WHY IS THE WORLD REJECTING CHRISTIANITY?
Copyright 2008 Loren DavisThe reasons are not that complex. For those who believe that all is well inside Christianity, I ask you to take another look.
AFTER BEING DELIVERED FROM SLAVERY OUT OF EGYPT...
*Numbers 11:1-6 "And when the people complained, it displeased the LORD: and the LORD heard it; and HIS ANGER WAS KINDLED; and the fire of the LORD burnt among them, and consumed them that were in the uttermost parts of the camp." "WE REMEMBER THE FISH, WHICH WE DID EAT IN EGYPT FREELY; the cucumbers, and the melons, and the leeks, and the onions, and the garlic: But now our soul is dried away: there is nothing at all, beside this manna, before our eyes."
The Israelites forgot that IN EGYPT THEIR FOOD WAS NOT FREE. THEY PAID FOR IT WITH THEIR LIFEBLOOD BY BEING SLAVES TO THE EGYPTIANS. Today, many who were saved out of the world and a life of sin have forgotten what spiritual slavery and misery they were in when they were bound to Satan. Now, even as the Israelites missed Egypt, many Christians are missing the world with all of its partying and revelry. Lot's wife missed Sodom and looked back. It cost her life.
THERE ARE SEVEN CATEGORIES OF PEOPLE
- Those who are IRRELIGIOUS. These are basically atheistic or agnostic.
- PAGANS. These worship "other gods" instead of the God of the Bible. (This includes the occult and practitioners of witchcraft).
- PROFESSING CHRISTIANS. This includes Christian religions that mix the Bible with other religions, superstitions, and the occult.
- NOMINAL CHRISTIANS. Those who believe salvation comes by being baptized in water and joining a church. They do not believe in the born again experience. These hold some of the doctrines of Baalim.
- HYPOCRITE CHRISTIANS: Those who say they believe the Bible, but don't live it. They spin the Bible to irrelevance.
- DISPENSATIONAL CHRISTIANS: Those who believe in being born again, but do not believe that healing, other tongues, and the gifts of the Spirit are for today. They believe Christ only did these things to prove His divinity, but believe that they are no longer operational and available for everyone today. They believe that God only works by His sovereignty. These are true Christians if they have been born again and are living according to God's Commandments, but most live defeated lives in one way or another.
- GENUINE BIBLE BELIEVING CHRISTIANS. They have one hundred percent confidence in the infallibility of the entire Bible; rightly divide it, and truly believe that the Bible alone is the Holy Word of God. They believe that God's promises are valid for today and try to live an overcoming life physically, emotionally, financially and in every arena of their lives.
FROM THE VERY BEGINNING OF CHRISTIANITY, THE EARLY CHURCH WAS BEING CORRUPTED.
EXAMPLES: THE SEVEN CHURCHES OF THE BOOK OF REVELATION
THE CHURCH OF EPHESUS
*Revelation 2:1-5 "Unto the angel of the church of Ephesus write; These things saith he that holdeth the seven stars in his right hand, who walketh in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks; I know thy works, and thy labour, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them which are evil: and thou hast tried them which say they are apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars: And hast borne, and hast patience, and for my name's sake hast laboured, and hast not fainted. Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because THOU HAST LEFT THY FIRST LOVE. REMEMBER THEREFORE FROM WHENCE THOU ART FALLEN, and REPENT, and DO THE FIRST WORKS; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, EXCEPT THOU REPENT."
THE CHURCH OF SMYRNA
*Revelation 2:8-11 "And unto the angel of the church in Smyrna write; These things saith the first and the last, which was dead, and is alive; I know thy works, and tribulation, and poverty, (but thou art rich) and I know the blasphemy of them which say they are Jews, and are not, but are the synagogue of Satan."
