“Reaching the World with His Word” Mark 16:15-20

Avoiding Deception in the Last Days

1 Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons, 2 speaking lies in hypocrisy, having their own conscience seared with a hot iron. 1 Timothy 4:1-2

1 But there were also false prophets among the people, even as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Lord who bought them, and bring on themselves swift destruction. 2 And many will follow their destructive ways, because of whom the way of truth will be blasphemed. 3 By covetousness they will exploit you with deceptive words; for a long time their judgment has not been idle, and their destruction does not slumber. 2 Peter 2:1-3

As we read the two above scriptures we see the Holy Ghost through Paul warning the church about end time deception that will come via demons working through false teachers and prophets. Peter says these false prophets and teachers will even bring in secretly destructive heresies. The Strong’s Concordance definition of the Greek word translated destructive in the NKJV means:
1. destroying, utter destruction
A. of vessels
2. a perishing, ruin, destruction
A. of money
B. the destruction which consists of eternal misery in hell.

Notice that this destructive heresy can lead one to the path of hell if adhered to.

Another way that both Paul and Peter say that these false prophets and teachers will deceive is through deceptive words. They will lie while teaching, preaching and prophesying.

According to Jesus and Paul these false prophets and teachers will have great signs and wonders. (Mathew 24:24; 2 Timothy 3:1-9) Pay particular attention to verse 8 which mentions that these false teachers will have the spirit of Jannes and Jambres who were sorcerers and opposed Moses. (Exodus 7)

2 Timothy 3:13 says that evil men and seducers will grow worse and worse. According to Greek scholars the word seducers means sorcerer. That means that some false teachers and prophets in the last days will have great signs and wonders following them but it won’t be from God. They are designed to deceive the elect. (Matthew 24:24; 2 Thessalonians 2:9; Revelation 13)

We should not try to discern if a man’s ministry is of God by signs and wonders. The devil imitates some of the things God does. Just read Exodus 7.

Here are some biblical ways to determine if someone is false and teaching heresy.

1) Use the Word of God to judge if what is being said and done is coming from God.(Hebrews 5:14; Psalm 138:2; Psalm119:105,130) God will never violate His Word or do anything outside of His Word. My covenant I will not break, Nor alter the word that has gone out of My lips. Psalm 89:34

2) The Holy Spirit will bear witness with your spirit that what they are saying is true. (Romans 6:14,16; John 14:23,16:13; 1 John 2:20,27)

3) Matthew 7:15-16 15 “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. 16 You will know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes from thornbushes or figs from thistles? Jesus said you can recognize false prophets also by their fruit. 1 Thessalonians 5:12 says to know those who labor among you. Take time to check out a person’s ministry and character before you open yourself up to them.

4) If you still are not sure speak with someone in your local church that is in leadership and is mature in the Word of God and ask them
about a man’s ministry.

While no ministry or minister is perfect a good minister will fit the above criteria. He will speak in line with the Word. He will be of Godly
character and will be truthful.

As I see the signs of all that Jesus, Paul and the other writers of the Bible said would be taking place in the last days before His return. It only
shows me that we are very close to the coming of the Lord. Let us finish the race and obtain our eternal reward. (Mathew 24; Mark 13;
Luke 21; Revelation 22:12-15)

8 Watch out for people who try to dazzle you with big words and intellectual double-talk. 18-19 Don’t tolerate people who try to run your life, ordering you to bow and scrape, insisting that you join their obsession with angels and that you seek out visions. They’re a lot of hot air, that’s all they are. They’re completely out of touch with the source of life, Christ, who puts us together in one piece, whose very breath and blood flow through us. He is the Head and we are the body. We can grow up healthy in God only as he nourishes us. Colossians 2:8,18-19 (The Message Bible

NOW we have this “profit” telling us about God’s Vault where He keeps the cash. — GaryV

He’s not the first, and he won’t be the last. Ever hear of someone named “Percy Collet”? He was making all the rounds of Christian radio in the Eighties with his twelve-casette-long “Visit to Heaven”, an account of a multi-day vision which I remember sounded just as lame. (The link goes to another’s comment on his claims, not to a transcript.)

The parts I remember were Elijah giving him a tour in a chariot “drawn by spirit horses” that grew or shrank as-needed to accomodate passengers and “dogs in heaven — not spirits of Earth dogs, but Heavenly spirit dogs — that neither bark nor bite, but constantly “PRAISE THE LORD!”

I think you can find his tapes on the Web; just punch “Percy Collet” into any search engine and sift through the resulting weird hits.

The reward of working for
GOD is knowing that we do his will in defeating the enemy and saving people who are crying out to GOD. It is such an honour!!!!!!!!!!!!!! and brings its own joy

Phil: Did ya notice what Bentley did when he found the “treasury room”….he stuffed his pockets with cash….says a lot doesn’t it?

http://www.scribd.com/doc/2909690/AN-ANGEL-CALLED-EMMA

http://youtube.com/watch?v=p9Kv7XRaKw8
http://youtube.com/watch?v=6O0p4ZDnDoQ
http://youtube.com/watch?v=gZ-7beRITYM&feature=related
http://youtube.com/watch?v=aHIyFmJTRsM&feature=related

Rom 16:18 For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple.

Eph 5:6 Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience.

2Cr 11:13 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

Phil: Hi Cep3….Welcome to Theology Today!