Category Archives: false doctrines

November 3, 2010 · 12:22 am

Purge Out the Old Leaven–To Become the Sons and Daughters of God

We have become the princes and princesses of God the King by our new spiritual birth. We are in training to assume royal duties with Him upon His return to earth.

What should we be doing to get ready for this great responsibility? We are admonished to “purge out the old leaven that the lump may be holy” (I Corinthians 5:7).

Leaven? What does that mean? Look. Christ is the “bread of life.” We have received His Spirit, and it is “no longer I that lives but Christ that lives in me.” Therefore, we as His body are the “bread of life,” too, because of His presence within us. But we come into this new life with some old concepts about God and the affairs of this world system that must be gotten rid of. We have carried over in our thinking old doctrines, beliefs, traditions, and concepts.

Unleavened bread is “sincerity and truth” (I Cor. 5:8). So, “leaven” must be insincerity and falsehoods. Christ Himself told us to “beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy” (Luke 12:1). Yes, “beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, and of the leaven of Herod.” The Pharisees were the religious leaders, and Herod was the political leader back in that day. They are symbols of religious and political leaders today. “There is no new thing under the sun” (Ecclesiastes 1:9). So, Christ is telling us to beware of them in our day, too.

To “purge out” the old leaven, we must be brutally honest with ourselves and “examine ourselves.” We must be open to new truth; if we are not open, then we must believe that we have all truth already. And if we think that way, then it will be very difficult for the Spirit to “guide us into all truth.”

No one except Him can help us get ready to rule with Him. It is our responsibility to study and search out true concepts and get rid of false concepts about Him and His plan and purpose. Like the “Reverend Mr. Black” said in song, “You gotta walk that lonesome valley; you gotta walk it by yourself. Nobody else can walk it for you. You gotta walk it by yourself.”

We must rid our minds of false religious and political concepts and take on the “mind of Christ” in order to “make our calling and election sure” as His princes and princesses.

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Filed under calling of God, eternal purpose, false doctrines, perfection

Tagged as old leaven, perfection, sons of God

September 1, 2010 · 6:57 pm

Churches Calling for Fire from Heaven–But Be Careful: God Is a Consuming Fire

Thousands of sincere people in churches across the land are asking every week, crying aloud to the heavens, that God would send His fire down, igniting a revival in the church. Not just charismatic, pentecostal, full-gospel, and bible-churches are doing this, but many main stream denominational churches are, too.

But do they know exactly what they are asking? God is not just a fire; He “is a consuming fire” [1]. Most of the sheep in the pews do not realize that the judgement of this fire first falls on them; it starts with the house of God, His body, His church. The apostle Peter warns us of the fiery trial of our faith: “For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?” [2].

“The fiery trial” is when God comes to us to purify us, which means that there is something in us that needs to be gotten rid of.

God is fire; He is also the Word made flesh. So the fire is His word. And He will send His word through His five fold ministry offices. These are His true apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers. They are a gift of God to congregations for their perfection and edification, “till we all come in the unity of the faith…unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ” [3].

And God will speak through them, and His word, like a fire shut up in their bones, will blast as a refining fire burning away the dross and impurities. This will be a fiery trial–the getting rid of the childish things that are clung to. Eventually, the blankies, pacifiers, and rattlers must be put away on the road to spiritual perfection.

Just like the prophet elijah

Elijah is a type of this. He came and exposed Israel’s sin and corruption at the highest level, demanding them to repent. But they just could not “abide the day of his coming” [4]. He was a fire burning up their impurities. But what did the children of Israel do to him and other prophets? They hunted them down like dogs, tortured them, and chased them into “dens and caves of the earth” [5].

They were persecuted by the very people they were trying to help. For few want to change so badly that they will submit to the correction of God’s word of fire–especially spoken through just another man, who they feel is really no better than they are. Anyway, “who made you a ruler and judge over us, Moses?” [6].

God, the consuming fire from heaven, wants to burn out the impurities of false doctrines, concepts and teachings about Him and His plan. We are told to “purge out the old leaven that the lump may be holy.”

