Today, as never before, there are armies of nominal Christians, all claiming to represent Jesus. We have the so-called bible belt in America, including a vast army of misguided men and women, that were former members of The Worldwide Church of God, who have now arrogated to themselves the responsibility to preach, what they foolishly think is, the gospel. In addition, we have a larger army emerging from beyond the rivers of Ethiopia, motivated by vanity and money, claiming to represent God. Some have been even so mad, that they have usurped the titles and offices of Apostle, Prophet and Evangelist.
As one of the signs of the last days, Jesus prophesied the coming of these misguided people thus: Take heed that no man deceive you. For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ, and shall deceive many (Matt.24:4-5). These misguided men's zeal is motivated by vanity, power and greed. That is because they are ministers of Satan. Paul also observed thu: "For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, buy not according to knowledge. For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness (Rom.10:2-3).
Ignorance of God's word
In the first century, Paul and Barnabas came to Antioch in Pisidia, and went to the synagogue on the Sabbath day, and sat down. "And after the reading of the law and the prophets. the rulers of the synagogue sent unto them, saying, you men and brethren, if you have any word of exhortation for the people, say on.
Then Paul stood up, and outlined the history of Israel, and concluded by saying: "For they that dwell at Jerusalem, and their rulers, because they knew him not, nor yet the voices of the prophets which are read every Sabbath day, they have fulfilled them in condemning him (Acts 13:27).
These inspired words of Paul, are as true today as they were in the first century. As a results of pure zeal, today, the law and the prophets are read in synagogues around the world, every Sabbath day, but the readers don't understand what they are reading. The readers, today as in first century are ignorant of the "voices of the prophets."
The same is true of the vast army of religious zealots, that preach to their deluded, docile congregations every Sunday. It is estimated that there are 600 million evangelicals in the world, with 60 million in America. These people passionately sing songs, say Amen, but they don't understand the wholesome teachings of Jesus Christ, neither do they have the love of God, which leads to obedience.
To be continued.
