Be Wary of Misleading…YouTube Ministry Channels :: By Candy Austin

Published on: by RR7 Category:General Articles

Be Wary of Misleading, Controlling, & Apostate YouTube Ministry Channels 

1 John 4:1 (all scripture Berean Study Bible) “Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God. For many false prophets have gone out into the world.”

In this piece I hope to shed some light on how to spot the ‘Misleading, Controlling, and Apostate Ministry Channels’ on YouTube. I will not ‘Name Names’ but instead point out some of the ‘Errors’ we should look out for. Seeing how over the past several years I have ‘grown in my discernment’ through the gleaning of sound and even learning ‘what is error’ from the unsound information from multiple YouTube Ministry Channels. Therefore, I feel this is an important topic to write about, especially in these Last Days!

The information gleaned was from things concerning what the Bible has to say about the End Times and the Pretribulation Rapture. After watching and listening to literally countless hours of preaching, interviews, and shows from several ‘reputable ministries’ on YouTube, I feel led to share what I have learned over the years.

Back when I first started out in this ‘gleaning of information,’ it was like I had this ‘voracious appetite’… I absolutely ‘could not get enough’ on the hearing/learning about Our Blessed Hope! One of the first channels I started listening to/watching was about visions and dreams concerning the Rapture. For a while I really enjoyed this channel and even periodically supported their biblical outreach efforts.

Over time though, I started to discern that this channel was more or less ‘Sensational’ in the fact that visions and dreams are just that. One, we really do not have the capacity to interpret them, and two, we ultimately should not look to them for answers concerning our future. So, to base one’s whole ministry on these kinds of subjects tends to be ‘Speculative’ at best, especially when it comes to heeding one’s discernment.

To reinforce this stance, I recently revisited this channel and found out that after all these years, they still interpret visions and dreams, but now they also seem to base a lot of their ministry on ‘certain prophecies’ too. Prophecies, mind you, that come from a ‘Modern-Day Prophet’ who has since passed away in recent years. Basically, the ‘discernment takeaway’ is this: if a book, site, or ministry claims to have ‘certain knowledge or prophecies’ that comes from any ‘Modern-Day Prophet or Prophetess,’ then one would be wise to steer clear of those kinds of claims!

Foreknowledge: awareness of something before it happens or exists.

Synonyms: far-sightedness, foresight, psychic powers, clairvoyance, prediction, prognostication, divination, prophecy, insight, vision, intuition, perception, third eye

Even if some of the ‘so-called modern-day prophecies’ have come true, the fact of the matter is that there will be others that will not come true. The reason that modern-day prophecies will not always come true is because God has already sovereignly given us all the prophecies that we need! Most of His Prophecies have already been fulfilled, and the remaining ones will soon come to pass in the very near future!

God’s Prophecies from His Prophets are already all recorded in His Holy Word! His Word of Truth is all that we will ever need! Therefore, we should not look to ‘Extrabiblical Sources’ much less ‘New Revelations’ to tell us what God has already sovereignly told us through His Divine Foreknowledge!

Deuteronomy 18:22 “If what a prophet proclaims in the name of the LORD does not take place or come true, that is a message the LORD has not spoken. That prophet has spoken presumptuously, so do not be alarmed.”

Another Misleading Ministry Channel I started following around that time concerned ‘Stargazing’ as in the observance of the alignment of the Sun, Moon, and Stars. This channel used the means of stargazing to search for signs in connection of when the Rapture is to happen. This channel, first of all, should have raised flags right off the bat due to their heavy focus on Astrology, not to mention the ‘constant astronomical observations’ which tended to wear one out over time! Wearing their audience down with their day-after-day surveillance, having us waiting and watching exhaustively for the astrological signs to manifest into the final coming of our King in the Rapture!

Over time I came to discern that this too was mainly ‘Speculation.’ Speculation includes things like Date- Setting, Signs, Numbers, Numerology, Repetition (seeing repeated words and numbers), Dreams, Visions, Astronomy, Astrology, and the like. These are things that create ‘hype and give people things to constantly look for’ without any real substance to go on and/or any sound judgment and/or theology behind it all.

