While surfing online, I stmbled upon this article that I found quite thought provoking.
Satan and the deception of whitewashed tombs
www.indymedia.org.uk... (World report link)
This is the site where I initially found the article.
www.ecomotion.org.uk...
Here is the entire lengthy article - first five postings including this one:
Satan and the deception of whitewashed tombs.
The bible tells people that there is deception in many churches.
In Matthew 23:27,28; Jesus says; "Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You are like whitewashed tombs, which look beautiful
on the outside but on the inside are full of the bones of the dead and everything unclean. In the same way, on the outside you appear to people as
righteous but on the inside you are full of hypocrisy and wickedness.”
Unfortunately, the words in Matthew 23:27,28 are also applicable to many people in government, political, corporate, financial, economic health,
education and social sectors of society. Some of these people possibly go to church.
The Lord says in Isaiah 29:13: "These people come near to me with their mouth and honour me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. Their
worship of me is based on merely human rules they have been taught.”
In Jude 1:4 we read, “For certain individuals whose condemnation was written about long ago have secretly slipped in among you. They are ungodly
people, who pervert the grace of our God into a license for immorality and deny Jesus Christ our only sovereign and Lord.”
“I know that after I leave, savage wolves will come in among you and will not spare the flock. Even from your own number some will arise and distort
the truth in order to draw away disciples after them.” Acts 20:29,30
“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;” 1 Timothy 4:1-2
It is apparent that many religious leaders and followers have chosen to deviate from the word of God in favour of what is acceptable to the
multitude.
“But there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly introduce destructive
heresies, even denying the sovereign Lord who bought them—bringing swift destruction on themselves. Many will follow their depraved conduct and will
bring the way of truth into disrepute.” 2 Peter 2:1-2
In Mathew 7:21-23, Jesus says, "Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only those who do the will of my
Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your
name perform many miracles?' Then I will tell them plainly, 'I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!”
The bible also tells us that there should be no hierarchy among people who follow Jesus Christ. There is only one God and the only way to God is
through Christ. Those who proclaim themselves to be religious leaders, such as the Pope, Archbishops, Bishops, Priests, Vicars, Rabbi’s, Imam’s
etc, will be humbled.
Jesus says this of religious leaders in Matthew 23:8-12, "But you are not to be called 'Rabbi,' for you have only one Master and you are all
brothers. And do not call anyone on earth 'father,' for you have one Father, and he is in heaven. Nor are you to be called 'teacher,' for you have
one Teacher, the Messiah. The greatest among you will be your servant. For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves
will be exalted.” There is no human mediator between people and God. “Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh
unto the Father, but by me.” John 14:6.
[edit on 5-8-2009 by GFCAX]