Contents
Introduction
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Whatever we may think about the ‘Last Days’, it must be wise to consider what Jesus said. Although he gave us definite words of warning 2,000 years ago the prophecy he gave us remains accurate - since he is the Son of God - and we must be nearer to this time now. Did he say just carry on your normal life? Did he say we would be part of a great world-wide revival? Are we to face ‘acts of God’, of judgement of ‘Biblical proportion’? What did he say? It is only a very foolish person who dares to say, “What does it matter anyway!?”
The three synoptic gospels record what Jesus told his disciples when they asked him about the ‘last days’. First he warns them three times about the danger of being deceived.
What Jesus Taught
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Math 241-25 + Mk 131-23 + Lu 215-24
As Jesus was sitting on the Mount of Olives opposite the temple, Peter, James, John and Andrew asked him privately, "Tell us, when will these things happen? And what will be the sign that they are all about to be fulfilled?" He replied: "Watch out that you are not deceived. For many will come in my name, claiming, 'I am he,' and, 'The time is near,' and will deceive many. Do not follow them. When you hear of wars, rumours of wars and revolutions, do not be alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be great earthquakes, famines, pestilences in various places and fearful events and great signs from heaven.
These are the beginning of birth pains, but the end will not come right away. You must be on your guard. For before all this, they will hand you over to the local councils and you will be flogged in the synagogues. They will persecute you and put to death. You will be hated by all nations because of me. You will be brought before kings and governors, and all on account of my name. And the gospel must first be preached to all nations. This will result in your being witnesses to them. But make up your mind not to worry beforehand how you will defend yourselves. For the Holy Spirit will give you words and wisdom that none of your adversaries will be able to resist or contradict. You will be betrayed even by parents, brothers, relatives and friends, and they will put some of you to death. At that time many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other, and many false prophets will appear and deceive many people. Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, but he who stands firm to the end will be saved.
When you see 'the abomination that causes desolation' spoken of through the prophet Daniel standing where it does not belong - let the reader understand - then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains. Let no one on the roof of his house go down to take anything out of the house. Let no one in the field go back to get his cloak. For this is the time of punishment in fulfilment of all that has been written. How dreadful it will be in those days for pregnant women and nursing mothers! Pray that your flight will not take place in winter or on the Sabbath. For then there will be great distress in the land and wrath against this people, unequalled from the beginning of the world until now - and never to be equalled again. If those days had not been cut short, no one would survive, but for the sake of the elect those days will be shortened. They will fall by the sword and will be taken as prisoners to all the nations. Jerusalem will be trampled on by the Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled. At that time if anyone says to you, 'Look, here is the Christ!' or, 'There he is!' do not believe it. For false Christs and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and miracles to deceive even the elect - if that were possible. So be on your guard; see, I have told you ahead of time.
The Chief Concern?
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The apostles first asked Jesus privately “when will these things happen, and what will be the sign of your coming?” Jesus did not answer their question immediately, but proceeded to tell them of a much more important problem that they, and especially the ‘end-time’ generations would experience. He first warns us, “Watch out that no one deceives you.”
Do we think that with 2,000 years of Christian teaching and knowledge of history we are now immune from deception? What a foolish idea. It should not be any surprise that the warning of Jesus remains right on target today. The purpose of this article is to reveal the truth of what Jesus tells us and about the numerous ways that Satan uses in his attempt to deceive us.
History
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False Teachers from within
Paul warned the early Ephesian church: After my departure fierce wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock; and from among your own selves will arise men speaking twisted things, to draw away the disciples after them. Therefore be alert. Act 2029,30 They took notice because when Jesus wrote to the Ephesian church he commended them. I know your works, your toil and your patient endurance, and how you cannot bear with those who are evil, but have tested those who call themselves apostles and are not, and found them to be false. Rev 22 But when Constantine (306-337AD) reputed to have converted to Christianity, he named the days of the week after Roman gods and began 17 centuries of persecution of the Jews who are God’s chosen people by unconditional and eternal covenant (Gen 177,8). He also introduced changing the 'sabbath' to the first day (Sunday) when God 's command was for it to be on the 7th day.
By 1370 the Roman Catholic church strongly opposed the translation of the Bible by John Wycliffe and declared him a heretic. And nearly 2 centuries later in the Protestant Reformation they considered men like Cranmer, Latimer and Tyndale and many others were heretics and burned many alive at the stake. They have never repented of this. They have only regretted the separation of the Protestant church.
