Therefore hath he mercy on whom he will have mercy, and whom he will he hardeneth.
9:19 Thou wilt say then unto me, Why doth he yet find fault? For who hath resisted his will?
9:20 Nay but, O man, who art thou that repliest against God? Shall the thing formed say to him that formed it, Why hast thou made me thus?
9:21 Hath not the potter power over the clay, of the same lump to make one vessel unto honour, and another unto dishonour?
9:22 What if God, willing to shew his wrath, and to make his power known, endured with much long-suffering the vessels of wrath fitted to destruction:
9:23 And that he might make known the riches of his glory on the vessels of mercy, which he had afore prepared unto glory,
9:24 Even us, whom he hath called, not of the Jews only, but also of the Gentiles?
9:25 As he saith also in Osee, I will call them my people, which were not my people; and her beloved, which was not beloved.
9:26 And it shall come to pass, that in the place where it was said unto them, Ye are not my people; there shall they be called the children of the living God.
Are you so foolish? After beginning by means of the Spirit, are you now trying to finish by means of the flesh?
The Apostle Paul can see, (as can I) what happens when the natural understanding replaces, living by faith in Christ alone.
This is not about a theological or doctrinal position at all: as with “believing in” sound doctrines, but is rather a question of having started with Christ in us, by “Spirit” and in truth by faith: are you then going to lean to your own understanding, (of “things” or the Bible) independent of God, who is the spirit of truth, within the actual believer by grace?
This is why it is written in, 2 Thessalonians 2:10 (KJV) : And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.Systematic theologies destroy that “childlike faith”, which prevents most people from “entering in” with Christ via the Holy Spirit. 2 Corinthians 3: 6 (KJV) Who also hath made us able ministers of the new testament; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life.
Simply put, one is either with Christ now; in spirit and in truth, or they have taken a divergent path (broad road), and are moving further and further away from the Lord. Remember, the scriptures are normally addressing our sinful “spiritual condition”; and our independent flesh “must be put to death continually” (crucified in Christ), so as to be made into the image of our Lord and Savior (known as sanctification). It is a heart condition always; and not just an intellectual position of the Bible, or our works unto God; which are as filthy rags.
Is it just my imagination, or has Norman Rockwell, created a horn like image with Dad’s hair?
Have you ever gotten around a person who will get extremely hot under the collar, because you have said, that ” the Bible is NOT the word of God? “
The reason for this is normally because; you have just challenged their salvation, their fire insurance, their ticket to heaven, as they see it.
The Bible is only written to God’s people, not the wicked. It’s a book for reproof and correction to those who actually know him. It is “an owners manual of sorts” to a car you drive; and not for those who have never had a car! As it is the Spirit which makes Alive; as the Letter of the Law Killeth!
This is the same type of “religious spirit”; that Jesus and his Apostles, were all persecuted by, within the religious leaders of their day.
Most churchmen think it was just because the Jews would not accept Jesus, (which is only partially correct) – but the bigger reason is that, their sinful self righteousness, prevented them from seeing the truth.
This still occurs today, even by those who “claim his name”.
The modern day scholars, and scribes called – enemies of the cross, having the spirit of Antichrist!
Matthew 25:1-13 (KJV)
25 Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom.
2 And five of them were wise, and five were foolish.
3 They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them:
4 But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps.
5 While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept.
6 And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him.
7 Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps.
8 And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out.
9 But the wise answered, saying, Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves.
10 And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut.
11 Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us.
12 But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not.
13 Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.
And death (Hades) and Hell were cast into the lake of fire: this is the second death.
“Sheol means ‘The place of departed spirits.’ Sheol/Hades was the abode of the spirits of the dead. Before the resurrection of Christ, both believers and unbelievers went to Sheol/Hades. Unbelievers still go there.” – This updated graphic took a lot of Bible studying to get this correct; and research from men like, Johnathan Edwards was the best help.
“Cheap grace, which is another word for damnation.”
–Dietrich Bonhoeffer, The Cost of Discipleship, p. 68
Cheap grace has killed the American Church.
