The GREAT DECEPTION (Part 2) – A “FALLING AWAY” From the Faith – The GREAT APOSTASY - End Times Report - Special Edition

We invite you to review the following information even if you are not an advocate of Biblical scripture or a firm believer in the truth about the existence of God and His dealings in the modern world. Based on the following material however, there is ample evidence to show that certain events are currently occurring on an international global scale that do tie in directly with the prophecies in Biblical scripture.

We intend to shed some light on these matters and display their relevance in Biblical prophecy as being an accurate account of current events going on in our world today. This information will hopefully help you to have a better understanding about the presence of God, while inspiring you to seek Him out, and further discover His love and divine plan for us all.

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The GREAT APOSTASY

APOSTASY (“away” or “apart”) – the “falling away”; a formal disaffiliation, abandonment or renunciation of one’s faith and religious practices, and/or the adoption of some form of replacement theology in lieu of this.

Scripture warns us about this: (Deuteronomy 13:6-10; Isaiah 1:2-4; Jeremiah 2:19)

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“Woe is me! For I am like those who gather summer fruits, Like those who glean vintage grapes; There is no cluster to eat of the first-ripe fruit which my soul desires. The faithful man has perished from the earth, And there is no one upright among men. They all lie in wait for blood; Every man hunts his brother with a net. That they may successfully do evil with both hands – The prince asks for gifts, The judge seeks a bribe, And the great man utters his evil desire; So they scheme together. The best of them is like a brier; The most upright is sharper than a thorn hedge; The day of your watchman and your punishment comes; Now shall be their perplexity. Do not trust in a friend; Do not put your confidence in a companion; Guard the doors of your mouth From her who lies in your bosom. For son dishonors father, Daughter rises against her mother, Daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law; A man’s enemies are the men of his own household. Therefore I will look to the LORD; I will wait for the God of my salvation; My God will hear me.” (Micah 7:1-7 NKJ)

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The Unpardonable Sin – BLASPHEMY

“Anyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man, it will be forgiven him; but whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit, it will not be forgiven him, either in this age or in the age to come.” (Matthew 12:32 NKJ)

Our churches today are in a state of decay. They have long suffered the world and the effects of what mankind has imposed on them. If you look at the examples given in prophecy, it becomes very easy to assign these issues to what we can currently see afflicting the churches in all their various denominations and schisms.

“He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.” (The Book of Revelation)

SEE: “To the seven churches in the province of Asia” (Revelation 2:1-29, Revelation 3:1-22)

“Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons, speaking lies in hypocrisy, having their own conscience seared with a hot iron…” (1 Timothy 4:1-2 NKJ)

Before there can be a consolidation of religious beliefs that will ultimately lead to the establishment of a one-world faith-based system under the “New World Order”, there has to be a “falling away” first. There will be a disintegration of the core beliefs and values held traditionally by the church, as prompted by an apathy for the overall condition of the faith that results from a lack of revival and spiritual renewal.

“I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot. So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth.” (Revelation 3:15-16 NKJ)

But, these new “faces” of the faith will aspire to their own prideful success and overshadow the faltering mainstream of religion. They will therefore rise in popularity becoming more “Purpose Driven” and therefore absorb the bulk of the religious population.

“Because you say, ‘I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing’ – and do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked – I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined in the fire, that you may be rich; and white garments, that you may be clothed, that the shame of your nakedness may not be revealed; and anoint your eyes with eye salve, that you may see. As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. Therefore be zealous and repent.” (Revelation 3:17-19 NKJ)

This will initiate the time for the agents of the antichrist (false prophets) to start infiltrating the system of organized religion and the prosperous “New Age” replacement churches. Under the disguise of humanitarian universalism and a common need for global inter-faith cooperation, a one-world collective religious body will then begin to emerge.

“And in the latter time of their kingdom, When the transgressors have reached their fullness, A king shall arise, Having fierce features, Who understands sinister schemes. His power shall be mighty, but not by his own power; He shall destroy fearfully, And shall prosper and thrive; He shall destroy the mighty, and also the holy people.” (Daniel 8:23-24 NKJ)

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“You shall not add to the word which I command you, nor take from it, that you may keep the commandments of the LORD your God which I command you.” (Deuteronomy 4:2 KJV)

The emergent churches and replacement doctrine will rise to supplant the old and worn out systems of religion that had preceded them. This divides the church and the “Body of Christ” even further, to the extent that these “New Age” variations of the same faith will eventually replace the traditional churches (that are at least correct in doctrine) altogether completely.

Exposing the Dangers of “New” Spirituality

From the Book: “My Journey: From an Iowa Farm to a Cathedral of Dreams” by Robert Harold Schuller (Oct 22, 2002)

“Standing before a crowd of devout Muslims with the Grand Mufti, I know that we’re all doing God’s work together. Standing on the edge of a new millennium, we’re laboring hand in hand to repair the breach.” (p. 501)

“I met once more with the Grand Mufti (a Muslim), truly one of the great Christ-honoring leaders of faith. … I’m dreaming a bold impossible dream: that positive-thinking believers in God will rise above the illusions that our sectarian religions have imposed on the world, and that leaders of the major faiths will rise above doctrinal idiosyncrasies, choosing not to focus on disagreements, but rather to transcend divisive dogmas to work together to bring peace and prosperity and hope to the world…” (p. 502)

Robert Schuller interviewed New Ager, Gerald Jampolsky, in October 2004. Schuller’s web site began promoting and advertising Jampolsky’s 1999 book, “Forgiveness” (with a foreword by Neal Donald Walsch).

