And He said: “Take heed that you not be deceived. For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am He,’ and, ‘The time has drawn near.’ Therefore do not go after them. Luke 21:8 (NKJV)
One of the things Jesus warned us about the end times was the rise of false teachers and false prophets. Please note that Jesus said "deceive many".
For false christs and false prophets will rise and show great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect. Matthew 24:24 (NKJV)
Deceive the elect? Is that possible?
Many of the churches now are filled with false prophets and false teachers. They draw in large congregations who are amazed by their words. They give prophesies, arrange healings, and have very charismatic personalities. They hold a Bible and use just the right words to make it appear that they are preaching the truth, when in fact, they deny the Biblical Jesus. So why are all these people following these false teachers?
3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; 4 and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables. 2 Timothy 4:3-4 (NKJV)
These people preach about love but forget about wrath and repentance. They promise wealth and rewards on this world. They tell us that we can have "our best life now" and "love wins". They give us feel good messages that we don't have to think about and avoid talk of sin and repentance so we won't feel bad about ourselves. This is what itching ears want to hear. This is what itching ears flock to. They listen, awestruck, while their Bibles sit, gathering dust on their shelves.
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. 2 John 1:7 (NKJV)
But what DOES the Bible say about these teachers and preachers. 2 Peter 2 is a good chapter to read. Peter doesn't hesitate calling these people out and warning the flock.
And many will follow their destructive ways, because of whom the way of truth will be blasphemed. 2 Peter 2:2 (NKJV)
For when they speak great swelling words of emptiness, they allure through the lusts of the flesh, through lewdness, the ones who have actually escaped from those who live in error. 2 Peter 2:18 (NKJV)
Then there is the little book of Jude, right before Revelation. I haven't heard many sermons done on the book of Jude, which I think is a shame. There is a lot of information in this little book. While Peter was warning the flock that these false teachers and preachers would be coming, Jude says "THEY'RE HERE!".
For certain men have crept in unnoticed, who long ago were marked out for this condemnation, ungodly men, who turn the grace of our God into lewdness and deny the only Lord God and our Lord Jesus Christ. Jude 4. (NKJV)
Notice how he says "crept in unnoticed". They've crept into the churches, sometimes welcomed in with open arms. They act and speak convincingly enough to create a false sense of christianity. The "Hey, I believe as you do" attitude. Then they slowly work their poison in, sometimes through the children and youth groups or sometimes as deacons and lay leaders. When someone feels uncomfortable about something and speaks up, that person is ridiculed and called judgemental. This keeps other people quiet as the poison slowly spreads.
So, once again, what does Jude say? Look at Jude 4 again. God says "who long ago were marked out for this condemnation". That sounds powerful to me.
12 These are spots in your love feasts, while they feast with you without fear, serving only themselves. They are clouds without water, carried about by the winds; late autumn trees without fruit, twice dead, pulled up by the roots; 13 raging waves of the sea, foaming up their own shame; wandering stars for whom is reserved the blackness of darkness forever. Jude 12-13 (NKJV)
Not a very good description of them, is it. So, what should we do about these false teachers and preachers?
Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness?...Therefore “Come out from among them And be separate, says the Lord. Do not touch what is unclean, And I will receive you.”
2 Corinthians 6:14,17 (NKJV)
Yes, it says "come out from among them and be separate". We are not to have anything to do with them. They have become apostate. And what does Jesus think about the apostate church?
14 And to the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write, ‘These things says the Amen, the Faithful and True Witness, the Beginning of the creation of God: 15 “I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot. 16 So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth. Revelation 3:14-16 (NKJV)
Those are pretty strong words folks. These false teachers and preachers have a little bit of truth mixed in with a whole lot of heresy. Many people are being deceived right into hell. 13 Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. 14 Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it. Matthew 7:13-14 (NKJV)
I have seen many of my brothers and sisters in Christ attacked lately because they are rebuking these false teachers. I say to you, pick up your Bible and dust it off. Read the Word of God and compare it to what your preacher and Sunday School teacher is saying. And if they are teaching something different than what you're reading in the Word of God, take a stand and contend for the faith. Time is short. Jesus is returning and I believe it is soon.
