Many Shall Come In My Name

Many Shall Come In My Name.......

As the Church of the Living God looks around her, what she observes from day to day is, an almost total collapse in the preaching of the TRUE Word of God."Mammon" has wreaked havoc in the Church world, especially among many of the Charismatic and Pentecostal groups. Although volumes could be written as to its "supposed dreams and revelations," perhaps just a glimpse of what is taking place can be portrayed in this short message. In this modern day and age, they are coming out of the woodwork like termites! "Obey the Man of God," they challenge the people! But Jesus warns us that "many shall come in His name" and if possible will be able to deceive the very elect. I'm not advocating cynicism because there are true men of God still out there but very few. The key to knowing TRUTH is to have the Holy Spirit lead us into all Truth. We cannot afford to be wrong on this neighbor. We're living in the apostasy spoken of by Paul, John and Peter. The false gospel being peddled today sounds so good that millions are being led to hell itself without questioning what it is they're listening to. When they say, "Christ is here," believe it NOT says the Spirit of God! If they are not preaching Christ and HIM CRUCIFIED they are preaching another Jesus and they are a false prophet, a wolf in sheep's clothing, a hireling and a a perverter of the gospel. Paul said let such be "accursed!"

By Chris McDonald

TEXT: Matthew 24:4-5, 11, 23-26 - And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you. [5] For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many. 11 And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many. 23 Then if any man shall say unto you, Lo, here is Christ, or there; believe it not. 24 For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall show great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect. [25] Behold, I have told you before. [26] Wherefore if they shall say unto you, Behold, he is in the desert; go not forth: behold, he is in the secret chambers; believe it not.

As Matthew Henry wrote so long ago, "Truth is the foundation of simulation and counterfeits; there had been real communications from the divine Spirit, and therefore others pretended thereto." As Hosea warned Israel that the coming judgment upon the nation for its sin would be the onslaught of false prophecies from its prophets, we too in the modern church I'm afraid have fell to the same decree:

Hosea 9:7
The days of visitation are come, the days of recompense are come; Israel shall know it: the prophet is a fool, the spiritual man is mad, for the multitude of thine iniquity, and the great hatred.

As I read that verse the last part of that verse, "the great hatred," caused me to think. The great hatred of what?; What did Israel hate so much that made God send their prophets a false delusion that would eventually lead the nation into deeper sin and drive the spiritual man "mad?" I believe it was a hatred for the truth. I further believe that what we see evidenced today in the modern church world of humanistic psychology, new age humanism and all other false man-based gospel programs is really just symptoms of a greater evil - the hatred of TRUTH.

Men do not want truth today. They want a gospel that tickles the ears with soothing words of prosperity, peace and the like instead of hearing a message that confronts our sinfulness. And neighbor, SIN is the problem in ALL of us. Sin is the source of all the ills of mankind no matter what those ills are. When a drunk driver gets in his/her car and kills another human being, the source of that tragedy is SIN. When there is divorce and one party leaves another party just because one feels they don't "love" the other one any more - the root cause of that tragedy is SIN. When we allow our hearts and minds to be polluted with pornography and other sinful images the world bombards us with daily and thereby go out and commit adultery or perform any other type of sexually immoral behavior - the root cause of that problem is SIN! Sin, sin, sin is the problem. The idolatry of worshipping other gods - be it money, prestige, power, greed, position, another person, or even a preacher - is SIN. Man needs a saviour, not a shrink. Two people living together outside marriage don't need to receive "ministerial counseling" to ease their conscience that's telling them both it is wrong and sinful to do so. The two need to REPENT first, get married and obey God. The problem is SIN! Adultery is still SIN. Stealing is still Sin. Covetousness is still SIN. Self-righteousness is SIN. Pride is SIN. Lusting after someone else's mate or ANYONE other than your husband or wife neighbor is SIN. And sin must be dealt with. It carries a price.

