Category Archives: Exodus
Prelude: satan’s messengers declaring the battle over
Premature victory party?
Its happened before, so this is no surprise to see satan methodically releasing his emissaries into the public arena to declare that the battle is over and the people of God should surrender. You will see more of this in the coming years. Societal voices who are influential, socially and religiously ecumenical and accomplished will declare that any opposition to homosexuality is futile. We have told you before and say again the promotion and defense of homosexuality is a signal weapon in the antichrist push to destroy the church of the Living God. We must understand the times and seasons. This didn’t just began with the modern gay rights movement, its been in the plan since Sodom. Jesus specifically told us that. In short, we are on the cusp of an inevitable war.
But before all out battle takes place satan is attempting to beat down as much resistance as possible.
The messaging now combines an insistent yet syrupy tone. That’s to convince those with marginal commitment to the Lord Jesus to voluntarily silence themselves on the issue. Incrementally, it will grow to demands and then finally threats and persecution against anyone who will not fall in line with the “new reality”. All the elements are in place: government (illegitimate authority), religion (credibility) and media (to amplify the false prophet’s voice).
First, what we call history is repetitive. After some disastrous human madness occurs, people swear “never again!”. But then they unwittingly turn and empower the next madman or mad movement to do it all over again. Since the tower of babel, we are caught in a cycle of humanism that disavows God’s sovereignty. Thus, humanity will circle in the wilderness until he comes and puts all foes under his feet. Satan, is the consummate opportunist who manipulates every evil work to his advantage. His agenda can be summed up in 3 words: kill, steal and destroy. And he will use anyone to accomplish that goal.
This isn’t just antichrist spring fever. There’s no way to talk about what we are seeing and hearing on the world stage and in our own country without inclusion of the “spirit of the antichrist” as a significant factor. Michealjournal.com explains:
“Before Christ’s second coming the Church must pass through a final trial that will shake the faith of many believers. (Cf. Luke 18:8: ‘But when the Son of man comes, will he find any faith on earth?’ and Mathew 24:12: 12: ‘And with the increase of lawlessness, love in most people will grow cold.’) The persecution that accompanies her pilgrimage on earth (cf. Luke 21:12; John 15:19-20) will unveil the ‘mystery of iniquity’ in the form of a religious deception offering men an apparent solution to their problems at the price of apostasy from the truth. the supreme religious deception is that of the Antichrist, a pseudo-messianism by which man glorifies himself in place of God and of his Messiah come in the flesh. (Cf. 2 Th 2:4-12; I Th 5:2-3; 2 Jn 7; I Jn 2:1 8, 22.)
Epic battles
That’s why —if you read your bible— the spirit of the antichrist is both predictable and astonishingly oblivious to the historical facts where God has defeated him with little to no effort. You can almost clock its point by point progression. Allow me to refresh your memory.
The first example occurs in 1 Chronicles 20:1-24. The aggressors are two countries God had spared on Isreal’s march to the promised land. This was treacherous aggression. You should read it carefully and watch how God masterfully allows it to play out. You will witness what happens when the tide is against the people of God. Several things of note:
- Messengers were sent out in advance to spread intimidation and fear.
- The king was told a “vast army” was coming against him and Isreal. Just like today we are being told that more and more people are joining the gay is okay army against dwindling number of people who will be on the “wrong side of history”.
- Numbers and perceived victories have no bearing with God. In fact, the greater the numbers and odds stacked against us, the better. It allows for God to showcase his power.
- We are expected to suit up for war and go out as if we are going to fight but its only part of his plan to embolden the enemy’s rage against us. Again, he wants to push their threats to absolute maximum to show how great he is.
- Defeat of our foes will be utter and complete.
The second case I want you to examine is from 2 Kings 18:17-36 which concludes at 2 Kings 19. This time the aggressor is the arrogant leader of the Assyrians. And take note that
- A messenger is sent out in advance to spread intimidation and fear
- The aggressor brags how he has taken down others who have opposed him
- The numbers against the people of God were overwhelming
- A personal insult is issued against God
- The enemy suffers a stunning and decisive defeat
In both cases, each king of Isreal and Judah plead their case directly to God, calling on him to remember the threats of the enemy. And God sends a prophet to tell them what will happen.
Enter the rat maker
Don’t become a experimental lab rat by listening to the messengers of satan.
This time a member of USA Today’s board of contributors whose gangly contemproism all but crows “the battle is over”. Tom Krattenmaker‘s opinion editorial about Christian leaders confronting homosexuality is making its rounds. Krattenmaker is predicting that a coalition of cultural giants led by the homosexual movement will inevitably vanquish the voice of the righteous. To avoid defeat, he suggests we either “adapt” or turn our attention to “other things”. First Krattenmaker cites several “victories” in favor of gay rights which he claims are signals that the battle has turned in favor of the giants of perversion. Don’t you find it bizarre that anyone would root for Goliath? Krattenmaker does.
