[Faith-talk] FW: [thefamilyoffaith] [World News Net] 'Many False Prophets Will Arise and Deceive Many'

[Eric Calhoun]

Original Message: 
From: "Joe Diaz" <revjoe2701 at comcast.net>
To: "????  Rev. Joe Diaz ????    His Love Extended Ministries
International" <revjoe2701 at comcast.net>
Subject: [thefamilyoffaith] [World News Net] 'Many False Prophets Will
Arise and Deceive Many'
Date: 
Mon, 6 Jun 2011 11:54:11 -0700 (Pacific Daylight Time)

'Many False Prophets Will Arise and Deceive Many'


By Dale Morgan on World News Network

When Jesus Christ foretold the major prophetic trends that would precede
His
return to earth, the first sign He mentioned was religious impostors who
would come in His name. Do you take that warning seriously?

When Jesus Christ's disciples asked Him what would herald His coming to
rule
all nations, He answered by first relaying a series of developments that
would lead up to the grand climax of the present age: religious deception,
wars, famines, pestilences and earthquakes (Matthew 24:3-8; Mark 13:3-8;
Luke 21:7-11).

Jesus said that these were just the "beginning of sorrows" (Matthew 24:8,
emphasis added throughout)?or, as the New International Version better
renders this, the "beginning of birth pains." As birth pangs?or labor
contractions?get stronger and closer together as delivery approaches, so
these trends would appear with increasing intensity and frequency as the
end
of the age approached.

Let's take a closer look at the first of these Prophetic trends?religious
deception.

"Many shall come in my name . . ."

Just what is the nature of this deception? Notice Jesus' specific
warning: 
Take heed that no man deceive you. For many shall come in my name,
saying, I
am Christ; and shall deceive many" (verses 4-5, KJV).

Modern Bible versions often place quotation marks around "I am Christ,"
the
translators assuming that Jesus was talking about people who would claim
to
actually be the Christ or Messiah themselves. There have been such
people,
and Jesus warned later in the same discourse of "false christs" at the
end
of the age (verse 24).

Yet there clearly have not been, as verse 5 requires, "many" such
individuals who have been taken seriously?much less deceived the "many"?in
the two millennia since Jesus said this. And there certainly has not been
a
great increase in such individuals in recent centuries?while there has
been
a marked increase in the other prophesied signs.

Some have proposed that Jesus was referring to false "savior" figures
like
the Roman emperors of New Testament times or Napoleon, Hitler, Mao and
Saddam Hussein in the modern era. But this is stretching the concept of
"the
Christ" or "the Messiah" far beyond what Jesus' disciples would have
understood it to mean?the prophesied anointed king of the line of David.

Indeed, notice again that Jesus said, "Many shall come in my name"?His
name
being Jesus. Furthermore, they would come in His name, not with His name
or
bearing His name. In other words, they would presume to represent Him?not
assume His identity.

So a clearer rendering of what Jesus meant in verses 4-5 would be: "Take
heed that no one deceives you. For many shall come claiming to represent
Me,
saying that I [Jesus] am the Christ, yet shall deceive many." That is,
they
would proclaim Jesus as the biblical Messiah and would claim to be His
representatives?but they actually would be part of a massive religious
deception.

It is these people?false preachers and Charismatic Religious teachers
claiming to be Christian?who would proliferate and deceive ever more
people
as the end of the age neared.

The apostle Paul later affirmed, in a Christian context, that "evil men
and
impostors will grow worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived" (2
Timothy 3:13). So not only do they deceive others. These false teachers
themselves are deceived.

Fruits Of lawlessness

In His famous Sermon on the Mount, Jesus issued the following warning
regarding false prophets or preachers: "Beware of false prophets, who come
to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves"
(Matthew
7:15). Jesus being the great Shepherd, His followers are portrayed as
sheep.
Yet these false prophets only appear to be Jesus' followers. Their true
nature is one of deceiving and devouring the lives of the unsuspecting?as
a
wolf among the flock.

Paul would later warn of this as well. He told the leaders of the church
in
Ephesus: "For I know this, that after my departure savage wolves will
come
in among you, not sparing the flock. Also from among yourselves men will
rise up, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after
themselves" (Acts 20:29-30).

Yet such impostors would be identifiable. Jesus explained: "You will know
them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes from thornbushes or figs from
thistles? Even so, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears
bad fruit" (Matthew 7:16-17). By "fruits," Jesus is referring
metaphorically
to visible results or outcomes.

He then gives us an example of something to look for in our evaluation:
"Not
everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord' [merely acknowledging Him as Lord],
shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father
in
heaven" (Matthew 7:21).

Then notice: "Many will say to Me in that day, 'Lord, Lord, have we not
prophesied [preached or taught] in Your name, cast out demons in Your
name,
and done many wonders in Your name?'" (Matthew 7:22).

Again, as in Matthew 24, we see such preachers coming in Jesus'
name?having
done various works in His name. But their lives are not lives conformed
to
the will of God. Jesus concludes, "And then I will declare to them, 'I
never
knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!'" (Matthew 7:23).

Practicing lawlessness means living as if God's law is done away or of no
consequence. Notice that these individuals are deceived about their own
spiritual state. They think they have a special relationship with
Jesus?but
He ends up telling them they are gravely mistaken. In reality, He doesn't
know them at all.

Why? Because they don't honor God by obeying His law. As the apostle John
would later explain: "Now by this we know that we know Him, if we keep His
commandments. He who says, 'I know Him,' and does not keep His
commandments,
is a liar, and the truth is not in him" (1 John 2:3-4).

Jesus is telling these false prophets that He doesn't know them and they
don
t know Him. For if they knew Him, they would understand what He
required?obedience to God's law. As Jesus stated in Matthew 19:17, "If you
want to enter into [eternal] life, keep the commandments."

Earlier in the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus said: "Whoever . . . breaks one
of
the least of these commandments, and teaches men so, shall be called the
least [by those] in the kingdom of heaven" (Matthew 5:19).

Notice that Jesus speaks here of those who would disobey God and those
who
would teach others to disobey Him. So it's not only a matter of
practicing
lawlessness ?but also of teaching it, whether through word or example.

Exalting worldliness and religious traditions over God's law - The
Religious
But Lost

Jesus applied these principles to the religious leaders of His own day.
For
instance, Jesus chided the scribes and Pharisees for establishing many
legalistic and worldly religious traditions that sidelined God's actual
commandments. He said: "Thus you have made the commandment of God of no
effect by your tradition. Hypocrites! Well did Isaiah prophesy about you,
saying: 'These people draw near to Me with their mouth, and honor Me with
their lips, but their heart is far from Me. And in vain they worship Me,
teaching as doctrines the commandments of men'" (Matthew 15:6-9).

Thus it is actually possible to worship God in vain?uselessly?in this
case
by putting the traditions and teachings of men ahead of the teachings and
commandments of God.

Moreover, the scribes and Pharisees went beyond mere false teaching. As
Jesus explained, "All their works they do to be seen by men" (Matthew
23:5).
He castigated them, "Even so you also outwardly appear righteous to men,
but
inside you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness" (Matthew 23:28).

Yet it should be made clear that it's not necessary to be a hypocrite to
be
a false preacher. A man preaching that God's law is "done away with" or 
nailed to the Cross" may be completely sincere in his belief?yet he is
nevertheless a false teacher and certainly not a true representative of
Jesus Christ.

A Counterfeit Christianity thrives

Jesus' prophecy of false teachers coming in His name began to be
fulfilled
even during the era of the apostles. Paul mentioned a number of false
teachers. He said a "different gospel" was already being preached
(Galatians
1:6).

Paul even identified a heretical religious system he referred to as "the
mystery of lawlessness," which during his ministry was "already at work"
(2
Thessalonians 2:7).

This system, he showed, would persist until the end of the age: "And then
the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord will consume with the
breath
of His mouth and destroy with the brightness of His coming. The coming of
the lawless one is according to the working of Satan, with all power,
signs,
and lying wonders, and with all unrighteous deception among those who
perish
 because they did not receive the love of the truth, that they might be
saved" (2 Thessalonians 2: 8-10).

The book of Revelation refers to this lawless mystery religion, that
embraces and deceives the whole world, as "MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT"
(Rev.
17:5) and shows it appearing with "two horns like a lamb" (presenting
itself
as Christ-like) but speaking "like a dragon" (Rev. 13:11). The "dragon"
in
Revelation is Satan the devil, who deceives the whole world (12:9). So
what
we're seeing here is an extremely powerful "wolf in sheep's clothing."

What Paul and this section of Revelation are describing is a great
counterfeit of the true Christian religion?a world-dominating false or
Counterfeit Christianity led by Satan and his ministers, who appear as
ministers of light and righteousness and who's mission is to lead the
multitudes away from the True Christ, The True Gospel and The true
Christianity (see 2 Corinthians 11:13-15).

As shocking as it may sound, the world religion that now lays claim to
the
name of Christianity, having nearly 2 billion adherents, is that very
lawless mystery system! This is not to question the sincerity of its many
followers. Most are motivated by a sincere desire to serve and please
their
leaders. But sincerity is not the measure of right and wrong. God defines
what is right by His laws and commandments, and Christianity in general
has
rejected many of God's clear instructions.

Early on, this religion shed many important biblical doctrines and
commandments in favor of popular pagan concepts and traditions. Christmas
and Easter, for instance (the name "Easter" even deriving from the pagan
goddess Ishtar), are merely pagan holidays covered over with a Christian
veneer?despite the Bible's explicit command that we not worship the true
God
with pagan customs (see Deuteronomy 12:29-32).

It is just as Jesus said of the Pharisees: "In vain they worship Me,
teaching as doctrines the commandments of men."

The true Christian Church, Jesus Christ founded, holding fast to God's
commandments throughout history, has remained, in the words of Jesus, a 
little flock" (Luke 12:32) A "Very Few" (Matthew 7:13-14) A Small
"Remnant"
(Joel 2:32) . In contrast, the popular substitute for Christianity has
grown
enormous and powerful?just as Jesus foretold in Matthew 24.

The worst yet to come

Time and again Jesus Christ and His apostles warned of a false religious
system that would arise and claim to represent Him. We see an outline of
this system emerging, through out the Roman Empire in the writings of the
apostles. But how many take those warnings to heart? Do you? You need to
read the incredible story of a pseudo-Christianity that has soared to
great
prominence and power?and discover where it is leading.

Visit our Sermon Archive Study: "Revealing The Rise Of a Counterfeit
Christianity" You need this crucial information!

Recall Christ's warning that false teachers would be on the rise through
history, culminating in the vast and powerful deception of the last days.
Of
the time just before His return Jesus said, "False christs and false
prophets will rise and show great signs and wonders to deceive, if
possible,
even the elect" (Matthew 24:24).

These signs and wonders are the same ones Paul mentioned. They have
happened
at times throughout history?yet will grow in magnitude at the end of the
age
 reaching their height with the coming of the great false prophet, who
also
appears to be representing Christ but in reality is the Antichrist.

All of us need to be wary and watchful. We must examine the fruits of all
those who claim to represent Jesus Christ?in the way they live and the
doctrines they teach. Do they insist that we are required to obey God's
commandments? Or do they preach a message of Cheap Grace, without a true
and
genuine Faith, without a true and genuine Repentance, or without a true
and
genuine full immersion Water Baptism??that we can come to God just any
way
we want to, without obedience to His Word or without making any
fundamental
changes in our behavior?

Remember, most of those who claim to represent Jesus actually don't.
Moreover, as time goes on, ever more pretenders will arise, however
sincere
they may be. And finally, bear in mind that the greatest period of
deception
ever is just ahead of us. "See," Jesus said, "I have told you beforehand"
(Matthew 24: 25).

He was warning us to be prepared. Are you?

Let Us Pray Together--

PRAY: "God be merciful to me a sinner. Receive me now for Christ's sake.
Cleanse me from my sin by your precious blood, shed on the cross for me;
lead me to be Baptized and fill me with your Holy Spirit. Teach me to pray
each day; to read Your will for my life from your word, the Bible; and
help
me to worship and serve You in the fellowship of your church. I thank you
Lord Jesus Christ. AMEN! 


 THE GOOD NEWS MINISTRY AND MISSIONS OUTREACH PROCLAIMING THE SOON RETURN
OF
JESUS CHRIST!

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Revealing The Rise of a Counterfeit Christianity - The Great Pretenders!

Part One - The Big Picture and Overview


"Take heed that no one deceives you.  For many will come in My name ...
and
will deceive many' (Matthew 24:4-5).

Jesus Christ told His apostles to make disciples of all nations,
baptizing
them in His name.  Most people who are familiar with the Bible realize
those
apostles zealously embarked on that mission.  Their converts were first
called Christians in the city of Antioch (Acts 11:26).  Since then, so
many
people have been born or inducted into the hundreds of denominations
known
collectively as "Christianity" that it is one of the world's most popular
and dominant religions.

