Jesus Christ is my God!
Issued 26.04.1998
Antichrist is a fallen Christian leader
The Bible's prophesies about Antichrist are coming true right in front of our eyes. He is the demonic person who has masqueraded himself as an angel of light. He charms all but those who know the Bible's Jesus.
He is one of us
"Little children, it is the last hour; and as you have heard that the Antichrist is coming, even now many antichrists have come, by which we know that it is the last hour. They went out from us, but they were not of us..." 1Jo.2:18-19
Among all the Christian Churches there are true followers of Jesus whom I respect. Yet I speak about the spirit of Antichrist in our spiritual homes, because only truth brings love and lie leads to lovelessness. Jesus is the Truth.
"Little children, it is the last hour; and as you have heard that the Antichrist is coming, even now many antichrists have come, by which we know that it is the last hour. They went out from us, but they were not of us..." 1Jo.2:18-19
Among all the Christian Churches there are true followers of Jesus whom I respect. Yet I speak about the spirit of Antichrist in our spiritual homes, because only truth brings love and lie leads to lovelessness. Jesus is the Truth.
Two beasts
Revelation chapter 13 tells about two beasts, the first comes out of the sea and the other out of the earth. The one coming out of the sea with ten horns is a political leader and the one coming out of the earth with two horns is a Christian leader. Many Christian books and sermons deal only with this political beast. There is often just a passing remark of this false prophet who is the beast coming out of the earth. How can you know that this beast comes out from us believers? "He had two horns like a lamb, and spoke like a dragon." Re.13:11
Jesus compares His disciples to lambs and horns symbolise leadership. Also Jesus Himself was called the Lamb of God. Therefore Antichrist is a pastor, a preacher or a bishop. He is the wolf in sheep's clothing, because he has a lamb's horns and "he spoke like a dragon." A religious beast makes people bow down before a political beast. This combination is also very well known in history.
Revelation chapter 13 tells about two beasts, the first comes out of the sea and the other out of the earth. The one coming out of the sea with ten horns is a political leader and the one coming out of the earth with two horns is a Christian leader. Many Christian books and sermons deal only with this political beast. There is often just a passing remark of this false prophet who is the beast coming out of the earth. How can you know that this beast comes out from us believers? "He had two horns like a lamb, and spoke like a dragon." Re.13:11
Jesus compares His disciples to lambs and horns symbolise leadership. Also Jesus Himself was called the Lamb of God. Therefore Antichrist is a pastor, a preacher or a bishop. He is the wolf in sheep's clothing, because he has a lamb's horns and "he spoke like a dragon." A religious beast makes people bow down before a political beast. This combination is also very well known in history.
The Devil in the Church
The false prophet preaches the word of God the way the devil preached to Eve in paradise or to Jesus in the desert. He interprets the Bible with great wisdom. Paul realised the influence of the devil in the Church when he warned against "the preachers of other Jesus": "But I fear, lest somehow, as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, so your minds may be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ. For if he who comes preaches another Jesus whom we have not preached, or if you receive a different spirit which you have not received, or a different gospel which you have not accepted - you may well put up with it! For I consider that I am not at all inferior to the most eminent apostles" 2Co.11:3-5
Thus the beast with two horns is "a super-apostle".
The false prophet preaches the word of God the way the devil preached to Eve in paradise or to Jesus in the desert. He interprets the Bible with great wisdom. Paul realised the influence of the devil in the Church when he warned against "the preachers of other Jesus": "But I fear, lest somehow, as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, so your minds may be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ. For if he who comes preaches another Jesus whom we have not preached, or if you receive a different spirit which you have not received, or a different gospel which you have not accepted - you may well put up with it! For I consider that I am not at all inferior to the most eminent apostles" 2Co.11:3-5
Thus the beast with two horns is "a super-apostle".
The Deceiver is near
Jesus calls the apostle Judas in John 17:12 "the son of perdition". Paul calls Antichrist by the same name in 2 Thess.2:3. Both 2 Thess.2:3 and Rev.13 describe the son of perdition in the same way: "The coming of the lawless one is according to the working of Satan, with all power, signs, and lying wonders." 2Th.2:9 "He performs great signs, so that he even makes fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men." Re.13:13
So Judas Iscariot is an example of Antichrist. It must have been painful to Jesus that one of His apostles was under the devil's power. "Did I not choose you the twelve, and one of you is a devil." Joh.6:70 As near as Judas was to Jesus, as near is Antichrist to us who are followers of Jesus in this time of the end. Not one belonging to Jesus is spared from the pain of the spirit of Antichrist being near to us.
Jesus calls the apostle Judas in John 17:12 "the son of perdition". Paul calls Antichrist by the same name in 2 Thess.2:3. Both 2 Thess.2:3 and Rev.13 describe the son of perdition in the same way: "The coming of the lawless one is according to the working of Satan, with all power, signs, and lying wonders." 2Th.2:9 "He performs great signs, so that he even makes fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men." Re.13:13
So Judas Iscariot is an example of Antichrist. It must have been painful to Jesus that one of His apostles was under the devil's power. "Did I not choose you the twelve, and one of you is a devil." Joh.6:70 As near as Judas was to Jesus, as near is Antichrist to us who are followers of Jesus in this time of the end. Not one belonging to Jesus is spared from the pain of the spirit of Antichrist being near to us.
The beast with two and ten horns
God's people often give much attention to the sea of nations, from which the beast can already be seen to rise up. EU is only one part of the integrating world. The beast coming out the sea was given authority over "every tribe, tongue, and nation." Re.13:7 So this beast that has the ten horns will be the real United States of the Whole World, but the beast coming out of the earth will be the World Wide Religious Union. If you pay attention to the earth ( the Church), you can see signs of the beast who has the two horns. The Ecumenism is moving toward the Church ruled by the beast with two horns.
Antichristianity emphasises more power and miracles than righteousness. It demands more submission to the religious leaders and to the traditions of the Church than obedience to the Lord Jesus. When a preacher exalts himself, "boasts according to the flesh", and loves money, he gives confident evidence which proves his Antichristianity. Also Judas stole money from the purse of Jesus.