“If the repeal of “don’t ask, don’t tell” weren’t enough to signal the turning point, or the classification of several gay-resisting Christian right organizations as “hate groups” by the Southern Poverty Law Center, there came news that Exodus International was ending its involvement in the anti-homosexuality “Day of Truth” in U.S. high schools.”
Get the message? If you resist the gay change patrols, you will be marginalized. People like Krattenmaker see the hordes of goose stepping gay rights troops and “allies” seeming to defeat every opponent in their path. They see the social, political, religious victories. They see that many religions are fearfully caving in and “welcoming” homosexuals despite what the scriptures teach. They see that the government has taken their side and come to the premature conclusion that these things mean certain defeat for those of us who stubbornly stand against homosexuality. Listen at the litany of threats satan’s messenger has come to deliver.
“Prayerful discernment and simple Christian decency would strongly suggest the latter. The alternative looks worse by the day — a quixotic battle more likely to discredit its fighters and their fine religion than win any hearts and minds for Jesus. Christianity has far worthier causes than this.
For all its drama and rally-the-troops appeal, “fighting to the end” is a sure loser. More and more Americans — young people in particular, Christians very much included — know gay men and lesbians and see how the anti-gay talking points and caricatures fail to square with the reality under our noses.” (our bold)
Conservative Christian leaders ought to be very careful about their rhetoric going forward — careful not to continue giving the impression that being Christian is in large measure about opposing gay rights, and careful not to let the public expression of their faith become primarily associated with something that looks, sounds and feels like hate to growing segments of the population.
Fighting to the end might sound gallant, but it’s not a road to glory so much as a ticket to infamy — an infamy akin to that borne by the likes of Bull Connor, George Wallace and other villains of civil rights history. Is that any hill for Christians to die on?
So what shall we say to all these threats? Let the Word of the Lord answer:
The LORD is my light and my salvation whom shall I fear?
The LORD is the stronghold of my life of whom shall I be afraid?
When the wicked advance against me to devour me, it is my enemies and my foes
who will stumble and fall.
Though an army besiege me, my heart will not fear; though war break out against me,
even then I will be confident. Psalms 27:1-3
Wait on the LORD and keep His way, and He shall exalt thee to inherit the land; when the wicked are cut off, thou shalt see it. 35I have seen the wicked in great power, and spreading himself like a green bay tree. 36Yet he passed away, and lo, he was no more; yea, I sought him, but he could not be found Psalms 37:34-36
Blog News and Views, Volume I: deception, therapy and the UPPC
Some of the more noteworthy entries from GCM Watch blog partners this Friday deserve a read.
The Dunamis Word blog takes a look at the doctrine of the homosexual denomination United Progressive Pentecostal Church based in Atlanta. In his post “When progress takes you to hell“, Pastor Burnett writes
Obviously even gay folk can pimp congregations. In this organization, the chief apostate has the ability to change what he wants to change within this church at any time. Here is the statement that affirms such directly from their web site listed below:
“While the leaders and founding members of UPPC are adamant about connecting the Body of Christ in progressively minded fellowship, without the rigors and mandates of a reformation, there remain some uniting principles that guard our fellowship from heresy and hypocrisy. These tenants from our Basis of Union, and are non-negotiable throughout our Covenant Connections. Should our Basis of Union come into question for amendment, it can only be changed as a result of an Apostolic Conclave or by the sovereign will of the Founder and Chief Apostle, Oliver Clyde Allen III.”
Did you read the words heresy and hypocrisy??? You mean to tell me that they don’t believe that encouraging same gender unity is a heresy? They don’t believe that tucking a bible under their arm after being in an illegal and illicit and biblically condemned relationship is hypocrisy?
The UPPC apes pentecostalism, biblical titles and tithes, but somehow finds it “heretical” go against its swiss cheese “Basis of Union” which includes having sex with people of the same gender. Read the whole story
One of my favorite blogs Journal of a Battling Christian reviews one of the debilitating philosphies of our age and how it affects organizations like Exodus International who promote reparative therapy. His post “The Century of The Self, Freud and Reparative Therapy” shows how self-centered ideology can come to no good when dealing with homosexuality.
I’ve sort of gone back and forth in my mind in regards to Exodus International. On the one hand I am in support of their desire to minister to Christians who have unwanted same sex attractions and to help people come out of the “Gay lifestyle” (for the lack of a better term).
On the other hand I am in total disagreement with their support and avocation of Reparative Therapy, Freudian psychology and so forth. For an alternative viewpoint on the issue and for a more Biblical approach to counseling I highly recommend reading Richard Ganz’ book Psychobabble and Jay Adams’ book Competent to Counsel.
I consider myself therefore to be a “sympathetic critic” of groups such as Exodus International and Focus on the Family. I do not critique them in order to discourage them in their efforts, rather as a theologian and Christian I want to seek to encourage them to rethink some of their ideas, methods and practices so that they might become more thoroughly Biblical in their approach.
