THE OFFICE OF A PROPHET : PART TWO
Copyright 1994 - 2008 Endtime Prophecy Org
Last Updated : July 23, 2006
Man Worship, Pope Worship, RCC And Paganism, RCC - Robber Of
The Poor, RCC And Materialism, RCC And Sexual Perversion,
RCC And Alcoholism, Doctrinal Dogmatism Flexibility & Unity,
Corruption Of The Gospel, Spoon-fed Christians, Spiritual
Growth, Faith & The Word, Our Children's Faith, Golden Faith
Sad to say, despite all of these clear examples of humility
found throughout the Bible, there are some people today who
claim to represent the Lord, and who claim to teach the true
Word of God, who manifest absolutely no signs of humility
whatsoever. As Jesus said, they love to wear long robes, and
to receive the praises of men; just like the Scribes and the
Pharisees of the New Testament era:
"Beware of the scribes, which desire to walk in long robes,
and love greetings in the markets, and the highest seats in
the synagogues, and the chief rooms at feasts; Which devour
widows' houses, and for a shew make long prayers: the same
shall receive greater damnation." (Luke 20:46-47)
"Nevertheless among the chief rulers also many believed on
him; but because of the Pharisees they did not confess him,
lest they should be put out of the synagogue: For they loved
the praise of men more than the praise of God."
(John 12:42-43)
I am reminded of the Roman Catholic pope who is carried
around on his 'sedia gestatoria', that is, the portable
throne which is used in certain ceremonies such as during
the coronation of a new pope, during the pope's entries to
St. Peter's Cathedral, and during other public functions as
well. This man is praised and worshipped by millions of
Catholics around the world! This act of wanting to see the
pope when he is driven around in his pope-mobile is nothing
short of man worship. It is putting faith in a man, instead
of in God where it really belongs; but then, this is truly
the way of the world as I point out in such articles as 'The
Only Credentials You Need!'.
Knowing the evil which lurks in the heart of man, one can
only wonder how the pope can possibly receive so much praise
and attention without being corrupted by it. After having
his hand kissed so many times, one would think that the pope
would have to either find the act totally repugnant, and be
totally humbled by such admiration and praise, or else he
would have to be wholly given over to his pride and vanity.
Personally, despite the false claims made by the Roman
Catholic hierarchy of 'apostolic succession', I cannot
imagine for a moment, the Apostle Peter having ever sat upon
such a throne. It certainly wouldn't follow Christ's example
of washing each other's feet, or any of the other examples
of humility which I cited previously.
What some of you might find interesting, is the fact that
this custom of carrying the pope on his portable throne
appears to have connections with the ancient Roman 'sedia
curulis' on which newly-elected consuls were carried through
the streets of Rome. As I point out in other articles, many
Roman Catholic traditions are adopted directly from pagan
practices and beliefs which were later integrated into
Christianity when Emperor Constantine the Great declared it
a 'religio licita', or legal religion. This was done in
order to appease the masses, and to bring as many people as
possible under the umbrella of the 'holy mother church'.
Thus, contrary to what was actually taught by Jesus Christ,
the Roman Catholic Church has always been more interested in
power and numbers, than in preaching the pure undefiled
Gospel of Salvation. Even today the 'holy mother church'
allows the 'natives' to continue with some of their local
practices, as long as the 'mother church' can control their
minds and hearts.
Returning to the previous Scriptures, notice how Jesus also
said 'which devour widows' houses'. If there is one thing
which greatly disturbs me, it is the fact that in many of
the messages supposedly received by so-called Catholic
visionaries and charismatics, poverty is often stressed as
being an important virtue. It is also a well-known fact that
a large percentage of the Roman Catholic following consists
of many of the poor people of the world who basically live a
hand-to-mouth existence. Despite their lowly condition,
these poor people are made to feel a moral and spiritual
obligation to tithe to the 'holy mother church'. Partially
through the worldwide act of tithing, the Roman Catholic
Church has grown into one of the richest financial empires
in the world! Truly, she has devoured widows' houses! This
unhealthy desire for worldly abundance, or power, popularity
and plenty, is in direct contrast to Jesus' own teachings in
the Gospels when He said such things as the following:
"Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth
and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and
steal: But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where
neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not
break through nor steal: For where your treasure is, there
will your heart be also." (Matthew 6:19-21)
"...My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of
this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not
be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from
hence." (John 18:36)
The Apostle Peter, from whom the Roman Catholic hierarchy
claims all popes have succeeded, also wrote the following
lines which clearly expose the Roman Catholic Church's sin
of a love for wealth and materialism at the expense of their
poor flocks:
"Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the
oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for
filthy lucre, but of a ready mind; Neither as being lords
over God's heritage, but being ensamples to the flock."
