POINTS OF TRUTH CHRISTIAN MINISTRIES
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It’s a beautiful night in the Falkland Islands, just off the coast of Argentina. These British Islands are known for their rich pasture land. The air is still this evening as the sheep graze. The sun is setting, and the sky appears as a lavender canvas gently caressing stars sparkling like diamonds. The steady sound of the Atlantic can be heard in the distance. It is a familiar sight in this part of the world.
There is Danger lurking!
Although this paints a serene picture, there is danger lurking! A killer is on the prowl, and is hungry. His prey tonight are the unsuspecting, grazing sheep. This predator is an expert in stealth and is rarely seen. Carefully, he positions himself with his face in the wind so as not to reveal his presence. He then waits patiently for the right moment.
Ordinary sheep are no match for him, but somewhere in the herd is a fearsome ram. He must know where he is, so that he is not taken by surprise. An encounter with the ram could spell disaster for him. He could be seriously injured or even killed, or at the very least, driven from his fallen prey, thus losing his meal. Once he spots the ram, he will strike sheep that are a safe distance away.
The enemy’s strategy
As sheep graze, they slowly gravitate in one general direction. The predator’s strategy is simple -he will attack the young or weak that are on the outer-edge of the flock. Suddenly, the destroyer will lunge from the darkness and bite a young sheep on the backbone, then vanish back into the night! The sheep will cry out! But will be too far away from help.
As the sheep continue to move on, this wounded one can no longer keep up. Soon, the lamb will be alone. From its hiding the killer will move in, sensing the time for the slaughter is right.
The deadly result!
At first light, the sheep farmer will realize the magnitude of the carnage. He may find as many as 10 to 15 sheep slaughtered! But only one will be found to have been eaten, the rest were simply victims of the predator’s thirst for blood.
Who is this dreadful beast? His name is Canis Lupus Linnaeus. Or to the common man, the wolf.
Folklore of wolves
Perhaps no animal has captured the imagination of man like the wolf. The wolf has permeated the mind of man in legendary proportions. Thus, his folklore is full of stories about the wolf.
"Folklore also has contributed to the wolf’s bad reputation. In many old sayings, the animal is a symbol of badness or evil. For example, "to keep the wolf from the door" means to prevent hunger or poverty. "A wolf in sheep’s clothing" describes a person who acts friendly but has evil intentions. Fables and other folk tales pass on the misleading notion that wolves attack people. In the story of Little Red Riding Hood, a wolf threatens to eat a little girl." (World Book Encyclopedia, vol.21)
The wolf’s bad reputation is not without foundation, former U.S. President Theodore Roosevelt once called the wolf, the "beast of waste and desolation". This statement was a result of observing the seemingly senseless slaughter of sheep by wolves. Why did they kill so much more than they could eat? This was contrary to the nature of predator and prey.
Their hunting techniques
Wolves vary their hunting techniques. They hunt and kill many different animals, such as deer, moose, caribou, birds, rabbits, sheep and even mice. But sheep are the only animals that wolves slaughter in apparent compulsion, and in unnecessary numbers. What makes this more compelling, is that wolves are extremely intelligent hunters, not marauders. But there is simply something in sheep that causes the wolf’s thirst for blood to explode into furious attacks!
Sometimes, wolves will slowly herd larger prey onto frozen lakes, water or loose snow. The purpose is to make footing and balance treacherous. In this vulnerable state the animal can be attacked from different directions and be unable to protect itself.
Wolves can literally run all night long. They can wear down their resistant prey by following at a constant distance; adjusting to the animal’s speed until exhaustion sets in. Even strong animals that are not without defense against the wolf will eventually succumb to this relentless pressure. As the old saying goes, -"Fatigue makes cowards out of strong men". The same is true in the animal kingdom.
Some animals unwittingly set themselves up to be killed because they feed or travel alone. Musk Oxen, practically invulnerable to attack when standing in a defensive formation together, are easy prey for wolves once they stray from the herd. Working in unison, the wolves will surround a large animal such as this, making it impossible for it to face all the intruders. The wolves will strike from the sides and rear, slashing at the hams, ripping at the flanks and abdomen. The animal will weaken from the continuous harassment, and loss of blood, then the wolves will move in for the kill.
The haunting howl of the wolf
Feeding the haunting, almost mystical perception of the wolf, is its howl. It can be heard deep into the night, and is often associated with danger in the human psyche. Hunters that have encountered the wolf are often struck by the intelligence in its eyes. It has been said, -"a wolf takes your stare and turns it back on you". The Bella Coola Indians believe that someone tried to change all the animals into men, but succeeded in making human, only the eyes of the wolf. The deadly stare of the wolf has made cowards of many brave men.
