Everlasting-Gospel-Roma-Downey

The Everlasting Gospel & Roma Downey "Christians"

by Dean Odle

February 27, 2014

An excerpt from the last chapter of my book The Polluted Church: From Rome to Kansas City with a short commentary on Roma Downey

The Everlasting Gospel

“And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people, Saying with a loud voice, ‘Fear God, and give glory to Him; for the hour of His judgment is come: and worship Him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters’'" (Revelation 14:6-7).

The book of Revelation reveals the coming “wrath of the Lamb” (Revelation 6). That means the coming wrath of Jesus Christ on wicked mankind. The Holy Spirit had David pen these words about the Son of God (Jesus) three thousand years ago,

“Serve the LORD with fear, and rejoice with trembling. Kiss the Son, lest He be angry, and ye perish from the way, when His wrath is kindled but a little. Blessed are all they that put their trust in Him” (Ps. 2:11-12).

Tragically, thirty years of the “seeker-sensitive” gospel has produced a generation that has almost no concept of God’s wrath or judgment toward sin and the wicked. Their perverted teachings on love have produced a group of people that I call “Christian hippies.” They float around on their clouds of delusion thinking, “All we need is love!” Sadly, their idea of love is based more on human emotions and feelings instead of the example of Jesus and the apostles. For many, God’s grace has been turned into a license to sin and that lie has been stretched into the false gospels of universal salvation or just outright universalism. Scriptures are taken out of context while others are ignored or completely rejected and thus, many have created a different God, a different Jesus, and different gospel than what was revealed in the Holy Bible.

A.W. Tozer described this trend sometime before he died in 1963, “We have developed in recent times a peace-loving, soft-spoken, tame and harmless brand of Christian of whom the world has no fear and for whom it has little respect. We are careful, for instance, never to speak in public against any of the false cults lest we be thought intolerant. We fear to talk against the destructive sins of modern civilization for fear someone will brand us as bigoted and narrow. Little by little we have been forced off the hard earth into a religious cloud-land where we are permitted to wing our harmless way around, like swallows at sundown, saying nothing that might stir the ire of the sons of this world. That Neo-Christianity, which seems for the time to be the most popular (and is certainly the most aggressive), is very careful not to oppose sin. It wins its crowds by amusing them and it converts by hiding from them the full implications of the Christian message.”

In his 1990 book entitled How Saved Are We?, Dr. Michael L. Brown wrote about preaching the true gospel of Jesus and said, “When we tell people that they are sinners, that there is a consequence to their actions, that one day they will be judged for their deeds, that without doubt a guilty verdict will come, people get enraged! But when all we say is “Only believe!”—no repentance, no commitment, no change of life required—why should there be any offense? How are we holding anyone accountable? How are we convicting them of their sin? We are simply not preaching the whole counsel of God. If we were (with so much media exposure), the American people would be trembling in their boots!”[i]

The Apostle Paul addressed this issue of changing the gospel in order to please men, “Grace be to you and peace from God the Father, and from our Lord Jesus Christ, Who gave Himself for our sins, that He might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father: To Whom be glory forever and ever. Amen. I marvel that ye are so soon removed from Him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed. For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ. But I certify you, brethren that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man. For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ” (Galatians 1:3-13)

These are strong words from the Apostle Paul “…but though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let that man be accursed.” The word accursed means to ban or excommunicate and curse (or speak against) greatly. I cannot stress this enough, the perverting of the gospel of Jesus Christ is a VERY serious matter. It was serious to Paul and the other apostles and it should be serious to us!

Today we have the false Roman Catholic version of the gospel that includes worship of Mary and the doctrine that sacraments are necessary for our salvation. Then, there is the Islamic gospel that denies the Deity and of Jesus Christ and His atoning death on the cross, but says that Jesus or Isa (as they call Him) will come back and tell Christians that they were wrong. There is the Emerging Church/Universalists version of the gospel that has redefined almost every aspect of what the New Testament teaches and believes that everyone will make it to heaven whether they know Jesus or not. The New Age gospel declares Jesus to be just one of many manifestations of a “Cosmic Christ” along with others like Buddha. We have the Mormon and Jehovah Witness gospels that deny the Deity of Jesus Christ and His teaching on eternal punishment in hell. They also preach a salvation that comes from good works and social action instead of being born again by faith in the cross and resurrection of the REAL Jesus Christ. Then, there is the Calvinistic version of the gospel where it is all based on their version of predestination. They believe that mankind does not have a free-will to choose God or reject Him. And finally, we have the widespread Evangelical gospel that preaches that saying a “sinner’s prayer” will guarantee a person an eternity in heaven whether they live and obey God or not. The time has come that we must get back to the true gospel of the Bible.

