A Strong Delusion – The New Apostolic Reformation (via Deception Bytes)

Posted on November 27, 2012 by thereformedtraveler

Reblogged: Deception Bytes

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Everyone hates a mosquito. There is just something infuriating about this little insect.  In the natural, not one of us would stand and watch a mosquito draw our blood without swatting it away: in the spiritual, we the church are doing just that. There is a growing force now sucking the life Blood out of today’s church, and we are welcoming them in and making them at home.

However, these parasites are lethal. They are the reformers of the church, the new crusaders if you will, the gathers of the global church. They are the New Apostolic Reformation (NAR), and they are coming for your church.

The new Apostolic Reformation (NAR) sprang from the Pentecostal and Charismatic movement. They claim that they have been given authority to lay the foundation for the “new” global church. They believe they are restored apostles called and ordained by God to be the government for the emerging “New Order” church. In order to maintain this governance they stress strict obedience and submission to them in all matters. They claim they hear directly from God, and many claim that Jesus visits them in person. Like the true biblical apostles who established the early church, these so-called restored apostles believe they are called to lay the foundation and government for the new Kingdom (one world church). Their goal is complete and utter control of the church and subjugatation of its current governance to them. They want power, dominion and total control. They truly believe that the world is awaiting fulfillment of a take over by a militant church (Joel’s Army) that will arise, govern and dominate the world politically and spiritually. This is a highly organized group with a global agenda. It has been well thought out, well strategized, and will be implemented with military precision. The grid is in place – our future is planned.

 

Alarmingly, these apostolic churches represent one of the fastest growing segments in the church today. In an article entitled New Apostolic Reformation and the Faith and Work Movement, John Rowell states the following “David Barrett, editor of the World Christian Encyclopedia reports 1,000 apostolic networks on record in his global database. These networks are found on six continents and account, by his estimate, for some 100 million believers worldwide. Dr. Wagner estimates that in the US alone there are as many NAR churches as there are Southern Baptist congregations – something approaching 40,000. Growth in the Third World among these churches far surpasses the more mundane statistics found in the West. Europe’s largest church is Manna Church in Lisbon, Portugal with 25,000 members. The Universal Church of the Kingdom of God in Brazil claims over 3 million congregants. The world’s largest congregations are now in Nigeria where the Church of Jesus Christ in Logos assembled 10-12 million people for its Holy Spirit service in December, 2000. The world has never seen this kind of church expansion!”

According to Wikipedia, Kingdom Now theology (which the NAR ascribes to) believe that God lost control over the world to Satan when Adam and Eve sinned. Since then, the theology goes; God has been trying to reestablish control over the world by seeking a “special” group of believers. Through these people — known as “covenant people,” “overcomers” or “Joel’s army,” depending on the source — social institutions (including governments and laws) would be brought under God’s authority. These “covenant people” or “overcomers” are “little gods” — God’s “extension” in the world to regain authority from the devil. The church, under the leadership of “restored” apostles and prophets, therefore must take over the world and put down all opposition to it before Christ can return. Anyone who rebels against the church, along with other “evildoers,” must convert or be punished.

No one is more central to this global takeover of the church than C. Peter Wagner. It might frighten you to know that through Wagner’s World Prayer Center (WPC) he is tracking thousands of ministries and churches.

“We see our task as getting people in touch with one another to form interactive, human web networks that are properly equipped to wage effective spiritual warfare. The WPC is a fully equipped nerve center with data and information about prayer needs throughout the world [which] … networks prayer ministries, denominations, churches and cell groups. World Prayer Center website. Why is this groundwork being laid for a global network? To pave the way for the Apostolic Reformation in which apostles take control of the church and usher in the New Order church they call the kingdom of God.”

I don’t think anyone has put it more succinctly than Sandy Simpson in his forward to his article, The Agenda & Teaching of the New Apostolic Reformation. (
http://www.deceptioninthechurch.com/arise.html
) Simpson states that, “This agenda (the apostolic and prophetic reformation) runs through thousands of agencies and web sites. It is what is driving the Transformations movement, the global prayer movement, and thousands of other churches and organizations. What Christians need to realize is that they need to make a choice now. A majority of Christian churches have already succumbed to this Dominionist agenda foisted on the churches by false apostles driven by false prophecies from false prophets. Wagner is talking about the government of the church, under the leadership of the new foundational restored “apostles”, OVERTHROWING the governments of the world. “

Recently someone sent me a DVD of one of these apostolic conferences called, 2008, Staring the Year off Right. Dutch Sheets spoke shamelessly about their (NAR) groups plans to take over. He showed a doted map of the United States with hundreds of large and smaller dots spaced evenly across the country. He explained that the larger dots showed the apostolic hubs: the teaching and training centers they had already implemented. The smaller dots showed the individual apostles that had been put in place. Underneath the apostles, he explained, would be the individual churches that would be, a local expression of the global church. He stressed that we were no longer to think in terms of our local church but in terms of the Kingdom (buzz word for the coming one world church). It might alarm you that they have deemed 2008 as the year of the “great shift”

John Eckhardt , one of Wagner’s leaders, had this to say in his book, Moving in the Apostolic “The war between the Pastor and the Prophet will cease with the full emergence of the Apostle…. Are we going to be willing to submit our ministry to a specific Apostolic visionary? This is a critical question that will determine our influence on hastening the coming of the Lord, in our effective contribution to the restoring of all things spoken by the prophets”

Let me state emphatically that God does not need us to hasten his coming. That the God of the universe would somehow be impotent and unable to return to earth until WE overthrow the kingdoms of this world is not only heretical but utterly ludicrous.

Rick Joyner in his book The Harvest had this to say about the emerging government of the Apostles. “It was said of the Apostle Paul that he was turning the world upside down; it will be said of the apostles soon to be anointed that they have turned an upside down world right side up” . Nations will tremble at the mention of their name

According to Joyner these reigning apostles will actually make all things right; they will bring order out of Chaos. Interestingly enough, this is the same mantra as the New Agers and those pushing for a New World Order. Joyner goes further in saying that the nations will tremble at their name? If these apostles are going to make all things right and bring order, healing, salvation, and the love of Christ to the whole earth, then why would the nations tremble? They will tremble because they plan to kill those who do not go along with their governance.

