Posted on 04/18/2013 6:26:35 AM PDT by DouglasKC
article by Tom Robinson
When Jesus Christ foretold the major trends that would precede His return to earth, the first sign He mentioned was religious impostors who would come in His name. Do you take that warning seriously?
When Jesus Christ's disciples asked Him what would herald His coming to rule all nations, He answered by first relaying a series of developments that would lead up to the grand climax of the present age: religious deception, wars, famines, pestilences and earthquakes (Matthew 24:3-8; Mark 13:3-8; Luke 21:7-11).
Jesus said that these were just the " beginning of sorrows" (Matthew 24:8,emphasis added throughout)—or, as the New International Version better renders this, the "beginning of birth pains." As birth pangs—or labor contractions—get stronger and closer together as delivery approaches, so these trends would appear with increasing intensity and frequency as the end of the age approached.
Let's take a closer look at the first of these trends—religious deception.
"Many shall come in my name . . ."
Just what is the nature of this deception? Notice Jesus' specific warning: "Take heed that no man deceive you. For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many" (verses 4-5, King James Version).
Modern Bible versions often place quotation marks around "I am Christ," the translators assuming that Jesus was talking about people who would claim to actually be the Christ or Messiah themselves. There have been such people, and Jesus warned later in the same discourse of "false christs" at the end of the age (verse 24).
Yet there clearly have not been, as verse 5 requires, "many" such individuals who have been taken seriously—much less deceived the "many"—in the two millennia since Jesus said this. And there certainly has not been a great increase in such individuals in recent centuries—while there has been a marked increase in the other prophesied signs.
Some have proposed that Jesus was referring to false "savior" figures like the Roman emperors of New Testament times or Napoleon, Hitler, Mao and Saddam Hussein in the modern era. But this is stretching the concept of "the Christ" or "the Messiah" far beyond what Jesus' disciples would have understood it to mean—the prophesied anointed king of the line of David.
Indeed, notice again that Jesus said, "Many shall come in my name "—His name being Jesus . Furthermore, they would come in His name, not with His name or bearing His name. In other words, they would presume to represent Him—not assume His identity.
So a clearer rendering of what Jesus meant in verses 4-5 would be: "Take heed that no one deceives you. For many shall come claiming to represent Me, saying that I [Jesus] am the Christ, yet shall deceive many." That is, they would proclaim Jesus as the biblical Messiah and would claim to be His representatives—but they actually would be part of a massive religious deception.
It is these people—false preachers and teachers claiming to be Christian—who would proliferate and deceive ever more people as the end of the age neared.
The apostle Paul later affirmed, in a Christian context, that "evil men and impostors will grow worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived" (2 Timothy 3:13).
So not only do they deceive others. These false teachers themselves are deceived.
Lawless fruits
In His famous Sermon on the Mount, Jesus issued the following warning regarding false prophets or preachers: "Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves" (Matthew 7:15). Jesus being the great Shepherd, His followers are portrayed as sheep. Yet these false prophets only appear to be Jesus' followers. Their true nature is one of devouring the lives of the unsuspecting—as a wolf among the flock.
Paul would later warn of this as well. He told the leaders of the church in Ephesus: "For I know this, that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock. Also from among yourselves men will rise up, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after themselves" (Acts 20:29-30).
Yet such imposters would be identifiable. Jesus explained: "You will know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes from thornbushes or figs from thistles? Even so, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit" (Matthew 7:16-17). By "fruits," Jesus is referring metaphorically to visible results or outcomes.
He then gives us an example of something to look for in our evaluation: "Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord' [merely acknowledging Him as Lord], shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven" (verse 21). Then notice: "Many will say to Me in that day, 'Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied [preached or taught] in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?'" (verse 22).
Again, as in Matthew 24, we see such preachers coming in Jesus' name —having done various works in His name. But their lives are not lives conformed to the will of God. Jesus concludes, "And then I will declare to them, 'I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!'" (Matthew 7:23).