God's people often give much attention to the sea of nations, from which the beast can already be seen to rise up. EU is only one part of the integrating world. The beast coming out the sea was given authority over "every tribe, tongue, and nation." Re.13:7 So this beast that has the ten horns will be the real United States of the Whole World, but the beast coming out of the earth will be the World Wide Religious Union. If you pay attention to the earth ( the Church), you can see signs of the beast who has the two horns. The Ecumenism is moving toward the Church ruled by the beast with two horns.
Antichristianity emphasises more power and miracles than righteousness. It demands more submission to the religious leaders and to the traditions of the Church than obedience to the Lord Jesus. When a preacher exalts himself, "boasts according to the flesh", and loves money, he gives confident evidence which proves his Antichristianity. Also Judas stole money from the purse of Jesus.
Jesus has seven horns
Antichrist is the Lamb who has two horns, but Jesus Christ is the Lamb who has seven horns. "And I looked, and behold, in the midst of the throne and of the four living creatures, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as though it had been slain, having seven horns..." Re.5:6
So there are five qualities of the anointing of Jesus which are missing from the Antichristian preaching. They are the Spirit of the LORD, the Spirit of understanding, the Spirit of counsel, the Spirit of knowledge and the Spirit of the fear of the LORD. The two of the seven are emphasised so that many don't notice that the five are missing. They are the Spirit of might and the Spirit of wisdom. Look at Isaiah 11:2.
That charismatic preacher who does miracles falls in the same thing as the devil before him. He becomes proud in his heart because of his great anointing, "the man of sin is revealed, the son of perdition, who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God or that is worshipped, so that he sits as God in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God." 2Th.2:3-4
Nowadays God's Church is the temple of God. "You are the temple of God" 1Co.3:16 "For you are the temple of the living God..." 2Co.6:16 So Antichrist settles down to the Church of God and there he exalts himself to God.
Antichrist is the Lamb who has two horns, but Jesus Christ is the Lamb who has seven horns. "And I looked, and behold, in the midst of the throne and of the four living creatures, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as though it had been slain, having seven horns..." Re.5:6
So there are five qualities of the anointing of Jesus which are missing from the Antichristian preaching. They are the Spirit of the LORD, the Spirit of understanding, the Spirit of counsel, the Spirit of knowledge and the Spirit of the fear of the LORD. The two of the seven are emphasised so that many don't notice that the five are missing. They are the Spirit of might and the Spirit of wisdom. Look at Isaiah 11:2.
That charismatic preacher who does miracles falls in the same thing as the devil before him. He becomes proud in his heart because of his great anointing, "the man of sin is revealed, the son of perdition, who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God or that is worshipped, so that he sits as God in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God." 2Th.2:3-4
Nowadays God's Church is the temple of God. "You are the temple of God" 1Co.3:16 "For you are the temple of the living God..." 2Co.6:16 So Antichrist settles down to the Church of God and there he exalts himself to God.
Pride can change a believer into a beast!
Jesus' mind was: "Who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God." Php.2:6 The word, that causes a believer to abandon humbleness of Jesus, is the seed, which can change him into a beast. Every word, which urges a spiritual leader to lord over the congregation, is a seed of the viper. When this seed grows in his heart he becomes a beast preacher. Jesus has said about them: "Serpents, brood of vipers! ..." Mt.23:33
One of these words of pride says that a preacher is the king of the congregation or exalts the leader the Church over the other elders. The genuine Christian leader says: "Imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ." 1Co.11:1 He doesn't demand respect for himself but he is the servant of all.
Jesus' mind was: "Who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God." Php.2:6 The word, that causes a believer to abandon humbleness of Jesus, is the seed, which can change him into a beast. Every word, which urges a spiritual leader to lord over the congregation, is a seed of the viper. When this seed grows in his heart he becomes a beast preacher. Jesus has said about them: "Serpents, brood of vipers! ..." Mt.23:33
One of these words of pride says that a preacher is the king of the congregation or exalts the leader the Church over the other elders. The genuine Christian leader says: "Imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ." 1Co.11:1 He doesn't demand respect for himself but he is the servant of all.
Pride works through the Church like yeast
"For we do not preach ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord, and ourselves your bondservants for Jesus' sake." 2Co.4:5
A man, Jesus Christ is God. In the Bible the word LORD ( the Hebrew word Jahveh) means God. Although a lord can also mean a man, it is a different word in the Hebrew Bible. If someone is a disciple of Jesus Christ one is a child of God. So a believer also is something godly. Jesus calls His disciples His brothers. Therefore God's child has the great temptation to start preaching himself.
What did Paul mean by preaching himself? "Your glorying is not good. Do you not know that a little leaven leaves the whole lump? Therefore purge out the old leaven..." 1Co.5:6 What kind of self-praise is "the old yeast"? Paul gives an example: "What I speak, I speak not according to the Lord, but as it were, foolishly, in this confidence of boasting. Seeing that many boast according to the flesh, I also will boast...." 2Co.11:17-
After this he lists all the good deeds he has done in the work of the Kingdom of God and how much he has suffered for Jesus' sake. This kind of witnessing for the LORD is speaking according to the flesh and it devastates the faith. A little leaven leaves the whole Church.
Usually one doesn't lose the gospel as a doctrine, but by "boasting according to the flesh". The salvation project planned by God has this main principle: "that no flesh should glory in His presence." 1Co.1:29
The heart that once saw the light of the Gospel of the glory of Jesus Christ can become dark because of aiming at human honour. "But even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing, whose minds the god of this age has blinded, who do not believe, lest the light of the Gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine on them." 2Co.4:3-4
"For we do not preach ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord, and ourselves your bondservants for Jesus' sake." 2Co.4:5
A man, Jesus Christ is God. In the Bible the word LORD ( the Hebrew word Jahveh) means God. Although a lord can also mean a man, it is a different word in the Hebrew Bible. If someone is a disciple of Jesus Christ one is a child of God. So a believer also is something godly. Jesus calls His disciples His brothers. Therefore God's child has the great temptation to start preaching himself.
