We examine the 3rd major issue for 2009 – “Uncovered Trickery” – the cult connection that will impact a huge segment of America and the world in 2009.
See what U.S. News & World Report reported back in November, “In 2009 cultic activity will loom large upon our society. The reason for this is the down turn in our economy. Cults historically grow rapidly during times of recession and seasons of instability.”
Matthew 24:3-5, 11 “And what will be the sign of Your coming and of the end of the age? And Jesus answered, ‘Take heed that no one deceives you. For many will come in My name saying ‘I am the Christ’ and will deceive many. Then many false prophets will rise up and deceive many.”
Dr. Walter Martin states with such clarity, “Into this whirlpool of stagnant human philosophy and perverted revelation came the Son of God, who, through His teachings and example, revealed that there was such a thing as divine humanity, and through His miraculous powers, vicarious death and bodily resurrection, cut across the maze of human doubts and fears and was lifted up, to draw all men unto Himself. It has been wisely observed that men are at liberty to reject Christ and the Bible and the Word of God; they are at liberty to oppose Him; they are at liberty to challenge it. But they are not at liberty to alter the essential message of the scriptures, which is the good news that God does care for lost souls…”
Jude 3, 4
Notice That Jude:
• Determinately writes. Vs. 3a “Diligent to write”
Literally, “quickly”
• Exhaustingly warns. Vs. 3b “Exhorting you”
• Earnestly witnesses. Vs. 3c “Contend earnestly”
“Contend” = fight or agonizes
• Sufficiently wrote. Vs. 3d
“Once for all delivered” = a completed task! Literally that can be translated…the faith was completely delivered in the past.
• Diligently watches. Vs. 4 “Men have crept in”
“Crept in” = stealthily – secretly under the radar!
Acts 20:29 “I know this, that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock.”
That is happening everyday in churches across this nation!
Maybe you’ve heard the craze about “The Secret”? - A huge New Age bestseller. The sad part is - this mass marketed manure has been shoveled by Hollywood’s hippest.
Rhonda Byrne writes in the opening chapter, “The Secret can be found in everything from Babylonian religion to Buddhism to Albert Einstein."
She also writes, “The secret is simply "the law of attraction." Think about wealth, and you will become wealthy. Think about that new car, and it will come. Think about getting a good parking spot, and one will open up.”
So what are the results of this New Age manure?
This is what Oprah said on her show November 2007, after reading this New Age Trickery, “The Secret has taught me that Christianity is but one of many ways to achieve the “higher consciousness,” and that the belief that one must follow a set of doctrines is a consequence of “egoiic consciousness.” While Christianity is a valid way to achieve high states of spirituality, it must not be considered a unique way, or a correct way…I don’t believe that Jesus came to start Christianity.”
FACT: Before 1860, cults were unheard of in America! Everyday in America, more and more territory is being taken from Christianity, especially in Latin America, Africa and the Far East! It is paramount that Christians once again become so familiar with the foundation of the faith before they are fooled!!
George Gallup states, “This is the most crucial decade in History. Designer, a la carte religion flourishes as traditional Christianity is undermined by counterfeits.”
1. The Psychological Structure of Cults.
How do we define a cult? Any religious group that:
- Is in search of any new kind of mystical or metaphysical experience.
- Denies one or more of the essential teachings of historic Christianity.
- Demands strict control over anyone’s life. - “Scientology”
There are several ways that cults will lead their members into very dangerous territory:
a. Through Identification with the Bible.
The average cult in America owes its very existence to the fact that they utilize the Bible! Most concepts of cultic theology are borrowed and twisted from the Bible.
Mormons, Jehovah witnesses quote as if it was God’s gift to them only!
Christian Science founded by Mary Baker Eddy said in 1897 in the “Christian Science Journal”, “The Bible, Science and Health With Keys to the Scriptures, and my other published works are the only proper instructors for this hour…”
The Christian Science cult loves to quote Mrs. Eddy to deceive their followers, as in this example, “The Bible has been my only authority,
I have had no other guide in “the straight and narrow way of truth.”
b. Through Isolation of their followers.
November 18, 1978, over 900 cult followers of the reverend Jim Jones committed forced mass suicide.
