Part 11 of 22 –

 A Further Falling Away

When I refer to certain apostate Christian organizations or denominations in this series I am in no way saying there are no truly saved believers to be found among the members of Catholic Church or protestant denominations. I am simply exposing the erroneous notions of these organization’s “fallen away” teachings, doctrines, objectives, and principles, which can and do ultimately have an eternal life and death consequences for millions of souls.

Most all of these so-called Christian organizations have abandoned the key elements of “the faith,” which Paul preached and thoroughly explained in his thirteen epistles to “the body of Christ” and in his epistle to the “Hebrews.” They’ve abandoned the simplicity of salvation “by (God’s) grace” and “through faith …and that not of yourselves, it’s a gift of God…not of works…” (Eph 2:8-9). When one foregoes any of these preceding bolded points can negate the possibility of an effective salvation for the unsaved, and it also negate the joy, liberty and power of salvation for a previously saved believer.

Some of the humanistic social gospel apostate’s have a motive that is seemingly noble; they seek to establish an ecumenical, worldwide, secular humanistic religion where all can be one. I believe this will only help to form a platform for the appearing of the False Prophet and Anti-Christ of Revelation who will reign during that Tribulation and terrible “day of the Lord” (Acts 2:20, 2Peter 3:10)

Naively, some so-called Bible preaching evangelical churches falsely consider that there should be an accommodation of the liberal apostates, for the sake of the supposed oneness of ecumenism. They say they do this in the hope of reaching or changing the apostates, to get them “saved.” Many of the Bible preaching churches fails to realize their misinterpretation of the Scripture; they falsely assume God seeks a “ kingdom of God ” on earth for “the body of Christ. The so-called Bible preaching churches erroneously think they will bring “the kingdom of God” to earth; but God’s promise of a kingdom on earth belongs only to the Nation Israel, not “the body of Christ.”“ This error is the result of the widely promulgated major hermeneutic error of “spiritualizing” the written word of God – assuming whatever in the Bible is spoken of Israel is spoken of “the body of Christ.” This is not true. Israel is not “the body of Christ.” It is Israel , not “the body of Christ,” that will inherit the earth, as God repeatedly promised it to Abraham’s seed – the children of Israel (i.e., Gen 17:8, 48:4).

By their error of seeking ecumenism with the apostates, the evangelicals are actually working toward Satan’s goal to enslave the world under his Anti-Christ who will rule the world in that great and terrible “day of the Lord.” By not acknowledging Paul’s place and unique message, as our apostle for today, and forsaking Paul’s unique “gospel of the grace of God” they’ve fallen away. They have been seduced to follow Satan’s plan in the name of an unachievable ecumenism in this age, through compromise. “Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils” (1 Timothy 4:1 (KJV) Paul never yielded to give up the pure truth. “To them (the legalistic, law-keeping, Jerusalem church) we (Paul and Barnabas) did not yield submission even for a moment, that the truth of the Gospel might continue to be [preserved] for you [in its purity].” (Galatians 2:5 (AMP)

Among the deceived there is the Christian “Dominionist.” The Dominionists are a grouping of Christians that seek a one world Christian church religion on earth. Defined in its simplest form, Dominionism is a theocratic approach to the Christian faith and practice based upon a literalistic interpretation of the original dominion mandate that God gave to Adam (mankind) in the Book of Genesis 1:26-27. “And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.” Originally, man was given to “have dominion” upon the earth, to “rule over” it and all its creatures.