See 26 RC Errors (Use back arrow to return)
From the beginning Satan has always used his subtle ways to deceive us that what God says is not true. He deceived Adam and Eve into thinking that God did not tell them they were not to eat the fruit of a particular tree in Eden and if they did they would die. Today he has successfully caused many to think that God was not the designer and creator of anything. (See Evolution in section 7). This has already had disastrous consequences. (See Ro 118-32)
1. Deception in Adversity
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Jesus clearly reveals that during the ‘last days’ there would be an increasing severity of wars, earthquakes, famines, disease and fearful events. But how would these be so deceptive? The prophet Amos reveals the answer with five examples of how God sent a succession of hunger, thirst, drought and diseased crops. And each time he had to reprimand them, “Yet you have not returned to me,” declares the Lord. Amos 46-11 Then, and now, false prophets say the God of love would never send tsunamis, drought, hurricanes, floods and certainly not war. But they are wrong. The love of God is strong and courageous. He will send disasters as a last means of encouraging men to repent and plead with God for forgiveness. The problem begins when men refuse to admit their innate sinfulness, and that it actually deserves punishment. God says, “The wages of sin is death.” Ro 623 And this has been true from the very beginning. God told Adam and Eve not to eat the fruit of one tree in Eden, because “in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die.” Gen 217 God fulfilled his warning when they chose to disobey. Amos reveals that sinful men will not admit their sin, that sin does not deserve such punishment and particularly a loving God does not punish sinful men. So Amos was surprised that their response to God’s action was ‘you did not return to me’.
Today in the UK we have largely discarded Almighty God! Very few believe that any disaster comes upon us because God sends it. Such is the depth of our deception. Yet the grace of God is such that when a man suffers a great calamity and as a last resort he cries to God for mercy; amazingly God delivers him. Several have testified that in war, disease, divorce ... that they cried to God, “Please get me out of this mess, and I will serve you for the rest of my life.” And both kept their promises.
2. Deception in Ignorance
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Jesus says that in the ‘last days’ it would be ‘as in the days of Noah’. i.e. it would be unexpected. It had taken Noah 120 years to build the Ark and people must have asked him why he was devoted to such a major boat-building project in the middle of dry land. No doubt he told all who asked that God was about to judge their wickedness with a flood! They scoffed and ridiculed him. Also Enoch had named his son Methuseleh, which means ‘in the day that I die it shall happen!’ In the 120th year Methuseleh had just died and the Ark was complete - after 969 years of warning. God shut Noah, his family and all the animals inside the Ark. All the wicked, who were totally careless of the warning, God shut out.
God is so very patient and kind. He gives men repeated opportunities to turn to him, to believe who Jesus was and why he came. In the UK we have been so privileged to not only have had the Word of God in our own language, but also a whole stream of godly men (from Cranmer to John Bunyan to Billy Graham) who have proclaimed the truth that it contains. Not only this but a vast library of books that repeat the revelation they gave us.
50 years ago there was hardly a home or a book shop that did not have a Bible on their shelves. Today, if they are present, they are mostly gathering dust. Yet in the kindness of our God there are many translations of the Bible in English available free on the internet. The Satanic deception is mostly that the Word of God is irrelevant because Almighty God thought to be irrelevant, and he is irrelevant because our children are taught that this world and all its variety of living creatures and plants just evolved over millions of years; they were not created. This lie is a major deception. And thus men are ignorant of God’s truth. Others are deceived by thinking they can just omit anything they do not like.
3. Many are Deceived; Not just Some
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At that time many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other, and many false prophets will appear and deceive many people.
Note carefully that in Math 2410,11 Jesus said ‘many’ would turn away, there would be ‘many’ false prophets and ‘many’ would be deceived. That means it is a majority (which is likely to include me!), not just a few extremists. If taken seriously, this is a very frightening warning by Jesus. It is also a promise, though certainly not often found in any ‘promise box’! May we humbly take this truth to heart, practice obedience and learn to fully trust him to keep us safe. A major part of this must be a thorough understanding of all God’s Word, morning by morning.
The Bible is so important and reliable. It deserves far more than reading a verse with a few words of what men say about it each morning. Learn from the example related by Paul: Now the Bereans were of more noble character than the Thessalonians, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true. Many of the Jews believed, as did also a number of prominent Greek women and many Greek men. Act 1711,12 They came to believe the truth not only about who Jesus was, but why he came and had to die to be the propitiation for our sins. 1 Jn 410
4. Deception by Signs and Wonders
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Jesus warned his apostles, "At that time if anyone says to you, 'Look, here is the Christ!' or, 'There he is!' do not believe it. For false Christs and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and miracles to deceive even the elect - if that were possible. See, I have told you ahead of time."
Today men are still healed, delivered and protected by the hand of Almighty God. And in this we rightly rejoice. But 'signs and wonders' have also been misused to try to prove that a man's ministry is 'of God'. And accompanying such miracles there is often an encouragement to give financially to the 'minister'. Sometimes the deception is obvious, when the evidence of 'healing' is doubtful, especially in big emotional meetings. But it can also be hard to discern. Let us always be aware that Satan can also heal and work 'miracles'.
We are warned about this in Rev 133 when the satanic Beast was healed of a fatal head wound and thereby gained a significant following. Also his equally satanic false prophet who performed great and miraculous signs, even causing fire to come down from heaven to earth in full view of men. Because of the signs he was given power to do on behalf of the first beast, he deceived the inhabitants of the earth. Rev 1313,14 (see also Rev 1919,20).
