'I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot; I wish that you were cold or hot. So because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth. Because you say, "I am rich, and have become wealthy, and have need of nothing," and you do not know that you are wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked. I advise you to buy from me gold refined by fire so that you may become rich, and white garments so that the shame of your nakedness will not be revealed; and eye salve to annoint your eyes so that you may see.' Rev. 3:15-18

One of the greatest signs of the last days Jesus spoke of is a departing of true faith by the church. Never has that been more apparent than today. Whether it is President Bush worshipping in a Japanese Shinto shrine and hosting Islamic services in the White House, Billy Graham saying that Jews, Moslems, and pagans without a knowledge of Christ can still go to heaven, Paul Crouch saying we are little gods, or the Pope kissing the Koran, and welcoming all religions, apostasy is everywhere in the church. While catholic leadership is rampant with homosexuality, protestant leadership has it's adultery.

These are just a very few examples among numerous, not isolated cases. Leaders and teachers are a necessary part of the church but when they consistently depart from the Word and refuse to repent of their error then they are no longer worthy of trust. For such men are false apostles, deceitful workers, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ. No wonder, for even Satan himself disguises himself as an angel of light. Therefore it is not surprising if his servants also disguise themselves as servants of righteousness, whose end will be according to their deeds. 2 Cor. 11:13-15.

The extent to which the devil has infiltrated the church with apostasy is staggering, as a simple internet search will attest. Volumes have been written documenting the evidence, which is undeniably overwhelming. Christians today do not want to study the Word of God, be discerning, and face truth, lest their comfort zone be disturbed. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires. 2 Tim. 4:3. However the Bible tells us to expose the works of darkness, Eph. 5:11, and be discerning. He who is spiritual judges all things. 1 Cor. 2:15.

Where in the Bible is it written we are called to a life of comfort? The evidence suggests just the opposite. From the early church on through down the ages the Christian life has been one of sacrifice and suffering. For to you it has been granted for Christ's sake, not only to believe in him, but also to suffer for his sake. 1 Phil. 1:29. We are called to worship, obedience, and service, no matter what the cost to us. Indeed all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will be persecuted. 2 Tim. 3:12. God is not some cosmic teddy bear, to just cling to when we feel like it. This world is engaged in a great spiritual war and God wants participating warriors, not spectators. Therefore, take up the whole armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything to stand firm. Eph. 6:13. Yet in spite of hardship, there is great joy to be had within. Eye has not seen, and ear has not heard, nor has entered into the heart of man, the things that God has prepared for those that love him. 1 Cor. 2:9. For the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. Rom. 14:17.

Churches in general have become no more than social clubs giving people what makes them feel good. When Christians watch the same mind numbing TV shows, go to the same movies, and listen to the same loud drum thumping beat as unbelievers then something is dreadfully wrong. The brethren overseas, uncorrupted by materialism, can easily recognize the apostasy in western culture. It is no wonder Chinese Christians reportedly pray for persecution to come to America and purify the church, and why when the new openess at the dissolusion of the Soviet Union occurred Russian leaders of the persecuted underground church were very saddened with the arrival of so called "christian rock" music from America, which they called music from hell. They wondered how American Christians could be so much like the world. No wonder Jesus called his people sheep, easily wandering into danger and easily devoured by wolves. ...there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly introduce destructive heresies...2 Pet. 2:1.

It seems the majority of Christians in America today want to be fed a continuous diet of "milk" rather than growing up to "meat." Hardly anyone preaches about the realities of an eternal hell anymore nor spiritual discernment, nor any deep subject that requires a responsive action. American Christians prefer "warm fuzzy" feelings and entertainment to deep spiritual truths. ...don't tell us the truth; tell us nice things; tell us lies. Forget all this gloom...Isa. 30:10-11. For decades there has been a gradual slide into liberalism and apostasy and so today we have this pluralistic culture where anyone can pick and choose what he wants to believe. Absolute truth is frowned upon. Well, God has the last word. For it is written, "As I live, says the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall give praise to God." So then each of us will give an account of himself to God. Rom. 14:11-12

I used to believe true Christians could not be greatly deceived but apparently I was wrong. However most that profess Christianity are not true Christians. God has always called out only a remnant for himself. Many times Jesus said there would be few saved. For the gate is small and the way is narrow that leads to life, and there are few who find it. Mat. 7:14. Hell will be full of deceived people who thought they were Christians, but were only deluding themselves. "Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of my father will enter. Many will say to me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name cast out demons, and in your name perform many miracles? And I will declare to them, 'I never knew you; Depart from me, you who practice lawlessness." Mat. 7:21-23.

