Take the Tour of the Ages by following the menu above, page by page.
Read (1) The First 4000 Years From Creation and examine a brief history of the Old Testament time period.
Read (2), (3), and (4) to see some of the things that have shaped and affected Christendom (everything that claims to be Christian even though it may or may not be a part of true Christianity) during each respective time period.
Read (5) New Heavens And A New Earth to examine what God’s Word has to say about this reconstruction.
Read (6) The Climax Of The Ages to examine what God’s Word has to say about the end of the ages and the beginning of eternity.
Read (7) What Is Biblical Christianity so you will know what is true, and avoid that which is false.
Read (8) Do Not Be Deceived, Unless You Repent to see the importance God places on repentance.
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The release of the mind from bondage, initialized by the Renaissance, was like a fetus in the womb that grew with each succeeding movement until it formed and developed into a full body of human knowledge small and weak, but ever growing. It was into this chain of events that Charles Darwin devised and introduced his theory of evolution in 1858.
The rise of the theory of evolution in the nineteenth century, and the rise of theories of psychology in the twentieth century have gained the respect, admiration, and awe of the majority of this world’s citizens. Sadly, this includes a large number of Christian ministers as well! Any factual research will expose both of these theories to be without scientific evidence of any kind, and responsible for much mischief in the Kingdom of God.
Because of modern scientific techniques and equipment, many scientists have come to believe the Genesis account of creation and a short time span between then and now. Some of the previous theories and beliefs now appear, even from a purely scientific view point, to be false or faulty. After more than 100 years of scientific research they have been unable to find one real missing link between species, or any other evidence to support the theory of evolution. And with the recent invention of the electron microscope, molecular biology has shown by the discovery of the enormous complexity of a living cell, that the theory of evolution is totally impossible.
There are many branches of psychology, those that stick to objective facts may be legitimate as a science. But those that use testing that deals with personality types or personal feelings or subjective views lack the necessary factual support to qualify them as a true science this is the realm of the soul and spirit, emotions and behavior, and should be dealt with from the teachings of God’s Word. It is beyond the realm of science to evaluate, verify, dictate to, or treat the soul or spirit of man. The attempt to deal with human behavior scientifically has opened the door to occult seduction. Elements of psychology, especially the field of psychotherapy, come out of the occult, are not scientific, and many of their leading professionals admit that it is destructive.
Psychology, which is only one of a variety of ways that man has developed, is a very good example of how easy it is to slip into the occult. Man, believing that he could formulate a better understanding and treatment of the soul than the Bible contains, set aside God’s revelation and looked to their own understanding and ability. This lead to transpersonal psychology and the belief in the supernatural; parapsychology and the examination and study of spiritual phenomena and the occult. Although they have contacted the spirit realm, they don’t really know what they are communicating with. There is nothing in the physical realm that can detect, evaluate, or explain spiritual experiences; they can only see and hear the affects of it. And the more they communicate, the more they become deceived by the teachings of these spirits.
As the American Christian church enters the end of this century, ecumenicism has become a deadly cancer, destroying what used to be healthy Christian churches and replacing them with mutant fellowships of "new spirituality" that embrace pantheism, polytheism, goddess worship, new ageism, Hinduism, Buddhism, and agnosticism. The only "faith" not acceptable in our liberal churches today is biblical faith that dares to make exclusive claims about Jesus Christ, the gospel, the Bible, and salvation! The 1993 Parliament of World Religions, held in Chicago, exemplified this quasi Christianity. "Christian" spokespeople from various liberal churches embraced the faiths of the world as simply alternate ways to experience God, and both liberal Christians and non Christians united in their condemnation of what they termed narrow minded, fundamentalist religious bigots. When Christianity denies the biblical faith it ceases to be Christianity at all. (The Kingdom of the Cults, Walter Martin with Hank Hanegraaff as general editor, page 21)
The blending of these three areas of human knowledge took place primarily during the last half of the twentieth century. Most of the information from these three sources is contrary and opposed to God’s Word, and many books have been written to expose their harmful effects upon society. All three are subjective belief systems, and as such have no source of validity or authority except the opinion or assumptions of men. These are the three primary influences, with their many beliefs, practices and rituals, that have been responsible for the growing phenomenon of our day known as the New Age Movement.
