PRECEPTS ON HOW THE SPIRITUALLY MATURE CAN WOLF-PROOF THEIR CHURCHES
True churches will become targets of wolves; therefore we must train leaders within the congregations on how to counter them. These seven principles are obviously overlapping and interconnected but helpful to prepare and protect believers.
1. ALL MATURE BRETHREN MUST KNOW THAT THE FOUNDATION IS SACRED
Note what the Apostle Paul said to the the Galatians about protecting the foundational doctrines.
Galatians 1:6-9, “II marvel that you are turning away so soon from Him who called you in the grace of Christ, to a different gospel, 7 which is not another; but there are some who trouble you and want to pervertthe gospel of Christ. 8 But even if we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached to you, let him be [b]accursed. 9 As we have said before, so now I say again, if anyone preaches any other gospel to you than what you have received, let him be accursed.” (NKJV)
Paul repeats his warning about altering the basics that he taught them. The basic doctrines in which we were first converted should never be undermined. New teaching should augment and fit the base but not alter it. Wolves are often good at these clever doctrinal mixes that alter the truth.
2. PREPARE FOR THE DOCTRINAL STORM OF THE GREAT FALLING AWAY
A gathering of demonic forces in the end times will overwhelm the world with theological deception. The first of the four horsemen of the apocalypse is a white horse of deception. Further note what Paul says about this great falling away. It will include much more than the apostasy of the WWCG.
2 Thessalonians 2:2-4, “Not to be soon shaken in mind or troubled, either by spirit or by word or by letter, as if from us, as though the day of Christ had come. 3 Let no one deceive you by any means; for that Day will not comeunless the falling away comes first, and the man of sin is revealed, the son of perdition who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God or that is worshiped, so that he sits as God in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God.”
Verses 9 and 10, “The coming of the lawless one is according to the working of Satan, with all power, signs, and lying wonders, and with all unrighteous deception among those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved.”
One of the reasons that this deception overwhelms the entire planet is that people do not love the truth. Many people live inside their own echo chamber. They listen to only what they wish to believe and objective truth is unwelcome. The forces of evil love these attitudes.
3. THE SPIRITUALLY MATURE MUST REMAIN GRACIOUS AND HUMBLE
All leaders at every level must remain gracious and humble. This especially includes lifting up a brother who has fallen. We must foster a church of love and kindness.
Galatians 6:1-3, “Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted. 2 Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. 3 For if anyone thinks himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself.”
We must never forget that we too can fall into temptation. Maybe not with that weakness, but another one. Stay humble or we are opening ourselves up to one of the traps of Satan –– an unforgiving, judgmental spirit.
2 Corinthians 2:5-11, “But if anyone has caused grief, he has not grieved me, but all of you to some extent—not to be too severe. 6 This punishment which was inflicted by the majority is sufficient for such a man, 7 so that, on the contrary, you ought rather to forgive and comfort him, lest perhaps such a one be swallowed up with too much sorrow. 8 Therefore I urge you to reaffirm your love to him. 9 For to this end I also wrote, that I might put you to the test, whether you are obedient in all things. 10 Now whom you forgive anything, I also forgive. For if indeed I have forgiven anything, I have forgiven that one for your sakes in the presence of Christ, 11 lest Satan should take advantage of us; for we are not ignorant of his devices.”
A loving, gracious, forgiving spirit will help protect us from wolves who might use someone's problem as a divisive wedge to pull away a following for themselves.
4. WORK TO STRENGTHEN THE ONLY OFFENSIVE WEAPON –– THE WORD OF GOD
The spiritually mature leadership should work hard to build up a strong Biblical IQ for all church members. The word of God is the only purely offensive weapon in a believers arsenal.
Ephesians 6:11 & 16-17, “Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil…16 above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the SWORD of the Spirit, which is the word of God;”
Those who know their Bible well can slice any false doctrines quickly and be too well informed and strong for smooth talking wolves.
Ephesians 4:14-15, “[T]hat we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting, 15 but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head — Christ –– ”
The church leaders should help all members to become mature Biblical students who cannot be easily led astray. It is like becoming immune to most dangerous doctrinal diseases.
5. REJECT THOSE WHO DO NOT WISH TO COOPERATE WITH OTHER LEADERS
Paul even though the chosen Apostle to the gentiles went out of his way to cooperate with the leadership that already existed. Note what he said about the topic:
Galatians 2:2-9, “And I went up by revelation, and communicated to them that gospel which I preach among the Gentiles, but privately to those who were of reputation, lest by any means I might run, or had run, in vain…7 But on the contrary, when they saw that the gospel for the uncircumcised had been committed to me, as the gospel for the circumcised was to Peter…9 and when James, Cephas, and John, who seemed to be pillars, perceived the grace that had been given to me, they gave me and Barnabas the right hand of fellowship,”
Notice that the very specially commissioned Paul, actively cooperated with others and did not try and get a following after himself which many spiritual wolves will attempt. He also told the Corinthians that they should not have divisive favorites because He and the other leaders were just servants in God's house. Teach members to resist those who want a personal following.
