God Has Successfully Downloaded the Plane' (Delusion) Virus.
There Is a Reason Behind Society's Insanity So Prevelant Today.
The Way of the Antichrist is Being Prepared Today.
2 Thessalonians 2:9-10 attributes the power of the Antichrist to Satan but those who will follow him are a product of God's making. Verse 12 adds: "That they ALL might be damned who believed not the Truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness." The dictionary definition of the word delusion is very interesting:
An idiosyncratic (peculiar) belief or impression that is firmly maintained despite being contradicted by what is generally accepted as reality or rational argument, typically a symptom of mental disorder.
What makes up the Bible's phrase; strong delusion?
The Greek word for strong in this case is energeia1753 meaning action but in the N.T., it is confined to supernatural activity. It occurs 8 times and always speaks of God’s energy except in 2 Thessalonians 2:9, the supernatural working of Satan in the Antichrist. The word for delusion is plane’ 4106 meaning a wandering or deviant behavior as in a departure from what God says is Truth. This virus is a God energized mental illness. This alone should speak volumes to the "God loves everybody" crowd.
We must also remember that what we see today, is only the tip of the iceberg. As having had a parent who suffered from dementia prior to their death; it started with small things at first, easily overlooked because of age. When it came into full blossom, it was an avalanche, unstoppable until it completed its course of destruction.
Today's disturbing images are nothing compared to what lies ahead for mankind. 2 Timothy 3:13 verifies this observation as it clearly states that in the last days "... evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived." The institution that calls itself the church is not immune from this virus but has become a dangerous plague carrying host, infecting myriads of the unsuspecting.
An Easter Service Filled With Noise, Semi-chaos, and Self-aggrandizement.
Chaos Within the Church?
The above picture fully illustrates my mind during an Easter service this last Sunday.
Caveat: before you anti-Christmas and anti-Easter antagonists jump on your Pharisaical soapbox; you are not allowed to make any comment until you read Colossians 2:16-17. Make an informed reply or keep it to yourself. We are to celebrate the Lord's resurrection every time we meet, by searching the scriptures diligently, provoking one another to love and good works and not forgetting those who need to know our love for their eternal souls.
Our home church members had previously decided that it would be best to be with family this last Easter (could be our last); as it turns out, I was the only one to end up in an organized? denominational celebration. Actually no real organizational skills were necessary except in venue, audio and visual setup and direction signs in the parking lot of a middle-school. I never want to do that again, but I will say this; it was the inspiration for this article. We know the world is going insane, but the "church" is not far behind...paving the way for the False Prophet?
It was the little ones that saved the day. So many families had to leave because their children were becoming uncontrollable; I escaped in the exodus. I am sure very few even noticed and even less cared.
What stands out in my mind is that worship (to lie prostrate before God) has been replaced with generic (the name Jesus is optional) music made up of repeated chants (verses), self-centered and louder is better. This went on for an hour before the preacher got to the podium. When he finally started, the service went downhill and it was time for me to leave. It was a vain attempt to bring the chaotic into focus, by poor (bad?) exegesis, out of context scriptures and pure denominational gobbledygook. All of this left me with two possible conclusions.
The False Prophet Shall Appear as an Angel of Light.
Two Totally Opposite Conclusions.
It appears that the majority of those who identify themselves as Christians today are so entangled with the world, that they cannot see their own malady: are they purposefully blinded to the Truth...for a season? Without God's intervention into our lives, none of us would believe unto salvation. We who were dead in our sins and trespasses have been made alive with an everlasting Hope in spite of ourselves.
To assess what is happening within our supposed ranks we must establish some self-evident Truths:
- It is not our church; the Church belongs to God and Him alone, for we are the Church.
- Whom God loves, He chastens and that extends into our fellowship with one another.
- God will draw His own to seek like-minded others and remove others from fellowships that would lead His own astray.
- He will allow His own to wallow in the worldly gatherings for a season only. How long? Totally up to God according to His purposes.
- There are plenty of churches (not most), that actually are havens of good bible teaching with a desire to be pleasing to God. They are more than likely small in numbers, elementary in doctrine and would stand fast when persecution comes.
Conclusion #1: The false prophet will have a multitude of willing subjects to further the kingdom of the Beast.