You may be experiencing confusion right now; you may be saying to yourself, no this couldn’t be! How could a deception this big exist? Well, let’s think about that for a moment. We know from the Word of God that there will be a one world church and a one world government. This one world government and church is not God’s. We know that the end of days will be marked by deep deception and lying signs and wonders. In fact, the Bible says that the Antichrist will call fire down from Heaven. The Bible also says that God will send a powerful delusion to those that did not love the Truth so that they will believe a lie. If your only basis by which to judge whether a person or ministry is from God are signs and wonders then sadly enough you are already deceived.

Below are some of the teachings and beliefs of these self styled apostles.

· They believe that God is restoring the office of prophet and apostles to the church

· Claim that they alone have the power and authority to execute the plans and purposes of God

· Believe they are building a new foundation for a global church.

· Believe they will literally establish the Kingdom of Heaven on earth

· Believe in a coming “civil war” in the church where they will overcome all (true Christian) opposition.

· Place an inordinate emphasis on angels and the supernatural

· Claim extra biblical revelations that can not be scripturally proven ( progressive revelation)

· Claim that God is doing a “new thing”

· Frequently say that those not accepting their heretical teaching are “Putting God in a box”

· Teach that we should never question their authority.

· They use the term “Touch not God’s anointed” frequently when questions are raised.

· They peg those that question their authority as bound by religion, legalistic, divisive, narrow minded, rebellious, and demonic

· Place a greater emphasis on dreams, visions and extra-biblical revelation than they do on the word of God

· They believe they will be the corporate incarnation of Christ

· They believe they will execute judgment upon those who oppose them (up to and including death).

· They believe in a one world religion operating in sync with a one world government.

· They believe in complete unity and believe that there is nothing they can not accomplish through this unity.

· They believe they can bring Heaven down to earth (Yoism- see link below for more information) (
http://herescope.blogspot.com/2006/05/yoism-creating-heaven-on-earth.html
)

· They believe that we will be perfected here on earth

· They believe in aggressively organizing small group networks

· They believe in the organization of apostles under pre-eminent apostles

· They believe that ALL local churches must be under the authority of a regional or trans-local apostle

· They believe each city must have an apostle- men given extraordinary authority in spiritual matters over the other Christian leaders in the same city

· They consider themselves divine, little gods and equal to Christ ( although they loosely veil this)

· They believe they will attain perfection on earth

· They consider themselves the “Defenders of the Faith”

· Place a great deal of emphasis on mysticism and hidden knowledge ( Gnosis)

· Do not believe in the rapture (or believe the wicked are the ones that will be raptured)

· Stress unity over doctrine and reject the literal interpretation of the Bible

 

II Thessalonians 2:8-11 (Amplified Bible)

8 And then the lawless one (the antichrist) will be revealed and the Lord Jesus will slay him with the breath of His mouth and bring him to an end by His appearing at His coming.

9 The coming [of the lawless one, the antichrist] is through the activity and working of Satan and will be attended by great power and with all sorts of [pretended] miracles and signs and delusive marvels-[all of them] lying wonders—

10 And by unlimited seduction to evil and with all wicked deception for those who are perishing (going to perdition) because they did not welcome the Truth but refused to love it that they might be saved.

11 Therefore God sends upon them a misleading influence, a working of error and a strong delusion to make them believe what is false.

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Called To Be “Point Men”

Posted on November 17, 2012 by thereformedtraveler

Reblogged from The Simplicity of the Gospel

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“In many ways each of us are called to be “point men” every day of our lives. But most Christians are taking a leisurely stroll through a park rather than “walking point” in a war zone.”

“Point Man”

The young Marine was picked to be the squad’s point man that day. It was a life & death job you had to take very seriously – lives hung in the balance. He was moving with catlike grace down the jungle trail. His eyes darted purposely back and forth, staring to maximize his peripheral vision, analyzing every contour for irregularities in the symmetry of vegetation, any abnormalities in the path before him. The point man ran his hand over his face to steady himself, then started forwards again. His brain sifted every shred of stimuli for potential danger as he inched through the dappled greens. Every few paces he paused to look and listen before resuming his advance. Each footfall was measured – the delicate placement of each step – toes first, delicately, carefully measuring each step, cautiously scrutinizing every inch of ground for trip wires trailing off through the vegetation, listening for the muffled rustling of leaves, the crack of a twig, alert for the slightest trace of movement or sixth sense of danger.

In many ways each of us are called to be “point men” every day of our lives. But most Christians are taking a leisurely stroll through a park rather than “walking point” in a war zone. Rather than having an alert attitude of watchful vigilance they are casually complacent. In our consumer driven, comfort driven, convenience driven Christianity we rarely observe a prudent sense of urgency or vigilance. Often, rather than walking with our “eyes wide open” for possible booby traps and spiritual ambushes we carelessly follow a path of least resistance. How much more so is the need in these “perilous times” in which we live? In this present world, the all-consuming pursuit of personal happiness, material prosperity and worldly contentment has robbed many Christians of any authentic sense of vigilance, wariness of this world and watchfulness. Sadly, many have unconsciously “sold out” to the love of this “present world”.

