Beware of Dead Stars

By Pastor F. M. Riley

“Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try [test] the spirits, whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world,” 1 John 4:1.

“Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices,” 2 Corinthians 2:11.

“…..I am set for the defense of the gospel,” Philippians 1:17.

Introduction

The inspired writers of the New Testament repeatedly warned people to beware of “false teachers” who would infiltrate the ranks of Christianity. As this present dispensation draws to a close, it is easy to see that their inspired warnings have come to pass. Today churches are filled with people “professing” to be “Christians,” yet the lives and teachings of many in the churches today are not at all in harmony with the Scriptures. It appears that God’s people [those truly saved] have forgotten the inspired admonition to “try the spirits” before receiving people into the churches. This study is written, not to criticize or condemn any person or any church in particular, but only as a reminder and a warning to all true believers, and to those unbelievers who are seeking the truth. Beware…..

Rising Stars

In imitation of true believers, “false teachers” present themselves to the churches “professing” to be “Christians,” 2 Peter 2:1; Jude 4. In the average church today there is little or no examination of those who come forward. Most people are simply welcomed into the churches with open arms.

Once received into a church, these “false teachers” begin feverishly “working for God.” They quickly endear themselves to the church body by appearing to be totally dedicated to the Lord. In a short time they become Sunday School teachers, song leaders, youth workers, deacons, or are placed in other key positions in the church. Once they attain any position of leadership in a church, they begin to subtly sow their “damnable heresies” [2 Peter 2:1-3] among the congregation. Discord, compromise, and division always follows. Real spirituality soon goes out the door and the church moves into a state of apostasy. What is left is form without substance, ritual without righteousness, and a religious assembly without the real Savior, the Holy Spirit, or the “blessed hope,” 2 Corinthians 11:4; Titus 2:13. The “false teachers,” like insidious Satanic termites, do their work well.

Depending on how ambitious [and greedy] they are, some of these “false teachers” will “enter the ministry.” Sic! Once properly trained [B.A.; D.D.; Phd.; Masters…..Matthew 23:5-10] they begin to develop “a ministry” of their own, built of course, totally around themselves. These “false teachers” often become rich, powerful, influential, famous, “religious celebrities.” They are adored, sought after, flattered, fawned over, honored, and served. They bask in the limelight. Their name is

on the lips of the masses. Just as bright comets cross the heavens lighting up the night sky in a blaze of glory, so these “religious stars” dazzle humanity with their “brilliance.” Their “star” has risen in the “religious world,” 2 Timothy 3:5. And they love it!

Fading Stars

But their “fame” doesn’t last! What these “religionists” fail to realize is that “they have their reward,” Matthew 6:1-2; 6:5; 6:16; Jude 11. Just as the bright “stars” [comets; meteors] passing through the heavens ultimately fade from view, so with the passing of time the fame and adulation heaped upon these “false teachers” also begins to wane.

First, the fickle masses, who are always looking for someone new to entertain them, tire of a particular religious celebrity and go looking for a new one.

Second, serious Bible students; those of God’s people who do “try [test] the spirits,” expose the fallacies, inconsistencies, and outright lies of the “false teachers,” causing followers once devoted to them to become disillusioned and turn away.

Third, not a few of these “false teachers” expose themselves by falling into gross sin; drunkenness, drug addiction, pornography, child molestation, adultery, consorting with prostitutes, homosexuality, and other forms of wickedness. Most of these “false teachers” are so proud and arrogant they actually think they can live a double life and never get caught. But Galatians 6:7-8 and 2 Timothy 3:6-9 are still in God’s Word, and no man has ever been able to cheat the truth of those verses yet. When these religious scum are exposed and caught, most of their followers desert them like rats leaving a sinking ship. Their “god” has died! These “stars” then fade into obscurity.

Dead Stars

But sadly, there are always some beguiled souls who will “blindly” follow these “false teachers” to the very [bitter] end. Just as a comet drags behind it a tail of useless debris, so these “false teachers” drag with them into the eternal darkness of hell, those simple minded souls who have chosen to place “blind” trust in men, rather than trusting only in the infallible Word of God. How very sad!

The people who steadfastly cleave to, adore, fawn over, adulate, and believe every word spoken by these “false teachers” are self deceived, 2 Peter 2:2. As far as they are concerned, their “star” is infallible and can do no wrong. They refuse to see that they are following a man [Isaiah 2:22], and are not following the inspired Word of God. And where then will their “star” lead them? Listen to the Word…..

In Jude 13 the beloved prophet, writing by Divine Inspiration of God, described such “false teachers” as “ungodly men” [verse 4] “…..wandering stars, to whom is reserved the blackness of darkness forever.” Just as some “stars” [comets] which come flying through our solar system light up the night sky, ultimately pass into the darkness of infinite space never to be seen again, so do these “false teachers” [and their devoted followers] ultimately pass into the “darkness” of eternal hell, Job 10:20-22; 15:20-23; 18:5-18; Ecclesiastes 11:8; Isaiah 33:14; Jeremiah 20:11; Daniel 12:2; Matthew 18:8-

9; 25:41; 25:46; 2 Thessalonians 1:6-9; Revelation 20:15. Then, and only then, will many who refuse to “try the spirits” come to realize that the great “religious celebrity” they followed was in reality only “a dead star.” And they will have all eternity to suffer the consequences of their choice. How very, very, sad!

Conclusion

Dear readers, who are you following? Are you truly searching the Scriptures, and studying God’s Word for yourself as the Word commands God’s people to do, 2 Timothy 2:15? Do you “try [test] the spirits” as God’s people are instructed to do?

Folks, the God of the Bible is only revealed through the inspired Word. The “way” of salvation can only be found in the inspired, infallible Word of God. See Matthew 4:4, Luke 16:29-31, John 1:1-4, 1:14, 5:24, 14:6, Acts 16:31, 20:32, Romans 10:8-13, and 10:17. God is not known, and salvation is not obtained, through human philosophy, opinions, ideas, theories, or works. What men think about God [philosophy] and His Word means absolutely nothing, but what God thinks about men means everything. It is the difference between spending eternity with the Lord in glory [2 Corinthians 2:9], or spending eternity with Satan and his angels in hell [Matthew 25:41]. Read John 3:3-7, 3:16, 3:36, 5:24, and Acts 4:12.

You alone must choose whether you will follow God or men. No man can make that choice for you. It is solely your responsibility.

Are you saved? Truly saved? Read 2 Corinthians 13:5 and 2 Peter 1:10.

The inspired Word tells us to “try the spirits.” Don’t allow yourself to be deceived by Satan. Stand for the truth of God’s Word regardless of whether it pleases other men [or women] or not. Don’t wake up in eternity one day with the terrible realization that you have followed “a dead star” to hell.

May God bless His Word to the heart and mind of every reader is my prayer.

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NOTICE: Permission is granted to any true believer or to any Bible believing ministry to forward this Bible study, or to reproduce copies of it to share with others, or to quote from it in context as written.

This ministry is supported solely by freewill offerings. All comments, questions, or correspondence should be addressed to: Last Call Gospel Ministry, Pastor F. M. Riley, 3900 Clark Lane Lot 178, Columbia, MO 65202. Our email address is: fmrglbd5@aol.com