There is no one easier to dupe, than those who have made themselves wealthy by duping the church crowds. Though deceived themselves, their followers are those who eagerly seek the excitement, the image of the self-made christian and the lack of personal responsibility preached by the charlatans (wolves) among us today. These people will be more than willing accomplices; reaping power along with the ability to maintain their wealth in desperate times. Their individual crowds may thin out slightly or grow, but the message will work to keep the delusion alive and well; exactly as God has planned.
Conclusion #2: My hope for those not counted among the numbers of the Bride; the Martyrs of the 70th Week.
When the 144,000 are unleashed upon a Church-less world, there will be a "...great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations...clothed with white robes...which came out of the great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made themselves white in the blood of the Lamb...and serve Him day and night in His temple..." (Revelation 7:9-15). I am praying that this multitude will include many who today are deceived followers of these wicked charlatans. The 144,000 are the natural branches and their message, given with power and authority, will open the eyes of an uncountable number. Has God reserved some as believers for the most dreadful of days in all of man's history? We must remember; all who confess Jesus during the 70th week will die for their faith.
Ecclesiastes 3:1 "To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:" It is an act of foolishness to believe that God is not the power behind everything that affects mankind.
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Comments
AUTHORTo T: Truly NO ONE knows the date of our Lord's return, but we are not to be unaware of the season. Christians have been looking for His return for nearly two millennia as there have always been wars and rumors of war, earthquakes, famines, etc. For the first time in history, the whole world is tuned into the uncertainty of these days and not just their little corner of the world. The one element that sets these days apart from all others is the nation of Israel. From 70 AD to 1948, the world would have considered anyone crazy who believed that Israel would exist again. The nations of Ezekiel 38 have always existed but never before this day and age have they considered an allied approach to their thorn in the side, Israel. Also, notice the structure of the N.T.: Gospels, Church, Epistles to the Gentiles, Epistles to the Jewish believers and the capstone - Revelation revolves around the nation Israel. Revelation has 400+ verses yet cites and fulfills around 650 verses of the O.T.; the providence of God does not allow for coincidences. From the 144,000, to the attempt by the deposed Devil to eradicate Israel to the final battle being fought on Israel's turf - Israel is the KEY. We are in the last days. Could it be today, tomorrow or 50 years from now; no man knows. When the fig tree (Israel) blossoms, know that the Messiah is at hand. Great question, I hope and pray this casts some light on to a deep subject.
- AUTHOR
To Hxprof: As the Lord said to Elijah, "I have 7,000 who have not bent the knee before Baal…" There are times I wonder if anyone thinks beyond the end of their nose, but God always reminds me, that is His business and I am to be about my own calling. It is so refreshing to hear when another sees the world through the Light of scripture, because it appears to be a rare commodity these days. I think it has been my understanding being deepened by the bible's definition of the few vs the many. The Bride has accomplished some remarkable results; i.e. bible translations, missionary endeavors, praying for Israel, evangelism, but we have been comparatively weak in the Gospel and the world seems to have usurped our imperative. This is all according to God's plan and when He unleashes the 144,000 upon the world, it will be with power. As the Word states, some plant, some water and the 144,000 will reap the harvest. My own take. May God bless you in the dark days ahead.
- AUTHOR
I have some thoughts on the elusive question but I will save them for tomorrow, it is late.
- AUTHOR
Great and encouraging. Thanks. I will be wordy tomorrow.
David, it seems to me that for the last 2000 years "... evil men and seducers” have waxed “worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived.”
Could a case be made that the end was near, delusion being rampant throughout the world, over the last 2000 year? Do you think it could possibly be another 2000 years before Jesus returns? I really don’t know the answer so I’m asking you. Does anyone know?
Good piece David. You spoke to my experience some, for I too watched, more than 12 years ago, as my church also descended into chaos, with emphasis on soulish music designed to get us "high" during worship, and pabulum for doctrine. It's vain, useless mush.
Regards the coming days (and the days now upon us), both Christ and Paul (specifically in Thessalonians as you point out) speak of a separation that's coming. God's people will be, finally, forced to chose between love of the world and Christ. It will be agonizing for those who're still stuck in the worldly church (millions and millions in the valley of decision); far better to be working now through our OWN love of the world which still has it's teeth in us.
The days are getting dark, and I know the Lord still has much to do in me as Paul says in Phillipians 2:12-13. The road's hard now, but I'm glad I'm walking in it while it's still light. I pray for those you mention who will understand later, for the road then will be still more difficult.
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