People assume that all, or at least almost all, who bear the name
Christian
follow the beliefs, teachings and practices of Jesus Christ.  But the
Bible
tells us that not everyone who accepts the name of Christ is really a
Christian.

Jesus predicted that  many, a great multitude, would claim His name but
deny
Him by their actions.  He said they would "call Me 'Lord, Lord,"' but
"not
do the things which I say" (Luke 6:46).

Christ and His apostles spoke of false churches,  false teachers, false
prophets, false apostles, false brethren and a false gospel.

They revealed that two opposing ostensibly Christian religions would
emerge.
 One-a small remnant-a little flock-a very few- of the Church Jesus
founded 
would be led by God's Spirit and remain faithful to His teachings.  The
other, the majority, a great multitude, would be beguiled - guided and
influenced by a different spirit- that they would accept the name of
Christ
but twist His teachings to create a convincing counterfeit of the True
Church Christ Founded.

Both would use Christ's name and claim His authority.  Both would perform
works that would outwardly appear good and right.  Both would claim to be
following Christ's true teachings.  But only one, a little flock, a small
remnant, a very few- would faithfully represent its founder, Jesus Christ.

The other, the majority, a great multitude, would capture the minds and
hearts of humanity by attaching the name of Christ to biblically
insupportable religious customs, worldly traditions and doctrines that
Jesus
and His apostles neither taught, practiced nor approved.

The apostles repeatedly warned Jesus' followers to beware of false
teachers
who would introduce counterfeit-Christian beliefs.  Jesus Himself warned:

Take heed that no one deceives you.  For many will come in My name ...
and
will deceive many" (Matthew 24:4-5).

The New Testament presents a concise historical sketch of the roots of
these
two religions that profess to be Christian one real, one counterfeit. 
Christ's apostles described the origin of each and their fundamental
characteristics.

We have already examined the apostles' description of the True Church
Jesus
founded.  Now let's look at the record they left us of another supposedly
Christian religion-one that distorted and corrupted the truth and grew to
become far more powerful and influential than the small, True and Faithful
Church Jesus promised would never die out.

Teaching the traditions of men

Where do most professing Christian churches and Christian educational
institutions get their teachings and practices?  Most of their members
assume they come from the Bible or from Jesus Christ Himself.  But do
they?

Jesus commanded His apostles to teach others exactly what He had taught, 
teaching them to obey everything I have commanded and taught you" (Matthew
28:20, NIV).  He condemned the replacing of God's commandments, the
teachings of the one true gospel with human traditions and human
reasoning. 
Speaking to the Pharisees, He said, "For laying aside the commandments of
God, you hold to the traditions of men ... All too well you reject the
commandments of  God, that you may keep your traditions" (Mark 7:8-9).

Jesus taught that His True Church should keep the commandments and the
one
true gospel of God: "If you want to enter into life, keep the
commandments"
(Matthew 19:17).  He warned: "Many will say to Me in that day, 'Lord,
Lord,
have we not prophesied [preached] in Your name, cast out demons in Your
name
 and done many great signs and wonders in Your name?' And then I will
declare to them, 'I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice
lawlessness!  "' (Matthew 7:22-23).  He knew that false teachers would
arise
who would reject the commandments and the one true word of God for a
distorted gospel of rebellion and disobedience!

Like Jesus, the apostles consistently taught obedience to God.  Peter and
the other apostles risked their lives to make it clear that "we ought to
obey God rather than men" (Acts 5:29).  Paul expressed the same commitment
he shared with the other apostles of a life of obedience.  "Through him
[Christ] and for his name's sake, we received grace and apostleship to
call
people from among all the Gentiles to the obedience that comes from
faith"
(Romans 1:5, NIV).

Paul later cautioned members of the congregation in Colosse to hold fast
to
what he had taught them.  "As you have therefore received Christ Jesus
the
Lord, so walk in Him, rooted and built up in Him and established in the
faith, as you have been taught. ." (Colossians 2:6-7).

Following Christ's example, Paul warned the Colossians not to accept the
humanistic traditions and philosophies of men as replacements for the
commandments and the one true gospel of God: "Beware lest anyone cheat you
through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the traditions of men,
according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to
Christ"
(Colossians 2:8; compare Mark 7:8-9, 13).

Why did Jesus Christ and the apostles sound such urgent warnings to avoid
the worldly traditions, psychology and humanistic philosophy of men?

Planting Counterfeits

Jesus warned us that our enemy, the devil, plants false Christians among
the
true (Matthew 13:24-30). Some of these "false brethren" (2 Cor. 11:26)
directly attack True Believers. Others have and will continually try to
introduce a false, ritualistic or cultic gospel within the True Church.
(Gal
 1:6-9). Still others, either from within the church or through a cult,
teach a counterfeit righteousness (Rom. 10:1-3). Jesus called these the
tares "the sons of the wicked one" declaring that the one who sows the
tares
is "the devil" (Matt. 13:38-39).

Though proper discernment and church discipline can remove some
counterfeits
 these imposters and false teachers from the local congregation, we can't
always tell the false from the true. It is impossible, therefore, to
cleanse
the church completely of its enemy agents of deception. Nevertheless, we
need to be on guard at all times, measuring all things by the Word of God,
testing not only the words of so-called believers, but also their behavior
and attitudes. If you find a spirit of pride and stubborn willful deceit,
be
careful. Apply the word of God firmly with humility and gentleness (Matt
18:15-17 ; 2 Tim. 2:24-26; 2 Peter 2; 1 John 4:1-6)

Subversion from within the Church

As the apostles strove to establish still more congregations of believers
among the nations, a phenomenon arose that eventually produced an
alternate
and outwardly Christian religion-but one quite different from the Church
Jesus founded and His apostles established.

New and different doctrines were subtly introduced.  Some began
subverting
the Church by challenging and contradicting the teachings of Christ's
apostles.  Paul warned, "For there are many insubordinate, both idle
talkers
and deceivers, especially those of the circumcision, whose mouths must be
stopped, who subvert whole households, teaching things which they ought
not,
for the sake of dishonest gain" (Titus 1: I 0-11).

To counter this trend, Paul instructed fellow elder Titus to carefully
consider the background, knowledge and character of anyone being
considered
for ordination: "Since an overseer is entrusted with God's work, he must
be
blameless ... He must hold firmly to the trustworthy message as it has
been
taught, so that he can encourage others by sound doctrine and refute
those
who oppose it" (verses 7, 9, NIV).

Increasingly, "false apostles" began contradicting and undermining the
teachings of the true apostles of Christ.  Paul cautioned the church in
Rome: "I urge you, brothers and sisters, to keep an eye on those who cause
dissensions and offenses, in opposition to the teaching that you have
learned; avoid them.  For such people do not serve our Lord Christ, but
their own appetites, and by smooth talk and flattery they deceive the
hearts
of the simple-minded.  For while your obedience is known to all, so that
I
rejoice over you, I want you to be wise in what is good and guileless in
what is evil" (Romans 16:17-19, NRSV).

Competing religious leaders, masquerading as ministers of Christ, began
teaching their own false doctrines of worldliness and humanistic
philosophy 
in opposition to" Christ's apostles and others of his faithful servants. 
At
first they came predominantly from a Jewish background.  But then false
teachers emerged from people of other Philosophical backgrounds within the
professing Church.  The subversive doctrines that eventually grew to be
the
most influential were a blending of all the Roman, Greek and Babylonian
pagan philosophies of humanism and the misguided Jewish philosophies
synthesized with the philosophies of mysticism and gnosticism , that were
all very popular in the City of Rome and throughout the Old Roman Empire
at
that time.

Simon the Sorcerer was one such false teacher mentioned early in the
Scriptures.  After his baptism by Philip, Simon attempted to buy the
office
of apostle from Peter, hoping to obtain the power to grant others the
Holy
Spirit.  Motivated by his greed for wealth, power and influence, he faked
conversion to appear Christian (Acts 8:9-23).  Later historical sources
indicate that he blended various philosophical elements of paganism,
humanism, mysticism and gnosticism into a counterfeit-Christian theology
of
humanism and psychology.

A dangerous trend was established.  Soon "False churches", "false
apostles,"
"false teachers" "false brethren" and a "false gospel" abounded. A
counterfeit Christianity was born.

A different gospel gains ground

The impact of distorted teachings devastated the early Church.  For
example,
Christians in the Roman province of Galatia turned en masse from the
teachings of the apostle Paul and to a corrupted, cunningly devised but
counterfeit gospel promoted by these false apostles.

Paul described the approach they used and the effect the false teachers
had
on Christians in Galatia: "I marvel that you are turning away so soon
from
Him who called you in the grace of Christ, to a different gospel, which
is
not another; but there are some who trouble you and want to pervert the
gospel of Christ" (Galatians 1:6-7).  The brethren in that area were being
swept into one of the many sects making up the emerging false
Christianity. 
Paul had to contend with religious strife generated by Jewish and gentile
elements in the Galatian congregations.

These cunning pretenders, these spirtual imposters, did not reject
outright
the gospel Paul taught.  They simply perverted aspects of it.  Then they
seduced the Galatian Christians into accepting their- gospel- a false
gospel- a deadly mixture of truth and error.  It contained enough truth to
appear righteous and Christian, but it contained sufficient error to
prevent
any who would accept it from receiving  true salvation and the infilling
of
the True Holy Spirit. Instead they received a false sense of salvation
and
were infilled with an unholy spirit- the spirit of antichrist.

Notice Paul's blistering condemnation of that "different" gospel: "But
even
if we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than what
we
have preached to you, let him be accursed.  As we have said before, so
now I
say again, if anyone preaches any other gospel to you than what you have
received, let him be accursed" (Galatians 1: 8-9).

Notice Paul's warning to the Corinthians about a false Jesus, a false
spirit
and a false gospel, that was being preached by false teachers. "For if he
that cometh preacheth another Jesus, whom we have not preached, or if ye
receive another spirit, which ye have not received, or another gospel,
which
ye have not accepted, ye might well bear with him. (2Cor:11:4)

A gospel of no law

Jesus warned His apostles this would happen: "Then many false prophets
will
rise up and deceive many.  And because lawlessness will abound, the love
of
many will grow cold" (Matthew 24:11-12).  Jesus explained that
lawlessness,
the key element in the message of the false teachers, would make their
ideas
appealing and popular.  Disregard for God's law and His true gospel would
finally become the foundation of a popular and successful counterfeit
Christianity.

The false prophets devised their message and doctrines by verbally
acknowledging Jesus as "Lord" while refusing to obey Him (Luke 6:46). 
Jesus
Himself warned of their deceitful, cunning approach: "Beware of false
prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are
ravenous wolves" (Matthew 7:15).

Jesus made it clear that teachers of rebellion and disobedience, who
outwardly appear as innocent sheep performing devoutly religious acts, are
not His apostles or servants: "Many will say to Me in that day, 'Lord,
Lord,
have we not prophesied [preached] in Your name, cast out demons in Your
name
 and done many signs and wonders in Your name? 'And then I will declare
to
them, 'I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!"'
(verses 22-23).

God's law: the religious Battleground

Controversy over God's law erupted within the Church as soon as the first
gentiles (non-Israelites) were converted.  Certain Jewish believers wanted
to force circumcision and other physical requirements on the gentiles. 
They
demanded that gentile converts be physically circumcised to receive
salvation (Acts 15: 1).

The apostles refused.  They pointed out that even Moses had taught that
the
circumcision that made one acceptable to God was a matter of the heart
(Deuteronomy 30:6; compare with Romans 2:29 and Colossians 2:11-12). 
Also,
God had declared Abraham to be righteous in His sight before he was
circumcised (Romans 4:9-12).  Therefore, they explained, physical
circumcision should not be regarded as a requirement for the gentiles'
salvation (Acts 15:2, 5-10).  For further proof, Peter noted that God had
recently given the Holy Spirit to several gentiles without their being
circumcised, demonstrating His will in the matter (verse 8; Acts II: 1-4,
15-18).

The same Jews also demanded that gentiles observe the temple ceremonies
and
rituals that pointed to the sacrifice of Christ. The apostles insisted
that
Christ's sacrifice was sufficient for the forgiveness of sins through the
grace of God (Hebrews 7:26-27).

The temple sacrifices and rituals were only temporary institutions until
the
sacrifice of the real "Lamb of God" (John 1:29).  The apostles taught
that
they were no longer required (Acts 15:1 1; Hebrews 9:1-15) because they
were
"concerned only with foods and drinks, various washings, and fleshly
ordinances imposed until the time of reformation" (Hebrews 9: 1 0).

But the apostles never regarded God's spiritual laws, summarized by the
Ten
Commandments and the word of the true gospel, as being in the same
category
with "fleshly ordinances." They always supported obedience to God's
commandments.  Paul made this clear: "Circumcision is nothing and
uncircumcision is nothing, but keeping the commandments of God is what
matters" (I Corinthians 7:19).  He concluded: "Do we then make void the
law
through faith?  Certainly not!  On the contrary, we establish the law"
(Romans 3:3 1).

