The Bride And The Harlot (long read, but well worth the time)

To help us understand where we are today, let us look to the future and then go back to the past.

"I saw the woman (the Harlot church), drunk with the blood of the saints and with the blood of the martyrs of Jesus. And when I saw her, I marveled with great amazement." (Rev 17:6, NKJV)

The following pattern is the way false religion reacts to those living in the truth: it first disagrees, it then separates, it then persecutes and in the end, it kills.

John then goes on and writes concerning this Babylonian Harlot: "The light of a lamp shall not shine in you (the Harlot) anymore, and the voice of bridegroom and bride shall not be heard in you anymore. For your merchants were the great men of the earth, for by your sorcery all the nations were deceived. And in her was found the blood of prophets and saints, and of all who were slain on the earth." (Rev 18:23-24, NKJV)

Let us examine, from these verses, several facts regarding this Harlot: the "light," the "voice of the bridegroom," and the "Bride," were at one time in her, just as the wheat and tares were once together in the Lord's field. The enemy has sown his seeds or tares in the midst of the church and these seeds have been growing ever since. Because wheat and tares look alike in the beginning, we can not tell them apart until harvest, tares do not bear fruit. The fruit, or lack thereof, will ultimately manifest whether a person is a wheat or a tare.

The voice of the real church is intermingled with the voice of the Harlot church, but the Holy Spirit is calling His Bride out of her before the plagues come and sweep them all away. Rev 18:4-5

It is clear from scriptures that the church is intermingled with the Harlot for a time, and then as the bride begins to leave and separate herself, the harlot turns on the saints. When and how shall this happen? We feel quite confident that we will be aware of that time when it comes and we won't be deceived… or will we? The church in America is Babylonian in nature, she is wealthy and rich in goods. Her position is clear, "I sit as queen, and am no widow (I have a husband, ego), and will not see sorrow." (Rev 18:7, NKJV)

God has permitted the wheat and tares to grow together. There is coming a call to the true church and saints, "Come out of her, my people, lest you share (sunkoinonia: share and have fellowship together) in her sins, and lest you receive of her plagues." (Rev 18:4-5, NKJV)

When Jesus gave the parables of the kingdom and likened the kingdom to leaven mixed with bread, the point was that sinful men were mixed with the pure and caused the bread or the church to grow larger to include the sins of men. Likewise with the five wise and five foolish virgins, both had there virginity (religion), but only five had oil, the symbol of God's anointing and approval. With the mustard seed sown in the ground, was pure and small, but it grew to a large tree, so the birds (evil spirits) lodge on it. Jesus talked about casting a net into the sea, both good were drawn together, He then separates the good from the bad

Our brand of grace theology has grown to include more sin and sinful men. We have no problem accepting blatant sin and believing it is acceptably with a walk in the Lord as well. We fellowship more with the world and TV than on our knees in prayer. Our lack of fellowship with the Lord is evidenced in our lack of true fellowship and support with one another. The Greek word used in Rev 18, for "shared in her sins," is sunkoinonia, it is made up of the Greek preposition sun or syn as we transliterate it, which means "together" or in "harmony with." Koinonia, a Greek noun, means "fellowship," or having things in "common," or being of the same "community." Now, what can the true church share, fellowship and have in common with the impurity of the Harlot? Nothing!

The Harlot church is rooted in the worlds philosophy and runs its organization like corporate America. It focus on informing and entertaining its members. It uses the bible to gather knowledge and is articulated to tickling the ears of its listener. It does not make disciples of the people. It holds its followers through the powerful persuasive oratory of the word of God, which is seen as the anointing, true and authentic. We know that the great falling will come with great charismatic and gifted men, men that will leave the people spell-bound. We often believed it would take place outside of fundamentalism. No, it has been sown in our midst with the best and finest of teachers. The evidence of this attractiveness is seen in people who run from church to church to get their spiritual high or charge. Many attend these meetings for business contacts or to find a mate or to establish their social standing. As sinners repeat the sinners prayer with unrepentant hearts, the kingdom expands and disfigures the image of Christ

"These are spots in your love feasts, while they feast with you without fear, serving only themselves. They are clouds without water, carried about by the winds (false teaching); late autumn trees without fruit, twice dead, pulled up by the roots; raging waves of the sea, foaming up their own shame; wandering stars for whom is reserved the blackness of darkness forever." (Jude 12-13, NKJV)

This system has no lasting effect in dealing with sin or ability to mature the saints, it does not carry out the purpose of God, nor is it rooted in God, but plays on the senses and the desires of the carnal nature and the pride of man. Its leaders are the CEO's of the company, the building is subtly passed off as "the Church," and the meetings and programs are used to replace the conviction of sin. One can be overwhelmed by the influence of this intensely powered force, and anyone who would challenge or leave it, would be accused of denying the Lord much like the Jews leaving the synagogue to join Jesus in the time of Christ. It was a big step for the early disciples to follow the radical preaching of Jesus.