But who will be able to bear it–the correction, instruction and reproof–that the fire brings? This is what the fire-word of God brings. It cleanses and purifies His children, until they are no longer alive just to receive God’s “feel-good spirit.”

Joy, peace, and love will come, for they are the fruit of the Spirit. But the true fruit of the Spirit takes time to develop, grow, and mature. And few modern Christians have any aspirations to wait very long for it. And so that is what keeps them coming back week after week, crying out for God’s fire, thinking that it is a feel-good spirit, not knowing that His word is like a fire that purges out all unrighteousness.

But that is the nature of children. They are mostly alive for what they can receive from their Father. As Paul said, “And yet I show unto you a more excellent way” [7]. It is the way to complete the life cycle of God in you–the way to perfection. KWH

Deut 4: 24; Heb. 12: 29
I Pet. 4: 12, 17-18
Eph. 4: 11-13
Mal. 3: 2
Heb. 11: 34-38
Acts 7: 27
I Cor. 12: 31

“Woe to the Pastors That Destroy My Sheep”–The Sermon You Won’t Hear on Sunday Morning [Conversations With the Seer] Part I

“Why won’t you hear this message on Sunday morning?” I asked the Seer. He had mentioned in passing the day before, that chapter 23 in Jeremiah would never serve as a text for a pastor.

The Seer looked at me as if needing to see a sufficient amount of sincerity in the question. And seeing it, he said, “It is not because the words are unintelligible. The word from the LORD (Yahweh) that the prophet Jeremiah wrote down is extremely clear, brought to us in a very simple unadorned style of English. When the Spirit says, ‘Woe be unto the pastors that destroy and scatter the sheep of my pasture! saith Yahweh,’ the words are straightforward and plain.”

“But why won’t they preach it.”

“It’s because the message is not for God’s sheep in the pews but for the pastors, preachers, and priests themselves. It is a woe pronounced on them by the God they say they are serving!”

“No wonder they won’t go there.”

“They are not about to. Remember when our Master, the Anointed One Himself, said, ‘By your words you are justified and by your words you are condemned'”?

“Yes.”

“If they preach this message, their words will fall like a sword of judgement upon their own necks.”

“Why? What is God’s beef with them?”

The Seer opened the front of the cast iron wood heater, exposing the bright orange coals that lay pulsating in the bottom. He stirred the coals with a rod of iron, picked up two four inch logs and threw them in. Shutting the door, he said, “In order to understand the message to the pastors, we need to know just who their congegrants are. For God’s controversy with them has to do with how they have done His people in the pews. For, you see, God has a chosen people. They are the descendants of the twelve sons of the patriarch Jacob, whose name was changed to Israel. He was the grandson of Abraham and the son of the patriarch Isaac. The offspring of his twelve sons grew into twelve tribes and became the great 12-tribed Kingdom of Israel under King David and Solomon.

“But they split into two different kingdoms around 975 B.C.–the Kingdom of Judah with two of the tribes–Judah and Benjamin–at Jerusalem and the Kingdom of Israel made up of the other ten tribes with Samaria as their capital. Later in c. 721 B.C. the Kingdom of Israel was carried away captive into Assyria and lost their identity as the children of Israel and God’s chosen people. These are the “Lost Sheep of the House of Israel” that Christ (Yahshua) said He was sent to, and that the apostles wrote to in James 1:1, Hebrews, and Acts 9: 15. The citizens of the Kingdom of Judah came to be called “Jews” over a hundred years later (II Kings). They were led captive into Babylon around 600 B.C. It is the way the religious leaders over the centuries have treated these people that God is angry about.”

“Are you talking about the Jews?”

“No, the Jews are not the ‘Lost Sheep of the House of Israel.’ Think about it for a minute. The Jews were never ‘lost.’ They have always been known and recognized wherever they have gone. And they came from only the two tribes and not the ten tribes of the Kingdom of Israel.”

Now the Seer really had me. “So who are these lost sheep of the House of Israel?” I asked.