I tell you that He will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will He really find faith on the earth? Luke 18:8 (NKJV)
God willing, until next time
Maranatha
These people preach about love but forget about wrath and repentance. They promise wealth and rewards on this world. They tell us that we can have "our best life now" and "love wins". They give us feel good messages that we don't have to think about and avoid talk of sin and repentance so we won't feel bad about ourselves. This is what itching ears want to hear. This is what itching ears flock to. They listen, awestruck, while their Bibles sit, gathering dust on their shelves.
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. 2 John 1:7 (NKJV)
But what DOES the Bible say about these teachers and preachers. 2 Peter 2 is a good chapter to read. Peter doesn't hesitate calling these people out and warning the flock.
And many will follow their destructive ways, because of whom the way of truth will be blasphemed. 2 Peter 2:2 (NKJV)
For when they speak great swelling words of emptiness, they allure through the lusts of the flesh, through lewdness, the ones who have actually escaped from those who live in error. 2 Peter 2:18 (NKJV)
Then there is the little book of Jude, right before Revelation. I haven't heard many sermons done on the book of Jude, which I think is a shame. There is a lot of information in this little book. While Peter was warning the flock that these false teachers and preachers would be coming, Jude says "THEY'RE HERE!".
For certain men have crept in unnoticed, who long ago were marked out for this condemnation, ungodly men, who turn the grace of our God into lewdness and deny the only Lord God and our Lord Jesus Christ. Jude 4. (NKJV)
Notice how he says "crept in unnoticed". They've crept into the churches, sometimes welcomed in with open arms. They act and speak convincingly enough to create a false sense of christianity. The "Hey, I believe as you do" attitude. Then they slowly work their poison in, sometimes through the children and youth groups or sometimes as deacons and lay leaders. When someone feels uncomfortable about something and speaks up, that person is ridiculed and called judgemental. This keeps other people quiet as the poison slowly spreads.
So, once again, what does Jude say? Look at Jude 4 again. God says "who long ago were marked out for this condemnation". That sounds powerful to me.
12 These are spots in your love feasts, while they feast with you without fear, serving only themselves. They are clouds without water, carried about by the winds; late autumn trees without fruit, twice dead, pulled up by the roots; 13 raging waves of the sea, foaming up their own shame; wandering stars for whom is reserved the blackness of darkness forever. Jude 12-13 (NKJV)
Not a very good description of them, is it. So, what should we do about these false teachers and preachers?
Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness?...Therefore “Come out from among them And be separate, says the Lord. Do not touch what is unclean, And I will receive you.”
2 Corinthians 6:14,17 (NKJV)
Yes, it says "come out from among them and be separate". We are not to have anything to do with them. They have become apostate. And what does Jesus think about the apostate church?
14 And to the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write, ‘These things says the Amen, the Faithful and True Witness, the Beginning of the creation of God: 15 “I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot. 16 So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth. Revelation 3:14-16 (NKJV)
Those are pretty strong words folks. These false teachers and preachers have a little bit of truth mixed in with a whole lot of heresy. Many people are being deceived right into hell. 13 Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. 14 Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it. Matthew 7:13-14 (NKJV)
I have seen many of my brothers and sisters in Christ attacked lately because they are rebuking these false teachers. I say to you, pick up your Bible and dust it off. Read the Word of God and compare it to what your preacher and Sunday School teacher is saying. And if they are teaching something different than what you're reading in the Word of God, take a stand and contend for the faith. Time is short. Jesus is returning and I believe it is soon.
I tell you that He will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will He really find faith on the earth? Luke 18:8 (NKJV)
God willing, until next time
Maranatha
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