Click or Tap Icons to Share! Thank you!

Authored By  :
Published On :
Last Updated :

NOTE: This article or series has not been updated recently. As such, it may possibly contain some outdated information, and/or ideas and beliefs which I no longer embrace, or which have changed to some degree.



As I point out in other articles, we Christians are living
in dangerous times. In fact, Jesus Himself tells us that the
Endtime will be marked by an increase in persecution against
God's children, as the antichrist, unbelieving world at
large, continues on its merry way to the very gates of hell.
In the Gospel of Matthew, the Lord told His first Disciples,
and by proxy, we, their Endtime spiritual counterparts:

"And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake: but he
that endureth to the end shall be saved."
Matthew 10:22, KJV

"Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall
kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name's
sake. And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one
another, and shall hate one another."
Matthew 24:9,10, KJV

There should be no mistake then, that our faith is being
attacked on many different fronts; not only in foreign
lands, where Christ is hated so much, that our brethren are
being persecuted and killed for their faithful witness, such
as in some of the Muslim countries, but even on fronts much
closer to home. The great tragedy of this situation, is that
some people have become so spiritually blind, and so callous
of heart, that they do not even realize that they are under
attack! They have totally ignored the Apostle Paul's warning
when he wrote:

"Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not
ignorant of his devices." 2 Corinthians 2:11, KJV

Satan has indeed gotten an advantage over some Christians,
and not for the first time! While many of these onslaughts
from the enemy of our soul are external in nature, some of
our dear brethren have been so foolish as to not realize
that Satan has seriously penetrated their defenses! He is so
desperate in this late hour, that he has even gone so far as
to set up many false shepherds within our very midst, in
order to lead the Lord's precious sheep astray! Sadly, this
tactic is nothing new! He has been using it for literally
thousands of years!

During the First Century, when the Lord's Church was in its
formative years, most of these false brethren were flesh
Jews, who crept into the local fellowships by pretending to
accept the doctrine of Christ; however, once they had won
the confidence of a few, just like the termite which slowly
but steadily destroys from within, unseen by the occupant of
the house, these workers of darkness also began their evil,
destructive work by spreading false doctrines, in order to
try to destroy the foundation of the Lord's Church; that of
course being faith alone in Jesus Christ for our Salvation.
They did their best, to try to destroy the doctrinal and the
spiritual unity which the Lord and His Apostles worked so
hard to achieve. Jesus and the Apostle Paul both spoke of
this unity in the following verses:

"And now I am no more in the world, but these are in the
world, and I come to thee. Holy Father, keep through thine
own name those whom thou hast given me, that they may be
one, as we are...That they all may be one; as thou, Father,
art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us:
that the world may believe that thou hast sent me. And the
glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may
be one, even as we are one: I in them, and thou in me, that
they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know
that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast
loved me." John 17:11, 21-23, KJV

"And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them
also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there
shall be one fold, and one shepherd." John 10:16, KJV

"That ye may with one mind and one mouth glorify God, even
the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ." Romans 15:6, KJV

"Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus
Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be
no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined
together in the same mind and in the same judgment."
1 Corinthians 1:10, KJV

"Finally, brethren, farewell. Be perfect, be of good
comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love
and peace shall be with you." 2 Corinthians 13:11, KJV

"I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye
walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called, With
all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing
one another in love; Endeavouring to keep the unity of the
Spirit in the bond of peace...That we henceforth be no more
children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every
wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning
craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; But
speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all
things, which is the head, even Christ: From whom the whole
body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every
joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the
measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the
edifying of itself in love."
Ephesians 4:1-3, 14-16, KJV

"Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of
Christ: that whether I come and see you, or else be absent,
I may hear of your affairs, that ye stand fast in one
spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the
gospel;" Philippians 1:27, KJV

"Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same
love, being of one accord, of one mind."
Philippians 2:2, KJV

During the course of His Earthly Ministry, Jesus warned His
followers to beware of these vile snakes and their subtle
tactics. This becomes quite evident by such verses as the
following:

"Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves:
be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves."
Matthew 10:16, KJV

"Go your ways: behold, I send you forth as lambs among
wolves." (Luke 10:3)