Their social relationships
In spite of their savage reputation, wolves carefully care for their young, not denying them part of the kill. After many years of work in the wild studying the wolf, Adolf Murie wrote that the strongest impression he was left with was the wolves friendliness toward each other. Even as adults, wolves play tag with each other or romp with the pups.
Wolves are intelligent creatures, as animals go, they are playful and protective parents to their young. And they kill many animals for food, but in all this, slaughter sheep compulsively. Notice this quote from Senator Kendrick of Wyoming in the late 1890’s -"Recently I’ve received quite a few letters from university people insisting, as I recall, on moderate action in connection with the extermination of predatory animals, but I am unable to conceive of anyone making that plea who had a personal acquaintance with either the terrific disaster wrought upon herds and flocks by wolves...or with the method employed by these animals in connection with the destruction of their prey. It is the most barbarous thing imaginable. No doubt the motives of these people are the best, but I believe they are uniformed."(Hearings before the Senate Committee on Agriculture and Forestry)
Wolves among the flock of God!
Jesus said that He would build His church and the gates of hell (Greek "hades" -grave) would not prevail over it. Jesus, and other inspired writers of the New Testament called the church the "flock of God". Notice Luke 12:32 -"Do not be afraid, LITTLE FLOCK, for your Father has chosen gladly to give you the kingdom." In John chapter 10, Jesus says that He is the true Shepherd of His flock, and that unlike a hireling, paid to oversee the flock, He will not flee when danger comes, but protect the flock even risking His own life for them.
Notice Verses 11-13 -"I am the good Shepherd; the good Shepherd lays down His life for the sheep. He who is a hireling, and not a shepherd, who is not owner of the sheep, beholds the WOLF coming, and leaves the sheep, and flees, and the WOLF snatches them, and SCATTERS THEM. He flees because he is a hireling, and is not concerned about the sheep." The Apostle Peter instructed those that God had made under-shepherds of Christ, to -"Shepherd the FLOCK among you.."(1 Peter 5:2)
Out of all the animals in the animal kingdom, God inspired His church to be likened to sheep. And like real sheep, the flock of God has formidable enemies also. These enemies of the church are called different things, but when likened to the animal kingdom, they are referred to as "ravenous wolves". Notice Jesus’ warning in Matthew 7:15 -"BEWARE of the FALSE PROPHETS, who come to you in SHEEP’S CLOTHING, but inwardly are RAVENOUS WOLVES."
Paul’s warning to church at Ephesus
The Apostle Paul had stayed in Ephesus for three years teaching the true doctrines of the faith. After being compelled to travel to Jerusalem to answer the accusations that he was teaching against the Law of God, he left this final admonition to the church in Ephesus.
Acts 20:28-31 -"Be on guard for yourselves and for all the FLOCK, among which the holy spirit has made you OVERSEERS, to SHEPHERD the church of God which He purchased with His own blood. I know that after my departure SAVAGE WOLVES will come in among you, NOT SPARING THE FLOCK; and from among your own selves men will arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after them. Therefore, be on the alert, remembering that night and day for a period of three years I did not cease to admonish each one with tears."
Just what did happen to the church in Ephesus after the Apostle Paul departed? Did they heed the warnings enough to avoid being overtaken by these "savage wolves"? The Scriptures reveal that years later false teaching had become a major problem in this church. Paul urged Timothy to slow the flow of erroneous doctrines being taught there. Notice 1 Timothy 1:3 -"As I urged you upon my departure for Macedonia, (not Jerusalem, this was years later) remain on at Ephesus, in order that you may instruct certain men not to teach strange doctrines." It is obvious that the church in Ephesus was having problems with men among them "speaking perverse things".
Jesus’ warning to church at Ephesus!
To this same congregation, the resurrected Jesus Christ gave warning to, through the Apostle John. Notice Revelation 2:4-5 -"But I have this against you, that you have LEFT YOUR FIRST LOVE. Remember therefore from where you have fallen, and repent and DO THE DEEDS YOU DID AT FIRST; or else I am coming to you, and will remove your lampstand out of its place, unless you repent."
This letter from Christ through John was actually sent to the Ephesus church about thirty years after Paul commissioned Timothy to correct their faulty beliefs. But the church had lost its first love. They no longer had a deep love for the true doctrines of the faith. Jesus warned, that if they would not repent, and recapture their first love, He would remove them from being a part of His church.