What did Paul mean by preaching himself? "Your glorying is not good. Do you not know that a little leaven leaves the whole lump? Therefore purge out the old leaven..." 1Co.5:6 What kind of self-praise is "the old yeast"? Paul gives an example: "What I speak, I speak not according to the Lord, but as it were, foolishly, in this confidence of boasting. Seeing that many boast according to the flesh, I also will boast...." 2Co.11:17-
After this he lists all the good deeds he has done in the work of the Kingdom of God and how much he has suffered for Jesus' sake. This kind of witnessing for the LORD is speaking according to the flesh and it devastates the faith. A little leaven leaves the whole Church.
Usually one doesn't lose the gospel as a doctrine, but by "boasting according to the flesh". The salvation project planned by God has this main principle: "that no flesh should glory in His presence." 1Co.1:29
The heart that once saw the light of the Gospel of the glory of Jesus Christ can become dark because of aiming at human honour. "But even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing, whose minds the god of this age has blinded, who do not believe, lest the light of the Gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine on them." 2Co.4:3-4
About the history of backsliding
In the early Christian congregation the faith was confessed by saying "Jesus Christ is LORD." The Fathers of the Church changed this confession from Jesus-centric into egocentric one "I believe the Father, the Son, the Holy Spirit and the holy Catholic Church and the resurrection of the body and the eternal life."
They had received a different spirit, another Jesus and a different gospel mentioned by Paul. The Fathers of the Church fell away from the humility of Jesus and started to hunt popularity of the world by means of Christianity. They made a covenant with the Emperor of Rome and in this way they trespassed against the covenant of God.
The New Covenant is made through the blood of Jesus and in that God "has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love." Col.1:13 The Kingdom of Jesus cannot make any alliance with the power of darkness. Jesus called the devil "the ruler of this world" Joh.14:30 revealing in this way who is the real influential person behind the political system of the world. "Whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God." Jas.4:4
It has happened with the Christian leaders in the same way as it happened with the kings of Israel of the Old Testament who allied themselves with the kings of their neighbouring countries. In this way they made themselves an enemy of God. Martin Luther considered Pope Antichrist, but he became himself the same kind leader as Pope. He and his friends gave up following Jesus when they appealed to King Charles and to the parliament of Ausburg. The parliament handled the attack of Turkey and they needed the support of a religion in the war against the Islamite. The hostilities of that age live even today in Kosovo so witnessing the danger of the union of religion and politics.
When they allied themselves with the government they expressed their rebellion against the gospel of God. Luther trusted in the protection of the government. Thus he believed to be able to preach the gospel freely. In this way he deceived himself and those who followed him, for in the book of Galatians it is said that the God's gospel "is not according to man". Paul says: "If I still pleased men, I would not be a bondservant of Christ." Ga.1:10
The confession of Ausburg is the report of the Lutheran faith, which was prepared for the parliament of Ausburg. It begins with the fawning title: "O the unbeatable King Charles." In a certain way Luther fell deeper than the Fathers of the Church. He gave the leadership of the Church to the king. Thus "the prince of this world" became the head of the Lutheran Church. Hitler, though Catholic, came to power in a country with a Lutheran heritage and that reveals the the kind of results that Lutheran backsliding produces.
In the early Christian congregation the faith was confessed by saying "Jesus Christ is LORD." The Fathers of the Church changed this confession from Jesus-centric into egocentric one "I believe the Father, the Son, the Holy Spirit and the holy Catholic Church and the resurrection of the body and the eternal life."
They had received a different spirit, another Jesus and a different gospel mentioned by Paul. The Fathers of the Church fell away from the humility of Jesus and started to hunt popularity of the world by means of Christianity. They made a covenant with the Emperor of Rome and in this way they trespassed against the covenant of God.
The New Covenant is made through the blood of Jesus and in that God "has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love." Col.1:13 The Kingdom of Jesus cannot make any alliance with the power of darkness. Jesus called the devil "the ruler of this world" Joh.14:30 revealing in this way who is the real influential person behind the political system of the world. "Whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God." Jas.4:4
It has happened with the Christian leaders in the same way as it happened with the kings of Israel of the Old Testament who allied themselves with the kings of their neighbouring countries. In this way they made themselves an enemy of God. Martin Luther considered Pope Antichrist, but he became himself the same kind leader as Pope. He and his friends gave up following Jesus when they appealed to King Charles and to the parliament of Ausburg. The parliament handled the attack of Turkey and they needed the support of a religion in the war against the Islamite. The hostilities of that age live even today in Kosovo so witnessing the danger of the union of religion and politics.
When they allied themselves with the government they expressed their rebellion against the gospel of God. Luther trusted in the protection of the government. Thus he believed to be able to preach the gospel freely. In this way he deceived himself and those who followed him, for in the book of Galatians it is said that the God's gospel "is not according to man". Paul says: "If I still pleased men, I would not be a bondservant of Christ." Ga.1:10
The confession of Ausburg is the report of the Lutheran faith, which was prepared for the parliament of Ausburg. It begins with the fawning title: "O the unbeatable King Charles." In a certain way Luther fell deeper than the Fathers of the Church. He gave the leadership of the Church to the king. Thus "the prince of this world" became the head of the Lutheran Church. Hitler, though Catholic, came to power in a country with a Lutheran heritage and that reveals the the kind of results that Lutheran backsliding produces.
State Church, baptism and the mark of the beast
The Catholic Church had created the doctrine of the saving baptism. Pope believes that he has got from the apostle Peter the keys of the Kingdom of Heaven. Pope has distributed his power to his priests who use the keys in the baptism. This great lie was adopted by the Lutheran Church. The justification through the dead faith is the Lutheran emphasis which is used to confirm the magic of the sacrament of the baptism.
The doctrine of the baptism's grace is closely bound to that unholy alliance between the government and the Church. It is not possible to create the state Church by preaching the gospel, because God expects from man the voluntary commitment to the gospel's call which God cries out on the Calvary. The message, "whose country, his religion", fits together with the main purpose of a state Church. In other words the nation must be forced to the religion of its king. This purpose will come true also in the beast state of the Book of Revelation.
