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Post by mike on Mar 26, 2020 10:10:56 GMT -6
About 2-3 months ago this topic of not being deceived kept resonating within me. I meditated on it for a bit and reviewed some scriptures. In light of the current situations in our world (including BUT not exclusive to the corona issue) I feel the urge to post for our discussion as someone or several may be able to add to the missing pieces (for me or others). During this time (2-3 months ago) I was more impressed with the condition of the church and the rift of accepting sin and sinful ways as acceptable before the Lord. For example homosexuality, and gender identity was the topic of question (in my mind). Luke 21:7 And they asked him, saying, Master, but when shall these things be? and what sign will there be when these things shall come to pass? 8 And he said, Take heed that ye be not deceived: for many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and the time draweth near: go ye not therefore after them.
Matt 24:5 For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many. 6 And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all [these things] must come to pass, but the end is not yet.
(Link to Strongs ==>) eimi: I exist, I am
(Link to Strongs ==>) Christos: the Anointed One, Messiah, ChristMark 13:5 And Jesus answering them began to say, Take heed lest any [man] deceive you: 6 For many shall come in my name, saying, I am [Christ]; and shall deceive many.I particularly like the way Mark records this as warning that no man deceive you. (Link to Strongs ==>) planaó: to cause to wander, to wander In context I see Jesus telling the disciples to not be deceived (caused to wander) by those claiming "I AM" (God being the only one who exists) and "Anointed" (the Savior). I have always understood this piece of scripture to warn followers about following false messiahs. So this portion of the Word warns/warned about false Christs, and/or Anointed people claiming to be someone special. We have had that for 2000 years and I expect to see more claims of saving people especially in our time today. Mens hearts are faint and looking for someone with answers. The world is prime for the picking! 2Tim 3:12 Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution. 13 But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived. 14 But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned [them];2Tim 4:2 Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. 3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; 4 And they shall turn away [their] ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables. 5But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry.Titus 1:9-15 Also |
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Post by stormyknight on Mar 26, 2020 11:27:01 GMT -6
lately the subject of 'the end of the world' has been prominent in more and more peoples minds, so, and this is my own speculation, more people will be looking for Jesus to return is some fashion. But not having studied the scriptures, they go for someone to tell them, hence persons coming in Jesus name saying, "I am anointed". Those who have God's Holy Spirit are more apt to spot these wolves in sheep's clothing a mile away. I recently read an article about Jared Leto, lead singer for the band Thirty Seconds to Mars, where he started a cult and walks around in a white tunic-like clothes with long hair and beard looking very much like a contemporary image of Jesus. I've never listened to his preaching, but just looking at the pictures of him preaching, he has a wide variety of followers. Once again, I don't know what he preaches, but wouldn't he fall in to the category of "But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived."? And since he appears to believe he is good, he would be himself "deceived"? This is a great topic, mike, we must be mindful of the wolves. Even if pointing them out we will ourselves be persecuted.
on another note, I noticed the use of the phrase "I am" in the string of Marvel Movies. The first one I noticed was in The Age of Ultron when the character Vision is made(?)(brought forth?). They question who he is. He has the voice of Tony Stark's computer Jarvis, but was made to be a successor of Ultron, a cyborg gone rogue. He states "I am not Ultron, I am not Jarvis... I am". That really made the hairs on the back of my neck stand up. The second time was not so blatant in that the character Thanos is implying that he is destiny. "Dread it, run from it, destiny arrives all the same. And now it's here. Or should I say...I am". Both uses, to me, were satan thumbing his nose at God by using a phrase that God Himself used to describe Himself in a way that encompasses His omniscience, omnipotence, and omnipresence.
It occurred to me that by doing this, Hollywood made it easier, or less unacceptable, for people to use this phrase. It's subtle, I know, but it's there. A contemporary preacher can say "I am anointed", but wouldn't it also be easier for the AC to stand in the Holy Place and say "I AM"?
