Persecution and the Church The Church of Columbia at Oakland Manor June 3, 2012

Last Week: All church picnicAll church picnic Scripture memoryScripture memory We need the Word of GodWe need the Word of God Psalm 119:105 Your Word oh Lord is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my pathwayPsalm 119:105 Your Word oh Lord is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my pathway

Acts 8:1-3

Saul Persecutes the Church Vs 1 Saul was in hearty agreement with putting him to death. Acts 7:56-60 Stephen Put to Death

Great Persecution began against the church in Jerusalem The church was under attack then and it is under attack now. 2 Thessalonians 2:4 & Revelation 13:15 remind us that Satan will create a one-world religion and work through the lawless one, also known as the Antichrist.

1.He will play the role of God and have people worship him. He will sit “in the temple of God displaying himself as being God” (2 Thessalonians 2:4). 2.He will also kill the true Christians and Jews. “…and cause as many as do not worship the image of the beast to be killed” (Revelation 13:15) He has two purposes…

The three pillars are: 1.One World Government 2.One World Economy 3.One World Religion

WHAT ARE THE HALL MARKS OF A FALSE RELIGIOUS SYSTEM?

1. Compromise of Doctrine: One of the key phrases used in the European Union, as well as in the United States, is “Unity in Diversity.” This sounds good on the surface. It means we are a unified but diverse group of people—all of the hallmarks of tolerance. This kind of unity in a world religion necessitates a compromise of doctrine

Amos 3:3 Can two walk together, except they be agreed? 2 Corinthians 6:14 Do not be bound together with unbelievers…. Ephesians 5:11 Do not participate in the unfruitful deeds of darkness, but instead even expose them… 2 Peter 2:1-3 Beware of false teachers

This great tolerance is promoted in almost every area. The major exceptions are biblical Christianity and Judaism. The world religion will be tolerant of everything but the TRUTH.

2. Experience Based: “Teacher, we want to see a sign from You” (Matthew 12:38). There is an escalating trend worldwide toward an experience-based religion and an experienced-based Christianity. More people are traveling to many places where they say God is manifesting Himself through signs and wonders.

These manifestations are, in many cases, apparitions of Mary, the mother of Jesus, or of angels, but rarely of Jesus. It is important for us to remind ourselves that biblically based Christianity is always founded on a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Galatians 1:8 But even if we, or an angel from heaven…..

3. Provides a Broad Road to Salvation: One rapidly growing belief system is that of universalism, which is another lie. It promotes the belief that there are many paths to God. While this may be a “politically correct” theology in our day, it is the neo-paganism of the New Age. This belief is addressed by Jesus when He said,

“… I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father, but through Me” (John 14:6).

4. Counterfeit Miracles: Miracles are powerful! A miracle will convince an individual of the validity of a particular belief system faster than anything else. Consider the False Prophet found in the Book of Revelation (16:13; 20:10). He is the Antichrist’s right hand man. He is symbolized as the second “beast” (Revelation 13:11- 12).

The first “beast” is the Antichrist (described in Revelation 16:1-10). The False Prophet “… performs great signs [miracles] … he deceives those who dwell on the earth because of the signs …” (Revelation 13:13-14).

Points 2 and 4 above are both experientially based. In essence, both points say that a person’s experience dictates their theology.

One of the common questions concerning a one-world religion is this: “If the coming one-world false religion is characterized by tolerance and diversity (exceptions: Christians and Jews) how will the Muslims integrate into this system?”

The Marian apparitions

The Marian apparitions, including the ones in Egypt and Africa, have an underlying message. According to Mary, this message is, “All religions are the same. We are the ones causing division.” This message is easily identified under the third hallmark of a false religion, namely,).

“Provides a Broad Road to Salvation.” Mary’s message is proven invalid because it contradicts Scripture. The only way to God is through Jesus (John 14:6

CONCLUSION We are the persecuted church We will over come We are more than conquerors