CHURCH OF LAODECIA, END TIME-LUKE-WARM CHURCH

 

By Pastor Mike Taylor

“ But and if that servant say in his heart, My lord delayeth his coming; and shall begin to beat the menservants and maidens, and to eat and drink, and to be drunken;

46, The lord of that servant will come in a day when he looketh not for him, and at an hour when he is not aware, and will cut him in sunder, and will appoint him his portion with the unbelievers.

47, And that servant, which knew his lord's will, and prepared not himself, neither did according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes.” (Luke 12:45-47)


Since the turn of the millennium, the world has witnessed a virtual meltdown of biblical Christianity. While many are saying Christianity is experiencing a great revival and even a “new reformation,” this could be further from the truth, as I will attempt to explore in this message.

In one word, Christianity is being “redefined”. Scores of pastors have chosen to abandon the Bible in favor of postmodernism (that is, what they view as progressive and culturally relevant). There is no other way to describe what has happened. Those who love God and believe the Bible is His Word cannot believe what has happened. Light has turned into darkness. What was once believed to be true is now proclaimed to be a lie. Those who once claimed to be followers of Jesus and the Bible are now following men and their philosophies.

I had a sister in Christ write me and ask me when the latter day rain of the Holy Spirit will be coming. There are many in the main stream religions that preach an increase in Christianity to such an extent that the world will be getting better and better, so much that we will transform the world into the Kingdom of God, but without the King present. Sadly, I had to correct her and let her know that the revival that she speaks of is of the Kingdom Now, or Dominionism and supported by Preterist that believe Bible prophesy has all been fulfilled. Her awaiting a great revival will not come until the Church of the Living God is forcefully removed from this planet. Then the spread of the Gospel will be spread to the whole world on the efforts of the 144,000 evangelist from the 12 tribes of Israel. Millions will be saved and millions will die for their faith. This is the only revival this world will see and it begins in the Tribulation. They that embrace a Kingdom Now theology await the 2nd coming of Jesus Christ, but in the meantime, they seek a Utopian world view that proclaims the strength and power of the Church and men, and not the Lord of Glory. We will usher in, according to their heresy, the Kingdom of God on our own efforts. Not God's, but theirs. Then and only then in their minds, will Jesus come to set up His kingdom. Is that true? Does the Bible support such a belief, or has the modern day churches gone completely mad?

THEY HAVE LEFT THEIR FIRST LOVE!

Rather than reaching out to the world with the gospel of Jesus Christ, pastors and Bible teachers are abandoning the Bible in order to embrace the world. They look for ways to market what they call Christianity by incorporating sensual gimmicks that are supposed to attract the masses. Hymn books are tossed out of churches from the pews. Pews have been replaced by soft theater seats with credit card terminals. Being comfortable while attending church is the standard. Don’t mention sin or that Jesus shed His blood on the Cross because that would be offensive. The apostle Paul warned of such a time that we now live in, and sadly, this world is not going to get better, it's going to get progressively worse.


“Know this also, that in the last days perilous times shall come;

2, For men will be lovers of self, lovers of money, braggarts, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,

3. Without natural affection, implacable, slanderers, without self-control, savage, despisers of those who are good,

4, Betrayers, reckless, egotistical, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God;

5, Having an outward appearance of godliness, but denying the power of true godliness. But as for you, turn away from all these.” (II Timothy 3:1-5)

I could ask: What happened to the God of the Bible who created all things according to the book of Genesis? When did creation become a religious Babylonian myth and the theory of evolution become the science that proves that an explosion plus time and chance is the formula for the origin of all life?

It appears that science has replaced The God of the Bible, as men look to logic and reasoning that leaves our Creator alienated in their lives and this has spread to even “Protestant churches”, especially to the Emergent Churches that have attempted to redefine Biblical Christianity. They have left their first love and preach a New Age theology that is anathema to Biblical Christianity. There are many symptoms of this heresy in today's churches.

Have we been Hindu'ed and now think that Yoga is a Christian exercise? Or what about getting closer to Jesus by humming mantras, “getting centered,” or practicing eastern mystical contemplative prayers that will send you off to Nirvana? Have Christians lost their minds and been seduced by demons?

“Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils;

2, Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron;

3,  Forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth.” (1st Timothy 4:1-3)


I could point to the madness that fills “Charismatic” Churches that promote emotional experiences that leaves one in doubt about their origins. Are they of God, or the human's emotional attempt to redefine what is of God and what is not of God?

For example, what about getting drunk in the “Spirit” or barking like a dog because of the “transferrable anointing”? Where is that kind of behavior found in Scriptures? Are Christians being prepared for a great revival, or are they being seduced by another spirit?

Then there is the trend that embraces “ecumenical madness.” The term Protestant is thrown to the ash heap of history, as many say that the term has no relevance to the “modern” churches of today. Church leaders claim there is no difference between the Pentecostal Jesus and the Eucharistic Christ worshiped and adored in a Roman Catholic monstrance. Or for many today, Jesus is nothing more than the Cosmic Christ that sees all is one and one is all. This “Jesus” is the universal Jesus of the New Age. If you don’t believe in this “Cosmic Christ” created by your own imagination, you are often deemed a heretic or at least old-fashioned.

I am appalled when I see Charismatic churches led by the likes of Kenneth Copeland, or Kenneth Hagin that promote returning to the “mother church”. I saw a video where the present Roman Catholic pope was speaking to the churches led by the fore mentioned ministers. They propose coming home to the “one true church” of course the Roman Catholic Church and all it's history of evil and extra biblical practices.

Theirs is the bridge that provides a connection for the gap that once existed between Roman Catholics and the separated brethren. Some are calling for the Second Pentecost claiming that the world will turn to Christ and establish the Kingdom of God here on earth without the presence of the King. But that is not what the apostle Paul when warning about the signs of His coming and the Day of the Lord:

“Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first (apostasy or rapture), and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;

Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God.” (2nd Thessalonians 2:3-4).

In this passage, the term apostasy or the falling away has a dual meaning, either departing from the truth of scripture, or the removal of the church from point A to point B. The “falling away” (Greek apostasia) has commonly been transliterated as “the apostasy” (the definite article in the Greek indicates Paul had already told them about it), and then assumed to apply to the final great religious apostasy at the end of the age. The context, however, as well as the etymology of the word itself, makes this interpretation unlikely. In this precise form it is used nowhere else in the New Testament, so its meaning must be defined by its context here. It is derived from two Greek words, apo(meaning “away from”) and stasis (meaning “standing”). It thus could properly be rendered “standing away” instead of “falling away.” I believe it is a term that means both. One will precede another. A falling away from Biblical truth and then the snatching away of the Bride of Christ before the Tribulation begins and the Anti-Christ revealed. This is a direct reference to the removal of God's Church as the revealing of Jesus in the clouds to gather His Bride before the Tribulation starts.

IS THE CHURCH IMPROVING, OR IMPLODING?

Look around my reader. Has the church gotten better, or has true Christianity fallen from the faith once delivered by the apostles? Has the church grown in grace and in truth, or has the “Purpose Driven Church” replaced grace and faith found in our Lord Jesus Christ with a counterfeit and false doctrine?

“For if, after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled in them and overcome, the latter end is worse for them than the beginning. For it would have been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than having known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered to them” (2nd Peter 2:20-21)

ISRAEL, THE KEY TO END TIME PROPHECY

The cardinal sign of the end of this age is Israel no longer has a significant place in Scripture to those who are in error. Jews are a problem to the new emerging church. Replacement theology has ignored the Israel of the Bible and replaced God’s chosen people with the church that is about to establish the kingdom of God here on earth. In other words, Christianity has been reformed and those who refuse to accept this are considered uneducated morons (and are standing in the way of world peace). By extension they unwittingly, or with cunning, make way for the coming One World Religion and it's false prophet to be the anti-thesis of John the Baptist and making way for the appearing of the Anti-Christ. I have preached that there is only one man on earth who can lead the world to a false religion that draws it's power from Satan. I don't believe I need to identify his office, as details presented will point to the man. Denominations such as Lutheran and Presbyterian, and the United Methodist, just to name a few, have joined the Roman Catholic Church who have always been Jew-haters and persecuted them relentlessly, calling them “Christ killers”....not understanding that we ALL had a hand in the death of Christ, as Jesus died for all sinners, of “whom I am chief” according the Paul the Apostle:

14“And the grace of our Lord was exceedingly abundant, with faith and love which are in Christ Jesus.
15, This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief.” (!st Timothy 1:14:15)

Those who are offended by Israel, encourage their anti-semitism by such programs as “Christ at the Checkpoint”, or “Boycott, Divest and Sanction” of Israel. This travesty of justice and Biblical heresy known as BDS is a global campaign attempting to increase economic and political pressure on Israel to comply with the stated goals of the movement: the end of Israel's occupation and colonization of Palestinian land and the Golan Heights, full equality for Arab-Palestinian citizens of Israel, and respect for the right of return of Palestinian refugees.