THE CHURCH OF PERGAMOS
*Revelation 2:12-16 "And to the angel of the church in Pergamos write; These things saith he which hath the sharp sword with two edges; I know thy works, and where thou dwellest, even where Satan's seat is: and thou holdest fast my name, and hast not denied my faith, even in those days wherein Antipas was my faithful martyr, who was slain among you, where Satan dwelleth. But I HAVE A FEW THINGS AGAINST THEE, BECAUSE THOU HAST THERE THEM THAT HOLD THE DOCTRINE OF BALAAM, WHO TAUGHT BALAC TO CAST A STUMBLING BLOCK BEFORE THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL, TO EAT THINGS SACRIFICED UNTO IDOLS, AND TO COMMIT FORNICATION. So hast THOU ALSO THEM THAT HOLD THE DOCTRINE OF THE NICOLAITANS, WHICH THING I HATE. REPENT; OR ELSE I WILL COME UNTO THEE QUICKLY, AND WILL FIGHT AGAINST THEM WITH THE SWORD OF MY MOUTH."
*Revelation 2:20-26 "Notwithstanding I HAVE A FEW THINGS AGAINST THEE, because THOU SUFFEREST THAT WOMAN JEZEBEL; which calleth herself a prophetess, TO TEACH AND SEDUCE MY SERVANTS TO COMMIT FORNICATION, AND TO EAT THINGS SACRIFICED UNTO IDOLS. And I gave her space to repent of her fornication; and SHE REPENTED NOT. Behold, I will cast her into a bed, and them that commit adultery with her into great tribulation, EXCEPT THEY REPENT OF THEIR DEEDS. And I will kill her children with death; and all the churches shall know that I AM HE WHICH SEARCHETH THE REINS AND HEARTS: and I WILL GIVE UNTO EVERY ONE OF YOU ACCORDING TO YOUR WORKS."
THE CHURCH OF THYATIRA
*Revelation 2:24 "But unto you I say, and unto the rest in Thyatira, AS MANY AS HAVE NOT THIS DOCTRINE, and which HAVE NOT KNOWN THE DEPTHS OF SATAN, as they speak; I will put upon you none other burden. But that which ye have already hold fast till I come. And HE THAT OVERCOMETH, AND KEEPETH MY WORKS UNTO THE END"
THE CHURCH AT SARDIS
*Revelation 3:1-6 "And unto the angel of the church in Sardis write; These things saith he that hath the seven Spirits of God, and the seven stars; I KNOW THY WORKS, THAT THOU HAST A NAME THAT THOU LIVEST, AND ART DEAD. BE WATCHFUL, AND STRENGTHEN THE THINGS WHICH REMAIN, THAT ARE READY TO DIE: for I HAVE NOT FOUND THY WORKS PERFECT BEFORE GOD. REMEMBER therefore how thou hast received and heard, and HOLD FAST, AND REPENT. If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee. Thou hast A FEW NAMES even in Sardis, which have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with me in white: for they are worthy. HE THAT OVERCOMETH, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches."
THE CHURCH OF PHILADELPHIA
*Revelation 3:7-11 "And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write; These things saith he that is holy, he that is true, he that hath the key of David, he that openeth, and no man shutteth; and shutteth, and no man openeth; I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it: for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept my word, and hast not denied my name. Behold, I will make them of the synagogue of Satan, which say they are Jews, and are not, but do lie; behold, I will make them to come and worship before thy feet, and to know that I have loved thee. Because THOU HAST KEPT THE WORD of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth. Behold, I come quickly: HOLD THAT FAST WHICH THOU HAST, THAT NO MAN TAKE THY CROWN."
THE CHURCH OF LAODICEA
*Revelation 3:14-17 "And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God; I KNOW THY WORKS, THAT THOU ART NEITHER COLD NOR HOT: I would thou wert cold or hot. So then BECAUSE THOU ART LUKEWARM, and neither cold nor hot, I WILL SPUE THEE OUT OF MY MOUTH. Because thou sayest, I AM RICH, and INCREASED WITH GOODS, and HAVE NEED OF NOTHING; and KNOWEST NOT THAT THOU ART WRETCHED, AND MISERABLE, AND POOR, AND BLIND, AND NAKED"
*19-22 "As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and REPENT. Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me. TO HIM THAT OVERCOMETH WILL I GRANT TO SIT WITH ME IN MY THRONE, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches."