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“For false christs and false prophets will rise and show signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect.” (Mark 13:22 NKJ)

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The “Purpose Driven” Deception

Quoted from: Warren Smith’s book, “Deceived on Purpose“.

As a former New Age follower I could hardly believe it. On October 17, 2004, more than twenty years after his first appearance on the Hour of Power, New Age leader Gerald Jampolsky was once again Robert Schuller’s featured guest. I was not surprised on one level because I had always been aware of Schuller’s affection for New Age teachings. What did surprise me was Schuller’s willingness to still be so openly aligned with a veteran New Age leader like Jampolsky.

I was very familiar with Gerald Jampolsky. When I was exploring New Age teachings he was the first one to introduce me to the New Age Christ and to the New Age/New Gospel teachings of A Course in Miracles. Widely reputed in New Age circles to be the closest thing to a New Age bible, A Course in Miracles taught me that “there is no sin”, “a slain Christ has no meaning”, and “the recognition of God is the recognition of yourself”.

On this Hour of Power program Schuller praised Jampolsky and recommended all of his “fabulous” books – in spite of the fact that every one of them was based on the New Age teachings of “A Course in Miracles”. He also stated that Jampolsky’s latest book, Forgiveness, was available in the Crystal Cathedral bookstore. Amazingly, Robert Schuller had begun the year as a featured speaker at the annual convention of the National Association of Evangelicals. He was now closing the year by featuring a prominent New Age leader as his special guest. As usual, no one in Christian leadership was holding him accountable, or even seemed to care. Over the years Robert Schuller had obviously done a good job of softening up the church.

*For more information of Robert Schuller’s connection to the New Age church movement, see Warren Smith’s book, “Deceived on Purpose“.

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“For it is time for judgment to begin with God’s household; and if it begins with us, what will the outcome be for those who do not obey the gospel of God?“ (1 Peter 4:17 NIV)

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Could this be why the Crystal Cathedral Church and Ministry after so many years of prosperity have now suffered the indignation of bankruptcy?

Crystal Cathedral Bankruptcy Sale Sparks Bidding War

It’s the Roman Catholic Church vs. local university for ownership of iconic place of worship

LOS ANGELES — The bankruptcy sale of Crystal Cathedral, the glass-walled Orange County church known for its “Hour of Power” broadcasts, has touched off a bidding war between a Roman Catholic diocese and a local university.

The church’s ministry, meanwhile, has announced that its campus is not for sale and launched a pledge drive to keep the cathedral. But that is a show of opposition that could put it on a legal collision course with creditors. The fate of the towering, 31-year-old church, famed for its 10,000 panes of glass, is playing out in bankruptcy court, following the ministry’s filing for Chapter 11 protection in October after falling $50 million in debt.

It marks a dramatic downturn for a congregation that got its start in 1955 when the Reverend Robert Schuller and his wife, Arvella, began holding services in an Orange County drive-in theater that they rented. Schuller went on to become an internationally known televangelist through his “Hour of Power” broadcasts before retiring as senior pastor in 2006.

> View Original Article – MSNBC – August 11, 2011

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“And the LORD said to me, ‘The prophets prophesy lies in My name. I have not sent them, commanded them, nor spoken to them; they prophesy to you a false vision, divination, a worthless thing, and the deceit of their heart.’” (Jeremiah 14:14 NKJ)

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What’s Wrong With Bishop Spong?

John Shelby Spong is an influential public speaker, writer and media figure. He is the recently retired Episcopalian (Anglican) Bishop of the Diocese of Newark, New Jersey. He claims he is a Christian yet he champions causes that historic Christianity has often fought tooth and nail against. Bishop Spong is well known for ordaining practicing homosexuals, denying the bodily resurrection and virginal conception of Christ, and for deriving his moral code from modern human experience rather than the Bible.

> View Original Article – WCAS/Apologia #7 – February 3, 2000 (Updated) October 8, 2004

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Is the Battle Over Yet with Bishop Spong?

John Shelby Spong’s new manifesto is a sign of the times. For the past three decades, Bishop Spong has staked out a theological position that is so far outside the realm of Christian orthodoxy that it defies description. In a succession of notorious publications, Spong has denied virtually every conceivable doctrine and has embraced almost every imaginable heresy.

His abandonment of biblical Christianity is both intentional and straightforward – what this bishop demands is nothing less than the total reformulation of the Christian faith. In other words, Bishop Spong would replace Christianity with a new post-Christian religion while continuing to be recognized as a bishop of the Episcopal Church.

> View Original Article – AlbertMohler.com – by R. Albert Mohler, Jr. – October 20, 2009

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“Whatever I command you, be careful to observe it; you shall not add to it nor take away from it.” (Deuteronomy 12:32 NKJ)

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Rob Bell and the (Re)Emergence of Liberal Theology

In this new book, Rob Bell takes his stand with those who have tried to rescue Christianity from itself. This is a massive tragedy by any measure.

