The Light That Is Dark Then watch out that the light in you may not actually be darkness. - Luke 11:35 When the disciples asked Jesus about the signs of His coming and end of the age, the first thing Jesus did was warn them not to be deceived by those who come speaking His name claiming to come from Him (Matt. 24:4). Seven verses later, He warns them again about deception when He says, And many false prophets will arise, and will mislead many (Matt. 24:11). And again, He points out that false Christ followers and false prophets will arise and will show great signs and wonders (Paul), so as to mislead, if possible, even the elect (Peter and James). (Matt. 24:24). Jesus also warns believers at Pergamos and Thyatira to repent for allowing the teachings of Balaam and Jezebel (music and symbols) to be tolerated within the meetings. (Rev. 2:12-29). These doctrines lead Gods people astray whereby they unwittingly eat things sacrificed unto idols, and commit acts of fornication . (Rev. 2:14). The context of this warning about false teachings extends down to the very time of Messiahs return at the end of the age (Rev. 2:24-25). This means that the false doctrines of Balaam (Romans) and Jezebel (Grecians) are being taught in the mainline churches today. Unfortunately, they can not see them because they have been deceived just like Jesus warned them not to, from day one of HIS resurrection. These warnings are about deceivers, inside the church, who would come and proclaim falsehoods about Jesus and show deceptions in the Gospel of the kingdom. For most believers, deceivers outside the community of God are pretty easy to identify. Today, the most visible examples of this deception would be The Da Vinci Code and the Gnostic gospels of Thomas, Judas, and Mary Magdalene. However, false doctrines that are taught as biblical truths within the church are much harder to identify and even harder to confront. Therefore its important to identify what these deceptive teachings look like and the packages they come in. False Teachings & Spiritual Deception In Todays Church The prophet Isaiah points out that two of the most deceptive doctrines of the last days enter the church just prior to the millennial reign of Messiah (Is. 65:10-25). These false teachings emanate from two false gods known as Fortune and Destiny, who Israel was worshipping just before they went into captivity. In fact, following Fortune and Destiny is a major reason why God sent judgment on His people at that time (70AD): But you who forsake the LORD, who forget I AM the holy mountain, who set a table for Fortune, and who fill cups with mixed wine for Destiny, I will destine you for the sword (either for Paul or for Muhammad), and all of you will bow down to the slaughter. (Isaiah 65:11-12) Fortune is always busy pursuing material prosperity in the name of God. Give and you will get a return. Over the centuries, Fortune has developed a mystical prosperity formula that combines positive confession with unrighteous (give-to-get) offerings which feed mans lust for material possessions. Peter was referring to the false teachers of Fortune when he said, In their greed these teachers will exploit you with stories they have made up (2 Peter 2:3 . Another translation says, These teachers in their greed will tell you anything to get hold of your money . SOUND Familiar? Destiny, on the other hand, is always about finding ones purpose in life. Destiny uses unbiblical methods of meditation (Yoga) and mystic forms of Labyrinth based contemplative prayer that focus on attaining Gods occupational or ministerial calling for ones life. In other words, Fortune has come to us as the unbiblical aspects of todays prosperity gospel, and Destiny has surfaced as the more recent Purpose Driven movement. These teachings sound good on the surface, but both of them take us right back to the Garden, where the god of this world first seduced man through the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the boastful pride of life which is the essence of the world (1 John 2:15-16). In other words, Fortune excites the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes, while Destiny inspires the boastful pride of life. Both of these false gods persuade believers to focus on seeking $ and fame, rather than seeking God. Consequently, Fortune (prosperity) and Destiny (purpose) have become idols while Gods kingdom and Gods righteousness are left in the dust of positive confessions, seed faith offerings, contemplative prayers and yoga classes.
Posted on: Thu, 01 Jan 2015 23:44:06 +0000