When US troops entered Dachau in Germany on April 29, 1945 they were unprepared for what they were about to witness. How could a country that birthed the Protestant Reformation and the printing of the Bible, a country at the forefront of technology, a country that displayed a perfect society at the 1936 Olympics, commit these unspeakable atrocities?
The German people allowed themselves to be mesmerized by a dynamic leader and his visions for their future. They did not want to pay attention to what was taking place behind the curtain. Jewish persecution was already visible before any death camps were put into full operation.
I see the same attitude within Christianity today. When I observe, on social media, who so-called Christians follow and allow themselves to be fed by, I am aghast. If I try to point out the dangers, I am accused of being judgmental and lectured how I must learn to love and be unified.
Think about this: People will scour over CarFax and Consumer Reports when thinking about buying a vehicle, but they won’t think twice about the spiritual material they are subjecting themselves to.
But when I look behind the curtain of much of the spiritual material that is out there today, I must pay attention, because a different Gospel is being preached:
But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be accursed. As we have said before, so now I say again: If anyone is preaching to you a gospel contrary to the one you received, let him be accursed. (Galatians 1:8-9 ESV)
Everyone who goes on ahead and does not abide in the teaching of Christ, does not have God. Whoever abides in the teaching has both the Father and the Son. If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not receive him into your house or give him any greeting, for whoever greets him takes part in his wicked works. (2 John 1:9-11 ESV)
Take no part in the worthless deeds of evil and darkness; instead, expose them. (Ephesians 5:11 NLT)
Yes, you will hear the name of ‘jesus’ spoken of often within these false Gospels. Yes, you will see the multitude of followers as you wonder how can so many people be wrong? Yes, you will see the so-called miracles. Yes, you will see people overcome with their emotions as the cameras are so skillfully trained to capture. Yes, as the video at the top this article declares, “The great OZ has spoken.” But here is what the real Jesus says:
“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.'” (Matthew 7:21-23 ESV)
If Christians spent more time searching their Bibles diligently, like the Bereans, rather than being entertained by these false Gospels, Christianity would take on the shape of what it was meant to be rather than the shape of the world it has become.
It is amazing how the Word of God ties things together. Notice how in the two different portions of Scripture below, the Bereans were commended for their diligence in testing everything and how the Thessalonians were told they must do the same by also testing everything:
The brothers immediately sent Paul and Silas away by night to Berea, and when they arrived they went into the Jewish synagogue. Now these Jews were more noble than those in Thessalonica; they received the word with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so. (Acts 17:10-11 ESV)
Do not quench the Spirit. Do not despise prophecies, but test everything; hold fast what is good. Abstain from every form of evil. (1 Thessalonians 5:19-22 ESV)
So, how do we pay attention to what is behind the curtain? There are four reoccurring essential ingredients in God’s rule book to help guide each and every one of us:
1. Pray hard:
He (Jesus) said to them, “The Scriptures declare, ‘My Temple will be called a house of prayer,’ but you have turned it into a den of thieves!” (Matthew 21:13 NLT) Pray without ceasing. (1 Thessalonians 5:17 ESV)
2. Learn and obey God’s Word:
Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. (2 Timothy 2:15 KJV)
3. Fellowship (interact) with other believers:
And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near. (Hebrews 10:24-25 ESV)
4. Spread the Gospel (Jesus last command should be our first priority):
And he said to them, “Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation.” (Mark 16:15-16 ESV) “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.” (Matthew 28:19-20a ESV)
We were never meant to be indulgers. We were never meant to be glued to our smart phones and TV’s, sucking up everything, especially from sources that are hidden behind curtains. We were created to engage:
In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how He Himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ (Acts 20:35 ESV)
Annointing 