General Articles

Compromise In The Church :: By Grant Phillips

Published on: by RR10

The Bible makes it very clear that God does not accept compromise from those who belong to Him. For example, the church of Pergamum in Revelation 2:12-17 was commended by the Lord for their faith, but some in the church were also reprimanded for accepting the teachings of Balaam and the Nicolaitans. By doing so, they were actually compromising the religious and moral teachings of God.

G. Campbell Morgan once commented, “It is a remarkable thing that the church of Christ persecuted has been the church of Christ pure. On the other hand, the church of Christ patronized has been the church of Christ impure.”

Many of today’s churches have compromised much of God’s Word, to their own detriment. Is it always wrong to compromise in the church setting? No, it is not always wrong, but we must be very, very careful of what we put in this category.

I like what gotquestions.org states from “What does the Bible say about compromise?”

It is vital to know when compromise is appropriate and when it is not. In general, we could say that we can compromise on preferences but not on principles. Based on that rule of thumb, here are some matters in which compromise might be helpful:

    • the color of the church carpet
    • the type of vehicle your family should drive
    • where to host the corporate luncheon
    • when to schedule a trip to the library

But there should be no compromise over values and the standards that stem from those values. Here are some examples of things about which we should not compromise:

    • the essentials of the Christian faith, including the gospel (1 Corinthians 15:3–6) and the faithful preaching of the Word (2 Timothy 4:2)
    • the lordship and authority of Christ (Luke 16:13)
    • your personal convictions (Romans 14:5)
    • moral issues, as defined in Scripture (1 Corinthians 6:18) – end source

Unfortunately, many of our churches have been turned over to Satan primarily because those who claim to be Christians have compromised all that a holy God upholds. Don’t think so?

What true Christian can really believe that God supports sin? So many churches today support homosexuality, transgenderism, abortion, replacement theology, evolution, and so much more that is contrary to the Bible. Also, most of our pulpits never mention sin or hell. How can that be? The world has come into the church and set up residence instead of the church being a faithful witness for the Lord Jesus. In other words, the precious Word of God, the Bible, has been compromised.

Another point is that very few churches actually teach/preach anything concerning prophecy, even though 25-30% of the Bible is prophecy. Very few pastors will touch the book of Revelation, for example, but God says of this book, “Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written in it; for the time is near” (Revelation 1:3). Why do they avoid it? Maybe it is because the world doesn’t want to hear it, so they bypass it. Maybe it’s from ignorance or just plain laziness. Regardless, God’s Word is yet again compromised.

Some churches haven’t gone quite this far but instead have on their menus such things as squabbling, jealousies, self-promotion, watered-down sermonettes, and the like. Then there are plenty that are just religious entertainment centers. We all understand that it is hard to find a local church anymore that is Christ-centered and actually believes the entire Bible is the inspired Word of God.

No church is perfect, but born-again believers should have no problem in believing that God made this world and has fashioned each one of us. We should have no problem in believing that Jesus will return, and it could be very soon. Will He find us compromising His commands?

Are there actually true born-again Christians in these churches today that teach and practice compromising atrocities against the Lord? Without a doubt, I’m sure there are. We just saw that with the church of Pergamum. I can only answer for myself, but I, for one, would have to leave, regardless of how long I had been attending. James, the Lord’s half-brother, says, “Adulterers and adulteresses! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God” (James 4:4).

And then the apostle Paul and also Jesus tells us we are in bad company in the next two Scripture references.

Paul said, “Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness? And what accord has Christ with Belial? Or what part has a believer with an unbeliever?” (2 Corinthians 6:14-15).

Jesus said, “No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon” (Matthew 6:24).

In the next passage, King David speaks of serving the Lord. After reading it, I would have to ask myself, “How can this passage be fulfilled as long as I dwell in the midst of sin?” The answer is obvious. I cannot.

“Blessed are those who keep His testimonies,
Who seek Him with the whole heart!
They also do no iniquity;
They walk in His ways.
You have commanded us
To keep Your precepts diligently.
Oh, that my ways were directed
To keep Your statutes!
Then I would not be ashamed,
When I look into all Your commandments” (Psalm 119:2-6).

