Countering Lies And Backsliding

When Jesus came on this earth, the officials of the then church were what we would call ‘backslidden’. This is not fiction – just read the gospel accounts of the ministry of John The Baptist to see that clearly.

Church rulers, instead of leading the people in the spirit, had sold out to ‘The Law’ (Pharisees) and Mammon (Sadducees). They were oppressing the populace by the unrealistic expectations of their version of ‘The Law’, and unrealistic taxation in the name of the Temple.

John The Baptist

John’s special ministry was to preach repentance to a nation spiritually in the wilderness. The story of The Baptist’s preaching – how the people flocked to him in the wilderness of Judea, confirms this:

“Crowds of people came out to John to be baptized by him. ‘You snakes!’ he said to them. ‘Who told you that you could escape from the punishment God is about to send? Do those things that will show that you have turned from your sins. And don’t start saying among yourselves that Abraham is your ancestor. I tell you that God can take these rocks and make descendants for Abraham! The axe is ready to cut down trees at the roots; every tree that does not bear good fruit will be cut down and thrown in the fire.‘  The people asked him, ‘What are we to do, then?'”  (Luke 3:7-10)

Here is a people totally without spiritual guidance, seeking truth – Real Truth.   And Jesus took pity on them. (Matthew 9:36)

Jesus And The Truth

It was Jesus’ calling and His nature to fight against backsliding and deception – and if He were not listened to, to give His life for the people.

As for the church leaders, He nailed it in John 8:44 when He came up against the Scribes and Pharisees in a discussion about Truth, by saying:

“You are of your father the devil, and the desires of your father you want to do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a liar and the father of it.” (John 8:44)

The importance of this quote, and its relevance to the present times, becomes plainer from the context. The discussion began with Jesus talking about His Father. The Jews (John: religious leaders) misunderstood Him – either through error or on purpose – and countered, “Where is your father?” The discussion went on, and Jesus finally said, “If you obey my teaching, you are really my disciples; you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” (John 8:31-32)

Immediately, the Jews sidestepped: “We are the descendants of Abraham,” they answered pompously, “and we have never been anybody’s slaves. What do you mean, then, by saying, ‘You will be free’?” (John 8:33)   That claim for a start was untrue – the people of Israel had been enslaved several times – and taught the languages and customs of their captors.

When Jesus challenged that statement, the Jews changed their tack again: “God himself is the only Father we have,” they answered, “and we are his true children.” (John 8:41)   It was at this point that Jesus came out in full condemnation:

“You are of your father the devil, and the desires of your father you want to do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a liar and the father of it.” (John 8:44)

The Truth Today

I want to show the crucial importance of this statement in its relevance to where we are right now.

For the first time ever, the world is in the grip of a philosophy that holds there is no such thing as absolute truth – that is, there is no independent standard by which truth or error can be judged.   Your folly is as good as mine.  This travesty is being taught to children and teenagers, and instilled into the minds of anyone who will listen.   It is a direct, Satanic attack on honesty, uprightness, ethics, wisdom, learning, absolute truth, God, the Bible and Jesus Christ.

Its real purpose is to destroy the underpinnings of civilization and bring as many people as possible into Satan’s future domain, as quickly as possible.

Those behind this ideology couldn’t care less – they have their wealth, their bolt-holes and no doubt consider themselves untouchable.  They would love to see the world’s population seriously reduced by chaos and lawlessness ASAP.

What does all this mean right now, close to election time?

• As far as today’s church is concerned, make no mistake – God is subjecting it to a mighty shaking, in which only the things that cannot be shaken will remain. (Hebrews 12:27)   In the run-up to the American Election, the fallout of backsliding churches is becoming evident, – and their pastors will be held responsible for leading their flock into stumbling. (Luke 17:2. Matthew 18:6 , Mark 9:42)
• For the nations: yes there are many things that need to be repented of and turned away from.   We all have indeed sinned.   But this is not the time to throw the baby out with the bathwater – like de-funding the Police, for example: wouldn’t some people just love that?   No – that way lies Anarchy.  Cleanse, but do not destroy.

We and the nations need above all to repent (turn away from all ungodly acts) and dedicate ourselves to cleaning house, chopping at the root all unhealthy trees and rebuilding afresh systems that are worthy to serve the peoples of the world as per the example set by Jesus and followed by Ghandi, Mandela, Martin Luther King, and Mother Teresa – to name just a few..

