Could you have a false prophet for a Pastor?

  • Christian Chat is a moderated online Christian community allowing Christians around the world to fellowship with each other in real time chat via webcam, voice, and text, with the Christian Chat app. You can also start or participate in a Bible-based discussion here in the Christian Chat Forums, where members can also share with each other their own videos, pictures, or favorite Christian music.

    If you are a Christian and need encouragement and fellowship, we're here for you! If you are not a Christian but interested in knowing more about Jesus our Lord, you're also welcome! Want to know what the Bible says, and how you can apply it to your life? Join us!

    To make new Christian friends now around the world, click here to join Christian Chat.

Dirtman

Well-known member
Jul 19, 2022
1,151
441
83
Only 43% of pastors hold Biblical worldview on Salvation

Published on Thursday, the nationwide study was carried out by the Cultural Research Center at Arizona Christian University and polled around 1000 pastors.

The study found that more than six out of ten pastors (62%) do not hold to a New Testament view on salvation, but rather ascribe to a hybrid worldview known as Syncretism, CP reports.

Syncretism is the combining of different beliefs, the merging of several ways of thinking.
Does the cultural research center at Arizona Christian University, hold a biblical world view of salvation? Or does their poll simply mean only 43% agree with them?
 
Jun 20, 2022
6,460
1,330
113
Does the cultural research center at Arizona Christian University, hold a biblical world view of salvation? Or does their poll simply mean only 43% agree with them?
the question was simply something like, "do you believe that today Jesus is still the only way to Salvation?
and i suppose if you did not you were able to explain your views.
 

Thewatchman

Active member
Jun 19, 2021
622
116
43
The Scripture states the time will be shortened, but it does not state by how much.
You can twist and spin the Scripture to suit your belief if you wish, I will not.
Revelation 9

4And it was commanded them that they should not hurt the grass of the earth, neither any green thing, neither any tree; but only those men which have not the seal of God in their foreheads.5And to them it was given that they should not kill them, but that they should be tormented five months: and their torment was as the torment of a scorpion, when he striketh a man.6And in those days shall men seek death, and shall not find it; and shall desire to die, and death shall flee from them.

Tap your forehead; Thank what is inside your forehead? The forehead is the front part of your head what does it protect? Your brain, Where your thanking, your reasoning . . .

What is Satan's number 666. Is it a tattoo on your forehead, or a chip in your hand. I would hope that you would have the knowledge to turn the other way and run from someone wanting to put that on you or in you.




Revelation 13:8

New International Version
This calls for wisdom. Let the person who has insight calculate the number of the beast, for it is the number of a man. That number is 666.

New Living Translation
Wisdom is needed here. Let the one with understanding solve the meaning of the number of the beast, for it is the number of a man. His number is 666.

English Standard Version
This calls for wisdom: let the one who has understanding calculate the number of the beast, for it is the number of a man, and his number is 666.

Berean Study Bible
Here is a call for wisdom: Let the one who has insight calculate the number of the beast, for it is the number of a man, and that number is 666.

Berean Literal Bible
Here is the wisdom. The one having understanding, let him count the number of the beast, for it is a man's number, and its number is six hundred sixty-six.

King James Bible
Here is wisdom. Let him that hath understanding count the number of the beast: for it is the number of a man; and his number is Six hundred threescore and six.


Look at what the verse really says. This calls for wisdom, Wisdom is needed here; Let the person who has insight, or understanding. Does it say run and hide, make up something to make you feel better about it. NO it says calculate using understanding, insight, or wisdom. For it is the number of a man. 666.

God mint for you to understand it. Why would He tell you to calculate it, or count it. 666. This is Satan's time the 6th Seal, the 6th vial and the 6th trump = 666

What happens after that at the 7th seal, seventh vial, and the 7th trump. Jesus returns and makes everything right again. Turns the world back to the way it was in the very beginning
 

Tazz

New member
Jun 27, 2022
25
14
3
Im just going to put this here, from a minister who once explained it to me.
I will try to convey as best I can what he told me many many yrs ago.

