Get Ready for the End (part 3)

Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him. –Proverbs 30:5.

What can you believe? Who do you trust? As Christians, we must not trust in man, but in the Lord. We will trust in His infallible Word, and the Holy Spirit’s leading in conjunction with it. I consider the King James Bible to be my one source of sure TRUTH.

In recent weeks, I have tried to sound the alarm for fellow believers that World War III is about to let loose, and it’s time to prepare. The situation with North Korea has been drawing our attention of late. Frankly, war with North Korea was a sure thing (according to all the reliable information brought forth), but now there has been an overture of peace from them: things seem to be looking better on that front. But are they?

As I shared in the previous 2 parts of GET READY FOR THE END, there are plans for three world wars, and therefore World War III is a planned event; it will happen, and Bible prophecy also indicates it (Revelation 9:13-19). God isn’t trying to scare us, but rather is warning us of what is about to be. All the signs we are seeing strongly indicate that the time is upon us.

Has anyone noticed the tensions with Russia? We are actually “butting heads” with them in several geographic locations, and now there is this alleged spy poisoning episode. And this doesn’t only involve the United States, but European and Asian countries, as well. As for North Korea, nothing has changed. The Lord has shown me that there will be conflict with them. The only way for this to have changed for the positive is if North Korea had immediately allowed United Nations’ teams to come in and start dismantling their nuclear weapons & programs. All that they have done is to buy more time. This they have done with false promises for over 20 years: and they will be able to complete their objectives without more missile tests. Does anyone really believe that they would give up their nukes, after decades of deceit trying to get them? They are even building a monument for their feat of developing nuclear weapons.

The Middle East is also ready to ignite into war: Syria is now the prime staging ground for Israel, the U.S., Russia, Turkey, Lebanon, Jordan, Iraq, Iran, Saudi Arabia, and now China. Brethren, it is time to PREPARE. God has chosen for us to live in this time, so let’s behave as His faithful children, and glorify Him.

For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. –II Timothy 1:7.

We need to take this time seriously! This war will not be like our past wars, which largely had no effect on our homeland. We will be bombed, we will be invaded, and we are being judged. Not only are tensions incredibly high, but there is the timing of certain events, as well. April will see the end of the year of Jubile: yes, I was right about that in part 1, but not in the way I thought it  applied. May 14th will be Israel’s 70th anniversary of becoming a nation. This is also the 100th year since the end of World War I. How these anniversaries will be used, I cannot say. But please remember what I have written previously about this coming World War: it will be used as the catalyst to bring about a One-World Government, and ultimately the antichrist. The “rapture” of Christians doesn’t happen before this war, but at the end of the said tribulation period. The Bible tells us that this war will kill a third of mankind. At present, that would be about 2.5 billion people! There is no way I can foresee the exact progression of events or the timetable, but we need to GET READY NOW, while we still have time to do so.

The greatest concern that any of us should have is for the eternal welfare of ourselves and our families. We must repent of our sins, and ask God to forgive us for Jesus His Son’s sake. We can only be forgiven because of Jesus, and His death on the cross, which atoned for our sins. To repent means that we are truly sorry for our sinful lives, and with such remorse that there is a change within us which wants to turn away from further sinning. I assume that mostly Christians will be reading this, so the message of salvation should be well known to you. But you should also be presenting it to unsaved loved ones, even though they may not like it. Our earthly time is quickly running out, and eternity awaits. Beyond this, you should pray deeply for the wisdom which only God can provide for your specific circumstance. You may want to pray about moving- maybe internationally. Try to lay up a supply of food and water, hopefully at least a month’s worth, and try to have some cash available in case computer systems go down.

Most of all, professing Christians, you need to seek SEPARATION from the world and to live as the “strangers & pilgrims” that the Bible describes us as being. Time as we know it is really coming to an end. Let’s not let anything rob us of God’s priceless gift, eternal life.

Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty. –II Corinthians 6:14-18.

I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth. Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked: I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see. As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent. –Revelation 3:15-19.

Reflecting Upon Billy Graham

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. Behold, I have told you before. –Matthew 24:24, 25.

It hasn’t been long now since the Reverend Billy Graham passed away, and I am still reading tributes to his life and service, usually from some personal standpoint, and usually from politicians or celebrities. His life certainly was one of much public acclaim.

Yet Billy Graham has also drawn strong criticism in some conservative Christian circles: and so especially if you were a fan of his, I’d like to go over a few things from a more Biblical point of view. Please read this through, because it is meant for your benefit. Many others have already pointed out the doctrinal problems with Billy Graham, so I don’t plan to spend a great amount of time rehashing them. Frankly, for those who loved Mr. Graham, his critics usually only offend them, and don’t make any difference in their opinion. But the critics are sound in their Biblical, doctrinal protests: while those who protest against the protesters do so primarily from emotion, and superficial perception. Christians, we must follow the Bible;

Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables. –II Timothy 4:2-4.

