2nd Corinthians 11: 2 For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy: for I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ.
3 But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.
4 For if he that comes, preaches another Jesus, whom we have not preached, or if you receive another spirit, which you have not received, or another gospel, which you have not accepted, you might well bear with him.
2nd Corinthians 11 significantly raises the prospect of duplicates for everything pertaining to the gospel and Christianity as a whole, and now in our day, the prediction has become a virtual reality. Persons who are living currently in the last days of earth’s history are to be cognizant of the fact that for everything in the Bible that’s good, there’s an existing counterfeit.
Paul also references “another gospel” that has now been in circulation for many years, and is scheduled to culminate in the final conflict, featuring the grand delusion, which is predicted to take the entire world by storm except for those who would be shielded by Christ in that day.
The gospel in our day, and the truths of God’s word have been tainted in the minds of many people to a greater or lesser extent, by some of those corrosive forces put in action by man’s nemesis. These forces include watering down the truth, to a point where it loses its binding force upon the mind.
It also includes the proliferation of many versions of the Bible, to the tune of over 450 versions in English alone, some with subtle twists, and turns that shave off portions of truth, or otherwise may distort them, so that their true meaning could become shrouded in darkness.
Relativism also removes absolute truth, and causes right, and wrong to be subjective, meaning that the individual, not the word of God, determines what is right or wrong. Thus, morals change within time and space, from person to person, wherever you go.
What is wrong in France, may be right in the United States and what is acceptable in Great Britain might be anathema in some Middle eastern countries, and the problem doesn’t stop there. Thus, you now have a maze of dueling morals, and standards across the globe, which inevitably cause right and wrong to be fluid.
It also pervades all of the churches across the land, because when you look at what Southern Baptists stand for, in comparison with the United Methodist church, you will discover many great variations and interpretations of the very same Bible.
Even within the remnant church, grave, and serious deviations from the straight truth are beginning to pop up, and as a result, fractures in understanding doctrines are now beginning to appear. Some of our churches in California, are widely different in their interpretation and practice than are others in more conservative states.
Thus, it has been the purpose of man’s nemesis to gradually whittle down the truth, and also to flood the world with many different interpretations, so that the plain unadulterated word of God would be hidden beneath a maze of conflicting theories and suppositions which can frustrate the daylights out of the earnest seeker for truth.
Conspiracy theories are also taking a bite out of the truth, in so much that individuals have begun to put their own spin on the most incontrovertible facts, a practice that has multiplied a thousandfold over the last eight years, led on by men who live in a make-believe world.
Be very careful when you hear this phrase before an utterance that has not been vetted and verified by a plain “Thus saith the Lord” [I believe with all of my heart]
Personal conviction is not necessarily evidence that a statement is true. There are individuals who have had strong convictions and were dead wrong. Thus, on a personal level, it might be alright for persons to be deeply convicted, but if it is not substantiated by the word of God, great care has to be exercised in swallowing it down whole.
As a direct result of the constant chiseling away at the word you now have phrases such as “My Truth” being embraced by the masses of people, as folks pick and choose what they want to believe, while others modify the Bible to suit their own fancy.
And there are some prominent televangelists that keep on fueling the flames of error, by feeding the masses of people with smooth things which put the conscience to rest. With many Christians the truth has become tainted with error, and it is becoming increasingly difficult to tell the difference. Superstitious beliefs are blended with the truth, so that with some, a hybrid form of truth and error has been permanently settled into the conscience, as being acceptable and final.
Again, there are certain practices that are currently considered reverent, and in some instances required which have no Scriptural basis or roots. It’s true that some of these practices are not necessarily wrong, but some of them do not have any Scriptural basis.
There are things which are done in Christian circles for which persons may not be able to give a Biblical reason for, and, even though some of these things may not be salvific, the fact that they have come to be standard practice, or even required in some rare instances, speaks to the fact that the clear word of God may still not be settled in the mind.
For instance, the practice of closing your eyes during prayer, is believed by many people to be a necessity, in trying to block out external distractions, so that a person can focus on God, or on what is being said.
That’s all well and good if it works for you, but there is no Scriptural evidence that closing your eyes is an act of reverence, nor does the Bible require it of any person. In fact, quite to the contrary, prayer in times past was offered with one’s eyes wide open, never closed. Let’s read:
Luke 9:16 Then he took the five loaves and the two fishes, and looking up to heaven, he blessed them, and brake, and gave to the disciples to set before the multitude.