What Is The Occult? The word occult comes from the Latin occultus, which means "concealed" or "hidden." It involves mystic knowledge and magic powers received from the spirit world and dispensed for the benefit of devotees or directed destructively at enemies by those who have been initiated into its secrets. The masters of occult power are known as medicine men (or women), witch doctors, witches, psychics, priests, sorcerers, astrologers, gurus, yogis, shamans, mediums, seers, or healers.
Some of those involved with occult powers attribute them to a variety of deities, others to a "Force" inherent within the universe with a "dark" and "light" side which humans can tap into. Still others claim they are simply using a normal power of the mind which can be cultivated in a special state of consciousness. There are also those who attribute occult powers to the God of the Bible. (From Dave Hunt’s book, Occult Invasion, The subtle seduction of the world and the Church, p. 39)
In 1984, the U.S. Department of Education conducted hearings to gauge public opinion and propose regulations regarding the implementation of "The Protection of Pupil Rights Amendment" otherwise known as the Hatch Amendment." Testimonials revealed a new agenda was well under way in countless schools. One witness displayed a blueprint for our educational future, produced with support from the National Institute of Education. It was entitled Future Studies in the Kindergarten Through Twelve Curriculum by John D. Haas, and it recommended that teachers subtly introduce such subjects as fertility control, abortion, family planning, women’s liberation, euthanasia, New Age consciousness, mysticism, new religions, changing older religions, guaranteed income, and so on. These issues had become hot stuff in many classrooms anyway. Haas wanted to expedite the process of preparing children for the new order. Gender bending kept coming up. (New Age Religious Beliefs, Psychotherapeutic Techniques, and Occult Practices in Public School Curriculums, by John F. Ankerberg, D. Min., K. Craig Branch, M. Div, and John F. Weldon, Ph. D., and published by The Ankerberg Theological Research Institute. pp. 70-72)
The above booklet gives several examples of the many forces in the world today that have set out to rob the people of the knowledge of God and His will for our lives. As more and more of them join together, as they have been doing for the last fifty years, Christians can expect the words of Jesus to be fulfilled, "Then they will hand you over to suffer affliction and tribulation and put you to death, and you will be hated by all nations for My name’s sake" (Matt. 24:9). The most terrible and frightening aspect about all this is that these influences have penetrated not only the world, but Christian churches as well and many Christians are not even aware of it, or the harm they can and have caused.
We are entering a perilous time known as the "last days" which will produce massive global upheaval and spiritual changes as foretold by the prophets in ancient Scripture. We need to be aware of the spiritual deception surrounding us so that we do not unwittingly fall prey to its false doctrines. As we begin to understand the tactics of our ultimate enemy, Satan, and learn to trust in the promises found in the word of God, we will be able to withstand the challenges during the difficult days that lie ahead. (The New World Religion by Gary H. Kah (1998). pp. 11-13)
It seems that Humanism, the belief that man has all the inherent qualities and ability needed to create and maintain his own perfect environment, has increasingly become the best hope of the world leaders both in politics and religion.
The major goal of America 2000 (Bush) and Goals 2000 (Clinton) is to establish educational and testing standards throughout the country, placing control of all education under the Federal government through the establishment of "Outcome Based Education" (OBE). OBE has little to do with what parents expect of education and much to do with indoctrinating children into "politically correct reactions" to situational ethics. As The Iowa Report puts it, OBE and Mastery Learning (ML) are designed for "manipulating students through behavior modification, based on B.F. Skinner’s methods . . . open[ing] the door to destroying their traditional and religious values. . . . In such a [OBE/ML] program traditional Christian values are not acceptable. (David Hunt’s book, Occult Invasion, p. 320)
If our minds are going to be changed from the world’s to God’s viewpoint, we will need to protect ourselves from the harmful effects of the information and entertainment network. That these mediums form and mold people and personalities can hardly be denied. They teach and instruct just as much if not more than our public schools and Church Sunday Schools.
