We believe that the closing days of this dispensation
will be marked by a flood of 'isms'
which will captivate the carnal Christian and the
unsaved, and that these 'isms' are most surely of
Satanic origin. We believe it is our first duty to
'preach the Word', 'instant in season and out of
season', and to spend little time in combating error
other than by direct and positive truth.
The solemnity of the days in which we live, however
makes it imperative that we should give
no uncertain sound with reference to errors that are
spreading rapidly in the earth.
2. Scriptural grounds.
'Now we beseech you, brethren ... that ye be not soon
shaken in mind ... as that the day of
Christ is at hand. Let no man deceive you by any
means: for that day shall not come, except there
come a falling away first (the apostasy), and that man
of sin be revealed, the son of perdition ... whose
coming is after the working of Satan with all power
and signs and lying wonders' (2 Thess. 2:1-9).
'Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter
times some shall depart (apostatize)
from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and
doctrines of devils (demons); Speaking lies in
hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot
iron; forbidding to marry, and commanding to
abstain from meats, which God hath created to be
received with thanksgiving of them which believe and
know the truth' (1 Tim. 4:1-3).
'This know also, that in the last days perilous times
shall come. For men shall be lovers of
their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud,
blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful,
unholy, without natural affection, truce-breakers,
false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of
those that are good, traitors, heady, high minded,
lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; having a
form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from
such turn away' (2 Tim. 3:1-5).
' ... the time will come when they will not endure
sound doctrine; but after their own lusts
shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching
ears; and they shall turn away their ears from
the truth, and shall be turned unto fables (myths)' (2
Tim. 4:3,4).
' ... Satan himself is transformed into an angel of
light. Therefore it is no great thing if his
ministers also be transformed as the ministers of
righteousness' (2 Cor. 11:14,15).
'And when they shall say unto you, Seek unto them that
have familiar spirits, and unto
wizards that peep, and that mutter: should not a
people seek unto their God? for the living to the
dead? (for the living, should it seek unto the dead?).
To the law and to the testimony: if they speak
not according to this word, it is because there is no
light in (morning for) them' (Isa. 8:19,20).
'Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the
spirits whether they are of God: because many
false prophets are gone out into the world. Hereby
know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that
confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is
of God: and every spirit that confesseth not that
Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and
this is that spirit of anti-christ' (1 John 4:1-3).
' ... no man speaking by the Spirit of God calleth
Jesus accursed: and that no man can say
that Jesus is Lord, but by the Holy Ghost' (1 Cor.
12:3).
3. A few words on one or two 'isms' that are
abroad to-day.