For the last twenty years or so, a movement identified as emerging or emergent Christianity has done its determined best to avoid speaking with specificity. Leading figures in the movement have offered trenchant criticisms of mainstream evangelicalism. Most pointedly, they have accused evangelical Christianity, variously, as being excessively concerned with doctrine, culturally tone-deaf, overly propositional, unnecessarily offensive, aesthetically malnourished, and basically uncool.

Rob Bell uses his incredible power of literary skill and communication to unravel the Bible’s message and to cast doubt on its teachings. He also argues for a form of universal salvation. Once again, his statements are more suggestive than declarative, but he clearly intends his reader to be persuaded that it is possible – even probable – that those who resist, reject, or never hear of Christ may be saved through Christ nonetheless. That means no conscious faith in Christ is necessary for salvation.

*This again sounds like the same theme (and incorrect doctrine) being driven into the minds of the masses that: “…There are MANY paths to Heaven…”

> TownHall.com – March 16, 2011

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“I charge you therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who will judge the living and the dead at His appearing and His kingdom: Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables. But you be watchful in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.“ (2 Timothy 4:1-5 NKJ)

The Prosperity of “Purpose Driven” Churches

Dr. Rick Warren has influenced thousands of Churches and believers who continue to absorb new and creative ways to utilize witnessing techniques and build church growth. His whole agenda is indeed about building up super churches and as I will point out, rejects the more traditional and fundamental methods employed by the examples of Christ’s Apostles and some of today’s remnant of traditional value churches. By the methods he employs and trains pastors with, he has and is compromising the most basic and fundamental necessities called for in scripture regarding our “gathering together.”

According to his “Saddleback Sam” approach, the newer approach must be aimed at drawing the “unchurched” and the “unsaved” into services so that his “so called” method of gospel teaching can be employed. He does this a number of ways. In his words, “A church service must be non threatening and comfortable to the seeker and un-saved visitor.” He declares that the message in Sunday services must only be positive in order to attract the diverse crowds.

What he is doing in essence is to make those who attend feel better about themselves and equal with one another; both the so-called saved and unsaved. His so-called sermons are mixed with psychology and positive projection techniques. He deals with such topics as guilt, self-esteem, interpersonal relationships, mood enhancement and spends a good deal of energy on positive motivation to encourage the worldly without employing the very Word of God to lead his hearers to repentance.

This clearly denies what Paul exhorts in his letter to Timothy: “…if I am delayed, you will know how people ought to conduct themselves in God’s household, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of the truth.” (I Tim 3:15 NIV), just before Paul goes into an exhortation of the apostasy being manifested in the churches in latter times according to what the spirit explicitly says: “The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons.” (1 Timothy 4)

> View Original Article – cephas-library.com – by Nicholas Stivers – September 19, 2003

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Likewise as Christ taught (‘Defilement Comes from Within’):

“He answered and said to them, ‘Well did Isaiah prophesy of you hypocrites, as it is written: This people honors Me with their lips, But their heart is far from Me. And in vain they worship Me, Teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.’ For laying aside the commandment of God, you hold the tradition of men…’ He said to them, ‘All too well you reject the commandment of God, that you may keep your tradition.’” (Mark 7:6-9 NKJ)

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Below are some of the more notable proponents mentioned in the ‘Purpose Driven Church’ by Rick Warren, that are being debated by fundamentalists of the traditional religious community.

REMOVE RELIGIOUS ICONS (such as the Cross) FROM THE CHURCHES SO THAT THE ‘UNCHURCHED’ DO NOT FEEL UNCOMFORTABLE.

- “…be careful not to overdo mystical, religious symbols in your facilities. Everyone knows what the cross is, but the unchurched are confused by chalices, crowns, and doves with fire coming out of their tails.” (p. 268)

“For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ…” (Philippians 3:18 NKJ)

CHANGE THE ENVIRONMENT OF THE CHURCH TO BE MORE ‘ACCOMODATING TO OUTSIDERS’:

- Use plants, trees, and greenery as decorations… so people feel “close to God” like “when they are out in nature” (i.e.; ‘Mother Nature’) (p. 268)

- Create an Attractive Atmosphere – (p. 273-273) – purposely setting the “spirit”, the “mood”, or the “tone” of the service… where there is “pervasive enthusiasm”, so people “feel excitement, energy, and a spirit of anticipation”, and that visitors often describe the atmosphere as “electric” (sounds like a secular marketing style for a media event).

*It is interesting that a dictionary.com definition of the word ‘pervasive’ includes: to diffuse, imbue, penetrate, permeate, subtly or gradually; to permeate; to spread throughout (i.e. “The corruption is so pervasive that it is accepted as the way to do business.”)

READ SCRIPTURE FROM A NEWER TRANSLATION:

- “With all the wonderful translations and paraphrases available today, there is no legitimate reason for complicating the Good News with four-hundred-year-old English. Using the King James Version creates and unnecessary cultural barrier.” (p. 297).

“You shall not add to the word which I command you, nor take from it, that you may keep the commandments of the LORD your God which I command you.” (Deuteronomy 4:2 KJV)

*The (KJV) is today still the most literally accurate and widely used translation of the Holy Bible in English.