The Lord taught me an important lesson many years ago along the same lines of emphasis in this blog. I was born again in Jesus Christ near the beginning of my teen years, and then went away from my home area to a college area for about 8 years. I fell away from the Lord during that time. God chastened me sore, and I repented, and eventually came back to the same church of my teen years.

Of course it was a different pastor by then, but he seemed pretty consistent with the previous pastor, and the denomination. Having “come back” to the Lord, I was still dealing with much carnal baggage, and I was hungry to learn and grow in Christ. The altar call is a big part of that church, and I think you could hardly ever get beyond 3 consecutive services without an altar call invitation being given at the end of a service. As a teen, I saw big responses to the altar call, and there were often 20-60 that would go up to kneel and pray for their concerns. I wouldn’t see such responses with this pastor. On a number of occasions, I thought his sermon was really good; one that would bring a flood of people to the altar- but the most I ever saw was 6, and that number only once. I could hardly believe the lack of response to what seemed, for myself, to be a great message. What was wrong?

Over the years, I got to know the pastor through some interesting situations. I found that he really wasn’t a pastor following Bible teaching. As I grew, I also began to notice the additions he was making to the Word of God, and it was really demeaning to both faith, and our Savior. And so I asked the Lord, once I knew who this man really was spiritually, how I could have grown or been so blessed by his sermons? The Lord showed me that because I was His, and seeking Him for growth, that the Holy Spirit was then teaching me directly, even though the human vessel apparently didn’t really even belong to Him. Is this possible? The Bible says yes!

What man is he that feareth the LORD? him shall he teach in the way that he shall choose. –Psalm 25:12.

And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. –Romans 8:28.

But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him. –I John 2:27.

Let us consider also the example of Caiaphas, who was the schemer behind Jesus’ death: he hadn’t exactly been “born again,” had he?

Then gathered the chief priests and the Pharisees a council, and said, What do we? for this man doeth many miracles. If we let him thus alone, all men will believe on him: and the Romans shall come and take away both our place and nation. And one of them, named Caiaphas, being the high priest that same year, said unto them, Ye know nothing at all, Nor consider that it is expedient for us, that one man should die for the people, and that the whole nation perish not. And this spake he not of himself: but being high priest that year, he prophesied that Jesus should die for that nation; And not for that nation only, but that also he should gather together in one the children of God that were scattered abroad. –John 11:47-52. (underlining added)

Only too many times do we Christians tend to “justify the medium” of God’s outreach. God reaches out us in our natural state, as sinners (Romans 5:8), and not because we have made some righteous choice that merits His attention. In reality, this would be justifying our works before being saved. We are not judging righteously, but by appearance. In Acts 2 Peter is filled with the Holy Ghost, preaches, and 3,000 come to the Lord. In Acts 7 it is Stephen who is full of the Holy Ghost, and is stoned to death after speaking! Both men are right, aren’t they? The apparent end result can be misleading.

Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment. –John 7:24.

For the average Christian listening to a Billy Graham sermon, it would usually seem to be pretty good. When we would see dozens of people streaming down toward the altar after he had preached, on the surface it would look like a real move of the Holy Spirit. But the Word of God is the Christian standard, and we need to review all things in light of it.

And the brethren immediately sent away Paul and Silas by night unto Berea: who coming thither went into the synagogue of the Jews. These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so. –Acts 17:10, 11.

All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works. –II Timothy 3:16, 17.

As a young believer, returned from backsliding, there was something troubling to me about Billy Graham. I came to see just how well received he was all around the world- even in the godless Communist nations, by those very governments! Something was wrong. I read in John chapters 5-12 how Jesus was more or less fleeing for His life; and that from the leadership of God’s own people! If this was the lot of the flawless Son of God, then why should any true Christian leader be welcomed by governments that openly oppose religion, and God? Jesus also taught that His disciples would be just like Him- with no exceptions mentioned.

The disciple is not above his master, nor the servant above his lord. It is enough for the disciple that he be as his master, and the servant as his lord. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebub, how much more shall they call them of his household? –Matthew 10:24, 25.

If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you. –John 15:19.

God warned us greatly of spiritual deception, and those bringing it. Why is it that today, it seems like the church doesn’t think it can be deceived? It may not be immediately obvious with a smooth-talking salesman like Mr. Graham. What we have seen in him is “a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof:” we are to turn away from such (II Timothy 3:5). Let us seriously view God’s warnings;

Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood. For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them. Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears. –Acts 20:28-31.

But what I do, that I will do, that I may cut off occasion from them which desire occasion; that wherein they glory, they may be found even as we. For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works. –II Corinthians 11:12-15.

For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables. –II Timothy 4:3, 4.

BUT there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction. – II Peter 2:1.

Yet this next scripture I’d like to go over in some detail, and is directly from Jesus’ mouth;

13)Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: 14)Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.15) Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. 16)Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? 17)Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. 18)A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.19) Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. 20)Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them. 21)Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. 22)Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? 23)And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. –Matthew 7:13-23.