“Studying the prophecies given over the 12 tribes by Jacob/Israel and Moses in Genesis and Deuteronomy, the only nations that can fulfill them are the countries of Western Europe, the British Isles and their ex-colonies, and the USA. No other countries can measure up to the overwhelming blessings given to them in scripture. The Master said, “You will know a tree by its fruit. And so it is with nations and prophecies.”

“So, God’s problem with the pastors concerns their relationship with the peoples you have just mentioned?”

“Exactly. Without the background and back story, the message to the pastors in Jeremiah 23 will not be understood by the unenlightened.”

“So, what does Yahweh have against the pastors of His people?”

“You have scattered my flock, driven them away, and not visited them” (v. 2). Yahweh holds them responsible for what has happened to His flock. How are they responsible? They have prophesied lies to the people. They have taught them after the imaginations of their own hearts and they have not heard from God. They have taught false doctrines [v. 16]. They tell the people that no evil will come upon them; they will be raptured out before the endtime bad things start to happen–the fall of the one world system. But that is a lie.

“In fact, when a scripture does not agree with what they have been taught in seminary, they try to explain it away. Like this very chapter. They will say, ‘Oh, this was written for Jeremiah’s day, 2,600 years ago. That is ancient history and not for our day.” But that very thought is one of the lies God warns us of in the chapter. And He goes on in verse 20 and tells us that this message against the pastors is for our very day! For ‘in the latter days you shall consider it perfectly.’ And we all know that the ‘latter days’ are the last of the “last days.” That should not need much explanation.

“So God has a huge beef, a vehement controversy with all pastors, priests, preachers, and so-called prophets, and all those who claim that they have heard from God and speak for Him. Better have the truth and no false doctrines. And God really let’s His thoughts against them be known in this chapter. This is why you won’t hear this preached anywhere. It is too convicting.” [To be continued]

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Filed under false doctrines, false prophets, false teachers, Lost Sheep of the House of Israel, Rapture

Tagged as false doctrines, Lost Sheep of the House of Israel, pastors, sermons

April 1, 2010 · 2:13 pm

Christ Not Buried Good Friday and Raised Easter Morning–That Is Not 3 Days and 3 Nights–Redux

Yes, it is a shocking statement, but before you tar and feather me, let me explain.

Christ could not have been buried on Good Friday afternoon and resurrected early Easter Sunday morning because that would be only a day and a half in the tomb–36-40 hours maximum.

“So what?” some may ask. “So what if it’s just a day and a half; it was part of three days. The important thing is that we believe that Christ arose.”

Yes, His resurrection is extremely important. But Christ Himself said that we should “dig deep and build our house on the Rock”–Him. We cannot remain superficial on this.

No Other Sign Given–Three days and Three Nights in the Tomb

Christ gave only one sign to unbelieving mankind–one sign that would point out who the true Savior is. His own words: “There shall no sign be given to it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas: for as Jonas was three days and three nights in the whale’s belly; so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth” (Matthew 12:39-40).

But how long is a day and night? Christ Himself said that there are “12 hours in the day” (John 11:9). That would mean that there are 12 hours in the night. This gives us the prophetical yardstick. Three 12 hours days is 36 hours; three 12 hours nights equals 36 hours. 36 and 36 is 72 hours total time in the tomb, in the “heart of the earth.”

But What Difference Does It Make?

I’ll answer that question with another question. If “Organized Christianity” can’t even get the one and only sign of the true Messiah right, then how can we trust them to teach us the deeper truths of God?

Hundreds of millions of professing Christians all over the world, many very sincere, will go to their respective church buildings and worship this Good Friday and Easter Sunday. Yet hardly any of them will realize that their pastors, priests, and bishops have taught them error and un-truths concerning their Savior Jesus Christ. How many other falsehoods are they teaching them?

If the Catholic and Protestant Denominations can’t even get the sign of the Savior right, how many other concepts that they teach about Christ and His gospel can be trusted? If they have this sign wrong, how many other doctrines and traditions are wrong as well?

What Is the Fruit of This Error?