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ADOPTION OF SECULAR GLOBAL MARKETING TECHNIQUES

Rick Warren claims that the methods presented in his book are a way for new reformation. The true character of his reform is readily seen when we note its popularity with New-Evangelicals, cults, apostate denominations, and even large corporations who use his “40 Days of Purpose” campaign. Warren said, “I read everything Peter Drucker writes.” Drucker is a business guru whom much of the world has followed in communitarian general systems theory. This system is derived from philosophy, the main goal being a united community of all people in a return to a global Babel. Warren uses Drucker’s marketing and management techniques for promoting his church growth movement.

The Fundamentalist Digest – February-March 2006

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“For when they speak great swelling words of emptiness, they allure through the lusts of the flesh, through lewdness, the ones who have actually escaped from those who live in error. While they promise them liberty, they themselves are slaves of corruption; for by whom a person is overcome, by him also he is brought into bondage. For if, after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled in them and overcome, the latter end is worse for them than the beginning. For it would have been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than having known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered to them.” (2 peter 2:18-21 NKJ)

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Spirit-led or Purpose Driven?

“There are some really good things and points that Rick Warren brings out. But they always seems to be mixed with so many confusing and theologically weak points that you go crazy trying to keep it all straight. You will read a great point and then he’ll throw in a quote from Mother Theresa or Aldous Huxley and your mind reels. There’s a push to paint God as a smiley face in the sky – but you have to ignore His justice and anger! Plus, when you are the only ‘naysayers’ in a group it gets old – especially when no one else seems to have anything but praise for the book.”

By this fall, Rick Warren’s manual on the Christian life had become the topic of discussion in churches around the world. The letters from concerned visitors multiplied. After reading the book again, we could no longer ignore its subtle distortions, its half-truths, its conflicting messages or its pragmatic permissiveness: “If it works (i.e. brings people into the church), it’s okay! God loves variety!”

Nor could we accept Pastor Warren’s “rules for growth” which tells us to “never criticize what God is blessing.” Implying that church growth and changed lives prove God’s delight in our human methods, it cancels His call to “be on guard” and to discern deception. Some may say, “don’t touch God’s anointed,” but we don’t believe any leader is so “anointed” that his teaching is beyond Biblical accountability. While only God can judge the heart of a person, we are called to help each other follow His guidelines, not be driven by today’s new management systems.

> View Original Article – KJOS Ministries – by Berit Kjos – November 2003

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AUTHOR’s NOTE:

Likewise, I agree to a large extent with most all of these points being made, but it should also be noted, that there are MANY good ministries and churches that effectively draw from and use the techniques cited in Rick Warren’s books, while still maintaining and adhering to proper biblical standards and fundamental teaching as listed in the Holy Scripture. Pastors and ministry staff simply need to be very mindful in how they use these more contemporary approaches as there is a very fine line that can be crossed without notice, and more so to still maintain and uphold a proper standard of righteousness as given by the example of Jesus Christ and His teachings.

Jesus was a great ministry innovator but He was very careful NOT to cross over into what might be misconstrued as improper doctrine or teaching practices. We must use great discernment when approaching ministry and consider that (unlike Christ) mankind is imperfect and does frequently make mistakes. We must be extremely careful not to inadvertently plant seeds into our churches that the adversary can use against us.

Also, it was well put in another point about our efforts to witness and evangelize, that: “Instead of modifying our holy places of worship to attract the worldly masses inside, wouldn’t it be better to simply go out into the world (fulfilling the ‘Great Commission’) and provide the perfect example of our faith that would attract people into our churches anyway.”

*As fellow believers in the Body of Christ, we should ALL be watchful of ourselves and our own conduct and the fact that many people are quite simply and innocently being led astray in their own practices, as “even the elect shall be deceived”. Therefore, we should be more prayerful as being concerned for everyone’s awakening and return to what is righteously proper in accordance with the Holy Scripture, in order to help them clearly see these things – but NOT for us to condemn or judge them (for that is solely the Lord’s decision, not ours).
PRAY FOR OUR PEOPLE TO HAVE REVIVAL!

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“…as also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things, in which are some things hard to understand, which untaught and unstable people twist to their own destruction, as they do also the rest of the Scriptures.” (2 Peter 3:16 NKJ)

Rob Bell on His Practice of “MILITANT MYSTICISM”

The following is a mouthful but it is a 100% accurate representation of a major issue within the belief system of the (“Emergent”) church today.

Apprising Ministries continues to report about: “…an infestation of neo-Gnostic corruption called Contemplative Spirituality Mysticism (CSM), which is now pandemic within mainstream evangelicalism through its foolish embrace of the sinfully ecumenical neo-liberal cult of the Emergent Church (aka the Emerging Church) with its quasi-universalism in a new version of postmodern Progressive Christian theology under their spiritual circus “big tent” of empty Emergence Christianity.

Now consider that for many in the younger sectors of mainstream evangelicalism, Rob Bell has actually taken on mythic proportions; so what you’re about to read from Bell should be of serious concern. The following was provided from a source who was present on February the 18th, 2011 during Pastor’s Day event at Point Loma Nazarene University:

In an October 2009 sermon called “I will say it again, and again, and again”, Rob Bell shares this mythology (5:41-6:23):

“It’s interesting how many traditions When you read the great enlightened ones; meditation, centering prayer, reflection — in every tradition you can find the mystics — and what’s always at the heart of the spiritual lives, the everyday lives of the great ones was always a period of time. Whether it’s prayers, chanting, meditation, reflection, study — whatever you call it — what is it essentially; it’s taking time to breathe. Because when you’ve been breathing, in a proper sort of way, you’re far better equipped to handle what life throws your way.”

