***There is a special Message about the Asbury Revival at the end of this article.***
Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God (Rom 10:17).[1] This famous passage contains the very recipe for salvation. For we know that men are saved by grace (unmerited favor) through faith (believing) in God (Eph 2:8). But this can only come when the truths of God are shared by way of the foolishness of preaching (1 Cor 1:21). However, most of what passes for preaching these days is bereft of the truth, and because of this lies prosper. Said more succinctly, “Without Truth – Lies Prosper.”
God has provided all we will ever need in order to understand the difference between truth and lies.[2] Indeed, His Word is filled with the truths against which all lies must be compared. It is up to the student of Scripture to reject every lie and live in the manner prescribed by God (2 Tim 2:15). For He would have us blessed and not cursed. He would that we were also able to discern the difference between truth and lies.
The surest way to know the difference between the truth and a lie is to know the truth so well that the lie is instantly exposed and rejected because it cannot hold up against the truths of God contained in the most complete instruction manual ever created, the Bible. However, one of the greatest problems present in the world today is the absence of hearing the truth, making it possible for lies to prosper. This is largely because men have chosen to shun the truth in order to make way for lies.
Truth has Become Taboo
For some time, society at large has rejected the truths of God and worked diligently to remove any mention of the creator or His commandments from the public square. The result of rejecting the truth is now coming to a climax, and what is emerging is the selfish generation spoken of by the Apostle Paul in the third chapter of his second letter to Timothy. Listen to what Paul had to say about our generation:
2 Timothy 3:1-9
“This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts, Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth. Now as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, reprobate concerning the faith. But they shall proceed no further: for their folly shall be manifest unto all men, as theirs also was.” (emphasis mine)
This passage has been quoted time and again to prove that we are in the last days, and we are. However, the reason for using it here is to provide proof that without hearing the truth of the word of God, lies will indeed prosper. Clearly, those Paul describes here have rejected the truth as they no longer esteem those who are good. Instead, they despise them. This implies they will not hear what those who are good have to proclaim, the gospel. Thus faith cannot come to them because they refuse to hear the truth that would set them free (John 8:32). Ultimately, their minds will become so corrupt that they can no longer hear the truth at all; they will become reprobates.[3]
Worse yet, notice that the highlighted portion of Scripture speaks of those who withstood Moses by ‘resisting’ the truth. This is exactly what is transpiring today. Everywhere you turn, people are refusing to listen to the truth that God would use to set them free. Therefore, they remain in bondage. Eventually, these fall for the greatest lie ever told.[4] Whereby they reject God altogether and assume the throne of their own hearts proclaiming themselves to be god.
The most unfortunate thing is many of the resistors are in the church, so-called. Indeed, today many professing churches reject the truth, which causes their gatherings to resemble the Laodicean church in Revelation chapter three. How so? This church is often noted to be wealthy and having need of nothing. While this is true, look at what else Jesus said to this church:
Revelation 3:19-22
“As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent. Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me. To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.” (emphasis mine)
The Bad News
First, Jesus declares that He rebukes and chastens those He loves. Said another way, Jesus presents bad news, which is meant to cause the hearers to repent of their shortcomings. Obviously, this bad news is not welcome by those who make up the Laodicean church, those who feel they have need of nothing, especially truth which would bring much-needed correction. Therefore, the second point comes into view: Jesus is on the outside of this church, knocking on the door, imploring them to allow Him to come in and sup with them.
Unfortunately, this is the condition of much of the church in these last of days. Indeed, church after church gathers and goes through the motions of having church, but they forget the most important thing, the bad news that all have sinned and come short of the glory of God (Rom 3:23). Could it be that they simply refuse to acknowledge that bad news exists? One does not have to look very hard to see this is the case, as these gatherings seem to be bereft of the truth that God hates sin and that none will be permitted entrance into His kingdom who practice sin:
1 Corinthians 6:9-11
“Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.”
This partial list of sinful behaviors is meant to demonstrate that sin is the reason for the bad news. But, the bad news has a very good purpose. Sharing it should cause the hearer to desire to hear the good news that a way of escape is available. Indeed, God provided the means of escape when He gave His most precious gift to men by sending His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ, to die for and thereby provide the perfect atonement for the sins of all who would believe.
One further point should be made here about the Laodicean church. These types of churches are prospering in their lies because those who lead them often claim immunity from the bad news that would bring correction to their ministries, so-called. They claim this immunity and create space for their lies by quoting a Scripture they have ripped from its context, “touch not mine anointed (1 Chr 16:22; Ps 105:15). “In these passages, God is actually professing that He will protect His will in the lives of the patriarchs: Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. However, many of the wolves in sheep’s clothing that are fleecing their flocks use these passages to inappropriately shun correction.[5] Thus, many of these ministers will never receive corrective guidance from the Lord, though He faithfully stands at the door and knocks.