Man thinks today somehow and wrongly so that he can sin with impunity. Since the pulpits have stopped warning the masses of the consequences of their sin, many have become numb to the fact that the soul who sins will DIE. There is a judgment that is coming on sinful humanity one day and once it starts it will

Ezek 18:20
The soul that sinneth, it shall die. The son shall not bear the iniquity of the father, neither shall the father bear the iniquity of the son: the righteousness of the righteous shall be upon him, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon him.

Ezek 18:4-9- Behold, all souls are mine; as the soul of the father, so also the soul of the son is mine: the soul that sinneth, it shall die.5 But if a man be just, and do that which is lawful and right, 6 And hath not eaten upon the mountains, neither hath lifted up his eyes to the idols of the house of Israel, neither hath defiled his neighbor's wife, neither hath come near to a menstruous woman,7 And hath not oppressed any, but hath restored to the debtor his pledge, hath spoiled none by violence, hath given his bread to the hungry, and hath covered the naked with a garment;8 He that hath not given forth upon usury, neither hath taken any increase, that hath withdrawn his hand from iniquity, hath executed true judgment between man and man,9 Hath walked in my statutes, and hath kept my judgments, to deal truly; he is just, he shall surely live, saith the Lord GOD.

1 John 3:6-10 - Whosoever abides in him sinneth not: whosoever sinneth hath not seen him, neither known him.7 Little children, let no man deceive you: he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous. 8 He that commits sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil. 9 Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remains in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God. 10 In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil: whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loves not his brother.

1 John 5:18
We know that whosoever is born of God sinneth not; but he that is begotten of God keeps himself, and that wicked one touches him not.

Eccl 7:20- For there is not a just man upon earth, that doeth good, and sinneth not.

The fact of the matter is that ALL have sinned and come short of the glory of God. ALL need a saviour. ALL need to be born again. ALL need to know the CHRIST of the CROSS, the crucified Lamb of God, who 2,000 years ago shed His precious blood and set the captive free. The gospel today is not a request or an invitation to make one's life better - it's an ultimatum! It's a call to the sinner to come to God and reason together with Him, to admit our need for His grace and mercy; to repent humbly before the offended Creator and say Lord, "I'm a SINNER and I can't save myself!" It's a black and white - yes or no - sin or salvation - heaven or hell - issue. There are no in betweens. There is no "maybe" to this question of eternity when it comes to the human soul. There is not a "holding tank" known as purgatory as the Catholic Church claims and falsely teaches millions of well-meaning people who think somehow their own prayers will get their loved ones to heaven. Neighbor, the SOUL WHO SINS SHALL DIE in his sin and wind up in a devil's burning hell. I know that sounds harsh to some. I know in this age of delicate sensibilities we can't talk like that but I'm here to say it again. THE SOUL WHO SINS SHALL DIE in his sin and go out into eternity without God.

Just over the past few months many well-known celebrities such as Johnny Carson, and others in the entertainment world have died without God. The world who knew them outwardly applauded their life's achievements and said many wonderful things about them but neighbor they are not in a place right now that ANY of that matters! NOTHING matters in the pit except whether one knows THE LORD JESUS CHRIST! NOTHING matters in hell except whether HIS BLOOD has covered one's heart and life and one has anchored their faith in the finished, crucified, work of the LAMB OF GLORY. NOTHING matters in hell except our obedience to God and FAITH in HIS SON JESUS CHRIST. Mr. Carson may have been very funny to millions of people but neighbor I can assure you right he is not cracking jokes in hell. He is not laughing in the pit. And neither are millions of others who have went out into eternity without God.

Eccl 3:11
He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the hearts of men; yet they cannot fathom what God has done from beginning to end.

The sad fact is that many who die and go to hell THINK they are really saved and headed to heaven. That is the tragedy of this hour we live in because of what the church has become and shoveled to a hurting and a dying world without God. I dare say that some of you reading this message right now sit there and think in your heart, "I'm a good person; I pay my tithes; I go to church regularly; I take care of my family; I don't have any known vices in this life; I'm a good moral person; I'm very blessed even and have great prosperity;" You think somehow that somewhere in the past you had an experience with God that made you ready for heaven, yet in the reality of eternity you're lost.

