…Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.(2 Thessalonians 2:6-10)
Evil thrives on lies. The fall of man came about by the acceptance of a lie. Satan himself is the father of lies. Lying and evil are indivisible.
We are currently living in a time of the mass acceptance of evil. Daily the case is being successfully made for things such as homosexual marriage, abortion, pedophilia, the justification of Islamic terror. People are unwittingly being conditioned to accept the previously unacceptable through the various forms of mass media.
It is surreal to see otherwise reasonable people advocate what only a short while ago would have been unthinkable to them. How have we gotten to this point? Evil has been successfully marketed to mainstream America.
I remember the day after the 9-11 attacks, going to the post office to buy stamps and being handed a packet of Islamic”Eid” stamps recently released by the post office. I politely asked for anything but Islamic stamps, only to receive this retort from the normally friendly postman, ”Christianity has done just as much terror as any other religion, we don’t have any room to complain!”.
We regularly receive the same hostility from otherwise normal people, whenever the subject of homosexual marriage comes up, as it has frequently lately. People who wouldn’t have dreamed of advocating any position endorsing so-called “gay rights” are now angry if such rights are ever so much as called into question. What’s going on here?
I believe what we are seeing here is the onset of something called “the strong delusion” warned about in the scripture above and other places in scripture. It follows upon and is a consequence of another phenomenon called “the apostasy”, that is the falling away.
Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him, That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand. Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;( 2 Thess 2:1-3)
It is not only christians who will fall away in many cases, but the Judeo Christian world is undergoing a departure from its christian worldview, and is in a vigorous process of repudiating the religious bedrock of its own culture, as well as the institutions that sprang out of it. This is predicted in the second Psalm;
Why do the heathen rage, and the people imagine a vain thing?2The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the LORD, and against his anointed, saying, Let us break their bands asunder, and cast away their cords from us.(Psalm 2:1-3)
The prophesied “great apostasy” includes the departure of much of the Christian church from the faith once and for all delivered. But it goes far beyond it. The “Kings of the earth and their rulers” , that is the leaders, educators, clergy and opinion and culture shapers share a consensus that the influence of christianity is bondage that must be cast off!
For example, by means of a constant stream of media propaganda and sophisticated marketing, homosexuality has been sold as a viable option to mainstream America. People are embracing the lie that has been sold to them. Without thought they are parroting the propaganda. This is true even of many confessing Christians!
A particularly effective aspect of the marketing is the dishonest but deliberate confusion of the (valid) Civil Rights movement of the 1960′s, with ”homosexual rights”.
This has been effective because as authors like Shelby Steele point out , a constant drumbeat of “white guilt” heaped upon Americans by the media and academia for the legacy of slavery and racism, has made us vulnerable to any accusations of that nature, whether true or false. The last thing anyone wants to be called in America is a racist.
By the time homosexual activists deliberately hijacked the civil rights movement, claiming to be the new victims of discrimination, too many of us had already been put on the defensive to raise an objection. Propagandistic programs in schools such as “Days of silence” , in which solidarity is created between gay and straight students by means of keeping silence, have been largely effective.
Seizing upon dubious martyrs , such as Matthew Shepherd, who was killed in a drug deal gone bad, has also played into our American sense of sympathy for the victims. This is the logic behind “Anti-bullying” campaigns in our schools.
When Homosexual activists in the Media realized that most Americans didn’t actually know a homosexual, they wrote them into the scripts of sitcoms and talk shows, to “humanize” the perversion and break down resistance to it. Now through trash such as “Friends”, “Will and Grace” and “Ellen”, everyone knows a homosexual, and they like them!
Perhaps one of the greatest factors that has brainwashed our population is “Political correctness” which is a powerful factor in both the suppression of truth and in the promotion of the big lies. Succumbing to political correctness actually causes on to hold to a cognitive dissonance, we cannot speak the truth we know.
Everybody knows the emperor isn’t wearing any clothes, but they can’t say it, they must praise the style of his “clothes” to stay on good terms with the emperor.
Everybody knows that Islam is evil, violent and anti american to the core, but few can say it. Everybody knows homosexuality is twisted, and unclean but few dare say it. Honesty has been strangled to death in the political warfare of our times.
Instead we are strongly pressured to corrupt ourselves, and to literally sell our own souls in the service of the lie. We are in danger of becoming reprobate, no longer able to distinguish good from evil! Worse than that we are in danger of actually being biased against good and in favor of evil.