“Both modern liberal theology and secular totalitarianism
hold pretty much in common that the message of the Bible has to be adapted, more or less, to the requirements of a secular world. No wonder, therefore, that the process of
debasing Christianity as inaugurated by liberal theology led,
in the long run, to a complete perversion and falsification
of the essence of Christian teaching by National Socialism.”
-G. Leibholz, Memoir to Cost of Discipleship, p.30,
Is anybody listening? As the Church goes, so goes the country.
bold mine “Cheap grace…is grace without price; grace without cost!…
In such a Church the world finds a cheap covering for its
sins; no contrition is required, still less any real desire to
be delivered from sin. Cheap grace therefore amounts to
a denial of the living Word of God, in fact, a denial of the
Incarnation of the Word of God.”
-Bonhoeffer, ibid., p.43
I know, I know. Comparing today’s United States with that of Nazi Germany is ridiculous…
I believe the Lord God, is tiring of his Holy Name being drug in the dirt. Of course, these are not really God’s people, as they do not hear him, or move in him, in any way shape or form. Rather Apostasy has taken root, like in many a congregation of today. Political expedience, and a flip of the calendar, trumps the Lord’s ordinances, by a once God honoring organization; which has not been doing right since about the 1970’s when secularism started creeping in.
I can barely remember the time when the Episcopal Church, at least made an attempt to honor God and his ordinances; within their institutionalized systematic theologies, and practices, but then secularism, social science, politics, and humanistic psychology, overtook the organization during the cultural revolution of the 1960-1970’s.
It was then men, who were devoid of the Holy Spirit’s leading’s, who decided just how, and what they would, “and would not do” in being “followers of Christ”. The Book of Common Prayer, for instance, was updated from the 1600’s model to the 1928 version, and so forth.
I could pick on many a Church gone bad; not just the Episcopalians, yet since I was once a part of them; and have some knowledge of the “Catholic Lites – protestant reformation types”, who have “backslidden” to use that term loosely. This congregation is a prime example, of Satan entering into the institution called the Church. Which I now believe it is impossible to remain in (Babylonian Church Systems) of any type, and still follow Christ, in Spirit and in Truth as corruption, or as the Bible puts it defilements, have taken place.
The mother of Harlots, which is a whore, and not the bride of Christ, practicing evil abominations, and is drunk on the blood of the saints… Revelation 17:5-6 – 5) and upon her forehead was a name written, MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH. 6) And I saw the woman drunken with the blood of the saints, and with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus: and when I saw her, I wondered with great admiration. … Revelation 18:04 – And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues.
I have discovered in my personal walk with my Lord, whom you can only know, and follow him in the “Spirit of Truth” who is Jesus Christ, made manifest to those he has called and chosen. Knowing the Lord God is simply by His grace, to those which he has chosen to do a work in. All the proper doctrines, theology, and so forth, will not make a child of God.
It is by having a love for the truth, (Jesus Christ) that we “might” be saved! That’s right: being saved is NOT a Sign up for Jesus, say the right words, and try to emulate him in our lifestyles – which was so often taught in the Christian informed communities of the past, nor is it a modification of those doctrines today! Even the five points of Calvinism, although academically “nearly correct”; fall way short of actually entering into the spiritual relationship, that the “good ground” must be, to be found “in Christ” on the day of reckoning.
Today is the day of Salvation, the scripture teaches: and to expound on this short text, its message means you must be found “in Christ NOW”, as you live and breathe, if you ever hope to be with him, when your body packs up! As spiritual life in Christ is now – and is indeed spiritual, and not a learned up intellectual understanding, which even the Devil knows.
Yes indeed, the entire Bible agrees; yet you cannot “come to an understanding of the truths of God, by natural means”. 1 Cor 2:14 – But the natural man receives not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.
Hence, the most important thing a Christian Fellowship can do, is to discern who is, and who are not the Lord’s people!!! 1 John 4 – Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world…. As a result, the spirit of error enters in, delusion, apostasy, false understandings, with the spirit of anti-Christ, and overall enemies of the cross.