Ultimately, many of these churches are really just businesses that must have and maintain clientele, and they will do anything to keep them. This includes teaching or preaching only what those gathered desire to hear (2 Tim 4:3). Keep in mind that this generation no longer desires to hear the bad news. This is a grave problem because the good news is inextricably connected to the bad news; therefore, eliminating one excludes the other.
Why include this section about the Laodicean church? This church has created a huge problem. Because of the ineffectual gatherings of these so-called churches, an entire generation is learning that they do not have to listen to the truths of God. Instead, they can be the god of their own lives and act accordingly. The chief problem? They, in reality, are not God, and rejecting the fear of Him, which would bring wisdom (Ps 111:10; Prov 1:7, 9:10), causes one to act like the greatest fool ever, Satan. By the way, those who do this will end up serving time with him. Did I mention that the time involved was eternal? Therefore, in reality, these will forever be companions with Satan in the Lake of Fire (Rev 20:10-15). Oh, but there is good news.
The Good News
Paul amplifies the symbiotic relationship between the bad and good news in the book of Romans. In fact, one of the most famous methods ever used to share the gospel of Christ, ‘the Romans Road,’ originated from Paul’s writings to the church in Rome. Notice, in the following most simplified version of Romans road, there is bad news followed by good news:
The Bad News:
- Romans 3:23 – “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.”
- Romans 6:23 – “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.”
The Good News:
- Romans 5:8 – “But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”
- Romans 10:9-10 – “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. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.”
- Romans 10:13 – “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.”
You see, the good news only becomes effectual when one understands the bad news. Therefore, the gospel of ‘happy, happy, joy, joy,’ otherwise known as the gospel of the Laodicean church (the church that has need of nothing – Rev 3:17), being proclaimed in these… the very closing moments of the age of grace is causing the enlargement of hell spoken of by the prophet Isaiah (5:14). This is because, without realizing our wretchedness, miserableness, nakedness, poverty, and blindness we have no need to desire and believe in the good news that Jesus paid the full price for our redemption, thereby making a way where there was no way for our salvation. Remember, we are saved by grace through faith (Eph 2:8).
This is why it is very important that we always remember, without hearing the gospel (the bad news – the good news), no one can be saved. Paul, after proclaiming that all who call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved (Rom 10:13), also made sure we had this crucial information:
Romans 10:14-17
“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? 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! But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report? So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God [This could be interpreted this way, “Faith comes by hearing and accepting the report of the Word of God”]. (emphasis mine) [author’s comment]
We can see from this that none can be saved without hearing about and believing to the point of accepting the wonderful deliverance from sin that God has graciously provided through the finished work of Jesus. If you continue to read Romans chapter ten, Paul quoted the prophet Isaiah whose message was resisted by the disobedient Israelites he was sent to (Rom 10:20-21). This is an inference to the fact that not all will believe. All who evangelize in this day and age have this in common with Isaiah and Paul; some will not believe the report.
Hearing and not believing is bad. However, never hearing the whole truth is worse. Many are so afraid of offending someone and causing them to shy away from coming to church that they withhold the bad news, and the good news they do share is only about their church. This is because it makes no sense to begin to speak of the sacrifice of Jesus for the sins of men when we will not define what sin is in the first place, or the fact that the wages of sin is death (Rom 6:23). Sadly, this often means Jesus is completely left out of the conversation, simply because people are afraid that the name of Jesus may offend. In response to this, consider what the prophet Ezekiel had to say about those who know the truth. In summary, he said, woe to the watchman who does not warn (Ezek 33:6).
Christ is about to call the bride upward, and those left behind will never again be able to hear the gospel presented by the departed. Therefore, let us make every effort to proclaim the truth of God’s Word while we wait.[6] Sure, we will meet resistance, and our message will offend many. However, we must press on.[7] We must also make sure that it is not our manner that offends. Instead, the offense must only come from hearing the truth that each man has need of the Savior, Jesus Christ. This type of offense is what pricks the heart, and it may cause the offended to desire to hear the good news, just like the three thousand on the Day of Pentecost (Acts 2:37). Please read the second chapter of Acts before proceeding.
Practical application
Here are two examples that prove ‘Without Truth – Lies Prosper.’ One from the secular world and one for the church. The secular world is pretty straightforward. Evolution was introduced to a society that had removed God from the schools, and the resultant severe lack of truth allowed this lie to gain a footing that it has never let go of. Indeed, though it began as the theory of evolution, it has now become the accepted system of belief in regard to human origin — even though all of the true science proves that creationism, followed by a global flood, is the actual way of things. This type of rejection of the truths of God is expected in the world, but one would not think this possible in the professing church.
Nonetheless, this very month, in what some are calling revival, we are seeing a perfect example of how ‘Without Truth – Lies Prosper.’ How so? People are traveling the world over so they can experience what they call the tangible presence of God. Put another way, they seek after a sign. There is a real problem with this because Jesus Himself proclaimed that a wicked and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign (Matt 16:4). Not to mention, if God were truly behind what is transpiring, His Word would be front and center. We need to look no further than to the text at hand to see what an actual move of God really looks like.
