A final warning to Christians

Dan1988

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Before Christ ascended back to heaven, He warned the Apostles to "take heed, for after I go many will come in my Name" The Apostles knew that Christ wanted them to record what He told them as it applies to us also.

If you asked the average Christian who their worst enemy is or what represents the greatest danger to them, you would get a lot of different answers. But Christ was clear about who our greatest enemies are, He described them as "wolves in sheep's clothing.

Christ also told the apostle John, in the book of Revelation that there would be a great falling away and the love of many would grow cold. These warnings were directed at believers, Jesus knew that false prophets would sneak into the Church and teach false doctrine in order to lead the flock away from Christ.

So our worst enemy is not the Devil and his Demons, because we know what they're all about. Our greatest enemy is a false prophet and the Church is full of them, these days.

Our second worst enemy is ourselves, the Apostle Paul describes this enemy in Romans 7:18-21 Here Paul describes the true condition of every Christian, we don't do what we know to be good, but we chose to do the evil which we know is bad.

According to Paul, we will continue to wrestle against our sin nature and we won't conquer it in this life. Most Christians don't know their worst enemies and this makes them very vulnerable.

Every army General studies the enemy before He goes to war against it, but Christians aren't even convinced that they themselves are one of their own worst enemies. Nobody likes to hear the cold hard truth, that's why those Churches where the Gospel is proclaimed faithfully are nearly empty while the wolves fill stadiums.

This explains why the fear of God is the beginning of wisdom, we wouldn't need to fear God if we weren't inherently wicked. As long as Christians think they're doing well and there's nothing to fear the devil will leave them alone, because he knows they're headed to the same place as he is.
 

Leaf473

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Before Christ ascended back to heaven, He warned the Apostles to "take heed, for after I go many will come in my Name" The Apostles knew that Christ wanted them to record what He told them as it applies to us also.

If you asked the average Christian who their worst enemy is or what represents the greatest danger to them, you would get a lot of different answers. But Christ was clear about who our greatest enemies are, He described them as "wolves in sheep's clothing.

Christ also told the apostle John, in the book of Revelation that there would be a great falling away and the love of many would grow cold. These warnings were directed at believers, Jesus knew that false prophets would sneak into the Church and teach false doctrine in order to lead the flock away from Christ.

So our worst enemy is not the Devil and his Demons, because we know what they're all about. Our greatest enemy is a false prophet and the Church is full of them, these days.

Our second worst enemy is ourselves, the Apostle Paul describes this enemy in Romans 7:18-21 Here Paul describes the true condition of every Christian, we don't do what we know to be good, but we chose to do the evil which we know is bad.

According to Paul, we will continue to wrestle against our sin nature and we won't conquer it in this life. Most Christians don't know their worst enemies and this makes them very vulnerable.

Every army General studies the enemy before He goes to war against it, but Christians aren't even convinced that they themselves are one of their own worst enemies. Nobody likes to hear the cold hard truth, that's why those Churches where the Gospel is proclaimed faithfully are nearly empty while the wolves fill stadiums.

This explains why the fear of God is the beginning of wisdom, we wouldn't need to fear God if we weren't inherently wicked. As long as Christians think they're doing well and there's nothing to fear the devil will leave them alone, because he knows they're headed to the same place as he is.
I found a good way to be aware of the "enemy in ourselves" is to look to see where we are growing works of the flesh and in their place grow fruit of the Spirit

Galatians 5:19 Now the works of the flesh are obvious, which are: adultery, sexual immorality, uncleanness, lustfulness, 20 idolatry, sorcery, hatred, strife, jealousies, outbursts of anger, rivalries, divisions, heresies, 21 envyings, murders, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these; of which I forewarn you, even as I also forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit the Kingdom of God. 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faith, 23 gentleness, and self-control.
 
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Citizen of the Kingdom

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The fruit of the spirit is like a grape cluster of 9, that involves the whole and not just parts. Against the Spirit there is no law, but there is the law of the Spirit.
Romans 8:2
For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and of death.
 
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Mr. M

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Christ also told the apostle John, in the book of Revelation that there would be a great falling away and the love of many would grow cold. These warnings were directed at believers, Jesus knew that false prophets would sneak into the Church and teach false doctrine in order to lead the flock away from Christ.
The disciples revealed their hearts by asking for a sign. The Lord showed
His heart in His answer.

Matthew 24:
4
And Jesus answered and said to them: Take heed that no one deceives you.
5 For many will come in My name, saying, I am of Christ, and will deceive many....

11 Then many false prophets will rise up and deceive many.
12
And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold.
13 But he who endures to the end shall be saved.
14 And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations,
and then the end will come.


