FROM YOUR PASTOR’S DESK:
IS ‘ANTICHRIST’ YET TO APPEAR OR IS HE ALREADY HERE? Part III
Because too many during these rapidly waning hours of probation still presumptuously believe that they “are already rich in goods and have need of nothing” or lazily entrust their eternal salvation to their spiritual guardians and “whatever their church believes” instead of learning how to study the Bible, the prophecies [and the parables] for themselves—-as all must individually “stand before the judgment seat of Christ” and “give an account of himself” (Rom. 14:10, 12) – they thus expose themselves as “sitting ducks” to be the sport of Satan’s masterful deceptions and “wiles.”
Satan and the antichrist know who they are; it is those whom they are deceiving who don’t know them nor themselves and thus ascribe the name ‘antichrist’ to different individuals, ranging from Hitler to Obama or even Bill Gates, etc.
Thus they have become additional agents spreading broadcast the counterfeits deftly masterminded by antichrist itself! But more than that, by ascribing the name antichrist to the wrong individuals, they incur the guilt of false accusers and are recorded as “bearing false witness against their neighbor,” the ninth commandment.
Jesus clearly declared, “by your words thou shalt be justified or condemned.” Moreover, there are three kinds of sins requiring a corresponding manner of confessing each. If it is a secret sin. It must be confessed non-verbally and only to the ears of God. If it has been committed against a specific individual it must be confessed to that individual only. If it is a public sin, such as accusing someone publicly or even “broadcasting” it in any way or fashion, it must be confessed via the same means. Repentance always preceded confession.
Let all remember what Jesus said: “Inasmuch as you have done it to the least of My brethren, you have done it unto Me.” All sins unrepented of and unconfessed are never forgiven and will meet all in their own individual judgment. How critical therefore that we “count the cost” and look before we leap before hastily speaking, especially regarding the doctrines and truths of the Bible. They are pure, true, and sacred. They are never to be handled carelessly, irresponsibly, proudly, presumptuously or worse, deceitfully.
Make sure you have prayerfully and carefully consulted what “thus saith the Lord” or “it is written” following the “line upon line, precept upon, here a little, there a little”
study prescribed by the Bible itself, before making any assertions. Such an approach will keep us out of trouble with God and men, and very embarrassing or humiliating circumstances.
While here we are dealing specifically on the topic of the antichrist, the same holds true for all the doctrines of the Bible especially the pillars or landmarks of the advent faith.
(To be continued), Bless all, NMF
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