The Churches Are Careless and in Deception

Why, then, will the third part of the stars of the heaven fall to the earth when the Lord has promised to keep us? The saints will fall because they are not pure. They love the Lord but there are areas of darkness in them over which the second death still has authority. God, in His love and mercy, will expose his dearly beloved saints to the forces of Satan until all that is of Satan has been drawn out of them and destroyed.

The keeping power of the Lord is based upon our faithful response to His Words. If we keep the Word of His patience, Christ will guard us from the hour of temptation. He will watch over us zealously, making certain that truth is revealed to us whenever we are attacked by the lies of Satan.

But those believers who are careless, who do not lay down their life, who do not take up their personal cross, who do not follow Jesus patiently in every aspect of their personality and behavior, will be deceived. Many will fall in the last days because of the spirit of deception.

For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect. (Matthew 24:24)

The false Christs and false prophets are arising in our day. If such deceivers obviously were false, obviously not of Jesus, there would be no danger of the elect being deceived.

As we are beginning to realize, these false Christs are presenting themselves as Christian leaders.

The lack of prayer in the Charismatic churches is noteworthy. In fact, a shallowness has entered many formerly zealous denominations. It may be true that the false teaching of the pre-tribulation rapture plus the current perversion of Paul's teaching of grace have prevented the kind of intense, consistent praying that keeps the Christian in the center of God's will.

Personal communion with Jesus is lacking among the believers. Music—in some instances manifestly soulish and even satanic music—is taking the place of the revelation of Jesus in the assemblies of the Christians.

The spiritual conflict surrounding us in the present hour is so intense that the worship hour in the assembly must become much more vigorous than that to which we have been accustomed. Many hymns and choruses that we sing must be songs of spiritual war. Marching in the assembly, banners, tambourines, dancing, novel expression with instruments, are all ways in which the level of worship can rise to meet the needs of the hour.

It is not possible for people to sit motionless Sunday after Sunday, sing a few traditional hymns, listen to an introduction, three points, and a conclusion from the pulpit, and then go out and live victoriously as Christ and Antichrist, God and Satan, the Holy Spirit and the False Prophet, face each other in the conflict of the ages.

But we must not permit ourselves to become sidetracked. Music and other artistic expressions are appealing to people and they elevate the soul. They are pleasurable. If they are not balanced with stern admonitions to righteous and holy behavior they may lead into immorality.

To be continued.