Theodore Dalrymple is insightful here on how this pressure has succeeded in getting us to accept evil…
When people are forced to remain silent when they are being told the most obvious lies, or even worse when they are forced to repeat the lies themselves, they lose once and for all their sense of probity. To assent to obvious lies is to co-operate with evil, and in some small way to become evil oneself. One’s standing to resist anything is thus eroded, and even destroyed. A society of emasculated liars is easy to control. ~Theodore Dalrymple
This is as good an insight as any I have heard yet, as to how many are losing their soul, accommodating and even championing evil. They have been conditioned by PC to first be silent in the presence of obvious lies, eventually to ”assent to the lies”, and in many cases have been forced to repeat them over and over again.
Homosexuality is just one of the previously unthinkable “big Lies” which we have received. There are many related abominations commonly accepted, which fly in the face of all reason, logic and experience .
People are being set up for the ultimate soul-destroying lie Paul warned about in the above quote. The lie is the old lie, that man can be “as gods”, defining for ourselves truth, morality,virtue and meaning with no reference to the God of the Bible.
The rot of our society is almost complete, the only hope for anyone is to take seriously the once well-known promise of Jesus
“If you continue in my words you will be my disciples indeed, and you will know the truth and the truth shall set you free!”(John 8:32).
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Thank you, Pastor Bill! Thank you, thank you, thank you for voicing what I feel. I could not have said it near as well as you did. The situation has become so dire that I can’t even imagine it getting any worse, but somehow I know that it will. I find myself dwelling on thoughts of eternity with Christ more and more, and the joy in my heart when I think of Jesus is indescribably wonderful in spite of what is happening here in the world. At the same time, I grieve for the lost and try to get the word out every chance I get. You also quote my favorite verse, John 8:32. That verse has helped me through many times. Thanks again, and God bless you.
thanks Sue- remember Malachi 3:16-18
i have that very verse printed and taped on the front cover of my Bible! Those words of Life are strengthening me for these times! Thank you, Lord!
Reblogged this on A Wonderful Savior.
Plan Eternal Acts 15:14 – 17; 2:38 Only Hope To Save A Few From The Wreckage Of Civilization
Hi Bill, your blog was, as usual, inspiring. Yes, we are being conditioned to accept beliefs and practices that years ago would have been abhorrent to us. I have had polio, and my husband and I attend a Polio Support Group. We met a homosexual couple there (2 men) and they always seem to end up sitting with us and thus, chatting with us. Every time we see them, when we get home, I write down what we told them about God. They are fully aware that we are Christians, and we are able to witness to them, which is good. However, I wonder if we should try and “keep ourselves separate from them.” They have been together for 25 years, or more, and we really don’t understand this at all! We are praying for their salvation, but it does seem impossible. I have never known anyone personally before – I know their situation is a total abomination to the Lord, and thus to us too – but I do, personally, find it hard to understand.
Since God is Love (He does not have love nor exhibit love, He is the very essence of Love), it behooves us to really Love, and not condemn, another because of their obvious (to us at least) sin. I would not want my sin to be openly revealed, but theirs is. Our greatest chance of impacting for Christ is, in my mind, to love WITHOUT CONDEMNATION the sinner. My spiritual mom showed me how to do this when she showed by example what it means to be a good listener.
Dianna,
I think I can help you on this one as I’ve been wrestling with exactly the same issue in the UK.Last August my wife and I received a very definite call to watch a Gay Pride march in a certain Northern English city. How that came about is a story in itself but it did represent an application of Ezekiel 8. During that time I received what maybe termed an anointing of peace similar to the one when I was called upon to tackle the Toronto Experience and other errors. One fruit of this visit was an ability to conduct a three month debate with a pro-same sex marriage American who was high up in education in one of the North East states. This was on a certain US based Internet Anglican forum. He was highly intellectual and gave me a good run for my money. At times I annoyed the hell out of him but unlike the others he debated with he couldn’t deny what I knew my facts. Now what was right for me could well be wrong with you, so I’ll share with you another lesson I absorbed following the ‘pride’ event. It’s this, ONLY TACKLE WHAT MAYBE TERMED THE ‘H’ ISSUE IF YOU HAVE A VERY DEFINITE CALL TO DO – OTHERWISE LEAVE WELL ALONE.As Bill pointed out to me in a private conversation there are some very subtle and defiling influences surrounding this whole issue. Represented is a very powerful deception. However, if you do have a genuine call then you’ll be given an incredible amount of peace, patience and power. You’ll also learn things which you wouldn’t do otherwise. However, if you don’t have a call you’ll be chewed to bits. To tackle this issue without a divine calling is the equivalent of diving naked into pool full of hungry sharks.