Jesus warned of this “time” as we near the end; “But take heed to yourselves lest your hearts be weighed down with carousing (self-indulgence, distractions, entertainment to excess, partying, diversions, gratification & amusements),drunkenness, & the cares of this life, And that Day come upon you unexpectedly…Watch therefore and pray always…” (Luke 21:34 &36)

Paul added; “Therefore let us not sleep , as others do, but let us watch and be sober…” (I Thessalonians 5:6)

Peter also warned; “ Be sober, be vigilant because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.” (I Peter 5:8)

The battle is raging. A dangerous trail is set before us. God’s people are facing the intoxicating lure of this present world, the deceitfulness of riches, spiritual darkness in high places, false teachings, false messiahs, and “the cares of this life”. The contemporary church is being assaulted by “prosperity doctrines”, “It’s all about me” religion, the gospel of comfortable Christianity, a watered down Gospel, Christian con-artists & “pop” celebrities, empty sensationalism, church fads, and the “Emerging Church” heresy. Many Christians have unknowingly become pleasure driven rather than God led. In essence they have become the fulfillment of Paul’s prophecy; “But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come. For men shall be lovers of themselves, lovers of money…lovers of pleasure more than lovers of God…” (II Timothy 3:1-4)

The need for vigilance, preparedness, discernment and ears to hear has never been greater. We are not to be paranoid, fearful or insecure about the wiles of the Devil or the pitfalls of the “perilous times” in which we live but we are to be vigilant in our journey. We are all called to be “Point Men.”

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The Lord Keep Me!

Posted on August 1, 2012 by thereformedtraveler

Joseph Charles Philpot (1802 – 1869) was known as “The Seceder”.

“The Lord bless thee, and keep thee;
the Lord make His face shine upon thee,
and be gracious unto thee;
the Lord lift up His countenance upon thee,
and give thee peace.”Numbers 6:24-26

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By J.C. Philpot
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I would observe that there are three things, if not more, from which God’s children need to be specially kept.
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1. EVIL: I need hardly observe that the first and foremost is to be kept from positive evil. The Lord asked of the Father for His disciples, “I pray not that Thou shouldst take them out of the world”—no; let them suffer there as I have suffered before—“but keep them from the evil.” They must be in the world, they must be brought into contact with the world, but O keep them from the evil that is in the world! And this will be first and foremost in the petitions of every child of God who knows his own evil heart and has suffered from its weakness and treachery, that the Lord will keep him from open evil, that he may bring no distress and guilt upon his own conscience or reproach upon the cause of God.
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2. ERROR: But another thing from which the Lord alone can keep His people is, error. Satan does not attack all alike. He knows the bent of our natural minds. Some men’s animal passions are strong; in others the animal passions are comparatively weak, but there is much mental speculation. Satan does not tempt the latter as he tempts the former. The passions of the one he inflames; but it is upon the speculative mind of the other that he works. Nothing is so easy for some minds as to drink down error. Their reasoning faculties are caught by the bait of some logical argument, or their speculative imagination by some deep mystery; or their pride gratified by some wonderful piece of knowledge. Now, under all this, error is usually concealed. The sweetness of the draught hides the arsenic in the cup. But no man can take even a few grains of error with impunity; it will stupefy, if it do not kill; it will weaken the soul, if it do not at once destroy life. It will and must affect his head or his heart, his hands or his feet, his faith or his walk. No man can drink down error and the spirit of error without being injured, his spiritual strength weakened, and his spiritual limbs paralysed. We are to beware of error as we would of poison. There is something in error alluring as well as sweet to the carnal mind. Many a child has been allured by the berries of the deadly nightshade first to taste, and, when tasted, their sweetness has drawn it on largely to eat. Let error once hang down its alluring berries from the pulpit, there are plenty in the congregation to pluck and eat. Therefore beware of error, and of erroneous men. I am jealous of error in proportion as I love and value the truth.
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3. SPIRIT OF DELUSION: But there is a third thing, perhaps more fearful still, from which the Lord’s people need to be kept, a thing perhaps little thought of and little noticed, and that is, a spirit of delusion. Many, many persons are under a spirit of delusion, whose lives are consistent and whose creed is sound. Their minds are mostly of a peculiar cast. They are not persons usually of strong animal passions, nor of speculative reasoning minds, but dreamy, visionary, imaginative, with a strong tinge of superstition and a tendency to natural enthusiasm. Now upon such minds Satan specially works, for he is a spirit, and, as such, has access to our animal spirits, breathing into them a spirit of delusion. It was thus he acted upon the four hundred prophets whom honest Micaiah withstood at the court of Ahab; and so with the damsel mentioned in the Acts as “possessed with a spirit of divination” (Acts 16:16.) The Romish Church is full of the dreams and visions, trances and revelations, of their pretended saints; the visions of their St. Catherines and St. Bridgets fill volumes. So even where a sounder creed is professed there are continually found persons all whose religion consists in dreams and sights, in whom there is neither faith nor repentance, neither a sense of sin nor a knowledge of salvation. With these “light and airy dreams,” as Hart calls them, they are wonderfully elated and puffed up, and feed on them instead of the riches of Christ’s blood.
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How we need the Lord to keep us! We stand upon slippery places. Snares and traps are laid for us in every direction. Every employment, every profession in life, from the highest to the lowest, has its special temptations. Snares are spread for the feet of the most illiterate as well as the most highly cultivated minds; nor is there anyone, whatever his position in life may be, who has not a snare laid for him, and such a snare as will surely prove his downfall if God keep him not.
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When Elisha sat upon the mountain and his servant was distressed lest his master should be taken away by violence, the prophet prayed the Lord to open his servant’s eyes. What then saw he? Chariots and horses of fire all round about the mountain guarding the prophet. Perhaps if the Lord were to open our eyes as He opened the eyes of Elisha’s servant, we might see devils where he saw angels, see ourselves surrounded by Beelzebub and his legions, as the eyes of the servant saw Michael with the flaming hosts of heaven.
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Well, then, may it be the desire of our soul, “The Lord keep me”—keep me in His providence, keep me by His grace, keep me by planting His fear deep in my soul, and maintaining that fear alive and effectual in my heart; keep me waking, keep me sleeping; keep me by night, keep me by day; keep me at home, keep me abroad; keep me with my family, and keep me with my friends; keep me in the world, and keep me in the church; the Lord keep me according to His promise every moment; keep me by His Spirit and grace with all the tenderness implied in His words, “O keep me as the apple of Thine eye!”
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My friends, you can know little of your own heart, little of Satan’s devices, little of the snares spread for your feet, unless you feel how deeply you need an interest in this blessing: “The Lord keep thee.” And He will, for we read of the righteous that they are kept “by the power of God through faith unto salvation;” and that “He will keep the feet of His saints.”
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Excerpted from J.C. Philpot, “ISRAEL BLEST AND KEPT,” Preached on Tuesday Evening, August 17th, 1852, at Eden Street Chapel, Hampstead Road, posted in its entirety online at:
http://www.epubbud.com/read.php?g=ARFHFYCH&p=8
. This has been slightly adapted for blog posting.
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Around Town: Week in Review