No one who has ever died and went to hell went there without a chance to repent. God gives EVERYONE that chance no matter how small a moment it is. NONE will be able to stand before God one day and say otherwise. Neighbor, that is the reason we write this message today to warn you about eternity and the multitude of false doctrines that are sending millions to hell without God. Paul said, as the Holy Spirit penned the words through him, that in the latter days, men would give heed to "seducing spirits," and "doctrines of devils."

1 Tim. 4:1
Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils;

He said many would seek after knowledge and never come to the real meaning of TRUTH - which is found only in CHRIST!

2 Tim. 4:1-3
I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom; [2] Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. [3] For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;

2 Tim. 3:1-8
This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. [2] For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, [3] Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, [4] Traitors, heady, high minded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; [5] Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. [6] For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts, [7] Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth. [8] Now as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, reprobate concerning the faith.

1 Tim. 4:1-5
Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; [2] Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron; [3] Forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth. [4] For every creature of God is good, and nothing to be refused, if it be received with thanksgiving: [5] For it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer.

Try The Spirits

1 John 4:1-3
Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world. [2] Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God: [3] And every spirit that confesses not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world.

This brings me to the sobering subject matter of this journal. Behind every false doctrine that condemns millions of people to hell, there is a "spirit." If it's true doctrine it is the HOLY SPIRIT; if it's false doctrine evil spirits are behind it. We are not to believe everything we hear, but rather to "try" or "prove" the spirits whether they are of God. What we hear usually comes from prophets, teachers, pastors and apostles. The Bible speaks of all of the above, especially those that will be part of the Body in the last days:

False Prophets:

Mark 13:22 - For false Christ's and false prophets will appear and perform signs and miracles to deceive the elect-if that were possible.

Matt 7:15 - Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.

2 Peter 2:1 - But there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the sovereign Lord who bought them-bringing swift destruction on themselves

False Apostles

2 Cor 11:13 - For such men are false apostles, deceitful workmen, masquerading as apostles of Christ

Rev 2:2 - I know your deeds, your hard work and your perseverance. I know that you cannot tolerate wicked men, that you have tested those who claim to be apostles but are not, and have found them false

.False Brethren

Gal 2:4-5- [This matter arose] because some false brothers had infiltrated our ranks to spy on the freedom we have in Christ Jesus and to make us slaves. 5 We did not give in to them for a moment, so that the truth of the gospel might remain with you.

2 Cor 11:26- In journeyings often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils by mine own countrymen, in perils by the heathen, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren;

False Doctrine

1 Tim 1:3-4
As I urged you when I went into Macedonia, stay there in Ephesus so that you may command certain men not to teach false doctrines any longer 4 nor to devote themselves to myths and endless genealogies. These promote controversies rather than God's work-which is by faith

False Pastors (Shepherds)

Jer. 23:1-4 - "Woe to the shepherds who are destroying and scattering the sheep of my pasture!" declares the LORD. 2 Therefore this is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says to the shepherds who tend my people: "Because you have scattered my flock and driven them away and have not bestowed care on them, I will bestow punishment on you for the evil you have done," declares the LORD. 3 "I myself will gather the remnant of my flock out of all the countries where I have driven them and will bring them back to their pasture, where they will be fruitful and increase in number. 4 I will place shepherds over them who will tend them, and they will no longer be afraid or terrified, nor will any be missing," declares the LORD.

Ezek 34:9-10 - Therefore, O shepherds, hear the word of the LORD: 10 This is what the Sovereign LORD says: I am against the shepherds and will hold themaccountable for my flock. I will remove them from tending the flock so that the shepherds can no longer feed themselves. I will rescue my flock from their mouths, and it will no longer be food for them.

Jer. 12:10 - Many pastors have destroyed my vineyard, they have trodden my portion under foot, they have made my pleasant portion a desolate wilderness.

