POSTED 15 SEPTEMBER, 2008

Watchmen be Warned

by Mark Huey
mark@outreachisrael.net

reproduced from the McHuey Blog

For years, our ministry has been warning our readers about the false teachers, false prophets, and false apostles that the Scriptures say will be sent as “tests” to determine who and/or what our hearts and souls truly love:

“You shall not listen to the words of that prophet or that dreamer of dreams; for the Lord your God is testing you to find out if you love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul. You shall follow the Lord your God and fear Him; and you shall keep His commandments, listen to His voice, serve Him, and cling to Him” (Deuteronomy 13:3-4).

On a spiritual level, the deception is quite clever. It is so serious that Yeshua Himself cautions His followers by reminding them that when the false teachers do come, even the children of God or the elect have the possibility of being misled:

“For false Messiahs and false prophets will arise and will show great signs and wonders, so as to mislead, if possible, even the elect” (Matthew 24:24).

This is one of the primary reasons that we have been encouraging the Messianic community to fervently pray for discernment and wisdom when it comes to listening to various teachers or teachings. Lamentably, we continue to talk with people or get reports about how certain insidious teachings lead people away from the foundational truth that Yeshua is Divine, and we hear stories about how people have denied His Messiahship. This is heart breaking because when someone turns from the forgiveness offered by His unique blood sacrifice, and tramples on the accomplished work that only God in the flesh could provide, the consequences of such denial have eternal ramifications:

“How much severer punishment do you think he will deserve who has trampled under foot the Son of God, and has regarded as unclean the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified, and has insulted the Spirit of grace?” (Hebrews 10:29).

The casualties of this spiritual battle continue to mount up as the tests are increasing daily. No doubt, the Lord is refining His people for the even more difficult challenges that are coming in the months and years ahead. Believe me when I say this, the Messianic community will have new and even more complex challenges to face in the not so distant future…

In some respects, many in America are also being tested on another plane that deals directly with the powers and principalities that we struggle against as they manifest themselves in the flesh and blood of the current political arena (Ephesians 6:12). Ironically, due to indifference, lack of knowledge or training, or simply ignorance of the facts, many are being duped by clever manipulation of facts or even blatant lies. This is troubling because as those called upon to be participants in the process of choosing our leaders (see my previous blog “A Time to Choose”) many are not aware of some basic facts about those who are seeking high office.

Even after reading the autobiographies of the leading candidates and other books that examine their backgrounds (which I still highly recommend), it was not until I stumbled upon the following revelation during some ongoing research that I became alarmed to the point of sending out yet another communiqué. Months ago during my reading of these life stories, I had read that one of the candidates for high office acknowledged in his autobiography that he was highly influenced by the work of Saul Alinsky, the author of a book entitled Rules for Radicals.

But it was not until I recently read the following dedication in Alinsky’s book that I realized, with considerable alarm, how bold the enemy has become in overtly and directly attacking the godly principles that all Believers should embrace:

Lest we forget at least an over-the-shoulder acknowledgment to the very first radical: from all our legends, mythology, and history (and who is to know where mythology leaves off and history begins — or which is which), the first radical known to man who rebelled against the establishment and did it so effectively that he at least won his own kingdom — Lucifer

Saul Alinsky in Dedication to his book Rules for Radicals, 1971

If this unashamed, “in your face” statement about Lucifer being the entity that this book is dedicated to does not get your attention, then I am very concerned about any level of spiritual discernment that you might claim. This is a not so indirect reference to the Devil, the Adversary, or the Angel of Light whose ungodly kingdom Alinsky not only acknowledged, but sought to perpetuate through his radical community organizing methodologies taught in his book. As the Scriptures tell us,

“How you are fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! How you are cut down to the ground, you who weakened the nations! For you have said in your heart: ‘I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God; I will also sit on the mount of the congregation on the farthest sides of the north; I will ascend above the heights of the clouds, I will be like the Most High’” (Isaiah 14:12-14, NKJV, cf. Luke 10:18).

As many commentators who have read Rules for Radicals have concluded, the primary mantra is change, change, and more change for the sake of change. While both national party candidates are offering change, only one candidate claims to draw his marching orders from the principles laid out in Rules for Radicals as noted in his autobiography.

You are now informed about one more aspect of the choices available in the American political arena. But, whether you are choosing leaders of this country or choosing which teachers or teachings to listen to or read—the matter of choosing is still in your heart and soul. My suggestion in all cases is simply this: choose wisely!

Consider yourself warned!

For an interesting read on this subject, take a look at this article published on 03 March 2007 in the Washington Post:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/03/24/AR2007032401152.html

Ignorance is not an excuse. Stay and be informed. We will all be held accountable for what we do with the precious privilege we Americans have to vote for our national leaders.

Mark Huey (B.A., Vanderbilt University in History and Graduate Studies at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University) is the Director of Outreach Israel Ministries (www.outreachisrael.net). He is the author of several books, including: TorahScope, Volumes I & II, and Counting the Omer: A Daily Devotional Toward Shavuot. He is also co-author of Hebraic Roots: An Introductory Study.