My wife and I are very fortunate to be attending a Christ-centered church where the true Gospel is preached. I realize that many are not as fortunate, probably because so many have stated that they cannot find a church in their area that really glorifies the Lord Jesus Christ by honoring His Word.

It is alarming that so many leaders today are teaching that there are many ways to God, that God doesn’t have the power to keep us once we are born-again, but is this what the Lord says?

“Jesus said to him, I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me'” (John 14:6).

“And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption” (Ephesians 4:30).

“I marvel that you are turning away so soon from Him who called you in the grace of Christ, to a different gospel, which is not another; but there are some who trouble you and want to pervert the gospel of Christ” (Galatians 1:6-7).

This is what so many are finding, churches that present another gospel, which is not the true Gospel of Christ. They take the true Gospel and pervert it to their own liking.

Paul says that we are to work out our own salvation. In other words, we are to continue to grow as new Christians, but how can we do that in a church that makes a mockery of what God holds precious?

“Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure” (Philippians 2:12-13).

Many Christians, I have found out, think compromising is the Christian thing to do, but we must keep in mind that there are some things that just cannot be compromised. God says in the next verse that there can be no exceptions to what He has commanded.

“Therefore you shall be careful to do as the LORD your God has commanded you; you shall not turn aside to the right hand or to the left” (Deuteronomy 5:32).

I’ve always liked what Joshua said in the next verse. There was no swaying back and forth with him.

“And if it seems evil to you to serve the LORD, choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD” (Joshua 24:15).

Many of you, who are truly a child of God, may be in a situation where others want you to compromise what the Lord has said in His Word. No doubt you are deeply troubled and seeking guidance. Take it to the Lord in prayer and search His Word. He will guide you into all Truth.

Maybe you are not sure if your church compromises the Word. If that be the case, then be a Berean.

“Now the Berean Jews were of more noble character than those in Thessalonica, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true” (Acts 17:11 NIV).

Most believers in the pews today would never think of questioning the words of a pastor. The Berean Jews double-checked the APOSTLE Paul! They realized by doing so that he really was presenting to them the complete Word of God, and many were saved. Paul never compromised the Truth for a lie.

Any pastor worth his salt would tell you to check whatever he says with the Bible, but then isn’t it odd that so many in the pews don’t even bring a Bible when they come to worship? No wonder God’s Word is compromised.

Only God and His Word are infallible. Between the teaching ministry of the Holy Spirit and the infallible Word of God (the Bible), we cannot go wrong, and we will not compromise if we obey it.

Grant Phillips
Email: Phillip5769@twc.com
Pre-Rapture Commentary: http://grant-phillips.blogspot.com
Rapture Ready: https://www.raptureready.com/featured/phillips/phillips.html

Don’t Be Dismayed: Jesus Is Coming for Us Soon :: By Jonathan Brentner

Published on: by RR10

For many of us, this past September was a “high watch” period. It’s certainly not that we set dates or place a limit as to when the Rapture must occur, but everything seemed to be falling in place for Jesus to appear during the past Feast of Trumpets. We watched with eager expectation of meeting Jesus in the air.

I know many saints feel a bit disappointed and perhaps discouraged now that September has come and gone. Will we have to endure another year of watching wickedness, deception, and lawlessness grow exponentially? How much longer will we have to wait for the redemption of our bodies and the realization of our glorious hope? (See Romans 8:23-25.)

I do not have the answers to these questions; however, I remain convinced that Jesus is coming for us very, very soon. Please know that the end of September didn’t put an end to the multitude of signs telling us that the seven-year Tribulation is ever so close.

With the Day of the Lord looming on the horizon, the Rapture of the church must be even closer since the Bible assures us that we will miss the entirety of this coming period of God’s wrath upon the earth (1 Thessalonians 5:1-11). We will be in heaven with Jesus before the antichrist appears on the world scene.