Fifty years ago, Hollywood actors were held in contempt because they changed marriage partners so often; now, approximately 50% of American marriages, including those among Christians go through a divorce. Sex and violence on TV have undoubtedly cost our society dearly in more ways than we can imagine, and these are the very things that Paul warned the Ephesians about. These are the things that grieve the Holy Spirit and make it impossible for us to live as God intended us to, and yet, many parents allow their children to watch these programs, which in many cases is no different than sacrificing or offering them to demons.
The influences of all that we have covered up to this point have brought us to a very crucial time in the history of God’s creation, which the Bible describes as the last days or the end time, or the time just preceding the second coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. The end time is described as a time of confusion and deception, a time of great evil and oppression, and a time when many will turn away from Christ (Matt. Chapter 24). This being October 30, 2009 – I think that we can safely say that these terrible conditions are well on their way to being fulfilled.
The Bible has become so discredited by humanistic influences and agencies that very few still believe that the Bible is the inspired and infallible Word of God. Therefore, many churches no longer teach or preach the Word of God, but are instead proclaiming the social gospel of the Purpose Driven and Emerging Church movements. Freedom of expression is being increasingly denied by more government agencies, and persecution is increasing against Christians worldwide. All of this will contribute to the great falling away that both Jesus and Paul spoke of.
Many people who call themselves Christians spend very little time reading and studying the Bible, and thus lack the knowledge required to know the difference between God’s ways and the world’s ways. As a result they are easily deceived into following after and joining movements or groups like the Purpose Driven and Emerging Church movements, and postmodernism. Purpose Driven churches preach the social gospel, accept interfaithism, and try to get the people interested and involved through the use of the world’s consumer-oriented marketing approach in an attempt to give the people what they want, instead of what the Bible teaches; the Emerging Church movement leads into greater deception by trying to get the peoples’ interest and involvement through the use of Roman Catholic and Eastern Religious mysticism, as well as accepting some of the elements of the postmodern worldview; and postmodernism is a rejection of all truth claims, Biblical and otherwise, in favor of accepting the consensus of the local group or community. Obviously these groups have departed from the authority of God’s Word, to accept whatever works for them or feels good – they are no longer the salt (preserving from sin and death) nor the light (dispelling the darkness by revealing the truth) that Jesus said they should be! "You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste (its strength, its quality), how can its saltness be restored? It is not good for anything any longer but to be thrown out and trodden underfoot by men. You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do men light a lamp and put it under a peck measure, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all in the house. Let your light so shine before men that they may see your moral excellence and your praiseworthy, noble, and good deeds and recognize and honor and praise and glorify your Father Who is in heaven" (Matt 5:13-16).
The statements and comments concerning these groups are general observations that do not always apply to everyone who is involved with them. Most people and groups are picking and choosing whatever appeals to them personally, but nevertheless any participation only draws them deeper and deeper into the global worldview.
These groups and others like them have become so broad-minded that they accept anything and everything except true Biblical Christianity. This is the mind-set that is accepted not only by the global community, but many Christians and churches as well. Those who try to compromise with them will find themselves increasingly absorbed into this God-rejecting worldview from which it will be very difficult to escape. Those who refuse to go along with them and choose to remain faithful to Christ instead will be rejected as intolerant, and increasingly persecuted and prosecuted by the global community and its hate-crime laws. Jesus said of the times we are living in, "Then they will hand you over to suffer affliction and tribulation and put you to death, and you will be hated by all nations for My name's sake. And then many will be offended and repelled and will begin to distrust and desert [Him Whom they ought to trust and obey] and will stumble and fall away and betray one another and pursue one another with hatred. And many false prophets will rise up and deceive and lead many into error. And the love of the great body of people will grow cold because of the multiplied lawlessness and iniquity, but he who endures to the end will be saved" (Matt 24:9-13).