The number 666 describes economic, political and religious power. There would not be a Lutheran Church in Finland without the sword mission and baptising by force. Also today bishops and priests regard the baptism more important than the experience given by the gospel. This attitude proves that they are under the law and have fallen away from the grace as it is said in Galatians. Galatians blasphemed against God with their circumcision faith. In the same way Lutherans blaspheme against God with their faith in the baptism's grace.
The sacramental baptism is the oldest example of the mark of the beast. Anybody, who had not been baptised, couldn't sell or buy, not even live in those countries. The wet cross, made on the forehead of the baptised soul marks the ownership of the Church in the same way as the beast's mark on the forehead seals the soul for the beast's own.
The Catholic Church had created the doctrine of the saving baptism. Pope believes that he has got from the apostle Peter the keys of the Kingdom of Heaven. Pope has distributed his power to his priests who use the keys in the baptism. This great lie was adopted by the Lutheran Church. The justification through the dead faith is the Lutheran emphasis which is used to confirm the magic of the sacrament of the baptism.
The doctrine of the baptism's grace is closely bound to that unholy alliance between the government and the Church. It is not possible to create the state Church by preaching the gospel, because God expects from man the voluntary commitment to the gospel's call which God cries out on the Calvary. The message, "whose country, his religion", fits together with the main purpose of a state Church. In other words the nation must be forced to the religion of its king. This purpose will come true also in the beast state of the Book of Revelation.
The number 666 describes economic, political and religious power. There would not be a Lutheran Church in Finland without the sword mission and baptising by force. Also today bishops and priests regard the baptism more important than the experience given by the gospel. This attitude proves that they are under the law and have fallen away from the grace as it is said in Galatians. Galatians blasphemed against God with their circumcision faith. In the same way Lutherans blaspheme against God with their faith in the baptism's grace.
The sacramental baptism is the oldest example of the mark of the beast. Anybody, who had not been baptised, couldn't sell or buy, not even live in those countries. The wet cross, made on the forehead of the baptised soul marks the ownership of the Church in the same way as the beast's mark on the forehead seals the soul for the beast's own.
Drunk with the blood of Jesus' witnesses
The mother of prostitutes persecutes the real followers of God. "I saw the woman, drunk with the blood of the saints and the blood of the martyrs of Jesus." Re.17:6
If you felt anger against me when you read my previous paragraph, you felt the hate that comes from the same spirit, which affected in the high priests and scribes who demanded that Jesus must be killed. "Rid the earth of such a sectarian."
Zwingli was the reformer of Switzerland and later the head of the state. First he was a believer, but finally he became a murderer of his brethren. In the year 1521 he explained (Vapaan Kristillisyyden Historia, Gunnar Westin p. 70) that the doctrine which teaches that man is cleaned from the original sin through baptism is superstition. Also in many other issues he trusted in the real gospel.
What did it happen in his heart when he finally was involved in the actions against believers? Maybe the reason for his backsliding was there that he was involved in politics.
"The Council and Zwingli carried out their words when in January1527 Felix Manz was drowned in Limmat that runs through Zürich." (VKH p.85) Manz had been a close fellow believer of Zwingli. The Anabaptism was punished either with a deportation or a death penalty. The order of the German Emperor from the year 1528 and the State law from the year1529 prescribed the capital punishment for Anabaptists. (VKH p.158). Near Worms there was a discussion meeting of matters of faith in the year 1557. The documents of that meeting have been preserved. It is mentioned there that many Lutheran theologians urged their governments to attack roughly against Anabaptists. Among the signers was also Philip Melanchthon. (VKH p.161)
The mother of prostitutes persecutes the real followers of God. "I saw the woman, drunk with the blood of the saints and the blood of the martyrs of Jesus." Re.17:6
If you felt anger against me when you read my previous paragraph, you felt the hate that comes from the same spirit, which affected in the high priests and scribes who demanded that Jesus must be killed. "Rid the earth of such a sectarian."
Zwingli was the reformer of Switzerland and later the head of the state. First he was a believer, but finally he became a murderer of his brethren. In the year 1521 he explained (Vapaan Kristillisyyden Historia, Gunnar Westin p. 70) that the doctrine which teaches that man is cleaned from the original sin through baptism is superstition. Also in many other issues he trusted in the real gospel.
What did it happen in his heart when he finally was involved in the actions against believers? Maybe the reason for his backsliding was there that he was involved in politics.
"The Council and Zwingli carried out their words when in January1527 Felix Manz was drowned in Limmat that runs through Zürich." (VKH p.85) Manz had been a close fellow believer of Zwingli. The Anabaptism was punished either with a deportation or a death penalty. The order of the German Emperor from the year 1528 and the State law from the year1529 prescribed the capital punishment for Anabaptists. (VKH p.158). Near Worms there was a discussion meeting of matters of faith in the year 1557. The documents of that meeting have been preserved. It is mentioned there that many Lutheran theologians urged their governments to attack roughly against Anabaptists. Among the signers was also Philip Melanchthon. (VKH p.161)
Dead faith
Luther's faith was not biblical, because his faith was more considering the Bible's words true than obeying Jesus. He was creating the doctrine that the faith saves, though the Bible says that Jesus saves - through the faith. Luther's preaching causes the passive attitude to God. Yet today his teachings cause many hearts to answer to the Holy Spirit: I cannot do the will of Jesus in the matter you ask because I am afraid of falling under the law and falling away from the grace. That fear is caused by the Antichristian spirit that has influence over man through the sacramental baptism. It is logical that Luther didn't understand the message of the Bible's James, because in the Book of James the dead faith is rebuked.
If a believer continues in the grace of the gospel he will have the grace to do deeds of the faith, such as to take the baptism. Living under the God's grace makes us the friends of God and enemies of this world. In the Bible faith is obedience to God's word, not only considering it true.The holy grace makes active followers of Jesus, but the unholy grace makes people finally insult the Spirit of grace with their deeds.
