Sunday, February 03, 2013

Open Blasphemy


OPEN BLASPHEMY

Can you be arrested? I use the word “arrested” not in the sense of being arrested, but can your being be arrested? Can you feel or sense the fear of God anymore when you see and hear what is taking place this very day around the world? I am going to provide you with two evidences of overt demonic activity, both from different genres, but both which have the same source. One may arrest your being while the other to which we have become insulated. One is disturbing while the other we can just disagree with over coffee. One seems incredulous while the other may not move us as much. One may shock you while the other may provide a forum for doctrinal disagreement.

But I identify the difference between the two examples I will provide only because I want us all to see how easy it is to feel a sense of doctrinal outrage without it having a life changing impact upon us. And the other will seem so far out and so demonic that we may be shocked. However both are demonic in nature and both should open our hearts to the Spirit’s voice in these last days. However both revelations of the demonic seem to have no observable affect upon the church even though many could provide ample exegetical evidence that Biblically refutes these demonic manifestations.

And using Scripture to confront error must always be our foundation, however it must not end there. But for this study let us proceed further.

I Tim.4: Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils;
2 Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron;

Matt.24: 4 And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you.
5 For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many.

Remember these teachings as you watch this first video. Fast forward to 15:48 and watch for a few minutes HERE.

Now does that send chills up your spine? Do you think that is an isolated case? There are literally hundreds if not thousands of cults such as these fully operating around the world. Could you feel the demonic presence in that so called festival? Oh yes, we all can agree with something as blasphemous as that. Someone pretending to be Jesus Christ reincarnated is an easy target for our discernment antenna. You can feel the demonic in an event such as this. But can you sense the same level of demonic activity in this next video? Fast forward to 23:00 and listen for a few minutes HERE.
 
The man being interviewed is a pastor named Shane Hipps. He was hired by Rob Bell as an assistant and subsequently took over as pastor when Bell left. He is no longer the pastor at Mars Hill Church. But let us dissect his assertion that just because he is a Christian does not mean he is closer to Jesus than a Muslim. Do you know that the overwhelming majority of Muslims do not believe that Jesus was crucified, and that much of Islam teaches God presented someone else who looked like Jesus on the cross? Did you know that? Hipps I’m sure knows that.

So in an open interview Hipps maligns the crucifixion of Christ and counts it as nothing as it pertains to being close to Jesus. Can there be any greater blasphemy? All these pretenders are nothing more than religious philosophers. Men like Hipps and Bell have millions of followers, and Bell’s materials have made him wealthy. But to be sure, all who support them are partakers of their evil deeds. And their blasphemies are every bit as diabolical as the man who pretends to be Jesus. Both are presenting another Jesus.

Now who is more dangerous, the man pretending to be Jesus or the man pointing to a false Jesus? Yes, they are both blasphemers, however the man being interviewed is having much more influence and is embraced by much of the evangelical community. The man in Siberia is affecting a few thousand while Hipps is reaching millions. And unless you believe in predetermination the stakes here are for the souls of men.

Surely the end as prophesied by Jesus is upon us. And the evangelical community goes about its business with no more concern that they show for higher gas prices. The wolves have not snuck in; they have been invited in. And the video shares a discernment group's review of Hipp’s blasphemy, however they fail to ask this penetrating question, “How could this have happened?” Why is the church in America, yes our church, so benign and powerless that heresies like this can be spoken openly and publicly without even blushing?

This kind of theology is nothing more than a works salvation that doesn’t even need Jesus anymore. The Scriptures are now irrelevant. All religions lead to God now. And yet even with this kind of open blasphemy who will lose any sleep? Tens of millions of people will file out of church today smiling and shaking hands and heading for the football festivities. Look around, you may have seen the last breath of the evangelical church. Weep now if the tears will come.

9 comments:

Least Brother said...

Dear Brother – let me first say that I have no training or knowledge of biblical hermeneutics or exegesis. I actually had to look up the words and definitions to make sure I spelled them correctly. That being said, IMHO I believe that it is very possible we are seeing a fulfillment of 2nd Thessalonians 2:11-12. I often ask the Lord in my prayers to be merciful and keep me from this judgment. I tremble to consider these matters and cling to Jesus for endurance to the end.

Blessings

Cherie c. said...

How can this happen Pastor? The same answer, I believe is this:
How can a person lie to your face and then blame you for the lie?

Sin and Pride. The church you speak of....

"Why is the church in America, yes our church, so benign and powerless that heresies like this can be spoken openly and publicly without even blushing?" isn't the church. It is a church filled with the world, so that is how this can happen. This is why we who are the church are being and will be persecuted in the days to come. Here in America the persecution is light, but there will come a time when it will be more severe.