(1 Peter 5:2-3)
How can the Roman Catholic Church possibly justify its
beliefs and practices in light of the Scriptures? Surely, if
ever a religious organization perfectly fit the description
of the church of Laodicea found in the Book of Revelation,
it has to be none other than the Roman Catholic Church.
Consider part of the message delivered to John by the
Angelic Messenger:
"I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I
would thou wert cold or hot. So then because thou art
lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of
my mouth. Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with
goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou
art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and
naked:" (Revelation 3:15-17)
James also clearly pointed out that the people who are truly
rich, are those who are rich in faith, and not in material
abundance. Through his words, we see that just like today,
even in the First Century Church there were those who were
partial to the rich, while neglecting the spiritual needs of
the poor:
"My brethren, have not the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ,
the Lord of glory, with respect of persons. For if there
come unto your assembly a man with a gold ring, in goodly
apparel, and there come in also a poor man in vile raiment;
And ye have respect to him that weareth the gay clothing,
and say unto him, Sit thou here in a good place; and say to
the poor, Stand thou there, or sit here under my footstool:
Are ye not then partial in yourselves, and are become judges
of evil thoughts? Hearken, my beloved brethren, Hath not God
chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of
the kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him?
But ye have despised the poor..." (James 2:1-6a)
What an accurate depiction of some worldly churches today
which are more concerned with appearances, than with helping
the physically and spiritually poor of the world. Aside from
the Roman Catholic Church, I am thinking of certain American
churches which are rich, white, and very prejudiced in their
views. If all of these things weren't enough, consider the
shocking news stories we often read concerning homosexuals,
lesbians and pedophiles which have been knowingly permitted
to perform their sinful deeds within the Catholic structure
for years without ever receiving any kind of reprimand or
demotion in their position. Thank God at least a few of
these perverts are now being brought to justice. Consider
this news capsule from the American news service CNN, that
is, the Cable News Network:
----- Begin Quote -----
PRIEST CONVICTED IN DALLAS SEXUAL ABUSE CASE
"A former priest was convicted in Dallas Saturday of sexually
abusing three altar boys in a case that already has produced
the nation's largest civil judgment for clergy sex-abuse
allegations. Jurors found Rudolph Kos, 52, guilty of three
counts of aggravated sexual assault and one of indecency
with a child. According to testimony during a civil trial
last summer, Kos sexually abused boys from 1981 to 1992.
That trial led to a $119.6 million judgment against Kos and
the Catholic Diocese of Dallas."
----- End Of Quote -----
All of these terrible acts could have easily been avoided
had the Roman Catholic Church hierarchy simply followed some
of the advice given by the Apostle Paul two thousand years
ago when he said:
"But if they cannot contain, let them marry: for it is
better to marry than to burn." (1 Corinthians 7:9)
Truly, due to their willful disobedience to the Scriptures
in not allowing their priests and nuns to marry, the Roman
Catholic Church has fulfilled one of the very things which
the Apostle Paul prophesied would happen during the Endtime
when he wrote to Timothy:
"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; Speaking lies in
hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron;
forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats,
which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of
them which believe and know the truth." (1 Timothy 4:1-3)
Many too are the stories of alcoholic priests who have
gotten drunk while at a certain feast or public gathering
where they are supposed to perform a certain function. If
you can believe it, some priests are even said to have
performed mass while in a drunken state, totally ignoring
the following sound advice given in the Scriptures:
"And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts
be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares
of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares."
(Luke 21:34)
"Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and
drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife
and envying." (Romans 13:13)
"A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife,
vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality,
apt to teach;" (1 Timothy 3:2)
"For a bishop must be blameless, as the steward of God; not
selfwilled, not soon angry, not given to wine, no striker,
not given to filthy lucre;" (Titus 1:7)
While it may appear to some that I have a preoccupation with
exposing the hypocrisy of the Roman Cathlic Church, I should
point out that all of these things are not limited to that
organization alone. Some Protestant and other non-Catholic
denominations are guilty of the very same things. This is
indeed a sad situation; for while there are some spiritual
leaders within organized religion who do take their position
seriously, and who do try to faithfully feed their flocks
with their current knowledge and understanding of the Holy
Scriptures, these problems with materialism, hypocrisy,
unbridled lifestyles, and imposing a double standard upon
their flocks, have given them, and organized religion in
general, a bad name. Thus, it should come as no surprise
that a growing number of people who have a sincere faith in
God, in Jesus Christ, and in the Holy Bible, simply don't
want to have anything to do with organized religion any
longer.
