False Christianity
Christianity - a false assumption exists that all professing Christianity is part of the true Church, when in reality there is a tremendous amount of false Christianity.
Now let me preface this article by stating clearly that we as human beings are not in any position to judge who is, or who isn't part of God's true Church, or who is or isn't a true Christian. This is because the true church is made up of those who have the Holy Spirit in them, and we cannot see God's Holy Spirit. These are things that God knows, since God sees what is in people's hearts. Let God the Father and God the Son judge these matters.
Romans 8:9 " But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of His. "
The Bible definitely teaches that just because someone, or some organization claims to be Christian and followers of Christ - this does not necessarily mean that they are the real thing.
Matthew 24: 4-5 " And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you. For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many. "
* This doesn't mean these people will say they are actually Jesus Christ Himself, but that they will come in the name of Jesus, and preach about the person of Jesus - yet all the while deceiving people.
2 John 1: 7 " 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. "
Matthew 7: 21-23 " 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. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. "
Revelation 17: 1-6 " (1) And there came one of the seven angels which had the seven vials, and talked with me, saying unto me, Come hither; I will shew unto thee the judgment of the great whore that sitteth upon many waters: (2) With whom the kings of the earth have committed fornication, and the inhabitants of the earth have been made drunk with the wine of her fornication. (3) So he carried me away in the spirit into the wilderness: and I saw a woman sit upon a scarlet coloured beast, full of names of blasphemy, having seven heads and ten horns. (4) And the woman was arrayed in purple and scarlet colour, and decked with gold and precious stones and pearls, having a golden cup in her hand full of abominations and filthiness of her fornication: (5) And upon her forehead [was] a name written, MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH. (6) And I saw the woman drunken with the blood of the saints, and with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus: and when I saw her, I wondered with great admiration. "
Described here is a great false church, who has given birth to daughter churches, who are also harlots.
The word " woman " is sometimes used to describe, or symbolize God's true Church.
Revelation 19: 7-9 " Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready. And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints. And he saith unto me, Write, Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb. And he saith unto me, These are the true sayings of God. "
Mystery Babylon and her Harlot daughters are churches, but they are prostitutes, and so are not true and faithful to Christ.
The Bible teaches that most of mankind is not yet called to salvation. Many have simply been deceived by the false Christianity. Their time to be called for salvation has not yet come.
Only A Few Now Being Called To Salvation - The Rest Are Blinded
The Bible does not teach that this is the only day for salvation for most of mankind. There is this myth that God and Christ are in a contest over the souls of men, and if people don't believe in Jesus now - then they will be lost for all eternity, or have to suffer forever in hell.
God's seven annual Holy Days show us God's schedule and plan here on earth. The Bible teaches very plainly that God at this time is only calling a few to salvation. He is only working with the small first fruits.
God's schedule here on earth is shown to us by His seven annual Holy Days:
- Passover - fulfilled already when Christ died on the cross about 2,000 years ago.
- Feast of Unleavened Bread - fulfilled when Christ died and was resurrected about 2,000 years ago.
- Day of Pentecost - most of this Holy Day has been fulfilled. Christ is the first fruits to rise from the dead. The Church of God was founded on the Day of Pentecost when the Holy Spirit was sent to earth and entered the 120 believers (Acts 2:1-4). Christ has built His church through the ages and there are seven different eras of the true church listed in the prophecies regarding the church in Revelation chapter 2 and 3 - Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamos, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodecea. We are living in the last days in 2004. The first four eras of the church are long gone. We may still have a remnant or final phase of the Sardis era. We definitely are in the period where the two last contemporary eras of the true church are now on the scene - Philadelphia and Laodecea. These last two eras of God's true church exist right up to the return of Jesus Christ. Therefore it is quite plain that we here in 2004 are still in the Pentecostal period of God's schedule here on earth, where he is only working with building up the Church, and calling the small first fruits to salvation (Rev.14:3-4)
- Feast of Trumpets - not fulfilled yet. It points to Christ's return and the resurrection of the saints, and this is still in the future - an educated guess is that Christ will return sometime between 2040 and 2070. So this is still a little ways off - but not that far off.