John 11: 41 Then they took away the stone from the place where the dead was laid. And Jesus lifted up his eyes, and said, Father, I thank thee that You hast heard me.
43 And when he thus had spoken, he cried with a loud voice, Lazarus, come forth.
John 17:1 These words spoke Jesus, and lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said, Father, the hour is come; glorify thy Son, that thy Son also may glorify thee.
9 I pray for them: I pray not for the world, but for them which thou hast given me; for they are thine.
10 And all mine are thine, and thine are mine; and I am glorified in them.
However, we are not suggesting or asking anyone to change their posture in prayer. Whatsoever works best for you, do, but just remember that there is no Scriptural evidence that it is required.
The chapter in 2nd Corinthians 11 also mentions the fact that there are false apostles, and counterfeit ministers of the gospel, so that there’ll be additional investigative work to be done by the seeker for truth when searching for answers to questions that need resolution.
Deciphering truth from error in our day has become a hundred times more challenging, because most of the preachers and televangelists today are known to speak with deep conviction, and yet, what is being presented might not pass the litmus test, when the word of God is applied.
In fact, deep conviction isn’t necessarily to be taken as being truth. A preacher or televangelist could get a good strong conviction, and they could also get a strong, bad one. Let’s read:
2nd Corinthians 11:13 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.
Now, some might be wondering why it is important to correctly decipher truth from error. The reason is that it could turn out to be a life and death matter in the not-too-distant future as the world is now being prepared and groomed for the final conflicts of the ages, when anything, and everything that could be shaken, will be shaken.
Whenever you’re in doubt about some philosophy, some sentiment, statement, doctrine, some saying, or some sermon, do not stop until you’ve read for yourself what the word of God says on the matter.
It does not matter who you may have heard it from. It may have been from a professor, a teacher, pastor an elder, a televangelist, or you might have heard it from one of the prominent bishops of the day such as T.D. Jakes, Creflo Dollar, or even on Omega-truth.
You should still go ahead, and verify it for yourself from the word of God, because trusted sources are finite and can genuinely make inadvertent mistakes. In this way you would have done due diligence, by not assuming that even trusted sources are infallible and you would have personal conviction of the truth in the matter. Man is mortal and finite, and we can, and do make mistakes inadvertently at times.
Therefore, it is not a good idea to place implicit trust even in a trusted source, without doing the personal investigation of the Scriptures, because, as was said previously, man is finite and makes mistakes, even in sincerity.
That’s what the Bereans did as they listened to Paul. They readily received the word of God with gladness from a trusted source, but they also were diligent in their research and verification processes, for one’s conviction must always be based on what the Bible says directly to your heart.
Thus, that at the end of the day, even though other believers might not have always followed their lead, they are recorded, and remembered as being more noble than their brethren, simply because of their verification processes which they were quite diligent to implement. Let’s read:
Acts 17: 10 And the brethren immediately sent away Paul and Silas by night unto Berea: who coming thither went into the synagogue of the Jews.
11 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.
Similarly, as the storm of errors and spirits of devils approaches, the Christian must know what he/ she believes, so that folks would not be carried away by smooth talking individuals who might, or might not intentionally spew smooth things to soothe itching ears.
Deliberate deception always has a purpose, and that is to lead the unwary blindfold to destruction. Devils do not set these corrosive forces in action merely to play games. Their set purpose is always to destroy, and because of this we must be made aware of the reasons why so much effort is made to muddy the waters of truth.
Our actions are always driven by what we believe, for choices, decisions, and actions are just the end- products of what we believed first. For instance, the reason why as Christians we’re baptized is because we believe what the word of God says of baptism.
But if a person doesn’t first believe the word of God, the rite of baptism will not follow. Again, the reason why persons are afraid of duppy, and his relatives, is because they believe that ghosts of departed ones, flit around all over the place. This delusion is heavily driven by what is seen and heard on television.
And, as such, some folks are scared to pass through the cemetery at night, for fear that some unknown apparition might suddenly appear out of nowhere, even though the graveyard may be one of the safest places to be at midnight.
It always starts with what a person believes, and the devils know this, that is why they always go to work at the source of the springs of our actions. And that is why the words belief and believed are to be found no less than 391 times in the king James version of the Bible. It all boils down to what persons believe. Let’s read:
Mark 9: 23 Jesus said unto him, if thou can believe, all things are possible to him that believeth.