Paul also warned the Thessalonians about the danger of satanic miracles: "The coming of the lawless one will be in accordance with the work of Satan displayed in all kinds of counterfeit miracles, signs and wonders." 2 Thes 29
Some churches and missions have been guilty of 'healing' deception, especially when the congregation are specifically told not to question what the 'platform' says and does. It takes courage in such circumstances to be for ever 'on your guard'. It is much easier to just rejoice with everyone else. A basic problem arises because a greater emphasis is often placed upon signs than upon forgiveness through the Cross and resurrection of Christ.
Some mistakenly believe that if there were more miracles in the church then many more would be saved. But miracles are given because God has both power and compassion. In telling the story/parable of the Rich man and Lazarus, the rich man in hell pleaded that 'if someone from the dead goes to them, they will repent.' But Abraham replied, 'If they do not listen to Moses and the Prophets, they will not be convinced even if someone rises from the dead.' Lu 1630,31 Even resurrection does not guarantee witnessers will be saved. When Jesus raised Lazarus, the brother of Mary and Martha (Jn 111-44) the Pharisees did not rejoice, but planned to kill Jesus! (Jn 1153)
Jesus sent 72 disciples on a missionary journey. On returning they rejoiced saying, "Lord, even the demons submit to us in your name." Jesus confirmed that he had seen Satan fall like lightning. But then said to them, "However, do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven." Lu 1017-20 Jesus thus made it clear that being born again and being forgiven by God is a miracle of far greater significance than healing or deliverance.
Miracles do not of themselves produce lasting obedience, righteousness or belief in Christ for forgiveness and salvation. Consider the journey of the Israelites from Egypt to the promised land. They had witnessed the miracle of Aaron's rod that became a snake and had eaten the rods of the Egyptian magicians that they had made become snakes. They had known the favour of God when not afflicted by the last 7/10 plagues on the rest of Egypt. They had been protected from the slaying of all the first-born by the blood of the Passover Lamb. They has seen the Red Sea divided for them to safely cross and then released to drown the whole Egyptian army. They had drunk the sweetened water at Marah. Every day they ate manna from heaven. They had pleaded for meat and the Lord sent them an abundance of quail. They had seen Moses strike the rock and water flowed out sufficient for all and their animals to drink. They had witnessed the defeat of the Amalekites by prayer and the courage of Joshua. Did all these miracles change the Israelites into a righteous people? NO! They made a golden calf idol and worshipped it. When they were about to enter the land Almighty God had promised them did the miracles help them believe that God would keep his word and enable them to defeat the Canaanites? NO! Only two men believed and trusted God - Joshua and Caleb. Sadly God had to tell them that none of them would enter the Promised Land.
History does not support the idea that miracles enable men to be saved.
When Jesus had taught the crowds all day, they were hungry. So he multiplied the 5 loaves and 2 fishes to feed 5,000. A few days later he taught them about the need to partake of the bread and wine, his body and blood. They rejected this idea. And there follows one of the saddest verses in the Bible. From this time many of his disciples turned back and no longer followed him. Jn 666
Miracles are great at revealing the compassion and power of God, but as a tool for evangelism they have a poor record. If we want revival, don't pray for miracles, pray for repentance and the revelation of why Jesus had to be crucified.
5. Deception of Ease
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The actual events and disasters are all too real. The deception comes because some egotistic leaders claim to have the ability to by-pass them. Many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am he.’ They would claim to be a Messiah, the deliverer, or at least have a key message from him. That under their leadership, with the power of the Holy Spirit, their followers would not have to suffer. They would be like the Israelites in Goshen during the last 7 plagues which only affected the Egyptians. But such men would be false prophets, who would never admit that Almighty God sends adversity to cause men to repent.
Then Jesus tells the apostles,
This promise of persecution for Christians has continued throughout the last 2,000 years - and will become more intense at the end, not less. The promise of Jesus is that he who stands firm to the end will be saved. Furthermore he tells us Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few. Math 713,14
Sometimes the gracious God causes our path to be easy and pleasant. But do not be deceived into presuming it will always remain like this. In Bunyan’s The Pilgrim’s Progress Christian only climbs one ‘Hill of Difficulty’. But he did not mean to imply that this hill is only experienced once on our journey to the Celestial City.
Remember the Reformation martyrs are a wonderful example of how so many died with God-enabled dignity in the flames. And this continues today under the extreme persecution by Muslims, Communists and Hindus. And increasingly by western Humanists and hedonistic people, who just want to enjoy themselves. Almighty God keeps his word. Jesus said that at the end there will be great distress, unequalled from the beginning of the world until now–and never to be equalled again. If those days had not been cut short, no one would survive, but for the sake of the elect, those days will be shortened.
Most men love an easy life so anyone proclaiming quick relief or a sure escape or some by-pass is a likely candidate for deception. Take care!