Distorted view of God's grace

Just as Jesus had foretold, unscrupulous teachers pounced on the
teachings
of Paul and the other apostles and twisted their meaning (2 Peter
3:15-16). 
By distorting the apostles' words, first about grace and then about those

fleshly ordinances" that is the Jewish religious rituals that are no
longer
necessary, they discovered a way to excuse their unlawful behavior.  "For
certain men have crept in unnoticed, who long ago were marked out for this
condemnation, ungodly men, who turn the grace of our God into lewdness
[shameful behavior] and deny the only Lord God and our Lord Jesus Christ"
(Jude 4).

To them, grace excused sin-rebellion and disobedience- the breaking of
God's
law-by allowing them to disregard scriptural teachings they did not like.

They twisted Paul's explanation that we cannot earn salvation with
religious
rituals or a lifetime full of our own "good works" into an excuse for
making
no effort to be obedient and to obey God.

Peter pinpointed their real problem.  They "despise authority": "They are
presumptuous, self-willed.  They are not afraid to speak evil of
dignitaries
. . ." (2 Peter 2:10).  A dominant characteristic of these deceivers was
their eagerness to verbally attack and undermine the apostles and elders
who
were the true shepherds of God's flock.

As a consequence, said Peter, "they have forsaken the right way and gone
astray . . ." (verse 15).  "For when they speak great swelling words of
emptiness, they allure through the lusts of the flesh, through lewdness,
the
ones who have actually escaped from those who live in error.  While they
promise them liberty, they themselves are slaves of corruption . . ."
(verses 18-19).

Now a problem even more sinister developed among the scattered
congregations
of God's people.

False teachers, instead of trying to impose more law on gentiles, began
exploiting God's mercy-the grace of God-to advocate the idea that
Christians
have been liberated from the law and no longer need to obey it.  However,
God says transgressing His law is sin (I John 3:4).

These teachers misrepresented God's law as an unnecessary burden.  John
responded: "For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. 
And
His commandments are not burdensome' (I John 5:3).

Contrary to the idea of being liberated from law, James calls God's
commandments a "royal law" and the "law of liberty" (James 2:8-12).  God
designed His law to guarantee that we would know the consequences of such
evils as immorality, adultery, murder, theft, fraud and covetousness.

It is sin-rebellion and disobedience, not God's law, that enslaves us
(Romans 6:6).  We become free from the enslavement to sin by obeying God
(verse 17).  Paul explains that obedience and righteousness are
inseparable.
 "For it is not those who hear the law who are righteous in God's sight,
but
it is those who obey the law who will be declared righteous" (Romans
2:13,
NIV).

Satan the devil: master deceiver

Those who promoted these lawless principles were influenced by Satan. 
Paul
said: "For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming
themselves into apostles of Christ.  And no wonder!  For Satan himself
transforms himself into an angel of light.  Therefore it is no great thing
if his ministers also transform themselves into ministers of
righteousness,
whose end will be according to their works" (2 Corinthians II: 13-15).

Satan hates God's law.  He is a master deceiver.  Naturally, he will
spare
no effort to infiltrate and deceive and destroy from within, the Church
Christ founded.

To accomplish his purpose, Satan uses people to mislead other people.  It
is
easy for him to influence human beings who desire to teach others when
they
are motivated by personal ambition.  This is especially true if they lack
a
proper understanding of the Scriptures.  Satan simply takes advantage of
their desire to be spiritual teachers.  He seduces susceptible individuals
to pay lip service to Christ while creating their own new sets of
doctrines
and ignoring or disobeying portions of God's laws. "He [Jesus] answered
and
said unto them, Well hath Esaias [Elijha] prophesied of you hypocrites,
as
it is written, This people honoureth me with their lips, but their heart
is
far from me." (Mark:7:6)

Paul told Timothy to "charge some that they teach no other doctrine" and
have a "pure heart," "good conscience" and "sincere faith, . . . from
which
some, having strayed, have turned aside to idle talk, desiring to be
teachers of the law, understanding neither what they say nor the things
which they affirm" (I Timothy 1:3, 6-7).

Sincere but misguided religious leaders can and do accept doctrines that
permit them to break some of God's commandments and to disobey the true
word
of God's gospel.  Then they persuade others to believe as they do. 
Sadly,
through the devil's influence, they convince themselves that their
misguided
concepts are righteous-that God is pleased with them.  They believe the
false doctrines they teach.  Although sincere, they are sincerely
mistaken.

Paul says, "The coming of the lawless one [a future teacher who will
advocate doctrines contrary to God's laws] is according to the working of
Satan ... with all unrighteous deception among those who perish, because
they did not receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved.  And
for this reason God will send them strong delusion, that they should
believe
the lie" (2 Thessalonians 2:9-11).  Probably none of the misguided
teachers
perceives he is in reality advocating Satan's point of view.

However, by creating a counterfeit-Christian religion one that is not
entirely different from the True Church but rejects some of the essential
biblical teachings that lead to eternal life-Satan is attempting to thwart
God's plan for the salvation of mankind.  Remember, Jesus says, "if you
want
to enter into life, keep the commandments" (Matthew 19:17).  That is
exactly
what the devil wants to prevent.  He promotes a lawless Christianity that
teaches we can selectively obey or even ignore God's commandments and the
true word of the gospel.

Lawlessness in varying degrees is the centerpiece of Satan's counterfeit
doctrines.  His purpose is to convince people that they are serving Christ
while cutting them off from true salvation, by filling them with the false
unholy spirit of antichrist and by clouding their understanding of what
sin
is so they will continue in sin-rebellion and disobedience so they will
practice at least some degree of lawlessness.

To accomplish his purpose, Satan exploits human nature.  He sways people
to
believe his deceptions (I John 5:19; Revelation 12:9).  Satan retains
just
enough truth in his doctrines to persuade people they are following
Christ. 
But he introduces sufficient error to prevent them from living the way
that
would ultimately lead to eternal life.

Why disobedience appeals to human nature

Satan is successful in deceiving humanity for good reason.  The apostle
Paul
explains that the natural mind of man-the mind that is not guided by
God's
True Holy Spirit cannot always see the purpose behind God's laws and the
true gospel.  "But the natural man does not receive the things of the
Spirit
of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because
they
are spiritually discerned" (I Corinthians 2:14).

Most people are not overtly hostile toward many of God's laws.  They
usually
recognize that deeds such as murder and theft are wrong.  However, they
are
hostile-perhaps without recognizing their innate hostility-toward laws
that
challenge their own personal, natural way of thinking.  In that sense
lawlessness appeals to people.

Paul explains why disobedience can appeal to our baser instincts:

"The carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law
of
God, nor indeed can be" (Romans 8:7).  The carnal, or fleshly, mind not
only
lacks spiritual discernment, it resents God's authority as expressed in
His
laws.  The New International Version translates this verse: The sinful
mind
is hostile to God.  It does not submit to God's law, nor can it do so.

We call this sinful tendency human nature-a combination of human weakness
and acquired attitudes resulting from Satan's influence on people.  Satan
exploits human nature.  He uses his false teachers to convince other
people
that they are "liberated" from the laws and the true word of God, thus
excusing their tendency to be hostile toward God's laws.  So, rather than
abandoning a life of lawlessness, those led astray by this deception
continue in sin-rebellion and disobedience.  Thinking their rebellion and
disobedient actions are permissible to God, they fail to recognize, at
least
in some of their beliefs and behavior, the gravity of their sinful
actions.

But the apostle James makes it clear that this approach and attitude to
God
s royal law are entirely wrong.  "For whoever shall keep the whole law
and
yet stumble in one point, he is guilty of all" (James 2: 10).  The
context
shows James is speaking of the Ten Commandments (verses 8-9, 11).  God's
fundamental law is made up of 10 points, and He requires us to observe
them 
literaly all-in letter and spirit.

A failing away from truth begins

Christ praised the church in Ephesus for refusing to follow false
apostles
who tried to take advantage of their human nature and seduce them.  "I
know
your works, your labor, your patience, and that you cannot bear those who
are evil.  And you have tested those who say they are apostles and are
not,
and have found them liars" (Revelation 2:2).

But not everyone in every congregation followed the example of the church
in
Ephesus.  Many accepted the humanistic teachings of the false apostles
and
reverted to sinning-rebellion-disobiedience and unbelief.  That is why
Peter
wrote: "For if, after they have escaped the pollutions of the world
through
the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again
entangled
in them and overcome, the latter end is worse for them than the
beginning. 
For it would have been better for them not to have known the way of
righteousness, than having known it, to turn from the holy commandments
delivered to them" (2 Peter 2:20-21).

People began turning away from the teachings of Christ's true apostles. 
They accepted the humanistic and worldly philosophies of false teachers. 
Peter had explicitly warned that this would occur.  He said false teachers
would arise "among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies,
even denying the Lord who bought them, and bring on themselves swift
destruction.  And if any will follow their destructive ways, because of
whom
the way of truth will be blasphemed" (2 Peter 2:1-2).

Peter anticipated that not just a few-but a majority of professing
Christians would turn aside from the truth of the true word of God to
follow
humanistic worldly doctrines and philosophies that were more appealing to
the carnal mind.  Later John confirms this happened.  "They went out from
us
 but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would have
continued with us; but they went out that they might be made manifest,
that
none of them were of us" (I John 2:19).

Barnabas and Saul (later renamed Paul) encountered a false prophet
determined to turn people away from the truth.  "Now when they had gone
through the island to Paphos, they found a certain sorcerer, a false
prophet
 a Jew whose name was Bar-Jesus, who was with the proconsul, Sergius
Paulus 
.. But Elymas the sorcerer (for so his name is translated) withstood
them,
seeking to turn the proconsul away from the faith" (Acts 13:6-8).

On other occasions the problem lay with false brethren (Galatians 2:4). 
Paul referred to his trials "in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in
perils of my own countrymen, in perils of the Gentiles, in perils in the
city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among
false brethren" (2 Corinthians 11:26).

These false Christians had not become a genuine threat just to Paul's
safety
and effectiveness, but they had also become a significant part of the
visible Christian community.  Some may have finally gone out from God's
special people but continued calling themselves Christian.

They started new sects and denominations  Others became members of these
new
and supposedly liberated sects and denominations that retained the name
Christian, but they were only counterfeits of the real thing  Still others
probably remained in the fellowship of true believers and over time
subverted  those congregations to their own heretical teachings. A false
Christianity was beginning to take a firm hold.

True Christians forced out of congregations

As the teachings of false ministers gained in popularity, their followers
gradually grew to be the majority in some congregations.  The apostle John
records one such tragic example: "I wrote to the church, but Diotrephes,
who
loves to have the pre-eminence among them, does not receive us. 
Therefore,
if I come, I will call to mind his deeds which he does, prating against
us
with malicious words.  And not content with that, he himself does not
receive the brethren, and forbids those who wish to, putting them out of
the
church " (3 John 9- 10).

Incredible as it sounds, those true believers who were faithful to the
teaching of the apostles were expelled from this congregation.  They had
become the minority.  The majority had chosen to follow Diotrephes, who,
in
his own lust for power and influence, falsely accused the apostle John. 
Satan had succeeded in placing his false minister over this congregation,
expelling the faithful servants of Jesus Christ.

Remember, Jesus had already warned His true servants that this would
happen:
"Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that
leads to destruction (Hell), and there are many who go in by it.  Because
narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life (Heaven) ,
and there are very few who find it.  Beware of false prophets, who come to
you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves" (Matthew
7:13-15).

He also said: "Isaiah was right when he prophesied about you hypocrites;
as
it is written: 'These people honour me with their lips, but their hearts
are
far from me.  They worship me in vain; their teachings are but rules
taught
by men.' You have let go of the commands of God and are holding on to the
traditions of men" (Mark 7:6-8, NIV).

Now we can understand why Paul explained to Christians in Rome the
appropriate response to those who were stirring up division within the
Church.  "Now I urge you, brethren, note those who cause divisions and
offenses, contrary to the doctrine which you learned, and avoid them"
(Romans 16:17).

Counterfeit Christianity dominates

By the end of the third century the true servants of God had become a
distinct minority, a small remnant, a little flock, the very few, among
those who called themselves Christians.  The counterfeit Christianity had
become the majority.

False teachers had successfully gained a far larger following than the
faithful ministers of God.  However, history shows the counterfeit sects
were not united in their beliefs.  Many factions existed among them.

Nevertheless, divided and unconverted as it was, this new brand of
Christianity rapidly expanded its membership and became the visible
Christian church.  Purporting to offer salvation, but without the
necessity
of real faith or real repentance and obedience to the true word of God,
it
held just enough truth to appeal to the masses.