Lutheran and Calvinist theologies are also the substrate of the modern liberal theology. Luther started to change many teachings of Jesus.
Luther's faith was not biblical, because his faith was more considering the Bible's words true than obeying Jesus. He was creating the doctrine that the faith saves, though the Bible says that Jesus saves - through the faith. Luther's preaching causes the passive attitude to God. Yet today his teachings cause many hearts to answer to the Holy Spirit: I cannot do the will of Jesus in the matter you ask because I am afraid of falling under the law and falling away from the grace. That fear is caused by the Antichristian spirit that has influence over man through the sacramental baptism. It is logical that Luther didn't understand the message of the Bible's James, because in the Book of James the dead faith is rebuked.
If a believer continues in the grace of the gospel he will have the grace to do deeds of the faith, such as to take the baptism. Living under the God's grace makes us the friends of God and enemies of this world. In the Bible faith is obedience to God's word, not only considering it true.The holy grace makes active followers of Jesus, but the unholy grace makes people finally insult the Spirit of grace with their deeds.
Lutheran and Calvinist theologies are also the substrate of the modern liberal theology. Luther started to change many teachings of Jesus.
Unfaithful faith
The alliance with the state forced him to adopt an Old Testament attitude to war, though Jesus says: "You have heard that it was said, 'You shall love your neighbour and hate your enemy.' But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven." Mt.5:43-45
"Hate your enemy" commanded Israel to destroy the enemy of God. It gave the duty to make "holy war" against the nation whose sin had reached its full measure. Instead, Jesus forbade His own to revenge on God's behalf. He took just that God's punishments belonging to sinners His own fault. This caused Him to be crucified onto the cross. He didn't defend Himself with a sword. Also he didn't use a sword to defend us. Therefore also His followers are pacifists
Divorce is the other matter where Luther has spoken against Jesus. He thought that a divorced one can in the certain cases be remarried with another person, though the previous spouse still lives. (In the book "Wedding Present", Brandt, p.151) Jesus says: "Whoever divorces his wife and marries another commits adultery; and whoever marries her who is divorced from her husband commits adultery." Lu.16:18
It is impossible to the dead faith to understand God's grace and His power. So it is no wonder that many Lutheran priests of our days don't believe that Jesus has risen from the dead. In these last days they have even made the incorrectly translated Bible so trying to force the words of God to the form of their dead faith.
The alliance with the state forced him to adopt an Old Testament attitude to war, though Jesus says: "You have heard that it was said, 'You shall love your neighbour and hate your enemy.' But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven." Mt.5:43-45
"Hate your enemy" commanded Israel to destroy the enemy of God. It gave the duty to make "holy war" against the nation whose sin had reached its full measure. Instead, Jesus forbade His own to revenge on God's behalf. He took just that God's punishments belonging to sinners His own fault. This caused Him to be crucified onto the cross. He didn't defend Himself with a sword. Also he didn't use a sword to defend us. Therefore also His followers are pacifists
Divorce is the other matter where Luther has spoken against Jesus. He thought that a divorced one can in the certain cases be remarried with another person, though the previous spouse still lives. (In the book "Wedding Present", Brandt, p.151) Jesus says: "Whoever divorces his wife and marries another commits adultery; and whoever marries her who is divorced from her husband commits adultery." Lu.16:18
It is impossible to the dead faith to understand God's grace and His power. So it is no wonder that many Lutheran priests of our days don't believe that Jesus has risen from the dead. In these last days they have even made the incorrectly translated Bible so trying to force the words of God to the form of their dead faith.
Jesus is replaced by the Church
Luther and especially Calvin believed that the power of the Church creates the kingdom of God on the Earth. However only Jews have the state religion accepted by God. The state religion of the New Covenant will not appear until Jesus comes on the clouds back on the earth. Luther and Calvin thought that Jews had lost their rights to be the particular nation of God and so their state religion would be moved to the Christian nations. This doctrine of Luther helped Hitler to persecute Jews.
Yet today these Churches believe that the heavenly millennium will come true through the power of the Church. Could you imagine any more Antichristian doctrine! Not only Israel is replaced by the Church but also Jesus Christ!
Luther and especially Calvin believed that the power of the Church creates the kingdom of God on the Earth. However only Jews have the state religion accepted by God. The state religion of the New Covenant will not appear until Jesus comes on the clouds back on the earth. Luther and Calvin thought that Jews had lost their rights to be the particular nation of God and so their state religion would be moved to the Christian nations. This doctrine of Luther helped Hitler to persecute Jews.
Yet today these Churches believe that the heavenly millennium will come true through the power of the Church. Could you imagine any more Antichristian doctrine! Not only Israel is replaced by the Church but also Jesus Christ!
Jesus movements becoming formal
The revivals of the previous century began as Jesus-centric movements where the Holy Spirit was poured over the believers. Near the end of the century seeking the acceptance of the world has more and more blinded the hearts of believers so that they have lost the Gospel of the glory of Christ. There are an increasing number of preachers anointed by God who have made themselves kings in their churches. In their sermons they have decided to get rid of those words of Jesus which would cause disregard of the world or persecution.
The ordinary prostitutes sell themselves, but spiritual prostitutes buy love of the world giving away the gifts that they got from God. "Men make payment to all harlots, but you made your payments to all your lovers, and hired them to come to you from all around for your harlotry." Eze.16:33 These Churches have got from God much beauty and wealth which to sell.
Luther sold his Christianity to the state advertising that Christians are good citizens for the Emperor and will give him the victory in the war, because God is with them. The Christianity of our age is courting world's favour with the social work it does. Alcoholics become sober, gangsters become fine fellows and missionaries teach nations to read and write and build hospitals. The great prostitute of the Revelation Book means backsliding Christianity, because its sin is the alliance with the state. "Come, I will show you the judgment of the great harlot who sits on many waters, with whom the kings of the earth committed fornication, and the inhabitants of the earth were made drunk with the wine of her fornication." Re.17:1-2
A virgin doesn't become a prostitute during one night. Every believer is sometimes unfaithful to Jesus - but then regrets and repents. Continuous impenitence and the unnoticed becoming dependent on the lover cause the permanent unfaithfulness. The backslided Christianity has set in its ways, because it has lost the source of life. A formal salvation takes the place of the true salvation because the Spirit of God has left the Antichristian Church.