Deuteronomy 4:19 “When you look to the heavens and see the sun and moon and stars—all the host of heaven—do not be enticed to bow down and worship what the LORD your God has apportioned to all the nations under heaven.”

Some other channels had ‘certain heretical pastors’ that taught things like ‘only follow the teachings of Paul and not Jesus’… which obviously makes no sense whatsoever! Also, that when the Rapture happens, all of a sudden there is going to be rivers of blood everywhere because ‘flesh and blood cannot enter into the Kingdom of Heaven’ … seriously?! Talk about unsound doctrine and theology! Another one taught that Jesus is Michael the Archangel… Where have we heard that before?! Blatant and obvious heresy, to say the least!

Some pastors raised alarm bells by their ‘heavy affiliation’ with celebrities… it should not take much discernment to see what is wrong with this picture. Also, some with their ‘Avid Globetrotting,’ which showed that they were obviously hardly ever at home, for one thing. Then to compound the issue, they never seem to ‘show much love’ concerning their wives, much less mention them ‘even in passing’ on social media! This speaks volumes to me when I remember God’s command is for Husbands to love their Wives as Christ loves the Church. So, when I see a pastor who does not seem to carry this out, it is pretty discerning and concerning at the same time.

2 Peter 2:1 “But there were also false prophets among the people, even as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Lord who bought them, and bring on themselves swift destruction.”

In more recent years, I have been following what seemed like a ‘great ministry’ concerning these Last Days and the soon-coming Rapture, but ‘recent events’ have clued me in to the fact that this ministry is not without its flaws either. ‘Controlling’ would best describe this channel, as in ‘controlling the narrative,’ so to speak. For example, the main premise of this ministry is to ‘call out’ other ministries who are either apostate and/or who are teaching heresy.

On the one hand, this has been ‘highly beneficial’ to the Church in discerning who we should and should not listen to or adhere to. On the other hand, though, when this ministry is also ‘called out’ because they have their own flaws as well, the narrative suddenly changes on a dime! It was as if they had to ‘change the storyline’ in order to ‘save face’ and/or do ‘damage control.’

Basically, when it came time for them to ‘take a little dose of their own medicine,’ all of a sudden the portrayal becomes, ‘we are being attacked, this is not ethical or right, everyone needs to support and encourage one another instead’! So, in essence, they can ‘dish the criticism out,’ but when the shoe is on the other foot, it suddenly becomes unfair. Discernment says that this is a very ‘manipulative and controlling’ practice, to say the least.

Matthew 24:4 “Jesus answered: ‘Watch out that no one deceives you.'”

There are more or less other ‘quack’ ministry channels that I could elaborate on as well, but the examples I mentioned are some of the more pressing ones that we should look out for. In these last days and hours, it becomes imperative that we rely more and more on what God’s Word has to say, and less and less on what certain pastors, ministries, and/or channels have to say.

If turning away from channels or ministries like these is what we have to do, then so be it, no matter how hard it may be. For people like me, these friendly voices have become a ‘sort of companion,’ if you will, over the years, but I ultimately want the Truth and nothing but the Truth!  So, my Admonition is to Pray and ask God for His Wisdom and Discernment and for the Holy Spirit to lead you into All Truth! More importantly, deception is running rampant and blatant lies are being told every day throughout our media, news outlets, and television; so we need Truth over Error now more than ever!

The takeaway is this: ‘be wary, be discerning, and be careful of what you allow in’! Secular TV, movies, music, books, and all worldliness is not our friend! Deception has even crept into the Church! New Age, Masons, Witches, Yoga, Buddhism, and Hinduism among other ‘Satanic Practices and Religions’ have all infiltrated! So again, I say be wary, be discerning, and be very careful of what you allow into your lives! YouTube has been a ‘godsend’ in many ways for me, but it can also be very detrimental to some who do not know what to discern and look out for!