We see, in the second chapter of Acts, that three thousand were added to the church because they responded to the preaching of the bad news of the gospel, which informed them that they had need of a Savior. Their hearing this bad news pricked their hearts (Acts 2:37), thus leading to their desire to hear the good news of how they could be saved. Here is the key verse for proper reflection:
Acts 2:37
“Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart [they believed], and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do?” (emphasis mine) [author’s comment]
This example demonstrates that even when God pours out His Spirit upon all flesh, He does so in order to draw attention to the preaching of the gospel, which affords the hearer the opportunity to believe and obtain salvation.
One additional consideration is necessary here. Throughout all of the Word of God, nowhere is it taught that men are to seek after a sign. Nowhere is it taught that men are to travel to where people say the Spirit of God is moving. Instead, God would that all men everywhere seek His face right where they are. He would that each of us submit ourselves unto Him so that we are in the proper position to resist the devil. Additionally, God desires a people that draw nigh unto Him so that He can draw nigh unto them. James employs the bad news good news method here:
James 4:8
“Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded. Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep: let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to heaviness. Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.”
Why is it so important to see that ‘Without Truth – Lies Prosper?’ The answer is very simple. We live in the days in which it was prophesied that great deception would fill the earth, and the church is not immune. By way of further demonstration, consider the following.
Presently, there is a growing malignancy in the body of Christ known as the New Apostolic Reformation, NAR. The most concise definition I can offer is this: This movement is founded upon the belief that the church will remain on earth and gain preeminence amongst all of the metaphorical mountains of the world. This will take place by fulfilling the Seven Mountain Mandate in what is dubbed ‘the Great Awakening.’[8]
Ultimately, this is a growing Post-Tribulational movement that is bent on taking over the world. Thus, the need for an end-time faux revival that will embolden the deceived into engaging in their particular function in taking whatever mountain they are assigned. The problem is two-fold. First, this outward focus causes the believer to lose the upward focus necessary for this very important moment in prophetic history when all the signs of the Lord’s coming are being fulfilled. Secondarily, none of what the ‘NARites’ believe is based on the truths of Scripture. Sadly, this seems to matter not to those who listen to their message. This example proves, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that ‘Without Truth – Lies Prosper.’ The most unfortunate part of this is the fact that many have literally rejected the truths of God’s Word in order to follow the errors concocted by man.
Fortunately, God knew this would happen, and He warned us about these false Apostles and prophets ahead of time so that when they arrived, we would have further proof that He is God and that our time on earth is short.[9] Therefore, we must double our efforts to share the truth, which is the only antidote against the lies we are inundated by.
Conclusion
Jesus warned about deception more than any other sign of His coming (Matt 24). The word deception is another way of saying ‘lie.’ Therefore, Jesus told us we would see the prospering of many lies in the last days. This is because men will be like those Paul warned Timothy about in 2 Timothy chapter 3. They will be selfish and high-minded, which is indicative of the Laodicean church. Truly, this type of church is becoming predominant in the land. Likewise, the mainstream of so-called Christian media has now become bereft of the truth as they seek to please those who tune in to their programming rather than please God.
Hands down, the best way to truly counter these lies is for each individual to dig into the truth of God’s Word with such vigor that any lie is immediately recognized as a foreign idea that does not belong. And just like the wonderful immune system God created in the human body deals with aberrant cells, the lie must be targeted and destroyed by the truth. Truly, if we continue in the Word of God, the truth shall make us free (John 8:32). Therefore, each one of us must seek the Lord with all of our hearts and desire to know His truth so well that we will not be easily swayed by the lies that, all too often, prosper.
Proverbs 14:25
“A true witness delivereth souls: but a deceitful witness speaketh lies.”
After writing this article, it came to my attention that the praise and worship at the revival at Asbury College is being led by members of the LGBT community. I agree with others that this community is currently infiltrating the church and working to dilute the purity of the body of Christ in preparation for the coming antichrist. Based on this, I am recommending the following articles:
First Horseman of the Apocalypse
The Coming False Flag of Pride
Website: In His Commission
[1] “Unless otherwise noted, all biblical passages referenced are in the King James Version.”
[2] For greater understanding, see the article, “Lying Signs and Wonders.”
[3] For greater understanding, see the article, “The Rise of the Reprobates.”
[4] For greater understanding, see the article, “The Greatest Lie Ever Told: The Origin of All Lies.”
[5] For greater understanding, see the article, “Wolves of Faith.”
[6] For greater understanding, see the article, “While We Wait.”
[7] For greater understanding, see the article, “We Must Apologize.”
[8] For greater understanding, see the article, “The Great Awakening – The Grand Deception.”
[9] For greater understanding, see the article, “The Rise of Many.”