How to Respond to False Doctrine

[LadyCrosstalk]

The one-world religion described inRevelation 17:1–18 as “the great harlot” will be part of the end-times scenario. The termharlot is used throughout the Old Testament as a metaphor for false religion. The actual identity and makeup of the religion has been debated for centuries and has resulted in a number of different views among Bible commentators and theologians. There are convincing arguments for the one world religion being Catholicism, Islam, the New Age movement, or some form of religion not even invented yet, and an internet search will produce many more possibilities and theories. There is no doubt that some sort of one-world religion under the false prophet will be a part of the end times, perhaps made up of a number of different religions, sects, and isms that are around today.

Revelation 17:1–18 gives us several characteristics of the one-world religion. The false religion will dominate all the “peoples and multitudes and nations and tongues” of the earth (Revelation 1b, 15), meaning that it will have universal authority, no doubt given by the Antichrist, who rules the world at that time. Verses 2–3 describe the harlot as committing adultery with the “kings of the earth,” referring to the false religion’s influence among the world’s rulers and influential people. The reference to being drunk with the wine of her adulteries may refer to those who are drunk with the power they receive from worshiping the false god of the false religion. Satan frequently ensnares those whose lust for power drives them away from the worship of the true and living God. The alliances forged by the false religion will unite church and state as never before.

Verse 6 describes the harlot as being “drunk with the blood of the saints” and the blood of those who testify of Jesus. Whether they will be martyred at the hand of the Antichrist or by being systematically starved, believers who are on the earth during the tribulation will experience the wrath of the harlot and her power source, the Antichrist. Those who oppose the worldwide religion will be killed, and those who refuse to worship the Antichrist by accepting his mark will be unable to buy and sell, thereby making survival very difficult (Revelation 13:16–17).

Eventually, the harlot will lose favor with the Antichrist, who will want to receive the world’s worship for himself. He will not share the adoration of the world with the prophets and priests of the false religion, no matter how obsequious or fawning they may be. Once the Antichrist gains the world’s amazed attention by his miraculous return from the dead (Revelation 13:3, 12, 14), he will turn on the false religious system and destroy it, establishing himself as God. The deception, Jesus tells us, will be so great that, if it were possible, even the elect would fall for it (Matthew 24:24

Yes--those who propose a "one-world religion" apparently, for the most part, do so in ignorance of what the Scripture teaches about false religions. God likens them to "harlots". The harlot of Babylon will be just that. But "her" ignominious end is also prophesied when "she" is no longer useful to the Ten Kings and their chosen Antichrist. We have not yet seen the rise of the Ten Kings which must precede the revealing of the Antichrist.

 

[Greg Merrill]

Yes--those who propose a "one-world religion" apparently, for the most part, do so in ignorance of what the Scripture teaches about false religions. God likens them to "harlots". The harlot of Babylon will be just that. But "her" ignominious end is also prophesied when "she" is no longer useful to the Ten Kings and their chosen Antichrist. We have not yet seen the rise of the Ten Kings which must precede the revealing of the Antichrist.

We may have seen the rise of the 10 or some of the ten, and just don't recognize them. They may not be recognized until the Tribulation starts. I remember when people were looking for the European Union to reach the number 10, thinking that would fulfill this prophecy. They didn't have the common sense/foresight to realize the EU could go well beyond 10, as it has, and that would postpone the fulfillment till it went back down to 10. Britain has just decreased it by one, maybe more will decrease it to 10, or maybe the EU is not related to this prophecy at all.

 

[redleghunter]

So when we find posts on this website, posts maybe we don't think we necessarily should REPORT, how should we respond? Argue, debate, teach,... ? I would like to hear from you.

Good post. I have yet to find the CF trash compactor.

 

[redleghunter]

In fact, several years ago, I mentioned this same thing to moderators here or on another forum,
and all they said was stop replying to bad threads, don't even try -
even "we moderators" are overwhelmed and cannot handle all of them -
no one can handle them, there are so many.

This is concerning what you were told. The site has a statement of faith/beliefs and it should not be much to remove posts which blatantly defy said site rules.

 

[Swan7]

Notice the 'obvious' difference in the above quote and the next quote.



In the first quote, you do not mention the Bible, nor dwelling on God and His Ways, nor to go to Him with any need.
In the second quote, you do post that you do not listen to the false teachers,
which of course is good,
and that is what my post was about - the danger in thinking someone is speaking by or from the holy spirit, or for someone who thinks they are hearing the holy spirit,
when they are not, as observed worldwide in thousands of fellowships after 1991 in particular.
The trust and the authority is in God and in Scripture, always ,
yes, in Isaiah as you posted, and in all Scripture as well. OT and NT.

