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A reader sent me a link to the following by Dean Dwyer:

Why The Efforts To Advance The Human Condition Are Not Leading To Heaven On Earth

March 25, 2023
One of the most alarming aspects of modern Christianity is the refusal by Pastors and Christians to read the Book of Revelation. Many excuses have been given, but none which hold any weight. Yet, Revelation 1:3 says this:

Revelation‬ ‭1:3‬ ‭KJV‬‬ – “Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand.”

https://harbingersdaily.com/why-the-efforts-to-advance-the-human-condition-are-not-leading-to-heaven-on-earth/

Before going further, let me state that the Eastern Orthodox normally avoid the Book of Revelation, Roman Catholics tend to consider many future parts as past and hence irrelevant (as do many Protestants), and some evangelical leaders like Andy Stanley have publicly distanced themselves from teaching prophecy.

Related to Andy Stanley, years ago, we put out the following video:

16:58

Did mega-Protestant Pastor Andy Stanley really say you should not use Old Testament prophecies to support Jesus’ Messiahship? Did he also claim that there was no Bible until the fourth century? Did he also teach against the Ten Commandments? Did Jesus, Peter, Paul, Apollos, and Philip use Old Testament prophecies to prove that Jesus was the Messiah? Did it really take until the fourth century to have a Bible? Did early Christians teach the observance of the Ten Commandments? Dr. Thiel, who listened to Andy Stanley in a podcast, plus who has studied the Bible and church history, answers these questions from a Christian perspective.

Here is a link to our video: Andy Stanley opposes prophesies of Jesus?

The New Testament warns:

13 But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived (2 Timothy 3:13, KJV).

Andy Stanley is both deceived and a deceiver as are other leaders of the world’s versions of Christianity.

After Paul stated, “the truth of Christ is in me (2 Corinthians 11:10), he warned that there are:

… false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into apostles of Christ. And no wonder! For Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also transform themselves into ministers of righteousness, whose end will be according to their works” (11:13-15).

Thus, Paul is saying that certain professing ministers look like they are doing the right thing, but are really deceptive. Thus one reason to be separate is not to be deceived by Satan’s ministers, because they can look like they are righteous when they are not.

Paul also warned that false teachers, “by smooth words and flattering speech deceive the hearts of the simple” (Romans 16:18).

The biggest scam in the professing Christian world is how its theologians and other leaders do not truly understand and teach the Bible. Most modern Protestants, Eastern Orthodox, and Roman Catholics do not realize that their faiths were not the original one.

The New Testament states Christians are:

3 … to contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints. (Jude 3)

Last night, I read a paper sent out by Academia.edu that had the following statement:

It is important to remember that early “New Testament” Christianity was Jewish Christianity. (Varner W. Baur to Bauer and Beyond: Early Jewish Christianity and Modern Scholarship)

The “faith which was once for all delivered to the saints” did not at all resemble modern Protestantism. For documented proof ad scriptural details, check out the following:

Hope of Salvation: How the Continuing Church of God Differs from Protestantism The CCOG is NOT Protestant. This free online book explains how the real Church of God differs from mainstream/traditional Protestants. Several sermons related to the free book are also available: Protestant, Baptist, and CCOG History; The First Protestant, God’s Command, Grace, & Character; The New Testament, Martin Luther, and the Canon; Eucharist, Passover, and Easter; Views of Jews, Lost Tribes, Warfare, & Baptism; Scripture vs. Tradition, Sabbath vs. Sunday; Church Services, Sunday, Heaven, and God’s Plan; Seventh Day Baptists/Adventists/Messianics: Protestant or COG?; Millennial Kingdom of God and God’s Plan of Salvation; Crosses, Trees, Tithes, and Unclean Meats; The Godhead and the Trinity; Fleeing or Rapture?; and Ecumenism, Rome, and CCOG Differences.