The pharisee of Jesus' age taught that you are saved if you only are circumcised and belong to a synagogue. The bishops of the Church have the same doctrine when they say that you are saved if you only are baptised.. Jesus has nothing to do with them, because He taught: "But unless you repent, you too will all perish".. For the same reason those, who are faithful to Jesus, do not practise fellowship with the dead Christianity.
The revivals of the previous century began as Jesus-centric movements where the Holy Spirit was poured over the believers. Near the end of the century seeking the acceptance of the world has more and more blinded the hearts of believers so that they have lost the Gospel of the glory of Christ. There are an increasing number of preachers anointed by God who have made themselves kings in their churches. In their sermons they have decided to get rid of those words of Jesus which would cause disregard of the world or persecution.
The ordinary prostitutes sell themselves, but spiritual prostitutes buy love of the world giving away the gifts that they got from God. "Men make payment to all harlots, but you made your payments to all your lovers, and hired them to come to you from all around for your harlotry." Eze.16:33 These Churches have got from God much beauty and wealth which to sell.
Luther sold his Christianity to the state advertising that Christians are good citizens for the Emperor and will give him the victory in the war, because God is with them. The Christianity of our age is courting world's favour with the social work it does. Alcoholics become sober, gangsters become fine fellows and missionaries teach nations to read and write and build hospitals. The great prostitute of the Revelation Book means backsliding Christianity, because its sin is the alliance with the state. "Come, I will show you the judgment of the great harlot who sits on many waters, with whom the kings of the earth committed fornication, and the inhabitants of the earth were made drunk with the wine of her fornication." Re.17:1-2
A virgin doesn't become a prostitute during one night. Every believer is sometimes unfaithful to Jesus - but then regrets and repents. Continuous impenitence and the unnoticed becoming dependent on the lover cause the permanent unfaithfulness. The backslided Christianity has set in its ways, because it has lost the source of life. A formal salvation takes the place of the true salvation because the Spirit of God has left the Antichristian Church.
The pharisee of Jesus' age taught that you are saved if you only are circumcised and belong to a synagogue. The bishops of the Church have the same doctrine when they say that you are saved if you only are baptised.. Jesus has nothing to do with them, because He taught: "But unless you repent, you too will all perish".. For the same reason those, who are faithful to Jesus, do not practise fellowship with the dead Christianity.
Sacrament of a decision
The true gospel is the joyful message about Jesus Christ. "It pleased God to reveal His Son in me, that I might preach Him." Ga.1:16 When it was wanted to please the world, it was not wanted to preach Jesus, and not to invite people to be changed into the likes of Him. Instead, it was wanted to preach the becoming a believer, which has good effects on man's natural life. When you make a decision of faith you will get the seven good ones and the eight beautiful ones.
The rebirth and new life in the respected Church of good people sounds better than coming through the small gate to the narrow Jesus-way. It looks like the devil would have come into the Church in the role of the advertising psychologist. Appeal to the needs of people and you will sell your product.
When preaching the gospel stressed the rebirth and not getting into contact with Jesus, the emphasis was moved from the receiving the word of God to the experience of the decision.
In the years of the great revivals in the 19th century it became a habit to come to the penitent form where the heart was made obedient to Jesus. This was replaced in the 20th century with a place, where the decision to believe in God was made or life was given to Jesus. Although some have really come to the faith in those moments for many others they have been more deceitful events than the sacramental baptism. The penitent bench was changed little by little into the altar of a church, the holy place of the salvation.
Preachers didn't anymore wait for the work of the Holy Spirit appearing in man, but they hurried to assert that now they have been born again. Therefore many remained without the assurance the Holy Spirit gives and got instead of it the bombastic assurances of the "great" churchman.
In this way many of them, who believe that they were born again in the meeting where they made their decision of the conversion, got the untruthful experience. This kind of practice has dismissed the authority of the Holy Spirit and the authority of the Church and its preacher has little by little taken His place.
If one believes in the salvation through the baptism and the other believes in the salvation through the coming up in a meeting, although neither of them experienced the gospel in their hearts, they are in the same kind of a state of superstition.
The true gospel is the joyful message about Jesus Christ. "It pleased God to reveal His Son in me, that I might preach Him." Ga.1:16 When it was wanted to please the world, it was not wanted to preach Jesus, and not to invite people to be changed into the likes of Him. Instead, it was wanted to preach the becoming a believer, which has good effects on man's natural life. When you make a decision of faith you will get the seven good ones and the eight beautiful ones.
The rebirth and new life in the respected Church of good people sounds better than coming through the small gate to the narrow Jesus-way. It looks like the devil would have come into the Church in the role of the advertising psychologist. Appeal to the needs of people and you will sell your product.
When preaching the gospel stressed the rebirth and not getting into contact with Jesus, the emphasis was moved from the receiving the word of God to the experience of the decision.
In the years of the great revivals in the 19th century it became a habit to come to the penitent form where the heart was made obedient to Jesus. This was replaced in the 20th century with a place, where the decision to believe in God was made or life was given to Jesus. Although some have really come to the faith in those moments for many others they have been more deceitful events than the sacramental baptism. The penitent bench was changed little by little into the altar of a church, the holy place of the salvation.
Preachers didn't anymore wait for the work of the Holy Spirit appearing in man, but they hurried to assert that now they have been born again. Therefore many remained without the assurance the Holy Spirit gives and got instead of it the bombastic assurances of the "great" churchman.
In this way many of them, who believe that they were born again in the meeting where they made their decision of the conversion, got the untruthful experience. This kind of practice has dismissed the authority of the Holy Spirit and the authority of the Church and its preacher has little by little taken His place.
If one believes in the salvation through the baptism and the other believes in the salvation through the coming up in a meeting, although neither of them experienced the gospel in their hearts, they are in the same kind of a state of superstition.