Revelation is full of symbolism. In Revelation, is a symbolic picture of Christ. Everyone knows that the Bible gives no actual depiction of Jesus, otherwise man would make images of Him and break one of the Ten Commandments.
Revelation is full of imagery, giving us an idea, guide of what is to come. God in His Wisdom did it this way as through the centuries mans ideas of things change, through how he lives, with no technology, growing, then now with much much more. How man thought and viewed the world centuries ago, compared to now is vastly different.
But, Gods Word never changes. Those centuries ago read His Word as we do now.
Read the commentaries from centuries ago, they are as relevant today as they were then from the faithful of God.
The hand, the forehead!
Will it be a visible mark!? If it were, then a Christian could, whom loves God and Christ, be taken under force and tied down and given the mark on the hand or forehead.
But, Christ says in His Word that None whom the Father gives Him can be taken away!
God says in His Word that He chose His people before time began! Written in the Book if Life!
How then can a visible mark given take one away from Him whose Word is True!?
If one can be given a mark, and its entirely possible to do so under force, be taken from the Almighty God!? That means those giving it have more power than He!
The Mark, as Revelation, is symbolic.
The Mark is this.
The Head, mind, what man thinks of God and Christ. Falsehoods, lies, deceptions and the falsehoods he believes.
The Hand, what man does in his life, his actions against the Almighty God, how he lives in variance against Gods Word.
Otherwise, Satan could steal and snatch away Gods Elect, making Satan more powerful.
The Mark is the Life one lives and how and what one believes in the Mind.
 

Dirtman

Well-known member
Jul 19, 2022
1,151
441
83
Revelation 9
. . .

What is Satan's number 666. Is it a tattoo on your forehead, or a chip in your hand. I would hope that you would have the knowledge to turn the other way and run from someone wanting to put that on you or in you.
I think its faith in modernity /Science/ technology/ govco.

Just an opinion
Many people put their faith in these things thinking this will save them. That medical science will over come death. That climate science will save the world. That gobernment can fix all the woes of life.
 

Thewatchman

Active member
Jun 19, 2021
622
116
43
I think its faith in modernity /Science/ technology/ govco.

Just an opinion
Many people put their faith in these things thinking this will save them. That medical science will over come death. That climate science will save the world. That gobernment can fix all the woes of life.
It is your opinion I am not sure what it has to do with what I said BUT it is your opinion
 
R

RichMan

Guest
Revelation 9

4And it was commanded them that they should not hurt the grass of the earth, neither any green thing, neither any tree; but only those men which have not the seal of God in their foreheads.5And to them it was given that they should not kill them, but that they should be tormented five months: and their torment was as the torment of a scorpion, when he striketh a man.6And in those days shall men seek death, and shall not find it; and shall desire to die, and death shall flee from them.

Tap your forehead; Thank what is inside your forehead? The forehead is the front part of your head what does it protect? Your brain, Where your thanking, your reasoning . . .

What is Satan's number 666. Is it a tattoo on your forehead, or a chip in your hand. I would hope that you would have the knowledge to turn the other way and run from someone wanting to put that on you or in you.




Revelation 13:8

New International Version
This calls for wisdom. Let the person who has insight calculate the number of the beast, for it is the number of a man. That number is 666.

New Living Translation
Wisdom is needed here. Let the one with understanding solve the meaning of the number of the beast, for it is the number of a man. His number is 666.

English Standard Version
This calls for wisdom: let the one who has understanding calculate the number of the beast, for it is the number of a man, and his number is 666.

Berean Study Bible
Here is a call for wisdom: Let the one who has insight calculate the number of the beast, for it is the number of a man, and that number is 666.

Berean Literal Bible
Here is the wisdom. The one having understanding, let him count the number of the beast, for it is a man's number, and its number is six hundred sixty-six.

King James Bible
Here is wisdom. Let him that hath understanding count the number of the beast: for it is the number of a man; and his number is Six hundred threescore and six.


Look at what the verse really says. This calls for wisdom, Wisdom is needed here; Let the person who has insight, or understanding. Does it say run and hide, make up something to make you feel better about it. NO it says calculate using understanding, insight, or wisdom. For it is the number of a man. 666.

God mint for you to understand it. Why would He tell you to calculate it, or count it. 666. This is Satan's time the 6th Seal, the 6th vial and the 6th trump = 666

What happens after that at the 7th seal, seventh vial, and the 7th trump. Jesus returns and makes everything right again. Turns the world back to the way it was in the very beginning
What does this have to do with your statement that the tribulation would be shortened by 5 months?
 
