In the Latter Times
7 July 2011
"Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; 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."- 1st Timothy 4:1-3
In our messages from 1st Timothy we considered the apostle’s words to Timothy concerning the "latter times". I must admit, that I had a preconceived notion as to what these words meant. But in my study I realized that Paul’s warning went much deeper into the school of theological thought than I had first realized. When I understood what Paul was saying, and the impact it had then, and even today in the world today, I felt like a child that had discovered the magician’s secret. The black curtain had been pulled back and Satan’s ploys had been revealed.
So, what is Paul saying to us concerning the "latter times", and the "seducing spirits?" Simply stated, Paul is referring to religious asceticism. This has to do with abstaining from certain things to attain unto holiness. Paul’s use of the term "forbidding to marry" did not refer to people living together in an unmarried state (which is sinful in itself). But rather living a life of celibacy to avoid any sensuous feelings or thoughts to achieve a more holy state. His use of the term , "abstain from meats", means to abstain from food, or certain kinds of food. Vegetarianism could be included in the list. This religious asceticism started in his day, and would take a major foothold in religious cults, as well as some who would go by the name of "Christian", in later years.
This mindset is seducing because it fools people into thinking they are doing something holy when in reality, it is just the opposite. What can a person do without to pay for one sin? Nothing.
It is a spirit because it has a powerful influence on people’s minds. It is a real being, an evil spirit, sent straight from Satan for that precise purpose.
According to Wikipedia, "Asceticism (from the Greek askesis, ‘exercise’ or ‘training‘) describes a lifestyle characterized by abstinence from various sorts of worldly pleasures often with the aim of pursuing religious and spiritual goals. These teach that salvation and liberation involve a process of mind-body transformation effected by restraint with respect to actions of body, speech, and mind. The founders and earliest practitioners of these religions like Buddhism, Jainism, the Essenes lived extremely austere lifestyles, refraining from sensual pleasures and the accumulation of material wealth."
These religious lifestyles were present in Jesus’ day. The Essenes practiced a monkish life, withdrawing from society, living in the desert, refusing to marry. They ultimately died out because they had no children.
Consider the implications of this religious extravaganza in our day. The prophet Muhammad is quoted to have said, "What have I to do with worldly things? My connection with the world is like that of a traveler resting for a while underneath the shade of a tree and then moving on." He encouraged his followers to live very simple lives. Meanwhile, as he lived a supposedly pious life, he slaughtered whole villages of innocent people who would not bow down to his moon god. If you saw some of the footage of the death of bin Laden you would have noticed the impoverished surroundings of his life. Though he was very wealthy, he used his money to kill innocent people. That, my friends, is a seducing spirit!
Hinduism has its own form of asceticism as most eastern religions do. Hinduism is a philosophical religion, not based upon an individual person or one god. Many Hindus are vegetarians and consider the cow a sacred animal. Sorry, no hamburger, T-bones, or jerky! George Harrison, lead guitarist for the rock group, The Beatles, bought into this religion. His hit single, ‘My Sweet Lord’, was supposedly written to his favorite Hindu priest. I still remember the pictures of him sitting beside one of their priests, dressed in their holy attire, legs crossed, beads around his neck, with an expression of euphoria on his face. When I saw the picture, I thought, "My, how religious that man is. I don’t think I will ever aspire to such lofty holiness!" Little did I realized that he was using drugs and participating in their sensuous orgies. Yoga is also a part of this religious cult. They encourage you to empty your brain when Jesus calls upon us to fill it with holy things because He knew the ploys of Satan: empty your brain and Satan will fill it with sinful thoughts.
To the simple mind, all of this asceticism, dietary discipline, and mind emptying seems very holy, and righteous. But it is, in reality, a show in the flesh. Paul reminded the saints at Colossi of this very thing: "Which things have indeed a shew of wisdom in will worship, and humility, and neglecting of the body…." (2:23a).
Yes, it is prideful, and boastful. Though we are encouraged to take good care of our bodies, and eat in a healthy way, God has never asked His people to do any of these things.
Just like the Pharisees in Jesus day that stood on one foot as they prayed, and disfigured their faces when they fasted to appear holy. It is an external, outward religion that improves nothing on the inside. Jesus looked upon their prideful hearts and said they were full of dead men’s bones; walking graveyards; the night of the living dead in reality!
Mormonism has its own rules of diet, and asceticism. This cult has been compared to Islam in many ways, not only their diet, but also in the way they treat their women.
I do not have space to give you the various rules of asceticism that adorn other religions such as Buddhism, Christian Science, the Amish, the Mennonites, and even the Roman Catholic Church that forbid their priests and nuns to marry, and have certain days that they must eat certain meats. But let us remember, God does not ask anyone to do any of this! Nor does any of it make a person more spiritual.
We do know that the Bible teaches the discipline of ’fasting’, and Paul also reminds us that there is a gift that God gives some men and women to live a celibate life (1 Cor. 7:7). But there is a difference between a short abstinence from food to humble us, and place us in submission to God‘s will in our lives, than a dietary lifestyle. And Paul reminds us that the ability to live a celibate life is a special gift, not a choice.
Some have referred to Christianity as an ascetic lifestyle when it is not that at all. Christians really have more liberties, more freedom, than any cult or false religion. Their women are place on a higher pedestal than any other women in the world. Christians are not crawling to Mecca to an empty tomb to appease their god. Christians can enjoy the conjugal relationship of marriage. Christians can enjoy the fruit of their labor, their homes, their cars, whatever the Lord has blessed them with without feeling guilty about it (So long as they are giving sacrificially to the Lord). But the bottom line is this: there is a difference between doing without food, raiment, and material things, than doing without sin. As a loving father warns his children about the consequences of bad choices, our Heavenly Father has warned us of the dangers of sin. As Solomon has wisely written: "There is nothing better for a man, than that he should eat and drink, and that the should make his soul enjoy good in his labour. This also I saw, that it was from the hand of God."(Eccl. 2:24).
-NMP
