There is a very strong, seductive movement today that presents itself as being 'deeper truth.' Being all-inclusive... it has gained footholds throughout Christendom. Once it has you, it is nigh onto impossible to get free. Its followers are thoroughly convinced that they have indeed found the key that unlocks the mysteries of God. And they are very zealous to bring others into their mindset. Mind you, what they are promoting is your acceptance of their way of interpreting the scriptures... "not that you should be born-again of the Spirit and receive salvation through Jesus Christ. This doctrine changes Jesus' Gospel to embrace that if you refuse HIM in this life, He has to come to hell in the ages to come and get you out."
In this hour, we are seeing an alarming number of people succumbing to this insidious message. People who have been lights in the darkness... people who have been anointed leaders and led many to know God, are now turning from the narrow path and taking their followers with them. Most recently, Chip Brogden of Watchman.net has released his new book, "The Irresistable Kingdom," which is beautifully packaged 'Universalism.' The persuasiveness of this teaching is very attractive to the flesh... and yes it is indeed 'irresistible' to many believers.
This doctrine goes under a number of different names; Universalism, Ultimate Reconiciliation, the Docrine of Inclusion... are a few I have encountered. This doctrine is not new to this generation, it has been around for a very long time. To quote some of Universalism's key points, taken from -
Christian Universalism Articles:
"Christian Universalism, in its simple and proper theological sense, is the doctrine of universal reconciliation, universal salvation; or in other words, of the final holiness and happiness of all mankind, to be effected by the grace of God, through the ministry of his Son, Jesus Christ."
"God will seek us - how long? Until he finds us. And when he's found the last little shriveling rebellious soul and has depopulated hell, then death will be swallowed up in victory, and Christ will turn over all things to the Father that he may be all and in all. Then every tongue shall confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father."
"It is often remarked by those who oppose the doctrine of universal salvation, that if God is the Savior of all men, then there is no difference between the saint and the sinner, the believer and unbeliever. Those who make this remark, seem to forget, that while God is declared to be the Savior of all men, he is also said to be ESPECIALLY the Savior of the believer. Though it is true, that God is the Savior of all, yet a little more attention would teach you, that all along, in Scripture, there is a salvation held forth as the SPECIAL PROPERTY of the believer, in which the unbeliever can have no part or lot. Though all shall be saved with an everlasting salvation, yet the believer ALONE can enjoy this special salvation."
There is extensive use of scripture in support of this teaching... and to the natural, reasoning mind it does make a lot of sense. It also holds great appeal to carnal understanding... with its focus being directed to two things... God's immense LOVE... and mankind's HAPPINESS.
When you compound the great appeal to our flesh this doctrine holds... with the backing of a wide range of spiritual leaders lending their support, even their conversion to this long-established point of view, then you have the breeding ground for great confusion among believers.
I would urge you all to take careful assessment of what you believe and why you believe it. Who have you been taught by? Have you learned it from sitting under the persuasive teaching of men, or have you come to your beliefs by the revelation of the Spirit of God?
I know that many of today's universalist's are absolutely convinced that they received this 'revelation' from the spirit... I have to ask them, "Just what spirit was that?"
Where in scripture do you find that the thing of paramount importance to God... is man's 'happiness?' Jesus said "...In this world you will have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world." And where in this teaching is equal emphasis placed upon the other attributes of God?
Matthew 22:32-33 I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob God is not the God of the dead, but of the living. And when the multitude heard this, they were astonished at his doctrine.
Does it not promote a false kind of eliteism? Everyone is going to be saved, sometime in the eons to come, but those who follow after now will get to rule over these lesser ones? Does anyone else sense 'something rotten in Denmark?' How does this thinking differ from the beliefs of reincarnation and the many other religions that reject the fact that after death there is no changing what we did in this life?
Jesus said in Mark 12:27 He is not the God of the dead, but the God of the living: ye therefore do greatly err.
Hebrews 9:27 And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:
Genesis 3:1 Now the serpent was more subtle than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made. And he said unto the woman, Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden?
