Wednesday, April 15, 2009

Divisions Among You

1 Corinthians 1:10 Now I exhort you, brethren, by the name of our ... Brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus the Messiah, I urge all of you to be in agreement and not to have divisions among you, so that you may be perfectly...

1 Corinthians 11:19 For there must also be factions among you, so ...
... For divisions are necessary among you, in order that those who have God's approval may be clearly seen among you.

2 Peter 2:1 But FALSE prophets also arose among the people, just ...
... were also false prophets among the people, as there will be teachers of falsehood among you also, who will cunningly introduce fatal divisions, disowning even ...

2 Corinthians 12:20 For I am afraid that perhaps when I come I
... may be fighting, hate, angry feeling, divisions, evil talk ... envyings, animosities,dissensions, detractions, whisperings, swellings, seditions, be among you.

So which is it? Divisions or no divisions? Time to put your thinking cap on. Is the true church supposed to agree/stand in unity with the apostate church? Are you kidding me? Should "so called christians" and the true bride of Christ unite for the sole sake of unity? That's what this world would have you believe. The world is sloshing around in a giant mud puddle and we are attempting to stand outside of it and make our garments white for the bridegroom when he comes, should we jump back in so we can say we are all united?

Is'nt the message of the coming anti-christ one of unity over division? What about the old testament prophets? Did they go integrate into backslidden Israel so they could all be one big happy family? NO, the prophets stood apart. Holiness requires seperation.

Numbers 16:21 Separate yourselves from among this congregation, that I may consume them in a moment.

2 Corinthians 6:17 Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you.

Acts 19:9 But when some were hardened and disobedient, speaking evil of the Way before the multitude, he departed from them, and separated the disciples, reasoning daily in the school of Tyrannus.

Proverbs 20:3 Keeping away from strife is an honor for a man,
... It is an honour for a man to separate himself from quarrels:but all fools are meddling with reproaches.

Isn't the problem with todays babylonian form of christianity that they have united at the expense of doctrine? Is every person who calls themself a christian my brother or those who are truly "in Christ." How do we know if a person is really "in Christ" or not (we don't know, Jesus knows).

Should we attempt to maintain peace? Yes. Should we accept every doctrine that comes down the road for the sake of unity? NEVER

Follow me on this reasoning.

If only a few will find the narrow gate that leads to life (Matt 7:14) then only a few on earth at any given time "get it." If there are only a few who "get it" would'nt you expect them to disagree with most people? What places of agreement do those on the narrow path and those on the broad path that leads to destruction have?

In a time of unprecedented deception, when the lies and fabrications around us are so grand that if it were possible, even the elect would be deceived, should we just throw in our lot with whoever comes along, swallow every doctrine and hope for the best? That is beyond foolish. Did Jesus unite with the religious leaders of his day? No, he condemned them. Are things any different today? The masses, especially the religious people are worthy of every letter of condemnation that the old world ever received plus some.

There is a place for unity and there is a place for division, and people need to figure out where each should be applied....soon.

Matt 7:13 Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: 14 Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.

The Lord has confronted people with the things they don't want to hear from the very beginning. This is not a popularity contest, its a contest whose prize is eternal life. The narrow way has few people on it. If you find yourself on a path that is broad, with many cheerleaders prodding you forward, you may want to re-examine your path.

Most people are on the broad path that leads to destruction. Why is that? Does that not grieve you? Where are the watchmen, the servants of righteousness who are stepping out and saying what needs to be said at the price of being despised and hated for it? Jesus never told you that speaking the truth will make you popular and win you the love of the world. He told you that the truth will set you free, but the world (and those of the world) will hate you for it. Our Lord was crucified for the truth, the prophets were killed for the truth. What does that tell you about todays "christian leaders" who find themselves respected by the world?

Deception is the hallmark of our day.

Should we unite with those we believe are deceiving mankind? Should we unite with people who willfully disobey the command of God to pray that we may escape all that's about to happen? Should we unite with men you tell you not to bother looking for the Lord's return today when we are told to be watching and ready for him at all times?

I am amazed at how a few words can say so much in the word of God. Here's more proof that debunks both the pre-wrath and post-trib teachers:

As you read this, take careful note of the TIME element of what is said:

Luke 21:34 And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares. 35 For as a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth. 36 Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.

Lest at any time.....when? ANY TIME. When should we pray for the escape? After the abomination of desolation? After Jesus' feet touch down on the mount of olives? When?
Pray always..for what? That ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things.

Do you see any time qualifiers in there or does it appear to you that NOW is when you should pray for this escape? Why pray now? Because later the escape will have already taken place. How can you "escape all" if you go through half or more of "all these things that shall come to pass?" You can't, which proves that every theory and wind of doctrine that flies in the face of the word of God which teaches us that both Noah and Lot escaped all, and the day the Son of man is revealed will be EXACTLY like the days of Noah and Lot.

Sure, there are many so called christians who claim that the escape will take place before the tribulation. Pre-trib teaching is popular for a backslidden church, but how many pre-trib teachers are teaching that only a FEW will be counted worthy of it? I have'nt heard it from a single mouth yet....I am not a "pre-tribber." I am a days of Noah and Lot"er" and an escape from all"er." Why? I don't see "pre-trib, pre-wrath, or post-trib" anywhere in my bible but I DO see the days of Noah, Lot and escape from all laid out clearly, in plain english, no interpretation required.

Should we unite ourselves with those who teach us not to do what the bible clearly instructs us to do (pray for the escape from all)? I'll let you answer that one yourself.

grace and peace