Beware of false prophets [teachers], who come to you in sheep’s clothing [profess sound doctrine], but inwardly they are ravenous wolves [they will cost you your life]. You will know them by their fruits [the resulting mindset] (Matthew 7:15-16)
...remain vigilant and never fall for the bait of carnally promoting individuals
seeking a personal following with their own special twist.
Christianity is about Christ! It is not about temporary human servants.
Nor is it about a special corporation.
Jesus never warned that we should be in some specific church era,
or be in a church with a special leader,
or have a specific form of governance,
or a certain corporate name,
or a special hidden doctrine.
I implore you to find even a hint of such instruction in anything Jesus ever said!
He warns that trickery will abound
and mortal danger will lurk in the most unlikely places.
Is this a swipe at the craftily spoken words of Bob Thiel, Ron Weinland, Dave Pack, and Gerald Flurry?
For some in the Church of God (COG) groups, these men present their "truths" as divinely inspired by God and can too easily sway less-grounded members in their beliefs.
For some in the Church of God (COG) groups, these men present their "truths" as divinely inspired by God and can too easily sway less-grounded members in their beliefs.
Elliott writes:
Greetings fellow ministers and brethren,
How seriously do you consider your place in the Body of Christ? Am I wholeheartedly a part of the Body of Christ? Jesus Himself implores us to make factual assessments about our spiritual condition in His letters to the seven churches (Revelation 2-3).
He also warns us not to get swayed by influential people who promote mindsets contrary to His truth. “Beware of false prophets [teachers], who come to you in sheep’s clothing [profess sound doctrine], but inwardly they are ravenous wolves [they will cost you your life]. You will know them by their fruits [the resulting mindset]” (Matthew 7:15-16).
Compare everything you hear from anyone with what God’s word instructs you. Be alert for slick manipulation using human logic that garners sympathy for the unfairly treated, complains about personal injustices, spouts accusations against brethren, while diverting us away from following Jesus Christ and His appointed authorities. Such are the tactics of wolves (Jude 8, 11-12). Such prideful minds are in stark contrast to Jesus’ admonitions for self-abasement, humility, service, sacrifice, honoring others, pursuing peace, unity and love.
Elliott claims he is not zeroing in on any specific individual, but Weinland, Thiel, Pack, and Flurry all feel those outside their groups are borderline apostates, and that is their job to lead people back into the truth (that they exclusively have) so that they can achieve salvation.
I am not pointing fingers at any individual, rather I'm emphasising the biblical principles necessary for us to be responsible with our opportunity for salvation. Paul stated of our time, “But evil men and impostors will grow worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived. But you must continue in the things which you have learned and been assured of, knowing from whom you have learned them, and that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus” (2 Timothy 3:13-15).
God constantly observes and monitors each of us in hopes of bringing us into His Kingdom. “The LORD is in His holy temple, the LORD’s throne is in heaven; His eyes behold, His eyelids test the sons of men. The LORD tests the righteous, but the wicked and the one who loves violence His soul hates” (Psalm 11:4-5).
God does not support those who do “violence” to the brethren by spreading lies and rumors. “These six things the LORD hates, yes, seven are an abomination to Him: A proud look, a lying tongue…a false witness who speaks lies, and one who sows discord among brethren” (Proverbs 6:16-19). He also says, “I, the LORD, search the heart, I test the mind, even to give every man according to his ways, according to the fruit of his doings” (Jeremiah 17:10).
We all need to humble ourselves, repent of our own sins and mistakes and seek God’s forgiveness, as we forgive others. May God help us all to love Him above all else and to love each other more than we love ourselves.
I encourage you to remain vigilant and never fall for the bait of carnally promoting individuals seeking a personal following with their own special twist. Christianity is about Christ! It is not about temporary human servants. Nor is it about a special corporation. In all situations we are to follow Christ and be of His Body.
In John 12:26 we read: “If anyone serves Me, let him follow Me; and where I am, there My servant will be also. If anyone serves Me, him My Father will honor.” Christ’s shepherds only follow Christ and encourage others to only follow Him! Only then can any human be an asset to another’s salvation.
Jesus never warned that we should be in some specific church era, or be in a church with a special leader, or have a specific form of governance, or a certain corporate name, or a special hidden doctrine. I implore you to find even a hint of such instruction in anything Jesus ever said! He warns that trickery will abound and mortal danger will lurk in the most unlikely places.
Notice the context of Christ’s statement to us about the challenges of the pathway to His Kingdom: “Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it. Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. You will know them by their fruits” (Matthew 7:14-16).
The stakes are high for every member. Each of us are responsible to be alert, discern God’s will, and recognize those faithfully upholding God's word.
As you enjoy the Sabbath and are refreshed by it, take time to consider the seriousness of your calling. Meditate on what you truly stand for. Define the fruit you are trying to grow in your life. Then, let these words guide you on your path:
“Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure. Do all things without complaining and disputing, that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, holding fast the word of life, so that I may rejoice in the day of Christ that I have not run in vain or labored in vain” (Philippians 2:12-16).
May God bless you along with all His faithful children, as we humble ourselves and submit to His will. And may we deeply love loving Him, and love one another sincerely,
John Elliott, President
It does a great disservice to church members if church leaders do not take a stand and call out the various crackpot COG leaders and their borderline heretical teachings. A true leader will label these teachers as the wolves in sheep's clothing that they warn about.
I have heard some in UCG, LCG, and other groups stating that they do not call these false leaders out because they are "brothers in Christ, but with different interpretations". They are NOT your "brother in Christ"! If you know these guys are wrong, then it behooves you as a leader to all them out for their false teachings.
Hatip to Feastgoer for the heads up.
4 comments:
I ran Elliott's message through my ACOG translation device, and here's what came out:
"Brethren, don't follow leaders who insist that you must belong to a particular group or under a particular form of government. I say this with my authority as the human leader of your church, whom you have a responsibility to obey."
Regarding Feastgoer's last paragraph: Would it be too wild a speculation that these people who do not call out the false teachers know a little something about themselves, and really don't want to place themselves in a glass house with their Geology specimens?
BB
"Be alert for slick manipulation using human logic that garners sympathy for the unfairly treated, complains about personal injustices.."
Spoken like a Pharisee. Christ in fact criticized the Pharisees for their unfair treated of others and injustices. Members have a right to be treated justly and complain to friends and others about mistreatment. This is the church culture where members, like children, should be seen and not heard. John Elliot wants members to fake reality and pretend that they attend the perfect church.
The John Elliot Pretend Church of God.
Feastgoer did not write this. They gave a heads up about Elliott's letter. The letter is by Elliott, with my snark included.
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