| The church of the 21st Century?
"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; and they shall turn away their
ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables." (2 Timothy 4:3,4)
"In times of universal deceit,
telling the truth will be a revolutionary act." -- George Orwell
The church (When we use the word church with a lower case c we
mean institutional/denominational churches--false christanity) of the 21st century, and
the vision of that church of the future makes me sad. Why would I say that? Because anyone
with a modicum of spiritual insight, and a great love of the Church (When we use the
Church with a capital C we mean the real Church, the believers, the called out ones) will
see this. I love the Church—the body of Christ. I wish it no harm or failure which is
impossible anyway. However, the truth is God has always called, kept, and directed His
people. Without a doubt the remnant is and always will be alive and active.
There is a decline in upholding the truth. Truth, accuracy, and
first century scriptural traditions have been replaced with error, faultiness, and
traditions of men. Ecumenicalism and mixing toward the one world religion is soon coming
upon us. So where is the Church? Right where its always been kept in the grip of Christ.
The "church" you see today in the landscape—denominations are filled with
commercialism and sold out to the world. Avoid them!
People are allowed into the churches, unsaved, with the thought
by the ministers that some "genuine confession will be had at their
hands." The old close your eyes, bow your head, and repeat after me lie. church
services are now becoming church circuses. With regards to the first century Church and
the so-called church today they don't mix. They're two different things.
"And no man putteth new wine into old bottles; else the new
wine will burst the bottles, and be spilled, and the bottles shall perish. But new wine
must be put into new bottles; and both are preserved." (Luke 5:37,38)
There are those that have become accustomed to traditions and
religion. It's difficult to tell others of the truth of the way because of their addiction
and dependency. I would say you probably don't even know you're addicted to your
denomination or religion. You blindly follow the "leader" asking no questions.
Go read your Bible (KJV) and then you'll see. Then get out of there! Religion is
convenient and subtle. It's rigid, binding, legal, liberal, disciplined formalism, and
regimentation. It's counterfeit, has New Age infiltration, and superstitious extremes.
Today, it comes in a more refined Christian package.
The Devil tries to guilt you into keeping "the law."
Or he'll try to get you into another Gospel, which is not another Gospel—The love goo
and licivisousness. Rightly dividing the scriptures gives you the even keel in Jesus,
walking in the way, not looking and being swayed to the right or to the left. I've been
saying for years we need balance.
God is not limited to a physical temple, sanctuary, church, or
denomination. We are His abode because we are His people. Jesus said, "go" not
sit. God is not confined to a set of regulations. We come to God in Spirit and in Truth. "But
the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit
and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him." (John 4:23)
Take for example worship. Worship is to
be a direct expression from the heart of a believer to the very feet of God. True worship
can only be from the heart and not manufactured. "But the hour cometh, and now is,
when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father
seeketh such to worship him." (John 4:23) People are bound by their tradition in
worshipping God.
True worship cannot be hyped up, conjured up, pumped up,
organized, or "led into." People cannot be manipulated or engineered to give
true worship. They will not rely on vibes, warm fuzzies, feelings or emotions to turn
their heart toward heaven. There's no such thing as "worship" leaders under the
New Covenant.
"But as for me, I will come into thy house in the
multitude of thy mercy: and in thy fear will I worship toward thy holy
temple." (Psalm 5:7)
"Give unto the LORD the glory due unto his name: worship
the LORD in the beauty of holiness." (Psalm 29:2)
Worship is not to be what I can get out of it i.e. I feel good,
I was moved, or I was really into it. Those things can happen but it's not the "hard
drive" of worship. Worship is expressing to God everything you have with in you for
who He is and what He has done for you! It's not about you. It's about Him. Only those
that have been truly touched by Him, identified with Him, and interacted with Him can know
true worship.
Many fellowships substitute true worship for rote, indifferent,
disrespectful parody worship. This is due in part because of the faulty, insincere,
numbers driven salvation exercise they claim is saving people. Worship is getting into a
place where we enter into the throne room of God here on earth, and is to be reverential
and respectful.