The following comes from the book, “People’s Temple – People’s Tomb”. There was a sealed note found on Jones’ body, apparently written by a follower just prior to the ritual suicide - the note said,
“I see no way out. For my part, I am more than tired of this wretched, merciless planet and the hell it holds for so many masses of beautiful people – thank you Jim for the only life I’ve known.” - Signed, Phil Kerns
c. Through Interaction of their personality.
Strong charismatic personalities have dotted the cultic landscape over the years and by interacting daily in the lives of depleted, desperate and often depressed individuals they gain control over their follower.
Charles Manson and his cultic powers over his followers was a perfect example!
SLIDE: Most of us have never heard of Franz Anton Mesmer, but his last name is where we get our English word, “MESMERIZE”. He was a French physician who lived from 1735-1815.
He was the father of psychotherapy, and one of the founders of the cult, “Christian Science”. He also discovered hypnosis, and promoted telepathy and communicating with the dead.
It got so bad that in 1784, the Royal Society of Medicine investigated him because of the stories coming from his patience…from convulsions, crying, violent movement of limbs and trouble swallowing, to deep trances he would use to control his patience.
At one time, some theological schools tried to apply healing to certain people’s aliments through his strange procedures because he claimed to be a healer. He was exposed in the later part of his life as a cultic charlatan – a theological trickster!
Today, you can find mind numbing mesmerists operating not only in carnivals and cults – but even churches!
P.T. Barnum said correctly, “Never underestimate the gullibility of the public…there’s a sucker born every minute.”
Parents and grandparents – be on your guard! If you know a child is vulnerable, guard and properly instructs that child! If you don’t, the devil will step in and do it for you!
2. The Grammatical System of Cults.
• Mohammed used this verse…
Deuteronomy 18:15 “The Lord your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among your own brothers. You must listen to him.” NIV
Moses told us that this prophet would come from his land. Muhammad was born in Arabia, not Israel! But if you really want
the truth…he never stepped foot in Israel!
Jeremiah 23:5 - He would be a descendent of David.
Zechariah 9:9 - He would enter Jerusalem riding on a donkey.
Psalm 22:16 - His hands and feet would be pierced.
• Mormons use this verse to teach a despicable doctrine…
1 Corinthians 15:29 “Otherwise, what will they do who are baptized for the dead, if the dead do not rise at all? Why then are they baptized for the dead?”
Cults capitalize on the inability of the average Christian to understand their own Bible!
• The Jehovah Witness…
In their New World Translation of the Bible that was first published in 1950, it shows deliberate misinterpretation of key phrases by their so-called scholars. Their “scheming scholarship” is a joke!
John 1:1 "In the beginning was...a god" (Their translation)
On November 24, 1954 Fredrick W. Franz, their leading representative on the NWT Bible translation committee said under oath…
Q: Can you yourself, translate that into Hebrew?
A: Which?
Q: That fourth verse of the second chapter of Genesis.
A: You mean this?
Q: Yes
A: No!
Fredrick W. Franz the “W” stands for “wicked”!
You see, if the American Medical Association will not tolerate confusion of terminology and definitions, Christians don’t have to tolerate gross perversions and redefinitions of historic Christian doctrines!
So, using the word “TRUTH” in an acrostic, I want to help you recognize when cults twist theology with their misleading message….you can uncover their trickery by the…
• Test Grammatically
There are all kinds of aids out there in bookstore that will arm any Christian that is serous about staying firm to the Word! The computer programs that are available are incredible compared to just 10 years ago!
The point is, there is no reason for the average Christian to fall for the deception waiting them!
•Rely on The Holy Spirit
1 Corinthians 2:12 “We have not received the spirit of the world but the Spirit of who is from God, that we may understand what God has freely given us.”
• Unity of Scripture
Remember that the Bible really has one author – God! And God will not contradict Himself! Be sure to use scripture with scripture!
• Teaching Ministry
Ephesians 4:11 “And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of the ministry.”
• Historical Context
“The Da Vinci Code” is a perfect example!
Blaise Pascal the great 19th century Christian thinker wisely said, “Truth is so obscure in these times and falsehood so established, that unless we love the truth, we cannot know it.”
And that means you need to love the Truth Giver – Jesus Christ!