In spite of its faults, it appeared to offer a hope unequalled by any
pagan
religion at that time.  None of the pagan religions offered a believable
way
for people to receive forgiveness of sins and obtain eternal life.  This
new
religion seemed to offer just that.  Little did its followers realize
that
its promises, without obedience to the True Word of God and without real
faith, without real repentance and without a proper adult baptism, were
made
in vain.

By the end of the third century this counterfeit Christianity was a
squabbling, bitterly divided religion.  But at the beginning of the fourth
century two things happened that abruptly altered the course of Christian
history.  First, the Roman emperor Diocletian intensified the policy of
many
previous Roman emperors of persecuting the True and Faithful Christians
and
ordered that all the true, original Christian manuscripts be burned. 
This
dramatically renewed a climate of fear throughout the Christian
community.

Ten years later another emperor, Constantine, came to power.  He had
defeated another powerful contender for the right to replace Diocletian as
emperor, but he still had many enemies, and his political position
remained
insecure.  In all the empire, only Christians were unaligned politically.

Constantine immediately saw an opportunity to use this formerly
persecuted
and politically alienated religious body to strengthen his hold on the
empire.

First he legalized Christianity.  Then, only two years later, he called
all
the divided professing-Christian groups together to hammer out a unified
system of belief.  He wanted a united religious body that was spiritually,
physically and politically committed to him and the Roman empire.

To achieve this, Constantine presided over doctrinal deliberations and
dictated statements of belief whenever disagreements could not be resolved
amicably.  He soon successfully molded the bickering groups of counterfeit
Christians who were willing to succumb and accept state control, into a
strong and unified vassal of the Roman Empire. He successfully molded
ancient Roman political and pagan doctrine with Christianity to form a new
universal Roman controlled religious System- a False and counterfeit
Christianity was officially born.

Williston Walker, former professor of ecumenical and ecclesiastical
history
at Yale University, tells us that, in 323, "Constantine was at last the
sole
ruler of the Roman world.  The church was everywhere free from
persecution .
. But, in winning its freedom from its enemies, it had come largely under
the control of the occupant of the Roman imperial throne.  A fateful union
with the state had begun" (A History of the Christian Church, 1946, p.
111).

A religion transformed through syncretism [Political Correctness]

As this new religion-now supported by the Roman emperors grew in power
and
influence, it sought to become a truly universal church.  In its ambition
to
add more members, many new inductees, with all their old worldly
traditions,
humanistic pagan practices and worldly ambitions-were welcomed into its
fold

Constantine had successfully succeeded in incorporating not only roman
pagan
customs into  this new universal, state sponsored, counterfeit Christian
religion, he also brought in and sanctioned all the politicians, the rich,
the businessmen,  the traders, the tradesmen and merchants of the Roman
empire. They were now by Roman law, allowed to be called "Christian". Thus
the terms "Christian businessmen", "Christian politician" "Christian This
and Christian that", etc. was born and propagated by this counterfeit
Christian religion. You could add the term "Christian" to anything and
everything.

Here we have the First instance of a Roman derived [Political
Correctness]
just as we have around the world today. All this in opposition to and
contrary to the teachings of the one and only, True Christian Gospel. The
early roman church under the auspices of the roman government eventually
sold indulgences to this wealth oriented, materialistic class of
merchants,
businessmen, politicians etc. They were to give a certain portion of
their
income, or profits, to the church in exchange for the church's blessing
and 
seal of approval" upon their worldly business, their political ambitions
and
upon all their other worldly, personal materialistic, humanistic
endeavors.

Charles Guignebert, professor of the history of Christianity at the
University of Paris, described the process: "Now at the beginning of the
fifth century, the ignorant and the pseudo/false-Christians thronged into
the Church in numbers ... They had forgotten none of their pagan, worldly
customs and traditions ... The bishops of that period had to content
themselves with redressing, as best they could, and in experimental
fashion,
the shocking malformations of the Christian faith which they perceived
around them ... "[Properly instructing converts] was out of the question;
they had to be content with teaching them no more than the symbol of
baptism
and then (Properly) baptizing them was (postponing) until a later date
(along with) the task of eradicating their superstitions, which they
preserved intact ... This 'later date' never arrived, and the Church
adapted
to herself, as well as she could, to them and their worldly customs and
beliefs.  On their side, they were content to dress up their paganism in a
Christian cloak" (The Early History of Christianity , 1927, p. 208-210,
emphasis added throughout).

What was the result?  This state-dominated counterfeit Christianity
became a
bizarre synthesis, a conglomeration of beliefs, worldly practices and
customs from many sources.

As Guignebert explained: "It is sometimes very difficult to tell exactly
from which pagan rite a particular Christian rite is derived, but it
remains
certain that the spirit of pagan ritualism became impressed upon
Christianity, to such an extent that at last the whole of it might be
found
distributed through its ceremonies" (p. 121).

In those early centuries the counterfeit Christianity that the apostles
of
Jesus Christ had fought so hard to contain grew in size and popularity. 
In
later centuries this religion would fragment repeatedly into competing
denominations.  Some 400 to date. Tragically, however, none, except a very
few, have returned to the original practices and teachings of Jesus Christ
and the apostles.  This fact is recognized by many modern biblical
scholars.
(See "Changes in Christian Scholars' Perspective on God's Law," p. 44.)

This Counterfeit Christianity had and still has: No True Holy Spirit
Conviction, No True Repentance for Sin, No Complete Immersion Water
Baptism
as adults (Acts 2:38) and No True Holy Spirit Conversion, , No True
Holiness
 No True Separation from the World and the Things of the World and No
True
Loyalty or Obedience to the True Word of God and the True Teachings of
Jesus
Christ.

The tragic result is that "The Great Multitude", "The Many", "The
Majority",
along with their deceived and deceptive leadership are on the fast track
to
an eternity in Hell.

Meanwhile, that "Little Flock" of True Bible Believing Christians who,
through these many centuries, have faithfully been baptised and faithfully
continued to yield their lives to God in sincere OBEDIENCE to His laws and
the Word of His True Gospels are still, comparatively speaking, only a 
Small Remnant" (Joel 2:32), a "little flock" (Luke 12:32), the "very few"
of
(Matthew 7:13-14) and (Luke 13:22-28) amongst the many, that great
multitude
of the professing and counterfeit Christians, as well as of those of all
the
other false religions that have now dominated a confused and chaotic
world.

In conclusion all God?s True and faithful Bible Beliving Ministers were
instructed: "Preach the WORD! Be ready in season [when they like it] and
out
of season [when they don't like it]. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all
longsuffering and teaching. For the time will come when they will not
endure
sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have
itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; and they will
turn
their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to FABLES"(2 Timothy
4:2?4).




Revealing The Rise of a Counterfeit Christianity - The Great Pretenders!

Part Two - The Who, What, When, Why and Wherefore

The astounding message in this second part of our sermon will affect you
in
the years just ahead, and it will also affect your eternal future! It is
vitally important. This information has been suppressed for many
centuries,
but it is information that you need to know!

This sermon contains genuinely shocking information for those who have
eyes
to see and ears to hear. It has profound implications for the future of
our
civilization. Yet the facts contained herein have been documented again
and
again by respected historians and even many theologians. They are not
based
on some ?pie in the sky? theory or concept.

The now-swiftly-developing result of false religion will dramatically
affect
your very life within the next decade?far more than you probably imagine!
For this explosive revelation is not just for ?religious people??it is for
everyone. All our lives will soon be affected.

We all need to ask ourselves: ?How did I come to believe what I now
believe
about religion, morality and the entire purpose of human existence? If my
friends and I have just blindly gone along with generally accepted ideas,
isn?t it likely that most other people have also done the same? Is it
possible that we have blindly accepted false religious ideas which have,
in
fact, greatly affected the way our entire societies have developed?the
kind
of legal systems, educational systems and religious systems that we have
devised and that we take for granted??

Have you ever asked yourself these basic questions?

If there is a real God and if the Bible is His inspired revelation to
humanity, then we should carefully consider what the Bible clearly says
about these questions! For the Bible specifically says: ?Prove all things,
hold fast that which is good? (1 Thessalonians 5:21, KJV).

Again and again, the Bible clearly shows that most human beings are
deceived
 Describing the end-times, the Apostle John described the Devil in this
manner: ?So the great dragon was cast out, that serpent of old, called the
Devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world; he was cast to the earth,
and
his angels were cast out with him? (Revelation 12:9). The almost two
billion
people that are professing ?Christians? throughout all the major
denominations that have become part of the ?whole world? as John
described?and many are deceived! These people and their preachers do not
intend to be evil. For a deceived person does not know that he is
deceived!
It is important that we understand that distinction.

So we are not being ?mean? by writing the above, for the God of heaven
commands me to preach the Truth. And we cannot help you if we simply share
sweet platitudes and pretend that ?all is well? when all is not well! For
we
are now nearing the very end of 6,000 years of human history under the
influence of Satan the Devil?whom Jesus Christ called the ?ruler of this
world? (John 14:30).

?Sincerity? Is Not Enough

I am well aware that thousands of you who will read this sermon, are very
sincere in your desire to be Christian. You truly think that the form of
religion you grew up practicing is what Jesus Christ and the apostles
taught
 Many ministers and priests also sincerely believe the same things.

You may mean well.

What you need to realize is that billions of other human beings have
lived
and died without ever understanding or practicing any type of professing
Christianity. The majority of the world?s population has never?at any
time?professed Christianity! And most of these people have also been very
?sincere??just as you may be. So it is not a matter of ?sincerity? or of
following the majority. It is a matter of finding the genuine Truth
regarding the purpose of human existence, and finding the true way to
fulfill that magnificent purpose.

Is ?sincere? religiosity enough? No! All religions are not ?equal!? If
you
are willing to prove to yourself that the One great Creator is the true
God
and that the Bible is His inspired revelation to mankind, then you must
understand that there is only one way to eternal life. And that ?way? is
through the true Jesus Christ of the Bible! As the Apostle Peter stated,
?Let it be known to you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the
name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from
the dead, by Him this man stands here before you whole. This is the ?stone
which was rejected by you builders, which has become the chief
cornerstone.?
Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under
heaven
given among men by which we must be saved? (Acts 4:10?12).

Yet very few professing Christians even begin to grasp the enormity of
the
deception orchestrated by Satan the Devil. They find it hard to grasp the
fact that Satan has not only deceived those in the pagan, non-Christian
world, but that he has cunningly devised a counterfeit Christianity and
has
foisted it off on millions who sincerely think they are following the
Christ
of the Bible! As the Apostle Paul warned the Corinthians: ?But I fear,
lest
somehow, as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, so your minds may
be
corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ. For if he who comes
preaches another Jesus whom we have not preached, or if you receive a
different spirit which you have not received, or a different gospel which
you have not accepted?you may well put up with it!? (2 Corinthians
11:3?4).

Indeed, another ?Jesus??a totally different Jesus Christ?has been palmed
off
on an unsuspecting humanity! Remember, a counterfeit $100 bill is
designed
to look very much like an authentic bill. Seeing the apparent
similarities,
people are often deceived into accepting the counterfeit. So it is with
Satan, the Master Deceiver! For your own sake, please be willing to
consider
whether you have been misled into assuming that you are truly following
the
Christ of the Bible and what He actually taught. For your Bible clearly
indicates that only genuine Christians will be protected during the coming
holocaust?the Great Tribulation described by Jesus Christ!

Very soon now?within the next several years?the great God of all creation
will begin to intervene directly, more powerfully than ever. The recent
hurricanes that came smashing through Florida, New Orleans and the Gulf
Coast of the United States are only a small prelude to what God will begin
to do in these last days. Jesus Christ specifically predicted: ?And there
will be great earthquakes in various places, and famines and pestilences;
and there will be fearful sights and great signs from heaven....And there
will be signs in the sun, in the moon, and in the stars; and on the earth
distress of nations, with perplexity, the sea and the waves roaring; men?s
hearts failing them from fear and the expectation of those things which
are
coming on the earth, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken" (Luke
21:11, 25?26).

The great God will get mankind?s attention! He will help those who are
willing to understand to ?come out? of this modern Babylon (Revelation
18:4)
and to extricate themselves from Satan?s society.

The Apostle Paul was also inspired to tell us that Satan the Devil is the
literal ?god? of this world?s society! Paul wrote, ?But even if our gospel
is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing, whose minds the god of
this age has blinded, who do not believe, lest the light of the gospel of
the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine on them? (2
Corinthians 4:3?4).

The Basic Premise

The basic premise of this sermon is that our Creator has allowed a very
real
Devil to absolutely deceive most of humanity for the past 6,000 years.
Satan
has, in fact, established a counterfeit religion in order to mislead the
entire world, but the great Creator will soon intervene to send Jesus
Christ
back to the earth as ?King of kings and Lord of lords? (Revelation
19:16).
When He returns, Christ will cast Satan into a bottomless pit, ?so that
he
should deceive the nations no more till the thousand years were finished?
(Revelation 20:3).

