\u201cThis past week I was given a videotape \u2026 and I listened to the speakers, and I was dumbfounded. Listen to what was said: \u2018A speaker got up and said if a poor widow on welfare hands you 5 dollars, you better take it. Elijah took the widow\u2019s last meal. You are the anointed one. You deserve it. You take it.\u2019 The same speaker said I live in an 8,000-square-foot house. I\u2019m going to build a bigger one now \u2014 one that King Solomon would be proud of. I just paid 15,000 dollars for a dog. You see this gorgeous ring on my finger? I was in Jamaica and paid 32,000 dollars for it. He said I want you to know that when the people in my town come past my mansion and they see my Royals Royce sitting in the driveway, then they will know there is a God in Heaven.<\/p>\n
Now you tell me that\u2019s the Gospel??!! You tell me you can\u2019t weep over that!!!!\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n
Indeed, a false gospel emphasizes the material over the spiritual, or it equalizes the material with the spiritual. Either way, it\u2019s unacceptable.<\/p>\n
Jesus admonished,\u00a0\u201cAnd what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul? Is anything worth more than your soul?\u201d (Mark 8:36).\u00a0Nothing takes precedence over a right relationship with God, and being right with God can be costly. Moreover, walking upright before God often means living sacrificially.<\/p>\n
False religion has no desire for Christ and his righteousness. Instead, it treats God like a celestial ATM. It\u2019s not about loving and obeying God. It\u2019s about what one can get out of him.<\/p>\n
The woman is described as holding a golden cup filled with abominations and impurities, symbolizing her promotion of false teachings and practices. Walvoord says:<\/p>\n
\n\u201cThe picture of the woman as utterly evil signifies spiritual adultery, portraying those who outwardly and religiously seemed to be joined to the true God but are untrue to this relationship. The symbolism of spiritual adultery is not ordinarily used of heathen nations who know not God, but always of people who outwardly carry the name of God while actually worshipping and serving other gods.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n
Prominent in the news lately have been controversial statements and actions made by Pope Francis and Pastor Andy Stanley, son of the famed pastor from Atlanta, the late Dr. Charles Stanley.<\/p>\n
Pope Francis responded to questions from five conservative cardinals, affirming the Catholic church\u2019s teaching on marriage as a union exclusively between one man and one woman. However, the Pope suggested the Church should explore forms of blessing same-sex unions that do not convey a mistaken conception of marriage. This has prompted pushback from conservative Catholic cardinals, who have legitimately expressed concerns about potential confusion and the presentation of homosexual acts as morally acceptable.<\/p>\n
Will the Church also bless the union of heterosexual couples that cohabitate? What about the unions of those who are polyamorous? Shall the Church bless sin? God forbid!<\/p>\n
Blessing same-sex marriages, as well as other unions that do not constitute a marriage, no matter how well-intended, would be like attaching a Jaguar\u2019s hood ornament to a Ford Focus in the hope of making it seem a little more like a luxury car. Yet, all it would really do is confuse people as to what both cars are. One is a high-end car, with advanced technology, and designed for superior performance. While the other is just a compact car, with very few comforts or amenities, and made for fuel efficiency. In terms of automotive hierarchy, one is and one isn\u2019t!<\/p>\n
In a parallel development, evangelical Pastor Andy Stanley hosted a conference addressing the Church\u2019s relationship with LGBTQ, and featuring gay speakers who promote LGBTQ on the platform. This move by Stanley understandably garnered criticism from conservative Christians, including Southern Baptist Theological Seminary president, Al Mohler Jr., who argued it could seriously water down Christian doctrine.<\/p>\n
The Church of England is also considering formal recognition of same-sex relationships through blessings, sparking serious discussions among Anglicans.<\/p>\n
\u201cIn her hand, she held a gold goblet full of obscenities and the impurities of her immorality.\u201d The nations drink from her golden chalice the wine of her spiritual obscenities, impurities, and immorality.<\/p>\n
Nevertheless, this kind of religion is tasteful to the world. It is an appealing religion for the sinful masses \u2014 one that craves power \u2014 one that does not need to rely on God because it relies on the state \u2014 one that is rich and comfortable \u2014 one that requires no cross to bear \u2014 one where there is no narrow road \u2014 one where there is little or no resistance \u2014 one where sensual pleasures can be freely indulged \u2014 one where material possessions are the measure of all things, and personal arrogance is a virtue.<\/p>\n
Note, the woman is said to be intoxicated with the blood of the saints. Mark it down: False religion will not tolerate or live long with true faith in Christ before it seeks to stamp it out.\u00a0<\/p>\n
In America today, most mainline churches are doctrinally compromised and there has been insufficient influence for right living on the nation\u2019s culture. The result has been unprecedented assaults on religious liberty and the marginalization of Christians who are determined to live by the Bible\u2019s teachings.<\/p>\n
In the end, this temptress, this spiritual turncoat, this mercenary of faith, who is dressed to the nines and soused by the blood of the Lord\u2019s precious martyrs, rides upon the back of a scarlet beast with seven heads and 10 horns.<\/p>\n
In the past, this fornicating woman has been Egypt, literal Babylon, apostate Jerusalem, the Roman Empire, the historical Papal States, and more recently totalitarian regimes which have suppressed religious freedom, promoted atheism, and persecuted people who have lived by the apostle Paul\u2019s motto:\u00a0\u201cFor me, living means living for Christ and dying is even better\u201d (Philippians 1:21).\u00a0Out of her lust for power, popularity, and prominence, she has made her bed of whoredom with many rulers through the ages.<\/p>\n
Her last manifestation will be her grand finale. United with the Antichrist and his global government, she will be unsparing of all things godly. As Johnson suggests, she will be \u201cthe complete or full source of evil power and blasphemy.\u201d Walvoord puts it succinctly, saying that what has been true of her in the past \u201cwill be brought to its ultimate in this future time.\u201d<\/p>\n
But her destruction will come suddenly, and the curtain will fall for the next scene \u2014 \u00a0the greatest scene of all \u2014 Jesus will appear in power and glory.<\/p>\n
The drama now nears its happy ending. Everyone who repents and believes in Christ, while there is still time, will share in the blissful conclusion.<\/p>\n
With earnestness, the Scriptures reprove, saying:<\/p>\n
\u201cThe day of the Lord\u2019s return will come unexpectedly, like a thief in the night.\u00a0When people are saying, \u2018Everything is peaceful and secure,\u2019 then disaster will fall on them as suddenly as a pregnant woman\u2019s labor pains begin. And there will be no escape \u2026 So be on your guard, not asleep \u2026 Stay alert and be clearheaded. Night is the time when people sleep and drinkers get drunk. But let us who live in the light be clearheaded, protected by the armor of faith and love, and wearing as our helmet the confidence of our salvation\u201d (I Thessalonians 5:2,3, 6-8).<\/p>\n
Are you confident of salvation?\u00a0If not, you need to settle the matter with God quickly.<\/p>\n