Peace, Peace When There is No Peace [Contents]
Jeremiah prophesied in 627-586 BC, when great wickedness had overtaken much of Jerusalem and Judea. False prophets were in abundance. They were false because they sought popularity and were careless of God's truth. Jeremiah described it: "From the least to the greatest, all are greedy for gain; prophets and priests alike, all practice deceit. They dress the wound of my people as though it were not serious. 'Peace, peace,' they say, when there is no peace. Are they ashamed of their loathsome conduct? No, they have no shame at all; they do not even know how to blush." Jer 613-15 (and 810-12)
They were false because they did not even attempt to deal with sin; to reveal God's hatred of it or his justice that required that all sin must be punished. All these prophets were false and practiced deceit because they said sin does not really matter. God says it does! That is why he had to send his Son to die on the Cross - the only possible effective 'dressing' by propitiation. The only way God's just anger could be fully appeased and our sin forgiven.
Jeremiah cried, This is what the Lord Almighty, the God of Israel, says: Reform your ways and your actions, and I will let you live in this place. Do not trust in deceptive words and say, "This is the temple of the Lord, the temple of the Lord, the temple of the Lord!" Jer 73,4
Several popular churches today proclaim 'peace' in the same way. "Come to church and follow Jesus - 'join us, this is the Church (Temple) of the Lord'." But Jesus began his ministry crying, "Repent for the kingdom of heaven is near." Math 417
Then later he said, "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." Jn 316
But what do we have to believe? Pilate believed what he wrote on the Cross,
"Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews." He correctly stated who Jesus was. Does
that mean God granted him eternal life? No.
So what do we need to believe for God to dress the deep wound of our sin effectively?
1. I am a sinner.
2. The just punishment for my sin is death.
3. I am totally unable to pay this price.
4. Jesus alone can and has bourne the punishment that I deserve.
Christ, who died in my place, is the only way to heaven.
Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it. Math 713,14
Repentance and faith is not an easy way, but it is the only true way that brings
real peace with God. According to Jesus, his way is not popular.
Beware of 'Mega churches' that practice popular inclusivism and discard truth..
Itching Ears and only a Form of Godliness
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But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God - having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with them. 2 Tim 31-5
For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths. 2 Tim 43,4
In the last days men who earnestly expound from all of the Bible will be rare. Religion may still be popular in some places, but it will be hard to find true believers in Christ.
Replacement Theology
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Replacement Theology is not about an anti-Semitic hatred of anything Jewish. It is the deception of thinking that since the crucifixion, God has finished with the Jews for ever. And therefore they deny that God has any end-time plan for them. But he has. God wrote,For the Israelites will live many days without king or prince, without sacrifice or sacred stones, without ephod or idol. Afterward the Israelites will return and seek the Lord their God and David their king. They will come trembling to the Lord and to his blessings in the last days. Hos 34,5
God also made a covenant with Israel, an everlasting and unconditional covenant:
I will establish my covenant as an everlasting covenant between me and you and your descendants after you for the generations to come, to be your God and the God of your descendants after you. The whole land of Canaan, where you are now an alien, I will give as an everlasting possession to you and your descendants after you; and I will be their God. Gen 177,8
"Only if these decrees vanish from my sight will the descendants of Israel ever cease to be a nation before me. Only if the heavens above can be measured and the foundations of the earth below be searched out will I reject all the descendants of Israel because of all they have done." Jer 3136,37
Almighty God will always keep his covenant. Indeed, he cannot break it.
But the deceived world hates Israel and believes a very biassed media.
The UN, the EU and the BBC condemn Israel at every opportunity.
However those with eyes to see will observe that Almighty God remains faithful.
He is seen to be fulfilling his covenanted end-time plan for Israel.
'Israel and the Church in the Last Days' (Use back arrow to return)
Bishop Ryle saw the Biblical truth concerning Israel and wrote the following in 1890
(This was before the exiled Jews started to return to their land, the Holy Land, and nearly 60 years before Israel was once again recognised as a nation.)
"The continued existence of the Jews as a distinct nation, is undeniably a great miracle. It is one of those evidences of the truth of the Bible which the infidel can never overthrow.
Without a land, without a king, without a government, scattered and dispersed over the
world for eighteen hundred years, the Jews are never absorbed among the people of the
countries where they live, like Frenchmen, Englishmen, and Germans, but 'dwell alone'"
Nothing can account for this but the finger of God. The Jewish nation stands before the
world, a crushing answer to infidelity, and a living book of evidence that the Bible is true.
But we ought not to regard the Jews only as witnesses of the truth of Scripture. We
should see in them a continual pledge, that the Lord Jesus is coming again one day. Like
the sacrament of the Lord's supper, they witness to the reality of the second advent, as well
as of the first. Let us remember this. Let us see in every wandering Jew a proof that the
Bible is true, and that Christ will one day return."
