It Is NOT a Big War That's Coming, But A BIG Deception, Pt. 2

“They have healed the brokenness of My people superficially, saying, ‘Peace, peace,’ but there is no peace” (Jer. 6:14). 

As I pointed out in a previous blog, what’s coming next on the world’s scene is not a huge war, but a Big Deception.  The rider on the White Horse in Revelation 6:1-2 brings peace.  He comes with both political and religious solutions. The world accepts this charismatic leader and his ideologies.  After all, what the world needs now is love, sweet love, and what better way to love everyone than out of a context of peace.

But this is not real peace; it is deceptive peace. It is designed to both distract from the real agenda and to also promote it. And the front runner of world peace are segments of the Christian Church.

Nothing has done more damage to the church’s promotion of the gospel than the increased alliance of Evangelicals with the Roman Catholic Church. The spirit of the age is at work bringing diverse religions into a unity without the truth at its core.

Richard John Neuhaus, co-architect of  ECT (Evangelicals and Catholics Together) with Charles Colson, stated: The first order of business is Christian unity, or ecumenism. As the second millennium has been one of Christian division, so John Paul says that the third millennium must be one of Christian unity.

The Roman Catholic Church in the last 20 years through its Pope, spearheaded negotiations through ecumenical dialogue with various Christian groups (the Anglicans, Evangelical Protestants, Eastern Orthodoxy, Lutherans etc.), to resolve past disagreements and bring about a “new Christian unity.”

Charisma magazine, July 1995 on its cover presented the question: “Catholics and Protestants: Can We Walk Together? What began with ECT and its intent for unity between Protestants and Catholics has spread its wingspan. Since then a portion of the evangelical church have been walking with more than Catholics, now it is Mormons, the Unification Church and others who do not claim Christianity.

In the last 20 years the Roman Catholic church has been active in seeking cooperative relationships with other world religions more than any other religion in history. Ecumenism is the modus operandi of the new church platform. Pope John Paul II had declared that, “Christians must work with [all] other religions to secure peace.” He has pledged that “the Catholic Church intends to `share in and promote' such ecumenical and inter-religious cooperation” The Catholic Church has held an ongoing dialogue with representatives of the four major religions as well as numerous others. Whether this policy will continue to be upheld remains to be seen.

In the past, the pope has brought some 60 leaders together from the religions of the world to petition God. Catholics with Protestants, Orthodox, Jews. “He welcomed snake worshipers, fire worshipers, spiritists, animists, Buddhists, Hindus, Muslims, and shamans, were supported and attended by representatives of the World Council of Churches and even evangelicals. Represented there were the YWCA and YMCA, the Mennonite World Conference, the Baptist World Alliance (which includes the Southern Baptist Convention), the World Alliance of Reformed Churches, and the Lutheran World Federation.

It was reported that the Muslims sang from the Koran; American medicine men called on the “great spirit”; Buddhism's Dalai Lama, chanted rhythmically; animists from Africa; Hindus; Zoroastrians. All united said: “We will stand side by side, asking God to give us peace.” They all asked for peace together. How can they join in prayer unless they agree? What was decided is that it was not necessary to follow the prince of Peace, Jesus Christ, the only one who can bring that peace.

But it is all a fake! It is all designed to lead to the ultimate Satanic goal – Worship.  Satan wants the world’s worship!

In Matthew 4, Jesus was tempted by the devil.  It is a fascinating account of what Jesus went through when He encountered the devil.

Note:  The story of Jesus’ battle with the devil in Matthew 4 and Luke 4 is an account that Jesus Himself wanted us to know and learn from. Why do I say this? Because NO ONE else was around to witness it. There were only two parties present:  Jesus and Satan. In the end, Jesus won and He had both Matthew and Luke record the scene. If not for Jesus, we would not have any idea of His encounter with the prince of demons. He is our prime example on how to win over every temptation that Satan throws at us.

Satan tempted Christ in three areas: “Pleasure and Self-Fulfillment”  - “turn stones into bread” (Matt. 4:3).  Next, “Power and Control” – “throw yourself down and prove that you are the Messiah” (vv. 5-6); and then the big one –

“Possessions and Wealth” – “I will give you all the kingdoms of the world, if you Fall down and worship me” (vv. 8-9). This is where many in Hollywood sell their soul to the devil in order to get what Satan offers – possessions and wealth.

It is in this third temptation that the true motive of Satan is revealed. All he wants is worship. He does not care how it all comes about or what you have to do to give it, just do it – “worship me!”

This is why toward the middle of the seven year Tribulation Period, “he takes his seat in the temple of God, displaying himself as being God” (2 Thess. 2:4). 

The coming false and deceptive peace is all designed to lead the world toward this one goal – the worship of Satan.

Do not get yourself caught up in it. There can be no true and authentic peace apart from the Peace of Peace (Isa. 9:6), Jesus Himself. All that the ecumenical movement is trying to do is to usher in a peace that is devoid of God. It is their own efforts and their own ways to accomplish something universally significant apart from Christ.

Listen carefully: If there is going to be true peace between people and nations, then there must first be peace between God and man (cf. 2 Cor. 5:18-21).  Sin has caused and created a huge division between God and man. Only Jesus can bridge the gap. Once this divide is broken down, then there will be a foundation for “peace on earth and goodwill toward man” (Luke 2:13).