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Post by mike on Mar 26, 2020 11:53:32 GMT -6
Thanks stormyknight maybe this the Lord warning me, or for me to share so others would/could be warned or both. We are all at different places in our walk however we (in this community) are watching with laser like focus! Point being our circumstances and physical surroundings will prohibit some more than others from being able to spread truth with those we come into contact with on a daily basis. Could this virus be a means to prevent the body from sharing truth? or comforting one another with each others presence? Stormy you live in an area where you are already isolated to a degree. I travel to work in NJ (across the Hudson) daily where I have opportunity to interact with literally hundreds every day! SO much deception - I often feel outnumbered everywhere I turn, sometimes even at home. Pray that we (the body) remain in truth (John 18:38, John 17:17, Psa 119:160) and bold to speak the truth in love, guided by the Holy Ghost! LORD WE NEED YOU!! |
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Post by stormyknight on Mar 26, 2020 14:54:20 GMT -6
mike, I've thought about our situation and after looking at the numbers, 22 guests online as I type and 396 in the last 24 hours, I hope the Holy Spirit will help those seeking truth to understand it for what it is. I don't pretend to know all truth, but I know that I know some. That Jesus Christ is God in the flesh and that He died for our sins and was raised from death so that we, too, can live with Him, FOREVER in glory and love. That is the core truth, I think. If those 396 guests tell others what they've read here and draw even more truth seekers then we are doing what we are asked no matter our geographic location, right? All of this, of course, is in the name of and for the Glory of our King of Kings, Jesus, Yeshua, Yehoshua, THE Son of God.
and for those guests who read this: "Do not fear sudden danger
or the ruin that overtakes the wicked,
for the LORD will be your confidence
and will keep your foot from the snare." Prov. 3:25-26
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Post by mike on Mar 26, 2020 18:10:34 GMT -6
Amen brother stormyknight! About a week back there about 750 guests on in the 24 hr period |
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Post by venge on Mar 27, 2020 8:59:09 GMT -6
mikeI used to think it was only false Christ’s or people who say verbally they are God “I AM”. Now, I still lean on that, but I also have expanded on it. Does a person need to verbally say they are Christ or God in order for Christ words to be true? What I mean is, can conduct and how one views oneself fulfill Christ’s words? I say yes. So, I look for the verbal comment but i also look at the inward man. If ones heart is puffed up, he can be exalting himself as divine thus backing up Christ’s words -which we know his words are truthful. So the many false Christ’s, what are they? Are people who follow Christ and are suppose to imitate him (Christians) that follow not the gospel - are these false Christ’s?
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Post by Natalie on Mar 27, 2020 9:23:16 GMT -6
I tend to lean toward the view, too, that they don't have to say they are Christ, but they come in His name teaching something they claim is biblical. They try to get people to follow them as they follow something that is not the Gospel. It may be obvious or not so much.
In my thinking, it's not so much a Christian who is not following the Gospel as much as it is someone who is trying to get others to follow a false gospel but claiming it's the truth.
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Post by kjs on Mar 27, 2020 13:11:36 GMT -6
But might not the deception come at - shall we say an acceptable level?
For example during this crisis (both political sides) are sending out "mems" that are simply NOT true....
Yet when called out about the falseness of the statement ... People react like - ok, so it the given statement is not true, but the overall premises is so it is still a valid way to get the message out, even if lying has to be done...
I am like WHAT?
Truth cannot never win out, when it attempts falsehoods to get there.
People saying only the end results matter, not how one gets to the end results....
My opinion is that is major deception!
Yes, we can all point out things that majority wrong. (Mike has listed some, others have mentioned some)
But at this rate, the deception is coming from ourselfs and we ruin our testimony with that very deception.... When we do not first call out from our failings... Until we do that, we deserve the worlds rebuke of not listening to our words.
Here is some real world, in your face actual happenings which are floating through the news reports, and people pointing out the dumb Christians and laughing .... When in reality we did it to ourselves ... And that is the real deception.
A VA pastor and some of his church went to New Orleans on a mission trip to save people from sinful MadiGra
Pastor claimed the entire virus was a hoax set up to trap Prez Trump.
The pastor is now dead from this hoax virus and several of his team are infected.