WHAT HAPPENED TO THE CITIES AND NATIONS WHERE
THE APOSTLES FIRST PREACHED THE GOSPEL?
THE APOSTLES FIRST PREACHED THE GOSPEL?
1. ROME. The book of Romans was written by the Apostle Paul to believers in Rome.
*Romans 1:15 "So, as much as in me is, I am ready to PREACH the gospel to you that are at Rome also."
TODAY the church of Rome rejects nearly everything Paul wrote in the Book of Romans, and disagrees with most of the Bible. For most Europeans the Roman Church is the only Christianity they know. Rome has reverted to its pre-Christian, hedonistic, and pagan belief system and lifestyle. (See the article: The Roman Churches Disagreements with the Bible)
2. MACEDONIA. (now known as The Balkans). The Book of Acts talks about Macedonia.
*Acts 16:10 "And after he had seen the vision, immediately we endeavored to GO INTO MACEDONIA, assuredly gathering that the Lord had called us for to preach the gospel unto them."
TODAY Macedonia is primarily Islamic, with some Roman Churches. Most in Macedonia have rejected the book of Acts and the rest of the Bible. It has been the location of terrible atrocities.
3. TURKEY. The book of Ephesians was written to believers in Ephesus. Galatians was written to believers in Galatia. Colossians was written to believers in Colosse. Ephesus, Galatia, and Colosse were all in Turkey. Ephesus was the headquarters of the goddess Diana, which covered the world.
*Acts 19:1 "PAUL having passed through the upper coasts CAME TO EPHESUS: and finding certain disciples,"
TODAY, 99.8% of Turkey is Islamic and does not believe that Jesus is the Son of God. Acts 19:28, 34-35.
4. HUNGARY. The book of Philippians was written to believers at Philippi which is now Hungary. For years Hungary belonged to the atheistic Soviet Union.
5. GREECE. Greece had their Greek mythology, with all of their gods. 1st and 2nd Corinthians were written to the believers in Corinth, Greece. The Orthodox Church of Greece rejects much of the teaching of the Bible, and is considering reuniting with the Roman Church. They reject any other form of Christianity.
*Acts 19:1 "And it came to pass, that, while Apollos was at CORINTH"
*2 Corinthians 1:1 "Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, unto THE CHURCH OF GOD WHICH IS AT CORINTH, with all the saints which are in all Achaia"
TODAY Greece has gone back to its pre-Christian hedonistic lifestyle, although the Orthodox church puts up a Christian face.
6. ARABIA. Arabia is where God gave Moses The Ten Commandments on Mt. Sinai.
*Galatians 4:25 "For this Agar is mount SINAI IN ARABIA (or Saudi Arabia), and answereth to Jerusalem which now is, and is in bondage with her children."
(Boundaries now changed. Sinai is now in Egypt).
Moslems say that they get most of their converts from hurt Christians. TODAY Mecca, Saudi Arabia, is the headquarters of worldwide Islam. Islam considers Christianity pagan and has declared jihad Holy War on it. They have totally rejected Jesus as the only begotten Son of God, the savior of the world, and are antichrist.
7. SYRIA. Damascus, Syria is where Saul had has confrontation with Jesus, and was changed into the Apostle Paul.
*Galatians 1:17 "Neither went I up to Jerusalem to them which were apostles before me; but I WENT INTO ARABIA, and returned again unto Damascus."
The Early Church was strong in Damascus, Syria. TODAY, SYRIA is now an Islamic nation, and with a few exceptions, has totally rejected Jesus as the Son of God.
8. EGYPT. This is where the book of Exodus was written by Moses.
*Genesis 43:15 "And the men took that present, and they took double money in their hand, and Benjamin; and rose up, and went down to Egypt, and stood before Joseph."