I, as Least Brother, have no training or hermeneutic expertise, but we have the Holy Spirit and he teaches us. We have you Pastor who teaches us. The church as we see it isn't the church as spoken of in the New Testament. This church Pastor that you speak of is the world; that is how this is happening. A post you did a while ago said that if you ask for something God will grant it and then we will become it. Just like Ravenhill said, "show me your prayer life and I will show you what sort of man you are." When we walk in Jesus' way, we become more like Him. When we walk in the ways of the world (and there are many) we become more like the world. That is why denying yourself is so important because we can get carried away with the cares of this world. Jesus said Narrow is the road but Broad is the way to destruction.

I struggle everyday with walking and I have been on two legs for about 49 years. I too fear what is to come, but Dear Least Brother, God brings the rain to the just and unjust that is why Fellowship and a Godly Pastor are so important.

Once again Pastor you have written the words that bring us back to our knees and to the Lord in desperation and with fear and trembling.

Grateful today that I am not one that was given over to a delusion. Grateful, although afraid that I can be counted worthy to suffer for Christ. I too cling to Jesus to endure to the end.

your sister in Christ Jesus,
Cherie c.

Anonymous said...

It is scary. And that same feeling I sense when watching those clips is the same one I get when (I confess watching) documentaries about UFO's. There are christian sites that also believe that Genesis describes the fallen angels as having children with human women. They believe that these mixed beings (demons and humans) roam the earth now. The false is becoming so commonplace now, that if we hear it enough times, we could easily become "arrested". There are so many demonic distractions out there that try to win over a christian's mind.


We are commanded not to become too preoccupied with looking for angels, supernatural signs and wonders, and though, we as human, are naturally curious about these things, know that pursuing these things are dangerous and we are biblically commanded to stay away from seeking the supernatural. While it's true that a gift of the Spirit can give a christian a vision, or a prophecy, or a dream, it's always done under the authority of Jesus Christ, and none other.

I think this Shane Hipps's voice sounds like he's been hypnotized by something. My antennas go up when I hear these people talk about exciting things in the supernatural and have new revelations, take one point out of the New Testament, turn it into a cultish new age doctrine.

There have been sightings of supernatural things, of which many in the world say they've seen UFO's. What they don't realize is that these things are from Satan. He is the lord of the air for now. He can impress humans with fake promises of wonders of the universe that haven't been tapped into. Satan is only allowed to fool people as long as the Lord allows. God said He would send a strong delusion and Satan has only a bit of power until he loses the battle. I believe that these seducers will eventually try to bring the alien beings into play. They'll present a Jesus from a utopian planet that comes to save the world.

Sorry I went off topic; but these false christs and the demon seed stuff gives me a true creepy feeling. May we be protected in the comfort of His wings forever, and I really pray we have God's Spirit of discernment every day.

Cherie c. said...

Anonymous,

I was taught that fallen angels did marry and have children with the daughters of men. That was the reason for the flood. I was never taught they were around today. They were destroyed with the flood. Noah was the only man who was not in the same blood line. The blood line of Cane was the blood line for the fallen angels and the daughters of men. Noah was from the blood line of Seth. This is what I was taught. I do believe this because of what Jude mentions verse 6: And the angels which kept not their first estate, but left their own habitation, he hath reserved in everlasting chains under darkness unto the judgment of the great day.

I believe this to have happened, but I do not believe they are around today. I believe the people who came from this ungodly union were killed with the flood. The rest of the fallen angels I also believe are in reserve for the Tribulation period as Revelation says. This is what I have been taught and it seems to line up with Scripture.

This is not a correction, just letting you know what I was taught.

your sister in Christ Jesus,
Cherie c.

Cherie c. said...

One more note if I may;

some believe the flood was for the union of daughters of men and fallen angels only, but I believe it is because of both evil people on the earth and the children this union brought forth. It is only the added stuff that has people feeling creepy about this. Those that expound upon this to make it more than it is make it scary and use it to distract from what is important now; the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

I find it interesting the spiritual war between good and evil as I read the Word of God. What God does is so cool and it gives us insight as to who He is.

This is just one glimpse of the great lengths satan will go to to try and out do God. Satan is a great multitasker with all the different deceptions happening today. and Jesus is the same yesterday, today and forever; so simple and beautiful.

We know the end of the Book and it all works out to the Glory of God!

Cherie c.

michael said...

What I'm going to share may have been touched on in the comments above and if so I apologize for being redundant and also take heart we are thinking in similar veins, too? I haven't as yet read the comments beyond Least Brother's.

I want to point to that Matthew verse in your article. And then I want to make a connection to some verses from Deuteronomy 13.

Recently listening to a sermon the brother made this application to what Jesus said about "I am the Christ" this way. My point is my way of answering your question: "Why is the church in America, yes our church, so benign and powerless that heresies like this can be spoken openly and publicly without even blushing?"

What the brother said was these deceivers begin with the truth that Jesus is the Christ as He said then once there is this basis of agreement they then twist that truth turning away from it leading you who just agreed with them "that Jesus is the Christ" to another Jesus as the deception or even more overtly to deception directly!

Why is this a relevant point he made?