I believe that they are teaching a different concept of the Savior and another gospel. Christ said, “You will know them by their fruits.” What is the fruit of all the studies done in all the seminaries with all their doctorates in Theology and Divinity and Philosophy? They have Christ in the tomb 36 hours! Please.

I share this, not to be disrespectful of anyone and their worship. All pilgrims to the Heavenly Jerusalem are at “way stations” at present. But I’m sharing this to alert those “who have an ear to hear” to dig deep! “Prove all things.” Know that if this only sign of the true Savior is off, then something is dreadfully wrong with the whole spiritual building!

I share this, not to be argumentative, but out of concern–a concern that honest seekers of God must be told the truth about this one true sign of who He is.

Yet, Organized Churchianity keeps slugging on, teaching tired old erroneous doctrines like this one–earnestly sharing half-truths, not realizing that “a little leaven (hypocrisy and falsehoods) leaveneth the whole lump.”

Therefore, we are admonished to “purge out the old leaven that the lump may be holy.” We, the spiritual body of Christ, His church, are supposed to be that lump of dough that turns into the bread of life after we suffer the fiery trials of this oven-like existence here on earth. But we have to get rid of false doctrines and false concepts before we can be that holy bread of life that is to be broken and share with those hungering after righteousness. “Take, eat, this is my body.” We, His body, must be holy, and getting this right is a good place to start.

A detailed biblical account of how Christ was crucified Wednesday afternoon and resurrected Saturday afternoon is found here: https://www.hwalibrary.com/cgi-bin/get/hwa.cgi?action=getbklet&InfoID=1319569863

May God bless you on your search.

Kenneth Wayne Hancock

{I would like to know your thoughts about this subject. Leave a comment. }

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Filed under Easter, false doctrines

Tagged as Christ, Easter, Good Friday, resurrection

February 6, 2010 · 8:51 pm

Ezekiel 38 Happens AFTER the 1,000 Year Reign of Christ

Many voices are trumpeting the soon-coming invasion of the Holy Land by Gog and Magog and Co. Even Prime Minister Netanyahu recently said that the invasion was coming soon. They cite Ezekiel 38 as proof that this war will be started by Russia and Iran in the very near future.

These claims are unfounded and untrue. Footnotes in most Bibles for Ezk. 38: 2 sends us to Revelation 20: 8, where we see that same Gog and Magog leading other satanically deceived nations. But when does this happen? Verse 7 is the first half of the sentence, and it says, “And when the thousand years are expired [the 1,000 year reign of Christ], Satan shall be loosed out of prison, and shall go out to deceive the nations…Gog and Magog, to gather them to battle…and they went up…and compassed the camp of the saints about, and the beloved city,” Jerusalem (v. 7-9).

This is after the 1,000 year reign of Christ upon the earth. Gog and Magog, Russia and Iran and Co., will be used by God that way at that time. Not in our day, not in our present time.

Here is more proof that the invasion of Jerusalem by Gog and Magog comes not at this time in history. The Promised Land at the time of the invasion of Gog and Magog will be at total peace (read 1,000 year reign of peace). The invaders shall find the population living in a “land of unwalled villages.” They are “at rest” and “dwell safely, all of them dwelling without walls, and having neither bars nor gates” (Ezk 38: 11).

That is the cultural environment that Gog and Magog will find. The Israeli state today is preparing for war, both its citizens and the army. They are not dwelling safely and have many bars and gates on their houses and neighborhoods. No rest and peace are found in the Israeli state. Rocket attacks have become a daily occurance. Fear and uncertainty are a constant, present reality.

This is why I say that the Gog and Magog attack of Ezekiel 38 will be much later in history.

One more reason. The inhabitants of the Holy Land, who are living in complete peace and rest, will come from all the twelve tribes of Israel. Right now primarily Jews live in the Israeli state. True Jews come out of the Kingdom of Judah, whose subjects were descended from only two tribes–Judah and Benjamin. The other Ten Tribes of Israel were “lost” to most after the Kingdom of Israel (Ten Tribes) was carried into captivity around 721 B.C. Members from all twelve tribes will be present at the time of the invasion of the Promised Land.