The “faith which was once for all delivered to the saints” did not at all resemble the rituals and many of the beliefs of the Eastern Orthodox or Roman Catholics. For documented proof ad scriptural details, check out the following:

Beliefs of the Original Catholic Church: Could a remnant group have continuing apostolic succession? Did the original “catholic church” have doctrines held by the Continuing Church of God? Did Church of God leaders uses the term “catholic church” to ever describe the church they were part of? Here are links to related sermons: Original Catholic Church of God?, Original Catholic Doctrine: Creed, Liturgy, Baptism, Passover, What Type of Catholic was Polycarp of Smyrna?, Tradition, Holy Days, Salvation, Dress, & Celibacy, Early Heresies and Heretics, Doctrines: 3 Days, Abortion, Ecumenism, Meats, Tithes, Crosses, Destiny, and more, Saturday or Sunday?, The Godhead, Apostolic Laying on of Hands Succession, Church in the Wilderness Apostolic Succession List, Holy Mother Church and Heresies, and Lying Wonders and Original Beliefs. Here is a link to that book in the Spanish language: Creencias de la iglesia Católica original.

If political and theological leaders would better understand and teach the Bible, including understanding the Book of Revelation, we would see major changes in many areas. However, this is not expected to occur until after the return of Jesus Christ and the establishment of His millennial kingdom.

Now, let’s go back to the article by Dean Dwyer:

One of the many blessings that we receive from reading and believing this Book is the description the eternal future of the believer, found in Revelation 21:4:

Revelation‬ ‭21:4‬ ‭KJV‬‬ – “And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.” …

In our modern day, many marvel at the advancement in science and place their trust in it  …

In our modern age, many people are focused on a company known as Neuralink. Utilising a brain-computer interface, it aims to allow people to control a computer or smartphone remotely with only their mind. But the goals of Neuralink and others are much grander. For instance, consider a company by the name of Synchron. According to their website, “Our vision is to restore lives by deciphering the neural code of the brain”. There is also another company known as Blackrock Neurotech. Their stated goals go even further and they claim, “We are engineering the future of neurotech, with a simple mission: we want people with neurological disorders to walk, talk, see, hear and feel again.” Now you might be tempted to believe this technology is recent, but the first such instance of an implantable brain-computer interface was completed in 2004. The recipient was Matt Nagle, a C3 tetraplegic who was paralysed from the neck down after being stabbed.

Scientists that do not “seek first the kingdom” (Matthew 6:33) are going in the wrong direction.

Before going further, let me add that ChatGPT and similar technologies have started to capture the imaginations of many now. Related to ChatGPT, we put out the following video:

Now, let’s go back to the article by Dean Dwyer:

Not surprisingly, the secretive US-government agency DARPA (Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency) is also involved. Of key interest is their “RAM” program (Restoring Active Memory). According to their website: “The RAM program aims to develop and test a wireless, fully implantable and neural-interface medical device for human clinical use. The device would facilitate the formation of new memories and retrieval of existing ones in individuals who have lost these capacities as a result of traumatic brain injury or neurological disease.” Although many would have in mind the restoration of memory for those who suffer traumatic brain injury, what if unscrupulous people use readily available brain-computer interface systems to read and rewrite our minds? …

Peter Thiel (billionaire entrepreneur) wrote this: “Science and technology are natural allies to this Judeo-Western optimism, especially if we remain open to an eschatological frame in which God works through us in building the kingdom of heaven today, here on Earth – in which the kingdom of heaven is both a future reality and something partially achievable in the present.” Essentially, what Thiel is expounding is a view that we must be elevated to godlike status in order to be co-creators in improving the world and bringing heaven to earth through scientific endeavour.

The problem for mankind is that while Thiel and others like him are claiming it is absolutely necessary to enhance all human beings for our own good, they are essentially convincing each of us to be hardwired for control.

We are seeing more and more controlling technologies. And also seeing a convergence of the worldly religions and technology.

The Vatican Pope Francis, Orthodox Patriarch Bartholomew, the World Council of Churches, and many leaders of the professing Christian world are working on ways to unite. This is also backed by entities like the United Nations, Freemasons, and World Economic Forum. The WEF has actually called for technology to be involved to do this (e.g. see WEF wants to ‘master the future’–CBDCs are part of the way).

Why?

Because of the following:

28 And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting; 29 being filled with all unrighteousness, sexual immorality, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil-mindedness; they are whisperers, 30 backbiters, haters of God, violent, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, 31 undiscerning, untrustworthy, unloving, unforgiving, unmerciful; 32 who, knowing the righteous judgment of God, that those who practice such things are deserving of death, not only do the same but also approve of those who practice them.  (Romans 1:28-32)

Despite sounding religious, the world’s leaders, including its theological ones, do not want to retain the true God in their knowledge. Notice that death will happen because of that.