This is no mean task.

Above all, remember this:   It is a historic truth that Marxism, Socialism and Anarchy have never achieved the result of improving the lot of the world’s people.    

And they never will.

Upon His Shoulder

In the 8th Century BC, the Judean prophet Isaiah foretold an inescapable time of trouble. His statement begins with a wail of anguish:

“Here I am with the children the Lord has given me. The Lord Almighty, whose throne is on Mount Zion, has sent us as living messages to the people of Israel..” (Isaiah 8:18)

One can almost hear him saying, “What on earth am I doing here among these stiff-necked people?”

He continues:

“But people will tell you to ask for messages from fortunetellers and mediums, who chirp and mutter. They will say, “After all, people should ask for messages from the spirits and consult the dead on behalf of the living.”

^“You are to answer them, “Listen to what the Lord is teaching you! Don’t listen to mediums—what they tell you cannot keep trouble away.  The people will wander through the land, discouraged and hungry. In their hunger and their anger they will curse their king and their God. They may look up to the sky  or stare at the ground, but they will see nothing but trouble and darkness, terrifying darkness into which they are being driven.   There will be no way for them to escape from this time of trouble.”  (Isaiah 8: 19 – 9:1)

Is this applicable to the inhabitants of Judea?  No doubt!  It came to pass for them a number of times.  It is even more applicable to the whole world situation in the present day.  Serious troubles have fallen upon the world in 2020: we are in a parlous state.

And what does ‘parlous’ mean, for those that know not? 

It means ‘full of danger or uncertainty; precarious‘.

How has this come about?  It has come about because over the past 50 years, Marxism has been making a stealthy, determined push to finally take over our world, under cover of a cloak called ‘Socialism’.  I have seen this (starting in the ’70s, though I did not know what it was at the time) in my own country – which is not USA.

Seeking God’s word and salvation is being ousted in favor of listening to the mutterings of ‘fortunetellers and mediums’ – the greatest of these being the popular Media: Note!   Make no mistake, what Isaiah describes above, translated into today’s setting, is called “Anarchy” (with a capital ‘A’): an outcome now being openly advocated and pushed shamelessly.  America is the current target, because from its very foundations (in 1620 – yes!) America has always stood for freedom – and believe me, Marxism, Socialism and Anarchy have ABSOLUTELY NOTHING to do with freedom.

The upcoming election in America marks a clearer divide than ever before between the Abortion-pushing, Death-pushing policies now promoted by the Democrats, and the Republican policies that value Life and Freedom.  I am being ‘political’ here, for a purpose – because make no mistake, if the Abortion/Death platform wins in America, the next stop will be the rest of the world. 

And in NO COUNTRY that has ever been under the heel of Marxism (in whatever guise) has EVER been a blessing to its people.  Plenty of promises – ideology – yes;  but real benefits for the people?   No! 

Speaking of blessings, Isaiah goes on to prophesy the ultimate saving of the people by God’s gracious hand of mercy:

“For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.   Of the increase of His government and peace There will be no end,”  (Isaiah 9:6)

No doubt the Judean hearers and readers of this prophecy understood it as applying to the nation of Israel.  It was part of the prophetic corpus of the Old Testament pointing towards the ultimate coming of the Messiah. 

But as with many prophetic passages of the Bible, there is an ongoing application that even now today is approaching its climax…

The prophetic Book of Daniel in its final chapter points clearly to a future fulfillment of prophecy:

“At that time the great angel Michael, who guards your people, will appear. Then there will be a time of troubles, the worst since nations first came into existence. When that time comes, all the people of your nation whose names are written in God’s book will be saved.   Many of those who have already died will live again: some will enjoy eternal life, and some will suffer eternal disgrace.  The wise leaders will shine with all the brightness of the sky. And those who have taught many people to do what is right will shine like the stars forever.”

 He said to me, “And now, Daniel, close the book and put a seal on it until the end of the world. Meanwhile, many people will waste their efforts trying to understand what is happening.”  (Daniel 12:1-4)

Do not YOU waste your efforts, Dear Reader.   Do not be misled in these crucial times.  As the above passage from Daniel, and many statements of Jesus and His apostles show, being saved into the Kingdom of the Prince of Peace at the end times is NOT automatic.  Any preacher or church that tells you it is, is completely off the rails.

Avoid them, for your own salvation.

Please hear me:   Seek the Lord while yet ye may!   (Isaiah 55:6)

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