Warning Signs of an Apostate Church - May 31
Not all churches have gone by the wayside. Sadly, many have - both Catholic and Protestant alike. You can basically boil it down to three main points. First, sound Biblical doctrine is abandoned. Second, the false church will emphasize sensuality and our experience as a means to reach God. Lastly, the move towards ecumenism and a one-world religion. Watch this six-minute video and/or read the points below for yourself.
- Scripture is no longer the golden standard.
- The Gospel of Jesus Christ is being replaced by secular methods promoting church growth and a social gospel.
- Little or no teaching on the Second Advent. An apostate church will rigorously deny the pre-tribulation rapture and the seven years of hell on earth (Daniel's 70th week) that must precede Jesus' triumphal return with his army of saints.
- The idea of a literal millennial reign of Christ is similarly rejected.
- Replacement Theology - The idea that the church has replaced Israel and that the Jews, Israel and the city of Jerusalem play no future role in Bible prophecy.
- The Book of the Revelation of Jesus Christ is said to have been fulfilled (Preterism and the destruction of the Second Temple in 70 A.D.) or is to be considered allegorical.
- An experiential and mystical form of Christianity is promoted.
- Seeking present day relevance purely for the sake of relevance is a sure sign of apostasy.
- The desire to go back in church history (called 'ancient-future' or 'vintage Christianity') to learn what experiences were effective in attracting new Christians.
- Images and sensual experiences are promoted as keys to knowing God.
- Experiences include icons, candles, incense, liturgy, labyrinths, prayer stations and an overemphasis on sacraments.
- An emphasis on ecumenism pointing to unity with the Roman Catholic church.
- Communion is considered more than a symbol and that Jesus becomes present in the wafer and the wine. Do we need to crucify Christ over and over again just so we can share communion? I think not!
- An apostate church will buy into the PC lie that there are many ways to God. See John 14:6 for reference.
- Those who question such activities are reprimanded and asked to leave. Elders are given short thrift.
This list is not meant to be exhaustive. I do however consider it to be an excellent guideline. Now if your church lights the occasional candle and doesn't preach about the coming tribulation as often as it should doesn't mean you're in an apostate church. No church is perfect! Consistent study of the Bible in private will remedy any theological shortcomings. If you do notice a significant number of the points mentioned above in your place of worship I'd get out of there as quickly as possible. Why should Satan work hard when the likes of Rick Warren do his dirty work for him? Be vigilant and may you rest in the saving grace of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Johnny Cash
4 comments:
SEPARATION OF RAUNCH AND STATE
(It's still legal - and always God-honoring - to air messages like the following. See Ezekiel 3:18-19. In light of government backing of raunchy behavior (such offenders were even executed in early America!), maybe the separation we really need is the "separation of raunch and state"!)
In Luke 17 in the New Testament, Jesus said that one of the big "signs" that will happen shortly before His return to earth as Judge will be a repeat of the "days of Lot" (see Genesis 19 for details). So gays are actually helping to fulfill this same worldwide "sign" (and making the Bible even more believable!) and thus hurrying up the return of the Judge! They are accomplishing what many preachers haven't accomplished! Gays couldn't have accomplished this by just coming out of closets into bedrooms. Instead, they invented new architecture - you know, closets opening on to Main Streets where little kids would be able to watch naked men having sex with each other at festivals in places like San Francisco (where their underground saint - San Andreas - may soon get a big jolt out of what's going on over his head!). Thanks, gays, for figuring out how to bring back our resurrected Saviour even quicker!
[If you would care to learn about the depraved human "pigpen" that regularly occurs in Nancy Pelosi's district in California, Google "Zombietime" and click on "Up Your Alley Fair" in the left column. And to think - horrors - that she is only two levels away from being President!]
Thanks Irv for your comment. We must remember that when it comes to gay men and their lifestyle we must at all times be praying for their salvation. GBLT people are not the only culprits in this moral slide we're seeing. A 'me first, all the time, right now' attitude is the majority reason for our increasing apostasy.
Cordially, JC
Persecution of True Believers is certainly on the rise in America and world wide. We are told by Paul to count persecution as all joy. The rise of persecution is another birth pang indicating that our Lord is coming soon. Persecution sorts the wheat from the tares. We are accused of being intolerant to the notion that there are many ways to find God. I stand guilty as charged. I will believe and proclaim unto death that Jesus is the way, the Truth, and the life. No One Comes to the Father but by Jesus. The shed Blood of Jesus Christ plus nothing for the forgiveness of sin equals eternal life with Christ Jesus for those that believe by faith. We are truly blood bought.
Indeed you are correct sir. To be a follower of Christ is to crash head-on at full speed into conflict with the world. You and I serve Christ, not the fads and false promises of this dying world. Thank you Fred for your kind words and encouragement.
Cordially, JC
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