Beware::bad breath.

For many deceivers are entered into the world,

      who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh.

      This is a deceiver and an antichrist.  2 John 1:7 KJV

In the minds of many persons who pretend to know a great deal about the Bible, there is a confusion as to what is more devastating to humans in their lives on this earth.  The threat of pain and death and hunger and thirst and being subjected to restraints of liberty are often sold to people as being the great horrors that must be fought against at all costs. (Interesting that people pay dearly to endure all of those threats if they go to a hospital for surgery…)  If world leaders arise that threaten our liberties and cause war and pestilence and devastation, it is preached as our christian duty to oppose such things…perhaps with a foolish picture of the American flag flying above the Pearly Gates.  Naturally, suffering and misery should be alleviated by anyone who has the fig juice knowledge of good and evil in his/her human constitution.  However, Jesus does not agree with the notion that doomsday preachers are selling in these last days. 

Tribulation is predicated upon deception.

Trials (tribulation) for the believer will always center upon the person of Jesus.  The cults are so defined because of their misrepresentation of God and lies about Jesus.  The teachings of Calvin, and other false doctrines within the churches, misrepresent the work of Jesus and the relationship that humans have with Him.

For example: calvinist doctrine teaches that those who were chosen existed before creation and were chosen in advance (not one of them can produce credentials from the eternal realm).  The Bible teaches that salvation is available only in time and only through a flesh and blood participation in the cross of Jesus (2 Peter 1:10-11 = “will be ministered” NOT = already inoculated before creation).  The trial for believers is whether to pattern one’s heart and psychology along the lines of calvinistic deception or reject their foolishness in the name of Jesus.  The teachings of calvinist practitioners, according to 2 John 1:7, is the bad breath of the antichrist.

In what way are the comforts or discomforts of this world important when faced with how the truth impacts our eternal life?  An eternal life that begins with accepting the free gift of Jesus Christ as the real human God whose bloody death on the cross provides forgiveness from sin and the gift of the Holy Spirit. 

Come to Jesus.

Come to the Cross.