If one doesn’t recognize here that Bell is praising “the mystics” for their supposedly superior spiritual understanding, which is but a reimagined Gnosticism, it’s simply because they just do not wish to see.

Rob Bell was then quoted as stating: “There will be a massive return to the mystics in the next ten years, because people will realize that’s not crazy. There’s a whole world of understanding and wisdom about meeting God in the everyday routines of life… and I think that’s what you will see more and more as we are desperate for guidance.”

> View Original Article – Apprising Ministries – by Ken Silva – June 28, 2011

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“For I fear lest, when I come, I shall not find you such as I wish, and that I shall be found by you such as you do not wish; lest there be contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, backbitings, whisperings, conceits, tumults; lest, when I come again, my God will humble me among you, and I shall mourn for many who have sinned before and have not repented of the uncleanness, fornication, and lewdness which they have practiced.” (2 Corinthians 12:20-21 NKJ)

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Anti-Christian Christian Movements?

Brad A. Greenberg, writing for GetReligion.com, focused on an article from The Economist Newspaper, which covered a festival in the forest for “alternative” Christians. Not hipsters, so much as people somewhat on the fringes. Here’s a snippet:

Visitors could learn from Tom Prasada-Rao, a singer, how to chant “Om” and “Hallelujah Hare Krishna”, or hear Paul Fromberg, a pastor from San Francisco, talking about his 2005 wedding to another man. “God is changing the church through the bodies of gay men,” Mr Fromberg told a packed session on human sexuality. Also under discussion was “religious multiple belonging” – in other words, belonging to a clutch of different faiths at once (such as inter-faithism like “Chr-is-lam”).

Mr. Greenburg continued that: “As far as I could tell from reading this article, this festival is more about celebrating the Bible as philosophy and mythology than as a compass for life.”

> View Original Article – GetReligion – by Brad A. Greenberg – July 2, 2011

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Christian Festivals – A Broader Church

Fun in the woods with gay, tattooed and generally liberal folk.

SHAKORI HILLS, NORTH CAROLINA – AT LEAST 25 Christian music festivals are held each summer in America, but they have never catered for theological liberals. Until this year, that is…

The idea, seven years in the making, was based on Britain’s Greenbelt Festival in Cheltenham, which draws 20,000 people a year. About 1,500 people came to the American version, which explicitly pitched its appeal to artists and musicians, nonconformists, post-Christians, non-Christians, disaffected evangelicals and a liberal evangelical subset known as the “emergent” church.

Instead of Bible studies, there were labyrinth walks. Instead of praise-and-worship music, there was hymn-singing in a beer garden and a bluegrass liturgy presided over by a tattooed female Lutheran minister.

> View Original Article – The Economist Newspaper – June 30th, 2011

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Areleh Harel: The Orthodox Rabbi Helping Gay Men Marry Lesbians

Six years ago, Areleh Harel, an Orthodox rabbi from the West Bank, devised a plan to help an Orthodox Jewish gay man fulfill his dream of becoming a husband and father while keeping him in good standing with Jewish law and his community of believers. The solution: marry him to a lesbian.

Through a friend, Harel found an Orthodox lesbian who also wanted a traditional family. Within a year, the couple married. They now have two children. No one suspects they are gay. Since that first arrangement, Harel has matched 13 gay-lesbian couples.

Many gay leaders criticized the marriages, calling them deceitful and repressive. But several prominent rabbis supported Harel, calling his work a mitzvah, or good deed. As the news spread, Harel’s phone began ringing. Orthodox gay men were calling to ask: Could this be right for me?

The matchmaking project comes at a time when Orthodox gay and lesbian groups are pressuring rabbis for acceptance. Prior to 2007, there were no Orthodox gay organizations in Israel. Now there are five, including one based in Jerusalem. In many ways, Israel is ground zero for gay rights for Orthodox Jewish people. Advocates say that if rabbis in the Holy Land become more accepting of gay people, that tolerance will reverberate outward into Orthodox communities throughout the world, which often take their cues from Israel.

> View Original Article – Time World – by Cindy E. Rodriguez / Jerusalem – August 16, 2011

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“…whose end is destruction, whose god is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame – who set their mind on earthly things.” (Philippians 3:19 NKJ)

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Rick Warren Encourages Unbiblical Meditation with Similarities To Pagan Spirituality

This was all a part of the plan of the Druckerite Leadership Network to move away from sola Scriptura to man-centered dominionist theology…

Rick Warren has endorsed the thinking of Guru Richard Foster and his reimagined Gnostic Mysticism, that while discussing what he calls “The Discipleship/Spiritual Formation Movement”, Rick Warren praises both Foster and Willard. He’s become even more emboldened now; this is evidenced by Saddleback Church, Rick Warren, and ‘Spiritual Disciplines’, where at the Spiritual Disciplines page of its The Spiritual Growth Center at his Saddleback flagship we find a prominent recommendation of Richard Foster’s magum opus “Celebration of Discipline” as well as “The Spirit of the Disciplines” by Willard, who’s also a supposedly Protestant-Southern Baptist minister.