Jesus' preaching was a radical departure from their tradition, He offended most. He told the rich man to sell his possession and give to the poor, He commanded His hearers to repent and turn from sin in order to enter the kingdom. They were commanded to lose their life and follow Him. He commanded that they should agonize to enter the narrow gate. How strange the teaching of Jesus from the tradition set by the leaders of that day. We say, "If we would have lived in those days, we would have followed Jesus." Think again what it meant. Jesus made it clear to one, "foxes have holes and birds have nest, but the son of man has no were to lay His head." Leave your condo? Sell your Mercedes? Not many followed such a radical teacher that commanded the people. Jesus did not give information and expositions on the scriptures, He gave them commandments and taught with authority. Not many today would follow that Jesus. But isn't it the pattern? It is now our turn to either follow Jesus or the traditions of men.

The church today derives its identity in the world system, to leave that system would be to reject everything we have been taught. Our children enjoy the youth programs, our wives find security in its structure and polished programs. Men who succumb to its lethargy have little hope in finding significance. Men are handed the religious football without the spiritual field, they dry up like a paralyzed leg for a lack of use and are seen no more. We are groomed to tithe and sit and listen in this spectator-driven institution. We have no function, no gifts and no power. We are either a pastor or a staff member or a musician. Often we are given the ministry of painting and cleaning up "the church," but our real purpose is to fill the seats and supply the funds to support the staff and pay for the facilities, what we call "the church."

The sin of the Harlot Church is not that she doesn't preach the word, or doesn't stand against abortion and divorce, no, the sin of the Harlot Church is that she is rooted in the world system. It draws in life-blood from the successes of the world. The Harlot Church is immersed in compromise and worldly methods and practices. It sterilizes relationships and destroys body ministry and function. It promotes division and competition and creates an environment and service that is hostile to fellowship and communication.

If you think braking away from the institutional church is an easy task, then start or participate in a home church. You will go through withdrawals, you will be flooded with insecurities, you will not know what to do with the relationships, how to conduct the meetings, how to organize the work. You will find yourself fighting against the desire to entertain, being successful and accepted. Your ego will find no place to hang its oversized hat.

But relax, Jesus is coming and He is looking for His Bride… they will love each other and support one another…. and will not compromise… nor will they be looking to the world for their latest trick or fashion. They will be immersed and enmeshed in the love of God and the purity of holiness, of which no man shall see God.

John 15:22, "If I had not come and spoken to them, they would have no sin, but now (that I have come) they have no excuse for their sin." NKJV

Jesus' first coming set many things straight. Previous to Jesus' coming, the standard of the Lord had fallen and the enemy had invaded Israel with the traditions of men. The awesomeness of this religion, with its crowds and its charismatic leaders and teachers, would intimidate the average person. To disagree with such scholars and teachers would be suicide.

The power and the presence of God has gone and few miss it. Tradition is man's answer to replace the strict obedience to the reality of the Lord as their King. With tradition we can participate and create our own format for truth. Like Israel that subtly fell further and further away from the living God and His life giving word, we too are following her course. Men of tremendous charisma and teaching ability have filled this nation. We have put a premium on a "good" word. Little has progressed in the past 37 years that I have seen as a Christian. The men and women in Jesus' days assumed their salvation based on a relationship with Abraham being their father, the covenant of circumcision, their honoring of the festival days, their reading of the scriptures and attending meetings. All this seemed, without a doubt, to demonstrate their being the sons of God.

