Why church folk are conditioned for deception By Minister Speed

In a letter to the Christians at Thessalonica, Paul speaks of a future event he calls "the day of the Lord." He writes:

"We beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him, that ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand. "Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition" (2 Thessalonians 2:1-3).

Some theologians believe the "day of the Lord" Paul refers to here is the final judgment. However, I believe with most scholars that Paul is speaking of Christ second coming. And Paul states that Jesus return will not take place until two things happen:

1. A great apostasy will occur. Many who once knew God will fall away from the truth of the gospel they've known.

2. The Antichrist, or man of sin, will be "revealed."

It should be obvious to every lover of Jesus that a "falling away" is already taking place. Many believers today, as well as Christians throughout the past few decades, have grown cold in their love for God. With that in mind, I’d like to focus on Paul’s second point - that the day of the Lord won’t come until the "man of sin is revealed."

Paul says the mystery is simply this: Satan is going to seduce masses into depths of lawlessness! The Greek word Paul uses for iniquity in this passage means, literally, lawlessness. Therefore, the mystery is one of lawlessness - meaning, multitudes are going to act without law or restraint.

Yet, this lawlessness is not simply a rebellion against the rule of man. It’s not about rebelling against civil authority, or about committing robbery, rape or murder. These things do provoke God’s wrath. But the mystery of lawlessness goes much deeper. It is an outright rejection of the truth that is in Christ - a casting aside of Gods holy word and commands. It is rebellion against the restraints of Holy Scripture!

The sad fact of the matter is, today's evangelical church is headed up by a group of frauds - fakes who present themselves as evangelicals and as the heirs of our evangelical faith, and who trade on the godly reputation of yesterday's evangelicalism, yet all the while they deny the very doctrines which empowered that church and made it what it was. It may be an indication of how close to the end we really are. 

The Bible says, "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 (1 Timothy 4:1).

The Lord's prophecy concerning the greatest end-time deception should warn us that things are not always as they seem. For a deception to be so seductive that even the very elect would take pause to wonder if it is of God, it would have to have all the earmarks of a true work of God. That means it would come in the name of Jesus, it would have a great deal of solid biblical truth, it would affirm the Gospel, and it would be a "good work." And signs and wonders would accompany it. Those who might recognize and expose the deception would be looked upon as divisive, hateful and deceived themselves. For the most part, the churches would go along with the deception.

What is the cause that leads people into apostasy?

Deuteronomy 18: 19-22, is the test of a prophet, and Deuteronomy 13:1-3, is also the test of a prophet, except the Deuteronomy 13 test of a prophet is God's testing of the hearts of the people as to whether they love him or not. Understanding the text correctly, it seems that it was a deliberate act of God to allow a false teacher into their midst. " 

“For the LORD your God proveth you, to know whether ye love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul." (v. 3). God tested the hearts of His people as to whether they were sincere of their love towards Him, and by them going after other god's was indication to God of their insincerity. Does not God test the hearts of His people today?

What did God do with Israel when they went into apostasy? He removed His blessing by permitting other nations to bring them into captivity. This caused them to cry out and repent. Along with seeing God deliver them out of the hands of their oppressors was His awesome power in being able to do this. Even though God was always merciful to Israel, He was not tolerant with them compromising His commandments.

Exalting Man

Many false and apostate wolves’ days are claiming special knowledge with spiritual sounding verbiage that impresses the simple minded and the scholar alike. Many are very charismatic and very educated with great skills.

When these men and women are standing in the church preaching behind a podium I honestly believe that “professing” Christians are being conditioned to believe in a faith that sounds good but is in opposition to the truth and it’s all done in the name of truth. But is all truth God’s truth? God’s Word IS Truth and that is the ONLY Truth we should set our hope upon.

Whether a person demonstrates extraordinary talents or not leads us to label or categorize them in some way.  There comes a time when a man is gifted with awesome talents. Depending upon our personal admiration of their talents it could lead to idolizing them. Placing someone in the position of self exaltation can lead them to believe by popularity they are of greater exceptional quality than others. This in event incites prideful misconceptions with the possibility of delusions of grandiose. It’s the age old problem from the beginning of mankind; Eve lied to by the Serpent that she and Adam could be as god's knowing good and evil. (Genesis Chapter 3)

Prevalent in the church is how leaders are exalting themselves above their adherents. Jesus said, "Neither be ye called masters: for one is your Master, even Christ. But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant. And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted." (Mat. 23:10-12). 

Some movements declare themselves progressively reaching godhood, and exercise intimidation over their flocks for not being at the place of spiritual growth where they are. This attitude of superiority is severely condemned in the New Testament. Christians are "one body" (1 Cor. 12) who should love one another (1 Cor. 13; 1 John). Spiritual gifts are for the Christian community rather than one's individual abuse, and should be exercised in humility rather than pride (Cor. 12, 14; Ephesians 4:11-16). 

Jesus warned His disciples to beware of the doctrine of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees. A little leaven, of unscriptural teachings, will eventually leaveneth the whole.

There is much abuse which goes on towards God's flock by the so called shepherds. Some of the flocks are so mesmerized by the charisma of these false teachers, even if warned; they continue to follow them unquestioningly. We are not without excuse about the possibility of false prophets. The Lord has warned us of such shepherds, and one need to withdraw from them upon realizing this.

Do not be intimidated by what they might have to say if after what you have become aware of and wanting to withdraw when the eyes of your understanding become enlightened. It is your God given right and choice. Please read Ezekiel Chapter 34 and John Chapter 10 for confirmation of this abuse.

