Jehovah’s Witnesses
This is the first in a series of exclusive articles that w ill graph ica lly illustrate the e rro r in some of today ’ s most popu lar systems of fa lse religion
B y Louis T . T a lbot
M y texts for this series of messages on the false sys tems of religion are found in Matthew 24:5, 11 and 24: “ For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall de ceive many. “ And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many. “ For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.” These solemn words were a part of our Lord’s discourse on the Mount of Olives, His last great prophetic utterance before He went to Calvary to die for our sins. You will recall that His disciples had come to Him with h question that was burning in their hearts: “Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world [age]?” (Matt. 24:3.) In answer to this inquiry, the Lord cast His all-seeing eye down the age to its close, and He made very plain to His disciples some unmistakable signs by which it would be known that it was about to end. He men tioned wars, rumors of wars, fam ines, pestilences, earthquakes, abound ing iniquity, persecutions, things about which we read in our daily newspapers. But here is a very sig nificant thing I do not want you to
miss: Of these distresses—wvars, fam ines and the like—He spoke only once. He referred to the sins which would make hearts grow cold just one time. But again and again He spoke of the “false Christs,” “false prophets,” who should come. It was upon the religious conditions at the end time that He put the emphasis. He tells us that they will perform wonderful works in the realm of the miraculous, which should almost de ceive God’s own. Notice carefully the words of these texts: “Many shall come” ; “many shall rise” ; “ shall de ceive many.” M y friends, the rise and increase of these cults are sure and certain signs of the return of our Lord Jesus Christ. Along with the return of the Jews to Israel, it is one of the striking evidences that His coming may not be far off, that soon He will return for His bride, the church; and short ly thereafter with the church to set up His millennial reign. Meantime let us examine every religion under the lens of Holy Writ. Some people believe no such analy sis should be made of any religion save the one they follow. I believe this to be contrary to the Scriptures which plainly state: “ Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world” (1 John 4:1). “ . . . they received the word . . k with all readiness MORE y 11
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