“But there were false prophets also 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, and bring upon themselves swift destruction. And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of. And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not.” (2 Peter 2:1 – 3)
Several years back, about the times of my mid teenage-hood (about ten years now), we had a brother in my local church who wished to seek diligently the face of God. This brother fasted many days and it was reported that he collapsed. When he gained himself, he came to the church and told us what really happened. He told us that when he fasted and while he was unconscious, he had a revelation of Jesus Christ with convincing proves. He said that Christ revealed to him a lot of evil and wickedness being done in the church. He said that Christ told him that he would destroy all denominations and build himself a church for the end times. This brother right there and then before us all denounced his membership of my local church. Though I had followed carefully all he said with interest and delight, I got disappointed at him at this point.
I, at that time, supposed that if God were going to destroy churches, it would be these new generation churches that teach damnable heresies, preaching prosperity, and teaching that it is okay to live in sin because Christ has died. I admired this brother’s zeal and was happy for his revelations, but I felt he went too far in denouncing my local church which at that time I considered to be a light in darkness.
However, after a long period of time passed (few years), God began to open my eyes too to see the evils in the church. First through the scriptures, I saw that many things done in the church were not scriptural. I saw the increment in compromise. I saw the fair yet damnable doctrines of prosperity spreading and pervading every sphere of the Christian church. Things that were peculiar to pagans and the occults being introduced by slow and steady degrees into the church (power of thoughts, teachings that glorify man, etc.) Later, he began to open my eyes to even the evils of the clergy. He made me to see the causes of their division in the church. Then did I begin to see clearly the truth of this brother’s revelations and the wisdom of his denunciation of my local church. I saw my local church at the time of his revelation as quite a vibrant church. I wouldn’t say the same with the knowledge I have now. At that time, they were not into this prosperity nonsense and grace that is taught as God’s gift of lasciviousness and licence to sin. But now prosperity has pervaded every sphere of teaching and we hardly are fed with anything good for the soul. Messages are suited more for the perishing, not to bring them to Jesus to save them, but to keep them in the church unsaved.
Now in such cases what is expected of us? Many well meaning Christians are trying to be faithful and loyal people and would think that maintaining allegiance to their denomination (I.e. even in their error) is a sign of dauntless devotion of a true Christian. They just want to sit still and pray for the denominations which Jesus has marked for destruction. That is just like attempting to pray the Devil into a saint. It is not a holy love to stick by that which has represented evil and all traits of hell though it pretends to be on the side of Christ. But this ought not to be so. Why would you seek to keep alive that which Jesus has marked for destruction? For indeed these denominations are marked for destruction for their heresy and evil. Would you then desire to keep these evils alive against the will of Christ?
In 1 Kings 20:42 God said through his prophet to Ahab, “Because thou hast let go out of thy hand a man whom I appointed to utter destruction, therefore thy life shall go for his life, and thy people for his people.” Let not your life go for any of these denominations. If we let these denominations whom the Lord has appointed for destruction go by restraining ourselves from speaking the truth so as to maintain this false peace, our own life (the life of the present day church) shall go for it and her people (i.e. the people of the true church) for their people (false brethren yet bonafide members of these denominations). We would sink into such a bitter and regrettable state of error, spiritual deadness, and reproach before the onlooking world.
I would encourage every Christian to draw closely to their Bibles in reverent study and seeking of the will of God. Let us open our eyes to see these evils and rebuke them. Surely under the light of the truth no denomination can stand for they all have a foundation of error, but must burn away with the intensity of that glorious light. The error, the extortion, deception, etc. must cease at the presence of the light of the truth.
Let us take our place in the ranks of the army of Christ, pick up the sword of the spirit (the word of God) and fight this glorious fight of truth so that righteousness and truth may reign. As Moses called out, “who is on the Lord’s side?” (Exodus 32:26) and all the Levites came to him, may we as priests of the royal priesthood come over to the Lord’s side in true-hearted devotion to his good will. It’s a cheap warfare, they can’t prevail. They’re fallen already. Let’s be bold and do that which the present time so requires. God bless you.
Prayer: Dearest Lord Jesus, help us your people, as your servants, to do your bidding and service in your church and in this world whether it be in building up or pulling down. Grant us the strength and courage to do all that we ought to do of your good will and pleasure. Through our lives powerfully express and accomplish your will. In your dear name we ask. Amen O Lord.
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