"Then understood they how that he bade them not beware of
the leaven of bread, but of the doctrine of the Pharisees
and of the Sadducees." (Matthew 16:12)

"Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom
of heaven is likened unto a man which sowed good seed in his
field: But while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares
among the wheat, and went his way." (Matthew 13:24-25)

The Apostle Paul was also fully aware of the divisive agenda
of these antichrists; and this is one of the reasons why he
dedicated so much of his writings to explaining the true
doctrine of faith and grace, as opposed to the deceptive
false doctrine of faith mixed with good works. This false
doctrine of the legalistic Jews emphasized the observance of
the mandates of the Mosaic Law, such as the need for one to
be circumcised, as a necessary requirement for a person's
Salvation. Consider the following key verses which highlight
some of Paul's teachings:

"And by him all that believe are justified from all things,
from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses."
Acts 13:39, KJV

"Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be
justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of
sin. But now the righteousness of God without the law is
manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets;
Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus
Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is
no difference: For all have sinned, and come short of the
glory of God; Being justified freely by his grace through
the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: Whom God hath set
forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to
declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are
past, through the forbearance of God; To declare, I say, at
this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the
justifier of him which believeth in Jesus. Where is boasting
then? It is excluded. By what law? of works? Nay: but by the
law of faith." Romans 3:20-27, KJV

"Wherefore, my brethren, ye also are become dead to the law
by the body of Christ; that ye should be married to another,
even to him who is raised from the dead, that we should
bring forth fruit unto God." Romans 7:4, KJV

"Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the
law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed
in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of
Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of
the law shall no flesh be justified...I do not frustrate the
grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then
Christ is dead in vain." Galatians 2:16, 21, KJV

"But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of
God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith."
Galatians 3:11, KJV

"Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you
are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace."
Galatians 5:4, KJV

"For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of
yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any
man should boast." Ephesians 2:8,9, KJV

"And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise
grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then is it no
more grace: otherwise work is no more work."
Romans 11:6, KJV

"Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but
according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of
regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;"
Titus 3:5, KJV

In the article 'A Biblical Cafeteria Or The Whole Course?',
I explain how this Jewish-inspired false doctrine of grace
mixed with observance of the Law, became so powerful in
Jerusalem, that Paul had to leave his work in the mission
field, in order to travel to Jerusalem to speak with Peter,
James, John and the rest of the Elders. Paul basically told
the Jerusalem brethren that it simply was not fair to cast a
legalistic yoke upon the necks of the new Gentile converts
in Asia and beyond. This historic meeting is excellently
portrayed in the movie 'Peter And Paul', starring Anthony
Hopkins and Robert Foxworthy. I encourage you to see it, as
in my opinion, it is the best role ever performed by Anthony
Hopkins. You may recall that after discussing the matter,
Peter made the following decision in Acts chapter fifteen:

"And when there had been much disputing, Peter rose up, and
said unto them, Men and brethren, ye know how that a good
while ago God made choice among us, that the Gentiles by my
mouth should hear the word of the gospel, and believe. And
God, which knoweth the hearts, bare them witness, giving
them the Holy Ghost, even as he did unto us; And put no
difference between us and them, purifying their hearts by
faith. Now therefore why tempt ye God, to put a yoke upon
the neck of the disciples, which neither our fathers nor we
were able to bear? But we believe that through the grace of
the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved, even as they."
Acts 15:7-11, KJV

Paul later reiterated Peter's decision in his own Epistle to
the Galatians, when he scolded them for their backsliding to
renewed dependence upon the Law, and wrote such things as
the following:

"I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called
you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: Which is
not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would
pervert the gospel of Christ. But though we, or an angel
from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that
which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. As we
said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other
gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be
accursed." Galatians 1:6-9, KJV

"And that because of false brethren unawares brought in, who
came in privily to spy out our liberty which we have in
Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into bondage:"
(Galatians 2:4)

"O foolish Galatians, who hath bewitched you, that ye should
not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ hath been
evidently set forth, crucified among you? This only would I
learn of you, Received ye the Spirit by the works of the
law, or by the hearing of faith? Are ye so foolish? having
begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh?
Have ye suffered so many things in vain? if it be yet in
vain." Galatians 3:1-4, KJV

"Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath
made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of
bondage." Galatians 5:1, KJV

Of course, 'the yoke of bondage' to which Paul is referring,
is the Mosaic Law. The Galatians were not the only ones who
received a pointed warning from the Apostle Paul. Because he
saw the dangers which the young new Church faced from these
false brethren, and the treacherous teachings that they
propagated amongst the unwary sheep, Paul was faithful to
offer a number of other warnings to the churches which were
scattered throughout Asia and Southern Europe. Consider the
following verses:

"Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause
divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye
have learned; and avoid them." (Romans 16:17)

"But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve
through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from
the simplicity that is in Christ. For if he that cometh
preacheth another Jesus, whom we have not preached, or if ye
receive another spirit, which ye have not received, or
another gospel, which ye have not accepted, ye might well
bear with him...For such are false apostles, deceitful
workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of
Christ. And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into
an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his
ministers also be transformed as the ministers of
righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works."
(2 Corinthians 11:3-4, 13-15)

"Beware of dogs, beware of evil workers, beware of the
concision." Philippians 3:2, KJV

"If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome
words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the
doctrine which is according to godliness; He is proud,
knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of
words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil
surmisings, Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and
destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness:
from such withdraw thyself." (1 Timothy 6:3-5)

"But avoid foolish questions, and genealogies, and
contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are
unprofitable and vain. A man that is an heretick after the
first and second admonition reject; Knowing that he that is
such is subverted, and sinneth, being condemned of himself."
(Titus 3:9-11)

For the sake of clarification, in the previous verse from
Paul's Epistle to the Philippians, when he states 'beware of
the concision', Paul is referring to those Law-observant
Jews who tried to convince the new Christian Disciples, that
circumcision was still necessary for one's Salvation, which
of course was a total lie. The word 'concision' is derived
from the Greek word 'katatome', which means 'mutilation'.
Easton's Bible Dictionary states that Paul purposely used
this word, instead of 'peritome', meaning 'circumcision', in
order to show his utter contempt for those false brethren
who tried to force circumcision upon the new converts to the
faith. Notice also that just as the Lord told us not to give
that which is holy unto dogs, in other words, to not waste
our time trying to force the Truth upon those who don't wish
to hear it, Paul also refers to those antichrist Jews as
dogs. I am surprised that the powers that be, who control
the printing presses of the world, have not yet removed that
verse from our Sacred Text due to its clearly anti-semitic
nature. The Apostle John took his warning regarding the
unbelievers even a step further, by stating that if anyone
were so foolish as to even accept one of these deceitful
false brethren into their home, they would be guilty of
their same evil deeds:

"Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of
Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of
Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son. If there come
any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not
into your house, neither bid him God speed: For he that
biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds."
(2 John 1:9-11)

As far back as the Old Testament, the Lord clearly expressed
His hatred for those who intentionally sow division and
discord amongst the brethren by speaking lies and deceit. In
the Book of Proverbs, we find the following verses:

"These six things doth the LORD hate: yea, seven are an
abomination unto him: A proud look, a lying tongue, and
hands that shed innocent blood, An heart that deviseth
wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to
mischief, A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that
soweth discord among brethren." (Proverbs 6:16-19)

In some of his Epistles, particularly in those addressed to
Timothy, his dearly beloved son in the faith, Paul offered
the following admonitions. Similar to the Lord's own words
to His Disciples in the previous verses regarding severe
persecution in the Last Days, Paul's warnings are clearly
directed to us as well, because we are indeed the children
of the Endtime; that is, of 'the latter times', as we see in
the last two verses of the following set:

"That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro,
and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the
sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in
wait to deceive; But speaking the truth in love, may grow up
into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:"
(Ephesians 4:14-15)

"Be not carried about with divers and strange doctrines. For
it is a good thing that the heart be established with grace;
not with meats, which have not profited them that have been
occupied therein." (Hebrews 13:9)

"As I besought thee to abide still at Ephesus, when I went
into Macedonia, that thou mightest charge some that they
teach no other doctrine, Neither give heed to fables and
endless genealogies, which minister questions, rather than
godly edifying which is in faith: so do."
(1 Timothy 1:3-4)

"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;" (1 Timothy 4:1)

"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;"
(2 Timothy 4:3)

My point in sharing all of these things from the past with
you, is to show you that Satan has not changed. His human
instruments, the children of darkness, have not changed.
They may modify and update their deceptive methods, but it
is the very same bag of tricks: false doctrines, sowing
division amongst the Christian body, demonic manifestations
which are explained as coming from God, etc. Absolutely
nothing has changed, except perhaps the outward appearance
of the poison.