If Almighty God fails to keep his covenant with the descendants of Abraham,
what chance have we to maintain our assurance of salvation?
Our salvation is based upon God's Word being true.
And so is the salvation and inheritance of the Jews.
God's Faithfulness is proven in Judgement and in the Restoration of Israel
Is 51-7 c.f. Is 621-5, 11,12
Jer 258-12 c.f. Jer 233-6 307, 12, 17
Ezek 341-6 c.f. Ezek 3411-16, 25-31
Hos 111-7 c.f. Hos 118 35 1314
Israel has fallen many times; God has punished them, but he remains faithful. Replacement theology is frequently used to try to bolster the idea of Gentile revival instead of tribulation in the last days.
End Time Revival
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Restorationists promote the false premise that the Church must be triumphant
before Jesus returns. Although popular, this is far distant from the truth.
In telling the apostles about the end-times Jesus said, For then there will be great
distress, unequalled from the beginning of the world until now - and never to be
equalled again. If those days had not been cut short, no one would survive, but
for the sake of the elect those days will be shortened. Math 2421,22
Paul wrote to Timothy, But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God. 2 Tim 31-4
When Daniel earnestly asked God about the meaning of the fourth beast ... that
was waging war against the saints and defeating them. ... He gave me this
explanation: 'The fourth beast is a fourth kingdom that will appear on earth. It
will be different from all the other kingdoms and will devour the whole earth,
trampling it down and crushing it. The ten horns are ten kings who will come from
this kingdom. After them another king will arise, different from the earlier ones;
he will subdue three kings. He will speak against the Most High and oppress his
saints and try to change the set times and the laws. The saints will be handed
over to him for a time, times and half a time. Dan 719-25
He is then told how the story ends with the return of Jesus and the establishment
of the eternal kingdom of God. But the court will sit, and his power will be taken
away and completely destroyed forever. Dan 726
Daniel is given another dream and its interpretation: He said: "I am going to tell you what will happen later in the time of wrath, because the vision concerns the appointed time of the end. ... In the latter part of their reign, when rebels have become completely wicked, a stern-faced king, a master of intrigue, will arise. He will become very strong, but not by his own power. He will cause astounding devastation and will succeed in whatever he does. He will destroy the mighty men and the holy people. He will cause deceit to prosper, and he will consider himself superior. When they feel secure, he will destroy many and take his stand against the Prince of princes. Yet he will be destroyed, but not by human power." Dan 819-26
If such visions are read and understood, no man can continue to be deceived by the 'restoration' promise given by modern false prophets and teachers.
Ecumenical Unity
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The last few decades have seen a growing popularity for uniting with Rome.
The big problem is that Rome has no intention of repenting of its many errors.
So 'unity' means accepting (or ignoring) these major errors.
Rome regrets the Reformation saying it destroyed the unity of the Church.
This may be so, but Rome also lost very considerable power and wealth.
Rome refuses to repent of any of its errors that include Papal infallibility,
transubstantiation, sale of indulgences, Maryology ...
'26 Roman Catholic Errors' (Use back arrow to return)
Rome refuses even a hint of repentance for the murder of 288 Englishmen including Archbishop Cranmer, 4 bishops, 21 clergymen, 55 women and 4 children, who were all accused of heresy and burned at the stake during the reign of Mary, 1553-1558. PLus 34 who died in prison from deprivation and torture. There were also 63 more martyrs during Henry VIII's reign: men like William Tyndale who was strangled and burned in 1536 for translating the Bible into English.
Without repentance for these crimes there can be no forgiveness and any unity is a false deception. We should love Catholics; but hate much of their doctrine, and abhor any unification with an unchanged Rome.
Multi-Faith
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Believing in humanistic ecumenism and inter-faith union, the Pope said, "Christians, Muslims, Jews and Buddhists ... were unleashing profound energies in the world and bringing about a new climate of peace."
This lie can only be conceived with demonic deception.
But real peace can only come through Christ crucified; so it remains hidden from their eyes. Lu 1941,42
Prosperity Gospel
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Poverty does not assure spirituality. The modern prosperity doctrine that equates redemption with rags-to-riches is a major deception. Heralds of the gospel of success say anyone can believe and achieve, confess and possess, name it and claim it. This satanic fraud is so far removed from the earlier songs like "I surrender all", or Peter and John who said, "Silver and gold I do not have, but what I have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk." Act 36
Jesus said, "You cannot serve God and money", "Seek first the kingdom of God." Math 633 We should never 'use' such truths as "everyone who has left houses or brothers ... for My name's sake, shall receive a hundredfold, ..." Math 1929 to encourage
giving by the hope or expectation of some greater reward.