Christianity is not an insurance policy against hell so we can live for self. It is a relationship with God that demands separation from the world's lifestyle. How much time do you you spend in fellowship with Christ daily? Do you bear any scars for being a Christian? The world hated Jesus and he said it would hate us too. Do not love the world neither the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 1 John 2:15. American Christians have lost sight of the fact that HOLINESS is the number one attribute of God, and he expects his people to be HOLY, a separate, peculiar people. You shall be HOLY, for I am HOLY. 1 Pet. 1:16. Even though we fall short in this life holiness should be our daily aim.

This slide into apostasy causes lack of discernment in other areas too. How else can you explain the fact that among president Bush's greatest supporters are evangelicals, totally oblivious to his completely rotten spiritual fruit, his support of homosexuals, his repeated blocking of efforts to cut back abortion, his gutting of the Constitution putting in tyrannical laws that rival those of Nazi Germany, etc, etc, etc. The documented facts are there for anyone to see, but of course it makes Christians uncomfortable to face the truth. It is time for Christians to quit putting men like Bush and Graham on a pedestal to idolize, and worship Jesus only! It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in man. Psa. 118:8. The worship of men will always end in disappointment. Thus says the Lord, "Cursed is the man who trusts in mankind..." Jer.17:5. But most people believe what they want they want to, even with mountains of evidence to the contrary. For this reason God will send upon them a deluding influence so that they will believe what is false. 2 Thes. 2:11 Like the Bereans who searched the scriptures daily for truth to be sure what they were being told was true(Acts 17:11), the church needs more people like that, and who also search for truth in daily news also, rather than believing everything they are told. My people perish for lack of knowledge. Hos. 4:6. Be wise as serpents and harmless as doves. Mat. 10:16. See to it that no one misleeds you. Mat. 24:4.

It is time to be like Christians in earlier generations and commit all to Christ, no matter what the cost. In all things show yourself to be an example of good deeds, WITH purity in doctrine. Titus 2:7. America truly does need persecution to separate the chaff from the wheat in the church and transform babies into mature believers. So you will again distinguish between the righteous and the wicked, between the one who serves God and the one who does not serve him. Mal. 3:18. And America needs harsh judgement for it's hideous sins, 40+ million killed from abortion alone, not to mention multitudes of other unspeakable evils. And unless God delays very much longer that day is soon coming. Now the end is upon you, and I will send my anger against you; and I will judge you according to your ways and bring all abominations upon you. Eze. 7:4. In many ways America is already under judgement but the people are too blinded to notice. Only the hope of 2 Chr. 7:14 remains. As Patrick Henry said: "We are apt to shut our eyes against a painful truth...For my part, whatever anguish of spirit it may cost, I am willing to know the whole truth; to know the worst, and to provide for it." What are you, an ostrich(burying his head in the sand) or a seeker of truth?

"All truth passes through three stages. First, it is ridiculed. Second, it is violently opposed. Third, it is accepted as being self-evident." Arthur Schopenhauer

These words have not been written and quoted to condemn but in an attempt to awaken true believers from slumber and deception. I know what it's like to be deceived. I've been down that road and by the grace of God came through a much stronger Christian. My prayer is that God's people would open their eyes, study the Word, and pray for discernment about the perilous times we are in. Being in the end times, as is clearly apparent, if Christians cannot even discern basic issues what hope is there for them when much greater deception comes as prophesied? Christians need to be prepared since nobody can be absolutely certain of the timing of the rapture. If you happen to be in one of the few remaining churches where absolute truth is coveted, be very, very grateful.

Steven Garren
... -February 2003-

Footnote: All the above facts can be verified yourself if you wish to do so. It saddens me to hear and read of the apostate beliefs of Billy Graham in recent years, since decades ago he had such a positive influence on my life. A true Christian could not believe some of the views he has stated unless his mind was gone from illness. But the beginning of his slide into apostasy goes back many decades. He desperately needs our prayers. Paul Crouch's TBN has so many false prophets and teachers the evidence is enough to fill volumes. Skull & Bones member George Bush's hypocrisy is plainly apparent for the spiritually discerning Christian. True Christians do not do the things he does. The amount of evidence, with documentation, is so overwhelming anybody can find it. He, like the Pope see many paths to the same God, which clearly isn't true. While catholicism relies heavily on self works for salvation, liberal protestantism has it's own unbiblical beliefs and the increasing trend is for a merger of the two, including mainline conservative protestantism, paving the way for the coming one world religion. When the Bible, alone, is not the foundation for spiritual truth it opens the door for all kinds of error. It warns of adding to or subtracting from it. Do not let emotion cloud your reasoning. If you think I am wrong about these things I challenge you to prove them yourself by examining all the available evidence, after sincere prayer and asking God for guidance.