A fellowship of actual believers is no place to be doing an evangelistic meeting – in the midst of the wicked; or even the lost, for that matter.
This is because it is too dangerous in risking the spiritual health of the brethren, by introducing children of the devil, (no matter how nice) into the body. Yet the foremost task of keeping out the religious spirit of anti-Christ emphatically is monumental. This requires strong men of God as Elders, who have the maturity of the Spirit, to recognize someone of a wrong spirit.
Being we live in a western culture – which measures, calculates, and stores everything in an intellectual filing system, containing proper Bible doctrines and dogmas; it is an enormous task to try to discover those who walk in the knowledge of truth; versus those who may have been taught to “sound like they do”… As we said in the Army: are you tracking me?
The bottom line is not how well were you taught the scriptures, but ratherhow well do you walk in them – if at all?
I could go on and on, but it is useless to try to teach people into salvation, or “how to be the Lords” by reason, as it is a work which God alone does by His Spirit, and human beings have no business interfering with the workings of God. Or by trying to be “God and Savior” themselves! Also, I risk having my words used against me by the enemy – or worse; becoming an anti-Christ myself! I have experienced Satan using my words verbatim against me; in mocking the Lord within me.
It is a very strange thing to fall into the hands of the living Lord, and you soon meet the enemy head on, in ways which you could never have imagined.
Pastor sees the truth about Dec 25th, not being Christ’s Birth. – What should we do and how should we use this opportunity to help spread the Great commission…?
Thank you for putting into words the “spiritual things” which I have been experiencing with Religious folks. Those who lean to their natural understanding of the Bible; rather than take the narrow road, and only yield to Christ with their flesh – so that they might be crucified in him; and experiencing the things which only a son or daughter of God can have!
It has been a long road in seeing, that Church folk; actually will not follow HIM nor be made conformable to his image – they just do theological beliefs, and ceremonies instead. And since most teach “once saved, always saved” they don’t give a second thought, that they may be loosing their spiritual life, in drying up to be burnt!.
Great contrast of the Babylonian Church (False brethren), and the Actual brethren, (the blood of the Saints) who are elect, and have chosen the way of the cross; that they might actually enter in now!
It is a popular, but misconceived concept created from 1900 years of anti-Christ’s, that “God loves everyone” the same. This is simply not true.
God loves his elect; that is, those he is willing to start a work in, towards salvation; creating that individual in the image of his son, Jesus Christ, the only perfect and acceptable means to God, the Father.
Jesus taught his disciples that all that the Father gives to him, will come. He also said on many an occasion “that it is not for their ears to hear”, but to you it is given for understanding (paraphrased).
He is not willing that any should perish in sin, yet that is also in the contexts of whom God the Father wills, and instills his grace upon.
The scripture also says that God takes no joy in the destruction of the wicked, yet he will one day destroy all those not found in the lamb’s book of life.
The problem is that “men want to play God”, in acting “independent of actually following Christ”, by the Holy Spirit. Who is Jesus Christ; the only way to the Father NOW; as we live and breathe. Independence and Rebellion are the two legs, which sin stands upon. So, we who have started with him in salvation, must crucify the old man into his image; that is to allow God to do the work of crucifying our flesh, into the image of his name’s sake. The WICKED, have never started with HIM; and will not. Yet, the LOST will at some time, start with Christ in their lives; but will they finish with him, is the monumental question…
This is why the Apostle Paul continually wrote corrective letters to the different churches, (Galatians, Laodiceans, and so fourth) and why he “beat his flesh” (denied his carnality) that he “might” enter in with Christ NOW, being made conformable to his image.
We must be found IN HIM when we stand before him, and that dear friend is a spiritual condition, and not someone’s favorite doctrinal position; as you may, or may not have been taught, by natural means.
Luke 8 depicts the different types of ground, which people who “start with Christ” are likely to take. It is only the good ground, which produces good fruit, in the form of spiritual maturity; as they have chosen to abide in the vine (Christ in Spirit, not just an intellectual position), so not to be cut off and burnt ultimately.