Many will come in the name of Christ proclaiming their false gospel to gullible souls who hear a message of hope, that is really a message of death. Remember this. NO FALSE DOCTRINE ever known to the church of the living God came into the Body without it being laced with enough truth to hide it's real intent and nature.

I want to say that again. Christians have no problem recognizing blatant false doctrine from the cults and movements like the Jehovah Witnesses, Mormons, etc. In fact many Christians boast in a self-righteous, smug manner how much more of the truth we claim to know than those involved in such movements. The problem though is that the false doctrine running rampant in the church today has come in on a wave of mini-"truths" that look very scriptural to the natural eye but lack true Bible based foundations. Satan has masqueraded himself as an angel of light and transformed his ministers into the same who bring in false doctrine on the back of truth that hides the error.

2 Cor. 11:1-15 - Would to God ye could bear with me a little in my folly: and indeed bear with me. [2] For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy: for I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ. [3] But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtlety, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ. [4] For if he that cometh preaches another Jesus, whom we have not preached, or if ye receive another spirit, which ye have not received, or another gospel, which ye have not accepted, ye might well bear with him. [5] For I suppose I was not a whit behind the very Chiefest apostles. [6] But though I be rude in speech, yet not in knowledge; but we have been thoroughly made manifest among you in all things. [7] Have I committed an offence in abasing myself that ye might be exalted, because I have preached to you the gospel of God freely? [8] I robbed other churches, taking wages of them, to do you service. [9] And when I was present with you, and wanted, I was chargeable to no man: for that which was lacking to me the brethren which came from Macedonia supplied: and in all things I have kept myself from being burdensome unto you, and so will I keep myself. [10] As the truth of Christ is in me, no man shall stop me of this boasting in the regions of Achaia. [11] Wherefore? because I love you not? God knoweth. [12] But what I do, that I will do, that I may cut off occasion from them which desire occasion; that wherein they glory, they may be found even as we. [13] For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. [14] And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. [15] Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.

The Holy Spirit says there are "many" of these type of people who will parade their wares in the last days to the masses. I firmly believe without contradiction that we are living in those times right now. The apostasy that has been foretold is not coming any longer, it is HERE. We are told to "test the spirits to see whether they be of God," meaning we must test everything we hear. What test do we use? It's a simple answer - the WORD OF GOD.

I know that sounds simple but the sad truth is that many don't know the Word of God for themselves. They listen to teachers, pastors, apostles, prophets and the like week in and week out without every questioning their doctrine. The false teachers and preachers of the gospel usually have vibrant personalities and a track record of success (much of which is attributed to their "Hollywood" status brought on by Christian television) and many are afraid to question them publicly or otherwise. Some pastors are so self-absorbed with themselves they dare ANYONE to question their preaching or authority claiming that anyone who does is in rebellion and in witchcraft. But test the spirits and doctrine that we hear we MUST!

Peter said in 2 Peter 3:16 that many "wrestle" the scriptures to their own destruction, meaning that preachers and teachers of the gospel can put an erroneous interpretation on the Scripture, making it mean something which was not originally intended. This is done constantly!

2 Peter 3:16 - As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction.

The True Test

1 John 4:1-2
Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world. [2] Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God:

The Apostle John provides us with two tests which decide whether a teacher in the Church speaks by divine or satanic influence. The two tests are:

The confession of Jesus the Messiah having come in the flesh
The subjection to apostolic doctrine

1 John 4:6
We are of God: he that knoweth God heareth us; he that is not of God heareth not us. Hereby know we the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error.

Christ coming in the flesh in actual physical and perfect humanity involves Atonement and Resurrection; for in order to die as the Sin-Offering, He must become MAN, for God could not die; and that His Atoning Death should have a demonstration of Divine acceptance He must be raised from the dead, otherwise His oblation failed in its purpose and did not satisfy the claims of Righteousness. The false teachers of John's day, just like those in the modern era, taught that the Messiah was an illusion, a Power that influenced Jesus of Nazareth. The Messiah, therefore, at least as they taught this error, had no proper actual humanity.

