In the First Century AD, Cerinthus was a well-known heretic, being one of the early leaders of the Gnostic movement. John opposed him as fiercely as a man possible could (thus giving us a better example of how to deal with heretics than the many modern-day milquetoast “pastors” who think we need to buddy-up with heretics and call them “brothers in Christ”). In fact, the story goes that when John and some of his disciples (possibly Polycarp) were about to enter a bathhouse, and John heard that Cerinthus was inside, John fled the building with his disciples, shouting
“Let us flee, lest the building fall down; for Cerinthus, the enemy of the truth, is inside!”
If only that which calls itself “the church” in America today would follow John’s example, we might not need a site like this. If the quote-unquote “church” would rise up and flee, flee, flee! Flee swiftly from those institutions that teach things that are contrary to the Word of God!!
- “Let us flee, lest the building fall down; for Roman Catholic idolatry, the enemy of the truth, is inside!”
- “Let us flee, lest the building fall down; for Emergent “Christianity”, the enemy of the truth, is inside!”
- “Let us flee, lest the building fall down; for Purpose-Driven™/Seeker-Driven™ egocentrism, the enemy of the truth, is inside!”
- “Let us flee, lest the building fall down; for Prosperity heretics, those enemies of the truth, are inside!”
- “Let us flee, lest the building fall down; for Robert Schuller, the enemy of the truth, is inside!”
- “Let us flee, lest the building fall down; for self-esteem, the enemy of the truth, is inside!”
- “Let us flee, lest the building fall down; for Compromise of all sorts, the enemy of the truth, is inside!”
That which calls itself “church”–if only they would adopt the attitude of John the Apostle, and “Let us flee, lest the building fall down; for [fill in the blank], the enemy of the truth, is inside!” Remember these words which our Lord Jesus spoke to this one who fled from Cerinthus, the enemy of the truth. Listen to what He said to these gatherings that claimed to be of Christ–but which allowed Satan to enter through the front door, all the while claiming they did it “for Christ”:
Revelation 2:12-16—“And to the angel of the church in Pergamos write…I know your works, and where you dwell, where Satan’s throne is. And you hold fast to My name, and did not deny My faith even in the days in which Antipas was My faithful martyr, who was killed among you, where Satan dwells. But I have a few things against you, because you have there those who hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balak to put a stumbling block before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed to idols, and to commit sexual immorality. Thus you also have those who hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which thing I hate. Repent, or else I will come to you quickly and will fight against them with the sword of My mouth.”
Revelation 2:18-23—“And to the angel of the church in Thyatira write…I know your works, love, service, faith, and your patience; and as for your works, the last are more than the first. Nevertheless I have a few things against you, because you allow that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess, to teach and seduce My servants to commit sexual immorality and eat things sacrificed to idols. And I gave her time to repent of her sexual immorality, and she did not repent. Indeed I will cast her into a sickbed, and those who commit adultery with her into great tribulation, unless they repent of their deeds. I will kill her children with death, and all the churches shall know that I am He who searches the minds and hearts.”
These were churches that were “doing good things.” They went around preaching “Love!! Love!! Love!!” They had all kinds of faith. But what did they do? They brought the enemy inside. They brought in Balaam, and they brought in Jezebel–and by doing so, they brought in all of their destructive heresies.
- Did Jesus say, “Oh, I’m so proud of you!! You’re using Satan’s methods to bring people in the doors! How wonderful!!”
- Did Jesus say, “It just thrills my heart to see you joining the worship of the true God with those who teach false Christs and bow down to worship statues!!”
- Did Jesus say, “I love how you guys are engaging the culture around you!!”
- Did Jesus say, “That’s the way to do church!! After all, who wants to sit there for a half an hour and just hear about…Me? Bring in more games!!”
NO!!!!!
Look at the warnings Jesus gives the church at Pergamos, and the church at Thyatira. Notice how they compromised with the world, and notice the rebuke from Christ. Then ask yourself: Would your church receive a “Well Done.” Or would He rebuke you for flinging wide the front door and inviting Balaam and Jezebel inside?
Christ Alone Wyoming 
brother,
this is a great post – thank you.
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The Jesus these people follow is not the Lord Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior. The Bible is not considered essential or even read. As long as they put the name jesus in everything they do they think they are above reproach. The jesus they follow is a devil. He is a god of their own making, made in man’s image.
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Amen and amen! The broad way is so popular – and leads to eternal death. The narrow way is hated by those who are perishing and those who love and worship the creation instead of the Creator. Yet the narrow, difficult path is the ONLY one that leads to eternal life!
Praise God for the gift of life and forgiveness of sins that is found in none other than the precious Lamb of God, the resurrected Jesus, Who is the Christ!
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Am glad I found this here, I’m sadly disappointed by what folks would call the gospel in my circles. It’s only a sham man-centered or prosperity mumbo jumbo, that would give me a headache if allowed.
Timely is what it is
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If these “Churches” were to repent publically one Sunday, and begine to proclaim the truth, they would be, for the most part, empty the following Sunday.
The hertic and those with itching ears go hand in hand. If you will stand for Bibical truth, you will have few friends; most so-called “Christians” are just not willing to pay the price: Dying to yourself.