This is NOT about self-righteous behavioral modifications; you know the routine – “I don’t cuss, I don’t drink, and I don’t smoke”… As it is a work Christ does in us alone, by grace, to those who actually have a heart towards him! Church righteousness, (those who are not dependent on Christ himself) and will normally follow the afore mentioned behavioral modifications; as they will NOT follow the Holy Spirit, in being made to conform to his image – again “Christ’s image”, is what is being spoken about here. This is why the Apostle Paul called them “enemies of the cross”; not because they were some pagan sect outside the camp of believers, but because most simply refused to turn their flesh over for execution, via the Holy Spirit, the only way to spiritual life. The natural man cannot, (emphatic) make himself into the image of Christ, independent of the Holy Spirit!
Another aspect of the modern day church is false brethren, this is epidemic today, especially since most have been taught “the proper words and phrases to utter” out of the scriptural texts! This is why a fellowship of actual beleivers must have elders of spiritual discernment and maturity, otherwise the fellowship will become overun by Satan’s people.
Think about it – most in western cultures have been trained to some degree, in Bible teachings, yet this does not give a man or woman, the chance to become, a son or daughter of God!
Yet, all SAINTS (who have actually started in Christ) have this treasure in earthen vessels, and we slip, fall, and battle with our flesh and with our sin nature (old natures). Yet, He (Christ) is faithful to forgive us, if it is with a heartfelt repentance, we return to him for mercy.
Remember, you cannot fool God, who has a window into our hearts. Yet most (the elect) the Bible tells us, will not allow themselves to suffer what Oswald Chamber’s called the white funeral. (Being crucified with Christ) and most will take what Jesus Called the broad road; which the further traveled down, the more one is likely to shrivel up and die; as they are not partaking in the vine, who is Christ himself, the only hope of salvation. This of course, ultimately leads to destruction.
Even worse, is whom the Apostle John first coined as anti- Christ’s; the ones who started with us, but departed from us. These type of broad roaders, think they can enter into Christ; not being made comfortable to his image. These are the RELIGIOUSE TYPES, normally well read, well spoken; and deceivers of the weaker brethren, (babes) by being deceived, of a different spirit; the spirit of error! Today, most often the local “Church Pastor” with a head full of Bible doctrine, fits this description. It is not some evil raving maniac, possessed by the devil, which most have been taught to believe!
Think about that too; would an establishment institution go and label themselves as anti -Christ? Of course they wouldn’t, that would be self defeating, and destructive to the attendance roster!
You see, one’s salvation is totally dependent, and “hangs on” (so to speak) their dependent relationship with Jesus Christ alone!
Will they shrivel up and die, and ultimately be burnt? Or will they remain with him, in Spirit and in Truth; having a love for the truth that they “might be saved”, in the end is the ultimate question. This is why it is written, that blasphemy against the Holy Spirit, is the only unforgivable sin! As Holy Spirit, is your spiritual connection with Jesus Christ himself! Paul said he must run the good race, fight the good fight, lest he be a castaway, or in not finishing – be condemned!
Woe; you say, who the great Paul..? Yes, precisely so, and we who know him (in spirit – and not mere intellect or soul) must keep pushing into the kingdom of God, which is within us Jesus Taught; and not some “frock in the box”, or even a “village minister” that is of the spirit of, (anti-Christ).
You may be shocked, that I have written this today; but allow me to assure you, I was much more shocked, when I realized most who claim Christ’s name, really have nothing to do with him, only their particular brand of systematic theologies!
Jesus is NOT for everyone, (shock and awl) – but the world church systems would starve, if they didn’t do such religious promotions; for the last 1900 years! Satan is the slickest of all bastards, and he created these institutions to confuse and ultimately destroy the actual brethren! The world, and world church systems are much more brutal and diverse, than I would have ever imagined as a young Christian; so I struggle to write these truths, for those who have an ear to hear.
Oh, and By the way, a real Elder, of spiritual maturity and understanding: (good ground, with mature fruit) is extremely rare today; (not just Bible scholars, but rather Elders in the Lord) so please don’t think what I have written is unbiblical in the least!
May our Lord bless your understanding of these things.