These two tests of simple gospel doctrine point us to the incarnate Christ, the Crucified Lamb of Glory who hung on a cross 2,000 years ago for the sins of mankind. All true gospel doctrine points us to a Personal Saviour in Christ and presents Him subject to the Holy Scriptures as the divine fountain of doctrine. This reveals the true between the false. John uses the word "spirits" here to denote both the person doing the preaching or teaching AND more importantly the "spirit" which is promoting that which is being said, whether the Holy Spirit, or evil spirits.

As Christians we are not to believe everything we hear. The truth is, every single preacher and teacher will always claim to be of God. They claim that what they are teaching and preaching is truth. But the facts are, some are of God and some are not. MANY will come in the name of CHRIST proclaiming themselves the carriers of the true gospel message. Proper testing will always penetrate the deception, will show whether what is in his spirit or heart is either from God or from ungodly, unscriptural source.

Please note that the ALL Christians are told to do this testing. It is not taken out of their hands and reserved for the clergy of the Church. Unfortunately, some pastors and denominational heads, have attempted to do the testing themselves, and then force all who are in the respective churches to accept their findings. The implication here is that every single Christian should conduct the test himself and not tae someone else's word.

Pastors are the shepherd of the flock and ultimately should be especially trained for this work. What gets to the sheep must ALWAYS, or at least SHOULD ALWAYS come through the pastor. I was in a meeting last fall in a church where a prophet from Oklahoma was speaking false prophecies over everyone in the church. These false prophecies were blatantly off-based scripturally AND on a personal level. The pastor of the church stood up after the prophet was gone and said, "If you have a problem with anything the man said, go to HIM, not me." Well, Mr. Pastor let me tell you something. The sheep didn't need to go to the prophet and tell him he was a false prophet - YOU SHOULD HAVE. Many in the church told the pastor the man was false and the pastor didn't do a thing about it. That is being a HIRELING.

That pastor should have rebuked that prophet privately and if he didn't cease to do what he was doing should have stopped him from doing it more. I don't care if the pastor and prophet have known each other since diapers, the sheep got hurt in this meeting and it is on the pastor's watch that it happened. The PASTOR is the head of the local flock under Christ and is responsible for what is being given to the sheep. But because the pastors of the churches today have become nothing more than glorified puppets and controlled by backslidden deacon boards and laity they have stopped being concerned about those matters. Many just want to get along and hope no one gets offended in the process.

Jeremiah 23:1-3 - Woe be unto the pastors that destroy and scatter the sheep of my pasture! saith the Lord. [2] Therefore thus saith the Lord God of Israel against the pastors that feed my people; Ye have scattered my flock, and driven them away, and have not visited them: behold, I will visit upon you the evil of your doings, saith the Lord. [3] And I will gather the remnant of my flock out of all countries whither I have driven them, and will bring them again to their folds; and they shall be fruitful and increase.

We throw up our hands and gasp at the fact nearly 12 million American Christians are not wanting to be part of any church fellowship but we need to take a good look at why these people don't want to be part of the organized church system. GET A CLUE. TEST THE SPIRITS TO SEE WHETHER THEY BE OF GOD. MANY, the HOLY SPIRIT saith, will come in MY name, in the last days and neighbor they are coming out of the wood work in SCORES.

Matthew 24:4-5 - And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you. [5] For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many.

Take Heed That No Man Deceive You

Matthew 24:4-5 - And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you. [5] For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many.

As believers we are to know what the Spirit of God sanctions. When we speak of the Incarnation of Christ, we speak of the Cross of Christ, the finished work of Redemption He did 2,000 years ago. The Spirit of God will place His sanction on the Cross and the Cross alone. Anything else is not of God.

