Why should we at all bother to take a stand regarding the doctrine on the Rapture? Does it really matter? Why do we not just accept the different opinions? There are those who choose to believe in a Pre- Mid- or Post Tribulation Rapture on the one hand; and a few others who call the brethren to be alert and ready for a time of great tribulation. Why then should be bother? Indeed, we should!
In the passage of the sower in Matthew 13, Messiah indicates that the field of the harvest will not only contain wheat but amongst the wheat, the enemy will also sow ‘tares.’ The word ‘tare’ in this passage refers to “Darnel” – a weed resembling wheat! Envisioning this parable, we can imagine a field sown with wheat; yet, among the ‘true grain’ sprouted some weeds with the ‘outer appearance’ resembling the wheat. In the light of this understanding, Messiah prohibits the disciples who wanted to immediately remove the ‘fake grain,’ so to speak. He commands them to leave the grain until the time of ‘the final harvest at the threshing floor,’ . . .
In fact, if we see these things coming to pass, let us take courage, remembering the words of Luke, saying, ‘ But when these things begin to take place, straighten up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near . . .
The two prophets warn the shepherds of Israel of God’s intended judgment on them. Instead of feeding the sheep, the shepherds fed themselves, ‘You eat the fat and clothe yourselves with wool, you slaughter the fat sheep without feeding the flock.’ Also, ‘Those who are sickly you have not strengthened, the diseased you have not healed, the broken you have not bound up, the scattered you have not brought back, nor have you sought for the lost; but with force and severity you have dominated them,’ (Ezek 34:3-4) . . .
We do not need a keen discernment to take notice of the times we live in. Lawlessness is everywhere, and lawlessness is sin! Political correctness and human rights have become the law of the modern era and altered the mind-set of the global community, having a profound effect on the modern day gospel.
If a teacher adheres to the foundation of the gospel as laid down by the 12 Apostles, namely ‘that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, and that He appeared,’ having shown Himself as the resurrected Son of God (1 Cor 15:1-8), we carefully proceed to judge how he continues to build on this foundation, for false teachers will eventually . . .
The close connection between teaching the true Word of God and the office of a prophet becomes evident in the second epistle of the apostle Peter. Peter warns, ‘But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction . . .
The inevitable would happen – false apostles, prophets, teachers, evangelists, and shepherds (pastors) would creep into the Body unnoticed. The apostle Paul even warns that some would arise from among us. Either way, a stern warning was extended to the Body of Christ to stay alert and to practice discernment . . .
Contemplative Prayer has been practiced by mystics for ages. This form of prayer is now known among the believing communities, especially among the Emergent Church, as “centered prayer.” This very disturbing practice has become part of many congregations, and many sincere people are not discerning the severe dangers of engaging in this form of meditative prayer. As always, the Deceiver inspires false teachers to quote Scriptures out of context, drawing these people in to an ancient form of occult practice, and thus opening themselves to ‘other spirits,’ (1 Tim 4:1; 1 John 4:1).
Hyper-Grace teachers, among whom Joseph Prince is most prominent, claim that believers should not be guilt-ridden and live in fear of falling into sin, for the price for sin is once for all paid by the death of Messiah, (Heb 10:12). They simply claim that you need not ‘worry about sin in your life . . .
According to Rick Warren, his best selling book, The Purpose Driven Life, is the most popular and widely read book in modern history besides the Bible. Rightly so, for this new foundational approach to increase the numbers of church attendance works. Rick Warren has reached global influence with his philanthropic, humanitarian P.E.A.C.E. PLAN, for he addressed and presented this plan to the United Nations (UN), World Economic Forum (WEF), African Union (AU), and the Council of Foreign Affairs (CFA). Warren is using this platform to present a “social reformation plan,” with the Church as the primary social agent, to bring about global reconciliation and peace, and is thus part of the global Ecumenical Movement.
A seed was sown in the minds of this latter-day generation, cultivating the expectation of a worldwide revival that will set the Church in a victorious position over the world system prior to the Second Appearance of Messiah. This doctrine, known as The Third Wave, has captured the minds and hearts of the main stream mega church movement. In stead of preparing the faithful followers of Messiah for a time of great tribulation that will lead to the persecution of the body of Messiah…
Having distorted faith, the deity of Messiah, the purity of the gospel, and introducing an altogether different spirituality, one of the mainstream leaders, Peter C. Wagner, paved the way for a predominant international movement, called Kingdom Now or New Apostolic Reformation. Wagner positions himself as a ‘modern day apostle,’ and propagate the idea that a latter-day global church, governed by apostles and prophets, will conquer the world system for Christ, and set up His eternal kingdom on earth before His Second Appearance. These apostles and prophets, according to Wagner, receive a mandate of power and authority to execute God’s plans and purposes to govern His kingdom on this earth. In some circles this quest is known as the emerging “New Order Church”.
In ministering to the woman at the well, Jesus qualified that the true worshiper will worship in Spirit and in Truth, for God is Spirit, (John 4:21-24). This spiritual worship is typified as the fire emitting incense burnt by the priests in the presence of Almighty God in the Tabernacle Worship of the First Covenant. There was no compromise, the priest could not enter into the presence of Almighty God ‘at any time’ or ‘in any way’ they deemed proper or suitable (Lev 16:1-2), yet Aaron sons, Nadab and Abihu, offered ‘strange fire’ …
One of the most widespread and penetrating movements of the last century is probably the Word of Faith Movement. Kenneth Hagin is known as the father of this movement, and many other tele-evangelists like Kenneth Copeland, Benny Hinn, Jan and Paul Crouch, followed to spread the message. The movement has added, more recently, mega-church preachers, Joel Osteen, Joyce Meyers, Kefro Dollar, and Paula White to their numbers, to name only a few. The movement popularized the idea that the gospel guarantees health, wealth, and prosperity to those who follow their teachings. The assemblies soon moved into ‘signs and wonders,’ and it is propagated as proof of the Holy Spirit’s presence and work in their gatherings. Hence, most people are flocking to the meetings, not to hear the Word preached, but for ‘spiritual experiences.’
The Holy Spirit appeared as “tongues of fire” on those who awaited Him in the upper room on Pentecost, or Shavuot, (Acts 2:1-4). Almighty God warns, though, that it is an offence to worship Him with “strange fire,” as clearly illustrated in the pattern laid down in the worship offered to Him by the sons of Aaron, (Lev 10:1-3; 16:1-2).
This profound historical event, namely, the death and resurrection of Messiah, paid the penalty for eternal death, and will thus establish those who accept it by faith as JUSTIFIED in God’s Court of Law on Judgment Day, allowing the Angel of Death to “pass over ” them, for they will be sealed by the blood of the Unblemished Passover Lamb, (Rom 3:24-26; Rom 5:10-11).
About Liezel
Liezel is a motivated and passionate student of the Word with a strong zeal for the truth. Her end time study on the book of Revelation developed into a few Women’s Study Groups, mainly in Jerusalem. Eventually, after 16 years of study, the teachings were transcribed into a study book; Autumn Feasts in Revelation – Unveiling the Glory of God. The book encourages a self-study, guiding the reader through the book of Revelation in the light of the Old Testament prophecies, and New Testament predictions of the end times. Under the authority and covering of her husband, she has taught many Bible studies since the Lord has led them to minister in Israel. She also counseled many people, guiding them back to biblical principles.