Furthermore, after the 6th Seal is opened, 12,000 of each of the twelve tribes are sealed (Rev. 7: 3-8; 14: 1-7). In other words, the Lost Sheep of the House of Israel will be found and will populate Jerusalem during the 1,000 year reign. Christ said that He was sent to them. The apostle James wrote to them; “to the twelve tribes scattered abroad, greeting” (James 1: 1). Paul said that “our twelve tribes” were “instantly serving God day and night” waiting upon the promises of God (Acts 26: 7).

If there is an invasion by Russia and Iran, it will not be that which is spoken of in Ezekiel 38.

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Filed under apostles' doctrine, end time prophecy, false doctrines, Lost Sheep of the House of Israel

Tagged as 1000 reign of Christ, Ezekiel 38, Gog and Magog, Jews, Lost Sheep

August 29, 2009 · 2:49 pm

“Our Conversation Is in Heaven”–The Fruit of a New Heart and New Mind

The sons and daughters of God, His princes and princesses, those born of Him–they will have a new conversation. They will not speak of the things of their old natural life, for now their “conversation is in heaven” (1). They are like seedlings freshly regenerated from a once hardened seed; they transcend the earthy grave and reach for heaven’s light. These children of the most High are “risen with Christ” and now “seek those things which are above” (2).

And they realize that their old life is now dead and that their new life is “hid with Christ in God.” Their old nature and old self dies with Christ on the cross. And with it dies “whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed.” They begin to see themselves changing, being “transformed by the renewing of their minds” (3).

“The Mind” Is the Key

Our conversation is determined by the thoughts rattling around in our mind. Whatever we are thinking about–that is what comes out of our mouth. But what determines our thoughts? Christ said that a person’s heart will dictate their thoughts. “Those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart…evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies” (4). Those things proceed, of course, from an old heart. So then, a new heart, infused by the Spirit of God will issue forth thoughts of love, peace, harmony, truth, sharing, and giving. And these new thoughts will manifest themselves in our new conversation.

Based on Faith and Belief

The new heart of love creates in us new thoughts, which in turn, creates a new conversation. Our spiritual change then hinges on the new heart He has given us. And it can only come by our belief that He has given us it. Faith is the key (5). Our new heart, our new center core of being, now renews our mind with truth about God, about who He is, what He is doing, and how we fit into that plan.

This is the fertile bed of truth from which our new mind grows. Our minds are nourished by the truth. Falsehoods and misconceptions about God choke out the seedling minds, and they are left to wither and finally decay for lack of real spiritual food and water. This is why we are admonished to “purge out the old leaven that the lump may be holy” (6). This is why we are admonished to beware of false prophets and teachers who will bring in “damnable heresies” (7). Kenneth Wayne Hancock

Phil. 3: 20
Col. 3: 1
Col. 3: 3; Rom. 12: 2
Matt. 15: 18-19
https://immortalityroad.wordpress.com/2009/08/25/without-faith-it-is-impossible-to-please-god-but-how-do-you-walk-in-it/
I Cor. 5: 7
II Peter 2: 1

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Filed under death of self, false doctrines, mind of Christ, princes and princesses of God

Tagged as born again, Christ, faith, new heart

July 28, 2009 · 11:05 am

Vatican Prohibits Catholics from Using “YAHWEH,” the Name of God, in Worship Services

Cardinal Arinze, the current prefect of the Congregation for Divine Worship at the Vatican gave this directive August 13, 2008: “The Vatican has ruled that the Name of God, commonly rendered as “Yahweh,” should not be pronounced in the Catholic liturgy” ( http://www.directionstoorthodoxy.org/n/vatican_directive_yahweh_inappropriate_for_liturgical_use.html )

The article goes on to relate that the words “the LORD” in the Bible was “Yahweh” in Hebrew. This is found also in the Catholic New American Bible (NAB). They said that in the Hebrew religion the name “Yahweh” was not spoken.