The Dominionist fails to realize that after the continual evil of mankind’s heart was exposed in Gen 6:5, the dominion mandate of Genesis 1:26-27 was superseded by God’s later, narrower, promise to one man, to Abram, through whom the Nation of Israel was to inherit the earth… to “bless all the families of the earth” (Gen 12:6). God promised this repeatedly to Abraham for his seed, the nation Israel (Gen 17:8, 48:4). The core of the Dominionists hermeneutic error is that they do not “study… rightly dividing the word of truth” (2Tim 2:15 KJV) – they fail to determine what in the Bible applies to the Nation Israel versus that which applies to “the body of Christ” today. They neglect Israel ’s place and calling as being unique to Israel alone. This is the erroneous foundation for all their errors that spring from their error of “spiritualizing the Bible.” They believe whatever was spoken of Israel is spoken of the church today. They seize every promise God made to Israel as if it applies to the body of Christ today – but it doesn’t. This of course is a patently false notion since “the body of Christ” is not the “Nation Israel .” These two, “ Israel ” and “the body of Christ,” operate under the terms of two different programs, economies, administration or dispensations of God (law vs. grace), with two different outcomes or eternal destinies; one “the body of Christ” in heaven and Israel “on earth.” Yet, both of these peoples of God are based upon the cross of Jesus Christ. Some Dominionist believes in “replacement theology,” which essentially says “the church today replaces Israel .” Thus they claim the promises made to Israel .

One goal of Christian Dominionism is to abolish the Separation of Church and State in the USA and to reestablish the United States as a distinctively Christian Nation based upon the Old Testament Mosaic Law given to Israel . Dominionism does not include any one denomination, but it is heavily neo-Pentecostal and includes some evangelicals, fundamentalists, and others. Not all Christians are Dominionist…but all Dominionists are of the Christian sects.

The Dominionists seek a Christian theocracy under the Mosaic “Law of God” that was given to Israel , expecting that it will come to pass in a “Christian church kingdom on earth.” This of course is not true. We might ask the Dominionist a simple question, who was the OT promises and Mosaic Law given to? It was to Israel only.

Proponents of Dominion theology, such notable Christians as Pat Robertson, D. James Kennedy (deceased), John Whitehead, R. J. Rushdoony, and Franky Schaeffer. They write and speak as if they believe that they must help God get things under control down here on earth, so then the Lord will return in His second coming to earth to se up the kingdom of God on earth. Most of these men have appeared on the Pat Robertson’s TV program, The 700 Club. Pat Robertson makes frequent use of “dominion” language in his books such as his 1986 book, “The Secret Kingdom.” His books often cite elements of “theonomy,” meaning God’s Mosaic Law is still supreme today for believers, even though this directly disagrees with Paul words for the members of “the body of Christ” as noted in Rom 6:14 “ye are not under the law but under grace.”  Many Americans were made uncomfortable when, during Robertson’s presidential campaign, he said he “would only bring Christians and Jews into the government,” (see Pat Robertson's “The New World Order,” page 218). He later wrote, “There will never be world peace until God’s house and God’s people are given their rightful place of leadership at the top of the world.” The Dominionist strives for this so their version of the kingdom of God on earth can be set up in order that the King Himself can reign properly on earth; expecting it to be through them of course.

The Dominionists need to note the significant differences between Paul’s “mystery” (“secret”, Col 1:27, Rom 16:25) concerning “the body of Christ” and that of the long prophesied “kingdom” gospel that Jesus of Nazareth proclaimed to His Jewish disciples as being “at hand” for Israel . Jesus proclaimed “The Kingdom of heaven” to “the lost sheep of the house of Israel (only)” (Mat 15:24) during Jesus’ earthly ministry. Then, as instructed by Jesus, “the twelve” then proclaimed “The Kingdom of heaven”… going “NOT to the Gentiles… “but ONLY to the lost sheep of the house of Israel ” (Matt 10:5-6). The prayer Jesus gave His Jewish disciples “…thy kingdom come … on earth…”

