Vol. 7, No. 3, 1990

Decade of Deception

Craig Branch

Some may call it an educated opinion, others may say it is "a word from the Lord," but I propose to you that the 90's will be a decade of deception.

There are many factors in place and the momentum has been steadily building.

First, Scripture warns us that, "For false christs and false prophets will rise and show great signs and wonders, as to mislead if possible, even the elect," (Matthew 24:11, 24).

Earlier Jesus said, "See to it that no one deceives you," (24:4) and there are several warnings about Satan coming with "signs and wonders," with "deception" and "deluding influence," people falling away" paying attention to deceitful spirits and doctrines of demons," etc. (2 Thessalonians 2: 9-11; 1 Timothy 4:1, 2 Timothy 4:3-4).

Christians have regularly demonstrated a lack of discernment and maturity in accepting deceivers as legitimate. Let us not forget deceivers like John Todd, and Alberto, and Jim Jones.

In many cases the total blame for deception and exploitation cannot be laid at the feet of the deceivers. Christians seem to have a propensity for conspiracy theories, endtime sensationalism and paranoia, and for uncritical total acceptance of manipulative charlatans.

Christians have been conditioned to accept weak and self-centered theology and as a result help create the Jim and Tammy Bakers.

The words of the writer of Hebrews ring out, "For by this time you ought to be teachers, you still have need for someone to teach you the most basic teachings of the Word of God, you still need milk and not solid food for solid food is for the mature who because of practice, have their senses trained to discern between good and evil," (Hebrews 5:12-14).

Let me recommend a new book, Soothsayers of the Second Advent by Christian investigative journalist Bill Alnor. If your Christian bookstore does not have it, you may order it through Watchman Fellowship for $8.00 and postage.

Another recent reminder has been the exposure of "Dr." Rebecca Brown and Elaine and Lauren Stratford, (Satan's Underground).

The Christian community needs to be more careful than the secular media and public to scrutinize and check out these things.

Otherwise there will be fellows like the "Amazing" James Randi who publically expose frauds like Peter Popoff, W. V. Grant and cast grave doubts on other well-known faith-healers and T.V. evangelists.

Randi's book Faith Healers documents these disturbing trends.

There are other indicators.

Church growth (actually church decline statistics) indicate that in 1900 there were 27 churches per 10,000 people. In 1985 there were 12 churches per 10,000 in the U.S.

According to Time magazine (May 22, 1989), the membership of the Protestant churches has declined severely.

The United Church of Christ has shrunk 20% since 1965, the Presbyterian Church 25% and the Episcopal church 28%.

The United Methodist dropped 18% and the Disciples of Christ 43%.

In all there was a net loss of 5.2 million when the population actually rose 47 million.

Much of this is due to liberalism and neo-orthodoxy but, also, we see the spirit of deception at work.

The Mormon Church grew from 4.6 to 7 million in the 80's (52%), and the Jehovah's Witnesses grew from 2 to 3.5 million (75%).

The JW's actually have more than 9 million associated with them.

A recent Gallup poll indicated that 60 million Americans (25% of the population) now believe in reincarnation, and 20% of those were Protestant church members.

I say these things not to discourage you but to issue a wake-up call.

I believe the 90's will bring an unprecedented attempt to deceive both non-Christians and Christians.

Let us not blindly follow men or our feelings. It is time that we study God's word, understand our time-tested systematic theology, and through prayer and empowerment of the Holy Spirit radically get involved in other's lives and social issues as salt and light!

Remember God is the God of perseverance and encouragement (Romans 15:5) and Christ said that He will build His church and the gates of hell will not prevail against it, (Matt. 16:18).