I refute that. All of the ancient Hebrew prophets of the “Old Testament” spoke God’s name “Yahweh.” In Exodus 15: 1-19, both the Hebrew prophet “Moses and the children of Israel” sang the name “Yahweh” out loud in what is called today “The Song of Moses”! God’s name “Yahweh” appears in the lyrics, sang by them, a total of 13 times, in that one song alone!

In fact, if you cannot utter “Yahweh” then you will not be among those who “have gotten the victory over the beast, and over his image, and over his mark.” For “they sing the song of Moses” (Revelation 15: 2-3). Moses’ song in Exodus, the one that utters Yahweh’s name in praise 13 times, will be sung by the Christians who did not take the mark of the beast! If a religious organization will not let their followers say His name Yahweh, then how are they going to sing the song of Moses? This is leading the people down the wrong path–a path to destruction.

I don’t know about you, but I want what Moses had, not what the Pharisees and Sadducees and their predesessors in Judaism had. It is obvious that they changed the worship that Moses and the prophets had! The hypocrite Pharisees in Jesus’ (Yahshua) day were sternly rebuked by the Savior: “You are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father you will do…He is a liar, and the father of it” (John 8: 44).

Speaking of His disciples, Christ said, “I have declared thy name unto them, and will declare it” (John 17: 26). Hold it right there. Christ declared His Father’s name to His disciples! And the Vatican even says that God’s name is Yahweh. And we know that Christ is our example, and that we should follow His steps and do as He did. If He spoke His Father’s name Yahweh, then we should, too.

But the Vatican says in this directive that the early Christians did not say the Father’s name. We now see that this is a falsehood. They did say it. If Christ Himself spoke the Father’s name to the earliest of Christians, the twelve apostles, then they would have, too.

The Vatican is lying to the people, saying that “Yahweh,” the precious name of the Father, is not to be used in worship! It is a lie taken from the children of the devil, the Pharisees, who hid God’s true name from the masses! Truly John the Baptist called them out properly: “You brood of vipers! (Matt. 3: 7).

We are admonished to praise God’s name scores of times in the Bible. How do you do that without saying His name? Would you say, “Praise So-and-so”? Come on, people, this is so bogus!

Time would fail us to mention the hundreds of times that “the LORD (Yahweh)” is spoken and written down by the patriarchs and prophets in the Bible.

All this is extremely important, for God will set before us “an open door” into the presence of God that no man can shut. But it is only to them who have kept His word, and has not “denied [His} name” (Revelation 3: 8).

In the decades, centuries, and millenia past, “they” got by with this hoodwinking the masses, but not this time. Many of us are bringing this lie to the light. How is prohibiting the speaking of the Father’s name “glorifying the name of God”–which we are suppose to do? Kenneth Wayne Hancock

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Filed under end time prophecy, false doctrines, false prophets, old leaven, Sacred Names, Yahweh

April 10, 2009 · 12:02 am

Christ NOT Buried on Good Friday and Raised Up on Easter Sunday

Yes, it is a shocking statement, but before you tar and feather me, let me explain.

Christ could not have been buried on Good Friday afternoon and resurrected early Easter Sunday morning because that would be only a day and a half in the tomb–36-40 hours maximum.

“So what?” some may ask. “So what if it’s just a day and a half; it was part of three days. The important thing is that we believe that Christ arose.”

Yes, His resurrection is extremely important. But Christ Himself said that we should “dig deep and build our house on the Rock”–Him. We cannot remain superficial on this.

No Other Sign Given–Three days and Three Nights in the Tomb

But What Difference Does It Make?

What Is the Fruit of This Error?

I share this, not to be argumentative, but out of concern–a concern that honest seekers of God must be told the truth about this one true sign of who He is.

A detailed biblical account of how Christ was crucified Wednesday afternoon and resurrected Saturday afternoon is found here:

http://www.giveshare.org/library/hwa/easter.html

Kenneth Wayne Hancock

{I would like to know your thoughts about this subject. Leave a comment. If this has been enlightening, please forward it to others it can help. Bookmark this site and come visit again. God bless}

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Filed under church, Easter, false doctrines, old leaven, pagan holidays

Tagged as christianity, Easter, Good Friday, old leaven, resurrection

March 13, 2009 · 2:05 am

The Prosperity Doctrine–A “Damnable Heresy”

The true men of God never taught the “prosperity doctrine.” They never taught that if you give money to the preacher, that God would give you more money back, more than in your wildest dreams.

