Is it too late?

  • 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.

ResidentAlien

Well-known member
Apr 21, 2021
8,318
3,619
113
#81
It's been sometime ago by now, but at one of the visits to America early in his duties as the Pope, there was a picture showing preachers like Ken Copeland, some preacher from Florida whose last name is Brown [I think], and if memory serves me correct, even Joel Osteen and many other big names preachers had not only met with the Pope, but it showed a couple of the preachers [kissing] his demonic ring.

Personally, I don't mind visiting mega churches if the Pastor is in alignment with God, but generally I prefer smaller Church Assemblies [300 members and under]. I enjoy the more intimate and closeness to my Brothers and Sisters in a smaller Congregation. But on certain occasions, it is fun being in a mega setting and when the Holy Spirit moves. It really is an amazing environment and experience to enjoy and witness God moving in that type of setting.

And of course, I do enjoy just being alone and being and feeling connected to God in my worship and Praise of Him.

But as far as the topic of this Thread is concerned, men and their idealism in how they view one Denomination versus another including and especially other sects like Catholicism, Church of Latter Day Saints [Mormons], Jehova Witnesses, Glory Barn, cults, and such and attempt to claim we're worshiping the [SAME] God but in different ways...yeah,,,I am not a big fan of that ill conceived concept.
Good thoughts. (y)
 

awelight

Well-known member
Aug 10, 2020
1,629
490
83
69
#82
The world has always been in darkness, don't you think?
Sorry for the delay....

Yes I would agree. Since the fall, the world and it's worldly system has always been in darkness. The church was the one of the things helping to retard the darkness and it's influences, along with the Providence of God.
 

awelight

Well-known member
Aug 10, 2020
1,629
490
83
69
#83
If you can't find good fellowship the problem is certainly with you.

If all you say about others is true then the right heart in those circumstances is to love the brethren and the assembly and earnestly seek it's prosperity.

When you die the truth will not die with you.
Again, Biblical fellowship is centered around Doctrine. Are do you deny this fact?
 

awelight

Well-known member
Aug 10, 2020
1,629
490
83
69
#84
Why do you listen to these preachers? ... I don't
This has nothing to do with listening to a preacher or anyone else. This is the teaching of prophetical assuredness. It is in the Book of Revelation. The churches will come together in continued compromise and the true Word of God will become harder and harder to find in the local church. Thus, giving birth to the Anti-Christ and his False Prophet.

I maintain, this "strong working of error" is already at work in the world and will get much worse.

2Th 2:7-12 For the mystery of lawlessness doth already work: only there is one that restraineth now, until he be taken out of the way.
And then shall be revealed the lawless one, whom the Lord Jesus shall slay with the breath of his mouth, and bring to nothing by the manifestation of his coming; even he, whose coming is according to the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders,
and with all deceit of unrighteousness for them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.
And for this cause God sending them a working of error, that they should believe a lie: that they all might be judged who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.
 

ResidentAlien

Well-known member
Apr 21, 2021
8,318
3,619
113
#85
I don't know why this stuff even surprises me anymore. According to the article linked to below, Pope Francis stated on June 23, 2021, "You can recognize false Christians by their 'inflexibility.' " Wow.

Francis said: "The Apostle Paul indicated the way forward is the liberating and ever-new path of Jesus, Crucified and Risen." Really, Paul said that? I guess Francis forgot to read 2 Thessalonians 2:15—"So then, brothers, stand firm and hold to the traditions that you were taught by us, either by our spoken word or by our letter."

The full article is here: https://www.breitbart.com/faith/202...cognize-false-christians-their-inflexibility/

The Day's coming fast.
 

Gideon300

Well-known member
Mar 18, 2021
5,368
3,163
113
#86
Yes, megachurches grow larger and larger; Christian conferences abound and grow more prolific every year; ecumenicism is on the rise; contemporary Christian music is bigger ($$$) and more popular now than ever. But is it for the good?

People like Rick Warren praise the pope (from "papa," Holy Father
), saying of Catholics in a tweet: "If you love Jesus, we may serve on different teams, but we're in the same league of receiving His grace and forgiveness"; Louie Giglio of Passion Church and his wife meeting and kissing the Pope. This is but the tip of the iceberg.

Church is nothing but big business. No one is accountable for sin. If someone is good for business they're in, regardless of whether they teach heresy or not. Formerly conservative preachers like John MacArthur have apparently swallowed the Kool-Aid.