So where does this leave you and your husband with those two men. you mentioned. If they continue to be genuinely receptive to the witness you offer who are you to close a door which God has opened, (Revelation 3:8)? If on the other hand they close up of their own accord then you are free to shake the dust of your feet and move on, (Luke 10:10-12). As an incidental point I’m not sure how practical a policy of separation is in this age of mass communication.Paul himself has some extremely wise words to offer on this subject in 1 Corinthians 5:9f. I would advise you to read them carefully. Briefly, while we are obliged to drive out the evildoer who operates in a church situation we cannot avoid their presence in the world. In this month alone I was walking up a street near a major university and saw two lesbians french kissing. That’s how blatant things have now become in the UK. A few days earlier I was leaving an academic library and found in the large hallway outside a wine and cheese event celebration the launch of Gay pride Month. Some very influential senior academics were there. This issue is going to keeping to us one way or another so except for brief periods of respite I don’t think that running for the hills is a solution. Recently, I’ve been seeking for divine wisdom on this matter . I’ve also prayed that God will provide opportunities to witness amidst the growing darkness pervading our culture. In relation to those two men you mentioned all I can do is advise to apply James 1:5 and seek for divine wisdom as to what you should do. The Holy Spirit can give you a far better answer then either Pastor Bill Randles or myself. Nonetheless, I hope that you’ve found this post to be of some help. You’re not alone in your perplexity. Since the new year I’ve been busy working my way through this issue.
Thank you Richard. That is very helpful.
As usual, excellent. I just in the past 10 minutes submitted an application to attend a special training program of the Alliance Defending Freedom to become involved in legislatively in Iowa seeking to stand for His view and interests, particularly as the secular culture attacks Christian business owners in the name of “fairness” and “civil rights.” Your blog is quite timely and encouraging.
Hi pastor Bill,
It seems that the lie of homosexuality has been accepted by the world and the Church (especially nalt). Here in Britain a number of street preachers were arrested when the public complained that the preachers were preaching against homosexuality. One of them was an American preacher called Tony Miano who was arrested twice, once in Wimbledon and again in Dundee, Scotland. He was preaching sin in general and sexual sin both hetersexual and homosexual, but as soon as he mentioned the word ‘homosexual’, someone was offended and call the police. Another pastor was preaching in front of a courtroom when he was arrested when he followed the police officer into the police station he was jumped by six police officers who wrestled him to the ground for no reason at all. He was seventy three years of age. Percuestion is coming and is already here in the so called civilised west. Let’s heed Paul’s warning in 2 Timothy 3:12:
‘Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.’
May the LORD continue to bless you and your family.
Phil
I am encouraged by the post as well as all the responses. My husband and I feel so frustrated by the decline into sin as well as the massive political corruption. I grieve the life we had. As the days go by i understand Peter when he expressed he was a stranger in a strange land.
The conflict on how to witness to the community of gays is perplexing. I know that many of them are very very unhappy. I know Christ died for them too. I’m glad I’m not the only one who is wrestling with these issues.
Thanks Pastor Bill for this article. Here in Australia we face similar issues, for example gay scenes being written into popular TV shows like Rake. And the abominable Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras, an annual event supported by our politicians and even some church folk, will be held in Sydney tonight. In fact it is promoted as the “overall best loved Sydney event.” Please pray against it! By the way I don’t intend to join the protestors, I think that sort of thing is counter-productive.
Reblogged this on My Word Like Fire and commented:
Pastor Randles writes, “We regularly receive the same hostility from otherwise normal people, whenever the subject of homosexual marriage comes up, as it has frequently lately. People who wouldn’t have dreamed of advocating any position endorsing so-called “gay rights” are now angry if such rights are ever so much as called into question. What’s going on here?
I believe what we are seeing here is the onset of something called “the strong delusion” warned about in the scripture above and other places in scripture. It follows upon and is a consequence of another phenomenon called “the apostasy”, that is the falling away.