They abandon the clear teachings of the Bible, that God is not done with Israel, but only set her aside, until the fullness of the Gentiles be come in, then all Israel will be saved. They attempt to jab a stick into the eye of a Holy God, who proclaims Israel “the apple of His eye”. Thus it is a sign of the end of the age and the apostasy that grows within the ranks of modern day followers of the heresy that has been promoted by none other than the Roman Catholic church for nigh 1700+ years and especially in the hey day of her power to rule the people of Europe.

“ I will bless those who bless thee, and curse him who curseth thee, and in you shall all families of the earth be blessed.” (Genesis 12:3)

“For thus saith the LORD of hosts; After the glory hath he sent me unto the nations which spoiled you: for he that toucheth you toucheth the apple of his eye. (Zechariah 2:8) (speaking of Israel, my explanation)

Those who curse Israel, whether they be atheist, agnostic, humanist, or even the Roman Catholic Church and her deceived daughters in the Protestant Churches, mess with fire and judgment that will discipline them in justice and in truth and receive judgment and many stripes from a Living God that holds Israel beloved. It is not for only the sake of the fathers, but for His Holy Name, that does not go back on His promise to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.

BIBLE PROPHESY IS IRRELEVANT IN THEIR VIEW

Bible prophecy and the warnings about apostasy are totally relegated to a museum. A one-world religion for peace is in the making, and the Pope and the environment is the man to do it. The postmodern mindset has hijacked true biblical Christianity and made God into a god of their own imagination. The Word of God has been degraded into a myth.

The focus of modern day churches is about growth, money and power. They have taken their lessons from the “mother church” and embraced apostasy.

Have you noticed the church-growth emphasis that has swept the world and confirms what I speak of? Purpose-driven megachurches that market fun and entertainment are growing exponentially. The churches that stress the Bible and salvation by Jesus Christ alone are dying and on the way out. The big get bigger and the small are getting smaller. It appears that Bible-believing Christianity is on the verge of becoming next to extinct.

 RISE OF A ONE WORLD CHURCH-GROWTH

I have spoken of this coming one world church that begins with “climate change” and the U.N. Charter that promotes Sustainable Development. The goal is to make the world equal in resource, wealth and equality in all aspects of human endeavors. But the real goal of this to dominate the earth in a New World Order that enslaves men to the elites who seek to depopulate the earth to a sustainable level. People may not understand their sinister goals yet, and may never this side of the Tribulation. But to sustain the planet and the worship of “mother earth”, they propose a population of 500 million. That would do away with over 6 billion people in a world wide extermination effort. It may have already begun in third world countries such as Africa, where vaccines have led to sterilization and even death of the young, as well as the old and in their minds, the useless. It may be happening here with this 'COVID VACCINE' that is killing more people than the virus does.

Take warning reader, when this comes to pass and if you are so unfortunate to see this take hold of the world, then you may have just missed the most important event that man has ever witnessed, 2nd only to the crucifixion and resurrection of our Lord Jesus and that is the beginning of the Tribulation and the Church changed in the twinkling of an eye.

“Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed,
52, In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.
53, For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.
54, So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory.” (1st Corinthians 15:51-54)


This is what I believe the church will experience. Note the last word in verse 54? The word is “victory”. That is what Jesus Christ will give His Bride. Victory over death, hell and the grave. We will be transported to a “marriage feast” of the Lamb of God. It is not about “escape” as some detractors from the doctrine of the rapture of the Church proclaim, but ultimate victory through Jesus Christ our Lord.

10“Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth.
11, Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown.” (Revelation 3:10-11)

WARNING TO ALL MINISTERS WHO PREACH

Have you stopped preaching the doctrines of the bible in favor a user friendly version that doesn't offend those who attend your church? Do you preach Jesus and Him crucified? Do you preach His resurrection and base your ministry on nothing but Jesus death and resurrection? Do you stay away from anything that speaks of sin and the separation of men from God, known as the Lake of Fire?