As I mentioned towards the beginning of this article,
another problem which currently exists within Christianity,
concerns those people who have felt the call to be teachers
of the Holy Scriptures. Contrary to the attitude of humility
which I described earlier in this article, there are those
who obviously believe that their word, or their doctrine, or
their interpretation, is etched in stone, as if it were the
direct Word of God. These people tend to be very rigid and
totally inflexible in their views. Due to their own pride,
they have elevated themselves to such a position, that if
anyone should dare to question their interpretation of the
Scriptures, they are looked down upon and condemned.
Personally, while I desire with all of my heart to fully
understand the mysteries of the Word of God, particularly
those Scriptures which deal with Endtime prophecies, and
while I do my best to study and compare Scripture with
Scripture, as I stated earlier, I must humbly admit that I
can make no claim to having interpreted anything in the
Bible with one hundred per cent accuracy. I feel that we
all need to remain conscious of the fact that we are prone
to error, simply because we are human, and not adopt a
position of extreme adamancy as some people have done.
Of course, with everything I say, there is a balance. I am
not suggesting that we should not stand firm concerning what
we believe the Lord has truly shown us in His Word; however,
we should possess the humility to admit when we are wrong,
and the flexibility to change our views when additional
study of the Scriptures reveals that we are mistaken, or a
little off-center in our interpretation. No one can deny
that trying to understand eschatological events is a very
complex issue. I am sure that the Lord, by His Holy Spirit,
tries to help all of us to understand the same things in His
Word, particularly in regards to the Endtime prophecies. I
am reminded of something the Apostle Paul wrote to the
Church at Corinth:
"Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus
Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be
no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined
together in the same mind and in the same judgment."
(1 Corinthians 1:10)
Unfortunately, because we did not live during the times of
Christ and His First Apostles, and because we didn't learn
from them directly, and because almost two thousand years
have passed since the original Gospel and revelations were
given, there has been plenty of time for many false ideas,
doctrines and practices to creep into our belief system;
just as I have shown with the example of the Roman Catholic
Church. As I explain in other articles such as 'The Book Of
Enoch: Truth Or Heresy?', some of these things crept in due
to simple human error and misunderstanding, while others
were intentionally and purposely meant to pervert the true
Gospel of Jesus Christ, thus making it less ineffective.
Additionally, this corruption of the Gospel was a result of
compromise between the political and religious systems
during the first centuries of the Christian era. It is for
this reason that even the writers of the Epistles issued
warnings to the Believers of their day such as in this
example from the Apostle Paul:
"I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called
you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: Which is
not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would
pervert the gospel of Christ. But though we, or an angel
from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that
which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. As we
said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other
gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be
accursed." (Galatians 1:6-9)
The end result of all of this manipulation is that today,
the Truth has been buried under a lot of theological rubble,
erroneous traditions of men, philosophical meanders, and in
some cases, outright lies. Due to these various factors, as
well as to our own pride and resistance to change, our minds
and hearts are sometimes filled with preconceived ideas,
long-held cherished doctrines, and influences from others
which prevent us from receiving a clearer understanding of
what it is the Lord is trying to show us in His Word. I can
speak from personal experience regarding these matters. For
many years, I too embraced certain ideas which I have since
discarded. This is because, like many people in organized
religion today, I blindly accepted what was being taught to
me without question. I was a spoon-fed Christian; however,
once I began to really study the Scriptures on my own with
the Lord's help, instead of having the Truth served to me, I
began to see and understand some things in a new light. At
the same time, let me again remind you that there is a
balance to this view; for as we are told in the Word:
"A false balance is abomination to the LORD: but a just
weight is his delight." (Proverbs 11:1)
When we are still young in our relationship with the Lord,
what the Bible refers to as being babes in Christ, it is
only natural that we need someone else more spiritually
mature than ourselves to feed and instruct us in the ways of
Truth. Both Jesus and the Apostle Peter exemplified this
very well when they said:
"But Jesus said, Suffer little children, and forbid them
not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven."
(Matthew 19:14)
"As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that
ye may grow thereby:" (1 Peter 2:2)
Eventually, however, there comes a time when all parents
expect their children to learn how to feed themselves, how
to clothe and care for themselves, and how to eventually go
out on their own as young adults in order to start their own
families. As mature Christians, the Lord also expects us to
learn how to feed ourselves, or perhaps better said, how to
be fed directly by Him through a faithful study of His Word,
so that we can be firmly established in the faith. In other
words, when we are young in the Lord, just as with physical
children who accept what they are taught by their parents,
we also believe and accept what we have been taught by our
priest, pastor, minister or Bible teacher. In a sense, our
faith is really their faith, because we are believing as
they believe, and understanding the Scriptures as they
understand them. While this may be good and well for a time,
what the Lord really desires of us is that we are fully
persuaded of these things for ourselves. We must act and
work according to our own faith based upon our personal
knowledge of His Word. This is why the Apostle Paul wrote
the following concerning the eating of meat:
"...Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind."
