He is loved and embraced by millions, all over the world. He speaks many different languages. He is an eloquent, practiced speaker, revered and supported by politicians, by authors, by talk show hosts and TV personalities. He can be seen shaking hands with celebrities and noted world leaders. He has written many books; books have been written about him. He has a degree in theology and is well-versed in Scripture. He is marketed and produced by the corporate media. He has gained great wealth, with holdings all over the world. He has great power, authority and influence over the hearts, minds and souls of many, many people.
Yes, the Antichrist is here…and his name is Christianity.
You would think that, because of the good news of Jesus Christ, the world would be a better place. Then why isn't it? If the commandment of love has ruled and abounded in the hearts of humankind for 2,000 years, the world would be a better place. Then why isn't it? If the millions who profess to be Christians really live what they claim to believe, practiced what they preached, truly served their fellow human beings from the goodness of their hearts, then wouldn't the world be a better place?
So where is the real Jesus? Where is the Lord God being worshipped “in spirit and in truth� Because if there is such a place, I want to be there. If there are such people, I want to be among them . . . please -- take me by the hand and show me the “Mighty God, the Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace†because quite frankly -- these various brands of “Christianity†just ain’t doing it for me.
Then why isn’t it?
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without him was not anything made that was made. In him was life; and the life was the light of men. And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not. He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not. He came unto his own, and his own received him not (John 1: 1-5 & 10-12, KJV, emphasis added).
Jesus was crucified for blasphemy, for breaking Judaic law and tradition. He was a revolutionary, an activist, a threat to religious and political authority, They wanted Jesus silenced, even from birth (Matthew 2). He was crucified, mocked and stripped from any association or recognition as a King or Deliverer. His followers abandoned him. He was crucified because he preached the truth, revealed the truth, was and is the truth.
It has taken 2,000 years to create and perfect such an effective Christ-image in the sophisticated, complex mirrors of religion -- an image worthy to be worshipped under the sign of the cross. For Jesus is still a threat to religious and political authorities. He is still mocked and stripped of identity as King or Deliverer. From the pulpits has"the way, the truth and the life" been replaced by hypocrisy, with lip service taking form as a Judas kiss, denied many more times than Peter's mere three. The "Word made flesh" has been replaced by an idol called the Bible, a book twisted and spun, used and abused, self-righteously interpreted by those who deem themselves more Christian than Christ Himself!
Why? Because of one, simple thing: love. Ah, our history lessons -- love has become a threat!
Have we learned nothing in 2,000 years! What has the Jesus of Christianity done? He brandishes picket signs that read: "God hates fags." He bombs abortion clinics and murders doctors. Jesus readily and loosely scoffs and shouts "Sinner!" telling death row inmates to "burn in hell." He strings up a gay man on a fence and murders him, hangs a black man from a tree, massacres and forces entire indigenous tribes from their lands and homes. Jesus backbites, gossips, destroys the reputations of those he is jealous of; accuses, hangs, beheads, shoots, maims, dismembers, burns, drowns, stands by, watches, does nothing and unmercifully consents.
Jesus enslaves and punishes the poor, wines and dines the rich. Jesus rejects what he thinks is "fat and ugly," endorses the thin and pretty. Jesus subsidizes concentration camps, proclaims genocide, stereotypes and judges. He strikes deals behind closed doors; lies, steals and cheats and justifies, claiming it's "for the sake of the greater good," for "the faith of the people" or the "bigger picture." He creates a career for himself and calls it a "ministry," preaches for profit; pastes a smile on his face, pretends to be humble and submissive to gain popularity, favors and votes. Jesus passes off his opinions as fact and truth, insists that sinners are going to hell if they don't believe in him.
Wow. That's not my Jesus. The Jesus I know is full of grace and truth. The Jesus I know steps outside the errant, religious boundaries to reach the real, broken, downhearted, meek, poor, hungry and merciful (Matthew 5). The Jesus I know confounds the prideful (Luke 20), heals the sick, raises the (physically and spiritually) dead, saves those on death row (John 8), hangs out with whomever He dang well pleases (Matthew 9, John 4), and not only preaches love as the greatest commandment (Matthew 22: 37-40), but has proven his love for me (John 3:16-17).
My Jesus didn't ask me to believe a book, a preacher, prophet, denomination, religion or doctrine. My Jesus simply asks me to believe in him:
But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth (John 1:12-14 KJV).
Jesus is “full of grace and truthâ€. So then -- where in the world is he? If Jesus said that the greatest commandment is to love, then where is this love found? Where is it being taught? Where is it being practiced? In Christian churches? In synagogues or mosques? In Buddhist or Mormon (LDS) temples? In New York Times best-seller books, or complete CD sets sold on late-night TV for $19.95, all major credit cards accepted?