So how can we tell the difference between the true gospel of the Bible and a counterfeit? Over twenty years ago, I worked for a bank. Part of our training was how to spot counterfeit money. I will never forget the first thing our trainer said about this issue. She said, “The best way to spot a counterfeit bill is to be VERY familiar with the real.” She went on to tell us that because we would handle real money for hours every day; the first thing we would notice is that the paper would not “feel” the same. That is because the paper the U.S. currency is printed on is very unique. Then once we noticed the bill didn't feel the same we were told to stop and examine specific details only found on true U.S. bills.

I had to be familiar with the ink, small lines in the eyes, and look for the tiny pieces of blue and red silk that are made into the paper. Once I learned these things, I was able to recognize any bill that did not match what I knew to be real. It works the same with discerning counterfeit gospels; you will know they are counterfeit by spending time with God in prayer and learning the true gospel of Jesus Christ that is found in the Bible. With that said, let’s take a look at what the true gospel of the Bible looks like.

Some people have defined the gospel simply as “good news” and though it is good news for those who accept it, that definition is far from complete. I have often said that defining the gospel of Jesus as just “good news” is like calling a baby in the womb a blob of tissue. You see, while that may be technically correct, a baby is so much than that. It is a life that has been fearfully and wonderfully made by God. It has a very complex DNA and intricate structures that make that baby unique and special. The same can be said about the gospel of Jesus Christ.

The true gospel of Jesus Christ has certain components that cannot be left out, added to, or changed. If any part is changed, added to, or left out then it is not the gospel of Jesus Christ. Paul warned the Corinthian church and in doing so was warning us that there would be those who would preach another Jesus whom they had not preached with another spirit that they had not received and another gospel (2 (Corinthians 11:1-4). The Greek word for “another” in the above passage is “heteros” and is defined as “…other, different, or altered.”

The Gospel of Jesus Christ is about several things:

- Who Jesus is as God in the flesh, the Son of God, the Lamb of God and so on

- What Jesus has done through His atoning death on the cross & His resurrection

- What Jesus taught about heaven, eternal punishment in hell, sin, repentance, etc.

- What we must do to be saved (born again) & grow in a relationship with Him

To deviate from, change, leave out or add to any one of these things is to create a different gospel and for that matter, a different Jesus. For instance, the Bible both Old and New Testament teaches us that Jesus Christ is God who manifested in the flesh (Is. 6:9, John 1, 14, Col. 2:9). To deny that truth is to deny who Jesus is and to call God and all of His prophets and apostles liars. Denying that Jesus is the Creator and One True God also changes the context and significance of His atoning death on the cross. Furthermore, rejecting anything the Bible teaches about who Jesus Christ is rejects the power of God to preserve and give us an accurate/trustworthy written account of His works and commands in the Bible.

Another example of preaching a different gospel is when people say there is no hell where there will be everlasting punishment for those who rejected God’s call and chose to indulge in all sorts of wickedness. This lie has been around for a long time. I even had a group of homosexuals at Auburn University tell me that there is no hell and everyone is going to heaven. But when I asked them if child molesters were going to heaven, several spoke up loudly and said, “Child molesters will go straight to hell!” I knew that question would stir the sense of justice that God has placed in the heart of every person. After their response I was able to return to the topic and say, “So...some of you do believe in hell.” You see they just had their own ideas about who God is and who He will judge, but they had better accept what God says about what will cause a person to spend in eternity in the torments of hell.