Now think for a moment. Just what happened to this church that was departing from the true faith? Did they suddenly cease being a congregation? Did they no longer hold services? Were they no longer teaching and praying in the name of Jesus Christ? Did the membership believe they had lost their first love, or did they believe these new doctrines were true? Do you think they still considered themselves true christians?
False Teachers are deceived themselves!
The answers to these questions are obvious aren’t they? These false teachers believed in what they were teaching, and the congregation trustingly accepted their teachings. And they were convinced they were acceptable to God. But as we found in Revelation 2, if they would not change and repent, Jesus would disfellowship them from His Body.
These "SAVAGE WOLVES" that had infiltrated the church at Ephesus had succeeded in separating the flock from the true Shepherd, which is Jesus Christ. They did it through deception and false teachings. They had crept in unnoticed by the flock, and the flock had not heeded Paul’s admonition to "BE ON GUARD FOR YOURSELVES and for ALL THE FLOCK". This saddened him because he had lived there and taught them for three years.
Wolves in leadership positions
When Wolves get into positions of leadership in the church they may use whatever means necessary to DIVIDE the FLOCK from its TRUE SHEPHERD. In 1 Corinthians 1, the brethren were rallying around certain religious leaders. Some were saying -"I’m of Paul", others -"I’m of Peter", and still others -"I’m of Apollos". Now all these men were godly men and true servants of God. But Paul told them that by doing this they were acting as carnal men.(fleshly or worldly) Each nation, around the world, has its leaders that they rally and support, don’t they? The Apostle Paul asked the Corinthians -"Was Paul crucified for you or Christ?" The Corinthians were only doing what was natural for them, but Paul told them this was not a spiritual approach or attitude. Then in verse 13 he asked the searing question, -"HAS CHRIST BEEN DIVIDED?!!"
They are instruments of Satan!
Wolves are instruments of their leader, the Devil! They may not realize it, they may be deceived themselves, but nonetheless, they do the work of Satan. He seeks to scatter the FLOCK from the TRUE SHEPHERD. The sheep are safe if they remain close to the Shepherd, but are in danger if they stray away. Wolves that are false teachers will try to entice the sheep to follow them, in order to lead them to slaughter.
Again, wolves usually don’t know they are wolves, and are being used as instruments of the Devil, but their fruits tell the tale. Matthew 7:15 says they come in "sheep’s clothing". In verse 16, Jesus tells that we will know them by their "fruits". They may look and sound good, but does their teaching hold up when carefully examined by the Holy Scriptures? Is it in line with the teachings of Christ, the Apostles and Prophets? It is your responsibility to test those who come to you in the name and authority of Christ, to see if their teachings are right and true. Jesus explained that many would come in His Name.
Sincerity matters little, because many false teachers are unaware that they are teaching error. Many preach and teach only what they have been taught from childhood. Most ministers preach the beliefs they were raised to believe.
If one was raised in the Baptist faith, he may attend a Baptist School of Theology in order to receive training and ordination. Most christian denominations have colleges to train their ministerial force for service in their churches. Very few men indeed, ever really study themselves approved by God’s Word alone. No, their doctrines and beliefs are established and approved by the denomination that they will be employed by, before their ordination into the ministry. Once in, they must teach the doctrines set forth if they are to remain in good standing, and employed. Consequently, there is little incentive to put their doctrines to the test of God’s Word.
The TRUE SHEPHERD
Jesus is the TRUE SHEPHERD.(John 10) He is also the WAY, the LIFE and the TRUTH. Notice John 14:6 -"I am the WAY, and the TRUTH, and the LIFE; no one comes to the Father, but through Me." God the Father has opened the door for man to have a personal relationship with Him. But there is only one WAY to achieve this, and that is through Jesus. There is only one WAY to LIFE eternal, and that is through Jesus. And there is only one WAY to abide with the TRUE SHEPHERD, and that is to not stray from the TRUTH. He is TRUTH!
The true doctrines of the faith teach us how to honor God and love our fellow man. Remember, it was the "perverse things" that were being taught in Ephesus that caused the brethren to lose their first love. I’m sure these teachings did not sound "perverse" to the church. But they did not match the Word of God given in the Bible. Note that Timothy was sent to rebuke these false teachers with the pure Word from Holy Scripture.
Hirelings are thieves and robbers!
When referring to "hirelings" in the FLOCK, Jesus calls them "thieves" and "robbers".(John 10:8) Now notice verse 10 -"The THIEF comes only to STEAL, and KILL, and DESTROY; I came that they may have LIFE, and might have it abundantly."
