2 Timothy 3: 1 – 9
“But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away! For of this sort are those who creep into households and make captives of gullible women loaded down with sins, led away by various lusts, always learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth. Now as Jannes and Jambres resisted Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, disapproved concerning the faith; but they will progress no further, for their folly will be manifest to all, as theirs also was.”
It is critical for everyone, whether believers or non-believers to take note of this particular scripture. We need to focus on the different areas listed by Apostle Paul.
We are indeed in perilous times. Perilous means harsh, savage, difficult, dangerous, fierce, and grievous. As Children of God, we need to begin using the Word of God as a measuring point. When a leader or any Christian embraces an opinion contrary to the Word of God, they have already fallen into apostasy and should be avoided. (2 Peter 2: 20 – 22) When a leader or any member of the Christian family begins to advocate for sin to become legal, you as a Christian need to avoid that person. Any Christian opinion or leader that is not in line with the Bible should be avoided. Everything a Christian says or does has to be in line with the Word. Once it is not in line, then that person has fallen from Grace. They are already in apostasy and they need to go back to Calvary. It is very critical who we follow in this end time, because we are surely in the end time.
When a Christian leader who is a musician or singer starts to encourage people in New Age Movements, Transcendental Meditation, Yoga, Tattoos, Sexual Immorality, it is time for you to leave that church.
Prophets and their Messages
Galatians 1:8 says, “But even if we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached to you, let him be accursed.”
Any prophet’s message that is promoting any ministerial office more than the office of Jesus Christ, don’t follow them! If a prophet is preaching more about how accurate he is, rather than Jesus crucified, risen and ascended – which should be center of the message – don’t follow them! No prophets should be exalting themselves above Jesus and the Holy Spirit. Even on flyers we see prophets having 3 or 4 pictures of themselves telling people to come and see them, but nothing is mentioned about Jesus or the Holy Spirit. Furthermore, true prophets draw the attention of the people to Jesus Christ not to themselves. Every prophet must submit to the governing authorities within the local church. They have to be pastored, shepherded and taught. They are not under the old covenant anymore where they are accountable directly to God. There was no church in the Old Testament. Jesus restructured the Church according to Ephesians 4: 11 and 1 Corinthians 12: 27 – 28 which says, “Now you are the body of Christ, and members individually. And God has appointed these in the church: first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, administrations, varieties of tongues.”
So they are set within the local church to establish and build the church. There are many within the Body of Christ teaching false doctrines. Some are even giving themselves names like “Forensic Prophets”, “CSI”, while others are teaching that accuracy makes one a true prophet – which is not true. Jesus said in Matthew 7: 15-20 which says, “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. You will know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes from thorn bushes or figs from thistles? Even so, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Therefore by their fruits you will know them.
Always look for the Fruit of the Spirit as in Galatians 5. Watch out to see whether or not they try to break up churches or pull people away. Always ask them, “Who is your Apostle?” If they say they submit to no one but God – RED FLAG!
Watch out for those who say they will release curses and/or send curses back to sender.
God is realigning His Church and putting things back in order, and only those who will line up, will be a part of the end time move. This realignment is also part of the structure being reinforced that the Church be fortified for the end time and move as an army.