Agur had the right balance: "Two things I ask of you, O Lord; do not refuse me
before I die: Keep falsehood and lies far from me; give me neither poverty nor
riches, but give me only my daily bread. Otherwise, I may have too much and
disown you and say, 'Who is the Lord?' Or I may become poor and steal, and so
dishonour the name of my God." Prov 307-9 c.f. Jabez prayer in 1 Ch 410
Jesus warned us, "How hard it is for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God." Math 1923
It is also hard for a Christian who later becomes a rich leader. Yet many today use
the lure of success, prosperity and popularity to try to entice men to become
Christians. Never forget the wisdom of our Saviour who said, "Where your
treasure is, there will your heart be also." Math 621
Prosperity, success and popularity are each a really rotten thermometer of godliness. Yet these goals are often boasted and thus remain a continuing challenge and compromise to true Christian maturity in any church. Let us beware of this satanic deception.
Abortion
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By 1967 unwanted babies in UK were becoming so numerous that the adoption societies were becoming overwhelmed. The rise of feminism gave an increasing number of women an opportunity to claim that they had complete rights over the child conceived in their womb. And that included killing it. This is normally called murder. They deny the privilege of responsibility for its creation.
The deception, the lie is told that the baby is not yet a living person. This is tragic. So many people were deceived that the Government declared it legal to murder them. Today it can truthfully be called Mass-Murder. The UK total is now over 200,000 every year and the world total is a staggering 45 million/year!
Almighty God hears their unheard cry, and he sees the extent of this national and worldwide deceit that pretends it is not simply legalised murder.
Worldwide Hatred of Israel
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Lastly, at the end there will be a climax of hatred of Israel. Satan has always resisted God's choice of the children of Abraham. At every opportunity he contests God's unconditional and eternal covenant with the Jews. At the end the world will attack Jerusalem and find what a foolish, deceptive policy they adopted. Zech 121-9 Zech 141-9 Joel 31-3
See 'Whose Land?' (Use back arrow to return)
See 'Israel and the Church in the Last Days' (Use back arrow to return)
See 'Restoration of Israel' (Use back arrow to return)
The world will find that it is not Israel, but Almighty God who they meet when they attack Jerusalem. And he will just utter his voice to defeat them, in the same way that the spoke the word and created the whole universe! It will be so one-sided that there will not even be a battle. Note that before the Lord God returns Israel will have repented and mourn their sin. The cleansing fountain will flow and the tears will turn to joy and gratitude because God is so full of mercy and grace. Zech 1210 - 132
No Judgement
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Many Christians today testify to ‘following Jesus’. They strive to follow his example and thereby claim to be accepted into heaven. Only a few testify to relief of knowing their sins are forgiven; and this only on account of believing the redemption that Jesus has gained for us by being crucified. The need for God’s mercy is seldom voiced. “The wages of sin is death” Ro 63, is rarely preached.
Almighty God’s just judgement of sin is not mentioned because Jesus is the God of love. But without the Cross on which the perfect Son of God bore the punishment we deserve, there could not be any forgiveness, and no heaven for any of us.
Propitiation (the appeasement of God’s wrath) is an unknown word. The book of Revelation, that describes the Great Tribulation, is not understood because it tells of God’s judgement of man’s gross wickedness. One of the most quoted New Testament verses is Jn 316 but we need to hear 318 as well. For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God.
At the end of the same chapter John Baptist declared the truth: Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him. Jn 336
So belief in love crucified overcomes wrath and God's judgement is satisfied.
Love alone does not automatically nullify just judgement.
If it did, then the Cross was not necessary, and Christ’s death was futile.
Financial Security
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People seek riches because it is thought to ensure happiness and security.
But this is a lie; most easily demonstrated by the multitude of strife it causes in trying to gain or to preserve it.
One of the Rothschild family was asked how much it took to gain happiness. He honestly replied, “More, always a little bit more!”
Some trust in chariots and some in horses,
but we trust in the name of the Lord our God. Ps 207
Here are just three.
For more details see website (Use back arrow to return)
Evolution Theory and Consequence
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The Theory claims:
This makes the false claim that after the ‘Big Bang’ a simple amoeba was formed
by a chance combination of molecules.
And then, also by chance, this amoeba came alive!
All the species developed in steps by genetic mutation from an earlier one.
This sounds simple, but is a huge deception.
It is repeated so often and by so many eminent men that it is believed.
However it remains a lie.
See study notes on Genesis / Evolution'' (Use back arrow to return)
and notes on Creation (Use back arrow to return)
Ask:
Who made all the physical matter and lit the fuse for the ‘Big Bang’?
How did the first amoeba molecule become organic and alive?
Why are there no missing link fossils between species?
How did any species suddenly lose or gain a pair(s) of chromosomes?
Humans have 46, monkeys 42, gorillas and chimps 48.
The more we learn about any species the more amazing it becomes.
Who designed each species, each animal, bird, fish, insect, plant?
Evolution completely denies that Almighty God designed and created the universe
and that he formed this very special unique planet.
It began with Aristotle and was picked up by Darwin in Origin of Species in 1859.
Proud humanists, rejoicing in the industrial revolution, welcomed it.
