Peace and Safety
In order to escape the sudden destruction coming upon those that shall spiritually fall away, believers are warned to flee two false doctrines: PEACE and SAFETY.
Peace and Safety are the seductive and demonic doctrines of antichrist, and preached by those who have departed from the true faith: "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" (1 Tim. 4:1).
Peace and Safety would certainly sound inviting to those in battle, fighting the "good fight of faith." These teachings are not new. They have always been the message of false prophets and deceitful teachers. In the Old Testament, most of God's prophets contended with religious leaders espousing such doctrines designed to seduce Israel away from the Lord.
The prophet Jeremiah declared: "For from the least of them even unto the greatest of them, everyone is given to covetousness; and from the prophet even unto the priest, every one dealeth falsely. They have healed also the hurt of the daughter of my people slightly saying, Peace, peace when there is no peace" (Jer. 6:13-14).
Isaiah proclaimed: "There is no peace, saith my God" (Isa. 57:21)..."There is no peace, saith the Lord, unto the wicked" (Isa. 48:22).
Ezekiel pleaded with God's people: "Son of man, prophesy against the prophets of Israel...Then saith the Lord God; Woe unto the foolish prophets, that follow their own spirit and have seen nothing. Oh Israel, thy prophets are like foxes in the deserts...Even because they have seduced my people, saying, Peace, and there was no peace" (Eze.13:2-4,10).
Daniel warned of a coming king of "fierce countenance" espousing peace, but intent on destruction: "And through his policy also he shall cause craft to prosper in his hand; and he shall magnify himself in his heart, and by peace shall destroy many" (Dan. 8:25).
Yes, dear friend...they shall "say" PEACE and SAFETY. "Say" in the Greek text means to: "lay forth in discourse; to bid, boast or call." This is the message of CHRISTIANITY. Men "boasting" that their disciples have "peace" with God when there really is NONE; and that they are "saved" when they are really NOT! Of these times Jesus rightly forewarned: "Take heed that no man deceive you..." (Matt. 24:4). When the true prophets of Israel stood against these false doctrines, they were persecuted and destroyed. It shall be no different today. Faithful voices will be accused of bringing "division," and will be cast out of the congregation. God's people still resist the TRUTH.
True PEACE only comes through being justified by faith in Jesus Christ and the regeneration of the Holy Ghost: "Therefore, being justified by faith, we have peace with God, through our Lord Jesus Christ...because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us" (Rom. 5:1,5).
False prophets are deceiving multitudes into a "false peace" with God by telling them they have been "born again" (i.e. born of the Spirit - John 3:5), when they have NOT. Being "born" of the spirit is receiving the "baptism of the Spirit" (Luke 3:16, Acts 2:14-17, 37-39). After hearing false teaching for so long, this sounds foreign to most ears. Even those who have received the Baptism with the Holy Spirit have been persuaded to believe that their experience of New Birth is simply "something extra" and not the real door into the kingdom of God!
The baptism with the Holy Ghost comes from the Father in heaven (Acts 1:4,8). This "one" baptism is that "which can save" (Eph. 4:5, 1Pet.3:21); "which brings one into the body of Christ" (1 Cor. 12:13); and which makes us "children of God" (Rom 8:9,15-16). Any other experience of "new birth," without the SPIRIT which confesses Christ when it comes into flesh (1 John 4:2-3), is false and is only MAN'S testimony. Jesus said the real Spirit of God would TESTIFY (speak!). Tongues are the testimony that the Spirit abides within: "But when the Comforter comes, whom I will send from the Father...he will testify of me" (John 15:26). "No man can say Jesus is Lord but by the Holy Ghost." (1 Cor. 12:3). Common sense and experience tells us that MAN can say "Jesus is Lord," and be none of His. But through tongues, the HOLY GHOST testifies that Jesus Christ is truly the Lord of our lives!
"Ministers" have falsely convinced those who have believed in Jesus Christ, that the conviction and drawing of the spirit in their life IS the new birth. Therefore, the seeker stops short of REAL peace with God and "claims" a salvation that does not exist! The message of the antichrist is that man can worship God acceptably WITHOUT the Spirit of God!
The false "safety" doctrine is nothing else but today's "salvation" message. Almost every evangelist will tell you that if you pray a "certain prayer," or do some "thing(s)" (which differs among the various denominations), that you are "saved." This is "safety" when there is no safety, for God demands MUCH (regeneration, holiness, obedience, and faithfulness is a few), to enter His kingdom.
Most of us have confused salvation with conversion. Conversion is what happens in one's life NOW. Salvation is a FUTURE event in heaven when Jesus Christ says: "Well done good and faithful servant...enter into the joy of thy Lord" (Matt. 25:21). Paul affirmed salvation to be an event yet to have occurred: "Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended" (Phil. 3:13).
Men have always loved to receive a gospel which affords many benefits with few requirements. Especially a gospel that tells them they are "safe" without obedient discipleship. Friend, NOBODY is safe from the wrath of God that is coming upon the disobedient. The reason that false prophets want men to "feel saved," is to make "merchandise" of God's people (2Pet. 2:3). Even though some may deny money as their motive, few would give up their position, security, or salary to preach God's truth.
What did Jesus say about the gospel of "peace and safety?" He certainly did not preach it: "Think not that I am come to send peace on earth; I cam not to send peace but a sword" (Matt. 10:34). "Suppose ye that I am come to give peace on earth? I tell you nay; but rather division" (Luke 12:51).
Jesus is bringing great division. He is dividing those who desire religious error, from those who are hearing the true voice of the Holy Spirit.
The Holy Spirit is everywhere calling God's people to COME OUT of "lifeless Christianity." We say this not out of any ill-will towards our true brethren which are there, but to purify ourselves from the falsely taught doctrines of PEACE (the New Birth) and SAFETY (Salvation) which are destroying the fellowship of the body. One cannot remain amongst those who abide in these errors without disobeying God: "for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness....wherefore, come out from among them and be separate saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing, and I will receive you" (2Cor. 6:14,17).
Religious leaders will accuse the obedient of being "divisive" and "unloving." Why? Because these "ministers" refuse to repent. Therefore, they persecute those who want to move on with God, (as their "fore-fathers" did the prophets of times past). For this reason, Jesus said: "Blessed are they who are persecuted for righteousness' sake; for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are ye when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely for my sake. Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven; for so persecuted they the prophets who were before you" (Matt. 5:10-12). If you courageously obey God, you are not extraordinarily holy....just obedient! So walk humbly with your God! He will direct you to others who hunger to worship in spirit and in truth.
God's directive to us is clear: "And others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire, hating even the garment spotted by the flesh" (Jude 23). The fires of judgment are coming upon deceptive and carnal religion that holds multitudes of God's precious people captive!
Flee every false voice which says: "peace and safety." Those who obey God will be preserved "blameless" until the day of His coming. HALLELUJAH!
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