Gospel of a temple
Congregations started to build lofty church temples, because people were invited more to meetings than to Jesus. This was done, because it was believed that a honourable assembly room draws people in. The most honourable people like a boss of the local government was invited to speak in the inaugural ceremony of the temple, so that others would understand that it is suitable also for their dignity to come to meetings.
The Holy Spirit doesn't need lofty meeting rooms to be able to give the assurance that one is saved and a child of God. They who follow mere natural instincts need a magnificent scene so that people would get a good religious experience.
Congregations started to build lofty church temples, because people were invited more to meetings than to Jesus. This was done, because it was believed that a honourable assembly room draws people in. The most honourable people like a boss of the local government was invited to speak in the inaugural ceremony of the temple, so that others would understand that it is suitable also for their dignity to come to meetings.
The Holy Spirit doesn't need lofty meeting rooms to be able to give the assurance that one is saved and a child of God. They who follow mere natural instincts need a magnificent scene so that people would get a good religious experience.
Ashamed of Jesus and His person
The essential part of receiving of God's grace is committing oneself to the name of Jesus and to His person. For a true believer His words are spirit and life. However Jesus' name and His character is commonly rejected and left away for instance from meeting advertisements. Instead of Him it is started to believe more in the names of celebrities who have become believers.
They are ashamed of Jesus because His teachings are considered so narrow-minded by this world. Therefore all the Bible passages are not even allowed to be read in many congregations, because they are considered too law-minded. These unfaithful people don't consider Jesus any drawing card, though He gave Himself to be nailed on the cross for us. Jesus assures His attraction:
"And I, if I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all peoples to Myself." Joh.12:32
The essential part of receiving of God's grace is committing oneself to the name of Jesus and to His person. For a true believer His words are spirit and life. However Jesus' name and His character is commonly rejected and left away for instance from meeting advertisements. Instead of Him it is started to believe more in the names of celebrities who have become believers.
They are ashamed of Jesus because His teachings are considered so narrow-minded by this world. Therefore all the Bible passages are not even allowed to be read in many congregations, because they are considered too law-minded. These unfaithful people don't consider Jesus any drawing card, though He gave Himself to be nailed on the cross for us. Jesus assures His attraction:
"And I, if I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all peoples to Myself." Joh.12:32
Worshipping human wisdom
The content of sermons was changed from proclaiming into explaining, because they started to listen to the old whispering: "Did God really say?" Therefore preachers were started to be appointed on the basis of natural talents and scholarship and not on the basis of the gifts got from the Holy Spirit. Before it was proclaimed: "God has said in this way." Now it is explained: "In this way we are teaching".
Pastoral care started to be based on psychological wisdom and not on the medicine of God's word. They dared to turn to the wisdom of this world, though the Bible says about it: "Has not God made foolish the wisdom of this world?" 1Co.1:20 The wisdom of God and the wisdom of the world are foolishness to each other, for the Bible says: "For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God." 1Co.1:18
For maintaining the unity of the Church it was not anymore trusted in the presence of the Good Shepherd, Jesus, but the shepherd's crook was used by human authority and togetherness was created by strengthening the identity of the denomination. When Jesus doesn't join together the members of the Church the Holy Spirit is replaced with human togetherness.
The content of sermons was changed from proclaiming into explaining, because they started to listen to the old whispering: "Did God really say?" Therefore preachers were started to be appointed on the basis of natural talents and scholarship and not on the basis of the gifts got from the Holy Spirit. Before it was proclaimed: "God has said in this way." Now it is explained: "In this way we are teaching".
Pastoral care started to be based on psychological wisdom and not on the medicine of God's word. They dared to turn to the wisdom of this world, though the Bible says about it: "Has not God made foolish the wisdom of this world?" 1Co.1:20 The wisdom of God and the wisdom of the world are foolishness to each other, for the Bible says: "For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God." 1Co.1:18
For maintaining the unity of the Church it was not anymore trusted in the presence of the Good Shepherd, Jesus, but the shepherd's crook was used by human authority and togetherness was created by strengthening the identity of the denomination. When Jesus doesn't join together the members of the Church the Holy Spirit is replaced with human togetherness.
Miraculous signs at the cost of losing the truth
When the gospel is not anymore considered the great message about Jesus, room is made as well for a sensible faith as for a faith based on an incitement of feelings. Man's own ability to believe in supernatural things is natural faith, but the biblical faith gets its power from the word of God. Some are misled by the wisdom of this world and the others are misled by miracles. "For Jews request a sign, and Greeks seek after wisdom." 1Co.1:22
Remember that Antichrist has the two horns, the horns of power and wisdom. So he is able to charm as well Jews as Greeks, in the other words as well religious people as atheists. A religious man demands signs before he grants to believe. However God doesn't accept this request. He wants to confirm our faith with miracles, but our faith must not be based on them, but on His word.
God's signs prove to us that the gospel about Jesus is true. "The Lord working with them and confirming the word through the accompanying signs." Mr.16:20 So God's miracles are witnesses of Jesus Christ and attest to us the gospel's truth that He really is what He claims to be. If miracles are not confirming the word of God but are confirming authority of a preacher or a denomination, the miracles are not from God.
Many spiritual revivals have brought great preachers to public notice. Then the preacher and his miracles and signs have been the common topic, but not Jesus. He was left in the background.
It is a duty of a preacher to take care of that God gets the glory of His miracles. When apostle Paul took care of this thing he was stoned by the people, though he would have had opportunity to receive the worship of the same people. (Look at Acts 14) If God didn't get the glory from His miracles, it can happen later that through this preacher it starts to appear miracles, which spring up through the power of lies. If man takes the honour which belongs to God, he is practicing a lie. The preacher who has lost the truth wants to give the signs which are required by religious people.