Matthew 17: 19 Then came the disciples to Jesus apart, and said, why could not we cast him out?
20 And Jesus said unto them, Because of your
unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you.
John 5: 46 For had ye believed Moses, ye would have believed me; for he wrote of me.
47 But if ye believe not his writings, how shall ye believe my words?
Mark 6: 5 And he could there do no mighty work, save that he laid his hands upon a few sick folks, and healed them.
6 And he marveled because of their unbelief. And he went round about the villages, teaching.
Hebrews 3: 18 And to whom swore he that they should not enter into his rest, but to them that believed not?
19 So we see that they could not enter in because of unbelief.
Therefore, because belief plays such a critical role in what folks will ultimately choose to do, it becomes even more important for us to be able to decipher truth from error, for it forms an integral part of the sealing work of God, in the forehead. Let’s read:
Ephesians 4:13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ.
14 That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;
15 But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ.
[Last Day Events pp 219] The people of God are sealed in their foreheads. It is not any seal or mark that can be seen, but a settling into the truth, both intellectually, and spiritually, so they cannot be moved.
Revelation 3:10 Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth.
The following two passages in Revelation chapter 2 must therefore be investigated in the context of the title of our study today, and it should be done in the most thorough manner. Let’s read:
Revelation 2:14 But I have a few things against thee, because you have there those who hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balack to cast a stumbling block before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed unto idols, and to commit fornication.
15 So hast thou also them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitanes, which thing I hate.
Question: What is the doctrine of Balaam? The doctrine of Balaam is the blending of paganism with the true worship of God. Constantine and most of his successors, continued that blend, in so much that much of contemporary Christianity has settled down with the hybrid. Let’s read:
Numbers 23: 16 And the Lord met Balaam, and put a word in his mouth, and said, Go again unto Balak, and say thus.
20 Behold, I have received commandment to bless: and he hath blessed; and I cannot reverse it.
23 Surely there is no enchantment against
Jacob, neither is there any divination against Israel: according to this time it shall be said of Jacob and of Israel, what hath God wrought!
Numbers 24:10 And Balak's anger was kindled against Balaam, and he smote his hands together: and Balak said unto Balaam, I called thee to curse mine enemies, and, behold, thou hast altogether blessed them these three times.
12 And Balaam said unto Balak, Spake I not also to thy messengers which thou sent unto me, saying,
13 If Balak would give me his house full of silver and gold, I cannot go beyond the commandment of the Lord, to do either good or bad of my own mind; but what the Lord saith, that will I speak?
Thus, as the story goes, Balaam left feeling defeated as he was forced to bless instead of curse, and that night as he lay on his bed, rolling over in his mind all the words he was coerced to speak, he stumbled upon a sentence, that would turn out to be the key in reversing the blessings. Bingo! Here it is:
Numbers 23: 21 He hath not beheld iniquity in Jacob, neither hath he seen perverseness in Israel: The Lord his God is with him, and the shout of a king is among them.
Thus, Balaam goes to work studiously, if haply he may trigger a change of fortunes in the children of Israel. Could he, by blending paganism with the true worship of God cause them to become destabilized? And could he thus, kill two birds with one stone by granting to Balak what he previously asked for, while he himself could return home with rich rewards? He decides to give it a shot, and the rest is history. Let’s read:
Numbers 25:1 And Israel abode in Shittim, and the people began to commit whoredom with the daughters of Moab.
2 And they called the people unto the sacrifices of their gods: and the people did eat, and bowed down to their gods.
3 And Israel joined himself unto Baal-peor: and the anger of the Lord was kindled against Israel.
Exodus 32: 3 And all the people brake off the golden earrings which were in their ears, and brought them unto Aaron.
4 And he received them at their hand, and fashioned it with a graving tool, after he had made it a molten calf: and they said, these be thy gods, O Israel, which brought thee up out of the land of Egypt.
5 And when Aaron saw it, he built an altar before it; and Aaron made proclamation, and said, tomorrow is a feast to the Lord.
6 And they rose up early on the morrow, and offered burnt offerings, and brought peace offerings; and the people sat down to eat and to drink, and rose up to play.
This hybrid of paganism, blended with Christianity has now morphed into a phenomenon which could cause folks to become spiritually discombobulated, if they are not very careful. The insignias of pagan worship, ideologies and concepts have pervaded the Christin arena to the point where it can be difficult to tell the difference.
