To understand the seriousness of our day, we must be willing to see. Only those who are diligent to know the Word of God and who keep it are those who will understand the critical hour we are now in. The mark of those who are of the Kingdom of God is the ability to discern the urgency of the times as revealed in the scriptures – and live accordingly.  We see the apostasy (in the churches) consuming the many who call themselves saints of God.

We have a body of people who affiliate themselves with Jesus Christ but in actuality are under the sway of the god of this world; 1 John 5:18-20. Primarily, they are those who have not been born anew through the work and power of the Holy Spirit. They are believers in Christ, no less, and many faithfully so but have bought into the lie much like this church that Jesus rebukes and warns -the church in Laodicea: 

Rev 3: 14- ; “And to the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write,

‘These things says the Amen, the Faithful and True Witness, the Beginning of the creation of God: 15 “I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot. 16 So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth. 17 Because you say, ‘I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing’—and do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked— 18 I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined in the fire, that you may be rich; and white garments, that you may be clothed, that the shame of your nakedness may not be revealed; and anoint your eyes with eye salve, that you may see. 19 As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. Therefore be zealous and repent. 20 Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me.

The Laodiceans and today’s modern church are in the same boat: 

• Because of the unwillingness to turn from sin, self, and (ultimately) Satan (repentance) one cannot receive the Spirit who teaches, leads and sanctifies all who are subject to Him 
• Because sin blinds even believers in Christ will be under strong delusion thinking themselves to be wise even boasting of so-called prosperity (grace) in their ‘faith’ in Christ when in truth still remain under God’s condemnation and judgement

Jesus brings to light this type of believer in the many parables He spoke and for the sake of space and time, I have listed a select few. In particular- observe the powerful deception that some will be under, to even ague with God to their right to everlasting Life!

Matthew 7:21; “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. 22 Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ 23 And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’

Matthew 25:11; “Then the kingdom of heaven shall be likened to ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. 2 Now five of them were wise, and five were foolish. 3 Those who were foolish took their lamps and took no oil with them, 4 but the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. 5 But while the bridegroom was delayed, they all slumbered and slept.

6 “And at midnight a cry was heard: ‘Behold, the bridegroom is coming; go out to meet him!’ 7 Then all those virgins arose and trimmed their lamps. 8 And the foolish said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.’ 9 But the wise answered, saying, ‘No, lest there should not be enough for us and you; but go rather to those who sell, and buy for yourselves.’ 10 And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the wedding; and the door was shut.

11 “Afterward the other virgins came also, saying, ‘Lord, Lord, open to us!’ 12 But he answered and said, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, I do not know you.’

13 “Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour in which the Son of Man is coming.

Luke 6:46; “But why do you call Me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do the things which I say? 47 Whoever comes to Me, and hears My sayings and does them, I will show you whom he is like: 48 He is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid the foundation on the rock. And when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently against that house, and could not shake it, for it was founded on the rock. 49 But he who heard and did nothing is like a man who built a house on the earth without a foundation, against which the stream beat vehemently; and immediately it fell. And the ruin of that house was great.”

Luke 13:25; And He said to them, 24 “Strive to enter through the narrow gate, for many, I say to you, will seek to enter and will not be able. 25 When once the Master of the house has risen up and shut the door, and you begin to stand outside and knock at the door, saying, ‘Lord, Lord, open for us,’ and He will answer and say to you, ‘I do not know you, where you are from,’ 26 then you will begin to say, ‘We ate and drank in Your presence, and You taught in our streets.’ 27 But He will say, ‘I tell you I do not know you, where you are from. Depart from Me, all you workers of iniquity.’

Today we face a more dangerous and startling pandemic then that of Covid 19. 

It is an eternally devastating pandemic, that is comprised of those who believe as we do, yet are empty of the Spirit of the living God. They are ones who sing along with us words of ‘hallelujah’ but are on the way to hell!

Time to speak up Church – to the dead around us who think they are alive!