John 8:38-45, "'I speak what I have seen with My Father, and you do what you have seen with your father.' They answered and said to Him, 'Abraham is our father.' Jesus said to them, 'If you were Abraham's children, you would do the works of Abraham. But now you seek to kill Me, a Man who has told you the truth which I heard from God. Abraham did not do this. You do the deeds of your father.' Then they said to Him, 'We were not born of fornication; we have one Father--God." Jesus said to them, 'If God were your Father, you would love Me, for I proceeded forth and came from God; nor have I come of Myself, but He sent Me. Why do you not understand My speech? Because you are not able to listen to My word. You are of your father the devil, and the desires of your father you want to do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a liar and the father of it. But because I tell the truth, you do not believe Me.'" NKJV

The Israelites first claim to sonship was their relationship with Abraham, and when that was challenged, they claimed to be sons of God. Let's stop for a moment, tell me, do you believe that Jesus could convince any of them, that they were not the true sons of God? They made such strong and convincing statements of their relationship to God. Their relentless and determined defense was evidence that they were not going to accept a challenge of their faith. They were absolutely convinced that they were the sons of Abraham; they had the genealogical record, the temple, the priesthood and the law. How could anyone deny their claim to sonship?

I wonder how many Christians in Laodicea took the letter sent by John personally? How many feared being spewed out of His mouth? Oh, I'm sure many recognized not all were going to make it, but nobody thought it was them. Deception convinces even the obvious of sinners that he is ok. "How dare you challenge me, I fast and pray and give 10% of my income. I have my merit badge of salvation and even have my merit badge of speaking in tongues. I attend the fastest growing church in town and our minister is the greatest teacher in the city. We have people coming from many churches to come to ours. You tell me, I should make my calling and election sure. No way! I know, that I know, that I know I am saved…"

Jesus was respected as a man growing up in Nazareth. Then one day it all seemed to change, He stood up to read from Isaiah 61:1,2, and after reading it, He said, "Today this Scripture is fulfilled in your hearing." (Luke 4:21-22, NKJV)

The Jews knew exactly what He was saying. Did the Jews drop their traditions and follow Jesus and embrace Him as their Messiah?

Listen to their hardened response, "So all those in the synagogue, when they heard these things, were filled with wrath, and rose up and thrust Him out of the city; and they led Him to the brow of the hill on which their city was built, that they might throw Him (their Messiah) down over the cliff." (Luke 4:28-29, NKJV)

What? These are Jesus' friends? His neighbors? His countrymen? What threatened them so? Surely they had expected the Messiah to come. They had their religious tradition paved in such a way for their ultimate rejection of real truth? The Devil uses religion more than any other means to get men into hell. As the father of lies, he weaves deception into truth and convinces man that he already has his passport to heaven. Satan then causes his deceived followers to oppose any real truth that would challenge them. Satan creates a form of religion without the power to free men from the bondages of sin and compromise. Many will go through the traditional rituals, never attaining maturity and power. They will replace His presence with excitement, they will divorce the experience of walking with Jesus in holiness with theology and knowledge. They will replace His presence with excitement.

No one looks forward to being a radical, subject to scorn and persecution.

Israel rejected the move of the Holy Spirit in the Son of God in that day, just as those living today will reject the move of the Holy Spirit in the sons of God in these last days. Those that miss His calling today, will be just as confident they know God as the Jews of Jesus' days. Jesus, via the truth is going to separated the wheat from the chaff in this last day harvest.

Stephen, a true disciple of Jesus, arose to challenge the Jews of the synagogue of the Freedman. They could not resist the wisdom which God had given him. His clear cut evidence condemned their present stand with God. They had to dispose of him and stamp out this new radical religion. "…they stirred up the people, the elders, and the scribes; and they came upon him, seized him, and brought him to the council. This man does not cease to speak blasphemous words against this holy place and the law; for we have heard him say that this Jesus of Nazareth (who they already killed) will destroy this place and change the customs which Moses delivered to us. And all who sat in the council, looking steadfastly at him, saw his face as the face of an angel." (Acts 6:12-15, NKJV)

There vain traditions were being challenged by the living and anointed presence of the Holy Spirit in the sons of God. Stephen, the man of God, went on to speak of Abraham and then Moses, he explained how the sons of Abraham rejected Moses in Egypt at first. Later when Moses went up to the mount to receive the law, they rejected him again, "And they made a calf in those days, offered sacrifices to the idol, and rejoiced in the works of their own hands. Then God turned and gave them up to worship the host of heaven, as it is written in the book of the Prophets." (Acts 7:41-42, NKJV)

