Sunday, February 3, 2008

Freedom From Falsehood

"Dear children, this is the last hour; and as you have heard that the antichrist is coming, even now many antichrists have come. This is how we know it is the last hour. They went out from us, but they did not really belong to us. For if they had belonged to us, they would have remained with us; but their going showed that none of them belonged to us. But you have an anointing from the Holy One, and all of you know the truth." (1 John 2:18-20)

New York is famous for many things, not all of them good. For example, in this hour of history, two of the world’s most deceptive and spiritually dangerous cults can call New York their home. They seem to be Christian, but they are far from it. They are active among our Russian speakers, many of whom do not have spiritual discernment to know what is truly Biblical and what is not.

Mormonism was born in the 1820s in rural New York, where Joseph Smith had visions and wrote the Book of Mormon. Mormonism teaches that God used to be a man on another world, and then he brought his wife to this world, where they had spirit children including Jesus and his brother Lucifer and all of the rest of us. Mormons believe that they likewise can become gods with their own planets, if they are obedient to Mormonism. Almost every aspect of Mormonism fatally violates Biblical truth about the nature of God and the atoning sacrifice of Jesus Christ.

From its peculiar New York roots, Mormonism has grown into a worldwide religion known for great wealth, attractive families and active promotion of a christ that promises the world but delivers only spiritual death for millions. Here in Russian Jewish Brooklyn, and probably in your neighborhood, we must be always ready to fend off the deceptions.

Thus, I could never in good conscience vote to elevate a Mormon to the supreme platform of this world, the Presidency of the United States. “Let us tell you about the faith of our President…” No. On the other hand, I would very gladly support a well-qualified, Biblically-faithful, born-again believer in Jesus, one with anointing from the Holy One. In this last hour, 2008 is a crucial year of choosing.

Not only was New York the birthplace of Mormonism, but Brooklyn is now the world headquarters of Jehovah’s Witnesses. Founded by Charles Russell in the late 1800s, this cult teaches that God is a limited single person, not a trinity, and Jesus was Michael the Archangel. Jehovah’s Witnesses believe they alone will achieve Paradise on earth, and only 144,000 of their best followers will gain Heaven. Through Watchtower publications and persistent visitations, Jehovah’s Witnesses have won millions of deceived followers. They actively distribute Russian-language materials in Brooklyn.

Pray for our immigrants to resist cultic advances and instead seek the truth of the Lord Jesus Christ and the Bible. Ask God to draw many more to Himself, and to use even this ministry for that. Do please pray for our workers, that we might have constant strength, joy and financial provision.

"And now, dear children, continue in Him, so that when He appears we may be confident and unashamed before Him at His coming." (1 John 2:28)