The false teachers and misleading spirits are far more widespread than the true teachers and the true spirit of YHWH, the holy Spirit.
But they (the false teachers and lying spirits) "pretend to be" and "sound like" the holy spirit, to most people.

Thus the caution/ warning/ test all spirits claiming to be the holy Spirit, and test all messages claiming to be from God:

So you're telling me I'm not a Christian because I spoke truth?

I think there's a lot of deception in your post...

 

[LadyCrosstalk]

We may have seen the rise of the 10 or some of the ten, and just don't recognize them. They may not be recognized until the Tribulation starts. I remember when people were looking for the European Union to reach the number 10, thinking that would fulfill this prophecy. They didn't have the common sense/foresight to realize the EU could go well beyond 10, as it has, and that would postpone the fulfillment till it went back down to 10. Britain has just decreased it by one, maybe more will decrease it to 10, or maybe the EU is not related to this prophecy at all.

I believe the Ten Kings will preside over ten different segments of the world population--something on the order of the United Nations map of the world that illustrates those ten different regional jurisdictions. Interestingly, there are a number of world maps like that (with differences here and there) but they always have ten segments.

 

[GeorgeJ]

So now we're talking end times and eschatology?

 

[Sam91]

Was reading the book of James and came to James 3 and remembered this thread. Specifically the opening verses and the last two James 3:17-18

 

[faroukfarouk]

Was reading the book of James and came to James 3 and remembered this thread. Specifically the opening verses and the last two James 3:17-18

I do love those references to being peaceable and gentle.

 

[Meowzltov]

Imagine you are reading a post on CF (Not this one, ), and you start reading some strange stuff, stuff that you have never read in the Bible. It may have a nice sound to it, but it just doesn't seem quite right. It might even be "alluring" or looking like an appealing bait, or appetizer. Then you recognize it. You can almost hear the hiss of the serpent in the Garden of Eden. You know now that this is not the voice of the Spirit, or of Jesus (John 10:27). You could easily just stop reading, and move on to another post, or something else, and that might be the appropriate action for some. But these words on this post that is just not quite right, or no where close to right is still there for others to read.
It reminds me of years ago, while working as a security supervisor at a hotel, of occasionally coming across pornographic magazines left in the hallways. Now I could be tempted to look at them, or I could ignore them, or I could just throw them away. But then others might still find them and fall for/to their destructiveness. As a Christian I developed a plan for finding them in the future. "Find it, fold it, and fling it." Find it, and don't look at the cover and be enticed by that, and then want to see more. NO!!! Fold that magazine in half immediately so as not to see the cover. Then don't just throw it away for someone else to find. Take it to the trash compactor and fling it all the way to the back, and push the button to move it to a place where it will become irretrievable (at least by me and others in the hotel.) Now not everyone has access to a trash compactor, but come up with a similar plan for dealing with your own temptations, something that is practical, workable, and effective.
So when we find posts on this website, posts maybe we don't think we necessarily should REPORT, how should we respond? Argue, debate, teach,... ? I would like to hear from you.

These are exactly the posts that I most look forward to replying to. I reply with patience and charity but I reply assertively and rationally, showing point by point where the error is: 1. Why it is not Christian (if that is the case) and 2. Why it is damaging to the soul. I always keep in mind that I'm not just replying to the person making the post (who may be thoroughly unreceptive to my replies) but also to the many people who are lurking.

 

[Rob84]

If I took the time to address every falsehood, intentional or not, especially considering all the different denominations including both Protestant and Catholic views (and yes, they all matter), I would never leave this computer. There are people that really want to hear, and they are willing to be teachable, willing to study on their own, and just overall not out to adamantly slam every other person's head into the pavement until they submit to their "correct teachings." Sometimes I say my piece or ask a question, sometimes I may debate a little (not much because I don't find online debates fruitful most of the time), and sometimes I just keep scrolling. I find that most of the time discussions turn into more of a test of my own patience than any sort of furthering truth.

 

[Greg Merrill]

I believe the Ten Kings will preside over ten different segments of the world population--something on the order of the United Nations map of the world that illustrates those ten different regional jurisdictions. Interestingly, there are a number of world maps like that (with differences here and there) but they always have ten segments.

Sounds like something they had in one of the "Left Behind" movies. I like the concept of understanding it this way.