Matthew 10:16 “Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves. Therefore be wise as serpents and harmless as doves.”

Until next time… Maranatha!

(JESUS = THE WAY, THE TRUTH, & THE LIFE)

 

If My People :: By Grant Phillips

Published on: by RR7 Category:General Articles, Grant Phillips

In this article I will be sharing with you parts of 2 Chronicles 7:12ff. Verse 14 is often quoted, but do we really hear what God is saying in this verse, and do we even bother to read what surrounds this particular verse?

Some will think I am taking this passage completely out of context, but am I really? I do not think so. I am convinced that it is very appropriate for us today. Some actually do not feel the Old Testament is of much relevance to us today, but “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever” (Hebrews 13:8). Also see Malachi 3:6.

The apostle Paul said by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit that not just the New Testament, but also the Old Testament was written for our benefit.

“For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope” (Romans 15:4, emphasis mine).

“Now all these things happened to them as examples, and they were written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the ages have come” (1 Corinthians 10:11, emphasis mine).

“All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work” (2 Timothy 3:16-17, emphasis mine).

It is understood that the message is specifically about the temple that Solomon built and the nation of Israel, and was a message from God to the Jewish people. The question arises, “Can any of this be applicable to us as well?” Can we see a parallel to us? Can we fit this into our circumstances and hear what God has to say to us as well? The answer to all three questions is, “Yes.” Even though Israel was a theocracy and we are not, the answer to all three questions remains the same.

In 2 Chronicles 7, Solomon has finished the temple (v. 11). Beginning at verse 12, the Lord appeared to Solomon at night with a response to his prayer. As we look at these Scriptures, I will be interjecting this country specifically.

Verse 12

“Then the LORD appeared to Solomon by night, and said to him: ‘I have heard your prayer, and have chosen this place for Myself as a house of sacrifice.'”

God said He had chosen Solomon’s finished temple as a place of worship. Now, I am certainly not trying to make this country as important and holy as the temple of Solomon, but “holy” does mean “set apart for God’s purpose.” There is no doubt that God set this country apart in the beginning to serve Him. Our forefathers were primarily Christians who came here to have a place to freely worship the Lord Jesus Christ. That being said, much has been expected of us, just as much was expected of Israel. Despite our many shortcomings, God’s handprints are all over this country.

Verse 13

“When I shut up heaven and there is no rain, or command the locusts to devour the land, or send pestilence among My people,”

This verse is an edict from God saying that if Israel sinned against Him, He would send punishment to bring them to their senses. Israel did sin. They went after false gods, and God punished them mightily. Since this country was set apart to be a beacon for God, punishment will befall us also when we turn our backs upon Him. If God would bring down severe judgment upon the ‘apple of His eye,’ what would make us exempt? We are not exempt. Instead, we laugh at the one holding the whip.

Verse 14

“If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.”

God told Israel via Solomon, and He is telling us that if we turn back to Him, He will heal our land. Looking closer at this verse, please notice:

Who are “My people” in this verse? Israel definitely, but are not all who are saved by the blood of Jesus, God’s people? Abraham, who was not a Jew, was saved by faith, as was Lot. Moses, Ruth, Rahab and David were saved by faith. Every Jew and Gentile saved by the blood of Jesus the Messiah is classified as “My people.”

On the other hand, many who came to Solomon’s temple and Moses’ tabernacle were not “My people” because they did not come to God by faith in Jesus Christ (the Messiah). Many today, and throughout the ages, who claim they are Christians are not “My people” for the same reason.

Therefore, every person in Solomon’s day who came by the blood to worship was considered as “My people,” and every person today who comes to God by the blood of Jesus is considered as “My people.”

God was speaking to His people when He responded to Solomon, and that message is also ours to heed. I have no doubt that as God was speaking to Solomon, He was looking down the corridor of time to us and saying, “Pay attention. This is for you too.”