One of the primary ways Satan deceives most people is to make them think
that he does not even exist! So people make jokes about how ?the Devil did
it,? feeling that there is not a real Devil after all. But, as we have
seen,
Jesus Christ called Satan ?the ruler of this world.?

How did Satan come into being? What are his methods of deception? And,
most
importantly, how has Satan deceived the whole world? When Jesus Christ
quoted from ?Daniel the Prophet? (Mark 13:14), He considered those
writings
as Holy Scripture. In the book of Daniel, we find spirit beings?both
angels
and demons?described on a number of occasions.

After Daniel had been fasting to seek greater understanding, God sent an
angel to encourage him (Daniel 10:10?12). The angel gave Daniel a
remarkable
explanation about why it had taken him so long to answer Daniel?s
prayers.
?But the prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me twenty-one days;
and
behold, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, for I had
been
left alone there with the kings of Persia. Now I have come to make you
understand what will happen to your people in the latter days, for the
vision refers to many days yet to come? (vv. 13?14).

Later, this same angel recounted further details of the unseen spiritual
world. ?Then he said, ?Do you know why I have come to you? And now I must
return to fight with the prince of Persia; and when I have gone forth,
indeed the prince of Greece will come. But I will tell you what is noted
in
the Scripture of Truth. No one upholds me against these, except Michael
your
prince?? (vv. 20?21).

Clearly, this passage is speaking of spirit wars! It is describing the
struggle that goes on behind world affairs in the spirit world. For Satan
the Devil is described as ?the god of this age? who ?has blinded? the
unbelievers (2 Corinthians 4:4).

Satan is also called ?the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who
now
works in the sons of disobedience? (Ephesians 2:2). The angel speaking to
Daniel was describing a battle among spirit beings wherein even the great
archangel Michael (see Daniel 12:1) had to be called in for assistance!

This world, this ?age??this nearly 6,000-year period from Adam until
now?has
been, and still is, a society dominated by Satan the Devil and millions
of
fallen angels or ?demons? who followed him in rebellion against the
Creator
God.

?Satan? is not just a generalized term for evil. Satan is not a blind
force.
Satan the Devil is a powerful spiritual personality?originally created by
God as a cherub?who rebelled against God. His original name ?Lucifer?
means
?light bringer.? But since his rebellion he has been called ?Satan??which
means ?adversary.?

Notice Isaiah 14:12?15: ?How you are fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son
of
the morning! How you are cut down to the ground, you who weakened the
nations! For you have said in your heart: ?I will ascend into heaven, I
will
exalt my throne above the stars of God; I will also sit on the mount of
the
congregation on the farthest sides of the north; I will ascend above the
heights of the clouds, I will be like the Most High.? Yet you shall be
brought down to Sheol, to the lowest depths of the Pit.?

Here we find the mighty Lucifer plotting to overthrow God! His great
capacity and vanity made him decide to compete with his Creator!

In Ezekiel 28:1?16, God describes first the human prince of Tyre. He was
obviously a man of great capacity and the full leader?on the human
sphere?over this ?New York? of the ancient world. Then Ezekiel begins to
describe the real ?power behind the throne??the ?king? of this pagan
city-state. Notice: ?Son of man, take up a lamentation for the king of
Tyre,
and say to him, ?Thus says the Lord God: You were the seal of perfection,
full of wisdom and perfect in beauty. You were in Eden, the garden of God;
every precious stone was your covering: the sardius, topaz, and diamond,
beryl, onyx, and jasper, sapphire, turquoise, and emerald with gold. The
workmanship of your timbrels and pipes was prepared for you on the day you
were created?? (vv. 12?13). Here we find a personality who existed
millennia
before Tyre?in the ?Garden of Eden!? Yet he was a created being (v. 15),
not
a member of the God Family.

Satan Has a KINGDOM

After his political bargaining and maneuvering to gain followers, Satan
was
cast out of the ?mountain? or Kingdom of God. As Revelation 12:3?4
indicates
 Satan was able to draw after himself one-third of the angelic host in
this
rebellion against God! These fallen angels are now called ?demons.? Satan
now has literally millions of fallen angels who are his followers, and in
that sense has a ?kingdom? over which he rules in the spirit world.

Matthew recounts the story of Jesus? temptation by Satan, a very
conniving
personality. ?Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to
be
tempted by the devil? (Matthew 4:1).

This gospel account forewarns us that Satan is not against quoting
Scripture
 In fact, Satan even had the audacity to quote scripture to the Author of
scripture, Jesus Christ! ?Then the devil took Him up into the holy city,
set
Him on the pinnacle of the temple, and said to Him, ?If You are the Son
of
God, throw Yourself down. For it is written: ?He shall give His angels
charge over you,? and, ?In their hands they shall bear you up, lest you
dash
your foot against a stone?? (Matthew 4:5?6).

Then Satan offered Jesus ?All the kingdoms of the world and their glory.
And
he said to Him, ?All these things will I give you if you will fall down
and
worship me?? (vv. 8?9).

Of course, Jesus knew the spiritual principles involved and correctly
applied the appropriate scripture in response, saying: ?Away with you,
Satan! For it is written, You shall worship the Lord your God, and Him
only
you shall serve? (v. 10). Jesus chose to obey God and to receive His
kingdom
in God?s time and in God?s way.

Later, when Jesus was accused of using Beelzebub to cast out demons, He
said: ?Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation, and
every city or house divided against itself will not stand. If Satan casts
out Satan, he is divided against himself. How then will his [Satan?s]
kingdom stand?? (Matthew 12:25?26).

Satan does have a kingdom! He is the invisible ?god? of this world (2
Corinthians 4:4). He is the prime deceiver of men and nations. ?So the
great
dragon was cast out, that serpent of old, called the Devil and Satan, who
deceives the whole world; he was cast to the earth, and his angels were
cast
out with him? (Revelation 12:9).

Satan is the spirit being who will powerfully influence, and perhaps even
finally possess, a soon-to-come, charismatic, political dictator who will
seduce a mighty world superpower arising in a revived, militant, united
Europe?the end-time ?Babylon?! Satan will be the ?god? who animates and
empowers the false religious system that will undergird this
world-dominating, economic and military power! Do not just believe us or
take our word for it. Look at the Bible for yourself!

God?s word predicts that this coming oppressive system will be literally
energized by demons: ?After these things I saw another angel coming down
from heaven, having great authority, and the earth was illuminated with
his
glory. And he cried mightily with a loud voice, saying, ?Babylon the
great
is fallen, is fallen, and has become a dwelling place of demons, a prison
for every foul spirit, and a cage for every unclean and hated bird! For
all
the nations have drunk of the wine of the wrath of her fornication, the
kings of the earth have committed fornication with her, and the merchants
of
the earth have become rich through the abundance of her luxury. And I
heard
another voice from heaven saying, ?Come out of her, my people, lest you
share in her sins, and lest you receive of her plagues?? (Revelation
18:1?4)

Satan will motivate these coming world rulers to fight against Christ at
His
return as King of kings and Lord of lords. But Christ will depose Satan
and
his wicked rule will come to a sure end.

Satan The Supreme ?Counterfeiter?

Jesus condemned the religious leaders of His day for their hypocrisy.
Those
ecclesiastical figures made a pretense of being godly, yet refused to
follow
the spiritual intent of God?s law. Jesus attributed to them Satan?s own
character, using the analogy that since their father was Satan, they could
only behave ?like father, like son.? The Devil lies and murders, so who
should be surprised if the Devil?s children do the same, preaching a
perverted gospel of deception and falsehood?

It is important to grasp that Satan is the literal ?father of lies.? He
continually and cleverly lies and deceives mankind, and so do his
servants.
In fact, lying becomes so common to people under Satan?s influence that
they
often find it easier to tell a lie than to tell the truth!

As part of his conspiracy to thwart God and overthrow His great plan for
mankind, Satan has his own ministers! The Apostle Paul warned Christians
about the great deception caused by Satan and his ministers: ?For such are
false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into apostles
of
Christ. And no wonder! For Satan himself transforms himself into an angel
of
light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also transform
themselves into ministers of righteousness, whose end will be according to
their works? (2 Corinthians 11:13?15).

Satan?s ministers often look like and sound like what deceived people
think
Christ?s ministers should sound like! But they preach ?another Jesus? and
proclaim a ?different gospel.? It is up to each individual?including
you!?to
genuinely study the Bible and to prove what Jesus and the early apostles
taught and practiced.

The Two Babylons

The Bible specifically describes not one, but two ?Babylons.? Not long
after
the great flood, one ?Babylon? was founded?the ancient city-state
established by a man named ?Nimrod? (Genesis 10:8?10). The second Babylon
is
a modern church-state system described in Revelation 17 and 18. Its
leaders
will literally fight Christ at His Second Coming (Revelation 17:12?14)!

Think about that! Hundreds of millions of people in this end-time
?Babylon?
are so deceived that they will have the audacity to literally do battle
with
the returning Son of God and the armies of heaven!

To understand how this system called ?Babylon? began, let us go back to
the
earliest days of man?s history. In Genesis 10?soon after the
flood?mankind
began to multiply again. Wild animals also multiplied, and people needed
protection. At this point, a son of ?Cush? was born. The Bible tells us:
?Cush begot Nimrod; he began to be a mighty one on the earth. He was a
mighty hunter before the Lord; therefore it is said, ?Like Nimrod the
mighty
hunter before the Lord.? And the beginning of his kingdom was Babel,
Erech,
Accad, and Calneh, in the land of Shinar? (Genesis 10:8?10).

So this ?mighty hunter??said to have been a powerfully built man?began to
gather people together into cities for protection, and also to put them
under his personal control. The beginning of Nimrod?s kingdom was
?Babel??Babylon. From there, he went on to establish other cities and to
gather men together in a relationship that made them feel ?independent?
from
God?not needing God?s protection. Finally, mankind?having ?one language
and
one speech? (Genesis 11:1)?began to build a massive skyscraper or ?tower?
that has been called ?The Tower of Babel? (vv. 4?9).

God knew that, under this Babylonish system, mankind was quickly drawing
away from Him and would soon invent weapons and means to destroy himself.
God said: ?Indeed the people are one and they all have one language, and
this is what they begin to do; now nothing that they propose to do will be
withheld from them? (v. 6). The creative power of the human mind was such
that God knew mankind might invent terrible weapons capable of destroying
the earth, and that His plan to give mankind 6,000 years to write the
lessons of human suffering could be cut short before He intended! So God
came down to ?confuse their language? and to scatter them over the face of
the earth.

But history and consistent, pervasive stories and ancient legends from
nearly all nations indicate that the philosophies and religions started by
Nimrod and his wicked wife, Semiramis, have continued down to this day.
For,
after Nimrod?s death, his wife Semiramis claimed that he was now the
?sun-god.? As author Alexander Hislop wrote:

?The Chaldean Mysteries can be traced up to the days of Semiramis, who
lived
only a few centuries after the flood, and who is known to have impressed
upon them the image of her own depraved and polluted mind. That beautiful
but abandoned queen of Babylon was not only herself a paragon of unbridled
lust and licentiousness, but in the Mysteries which she had a chief hand
in
forming, she was worshipped as Rhea, the great ?Mother? of the gods, with
such atrocious rites as identified her with Venus, the Mother of all
impurity, and raised the very city where she had reigned to a bad eminence
among the nations, as the grand seat at once of idolatry and consecrated
prostitution. Thus was this Chaldean queen a fit and remarkable prototype
of
the ?Woman? in the Apocalypse, with the golden cup in her hand, and the
name
on her forehead, ?Mystery, Babylon the Great, the Mother of harlots and
abominations of the earth.? The Apocalyptic emblem of the Harlot woman
with
the cup in her hand was even embodied in the symbols of idolatry derived
from ancient Babylon, as they were exhibited in Greece; for thus was the
Greek Venus originally represented? (The Two Babylons, pp. 5?6).

Counterfeit Religion Spreads

This Babylonian system of idolatrous worship spread all over the world as
the inhabitants of the city itself were scattered (Genesis 11:9). As they
went from Babylon, these men took their worship of mother and child, and
the
various ?mystery? symbols, with them. Herodotus, the world traveler and
historian of antiquity, witnessed the mystery religion and its rites in
many
countries, and wrote of how Babylon was the prime evil source from which
all
systems of idolatry flowed. In his noted work, Nineveh and Its Remains,
Layard wrote that we have the united testimony of sacred and profane
history
that idolatry originated in the area of Babylonia. Alexander Hislop
quotes
these historians and others confirming this point in his remarkable
treatise
mentioned above.