John said we "KNOW the SPIRIT OF GOD," if we are HIS! We are to be acquainted with HIM enough that we will know HIS leading. That way, "no man will deceive you!" We are to be so familiar with the Holy Spirit, which pertains to his leading and guidance, which means that we know the Word very, very, very well! That way, we will recognize instantly what is of Him, and what is not of Him. The Holy Spirit is actually the giver of the Word, and as such, it is impossible to be properly acquainted with Him, unless we know the Word. And to turn it around, it's impossible to properly know the Word, unless one is properly acquainted with the Holy Spirit.

The Word of God said, "JESUS CHRIST HAS COME IN THE FLESH." There is a test we can use to see if the Jesus who is being proclaimed is the real CHRIST! The name "Jesus," is the English form of the Greek, Jesous, and this is Greek form of the Hebrew name, Jehoshua," which means "Jehovah saves." "Christ," is from Christos, which means "the Anointed One."

The words, "is come," speak of the God of the Old Covenant WHO in the Person of His Son became Incarnate in human flesh without its sin, died on the Cross to satisfy the just demands of His Law which man broke, and was raised from the dead in the body in which He died, to become the living Saviour of the sinner who places his faith in Him in view of what He did for him on Calvary's Cross. The person who teaches that, John says, is actually empowered by the Holy Spirit. Otherwise, such a teacher who does not agree with that Doctrine is NOT OF GOD! He is actuated by the SPIRIT OF ANTICHRIST, who denies and is against ALL that the Bible teaches regarding the person and the WORK of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Jesus Christ is the living word. The WORD was made FLESH and dwelt among us. John the Baptist saw the LIVING word and declared, "Behold the LAMB!" Notice, he did not say "Behold the Miracle-worker," or "Behold the Virgin-born," but "Behold the LAMB OF GOD WHICH TAKES AWAY THE SIN OF THE WORLD!"

John 1:1 - In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

John 1:14 - And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father) full of grace and truth.

John 1:29 - The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.

The idea is that the Living Word became FLESH in order to die on a Cross, which in fact, was planned before the foundation of the World. Therefore, ANY preacher who DENIES the cross in any manner is labeled by the Holy Spirit a "FALSE PROPHET!"

1 Peter 1:18-20 - Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; [19] But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot: [20] Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you,

The Incarnation, centers up on the reason for the Incarnation, which was the Cross of Christ. In other words, the Cross was the very purpose and reason for God become man. There is nothing more important!

The CHURCH Is No Longer Preaching The Cross

1 John 4:3
And every spirit that confesses not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world.

Every person who denigrates or even minimizes the Cross in any way is NOT OF GOD. The spirit that denies the Cross is the spirit of the Antichrist! It was the spirit that was gaining momentum even in John's day and it's gaining foot again in the end times. The Cross is the only answer for the sins, perversions, and aberrations of the human race! This means that the situation was and is so bad that it is only the CROSS which could address this terrible problem. Most denominations however, be them Pentecostal, Catholic, or Protestant, have opted wholly for humanistic psychology, which claims that man holds the answer to this dilemma. We cannot have it two ways, and neither can we join the Bible with psychology. The two will not ever mix. One must be believed and the other rejected.

If any man teaches and preaches that the Cross is the answer, then at the same time, one is teaching and preaching that humanistic psychology isn't the answer. If one teaches that humanistic psychology is the answer, they are at the same time teaching that the Cross holds no answer. We must embrace one or the other. The Word of Faith people fall into a similar category but on a different level. They openly repudiate the Cross, claiming that it was the greatest defeat in human history. One of their "bright lights" refers to the cross as "past miseries." Many of their teachers openly claim that the Blood does not atone, consequently, singing no songs about the Blood or the Cross. Many teach the cross was just incidental and that Salvation was brought about by Jesus dying as a sinner himself on the Cross, actually taking upon Himself the Satanic nature, going to hell where He remained for some three days and three nights. Suffering agony during these three days and nights, God then said, "it is enough," and at the same time, Jesus was "born-again." This is where they teach he became the "firstborn" among many brethren. Then he was raised from the dead.