23 Then if anyone says to you, Look, here is the Christ! or There! do not believe it.
24 For false christs and false prophets will rise and show great signs and wonders
to deceive, if possible, even the elect.
25 See, I have told you beforehand.

I have always believed that this discourse is focused on the depth of deception as the end draws near.
"Wars and rumors of war" has more to do with circumstances that false teachers and prophets
will use to try to deceive, than signs that we should give heed to anxieties. I will repeat His warning:

Take heed that no one deceives you.
 
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Danigt22

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Before Christ ascended back to heaven, He warned the Apostles to "take heed, for after I go many will come in my Name" The Apostles knew that Christ wanted them to record what He told them as it applies to us also.

If you asked the average Christian who their worst enemy is or what represents the greatest danger to them, you would get a lot of different answers. But Christ was clear about who our greatest enemies are, He described them as "wolves in sheep's clothing.

Christ also told the apostle John, in the book of Revelation that there would be a great falling away and the love of many would grow cold. These warnings were directed at believers, Jesus knew that false prophets would sneak into the Church and teach false doctrine in order to lead the flock away from Christ.

So our worst enemy is not the Devil and his Demons, because we know what they're all about. Our greatest enemy is a false prophet and the Church is full of them, these days.

Our second worst enemy is ourselves, the Apostle Paul describes this enemy in Romans 7:18-21 Here Paul describes the true condition of every Christian, we don't do what we know to be good, but we chose to do the evil which we know is bad.

According to Paul, we will continue to wrestle against our sin nature and we won't conquer it in this life. Most Christians don't know their worst enemies and this makes them very vulnerable.

Every army General studies the enemy before He goes to war against it, but Christians aren't even convinced that they themselves are one of their own worst enemies. Nobody likes to hear the cold hard truth, that's why those Churches where the Gospel is proclaimed faithfully are nearly empty while the wolves fill stadiums.

This explains why the fear of God is the beginning of wisdom, we wouldn't need to fear God if we weren't inherently wicked. As long as Christians think they're doing well and there's nothing to fear the devil will leave them alone, because he knows they're headed to the same place as he is.
Well, Saint Paul biggest enemy were the judaizers. They wanted to make Christian turn back to the law intead of the grace of God.
 
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CaspianSails

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The wolves are always among the sheep and you can tell them, not by their words but by their deeds. Not by their praise but by their treatment of those around them over time. Wolves in sheep clothing are loving until they are ready to destroy the individual which is seldom done publicly although the character assassination that follows is. A wolf can live as a sheep for each individual for a long time, until you become in their way or aware of them. I hear from people from many churches and many walks and the same permeates throughout. God is waking His people and they are leaving churches that only focus inward, where serving God is taught to be serving the church or the minister. They are leaving places where the minister is large and in charge and likewise those who "lead" with the minister. They are migrating to small groups who have also left their church "home" and studying themselves the Word and being discipled by others who have left who are more mature in the faith. They are learning the fundamental beliefs of Christianity and choosing to stand on the foundation of Christ and not the Church. Not to say all churches are this, but some are. In many worship centers the focus is on the church. The focus of a Christian should be on the world, the sinner in need of redemption and on a life lived for Christ alone. If you belong to or attend a church that is based on those principles and there is accountability and you have true Christian leadership in the church where each leader is accountable to others and the pastor is not thought of as a CEO or boss, then hold on and do not let it fall. I say that last part because there are still groups of believers and gathering places which have not fallen into the American Gospel. Do you go to church to feel good when it is over? Is it your fix to get through the week? OR does the Holy Spirit live in you compelling you to be like Christ?
 
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Dan1988

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I found a good way to be aware of the "enemy in ourselves" is to look to see where we are growing works of the flesh and in their place grow fruit of the Spirit

Galatians 5:19 Now the works of the flesh are obvious, which are: adultery, sexual immorality, uncleanness, lustfulness, 20 idolatry, sorcery, hatred, strife, jealousies, outbursts of anger, rivalries, divisions, heresies, 21 envyings, murders, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these; of which I forewarn you, even as I also forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit the Kingdom of God. 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faith, 23 gentleness, and self-control.
Notice Paul said "Those who practice these things" he never said those who commit these sins. Christians do murder, commit adultery and those other things but they don't practice them as a way of life.

The only man who God said was after His own heart was a murder and adulterer, that being David. So we see that God is ready and willing to forgive all of the above sins, if we come before him in repentance. Christians tend to pass judge other Christians for these sins but God said "Judge ye not" for He is the only righteous judge.

All we can do is fight against temptation, but we can't win every battle and sometimes our old sin nature overcomes us. But we are blessed to have a faithful God who is always ready to forgive us.
 
