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The Persecuted Church

 

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When Doctrinal Beliefs Become Irrelevant

Many Evangelicals look at unity in the simplest sense and are willing to accept anyone who names the name of Christ as brethren without asking any further questions. This is not a prudent way to unite, especially when God had warned through his prophets about deception and a departure from doctrine in the end.

We have all seen the shift from concentrating on Bible doctrines to social gospel concerns.

Instead of preaching truth we are told to show our faith through our actions. But without spoken content from the Bible we cannot tell one religion from another (or no religion).

The December 1999 issue of Charisma magazine contained a revealing article titled “A Church for the 21st Century” in which author Robert Stearns, a Charismatic, describes what he believes the church will look like in the next millennium. The article's subtitle reads, “As we move into the new millennium, we must renounce old religious ideas and embrace the Holy Spirit's new strategies. Here are 10 ways we must change.” This statement, and the subsequent article, says much about Stearns' hopes for the future of Christianity in America and about his attitude (and the attitude of most Charismatics and New Evangelicals) toward that which is defined as “traditional.” Notice the following observations: Stearns said the 21st century church will once again hear God's audible voice- “Sadly, many denominations in this century have actually taught that God does not speak anymore—except through the pages of the Bible,” he added; he also said the church will “unleash the power of creativity” as it brings forth a generation that will “rise up with new anointing and authority in the creative domain” and “casts off the restraints of the spirit of religion.” He said the new church will be a “city church” where all denominational walls are broken down in order to experience unity for the cause of Christ and that “mature spiritual warfare” will be waged against demonic forces. He also added that the 21st century church will “worship with abandon” and that such worship will especially manifest itself in the area of dance as Americans distance themselves from the “cultural entrapment” of equating dancing with sex.

Of course God speaks, he is a living God, but the mistake being made is that people are receiving new revelation that is doctrine, and it contradicts the old revelation delivered to us in the Bible. Stearns insight was before our 21st century and we now see it implemented everywhere. A new freedom that is not constraint by the words of Scripture is fast emerging where we listen to new words of the prophets today more than the prophets of the Scripture.

Consider Ted Haggard hosting the new apostolic/prophetic movement at his Colorado church praying” And Lord God, we all love you so much and we thank you for the restoration of the apostolic and the prophetic in the local church congregation and in the global church so that we can do explosive ministry. In Jesus' name, Amen. (Ted Haggard, National School of The Prophets, Mobilizing The Prophetic Office, New Life Church, Colorado Springs, CO, Sat. May 13, 2000 11:00 AM)

We see the prophet apostle movement attempting to unite the church as one under their leadership. As Ted Haggard, who is now the head of the National Association of Evangelicals boldly confirmed the calling of the prophet, the prophetess and the prophetic at the prophet/apostle conference of Peter Wagner, “and we welcome it into the global church of the world” (National School of the Prophets Chuck Pierce/Cindy Jacobs #00051311A May 13, 2000 Tape #15).

global church of the world,’” I didn’t know there was one. Of course, this is quite different than the universal church IN the world. We don’t want to be of the world but in it. We have seen the standards these men hold, they ignore the doctrinal distinctive that separate us because their goal is to unify. So what does this have to do with the body of Christ? Once the leaders that do not hold to any separation are established inside the church, it will become much easier to move the greater portion of the church into an interfaith unity. They can establish a church government that will affect the majority of the church.

The Global Church System that is forming throughout this Century will bring us into a spiritual unity with all mankind. The new Church Government will rule alongside in world affairs, something the Roman Catholic Church has tried in the past. It has the same goal the new age has. It’s not a coincidence that the new apostolic movement sounds and acts just like its new age counterpart. The question is, whose side will you end up on. Your decision today can affect your tomorrow.

God’s call to the saints in the end is 2 Cor. 6:14-18: “Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness? And what accord has Christ with Belial? Or what part has a believer with an unbeliever? And what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For you are the temple of the living God. As God has said: “I will dwell in them and walk among them. I will be their God, and they shall be My people.” Therefore “Come out from among them and be separate, says the Lord. Do not touch what is unclean, and I will receive you.” “I will be a Father to you, and you shall be My sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty.”

When anyone who names the name of Jesus is accepted, eventually those that do not will be also be accepted. This will all occur because churches remove themselves from the doctrine of Christ. The Bible says it. 2 John 1:9 “Whoever transgresses and does not abide in the doctrine of Christ does not have God. He who abides in the doctrine of Christ has both the Father and the Son.” To have God and claim Christ we must abide in the doctrine delivered in Scripture. But this is diametrically in opposition to those who do not hold to Bible doctrine any longer. We were told by those who were inspired by God, “Now the Spirit speaks expressly that in the latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits and doctrines of demons” (1 Timothy 4:1). The demons oppose Bible doctrine by speaking through men new doctrines that will bring people beyond or ignore the pages of Scripture.