We all know that of those who ostensibly begin with God only a few find and enter the strait gate and take the narrow way. The vast majority fail to enter the kingdom of God before they die and get destroyed in the end.
Those ones are the ones I feel really sorry for, and I wanted to post the stories of a couple of that sort who I know, and who I have occasional news of.
The first one is ‘John’, not his real name.
John I met when he was associated with a fellowship I have had a lot of contact with many years ago. He struck me as being slightly odd, but I was a young Christian then and did not know about fakes/antichrists etc.. He disappeared from that fellowship, and the next thing I hear is that he has gone to Bible college and is going to be a Baptist pastor.
I was stunned by this. How on earth could someone be among those with genuine experience of God, and have seen the real thing only go off and play sermon sandwich on Sunday?! I found him on the internet, with the prefix ‘Rev’, running a Baptist church up North. There were photos of him presenting something to Number 10 Downing Street, the Prime Minister’s official residence, with two others, all of them in clergy frocks.
The next thing I see is that he has taken up an interest in seriously big motorcycles, and is dressed like a Hell’s Angel, complete with leathers, beard, chains etc. Now I see that he is promoting ‘heavy metal rock bands’, like Iron Maiden and AC/DC.
A more obvious fake one could not hope to meet, but he is still playing Baptist pastor when his heart is plainly with some of the worst elements of society, and not with God.
I see also, in one of his articles online, that he is talking like a pagan Catholic, saying that we cannot live up to the standards of Almighty God, His Law is too high and we are just to stumble along in sin, being sinful and wicked followers of Jesus. Of course, no such thing exists. The problem is not that God’s standards are too high for His people and He has given His people and impossible standard to live by. The problem is simply that he is not born again, not a child of God. He does not have the new nature, and that is why he loves the wicked things of the world. Quite astonishing that he would carry on in such hypocrisy, but church people do, sadly.
The second man I wanted to mention is ‘Fred’, again, not his real name.
We saw Fred again the other day, and he is now quite an old man and frail too. However, he is still an elder at a fellowship where the Lord moved in power about 55 years ago, but which died about 25 – 30 years ago.
Fred is a lovely man and a pleasure to be with. He is exasperated with much of what is going on in the fellowship and would like to see an end to a lot of nonsense, but like so many who were there when a fellowship begins in power they will not leave when apostasy sets it. They love to keep the flag flying, as the name of the chuuurrccchhh has become more important than the Name of the Lord.
I felt that we have moved on and left him behind, when we saw him the other day. He is still trying to have hope that the Lord is still there and moving among them. He and His wife do not know that if a people leave the Lord for chuuurrrccchh or something else He will leave them.
Whether Fred’s name still appears in the Book of Life I don’t know, but when he and the odd other person who had something real once dies there will be no first generation people with experience of God there.
This sort of thing fills me with horror, as we all know what happens to the ones who, for whatever reason, are not found written in the Book of Life.
I have seen so many who began with God in genuine initial conversion go wrong, take the wide gate and broad road, and die, spiritually. They had the chance of life, and have refused the way of the Cross.
The other day Fred told me that they had got over their difficulties at the fellowship following the ‘pastor’ going off in adultery with the church secretary, conducting an affair for eight or nine years before being discovered whilst, at the same time, pretending to preach the gospel and walk with God. He said that people were coming to the chuuurrrccchh again, and that included not just Christians, but unsaved too. He thought that was great as perhaps they would get saved. The rationale being that there was no evangelism going on anywhere and this was a good thing, a good alternative.
It seems that when people go the wrong way they are blinded and utter horrors are held to be good, and acceptable.
There is no point trying to straighten people out if they have done this sort of thing, they would not have gone that way if their hearts were not in a condition to accept it all. I still feel shocked and saddened by it though, and have no choice but to leave them behind and move on.
Ever wondered how on earth it is that you can go to ‘chuuurrrccchhh’ and do it avidly only to lose that new life you were given? The Lord confirmed to me the reason why.
Praise God, we who are given light can see these things! Most will not see them, neither do they wish too. Well said as always brother!