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"Articulating Prophecy Biblically"
By Lea Sylvester
We are living in dangerous times. Men have misused their positions in order to achieve personal gain, in the process, they have hurt many people. Government is betraying those it should be representing, turning away from the will of the people. Christianity is being attacked from every side.
Jesus warned about these and many other happenings we see today. He knew that the true Christians of our time would have our “hands full” and through the Holy Spirit, we can discern false doctrine and teachings. We can guard ourselves.
The modern day churches have sold out the joyous message of salvation for the trappings of the material world. Instead of preaching and teaching about Jesus, salvation, consequences of sin from the Bible, they have adopted worldly programs to deal with issues such as alcoholism, drug dependence, and even some “Christians” support abortion. Many so-called “Christians” don't believe in the Bible or only believe “parts” of it. Others don't study it, don't believe it is the inerrant Word of God and it is no wonder then that Satan (who does exist) is having a field day with not only the worldly churches but the worldly Christians, as well.
We have so many false or distorted doctrines being taught there is simple not enough room to go into that topic right now. A disturbing trend has been the move toward the “interfaith” movement. This means that god is all and all is god and therefore we all worship the same “god.” Excuse me, where in God's Word does He tell us about this? It is not there. We are warned against this very thing. Yet, most churches have embraced this false religion.
Should we be surprised that churches are trying now to preserve the very earth that God has told us is under the curse of sin and will be destroyed? Do they not know? Have they not been told? A great deception has been given to those who believe this.
This false religion they are totally embracing is environmentalism. The Bible is specific about the fact that the earth is suffering from the effects of sin. God's plan is to return the earth to the state He left it in before the fall of Adam. Romans 8:19-21 tells us the creation waits in eager expectation for the sons of God to be revealed. For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself would be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the glorious freedom of the children of God.
When the Lord returns in glory, the wait will be over. Soon afterward, the creation will once again resemble a lush garden. He will make her deserts like Eden, her waste lands like the garden of the Lord. (Isaiah 51:3).
Some people (atheists, environmentalists, and misled Christians) are troubled by all of this because they're so in love with the creation as it currently appears. Recently, I read a book review whose author is asking God to leave her behind at the rapture because she can't imagine anything being more beautiful than this present Earth, not even Heaven. People like this are limited in their thinking. In the first place, they don't stop to think that if the Earth is this beautiful while under a curse, how much more so will it be when the curse is lifted and it is restored to its original condition?
Secondly, they don't realize that the Lord has spent the last 2,000 years “preparing a place for us” in His Father's house (John 14: 2-3). The Church will no longer call Earth home but will dwell with Him there. Do these folks really think that after the rapture, when we see all eternity spread out before us, we'll be disappointed with our future and long to go back into this fallen creation? Is that what they think the Lord has in store for us?
Environmentalism is a false religion. It puts man on the same level as any animal or plant. Man isn't given dominion over the earth as God plainly meant for man to be. “And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.”Genesis 1:26 “And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth. “ Genesis 1:28 Clearly, man was given dominion over all the earth.
Truly, we should be good stewards of all things God blesses us with. This means with our money, our belongings, and we should take care of the earth. But it is not God's plan for this earth, as we know it, to last forever. Some contend that this earth will remain forever, time without end. They base this on such verses as Ecclesiastes 1:4(“the earth abideth forever”). One word rendered forever is the Hebrew word olam (erets is used in Ecclesiastes 1:4). Sometimes these “forever” words have reference to a long time and the idea of “age lasting.” For instance, the passover is said to be “forever” (Exodus 12:14); Jerusalem as a place of worship was to be “forever” (II Chronicles 33:4), and a slave was to serve his master “forever” (Exodus 21:). The idea of “forever” in these instances, including Ecclesiastes 1:4, is that of as long as God intended.
Revelation gives us a very descriptive of what will happen here on Earth in the last seven years of “Jacob's Trouble.” “A great earthquake that will be felt worldwide will trigger volcanic action spewing millions of tons of ash into the air, blotting out the Sun and bringing the Blood Moon (Rev: 6:12-14). Some may blame the quake on a unique planetary alignment predicted by Mayans long ago. Other may say its due to the return into the Solar System of a long lost planet. The upper atmosphere will literally burst into flame because of the simultaneous magnetic polar reversals on the Sun and on the Earth.
The world's leaders will run for cover, some intuitively knowing that the Wrath of God they were warned about has begun and they'll be shown no quarter. (Rev 6:16-17).