Posted on December 2, 2011 by thereformedtraveler

 

I charge every loyal member of the Church to open his eyes to the peril
in which his own Church stands, and to beware lest it is damaged through
apathy and a morbid love of peace. Controversy is an odious thing; but
there are days when it is a positive element. Peace is an excellent
thing; but, like gold, it may be considered too dear. Unity is a mighty
… blessing; but it is worthless if it is purchased at the cost of truth.
Once more I say, Open your eyes and be on your guard.
~J. C. Ryle, (1816-1900)

 

 

The Rise of Techno-Gods: The Merging of Transhumanism and Spirituality

“The spirituality of transhumanism could be considered a “Next-Gen Religion,” and it must be demonstrated as a “cool” religion that unifies humanity.”

“We are going to become Gods. Period. If you don’t like it, get off. You don’t have to contribute; you don’t have to participate. But if you’re going to interfere with me becoming God, we’re going to have big trouble. Then we’ll have warfare.”[11]

“ Transhumanism is ultimately an illustration of man’s arrogant rebellion against God, rejection of His eternal Truth, and foolish determination to reshape humanity into their false image of God.

I’m posting Carl’s excellent article on this topic a year late. I didn’t really want to deal such a complex (and almost unbelievable) topic. At first, it sounded more like science-fiction than reality to me. But the volume of credible evidence is growing, and warnings are needed.

“… is Transhumanism a serious movement, or just the hype of some utopian dreamers? Sure, the technology to alter humanity and shape society either exists or is fast coming on line, but is Transhumanism a real movement or just some techno-fad?”

The Deception of Chrislam By Eric Barger

Chrislam, which purports to join Islam and Christianity into one harmonious, synthesized religion, is fast becoming a rallying point in some American church circles. Under the leadership of something called “Faith Shared,” two organizations, Interfaith Alliance and Human Rights.

“This attempt at interfaith dialogue simply compromises the Christian gospel. It waters it down so much that there is nothing recognizable left. When the very core teachings of Christianity are scuttled or downplayed simply in the interests of ‘getting along’ or ‘reducing tensions,’ then it is a counterproductive effort.”

Two Complementary Eschatologies (Including this particular article in this week’s review because of the ‘tie in’s’ to what has previously been posted. For those who have not researched in this area, please link to additional articles available from Herescope)

“We have already discussed the upcoming unity in the Global Church, but now we must ask, is there another, deeper unity ahead, being sought by spirits not of God? After all, our battle is not against flesh and blood, but against principalities and powers in the regions above (Eph. 6:10-13). Are the “non-church” principalities working in cahoots with the “churchy” ones? We could get a clue by comparing the vocabulary and goals of both…”

“If you buy the restoration concept, it inevitably sets up for the evolutionary church concept, a deluding, intoxicating idea that makes the current expression of the church feel that she is the ultimate center of God’s purposes, over and above all other expressions of the church.

“Think about it. If restoration and Latter Rain is true, that means we are more anointed and equipped and more powerful than any other church in history.

“…The church is the family of God, which is in heaven and on earth at the same time. She is not, nor has ever had to ‘progress in maturity.’ She has always been ‘complete in Christ’ and yet on an individual basis, the members of the body have always been at various stages of personal maturity. If you hear a statement like, ‘In the Book of Acts, we have the church in her infancy,’ you are hearing a form of evolution…. According to Galatians, the Old Testament of Law was infancy and childhood. But, the New Testament faith is mature manhood. The true church has always been complete!….”

The Great Ecclesiastical Conspiracy

 Take A Look (thank you Dawn)

This Book about the King James Version of the Bible shows how various words were intentionally mistranslated to promote the authority of the church and the king.

Also Read:

The Priesthood of All Believers

 

On October 31, 1517, Martin Luther, the monk of Erfurt, nailed his ninety-five theses to the great door of the Castle Church in Wittenberg. Each stroke of his hammer echoed through the corridors of the great stone edifice and also reverberated through the recesses of the hollow heart of a decadent church. Majestic principles of spiritual action were again discovered and brought to light. Hope surged afresh through the souls of the concerned ones. And of all the verities which were reaffirmed, none was more important than that of “the priesthood of all believers.” It was like the blow of an axe laid at the root of the tree of priest-craft, shivering the trunk of arrogant pretense and scattering the evil fruit of pomp, pride and pelf….”

“The Ship of Zion is no longer manned by a volunteer crew working for sheer love of the Captain, but is steered by a pilot and an assistant pilot, while the remainder are paying passengers who are going along for the ride and complaining as they go. Many congregations are made up of half-converted individuals who think that when Jesus said we were to be childlike, be meant “childish” and they have to be petted and pampered to even keep them coming, much less to minister to others.” (TRT does not endorse all articles found on this particular site, many excellent articles can be found on the ‘institution’ of the church,  understanding the priesthood of the Saints, along those lines. Fair warning, this site has a mixture of the writings of the Mystics, Charismatics, along with Reformed articles)

Thank you for reading this week’s News in Review! Lord Bless as you continue in your research!

~Question of the Week~

Did Jesus endorse the Vertical hierarchical model of leadership or the Horizontal form?