Four months ago, I wrote The Sound of Approaching Hoofbeats, in which I showed the nearness of the time when these horsemen will start their trek across planet Earth (Revelation 6:1-8). Below, I reprise its main points and explain why the sound of the hoofbeats is even louder today.

The Clamor of the New World Order on Our Doorstep

Revelation 6:1-2 tells us about the first seal, the first rider:

“Now I saw when the Lamb opened one of the seals; and I heard one of the four living creatures saying with a voice like thunder, ‘Come and see.’ And I looked, and behold, a white horse. He who sat on it had a bow; and a crown was given to him, and he went out conquering and to conquer.”

These verses refer to the antichrist bringing the world together under his rule. The absence of an arrow in the bow points to his accomplishing this objective without force, although he will gather an impressive arsenal of weapons during his campaign.

The World Economic Forum (WEF), under the leadership of Klaus Schwab, continues to gain incredible influence over the nations. Without firing a shot, Schwab has placed many of his devotees in key places of leadership in governments across the world. The communistic influence of the WEF continues to rapidly grow in many free countries, including the U.S.

The UN, in conjunction with the WEF, recently announced their intention to change their goal of a world government by 2030 under the seventeen goals of its Agenda 2030. They want to establish the New World Order well before that year.

The Saber Rattling of Nuclear War

The second rider is that of war, as John describes in Revelation 6:4-5:

“When He opened the second seal, I heard the second living creature saying, ‘Come and see.’ Another horse, fiery red, went out. And it was granted to the one who sat on it to take peace from the earth, and that people should kill one another; and there was given to him a great sword.”

To say that the world has moved closer to a nuclear confrontation during the past four months is an understatement.

I believe there will be a terrible world war after the Rapture that will far exceed the worst wars in all of history. Revelation 6:8 tells us that the “sword,” or war, will contribute to the deaths of one-fourth of the world’s population. It’s likely that nuclear weapons will account for this exceedingly high casualty count.

Here are just a few recent developments that tell us the wars of Revelation 6:4-5 are closer now than four months ago:

  • The sabotage of the Nord Stream pipelines in late September makes a major war in Europe all the more likely. Vladimir Putin believes that Joe Biden and the West are responsible, and he’s looking to strike back.
  • Putin is adding over one million new soldiers to his army. He has called up over three hundred thousand reserves and is drafting many new recruits, including those up to fifty years of age.
  • People are fleeing Russia in droves. They understand the terrors of a likely nuclear war, and many also want to escape service in the Russian army.
  • Russia recently annexed four territories in Ukraine, proclaiming that any attack on these is an attack on Russia.

These are just a few of the multitude of signs that tell us a major war is brewing. If I were to add China, Iran, and North Korea to the mix, the above list would triple or quadruple.

There are days when I wonder if the U.S. will even survive as a nation until next September. I realize that the Rapture does not need to happen before God severely judges America, but I believe the full extent of His wrath will fall on the U.S. soon after Jesus takes us home.

The “fiery red horse” of war is ever so close to riding: this alone points to the soon fulfillment of the biblical event we call the “Rapture.”

Many Voices Predict Economic Devastation by Early 2023

The words of Revelation 6:5-6 point to economic devastation:

“When He opened the third seal, I heard the third living creature say, ‘Come and see.’ So I looked, and behold, a black horse, and he who sat on it had a pair of scales in his hand. And I heard a voice in the midst of the four living creatures saying, ‘A quart of wheat for a denarius, and three quarts of barley for a denarius; and do not harm the oil and the wine.’”

If you think that the world is not on the brink of the conditions described in these verses, you are not paying attention. We are frightfully close!

The destruction of the Nord Stream pipelines in later September spells disaster for the economies of Germany and the rest of Europe.

Here is what economist commentator Michael Snyder wrote about inflation in Germany before the cutoff of gas from Russia:

This week, we got some inflation numbers out of Germany that are so high that it is difficult to believe that they are actually real…

German producer prices rose in August at the fastest rate since records began in 1949, data released by the Federal Statistical Office showed today, pointing to a further increase in consumer prices.