I too am an opponent of reparative (or conversion) therapy. For Exodus to continue partnering with this unbiblical approach is damaging to their cause and is creating a chorus of voices who see overcoming homosexuality as something they can pay to get done on a therapist’s couch. When it fails (which it will) they are angry, bitter and vocal. Read the whole story
Speaking of deception, Sola Dei Gloria writes a good peice on what causes deception. No doubt about it, deception is running rampant not just in the world (ponzi schemes, etc) but in the church as well. Its everywhere and some people want to keep our attention on unimportant things while the spiritual crooks keep up their attacks on the vunerable and ignorant. But are those deceived really innocent?
“What causes deception? We like to believe that people lying to those they deceive cause deception. However, if we think critically about that (yes, I know that post-modernists have lost that ability, but humor me) deception is not the direct result of the lie, but is only takes effect when the one being deceived desires something from the deceiver such as a relationship or something else that is offered. The deceived believe the lie in order to receive something else that they want.”
Sure there are deceivers, deceiving spirits, wolves, false teachers, and the likes prowling the church in search of victims, but you dont have to be one. Here’s some excellent teaching on how to protect yourself from deception.
Reaching homosexuals for Christ. Yeah. whatever.
Okay, so we played with the title to make a point.
The “yeah right” came after I read a column in Ministry Today by Exodus leader Jeff Buchanan. Their title asked if church was a safe place for all? By “all”, Im assuming they meant homosexuals since, that’s what Buchanan wrote about, not “all”.
That kind of perturbed me as I read the commentary. Maybe it was because the title asked a question that the article didn’t address or maybe it was because the article didn’t address critical aspects of the question. Or maybe I am just sick of making church “safe” for homosexuals (all) when we are in the midst of a significant battle with apostasy at the hands of false teachers and leaders. Not to mention biblical illiteracy is at an all time high.
So help me sort this out.
Buchanan writes:
If we’re honest, the issue of homosexuality intimidates most church leaders. It makes us feel helpless. When someone pulls us aside and confides in us that he or she struggles with same-sex attractions, we diligently put on our “leader face” while we shrivel on the inside, feeling absolutely incompetent to address the situation.
Nothing could be further from the truth. If you believe God’s Word to be true, then you automatically have the needed tools for effective ministry, since all Scripture is “useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness” (2 Tim. 3:16, NIV). Therefore, we are equipped as the church to minister to anyone who walks through our doors—homosexual or not.
Unfortunately, intimidation and partiality often attempts to rob us of the opportunity to minister and experience the full gospel. A healthy church already has what the same-sex struggler needs; we just have to realize what those things are:
And then he lists them and talks about them. Compassionate truth, discipleship, community. And for the record Im for all that. But there are quite a few levels of educational dissonance going on here.
First, if a pastor conducts outreach to homosexuals (and lets assume these are lost people) how can the pastor provide them with compassionate truth, discipleship and community when there is still such confusion about homosexuality in the church? I remember when I was a member of one church I was very, very hesitant to invite homosexuals to the church because I wasn’t sure what they might hear on any given Sunday. Its like, why bring someone into a place where they could be potentially insulted and called names? That would really destroy my work of getting them to church.
It seems the priority is to really get “the house” in order before we bring in souls that could be damaged even further by someone’s spiritual ignorance.
The other problem is the gay christian movement. Although it appears they are currently on the fringe, people like Tonex and other mid level apostates continue advancing the errant idea that one can reconcile homosexuality and Christian living. And though some balk at it, if enough people keep repeating this lie (thanks for the help Lexi) soon it will become commonplace. That’s how false doctrine seats itself in our midst. We dont cast out and reject those who are spreading it. Instead we say just “love them and pray for them”. Right sentiment, wrong practice.
John MacArthur said Paul himself started the process of eliminating false teachers. In 1 Timothy 1:20 he mentions Hymenaeus and Alexander, perhaps two of the leading false teachers in Ephesus, whom he “delivered unto Satan, that they may learn not to blaspheme.”
The Apostle Paul told Titus to shut down false teachers (like Tonex) who are spreading evil words.
“For there are many rebellious people, mere talkers and deceivers, especially those of the circumcision group. They must be silenced, because they are ruining whole households by teaching things they ought not to teach—and that for the sake of dishonest gain. Titus 1:10.11
Which brings me back to the first point. How can you invite homosexuals into the church to be changed when there is a visible faction of people in the church which teach that there’s no need for them to change? Frankly, Im sick of the “just love them” mantra. That doesn’t solve anything and it really looks like a easy way to detach oneself from the seriousness of what’s happening right before our eyes.
A wise preacher once said to me, “God could save and deliver every homosexual in America tomorrow, but if he does, will the church be ready to receive them?” The answer is no. And that only complicates our mandate to reach every person.
Everyone wants to include homosexuals because they have been positioned as the face of the contemporary outcast. Its almost fashionable to have a streak of tolerance towards homosexuals partly because some are afraid of the vicious invective if you don’t. And some partly because secretly believe that in time unrepentant homosexuals will be fully accepted into the church just like blacks and women.
That’s why the Buchanan article left me with a tinge of whatever. Not saying anything about all of the complications embedded into this “outreach to homosexuals” isnt helping the church to be truly prepared.
Is the church a safe place for homosexuals? If we’re honest, we cant answer that question yet.