- Day of Atonement - still in the future. This points to Christ locking up Satan, after Christ returns, and sets up his world ruling government. Then the world will be at-one-ment with God.
- Feast of Tabernacles - still in the future. This points to the Millennium - the thousand year rule by Christ here on earth.
- Last Great Day - not fulfilled yet. This points to the Great White throne Judgment period where all of mankind who never had their first chance for salvation - will be resurrected as fleshly human beings and given their first opportunity for salvation. This is the later greater harvest. Most of mankind has not yet been called to salvation. So most of mankind is not yet called, lost, or judged (and this includes most of professing Christianity). They will be resurrected, and then called, and judged as to how they have responded. And this judgment period may be around 100 years in length, but there is nothing specific in scripture as to how long it will last. Those who remain unrepentant to the end, and remain rebellious will be thrown in the Lake of Fire, which happens at the end of the judgment period, and they will be burnt up (Revelation 20:14-15) (Malachi 4:1,3). God will then create a new heaven and new earth(Rev.21:1,5).
The Day of Pentecost points to where we are in God's schedule here today in 2004.
Only a few comparatively are being called to salvation now. God works through His true church to call individuals to salvation. Most of mankind is spiritually blinded and do not yet have their minds open to understand the truth.
No man can come to Christ unless God draws them through His spirit.
John 6:44 " No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day. "
John 6:64 " And he said, Therefore said I unto you, that no man can come unto me, except it were given unto him of my Father. "
This is God opening up the person's mind spiritually, and inviting them to salvation.
1 Corinthians 1:26-29 " For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called: But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are: That no flesh should glory in his presence. "
God doesn't invite many of the so-called great people into the church right now. Instead most who are called are despised, and those who are not powerful in this world. They are among the outcasts, the weak, the humble and so on. Few of them have very high positions in the world.
God predestined those He would call to salvation. They are not predestined to be lost or saved - but the timing of their calling has been predestined, or predetermined. God has a schedule, and He has a plan for each person. Whether each person lives up to that plan is up to that individual to decide. Whether the person responds favourable to the call for salvation - is up to the person. We all have free moral agency. God will not force anyone into his Kingdom. Those called have choices to make.
We are not predestined to be lost or saved. Only the timing of our call to salvation has been predetermined. God knew us even before we were born. God is the Creator, and He knows of us long before we exist. We are creations of God. He plans it all out, but He doesn't control every little detail. And He has given us all free moral agency.
So naturally God already knows before the person is even born - when they are to be called. This is because God is running the show, and we are the work of His hands.
Romans 8:28-30 " And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified. "
Ephesians 1:5 " Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, "
Ephesians 1:11 " In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will: "
These scriptures show us that God foreknew us before we were born, and had already planned to call those certain ones to salvation during the Pentecostal period of His plan. This is the small first fruits. We are not predetermined to be lost or saved - only the timing for our calling has been predetermined by God.
The Bible teaches that most people invited, or called to salvation in the Pentecostal period (where God is just working with the church) will not respond positively. Why ? Because other persons and things take over first place in their lives, and they don't put God first.
Luke 15:15-24 " And when one of them that sat at meat with him heard these things, he said unto him, Blessed is he that shall eat bread in the kingdom of God.
" Then said he unto him, A certain man made a great supper, and bade many: And sent his servant at supper time to say to them that were bidden, Come; for all things are now ready. And they all with one consent began to make excuse.
" The first said unto him, I have bought a piece of ground, and I must needs go and see it: I pray thee have me excused. And another said, I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I go to prove them: I pray thee have me excused. And another said, I have married a wife, and therefore I cannot come.