Later, the Roman Empire assimilated into its system the gods and
religions
of the countries over which it ruled. Since Babylon was the source of
this
paganism, we can easily see how Rome?s early religion was a form of
Babylonish worship that had developed under different forms and different
names in the countries to which it had gone. In his well-documented book,
Pagan and Christian Creeds, Edward Carpenter wrote: ?The similarity of
ancient pagan legends and beliefs with Christian traditions was so great
that they excited the attention and undisguised wrath of the early
Christian
....not knowing how to explain it, they fell back to the theory the
devil,
centuries before, caused the pagans to adopt certain beliefs and
practices?
(p. 25).

Carpenter also quoted Tertullian, an early ?church father? living between
160?220ad, as saying: ?The devil, by the mysteries of his idols, imitates
even the main part of the divine mysteries? (ibid.).

Also, Carpenter, noted: ?Cortez, too, complained that the devil had
possibly
taught the Mexicans the same thing that God taught Christendom? (ibid.).
The
famous Spanish explorer found that the originally pagan inhabitants of
Mexico were already practicing the same pagan rites, and had many of the
same pagan beliefs, that the Roman Catholic church had assimilated!

Since the practices of today?s churches are not the same as the early
true
church recorded in the New Testament, it is vital to know whether there
has
been a purposeful mixing of false pagan practices with the true teachings
of
Christ, the apostles and the Bible. Many historians, such as Edward
Gibbon,
have noted the change brought about by great numbers of pagans flocking
into
the early Christian church and mixing their pagan customs and beliefs
with
those of the church (see Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire, Vol. 1,
chapter 15).

Notice how today?s churches have sprung from the same root as paganism!
Satan has created an entire system of ?counterfeit Christianity.? He has
cleverly guided vain religious leaders to introduce completely pagan
ideas,
concepts and practices into ?Christianity.? Since the word ?Christianity?
is
stamped on the outside of the package, most people assume that the
religion
of Jesus Christ is being offered. Little do they realize that totally
false
concepts of God, of Jesus Christ and His message, of the purpose of
eternal
life and of the way to eternal life?have been wrapped up in a package
called
?Christianity.? But theirs is a ?counterfeit? Christianity that has cut
most
of mankind off from the true God, and has caused enormous confusion,
suffering and death!

Note these excerpts from Pagan and Christian Creeds: ?The Christian
Church
has kept itself severely apart from discussion of heathenism, taking the
stand that it, the church, represents a unique and divine revelation and
has
persuaded mankind of this to such a degree that few people nowadays
realize
that it has sprung from just the same root as paganism and that it shares
by
far the most part of its doctrines and rites with the latter? (Carpenter,
pp
 11?12).

?The common idea is that the pagan gods fled away at Christ?s coming, yet
it
is well known to every student that this is contrary to fact. At the time
of
the recorded appearance of Jesus, and for some centuries before, there
were
temples without and dedicated to Apollo or Dionysius among the Greeks, or
Hercules among the Romans, Mithra among the Persian, Baal and Astarte
among
the Babylonians, and temples dedicated to many other gods. An outstanding
phenomenon is apparent: notwithstanding great geographical distances,
racial
differences between cults and in detail of services, the general outline
of
creeds and ceremonials were---if not identical---markedly similar?
(ibid.,
pp. 19?21).

?Not only were these pagan creeds and ceremonies which had existed
centuries
before Christ?s coming markedly similar to each other, but also they were
similar to true Christianity---a fact that cannot be considered
accidental.
As an example of this, of eleven main deities from seven countries, it
was
believed of all or nearly all that ?these deities? births were on or near
Christmas, of a virgin mother, in a cave underground, that they led a life
of toil for man. They were called light bringers, healers, mediators, and
saviors. They were thought to have been vanquished by the powers of
darkness
 descended into hell or the underworld, to have arisen and become
pioneers
of mankind to a heavenly world.... Krishna, the god of India is an
outstanding parallel with the life of Christ? (ibid., pp. 21?23).

Carpenter goes on to write: ?The idea of God sacrificing His Son for the
salvation of the world is so remote and remarkable---yet it ranges through
all ancient religion and back to the earliest times and is embodied in
their
rituals? (ibid., p. 133). These unusual customs were so similar to the
truth
that they strongly suggest there must have been some guiding force behind
them. A counterfeit Christianity was being created by the invisible ?god?
of
this age whom Jesus Christ called the ?father? of lies (John 8:44).

The Da Vinci Code

It is evident that with such marked similarities to actual Christianity,
as
are shown by the eleven deities from seven countries, one should approach
this subject with an open mind to see if a fusion of paganism and true
Christianity is present today.

Dan Brown?s The Da Vinci Code spent many months at or near the top of the
best-seller lists. Millions have been enthralled by this fascinating
novel.
What is so unusual about it?

Though cast in the form of a novel---and containing fiction and
error---it
can spur a reader to realize that a lot more is under the surface of our
religious ideas and practices than usually meets the eye. There are three
principal characters in The Da Vinci Code: Sophie Neveu---a gifted French
cryptologist; Robert Langdon---a Harvard symbologist; and Leigh
Teabing---a
former British Royal Historian.

Let us ?listen in? on their conversation about the origins of what the
world
today calls ?Christianity?---

??Historians still marvel at the brilliance with which Constantine
converted
the sun-worshipping pagans to Christianity. By fusing pagan symbols,
dates,
and rituals into the growing Christian tradition, he created a kind of
hybrid religion that was acceptable to both parties.?

?Transmogrification,? Langdon said. ?The vestiges of pagan religion in
Christian symbology are undeniable. Egyptian sun disks became the halos of
Catholic saints. Pictograms of Isis nursing her miraculously conceived son
Horus became the blueprint for our modern images of the Virgin Mary
nursing
Baby Jesus. And virtually all the elements of the Catholic ritual---the
miter, the altar, the doxology, and the communion, the act of
?God-eating?---were taken directly from earlier pagan mystery religions.?

Teabing groaned. ?Don?t get a symbologist started on Christian icons.
Nothing in Christianity is original. The pre-Christian God
Mithras---called
the Son of God and the Light of the World---was born on December 25,
died,
was buried in a rock tomb, and then resurrected in three days. By the
way,
December 25 is also the birthday of Osiris, Adonis, and Dionysus. The
newborn Krishna was presented with gold, frankincense, and myrrh. Even
Christianity?s weekly holy day was stolen from the pagans.?

What do you mean??

?Originally,? Langdon said, ?Christianity honored the Jewish Sabbath of
Saturday, but Constantine shifted it to coincide with the pagan?s
veneration
day of the sun.? He paused, grinning. ?To this day, most churchgoers
attend
services on Sunday morning with no idea that they are there on account of
the pagan sun god?s weekly tribute?Sunday?? (The Da Vinci Code, pp.
232?233)

The Historical TRUTH

?But that is all fiction!? you might say. ?Where did this crazy author
get
all these strange ideas? I am sure that my religion is based completely
upon
the Bible!?

Please, my friends, do not be too sure!

The Bible itself tells us: ?Prove all things; hold fast that which is
good?
(1 Thessalonians 5:21, KJV). The actual truth is---and I do challenge you
to
prove it---that this part of Dan Brown?s book is based on solid fact. For
historian after historian acknowledges that the original Christianity of
Jesus and the Apostles was dramatically changed within a few centuries
after
Jesus? death! As noted historian Will Durant wrote:

?Christianity did not destroy paganism; it adopted it. The Greek mind,
dying
 came to a transmigrated life in the theology and liturgy of the Church;
the
Greek language, having reigned for centuries over philosophy, became the
vehicle of Christian literature and ritual; the Greek mysteries passed
down
into the impressive mystery of the Mass. Other pagan cultures contributed
to
the syncretist result. From Egypt came the ideas of a divine trinity....
and
a personal immortality of reward and punishment; from Egypt the adoration
of
the Mother and Child, and the mystic theosophy that made Neoplatonism and
Gnosticism, and obscured the Christian creed; there, too, Christian
monasticism would find its exemplars and its source. From Phrygia came the
worship of the Great Mother; from Syria the resurrection drama of Adonis;
from Thrace, perhaps, the cult of Dionysus, the dying and saving
god.....The
Mithraic ritual so closely resembled the eucharistic sacrifice of the
Mass
that Christian fathers charged the Devil with inventing these
similarities
to mislead frail minds. Christianity was the last great creation of the
ancient pagan world.... [The Eucharist] was a conception long sanctified
by
time; the pagan mind needed no schooling to receive it; by embodying the
?mystery of the Mass,? Christianity became the last and greatest of the
mystery religions? (The Story of Civilization, Vol. 5, Durant, pp. 595,
599)

Paul Johnson is one of many highly respected historians who openly
acknowledge that the biblical seventh-day Sabbath observed by Christ and
the
original Apostles was changed. ?Many Christians did not make a clear
distinction between this sun-cult and their own. They referred to Christ
?driving his chariot across the sky,? they held their services on Sunday,
knelt towards the East and had their nativity-feast on 25 December, the
birthday of the sun at the winter solstice. During the later pagan revival
under the Emperor Julian, many Christians found it easy to apostatize
because of this confusion; the Bishop of Troy told Julian he had always
prayed secretly to the sun. Constantine never abandoned sun-worship and
kept
the sun on his coins. He made Sunday into a day of rest? (A History of
Christianity, pp. 67?69).

What happened after Constantine? The widely read mainstream religious
author
Jesse Lyman Hurlbut explains:

?The forms and ceremonies of paganism gradually crept into the worship.
Some
of the old heathen feasts became church festivals with change of name and
of
worship. About 405ad images of saints and martyrs began to appear in the
churches, at first as memorials, then in succession revered, adored, and
worshiped. The adoration of the Virgin Mary was substituted for the
worship
of Venus and Diana; the Lord?s Supper became a sacrifice in place of a
memorial; and the elder evolved from a preacher into a priest.... The
church
and the state became one when Christianity was adopted as the religion of
the empire, and out of the unnatural union arose two evils, one in the
eastern, the other in the western provinces. In the east the state
dominated
the church until it lost all energy and uplifting life. In the west
[?Rome,?
Ed.] as we shall see, the church gradually usurped power over the state,
and
the result was not Christianity but a more or less corrupt hierarchy
controlling the nations of Europe, making the church mainly a political
machine? (The Story of the Christian Church, pp. 79?80).

A Modern ?Babylon? Created

So where does all this lead? We have just read Hurlbut?s statement that
the
professing Christian church of the Middle Ages was ?mainly a political
machine.? It was saturated with pagan concepts, doctrines and practices.
Did
the leaders of the Protestant Reformation really bring the professing
Christian church ?back on track? to the ?faith which was once for all
delivered to the saints? (Jude 3)---back to the true Christianity of Jesus
and the original Apostles? Although sincere, the Protestant reformers
carried over most of the anti-law, anti-obedience attitudes they had come
to
adopt in their rebellion against ?Mother Rome.? Like Rome, they were
still
involved in a paganized system of false doctrines, pagan Holy Days, and
false concepts of God, which God Himself describes in Revelation 17:4?5:
?The woman was arrayed in purple and scarlet, and adorned with gold and
precious stones and pearls, having in her hand a golden cup full of
abominations and the filthiness of her fornication. And on her forehead a
name was written: MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND OF
THE ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH.?

With this form of ?Christianity? as the state religion, masses of former
pagans ?converted.? Many did so out of convenience rather than conviction,
and kept their old beliefs privately. Others came to the new syncretistic
faith uneducated in its beliefs, and able to receive only the most basic
instruction.

?Babylon? is a symbol of confusion. The formation of the Roman Catholic
Church and then the later appearance of dozens of ?daughter? churches has
certainly brought about a spiritual malaise of conflicting denominations,
doctrines, creeds and practices---all supposedly ?Christian.? Yet none of
them corresponds remotely to the Christianity that the original Apostles
and
the early Church of God followed for decades after the death of Jesus of
Nazareth. They all have retained dozens of pagan ideas, and practices,
that
would have been utterly foreign to the early Church! Satan has indeed
done a
masterful job of creating a counterfeit Christianity.

Although Alexander Hislop appears to have remained a Protestant until his
death, he carefully pointed out---with much historical
documentation---that
the modern Roman Catholic Church is a continuation of the ancient
Babylonish
mystery system, and that its religious festivals and most of its
practices
were drawn directly from the Babylonian religion and its priesthood.
Hislop
partially makes the connection with the ?daughter? churches that have
come
out of Rome. But he was evidently blinded to the full meaning of what has
happened to modern ?Christianity.?