> View Original Article – Apprising Ministries – by Pastor Ken Silva – February 17, 2011

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“And so we have the prophetic word confirmed, which you do well to heed as a light that shines in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts; knowing this first, that no prophecy of Scripture is of any private interpretation, for prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit.” (2 Peter 1:19-21 NKJ)

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Rob Bell, Hell and God’s Love – The Debate that Won’t Die

The debate about hell incited by Rob Bell and his book ‘Love Wins’ is far from dying out. A month into the controversy, two theological heavy weights are just beginning to duel it out about the ideas Bell raises regarding hell and God’s love.

Conservative Christian defender R. Albert Mohler, Jr., of the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, responded Wednesday to emerging church leader Brian McLaren’s blog post, saying he welcomes McLaren’s rebuttal essay.

“Some theological disputes amount to very little and serve mostly as exercises in missing the point, if indeed there is a point. Other doctrinal exchanges are quite different and deal with matters of central and essential concern to the Christian faith,” Mohler wrote on his blog. “The church cannot avoid and should not seek to evade this kind of theological conversation.”

In the book ‘Love Wins: Heaven, Hell, and the Fate of Every Person Who Ever Lived’, pastor and author Rob Bell questions the commonly taught message that billions of people will burn in hell forever while only a few will go to heaven. Although Bell contends that God’s love wins in the end, he has remained vague and elusive about his position on whether hell exists despite being questioned about this many times during interviews.

The controversy surrounding the book, released March 15, has helped it to debut at No. 2 on the New York Times bestseller list this week.

Just days ago, McLaren, author of the new book ‘A New Kind of Christianity’, wrote a four-point argument on four errors, in his view, in Mohler’s theological review of Love Wins. Responding to McLaren’s third argument, that the traditional teaching of hell portrays God as not loving, Mohler said that the “logic destroys any faithfulness to the totality of God’s self-revelation about himself.”

“It presumes to judge God by human conception of love – and this is precisely what God himself rejects,” wrote Mohler, citing (Isaiah 55:8), which says, “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord.”

> View Original Article – Christian Post – by Jennifer Riley – March 14, 2011

“Through his cunning He shall cause deceit to prosper under his rule; And he shall exalt himself in his heart. He shall destroy many in their prosperity. He shall even rise against the Prince of princes; But he shall be broken without human means.” (Daniel 8:25 NKJ)

“Whenever the church has approached the biblical pattern, righteous conditions have begun to prevail. And when it has turned from this divine pattern to rely on secondary forces it has become proud, rich and tyrannical, or worldly, weak and despised by all.” (from “Body Life“ – by Ray C. Stedman).

“As we have said before, so now I say again, if anyone preaches any other gospel to you than what you have received, let him be accursed.” (Galatians 1:9 NKJ)

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‘God the Father’ Banished by Mainline Denomination

United Church of Christ prefers ‘to leave that more open for different expressions of the Trinity’. The denomination whose Chicago pastor Jeremiah Wright blasted the United States and white people for years from the pulpit while Barack Obama sat in his pews, has decided to banish God “the Father” from its organizational documents. A report from Eric Anderson on the denomination’s website confirmed that delegates from the church have unilaterally agreed in this matter.

The changes include a pointed deletion of a reference to God “as heavenly Father,” which has been part of Christendom’s description of the Trinity for millennia – the three persons of God being the heavenly Father, Christ the Son and Savior, and the Holy Ghost, the counselor and comforter.

Denomination spokeswoman Barb Powell told WND today that the change was made because the reference to “heavenly Father” was too restrictive. “In the UCC, our language for God, Christ and the Holy Spirit … is preferred to be more open for different expressions of the Trinity,” she said. “Heavenly Father is just one vision.” She told WND that the denomination seeks to be “inclusive” in its language, “so therefore we will tend to change language that is more traditional to be more inclusive.” She said that some of the denomination’s pastors refer to God with terms such as “Creator”, “Father” or “Mother”.

*Is this last comment a gradual return to also acknowledging the Virgin Mary as the “Mother” of god and divinity as well? -OR– Are we taking a step backwards into our “dark age” pagan or pantheistic roots of worshiping god universally as “Mother Nature” instead?

A group within the denomination, the Biblical Witness Fellowship, has disagreed with this change and is very critical of the editing that is now being done. “Rejecting God as Father in an age of fatherlessness is unthinkable,” said David Runnion-Bareford, a leader of the fellowship organization. “God acted toward us in amazing grace when He offered to be our Father through the sacrifice of his Son, Jesus Christ who offers us life in his name. “This is not something we as humans made up in some other time. Rejecting our Father is an act of arrogant rebellion in the name of cultural conformity that only further alienates members, churches, but more importantly God himself.”

> View Original Article – World Net Daily – by Bob Unruh – July 5, 2011

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“Whatever I command you, be careful to observe it; you shall not add to it nor take away from it.” (Deuteronomy 12:32 KJV)

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The Lord’s Prayer? (Matthew 6:7-15)

7-13 “The world is full of so-called prayer warriors who are prayer-ignorant. They’re full of formulas and programs and advice, peddling techniques for getting what you want from God. Don’t fall for that nonsense. This is your Father you are dealing with, and he knows better than you what you need. With a God like this loving you, you can pray very simply. Like this:

Our Father in heaven, Reveal who you are. (a “universally transcendental” God?)
Set the world right;
Do what’s best – as above, so below. (paraphrase = “New Age” Hermetic Mystical Terminology)
Keep us alive with three square meals.
Keep us forgiven with you and forgiving others.
Keep us safe from ourselves and the Devil.
You’re in charge!
You can do anything you want!
You’re ablaze in beauty!
Yes. Yes. Yes.