" So that servant came, and shewed his lord these things. Then the master of the house being angry said to his servant, Go out quickly into the streets and lanes of the city, and bring in hither the poor, and the maimed, and the halt, and the blind. And the servant said, Lord, it is done as thou hast commanded, and yet there is room.
" And the lord said unto the servant, Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled. For I say unto you, That none of those men which were bidden shall taste of my supper. "
The one inviting people to the supper is God the Father. He does this through His spirit. The supper is the wedding supper in God's Kingdom where the church will marry Christ. Most called have other things on their minds, and don't take the calling seriously. So God turns to the poor, the crippled, the weak and despised of the world - who often are humble enough to come to God.
Yes people are so very busy these days. They have jobs, and families. They buy houses and open businesses. In this process, so many are like the seeds choked by thorns. They get caught up in the cares of this life. They are too busy for God and Christ. They are too busy to keep the Sabbath. Too preoccupied with other things to pray. Too busy to study their Bibles. Too busy to produce any fruits for God. Too busy to love their Creator, who gives them every breath of air. Too busy to thank God for the gift of life.
Where are our priorities ? We brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out with us when we die (1 Timothy 6:6-12). The treasures of this world are only temporary - they can be stolen, they rust and rot away (Matthew 6:19-20). Instead seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness (Matthew 6:33). Then we won't spend our lives chasing the wind.
Matthew 22:1-10 " And Jesus answered and spake unto them again by parables, and said, The kingdom of heaven is like unto a certain king, which made a marriage for his son, And sent forth his servants to call them that were bidden to the wedding: and they would not come.
" Again, he sent forth other servants, saying, Tell them which are bidden, Behold, I have prepared my dinner: my oxen and my fatlings are killed, and all things are ready: come unto the marriage. But they made light of it, and went their ways, one to his farm, another to his merchandise:
" And the remnant took his servants, and entreated them spitefully, and slew them. But when the king heard thereof, he was wroth: and he sent forth his armies, and destroyed those murderers, and burned up their city. Then saith he to his servants, The wedding is ready, but they which were bidden were not worthy. Go ye therefore into the highways, and as many as ye shall find, bid to the marriage. So those servants went out into the highways, and gathered together all as many as they found, both bad and good: and the wedding was furnished with guests. "
God the Father invites, or calls individuals to salvation. Most of those called do not respond positively. Like most of mankind - they have other persons and things that take first place in their lives. Persons are invited to become engaged to Jesus , and eventually marry Christ. There will be a huge wedding supper after Christ has returned and resurrected the church. This will be a wedding ceremony (Revelation 19:7-9).
The parable of the sower explains this a little.
Matthew 13:3-8 " And he spake many things unto them in parables, saying, Behold, a sower went forth to sow; And when he sowed, some seeds fell by the way side, and the fowls came and devoured them up: Some fell upon stony places, where they had not much earth: and forthwith they sprung up, because they had no deepness of earth: And when the sun was up, they were scorched; and because they had no root, they withered away. And some fell among thorns; and the thorns sprung up, and choked them: But other fell into good ground, and brought forth fruit, some an hundredfold, some sixtyfold, some thirtyfold. Who hath ears to hear, let him hear. "
Matthew 13:10-17 " And the disciples came, and said unto him, Why speakest thou unto them in parables? He answered and said unto them, Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given. For whosoever hath, to him shall be given, and he shall have more abundance: but whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken away even that he hath. Therefore speak I to them in parables: because they seeing see not; and hearing they hear not, neither do they understand.
" And in them is fulfilled the prophecy of Esaias, which saith, By hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and shall not perceive: For this people's heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and should understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them.
" But blessed are your eyes, for they see: and your ears, for they hear. For verily I say unto you, That many prophets and righteous men have desired to see those things which ye see, and have not seen them; and to hear those things which ye hear, and have not heard them. "
Christ spoke to the general public in parables - not to make the meaning clearer, but to hide the truth, because most people are not called to salvation. Privately He explained the parables to His disciples, because they were being called to salvation, and had their minds opened to understand the truth, because God's spirit was working with them.