P

pablocito

Guest
The key is "I never knew you".
They were never saved.
My eternal life is in the hands of Jesus and no man can take that away and neither can Satan.
Satan has deceived many into believing they are saved.
Those who place their hope in good works, baptism, keeping commandments, living a sinless life, keeping the faith. None of that will save you. Only faith saves.

I admire your faith. if you continue on this pathway to the very end, then I am sure you will be saved. In the book of Revelation (chap 2&3), Jesus never gave any assurances except to say that those who endured to the end will be saved.
Like you, I am assured within myself that I could never turn back, and as Peter said to Jesus, where would we go when Jesus asked them if they also would leave him.

The key here is not so much your determination to finish the race but rather, do you know the truth. The bible states that the truth will set you free.

In Daniel 12 it says this:
Dan 12:10 Many shall be purified, and made white, and tried; but the wicked shall do wickedly: and none of the wicked shall understand; but the wise shall understand.

There are thousands and thousands and thousands of Christian truths out there. There is only one correct truth. Believing in a falsehood about God or Jesus Christ will leave you unprepared for his coming.
A Christian who believes in a falsehood, cannot know God because God is not the author of lies. Remember that the Devil is the father of lies.
Truly knowing the truth will set you free. If you got the truth from someone else (called plagiarizing) then you do not know the truth.
You have to get it from the horses mouth because that is the only way that God works.

Hope you have the truth for it is truly life giving and hope that truth is buried in your heart and not just head knowledge as the nation of Israel was destroyed for their lack of knowledge of the truth.

Hos 4:6 My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no priest to me: seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, I will also forget thy children.
 

Thewatchman

Active member
Jun 19, 2021
622
116
43
I admire your faith. if you continue on this pathway to the very end, then I am sure you will be saved. In the book of Revelation (chap 2&3), Jesus never gave any assurances except to say that those who endured to the end will be saved.
Like you, I am assured within myself that I could never turn back, and as Peter said to Jesus, where would we go when Jesus asked them if they also would leave him.

The key here is not so much your determination to finish the race but rather, do you know the truth. The bible states that the truth will set you free.

In Daniel 12 it says this:
Dan 12:10 Many shall be purified, and made white, and tried; but the wicked shall do wickedly: and none of the wicked shall understand; but the wise shall understand.

There are thousands and thousands and thousands of Christian truths out there. There is only one correct truth. Believing in a falsehood about God or Jesus Christ will leave you unprepared for his coming.
A Christian who believes in a falsehood, cannot know God because God is not the author of lies. Remember that the Devil is the father of lies.
Truly knowing the truth will set you free. If you got the truth from someone else (called plagiarizing) then you do not know the truth.
You have to get it from the horses mouth because that is the only way that God works.

Hope you have the truth for it is truly life giving and hope that truth is buried in your heart and not just head knowledge as the nation of Israel was destroyed for their lack of knowledge of the truth.

Hos 4:6 My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no priest to me: seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, I will also forget thy children.
It is not my place to judge you I do not know you and I hope that what you say is true. I have one question for you. Are you waiting on the rapture or are you wqaiting for Jesus to return to the Mt. of Olives and gather us to Him at the start of The Day of The Lord?
 

Bob-Carabbio

Well-known member
Jun 24, 2020
1,603
804
113
Could you have a false prophet for a Pastor?

Sure. HE could be a member of a CULT (like Jehova's Witness, SDA Mormons, Catholics, etc.).
OR He could be poorly studied,
Or he could be falsely motivated (Bigger is better / Toxic Word of Faith).
etc. there are all sorts of possibilities, AND if one is not familiar with the Bible, they're FAIR GAME.
 

Thewatchman

Active member
Jun 19, 2021
622
116
43
That is my point glad you got it. Just becouse it comes from the pulpet does not make it so. The problen farto many christians thank that all they have to do is say "Ilove Jesus" and show up to church on sunday morning put there money in the plate and go home and they are on there way to heaven.
 

