Deception and doctrinal corruption have been a problem in the Church for as long as the Church has existed. But the sad fact is that it seems to be a growing problem today (II Pet. 2:1). Yes, there seems to be an ever-increasing number of academics and religious leaders in mainline denominations that are blatantly espousing doctrines that clearly contradict what the Bible says. For example, some say, “All prophecy has been fulfilled” (Preterism), “The Church has replaced Israel” (Replacement Theology), “The Jews are ‘occupiers’ on Palestinian land,” “Islam is a religion of peace,” “The way to achieve peace in the Middle East is for Israel to return to the pre-1967 borders,” etc.
The fact that these highly educated religious leaders bend the Word of God and betray the King shouldn’t surprise true Christians. Satan works inside the Church just as much or more than he works outside the Church. He knows he can do a lot of harm by corrupting people inside the Church.
In the Parable of the Wheat and Tares, Jesus taught that there will be a true sowing of the Word of God (wheat) and a false sowing of the Word of God (tares) (Matt. 13:24-43). He said Christians shouldn’t to try to get rid of the make-believers because we might do harm to those who truly believe. The make-believers are a problem that the angels of God will take care of at the end of the age.
In the Parable of the Mustard Seed, Jesus taught that the Church will start out small, but it will eventually grow into an abnormal monstrosity (Matt. 13:31-32). Why: Because pretenders (wicked birds) will flock to the Church and rest on its branches. The true Church is much smaller than it appears to be because wolves in sheep’s clothing have entered it and made it look bigger than it really is.
In his second letter to the Thessalonians, Paul talked about deception and a falling away in the Church (II Thess. 2:3). He said apostasy, or a departure from the faith, in the organized Church will be a major problem before the Antichrist arrives at the end of the age. Many religious leaders would get their hackles up at the suggestion that they are peddling snake oil instead of giving out the pure Word of God, but that is what they are doing. As far as the signs of the Second Coming are concerned, they are misquoting and misrepresenting the Word of God and they don’t know and they couldn’t care less whether they are getting it right or not. They are suppressing and silencing one of the most important subjects in the Bible by ripping out and distorting things that Peter said the Church would be wise to heed (II Pet. 1:19).
In the Seven Letters to the Seven Churches, Jesus taught that the Church Age will end with self-deception and a lukewarm spirit in the Church (Rev. 3:14-22). Whose fault is it that the Church is failing to adequately deal with deception, a lukewarm spirit and the signs of the Second Coming? Its Church leaders who are ignoring what’s going on in the world because they want to focus in on things like tolerance, inclusiveness and political correctness. The educated blind are leading the ordinary blind and it is not going to end up in a pleasing way.
In Revelation chapter 17, Jesus taught that there will be a one-world harlot religion (Mystery, Babylon the Great, the Mother of Harlots and Abominations of the Earth) during the Tribulation Period and, among other things, this harlot religion will support the Antichrist and False Prophet in their efforts to destroy Israel (Rev. 12, 13, 17). The deception and doctrinal corruption of modern Church leaders who say the Church has replaced Israel, the Church is the new Israel, the Jews are occupiers and unbiblical things like that is paving the way for the anti-Semitism that will exist during the Tribulation Period.
Unfortunately, it does a lot of harm. For one thing, many are depending upon the Church to give them the truth, but they are not getting it. Their pastor is like Aaron the priest who built a golden calf and allowed the people to bow down in worthless worship. Aaron strayed from the truth and the people did wrong. What the preacher says should be checked out in the Word of God. All Scripture is reliable, but not all preachers are reliable.
For another thing, people need to know the will of God. He set the boundaries of the land He wanted Abraham and his descendants to have (Gen. 15:18). Then, He made an everlasting covenant to give ALL (not part) of the Promised Land to the Jews forever (Gen. 17:7-8). In other words, the Almighty God has already pre-determined that the Jews will get ALL of the Promised Land and what the boundaries of the Promised Land will be. And the foolish statements of Church leaders who have never been saved or who have departed from the faith and given heed to seducing spirits won’t change the outcome. Even worse, it will pit people against God and they will lose because His character, word and reputation are at stake and He will defend them with vigor.
For another thing, the error and deceit of some religious leaders is blinding most Church members. Major events are taking place that Church members need to be aware of and pray about, but their pastors have put them to sleep and silenced their prayers. The prophecies were given to the Church. God expects the Church to rightly dividing the Word and evangelize the world before it is too late. But poor leadership is spreading ignorance and causing very few to fulfill their God-given task.
For another thing, deception and doctrinal corruption will lead to the judgment of God. It will fall on those who try to force the Pre-1967 borders on Israel (Joel 3:2; Zech. 12:2-3). For whatever its worth, at the time of the end the archangel Michael will stand up forIsrael (Dan. 12:1). Don’t be concerned about the continued existence of Israel. Be concerned about the continued existence of those who are leading people astray and trying to harm Israel. The nations are as dust on the scales to God. He can remove His hand of protection and allow this whole world to change in the twinkling of an eye.
Prophecy Plus Ministries
Daymond & Rachel Duck