Can any of us deny that these things are indeed happening
throughout Christendom at this very moment? Some of us have
personally witnessed these things for ourselves, while
others of us have only heard of, or possibly read of, the
many false manifestations and deceptive doctrines which have
already led so many of the Lord's children astray. While I
have already written other articles on this very same topic,
such as 'Lying Wonders Of The Endtime', 'Are The Fruits Of
The Spirit For Today?' and 'Have You Been Slain In The
Spirit?', I have been motivated to write yet another series
on this subject as a result of some alarming news I received
from several members of our online fellowship. According to
these dear people, (and one of them has provided me with a
firsthand account), another so-called 'manifestation of the
spirit' has made its ugly appearance within certain churches
in North America. From what I have been told, and read, God
is now supposedly filling people's teeth with gold! Not only
that, but there are also reports of the appearance of gold
dust on people's faces, hands and clothing!

To say the least, I am totally shocked to think that some of
our own dear brethren in the faith, are so gullible, that
they have been deceived by such things; and this would truly
be ridiculous if it wasn't so sad! From what I have been
told, there are even pictures of these so-called 'miracles'.
As I mention in other articles which touch on the topic of
healing, if the Lord truly wants to heal a person of some
affliction or disease, He is quite capable of doing it
wholly and immediately. I have never read anywhere in the
Bible where the Lord performed half-miracles; have you? In
this particular case, why in the world would the Lord waste
His time filling a tooth with gold, when He can just replace
the entire tooth? Are His Powers finally waning after six
thousand years of use? Excuse my sarcasm, but that is how
idiotic this whole thing sounds to me. When Jesus healed the
man with the withered hand, we are clearly told that 'it was
restored whole, like as the other'. That being the case, if
these so-called golden teeth miracles are truly of the Lord,
then why doesn't He also restore those damaged teeth whole
as the others? Here is the story from the Gospel of Matthew:

"And, behold, there was a man which had his hand withered.
And they asked him, saying, Is it lawful to heal on the
sabbath days? that they might accuse him. And he said unto
them, What man shall there be among you, that shall have one
sheep, and if it fall into a pit on the sabbath day, will he
not lay hold on it, and lift it out? How much then is a man
better than a sheep? Wherefore it is lawful to do well on
the sabbath days. Then saith he to the man, Stretch forth
thine hand. And he stretched it forth; and it was restored
whole, like as the other." Matthew 12:10-13, KJV

I can only conclude that this is either a clear case of
intentional deception by the leaders of some of these
congregations, who are desperate for fame, or who may be
anxious to fill up their pews and their collection plates,
or else it is yet another demonic device of Satan to fool
those whose faith is not founded upon the Word of God, but
merely upon signs and wonders. Perhaps it is even both! Like
the 'manifestations' I have discussed in previous articles,
I simply cannot accept that this current so-called 'move of
the spirit', is of God! I am convinced that one reason why
some of these odd happenings occur, is because these foolish
Christians prefer to walk by sight, instead of by faith as
we are instructed to do in God's Holy Word. They require a
spiritual crutch in order to keep their faith alive, or to
even gain faith to begin with. It is also because they want
a do-good feel-good religion in the flesh. Consider the
following verses which clarify the attitude of the true
Christian Believer who walks by faith, and not by sight:

"Behold, his soul which is lifted up is not upright in him:
but the just shall live by his faith." Habakkuk 2:4, KJV

"For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith
to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith."
Romans 1:17, KJV

"(For we walk by faith, not by sight:)"
2 Corinthians 5:7, KJV

"But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of
God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith."
Galatians 3:11, KJV

"Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back,
my soul shall have no pleasure in him."
Hebrews 10:38, KJV

"Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the
evidence of things not seen...But without faith it is
impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must
believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that
diligently seek him." Hebrews 11:1, 6, KJV