The flower has bloomed and is spreading its pollen- A New Age – a new spirituality- The way of Cain becomes the way to God by; your own hands. Religion and its differences will simply vanish into a united religious community. It will become so attractive that everyone in the world will join it. The new world religion, will not be dominated by any one religion: Christian, Buddhist, Hindu, Jewish, or Muslim. It will be Interfaith- a conglomeration of all of them. Many believe God will create something totally new out of this. “As men approach me, so I receive them. All paths, Arjuna, lead to me. Hinduism” (Bhagavad Gita 4.11)

The Call

The Christ awaits you with open arms, come willingly in the name of all your gods for the goal of peace and serve humanity.

I can hear it said now; I see many responding to the call- Discard Christian doctrine that divides you from the rest of humanity. The golden age now awaits you. We can make it happen. Essentially this is the message of one of the main new age movements Christ figures, Maitreya. It is also echoed by the modernists of our day. “It doesn’t matter what denomination affiliation one is with, change in the church is the goal. “He [Jesus] meant to establish a world religion that would embrace every soul and synthesize every creed, and his work will not be consummated until he has done just that” (Rodney R Romney. Pastor of Seattle's First Baptist Church. Romney Journey, p. 31.)

Is that what Jesus was doing, uniting the Roman pagan religion with the one of the Jews. He certainly did not do this with the Pharisees who were zealous for their own religion.

Plans are going on everywhere for this new unity to be implemented. These are being promoted by men of influence. Bishop Swing is the founder of the United Religions Initiative has been working toward this goal and says “Jesus was a revolutionary about interfaith.” “Bishop Swing's vision and spirit are the driving force behind the [URI],” Privett said. “His realization that dogma divides and action unites is the foundation of this worldwide, loosely-knit union of religious persons of all persuasions who work together on the local level for peace, justice, and healing.”

Swing says “The time will come,” he said, “when the world will see the potential of religion and be so frustrated by religion being stuck in the rut of violence that the world will demand a United Religions, and there will be one.

Yes, the world is heading toward this and one day will insist on religious unity. As the Bible has told us, the religious landscape will become one and serve a false Christ before the real one appears.

Swing said “fundamentalism”--described as adherence to the “exclusive claims” of one's own religion--is one of many obstacles to peace among the nations. In other words (evidently), world peace is threatened by religious believers who uphold their faith as a matter of truth--e.g., the Christian claim that Jesus is “the way, and the truth, and the life” (Jn. 14:6). (Quoted from Commentary Report By Lee Penn THE CHRISTIAN CHALLENGE July 12, 2001).

URI Charter June 2000 URI Global Council Trustees has a maximum of twenty four (24) trustees elected by the world membership through elections in eight (8) regions. A maximum of twelve (12) trustees selected at-large by the GC to meet the need for greater diversity or a particular expertise. That’s interesting numbers to pick for a government don’t you think?

A Gathering Diaprax for Unity

What Happens When they Begin to say the Same Thing?

Seven prominent scholars from various religious backgrounds gathered at Oregon State University for a two-day conference (Feb. 11-12, 2000,) titled “God at 2000.” The conference served as a forum to discuss “the need to change the face of God” in the new century. The participants were invited to the university campus by Marcus Borg, one of the Jesus Seminar scholars, serves as professor of religion at Oregon State University. Borg summed up his conclusions concerning God by saying he found that “the true essence of God was more of a duality-a distant and transcendent force that encompasses the universe while simultaneously dwelling inside each person.” He added that, “such a God was beyond religion, existing everywhere, touching the consciousness of all things, without need for churches or even prayer.” The February 12, 2000, AP article said Borg “challenged Christians to open themselves to other religions ... and to reject 'supernatural theism.”’ Other participants agreed.

Former South African archbishop Desmond Tutu participated in the conference and gave a speech on his “Christian” view of God. In a press conference prior to his speech at the university, Tutu urged leaders of all religions to work together in order to find a new image of God. “No religion can claim to have the whole truth about the mystery [of faith]” he said. The Associated Press said Tutu “urged Christians to embrace other faiths.

Another participant, Armstrong said compassion and the Golden Rule are more important than searching for God in a church or through religion. Kushner said that while various religions offer a multitude of paths to God, “they all get to the same place.”

Here we have religion broken down to the least common denominator. By our works we are acceptable to God, whoever that may be to us; it also promotes universalism. It insinuates everyone is going to be saved no matter what religion they are in. But the concept of ending up in “the same place” gives me concern. What place will they all end up when they reject God’s only way and take the broad path? The ancient Christian message of Jesus saying “I am the way, the truth the life, no one come to the Father except by me” is vanishing and replaced by a new Christian message of unity. Many are becoming drunk by the new wine of unity.