Practicing lawlessness means living as if God's law is done away or of no consequence. Notice that these individuals are deceived about their own spiritual state. They think they have a special relationship with Jesus—but He ends up telling them they are gravely mistaken. In reality, He doesn't know them at all.
Why? Because they don't honor God by obeying His law. As the apostle John would later explain: "Now by this we know that we know Him, if we keep His commandments. He who says, 'I know Him,' and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him" (1 John 2:3-4).
Jesus is telling these false prophets that He doesn't know them and they don't know Him. For if they knew Him, they would understand what He required—obedience to God's law. As Jesus stated in Matthew 19:17, "If you want to enter into [eternal] life, keep the commandments. "
Earlier in the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus said: "Whoever . . . breaks one of the least of these commandments, and teaches men so, shall be called the least [by those] in the kingdom of heaven" (Matthew 5:19).
Notice that Jesus speaks here of those who would disobey God and those who would teach others to disobey Him. So it's not only a matter of practicing lawlessness —but also of teaching it, whether through word or example.
Exalting traditions over God's law
Jesus applied these principles to the religious leaders of His own day. For instance, Jesus chided the scribes and Pharisees for establishing many legalistic traditions that sidelined God's actual commandments. He said: "Thus you have made the commandment of God of no effect by your tradition. Hypocrites! Well did Isaiah prophesy about you, saying: 'These people draw near to Me with their mouth, and honor Me with their lips, but their heart is far from Me. And in vain they worship Me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men'" (Matthew 15:6-9).
Thus it is actually possible to worship God in vain—uselessly—in this case by putting the traditions of men ahead of the commandments of God.
Moreover, the scribes and Pharisees went beyond mere false teaching. As Jesus explained, "All their works they do to be seen by men" (Matthew 23:5). He castigated them, "Even so you also outwardly appear righteous to men, but inside you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness" (verse 28).
Yet it should be made clear that it's not necessary to be a hypocrite to be a false preacher. A man preaching that God's law is done away may be completely sincere in his belief—yet he is nevertheless a false teacher and certainly not a true representative of Jesus Christ.
Counterfeit Christianity
Jesus' prophecy of false teachers coming in His name began to be fulfilled even during the era of the apostles. Paul mentioned a number of false teachers. He said a "different gospel" was already being preached (Galatians 1:6).
Paul even identified a heretical system he referred to as "the mystery of lawlessness," which during his ministry was "already at work" (2 Thessalonians 2:7).
This system, he showed, would persist until the end of the age: "And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord will consume with the breath of His mouth and destroy with the brightness of His coming. The coming of the lawless one is according to the working of Satan, with all power, signs, and lying wonders, and with all unrighteous deception among those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved " (verses 8-10).
The book of Revelation refers to this lawless mystery religion as "MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT" (17:5) and shows it appearing with "two horns like a lamb" (presenting itself as Christ-like) but speaking "like a dragon" (13:11). The "dragon" in Revelation is Satan the devil, who deceives the whole world (12:9).
So what we're seeing here is an extremely powerful "wolf in sheep's clothing." What Paul and this section of Revelation are describing is a great counterfeit of the true religion—a world-dominating false Christianity led by Satan and his ministers, who appear as ministers of righteousness (see 2 Corinthians 11:13-15).
As shocking as it may sound, the world religion that now lays claim to the name of Christianity, having nearly 2 billion adherents, is that very lawless mystery system! This is not to question the sincerity of its many followers. Most are motivated by a sincere desire to please God. But sincerity is not the measure of right and wrong. God defines what is right by His laws and commandments, and Christianity in general has rejected many of God's clear instructions.
Early on, this religion shed many important biblical doctrines and commandments in favor of popular pagan concepts and traditions. Christmas and Easter, for instance (the name "Easter" even deriving from the pagan goddess Ishtar), are merely pagan holidays covered over with a Christian veneer—despite the Bible's explicit command that we not worship the true God with pagan customs (see Deuteronomy 12:29-32).