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Dan1988

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The disciples revealed their hearts by asking for a sign. The Lord showed
His heart in His answer.

Matthew 24:
4
And Jesus answered and said to them: Take heed that no one deceives you.
5 For many will come in My name, saying, I am of Christ, and will deceive many....

11 Then many false prophets will rise up and deceive many.
12
And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold.
13 But he who endures to the end shall be saved.
14 And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations,
and then the end will come.


23 Then if anyone says to you, Look, here is the Christ! or There! do not believe it.
24 For false christs and false prophets will rise and show great signs and wonders
to deceive, if possible, even the elect.
25 See, I have told you beforehand.

I have always believed that this discourse is focused on the depth of deception as the end draws near.
"Wars and rumors of war" has more to do with circumstances that false teachers and prophets
will use to try to deceive, than signs that we should give heed to anxieties. I will repeat His warning:

Take heed that no one deceives you.
It's impossible to deceive the elect, so it sounds like the great falling away refers to those who were never truly converted in the first place. "They went out from us as they were never of us" .

False prophets are focused on true believers, they're not interested in false professors since they're already deceived. False prophets preach a man centered gospel, they know the truth offends so they tell folks what they want to hear. They affirm all kinds of sinful lifestyles in their congregation, they never speak out against shacking up or abortion or any other sin.

Christ never taught us to judge a tree (pastor in this case) by what he says, but we are to judge by the fruit they bare. Some have confused "fruit" with material possessions, they see a rich, well groomed pastor and follow him thinking that they will be successful if they take his advice.

Many churches are run like a corporation, their main focus is the bottom line. They set financial and new membership targets and then do whatever it takes to achieve them. This kind of approach reveal their true motive and it should be a red flag for those who know the Lord.
 
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Dan1988

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Well, Saint Paul biggest enemy were the judaizers. They wanted to make Christian turn back to the law intead of the grace of God.
The Church is doing the same thing today for the most part, it binds it congregation with heavy burdens. This keeps the Church member feeling guilty all the time, so it's a form of manipulation. Jesus said in Matthew 11:30 "For My yoke is easy and My burden light", He never demanded sinless perfection from anyone.

The Scribes and Phrases were notorious for burdening people with impossible demands. They also did it for personal gain. Jesus called them " the children of the Devil", I believe He would say the same thing about many Church leaders today. .
 
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2PhiloVoid

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Before Christ ascended back to heaven, He warned the Apostles to "take heed, for after I go many will come in my Name" The Apostles knew that Christ wanted them to record what He told them as it applies to us also.

If you asked the average Christian who their worst enemy is or what represents the greatest danger to them, you would get a lot of different answers. But Christ was clear about who our greatest enemies are, He described them as "wolves in sheep's clothing.

Christ also told the apostle John, in the book of Revelation that there would be a great falling away and the love of many would grow cold. These warnings were directed at believers, Jesus knew that false prophets would sneak into the Church and teach false doctrine in order to lead the flock away from Christ.

So our worst enemy is not the Devil and his Demons, because we know what they're all about. Our greatest enemy is a false prophet and the Church is full of them, these days.

Our second worst enemy is ourselves, the Apostle Paul describes this enemy in Romans 7:18-21 Here Paul describes the true condition of every Christian, we don't do what we know to be good, but we chose to do the evil which we know is bad.

According to Paul, we will continue to wrestle against our sin nature and we won't conquer it in this life. Most Christians don't know their worst enemies and this makes them very vulnerable.

Every army General studies the enemy before He goes to war against it, but Christians aren't even convinced that they themselves are one of their own worst enemies. Nobody likes to hear the cold hard truth, that's why those Churches where the Gospel is proclaimed faithfully are nearly empty while the wolves fill stadiums.

This explains why the fear of God is the beginning of wisdom, we wouldn't need to fear God if we weren't inherently wicked. As long as Christians think they're doing well and there's nothing to fear the devil will leave them alone, because he knows they're headed to the same place as he is.

... and from whom are you borrowing the substance of your exegesis and theology here, Dan1988?

I'm not sure that I can sign onto the dotted line with all that you've said here in your OP, so I ask. I don't think I would call a person a "Christian" if they're so confused that they're headed for the same place the Devil is. You may want to rethink the amount of conceptual consistency that is actually present (or not present) in your OP.
 
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Dan1988

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... and from whom are you borrowing the substance of your exegesis and theology here, Dan1988?

