WOLVES IN SHEEP'S CLOTHING

This photo is the Cathedral For Russia's Armed Forces... Merging Militarism With Faith. We read in Matthew 7:15 – "Beware of false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves." Again, in Matthew 10:16 – "I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves. Therefore be wise as serpents, and harmless as doves." This is when false pastors, priests, and leading religious figures dress in fine robes, but are are actually wolves in sheep's clothing.

The Apostle Paul forewarned us to beware of "vicious wolves [who] will enter in among you, not sparing the flock, men [who] will arise from among your own selves, speaking perverted things" (Acts 20:29-30). The word "perverted" here can refer to both moral and doctrinal perversion. And in John 10:10 – "The thief [Satan] does not come except to steal, to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life and that they may have it more abundantly." The militarization of religion is when false religion becomes merely an ideological tool to brainwash people into believing that stealing other nation's land, killing their people, and destroying their homes, farms, and businesses is God's will.

How did this come about? Jesus said – "Those who take up the sword will die by the sword" (Matthew 26:52). The Apostle Paul wrote – "As much as it lies with you, live in peace with all men" (Romans 12:18) which some people have used to justify "wars of self-defense." In the early Church, most Christians were pacifists, but when Christianity was legalized and many of the people adopted this new state religion, this rule was limited to only priests because the state needed soldiers to fight its wars. This led to some who claimed to be Christians becoming priests and monks in order to avoid military service – "wolves in sheep's clothing." In more recent centuries, many church leaders have used this verse as a justification for defending one's own family and country. Many nations today call their armed forces the "Department of Defense" but in actuality in is the "Department of War."

So by now, we have false shepherds, wolves in sheep's clothing, whose god is their belly – their addictions to food, immoral sex, lust for power, and money-money-money who are pastors, priests, and heads of church associations who are blessing nuclear missiles and their nations' military and political machines. They will eventually perish from this earth and forever burn in hell, but not until they have stolen from, killed, and destroyed millions of people – including multitudes of genuine believers who have become disillusioned and have turned away from active involvement with the Church. I don't mean to say that all pastors, priests, etc. are evil – we have known many very godly ones. But there are sinful people (including me) in every Christian confession. What are we to do when the situation seems hopeless? We must simply keep the faith, endure to the end to be saved, and hold on tight to the Lord and together with like-minded faithful Christians.