Have you ever seen someone in fellowship during worship time
chewing gum, wearing a hat, or drinking coffee? I have. Talk about a come as you are
relaxed atmosphere! In an effort not to offend anyone fellowships are allowing
God to be offended. Songs are sung with no meaning or sincerity. Worship has
morphed into the rest of the "service" instead of something critical. We better
start worshipping like we will in heaven, least once we go there, we find the worship of
heaven very strange. The Church of God are people, both Jew and Gentile together, called
out of the world and false religion where as one new man they can worship God in spirit.
"And one cried unto another, and said, Holy, holy, holy is
the LORD of hosts: the whole earth is full of his glory." (Isaiah 6:3)
Truly it's a manifold problem. Those that do not really know
God, and don't know about true worship, are leading those that don't really know God or
true worship in this ascued kind of worship. What can you do? First, make sure you are
born again. Second, make sure you know about worship. Third, we're here to help and are
working on gathering those people God is preparing to bring back true worship see www.kingshouse.org
The second example is Scriptural teaching.
Modern Bible perversions are being promoted more than ever. And mention the word
righteousness and they'll accuse you of being some holier-than-thou deceived person. Ever
heard these phrases? "The move of God," "Get a touch from the Lord,"
"Feel the Spirit's touch," "Soak up the Spirit," "Breathe in
Jesus," "Holy laughter," "Holy shaking," "Holy
drunkenness," "God wanting to bark or howl," "Uncontrollable
frolicking," "Just let go and open yourself up," "Open your mouth and
let the Lord take over," "God is out of control," "Catch the
fire," "You need to throw out your theology and go with the flow,"
"God is doing a work," "He's the reason for the season," "happy
birthday Jesus,"" He's the real thing," "The real deal," "We
serve a contemporary Jesus," "The best is yet to come," "The hour of
power," "Peace signs," "the dove," "the olive leaf,"
"the rainbow," "WWJD," "hang loose sign" Jesus on bumper
stickers, pictures, and t-shirts in which is not Jesus at all. These are very effective
New Age symbols, slogans, and banners. And other stupid phrases. What are you thinking?
Remember "the power of praise"? Which meant if you
want to scare the devil in a just keep singing a praise song over and over again. Or
"let's stomp on the devil," "let's to "battle with enemy," or the
"christian" mind mantra trick of "binding and loosing" prayers. How
about screaming at the devil? All false and phony. And let's not forget
"christian" mantras and chants to scare the devil. This is mind and emotional
manipulation.
We have today things like "the power of love"
"the power of prayer" "Prayer of Jebez" "the power of positive
thinking", "the hour of power." Any strength we have come from Christ alone
which is nurtured as we apply our lives to the word of God. Also don't forget the
prosperity garbage of the "seed faith," "God wants the best for you"
The "speak it into being" the "blab it and grab it" the "name it
and claim it" This is simply greed, the spirit of materialism, and covetousness
hiding behind a facade of false spirituality.
Today its feel good, free love, do what you want God is not mad
it you. Go to the extreme it's ok, sin all you want no harm will come. It's all about
numbers, feeling good, and money! God calls and no one listens. Witchcraft! I tell you its
witchcraft! Pastors and "church" leaders become a substitute for the Spirit of
truth. "Not for that we have dominion over your faith, but are helpers of your
joy: for by faith ye stand." (2 Corinthians 1:24) Man plays the Holy Ghost by
getting in the way. However, "where the Spirit of the Lord is there is
liberty."
"All the paths of the LORD are mercy and truth unto such as
keep his covenant and his testimonies." (Psalm 25:10)
How are denominations are formed anyway? People take one man's
revelation from the Lord and build on it instead of seeking the full counsel of God. Ever
notice the emphasis is always something like water baptism, Spirit baptism, the Sabbath,
the gifts, and so forth? People are not taught right. They're not taught Bible Truth.
Isaiah 33:7 "Behold, their valiant ones shall cry
without: the ambassadors of peace shall weep bitterly."
Today the cross is omitted, the Gospel is diluted, and the Bible
has been made perverted. Today people hate judgment, righteousness, and truth. They only
want to hear "be joyful, be happy today, be positive." They want a Ken doll
"pastor" to fall in love with because he does not tell them the truth and feeds
them plenty of sugar. People want to be entertained by the scriptures, and entertained at
"church" but forget telling them there wrong.
Micah 3:5. "Thus saith the LORD concerning the prophets
that make my people err, that bite with their teeth, and cry, Peace; and he that putteth
not into their mouths, they even prepare war against him."