But it doesn't stop there, a storm of hail, fire, and blood will rain down upon the Earth; burning up a third of it. A third of the trees and grass will go up in smoke (Rev 8:7). A meteor-like object the size of a huge mountain will crash into the sea. The resulting contamination will turn a third of the world's oceans to blood, killing all the marine life in the affected areas. The tsunami this causes will capsize and destroy a third of the ships in the world. (Rev 8:8-9)
God literally pours out His wrath upon the nations that stood against Israel. The point to be made here is that no matter what environmentalists do now, it is not going to stop the Lord God of the universe! And, the fact that churches are embracing this doctrine of demons proves that we are living in the last days. Believers, stay steadfast in the Word of God. Let no man tell you anything different!
Jesus said to the Disciples: “I tell you a truth, at the renewal of all things, when the Son of Man sits on his glorious throne, you who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.” (Matt 19:28). Jesus was speaking of the renewal of the earth – literally, as well as the renewal of God's chosen people – Israel – to Himself. Jesus said, “I am making everything new.” Then He said, “It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End.” (Rev 21-5-6). God tells us over and over in His Word that He knew the beginning from the end and the end from the beginning. How is it that man would interfere with the things our Heavenly Father has well-planned far in advance? It is pure folly. It is a lie, a deception from Satan.
He knows he has little time left to steal, kill and destroy and he has been busy. But, Satan isn't omnipotent, as God is. Satan has planted the lie of preserving the earth as a way to deceive the world's churches, therefore capturing the soul of many “Christians.” We were warned over and over by Jesus about this. These churches coming together are the beginning of the One World Religion spoken of in the Old Testament as well as throughout the Bible. This one religion will join the anti-Christ and will be used by Satan during the tribulation in an effort to destroy anyone who dares defy him.
The great emphasis in the church today is on uniting professing Christians of all denominations and beliefs. The message is that we're not so different after all... we can work together. Tell me, where did God say this? Setting aside theological differences, we can help each other in the things we all agree upon. That effort is commonly referred to as "ecumenism," which is defined as "the organized attempt to bring about the cooperation and unity of all believers in Christ."
The foundation for this ecumenical trend has been laid and built upon over many years. We saw the beginning of institutional ecumenism in the 1960's, with The World Council of Churches, mostly liberal mainline Protestant denominations who denied such essential doctrines as the inerrency of Scripture and a literal, bodily resurrection of Christ. For years, Evangelicals distanced themselves from this institutional ecumenism because of the unsound theology of the groups involved.
Today, however, that spirit of compromise has invaded Evangelicalism. The more recent Catholic-Evangelical Accord is an example of such compromise. In this accord, Evangelicals compromised essential doctrines such as justification by faith alone and the sufficiency of Scripture in order to unite with Roman Catholics on issues such as abortion and school prayer.
Compromising the Truth
The undiluted preaching from God's Word and an authoritative stand on truth are on the decline. What we're seeing instead is a broadening of the gospel, a redefining of what it means to be a Christian, and a growing emphasis on inclusion and tolerance. Ecumenism has come to mean "reducing all elements of faith to the lowest common denominator. God's Word is neglected, experience is valued above truth, a false and selfish "faith" is promoted, and sound doctrine and correction are despised as "divisive" and "unloving."
Ignoring the Scriptures, numerous evangelical leaders today claim that a concern for doctrine causes division and therefore should be avoided for the sake of love and unity among the brethren. The Scriptures, however, couldn't be more specific in its opposition to such a teaching.
“I urge you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and put obstacles in your way that are contrary to the teaching you have learned. Keep away from them.” [Romans 16:17]
Divisions are created by teachings that are contrary to sound doctrine.
"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" [2 John 1:9].
Unity in the faith is impossible without the doctrine of Christ. Without such a foundation we have no basis for the faith, for the gospel, for knowing Jesus, or for knowing anything pertinent to the Truth.
The glittering terminology of ecumenical is seen, on close examination, to be as hollow as a soap bubble and just as slippery and hard to hold onto. Where is the "common ground" between belief and unbelief? A believer cannot ignore the "major theological differences" between him and an unbeliever. Instead, he should be cutting through those differences with the Sword of the Word to win the unbeliever to the Lordship of Jesus Christ.
I cannot agree to ignore an unbeliever's condition without, by that very act, compromising my beliefs. For my beliefs include the Great Commission, which requires me to tell the world of the gospel of Jesus. Even a cursory review of what has taken place in the Church during the last 25 years will reveal a fierce undermining of the faith.