The Israelites were in Egypt for centuries. The Egyptians saw the signs and wonders of God and the parting of the Red Sea.
*Jude 1:5 "I will therefore put you in remembrance, though ye once knew this, how that the Lord, having saved the people out of the land of Egypt, afterward destroyed them that believed not."
*Matthew 2:15 "And was there until the death of Herod: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Out of Egypt have I called my son."
Jesus Himself was in Egypt as a baby. Egypt saw the plagues, the parting of the Red Sea, but as a whole, they have rejected the God of Israel and His Christ. Egypt is now primarily a Moslem, antichrist nation with the exception of the minority Coptic Christians.
9. IRAQ. Iraq was a part of the Garden of Eden.
*Genesis 2:10-14 "And A RIVER WENT OUT OF EDEN. And the fourth river is Euphrates."
The Euphrates River is in Iraq, so God was very active in Iraq from the beginning. It was also in Iraq in the Garden, where Satan first tempted man. The Jews were brought into the Babylonian captivity here. The Babylonians or Iraqis, were very familiar with Israel's God but rejected him. TODAY Iraq is mainly Islamic and has rejected the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
*I Peter 5:13 speaks of "the church that is at BABYLON"
10. ASIA. I Corinthians speaks about the church of Asia.
*1 Corinthians 16:19-20 "THE CHURCHES OF ASIA salute you. Aquila and Priscilla salute you much in the Lord, with the church that is in their house."
Many Christian missionaries have gone to China and other Asian nations. TODAY, Asia on the whole has rejected Christ. Indonesia, Singapore and Malaysia are all Islamic. China is an atheistic, communist country. Japan is Buddhist. It is not that Asia has not had the Gospel at some point in time, but Asia as a whole has rejected the Gospel and Jesus Christ.
11. INDIA. Tradition tells us that the Apostle Thomas evangelized throughout India and was martyred there. The Roman Church set up a base in Goa. Goa had INQUISITIONS where over one million Indians were tortured and killed for not submitting to the Roman Church and to the Pope. Why should anyone wonder why India rejected Christianity? TODAY India as a whole has rejected the Gospel and is primarily Hindu with minorities of Moslems, the Roman Church, and some true believers.
12. ETHIOPIA. The Book of Acts tells of an Ethiopian, African who heard the gospel.
*Acts 8:27-31 "And he arose and went: and, behold, A MAN OF ETHIOPIA, an eunuch of great authority under Candace queen of the Ethiopians, who had the charge of all her treasure, and had come to Jerusalem for to worship, Was returning, and sitting in his chariot read Esaias the prophet. Then the Spirit said unto Philip, Go near, and join thyself to this chariot. And Philip ran thither to him, and heard him read the prophet Esaias, and said, Understandest thou what thou readest? And he said, how can I, except some man should guide me? And he desired Philip that he would come up and sit with him."
It is clear by these scriptures that the Gospel of Christ went to Ethiopia. Today the Ethiopian Orthodox Church has a stronghold in Ethiopia. They do not believe in being "born again," and in many places refuse access to any other brand of Christianity.
13. THE JEWS. The Gospel first came to the Jews. All the prophets were Jews. Jesus was born a Jew. Most of the apostles were Jews.
*Romans 1:16 "For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek."
The Jews as a whole have rejected Jesus as the Messiah.
14. GREAT BRITAIN. Throughout its history, Great Britain did not allowed religious freedom. The Church of England, also known as The Anglican Church was the only church. The main reason so many immigrated to America from England was to get religious freedom because of the oppression and persecution that the Church of England inflicted on all non-conformists. Regarding this, they were little different than the Church of Rome.
In the nineteenth and some of the twentieth century there were great revivals in England. Many great missionaries were sent from England throughout the world. But it was a mixed bag. In the name of being a Christian country, Great Britain colonized and exploited many Third World nations. Is it any wonder that so many of the nations that were colonized by Great Britain have rejected the Gospel and Christ. What a distorted testimony of Christianity she gave.