They claim Salvation comes by having faith in the sufferings of Jesus in the burning side of hell and in his resurrection. But the problem with all this is that there is not one single shred of evidence in the Word of God to substantiate it. Another one of the word of faith camp's 'bright lights' said the other day when asked about this matter, "well you just have to see it in your spirit." TEST THE SPIRITS, neighbor, TEST THE SPIRITS to see whether they be of God. MANY are coming in the name of CHRIST saying, "I am HE!"

Jesus did not die as a sinner on the Cross, but as a SIN-OFFERING on the Cross, which means that He poured out His Life's Blood, which atoned for ALL SIN. While He did go down into the part of Hell called "paradise," and as well also preached to the fallen Angels who were imprisoned, there is NOTHING in the Bible that states Jesus went to the burning side of Hell and there suffered as a sinner.

Psalm 16:10
For thou wilt not leave my soul in hell; neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption.

Acts 2:31
He seeing this before spoke of the resurrection of Christ, that his soul was not left in hell, neither his flesh did see corruption.

Eph. 4:9
(Now that he ascended, what is it but that he also descended first into the lower parts of the earth?

1 Peter 3:19
By which also he went and preached unto the spirits in prison;

This is gross error and it's not coming from heathen gurus or new age psychics. It's coming from so-called preachers of the gospel who have been deceived themselves and are promoting "another Jesus," that is being pushed by "another Spirit," under the guise of "another gospel." Satan fights everything that is of God very hard. But he fights the message of the atonement the hardest. WHY? Because it was at the Cross of Christ where the enemy's power over us was broken and his legal right to us destroyed. It's where mankind truly finds deliverance and victory over sin.

Col. 2:14-15
Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross; [15] And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a show of them openly, triumphing over them in it.

The Spirit Of Antichrist

The SPIRIT that denies the CROSS IS THE SPIRIT OF ANTICHRIST. We will be discussing this spirit more in upcoming messages and journals, but we must state this matter here again. ANY spirit that is promoting any other message other than the Cross and Christ Crucified is a false spirit, the spirit of antichrist. It's impossible for one to be saved believing error instead of the truth of the gospel. If we miss it on the Atonement, we've missed EVERYTHING! If the preacher denigrates the cross, he is false through and through. This means he is not of God, which means he is a false prophet, which means he is not saved himself.

If any other way than the Cross of Christ is proposed, as the answer to hurting humanity, that such way is "antichrist." The story of the Bible is the story of the fall and Redemption of humanity, and the story of that Redemption is "Jesus Christ and Him Crucified."

1 Cor. 2:2 - For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified.

What we are saying is that the cross of Christ, i.e., the finished work of Christ, is not merely a doctrine, but actually the FOUNDATION on which ALL doctrine is built. It is the "house built upon the rock." Everything else is the "house built upon the sand." The word, "antichrist," means "pseudochristos," or in other words, false teachers pretending to be of Christ, are actually NOT. Paul called these men those who are preaching "another Jesus."

2 Cor. 11:4
For if he that cometh preaches another Jesus, whom we have not preached, or if ye receive another spirit, which ye have not received, or another gospel, which ye have not accepted, ye might well bear with him.

Matthew 24:4-5
And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you. [5] For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many.

Of all the ways which Satan attacks, he reserves his greatest energy for attacks against the Cross. He seldom proposes that God has no answers, but rather proposes a false way of salvation and receiving grace from the Lord. Most of the ways Satan suggests are ways of "light," and "good" within themselves and it deceives us. It's the good that brings in the spirit of antichrist many times within our midst. We must learn to discern between that which is of Christ and that which is of Satan in these last days.

In Closing

What we have tried to bring you in this message really deals with is what Christ called the first sign of the last days and that is false messiahs. Many shall come.” There will not be a few, but many false Christ's and messiahs. The false messiahs actually claim, “I am Christ,” the Messiah. They will not be the false prophets and teachers mentioned later. They will be persons who claim to be the Messiah, the Messenger of God to the world. They will be “pseudo-Christs” or “anti-Christ's.” The false messiahs “shall deceive many.” Not a few, but many will believe and follow the false messiahs, believing they are the way, the truth, and the life of God (cp. John 14:6).