Remember, "And he said unto them, Ye are they which
justify yourselves before men; but God knoweth your hearts: for that which is highly
esteemed among men is abomination in the sight of God." (Luke 16:15)
People can justify anything. It's now considered
"inappropriate" to judge, to weigh things up, to make correction, to use
absolutes, to call a spade a spade, to name things for what they are.
Many "churches" are sincere. Many christians are
sincere. Many atheists are sincere. The demons believe and tremble. But, "all the
ways of a man are clean in his own eyes; but the LORD weigheth the spirits." (Proverbs
16:2)
The excuse is that modern day people need to be told teaching in
simpleton stories and language or they will not understand. Their kept in the dark on many
truths because they are not taught right. Test your fellowship. Listen to what is taught
write the subject down, then research that subject from the Scriptures thoroughly to see
if what was taught is true then you will know. It's amazing how much error people take in
without any study to see if it's even true. The fellowship of believers is for, "…the
perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of
Christ: Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of
God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ."
(Ephesians 4:11,12). It's not entertainment, to find a date, to be pleasing to your flesh,
or any other thing.
Forget "church" counsels, ecumenical meetings, church
hierarchy, church boards, deacon boards, etc. yuck! Not at all Biblical. Better look out a
false prophet is coming remember Jesus' words, "if another shall come in his own
name, him ye will receive." Also, notice peoples attitude towards Israel and the
Jews? They act as if the Israelis can do nothing wrong and are elevated to some level of
"special holiness." Which today you can't point to the geographical land of
Israel and say there are God's people—there is the Hebrew Jews all the tribes? No
way! How can you be in agreement with a group that hates, denies, and despises Jesus? And
people love to say the Jews killed Jesus. Wrong! Read your Bible. Jesus laid it down by
Himself.
"Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my
life, that I might take it again. No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I
have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I
received of my Father." (John 10:17,18)
God's people today are called out of the world to simplicity in
Him. Not to loyalty to a pastor, denomination, building, or creed. God has His own remnant
who will stick to doing things His way, and stand for Him and for Him only. And it will be
the Lord glorified in the end.
"Even so then at this present time also there is a
remnant according to the election of grace." (Romans 11:5)
God our Father makes much allowance for spiritual babes of the
faith. This is called growing in grace. He knows that once we begin our pilgrimage in Him
we are going to make mistakes probably plenty. We have to learn to stand on our own two
feet, make your own decisions, and become responsible. Eat the meat and not suck on milk.
Religion means finding God through externalization. Relying on our own effort, or
righteousness, to make it. That's what churches do today.
Jesus has paid the complete price at the cross. The impossible
has become possible in Him. He has granted us His righteousness even though we never
deserved it and if we would only embrace His free gift. Because it's only when we receive
Christ's finished work on the cross the Lord no longer sees our sinful state, but the
righteousness of His Son. Jesus' payment on the cross cannot be added to, or watered down,
with no need to ever be repeated again. Once and for all. Today the church is about short
cuts, by-passing the cross, providing substitutes for God's plan of salvation through Good
works, self-effort, anything but the blood of Jesus!
Must we separate? Yes!
Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what
fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with
darkness? And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth
with an infidel? And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the
temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I
will be their God, and they shall be my people. Wherefore come out from among them, and be
ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, And
will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.
(2 Corinthians 6:14)
The world says, "Come lie with me, and don't rock the boat!
As a great stewing pot of exuberance, cleverness, ease, and justified indulgence, brewed
together collectively. Where if you don't chill out with the world, you will be branded
intolerant, prejudice, and no progressive from the millennium past. We have tolerance and
understand of cults, heathen religions, "zero tolerance," etc. shoved down our
throats. All in the name of unity and peace. But only those true and faithful will refuse.
Soon, people will be jailed for saying homosexuality is wrong.
Look out if you say the Bible is the word of God! This will be classed as the chief danger
against human progress. Human progress? Oh Brother, you need to get on board with the new
enlightenment, be progressive, up with the times, we're evolving! Yuck! No thanks. Watch
out, you could be next by agreeing with the Holy Bible, and warning people with the truth.
What's coming is the great compromise, the great mingling, the
great mixture, the world wide ecumenical movement, multiculturalism. Accommodating
everything that is contrary to the word of God. Why? because Man loves to dumb down
scripture. Questioning God saying, "Hath God said?" Is this the faith? Forget
it. "Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men." (2
Corinthians 5:11) "Meddle not with them that are given to change."