Producer prices of industrial products rose by 45.8 percent compared to the same month of last year. Compared to July 2022, prices rose 7.9 percent.

Soaring energy prices on the back of Russia’s war against the Ukraine remain the main driver behind rising prices.

If we continue to see monthly increases of around 8 percent, next year at this time we could be talking about a yearly jump of close to 100 percent.[i]

The most conservative estimates of the impact of the Nord Stream disaster state that tens of thousands of Europeans will die this winter because they will be unable to heat their homes. Prices of all commodities in Europe and North America will continue to rise sharply as energy prices skyrocket.

Several months ago, I wrote, Is America on the Cusp of a Food Catastrophe? I quoted several prominent people warning of great trouble ahead for the economy of America.

The Rider of Death

The result of all these end of days horrors will be a death count higher than anything the world has seen since the Genesis 6 flood. Revelation 6:7-8 describes what the world will experience when Jesus opens the fourth seal:

“When He opened the fourth seal, I heard the voice of the fourth living creature saying, ‘Come and see.’ So I looked, and behold, a pale horse. And the name of him who sat on it was Death, and Hades followed with him. And power was given to them over a fourth of the earth, to kill with sword, with hunger, with death, and by the beasts of the earth.”

Right now, one-fourth of the world’s population would be almost two billion people, and that marks just the start of the prophesied Tribulation woes.

Do we see this on the horizon of our world? Absolutely!

The elite globalists of our day are seeking to dramatically reduce the population of our world.

Be assured that depopulation efforts, nuclear war, and famine all fit with the wicked and deadly agenda of both Klaus Schwab and his disciples around the world.

The WEF and the UN’s Agenda 2030 all have as their goal a New World Order with the elite enslaving a greatly reduced human population. Noah Harari, Schwab’s chief advisor, believes that the majority of people are “useless eaters.”

Please don’t doubt the vile and evil agenda of the globalists that control many governments in our world, including that of the U.S. They don’t care how many innocent people die as the result of their accomplishing their goals. Satan is motivating them, and as Jesus clearly explained, the devil’s character as that of a deceiver and “murderer” (John 8:44, 10:10).

It shouldn’t surprise us that the nations within his realm so willingly kill and destroy innocent lives.

Jesus Is Coming Very, Very Soon

What do all these things tell us? They assure us that Jesus is coming very, very soon.

If the prophetic events of Revelation 6:1-8 loom so close on the horizon, and they do, how much closer must we be to the Rapture of the church that must occur before these things happen?

Please, don’t be dismayed that you remain on the earth longer than you anticipated or would like. Jesus is coming in the very near future; nothing has changed.

Based on my study of God’s Word, I’m absolutely convinced of these three things:

  1. We live in the season of the Rapture; Jesus is coming for us in the very near future.
  2. The Rapture must happen before the start of the seven-year Tribulation.
  3. Jesus will return to earth as a conquering King after the seven-year Tribulation and reign over all the nations of the world for a thousand years from a gloriously restored Israel. The Bible tells us that Jesus will sit on the throne of David.

Jesus will not disappoint us; count on it. He will fulfill His promise in John 14:2-3 and take us to the place He’s preparing for us.

The glory ahead for us is well worth the wait. Keep holding on and looking up in eager anticipation of Christ’s appearing.

—

My book, The Triumph of the Redeemed-An eternal Perspective that Calms Our Fears in Perilous Times, is available on Amazon. This book provides a step-by-step account of why the Rapture must happen before the Tribulation period.

Note: Please consider signing up for my newsletter on the home page of my website at https://www.jonathanbrentner.com. It will greatly help me in reaching more people. Thanks!

[i] Michael Snyder, Economic Collapse Has Arrived In Germany. Will The U.S. Be Close Behind? September 20, 2022, at: http://theeconomiccollapseblog.com/economic-collapse-has-arrived-in-germany-will-the-u-s-be-close-behind/