" The church? ...on Not Getting into Heaven "
"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!
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