JESUS WARNS HIS PEOPLE
By W. G. Guy
In the last days, Jesus has a stern warning for His people.
Revelation 18:4-8 – And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues. For her sins have reached unto heaven, and God hath remembered her iniquities. Reward her even as she rewarded you, and double unto her double according to her works: in the cup which she hath filled fill to her double. How much she hath glorified herself, and lived deliciously, so much torment and sorrow give her: for she saith in her heart, I sit a queen, and am no widow, and shall see no sorrow. Therefore shall her plagues come in one day, death, and mourning, and famine; and she shall be utterly burned with fire: for strong is the Lord God who judgeth her.
The LORD is specifically giving this warning to His people. But who are His people that He is warning. Some might say that it is the people of Israel because in the Old Testament they were identified as His people. However this warning does not appear to refer to Israel, but to those who identify as Christians, and belong to a church.
The reason for the warning becomes clear if you realize that much of what is called church really isn’t His church! Why? Because most of what is called church does not represent Christ, it represents man: man’s leadership and rules; man’s ideas, doctrines, traditions, rituals, practices and observations like holidays that are not scriptural.
Much of man’s church is a false church run by false prophets, false teachers and false preachers who are not ordained of God but commissioned by men and their manmade denominations and organizations. This is especially true of these last days prior to Christ’s return as Jesus foretold us that there would be great deception in churches and church leadership.
Matthew 24:4-5 – And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you. For many (not a few) shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many. (Not a few.)
Jesus even repeats this warning since it is vital to understand.
Matthew 24: 24-25 – For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect. Behold, I have told you before.
Is it possible to deceive the very elect? Not if they apply the Word of God to those who claim to be prophets, preachers and teachers in and to the church!
Matthew 7:20-23 – Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them. Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity (doing your own thing).
Probably half of the church of the last days is actually fashioned after the Babylonian system and is referred to as “mystery” Babylon, or mystical Babylon, because of having a form of religion and worship, but are void of the power that changes lives and draws others to the light. There is no true light in this form of church: they are like the five foolish virgins of Matthew 25 whose light went out and they did not get to enter in. This example that Jesus gave indicates that approximately half of what is called church will not be able to join Him at His return. This kind of church is also identified by Paul by the lifestyle the people have.
2 Timothy 3:1-5 – This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves,
covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.
The Babylon mentioned in the Book of Revelation appears to consist of multiple elements: political corruption, governments, financial institutions, merchandizing, businesses and even religions (churches). Basically Babylon refers to man controlled and dominated systems of rule and leadership that is void of God and His commands.
Revelation chapter 17 and 18 refer to the “mystery” Babylon which identifies the harlot church that was centered in Rome which incorporated all manner of false doctrines, rituals and practices that were derived by man and demons. The problem that most Christians fail to realize is this harlot church has offspring or daughters; because she is called MOTHER OF HARLOTS.
Revelation 17:5 – and upon her forehead was a name written, MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH.
These are spin offs of Rome that are known as Protestant churches. The problem is that many of these protestant churches dropped the Pope, statues and praying to Mary, but still carry on many traditions, doctrines and practices and holiday observations that were initiated by Rome: thus “daughters”.
The apostle Paul also gave a similar warning to withdraw from false churches, or assemblies, that embrace any form of idolatry and the worship and celebration of things that aren’t of God and His Word.
2 Corinthians 6:16-18 – and what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, and will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.
In the following passage, Paul identifies some specific doctrines of the Roman Catholic (or Babylonian form of) Church.
1 Timothy 4:1-3 – Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron; forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth.
The false preachers, prophets and teachers that Jesus and Paul warned us about bring about all manner of false doctrines that are evident in various churches today showing us that we are in the last days and God’s Word is true.
2 Timothy 4:3-4 – For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; and they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.
Again, Paul an apostle of the LORD Jesus Christ, constantly warned the leadership of the Ephesian church to beware of those who would become false ministers.
Acts 20:28-31 – Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood. For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them. Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears.
God’s warning still stands true for today as we are in the last days and great deception is upon us. Several years ago, while I was communing with the LORD in prayer, He spoke to me by His Holy Spirit saying, “THINGS ARE NOT WHAT THEY APPEAR TO BE”: thus discernment in greatly needed to recognize what is of God and what is not. This discernment comes by knowing the
Word of God.
Hebrews 5:12-14 – For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat. For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe. But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.
It is incumbent for true believers to grow up into Christ to full maturity so that deception will not be a vulnerability to you. This is done by knowing His Word, which is a way of knowing Him.
Wrong forms of worship in churches is represented in Jesus' discussion with the Samaritan woman at the well, who believed in the coming of the Messiah (Jesus) as described in John 4.
John 4:21-25 – Jesus saith unto her, Woman, believe me, the hour cometh, when ye shall neither in this mountain, nor yet at Jerusalem, worship the Father. Ye worship ye know not what: we know what we worship: for salvation is of the Jews. But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him. God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth. The woman saith unto him, I know that Messias cometh, which is called Christ: when he is come, he will tell us all things.
Note that Jesus said the place of worship is not important, but true worship must be in spirit and in truth. The woman know about the coming of Christ, just as many Christians know about the coming of Christ, yet their form of worship and religious rituals have nothing to do with worshiping in Him in Spirit and in Truth. Many churches do not worship in spirit, in fact, many even deny the works of the Holy Spirit; and most churches have only partial truth. Thus Jesus gave His warning to come out of those kinds of churches.
Which type of church do you belong to, the one that has a form but no power, or the one that WORSHIPS IN SPIRIT AND TRUTH?