 

[redleghunter]

Imagine you are reading a post on CF (Not this one, ), and you start reading some strange stuff, stuff that you have never read in the Bible. It may have a nice sound to it, but it just doesn't seem quite right. It might even be "alluring" or looking like an appealing bait, or appetizer. Then you recognize it. You can almost hear the hiss of the serpent in the Garden of Eden. You know now that this is not the voice of the Spirit, or of Jesus (John 10:27). You could easily just stop reading, and move on to another post, or something else, and that might be the appropriate action for some. But these words on this post that is just not quite right, or no where close to right is still there for others to read.
It reminds me of years ago, while working as a security supervisor at a hotel, of occasionally coming across pornographic magazines left in the hallways. Now I could be tempted to look at them, or I could ignore them, or I could just throw them away. But then others might still find them and fall for/to their destructiveness. As a Christian I developed a plan for finding them in the future. "Find it, fold it, and fling it." Find it, and don't look at the cover and be enticed by that, and then want to see more. NO!!! Fold that magazine in half immediately so as not to see the cover. Then don't just throw it away for someone else to find. Take it to the trash compactor and fling it all the way to the back, and push the button to move it to a place where it will become irretrievable (at least by me and others in the hotel.) Now not everyone has access to a trash compactor, but come up with a similar plan for dealing with your own temptations, something that is practical, workable, and effective.
So when we find posts on this website, posts maybe we don't think we necessarily should REPORT, how should we respond? Argue, debate, teach,... ? I would like to hear from you.

There is a concerted effort IMO from time to time here for cults to try to present their doctrine. Usually what I call book or blog 'pimping.' Meaning they come on various sub forums to promote a book or blog. They tell the readers to buy the book or visit their blog page. This is a manipulative ploy to post theological assertions on CF.com threads without opening their ideas for discussion or argument. Basically CF is used as a platform to point people to their book or blog site.

 

[Greg Merrill]

These are exactly the posts that I most look forward to replying to. I reply with patience and charity but I reply assertively and rationally, showing point by point where the error is: 1. Why it is not Christian (if that is the case) and 2. Why it is damaging to the soul. I always keep in mind that I'm not just replying to the person making the post (who may be thoroughly unreceptive to my replies) but also to the many people who are lurking.

I think along these same lines. I know I have the gift of teaching, and you obviously do as well.

 

[Greg Merrill]

There is a concerted effort IMO from time to time here for cults to try to present their doctrine. Usually what I call book or blog 'pimping.' Meaning they come on various sub forums to promote a book or blog. They tell the readers to buy the book or visit their blog page. This is a manipulative ploy to post theological assertions on CF.com threads without opening their ideas for discussion or argument. Basically CF is used as a platform to point people to their book or blog site.

Unfortunately, you are probably quite right. We will have to put up with this like we do spams, hoaxes, scammers, and viruses.

 

[Swan7]

So you're telling me I'm not a Christian because I spoke truth?

I think there's a lot of deception in your post...

@yeshuaslavejeff I actually wasn't kidding. Is that what you were implying? It's an honest question.

 

[yeshuaslavejeff]

@yeshuaslavejeff I actually wasn't kidding. Is that what you were implying? It's an honest question.

< shrugs > You're totally wrong, that's all I remember at this point.

I have no idea what your label is even, it doesn't matter, I was referring to what you posted.

 

[Swan7]

< shrugs > You're totally wrong, that's all I remember at this point.

I have no idea what your label is even, it doesn't matter, I was referring to what you posted.

The post in which you cannot remember. Convenient. Well, I was simply asking because that seemed like what your post was saying to mine - for whatever reason. So I simply asked for clarification. So, can you please elaborate and clarify to me what your post actually meant? If I am wrong, then please, by all means correct me via PM. Thanks.

What does my "label" even matter? I'm a follower of Christ. Not a perfect one, by any means. It is He Whom strengthens me.

 

[Greg Merrill]

The post in which you cannot remember. Convenient. Well, I was simply asking because that seemed like what your post was saying to mine - for whatever reason. So I simply asked for clarification. So, can you please elaborate and clarify to me what your post actually meant?

What does my "label" even matter? I'm a follower of Christ.

Seeing you both are going back and forth on my original thread, I though I would step in here and say "Sounds like you both ought to just drop it and move on, or start another thread to carry this on. Just saying... or I could just mind my own business.

 

[Swan7]

Seeing you both are going back and forth on my original thread, I though I would step in here and say "Sounds like you both ought to just drop it and move on, or start another thread to carry this on. Just saying... or I could just mind my own business.

you know what? You're absolutely right. I'm sorry, so I will add in my last reply for him to PM me. I'm just trying to get to the bottom of what his post meant. Besides Jesus says to confront one another and if nothing gets resolved then dust myself off and then move on.

Thanks.