Today most of Great Britain has returned to its old roots of paganism and rejected the Bible and Christ. The symbols of Baal are all over England. Islam is now taking over England.
15. GERMANY. Early on the Roman Church took over Germany. Martin Luther had a major impact on Germany seeking to restore true Christianity. He inspired the Reformation and the Protestant movement. Today, Germany has returned to its ancient hedonistic paganism. Prostitution has been legalized, and morally anything goes. Germany has rejected the Bible and Christ. Many Moslems also now live in Germany.
16. RUSSIA. Joseph Stalin had trained to be a Catholic priest, yet, because of what he saw in the church, he totally rejected Christianity and spearheaded atheistic communism. He had Christianity and the Bible outlawed, and brutally killed millions of Christians as well as Jews, trying to eradicate what he perceived as the scourge and evil of the world.
17. THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA was founded on biblical principles. Great revivals swept across America, even in Massachusetts with the powerful ministry of Jonathan Edwards. Today, most of Massachusetts and much of the nation has rejected the Bible as truth.
Many churches in America that were built by the sacrificial giving of God's people, no longer preach the same Gospel that their founders preached. Many of these churches are now basically just social institutions who no longer believe the basics of the Bible. Denomination after denomination in America has had the same history.
The U.S. Navy gave a report that their chaplains have the worst record of any of their officers regarding fraud and sexual misconduct. American Christianity has been liberalized on every front, where now even a major Bishop of the Episcopal Church is a practicing homosexual.
The Christian television and radio medias puts forth every wind and doctrine. They produce massive confusion. Money and success have become the main message of many preachers, instead of preaching salvation and godliness. Many Christian churches preach mainly just about 'YOU' and not about Christ. Many church services are little more than 'christianized' success seminars. So many preachers are just preaching New Age, leaving Jesus Christ out of their messages except for a token reference. Christian denominations are so diverse in what they believe. The Word of God to many is nothing more than some prophet's revelation and the Bible is virtually ignored. The Bible has just become symbolic in much of Christianity and not taken literally. There are some 'homosexual denominations' who are defying the basic teachings of the Bible, and yet they call themselves Christian. Some Christians are even pro-abortion, again ignoring what the Bible says.
SOME MAJOR PASTORS ARE NOW BECOMING 'KING MAKERS'. They are working to join religion with politics. Revelation 17 talks about the 'whore church,' which commits fornication with the kings of the earth. A major political leader said that America is no longer a Christian nation. It is now a Judaic- Christian-Islamic nation.
Some black 'Christian' pastors in America are preaching 'BLACK THEOLOGY'. Black Theology? Question? Just when has there become a different Bible and Messiah for the black Christians than for other races? There is only ONE Savior Jesus Christ and One Gospel, the Bible for all races. Who do they think they are misusing Christianity like this? No one has that right. If they want to have 'Black Theology', then take the name Christian off their church sign.
The government since 1962 has outlawed prayer in the public schools. It is against the law to display The Ten Commandments in government buildings and public schools. Abortion and homosexuality have become legalized. America has become a nation where raw hedonism and the works of the flesh are catered to and promoted without restraint. America has now become a mirror of the ancient Egyptian Baal society. The modern day church in America has no impact on the morals of society, but the paganized society is having a massive impact on the church. Society is changing the church instead of the church changing society.
A DOUBLE STANDARD REGARDING SEPARATION OF CHURCH AND STATE
UNDER THE GUISE OF 'SEPARATION OF CHURCH AND STATE', politics is supposed to be kept out of the pulpit, yet black and liberals churches are openly preaching politics in their pulpits with impunity. They are even bringing in politicians that they favor to their churches and are promoting them. Yet preachers with conservative or biblical values are threatened if they speak up regarding elections. Again, this is a biased double standard.