Is Christ divided? (1 Corinthians 1:13) Apparently, yes. Do the blind still lead the blind? (Luke 6). Apparently, yes. Do hypocrites still exist? (Matthew 23). Oh, very much so.
So where is the real Jesus? Where is the Lord God being worshipped “in spirit and in truth†(John 4:24)? Because if there is such a place, I want to be there. If there are such people, I want to be among them. If there is joy, forgiveness, mercy, grace and peace and rest to be found in this world (Matthew 11: 28-30), please -- take me by the hand and show me the “Mighty God, the Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace†(Isaiah 9:6) because quite frankly -- these various brands of “Christianity†just ain’t doing it for me.
Love God. Love your neighbor. Love your enemies, “bless them that curse you, do good to them that despitefully use you and persecute you†(Matthew 5:43-48). We haven't even learned how to love! You can quote Scripture until the cows come home, but where is the love? Where is the grace? Are these things so difficult for the human race to grasp that an Antichrist must be created?
Not everyone who says to me, "Lord, Lord," will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, "Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?" Then I will tell them plainly, "I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!" (Matthew 7:21-23)
The real Jesus saves by grace -- an Antichrist "saves" by ultimatums. The real Jesus is the Word [God] made flesh -- not an Antichrist using Scripture to justify opinions, prejudices, acts of cruelty and destruction. We should embrace the real Jesus who accepts us for who we are, right where we are -- not an Antichrist using religious or denominational standards to measure worth by stereotypes or "sinner" labels. The real Jesus wants us to know that the most important thing we learn in this life is to LOVE. Oh, that we know this in the very core of our being! If we have not love, we are NOTHING (1 Corinthians 13). Jesus doesn't command us to go into battle and conquer. The real Jesus commands us to love -- because love is greater!
Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world. This is how you can recognize the Spirit of God: Every spirit that acknowledges that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, but every spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you have heard is coming and even now is already in the world. You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world. They are from the world and therefore speak from the viewpoint of the world, and the world listens to them. 6We are from God, and whoever knows God listens to us; but whoever is not from God does not listen to us. This is how we recognize the Spirit of truth and the spirit of falsehood (1 John 4: 1-4).
I have spoken out and have written of the false Christ of Mormonism. But I've recently come to learn that many so-called Christians have proven themselves no better. At least Mormons don't actually know they worship a false Christ. Heck, I would even call them innocent in the world's religious chaos. But more would I say that there are too many Christians who proclaim with their lips that they worship Jesus, yet reflect the exact opposite in their words and actions. Does this not breathe life into the spirit of Antichrist? I physically shudder to think of how many fear, feed, worship and give power to such.
One of the things I love about Plain Truth Ministries, is that Pastor Greg and his staff has “been there, done that." They know the struggle that exists within true believers in Christ. They know what they’ve had to forsake, sacrifice and choose when the Lord said, “Come, follow me†(Matthew 11: 25-30, Mark 10: 17-31). They know first-hand what it is like to leave religion behind and come to the “way, the truth and the life†(John 14:6). But the thing I really love is that there are people out there across the globe, people like you -- who humbly admit that they don’t necessarily have all the answers; that it is actually okay to say that they “don’t know." But that we are all here, seeking, searching, loving, growing in the love of the real Jesus Christ who saves by grace, who accepts us all for who we are -- not by the world, church, religious or denominational standards, but by His almighty grace and power does He want us to know that the most important thing we learn in this life is love. For if we have not love, we are nothing (1 Corinthians 13).
I am not saying that there aren't those out there who don't possess a genuine, Christ-like love. There are healthy churches and true believers that do abide by the teachings of the real Jesus. What I am saying is that I'm so very grateful that the Lord has given me moments in my life to experience religious prisons, "denomination abominations," to observe and discern good fruit from bad, and ultimately recognize hypocrisy on site.
I know that there are believers who love Jesus and have avoided the crowds (Matthew 7: 13-14). I love you, and pray with you all. I admit I've been a slave to religion, an Antichrist on many fronts, but I can promise you this: I will never again sign the dotted line and compromise my relationship with the real Jesus for a false one, for a religion or church, for a paycheck (Matthew 6: 24) nor allegiance with an anti-Christ who cares nothing for me or who I am. That might mean death for me, especially here in the South. But so be it, and may the Bible Belt strike me on the way out. I'll gladly turn the other cheek.
All I ask for is hope and strength to be "perfected in him" (Matthew 5:38-48) -- for I know I am nothing until Jesus produces the commandment of love in me.
