Perilous Times are Here: Charlatans

Theology and Politics from a Conservative, Biblical Perspective

We are nearing the end of this particular series on 2 Timothy 3:1-5.

1 This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.

2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,

3 Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,

4 Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;

5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. (KJV)

Last time, we spoke of people who were treasonous in words and actions. Unfortunately, Paul is primarily referring to those within Christendom. How are they traitors? By espousing heresy, mainly, and teaching others to believe the same.

In our series we just began on false teachers and prophets, we delve into this. As a note of clarification, I noted that we are not simply highlighting certain individuals to shame them. Frankly, if they were to read the articles published here, I doubt seriously that they would care. We highlight them because of their unbiblical viewpoints they hold.

I read one particular article with interest highlighting at least 10 false teachers and it was very interesting to read many of the comments from folks who fully disagreed with the author, citing how those false teachers had “helped” them in many ways.

It has always been interesting to me to watch people who seem to start out very well, but after becoming fairly well known and sought after, apparently, the temptation to compromise with the world becomes too much and they end up moving Left in their thinking and teaching. I personally believe this happens because many of these false teachers have millions who follow them and give to their ministries. Their ministry grows to the point that they become a corporation, albeit a 501(c)3, tax-deductible organization. I truly believe the temptation for money and fame forces them to compromise in order to keep the donations and book sales going.

Today, in verse 5 of 2 Timothy 3, Paul starts that verse with the words, “Having a form of godliness, but denying its power…” That’s an incredibly interesting and eye-opening statement, but what does it mean?

Essentially, Paul is speaking about people who appear to use the right words. They ultimately have their religion in their creed, but not in their hearts. The word “form” means having an outward appearance or shape. To look at these people would indicate to us that they are “religious.” They can appear to walk the talk, but like the unbelieving Scribes and Pharisees, the emphasis is on externals; how things look to others. That is the key. This is truly a dangerous individual because their complete lack of inward reality and integrity where God is concerned is often not seen by others until it is too late.

The interesting thing about false teachers in general is the way they use emotion to engage their listeners. I know folks (as I’m sure you do as well), who attend churches where a social Gospel is preached. It’s all about what we can do for the “downtrodden” in society. Pastors of these churches often get on the bandwagon about social justice or the social injustice they see that needs to be overturned. Jesus, on the other hand, was far more concerned about calling the lost sheep to Him so that they might receive salvation.

Why is the cart put before the horse in so many churches today? Why are there so many who have gained notoriety within Christian circles and eventually come out supporting the tenets of social gospel?

Paul is warning all of us to choose wisely when it comes to the Christian leaders we will get behind. Are they real? Do they not only preach the true Gospel but make every effort to live it? Or, do they preach the truth, but do so because they like accolades and honor from among men and women who hear them while living another life altogether? Do they actually preach the truth or do they use clever sounding words to bamboozle their hearers?

I am not going to categorically state that all mega churches should be avoided, but I will say that I do not see any example of that in the first century church even after the day the Church was born and 3,000 were added to the Church at that point. I honestly believe we are going to see the churches that are based on truth and seek to live that truth, get smaller and smaller as the time moves toward the Tribulation period.

Many of today’s churches are big business. I’ve read want ads from churches looking for pastors and they boast of being able to pay a five or six figure salary, housing allowance, a 401k retirement account and more. It simply makes you wonder about how the ministry is seen today. Why does a pastor of a church need a six-figure salary? Is the church now a corporation in need of a CEO?

Many of the false teachers that Paul called out by name appear not to have been the real deal Christian in the end. John the apostle makes this same point in his three small epistles toward the end of the New Testament.

I visited a church up north and was talking to the pastor. He’d been there for 30 years and in fact, planted that church. The music was upbeat and people were excited to be there. I talked to him about that and he shared that “whatever it takes to get them in” was what they would do. They even went so far as to remove the word “Baptist” from their name, shortening it to something that didn’t really tell people what they believed or that they were even a church.

The Church is there to edify and build up the saints. That’s the number one goal. The saints are built up in order that they can become equipped to be better evangelists when they go out into the world with their jobs or whatever they are doing. False teachers seem to forget that this is the main purpose of the church and compromise their teaching and presentation on Sundays so that it will appeal to the widest audience possible.

Tony Evans, a false teacher we will be highlighting soon, believes in what is known as “inclusivism.” This is the belief that someone does not have to know Jesus through salvation in order to be saved. He also denies original sin (Pelagianism). Yet this man is senior pastor of a 6,000 member church in Texas and his books are readily available through Southern Baptist Convention’s book department, Lifeway.