THE 911 MEMORIAL SERVICE
*Exodus 20:3 of the Ten Commandments say's, "THOU SHALT HAVE NO OTHER GODS BEFORE ME."Since America has outlawed the Ten Commandments from being on public property, it shows as a nation, it no longer believes in the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. America has lost the fear of God.
*Psalms 9:17 "The wicked shall be turned into hell, and ALL NATIONS THAT FORGET GOD."
MOST PLACES WHERE THE EARLY CHURCH PREACHED AND WHERE THE GOSPEL HAS GONE HAVE RETURNED TO THEIR OLD PAGANISM. IT IS JUST CALLED BY DIFFERENT NAMES, sometimes even under Christian names.
After great revivals, historically every cult and sect immediately has followed it to spoil the harvest. In the name of seeking the deep things of God they have perverted the Gospel and have built their own kingdoms. When the Soviet Union opened up, not only did true Christianity rush in, but every cult as well.
Christ's ideology is totally opposite of the world. That is why they hated and crucified Jesus. It is difficult for true Christianity and paganism to live next to each other without causing friction. True Christianity demands that people change. Throughout history Christians have grown weary with the persecution they have suffered from unbelievers, so enemy opportunists took advantage of this and discretely infiltrated them and slowly moved Christianity towards paganism. The Church found that if it ceased being so dogmatic that they could find a COMFORT ZONE with the pagans and assimilate with them. Then they could coexist together in harmony and find some degree of unity together. By doing this, the church was able to bridge the philosophical gap between them. Satan has had a long range, systematic strategy to de-christianize the world. Pagans now had no difficulty declaring that they are Christians and Christians have no problem mixing with the pagans. The lines of differences between the two have slowly been eradicated. Now the pagans have even gotten in the Bible translating business. They are now changing the Bible from within the ranks of Christianity with many corrupt translations, so that Christianity will conform to their beliefs. (see the article: 'Changing the Bible' www.lorendavis.com)
The morals of the majority of many professing Christians have declined to the same level as the pagans. Many professing Christians lie, steal; commit adultery; practice homosexuality, and still claim to be Christians. Christians are supposed to be different. What's happened? At least one knows what to expect from the pagans, but now many are finding a lot of professing Christians doing the same thing. This behavior has stigmatized the name of Christianity and made Christians look like hypocrites, even though all don't live that way. Of course it is not fair to judge all Christians by what some do, but society lumps us all together. If unbelievers see any phoniness, many unfairly categorize all Christians to be hypocrites.
AN ANCIENT MILITARY STRATEGY IS TO DIVIDE AND CONQUER
*Isaiah 52:5 "MY NAME CONTINUALLY EVERY DAY IS BLASPHEMED."
*Jeremiah 13:10 "This evil people, which REFUSE TO HEAR MY WORDS, which WALK IN THE IMAGINATION OF THEIR HEART, and WALK AFTER OTHER GODS, to serve them, and to worship them, shall even be as this girdle, which is good for nothing."
In the Old Testament when God blessed Israel they invariably backslid and turned away from Him. That same scenario plays out over and over again even today. God's people forget Him and get full of pride and go their own way fter He blesses them.
*Matthew 19:23 "Then said Jesus unto his disciples, Verily I say unto you, That a rich man shall hardly enter into the kingdom of heaven."
THE BIBLE PROPHESIES THAT THE WHOLE WORLD WILL
RETURN TO BAAL AND SATAN WORSHIP
*Revelation 20:2 "And he laid hold on THE DRAGON, that old serpent, WHICH IS THE DEVIL, AND SATAN, and bound him a thousand years."
*Revelation 12:9 "And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which DECEIVETH THE WHOLE WORLD: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him."
*Ephesians 2:2-3 "Wherein in time past ye WALKED ACCORDING TO THE COURSE OF THIS WORLD, ACCORDING TO THE PRINCE OF THE POWER OF THE AIR, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: Among whom also we all HAD OUR CONVERSATION IN TIMES PAST IN THE LUSTS OF OUR FLESH, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were BY NATURE THE CHILDREN OF WRATH, EVEN AS OTHERS."