I’ve used this illustration before, but I’ll use it again of two siblings. When one sibling gets a tongue- lashing from their parent, don’t think for a minute the words from the parent don’t also apply to the other sibling. They most certainly do apply to both, and what was said to God’s people in the Old Testament also applies to us in the New Testament era.

God’s people can and do sin against the very God who saved them. Not only do we sin, but we can sin in the most horrendous ways possible. Much of the rebelling against God in this country is by those who are not God’s people, but God isn’t speaking to them. He is speaking to His people, because His people have become spineless and worldly.

“…if the LORD be God, follow him: but if Baal, then follow him. And the people answered him not a word” (1 Kings 18:21).

God said He would do three things for us, but we have to do four things first. The things He said He would do are:

  1. “I will HEAR from Heaven,”
  2. “and will FORGIVE their sin”
  3. “and HEAL their land.”

What does He expect from us? He lists four items, which are:

  1. “HUMBLE themselves”
  2. “and PRAY”
  3. “and SEEK my face”
  4. “and TURN FROM their wicked ways.”

If the true Christians in this country, as a nation, would HUMBLE ourselves, PRAY, SEEK His face and TURN FROM our wicked ways, I really believe God would HEAR us, FORGIVE us and HEAL our land. If we don’t do this, we guarantee our own judgment. We will have no one to blame but ourselves.

I’m sure many will object and say, “But it’s those who don’t believe in Him and hate Jesus who are destroying this country.” That reminds me of the child saying to the parent just before the spanking, “But what about them!” He isn’t speaking to them. He is speaking to us, you and me. He is telling us that we (My people) are neck deep in sin and we are not humbling ourselves before Him. We are not praying. We are not seeking Him. We are not turning from our wicked ways.

Notice what He says in the next verse.

Verse 15

“Now My eyes will be open and My ears attentive to prayer made in this place.”

First we humble ourselves, and then we pray. He says He is awake, simply meaning that He is alert. He is waiting. He is focused on our prayers. Are we seeking His face? Also, very importantly, are we turning from our wicked ways?

Verse 17

“As for you, if you walk before Me as your father David walked, and do according to all that I have commanded you, and if you keep My statutes and My judgments,”

Now, obviously, we do not fall under the same promise God gave David as spoken in the next verse … verse 18. However, I believe if we go back to the same mindset of our forefathers and put God first in all we do, our days will be long as a nation. On the other hand, if we continue as we are, the remaining verses spell out our judgment as well.

Verse 19

“But if you turn away and forsake My statutes and My commandments which I have set before you, and go and serve other gods, and worship them,”

Verse 20

“then I will uproot them from My land which I have given them; and this house which I have sanctified for My name I will cast out of My sight, and will make it a proverb and a byword among all peoples.”

Verse 21

“And as for this house, which is exalted, everyone who passes by it will be astonished and say, ‘Why has the LORD done thus to this land and this house?'”

Verse 22

“Then they will answer, ‘Because they forsook the LORD God of their fathers, who brought them out of the land of Egypt, and embraced other gods, and worshiped them and served them; therefore He has brought all this calamity on them.'”

Again, references to the temple, Egypt, etc., do not apply to us, but the judgment handed down to Israel can just as easily befall the United States of America.

I acknowledge that those responsible for removing any and everything associated with the one and only true God of Heaven are those who do not know Him and who hate Him. Unfortunately, many true Christians have sat back and not only allowed it to happen, but have also jumped in the pool alongside them. Is it any wonder that it is difficult these days to tell who is a true Christian and who is not?

Many Christians have joined the swine (Luke 15:16) in the far-off country and need to come home to the Father. Some will be offended by this statement, but it must be true. If it were not true, we would not be at the brink of severe judgment we are facing in this land. We must all humble ourselves, pray, seek His face and turn from our wicked ways if there is any hope of the Lord hearing us, saving us and healing our land.

Grant Phillips

Email: Phillip5769@twc.com

Pre-Rapture Commentary: http://grant-phillips.blogspot.com

Rapture Ready: https://www.raptureready.com/featured/phillips/phillips.html