14-15 “In prayer there is a connection between what God does and what you do. You can’t get forgiveness from God, for instance, without also forgiving others. If you refuse to do your part, you cut yourself off from God’s part.

Problems with this loosely written translation:

First – In the Lord’s Prayer above, “Reveal who you are” is quite simply a reiteration of Eastern philosophy, whereas the devotee is ever seeking revelation from a “universally transcendental” God. As by definition in Eastern thinking: a distant God which is beyond ordinary or common experience, thought, or belief; of the abstract supernatural or metaphysical in explaining what is objective as the contribution of the mind; of, and pertaining to, elements in experience, which condition all human knowledge. THIS IS NOT THE GOD OF THE HOLY BIBLE WHO IS REAL, TANGIBLE, EVER-PRESENT, AND WITH WHOM WE CAN HAVE A DIRECT PERSONAL RELATIONSHIP.

Secondly – the translated statement: “As above, so below.“

These words circulate throughout occult and magical circles, and they come from Hermetic texts. The concept was first laid out in The Emerald Tablet of Hermes Trismegistus, in the words “That which is Below corresponds to that which is Above, and that which is Above, corresponds to that which is Below, to accomplish the miracles of the One Thing”.

In accordance with the various levels of reality: physical, mental, and spiritual, this relates that what happens on any level happens on every other. This is however more often used in the sense of the microcosm and the macrocosm. The microcosm is oneself, and the macrocosm is the universe. The macrocosm is as the microcosm, and vice versa; within each lies the other, and through understanding one (usually the microcosm) you can understand the other.

Third – With verses (14-15), this is a complete contradiction to what the Christian faith holds to be most true. That we are offered the FREE gift of salvation through the sacrifice of the Lord Jesus Christ, and in fact are saved by the grace of God alone, not by works as a requirement to receive reciprocal favor from God.

“For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.” (Ephesians 2:8-9 KJV)

This flagrant mistranslation of the Holy Scripture is based more on the philosophy and beliefs as what is likewise aligned with transcendental mysticism. It is practically identical to what can be found in eastern religions such as Hinduism and Buddhism. To achieve a “oneness with the universe” grants the ability to reach and understand the universal divine mind of the godhead and likewise become one with him.

This is only one example of the WORD of God being corrupted in “The Message” Bible in one of the more important prayers that the Lord has given us. There are countless other examples throughout this text where similar liberties have been taken to intentionally misinterpret and alter the correct translation of the Holy Bible.

“But there were also false prophets among the people, even as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies…” (2 Peter 2:1 NKJ)

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“For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into apostles of Christ. And no wonder! For Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light.” (2 Corinthians 11:13-14 NKJ)

Pantheism – The doctrine that god is the transcendent reality of which the material universe and human beings are only manifestations: it involves a denial of God’s personality and expresses a tendency to identify god together with nature. Any religious belief or philosophical doctrine that identifies a god with the universe in this manner, is thus considered Pantheism.

Hermeticism – Transcends both Monotheism and Polytheism as well as Deism and Pantheism within its belief system, which teaches that there is a transcendent God, “The Al”l, or one “Cause”, of which we, and the entire universe, participate. Also it subscribes to the notion that other beings such as gods and angels, and elementals exist in the Universe.

“And many will follow their destructive ways, because of whom the way of truth will be blasphemed. By covetousness they will exploit you with deceptive words; for a long time their judgment has not been idle, and their destruction does not slumber.” (2 Peter 2:2-3 NKJ)

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“And their message will spread like cancer… who have strayed concerning the truth… and they overthrow the faith of some.“ (2 Timothy 2:17-18 NKJ)

“Church” of SCIENTOLOGY

Popular, charismatic, enlightening and empowering. Supported and believed by some of the most influential people in the entertainment industry, politicians, media moguls, and good old normal everyday people like you and me – all coming together in harmony for the common good of humanity. It all sounds so wholesome and “rosey” – And they contribute to hundred’s of worthwhile and benevolent humanitarian causes too.

How else would you expect a one-world religion under the ‘antichist system’ to win you over? They would need to be your friend first!

“Keep your friends close, and your enemies closer.” (General Sun-tzu – “The Art of War”)

WHAT IS SCIENTOLOGY? (Quoted from their website) – Scientology is a religion in its highest meaning, as it helps bring man to total freedom and truth.

It is interesting that with this statement, helping bring man to “total freedom” also means the ability to do anything that we want or what we aspire to accomplish. So, “TOTAL FREEDOM” = “DO WHAT YOU WANT”.

Coincidentally (or NOT), this also sounds identical to a mandate written by the revolutionary Aleister Crowley (1875-1947), as a primary principle for occult mysticism in his ‘The Book of the Law‘ (1904) – where he firmly reflects the dark commandment: “DO WHAT THOU WILT shall be the whole of the Law.” In this statement, he implies that we should basically exercise free will (“total freedom”) in any circumstance, without moral obligation or regard to consequence in how it may affect or impact others. To have complete unmitigated freedom of thought and actions.