As far as the Book of Revelation goes, it warns of an anti-biblical power in Europe that will arise and make deals with leaders all over the earth:

1 … “Come, I will show you the judgment of the great harlot who sits on many waters, 2 with whom the kings of the earth committed fornication, and the inhabitants of the earth were made drunk with the wine of her fornication.”

3 So he carried me away in the Spirit into the wilderness. And I saw a woman sitting on a scarlet beast which was full of names of blasphemy, having seven heads and ten horns. 4 The woman was arrayed in purple and scarlet, and adorned with gold and precious stones and pearls, having in her hand a golden cup full of abominations and the filthiness of her fornication. 5 And on her forehead a name was written:

MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND OF THE ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH.  (Revelation 17:1-5)

The Bible warns that the Beast leader will arise promising peace:

25 And through his policy also he shall cause craft to prosper in his hand; and he shall magnify himself in his heart, and by peace shall destroy many: he shall also stand up against the Prince of princes; but he shall be broken without hand. (Daniel 8:25, KJV).

23 And after the league is made with him he shall act deceitfully, for he shall come up and become strong with a small number of people. 24 He shall enter peaceably, even into the richest places of the province; and he shall do what his fathers have not done, nor his forefathers: he shall disperse among them the plunder, spoil, and riches; and he shall devise his plans against the strongholds, but only for a time. (Daniel 11:23-24, NKJV)

Those promises will deceive many as the Book of Revelation points out:

3 And I saw one of his heads as if it had been mortally wounded, and his deadly wound was healed. And all the world marveled and followed the beast. 4 So they worshiped the dragon who gave authority to the beast; and they worshiped the beast, saying, “Who is like the beast? Who is able to make war with him?”

5 And he was given a mouth speaking great things and blasphemies, and he was given authority to continue for forty-two months. 6 Then he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme His name, His tabernacle, and those who dwell in heaven. 7 It was granted to him to make war with the saints and to overcome them. And authority was given him over every tribe, tongue, and nation. 8 All who dwell on the earth will worship him, whose names have not been written in the Book of Life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world. (Revelation 13:3-8)

Now, let’s go back to the article by Dean Dwyer:

Current efforts to advance the human condition are clearly not leading to heaven on earth. They are leading to the system we know as “the Beast System” which will be led by the Antichrist.

The final Antichrist will arise and perform “great signs” that will deceive–though the Beast of the Sea, and not he, will lead the Beast system.

And, notice that signs and wonders that will deceive those without love of the truth, and what would include modern technologies (as that is needed for 666 control of buying and selling, and perhaps for the image of the beast to speak) will be involved:

9 The coming of the lawless one is according to the working of Satan, with all power, signs, and lying wonders, 10 and with all unrighteous deception among those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved. 11 And for this reason God will send them strong delusion, that they should believe the lie, 12 that they all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness. (2 Thessalonians 2:9-12)

11 Then I saw another beast coming up out of the earth, and he had two horns like a lamb and spoke like a dragon. 12 And he exercises all the authority of the first beast in his presence, and causes the earth and those who dwell in it to worship the first beast, whose deadly wound was healed. 13 He performs great signs, so that he even makes fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men. 14 And he deceives those who dwell on the earth by those signs which he was granted to do in the sight of the beast, telling those who dwell on the earth to make an image to the beast who was wounded by the sword and lived. 15 He was granted power to give breath to the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak and cause as many as would not worship the image of the beast to be killed. 16 He causes all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and slave, to receive a mark on their right hand or on their foreheads, 17 and that no one may buy or sell except one who has the mark or the name of the beast, or the number of his name.

18 Here is wisdom. Let him who has understanding calculate the number of the beast, for it is the number of a man: His number is 666. (Revelation 13:11-18)

Yes, expect to see more deceit and technology–but also signs that people will be deceived are from God.

Why will that succeed?

Because most people do not really retain the true God in their knowledge and do not have sufficient love of the truth according to scriptures already quoted in this post.

