I want to be as plain and clear as I possibly can. These days demand that God's servants speak with rugged honesty and plainness of speech. We are living in the most perilous, the most spiritually dangerous times this world has ever known. I know that for the church of Jesus Christ these are days of great tribulation, such as the world has never seen. The religious, doctrinal errors of this day are so treacherously deceptive that, were it possible, the very elect of God would be deceived. It seems that Satan has been loosed for a little season, as John said that he would be, to deceive the nations of the world again(Rev. 20:1-3). It seems that we are living in that terribly evil day, of which Paul spoke in II Thessaionians 2, when God shall send men a strong delusion, that they should believe a lie, who received not the love of the truth(vv. 10-12). In such an evil day as this, I believe this question is worthy of consideration - Can you trust your religious leaders to tell you the truth? Can you trust those who preach to you and teach you to be honest and faithful in proclaiming the Word of God, regardless of cost or consequence?
I know that the question I am asking is a serious one. But we must face the facts. I know the seriousness of the things I am about to say and the charges I am about to bring. But I see things going on in the religious world around me that cause me great concern. I must speak honestly and candidly, no matter what it may cost me to do so. The glory of God, the gospel of the grace of God, and the souls of men compel me to be honest.
This is a word of solemn warning; but it must be sounded. THE MOST PROMINENT, THE MOST POWERFUL, THE MOST POPULAR, THE MOST INFLUENTIAL RELIGIOUS LEADERS OF OUR DAY ARE FALSE PROPHETS. Listen to what God says of these men - "The watchmen are blind: they are all ignorant, they are all dumb dogs, they cannot bark; sleeplng, lying down, loving to slumber. Yea, they are greedy dogs which can never have enough, and they are shepherds that cannot understand: THEY ALL LOOK FOR THEIR OWN WAY, EVERYONE FOR HIS GAIN, FROM HIS QUARTER" (Isa. 56:10-11). "A wonderful and horrible thing is committed in the land: THE PROPHETS PROPHESY FALSELY. . .AND MY PEOPLE LOVE IT SO" (Jer. 5:30-31). "My people hath been lost sheep: THEIR SHEPHERDS HAVE CAUSED THEM TO GO ASTRAY" (Jer. 50:6).
THE GREATEST ENEMIES OF GOD AND THE GOSPEL OF CHRIST IN THIS DAY ARE THOSE MEN WHO STAND IN THE PULPITS OF OUR LAND TO PREACH A FALSE GOSPEL. And the vast majority of those who are conservative, fundamentalist, Baptist preachers are preaching a false gospel. The gospel that is being preached in this day is man centered. It talks about a salvation which begins with man's will and ends with man's reward. Today's gospel talks about righteousness, but it is a righteousness produced by man, not the righteousness of God in Christ, Today's gospel emphasizes man's rights, man's dignity, man's power, man's works, man's will, and man's accomplishments. It is designed to make sinners feel good about themselves and feel sorry for God. In its essence, the gospel of this day is a denial of the character and work of God. It robs God of his sovereignty, his power, his righteousness, and his glory in salvation. It puts the power of salvation not in the blood of Christ, but in the free-will of man.
Can you trust those who are preaching such gospel? I think not. If you are wise, you will find someone who is preaching the gospel of God's grace and glory in Christ, and hear what he has to say.
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