A church in AR, decided they would have their special children's event that they had a
ready scheduled ... Even though the requested not to ... Saying God will protect them because they are good pious people and they were simply worshipping and fellowship with each other.
There are now already over 30 cases of positive infections with several falling in the critical range ... Including children!
Yes, Jesus Christ is our rock and Healer. our protector and savior ... He is still in the miracle business ....
But God has also given us common sense and expects us to use it. This is highly contagious, maybe not supper deadly, but is still spreading very fast as the RO factor is 2 to 3. Meaning ever infected person can spread it to 2 or 3 people before they even know they have it....
The witness of these two examples (and there are many more) is basically saying Christian People are to dumb to come in out of the rain.
And believe me There are many, many examples....
One is people claiming the stimulus package was held up because the Dems wanted an abortion admendment included... When queried exactly where said admendment was in the proposal ... The return was ok, maybe Not actually stated but you know they wanted it in there.....
Say what? Tell Lies, make people believe falsehoods and then when someone calls you out on the falsehood you claim the ends justifies the means....
That my friends is deception ... And we need to correct it in ourselves before allowing the world to laugh at us for such a weak testimony.
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Post by venge on Mar 27, 2020 14:47:40 GMT -6
kjsMakes me think of people that say they are Christians and take the scripture that’s says you can handle serpents and won’t be affected by its poison as holding a snake and letting it bite you on Sunday morning service. Seriously people? Now, I don’t mean to offend but for me- this is not what Christ was saying! Yet people have done it and got hurt or even died. The ones that say we are gonna go out and save sinners. Do you save or does Christ? The mixed interpretations are mind boggling
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Post by kjs on Mar 27, 2020 16:15:12 GMT -6
venge , That is exactly what is happening.... Yes, there are plenty of scriptures that can be interpreted that God loves and protects His children. BUT there are also plenty that says Do NOT Tempt God! We are not Christians because of something WE did! We are Christians because what was done FOR us! When I hear stories (like I shared) it almost reminds me of the "In Crowd" or the Popular Sports Group from High School. Thinking they are somehow better because.... Christians are simply Sinners saved by Grace .... Through no power of their own. They are in no way better than the rest of society. When they act like the In Crowd and look down on others for some supposed superiority ... That is exactly where we lose our witness. I am sorry to high jack Mike's post .... Because there is much deception in this world today and it should be addressed..... But we need to focus on presenting something people want to be part of ... Not something we need to try to shame people into not being the best they can be. (I hope all realize I am speaking of myself as well and not simply pointing fingers) But I was getting upset of all these "dumb Christian" stories .... And decided to pray about it and basically the answer I got back ( and this was more of an impression than actual words) Stop Showing Yourself! Point to Me and MY Love .... And let me handle it.... Hope that makes sense.
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Post by venge on Mar 27, 2020 17:09:13 GMT -6
venge , That is exactly what is happening.... Yes, there are plenty of scriptures that can be interpreted that God loves and protects His children. BUT there are also plenty that says Do NOT Tempt God! We are not Christians because of something WE did! We are Christians because what was done FOR us! When I hear stories (like I shared) it almost reminds me of the "In Crowd" or the Popular Sports Group from High School. Thinking they are somehow better because.... Christians are simply Sinners saved by Grace .... Through no power of their own. They are in no way better than the rest of society. When they act like the In Crowd and look down on others for some supposed superiority ... That is exactly where we lose our witness. I am sorry to high jack Mike's post .... Because there is much deception in this world today and it should be addressed..... But we need to focus on presenting something people want to be part of ... Not something we need to try to shame people into not being the best they can be. (I hope all realize I am speaking of myself as well and not simply pointing fingers) But I was getting upset of all these "dumb Christian" stories .... And decided to pray about it and basically the answer I got back ( and this was more of an impression than actual words) Stop Showing Yourself! Point to Me and MY Love .... And let me handle it.... Hope that makes sense. You’re not hijacking mike post because it’s actually relevant. Christian’s that think they are better than other sinners exalt themselves in their own heart lifting themselves above the clouds of heaven. They are sitting in the best seats in the upper room being served rather then in the lowest room serving others. This is wrong and contrary to the gospel. It is not imitating Christ likeness. |
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Post by mike on Mar 30, 2020 12:29:10 GMT -6
Matt 10:37 He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. 38 And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me. 39 He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it.