Our only hope of escape from the above deception is to know God’s Word and to abide in Christ. The following is an extended list of some of the groups, movements and beliefs to watch for and stay away from:
1. The Ecumenical movement is spearheaded by the Roman Catholic Church, which also embraces the interfaith movement. In fact, this whole list of spiritual deception is coming together to form a unified global force in an attempt to destroy Christianity and take over the world.
2. Rick Warren’s Purpose Driven church movement, sometimes called the PEACE Plan, is a glorified social gospel to save the world from it’s problems. Rick’s false assumption about prophesy has led to his acceptance of dominionists’ and their beliefs that Christians are to take control of the earth before Jesus returns, which in turn has led to his false belief that evangelism means social activism with anyone who wants to participate. One false step leads to another, a little bit of false accumulation will soon corrupt our whole system of thought, "[About the condition of your church] your boasting is not good [indeed, it is most unseemly and entirely out of place]. Do you not know that [just] a little leaven will ferment the whole lump [of dough]?" (1 Cor. 5:6).
3. The Emerging Church movement of mystical contemplative practices is being promoted by emergent leaders such as Brian McLaren, Robert Webber, Dallas Willard and others. Publishers like NavPress, InterVarsity and Zondervan are flooding the market with books promoting contemplative practices based on Eastern mysticism. Pastors and church leaders read these books and then promote the ideas as if they were the scriptural answer to drawing close to God.
4. Replacement theology: The belief that the church takes the place of Israel and Israel has no prophetic significance. Proponents say the Book of Revelation does not refer to the future, but instead has been already fulfilled in the past. Many who have accepted this theology believe that God has completely rejected the nation of Israel and therefore are siding with the world in its attempt to destroy Israel as a nation.
5. Postmodernism: We are now living in the postmodern era. In a sincere attempt to reach the postmodern generation with the gospel, it seems many Christians have become postmodern in their thinking. The modern era was characterized by a time of rational thinking based on factual observation. Many claim the modern era ended in the mid 1900s. The postmodern mindset moves beyond the rational and the factual to the experiential and the mystical. In other words, in the past it was possible to know right from wrong and black from white. In the postmodern era all things are relative to the beholder. What may be right for you may be wrong for someone else. There is no such thing as absolute truth. The only thing that is absolute is that there are no absolutes.
1 PETER 5:8-11…. Be well balanced (temperate, sober of mind), be vigilant and cautious at all times; for that enemy of yours, the devil, roams around like a lion roaring [in fierce hunger], seeking someone to seize upon and devour. Withstand him; be firm in faith [against his onset--rooted, established, strong, immovable, and determined], knowing that the same ( identical) sufferings are appointed to your brotherhood (the whole body of Christians) throughout the world. And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace [Who imparts all blessing and favor], Who has called you to His [own] eternal glory in Christ Jesus, will Himself complete and make you what you ought to be, establish and ground you securely, and strengthen, and settle you. To Him be the dominion (power, authority, rule) forever and ever. Amen (so be it).
10/26/2016 <>I went to the Jackson hospital today for some blood work. While waiting I read an article in Readers Digest about the difficulties of Christians living in Lebanon. After seeing that it referred to people with questionable backgrounds and practices, I began to think how this is a good example of the way that people began to drift away from the truth of God’s Word to follow leaders or groups instead. Too often this results in the congregation just following the leader or group instead of searching the Scriptures (Acts 17:11) to see if what they are presenting is according to God’s Word. This is what I have consistently found escalating over the past 58 years, and the condition of Christendom is now so bad that it is almost impossible to find a faithful church that has not seriously compromised the truth of God’s Word. Because of this I have had to withdraw from some associations such as the two mentioned below.
In October of 2011 I sent in my resignation of fellowship to the last church I have attended. After attending for 2 years and 3 months it became apparent that the differences over several important issues that the pastor and I held were so great that it became necessary for me to depart.