..and said to them, “Whoever receives this child in My name receives Me, and whoever receives Me receives Him who sent Me; for the one who is least among all of you, this is the one who is great.” Luke 9:48

“Whoever then humbles himself as this child, he is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 18:4

“But do not be called Rabbi; for One is your Teacher, and you are all brothers. Do not call anyone on earth your father; for One is your Father, He who is in heaven. Do not be called leaders; for One is your Leader, that is, Christ. But the greatest among you shall be your servant. Whoever exalts himself shall be humbled; and whoever humbles himself shall be exalted.” Matthew 23:8-12

“Of how little avail has this condemnation of “lordship” and vain titles been against the vanity of Christian ecclesiastics?”

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary Luke 22:26 ..”But it is not this way with you, but the one who is the greatest among you must become like the youngest, and the leader like the servant.”

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Running Like Madmen After Another god

Posted on September 4, 2011 by thereformedtraveler

The Treasury of David

Psalm 16
4Their sorrows shall be multiplied that hasten after another god: their drink offerings of blood will I not offer, nor take up their names into my lips.


The same loving heart which opens towards the chosen people is fast closed against those who continue in their rebellion against God. Jesus hates all wickedness, and especially the high crime of idolatry. The text while it shows our Lord’s abhorrence of sin, shows also the sinner’s greediness after it.

Professed believers are often slow towards the true Lord, but sinners “hasten after another god.” They run like madmen where we creep like snails. Let their zeal rebuke our tardiness. Yet theirs is a case in which the more they haste the worse they speed, for their sorrows are multiplied by their diligence in multiplying their sins.

Matthew Henry pithily says, “They that multiply gods multiply griefs to themselves; for whosoever thinks one god too little, will find two too many, and yet hundreds not enough.”

The cruelties and hardships which men endure for their false gods is wonderful to contemplate; our missionary reports are a noteworthy comment on this passage; but perhaps our own experience is an equally vivid exposition; for when we have given our heart to idols, sooner or later we have had to smart for it.

Near the roots of our self-love all our sorrows lie, and when that idol is overthrown, the sting is gone from grief. Moses broke the golden calf and ground it to powder, and cast it into the water of which he made Israel to drink, and so shall our cherished idols become bitter portions for us, unless we at once forsake them.

Our Lord had no selfishness; he served but one Lord, and served him only. As for those who turn aside from Jehovah, he was separate from them, bearing their reproach without the camp. Sin and the Saviour had no communion. He came to destroy, not to patronize or be allied with the works of the devil. Hence he refused the testimony of unclean spirits as to his divinity, for in nothing would he have fellowship with darkness.

We should be careful above measure not to connect ourselves in the remotest degree with falsehood in religion; even the most solemn of Popish rites we must abhor. “Their drink offerings of blood will I not offer.” The old proverb says, “It is not safe to eat at the devil’s mess, though the spoon be never so long.” The mere mentioning of ill names it were well to avoid,—“nor take up their names into my lips.” If we allow poison upon the lip, it may ere long penetrate to the inwards, and it is well to keep out of the mouth that which we would shut out from the heart.

If the church would enjoy union with Christ, she must break all the bonds of impiety, and keep herself pure from all the pollutions of carnal will-worship, which now pollute the service of God. Some professors are guilty of great sin in remaining in the communion of Popish churches, where God is as much dishonoured as in Rome herself, only in a more crafty manner.

The Treasury of David Psalm 16 by C.H. Spurgeon

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The Demise of Mega Corporate Churches (Understanding the Times)

Posted on August 24, 2011 by thereformedtraveler

This is a time in history that every professing Christian leader and pastor should take very soberly. It is a time for true humility and true repentance. If there is not humility and repentance, Christian pastors and leaders need to know – your sin will indeed find you out.

 

By Roger Oakland
Understanding the Times International

 

 

For some time, Understand The Times has been warning pastors of churches that were formerly considered to be Protestant and evangelical about the spiritual deception that is currently underway and seducing them into the One World Religion. As time has passed, it seems that these leaders no longer consider themselves Protestant or evangelical. They are ecumenical. Instead of protesting against the rule of Rome, they are now actually partners with Rome and even promoting a globalist Dominionist plan to transform the world in what they believe is a great revival or great awakening. While many innocent sheep follow these pastors and leaders and do not realize what is happening, the Lord is calling watchmen and watchwomen to sound the alarm. The question is, how many are listening?

These watchmen and watchwomen are concerned about apostate leaders who should know better, but they are saying and doing nothing to warn about the apostasy. In fact they are promoting apostasy as if it is not happening. While the sheep may consider their leaders to be supporters of the gospel and therefore evangelical, it is apparent one cannot be on the road to Rome and also be promoting the gospel of Jesus Christ that we find in the Scriptures. Either you are for Jesus Christ and against apostasy, or you are against Jesus Christ and for apostasy. Ecumenism and joining hands with the world religions is not of God. There is one God, Jesus Christ our Creator and our Redeemer.

As time passes, there are fewer warning about how close we are to the demise of biblical Christianity. Many who once were blowing the trumpet have now either gone to sleep or they have forgotten what they once believed to be important. The Counter Reformation started by Rome and the Jesuits continues today unnoticed by the apostate churches that are uniting with Rome for many different reasons. They have lost their way as they have been sidetracked by a number of things – love of money, power, and prestige. They have even changed their view on the Word of God and what it teaches about the return of Christ. Some pastors say that Jesus did not even warn about apostasy as a sign of His soon return. They claim that a P.E.A.C.E. Plan and a One World Religion is much more important and we should spend our time and energy working together to solve our social problems. Click here to continue reading.

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The Charismatic Crisis

Posted on August 16, 2011 by thereformedtraveler

Here is a sermon that is well worth 63 minutes of your time. Trevor Hammack is the pastor of Victory Baptist (Reformed)  out of Ovalo, Texas. He starts out explaining how Charismatics are in, ” A galaxy far, far away”, speaks of  ‘spiritual anarchy’ and their hermeneutics consists of, “doing whatever seems right in their own eyes.”  Really appreciate this sermon, not trying to soft pedal like so many in the Reformed camp.  Amen, Pastor Hammack.