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

Right after Jesus’ death, several men arose who claimed to be the Messiah. Josephus, the Jewish historian, said many were led astray by them. Scripture also mentions two who apparently claimed to be the Messiah or at least the deliverer of the Jews: Theudas and Judas of Galilee (Acts 5:36-37). Simon Magus claimed to “the great power of God” (Acts 8:9-10). Every generation has its false messiahs, each one claiming to be the special messenger of God, the deliverer of the human race. Every false religion and sect of every generation has its false messiahs, but there shall be many more as we get closer to the coming of the Lord. The last days are HERE neighbor. It's time to get ready for the rapture.

Acts 5:36-37 - For before these days rose up Theudas, boasting himself to be somebody; to whom a number of men, about four hundred, joined themselves: who was slain; and all, as many as obeyed him, were scattered, and brought to nought. [37] After this man rose up Judas of Galilee in the days of the taxing, and drew away much people after him: he also perished; and all, even as many as obeyed him, were dispersed.

Acts 8:9-10 - But there was a certain man, called Simon, which beforetime in the same city used sorcery, and bewitched the people of Samaria, giving out that himself was some great one: [10] To whom they all gave heed, from the least to the greatest, saying, This man is the great power of God.

Men seek utopia, inward peace and outward security. Unfortunately, too many churches and believers do not demonstrate enough trust in Christ to show that peace and security are found in Him alone. Therefore, they turn to other messiahs. And I'm not talking about just the heathen, I'm talking about the millions who sit in churches and listen to a false gospel week in and week out.

Many will claim to be the Christ, the Messiah; that is, each one will claim to the one who can lead men into the utopian state that a deceived world seeks after. They will claim that they can solve man's problems and see to it that man has plenty of everything. The coming man of sin will embody the fullness of the very spirit that is invading the church at this very moment. The man of sin will claim that he is the one who can fulfill the dreams of people, delivering them from conflict and war into a state of peace and freedom, plenty and comfort, equality or supremacy. Whether those who come in the name of Christ are politicians or religionists, they wield power and proclaim themselves to be the hope of mankind.

They “deceive many.” They are deceivers, imposters, seducers, pretenders. They are not able to fulfill the dreams and hopes of men nor to solve the problems of men. They are not able to bring about the utopian state for men, for they do not have such power. They are mere men. They are not the true Messiah, not the Messiah of God. But despite this, many will follow them, believing their false promises and entrusting their lives and welfare into their keeping. Many will follow them as though they are the true deliverer of mankind. But the end result will be hell for millions!

For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple” (Romans 16:18).
For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ” (2 Cor. 11:13).
That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive” (Ephes. 4:14).
But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived” (2 Tim. 3:13).
For many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist” (2 John 7)

Neighbor, I say this to you with love in my heart and a warning. BEWARE OF WHAT YOU HEAR and embrace!!!! Read the word of God and study the scriptures for yourself.

To be frank, we have just touched the surface on this issue. We will be picking up this same theme over the next several weeks and months just with a different title. We feel constrained by the Spirit to write these type journals. There is a dearth of true gospel preaching and we must sound the trumpet. We're just a voice, nothing more. There are still some men and women of God out there who are hearing what the Spirit is saying to the Church. There is still a harvest coming and a move of God unlike anything we've ever seen before. This move of God and the harvest will be TRUE, not false. But when the true comes, believe me the false will rise up and persecute it. False teachers and prophets always do and those who follow the false will reject the true move of God EVERY SINGLE TIME. This generation and time in history will be no different. Stay anchored in the faith! Keep the faith of your soul in CHRIST, and nothing else! He will see you through these times through the power of His Holy Spirit.

Be blessed, and remember - it's getting late neighbor and it's harvest time!

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