In April of 2013 I discontinued my support for a popular ministry for the same reason. If we continue to support such leaders and ministries we add to the confusion that already exists, and endanger the spiritual lives of others.
Here are some of the Scriptures that warn us to be watchful of the dangers that will confront us in the difficult times that we are living in and how to react to them:
ACTS 20:28-32…. Take care and be on guard for yourselves and the whole flock over which the Holy Spirit has appointed you bishops and guardians, to shepherd (tend and feed and guide) the church of the Lord or of God which He obtained for Himself [buying it and saving it for Himself] with His own blood. I know that after I am gone, ferocious wolves will get in among you, not sparing the flock; even from among your own selves men will come to the front who, by saying perverse (distorted and corrupt) things, will endeavor to draw away the disciples after them [to their own party]. Therefore be always alert and on your guard, being mindful that for three years I never stopped night or day seriously to admonish and advise and exhort you one by one with tears. And now [brethren], I commit you to God [I deposit you in His charge, entrusting you to His protection and care]. And I commend you to the Word of His grace [to the commands and counsels and promises of His unmerited favor]. It is able to build you up and to give you [your rightful] inheritance among all God's set-apart ones (those consecrated, purified, and transformed of soul).
1 TIMOTHY 4:1…. But the [Holy] Spirit distinctly and expressly declares that in latter times some will turn away from the faith, giving attention to deluding and seducing spirits and doctrines that demons teach,
2 TIMOTHY 3:1-5…. But understand this, that in the last days will come (set in) perilous times of great stress and trouble [hard to deal with and hard to bear]. For people will be lovers of self and [utterly] self-centered, lovers of money and aroused by an inordinate [greedy] desire for wealth, proud and arrogant and contemptuous boasters. They will be abusive (blasphemous, scoffing), disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy and profane. [They will be] without natural [human] affection (callous and inhuman), relentless (admitting of no truce or appeasement); [they will be] slanderers (false accusers, troublemakers), intemperate and loose in morals and conduct, uncontrolled and fierce, haters of good. [They will be] treacherous [betrayers], rash, [and] inflated with self-conceit. [They will be] lovers of sensual pleasures and vain amusements more than and rather than lovers of God. For [although] they hold a form of piety (true religion), they deny and reject and are strangers to the power of it [their conduct belies the genuineness of their profession]. Avoid [all] such people [turn away from them].
From all indications it seems that we are now living in the last days that Paul refers to above. He begins this portion of Scripture by stating: "But understand this, that in the last days will come (set in) perilous times of great stress and trouble [hard to deal with and hard to bear]." Then he mentions the ungodly character of those who hold to a form of religion that is not true Biblical Christianity, and this is what we are now confronted with and surrounded by that is so very difficult to deal with and is hard to bear. It’s hard to deal with because it is so very deceptive, confusing and misleading. It’s hard to bear because it is the complete opposite of, apposed and vindictive of true Biblical Christianity. I think that the first example of the fierce opposition of the false way to the true way is when Cain rose up in envy and anger and killed his brother Abel (Genesis chapter 4), because God accepted Abel’s correct sacrifice but would not accept Cain’s wrong sacrifice of his own works. True Christianity is living by complete reliance upon what God has provided for us in and through Christ Jesus our Lord, all other religions try to be acceptable to God by their own good works and therefore are false.
2 TIMOTHY 4:1-5…. I charge [you] in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, Who is to judge the living and the dead, and by (in the light of) His coming and His kingdom: Herald and preach the Word! Keep your sense of urgency [stand by, be at hand and ready], whether the opportunity seems to be favorable or unfavorable. [Whether it is convenient or inconvenient, whether it is welcome or unwelcome, you as preacher of the Word are to show people in what way their lives are wrong.] And convince them, rebuking and correcting, warning and urging and encouraging them, being unflagging and inexhaustible in patience and teaching. For the time is coming when [people] will not tolerate (endure) sound and wholesome instruction, but, having ears itching [for something pleasing and gratifying], they will gather to themselves one teacher after another to a considerable number, chosen to satisfy their own liking and to foster the errors they hold, and will turn aside from hearing the truth and wander off into myths and man-made fictions. As for you, be calm and cool and steady, accept and suffer unflinchingly every hardship, do the work of an evangelist, fully perform all the duties of your ministry.
