1/28/2026 The Word on Wednesday at Lake Forest Baptist Church. Revelation

Описание: 1/28/2026 "AUDIO ONLY" The Word on Wednesday at Lake Forest Baptist Church. Series: Revelation: “Deciphering the End Daze: Discovering Hope for the Last Days” Revelation 13:11-16 by Rev. Burton W. Vezina II

Are there teachers today that look “lamb-like” but speak in ways that ultimately pull people away from Christ? Well, just think about these to name a few.
• Joseph Smith (1805–1844) – Mormonism
• Charles Taze Russell (1852–1916) – Jehovah’s Witnesses
• Mary Baker Eddy (1821–1910) – Christian Science
• Sun Myung Moon (1920–2012) – Unification Church
• David Koresh (1959–1993) – Branch Davidians
• Charles Manson (1934–2017)
• Jim Jones (Peoples Temple)
• Marshall Applewhite (Heaven’s Gate)

“Every false prophet begins by sounding spiritual—but ends by stealing Christ’s place.
The closer someone claims to stand to Christ while moving Him aside, the more dangerous they are.”

Discernment Questions to help one avoid being duped by false prophets:
• Who has final authority—Scripture or this teacher?
• Is Jesus being exalted or replaced?
• Is obedience directed toward Christ or a personality, or a system of becoming righteous?
• Is sin confronted—or is it being reframed as spiritual insight, enlightenment, or ignored?

The Bottom Line: People are duped for two main reasons: 1. Relationship. 2. Acquaintance. The first is not having a genuine personal relationship with Jesus Christ, the person of truth, which also brings with it the indwelling Spirit of Truth (the Holy Spirit) who will be the teacher and guide into all TRUTH (John 14:26). The second is our participation in the former, more bluntly stated, Biblical illiteracy (not being in the Word of Truth to know it, stow it, show it and grow it) can only be avoided by maintaining a personal relationship with Jesus and the Word of God. As we read, study and stow the Word of God, the Holy Spirit leads, guides and yes, even teaches us the TRUTH (John 16:13; 1 John 2:27). This does not mean that we do not need teachers, otherwise we would not have the spiritual gift of the Teacher (Eph 4:12ff) and the Bible would not require that the elder to be able to teach (1 Tim 3:2). What it does mean is that we practice acquaintance, or becoming familiar with the Holy Trinity and the Word of God through an intentional interpersonal relationship somewhat like we do with one another. If we are not careful, we will take this new relationship for granted, and given our experience in marriage, we all know the outcome of a marriage when a husband and wife cease all relational dialogue. Don't be duped!!! Test the spirits (1 John 4:1) using the Word of God as the rule.