Stephen now turned to their subtle rebellion based on their own religion and tradition, "'You stiffnecked and uncircumcised in heart and ears! (WOW! Is that good preaching?) You always resist the Holy Spirit; as your fathers did, so do you. Which of the prophets did your fathers not persecute? (remember this statement, time will repeat itself in these last days) And they killed those who foretold the coming of the Just One, of whom you now have become the betrayers and murderers, who have received the law by the direction of angels and have not kept it.' When they heard these things they were cut to the heart (mad!), and they gnashed at him with their teeth. But he, being full of the Holy Spirit, gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God, and said, 'Look! (do you think they looked?) I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God!' Then they cried out with a loud voice, stopped their ears, and ran at him with one accord (The Harlot will find unity in their rebellion); and they cast him out of the city and stoned him. And the witnesses laid down their clothes at the feet of a young man named Saul. And they stoned Stephen as he was calling on God and saying, 'Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.' Then he knelt down and cried out with a loud voice, 'Lord, do not charge them with this sin.' And when he had said this, he fell asleep". Acts 7:51-60

The religious hate the truth because it exposed them. They can not stand the open challenge. With Stephan they had to silence his voice. In their anger they stopped their ears and finally stoned him. This is a pattern often repeated even today. When we hear the truth that challenges the foundation of our beliefs, we become angry, then we shut our ears from hearing any more of this truth. As time progress, we persecute and finally kill those who challenge us.

Oh I can hear you now, "Not me, I would never kill a brother.." Look at the war in the church, we are already being prepared to destroy the remnant… the Bride. "Cast the scoundrels from our presence.." Once we get use to hurting, we are only a step away from destroying and killing… it will take time… the devil is preparing his charismatic leaders so it will look like God.

"Do not think that I came to bring peace on earth. I did not come to bring peace but a sword. For I have come to 'set a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law'; and 'a man's enemies will be those of his own household.' He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me. He who finds his life will lose it, and he who loses his life for My sake will find it." (Matt 10:34-39, NKJV)

Jesus is separating His remnant.

The bible predicts that this same pattern will take place in the end before Jesus comes. It has taken us 2000 years to develop the traditions which we strongly hold. Our tradition and theology has prepared us for the grand deception and the entrance of the Arch-Deceiver as the angel of light.

Zac Poonen, a pastor in India, wrote in his article titled, "New wine in new wine skins

"Today many believers have been led astray and are in bondage, because they have been fed on the old wine - the traditions of men that have accumulated in Christendom through twenty centuries, and that have been added to God's Word, or that have replaced God's word. When the new wine is offered to them, they say, 'The old is good enough' (Lk. 5:39). Thus they remain in spiritual stagnation, year after year….One of the most difficult things for many believers to do is to read God's Word with an open and unprejudiced mind. Most Christians are unwilling to give up the traditions of their elders, even when they see these to be clearly contrary to the teaching of God's word."

He further states, in order to get back to the Apostolic teaching, "we must be willing to do violence to every tradition of man that is contrary to God's word (Matt. 11:12)…. our battle is against religious traditions that have annulled the word of God. And it is far more difficult for many to break free from the traditions of men than it is for them to break free from sin! But, men of violence alone will possess the kingdom of God (Matt. 11:12). Religious traditions cannot be removed apart from violent treatment. Jesus was crucified not because He preached against sin, but because He preached against religious traditions that had replaced God's word among the Jews." (Mk. 7:1-13)

We are told not to judge, not to doubt or question our salvation. To accept the sinners prayer as a means to salvation. The building as the church, the preacher as a means to maturity. Shaking hands as fellowship. Cleaning bathrooms as ministry. Prosperity as blessing. We have majored on unbiblical minors, while divorcing ourselves from the foundation of truth. Challenge this system and see what happens.

Paul said, "Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Do you not know yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?--unless indeed you are disqualified." (2 Cor 13:5-6, NKJV)

"Therefore I urge you to reaffirm your love to him. For to this end I also wrote, that I might put you to the test, whether you are obedient in all things." (2 Cor 2:8-9, NKJV)

Jesus commended the church of Ephesus for judging and testing those who claimed to be apostles. "You have tested those who say they are apostles and are not, and have found them liars." (Rev 2:2, NKJV)

We are to judge by the fruit of an individual, to know the root and source of their behavior. Jesus said, "Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly (root) they are ravenous wolves. You will know them (How?) by their fruits." (Matt 7:15-16, NKJV)

"Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these: fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousies, wraths, factions, divisions, parties, envyings, drunkenness, revellings, and such like; of which I forewarn you, even as I did forewarn you, that they who practice such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God." (Gal 5:19-21, ASV)

"He who overcomes shall inherit all things, and I will be his God and he shall be My son. But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death." (Rev 21:7-8, NKJV)

"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control." (Gal 5:22-23, NKJV)

If Jesus would challenge us today, we would respond by claiming we believe in God's word, believe in His grace, go to church (which is unbiblical), pray, cry and we can remember when we said that sinners prayer and accepted Jesus.