And, as far as the Book of Revelation goes, notice the following:

7 “Behold, I am coming quickly! Blessed is he who keeps the words of the prophecy of this book.” …

12 “And behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give to every one according to his work. 13 I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End, the First and the Last.”

14 Blessed are those who do His commandments, that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter through the gates into the city. 15 But outside are dogs and sorcerers and sexually immoral and murderers and idolaters, and whoever loves and practices a lie.  (Revelation 22:7, 12-15)

Most who profess Christianity have accepted lies about how it is to be practiced. And as far as the commandments go, most either do not believe they must be kept or they reason around them. The coming Beast and Antichrist will break and advocate that others break, ALL OF THE TEN COMMANDMENTS. Details are in the following:

The Ten Commandments: The Decalogue, Christianity, and the Beast This is a free pdf book explaining the what the Ten Commandments are, where they came from, how early professors of Christ viewed them, and how various ones, including the Beast of Revelation, will oppose them. A related sermon is titled: The Ten Commandments and the Beast of Revelation.

So, yes, Dean Dwyer is right that most who claim Christianity do NOT take the Book of Revelation seriously enough.

Do you?

In Revelation, Jesus also speaks about different churches and warns that the bulk of even true Christians are not taking His word and work seriously enough at this time (cf. Revelation 3:14-22).

Hopefully, you will.

Some articles of possibly related interest may include:

Why Prophecy? Why is so much of the Bible devoted to prophecy? Some question or downplay the role of prophecy. This article gives some of the biblical reasons why prophecy should be important to Christians. Here is a link to a related video: Christians, Why Prophecy?
How to Understand Prophecy This is the late Herbert W. Armstrong’s overview on understanding prophecy.
23 items to prophetically watch in 2023 Much is happening. Dr. Thiel points to 23 items to watch (cf. Mark 13:37) in this article. Here is a link to a related sermon:  23 things to prophetically watch in 2023. Here is a related sermon in the Spanish language: 23 Temas para observar proféticamente en 2023.
Do You Hold to Any of These Laodicean Prophetic Errors? Most real Christians in the last days are Laodicean and hold to prophetic errors which, unless they repent, will prevent them from being protected from the coming Great Tribulation. Here is a link to a related video: 50+ Laodicean Prophetic Errors. Here is also a message translated into Spanish: Errores profecticos ensenado en las otras Igesias de Dios.
Two Horned Beast of Revelation and 666 Who is 666? This article explains how the COG views this, and compares this to Ellen White. Here is a link to a prophetic video Six Financial Steps Leading to 666?
The Mark of Antichrist What is the mark of Antichrist? What have various ones claimed? Here is a link to a related sermon What is the ‘Mark of Antichrist’?
Mark of the Beast What is the mark of the Beast? Who is the Beast? What have various ones claimed the mark is? What is the ‘Mark of the Beast’?
5. The Sardis Church Era was predominant circa 1600 A.D. to circa 1933 A.D. Discusses some early history of the Seventh Day Baptists, Seventh-day Adventists, CG7-Salem, Jerusalem 7DCG, and COG-7th Day-Denver. Here are two historical sermons: Sardis Church Era: Beginnings, Doctrines, and Leaders and Sardis: SDBs, SDAs, & CG7s.
6. The Philadelphia Church Era was predominant circa 1933 A.D. to 1986 A.D. The old Radio Church of God and old Worldwide Church of God, now the remnant of that era is basically the most faithful in the Church of God, like who hold to the beliefs and practices of the Continuing Church of God.
7. The Laodicean Church Era has been predominant circa 1986 A.D. to present. The Laodiceans are non-Philadelphians who mainly descended from the old WCG or its offshoots.  They do not properly understand the work or biblical prophecies and will face the Great Tribulation if they do not repent. One video of related interest is 50+ Laodicean Prophetic Errors. See also Do You Hold to Any of These Laodicean Prophetic Errors?
8. Europa, the Beast, and the Book of Revelation discusses the largest church since the second/third century, which in a real sense is the eighth church mentioned in the Book of Revelation (it also endorses “eighth day” worship). What church would support the Beast? Here is a link to a video titled: Europe and the ‘Holy Roman Empire’.

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This entry was posted on Saturday, March 25th, 2023 at 8:00 am and is filed under Prophecy.

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