by Bill
Burns
Faith Tabernacle
http://ft111.com
While writing to Timothy, the Apostle Paul gave a word of knowledge that applies to the latter times, which are the days we now live in.
1 Timothy 4:1-2 Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons, speaking lies in hypocrisy, having their own conscience seared with a hot iron.
Doctrines of demons are not new among the Body of Christ, but they have been, for the most part, found among the old-line denominations. We are all familiar with the false doctrines such as the gifts of the Spirit having passed away and that divine healing isn’t for today, etc.
But now we have false doctrines being promoted by some of those in the apostolic/prophetic ranks. In this last month, I have received Internet mail that promoted two false doctrines, and these were from those who profess to be apostles and prophets.
The doctrines were that there is no such event as the rapture of the church, and the other was that Saturday Sabbath keeping is required. These doctrines are demonically inspired, for they are contrary to the written word of God. The lines of demarcation are now being drawn, and they are lines of division. The Lord told me some time ago that it would be “doctrine” that would reveal the true from the false in the apostolic/prophetic community, and we are now seeing that come to pass. It is now imperative that you know what those you are listening to believe. Deception is a very subtle thing, and once given into, it will taint everything that one believes. Jesus warned His disciples to beware of the leaven of the Pharisees. A little leaven will affect the whole loaf, and when defilement comes, it opens the door for more defilement to come.
1 Corinthians 3:16-17 Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you? If anyone defiles the temple of God, God will destroy him. For the temple of God is holy, which temple you are.
Those who promote false doctrine by changing the clear and understandable Word of God are in extreme danger and should remember the words of the Lord Jesus Christ:
Revelation 22:18-19 For I testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: If anyone adds to these things, God will add to him the plagues that are written in this book; and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part from the Book of Life, from the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.
It is not my intention to go into an exhaustive study concerning these two false doctrines at this time, but I will give several scriptures that clearly reveal the truth.
The Rapture – catching away of those alive:
1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep, lest you sorrow as others who have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus. For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who are asleep. For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord. Therefore comfort one another with these words.
1 Corinthians 15:51 Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed.
Both of these scriptures clearly have to do with those who do not sleep (die). The only way to get around the truth of these scriptures is to try and spiritualize them and remove the physical realities clearly taught by the Apostle Paul. The apostle is clearly talking about physical bodies in 1 Corinthians chapter 15. (Read 1 Corinthians 15:35-55). Both of these scriptures taken in context have to do with the resurrection of the dead and the living that takes place in the same time frame.
The Saturday Sabbath Keeping:
Hebrews 8:13 In that He says, "A new covenant," He has made the first obsolete. Now what is becoming obsolete and growing old is ready to vanish away.
Saturday Sabbath keeping was a part of the law which has been fulfilled by Jesus and has passed away (made obsolete – read Hebrews 8:7-13).
2 Corinthians 3:6-11 who also made us sufficient as ministers of the new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life. But if the ministry of death, written and engraved on stones, was glorious, so that the children of Israel could not look steadily at the face of Moses because of the glory of his countenance, which glory was passing away, how will the ministry of the Spirit not be more glorious? For if the ministry of condemnation had glory, the ministry of righteousness exceeds much more in glory. For even what was made glorious had no glory in this respect, because of the glory that excels. For if what is passing away was glorious, what remains is much more glorious.
That which was engraved on stones were the ten commandments (Deuteronomy 5:12 and Exodus 34:1) Nine of the ten commandments were brought forth as New Testament teachings. The one that was not was Saturday Sabbath keeping. Even Jesus Himself violated the Sabbath (according to the law – read Matthew 12:1-13).
Some say that Sunday worship was established by the Catholics, but this is not true. The early church met on the first day of the week. This is seen in the Book of Acts and also in the historical writings.
We are now moving into a very critical time in church history. As I have already stated, the lines of demarcation are being established. The civil war in the church is about to take place, for truth must prevail. It is now time for each one to seek the Lord until he/she has the mind of Christ on these issues, and others will soon come forth (1 Corinthians 2:6-16). Let every person be fully persuaded in his own mind, and I pray that we will be persuaded by the Holy Spirit of Truth and not be persuaded by the doctrines of demons that are being taught by those who have been deceived by the spirit of error.