It is just as Jesus said of the Pharisees: "In vain they worship Me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men. "
The true Christian Church, holding fast to God's commandments throughout history, has remained, in the words of Jesus, a "little flock" (Luke 12:32). In contrast, the popular substitute for Christianity has grown enormous and powerful—just as Jesus foretold in Matthew 24.
The worst yet to come
Recall Christ's warning that false teachers would be on the rise through history, culminating in the vast and powerful deception of the last days. Of the time just before His return Jesus said, "False christs and false prophets will rise and show great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect" (Matthew 24:24).
These signs and wonders are the same ones Paul mentioned. They have happened at times throughout history—yet will grow in magnitude at the end of the age, reaching their height with the coming of the great false prophet, who also appears to be representing Christ but in reality is the Antichrist.
All of us need to be wary and watchful. We must examine the fruits of all those who claim to represent Jesus Christ—in the way they live and the doctrines they teach. Do they insist that we are required to obey God's commandments? Or do they preach a message of cheap grace—that we can come to God just as we are without making any fundamental changes in our behavior?
Remember, most of those who claim to represent Jesus actually don't. Moreover, as time goes on, ever more pretenders will arise, however sincere they may be.
And finally, bear in mind that the greatest period of deception ever is just ahead of us. "See," Jesus said, "I have told you beforehand" (verse 25).
He was warning us to be prepared. Are you?
The UCG is in the same bucket as the Jehovah's Witnesses or Mormons -- religions that take some aspects of Christianity that they pick and choose, but they are not Christians.
Seriously....are we going to resort to 3rd grade insults here.... :-)
I don't need to listen to “the haters” to realize that you translate “many” as “almost all” as to who has been deceived by false prophets; or to realize that you think the vast majority of all Christians who have ever lived have been “counterfeit” - except for a very recent very small sect.
Must make you feel oh so special! Like the cancer patient who gets “the cure” down in Mexico that American medicine doesn't want you to know about!!!
They don’t shy away from it. It is a frequent topic. Among “Fire and Brimstone” preachers and “Holy Rollers” it is almost the exclusive topic.
I don’t need to listen to “the haters” to realize that you translate “many” as “almost all” as to who has been deceived by false prophets; or to realize that you think the vast majority of all Christians who have ever lived have been “counterfeit” - except for a very recent very small sect.
Must make you feel oh so special! Like the cancer patient who gets “the cure” down in Mexico that American medicine doesn’t want you to know about!!!
True, and Doug, in your United C of G (an organization that denies the Trinity by stating that the Holy Spirit is not God) does the following:once ensnared within Herbert Armstrong's "one true church," members were commanded to save more than a first tithe. There was a second and third tithe to be paid, plus seven holy day offerings a year, as well as numerous other "needs" such as a building fund and emergencies.
UCG members likewise are told it is biblical to pay headquarters a first tithe on their net income (along with offerings) for the "furtherance of the Work." To fail to do so is considered "stealing from God,"
A third tithe is paid every 3rd year out of seven, and while they will give a lengthy explanation about who is ineligible to pay this tithe, members are still "encouraged" to give a third tithe to the "Church's Assistance Fund." (Ministers claim they are part of the Levitical priesthood and do not have to pay 2nd or 3rd tithes.)
So, sorry, but casting stones....?
Oh...let me get this right. They can teach almost anything that goes against God, his commandments and scripture but as LONG as they have "We believe in the trinity" in their statement of belief you think they're NOT part of a false Christianity.
How far exactly could they go? Supporting abortion? Supporting adultery?
I'm amazed...
Some cannot accept that their church is into modernism — a heresy — can they?
Actually YOU are the one who said “blah blah blah.... :-)” when I posted excerpts of what your United C of G teaches....
