Daniel 8:12 speaks of the antichrist flinging truth to the ground such that this diabolical leader’s intentions can be accomplished. This verse seems to imply that in order for Satan to work through the antichrist so powerfully and so deceitfully that it is imperative that truth must first be cast to the ground. Then, once the idea of truth is destroyed and stomped upon, then this evil ruler can prosper, at least for a time.
Those who truly love Christ must have come to Him with an understanding that He is the only hope of salvation. Indeed, He says of Himself in John 14:6, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me." Jesus is an inclusive exclusivist; let me explain. His love is boundless in that He desires all people to repent and come to know Him (2 Peter 3:9). He offers the way to the Father through Himself to all. Thus His desire is one of total inclusivism, absolute non-discrimination, and an utter lack of partiality. God doesn’t choose people for heaven based upon, sex, race, gender, height, weight, income level, nationality, and so on. He opens the door for all who would receive His Son Jesus Christ. There is no greater love than to give up One’s own Son to die for the world, which our God did. Yet God is also what philosophers and theologians refer to as an exclusivist. That is, He offers an exclusive means to salvation. He does not allow for Muslims, Hindus, Buddhists, Jehovah’s Witnesses, Mormons, and any who deny Jesus as God and as the only means for salvation to enter His heaven. He is very specific about what it takes to enter heaven, and central to saving faith is believing that Jesus is the (note the singular emphasis) way, the truth, and the life. The world offers many ways to worship. In fact, even the media has picked up on the fact that much of the world, especially in America, is becoming a religion smorgasbord, as people pick and choose parts of religions and mix them with other religions as if they are interchangeable parts [1]. This is syncretism, a blending of various religions into a perverted whole. We know Jesus is not into mixing truth with lies, so syncretism and pluralism is not acceptable to Him.
Yet a more subtle ploy has been taken by the devil in recent decades in particular. He has decided to propagate the lie that truth is non-absolute. In other words, Jesus is one way to the truth, but Mohammed could be also. So we live in a very, very different world now than we used to. Green and red can be red at the same time and in the same sense. In logic class, this is called a violation of the law of non-contradiction. It makes no sense whatsoever, but it is the best hope of unification that the world has. Unfortunately, it is merely another expression of the wide road to destruction paved by the devil himself.
It is becoming rarer and rarer to find those who believe the whole counsel of God (even 57% of "evangelical Christians deny an exclusive way to God! [2]) and who are willing to take a stand that other world religions are in error and in danger of hell fire if they do not repent and turn to Christ as Savior and Lord. Soon this type of language will be considered divisive, inflammatory, unskilled, unprofessional, and hateful. Well, in many ways this has already happened. It just hasn’t been officially made illegal yet.
As Christians we must be willing to hold to the truth that Jesus is the only truth . In fact, He is the very definition and embodiment of truth. This is a very radical position to take at this point in time, but it is true. The time has come and will continue to come when "Christian" leaders seek common ground with those who do not share Christian ideals [3]. They will (and have already) joined hands with those who kill babies and redefine marriage. They will glorify social progress (education, eradication of disease and hunger, etc.) over saving faith through Jesus alone. Yes, let us feed stomachs, but let us also feed souls. What good is a fed world that will die in hell?
Christians must defend the truth and stand upon it (Jude 3). The true church is the pillar and support of the truth (1 Timothy 3:15), but as soon as it denies Jesus as the only way or begins calling Him a liar (i.e. He really did intend a man to marry a man) or a lunatic (i.e. He just didn’t know all that we know today), the church is no longer the church.
Any movement away from an exclusive way to salvation is of antichrist. Any catering to sin, whether homosexuality, abortion, or any other, is of the antichrist. When we forget to mention hell, sin, and repentance, we pave the way of the antichrist. May the church not prepare the way of the antichrist but rather preach the gospel and get ready for Christ’s return in glory. We have a beautiful message (Romans 10:15) to carry, one of great love and inclusivism through Jesus, so let us not bow to "tolerance" and pluralism and fail to stand for the truth (1Corinthians 16:13,2Thessalonians 2:15,1 Peter 5:12).
Thousands listened to Jesus’ teaching, but only a few followed Him through the cross and beyond. Most said His teaching was too difficult. Most today would say it is too exclusive. Are we willing to be part of the ridiculed few? I pray that we will.
[1] Americans say "My religion isn’t the only way"
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2008/06/23/national/main4202617.shtml?source=RSSattr=HOME_4202617
[2] http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,1817217,00.html
[3] Rick Warren, Purpose Driven, and his Peace Plan which compromises with Muslims and homosexuals to bring in a new "reformation" http://www.lighthousetrailsresearch.com/blog/index.php?p=1096&more=1&c=1
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