Most of the people's ears were dull of hearing, and they had their eyes closed to the truth, and the message did not sink into their stoney hearts (and the situation has not changed today). Why ? Because it wasn't God's time for them to be called to salvation. Their first and only opportunity will come in the judgment period - when they will be resurrected and then finally have their minds opened to the truth.
So let us get Christ's explanation about the sower and the seeds sown.
Matthew 13:18-23 " Hear ye therefore the parable of the sower.
" When any one heareth the word of the kingdom, and understandeth it not, then cometh the wicked one, and catcheth away that which was sown in his heart. This is he which received seed by the way side.
" But he that received the seed into stony places, the same is he that heareth the word, and anon with joy receiveth it; Yet hath he not root in himself, but dureth for a while: for when tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the word, by and by he is offended.
" He also that received seed among the thorns is he that heareth the word; and the care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becometh unfruitful.
" But he that received seed into the good ground is he that heareth the word, and understandeth it; which also beareth fruit, and bringeth forth, some an hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty. "
The Bible teaches that we are predestined to be called at a certain time for salvation. Those of us being called in this present Godless age are having our minds opened to the truth now. Our first and only opportunity for salvation is happening now. Only a comparatively very few of the world's population throughout the ages, up to now, has been called to salvation. The vast overwhelming majority is simply not yet called, and their eyes are blinded, and their ears are dull of hearing and they just don't understand. God the Father is not yet drawing them through His spirit.
And of those few comparatively that are being called in this age (before the return of Christ) most of them won't respond positively, but will have other things on their minds and plate, and won't have time for God.
Even God does not know exactly how specific people will respond to His invitation. If He did then this would mean we are not free moral agents, and that our fate is predetermined. No - our eternal fate is not predetermined by God. What God has predetermined, or predestinated is the timing of our being called to salvation. Some of us are being called now in this age - from the beginnings of the church on the Day of Pentecost up to the return of Christ. Most of mankind will be called later - in the judgment period.
Interestingly the Bible teaches that during the thousand years, or Millennium - all people will be called to salvation.
So God doesn't predetermine who will be lost and who will be saved. That is up to us. If we want to be in God's Kingdom badly enough then we will be there. Why ? Because God wants us there, and He and Christ are here to give us all the help we need. No one is stronger than God, and He wants us in His Kingdom, so if we want to be there badly enough then we will be there. Because if we really want to be there then we will do what is needed to be there. However, even God cannot or will not make or force people to want to love Him first and be with Him forever in His Kingdom.
We are not mere automatons. We have God given free moral agency. God has created us as independent individuals with free will. We are free to enter into the Christian struggle. Or we are free to just go our merry way, and ignore God. Of course we must go to God through Jesus Christ if we want salvation - there is no other way to do it. The question is this - Do we love God and put Him first, or do we love something or someone more than Him and Christ ??
The Bible teaches that a great false religious system exists here on earth, that is symbolically called in Revelation 17:5 " MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH. "
This is a woman, and in prophecy a woman is often symbolic of the church, or a church. However, this woman is not faithful to Christ, but is a prostitute (Revelation 17:1-6, note verse 1). She goes to bed with the governments of the earth.
This is a great church. And she has given birth to daughter churches, who are also prostitutes. This is a great church - not a little flock as God's true church is often described.
Revelation 17:2 " With whom the kings of the earth have committed fornication, and the inhabitants of the earth have been made drunk with the wine of her fornication. "
This great system has deceived and confused the inhabitants of the earth through her false religious doctrines. She and the idolatrous system she leads and represents will eventually be destroyed (Revelation chapter 18).