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Not many people want to listen to the words of, “Flee!” Instead, they begin to flirt with error because after all, those who say, “Flee!” are judging and must love those in error (meaning, of course, you don’t say anything that would offend them). I spoke with my next door neighbour at length about sin and truth. She decided she wanted to get saved but I warned her several times about sin in her life and how a life that is not changed is not saved. I shared with her that she needed to be in a good church. I told her that very few churches really taught the truth. These were all answers to questions she had and in the end she fled all right! I didn’t see her for the longest time and she refused to answer her door. She’d hide and not come out unless we weren’t around. Now she tells me that she goes to some charismatic outfit that “loves” everyone! I guess I should take it as a compliment that I did state the truth!
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Desert Pastor’s wife:
Thank you for maintaining solidly for the truth. You are absolutely right that people don’t want to hear the word “flee”. It denotes (to the worldly mind) cowardice, fear, lack of integrity, etc. It goes against our pride, which is ironic because the world verbally still stigmatizes pride and arrogance (while, ironically looking up to those who display it).
What a contrast between the Early church, and the Emerging Church. The Early church was known for fleeing all appearance of evil, regardless of how it looked to others, regardless of what others thought. Whereas the Emerging church rushes headlong into mixing with the world, compromising the truth, under the pretext of being “relevant”. Emerging pastors even ridicule those who flee evil as “fearful”, “judgmental”, “narrow-minded” losers of the past. Given what I see in the Early church, and what I see in the Emerging church, I’ll gladly take the way of “the past”.
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It is true. The truth is what stands in the end. Sound doctrine and common sense. Holding fast to the sound doctrine of Jesus Christ and the word of God. This does not just mean understanding the deep meanings of the book of Revelations. This means holding firm to the entire Holy Bible, in which scripture cannot be broken. If you believe in Jesus Christ, then you accept Moses’s words as truth even though you follow the new covenant(for Moses spoke of Jesus Christ). I too get tired of “fair weather” Catholics and those who have animosity towards the Old Testament. It is a cop out. An excuse. A reason not to listen to the Ten Commandments and at least the two most important. We know Jesus Christ was the good thief, but he is human for the human race. He never was a devil who climbed up another way to become a false teacher.
This is where our current world has its tribulation and what will set the true church apart from idolatry. It is the Word and God’s sole judgement that will stand between the Jew and Gentile, living and dead, first and last.
Thank you to my brothers in the church for being hot for God and not cold towards him. He is holy and true. He is the truth, the way, the life. None go to the Father except through HIM. Hold fast to him. He knows those who are His and no one, even Satan cannot take them out of his hand. Remember scripture and write the law on your heart, bind them on your fingers. We are the body, many members but one body. Hold fast to his name, yes and have fear of the Lord. He is mighty. Flee from sin. I too need help in this area. Thank you for the words and truth. Keep the brotherly love and law of kindness towards each other. Peace be with you all.
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Philadelphian,
No… just the Bible – not mixed with man’s ‘common sense’.
Revelation — no ‘s’
God’s Treasure is found in EVERY Book of the Bible.
Huh?
The 66 Books of the Bible are powerful:
“All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness…” (2 Timothy 3:16)
The Bible is the inerrant, infallible Word of the Living God… so I’m still unsure of your point.
Christ has fulfilled the Law perfectly thereby reconciling the elect to God, through Christ’s vicarious death and His resurrection as a propitiation for our sins.
There’s your problem right there. Flee from that harlot ‘church’.
You cannot keep the Law in order to obtain salvation. Roman Catholicism is a works-righteousness religion. Flee!!!!
Huh? Are you talking about the parable in Mark 3:22-27? You lost me.
Sorry, I’m confused here. What are you saying?
??
God did that already. That’s why our conscience screams at us when we sin (if it is not seared).
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Can’t thank God enough for leading me here. Every time our church does another 40 days-I get creeped out! Now I know why..This has been awesome. Thank you!.
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and dont forget the mormons
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You people sound good and sincere, yet you refuse to “flee” from the commandments and traditions of men. Isn’t it written that “He that saith, I know Him, and keeps not His commandments, is a liar, and the trust is not in him.” also “He that saith he abides in Him ought himself also to walk, even as he walked.”? One of you wrote about the commandments written in our hearts, don’t you really mean “some” of the commandments. To make Sunday the “Sabbath” of the fourth commandment is just dishonest. It is the first day but never described as the Lords seventh day sabbath. Why not walk as Jesus walked, as Lord also of the Sabbath, since it was made for man, (not just Jews)? Sabbath keeping is no more legalism than having no other Gods. “If you love Me, keep my commandments” “for this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments and His commandments are not grievous.”
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“keeps not His commandments, is a liar, and the trust is not in him”
Rob, take a good read of Johns gospel account and epistles sometime, his use of the words commandment and commands are never used in reference to the OT law.
“To make Sunday the “Sabbath” of the fourth commandment is just dishonest.”
For those who are born again there entire lives are hidden in Christ. That is not a cliche but a reality, and one that no amount of religion can replace. By the grace of God I worship Him and rest in Christ 7 days a week. If you are only giving 1 you are lost.
-Jim
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Rob,
Not to allow you to hijack the thread, but as Christians under the new covenant we are not bound by the seventh day Sabbath. That was a sign between God and Israel for the old covenant (see Exodus 31:12-17). See also Colossians 2:16-17.
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