Sorry, but tithing and selling are not the same thing my friend...
| Wednesday, April 17 | |
| Liturgical Color: White | |
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Pope Pius X gave an address to new cardinals on this day in 1907, in which he condemned the heresy of Modernism. This heresy tries to change truths taught by the Church to fit the thinking of the day. |
So here’s a question to all:
When you go to a public event where they offer an opening prayer or when you are at someone’s home and they offer to bless the food, and at these occasions the folks offering the blessing or prayers are any of these faiths mentioned or others such as Mormons, Muslims, Hindu, etc., do you pray with them or do you say you own prayer?
LOL! No, I offer to say the prayer, make the Sign of the Cross, continue with a general prayer of thanks and end with the Catholic prayer before meals. LOL! It works!
Their loss if they don’t invite me back.
Silently giving my own prayer is the usual way I would handle this...
For a great example of this study why protestant churches switched from wine to grape juice in their "Lord's Supper" ceremonies...it was all about fitting in with the current social trends....
Well if you really didn't get it I was "blah blahing" (is that a word?) your accusations and characterizations of those beliefs...:-)
I won’t mention any of the names of these preachers. There are some on here who get very angry when you speak ill of their “earthly savior”.
Don’t flame me! I didn’t mention any names.
I won’t mention any of the names of these preachers. There are some on here who get very angry when you speak ill of their “earthly savior”.
Don’t flame me! I didn’t mention any names.
I do the same.
Episcopalians are deviant Christians, but their Trinitarian Chrisotology is as of now Christian.
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One doctrine does not a Christian make. Contriarily, lack of one doctrine does not necessicarilly Christian break.
The Lord tells us that by their works you shall know them. I try my hardest not to judge. But, Sometimes!
The Catholic Church for all its problems has an organization called Catholic Charities. This my friends is a group of good people who help poor people all over the world in need. This is what The Lord would have us do. This is what I find lacking in many churches. I have great respect for the new Pope, the leader of the Roman Catholic Church who has decided to live in a humble apartment instead of the lavish Papel apartments, more power to him.
Demonstrating for Queer marriage is not doing good works in my opinion and is not a “fruit” you would want to known by when you stand before The Lord.
There are many churches that have interesting doctrines, some of them captivating but more important to me is their fruits. Thre are many so-called Christian Churches that don’t have much in the way of fruits. Yes, they have a Sunday School where they teach the Gospel and teach people how to conduct themselves in the world, this is a good thing but it isn’t much. Some of them have beautiful structures and beautiful crosses in their church yards that can be be seen, some over a mile away. This is a good thing but in my opinion not the fruits The Lord was speaking of.
I’m not Catholic, so don’t think I’m promoting my church, but Catholic Charities is fruit. Mormons for their size help millions of people all over the world, you never hear about it but they do, its fruit. Another organization that is a church that you might not think of that has fruit especially for their size is The Salvation Army. They help a lot of people. They tell a lot of people about Jesus Christ but they feed and house them too. To me Christian Charity is fruit. It is what James was talking about when he said “show me your works and I’ll show you your faith”.
As far as Mr. Armstrong is concerned, a lot of what he says like a lot of churches is logical and is ok but some of it just isn’t at least to me. While his church would not be considered Christian because it does not hold the traditional view of The Trinity that view did not not become the law of the church until 325AD. Until that time Mr. Armstrongs views would have been ok, if not for Constantine perhaps they still would be.
Anyway, my feeling from what I read in the New Testament is that God has rules, we should learn those rules. God help you if you teach false rules but if you learn false rules and you love The Lord and your fellow man and you show that love by your fruits The Lord will know you when you stand before His father accused of the sins of life that you are surely guilty of and He will come to your rescue.
My friend and co-worker, John Lomperis, wrote a series of articles about it, which you can read here: https://www.theird.org/why-was-the-2012-general-conference-so-unproductive-and-dysfunctional--
(Many other issues were also torpedoed - but that's another discussion.)
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