GREAT APOSTASY PART 2 CONCLUSION

The 1611 Fellowship discusses Matthew 7:13-15, defining critical terms and relating them to other scriptures. As usual, we start with word of the week, where Hillis Waddell explains the significance of spelling variations in the 1611 AKJB. Please find my study notes below.

Matt. 7:13-15

¶ “Enter ye in at the strait gate, for wide is the gate, and broad is the way that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which goe in thereat: 14 Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way which leadeth vnto life, and few there be that finde it. 15¶ Beware of false prophets which come to you in sheepes clothing, but inwardly they are rauening wolues.”

DEFINE

Strait gate: as per the strait of Gibraltar, a big body of water that narrows significantly, but permits limited passage. Metaphorically, this refers to Jesus, but also more; he is the strait or the door.. His doctrines and teaching define how one is to pass through the strait gate. Simply saying, “I believe in Jesus” is not enough. One must demonstrate belief by believing God’s word and having commensurate works. (James wrote, “I’ll show you my faith by my works.”)

Wide gate: The wide gate claims to lead to God, but there is no significant narrowing from the great “body of humanity.” It is in stark contrast to the “strait gate.” All persons are born into this great “body of humanity.” Unless a person finds the “strait gate,” enters therein and proceeds through in faith, there is no salvation for them. The “wide gate” requires little searching; it claims a Jesus of its own making. (Galatians 1:9) “As we said before, so say I now againe, If any man preach any other Gospel vnto you, then that yee haue receiued, let him be accursed.”

The wide gate is not discernible to the many, as those going therein claim Jesus and speak righteous sounding words.

Broad way: The broad way is all-encompassing; it welcomes anyone who names the name of Jesus, regardless of who their Jesus really is. It might be a Jesus who teaches all paths lead to God, and all who worship god of some sort worship the same God as in the scripture. Their Jesus is the “love god” who would never condemn anyone to hell. (In conversation with Robert Schuller, Billy Graham and he agreed that the road to god is “broad.” Not only did they agree, they rejoiced. The broad road allows one to indulge the trappings of the world, while playing church and claiming Jesus is Lord. Those therein love the company of others like themselves and surround themselves with false teachers. The broad way masquerades as the narrow way.

NOTE: The broad way does not mean the world per se. The broadway is where the deceived go. Matthew 7:21-23 …depart from me

Narrow way: It is both strait and narrow. It is the narrow passage passing from the damned “body of humanity” to heaven. And, Jesus stands at the entrance, and no one goes in without passing through him. He is the door or the gate. Few find the door because they are unwilling to deny self, forsake the world and place their entire trust in Jesus.

John 10:1 Uerily, verily I say vnto you, He that entreth not by þe doore into the sheepefold, but climeth vp some other way, the same is a theefe, and a robber.

False prophets: They teach smooth things

Isaiah 30:10 “Which say to the seers, See not; and to the prophets, Prophecie not vnto vs right things: speake vnto vs smooth things, prophecie deceits.”

Jeremiah 5:31”The prophets prophecie falsely, and the priests beare rule by their meanes, and my people loue to haue it so: and what will yee doe in the end therof?”

Jeremiah 14:14 “Then the Lord said vnto me, The prophets prophecie lies in my Name, I sent them not, neither haue I commanded them, neither spake vnto them: they prophecie vnto you a false vision and diuination, and a thing of nought, and the deceit of their heart.”

Sheepes clothing: They dress, talk and walk like true ministers of Christ

2 Corinthians 11:13 For such are false Apostles, deceitfull workers, transforming themselues into the Apostles of Christ.

2 Corinthians 11:14 And no marueile, for Sathan himselfe is transformed into an Angel of light.

2 Corinthians 11:15 Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also bee transformed as the ministers of righteousnesse, whose end shall be according to their workes.

Rauening wolues: Inside, they are cruel and vicious, and they know what they are doing

1 Peter 5:8 Be sober, be vigilant: because your aduersary the deuill, as a roaring Lion walketh about, seeking whom he may deuoure.

In an interview with Robert Schuller and Billy Graham

here’s what transpired.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hrf60-zHl9A

Schuller: So tell me, what do you think is the future of

Christianity?

Graham: Well, Christianity and being a true

believer…there’s the body of Christ , which comes from all

the Christian groups around the world, or outside the

Christian groups. I think everybody that loves Christ, or

knows Christ whether they’re conscious of it or not, they’re

members of the body of Christ…he’s calling people out of

the world f or his name, whether they come from the

Muslim world or the Buddhist world, the Christian world or

the non-believing world, they are members of the body of

Christ because they’ve been called by God. They may not

even know the name of Jesus, but they know in their heart

that they need something that they don’t have, and they

turn to the only light they have, and I think that they are

saved and they are going to be with us in heaven.