However, this is not the only issue raised by Jesus in Revelation chapter two, for He also references the doctrine of the “Nicolaitanes” as something that He hates. It is worthy of note that when the doctrine of Balaam, and the doctrine of the Nicolaitanes are in sync, they can produce catastrophic damage to all who subscribe.
Thus, we must of necessity go looking for Nicolas, from whom the doctrine was derived, according to sacred history. Apparently, he was one in good and regular standing in the early Christian church, to the point where the believers and apostles saw fit to lay hands on himself, and others, to receive The Holy Ghost. Let’s read:
Acts 6:1 And in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplied, there arose a murmuring of the Grecians against the Hebrews, because their widows were neglected in the daily ministration.
2 Then the twelve called the multitude of the disciples unto them, and said, It is not reason that we should leave the word of God, and serve tables.
3 Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business.
4 But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word.
5 And the saying pleased the whole multitude: and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Ghost, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolas a proselyte of Antioch.
6 Whom they set before the apostles: and when they had prayed, they laid their hands on them.
Question: What then is the doctrine of the Nicolaitanes, which The Lord hates?
The most prominent doctrine of the Nicolaitanes is Gnosticism: The deeds of the flesh do not affect the purity of the soul, and therefore, have no bearing on your salvation.
It is a well-documented fact that devils recycle old errors, and often bring them back in a new, different format. But underneath the veneer of modernism is the same old, same old. As we study, keep in mind what the doctrine is:
The deeds of the flesh do not affect the purity of the soul, and therefore, they do not have any bearing on your salvation.
Among the many modern-day spinoffs of that same doctrine are as follows:
[1] The law of ten commandments was nailed to the cross at Calvary.
[2] Once saved always saved.
[3] Conscientious obedience to God being labeled as legalism.
[4] Only believe.
[5] Relativism.
It therefore becomes obvious that Gnosticism has made serious inroads into the Christian arena, and its concepts, and philosophies are currently deeply entrenched in the minds of many believers, to the point where it might require a herculean effort to divorce oneself from its grip.
Hence the reason why the call is made in Revelation to the honest in heart who may still be sitting in the churches which constitute Babylon, to immediately leave her doctrines, her teachings, her concepts and her practices, for even though God has many people still in Babylon, God cannot accept error in place of truth, even if it is done in sincerity. Let’s read:
Revelation 14:8 And there followed another angel, saying, Babylon is fallen, is fallen, that great city, because she made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication.
Remember when mom used to “Make” you drink your medicine? It was not optional for it was forced down your throat, even if you may not have liked it.
The same is true today, as various philosophies that are antichrist in nature, are now being forced down the throats of kids in our public schools and mature audiences are also being fed Gnostic concepts, for the most part.
This is the reason why an urgent appeal is made to those who may not have previously known, to make your escape from the icy clutches of Balaamism and Gnosticism, the two peas in a pod which are causing so many people to lose their way. Let’s read:
Revelation 18:1 And after these things I saw another angel come down from heaven, having great power; and the earth was lightened with his glory.
2 And he cried mightily with a strong voice, saying, Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and is become the habitation of devils, and the hold of every foul spirit, and a cage of every unclean and hateful bird.
3 For all nations have drunk of the wine of the wrath of her fornication, and the kings of the earth have committed fornication with her, and the merchants of the earth are waxed rich through the abundance of her delicacies.
4 And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues.
5 For her sins have reached unto heaven, and God hath remembered her iniquities.
When the Bible says that in the times of ignorance God winks, it means that He will accept the sincerity of worshipers who may have inadvertently accepted error instead of truth, but God’s winking should not be viewed as a nod of approval for one to remain in error, especially when truth is readily available.
Instead, God makes an urgent call in the last book of the Bible, for all who have imbibed various strands of Gnosticism, to leave its errors and embrace truth. God’s law of ten commandments were never nailed to the Cross, and no, conscious obedience to God is not legalism, for it is what The Spirit of God leads us to do.
In other words, God’s grace is given to the human family with the sole purpose of leading persons into a loving relationship that is measured by obedience, not merely by praise. Therefore, in harmony with this truth we will end our discourse with a passage that constitutes God’s wakeup call to persons who have been ill-affected by these errors. Let’s read:
Revelation 22: 12 And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be.
14 Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.
16 I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star.
17 And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.
God Bless!