The Coming Charismatic Crisis

All sermons by
Trevor Hammack

Play Audio! (Flash Player) 64kbps | 63 min. [3]

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Observe and Prepare for Conflict

Posted on August 6, 2011 by thereformedtraveler

“Watchman, what of the night?”—Isaiah 21:11.

HAT enemies are abroad? Errors are a numerous horde, and new ones appear every hour: against what heresy am I to be on my guard? Sins creep from their lurking places when the darkness reigns; I must myself mount the watch-tower, and watch unto prayer. Our heavenly Protector foresees all the attacks which are about to be made upon us, and when as yet the evil designed us is but in the desire of Satan, He prays for us that our faith fail not, when we are sifted as wheat. Continue O gracious Watchman, to forewarn us of our foes, and for Zion’s sake hold not thy peace.
“Watchman, what of the night?” What weather is coming for the Church? Are the clouds lowering, or is it all clear and fair overhead? We must care for the Church of God with anxious love; and now that Popery and infidelity are both threatening, let us observe the signs of the times and prepare for conflict.
“Watchman, what of the night?” What stars are visible? What precious promises suit our present case? You sound the alarm, give us the consolation also. Christ, the polestar, is ever fixed in His place, and all the stars are secure in the right hand of their Lord.
But watchman, when comes the morning? The Bridegroom tarries. Are there no signs of His coming forth as the Sun of Righteousness? Has not the morning star arisen as the pledge of day? When will the day dawn, and the shadows flee away? O Jesus, if Thou come not in person to Thy waiting Church this day, yet come in Spirit to my sighing heart, and make it sing for joy.

“Now all the earth is bright and glad
With the fresh morn;
But all my heart is cold, and dark and sad:
Sun of the soul, let me behold Thy dawn!
Come, Jesus, Lord,
O quickly come, according to Thy word.”C.H. Spurgeon

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How Much Does the Gospel Weigh?

Posted on June 20, 2011 by thereformedtraveler

From The Lighthouse

“Today, there is a whole barrage of religious leaders who use their intellectual prowess to persuade Christians to abandon the fundamentals of the Christian faith for something more intellectually palatable to the postmodern mind. These leaders are holding up a new standard suggesting the standard of the Gospel is outdated and a new standardized weight needs to be placed on the balance. Many of these emerging progressive leaders make it sound like they have made a new discovery that no one has thought of before they came along.”

In last week’s article, “The Cost for Being Careless About Gospel,” we established how the Gospel is a standard  and the central theme of the entire Bible. We can think of it like a balancing scale, weighing truth against error. But how much does the Gospelweigh? That might sound like a foolish question, but let’s take a moment to see how a balancing scale works. Basically, it is an arm extending from both sides with a fulcrum in the middle. A standardized weight is then placed on one side, and subsequently everything placed on the other arm of the scale with be measured and valued by that standardized weight. A false scale, as Proverbs states, uses a deceptive weight purported to be a standardized weight when it really is not. Consequently, everything weighed on that scale for the next five, ten, or a thousand years will have an erroneous result. A false scale just keeps on lying because the standard is wrong.

If  we are going to use the Gospel as a standardized weight, knowing how much the Gospel weighs might be worth pondering. The prophet Zechariah gives us a clue:

And I said unto them, If ye think good, give me my price; and if not, forbear. So they weighed for my price thirty pieces of silver. And the LORD said unto me, Cast it unto the potter: a goodly price that I was prised at of them. And I took the thirty pieces of silver, and cast them to the potter in the house of the LORD. (Zechariah 11:12-13)

Again, what was forecast in the Old Testament, is fulfilled in the New, and in Matthew 26:15 we see that when Judas asked the chief priests what price they would give for delivering Jesus to them,  it says, “they covenanted with him for thirty pieces of silver.” This was the value the priests of that day placed on Jesus. But what follows is most significant. When Judas returns later to the chief priests and elders, he says:

I have sinned in that I have betrayed the innocent blood. And they said, What is that to us? see thou to that. And he cast down the pieces of silver in the temple, and departed, and went and hanged himself. And the chief priests took the silver pieces, and said, It is not lawful for to put them into the treasury, because it is the price of blood. And they took counsel, and bought with them the potter’s field, to bury strangers in.  (Matthew 27:4-7)

It was the chief priests of that day, not Judas, who placed the value of Jesus and measured out thirty pieces of silver.

Then was fulfilled that which was spoken by Jeremy the prophet, saying, And they took the thirty pieces of silver, the price of him that was valued, whom they of the children of Israel did value. (Matthew 27:9)

But when Judas threw the money down on the temple floor, he realized that the money was worthless in comparison with the man he had betrayed. But even more so, it was a prophetic statement of God from centuries past that the value placed on Jesus would be as erroneous as it could possibly be.

The price of Jesus and what He did for us, weighed out, is immeasurable. When weighed against anything else, the Gospel always tips the scale. It is the standardized weight that no matter what you compare it with, the item you are weighing will come up lacking.

Over the centuries, man has come up with all sorts of ideas and philosophies that have only served to prove how priceless the Gospel really is. Jesus truly is the Son of God, and He truly paid our debt on the Cross. But today, more than ever, the Gospel is under attack, and we need to faithfully hold on to it and defend it as the standard that is true.

We are all too familiar with all the vain teachings that have been used to discredit the Gospel message over the last two thousand years. Paul warns to steer away from such teachings:

Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ. (Colossians 2:8)

To Timothy, whom he regarded as a son in the faith, Paul has a strong exhortation at the end of his first epistle:

O Timothy, keep that which is committed to thy trust, avoiding profane and vain babblings, and oppositions of science falsely so called. (1 Timothy 6:20)

Having strongly opposed the Gospel in the past, Paul knew what it is to be greatly deceived by one’s own reasonings and the thoughts of the culture. He was recognized as one of the greatest intellectuals of his time, yet one day on a road to Damascus he discovered that all of his profound learning did not measure up to God’s standard. Paul later used his intellectual abilities to become one of the strongest defenders of the faith in human history.