But accepting the evolution theory as fact has some major consequences:
1. God is side-lined; he has no significance for modern man.
He can safely be ignored - and so can all his ‘restrictive’ laws.
2. Believing such a major lie reveals how easily wicked men can be deceived.
3. Men worship 'Mother Nature' instead of God, who designed and created it all.
Hindus and New Age claim God is in everything and everyone.
4. Man becomes even more arrogant and proud of his achievements.
He thinks it is by his innate ability that he is so much superior to monkeys.
5. "Survival of the fittest" when applied to humans leads to genocide and war.
Basis of Nazi killing of Jews, gypsies and coloured’s.
6. Almighty God is not impressed by man's pride, their rejection of Almighty
God and his incredible Creation as recorded in Gen 1 and 2.
2,000 years ago God revealed to Peter what would happen at the end:
First of all, you must understand that in the last days scoffers will come, scoffing and following their own evil desires. ... they deliberately forget that long ago by God’s word the heavens existed and the earth was formed out of water and by water. 2 Pe 33-5
To ‘deliberately forget’ means there is major deception of a man’s mind.
The Evolution Theory lie started to gain popularity in the 1960's. By 2014 Humanists had persuaded the UK Government to remove Creation from the official Science curriculum and had relegated it to a non-compulsory ‘Religion’. This rejection and the promotion of the Evolution Theory lie is having a disastrous effect upon our land (and on other nations that have followed a similar pattern).
In the New Testament, Almighty God has warned us that when Creation is abandoned, he removes his protection. The surprising result being homosexuality!
For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth. For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse. For although they knew God, they did not honour him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Claiming to be wise, they became fools, and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling mortal man and birds and animals and creeping things. Therefore God gave them up in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, to the dishonouring of their bodies among themselves, because they exchanged the truth about God for a lie and worshipped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever! Amen. For this reason God gave them up to dishonourable passions. For their women exchanged natural relations for those that are contrary to nature; and the men likewise gave up natural relations with women and were consumed with passion for one another, men committing shameless acts with men and receiving in themselves the due penalty for their error. And since they did not see fit to acknowledge God, God gave them up to a debased mind to do what ought not to be done. Ro 119-28
The UK and most of the West has fallen for this deception, this Evolution lie.
Almighty God has been dishonoured, if not rejected and forgotten as irrelevant.
And the consequence - the prophesied rapid growth in wickedness - is becoming ever more apparent.
Homosexuality
The lie here is subtle. They say that God loves homosexuals - and that is true. Just as it is also true that he loves murderers, adulterers and even child sex offenders. “God so loved the world that he sent his Son.” And the proven degree of his love was that he was willing to be crucified in order to save all sinners. But that does not stop him hating murder, adultery, the abuse of children and homosexuality. In both Old and New Testament God declares that it is an abomination. Lev 1822 2013 Ro 128
So there is no doubt that in God’s view, revealed in both the Old and the New Testament, that homosexual or lesbian activity remains a perversion.
Why is it then that Archbishops Welby and Cottrell, a large majority of the House of Bishops and the C of E General Synod repeatedly praise civil partnerships and homosexuality? Sadly these Church leaders (and many others) are deceived. They will bring a high penalty on the Church of England for so clearly saying that Almighty God is wrong!! But because of your stubbornness and your unrepentant heart, you are storing up wrath against yourself for the day of God’s wrath, when his righteous judgment will be revealed. Ro 25 They should have said from the start that homosexuality is sinful, even if that would have been unpopular. They claim the Bible is the foundation of their beliefs. But it is only the bits they like are the foundation!
UK legalised homosexuality in 1967, and same-sex marriage in 2014.
And thus set us on a disastrous collision course with Almighty God.
There is no doubt who will win!
Global Warming Caused by Human Activity (AGW)
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Given the vast lobby of the media, universities and governments is it difficult to obtain the truth. See 'Climate Change Hysteria ?' (Use back arrow to return)
It is impossible to obtain a single accurate figure for the temperature of the world considering where and when the readings are taken, not to mention the vast uninhabited area of land and especially sea, and at what height the temperature is measured. Many assumptions have to be made to even approach accuracy. NASA Satellite measurements have helped cover the area, but to align them with the Met Office data requires more assumptions.
The graphs for temperature have very significant variations from the steady rise in CO2 which remains totally unexplained. The fact that world temperature has risen over the last 2 centuries and the CO2 has also risen does not prove that the temperature is solely a function of the CO2. The world population has also risen, and that is obviously not dependent upon CO2
There have been two other warm-earth times, in 13th century and the early Roman era (BC), both before we started exploiting fossil fuels. This is also unexplained.
Particularly troubling is the undoubted ostracising of scientists who dare to challenge AGW. They are threatened with sacking, non publishing of their papers reduced salary or at very least no promotion. A good scientist will always be willing, if not eager, to examine facts or data that differ from the expected, and thus find out why. AGW scientists refuse to do this.