This section of scripture begins by reminding us that only few will be saved, and that the way is narrow, not wide. Please see my blog, The Salvation of the Few; because it really is very few. The response that we have seen for Billy Graham is very broad, and very ecumenical. Luke 6:26 says, “Woe unto you, when all men shall speak well of you! for so did their fathers to the false prophets.” This is important, because verse 15 follows with an opening warning about false prophets- and how they will appear to be good and harmless.

Then we get into the fruit aspect, and here is where many really miss the full emphasis: Jesus mentions not only the outward fruit, but the nature of the plant bringing it forth. When Eve was tempted by the serpent (Genesis 3) to eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, the fruit looked very desirable- but she knew that the tree was bad, and to be avoided. Therefore we ought to look all the more deeply, to be sure that the good looking fruit we want to partake of isn’t merely  bait in luring us to our destruction.

After this introduction, Jesus “connects the dots” of our understanding by telling us plainly about false teachers. Not everyone that steps forward as a Christian really is one. The example being used here is not even one of an average church layman, but an exceptional one, a leader that we would look up to. Jesus says that MANY will be in such a state before Him! These men proclaimed to be of Christ, and did great works, even to the point of casting out devils. But in fact, they never knew Jesus. These people did not stand before the judgment of God thinking that they could fool Him! No, these all died having been deceived themselves. These verses ought to be a somber warning for us. But how then could we know what is really right? The next verses in Matthew 7:24-27 give us the key to discernment; knowing, believing, and obeying God’s Word.

Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock: And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock. And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand: And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it.

Many years after I had noticed the problem of Billy Graham acceptance by communists, I purchased the book, Billy Graham and his Friends by Dr. Cathy Burns: a very detailed, well researched work on the subject. This brought my spiritual misgivings into a more evidence based objection to Mr. Graham. Here are several points to consider; 1) As for communism, Billy Graham actually worked against the real Christian leaders in those nations, turning over their names to the state. These nations allow churches, but the communist government determines what can be preached. The genuine church of Christ is an underground movement. 2) Billy did a lot for the ecumenical movement in bringing the Protestant Church back to the feet of Rome (Catholicism). The two are Biblically incompatible. There was a reason for the Protestant reformation, and why those standing for it were risking their lives! The Catholic faith is really just Baal worship, with names from Christian tradition substituted for the pagan ones. As an example, this sun-god tradition had a “queen of Heaven,” which was Venus or Diana in Roman times, which Mary the mother of Jesus replaced. The ecumenical emphasis of Graham is a set-up for the coming reign of the Antichrist. 3) The Bible teaches us that Jesus is the only way into Heaven (John 14:6), and that His is the only name (Acts 4:12) by which to be saved. Billy Graham believes that every person’s religion will work, and he proclaimed this many times in interviews. Jews, Muslims, Catholics, Buddhists, they will all find God in their religious system. When any of these other faiths would respond to a Graham altar-call, they were always sent back to the place of worship where they had been before! What gospel did Graham really preach? 4) Mr. Graham had some questionable friends in high places. They magnified his career, and he would not offend them. He declared many persons to be Christian that are of the vilest nature. He was a friend of the world, and therefore the enemy of God (James 4:4). You will need to do your own research to get more, but there’s plenty of material out there.

Yet after so much clear evidence is shown, many will still stubbornly hold on to their fondness for Billy Graham. Such a protest might go like this, “So Billy Graham had some problems- we all do! We may not understand it, but doesn’t the evidence show God at work?” My first response would be Matthew 7:21-23, already mentioned. I also went over how that God may reach a soul through an unsavory vessel. But if someone thinks that the positive Graham evidence is seen when he gave altar calls, think again. When the Billy Graham “crusade” would come to town, it would meet with the local churches ahead of the event. These churches provided hundreds of volunteers for prayer support at the altar calls. These people were strategically seated around the stadium or auditorium, and followed a script as to when to make their way up front! This went a long way to giving an appearance of a Holy Ghost move! It would also act as a deceptive motivator for people to go up front, thinking that many were coming. I’m not judging each individual, but I know that these altar calls had a lot of staging in them.

There is an incredible blindness that has swept over our nation, and world. Satan is herding us to the slaughterhouse, and we are too caught up in life to see it. Have any of you been noticing how incredibly evil the United States has become? Billy Graham has been called, “America’s pastor.” I have no problem with that title for him! To look around us at what this nation has become, and the further course we are headed on, only verifies the Graham doctrine. He took no stand against evil, but embraced all of mankind, as if they had already repented of their sins. Jesus wanted us to stand against sin, and preach the cross, which He bore for our sins.
If you have been born again, saved through the blood of Jesus Christ, this is a work of God alone. Jesus said in His Word that salvation with men is impossible, but that with God, all things are possible. Salvation doesn’t lie in a human leader, does it? We need to learn the truth, and stand up for it; not just for ourselves, but because all men need the real salvation which only Jesus can bring.

And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming: Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness. –II Thessalonians 2:8-12. Bold type emphasis added.

Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. –John 8:31,32. Underlining added for enphasis.