Just what do these agents of Satan want to "rob" you of? What could they rob you of that would "kill" and "destroy" you? It could not possibly be your money or material possessions. Jesus had to be referring to your eternal inheritance, your eternal life in God’s kingdom.
The FLOCK of God are His because they have the indwelling of his holy spirit, and have passed from death to life through the power of His Son, Jesus Christ. True christians possess the seed of eternal life,(holy spirit) it is theirs if they continue to hold on to the true faith. The Bible teaches that many will fall away from this faith.
(2 Thessalonians 2) "Fall away" from what? Well, the teachings of the TRUE WAY of LIFE. If you abide in Christ you have the promise of eternal LIFE. These wolves desire to rob you of your eternal inheritance! To do that they must draw you away from the SHEPHERD and His teachings. To remove you from Him, in whom is the resurrection and the LIFE. Once this is accomplished, you are easy prey for them.
Notice 2 Peter 2:1-3 -"But false prophets (wolves) also arose among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly introduce destructive heresies (false doctrines), even denying the Master who bought them, bringing swift destruction upon themselves. And many will follow their sensuality (Greek "apoleia" -means "destructive ways"), and because of them the way of the TRUTH will be maligned.(evil spoken of) And in their GREED they will exploit you with false words; their judgment from long ago is not idle, and their destruction is not asleep."
Meaning of Peter’s warning
In this general epistle to the churches of God everywhere, the Apostle Peter warns them of the infiltration of false teachers. Once in positions of leadership in the congregations, these teachers would introduce false doctrines designed to lead one to deny his Master, who is Christ. The MANY that would embrace these teachings would eventually think evil of the TRUTH. Peter said these wolves in sheep’s clothing, would be driven by GREED. He could only be referring to greed for money, or material possessions, but I believe this is unlikely.
These men among the churches are likely the "RAVENOUS WOLVES" among the "FLOCK" that Jesus spoke of that are there to "rob", "steal" and "kill". As active agents of Satan, they are motivated by his mindset, -to scatter the flock from the true Shepherd, and His protection. He knows the sheep are safe as long as they abide with the Master. The Devil owns the world, and all the things in it at this present time. He has no real greed for money. He covets the people of God. His is greedy for the flock of God, he wants what belongs to God and His Son, Jesus.
Satan is the original "bloodthirsty" beast. Notice 1 Peter 5:8 -"Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the Devil, prowls about like a ROARING LION, seeking someone to devour." His false teachers, the wolves among God’s flock are greedy for blood, more than money or material possessions. They seek to lead the christian away from the Lord, and into the ways of eternal destruction.
Paul warned the brethren in Ephesus that "SAVAGE WOLVES" would come in after his departure, and not spare the FLOCK.(Acts 20) Later he encouraged Timothy to combat the false teachings of these men there. At about the same time Paul wrote Timothy concerning the doctrinal errors in the Ephesus church,(early 60’s A.D.) Jude, the brother of Jesus, sent a general epistle to all the churches.
Jude warned of false teachers
The contents of this letter give us a vivid account of what was happening in many of the congregations of God. Tragically, only thirty years after the church of God’s glorious beginning, MANY were falling away from the faith once and for all delivered to the saints.
Notice Jude Verses -3-4 -"Beloved, while I was making every effort to write you about our common salvation, I felt it necessary to write to you appealing that you contend earnestly for the faith which was once and for all delivered to the saints. For certain persons have crept in unnoticed, those who were long beforehand marked out for this condemnation, ungodly persons who turn the grace of our God into licentiousness and deny our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ."
Jude had become aware of a great need for true christians to fight for the faith already delivered. There were false teachers (wolves) perverting the original doctrines. How did "certain men creep into the flock unnoticed"? Because they came in "sheep’s clothing".
Test those who come in Christ’s Name
It is necessary to test those coming in the Name of Christ, and it is your responsibility to weigh their teaching against the mighty sword of God, the Holy Bible. Apparently, the church at Ephesus did finally put those "savage wolves" to the test, and judged them as false teachers. But by this time, so much damage had been done, the church had been "robbed" of its first love of the truth.
Many years later, in about 96 A.D., Jesus sent a letter to the church through the Apostle John. In it, the Lord calls for them to recapture that first love, but also commends them for TESTING the teachings of those who had come to them in His Holy Name. Notice Revelation 2:2 -"I know your deeds and your toil and perseverance, and that you cannot endure evil men, and you PUT TO THE TEST those who call themselves apostles, and they are not, and you found them TO BE FALSE." Brethren, let us be alert and as diligent. Next week we will examine the ultimate "wolf", the end-time beast!
