Saturday, January 18, 2014

Unholy Olive Branches

UNHOLY OLIVE BRANCHES

In the past few years evangelical leaders such as Al Mohler and Ravi Zacharias have spoken at Mormon gatherings. Mohler spoke at Bringham Young University and Ravi Zacharias spoke at the Mormon Tabernacle in Salt Lake City. In perspective, this would be akin to allowing 100 years to pass and then evangelical leaders speaking at and befriending the followers of Sun Yung Moon. And this kind of compromise doesn’t just tarnish their reputation. No, there are many more serious repercussions. It is much more serious than smoking cigarettes or going to an R rated movie or even becoming dependent upon prescription medication.

This kind of compromise literally rips the very fabric of the gospel. It opens doors the Spirit never meant to be opened. It lends credibility to institutions built upon spirits of antichrist. It makes friends with the enemies of Christ. It is a compromise that ultimately may lead souls into eternal damnation. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day saints denies the deity of Christ and preaches a salvation of human works, to say nothing of a plethora of weird and absurd doctrines and practices. And all cults long for acceptance and membership as mainstream. And the LDS has found such partners among many evangelical leaders.

For hundreds of years the true church fought hard to keep its distance from the Roman Catholic Church. Even while loving its membership the true church openly taught about the grievous errors taught and practiced by the Roman Church. But little by little the walls began to crumble. And now the walls hardly exist and that kind of information about the RCC is hardly mentioned in evangelical pulpits for fear of losing members.

But no one could ever have foreseen what is happening today. The Roman Catholic Church at least believes in the Trinity and the deity of Christ. But now we are supposed to befriend cults? Who will be next? Will Mohler and Zacharias speak at Kingdom Hall or a Christian Science reading room and accentuate the “common ground” we have with them? This is a monstrous betrayal of the faith. Before I go further let us examine what the Word of God teaches us about being friends with such organizations.

Matt.16: 16 And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.
17 And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.
18 And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.

This confession that Jesus was the Son of the Living God is the foundation to our faith. There is nothing greater nor anything higher than that truth. Anyone or any group that denies that Jesus was God in the flesh and that He is just as much God as the Father is a spirit of antichrist. Even those who embrace a oneness theology still teach that Jesus was and is God. This is a non-negotiable truth and cannot be compromised, diluted, or accepted by anything but a clear and convincing confession.

Matt.10: 32 Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven.
33 But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven.

Anyone or any group that refuses to confess Jesus as the Living Son of God is rejected by Christ. And if He rejects these heretics so must we. There is nowhere in the New Testament where we are given license to cozy up to those who teach damnable heresies. I will address the reasons why this is happening further in this post.

Acts 20: 28 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.
29 For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock.
30 Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them.

The Holy Spirit is revealing the future coming of ravenous wolves who not spare the flock but lead them away from Christ and draw them to themselves. Now who can fit this description better than Joseph Smith? Here is man who supposedly received special revelation about a host of things including that Jesus and Satan were brothers born from a relationship God the Father had with an angel. And that man’s error now imprisons millions of people, and that man’s false church has been exceedingly successful at making disciples of Joseph Smith.

II Cor.11: 12 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.
13 For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ.
14 And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.
15 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.

Paul says he will cut off those false apostles and deceitful workers. And verse 15 speaks about these heretics being projected as ministers of righteousness. That means they stand for morality in all its forms. They are pro-life and pro-traditional marriage and they embrace the Ten Commandments. And so do the Mormons. However Paul calls them false apostles because they preach another Jesus. But Paul rebukes the Corinthian Church because they do not reject these heretics but in some way accept them.

II Cor.11: For if one comes and preaches another Jesus whom we have not preached, or you receive a different spirit which you have not received, or a different gospel which you have not accepted, you bear this beautifully. (NASV)

These so called leaders in the faith today bow before the leaders of this cult and tacitly refer to the major differences in doctrine and theology and yet call them friends and co-laborers. I will reveal what labor they are engaged in together.

II Pet.2: 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.
And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of.

Again, who fits this description more than Joseph Smith? He brought in many damnable heresies and many have followed his pernicious ways. This cannot be seen as commonplace and just a major disagreement. This kind of falsehood removes the foundation of the faith and attacks the Lord Jesus Himself. They are enemies of Christ and His cross. This is a monumental deception which emanated from hell itself and was brought into the world through this one demon possessed man called Joseph Smith.