What is interesting is that people like Evans are true wordsmiths. They take concepts that are anti-biblical and through the twisting of Scripture, make them sound as though they are biblical. Paul says in no uncertain terms that from people like this, we should “turn away.” This means turn our backs to them and completely reject what they are selling. Instead, we see these folks attract millions of people.

Why is this the case? Some will say that it is because we are living in the age of Grace and God has shed that grace abroad in hearts so that people will come to Him. Paul was living in that same age of Grace, wasn’t He? This particular age started with the birth of Jesus and will continue until the Church is Raptured.

If we consider how the apostles were treated, it is clear that the age of Grace, aside from giving them the opportunity to receive salvation and serve the Lord, brought untold hardships on them. With the possible exceptions of Judas and John, it is believed all the apostles were martyred for Jesus. We know Judas killed himself. It is possible John was martyred as well but there are mixed reports.

Yet today, what do we see? Today’s well-known Christian leaders are lauded, honored, have huge bank accounts, large corporations, big homes and sometimes, multiple homes, their own jets, security staff and all the perks that come with that lifestyle of the rich and famous.

Jesus had no place to lay His head with any consistency. He relied solely on the Father and the Father provided what Jesus needed for each day. There are so many within Christendom who appear to be there for selfish gain. They have their reward maybe?

Now remember, Paul is talking specifically of the “last days,” the time prior to the Tribulation and the physical return of Jesus. The last days began in Jesus’ day as He walked this earth. They continue until His second coming. Certainly, some of what Paul is talking about applies to all of society, while a few specific points refer to those within Christendom.

Paul paints a terrible picture of the type of evil and injustice that will exist as the days move rapidly toward the end. If it isn’t enough that we have Marxist organizations doing their best to destroy the USA from within, we have false teachers and prophets attempting to destroy Christianity from within. Of course, while the USA will likely be destroyed or at the least, become pathetically and woefully lacking in the strength that once heralded this nation, Christianity will not be destroyed. How do we know? Because Jesus said in Matthew 16 that He would build His Church and the gates of hell would not prevail against it.

Try as Satan might, he will not win against God in attacking the Church in his attempts to destroy. While Satan certainly motivates people in society now who believe Marxism is the way to overcome the rule of law in the United States, possibly reducing it to a shadow of what it once was when originally created by our founders, the Church itself will be protected by God Himself.

You’ll notice that today, governors and mayors in some states are doing their darndest to keep churches closed. Gov. Newsom of California has issued orders that prohibit churches from gathering inside, from singing hymns, from essentially participating in the First Amendment. This is illegal, but churches are having to fight in court for their rights and all of this is based on the stated belief that houses of worship will become petri dishes that will spread the CV-19 virus. But we all know that these same government leaders have absolutely no problem with all the violent “protesters,” looters and rioters. In fact, many, even within the medical community have come out in support of the protests.

This attack on churches may succeed or fail. I’m not a prophet so I don’t know. I know that some pastors are weathering the storm while others are being slapped with fines and threats of imprisonment. This is America today and who would’ve thought that just last fall, we’d be in this situation now?

The interesting thing is to hear many pastors and other Christian leaders agree with the governments who are riding roughshod over the First Amendment. This happens in communist countries like China. Did you ever think it would happen in America, land of the free, home of the brave?

A time is coming and may well be here when Christians will have to make the decision to stand against state terrorism. What will you do? It’s probably best you deal with that question now so that if/when it arrives, you’ll already have decided what you will do.

I was watching a video from a man in Victoria, Australia. He was walking along the street and was stopped by three police officers. Apparently, he wasn’t supposed to be walking for exercise, even though he was by himself and was wearing a mask. They hassled him (politely) for about 15 minutes before he was allowed to leave without being fined or arrested. Later, he complained that they had made it illegal to complain against elected officials. He knew many who had been arrested and fined. I understand New Zealand and Australia are in terrible shape with their “lockdowns” (a term used primarily for locking down prisons during uprisings).

Terrible times are here and please do not believe those who say that it will all stop and go back to normal after this coming presidential election. That’s not going to happen. Like the false prophets in Ezekiel’s day who promised that everything would turn out great, we do not know that and if we judge by what is going on now, it will only get worse.

Theology and Politics from a Conservative, Biblical Perspective