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As I opened the Part 2 Faith section of Newsday in the August 17th issue, the following front page headline jumped out at me - “HELL’S NOT ‘IN’ ANYMORE”! It even featured a cartoon “Satan” character with horns and a long pointed tail, as if to emphasize the secular view of the devil! It was a well written article with many quotes from those in the forefront of the mainline “Christian” community, that , if nothing else, served to underscore the unfailing accuracy of God’s prophetic word.
There is an old saying that goes - “the truth hurts”, and for that reason we often don’t want to hear what the real truth is! For example, a balding man knows that he is bald, but would rather not hear about it. An overweight women knows she is overweight, but don’t you dare mention it. Some truths about God’s word are like that, and unfortunately, many in today’s churches are buying into the facade.
The following is a quote from the Newsday article, “The Rev. Bill Faris believes in hell, that frightful neatherworld where the thermostat is always set on high, where sinners toil for eternity in unspeakable torment. But you’d never know it listening to him preach at his evangelical church. He never mentions the topic; his flock shows little interest in it.” “It isn’t sexy enough anymore” said Faris, pastor of Crown Valley Vineyard Christian Fellowship in Orange Country, Calif.” This is but one example of a church pastor who claims to believe in the truth about hell, but does not talk about it because it’s unpopular with the congregation! This is underscored by Bruce Shelley, a senior professor of church history at the Denver Theological Seminary when he said “It’s just too negative” to talk about hell.
The article goes on to say, “Where once hell was viewed as a literal, geographic location, it is now more often considered a state of the soul. In 1999, Pope John II made headlines by saying hell should be seen not as a fiery place, but as “the state of those who freely and definitely separate themselves from God . . .” The Rev. Billy Graham seems to agree in this quote; “I believe that hell is essentially separation from God, so we can have hell in this life, and hell in the life to come”. Graham said in 1991, “But to describe hell in vivid terms like I might have 30 or 40 years ago, I ‘m not at liberty to do that because whether there is actually fire in hell or not, I do not know” Apparently the Pope, and the Rev. Graham are indeed willing to speak about hell, but only in terms that are less offensive to those listening.
But what did Jesus have to say about hell? Jesus said that in the last days, when the wheat and the tares are separated, He would send His angels to “gather out of His kingdom all things that offend, and them that do iniquity; And shall cast them into a furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth.” Matt. 13:41-42 I challenge you to search your Bible for other verses about hell.
While Rev. Graham is not sure whether there is fire in hell, Jesus thinks so! And while the Pope thinks hell is only “separation” from God, apparently that separation involves “wailing and gnashing of teeth”, a bit more than the mere “loneliness” implied!
As we await the soon return of the Lord Jesus during these last days, the prophetic word speaks to us loud and clear. Sound doctrine is being excluded or watered down right in the pulpits of churches that claim the name of Christ. The truth of the scriptures is being diluted so as not to offend those sitting in the pews. Congregations are being fed what they want to hear, not what the Bible actually teaches.
Today’s “Secular Humanism” and the “New Age Movement” are based upon there being no absolutes. There is no “right” or “wrong”, and everyone is free to do their own thing. This is the foundation for the Antichrist “One World Church”, and “One World Government”, and is a lie from the very pit of the very real hell! Just as the Word of God predicted, these perversions are now seeping into the very fabric of Christian doctrine.
We are admonished in scripture to “study to show ourselves approved of God, a workman that need not be ashamed, rightly dividing the Word of Truth”. 2 Timothy 2:15 Never before has it been more important for Believers to know what God’s Word has to say! The world stage is being set for the appearance of the Antichrist, and his avowed goal is the destruction of the true church, and all believers. We are now seeing and experiencing the first battles of the last days for the souls of men. The devil is a liar, and his weapons are lies. Don’t believe the lies!
II Timothy 4: 3-4 has come to pass today! The world is full of “teachers” who will only tell us “what we want to hear” or what is “politically correct”! God’s word is being watered down by those more concerned with being popular, than preaching the whole truth.
If we want “sound doctrine” accept no teaching, no doctrine, and no sermon, without putting it to the test of the scriptures, discerned by the Spirit of God that teach’s us all things. Do not be a respecter of persons, even if that person is your pastor, Pope, an evangelist or author.
Jesus said this about those who preach false doctrine, “And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.” II Corinthians 11:14-15
If you want to be told the truth, then that truth must come from the one who is called the “truth”! Accept no substitutes!
Ron Cusano,
Shiloh Ministries
September, 2002 Edition
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