(Romans 14:5b)
"Hast thou faith? have it to thyself before God. Happy is he
that condemneth not himself in that thing which he
alloweth." (Romans 14:22)
So as you can see, our faith must not simply be based upon
what we have heard from others, but rather it must be based
upon a certain knowing; and the only way that knowing comes
is through a personal diligent study of the Word of God.
This is how we each become fully persuaded of the Truth; for
real faith comes only through hearing, or reading and
studying, the Word of God. If our faith is only built upon
what we have heard from others, then we may falter when the
storm comes. Following are a few more verses which help to
clarify these thoughts:
"So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of
God." (Romans 10:17)
"Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that
needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of
truth." (2 Timothy 2:15)
"And the brethren immediately sent away Paul and Silas by
night unto Berea: who coming thither went into the synagogue
of the Jews. These were more noble than those in
Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all
readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily,
whether those things were so." (Acts 17:10-11)
For those of you who have young children, this concept is
particularly important. As Christian parents, we desire with
all of our hearts that our children will grow up possessing
a fear of the Lord, and a love for His Word; thus, in the
few short years that they are with us, we try our best to
fill their minds and hearts with the knowledge of the Lord.
However, despite our best efforts, we must all realize that
the day will come when our children will reach the age of
accountability. At that time, they are going to have to
decide on their own what they choose to believe. In that
day, their faith is going to have to be based upon their own
belief in, and acceptance of, the Word of God, because we
will no longer be standing next to them saying 'This is the
Truth. This is what you must believe because I believe it'.
They are going to have to be fully persuaded of these things
for themselves of their own free will, and not just because
mom and dad say so. If we have been faithful shepherds
during their formative years, hopefully, our children will
make the right choice despite any opposition they may
receive from antagonistic school friends, atheistic
teachers, or anyone else who may come along in their lives
and question their beliefs. Hopefully, as it is written in
the Book of Proverbs, they will not depart from the Way they
have been taught:
"Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is
old, he will not depart from it." (Proverbs 22:6)
Hopefully, our children will be so filled with the Word and
the Spirit of the Lord, that they will easily and readily be
able to humbly yet convincingly provide the proper answers
regarding their faith straight from the Bible:
"But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready
always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a
reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:"
(1 Peter 3:15)
As I have now made clear, the key is faith based upon a
diligent personal study of, and an understanding of, God's
Word. This is truly the only way that any of us can be fully
persuaded of what we believe. This is the only kind of faith
which will endure the storm and pass the hardest test. It is
the faith of gold tried in the fire as mentioned by the
Apostle Peter:
"That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than
of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might
be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing
of Jesus Christ:" (1 Peter 1:7)
With this last thought, we have now come full circle in this
discussion; for you see, in order for one to be a faithful
and an effective Messenger or Prophet of the Lord, he must
be firmly convinced of what he believes, and in Whom he has
believed; precisely as the Apostle Paul wrote in his second
letter to his beloved son in the faith, Timothy:
"For the which cause I also suffer these things:
nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have
believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that
which I have committed unto him against that day."
(2 Timothy 1:12)
This is why the Prophets and holy men of old were able to
endure the things which they did; for they knew in Whom they
believed. There must be no room for doubt or vacillation
whatsoever; for if there is doubt, the enemies of Christ
will surely find it out and make use of it. We must know
what we believe, and why we believe it; otherwise, we may be
devoured by the roaring lion:
"Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as
a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:"
(1 Peter 5:8)
"Notwithstanding the Lord stood with me, and strengthened
me; that by me the preaching might be fully known, and that
all the Gentiles might hear: and I was delivered out of the
mouth of the lion." (2 Timothy 4:17)
If you wish to remain safe from the jaws of the lion, and
his demon-inspired emissaries in this perverse generation,
you must faithfully read, study, believe in and memorize the
Word of God! In this way, and in this way only, you will be
founded upon the Rock, and you will not be ashamed in the
Evil Day. You will keep the Heavenly Vision right up to the
very end, despite anything they may try to do to stop you:
"He is like a man which built an house, and digged deep, and
laid the foundation on a rock: and when the flood arose, the
stream beat vehemently upon that house, and could not shake
it: for it was founded upon a rock." (Luke 6:48)
"And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank
of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was
Christ." (1 Corinthians 10:4)
"Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye
may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done
all, to stand." (Ephesians 6:13)
"Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of me and of my words
in this adulterous and sinful generation; of him also shall
the Son of man be ashamed, when he cometh in the glory of
his Father with the holy angels." (Mark 8:38)
"But now they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly:
wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he
hath prepared for them a city." (Hebrews 11:16)
He's coming soon! Be thou faithful unto death, and He will
surely give you a Crown of Life! I pray that this article
has been a blessing and an inspiration to many.