Today, there is a whole barrage of religious leaders who use their intellectual prowess to persuade Christians to abandon the fundamentals of the Christian faith for something more intellectually palatable to the postmodern mind. These leaders are holding up a new standard suggesting the standard of the Gospel is outdated and a new standardized weight needs to be placed on the balance. Many of these emerging progressive leaders make it sound like they have made a new discovery that no one has thought of before they came along. Using their philosophical reasonings, you will hear them question how a God of love could send His son to die a cruel death on a cross for the sins of others. They will further maintain that a God of love would never send anyone to Hell – a place that in their own minds does not exist.2 Human reason then and not the teachings of the Bible become the tests of truth. You have perhaps seen book reviews of Rob Bell’s new book, Love Wins where we learn that the long-held truths of the Bible must now bend to intellectual fabrications of what God must be like. Yes, a new standard has replaced the standard of the Gospel by which truth and all of Christian doctrine can be weighed. But this is nothing new, as philosophers of the past have believed that the human intellect is a wellspring of innate knowledge and ultimately the only source and deciding factor of truth.

The “New” Science vs. the Gospel

In this postmodern era, some arrive at many of the same conclusions from a slightly different vantage point. They hold that the realm of science (a “new” quantum science they say) offers the wealth of knowledge we are looking for. Some, like Leonard Sweet, have suggested that if we look at the physical world at the sub-atomic level, we will actually find God. At first, it seems like a wonderful idea to think that we can prove to an unbelieving world the existence of God. A good idea, that is, until we realize that we are again talking about another Gospel – for to “discover” that God exists in all of creation at the sub-atomic level suggests a panentheistic view of God. Yet Romans 1 distinguishes the creature from Creator (verse 25). In fact, the panentheistic view contradicts and discredits the whole Genesis account. Paul clarifies that there are two realities – physical and spiritual – and they are not the same (1 Corinthians 15:35-50). From Genesis to Revelation, the Bible actually makes it very clear that God is separate from His creation. My question is, if God is spiritual rather than physical, when the scientists discover God at the sub-atomic level, what god will that actually  be?

Needless to say, what is being passed off as cutting-edge spirituality is what Paul warned about when he talked about “vain philosophies” and “science falsely so called.” The fact is, God has given mankind the ability to reason and to make empirical observations, but no amount of human reasoning and scientific experimentation, in and of themselves, will enable man to arrive at God outside of that which is revealed in the Bible.

For the Christian, the Gospel has been and always will be that standardized weight and the pivot from which we measure truth from error. Today, more than ever, the church is plagued by such a vast assortment of spiritualities and false teachings, some of which are so subtle, that even the most discerning are vulnerable to dangerous deception.

The sad truth is that most church going, self-proclaiming Christians today do not understand the times in which we live and would prefer that “negative” “trouble-making” organizations such as Lighthouse Trails would cease to exist. But as long as the Lord allows, and in spite of many adversaries, those of us who defend the faith and contend for His Word are often reminded of our Lord’s words of admonition to work “while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work” (John 9:4).

However, something needs to be said here: Although Lighthouse Trails exists as a source of information, this is not our highest calling. We believe God has called us to work “[f]or the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ (Ephesians 4:12). For the “perfecting of the saints” to happen, Christians need to learn to think on their own. Too many ministries exist that create a following of dependents rather than discipling men and women of God who are strong in the faith. The Lord is our strength and in Him and His Word we have everything we need to live an overcoming life (2 Peter 1:3). Paul put it succinctly when he said this concerning our Lord:

In whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. And this I say, lest any man should beguile you with enticing words. (Colossians 2:3-4)

Let us cling to the priceless treasure we have in Christ. None of us will ever have a perfect hold of all Christian doctrine – as Paul says we see as looking through a glass darkly (1 Corinthians 13:12), but if we hold fast to our Savior and Lord, and hide His Word in our hearts, we will have all we need to get us through.

How much does the Gospel weigh? More than the weight of all the sins of mankind put together. Christ’s death on the Cross bore that load, and nothing can takes its place.

Notes:

  1. Celebrating the Resurrection, But Denying the Atonement 

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Asleep on the Watch

Posted on June 15, 2011 by thereformedtraveler

This blog puts up many articles on the role of a watchman. In fact, every time another mocking remark is made, ridiculing those ‘watchbloggers’,  turning the peoples hearts away from the seriousness of the call of Scripture to, ” Take heed, keep on the alert”, a post about the role of a watchman will go up. As posted before, we should all question the why’s of anyone that would scoff and mockingly ridicule the call of all saints to be in constant watch.

Here is an excellent word addressing, ‘ those in leadership that are asleep or unaware of the dangers that lie in wait.’  A good word to us all.  Steve Muse makes some very good points such as, ” Just testifying of my own experience, over the last 10 years, I have visited dozens of churches that have had an ‘open door’ policy, accepting whatever doctrine or new teaching that comes through the door. Unlike the words of Paul in Ephesians 4, about those who should be watching and equipping the saints, to bring us to maturity, not being tossed to and fro by every wind of doctrine, they in fact willingly open their sails to allow any wind to blow them about.”

Little Boy Blue, come blow your horn. The sheep’s in the meadow, the cow’s in the corn. Where is the boy that looks after the sheep? “He’s under the haycock, fast asleep.” Will you wake him? “No, not I; For if I do, he’ll be sure to cry.”

   

 Steve Muse
Eastern Regional Watch Ministries

I have been told that in this day and age the role of watchman as understood in the Old Testament has been done away with, that it is not necessary because we are not under the wrath of God but under grace through Jesus Christ. If there are watchmen today, I am told, they cannot be held to the same degree of accountability that God required of Ezekiel. If there are watchmen today as described in Ezekiel, who are these watchmen? And after examining the following from Ezekiel 33, who would ever want to be put in this position?