Near the beginning of The Two Babylons, Hislop lays out the basic thesis
that he goes on to document in full:

?It has been known all along that Popery was baptized Paganism; but God
is
now making it manifest, that the Paganism which Rome has baptized is, in
all
its essential elements, the very Paganism which prevailed in the ancient
literal Babylon, when Jehovah opened before Cyrus the two-leaved gates of
brass, and cut in sunder the bars of iron.... Her judgment is now
evidently
hastening on; and just as it approaches, the Providence of God,
conspiring
with the Word of God, by light pouring in from all quarters, makes it
more
and more evident that Rome is in very deed the Babylon of the Apocalypse;
that the essential character of her system, the grand objects of her
worship
 her festivals, her doctrine and discipline, her rites and ceremonies,
her
priesthood and their orders, have all been derived from ancient Babylon;
and
 finally, that the Pope himself is truly and properly the lineal
representative of Belshazzar. In the warfare that has been waged against
the
domineering pretensions of Rome, it has too often been counted enough
merely
to meet and set aside her presumptuous boast, that she is the mother and
mistress of all churches----the one Catholic Church, out of whose pale
there
is no salvation. If ever there was excuse for such a mode of dealing with
her, that excuse will hold no longer. If the position I have laid down can
be maintained, she must be stripped of the name of a Christian Church
altogether; for if it was a Church of Christ that was convened on that
night
 when the pontiff-king of Babylon, in the midst of his thousand lords,
?praised the gods of gold, and of silver, and of wood, and of stone?
(Daniel
5:4), then the Church of Rome is entitled to the name of a Christian
Church;
but not otherwise. This to some, no doubt, will appear a very startling
position; but it is one which it is the object of this work to establish;
and let the reader judge for himself, whether I do not bring ample
evidence
to substantiate my position? (Hislop, pp. 2?3).

Later Hislop describes how the Catholic ?confessional? was borrowed from
paganism, giving priests greater authority over the lay members. He
explains
that the pagan festivals of Christmas and Easter were introduced into
?Christianity? centuries after Christ revealed the full Truth to His
apostles. ?Indeed,? Hislop writes, ?it is admitted by the most learned and
candid writers of all parties that the day of our Lord?s birth cannot be
determined, and that within the Christian Church no such festival as
Christmas was ever heard of till the third century, and that not till the
fourth century was far advanced did it gain much observance. How, then,
did
the Romish Church fix on December the 25th as Christmas-day? Why, thus:
Long
before the fourth century, and long before the Christian era itself, a
festival was celebrated among the heathen, at that precise time of the
year,
in honour of the birth of the son of the Babylonian queen of heaven; and
it
may fairly be presumed that, in order to conciliate the heathen, and to
swell the number of the nominal adherents of Christianity, the same
festival
was adopted by the Roman Church, giving it only the name of Christ. This
tendency on the part of Christians to meet Paganism half-way was very
early
developed? (ibid., pp. 92?93).

Indeed.

Meeting paganism half-way ?was very early developed,? Hislop writes! Yet
God
clearly told our ancestors: ?Learnnot the way of the heathen, and be not
dismayed at the signs of heaven; for the heathen are dismayed at them. For
the customs of the people are vain: for one cutteth a tree out of the
forest
 the work of the hands of the workman, with the axe. They deck it with
silver and with gold; they fasten it with nails and with hammers, that it
move not? (Jeremiah 10:2?4, KJV). Yet modern day churchgoers persist in
doing just that----and then have the audacity to stamp the name
?Christian?
on the outside of this package of pagan beliefs and practices! Those
genuinely interested in the basic history of this relationship between
ancient Babylon and modern professing Christianity should, if possible,
find
and read such books as The Two Babylons, Pagan and Christian Creeds, The
Golden Bough by Sir James Frazer and many similar works of history and
theology. If your mind is open, it is relatively easy to prove to yourself
that modern ?churchianity? is simply a continuation of the old Babylonian
religion, with the name ?Christian? stamped on the outside!

Have Protestants ?Come Out? of BABYLON?

Many conservative Protestant and Orthodox leaders and theologians will
wholeheartedly agree that the Roman Catholic Church is, indeed, a
continuation of ?Babylon.? They are very familiar with the fact that most
of
the early Protestant leaders clearly identified Rome with the ?Babylon?
and
with the ?Great Whore? described in Revelation 17?18.

But what is the real basis of the Protestant churches themselves
throughout
the world today? Why did the early leaders revolt against the authority
of
the Roman Catholic Church? To what extent are they responsible for
today?s
?divided Christendom??

Did the Protestant reformers succeed in attaining their stated goals?
More
importantly, the real question is whether the Protestant reformers and
their
successors have succeeded in returning to the ?faith which was once for
all
delivered to the saints?? (Jude 3).

Each of us needs to examine the well-known saying of Chillingworth, the
Protestant theologian, ?The Bible, the whole Bible, and nothing but the
Bible, is the religion of Protestants? (Schaff-Herzog Encyclopedia of
Religious Knowledge, article ?Chillingworth, W?). In their constant
affirmation of the scriptures as ?the inspired rule of faith and practice?
(ibid., article ?Bible?), the Protestant leaders have committed themselves
to follow the religion of Jesus Christ and His apostles in all respects.

Virtually all scholars acknowledge that the primary and original founder
of
Protestantism was Dr. Martin Luther. Yet Luther at times, rejected the
authority of scripture when it pleased his own whims----although he often
stated otherwise!

It is remarkable that in rejecting the doctrine of transubstantiation,
Luther declares the absolute authority of Scripture in matters of faith
and
practice. He states: ?For that which is asserted without the authority of
Scripture or of proven revelation may be held as an opinion, but there is
no
obligation to believe it.... Transubstantiation.... must be considered as
an
invention of human reason, since it is based neither on Scripture nor
sound
reasoning? (Documents of the Christian Church, ed. Bettenson, p. 280).

If Luther had only applied this type of scriptural test to all of his
doctrines, the world today might be a different type of place! For when he
was charged with inserting the word ?sola? (alone) into Romans 3:28, he
haughtily replied, as cited by historian Johannes Alzog: ?Should your Pope
give himself any useless annoyance about the word sola, you may promptly
reply: It is the will of Dr. Martin Luther that it should be so? (Manual
of
Universal Church History, p. 199). And, it is worth noting, no other
reason
for such unscriptural changes as these were ever given. When it came to
his
personal doctrinal convictions, Martin Luther was truly a self-willed
man.

In judging any man or movement, Jesus said, ?By their fruits you will
know
them? (Matthew 7:20). Historian Henry C. Vedder recounts the instruction
Martin Luther gave to the German princes when thousands of the peasants,
who
had sincerely followed his revolt against Rome, themselves rebelled
against
those arrogant princes:

?Rebellion is not a vile murder, but like a great fire that kindles and
devastates a country; hence uproar carries with it a land full of murder,
bloodshed, makes widows and orphans, and destroys everything, like the
greatest calamity. Therefore whosoever can should smite, strangle, and
stab,
secretly or publicly, and should remember that there is nothing more
poisonous, pernicious, and devilish than a rebellious man. Just as when
one
must slay a mad dog; fight him not and he will fight you, and a whole
country with you.

??Let the civil power press on confidently and strike as long as it can
move
a muscle. For here is the advantage: the peasants have bad consciences
and
unlawful goods, and whenever a peasant is killed therefore he has lost
body
and soul, and goes forever to the devil. Civil authority, however, has a
clean conscience and lawful goods, and can say to God with all security of
heart: ?Behold, my God, thou hast appointed me prince or lord, of that I
cannot doubt, and has entrusted me with the sword against evildoers?
(Romans
13:4).... Therefore I will punish and smite as long as I can move a
muscle;
thou wilt judge and approve.?.... Such wonderful times are these that a
prince can more easily win heaven by shedding blood than others with
prayers
?? (A Short History of the Baptists, pp. 173?174).

Well may we ask ourselves, ?If these are the words of a reformer sent
from
God, then what is the measure of true religion?? Are these the words of a
man directed by the Holy Spirit of God? Was the risen Christ using this
man
to purify His ?little flock??

It is true that Luther and Calvin had personal religious motivations.
Luther?s mind was tortured with a perpetual sense of guilt. In his extreme
emphasis on salvation by faith alone, he was trying desperately to devise
some system where the law of God and the justice of God would have no
place.

But Luther?s personal spiritual upheaval would have had little effect on
Germany or the world had he not appealed to the political and financial
instincts of German princes. And ?it is true to say that the motives which
led to the Lutheran revolt were to a large extent secular rather than
spiritual? (Alfred Plummer, The Continental Reformation, p. 9).

Especially in regard to his insistence on faith alone and his rejection
of
countless scriptures teaching the need for obedience, Luther was a
stubborn,
self-willed man.

The Bible teaches: ?Sin is the transgression of the law? (1 John 3:4,
KJV).
This is clearly referring to the Ten Commandments---the spiritual law
written by the very finger of God. The inspired James explains: ?For
whoever
shall keep the whole law, and yet stumble in one point, he is guilty of
all.
For He who said, ?Do not commit adultery,? also said, ?Do not murder.?
Now
if you do not commit adultery, but you do murder, you have become a
transgressor of the law. So speak and so do as those who will be judged by
the law of liberty? (James 2:10?12).

What law forbids adultery and killing? Obviously, James is referring to
the
Ten Commandments. And he concludes by telling us to speak and act
according
to this law. And the words of Jesus Christ agree. For when a young man
came
to ask Him the way to eternal life, He answered, ?If you want to enter
into
life, keep the commandments,? and He proceeded to name some of the Ten
Commandments (Matthew 19:16?19).

Completely ignoring its direct parallel with the teachings of Jesus
Christ,
Luther haughtily declared of the book of James: ?Compared with the
Epistles
of St. Paul, this is in truth an epistle of straw: it contains absolutely
nothing to remind one of the style of the Gospel? (Alzog, Vol. III, p.
208).
Luther stubbornly rejected the entire book of James because it did not
agree
with his doctrines!

In rejecting the first five books of the Bible, Luther declared: ?We have
no
wish either to see or hear Moses. Let us leave Moses to the Jews, to whom
he
was given to serve as a Mirror of Saxony; he has nothing in common with
Pagans and Christians, and we should take no notice of him? (Alzog, Vol.
III
 p. 207).

Since Luther regarded Moses as having to do with God?s law---which Luther
hated---he wanted ?nothing to do? with Moses? inspired writings!

But since Luther?s favorite writer was the Apostle Paul, we wonder how
Luther reacted to Paul?s inspired words to Timothy: ?From childhood you
have
known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation
through faith which is in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is given by
inspiration of God? (2 Timothy 3:15?16). Remember that only the Old
Testament Scriptures were written when Timothy was a child.

Since Luther stubbornly wished to ?take no notice? of Moses, we might
remind
him of the Apostle John?s description of the victorious saints of God
singing ?the song of Moses the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb?
(Revelation 15:3). But Luther?s own writings promptly answer: ?I look upon
the revelations of John to be neither apostolic nor prophetic? (Jules
Michelet, The Life of Luther, p. 273). He might then add, ?Everyone may
form
his own judgment of this book; as for myself, I feel an aversion to it,
and
to me this is sufficient reason for rejecting it? (Alzog, Vol. III, p.
208).

And it is a fact that Martin Luther willfully rejected the authority of
any
book in the Bible to which he felt an ?aversion.?

Now, perhaps, we can understand the real meaning of the religious
confusion
of our time. Today?s Protestants have inherited from
Luther---acknowledged
as the greatest leader of the Reformation---a spirit of self-will and a
tendency to reject the all-inclusive authority of God?s word!

As historian George P. Fisher wrote, regarding Luther: ?In the retention
of
rites and customs he did not require an explicit authorization from
Scripture. Enough that they were not forbidden, and are expedient and
useful
 His aversion to breaking loose from the essentials of Latin Christianity
in
matters of doctrine is equally manifest? (History of Christian Doctrine,
p.
283).

In Luther?s own words: ?No one can deny that we hold, believe, sing, and
confess all things in correspondence with the old church, that we make
nothing new therein nor add anything thereto, and in this way we belong to
the old Church and are one with it? (Thomas M. Lindsay, A History of the
Reformation, Vol. I, p. 468).

By their own statements, then, it is proved that the Protestants regarded
themselves only as a continuation of the historic Catholic Church, but
under
a different and ?purified? form. Luther himself vehemently affirms their
essential oneness with the Catholic Church!

Regarding Calvin, Fisher wrote: ?He did not deny that the Christian
societies acknowledging the Pope are ?churches of Christ?.... He
indignantly
denies that he has withdrawn from the Church? (History of Christian
Doctrine
 p. 304). Philip Schaff noted Calvin?s description of the historical
Roman
church: ?As our present design is to treat of the visible Church, we may
learn even from her the title of mother, how useful and even necessary it
is
for us to know her? (History of the Christian Church, Vol. VIII, p. 450).

Protestant leaders? insistence on their basic unity with the Catholic
Church
 and their identification of her as their ?mother? church, is most
significant!

God Identifies the Roman Catholic Church

Martin Luther?s earliest New Testament translations include many
illustrations picturing the ?Whore of Babylon? as the Roman Catholic
Church.
Describing this widely understood interpretation, Roland Bainton tells
us:
?Fallen Babylon is plainly Rome? (Here I Stand, p. 258).