I'm not sure that I can sign onto the dotted line with all that you've said here in your OP, so I ask. I don't think I would call a person a "Christian" if they're so confused that they're headed for the same place the Devil is. You may want to rethink the amount of conceptual consistency that is actually present (or not present) in your OP.
We don't know who the (elect - or - Christians) are, only they themselves and God know. Some may live like the Devil until they reach their death bed and then repent and receive salvation. While others may live a clean life outwardly to the end, only to hear those horrible words "depart from me into the everlasting fire, for I never knew you".

We are not saved by holding to the correct interpretation of scripture. God is not impressed with our ability to rightly interpret the Bible, so we have nothing but filthy soiled rags to offer God in exchange for a place in His eternal paradise.

Gods Kingdom has a lot people who never read a single word of the Bible, so we can see that the Bible has nothing to do with salvation. Jesus said, "believe in Me and ye shall be saved" notice He didn't add any other conditions to receive salvation. But sinful men add endless conditions and heavy burdens on their congregation.

If your name is written in the book of life, then you're saved. If not then there's nothing you can do to be saved. God has predetermined who would be saved before He created the world, so it's a settled matter with God but we only know what God has chosen to reveal to us and that's very little. He will reveal much more in eternity, so we should be thankful for what He has revealed thus far.
 
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Dan1988

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The wolves are always among the sheep and you can tell them, not by their words but by their deeds. Not by their praise but by their treatment of those around them over time. Wolves in sheep clothing are loving until they are ready to destroy the individual which is seldom done publicly although the character assassination that follows is. A wolf can live as a sheep for each individual for a long time, until you become in their way or aware of them. I hear from people from many churches and many walks and the same permeates throughout. God is waking His people and they are leaving churches that only focus inward, where serving God is taught to be serving the church or the minister. They are leaving places where the minister is large and in charge and likewise those who "lead" with the minister. They are migrating to small groups who have also left their church "home" and studying themselves the Word and being discipled by others who have left who are more mature in the faith. They are learning the fundamental beliefs of Christianity and choosing to stand on the foundation of Christ and not the Church. Not to say all churches are this, but some are. In many worship centers the focus is on the church. The focus of a Christian should be on the world, the sinner in need of redemption and on a life lived for Christ alone. If you belong to or attend a church that is based on those principles and there is accountability and you have true Christian leadership in the church where each leader is accountable to others and the pastor is not thought of as a CEO or boss, then hold on and do not let it fall. I say that last part because there are still groups of believers and gathering places which have not fallen into the American Gospel. Do you go to church to feel good when it is over? Is it your fix to get through the week? OR does the Holy Spirit live in you compelling you to be like Christ?
You've raised some important points here and I thank you for doing so. I's like to add a few of my observations as well.

I've found the most dangerous false prophets, to be those who are very intelligent with a good knowledge of the Bible. They speak a lot of truth, but they always add a few little lies at crucial parts of their message. So their whole message becomes contaminated, the Bible describes this as "a little Levin (yeast) Levin's the whole lump".

Jesus said, it's impossible to deceive the elect but even the elect can be taken on a painful and costly learning experience by these wolves. I was talking to a friend earlier today, who said that God punishes people by turning them over to serve their sins. He believes that false prophets are a judgement of God, upon unrepentant sinners. He sited Romans 1:24-32

My friend was trying to explain why we see so much apostasy and Christians approving and supporting all kinds of wicked causes in the world. He said, it's all a part of Gods judgment and his main point was that if God leaves a person to themselves they will always be enslaved by their sin and fall prey to false doctrine.

So all it takes for any person to become lost and reprobate, is for God to simply leave them to themselves and not work through their conscience to convict them of sin. All of us would gravitate towards evil, if God didn't draw us to Himself. There is nothing inherently good in man, Jesus said "only God is good" and the book of proverbs describe the heart of man as being wicked above all things.

My friend concluded by saying that we are 100% dependent on God for all things and especially salvation.
 
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LostMarbels

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23 Then if anyone says to you, Look, here is the Christ! or There! do not believe it.
24 For false christs and false prophets will rise and show great signs and wonders
to deceive, if possible, even the elect.
25 See, I have told you beforehand.

I actually find this interesting and have been studying it quite a bit. I always find it amazing that people can fall for such stuff. I actually seen this guy (I think it was Vox) claiming to be Christ, and giving sermons. People believe he is Jesus and worship him.

upload_2020-10-18_12-23-4.png

https://nypost.com/2020/09/22/siberian-cult-leader-claiming-to-be-jesus-arrested-in-russia/

There is even a parody type guy on youtube. I'm not sure his 'following' actually believes he is Jesus, but I would believe it qualifies.

upload_2020-10-18_12-28-15.png



But I do not believe this is all that the scripture is warning about. There are also those who are hidden, that do not confess that Jesus is the Christ, and deceive 'quietly'. This is why we are to test the spirits.
 
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