Consider these words from Deuteronomy :

"If a prophet or a dreamer of dreams arises among you and gives you a sign or a wonder, and the sign or wonder that he tells you comes to pass, and if he says, "Let us go after other gods," which you have not known, "and let us serve them," you shall not listen to the words of that prophet or that dreamer of dreams. For the Lord your God is testing you, to know whether you love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul. You shall walk after the Lord your God and fear him and keep his commandments and obey his voice, and you shall serve him and hold fast to him. (Deuteronomy 13:1-4 ESV)

So we see God is testing us by these things to strengthen His Faith given to us and it seems also 2 Timothy 3 reveals as much a warning as 1 Timothy 4 and sadly for those subtly drawn away by these twists from the truth of the Word/Christ this is the fruit (turned over to strong delusions) and the answer to that question?

Reine Gnade said...

tan Thrown Down to Earth 7 Now war arose in heaven, Michael and his angels fighting against the dragon. And the dragon and his angels fought back, 8 but he was defeated, and there was no longer any place for them in heaven. 9 And the great dragon was thrown down, that ancient serpent, who is called the devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world—he was thrown down to the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him. 10 And I heard a loud voice in heaven, saying, “Now the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God and the authority of his Christ have come, for the accuser of our brothers has been thrown down, who accuses them day and night before our God. 11 And they have conquered him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, for they loved not their lives even unto death. 12 Therefore, rejoice, O heavens and you who dwell in them! But woe to you, O earth and sea, for the devil has come down to you in great wrath, because he knows that his time is short!” 13 And when the dragon saw that he had been thrown down to the earth, he pursued the woman who had given birth to the male child. 14 But the woman was given the two wings of the great eagle so that she might fly from the serpent into the wilderness, to the place where she is to be nourished for a time, and times, and half a time. 15 The serpent poured water like a river out of his mouth after the woman, to sweep her away with a flood. 16 But the earth came to the help of the woman, and the earth opened its mouth and swallowed the river that the dragon had poured from his mouth. 17 Then the dragon became furious with the woman and went off to make war on the rest of her offspring, on those who keep the commandments of God and hold to the testimony of Jesus. And he stood on the sand of the sea.
Revelation 12:7-17
Our warfare is against Satan and unclean, evil spirits. They haven't yet been cast into the lake of fire and are still active. 2 Corinthians 10:4-5 also reminds us where our warfare is.

Anonymous said...

Your right I'd never though of it that way. I had wondered how the Christian community, such as it is came to be. I'm young both in my calling, and in my walk. Though by most I guess I'm considered a mature Christian. Just because I preach though doesn't mean I've learned all there is to know. I'm very careful about how I preach. I don't want to insert my own opinions into the Holy word. It scares me a little because I'm afraid I'll get it wrong. Though as long as I preach Jesus is the only way to God, and heaven I'll be alright. I read my Bible all the time. Which I've been heavily against any other kind of Bible except the KJV for a long time. King Jame threatened I think it was 150 scholars lives if they didn't all come up with the same thing. May sound cruel, but it makes for a pretty good Bible; I think. I've got other versions of the Bible around, I never read them; but I have them for other people. I know I'm supposed to learn all the different doctrines, but I've almost decided against going to preach at a bunch of different denominations of churches, after I'm ordained; because they are very close to blasphemy. I would fill so uncomfortable in those churches, like I fill uncomfortable reading anything; but the KJV. I'm afraid I'm shutting myself off though, like this women I met. Who believed that we couldn't get direct direction from God, that we were somehow sealed off from speaking to God, and having him answer us though signs; and the like in our lives. I wondered if she really ever knew the God she calmed to love. How silly he is with some of his answers. After I got called I prayed, and asked for a sign that he really wanted me to preach, so a couple weeks later, I'm guessing after I missed a whole bunch of other "signs", there was a sign outside of a church that said "the greatest gift is the gift to preach", or the time God nearly drove me crazy with the word Acts, can you guess what he wanted me to read? God isn't this boring stuffy guy in the clouds like everyone makes him out to be. I often wonder if he did more than just make me in his image, I wonder if we got the same sense of humor too. God and Jesus are not just figures to me. I love them more that anything or anyone. I personally know God, and I can't wait to get to know Jesus. Till them I can eagerly read his words in the Bible. His words are my favorite part of the Bible. Anyway, this is the comment of a true God and Jesus freak. It ain't about religion for me!

Reine Gnade said...

Dear anonymous, although you are young in your walk with God what is remarkable is that you have been blessed by Him with a wonderful boldness and eagerness to glorify His name. Be very encouraged for provided your motives stay pure you'll see a bounteous harvest.

Rather than being scared of making mistakes, I believe you should focus as you are on loving Jesus even more profoundly.

I find it helpful to remember Jesus' words to Peter.

Truly as we love Jesus more profoundly God will bless us with increased wisdom, understanding and happiness!

May Almighty God continue bless your life in a most remarkable way to His eternal glory!