INTERESTING FACTS :  Richard Stockton,  JUDGE; SIGNER OF THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE

 

"As my children will have frequent occasion of perusing this instrument, and may probably be particularly impressed with the last words of their father, I think it proper here not only to subscribe to the entire belief of the great and leading doctrines of the Christian religion, such as the being of God; the universal defection and depravity of human nature; the Divinity of the person and the completeness of the redemption purchased by the blessed Savior; the necessity of the operations of the Divine Spirit; of Divine faith accompanied with an habitual virtuous life; and the universality of the Divine Providence: but also, in the bowels of a father's affection, to exhort and charge [my children] that the fear of God is the beginning of wisdom, that the way of life held up in the Christian system is calculated for the most complete happiness that can be enjoyed in this mortal state, [and] that all occasions of vice and immorality is injurious either immediately or consequentially - even in this life."

 

Daily Reading : Ezekiel 13 - 15; 16 - 17

 

TEXT : Eze 13:1  And the word of the LORD came unto me, saying, Eze 13:2  Son of man, prophesy against the prophets of Israel that prophesy, and say thou unto them that prophesy out of their own hearts, Hear ye the word of the LORD; Eze 13:3  Thus saith the Lord GOD; Woe unto the foolish prophets, that follow their own spirit, and have seen nothing! Eze 13:4  O Israel, thy prophets are like the foxes in the deserts. Eze 13:5  Ye have not gone up into the gaps, neither made up the hedge for the house of Israel to stand in the battle in the day of the LORD. Eze 13:6  They have seen vanity and lying divination, saying, The LORD saith: and the LORD hath not sent them: and they have made others to hope that they would confirm the word. Eze 13:7  Have ye not seen a vain vision, and have ye not spoken a lying divination, whereas ye say, The LORD saith it; albeit I have not spoken?

 

THEME : False Teachers

 

All you have to know about false teaching is that it is false. The doctrine is untrue. The statements and avowals made by false teachers of the Word of God are intreateble, pleasant to the ears and mind. Yet, in the end, the declaration, announcement, or proclamation is imaginary. It is a work of fiction often based on an imagination. However, it is critical to understand in the day of trouble or need, a false teaching or doctrine will not help you.

 

Since the Bible accents the subject of false teachers repeatedly, we must review the subject - with patience, as well. God, who wrote the Bible, dedicates time and great care to instruct you about false teachers, false prophets, and false brethren[1] in the Church so you will not be deceived. Remember, all you need to know about false teaching is it is false. However, God wants you to know the truth. Jesus states this in John 8:32[2].

 

The entire 13th chapter of Ezekiel is dedicated to the reproof of false teachers. Further, the LORD explains the vanity of their claims, and rebukes them through Ezekiel. What is of primary importance to you is this fact - God never spoke to them, though they claim He did. Yet, he affirms He did not. Further, He tells you where their "vision" came from - the imagination of the heart.

 

The LORD declares the false prophets had seen nothing! Think of it, multitudes of Jews followed the instructions of men who had seen nothing at all! Further, the words they spoke saying - "thus saith the LORD," had not come from God at all! What a tragedy. When Judah could have been healed and delivered through the message of true prophets such as Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Ezekiel, they chose a delusion.

 

Keep in mind a delusion is an abhorrent psychological condition. Sadly, those who had delusional visions of hope, prosperity, and victory over their enemies were delivered to the sword, famine, pestilence [which always accompanies war], fire, and slavery. What is worse, as the people followed them they plunged into the chasm of destruction - together.  This is what Jesus meant when He said -

 

Mat 15:13  But he answered and said, Every plant, which my heavenly Father hath not planted, shall be rooted up. Mat 15:14  Let them alone: they be blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch.

 

Therefore, the blind prophets led the blind people of Judah until both fell in the ditch. At that point, there was no deliverance except for the righteous, the godly. This is a lesson for you - to know the truth, you must know the LORD through His Word. The Bible is our "more sure word of prophecy."[3] It is how we know truth from error.

 

TRUTH FOR TODAY : "ALL YOU HAVE TO KNOW ABOUT FALSE TEACHING IS THAT IT IS FALSE."

 

It bears repeating - "all you have to know about false teaching is that it is false." It is simple. However, the simplicity of this principle escapes many in the Church today. Why is this so? It is due to a lack of diligence on the part of the people to search the Scriptures to see if these things are true[4], and partly because many want to hear only what their own heart desires. Be sure of this, God's Bible contains good news. It certainly does. However, the means to this end is found in "playing by the rules." In other words, God gives specific instructions concerning your thoughts and behavior, and demands you think and do what is right in His sight. Otherwise, hope in the LORD is vain and void of reality as it was with the Jews during their history. Remember, they trusted false teachers, and in the end, the result was disastrous.

 

Jesus gives a solemn warning in this respect in His famous Sermon on the Mount.

 

Mat 7:21  Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Mat 7:22  Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? Mat 7:23  And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. Mat 7:24  Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock: Mat 7:25  And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock. Mat 7:26  And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand: Mat 7:27  And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it.

 

Notice the emphasis on obedience, on doing. Also, take note some will perform great works in His Name, presumably in the Church. Yet, in the end, He will claim He never knew them, and they are discarded and thrust from His Kingdom. A sober mind must take this warning serious, since all truth is in Jesus - the Messiah.

 

The doctrine of Christ is after godliness.

 

1Ti 6:3  If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness;

 

Further, it is well for us to study the remaining words of the Apostle Paul from 1 Timothy 6. It brings to light the current theme of today's false teachers in the Church.

 

1Ti 6:3  If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness; 1Ti 6:4  He is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings, 1Ti 6:5  Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself. 1Ti 6:6  But godliness with contentment is great gain. 1Ti 6:7  For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. 1Ti 6:8  And having food and raiment let us be therewith content. 1Ti 6:9  But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition. Ti 6:10  For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. 1Ti 6:11  But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness. 1Ti 6:12  Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses

 

The Bible says you are to "flee" these teachings. These are ancient heresies. Truly, there is nothing new under the sun. Therefore, flee from the errors of today's false teachers and their teaching. Remember, their doctrine is false. It always was. It always will be. Cling to Christ and the doctrine of the Apostles found in the Bible. In the Bible, you have a solid foundation to build your life and secure your safety.

 

Gal_2:4  And that because of false brethren unawares brought in, who came in privily to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into bondage:

[2] Joh_8:32  And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.

[3] 2Pe 1:19  We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts: 2Pe 1:20  Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. 2Pe 1:21  For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.

[4] Act 17:10  And the brethren immediately sent away Paul and Silas by night unto Berea: who coming thither went into the synagogue of the Jews. Act 17:11  These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.