This is exactly what happened to me when I was in “court ordered” group therapy. According to “modern psychobabble” er.. I mean psychoheresy.. no, psychotherapy, once a person is an alcoholic, a drug addict, an abuser of whatever, one is such forever and while “Christianity” is “nice,” is “good” to have, it is only with the help of years of ongoing therapy that one can learn to control, one never can be delivered, one’s baser desires. So, when God says “if anyone is in Christ, they are a new creations,” well,… not really say the therapists and if you’re in their group, you had better agree, or else. When God’s word says “everything necessary for life and godliness is provided through the knowledge of Him who called us,” well, .. not really say the therapists, you need our treatment du jour as well. And heaven help you if you say, “well, there are some things you teach that can be helpful, but nothing that is necessary.” You can bet your bottom dollar you won’t be in group for long after that. And if it’s court ordered, you will find yourself in jail for violating a court order by NOT being in group. The Court doesn’t care why you’re not in. And when friends (so-called) and family urge you, “Just tell them what they want to hear. That way they’ll be happy, will stay off your back and you’ll stay out of jail.” But the problem with that is just what is described in the article,
‘When people are forced to remain silent when they are being told the most obvious lies, or even worse when they are forced to repeat the lies themselves, they lose once and for all their sense of probity. To assent to obvious lies is to co-operate with evil, and in some small way to become evil oneself. One’s standing to resist anything is thus eroded, and even destroyed. A society of emasculated liars is easy to control. ~Theodore Dalrymple”
I finally had to say, “Send me to jail if you feel you must, but I can no longer live this lie. I AM a new creation in Christ and am not what I once was and I refuse to continue saying that I am and that I “need” your therapy when I do not. God tells me everything I “need” to “know” is in His Word, in the Knowledge of His Son. Anything else is just that, possibly of use, but not of necessity. After all, I can find edible food in a dumpster, but why would I go there to find food, when I have a feast provided for me in the house of my God? Same difference. I got 10yrs, praise God.
Also, reblogging this on SovereignGraceBroadcaster.
Reblogged this on A Sinner's Walk with God and commented:
This is exactly what happened to me when I was in “court ordered” group therapy. According to “modern psychobabble” er.. I mean psychoheresy.. no, psychotherapy, once a person is an alcoholic, a drug addict, an abuser of whatever, one is such forever and while “Christianity” is “nice,” is “good” to have, it is only with the help of years of ongoing therapy that one can learn to control, one never can be delivered, one’s baser desires. So, when God says “if anyone is in Christ, they are a new creations,” well,… not really say the therapists and if you’re in their group, you had better agree, or else. When God’s word says “everything necessary for life and godliness is provided through the knowledge of Him who called us,” well, .. not really say the therapists, you need our treatment du jour as well. And heaven help you if you say, “well, there are some things you teach that can be helpful, but nothing that is necessary.” You can bet your bottom dollar you won’t be in group for long after that. And if it’s court ordered, you will find yourself in jail for violating a court order by NOT being in group. The Court doesn’t care why you’re not in. And when friends (so-called) and family urge you, “Just tell them what they want to hear. That way they’ll be happy, will stay off your back and you’ll stay out of jail.” But the problem with that is just what is described in the article,
‘When people are forced to remain silent when they are being told the most obvious lies, or even worse when they are forced to repeat the lies themselves, they lose once and for all their sense of probity. To assent to obvious lies is to co-operate with evil, and in some small way to become evil oneself. One’s standing to resist anything is thus eroded, and even destroyed. A society of emasculated liars is easy to control. ~Theodore Dalrymple”
I finally had to say, “Send me to jail if you feel you must, but I can no longer live this lie. I AM a new creation in Christ and am not what I once was and I refuse to continue saying that I am and that I “need” your therapy when I do not. God tells me everything I “need” to “know” is in His Word, in the Knowledge of His Son. Anything else is just that, possibly of use, but not of necessity. After all, I can find edible food in a dumpster, but why would I go there to find food, when I have a feast provided for me in the house of my God? Same difference. I got 10yrs, praise God.
Praise God for your willingness to stand for the truth! That is a rare thing these days. The Holy Spirit will strengthen you and cause you to be a witness to those around you. Be mightily used of the Lord! Be filled with His Spirit and be encouraged.
Pastor,
My wife and I have both repented of this sin and watch in astonishment as the world takes on this delusion.
Amen! Thank you for a well thought out and reasoned warning. May God in His mercy keep His children from this abominable delusion. God bless you:)
http://holdingforthhisword.wordpress.com/2014/02/14/the-grid/