Biblical Christianity is not a feel good religion. It does not tickle your ears..it warns those who are lost in their sins.

3“For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;
4, And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.” (2nd Timothy 4:3-4)


Each of us are watchmen on the wall. If you stand behind a pulpit or preach to a congregation in whatever media you use, you have a responsibility to warn those who are in danger of hell fire and all that it represents. God does not send anyone to hell, as it is a decision that each of us must make, but the Word of God must start with men and women who are commissioned by God to take the Word of Truth to those who are in their sins.

6"If anyone causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him if a large millstone were hung around his neck and he were drowned at the bottom of the sea.
7, How terrible it will be for the world because it causes people to sin! Temptations to sin are bound to happen, but how terrible it will be for that person who causes someone to sin!” (Matthew 18:6-7) (International Standard Version)


“"When I bring the sword upon a land, and the people of the land take a man from their territory and make him their watchman,

3, when he sees the sword coming upon the land, if he blows the trumpet and warns the people,

4, then whoever hears the sound of the trumpet and does not take warning, if the sword comes and takes him away, his blood shall be on his own head.

5, He heard the sound of the trumpet, but did not take warning; his blood shall be upon himself. But he who takes warning will save his life.

6, But if the watchman sees the sword coming and does not blow the trumpet, and the people are not warned, and the sword comes and takes any person from among them, he is taken away in his iniquity; but his blood I will require at the watchman"s hand." (Ezekiel 33:2-6)

These verses could be applied to those who are in danger of enemy forces, and those who are in danger of hell and separation from God without  hope of any reprieve. Satan is our enemy and only Jesus is our salvation from the penalty of sin.

Whether a minister believes he is a watchman or not, he is commissioned by God to spread the Gospel to the lost. He is to preach the penalty of sin. He is to abandon a feel good “gospel”, prosperity gospel, or a social speech of humanism and being just a “good citizen”. This won't save anyone. It will not warn those who are walking the wide road and gate to destruction, but will only placate them that they are OK...they are not OK, as they do not have Jesus in their hearts. It is a minister's job to take the message of salvation to his congregation, his community and the rest of the world. 

14“How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? 
15, And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!” (Romans 10:14-15)

Each of us who proclaim the Gospel, have a duty to God to speak the truth of God's Word..not pulling any punches when God speaks that without Jesus Christ, you will die in your sins!
 24 "And to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things than that of Abel.
 25 See that ye refuse not him that speaketh. For if they escaped not who refused him that spake on earth, much more shall not we escape, if we turn away from him that speaketh from heaven:
 26 Whose voice then shook the earth: but now he hath promised, saying, Yet once more I shake not the earth only, but also heaven.
 27 And this word, Yet once more, signifieth the removing of those things that are shaken, as of things that are made, that those things which cannot be shaken may remain.
28 Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear:
29 For our God is a consuming fire.” (Hebrews 12:24-29)

Brothers and sisters in Christ, the world is dying and is drowning in sin. It is the job of the church, and it's ministers to throw the world a life-line. His Name is Jesus Christ. To avoid offending your congregation with sermons dealing with sin, death, hell, and victory through the atoning blood of Jesus the Messiah, is a dereliction of our calling by who we ultimately serve, God our Father, and His Son, Jesus Christ. 

1“I charge you therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who will judge the living and the dead at His appearing and His kingdom: 
2, preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching. 
3, For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; 
4,  and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables. 
5, But you be watchful in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist,fulfill your ministry.” (2nd Timothy 4:1-5)

I beseech you in the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ, preach the Word, and don't be found guilty of providing fables for itching ears. God will judge.

“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him, should not perish, but have everlasting life.

17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.

18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.” (John 3:16-18)

8 But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach;

9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.

10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

11 For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.

12 For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him.

13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved." (Romans 10:8-13)

This is Pastor Mike Taylor, praying God will provide someone to teach you the grace of God through Jesus Christ out Lord. If you need counseling, prayer, or just a listening ear, email me at pastormiketaylor@yahoo.com, or visit me online at www.pastormiketaylor.blogspot.com.  God bless you all, 

                            TILL WE MEET AT JESUS FEET.