The Council for a Parliament of World Religions finds its roots to 1893 when an interfaith 'group first met in Chicago. Since then their goal is to facilitate understanding with inter-religious dialogue and plan for the world's “spiritual future by having government institutionalize a global ethic. Sir John Templeton, whom the Templeton prize is named after serves on the world Parliament's board of trustees.

We [participants in the Parliament of World Religions] are persons who have committed ourselves to the precepts and practices of the world’s religions. We confirm that there is already a consensus among the religions which can be the basis for a global ethic — a minimal fundamental consensus concerning binding values, irrevocable standards, and fundamental moral attitudes” (Given at the 1993 Parliament of the World’s Religions, September 4, 1993, in Chicago, Illinois).

Mr. Kung states in his book, Global Responsibility: In Search of a New World Ethic, “The undivided world increasingly needs an undivided ethic. Postmodern men and women need common values, goals, ideals, visions. But the great question in dispute is: does not all this presuppose a religious faith? . . . What we need is an ecumenical world order! (Global Responsibility: In Search of a New World Ethic (1991), pp.23,35,69) (emphasis mine)

The way to accomplish this is accept everyone as equal citizens- this spiritual unity is one facet of what globalism has to offer.  ”We are children of one God. We are citizens of one planet. I have just been informed that there are some 3,200 sparks of the divine flame in this auditorium tonight. Welcome!” So spoke an elderly Sikh leader who was one of the opening speakers at the Parliament of the World's Religions as it convened in Barcelona, Spain, July 7-13. http://dfms.org/3577_43605_ENG_Print.html - http://www.cpwr.org/2004Parliament/

Look at the unity the church is being driven into, it is with other religions. Christians are now lobbying involved in political and social action with unbelievers—while neglecting to oppose apostasy and the heresy within the church.

As is stated by a a popular author “The era of the single Savior is over. What is needed now is joint action, combined effort, collective co-creation.” (Neal Donald Walsch, Conversations With God, p. 157)

Walsch who speaks as a representative for the new spirituality does not compromise his message, he understands what the stakes are.

A NEW Spirituality

As we watch this new spiritual system emerge and influence many Matthew Fox has astutely stated Perhaps a new “ecumenical council” will be forthcoming in our lifetime. This one would be deeply ecumenical and would call forth the wisdom of all the world's religions. Part of its work might be to declare an ancient but forgotten doctrine: the Cosmic Christ, the pattern that connects” all the atoms and galaxies of the universe, a pattern of divine love and justice that all creatures and all humans bear within them. (Fox, Cosmic Christ P.7)

Teilhard de Chardin believed “a 'religion of the future' (definable as a 'religion of evolution') cannot fail to appear before long: a new mysticism, the germ of which (as it happens when anything is born) must be recognizable somewhere in our environment here and now. (Christianity and Evolution p. 240)

Teilhard describes his higher road to salvation: … “I can be saved only by becoming one with the universe. Thereby, too, my deepest pantheist’ aspirations are satisfied, guided, and reassured. The world around me becomes divine, And et the flames do not consume me, nor do the floods dissolve me. For, unlike the false monisms which urge one through passivity into unconsciousness, the 'pan-Christism' I am discovering places union at the term of an arduous process of differentiation. I shall become the other only by being utterly myself. I shall attain spirit by bringing out the complete range of the forces of matter. The total Christ is consummated and m be attained only at the term of universal evolution.” (Christianity and Evolution P. 128, How I believe; Teilhard de Chardin, p.81-82)

While the many work toward the goal of synthesis, ultimately a spiritual peacemaker will miraculously appear with the best plan to have a grand synthesis that will result in world peace-especially among religions.

In his book, Global Responsibility: In Search of a New World Ethic (1991), Mr. Kung writes on participation in this new “ethic” (religion) will not be optional. He states, Any form of... church conservatism is to be rejected ... To put it bluntly: no regressive repressive religion - whether Christian, Islamic, Jewish or of whatever provenance has a long-term future ... It ethics is to function for the wellbeing of all, it must be indivisible. The undivided world increasingly needs an undivided ethic. Post modern men and women need common values, goals, ideals, visions. But the great question in dispute is: does not all this presuppose a religious faith?... What we need is an ecumenical world order!

The only way to get everyone to agree is by disregarding the differences in doctrine and each pray to their God or gods as if they are the same. This is the result of becoming drunk on the wine of unity. The ecumenical movement is the blind leading the blind and those who follow both fall in the ditch; that is the end result of their unity. That’s what happens when your drunk; you can’t see where your going, you need a wide road to drive on, and the road is widening each day. 

Jesus warned- “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.” (Matt 7:13-14).

This is going on right before our eyes, mystery Babylon is being birthed; Will you be amazed at her as the apostle John was or will you drink her wine. The time to choose is closing, it cannot be postponed any longer as her influence grows daily.

pt5. The New Pentecost - a spirit poured out on all flesh

 

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