The essential tenets of Scientology are these:

You are an immortal spiritual being. Your experience extends well beyond a single lifetime. And your capabilities are unlimited, even if not presently realized.

Furthermore, man is basically good. He is seeking to survive. And his survival depends upon himself and his fellows and his attainment of brotherhood with the universe.

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“Your own wickedness will correct you, And your backslidings will rebuke you. Know therefore and see that it is an evil and bitter thing That you have forsaken the LORD your God, And the fear of Me is not in you, Says the Lord GOD of hosts.” (Jeremiah 2:19 NKJ)

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The Church of Oprah

“There are Many Paths to (What You Call) God“ (Oprah Winfrey – Sept. 23, 2001)

Over 22 million followers and still growing (as of several years ago). Oprah has people following her like sheep. Her talk show, interviews, and world perspective infect the minds of millions of loyal viewers every day. An excellent sterotypical example of the “wolf in sheep’s clothing”. True Christians do not realize how watching her show can corrupt the Christian mind.

And the operator of a Christian Web site calls her “the most dangerous woman on the planet.”

One of Oprah’s online classes featured Eckhart Tolle’s book, “A New Earth”, a major best-seller that mixes Christian and non-Christian views. She introduced this thinking by conducting the first mass trance (March 17, 2008) with over 2 million people participating in the new age multimedia phenomena.

The Church of ‘O’

Oprah.com is the place for all things Oprah: The Oprah Show, O magazine, Oprah’s Book Club, and The Angel Network. The site tackles many of the same issues as the show with advice on finances, mind and body, “your spirit,” and food. Even Dr. Phil has his one page.

Oprah’s Gurus – The top 3 New Age voices featured on Oprah Winfrey’s television show and magazine.

Deepak Chopra
Ministry: The Chopra Center for Well Being in La Jolla, California.
Teaching: An enlightened human consciousness can heal the body; based on Hindu principles.

Marianne Williamson
Ministry: Leads the Church of Today in Warren, Michigan, one of the largest “New Thought” churches.
Teaching: Reinterprets Christian doctrines within a New Age framework. For example, “Christ” refers to the common thread of divine love within every human mind.

Iyanla Vanzant
Ministry: Priestess of the Yoruba religion; founder of Inner Visions Worldwide.
Teaching: People should apply “universal principles” in order to “activate the spiritual laws which support the evolution of humanity.”

> View Original Article – Christianity Today – by LaTonya Taylor – April 2002

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Jesus saith unto him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” (John 14:6 KJV)

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Oprah’s ‘Gospel’ – Entertainment Mogul Preaches ‘Many Paths’ to God

Yet she is so much more than an entertainer. Thousands of articles have been written about Oprah’s rags-to-riches life story and her philanthropy. (Oprah’s ‘Angel Network’ has raised more than $50 million to fund nonprofit organizations worldwide).

But one of the most controversial aspects of her cultural influence derives from the emphasis she places on religion and spirituality. In 2002 Christianity Today declared she “has become one of the most influential spiritual leaders in America.”

Christianity Today writer LaTonya Taylor said: “To her audience of more than 22 million mostly female viewers, she has become a postmodern priestess – an icon of church-free spirituality.”

A video called “The Church of Oprah Exposed” was posted in late March on YouTube.com. The video, which refers to Oprah’s viewers as “the largest church in the world,” has since been viewed more than 5.1 million times.

> View Original Article – The Christian Examiner – by Steve Rabey – May 8, 2008

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CBS NEWS - A Texas preacher is claiming to be the second coming of Christ. Preaching a message to indulge, Dr. Jose Luis de Jesus Miranda claims to have millions of followers worldwide. KHOU's Kevin Peters reports. - July 14, 2008

“Then if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Christ!’ or, ‘Look, He is there!’ do not believe it. For false christs and false prophets will rise and show signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect. But take heed; see, I have told you all things beforehand." (Matthew 24:23-25; Mark 13:21-23 NKJ)

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“Let the wicked forsake his way, And the unrighteous man his thoughts; Let him return to the LORD, And He will have mercy on him; And to our God, For He will abundantly pardon. ‘For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways,’ says the LORD. ‘For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways, And My thoughts than your thoughts.’” (Isaiah 55:7-9 NKJ)

Oprah Winfry incorporates her own philosophy and agenda into concepts of Spiritualism. The popular talk show diva denies what is taught in the Bible and chooses her own theology, realizing her nontraditional ideas of Jesus, God the Father, sin, heaven and hell. She calls herself a kind of Christian but then professes thoughts about Jesus that are independent of what is described in the Holy Bible.

In the recent book by Carrington Steele, “Don’t Drink the Kool-Aid“, the author cites her sources quite well and exposed these facts. Whether you believe what’s in it or not, this is an interesting look into daytime’s most popular talk show host. It would definitely provide interesting discussion topics for small group meetings and bible study classes.

“For I testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: If anyone adds to these things, God will add to him the plagues that are written in this book; and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part from the Book of Life, from the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.” (Revelation 22:18-19 NKJ)

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“Cry aloud, spare not; Lift up your voice like a trumpet; Tell My people their transgression, And the house of Jacob their sins.” (Isaiah 58:1 NKJ)

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