HealthAndHappiness

Well-known member
Jul 7, 2022
10,281
4,329
113
Almost Heaven West Virginia
I was in behavioral health for 23 years. Over that time I saw a number of "pastors" who admitted to being in the ministry just as a job. They didn't actually believe what they were preaching. So, yeah: I believe false teachers are rampant. But that's what happens when they are chosen because of their degree, pedigree, or influence and not by the fruit of the Spirit.
I have read about this as a trend in the last century, but don't have the first hand testimony of many. Some have proclaimed in their books to being unbelievers in the pastorate, but continuing for some time.
I can see how that type would be more prone to psychopathies than the average person.
Did you know that cult leader Jim Jones was an atheist?
 

HealthAndHappiness

Well-known member
Jul 7, 2022
10,281
4,329
113
Almost Heaven West Virginia
went to my mom's little country church in north georgia with her a while back.

the pastor said " i wish you all would learn the Bible better.

then proceeds to spend about 2 minutes in the Bible and about 20 minutes talking about....... stuff.
just like you said, a verse or 2, then stories.
I know what you mean.
Mainstream denominations provide sermons to their pastors and priests. All that they have to do is to fill in the blanks with a personal illustration . The Sunday school material is also provided for many. They just familiarize themselves with the sermon and regurgitate it Sundays.
The headquarters are staffed with unsaved people writing sermons that are designed to keep attention and touch emotions more than teach true Bible doctrines.
There are hard working ministers who prepare their own messages, but they are the minority. The good ones who are saved are worthy of studying their sermons. I've heard scores of preachers over the years.
 
P

pablocito

Guest
It is not my place to judge you I do not know you and I hope that what you say is true. I have one question for you. Are you waiting on the rapture or are you wqaiting for Jesus to return to the Mt. of Olives and gather us to Him at the start of The Day of The Lord?
You are at liberty to judge me at anytime seeing that you are a child of God. But the type of judgment that you will do is one of brotherly love to chasten me or upbraid me for my salvation's sake.

As I said before I do not debate the bible especially those things that are very controversial and can cause much contention, even anger, leading to sin.

But I will share my understanding of the bible if asked and hope that it will lead to collaboration, rather than offenses.

I believe that the rapture of the church, the saints of God took place in the 1st century or sometime very soon afterwards. The saints, with Jesus Christ are presently in heaven judging this present world.

1Co 6:1 Dare any of you, having a matter against another, go to law before the unjust, and not before the saints?
1Co 6:2 Do ye not know that the saints shall judge the world? and if the world shall be judged by you, are ye unworthy to judge the smallest matters?
1Co 6:3 Know ye not that we shall judge angels? how much more things that pertain to this life?
1Co 6:4 If then ye have judgments of things pertaining to this life, set them to judge who are least esteemed in the church.

These verses are only a scintilla of what you asked about. By itself it does not prove anything. In fact even if one would believe the above assertion, it is a far cry from what he would need to know to become a son of God.

Peter does tell us in 2nd Peter 4 that to our faith, we should add virtue and knowledge. Knowledge is so important he placed it second to virtue.
But without virtue you cannot gain knowledge. Virtue is defined in Philippians 4 - true, honest, just, pure etc.

Regarding knowledge the bible says this: (by the way, we are talking about true knowledge, i.e. God's knowledge)

Dan 12:10 Many shall be purified, and made white, and tried; but the wicked shall do wickedly: and none of the wicked shall understand; but the wise shall understand.
 

Thewatchman

Active member
Jun 19, 2021
622
116
43
Thumbs up and thank you for the trust you put in me to “judge”; But it is Gods place to do the judging. That does not mean we have to turn a blind eye to things. God has given us His spirit and we do have the right to discern right from wrong, good from evil truth from fiction, The list that goes on and on.
 

Thewatchman

Active member
Jun 19, 2021
622
116
43
I know what you mean.
Mainstream denominations provide sermons to their pastors and priests. All that they have to do is to fill in the blanks with a personal illustration . The Sunday school material is also provided for many. They just familiarize themselves with the sermon and regurgitate it Sundays.
The headquarters are staffed with unsaved people writing sermons that are designed to keep attention and touch emotions more than teach true Bible doctrines.
There are hard working ministers who prepare their own messages, but they are the minority. The good ones who are saved are worthy of studying their sermons. I've heard scores of preachers over the years.
You are right and the same thing goes on here also; pull a verse from here and there and try to make doctron out of it.
 

