"Moreover, brethren, I do not want you to be unaware that all our fathers were under the cloud, all passed through the sea, all were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea, all ate the same spiritual food, and all drank the same spiritual drink. For they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them, and that Rock was Christ...A mixed multitude went up with them also... with most of them God was not well pleased...they were scattered in the wilderness. (~1Cor10:1-5, Ex12:38)

"..they could not enter in because of unbelief." (Heb3:19)

"For I know this, that... savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock. "Also from among yourselves men will rise up, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after themselves. (Acts 20:29-30)

Here we see some characteristics of the "church" (small "c") which will keep its members from reaching God's presence in heaven.

Notice what Paul says about Israel; first of all remembering that Abraham had been specially chosen out of Ur to become the father of His special people.(Gen12:1-3) And later Israel would be called the "apple of His eye."(Deu32:10) God had delivered them out of bondage in Egypt. They had ALL passed through the Red Sea; typical of "baptism." (1Cor10:2) They had continual "communion," partaking of "Christ" (vs4) as they drank from the rock smitten for them, and ate "angel's food."(Ps78:25) They were "Personally" led by God with the pillar of cloud/fire. Here we have a group that MOST CERTAINLY has to be God's people. See..they even have a tabernacle, priests and sacrifices. Look what God is doing among them!

Today we see a "great move of god" in the world! Just look at the thousands and millions engaging in dialogue. Learning to love one anoth- er.(Jn13:35) And breaking down barriers and becoming "united." (Jn17) Eradicating animosities due to ethnic differences.(Gal3:28) Just look at all the "signs & wonders" being performed as people are "healed" and demon-possessed..uh! Sorry! "spirit-filled."(Joel2:28) We have great big huge buildings where people attend by the thousands. They sing the songs and hymns. Listen to their preachers. They go forward in tears of "commitment." They engage in campaigns to bind demon spirits and evangelize... Oh! Sorry! With the new ecumenism, evangelism (Mt28:19) is no longer needed, is it, because we are now "working out our differ- ences" and becoming "one." See how "triumphant" the church has become!

"But with MOST OF [Israel] God was not well pleased."(vs5) The things written, were written as examples NOT TO be followed.(vs6)

Even as Moses was on the mountain receiving the law, Israel was bowing down to a golden calf and worshiping it, like the heathens around them.(vs7) Today that which is labeled "christian" jointly worships with heathens; catholic-baal, mother-earth animal-spirit guides, eastern mysticism. In heathen worship Israel engaged in sexual immorality. (vs8) One of the fastest growing male cults today engages in the teachings of ancient phallic worship; even claiming that Jesus was such a person! What about all the "little christs" running around, pretending to wield God's power.

As then, so today. With MOST OF THEM God is not well pleased. What happened to those with whom God was not well pleased? They were "scattered in the wilderness."(vs5) They did not get to go into the land of "promise." For Israel, their ultimate redemption out of Egypt was to take possession of the land which had been promised to their forefather, Abraham.(Gen13:15) And why did they not take possession? "Sin" and "unbelief." (Heb3:17,19)

When was the last time you heard a sermon from your pastor about "sin" and the need for "repentance"? When was the last time any well- known "famous" evangelist spoke on these topics? They no longer like to speak of these things, because they are "uncomfortable" to talk about. People will not flock to their meetings in droves. (Remember the "broad way" and the "MANY who go in by it." -Mt7:13) It is much more "pleasant" to talk about God's "love" and "mercy." But, without sin as the reference point, God's love, mercy and grace have no meaning. (Rom5:20) So people are invited to "believe and receive" a Jesus, of Whom they have no idea what He did, nor why. They preach "as many as received Him.."(Jn1:12), ignoring Christ's command to preach "repentance and remission of sins." (Lk24:47) ...without which, "receiving Him" is an impossibility. "Truly, these times of ignorance God overlooked, but now commands all men everywhere to repent, (Acts17:30)

What is the source of this false christianity? Israel had a "mixed multitude" that joined them out of Egypt. Often in Scripture, "Egypt" is a type of the "world." To "come out of" Egypt is like repentance. To "go to Egypt" a type of backsliding. So, the people of the world mixed in with Israel. They became a part of Israel, sharing in all the blessings God was showering upon His people.

Jesus spoke of the enemy scattering the wheat with tares. (Mt13:25) What happens in a garden or field in which weeds are allowed to proliferate? Either production is greatly reduced, or in severe cases, the weeds can completely overtake the desired plants. In similar fashion, we have a church that has engaged in recruiting the unsaved to participate, lead; and even teach and preach, before they were proven. (1Tm3:6,5:22) Just as a thistle never becomes a potato plant, and can, in fact, hinder the potatoes that are there; an unsaved person "ministering" will never become a Christian (capital "C"); but you can COUNT ON the True Believers becoming compromised. As these "thistles" preach a watered down "gospel" nobody truly is saved. And it, thus, takes no time at all to end up with a "church" containing no Believers.

Wake up, Christian!! The "thistles" have been preaching for decades. Is it any wonder there are hardly any Believers in the pews!!

This leads to the other source. The men "from among yourselves." (Acts20:30) You see, the "apostasy" prophesied in 1Tm4:1~ and 2Tm3:1~ is not something which comes from "atheistic communism" or "persecuting Muslims." It has come FROM WITHIN the organized "church." If "thistles" have gained a foothold and are preaching, what do their messages produce? More thistles. Weeds. Not "wheat" (Christians). A non-Believer CANNOT PRODUCE a Believing Christian! Note this well! "..a good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor a bad tree..good fruit." (~Mt7:16-18)

What is the outcome for thistles? "At the time of harvest I will say, "First gather together the tares and bind them in bundles to burn them..."(Mt13:30) "Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire."(Mt7:19)

Are you "of" the church? Are you a product of Wheat, or thistles? Look at what happened to the majority in Israel, as an object lesson. Look at your heart and consider.. "..let him who thinks he stands [because of his church heritage] take heed lest he fall."(1Cor10:12) "If you seek Him, He will be found by you; but if you forsake Him, He will cast you off forever."(1Chr28:9)

Amen!