In the 6000 years of mankind’s existence, the nature of man has not changed. The pride he had then is identical to the pride he has now. His sinful acts then are identical to his sinful acts today. Mankind is in need of the Savior, the Savior God made provision for through His Son Jesus Christ, from the time they fell into sin. God's mercy has been demonstrated all the way through the entire history of mankind, who was already providing a way out for man from his fallen state immediately after the fall. (Gen 3:15)

The Laodicean Church of today

Rev. 3:14-22 And unto the angel of the church of the Laodicean 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: I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see. 

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.

Much has been made of this passage, using it to point out what is happening today in the apostate churches around the world.  It is true that they believe they are rich in spiritual things when they are very poor.  It can be applied to this the 7^th and last church age which represent this Laodicean and 7^th church in the book of Revelation.

This is significant because, by in large, it is the true Church today that has allowed the movements and men mentioned above to infiltrate and take over the agenda for what is called "Christianity" today.  Many in the Church have allowed heretics and false prophets to fill the airwaves with their apostasy and bring the truth into disrepute.  

Most have not drawn a clear line in the sand among believers and non-believers so that they would be able to understand that the leadership of those movements do NOT represent true biblical Christianity.

Many have not contended for the Faith in order to preserve the truth.  A large part of the true Church is lukewarm, just as Laodicea was addressed by John as part of the true Church. It has sat back and allowed heresy to take a front seat in the representing Christ and His Church while thinking that we are rich and "have need of nothing".  

It has parked itself in expensive pews and sanctuaries and not responded to the all-out attack on the core doctrines of the Faith and lying in the name of God that is taking place in thousands of churches and movements worldwide.  

When does the Bible say about those who use the name of the Lord yet teach heresy and make false prophecies without repentance are our brothers in the Lord?

Galatians 2:4  And that because of false brethren unawares brought in, who came in privily to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into bondage:

Romans 16:17 Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them.

Titus 3:10 A man that is an heretic after the first and second admonition reject;

Yet much of the true Church, by remaining silent, has not rejected the heresy, but instead has allowed the influence of these false brethren into our churches.  Many use their methods and materials.  They read their books and sing their songs.  Most pray with them using their agendas on the National Day of Prayer.  

Many watch them on TV saying they can eat the meat and spit out the bones, while actually being brought into bondage by their brainwashing.  How is it that the true churches that remain believe they will be spared judgment for, in effect, being ashamed (Mark 8:38) to stand up for the name of Christ today?  

The fact is that many true churches and true believers have been taught not to judge by the very people who need to be judged!  

The book of John Chapter 24 verse 7 states “Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment.”  This means we judge according to the word of God and yes, we are to judge or test the spirits to see if they are of God.

Many true biblical churches and individual Christians today think they are fine because they say they are saved when, in fact, they are disobeying the commands of the Lord, thus proving they do not really love Him (John 14:24, John 15:10).  They are actually "wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked".  

What needs to happen is for true believers today to buy gold refined in the fire of standing for the truth (Ephesians 6:14) and being persecuted for it (2 Timothy 3:12).  This is EXACTLY what many discernment and apologetic ministries including this one have done and have had to stand ridicule from both the apostate churches and from true believers.  

Those who are born again and wear the white clothes need to stop dirtying them by consorting with apostates.  We can pray for them and try to pull them from the fire (Jude 1:23) when the Lord opens the door, but we must mark and avoid them (Romans 16:17) until they come to the Faith or return to it. 

Otherwise how can the world know what true Christianity is all about?  The true Church and true Christians need to ask for wisdom from God to open their blind eyes they have turned on what is happening to the cause of Christ before the world today.

True believers need to REPENT of this adultery with the world, the flesh, and those who serve the enemy (1 John 3:8) instead of the Gospel!  We all have a lot to overcome and so we must, by faith (1 John 5:4), be over comers.

The Great Apostasy

The change from the church of Philadelphia to the Church of Laodicea is what the Bible refers to as the “great falling away” or the great apostasy.  As I stated above we are in the last Church Age known as the Laodicean Church Age.  This church age will be marked by Great Apostasy, Prosperity, Spiritual Delusion, Lack of Repentance or Confession, and complete Lawlessness.

“Let no one deceive you by any means; for that Day will not come unless the falling away comes first” (2 Thessalonians 2:3-12).

Historically, there has always been apostasy in Christendom. Therefore this great and final sign before the beginning of the Great Tribulation has to stand out from all the other heresies and cults of the last 2,000 years. As with the other signs of the times that Jesus gave, like birth pangs, the ultimate fulfillment will be an extreme case compared to the similar signs leading up to it. Jesus said that in this world we will have tribulation and indeed we have, but the Great Tribulation will be a global condition that makes all other crises in history pale by comparison.

Conditions in the world are gearing up for the time that God will pour out His wrath on a Christ-rejecting world. And the apostate church, in bed with the world, is also rising in power and global unity. God will allow them both to prosper and take root until the cup of His indignation is full and ready to be poured out. :” Revelation 14:10 he himself shall also drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out full strength into the cup of His indignation. He shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels and in the presence of the Lamb)”:

It is not my intention to paint the T.D Jakes, Preachers of L.A, or The Crefelo Dollar’s as apostates, but to sound a warning of the direction I see these false prophets taking away from the faith once and for all delivered to the saints. If they heed the warning, not only sounded by me but by many voices of concerned watchmen in the church, they still have time to repent and make a course correction before they are totally given over to believe a lie and be damned. If they have no love for the truth, the Bible says that is their fate.

 “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 that they all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness.”                  (2 Thessalonians 2:10-12