Countless Protestant books, pamphlets, and tracts make that same
identification today. They brand the Roman Catholic Church as the ?great
Whore? of Revelation 17.

But, it must be admitted, many Protestant denominational writers have
stopped making this identification. After publishing those editions of the
Bible, and pamphlets and tracts, they suddenly came to the embarrassing
realization that they were telling on themselves!

For the corrupt Roman ?mother? church has given birth to harlot
daughters!
If the clear, consistent principles of scriptural identification are to
be
honestly applied, that many Protestant churches are ?harlot daughters? of
a
paganized, apostate Rome!

They came out of her in protest. But, as we have clearly seen, they
retained
most of her pagan doctrines and concepts. They are still following Rome?s
example of mixing in the politics and wars of this world. And we have seen
abundant Protestant testimony that they recognize she is their ?mother?
church!

Protestant historian Rufus Jones wrote that Luther ?started out to
inaugurate a Church composed of those who had faith and spiritual vision,
and who revealed an ability and power to proclaim the Word of God. But, in
reality, he left in full operation a large relic of the ancient creeds, an
extensive ?rump? of superstitions, traditions and magic, and a heavy
inheritance of external authority? (The Church?s Debt to Heretics, p.
228).

In other words, many Protestants still retain many pagan doctrines and
traditions inherited from Rome. We have seen that some of these false
traditions involve the pagan holidays that the early Catholics adopted and
gave Christian-sounding names. We ought to look into these things!

The Protestant churches stand clearly identified by God Almighty as the
?harlot daughters? of apostate Rome!

Speaking of this entire Babylonish system, God commands: ?Come out of
her,
my people, lest you share in her sins, and lest you receive of her
plagues?
(Revelation 18:4).

The question is whether or not we will obey our Maker!

What Lies Just Ahead

All of this information is not just a philosophical argument against
genuinely pagan practices---important as that may be. The understanding of
this matter can also help protect sincere and zealous Christians---if they
will take action---from the coming ?holocaust? described in the Bible as
the
Great Tribulation! Brilliant author Adrian Hilton describes the
background
of what is right now underway:

?Jesus had said his kingdom was not of this worldly order, and talked
much
of the world and the Church being at odds until his return. It was not
until
Constantine began a process of syncretism that Christians began to
understand the nature of the beast which was evolving. The Saturday Jewish
Sabbath was replaced by Constantine?s edict forbidding work on ?the
venerable day of the sun? [Sunday], and the celebration of the Passover
was
declared illegal----on pain of death. It was replaced by ?Easter?,
celebrated on a Sunday and inherited from a Babylonian cult to the goddess
Ishtar. The Roman pseudo-Christianity caused many faithful believers to
flee
into the mountains of Europe and Asia Minor to escape persecution and
death,
and there they continued, away from the world?s view, as the true church
of
Christ. The majority of Christians, however, were awed by the universal
influence of the new unity. There was one Empire under the one Emperor,
leading one Church under one God. Many believers began to wonder if they
had
not misunderstood the concept of the kingdom of God----it might have been
the Church itself, or even the christianised Empire. Thus the fateful
union
of Church and State was ratified---a union that was to shape the
evolution
of Europe for centuries to come? (The Principality and Power of Europe,
pp.
23?24).

Later, Hilton continues:

?Just as crucial to the federalizing process is the erosion of the
achievements of the Reformation. Even some prominent Evangelical Christian
leaders have presented this momentous move of God as one of the greatest
tragedies that ever happened to the Church, and state that Protestants
?destroyed the unity of Christendom?. They fail to mention the true nature
of the Papal system of religion, the depths of spiritual darkness in which
it keeps its followers, and its diametric opposition to true biblical
Christianity. Unity, it seems, is more important than truth. The concept
of
Christendom, however unbiblical its practice, appears to matter more than
the national boundaries set between one principality and another,
regardless
of the liberties those boundaries defend.

While visiting Austria in 1983, the Pope spoke out against the ?national
and
artificial borders? all over Europe. He added:

?Europeans should overcome the menacing international confrontations of
states and alliances, and create a new united Europe from the Atlantic to
the Urals.?

In 1988, he continued this theme when he addressed the European
Parliament
in Strasbourg; an occasion at which many asked why a perceived spiritual
leader was addressing the issues of political unity. The Sunday Telegraph,
in 1991, summed up the Pope?s plans for the ?evangelisation? of Europe. It
stated:

?He is calmly preparing to assume the mantle which he solemnly believes
to
be his Divine Right?that of new Holy Roman Emperor, reigning from the
Urals
to the Atlantic.?? (ibid., pp. 36?37).

?Babylon? Revived!

As Britain?s Sunday Telegraph reported, Pope John Paul II expressed his
wish
to ?reign? over a new Holy Roman Empire. However, the key question is:
will
it really be ?holy?? Or will it actually be a revival of an ancient,
pagan,
Babylonian church-state system that God condemns?

In a prophecy for our time, the prophet Isaiah describes a modern virgin
?daughter? of the ancient Babylon, who would profane her own people
(Isaiah
47:1?9). God clearly describes this modern Babylon as ?the lady of
kingdoms?
(v. 5). Then God states: ?And you said, ?I shall be a lady forever,? so
that
you did not take these things to heart, nor remember the latter end of
them.
?Therefore hear this now, you who are given to pleasures, who dwell
securely
 who say in your heart, ?I am, and there is no one else besides me; I
shall
not sit as a widow, nor shall I know the loss of children?; but these two
things shall come to you in a moment, in one day: the loss of children,
and
widowhood. They shall come upon you in their fullness because of the
multitude of your sorceries, for the great abundance of your
enchantments??
(vv. 7?9).

Notice how some of these exact statements are used against the modern
Babylon that will fight Christ at His Second Coming! ?In the measure that
she glorified herself and lived luxuriously, in the same measure give her
torment and sorrow; for she says in her heart, ?I sit as queen, and am no
widow, and will not see sorrow.? Therefore her plagues will come in one
day?death and mourning and famine. And she will be utterly burned with
fire,
for strong is the Lord God who judges her? (Revelation 18:7?8).

This is the soon-coming church-state system in Europe, which will
eventually
turn on the American and British-descended peoples and bring about the
Great
Tribulation! It will be a revival of ancient Babylon, with its priestly
castes, pagan rituals and doctrines and complete disregard for God?s
commands. It will be a clever counterfeit of true Christianity. To
millions,
though, it will seem like the real thing!

Why?

Because the vast majority of professing Christians do not genuinely study
the Bible. They do not really dig in and try to ?prove? all things as God
commands. Therefore, even many evangelical Christians---and their
ministers---will eventually be caught up in the euphoria of this powerful
Babylonish system! For it will be part of the World-Wide ?ecumenical
movement.? It will seem like ?the thing to do.?

Please remember Jesus? words: ?Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the
gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many
who
go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which
leads
to life, and there are few who find it? (Matthew 7:13?14).

The Jesus Christ of your Bible also gave this powerful warning: ?Not
everyone who says to Me, ?Lord, Lord,? shall enter the kingdom of heaven,
but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. Many will say to Me in
that
day, ?Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in
Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?? And then I will declare to
them, ?I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!??
(Matthew 7:21?23).

The beautiful pageantry, the music, the pomp and ceremony, the majestic
religiosity and the intimidating power of this coming Babylonian system
will
be very impressive. But only those who genuinely do God?s will and keep
His
commandments---all ten of them---will be in Christ?s soon-coming Kingdom.
?Here is the patience of the saints; here are those who keep the
commandments of God and the faith of Jesus? (Revelation 14:12).

At the very end of His inspired word, our Creator tells us plainly:
?Blessed
are those who do His commandments, that they may have the right to the
tree
of life, and may enter through the gates into the city. But outside are
dogs
and sorcerers and sexually immoral and murderers and idolaters, and
whoever
loves and practices a lie? (Revelation 22:14?15). The religious sorcery
and
idolatry of the Babylonian system will be enticing to millions. The vast
majority will follow that way. But the above passage warns about anyone
who
?loves and practices a lie.? The teachings of modern ?Babylon? are filled
with lies, misunderstandings and pagan practices. Satan has been extremely
clever in creating a counterfeit Christianity, which looks so much like
the
original that untold millions have been deceived. Those who follow this
pagan inspired counterfeit religion will suffer the full fury of their
Creator when the Trumpet Plagues and the Seven Last Plagues are poured out
on a rebellious world (Revelation 8, 9, 16).

Yet God?s word describes the temporary wealth and power of this system:
?For
your merchants were the great men of the earth, for by your sorcery all
the
nations were deceived. And in her was found the blood of prophets and
saints
 and of all who were slain on the earth? (Revelation 18:23?24). And how
will
it end? ?Then a mighty angel took up a stone like a great millstone and
threw it into the sea, saying, ?Thus with violence the great city Babylon
shall be thrown down, and shall not be found anymore?? (v. 21).

You Need To ACT!

God warns: ?Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and has become a
dwelling place of demons, a prison for every foul spirit, and a cage for
every unclean and hated bird!? (Revelation 18:2). Then God commands: ?And
I
heard another voice from heaven saying, ?Come out of her, my people, lest
you share in her sins, and lest you receive of her plagues?? (v. 4).

In the second part of this sermon, we have briefly demonstrated that
virtually all world religions have originated from ?Babylon.? The Oriental
and African religions have many of the same pagan and false concepts of
God
and salvation, developed from the original worship of Nimrod and his
harlot
wife, Semiramis. Professing ?Christianity? is massively influenced and
diluted by these pagan concepts.

Wherever you are, whoever you are, we urge you to genuinely study the
Holy
Bible, the inspired revelation which God gave to mankind. For your sake,
please, do not just read the Bible for sentiment or to reinforce what you
already believe. Learn to genuinely study the Bible and see what it
clearly
and repeatedly says about the real nature of the Creator God, of eternal
life, and of the true way to eternal life. We just request that you put
forth the time and mental energy to study all these materials, diligently
compare them with the Bible itself and sincerely prove to yourself where
the
Truth is actually taught.

We will continue to explain the prophetic events now unfolding to bring
about the revival of Babylon---and of the coming Kingdom of God. This
message will not be popular! We will be harassed, vilified and persecuted
for bringing you the absolute truth about what is really happening in
world
affairs. But we must not be afraid to proclaim the full Truth about
genuine
Christianity and about the apostasy directed against it by Satan the
Devil.

?He who overcomes shall inherit all things, and I will be his God and he
shall be My son. But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers,
sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their
part
in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second
death?
(Revelation 21:7?8). Satan?s Counterfeit Christianity must be exposed,
understood and repented of!

May God help you to act on this message while you have the opportunity.
May
God help you to prove to yourself what the Bible really says, and to find
out about---and fulfill---the genuine purpose for your life.

Thesaurus Definition:

COUNTERFEIT - Being an imitation of the Original, intended to mislead or
deceive

*Sham *Pseudo *phony * False * Bogus *

 

Insight:

The Great Pretenders - Matthew 23:1-2,23-33

"You also outwardly appear righteous to men, but inside you are full of
hypocrisy and lawlessness" - Matthew 23:28

For 11 years a Massachusetts man kept his secret hidden from others. No
one
suspected that anything was wrong. Even at home his behavior appeared
normal
 He would sit down with the newspaper every night after dinner, and not
even
his wife knew of his problem. But the day came when he couldn't take the
strain of covering up any longer. After years of guarding his secret, he
finally confessed - he couldn't read. He had been a great pretender.

 Many people put on a front in their spiritual lives. They appear to be
real
Christians. They speak the language, join a church, and are careful to
hide
their sins. They act piously and try to make a good impression, and
people
assume that they are real Christians. But deep down inside, these
spiritual
actors know they have never admitted their sinful condition to God and
placed their trust in the Lord Jesus Christ as their only hope of
salvation.
"Outwardly", they "appear righteous," but inwardly they are "full of
hypocrisy and lawlessness" (Matthew 23:28).

Have you been faking it? You may fool others, but you can't fool God. He
sees what's in your heart. Don't be a Great Pretender. Receive God's Son
as
your Savior. Experience the real thing.

YOU CAN HAVE TONS OF RELIGION WITHOUT AN OUNCE OF SALVATION.

Audio Bile Study

Rome's Religion Or Relationship? - Rev. 17:1-6

The Women and The Beast! - Rev. 17:7-18


Let Us Pray Together--

PRAY: "God be merciful to me a sinner. Receive me now for Christ's sake.
Cleanse me from my sin by your precious blood, shed on the cross for me;
lead me to be Baptized and fill me with your Holy Spirit. Teach me to pray
each day; to read Your will for my life from your word, the Bible; and
help
me to worship and serve You in the fellowship of your church. I thank you
Lord Jesus Christ. AMEN! 

Related Links:

REVEALING A COUNTERFEIT FAITH - STUDIES IN THE BOOK OF JUDE

Revealing If You Should Be Baptized?

Revealing The Religious but Lost!