May 15, 2024
LISTEN TO AUDIO
Heaven's Gate was a spiritual community based in California. In 1997 the leaders convinced 38 followers to commit suicide, believing their souls could board an alien spaceship hiding behind the Hale-Bopp comet. They believed Earth was about to be “recycled” (wiped clean, refurbished and rejuvenated), and the only chance to survive was to leave it immediately. One of the ways to do that was to hate the world and their human bodies.
These folks did not know God the Father, as revealed in the incarnate life of our Lord Jesus Christ. They did not know that, even though the world can be a challenging place, God loves it dearly. They did not understand that even though our fleshly bodies constantly compete with our spirits, God created us as humans and He loves us. So, 38 people acted on their wrong faith, taught to them by leaders they trusted, and took their own lives.
What a tragedy!
Fortunately, the people of God who truly knew Him were not wooed by Heaven’s Gate’s wrong beliefs. Unfortunately, the 38 members of Heaven’s Gate who did not know God, lost their lives because of their wrong beliefs.
Heaven’s Gate was a “cult” – a spiritual community that blindly agreed with its leader about everything. It became a “sect” – a spiritual community that agreed with each other about everything. Heaven’s Gate was not a “church,” which Tom Bandy defines as “a spiritual community that tries to live like Christ in spite of everything.”
Jesus warns us, “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. You will know them by their fruits.” Matthew 7:15-16a, NRSV
The apostle Paul also cautions us about both false doctrine and the “false prophets” who teach false doctrine. He says in his letter to Timothy: “For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths.” 2 Timothy 4:3-4, NIV
As Christian believers, we owe a duty and responsibility to our God, to ourselves and to those we love, nurture and lead. We must understand what God’s Word says and Who God’s Word is in the Person of Jesus Christ. By following true spiritual leaders, we can become true disciples of Jesus Christ.
We must choose our spiritual leaders wisely!
None of us can possibly fully comprehend God, but we can understand enough. Through the scriptures and through Jesus Christ, God has revealed enough for us to get a glimpse of what He wants us to believe, grasp His Truth and live according to His will.
“Jesus said, ‘If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” John 8:31-32, NIV
Seek the Truth and beware of false teachings from false prophets. Pray that the Lord will guide you and keep you from becoming one yourself.
REMEMBER & BELIEVE
Christ has died; Christ is risen; Christ will come again.
In the meantime, know the Truth!
QUESTION
Who is your source of Truth?
PRAYER
Heavenly Father, thank You for revealing Yourself to us through Your Word. And thank You for sending Your Son, Jesus Christ, so that we may know You. Help us to discern Your Truth and protect us from false teachings. Help us to choose our spiritual leaders wisely and give us the courage to follow the path that leads to You. Strengthen our faith and help us to live according to Your Will.
Our Father Who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us, and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil and the evil one. For Thine is the kingdom and the power, and the glory, forever and ever.
Amen
“This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.” Psalm 118:24 (NRSV)
God bless you!
Richard
Christ Worshipper | Disciple Maker | Hope Giver
Welcome to In the Meantime. I'm glad you're here! We are living in the time between Christ's ascension into heaven and His promised return to earth. In the Meantime is a collection of stories about God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, and His presence, love, mercy and grace in my life. In the Meantime, Jesus is Lord! Hallelujah!
Комментарии