In Acts, at the time of Pentecost, Peter preached addressing not Gentiles but “ye men of Galilee ,” and “ye men of… Judea ” and …. “ye men of  Israel ,” (Acts 1:11, 2:14, 2:22, 11:19). Peter offered the long covenant promised Kingdom that had been “made known by all the (Old Testament) prophets,” saying God would “send Jesus” (Acts 3:19-20) if only the Nation Israel would “repent and be baptized.” By contrast, Paul’s heretofore mystery (secret gospel) had “been kept secret since the world began” (Rom 16:25), until it was revealed to Him several years after the cross by the Ascended Lord, directly. Obviously, a message of the kingdom to come to earth that had been “made known by all the prophets” and Paul’s “mystery gospel,” the gospel “kept secret,” must to be different. Clearly, Jesus earthly ministry concerning “the kingdom of heaven” to come to earth was to Israel , through whom the whole world was to be blessed. For most of the forty days after His resurrection Jesus taught His Jewish disciples concerning one thing; not the cross, but rather “the kingdom of God ” (Acts 1:3). Knowledge of the effectual work of Christ’s cross would finally come via Paul several years later.

The day of Israel is coming. Here below Zechariah writes prophetically of the day when Israel , not the body of Christ, will lead the world’s nations, leading men to God.

Zechariah 8:22-23 Yea, many people and strong nations shall come to seek the LORD of hosts in Jerusalem , and to pray before the LORD. ²³ Thus saith the LORD of hosts; In those days it shall come to pass, that ten men shall take hold out of all languages of the nations, even shall take hold of the skirt of him that is a Jew, saying, We will go with you: for we have heard that God is with you.

The erroneous Dominionist goals for Christians is why so many Christians today feel it necessary to be involved in politics and government – thinking they should and can fix the world, preparing the way for God’s kingdom to come to earth. This is entirely erroneous and contrary to the revelation of the truth of the Bible. The Bible clearly says the world will grow worse as the end of the age approaches, not better. “But wicked men and imposters will go on from bad to worse, deceiving and leading astray others and being deceived and led astray themselves.” (2 Timothy 3:13 (AMP)  

This idea of worldwide Christian church as the kingdom of God on earth under “the body of Christ” is totally false since Paul writes that the members of “the body of Christ” will actually become completed (Rom 11:25b) and removed from the earth …to heaven. The believing members of “the body of Christ” will be “caught up” to “meet the Lord in the air” (1Thes 4:17, “rapteur,” Latin Vulgate) and “so shall they ever be with the Lord.” Only after “the body of Christ” is “caught up,” (taken out of the world) will the surviving “remnant” of Israel , the elect of God on earth, see the promised judgment and then inherit the earthly “Kingdom” on earth. Then Jesus will return to earth with the resurrected deceased Old Testament saints presently in heaven and with the then recently martyred Tribulation kingdom believers, to reign in the 1,000 year millennial kingdom on earth, through Israel . The Twelve Apostles (including Mathias, not Paul) will sit on 12 thrones (Matt 19:28), having authority to judge Israel on earth, under Christ, as they proceed to bless the world.

The promised Kingdom to come to earth is for all the believers of all time that have trusted God through all the ages that pertain to a kingdom on earth, not those believers who are saved under the administration of Paul’s pure grace gospel. Those Jews who at the time of the Tribulation come to believe in Christ as the Messiah and Savior of Israel, and remain alive and true to the end of the seven-year Tribulation period (many will be martyred), will enter the millennial reign of Christ on this earth alive; and then the eternal “kingdom of God” on the renewed earth forever (Rom 9:27, Ezek 20:34-38).

Today, during “the dispensation (Gk., oikonomia, economy or administration) of the grace of God,” there is only one way to be saved…that is “by grace through faith…not of works.” This is such since Israel has fallen and Israel ’s program has been set aside (Rom 11:11-12, 25) until “the time of the gentiles is fulfilled.” Judaism cannot be practiced today since the Jerusalem Temple was destroyed and with that Israel ’s priesthood function was negated in AD 70, since the time of Titus, the Caesar of Rome. This was soon after AD 68 when Paul declared Israel ’s rejection of the Gospel, which then would go to “go to the Gentiles who will hear it” (Acts 28:28). Today all men, both Jews and Gentiles must come to God the very same way…under the terms of the grace gospel. All must simply “believe on the Lord Jesus Christ to be saved” (Act 16:31) into “the body of Christ,” in which there is neither Jew nor Gentile. Today, under pure grace, “all are one in Christ” (Gal 3:28). These then are the “ambassadors” on earth who are destined for heaven as their homeland (Philip 3:20), not the “kingdom of heaven” on earth.