Love is not a threat. It is the answer.
Carol Harper
Editor's note: Carol Harper lives in Nashville. She is a gifted musician and writer, with many of her articles having been published by PTM. Carol is also a member of the Board of Directors of PTM.
http://www.ptm.org
Yes, the Antichrist is here…and his name is Christianity.
You would think that, because of the good news of Jesus Christ, the world would be a better place. Then why isn't it? If the commandment of love has ruled and abounded in the hearts of humankind for 2,000 years, the world would be a better place. Then why isn't it? If the millions who profess to be Christians really live what they claim to believe, practiced what they preached, truly served their fellow human beings from the goodness of their hearts, then wouldn't the world be a better place?
So where is the real Jesus? Where is the Lord God being worshipped “in spirit and in truth� Because if there is such a place, I want to be there. If there are such people, I want to be among them . . . please -- take me by the hand and show me the “Mighty God, the Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace†because quite frankly -- these various brands of “Christianity†just ain’t doing it for me.
Then why isn’t it?
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without him was not anything made that was made. In him was life; and the life was the light of men. And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not. He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not. He came unto his own, and his own received him not (John 1: 1-5 & 10-12, KJV, emphasis added).
Jesus was crucified for blasphemy, for breaking Judaic law and tradition. He was a revolutionary, an activist, a threat to religious and political authority, They wanted Jesus silenced, even from birth (Matthew 2). He was crucified, mocked and stripped from any association or recognition as a King or Deliverer. His followers abandoned him. He was crucified because he preached the truth, revealed the truth, was and is the truth.
It has taken 2,000 years to create and perfect such an effective Christ-image in the sophisticated, complex mirrors of religion -- an image worthy to be worshipped under the sign of the cross. For Jesus is still a threat to religious and political authorities. He is still mocked and stripped of identity as King or Deliverer. From the pulpits has"the way, the truth and the life" been replaced by hypocrisy, with lip service taking form as a Judas kiss, denied many more times than Peter's mere three. The "Word made flesh" has been replaced by an idol called the Bible, a book twisted and spun, used and abused, self-righteously interpreted by those who deem themselves more Christian than Christ Himself!
Why? Because of one, simple thing: love. Ah, our history lessons -- love has become a threat!
Have we learned nothing in 2,000 years! What has the Jesus of Christianity done? He brandishes picket signs that read: "God hates fags." He bombs abortion clinics and murders doctors. Jesus readily and loosely scoffs and shouts "Sinner!" telling death row inmates to "burn in hell." He strings up a gay man on a fence and murders him, hangs a black man from a tree, massacres and forces entire indigenous tribes from their lands and homes. Jesus backbites, gossips, destroys the reputations of those he is jealous of; accuses, hangs, beheads, shoots, maims, dismembers, burns, drowns, stands by, watches, does nothing and unmercifully consents.
Jesus enslaves and punishes the poor, wines and dines the rich. Jesus rejects what he thinks is "fat and ugly," endorses the thin and pretty. Jesus subsidizes concentration camps, proclaims genocide, stereotypes and judges. He strikes deals behind closed doors; lies, steals and cheats and justifies, claiming it's "for the sake of the greater good," for "the faith of the people" or the "bigger picture." He creates a career for himself and calls it a "ministry," preaches for profit; pastes a smile on his face, pretends to be humble and submissive to gain popularity, favors and votes. Jesus passes off his opinions as fact and truth, insists that sinners are going to hell if they don't believe in him.
Wow. That's not my Jesus. The Jesus I know is full of grace and truth. The Jesus I know steps outside the errant, religious boundaries to reach the real, broken, downhearted, meek, poor, hungry and merciful (Matthew 5). The Jesus I know confounds the prideful (Luke 20), heals the sick, raises the (physically and spiritually) dead, saves those on death row (John 8), hangs out with whomever He dang well pleases (Matthew 9, John 4), and not only preaches love as the greatest commandment (Matthew 22: 37-40), but has proven his love for me (John 3:16-17).
My Jesus didn't ask me to believe a book, a preacher, prophet, denomination, religion or doctrine. My Jesus simply asks me to believe in him:
But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth (John 1:12-14 KJV).
Jesus is “full of grace and truthâ€. So then -- where in the world is he? If Jesus said that the greatest commandment is to love, then where is this love found? Where is it being taught? Where is it being practiced? In Christian churches? In synagogues or mosques? In Buddhist or Mormon (LDS) temples? In New York Times best-seller books, or complete CD sets sold on late-night TV for $19.95, all major credit cards accepted?
Is Christ divided? (1 Corinthians 1:13) Apparently, yes. Do the blind still lead the blind? (Luke 6). Apparently, yes. Do hypocrites still exist? (Matthew 23). Oh, very much so.