Palestinians claim to be an Ancient Nation
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Their claim to be an ancient nation is a lie simply because Arafat only founded the PLO in 1964 ! Before that there is no historical leader or nation, only the name of an area of land.
When Israel transferred control of Bethlehem to Arafat in Dec 1995, he trumpeted “Jesus was a Palestinian, Jesus was a Palestinian!” This of course was another lie for two clear reasons.
1. The name Palestine was only started by Rome in 135AD after the Bar Kochba revolution. They wanted to give maximum insult to the Jews by calling the area the Roman equivalent of ‘Philistine’!
2. Even Pilate, the Roman governor, wrote on the Cross, “Jesus of Nazareth, king of the Jews.” But it seems most people have forgotten this Biblical quote.
The 1947 UN Article 181 only refers to Palestinian Jews and Palestinian Arabs.
The Jewish newspaper the Jerusalem Post was the Palestinian Post before 1948.
The Arabs willingly signed the 1922 San Remo Agreement which ‘restored’ all the land west of the Jordan to the Jews and formed Iraq, Syria and Jordan (actually called ‘TransJordan’). Only later did the Arabs begin to challenge this agreement; and then they only challenged the Jewish allocation.
See website 'Whose land' (Use back arrow to return)
The glorious and gracious hand of God is easily seen throughout his creation.
By the grace of God the truth has been revealed in the Word of God, the Bible.
Jesus has repeatedly told us about how easily men are deceived. So be warned!
Satanic deception is seen both outside and even inside the Church.
When Christ returns as king of his righteous and eternal kingdom, all deception will end.
What a wonderful relief it will be when: everywhere we look is truth and
everything we see and hear gives glory to the Sovereign Lord!
At the last supper Jesus assured them,
“I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counsellor to be with you forever– the Spirit of truth ...” Jn 1416,17
“When the Counsellor comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who goes out from the Father, he will testify about me.” Jn 1526
“When the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all truth.” Jn 1613
It is only by this gracious promise of the ongoing presence of the Holy Spirit of God that we can have a measure of discernment, so that certain truth can displace the lies and deceit of Satan. May this full provision thrill all who read his Word when surrounded by wickedness; and thus be able to rejoice and give glory to God.
The Word of God Says
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He that is wise will take heed it.
Jesus answered: “Watch out that no one deceives you. For many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am the Christ,’ and will deceive many.” Math 244,5
In the latter part of their reign, when rebels have become completely wicked, a stern-faced king, a master of intrigue, will arise. He will become very strong, but not by his own power. He will cause astounding devastation and will succeed in whatever he does. He will destroy the mighty men and the holy people. He will cause deceit to prosper, and he will consider himself superior. When they feel secure, he will destroy many and take his stand against the Prince of princes. Yet he will be destroyed, but not by human power. Dan 823-25
Now the Spirit expressly says that in later times some will depart from the faith by devoting themselves to deceitful spirits and teachings of demons. 1 Tim 41
For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths. 2 Tim 43,4
Let no one deceive you in any way. For that day will not come, unless the rebellion comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed. 2 Thes 23
Why do you not understand what I say? It is because you cannot bear to hear my word. You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father's desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies. Jn 843,44
The coming of the lawless one is by the activity of Satan with all power and false signs and wonders, and with all wicked deception for those who are perishing, because they refused to love the truth and so be saved. Therefore God sends them a strong delusion, so that they may believe what is false. 2 Thes 29-11
Everyone deceives his neighbour, and no one speaks the truth ... Heaping oppression upon oppression, and deceit upon deceit, they refuse to know me, declares the Lord. Jer 96
The prophets are prophesying lies in my name. I did not send them, nor did I command them or speak to them. They are prophesying to you a lying vision, worthless divination, and the deceit of their own minds. Jer 1414
Do not let your prophets and your diviners who are among you deceive you, and do not listen to the dreams that they dream, for it is a lie that they are prophesying to you in my name; I did not send them, declares the Lord. Jer 298,9
Your prophets have seen for you false and deceptive visions; they have not exposed your iniquity. Lam 214
Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. You will recognize them by their fruits. Math 715,16
They would like to claim that in their boasted mission they work on the same terms as we do. For such men are false apostles, deceitful workmen, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ. And no wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. 2 Co 1112-14
I heard one of the four living creatures say with a voice like thunder, “Come!” And I looked, and behold, a white horse! And its rider had a bow, and a crown was given to him, and he came out conquering, and to conquer. Rev 61,2
But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them. 2 Pe 21
Scoffers will come in the last days with scoffing, following their own sinful desires. ... For they deliberately overlook this fact, that the heavens existed long ago, and the earth was formed out of water and through water by the word of God. 2 Pe 33,5
No one who practices deceit shall dwell in my house. Ps 1017
Blessed is the one whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered. Blessed is the man against whom the Lord counts no iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no deceit. Ps 321,2
Jesus saw Nathanael coming toward him and said of him, “Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom there is no deceit!” Jn 147