As bad and damaging as the liberal protestant Apostate (fallen away) church is, the so-called evangelical church today, has become the *neo-evangelical church. Its fall has taken hold over the past half-century or so. This verse seems to fit them. 1Timothy 4:1 Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from THE FAITH, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils.

Cornelius Stam* wrote; “Sadly, for much of the professing church, the day of theological controversy has passed. Ecumenism is now the word. Church leaders appear to have become convinced that the stifling confusion in the church can be overcome only by all of us getting together, minimizing our differences and emphasizing those doctrines upon which we all agree. As a result some of the most important doctrines and truths of “the faith” are neither denied nor affirmed; they are generally ignored. The objective now is not to be true to the written Word of God, but to see to it that the church has large numbers and commands the world’s respect.” Paul here offers us his attitude toward “the world”; he says “I am crucified unto the world and the world unto me,” and so it should be of us.

“Ecumenism, sad to say, has made significant inroads among neo-evangelical believers. All too seldom do men of God stand up to defend by the Scriptures and the truths they believe. Proper theological debate has given place to the dialogue, in which two individuals or groups sit down together to discuss their differences and see if there is not some basis for agreement. This appears generous and objective but too often one’s convictions are compromised and the truth is watered down by such undertakings. The result is that God’s witness and the Spirit’s power are sacrificed for numerical strength.”

No man of God can speak in the power of the Spirit when he places anything before “the Word” and will of God. Paul writes; 1 Corinthians 2:1 And I, brethren, when I came to you, came not with excellency of speech or of wisdom, declaring unto you the testimony of God. The Church, which is “the body of Christ,” can never be truly effective unless it puts God’s Word and will first, and takes its place in the world as Christ’s ambassadors on the alien territory of the earth (2Cor. 5:20). We are to be His ambassadors on earth, a place that is NOT our ultimate home. Unlike Israel who will inherit the kingdom on earth, our home is soon to be the place of our “citizenship… in heaven” (Philip 3:20).

1 Timothy 1:19-20  Holding faith, and a good conscience; which some having put away concerning (the) faith have made shipwreck: ²⁰ Of whom is Hymenaeus and Alexander; whom I have delivered unto Satan, that they may learn not to blaspheme.” If an individual can make ship wreck of their lives, so also can whole denominations that are led by men. A religious organization or sect can depart from “the faith” only if it at one time held to “the faith.” Sadly, many of our religious leaders today have made shipwreck of “the faith” to one degree or another. All one has to do is watch a few minutes of so-called Christian television to note the misuse of Scripture and money grubbing of those who Paul as describes are “greedy of filthy lucre” (1Tim 3:3); and this is presented in the name of Christ. They present God as a cosmic extortionist who will only bless you if you give your money to these corrupt men. It’s no wonder that the world scoffs at what is presented as Christianity.

The “neo-evangelical church” has also by and large fallen away from the “fundamentals” of “the faith” as it has accepted a philosophy that says “we can and should mix with all those who claim Christ, even the Apostates, so we can influence them for the better.” These then act contrary to Paul’s admonition. Colossians 2:8 BEWARE LEST ANY MAN SPOIL YOU through PHILOSOPHY and VAIN DECEIT, after THE TRADITION OF MEN, after the RUDIMENTS OF THE WORLD, and not after Christ. They so desire numbers in their evangelical congregations that they are seduced to use “the methods of the world.” They’ve abandoned the Pauline gospel only to employ Madison Avenue techniques and entertainment in order to attract and seemingly “win souls.”

*See “The Present Peril” by Cornelius Stam which further explains “neo-evangelicalism.”