So I think that the Lord may have been trying to show me something I hadnt thought of until this weekend. This 'revelation' I had comes in the form of a confession and a request for prayer (to you for me). I thought the Lord was Lord of everything in my life and all I wanted was HIM and only HIM. Like most folks we are stuck in this potential 'new normal' of being isolated from people outside our own homes. For some (like my dad) that means solitary isolation.
From the first day of this situation, my knee jerk reaction was "I cant wait for this to get back to normal, where I can get out on weekends, get to the gym (essential for some for mental & physical health), and just get back to 'normal life'. With each day passing and the restrictions on life closing in tighter and tighter I continued to feel this 'straitjacket' squeezing in on me, and inside crying out "this will be over soon and normal will return". I was grasping for reasons that life as I know as normal had to return; citing the economy, joblessness, stress of finances, suicidal/murderous people under greater stress...I felt I had the answers to why this cant continue much longer. BUT then I believe the Holy Spirit opened my eyes, showing me my sin and shortcoming! I was deceived!
I want the Lord to return to save me, you, all of US; His people - BUT my desire to have things return to the way were once before was putting my desires before HIS ways, HIS purpose, HIS plan. Suddenly realizing what I wanted was me not recognizing God is sovereign over ALL and ultimately in control of this and every situation. I realized I want Him to return as I am watching diligently, but I want Him to return on my terms. Let the wars ravage on in the middle east! WOW we're getting close to Damascus being desolate! Let the famine continue to rage through Africa! Let the war, famine, disease, pestilence, floods, earthquakes and disasters affect other people as long as I can go about my routine Lord! #MostSelfishAttitudeEver!
My prayer today is for those who can relate to my desire to have our own (little) world return to how it was just a few short weeks ago, that we can yield our very fleshly desire to come into alignment with His overall plan and purpose for these last days. This isnt going to get better until He says so, or He appears! Forgive me Father and help me to focus my heart in the right place. Matt 6:10
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Post by venge on Mar 30, 2020 13:45:45 GMT -6
mikeWe are strangers and wanderers in a foreign land. This world is not ours. Our citizenship is in a new heaven and new earth. What we see happen doesn’t concern us. But while here, we are to save who we can.
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Post by stormyknight on Mar 30, 2020 14:30:11 GMT -6
You are not alone in feeling this way, mike , but we'll get through this together, won't we? I think what you are describing is what happened to Lot's wife. She knew, or was at least told, a better life was ahead and we just have to get through the chaos and trouble that is here now, all the while she was probably thinking 'well it wasn't so bad back there was, it?' I keep an eye on the Kansas county map of COVID19 infections and it keeps creeping ever closer to my county. The company I work for has closed the front offices so people can only pay online or over the phone (Utility company). It looks like only a matter of time before they reduce the rest of us to standby/on call crew only, and since I'm only a warehouseman, I'll most likely be going home. For how long, I don't know. I just hope that I'll be going "HOME" soon as well! I've watched some different interpretations of things and I like the ones that say this Thursday or Sunday! I don't know if I can wait til this September or longer yet, 2024. But God's will, not mine, be done, as always. We must keep looking up, even if it means turning away from those who refuse to look also or scoff. It hurts the most if they are family. As Jesus told us: "But Jesus replied, “Who is My mother, and who are My brothers?” Pointing to His disciples, He said, “Here are My mother and My brothers. For whoever does the will of My Father in heaven is My brother and sister and mother.”" Matt. 12:48-50
Stay strong Brother!!
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Post by mike on Mar 31, 2020 8:56:55 GMT -6
Thank you both stormyknight , venge , Oddly enough (LOL) I was perusing YouTube last night and came across A.I.G. response to COVID19. I love AIG stuff so I listened. Wouldnt you know this message was like a direct reply to me (Reaffirming what you both state plus more!) |
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