Matthew 24:4-5 " And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you. For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many. "
God has allowed this deception to happen. The many are to be deceived - not the few. It is His will, because most of mankind is not yet called to salvation, and are deceived. They are deceived by false churches, and by false religions. They are deceived by idolatry. This is all according to God's will.
God has indeed allowed Satan that old serpent to deceive the nations, and almost all of mankind. How ? Through idolatry ! However, this deception will not be allowed to go on forever.
Revelation 12:9 " And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him. "
Revelation 20:1-3 " And I saw an angel come down from heaven, having the key of the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand. And he laid hold on the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound him a thousand years, And cast him into the bottomless pit, and shut him up, and set a seal upon him, that he should deceive the nations no more, till the thousand years should be fulfilled: and after that he must be loosed a little season. "
Revelation 20:7-10 " And when the thousand years are expired, Satan shall be loosed out of his prison, And shall go out to deceive the nations which are in the four quarters of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together to battle: the number of whom is as the sand of the sea. And they went up on the breadth of the earth, and compassed the camp of the saints about, and the beloved city: and fire came down from God out of heaven, and devoured them. And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever. "
Right now most of the world is deceived. Only a comparatively few are having their minds opened to the truth. This deception by Satan is primarily achieved through idolatry. God has allowed Satan to do this. Idolatry (personal, or national idolatry) estranges and alienates individuals and nations from God. It cuts you off from God.
Idolatry is also one of Satan's main tools through which he try's to get true Christians to lose out on salvation. He try's to seduce or tempt real Christians to focus on other things or person's besides God.
Therefore most people are not lost. They are just deceived.
However, as was pointed out to you - this deception will not be allowed to go forever. God will someday remove the veil that is covering almost all of mankind - the veil that has served to blind them.
Isaiah 25:7 " And he will destroy in this mountain the face of the covering cast over all people, and the vail that is spread over all nations. "
2 Corinthians 3:13-16 " And not as Moses, which put a vail over his face, that the children of Israel could not stedfastly look to the end of that which is abolished: But their minds were blinded: for until this day remaineth the same vail untaken away in the reading of the old testament; which vail is done away in Christ. But even unto this day, when Moses is read, the vail is upon their heart. Nevertheless when it shall turn to the Lord, the vail shall be taken away. "
Most of the Jews still follow Judaism, and the Torah. Most of them are still blinded. Their time for salvation has not yet come, and they believe they can receive life through keeping the law. Someday Christ will return and remove that veil, or blindness.
Isaiah 11:9 " They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain: for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the LORD, as the waters cover the sea. "
This will happen after Christ returns and sets up His Kingdom.
Right now almost all the world is estranged and alienated from God and Christ through idolatry. Their own personal, societal and national idolatry - has served to cut them off from God. For God the Father and God the Son will not play second fiddle to anyone, or anything. You must have God and Christ first in your life.
Ezekiel 14:5 " That I may take the house of Israel in their own heart, because they are all estranged from me through their idols. "
Idolatry estranges, alienates and cuts you off from God. This world's civilizations are basically all built and based on idolatry - there is not a single civilization here on earth at this time that has its society built and based on the true God - and has the true God as their national God.
When Christ returns He will set Himself to abolish all idols. Then the world will truly be at one with God. Right now God has allowed Satan to blind and deceive the world through idolatry.
Revelation 9:20 " And the rest of the men which were not killed by these plagues yet repented not of the works of their hands, that they should not worship devils, and idols of gold, and silver, and brass, and stone, and of wood: which neither can see, nor hear, nor walk: "
Mystery Babylon herself is deeply involved in idolatry.
Revelation 17:5 (from the Living Bible) " A mysterious caption was written on her forehead: " BABYLON THE GREAT, MOTHER OF PROSTITUTES AND OF IDOL WORSHIP AROUND THE EARTH."
Jesus Christ will do away with the idols when He returns.
Isaiah 2:18 " And the idols he shall utterly abolish.
Then all men will be called to salvation in the Millennium.