"So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of
God." Romans 10:17, KJV

"For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith
without works is dead also." James 2:26, KJV

Many people have often asked us Christians, 'Exactly what is
faith, and how do I obtain it?'. To answer the first part of
this question, as the Apostle Paul basically tells us in the
previous verse taken from his Epistle to the Hebrews, faith
is a kind of intangible 'knowing' in our hearts, which does
not require that we see with our eyes, or that we experience
anything with our other physical senses. He states that it
is 'the evidence of things not seen'. We have the evidence
of God's Word, and that is all that we should need in order
to believe. When different characters in the Bible heard the
Word of the Lord, either from Jesus Himself, or else from
one of His followers, we are told that they expressed their
faith with a simple, solid 'I believe'. They required no
other proof than the sure Word of the Master. Consider the
following examples found in the New Testament:

"And straightway the father of the child cried out, and said
with tears, Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief."
Mark 9:24, KJV

"And he said, Lord, I believe. And he worshipped him."
John 9:38, KJV

"She saith unto him, Yea, Lord: I believe that thou art the
Christ, the Son of God, which should come into the world."
John 11:27, KJV

"And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart,
thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus
Christ is the Son of God." Acts 8:37, KJV

"Wherefore, sirs, be of good cheer: for I believe God, that
it shall be even as it was told me." Acts 27:25, KJV

Can we also say with the Apostle Paul 'I believe God'? As
the prophet Balaam told Balak, the king of the Moabites,
thousands of years ago, God is not a man that He should lie.
Just like His Word, which He has magnified above His very
Name, the Lord is immutable; that is, He is unchanging. What
He was able to do thousands of years ago, He is just as
capable of doing today, if we will only believe. Consider
the following verses:

"God is not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of
man, that he should repent: hath he said, and shall he not
do it? or hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good?"
Numbers 23:19, KJV

"Behold, the LORD'S hand is not shortened, that it cannot
save; neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear:"
Isaiah 59:1, KJV

"Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever."
Hebrews 13:8, KJV

"...for thou hast magnified thy word above all thy name."
Psalm 138:2, KJV

So again, I have no doubt that God can restore a person's
teeth completely and wholly, if He really wants to, and that
He does not need to resort to second-rate tactics by simply
filling those damaged teeth with gold, or whatever is truly
happening. If what is occurring is actually an outright
demonic manifestation, and not just some kind of prank or
fraud invented by well-meaning, but misguided humans, then I
can only wonder if the gold in those people's teeth, if it
really is gold, might not serve as a testimony against them
in the Day of Judgment, due to their lack of real faith, and
the fact that they allowed themselves to fall under Satan's
delusion. I am reminded of how the Apostle James warns us of
the fate which awaits those who actually hoard gold and
silver in this life, through fraud and the oppression of the
poor:

"Go to now, ye rich men, weep and howl for your miseries
that shall come upon you. Your riches are corrupted, and
your garments are motheaten. Your gold and silver is
cankered; and the rust of them shall be a witness against
you, and shall eat your flesh as it were fire. Ye have
heaped treasure together for the last days. Behold, the hire
of the labourers who have reaped down your fields, which is
of you kept back by fraud, crieth: and the cries of them
which have reaped are entered into the ears of the Lord of
sabaoth. Ye have lived in pleasure on the earth, and been
wanton; ye have nourished your hearts, as in a day of
slaughter. Ye have condemned and killed the just; and he
doth not resist you." James 5:1-6, KJV

Might these stories of gold fillings and gold dust be an
example of spiritual fraud, either by humans, or even by
Satan himself? In the second part of this series, we will
continue our discussion by taking a look at such topics as
alchemy and sorcerers, by the Power of God?, Satan's
converts, ungodly manifestations, obtaining faith, miracles
to believe or because we believe?, the fishes and the loaves
crowd, the Christian circus, the lion in wait, chaff or real
wheat?, the blind leading the blind, going with the flow,
removing false, weak shepherds and silent compromise or the
choice to obey the Lord. I trust that you will join me.


⇒ Go To The Next Part . . .

Click or Tap Icons to Share! Thank you!

---

---

Please avail yourself of other areas of the Bill's Bible Basics website. There are many treasures for you to discover.