So where is the real Jesus? Where is the Lord God being worshipped “in spirit and in truth†(John 4:24)? Because if there is such a place, I want to be there. If there are such people, I want to be among them. If there is joy, forgiveness, mercy, grace and peace and rest to be found in this world (Matthew 11: 28-30), please -- take me by the hand and show me the “Mighty God, the Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace†(Isaiah 9:6) because quite frankly -- these various brands of “Christianity†just ain’t doing it for me.
Love God. Love your neighbor. Love your enemies, “bless them that curse you, do good to them that despitefully use you and persecute you†(Matthew 5:43-48). We haven't even learned how to love! You can quote Scripture until the cows come home, but where is the love? Where is the grace? Are these things so difficult for the human race to grasp that an Antichrist must be created?
Not everyone who says to me, "Lord, Lord," will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, "Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?" Then I will tell them plainly, "I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!" (Matthew 7:21-23)
The real Jesus saves by grace -- an Antichrist "saves" by ultimatums. The real Jesus is the Word [God] made flesh -- not an Antichrist using Scripture to justify opinions, prejudices, acts of cruelty and destruction. We should embrace the real Jesus who accepts us for who we are, right where we are -- not an Antichrist using religious or denominational standards to measure worth by stereotypes or "sinner" labels. The real Jesus wants us to know that the most important thing we learn in this life is to LOVE. Oh, that we know this in the very core of our being! If we have not love, we are NOTHING (1 Corinthians 13). Jesus doesn't command us to go into battle and conquer. The real Jesus commands us to love -- because love is greater!
Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world. This is how you can recognize the Spirit of God: Every spirit that acknowledges that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, but every spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you have heard is coming and even now is already in the world. You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world. They are from the world and therefore speak from the viewpoint of the world, and the world listens to them. 6We are from God, and whoever knows God listens to us; but whoever is not from God does not listen to us. This is how we recognize the Spirit of truth and the spirit of falsehood (1 John 4: 1-4).
I have spoken out and have written of the false Christ of Mormonism. But I've recently come to learn that many so-called Christians have proven themselves no better. At least Mormons don't actually know they worship a false Christ. Heck, I would even call them innocent in the world's religious chaos. But more would I say that there are too many Christians who proclaim with their lips that they worship Jesus, yet reflect the exact opposite in their words and actions. Does this not breathe life into the spirit of Antichrist? I physically shudder to think of how many fear, feed, worship and give power to such.
One of the things I love about Plain Truth Ministries, is that Pastor Greg and his staff has “been there, done that." They know the struggle that exists within true believers in Christ. They know what they’ve had to forsake, sacrifice and choose when the Lord said, “Come, follow me†(Matthew 11: 25-30, Mark 10: 17-31). They know first-hand what it is like to leave religion behind and come to the “way, the truth and the life†(John 14:6). But the thing I really love is that there are people out there across the globe, people like you -- who humbly admit that they don’t necessarily have all the answers; that it is actually okay to say that they “don’t know." But that we are all here, seeking, searching, loving, growing in the love of the real Jesus Christ who saves by grace, who accepts us all for who we are -- not by the world, church, religious or denominational standards, but by His almighty grace and power does He want us to know that the most important thing we learn in this life is love. For if we have not love, we are nothing (1 Corinthians 13).
I am not saying that there aren't those out there who don't possess a genuine, Christ-like love. There are healthy churches and true believers that do abide by the teachings of the real Jesus. What I am saying is that I'm so very grateful that the Lord has given me moments in my life to experience religious prisons, "denomination abominations," to observe and discern good fruit from bad, and ultimately recognize hypocrisy on site.
I know that there are believers who love Jesus and have avoided the crowds (Matthew 7: 13-14). I love you, and pray with you all. I admit I've been a slave to religion, an Antichrist on many fronts, but I can promise you this: I will never again sign the dotted line and compromise my relationship with the real Jesus for a false one, for a religion or church, for a paycheck (Matthew 6: 24) nor allegiance with an anti-Christ who cares nothing for me or who I am. That might mean death for me, especially here in the South. But so be it, and may the Bible Belt strike me on the way out. I'll gladly turn the other cheek.
All I ask for is hope and strength to be "perfected in him" (Matthew 5:38-48) -- for I know I am nothing until Jesus produces the commandment of love in me.
Love is not a threat. It is the answer.
Carol Harper
Editor's note: Carol Harper lives in Nashville. She is a gifted musician and writer, with many of her articles having been published by PTM. Carol is also a member of the Board of Directors of PTM.
http://www.ptm.org