2 PETER 2:1-3…. But also [in those days] there arose false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among yourselves, who will subtly and stealthily introduce heretical doctrines (destructive heresies), even denying and disowning the Master Who bought them, bringing upon themselves swift destruction. And many will follow their immoral ways and lascivious doings; because of them the true Way will be maligned and defamed. And in their covetousness (lust, greed) they will exploit you with false (cunning) arguments. From of old the sentence [of condemnation] for them has not been idle; their destruction (eternal misery) has not been asleep.
2 PETER 3:1-6…. Beloved, I am now writing you this second letter. In [both of] them I have stirred up your unsullied (sincere) mind by way of remembrance, that you should recall the predictions of the holy (consecrated, dedicated) prophets and the commandment of the Lord and Savior [given] through your apostles (His special messengers). To begin with, you must know and understand this, that scoffers (mockers) will come in the last days with scoffing, [people who] walk after their own fleshly desires and say, Where is the promise of His coming? For since the forefathers fell asleep, all things have continued exactly as they did from the beginning of creation. For they willfully overlook and forget this [fact], that the heavens [came into] existence long ago by the word of God, and the earth also which was formed out of water and by means of water, through which the world that then [existed] was deluged with water and perished. [Gen 1:6-8; 7:11.]
What the Church, in this age, has done is the complete opposite of the instructions God has given us in His Word. In Romans 12:1-2 God tells us what we ought to do: "I appeal to you therefore, brethren, and beg of you in view of [all] the mercies of God, to make a decisive dedication of your bodies [presenting all your members and faculties] as a living sacrifice, holy (devoted, consecrated) and well pleasing to God, which is your reasonable (rational, intelligent) service and spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world (this age), [fashioned after and adapted to its external, superficial customs], but be transformed (changed) by the [entire] renewal of your mind [by its new ideals and its new attitude], so that you may prove [for yourselves] what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God, even the thing which is good and acceptable and perfect [in His sight for you]." But instead of following God’s instructions, most people who call themselves Christians have been so completely conformed to this world that they have become unmindful of the truth of God’s Word and they no longer pay the attention they should to it – their minds have not been transformed to God’s way of thinking! Every group or individual who has failed to follow God’s way has and will end up in a disastrous state.
We need to seriously consider all these warnings and those contained in Hebrews chapters 2-4; here’s an excerpt from those chapters:
HEBREWS 3:7-14…. Therefore, as the Holy Spirit says: Today, if you will hear His voice, do not harden your hearts, as [happened] in the rebellion [of Israel] and their provocation and embitterment [of Me] in the day of testing in the wilderness, where your fathers tried [My patience] and tested [My forbearance] and found I stood their test, and they saw My works for forty years. And so I was provoked (displeased and sorely grieved) with that generation, and said, They always err and are led astray in their hearts, and they have not perceived or recognized My ways and become progressively better and more experimentally and intimately acquainted with them. Accordingly, I swore in My wrath and indignation, They shall not enter into My rest. [Ps 95:7-11.] [Therefore beware] brethren, take care, lest there be in any one of you a wicked, unbelieving heart [which refuses to cleave to, trust in, and rely on Him], leading you to turn away and desert or stand aloof from the living God. But instead warn (admonish, urge, and encourage) one another every day, as long as it is called Today, that none of you may be hardened [into settled rebellion] by the deceitfulness of sin [by the fraudulence, the stratagem, the trickery which the delusive glamor of his sin may play on him]. For we have become fellows with Christ (the Messiah) and share in all He has for us, if only we hold our first newborn confidence and original assured expectation [in virtue of which we are believers] firm and unshaken to the end.