THE ONLY REASON THAT OTHER RELIGIONS ARE PROLIFERATING TODAY AND THE SPIRIT OF ANTICHRIST IS RISING IS BECAUSE OF THE WIDESPREAD CORRUPTION INSIDE CHRISTIANITY.
*II Thessalonians 2:11-12 "And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that THEY SHOULD BELIEVE A LIE:
THAT THEY ALL MIGHT BE DAMNED WHO BELIEVED NOT THE TRUTH, BUT HAD PLEASURE IN UNRIGHTEOUSNESS."
*I John 5:19 "And we know that we are of God, and THE WHOLE WORLD LIETH IN WICKEDNESS."
There are others who reject Christianity for no other real reason than they just HATE GOD AND JESUS.
*Romans 1:30 "HATERS OF GOD,"
*John 3:20-21 "For EVERY ONE THAT DOETH EVIL HATETH THE LIGHT, NEITHER COMETH TO THE LIGHT, LEST HIS DEEDS SHOULD BE REPROVED. But HE THAT DOETH TRUTH COMETH TO THE LIGHT, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God."
THERE WILL BE A REMNANT WHO WILL NOT BE SEDUCED
*Revelation 12:17 "And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, WHICH KEEP THE COMMANDMENTS OF GOD, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ."
*Romans 9:27 "Esaias also crieth concerning Israel, though the number of the children of Israel be as the sand of the sea, A REMNANT SHALL BE SAVED"
*Revelation 12:10-11 "And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for THE ACCUSER OF OUR BRETHREN IS CAST DOWN, which accused them before our God day and night. And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death."
John 17:14 "I have given them thy word; and the world hath hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.
"John 15:20 "Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also."
Luke 18:8 "I tell you that HE WILL AVENGE THEM SPEEDILY. Nevertheless WHEN THE SON OF MAN COMETH, SHALL HE FIND FAITH ON THE EARTH?"
We know He will find a lot of organized Christianity, but how many will He find that actually believe His Word? Not all preachers, denominations, and churches are corrupt. I am speaking about a big majority of professing Christianity who have rejected some or all of the Bible. It is time to return to the basics of what the Bible and Jesus teaches. Don't throw away Christ and the Bible because of what some preacher or denomination has done. Much of what is called Christianity does not really represent Jesus or the Bible. I am asking you to take a fresh look at Jesus and the Bible. RETHINK YOUR PERCEPTION ABOUT JESUS AND THE BIBLE.
*1 Peter 2:21-22 "For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps: Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth:"
CUNNINGLY DEVISED FABLES
*1 Timothy 4:7 "But REFUSE PROFANE AND OLD WIVES' FABLES, and exercise thyself rather unto godliness."
*Titus 1:14 "Not giving heed to JEWISH FABLES, and COMMANDMENTS OF MEN, THAT TURN FROM THE TRUTH."
*1 Timothy 1:4 "NEITHER GIVE HEED TO FABLES and endless genealogies, which minister questions, rather than godly edifying which is in faith: so do."
*Luke 9:25 "For what is a man advantaged, if he gain the whole world, and LOSE HIMSELF, or be CAST AWAY?"
A COMPARISON OF BAAL AND NEW AGE CHRISTIANITY
THE RELIGIOUS SHELL GAME
THERE HAS BEEN AN UNHOLY ANTI-BIBLE COALITION
*Proverbs 11:21 "THOUGH HAND JOIN IN HAND, THE WICKED SHALL NOT BE UNPUNISHED: the seed of the righteous shall be delivered."
*Jeremiah 25:29 "For, lo, I begin to bring evil on the city which is called by my name, and should ye be utterly unpunished? Ye shall not be unpunished: for I will call for a sword upon all the inhabitants of the earth, saith the LORD of hosts."
*II Thessalonians 3:2 "And THAT WE MAY BE DELIVERED FROM UNREASONABLE AND WICKED MEN: for all men have not faith."