Have we already gone over the cliff? If so, what should true and faithful believers do? You can't rebuke. People like Rick Warren are above rebuke. You can't rebuke the contemporary Christian music industry or their artists, they don't care, all they want is $$$ and more of it. If you try to warn people they'll tell you you're crazy.

I believe the time has come for worldly christianity (lower case intentional) to be exposed for what it is. Much of what's going on is deliberately designed to cater to the younger generation. A whole generation is growing up thinking this is what Christianity is.

I didn't spend a lot of time on this post so it may not be that eloquent; it's a heartfelt plea that hopefully the Lord will use for some good.
God will take care of this. Lord Jesus is Head and Builder of His church. A great deal of what passes for church is either satanic counterfeit or dead works. Judgement begins with the house of God. You will find that real Christians will reject the false (it's happening already) and seek reality. Francis Chan is a good example. He was of the "mega church" school but saw the flaws and turned away. He is still highly active but promoting home based fellowship that are much more like the NT pattern. Watchman Nee founded thousands of home based churches in China. Because they were small, they were able to flourish under oppressive communist rule. Because they were not "one man band" led, imprisoning a leader did not cause the fellowship to collapse.

My forum name is because we are working towards 10 fellowships of at most 30 people. So far, it seems "mission impossible". If it is of God, nothing can stop it. We will see.
 

Gideon300

Well-known member
Mar 18, 2021
5,368
3,163
113
#87
For the last hundred years or so, the church has been one step behind the world. As the world declines, so does the church. Where the world was yesterday is where the church is today.
It's the reverse. The world declines as the church declines. We are supposed to be salt, a preservative, and light, to overcome the darkness of the world. The church is meant to be introducing the Kingdom of God here and now. God will bring this to pass as some Christian stand up and be in experience what God has made us to be in Christ.
 

ResidentAlien

Well-known member
Apr 21, 2021
8,318
3,619
113
#88
My forum name is because we are working towards 10 fellowships of at most 30 people. So far, it seems "mission impossible". If it is of God, nothing can stop it. We will see.
Sounds like a great plan. I'll pray with you for it to succeed.

I've been looking for a house church. The established churches seem broken beyond repair and what's taking their place isn't even what I would call a church.
 

Gideon300

Well-known member
Mar 18, 2021
5,368
3,163
113
#89
Post modernism has taken hold of a lot of parts of christianity, along with materialism and emotionalism.

My brother was talking about a new revival going on.. I am thinking. .. is it another wave of charismania?
The supposed revival has all the hallmarks of a counterfeit. In the past there have been revivals that were a mixture, some genuine manifestations of the Holy Spirit and some that were false. The last one, the "Toronto Blessing", was entirely false. I believe that the next one will be harder to discern. Satan learned from mistakes that he made with the TB. Also, there is a good deal less sound teaching these days.

Many (if not most) Christians lack discernment because they lack spiritual knowledge. Another huge problem is that they know about Jesus but they do not really know Him. If they did, they would be deceived. Ignorance is not bliss. It is dangerous.
 

Gideon300

Well-known member
Mar 18, 2021
5,368
3,163
113
#90
Sounds like a great plan. I'll pray with you for it to succeed.

I've been looking for a house church. The established churches seem broken beyond repair and what's taking their place isn't even what I would call a church.
Thank you for your prayers. Nothing of any spiritual worth happens without prayer.

It may be that God is calling you to start something. When I was in the Navy, we had an informal fellowship. I sort of led, but only because I could play guitar and I was a couple of years older in the Lord. We had some amazing times of fellowship, healing and deliverance. There were mistakes. The group was constantly changing as people were posted. But it was a taste of what could be done with a bunch of young men who had zeal for the Lord.
 
Apr 12, 2021
902
211
43
#91
Yes, megachurches grow larger and larger; Christian conferences abound and grow more prolific every year; ecumenicism is on the rise; contemporary Christian music is bigger ($$$) and more popular now than ever. But is it for the good?

People like Rick Warren praise the pope (from "papa," Holy Father
), saying of Catholics in a tweet: "If you love Jesus, we may serve on different teams, but we're in the same league of receiving His grace and forgiveness"; Louie Giglio of Passion Church and his wife meeting and kissing the Pope. This is but the tip of the iceberg.

Church is nothing but big business. No one is accountable for sin. If someone is good for business they're in, regardless of whether they teach heresy or not. Formerly conservative preachers like John MacArthur have apparently swallowed the Kool-Aid.

Have we already gone over the cliff? If so, what should true and faithful believers do? You can't rebuke. People like Rick Warren are above rebuke. You can't rebuke the contemporary Christian music industry or their artists, they don't care, all they want is $$$ and more of it. If you try to warn people they'll tell you you're crazy.