"If you are more interested in going to meetings than in crucifying the flesh (Gal. 5:24), you are religious, not spiritual. If you are more interested in reading your Bible every morning than in controlling your tongue the whole day, you are religious, not spiritual. If you are more interested in fasting and prayer than in being free from the love of money, you are religious, not spiritual. If you are more interested in evangelism than in personal sanctification, you are religious, not spiritual… More people go to hell, through false religion than through outward worldliness. This is why we must be careful to distinguish between religiosity and spirituality….. Jesus however has not come with a pair of scissors, but with an axe (to deal with the root). He looks for genuine fruit - not just leaves " (Zac Poonen)

Oh, we get excited over every new thought or teaching. We like to talk about the bible as a source of knowledge or improving our standing in this world. We may even have the knowledge that the church is deceived and backslidden, we read all kinds of literature to prove it, but in reality we deny the Messiah because we deny the participation that it demands in being a part of His body.

They call the building the church.

They have programs that have replaced personal ministry and community

They emphasize the one man show.

They replace body ministry for an audience driven participation.

It is program driven amusement.

They have worldly models of leadership

They compromise to win the approval of the masses and sinners.

They divide and compete for the people and the tithes.

They emphasize the sinners prayer as a means to salvation

Their theology protects them from living by truth and therefore living out their faith.

Believing has been reduced to mental ascent.

Obedience has been reduced to forgiveness and grace theology. They call a person a legalist if they stress obedience.

They look to the world for methods of growth, entertainment, dress and conduct.

They major in minors, major on things that are not important and therefore hinder those who want to go on in the Lord.

It believes in a faith that bears the fruit of the spirit.

It fights to maintain the unity of the brethren.

It lives in a body ministry environment and focuses on loving one another.

It overcomes and has the joy of the Lord.

It's message of salvation is based on repentance and dying to self.

It's faith produces works.

It support the needs of the body.

It disciples the immature.

It's leaders are bondslaves to Christ and the body of Christ

It's leaders are broken and humble men.

They have and follow the Holy Spirit.

They minister to the poor and those in need.

The gifts and ministries of the Spirit are in there midst for mutual edification.

They are totally dependant on the leadership, presence and power of the Holy Spirit.

They have an external witness in their community of the love they have for one another.

Answer these question and you will know if you are participating in the Bride or Harlot.

Do the people in your church love one another or do they barely know one another?

Do the people in you church fellowship on a regular basis?

Do the people encourage and minister one another on a regular basis?

If the answer to these question is no, then you have just cut the heart out of the body of Christ and created an imitation or antichrist spirit. You have majored on buildings, preachers (one man show) and programs that are not even found in the scriptures. You have made a major out of something that is not even scriptural and minored in things that absolute.

"Under the new covenant, every believer can drink of the new wine, be anointed with the Holy Spirit and have the gifts of the Spirit. Two or three prophets are to begin the meeting, one or two may speak in tongues (with an interpretation for each) and every believer is free to prophesy in the meeting and build up the church. This is the new wineskin (1 Cor. 14:26-31). The new wine is described in 1 Cor. 13 - the life of love. The new wineskin is described in 1 Cor. 12 and 14. But how many believers want things done God's way? Alas, very few. Most are content with their old wineskin, and their paid 'Levites'." (Zac Poonen)

Hindrance to following the truth.

"No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon (money). (Matt 6:24, NKJV)

The American God is the God of money. We and our churches succeed on that basis alone.

"If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and his own life also, he cannot be My disciple. And whoever does not bear his cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple." (Luke 14:26-27, NKJV)

Today we are out of order, women and children lead our families.

"As for My people, children are their oppressors, And women rule over them." (Isa 3:12, NKJV)

When the camera focus on the sport's star, he waves and says, "Hi, mom." The father today is out of order, he is a quitter, a wimp and follows a spineless form of religion. He is afraid of his wife and children. He lives for them and thinks he is being considerate and all alone he is denying his conscience and his responsibility. Why should God speak to a man who follows his wife and children? I can't tell you the times I have heard a man say, "I would be with you, but my wife could not tolerate a house church." Or, "I would be with you, but my daughter or son loves their youth program." Wake up men! You cannot be a disciple if you don't bring order in your family. Men often see the truth and get excited and when they go home, they are changed by their family. They are ruled by their family and not the Holy Spirit. Today's men are more interested in preserving their families than persevering for the purposes of Christ. We see the truth and put our hands over our ears, we justify our incompetence because we don't want to offend or deal with the little ones. If we hid from those who tell us the truth, maybe it will go away. The offense is of little challenge right now… but Jesus is about to visit us with a truth that will leave us bare.