*Isaiah 1:18 "Come now, and let us REASON TOGETHER, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool."
Saul of Tarsus thought he was doing God a service by persecuting and killing the early Christians. Jesus confronted him on the road to Damascus and said, "SAUL, SAUL, WHY PERSECUTEST THOU ME?" If you disagree with the Bible YOU ARE PERSECUTING JESUS.
*2 Corinthians 10:5-6 "CASTING DOWN IMAGINATIONS, AND EVERY HIGH THING THAT EXALTETH ITSELF AGAINST THE KNOWLEDGE OF GOD, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ; And having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled."
*Luke 6:46 Jesus said, "And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?"
*1 Peter 2:9 "But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, AN HOLY NATION, A PECULIAR PEOPLE; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who HATH CALLED YOU OUT OF DARKNESS INTO HIS MARVELOUS LIGHT:"
*Isaiah 60:2 "For, behold, THE DARKNESS SHALL COVER THE EARTH, and GROSS DARKNESS the people: but the LORD shall arise upon thee, and his glory shall be seen upon thee."
*Matthew 5:8 Jesus said, " Blessed are the PURE IN HEART for they shall see God."
PEOPLE ARE HARDER TO REACH WHERE CHRISTIANITY HAS BEEN ESTABLISHED FOR A LONG TIME. WHY? The people of these societies have been burned by false Christianity, false preachers, false Christians, false doctrine, and every kind of scam and misuse of the Bible imaginable exploiting God's people financially. This has been and is being done in the name of the Lord. Where is the 'fear of God'? The Bible says, 'The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom'. Corrupt Christianity is the biggest enemy of Christ.
ONE DOES NOT HAVE TO LIVE IN A GRASS HUT TO BE PAGAN. Ancient Greece, Rome, the Incas, and the Aztecs were all highly developed and sophisticated societies, but were all violent, blood thirsty and morally decadent. Only a remnant of Christians throughout the centuries have refused to compromise the Word of God and stay true to Christ and His teachings in the Bible. They are the 'true Church' of Jesus Christ.
THE WORLD IS REVERTING TO ANCIENT PAGANISM where there are no rules regarding morality and where humanism is exalted making man a god. Many have turned back from Christ because they love the world and the works of the flesh. On the other hand, there are many who still love Christ and the Bible but have rejected the organized church because most have drifted so far from sound doctrine. The reason we are now having to legislate so many laws is that government is trying to control their people who have lost their moral foundation. Question? What else could we expect when we teach moral relativism in our public schools? We can't teach that man is nothing more than an animal and expect him to act any other way. We are just reaping what we have sown. It is the law of 'cause and effect'. No amount of laws will keep a sinner from acting like a sinner. Legislation won't change a sinner. Only Jesus can change a sinner!
THERE IS A PATTERN TO THE RISE AND FALL OF CHRISTIANITY
THESIS, ANTITHESIS, AND SYNTHESIS
ANTITHESIS: The church becomes infiltrated with wolves who bring in unscriptural doctrines of men and of devils. The wolf preachers start exploiting the people in the name of Christ for their own benefit, and change the church from a spiritual institution into a social one. The church then starts fragmenting into many denominations teaching many diverse doctrines. With this schism Christianity then loses its credibility among the people.
THE SYNTHESIS: The Gospel and Christ are rejected because of the corruption, hypocrisy and falsehoods taught in Christ's name. The people then return to their ancient ancestral religions and paganism; or turn to some compromised form of a paganized Christianity, which is a mixture of religions. Others form a hybrid type of Christianity, which conforms to the world and their own personal philosophy. This is what is known as 'politically correct' Christianity.
I am convinced that the reason the Antichrist will be able to gain ascendancy throughout the world is because so many people have been burned by bad things taught and done in the name of Christ.
NOTE: This article is one of the chapters of my book The Paganization of Christianity which can be ordered online at www.lorendavis.com