Again, to deny hell, judgment, or anything else God revealed in the Bible through His prophets and apostles is to call God a liar. It is the epitome of satanically-inspired pride to think that you have a deeper revelation or better source of wisdom and truth than the Bible. It is to say that there is another authority that is higher and more accurate than the Book that has been proven by numerous archaeological discoveries, non-Christian historians like Josephus and Tacitus, hundreds of very specific fulfilled prophesies and the testimonies of millions that have been delivered from sin and Satan through a born again experience with Jesus Christ. And the same goes for the lie that says all religions lead to God. The Bible has made it clear that there is only ONE way to God—Jesus Christ (Acts 4:12 & John 14:6). And to say that everyone is saved by Jesus whether they know it or not is to deny all of the Biblical teachings about repentance and faith being required in order to make it to heaven.

I believe a better definition of the gospel would go something like this: The gospel of Jesus Christ is everything written in the Old Testament, everything that Jesus taught, said or did and everything His apostles taught and recorded in the New Testament. The reason I include what the apostles wrote and taught is because Jesus told them to “go into all the world and preach the gospel” (Mark 16:15) and then we get more details about what they were supposed to preach in Matthew 28:19-20. It says, “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.” And then, Luke gives us another important detail that Jesus taught about the Great Commission and preaching the gospel, “Thus it is written, and thus it behooved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day: And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem” (Luke 24:46-47).

Therefore, we are not preaching the gospel if we leave out important things that Jesus taught or alter what His Word says in any way. This is why Paul could say this to the church at Ephesus, “Ye know, from the first day that I came into Asia, after what manner I have been with you at all seasons, Serving the Lord with all humility of mind, and with many tears, and temptations, which befell me by the lying in wait of the Jews: And how I kept back nothing that was profitable unto you, but have shewed you, and have taught you publicly, and from house to house, Testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ…Wherefore I take you to record this day, that I am pure from the blood of all men. For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God. Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which He hath purchased with His own blood” (Acts 20:18-21 & 26-28).

So, for all you Roma Downey duped Christians, I have saved a video

clip of her plainly saying that, "All roads lead to God." There is no

question that she is a New Ager who was discipled by her New

Thought (New Age beliefs) pastor Della Reese. She even worked

with psychic medium John Edwards on his book Practical Praying

that mixes New Age/Hindu meditation techniques and Roman

Catholicism. She was on John Edward's TV show Crossing

Over several times receiving psychic readings and participating

in a seance with John supposedly contacting her dead mother.

However, Roma is only carrying on the false gospel of the Roman

Catholic Church that Pope Francis has confirmed recently in the

press. Francis has stated publicly that even atheists will go to

heaven if they do good works. This is blasphemy of the cross of

Jesus Christ and terrible error. Anyone who thinks that Roma Downey

or the Roman Catholic Church are putting forth the true Bible doctrines

of Jesus Christ is either woefully ignorant or they are a liberal "Christian"

who really doesn't believe the entire Bible.

Let’s be clear…the gospel of Jesus Christ includes:

- The teaching that Jesus Christ is the only way to heaven (John 14:6).

- Repentance (turning away from sin) and faith in the blood of Jesus and His resurrection is required for salvation (Acts 2, Luke 24). Repentance from sin includes the sins of sexual immorality and idolatry (Rev 21:6-8).

- Jesus Christ is God in the flesh.

- Prayer offered to God in the name of Jesus CHRIST ONLY (John 14-17).

- There is a literal heaven and hell. - The Bible is the inspired, infallible Word of God.

The gospel of Christ DOES NOT include:

- Prayer or bowing down to Mary or other saints.

- The belief that all roads lead to God.

- The belief that Muslims and others who reject Jesus Christ as God and the ONLY way to salvation are saved and going to heaven.

AND WHAT DOES GOD'S WORD SAY ABOUT THOSE WHO BRING A DIFFERENT GOSPEL?

"But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be ACCURSED." (Galatians 1:8)

"Would to God ye could bear with me a little in my folly: and indeed bear with me. For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy: for I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ. But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ. For if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus, whom we have not preached, or if ye receive another spirit, which ye have not received, or another gospel, which ye have not accepted, ye might well bear with him." (2 Corinthians 11:1-4)...Apostle Paul making the point that the Corinthians were gullible and would accept (bear with) The doctrine of Christ AND other deceptive gospels.

"Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son. If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed (be well): For he that biddeth him God speed (be well) is partaker of his evil deeds" (2 John 1:9-11).

And make no mistake about it Christian, giving your money to see the “Son of God” movie is not only wishing them well, but it is financing their ability to promote their false New Age gospel worldwide.