A lie-maker has listened to the serpent and his mind has been corrupted to the obedience to the Truth. "For false christs and false prophets will rise and show great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect." Mt.24:24
When the gospel is not anymore considered the great message about Jesus, room is made as well for a sensible faith as for a faith based on an incitement of feelings. Man's own ability to believe in supernatural things is natural faith, but the biblical faith gets its power from the word of God. Some are misled by the wisdom of this world and the others are misled by miracles. "For Jews request a sign, and Greeks seek after wisdom." 1Co.1:22
Remember that Antichrist has the two horns, the horns of power and wisdom. So he is able to charm as well Jews as Greeks, in the other words as well religious people as atheists. A religious man demands signs before he grants to believe. However God doesn't accept this request. He wants to confirm our faith with miracles, but our faith must not be based on them, but on His word.
God's signs prove to us that the gospel about Jesus is true. "The Lord working with them and confirming the word through the accompanying signs." Mr.16:20 So God's miracles are witnesses of Jesus Christ and attest to us the gospel's truth that He really is what He claims to be. If miracles are not confirming the word of God but are confirming authority of a preacher or a denomination, the miracles are not from God.
Many spiritual revivals have brought great preachers to public notice. Then the preacher and his miracles and signs have been the common topic, but not Jesus. He was left in the background.
It is a duty of a preacher to take care of that God gets the glory of His miracles. When apostle Paul took care of this thing he was stoned by the people, though he would have had opportunity to receive the worship of the same people. (Look at Acts 14) If God didn't get the glory from His miracles, it can happen later that through this preacher it starts to appear miracles, which spring up through the power of lies. If man takes the honour which belongs to God, he is practicing a lie. The preacher who has lost the truth wants to give the signs which are required by religious people.
A lie-maker has listened to the serpent and his mind has been corrupted to the obedience to the Truth. "For false christs and false prophets will rise and show great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect." Mt.24:24
Evil generation seeks a sign
Falling down during an intercession has been considered a touch of the Holy Spirit. All these kind of signs have always been dangerous. Also Jews wanted to see a sign from Jesus, but He replied: "An evil and adulterous generation seeks after a sign, and no sign will be given to it except the sign of the prophet Jonah." Mt.12:39
Because Jesus didn't give the Jews any other sign than the crucified and up risen Son of God, I believe that He has not given this sign of falling down. Jesus didn't want that the Jews would receive Him without accepting His teachings. If He would have done some miraculous performances, signs, the people would have been delighted and received Him as Messiah, but yet their hearts would have remained in rebellion against His teachings.
In Christianity there have always been wonders of the natural faith in some degree but especially it will be so at the time of the end. When practicing the natural faith something supernatural can really start happening. Then you are in danger because it is too difficult for you to consider this event not coming from God and so you are overwhelmed with the spirit of lie. Hypnosis and suggestions are powers of lies, which are caused by the spirit of lie. God's faith is power of the truth, which is caused by the Holy Spirit.
Many are using sentences of the Bible like magic verses. They don't ponder the message in their heart but they repeat them to themselves by exciting themselves to believe. Escape that kind of practices! Instead, hear and understand the meaning of God's word in your heart, agree with its message and you will get the faith as a gift from God. He gives the faith to them who humble themselves before His words to ask for His grace.
Don't be such "a hero of the faith" who tries to take the faith without asking for it, exiting oneself to believe. If you didn't get the faith from God the fault was maybe in your hearing. Humble yourself under the word of God and He will give you the faith by His grace.
Some of the preachers of the natural faith have gone further and further by stressing the signs and miracles. They have forced aside repentance and confessing of sins, standing outside this world and denying oneself and taking up one's cross and following Jesus. They stress believing in the resurrection and the health of the body. Even getting rich and political power to the Church are their aims.
Gradually wrong spiritual power has increased and this has got lately such features, which show that the real Antichrist will appear very soon from the charismatic Christianity.
The summary of the gospels:
The message of the real gospel: Only Jesus Christ saves.
The message of the old prostitute: Church saves.
The message of the middle-aged prostitute: Faith saves.
The message of the young prostitute: Spirit saves.
Falling down during an intercession has been considered a touch of the Holy Spirit. All these kind of signs have always been dangerous. Also Jews wanted to see a sign from Jesus, but He replied: "An evil and adulterous generation seeks after a sign, and no sign will be given to it except the sign of the prophet Jonah." Mt.12:39
Because Jesus didn't give the Jews any other sign than the crucified and up risen Son of God, I believe that He has not given this sign of falling down. Jesus didn't want that the Jews would receive Him without accepting His teachings. If He would have done some miraculous performances, signs, the people would have been delighted and received Him as Messiah, but yet their hearts would have remained in rebellion against His teachings.
In Christianity there have always been wonders of the natural faith in some degree but especially it will be so at the time of the end. When practicing the natural faith something supernatural can really start happening. Then you are in danger because it is too difficult for you to consider this event not coming from God and so you are overwhelmed with the spirit of lie. Hypnosis and suggestions are powers of lies, which are caused by the spirit of lie. God's faith is power of the truth, which is caused by the Holy Spirit.
Many are using sentences of the Bible like magic verses. They don't ponder the message in their heart but they repeat them to themselves by exciting themselves to believe. Escape that kind of practices! Instead, hear and understand the meaning of God's word in your heart, agree with its message and you will get the faith as a gift from God. He gives the faith to them who humble themselves before His words to ask for His grace.
Don't be such "a hero of the faith" who tries to take the faith without asking for it, exiting oneself to believe. If you didn't get the faith from God the fault was maybe in your hearing. Humble yourself under the word of God and He will give you the faith by His grace.
Some of the preachers of the natural faith have gone further and further by stressing the signs and miracles. They have forced aside repentance and confessing of sins, standing outside this world and denying oneself and taking up one's cross and following Jesus. They stress believing in the resurrection and the health of the body. Even getting rich and political power to the Church are their aims.
Gradually wrong spiritual power has increased and this has got lately such features, which show that the real Antichrist will appear very soon from the charismatic Christianity.
The summary of the gospels:
The message of the real gospel: Only Jesus Christ saves.
The message of the old prostitute: Church saves.
The message of the middle-aged prostitute: Faith saves.
The message of the young prostitute: Spirit saves.
The Bible version used in references is NKJV