1 Corinthians 3:4-5, “For while one saith, I am of Paul; and another, I am of Apollos; are ye not carnal? 5 Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers by whom ye believed, even as the Lord gave to every man?” (KJV)
The scripture condemns this sort of self promotion.
6. USE AND RESPECT THE VAST AMOUNTS OF PAST SOUND TEACHINGS
The spiritually mature members of the church will learn to use and respect the vast amounts of Biblical materials from the church's past teachers. A very large amount of booklets are available at our website on almost any major topic. We can all use the Bible Correspondence Course to get stronger, and encourage all members to read the lessons that come with every 21st Century WATCH magazine.
2 Timothy 2:14-16, “Of these things put them in remembrance, charging them before the Lord that they strive not about words to no profit, but to the subverting of the hearers. 15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. 16 But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness.”
Good leaders will set the example and encourage all to study the Bible like a professional.
7. ALWAYS ENCOURAGE A SPIRIT OF LEARNING AND SEEKING DEEPER MEANINGS
We as good, mature leaders need to encourage an atmosphere of continual growth and interest in deeper understandings. We are less likely to become stagnant and lose our first love if we keep learning and striving for more. In every Holy Day season we should try and lead our congregations into a deeper understanding of each season. This should go from the Passover to the Last Great Day.
2 Timothy 4:2-3, “Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. 3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;”
Teaching in season will strengthen the congregation so that when the great winds of deception blow across the planet your congregation will know too much about the Holy Days etc. to be easily deceived. Note the Holy Day tables that are with this set of notes as a teaching tool.
2 Timothy 4:4-5, “And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables. 5 But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry.”
Paul is saying to Timothy that he should find and develop strong leaders at every level who can turn people away from fables and stand strong –– this will make full proof of Timothy's success as a leader. It will also make proof of our success.
ISSUE: THE BIBLE SAYS IT WILL BE SO BAD THAT ONLY THE VERY ELECT WILL STAND. WHAT DOES THIS TELL US? MATTHEW 24:24
| THE HOLY DAYS | WHY THE BIBLICAL HOLY DAYS ARE A GUIDE TO GOD'S PLAN OF SALVATION |
| PASSOVER AND FIRST UNLEAVENED BREAD DAY | GOD PASSES OVER OUR SINS BECAUSE WE ARE UNDER THE PROTECTIVE BLOOD OF THE REAL LAMB OF GOD, JESUS. NOTE JOHN 1:29,36 AND JOHN 3:16 , LUKE 22:1,7-8. & LEV 23:5-6. (THE N.T. PASSOVER OR LORD'S SUPPER IS MATT 26:16-18. ON THE NIGHT PORTION OF THE 14TH , I COR. 11:23, 27-28. COMMEMORATING LOVING COMRADSHIP BEFORE HIS SUFFERING & DEATH LATER THAT DAY. IT COVERS THE TOTAL EXPERIENCE OF JESUS. SEE JOHN CHAPTERS 13-17. ) NOTE JOHN 13;1-2. |
| DAYS OF UNLEAVENED BREAD | IT REPRESENTS SEVEN DAYS, THE NUMBER OF COMPLETION, OF BEING FREE FROM SIN JESUS EMPOWERS US TO PURITY. NOTE I COR 5:6-8 AND JOHN 6:48-54, and ACTS 12:3 & 20:6. |
| FEAST OF FIRST FRUITS OR WEEKS , PENTECOST | BELIEVERS ARE THE FIRST FRUITS! THE FEAST OF FIRST FRUITS TO GOD PROVES THAT A SECOND LARGER HARVEST IS COMING. NOW IS NOT THE ONLY DAY OF SALVATION. SEE ACTS 2:1-3, AND 20:16. NOTE LEV 23:15-16. |
| TRUMPETS | TRUMPETS ANNOUNCE THE CONQUEST OF THE WORLD BY THE MESSIAH. JESUS IN HIS SECOND COMING WILL RULE THE EARTH AND BRING IN PARADISE FOR A THOUSAND YEARS. SEE I COR. 15:51-53, 16:8 AND I THESS. 4:15-17. |
| ATONEMENT | A REPENTANT MANKIND NOW IS AT-ONE-MENT WITH GOD AND IT WILL BE WONDERFUL. GOD WILL FORGIVE ALL NATIONS. SEE ROMANS 3:25, HEB 2:17 , HEB 3:17-18. AND HEB CHAPTERS 7-10. |
| THE FEAST OF TABERNACLES | IT REPRESENTS THE TABERNACLING WITH CHRIST FOR THE PROSPEROUS LARGER HARVEST MILLENIAL REIGN OF THE MESSIAH. SEE ZACH 14:16-19 AND JOHN 7:1-2, 10, AND ACTS 16:21. |
| THE LAST GREAT DAY OF THE FEAST | THIS DAY REPRESENTS THE LAST CHANCE FOR SALVATION FOR THOSE NOT CALLED . THE MANY WHO NEVER REALLY HAD AN OPPORTUNITY TO KNOW CHRIST, WILL BE GIVEN A CHANCE FOR SALVATION. SEE JOHN 7:33-37 AND REV. 20:11-14 AND HEB 9:27. |