The Scriptures are clear. We as believers are to have no dealings with false teachers and cults. Our only dealings with unbelievers must either be on a non-spiritual way (co-workers, Little League, etc.) but we are not to have any alliances with unbelievers. But to speak at a cult gatherings, offer an impotent aside about doctrinal differences, and then claim they are friends is an astounding infidelity as it pertains to God’s Word. It is almost unbelievable. But there is an underlying reason for these unholy partnerships.

What would possess ordained men who are considered as orthodox to shake hands with cultists in their own buildings? Why would they show respect to their leaders and profess much common ground with heretics? How could they say they are friends and even co-laborers? The answer is very simple and profoundly diabolical. It is a common morality and patriotism which provides the glue which cements a relationship between the spirits of antichrist and believers. And this kind of deception is nowhere to be found on most discernment blogs.

Read through the discernment blogs and see if you find nationalism or moralism listed as a deception. In fact most blogs are involved with that kind of deception because they do not “discern” them as compromise or deceptions. This is a very serious deception because it is not obvious and it is embraced by men of God who millions of people admire. But evangelicals speaking at Mormon institutions is just the tip of the iceberg. There is much more to come.

Joel Osteen said he believed Mormons are Christians. Millions of evangelicals voted for Romney for president because they esteemed his economic and moral values a higher criteria than his view of Jesus. That in and of itself should expose the heart of the evangelical church. While claiming to espouse Scriptural inerrancy the evangelical church has lost all sense of the gospel. How can two walk together unless they be agreed? How can preachers tell young people not to date unbelievers when they are courting Mormons themselves? This in outrage and yet who is outraged?

God is outraged! God sends His only begotten Son to suffer unspeakable wounds inflicted upon His body and the Father watches as His Son suffers and dies for His enemies. And now those who have become benefactors of that immeasurable grace through His immeasurable sufferings and death offer friendship to those who desecrate the Son of God? Can there be anything more worldly than denying Christ? And we are commanded not be a friend to the world, but today preachers of the gospel walk into temples that are worshiping idols and instead of rebuking the entire system they offer an olive branch? Just what Bible are they reading??

And again, with all the strength I know how, I openly expose nationalism and its Siamese twin of moralism as idols of religion and not part of the kingdom of God’s Dear Son. To embrace blasphemers because they pledge allegiance to the same fallen nation is blasphemy in and of itself. To join hands with doctrines of demons because they are pro-life is a disgrace to Christ and a massive confusion to the body of Christ. It diminishes the gospel of Christ and makes the incarnation of no importance. How deep was God’s self humiliation when He came in the likeness of sinful flesh? And we mock that inconceivable journey of love when we join with those who actually do mock it.

This Trojan Horse called nationalism and moralism has done much damage to the body of Christ. And those who profess to be discerners and watchman remain blind to this diabolical evil. Many of them are participants in the entire religious system. And even while unholy olive branches are being offered and unholy bridges are being built these watchmen are asleep and do not see how nationalism is the mortar by which these bridges are being built. When I was born again ( another lost term) in 1975 no one could have ever imagined that evangelical preachers who are considered orthodox leaders would stand in Mormon pulpits as invited guests and throw pleasantries to blasphemers.

But these unholy olive branches are being offered more and more with each passing day.
They are not God's olive branches, but they are the flowers of deception.

8 comments:

Anonymous said...

I agree with your stand on this matter. Mormonism promotes certain teachings, as you mention, that truly are evil.

Anonymous said...

Perchance you should listen to Ravi's message. He called them to true faith, in the true Son, and to truth. I get that you don't appreciate him being in a building of such a purpose run by sinners, but our Lord said to "go." He goes, you go in your way, he goes as the Lord of Glory leads.

Anonymous said...

Wonder if this new befriending and allegiance has anything, anything to do at all with a kindred spirit of racial purity. The great mormon founders were all northern european settlers, and the founding fathers also were northern european settlers, and now the churches who align themselves in the politics of the nation seem to have a hateful spirit towards the President of the United States; is there any doubt that the church may be blinded by political power and would try to lure today's christians (those who have a thin thread of racism) to position them (church leaders) into the seats of power?

Not saying that any of these players themselves are racists, but they may be so determined to dominate the systems, that they would be willing to influence lukewarm christians who do not have the Lord's interests at heart, and would compromise in order to get themselves into the halls of power?

Rick Frueh said...