The Watchman’s Duty: Ezekiel 33

“And the word of the LORD came to me, saying, ‘Son of man, speak to the sons of your people and say to them,

‘If I bring a sword upon a land, and the people of the land take one man from among them and make him their watchman, and he sees the sword coming upon the land and blows on the trumpet and warns the people, then he who hears the sound of the trumpet and does not take warning, and a sword comes and takes him away, his blood will be on his own head. He heard the sound of the trumpet but did not take warning; his blood will be on himself. But had he taken warning, he would have delivered his life.

“But if the watchman sees the sword coming and does not blow the trumpet and the people are not warned, and a sword comes and takes a person from them, he is taken away in his iniquity; but his blood I will require from the watchman’s hand.’

“Now as for you, son of man, I have appointed you a watchman for the house of Israel; so you will hear a message from My mouth and give them warning from Me. When I say to the wicked, ‘O wicked man, you will surely die,’ and you do not speak to warn the wicked from his way, that wicked man shall die in his iniquity, but his blood I will require from your hand. But if you on your part warn a wicked man to turn from his way and he does not turn from his way, he will die in his iniquity, but you have delivered your life. ” Ezekiel 33:1-9

If we look closely in chapter 20 in the book of Acts we see that the Apostle Paul understood this mandate even as he warned the overseers in Ephesus concerning his departure after being with them for three years. Here is one example clearly stated:

“I testify to you this day that I am innocent of the blood of all men. For I did not shrink from declaring to you the whole purpose of God. Be on guard for yourselves and for all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood.

“I know that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock; and from among your own selves men will arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after them. Therefore be on the alert (watch), remembering that night and day for a period of three years I did not cease to admonish each one with tears.” Acts 20:26-31 (also see Acts 18:6)

One could say that this was an Apostolic responsibility that was not passed on to us but if we look in Hebrews we see that the overseers were exhorted by its writer to look out for the sheep, to guard and warn them as watching over the flock:

“Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they keep watch over your souls as those who will give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with grief, for this would be unprofitable for you.” Hebrews 13:17

In Mark, chapter 13, we see that Jesus is telling us of the things to come regarding the Last Days. He exhorts us all to be on the alert, to be watchful of the things to come. It seems we have all been called to be in a constant state of watchfulness in some capacity as believers in Christ:

“Take heed, keep on the alert; for you do not know when the appointed time will come. It is like a man away on a journey, who upon leaving his house and putting his slaves in charge, assigning to each one his task, also commanded the doorkeeper to stay on the alert.

“Therefore, be on the alert — for you do not know when the master of the house is coming, whether in the evening, at midnight, or when the rooster crows, or in the morning — in case he should come suddenly and find you asleep.
“What I say to you I say to all, ‘Be on the alert!’” Mark 13:33-37

Why am I asking these questions or why am I even concerned that anyone is at watch for the body of Christ?

As Paul states in Acts 20:28-31, there has been through the centuries and still continues to this day, to be many savage wolves coming into the flock and also rising up from within to deceive and steal away disciples after themselves. I would hope this is not a surprise to anyone but sadly, I must report, this is probably the state of many churches everywhere.

Just testifying of my own experience, over the last 10 years, I have visited dozens of churches that have had an ‘open door’ policy, accepting whatever doctrine or new teaching that comes through the door. Unlike the words of Paul in Ephesians 4, about those who should be watching and equipping the saints, to bring us to maturity, not being tossed to and fro by every wind of doctrine, they in fact willingly open their sails to allow any wind to blow them about. I have witnessed many in leadership, whether pastor, elders or overseers who have no clue to what has come through their doors or is about to come upon them as we look to the return of our Lord Jesus Christ. No one is guarding the flock as the wolf moves silently about looking for those he can devour.

As I was wondering what has happened to those called to watch over the flocks, in whatever capacity that they serve, I thought of a little Mother Goose nursery rhyme about Little Boy Blue and how appropriate this is for today’s churches:

Little Boy Blue, come blow your horn.
The sheep’s in the meadow, the cow’s in the corn.
Where is the boy that looks after the sheep?
“He’s under the haycock, fast asleep.”
Will you wake him? “No, not I;
For if I do, he’ll be sure to cry.” (Emphasis mine)

Somebody please wake the watchmen! I would rather have sadness and grief with much tears, bringing us to repentance, than to continue to see the churches being infiltrated and assimilated by New Age Occultism, false teaching, heresies, philosophies of men and doctrines of demons as the watchmen sleep.

I have written this before and it has happened again just recently. I was asked which church I would recommend for a new Christian to begin fellowship. As a Christian of more than 30 years, and after visiting dozens of churches locally, I could not think of any church where I would send this person without knowing that they would in some way be caught up in the current trends of deception that are sweeping through the body of Christ. This is related to the lack of discernment being used by the leadership that are asleep.

Steven Mitchell writes in his article “Watchman Arise,”

“Since God mentions this ministry several times throughout the Bible with great clarity, we do well to read, heed, and learn to be men and women with this attitude for the church today. While we may not be under the threat of physical invasion today, or living in literal walled fortresses, Satan and his workers seek to destroy and lay siege to the church today through false teachers and ungodly philosophies. He seeks to lead us into false forms of worship and unbiblical teachings that masquerade as truth. He has engineered and orchestrated a full-out assault on the people of God today, complete with deceptive false ministers and non-prophets who no longer view His Word as the primary basis for true doctrine. The church is definitely under attack and, therefore, definitely and desperately in need of watchmen in this age.”

Most of what I have written addresses those in leadership that are asleep or unaware of the dangers that lie in wait. There are also churches that I have been to that the leadership is knowingly allowing and teaching deception with little concern for the flock thus fitting the example of Scripture from Acts 20.

Pastors, elders, overseers, shepherds and watchmen; please heed this call to awaken and warn the flock of the dangers that face your churches today. You are responsible and accountable if you do not warn them! Their blood will be on your hands! (source)

Emphasis Mine

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