(Proverbs 24:21) Boy is that ever true! Choose your friends wisely!
There is everything wrong with present, or contemporary
"christianity." It's all pseudo Biblical Christianity. We now have
"Christian" culture, "Christian" lifestyle, and a
"Christian" alternative! Wee! Let's all get on the happy bus! "Trendy
christians" have worked hard to be like the world and get the world's approval. To
express "Christianity" is cool and "up-to-date." Jesus has been made
contemporary, updated, and trendy! Repacked to be "cool" and in. They've thrown
out the Bible and were now following another Jesus, which changes with the times to suit
their present needs.
However, authentic Christianity, the bonafide biblical kind,
cannot come to the world's religious corner. Never! We are set apart by God to be a people
different and separated from the world, remaining undefiled by the heathen and their ways.
Today, as the Lord set's apart His Bride, to be espoused to one Bridegroom, how much of
the faith has been prostituted and corrupted by a mixture?
Now we serve God Almighty Himself not the mere shadow. And are
not subject to observing days, and months, and times, and years according to Galatians
4:10, which pertain to bondage and coming under the law again. Christmas, Easter,
Pentecost, Palm Sunday, Mothers Day, Valentines Day, St. Patrick's Day (all Roman Catholic
by the way) simply imported paganistic practices. We can't serve two masters. "Not
every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he
that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven." (Matthew 7:21)
However, what does count is whether we are serving the Lord in
truth. According to scripture, the only way to do this is by being in obedience to His
word. "And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?" (Luke
6:46) The sotish children of this present church have a problem. They've neglected
their Lord for another lord "And they forsook the LORD, and served Baal and
Ashtaroth." (Judges 2:13)
What can you do? Pray and ask God for His help by His spirit to
learn the Scriptures. Don't be fooled by modern translations of the Bible. Pray for the
remnant and those trapped in the denominations to come out.
The third example is witnessing. Today,
people go to fellowship and are spoken to like children. Then are made to feel guilty and
told if "they want to receive Christ" to close their eyes, bow their heads and
"while all eyes are closed and heads are bowed slip up your hand." This is so
far removed from Biblical truth its not funny. They have made it easy salvationism. Today,
the way witnessing is done is to bribe or make someone feel guilty into the
kingdom—instead of repentance. Everything is done so as not to offend or embarrass
someone.
"Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will
I confess also before my Father which is in heaven." (Matthew 10:32)
Those that are believers are to plant seeds and water, but it's
God that gets the increase. So what can you do? Learn the truth about real witnessing.
Pass out tracts and talk to people about Christ then let God do his work.
God knows the burden I carry for the Church. How can you not see
this? How is it we're so blind? Are we in the time prophesied in Timothy? "Let no
man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a
falling away first…." (2 Thessalonians 2:3)
The church is asleep. Those that try to roust them from bed are
chastised and almost declared heretical! As the Scriptures say, "Woe unto them
that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness;
that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!" (Isaiah 5:20)
and again, "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)
We have come to the place in the history of the church that
should be rightly called "the dark ages of the 21st Century." When in
history has the church become so childish? We have sacrificed facts for fiction, faith for
fantasy, and holiness for hedonism.
Galatians 1:6,7 has come to pass, "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." As well as, "O foolish Galatians,
who hath bewitched you, that ye should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ
hath been evidently set forth, crucified among you?" (Galatians 3:1)
It has become evident that all of the things we're warned about
in the Holy Scriptures concerning these matters are revealed. God forbid. Will this
generation be known for its false doctrine feigned worship, greed for money, and
artificial salvation?
There are those that say the Church should be progressive, but
if progressive means exchanging truth and right practice for progression then we must cry
HALT! Truth is not even recognized anymore because the lines are blurred. Fellowships and
pastors are praised for their invitations and false doctrine than for traditions and
truth.
There is nothing new it's just packaged differently. "The
thing that hath been, it is that which shall be; and that which is done is that which
shall be done: and there is no new thing under the sun." (Ecclesiastes 1:9) Thank
God our salvation does not rest on the belief or not of the rapture, or our particular
view of the tribulation. It only indicates the validity of the person.
Amen?
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