Sssssssss! Subtle indeed! Let's question what God said, shall we, and see where it gets us?
Do you see how the emphasis is taken away from submitting to Christ... NOW... and diverted to imagining that you have received revelation that makes surrender in this lifetime unnecessary? Unless of course you have a strong desire to rule in the worlds to come?
Jesus said in Matthew 16:24 Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. Make no mistake, to take up our cross is to die to our flesh. The cross is an instrument of death - and our flesh must die if we would live by the power of the Spirit of God. He also said in John 16:33 These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world. And in John 15:18 If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you.
Jesus paid the price for man's redemption back to God, that we might be conformed to His Image, to become the children of our Father, not so that we could change God into something more appealing to our desires. How can we be seduced by a teaching that ranks man's 'Happiness' on a par with God's plan for the ages? Make no mistake, this is a seducing doctrine that will separate you from God, not bring you into fellowship with God.
The Apostle Peter warned us of this in 2 Peter 2:1-15 But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction. And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of. And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not. For if God spared not the angels that sinned, but cast them down to hell, and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved unto judgment; And spared not the old world, but saved Noah the eighth person, a preacher of righteousness, bringing in the flood upon the world of the ungodly; And turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah into ashes condemned them with an overthrow, making them an example unto those that after should live ungodly; And delivered just Lot, vexed with the filthy conversation of the wicked: (For that righteous man dwelling among them, in seeing and hearing, vexed his righteous soul from day to day with their unlawful deeds); The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished: But chiefly them that walk after the flesh in the lust of uncleanness, and despise government. Presumptuous are they, self-willed, they are not afraid to speak evil of dignities. Whereas angels, which are greater in power and might, bring not railing accusation against them before the Lord. But these, as natural brute beasts, made to be taken and destroyed, speak evil of the things that they understand not; and shall utterly perish in their own corruption; And shall receive the reward of unrighteousness, as they that count it pleasure to riot in the day time. Spots they are and blemishes, sporting themselves with their own deceivings while they feast with you; Having eyes full of adultery, and that cannot cease from sin; beguiling unstable souls: a heart they have exercised with covetous practices; cursed children: Which have forsaken the right way, and are gone astray, following the way of Balaam the son of Bosor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness;
He also said in Acts 10:34 Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons: Neither can we be.
We have entered an hour when it is imperative that we know and recognize our inner witness... that we develop the ability to exercise spiritual discernment. We cannot allow ourselves to be persuaded by others into compromising the Gospel of Christ... especially when they are using the Word of God against or contrary to the Purpose of God.
Paul exhorted the Church in Ephesus: Ephesians 3:10-12 To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God, According to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord: In whom we have boldness and access with confidence by the faith of him.
If it appeals to our flesh, the Spirit of God is not the author of it. God does not require our help in order to make Himself more Just, or Holy, or Righteous, or Loving. God does however, require that we come into agreement and compliance with Him. We cannot be swayed by those we hold in high esteem, or think are more spiritually mature, or more educated, or by what a wonderful person we think they are. Remember that the enemy of our souls has had centuries to fine tune the deceptions being unleashed today. And we will be held accountable for the choices we make in this life. There is no comparison between the 'Peace of God,' and what the flesh perceives as 'happiness.'
I know many who have been seduced by this doctrine, but I know of no one who has come out once they have been caught up in it. Do you?
It is getting to the point where we are hard pressed not to be confronted with this teaching, as it is catching on and spreading like wildfire. If you haven't encountered it yet, you will. It's not going to go away. Years ago a godly woman who ministered for the Lord her entire lifetime told us, she estimated that 90% of those who had come out of the Churches during the move of God in the early 1970's had gone off into this doctrine. We need to seek the Spirit of Truth, if we would know the truth and be set free people. It is too deceptive to sort out with just our reasoning mind. Surely we are in the hour when we must guard our hearts with all diligence.
As Peter admonishes us in 1 Peter 5:8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour.
