JUL 7

Matthew 24:15-28
Memorise Matthew 7:21-23
“depart from me, ye that work iniquity”

WHAT IS THE ECCLESIASTICAL SIGN? (III)

Another false prophet is Oral Roberts. He wrote a book entitled, How I Learned Jesus Was Not Poor. On January 4, 1987, Roberts told his followers that if he did not raise a total of 8 million dollars by March, God was going to take his life. Comparing himself to the apostle Paul, Roberts begged not to let Satan defeat him. Sometime later, Robert’s son, Richard, took pen in hand to warn of his father’s impending doom. Without “the additional $4,500,000” explains Richard, “God will not extend Dad’s life.” He then pleaded, “If you neglect to pay attention … then Satan will take advantage and hit you with bad things and you will wish that 1985 had never come.” Roberts closed his letter with a hard sell. Sending a seed-faith gift will not only enable you to “Stop Satan in His hate to bring you down,” it will also “help you get your hundredfold return.” Roberts raised the money and did not die. Oral Roberts and his son have made God an extortioner. This is abominable. “And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not” (2 Peter 2:3).

One of the signs of the times is not just false teaching, but the greed and the lusts of these false teachers. Because of their greed they will manipulate truth to satisfy their lust. The Bible has warned us “evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived” (2 Timothy 3:13).

Who are the ones being deceived? They are the ones who were “laden with sins, led away with divers lusts” (2 Timothy 3:6). One of the reasons why these false teachers are so successful is because they use the lust of the world to appeal to Christians who still want to enjoy the world. While we must guard against false teachers and false teachings, we must also guard against worldliness and lust. Have you ever wondered what makes these false teachers so appealing? Is it not because of the lust that these people have for these material things as well?

That which can destroy the church and lead Christians astray is not only falsehood from external influences, but also worldliness from inside the hearts of Christians themselves. Holy living is very needful today. Dear teen, have you been striving toward holiness? Have you been living in the power of God’s Word, or are you still lusting after the world?

Thought: To be a watchman, I need to live a watchman’s life. How should a watchman live?
Prayer: Lord, I want to be a watchman to warn others of false teachers.