In these latter days, we hear a lot about anti-christs and the false prophets that shall come in and deceive (even the elect if that were possible) -- and that these do so as wolves in sheep's clothing. (Matthew 7:14-16) The scriptures state: "There were false prophets among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them ..." (II Peter 2:1)
Sadly, the scriptures tell us that many believers during this time shall follow "their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of." (II Peter 2:2) We are also told by the apostles that these false prophets and teachers "went out from us, but they were not of us, for if they had been of us, they would have continued with us; but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they were not of us." (I John 2:19-20)
What does this mean? That those who who now counsel and plot against "Thy holy child Jesus" have become blinded to the truth of His Word, even today. (Acts 4:25-28; Revelation 17:17-18) Similar to the apostles' day, religion is big business and those stakeholders involved do not want to see their incomes diminish. Remember a certain man named Demetrius, a silversmith, which made silver shrines for Diana? (Acts 19:24-41) This example tells it all.
Nevertheless, Jesus said He would never leave us or forsake us, even in times of trouble.
"Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and by our gathering together unto Him that ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand. [Moreover,] let no man deceive by any means; for except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed -- the son of perdition -- who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped, so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God. Remember ye not, that when I was yet with you, I told you these things?
And now ye know what withholdeth that he might be revealed in his time. for the mystery of iniquity doth already work, only he who now letteth until he be taken out of the way, and then shall that Wicked be revealed whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of His coming -- whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, and with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish, because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved ... and for this cause God shall send them strong delusion that they should believe a lie. That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness." (II Thessalonians 2:1-12)
Regarding the church in Thyatira, believers are warned: "Notwithstanding I have a few things against thee, because thou sufferest that woman Jezebel, which calleth herself a prophetess, to teach and to seduce My servants to commit fornication and to eat things sacrificed unto idols. And I gave her space to repent of her fornication; and she repented not. Behold, I will cast her into a bed, and them that commit adultery with her into great tribulation ..." (Revelation 2:18-
"For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness; because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them. For the invisible things of Him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse." (Romans 1:18-23)
This is "because when they knew God, they glorified Him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened, professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, and changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and four footed beasts, and creeping things." (Romans 1:18-23)
The good news for those who believe in Jesus by faith and seek His righteousness is that "ye have an unction from the Holy One and ye know all things." (I John 2:19-20) How do we know? Because Jesus said, when "the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father would send in My name, He shall teach you all things and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you." (John 14:26)
Equally important, when we seek Jesus with all our heart, soul, mind and strength, "the anointing which ye have received of Him abides in you, and ye need not that any man teach you, but as the same anointing teaches you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in Him." (I John 2:27)
“Now I say, that the heir, as long as he is a child, differs nothing from the servant, though he be lord of all, but is under tutors and governors until the appointed time of the father. Even so we, when we were children were in bondage under the elements of the world, but when the fullness of the time was come, God sent forth His Son, made of a woman, made under the law – to redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons. And because ye are sons, God has sent the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father.” (Galatians 4:1-6)
"For this cause [then] thank God without ceasing, because, when ye received the Word of God -- which ye heard of us -- ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth -- the Word of God, which effectually works also in you that believe." (I Thessalonians 2:13)
Why is this important? Because Jesus bought us with a price -- His precious blood on the cross -- to ensure that we "have not followed cunningly devised fables." (II Peter 1:16)
Therefore, "build up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost, keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life." (Jude 1:20-21) Stand in the offering plate.
The good news for those who believe in Jesus by faith and seek His righteousness is that "ye have an unction from the Holy One and ye know all things." (I John 2:19-20) How do we know? Because Jesus said, when "the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father would send in My name, He shall teach you all things and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you." (John 14:26)
Equally important, when we seek Jesus with all our heart, soul, mind and strength, "the anointing which ye have received of Him abides in you, and ye need not that any man teach you, but as the same anointing teaches you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in Him." (I John 2:27)
“Now I say, that the heir, as long as he is a child, differs nothing from the servant, though he be lord of all, but is under tutors and governors until the appointed time of the father. Even so we, when we were children were in bondage under the elements of the world, but when the fullness of the time was come, God sent forth His Son, made of a woman, made under the law – to redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons. And because ye are sons, God has sent the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father.” (Galatians 4:1-6)
"For this cause [then] thank God without ceasing, because, when ye received the Word of God -- which ye heard of us -- ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth -- the Word of God, which effectually works also in you that believe." (I Thessalonians 2:13)
Why is this important? Because Jesus bought us with a price -- His precious blood on the cross -- to ensure that we "have not followed cunningly devised fables." (II Peter 1:16)
Therefore, "build up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost, keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life." (Jude 1:20-21) Stand in the offering plate.
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