The true apostles and prophets of God taught self-denial. They taught that we should seek the spiritual things of God, and then God would take care of our material needs (Matt. 6: 33).

A “Damnable Heresy”

The apostle Peter warns us of these false teachers and prophets–how they will “bring in damnable heresies” that lead the hearers into denying Christ. For if a person is in the “Get-all-you-can-get-from-God” mode, then their hearts will be unable to take in the Spirit of Christ (II Pet. 2: 1).

These false preachers are teaching this heresy. They come in sheep’s clothing. They speak about Christ, but Christ’s Spirit does not speak through them! “And many shall follow their pernicious ways” (v. 2). “Pernicious ways” is from the Greek word apoleia, meaning “perdition, destruction, and ruin.” The “prosperity doctrine” is destroying people’s souls.

Give Us Your Money and You’ll Be Blessed

They promise their millions of followers prosperity. They say, “Give money to our ministry and God will bless you with a hundred-fold more more than what you gave. Send us your tithes and offerings, and God will solve your financial problems.” When in reality, they use the money to live lavishly as they feed off the baser human instinct to covet after earthly riches. “And through covetousness (sin) shall they make merchandise of you” (v. 3).

Instead of caring for their flocks’ souls, these evil shepherds look for devious ways of extracting more money from them.

They “cannot cease from sin,” and they teach that very doctrine–that no one can ever truly be delivered from sin and sinning (II Pet. 2: 14). Yet Christ tells us, as He told the prostitute, “Go and sin no more.” Impossible command? I don’t believe so, for He also said, “With God all things are possible.”

It’s All About the Love of Money

Peter says that they have followed in the false prophet Balaam’s way, “who loved the wages of unrighteousness” (2: 15). They get paid money for teaching this error!

What did this false prophet Balaam do? He loved money and accepted it from Balak, the king of Moab, in payment for “putting a curse on the children of Israel.” Balak presented to Balaam “the rewards of divination”–money, fame, honor from men–if he would curse the children of Israel. But he could not curse whom God had blessed (Numbers 22: 7).

Balaam is the quintessential false prophet, a corrupt and weak lover of money. Modern day prosperity preachers are hirelings who teach God’s people things that will “curse” them and lead them to destruction and perdition!

We Are Admonished to Flee from Them

The apostle Paul, likewise, warns Timothy that they are “perverse…supposing that gain is godliness; from such withdraw thyself” (I Tim. 6: 5).

Likewise, the message to us: Get away from any preacher who speaks about money all the time, who promises that God will shower down finances to those who give money to their ministry. Flee from them!

For true gain is “godliness with contentment” (v. 6). Godliness is being like God–a spiritual existence with Him where material things no longer have a hold on us, where seeking wealth and riches and dwelling on material goods are not distractions any more. “For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out” (v. 7). All we really need is “food and raiment” and the Spirit of God in our hearts. He’ll add anything else we need.

And then the stern warning: “But they that will be rich (they that even want to be rich) fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition” (v. 8-9).

For make no mistake. These false teachers, which include many televangelists–they love money. It is their lifeblood, for without it, they are washed up. They are off the air, and their lavish lifestyles go to rags over night.

“For the love of money is the root of all evil” (I Tim. 6: 10). This very famous passage of scripture is used in this warning to us about these false teachers and preachers. Those who covet after money and what it will buy them “have erred from the faith.”

There it is in the mouth of two witnesses–Peter and Paul. They knew about this damnable heresy of going after the money, for they had the “prosperity doctrine” back in the day. And they warn us, who have eyes to see, to flee from this doctrine and those who teach it. And run into the arms of the true Shepherd. For He is all we really need. KWH

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Filed under false doctrines, false prophets, false teachers, prosperity doctrine

Tagged as christianity, false prophets, prosperity doctrine, religion, televangelists