Today we need " men who will never be influenced by their wives, children, relatives, friends or other believers that would cool off even slightly their devotion to Christ and obedience to God's commandments…. We need men who desire to please no human being on the face of the earth, and who are willing to offend all men, if necessary, in order to please God alone." (Zac Poonen)

"But they all alike began to make excuses. The first said, 'I have just bought a field, and I must go and see it. Please excuse me.' Another said, 'I have just bought five yoke of oxen, and I'm on my way to try them out. Please excuse me.' Still another said, 'I just got married, so I can't come.'" (Luke 14:18-20, NIV)

"Now it happened as they journeyed on the road, that someone said to Him, 'Lord, I will follow You wherever You go.' And Jesus said to him, 'Foxes have holes and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head.' Then He said to another, 'Follow Me.' But he said, 'Lord, let me first go and bury my father.' Jesus said to him, 'Let the dead bury their own dead, but you go and preach the kingdom of God.' And another also said, 'Lord, I will follow You, but let me first go and bid them farewell who are at my house.' But Jesus said to him, 'No one, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.'" (Luke 9:57-62, NKJV)

What will be the net result in the end-time when the true gospel of being a "disciple" of Jesus is preached? When sin and traditions are exposed openly by men of faith and power? Judgement has already begun in the "house of the Lord," there is an undeniable shaking of all things today, there will remain only those things built on Jesus and His word. Truly there is war on the saints. Jesus will have a pure church, one without wrinkle or spot, one of true power and holiness. The great men of tradition will defend their traditions and protect their ministries. They will condemn the remnant for being legalistic on the subject of salvation and obedience to the faith, they will accuse the remnant of demonstrating false signs and wonders, all the while there churches and ministries will be threatened by a simple restoration of God's Kingdom. Jesus made it clear that the ultimate sign of His coming would be "This gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come." NIV

Man has taken "this" gospel and twisted it into a passive theology, buildings, the sinners prayer, a man centered meeting and traditions clearly contrary to His word. We have fallen asleep and are no longer able to discern the word from tradition. Though it is absolutely clear that we are not the church in the bible, we have embraced it till death do us part.

Every man today is being prepared to either support the Harlot or the Bride. The five foolish virgins were pure only in there own eyes, they lacked the anointing oil of God's purpose on this earth. They could not fulfill God's purpose because they had a man centered agenda…. tradition! Women and children are leading men down a path that seems safe and secure from challenge. Men are subtly being deceived by the serpent to what looks good to the eye, good to the taste and able to make one wise.

The lines that are now being drawn is not the formation of another denomination, but the separation of the remnant from the Harlot. In this last hour, the Harlot will try to crucify the work of the Holy Spirit in the remnant, like it crucified the work of Jesus in His day. We have come full circle. The institutional church is building its tradition to war on the saints. They have created the rapture before the tribulation, eternal security for the rebellious, a cheap grace gospel, a fun and entertaining church meeting, removed all responsibility, challenge and stripped Jesus of His Lordship. When the truth exposes these flagrant sins of twisted theology and traditions, there will be war. They will lambaste the remnant and turn the government on them to do their dirty work, only to discover they have fallen victim to the same condition that caused the Israelites to miss Christ.

Truly this prophecy of Jesus will be fulfilled, "They will put you out of the synagogues; yes, the time is coming that whoever kills you will think that he offers God service." (John 16:2, NKJV)

The worst enemies will be the most popular, charismatic, excellent teachers who hold to the traditions of men. They will possess the power of persuasion in their ministry and mannerism, many will find it hard not to believe them… yet they will deny the word and live in the traditions of men.

"Woe to you experts in the law, because you have taken away the key to knowledge. You yourselves have not entered, and you have hindered those who were entering." (Luke 11:52, NIV)

"You will be betrayed even by parents, brothers, relatives and friends, and they will put some of you to death. All men will hate you because of me. But not a hair of your head will perish. By standing firm you will gain life." (Luke 21:18,19, NIV)

"Then you will be handed over to be persecuted and put to death, and you will be hated by all nations because of me. At that time many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other, and many false prophets will appear and deceive many people. Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, but he who stands firm to the end will be saved. And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come." (Matt 24:9-14, NIV)

"God gives light only to those who love the truth. He allows all others to be deceived." (Zac Poonen)