Thewatchman

Active member
Jun 19, 2021
622
116
43
I have read about this as a trend in the last century, but don't have the first hand testimony of many. Some have proclaimed in their books to being unbelievers in the pastorate, but continuing for some time.
I can see how that type would be more prone to psychopathies than the average person.
Did you know that cult leader Jim Jones was an atheist?
I do I lived in Lake County (Clear lake) at the time. I got sucked into a cult for a short time till God showed my wife and I the truth and we left. The Church of Bible Understanding.
 

Thewatchman

Active member
Jun 19, 2021
622
116
43
You are at liberty to judge me at anytime seeing that you are a child of God. But the type of judgment that you will do is one of brotherly love to chasten me or upbraid me for my salvation's sake.

As I said before I do not debate the bible especially those things that are very controversial and can cause much contention, even anger, leading to sin.

But I will share my understanding of the bible if asked and hope that it will lead to collaboration, rather than offenses.

I believe that the rapture of the church, the saints of God took place in the 1st century or sometime very soon afterwards. The saints, with Jesus Christ are presently in heaven judging this present world.

1Co 6:1 Dare any of you, having a matter against another, go to law before the unjust, and not before the saints?
1Co 6:2 Do ye not know that the saints shall judge the world? and if the world shall be judged by you, are ye unworthy to judge the smallest matters?
1Co 6:3 Know ye not that we shall judge angels? how much more things that pertain to this life?
1Co 6:4 If then ye have judgments of things pertaining to this life, set them to judge who are least esteemed in the church.

These verses are only a scintilla of what you asked about. By itself it does not prove anything. In fact even if one would believe the above assertion, it is a far cry from what he would need to know to become a son of God.

Peter does tell us in 2nd Peter 4 that to our faith, we should add virtue and knowledge. Knowledge is so important he placed it second to virtue.
But without virtue you cannot gain knowledge. Virtue is defined in Philippians 4 - true, honest, just, pure etc.

Regarding knowledge the bible says this: (by the way, we are talking about true knowledge, i.e. God's knowledge)

Dan 12:10 Many shall be purified, and made white, and tried; but the wicked shall do wickedly: and none of the wicked shall understand; but the wise shall understand.
You and I would differ on that but you are right in one thing trying to have a civel, bible based discussion on it here would cause contention ect.
 

HealthAndHappiness

Well-known member
Jul 7, 2022
10,281
4,329
113
Almost Heaven West Virginia
I do I lived in Lake County (Clear lake) at the time. I got sucked into a cult for a short time till God showed my wife and I the truth and we left. The Church of Bible Understanding.
I've never heard of that one. I can see how it would be easier to fall for a church that didn't have a familiar name of a cult like the Mormons or JWs. The reason I asked you about Jim Jones was because that's where the phrase" don't drink the Cool aid" came from, in case you didn't know. Everyone in the 80s knew about it because of a mass suicide murder that took place with that cult. I think it was said to be over 900 souls.
Even the public schools started cult awareness programs then as a reaction to that event. I didn't know that he was an atheist who pretended to be a preacher to gain a following and power until I watched this documentary. Since you brought up your experiences with atheists in mental health being insincere ministers, I found the documentary again in case you want to watch it. Jim Jones is an interesting case study from a biblical perspective. I started studying abnormal psychology in highschool and think christian mental health workers would enjoy this.
It looks like YouTube censored and deleted it, but it's on this safe platform for streaming.

Jonestown In Light Of The Bible

https://archive.org/details/JonestownInLightOfTheBible
 
R

RichMan

Guest
I know what you mean.
Mainstream denominations provide sermons to their pastors and priests. All that they have to do is to fill in the blanks with a personal illustration . The Sunday school material is also provided for many. They just familiarize themselves with the sermon and regurgitate it Sundays.
The headquarters are staffed with unsaved people writing sermons that are designed to keep attention and touch emotions more than teach true Bible doctrines.
There are hard working ministers who prepare their own messages, but they are the minority. The good ones who are saved are worthy of studying their sermons. I've heard scores of preachers over the years.
What "mainstream denominations" provide sermons for their pastors?
What proof do you have the headquarters are staffed with unsaved people writing sermons?
You have made some very serious charges here without offering any proof.