I believe the time has come for worldly christianity (lower case intentional) to be exposed for what it is. Much of what's going on is deliberately designed to cater to the younger generation. A whole generation is growing up thinking this is what Christianity is.

I didn't spend a lot of time on this post so it may not be that eloquent; it's a heartfelt plea that hopefully the Lord will use for some good.
I hear you, re: the church has become more about big $$$. Though it's not something new. Just look at the RCC, which has been power and money hungry from its inception. Throughout the ages, men of different philosophical mindsets amassed followers who themselves broke away from their mentors to start an entirely "separate but equally Christian" movement. From early 1st century to the establishment of the government religion that is the RCC, to the Waldensians, the reformation, anabaptists, Heugenots, Eastern Orthodox, Lutherans, Episcopalian, non-trinitarian, pentacostal, charismatic, etc, etc, etc.

Nowadays, there is so much worldly secular influence in people's lives that many don't want to hear a pastor who is strictly preaching and teaching from the absolute truth of the Bible. There's so many out there that will tolerate hearing about God only if the sermon is dominated by a feel-good-about-yourself theme.

Many are being led astray, and they refuse to hear the truth. Time waits for no man, and time is running down. Maranatha, Jesus. ❤
 

ResidentAlien

Well-known member
Apr 21, 2021
8,318
3,619
113
#92
I hear you, re: the church has become more about big $$$. Though it's not something new. Just look at the RCC, which has been power and money hungry from its inception. Throughout the ages, men of different philosophical mindsets amassed followers who themselves broke away from their mentors to start an entirely "separate but equally Christian" movement. From early 1st century to the establishment of the government religion that is the RCC, to the Waldensians, the reformation, anabaptists, Heugenots, Eastern Orthodox, Lutherans, Episcopalian, non-trinitarian, pentacostal, charismatic, etc, etc, etc.

Nowadays, there is so much worldly secular influence in people's lives that many don't want to hear a pastor who is strictly preaching and teaching from the absolute truth of the Bible. There's so many out there that will tolerate hearing about God only if the sermon is dominated by a feel-good-about-yourself theme.

Many are being led astray, and they refuse to hear the truth. Time waits for no man, and time is running down. Maranatha, Jesus. ❤
(y)
 
Apr 12, 2021
902
211
43
#93
Again, Biblical fellowship is centered around Doctrine. Are do you deny this fact?
Hello.
Biblical Christian fellowship should be centered around our relationship with Jesus Christ. Doctrine is important. Charles Haddon Spurgeon sensibly said: "I MAY KNOW ALL THE DOCTRINES OF THE BIBLE, BUT UNLESS I KNOW CHRIST, THERE IS NOT ONE OF THEM THAT CAN SAVE ME." Peace and blessings.
 
Apr 12, 2021
902
211
43
#94
As MacArthur points out, Jesus said the church will be built, not even hades will prevail (Matt. 16) None that are given from the Father to the Son will be lost (John 6) The true Church will advance no matter how much false religion thrives. Hope this brings you comfort, it does me. But man it is irritating to say the least, to see false christians smearing the name of our Lord in word and deed.
Care to elaborate on how MacArthur has slipped? Not a loaded question, I just listen to a lot of his teaching, want to make sure I haven’t missed anything.
John MacArthur was asked by an audience member at a Q&A if it was possible to still be saved after receiving the mark of great beast; do you recall John MacArthur's response?
 
May 22, 2020
2,382
358
83
#96
I don't know why this stuff even surprises me anymore. According to the article linked to below, Pope Francis stated on June 23, 2021, "You can recognize false Christians by their 'inflexibility.' " Wow.

Francis said: "The Apostle Paul indicated the way forward is the liberating and ever-new path of Jesus, Crucified and Risen." Really, Paul said that? I guess Francis forgot to read 2 Thessalonians 2:15—"So then, brothers, stand firm and hold to the traditions that you were taught by us, either by our spoken word or by our letter."

The full article is here: https://www.breitbart.com/faith/202...cognize-false-christians-their-inflexibility/

The Day's coming fast.
I think Francis has forgot to read many elements of God's word...but, then the RCC bible is far from God's word. Other words he does not have God's word if he limits his exposure to the RCC bible.
 

NOV25

Well-known member
Nov 23, 2019
977
386
63
#98
John MacArthur was asked by an audience member at a Q&A if it was possible to still be saved after receiving the mark of great beast; do you recall John MacArthur's response?
Nope, never seen or heard of that exchange. What happened?