CHAPTER TEN –TAKING ACTION
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At some point, every journey comes to an unexpected crossroads—a moment of decision. That time has arrived.
We can now return to the subject of this section.
The Deuteronomy 18 ALL description of That Prophet concludes with a sobering warning. Preceding and following this description is an equally great warning about what to do with false prophets, once they are discovered. When one takes the title of That Prophet, he has even exceeded the evil that Moses warned against! Let’s read.
In Deuteronomy 18:20, God commands that prophets who speak in the name of other gods should be put to death! This certainly includes those appropriating titles of Christ—who is God! It is no accident that the end of Deuteronomy 18:22 (which concludes the warning) cautions, “you shall not be afraid of him.” We have seen that most would be afraid of a false prophet and would, therefore, not put him to death. Of course, none can carry this out today—but no one should ever “hearken to him” again, and he should be marked for what he is (Rom. 16:17).
God promises to deal with these blaspheming idols later—and soon!
Let me make something clear about identifying false prophets. Mr. Armstrong and Christ have told us exactlyhow to know either a false prophet or a false That Prophet. Will you believe a TRUE APOSTLE or a false prophet?Will you believe the TRUE JESUS CHRIST or one who is a false Christ?
The reader is left to answer these questions!
Anyone claiming to be That Prophet, The Lawgiver, “Father,” etc., has literally attacked his flock with blasphemy and rank idolatry. Like any cult leader, his only possible objective is to seek ever greater adoration and worship—and that may currently include you!
Such a one is an outright antichrist! This cannot be viewed any other way. The Bible is plain that there have always been “many,” and this is still true today (I John 2:18).
Christ determines who is a Philadelphian and who, therefore, goes to the Place of Safety. (Yes, as we have seen, there is one true Church—one Body of Christ—where brethren meet in Philadelphian doctrinal UNITY, and thesewill be protected.) But it is blasphemous and abominable for any man to tell you that he has your “TICKET to the Place of Safety,” and that his ministers will decide who goes there. This is the classic fear hysteria that David Koresh, Jim Jones and Marshal Applewaite (San Diego Heaven’s Gate cult) used to elevate themselves and lead people to their death!
Such claims are very serious business!
We discussed I Corinthians 10:11 in the context of Saul’s descent into the conduct of a raging lunatic. There is an even more important and directly applicable principle in that chapter. Speaking of Old Testament events, examples and types, recall that 1 Corinthians 10:11 states, “Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples [types]: and they are written for our admonition upon whom the ends of the world are come.”
Let’s now examine the above longer passage more carefully, recognizing the entire context describes idolatry. Look up the examples in 1 Corinthians 10:7 (notice “idolaters”), and 1 Corinthians 10:8-10. Each account involves idolatry.
Then, 1 Corinthians 10:12 states, “Wherefore let him that thinks he stands take heed lest he fall.” Again, the subject here is idolatry. 1 Corinthians 10:13 is also part of most people’s “scriptural vocabulary.” It speaks of “common temptations” and God’s faithfulness in not allowing trials greater than we can endure. Then, God promises to always make “a way of escape”—for those who will seek it, and recognize it when it appears. This is absolute proof that the entire context is about what His people are to do when confronted with IDOLATRY. God promises a way of escape in such circumstances, but they—you!—must take it! Remember, Revelation 21:8 declares that “idolaters” will end in the lake of fire!
While you should not ever fear your false leader, you certainly should fear this!
I Corinthians 10:14 is short, powerful and conclusive, making Paul’s point clear: “Wherefore, my dearly beloved,flee from idolatry,” and then is followed by “I speak as to wise men; judge you what I say.” Will you judge what Paul said? If you are standing in front of a false prophet, let alone a false That Prophet, then you are before an idol who seeks to replace your worship of Christ with HIMSELF!
I will also be bold. “Judge you what I say”! Will you flee idolatry, or stand frozen in fear, unable to flee the false Christ who holds you?
At the book’s outset, I said you would face an inescapable choice! Your crown—your eternal life—is at risk if you ignore the words of God, Christ, Paul, Mr. Armstrong and now me! I have attempted to make the truth PLAIN. If hundreds or thousands around you will not act, will you let that affect your decision?
Moses warned, in Exodus 23:2, “You shall not follow a multitude to do evil.” Consider! With the parallel exception of Sabbath-breaking, God punished Israel worse for falling into idolatry than for any other sin. This is the message from physical Israel’s rollercoaster ride through history. (But these warnings are even more for those of SPIRITUAL Israel, for whom so much more is at stake.)
Idolatry and Sabbath-breaking are the two biggest reasons God sent Israel into captivity—causing them to become the “lost sheep of the House of Israel.” When either the Sabbath, which is a sign between God and His people forever (Ex. 31; Ezek. 20 ALL), is forgotten, or idolatry occurs, the true God has already been pushed aside. Every time ancient Israel committed these sins, they had become blind—and only captivity awakened them! This is another clear message from their history—and it is a very strong WARNING for those facing the prospect of the Great Tribulation.
Will this punishment be necessary for you?
If the majority around you (the “multitude”) continues to do the “evil” (Ex. 23:2) of following a false Christ, will you do the same because you fear to be in the minority?
(Our sermon “God’s Way: Small, Little, Few” explains the typical actions of the majority and the minority, and how they relate to you.)
Let’s now summarize two previously established points—and then draw a conclusion: Idolatry is commandment-breaking, not commandment-keeping! The Second Commandment forbids idolatry. Even the Laodiceans “keep the Commandments of God.” Also, to even be considered Laodicean by Christ, one must understand the “spirit of prophecy.” Remember, these two points are the only “positives” that Christ acknowledges concerning Laodiceans’ conduct and understanding. They are commandment-keepers (Rev. 12:17) and they have the “spirit of prophecy” (Revelation 19:10)! Christ established these as minimum standards to even be Laodicean. Let’s assume you are holding to many other correct doctrines. If you ignore or violate such basic standards, even for Laodiceans—let alone Philadelphians!—all zeal becomes worthless!
Do you understand the overall point here? If what has been written here describes you, do you see the need to WAKE UP?
Do not misunderstand what is at stake for every Christian in this age! Even lukewarm Christians are neveridolaters (Rev. 21:8)—and they do not lose sight of Jesus Christ as That Prophet. They understand the “testimony of Jesus Christ”—the “spirit of prophecy.” Violating either of these two key points takes oneself completely off the “true Christian radar screen”—as much as the professing Christians of this world.
YOU CANNOT FOLLOW A FALSE PROPHET OR A FALSE CHRIST AND REMAIN A TRUE CHRISTIAN!
Remember: Many religions have certain elements of truth within their theology. This does not make them Christian! Everyone knows this. Do not forget it.
Mr. Armstrong did not fear to “Cry aloud! Spare not! Lift up [his] voice like a trumpet and show My people their sins!” (Isa. 58:1). I also cannot. Paul wrote, “Take heed unto yourself, and unto the doctrines; continue in them: for in doing this you shall both save yourself, and them that hear you” (I Tim. 4:16).
Mr. Armstrong quoted Isaiah 58 ALL and Ezekiel 33 ALL often. Take time to review them. This book fulfills both the
Revelation 3:14 “messenger” and Ezekiel 33:7-9 “watchman” responsibilities. I have tried to replace the fear of your false leader with an absolute fear of God. If you have “eyes to see and ears to hear,” it could save yourETERNAL LIFE!
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