God will not call us to go where He has forbidden us to go in His Word. We are not even allowed to have these kinds of blasphemers in our house nor bid them God speed which is a kind and friendly salutation. being invited as a guest by a cult is a revelation of how non-offensive your message has become. I am sure there were some ground rules established. And there is a way to preach truth as to present it in a civilized and even cordial way which does not truly confront your host. And if you listen to both messages you will find an overture for cooperation in the joint venture of culture wars. That is not the gospel and paying homage to a fallen nature should not even be a part of the true faith which obviously is my overarching point.

Least Brother said...

Brother Rick,
I don’t know any of the particulars regarding these two men preaching at the Mormon churches. But here’s an interesting side note. In Peter Cartwright’s (Methodist circuit rider during 1800’s) autobiography, he had a personal encounter (chapter 22) with Joseph Smith. It is very enlightening, if compared to what is occurring today (spiritually speaking). You laid out a number of scriptures that point out why this is wrong and rightly so. And you hit the nail squarely on the head by saying “being invited as a guest by a cult is a revelation of how non-offensive your message has become”. Therein lays an even more significant truth. IMHO it doesn’t matter the venue or the hearers (cult verses non-cult). “True preaching” of the “true gospel” about the “true Jesus” will bring one of two outcomes. A revival or a riot!! Neither which occurred in this instance.

Blessings

Rick Frueh said...

Good word.

Cherie c. said...

I have been to many a discernment blog and it is true; not one can discern the development of patriotism, nationalism and moralism as an ally of religion. Most do not get why this is a serious deception. We were all brought up, God and country. Which is a unholy alliance, but we cannot see it until the Holy Spirit reveals it to us.

When people in my husband's family pass away, there will be an uproar when I do not go into a RCC for the funeral service. I cannot. I compromised a few years ago, and I will not do that again.

These alliances are the set up of the false church written about in the Word.

I too used to think that we should reach out to other religions with the idea of preaching the Gospel, but I too was looking to cultivate a friendship thinking it was necessary, until.... You hear, "I believe in Jesus, why are you preaching to me?" Yes, Catholics believe in Jesus, as a child but they mainly worship Mary. They elevate the institution church, and Mary. Jesus is just the common glue, but no real authority is attributed to Him.

The real church will be persecuted by this alliance someday. I do fear it, but I fear God more. Through events going on in my life, God is once again changing me. My choice is either to resist or submit. It tears your heart out because your flesh doesn't like the discomfort, but I humbly submit. Why would I not? It is slowly happening now where I will have to make a conscience choice to continue to live for Jesus, or walk hand in hand with those of the world to hell. And those of the world, I also mean family, friends, people we think we admire, our flesh. All considered the world.

That is why we must always do as Paul wrote by inspiration of God the Holy Spirit:

2 Corinthians 10:5
Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;

This verse should also apply to our flesh. Then Paul wrote of an affliction that we can also see in us if we are to remain in the faith. Do not view suffering, as I have in the past, as a means to complain or a means of punishment. There are many reasons why God allows such suffering. Paul gives us one example.

2 Corinthians 12:7
And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure.

We are given information by the power of the Holy Spirit in us to know the things God wants us to know. To understand the things that God wants us to understand. There is power in that! Power our flesh wants to use in diabolical ways. We must not give in. And to help us God, in His unending Mercy allows us to suffer to bring us into a place of humility and dependence, obedience and worship. Dependence upon Him and only Him. Revelation of His Glory and Power that we should submit too.

Cherie c. said...

It seems to me, a simpleton, that these men who go to these venues to extend an olive branch of friendship, is extending a dead and withered branch of friendship because it is not okay with God. And they are using a power they call the Holy Spirit that is not of God.

Seek to preach to the lost, YES! A resounding YES! Friendship, NO! One has nothing to do with the other. One is sentimental bologna that looks to undermine the Gospel. See Matthew 16

Matthew 16:21-23

21 From that time forth began Jesus to shew unto his disciples, how that he must go unto Jerusalem, and suffer many things of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised again the third day.

22 Then Peter took him, and began to rebuke him, saying, Be it far from thee, Lord: this shall not be unto thee.

23 But he turned, and said unto Peter, Get thee behind me, Satan: thou art an offence unto me: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men.

Now one may say, "why Peter loved Jesus." Yes, he did, very much! But Peter's sentimentality(flesh) didn't want Jesus to go to the cross. (Satan) Satan used Peter's flesh (sentimentality) to try and get Jesus to not give His life for the whole world. What utter blasphemy to think that Jesus would accept this so called exhibition of love. Well, He didn't and we can apply this rebuke to unholy olive branches as well.

your sister in Christ Jesus