Precisely as the Bible warns (Mt. 7:21-23; 24:4,11,24; 2 Thes 2:3; etc.), today's most effective enemies of Christ are those who claim to be Christians and call mankind not just to any old false religion but to a counterfeit Christianity. Consider some of the following:
(ECT) Evangelicals and Catholics Together
Freemasonry
The New Age Movement
Baha'i World Faith
Pro-Life Movement
Promise Keepers
The Christian Response to Ecumenism
Nineteenth-century preacher Charles Spurgeon was known for taking unpopular positions as he ministered God's Word, and faced the same arguments confronting many Bible teachers today. His response to the seductive power of compromise for popularity's sake was especially poignant: "What have you and I to do with maintaining our influence and position at the expense of truth? It is never right to do a little wrong to obtain the greatest possible good ... Your duty is to do the right: consequences are with God."
How, you might ask, can a Bible-believing church accept many of teachings held up today? Simple. Few read the Bible any more. Far too many people simply go along with whatever they are told as biblical, with no particular interest in checking it out for themselves. For those whom the Lord equips, He sets forth an essential for discernment:
"...If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." [John 8:31-32]
For the sake of our growth in the faith and our development of discernment, we must "hold to" the teachings of God's word. "Hold to," or "continue" (KJV) means to submit to Christ's teachings, to abide in them (i.e., to let our mental, physical and spiritual life be governed by them), and to remain in them, becoming steadfast in the faith. If we do this, then we are His disciples, we will know the truth, and will be set free by the truth.
How many times have you heard that somebody was "causing division in the church?" Well, maybe they were supposed to! After all, there are two things that cause division according to the Bible: truth and error. Haven't you heard the scripture, "Do you suppose I came to grant peace on earth? I tell you, no, rather division!" That's right! Jesus said that..."from now on five members in one household will be divided three against two, and two against three" (Luke 12:51-52).
Hard words to hear! Yet, harder to accept. But, that's what Jesus said and is preserved in the Holy Scriptures. He said that whole families would be divided over Him. And there are many occasions in the New Testament when whole assemblies of people were divided because of Jesus (John 7:43, 9:16, 10:19, Acts 23:6-7).
People who love the truth will divide from people who love lies.
Today, when there are so many who are professing religion, is it any wonder that some of the deepest truths in the Bible - repentance, faith, holiness, etc. - are also some of the greatest objects of debate in the Church. It must be said that those who truly want to know God's views on these great pillars of Christian doctrine, will appear to be divisive - and rightly so, in an age when the great gospel message of salvation can be reduced to such a sugar-coated, bakery-item as, "God loves you and has a wonderful plan for your life!"
Can ecumenists by uniting, set the standards for the rest of the world? "Who's kingdom is the earth anyway?" This worldly kingdom belongs to Satan until Jesus Christ returns. Jesus said in John 18:36, "My kingdom belongs not to this world..." He said he did not come to bring peace, but rather division.
Division that comes from the proclaiming of the truth will usually include some intense reaction and opposition, but it will also produce good fruit and the advancement of God's kingdom (not to mention the conversion of souls.)
The Scripture is unmistakably clear: the primary attribute by which God wants to be known is holiness--He is totally separate from all that is sinful or defiled. Fifty-five times God refers to Himself in Scripture as the "Holy One." Fifty-nine times He is called or described as being holy. There are only forty-three times where God is said to love or that He Himself is love. Interestingly enough, the word "holy" (or a form of it) occurs 651 times in Scripture. The word "love" (or a related form) whether human or divine is mentioned only 546times. Although no attribute of God is mentioned more frequently in the Bible than that of holiness, there is perhaps no other characteristic so ignored and misunderstood as this one. Many seem to view holiness and love as being contradictory: holiness is too negative and divisive while love seems to be positive and accepting. But contrary to God's nature is the notion that love must tolerate or even refuse to expose error. God's love is compatible with His holiness. As believers follow the command to imitate their God (Eph. 5:1), they are not free to pick and choose which characteristics to copy. The modern day definition of love largely sets aside God's demand to His children,
"Be ye holy for I am holy" (Lev. 11:44; 1 Pet. 1:15,16). God's people are strangers and pilgrims on earth. As we have seen, this Earth is not designed to be man's permanent abode (Heb 11:13). To be part of this world is to live according to the world (I Pet 2:11). Jesus said he was going (leaving this earth) to prepare a place and that the saved would be with Him there (John 14:3).
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