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.
Damascus Road News 