THE ‘DOCTRINE’ OF TOLERANCE ~ WHAT SAY YOU? ~ EXPOSING HYPOCRISY ~ Part 35

 Is your God tolerant? Is your ‘god’ tolerance? These are not two sides of the same coin. It is one thing to acknowledge that others hold differing beliefs and accept it as their right to do so. It is altogether another thing when tolerance means being forced to accept those differing beliefs as true. That is something Christians cannot do.

 

According to one modern, secular website that popped up first on my google search, “Tolerance makes it possible for people to coexist peacefully. It is the basis for a fair society in which everyone can lead their lives as they wish.” It goes on to say, “To be tolerant means that you accept other people’s opinions and preferences, even when they live in a way that you don’t agree with. Tolerance also means that you don’t put your opinions above those of others, even when you are sure that you are right. Tolerant people show strength in that they can deal with different opinions and perspectives.” And “Teaching children about tolerance is the best gift that you can give them…Children who are forced to believe certain opinions will develop into people who aren’t free or independent thinkers. If children experience love and tolerance, they will be able to grow up and lead a happy and peaceful life.” Did you hear some truth mixed in alongside the lies? Did you catch what is not specifically said especially when it comes to teaching our children? The article goes on to say, “Tolerance is an important aspect of German society…[the Germans] accept different traditions and customs, as long as they don’t break the rules in Germany.” And, finally, “If we want to live in a peaceful society, there is no alternative to tolerance.” Article

Apparently, ‘loving others’, as cited by a society that adheres to the Gospel according to St. Kosmos, demands tolerance on every front. Well, every front but one, really. Those who do not subscribe to the new ‘tolerance’ are not to be tolerated! In other words, everyone must be tolerated except the intolerant. Have you noticed how progressive thinkers increasingly try to put a positive spin on those things they deem virtuous when they prey on those who exhibit a lack of discernment in the ‘intolerant’ community? It is not unlike that stranger who pulls up alongside a child walking home from school offering her a piece of candy ‘just to be kind’. For instance, social justice. It is presented to the church as a good thing, something Christians should have no problem embracing. What Christian, in her right mind, would dispute the virtues on the surface of this movement? What Christian, in her right mind, would dispute the virtues of love, patience, and striving for peace with all men?

 

The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Wait! Where is tolerance? It might be a surprise to the masses that the Gospel according to God is not the ‘Gospel’ according to Kosmos! News flash! Christians serve a God who is not tolerant! He is patient and long suffering, but He does not tolerate sin. “Tolerance toward people is a good and biblical virtue, but tolerance toward false teaching is sin.” ~ John MacArthur

 

It was A.W. Tozer who said: “A new Decalogue has been adopted by some of our day, the first words of which reads: “Thou shalt not disagree,” and a new set of Beatitudes too, which begins, “Blessed are they that tolerate everything, for they shall not be made accountable for anything.” It is now the accepted thing to talk over religious differences in public with the understanding that no one will try to convert another or point out errors in his belief. Imagine Moses agreeing to take part in a panel discussion with Israel over the golden calf; or Elijah engaging in a gentlemanly dialogue with the prophets of Baal. Or try to picture Jesus seeking a meeting of minds with the Pharisees to iron out differences. The blessing of God is promised to the peacemaker, but the religious negotiator had better watch his step. Darkness and light can never be brought together by talk. Some things are not negotiable.”

 

In 2 Corinthians 11:19-20, Paul uses this word ‘tolerate’ in a negative sense. False apostles had come into the church to cause doubt and cast aspersions on Paul’s God-given authority to teach. In other words, ‘What makes him such an authority to teach you?’ Sarcastically, Paul responds, “For you, being so wise, tolerate the foolish gladly. For you tolerate it if anyone enslaves you, if anyone devours you, if anyone takes advantage of you, if anyone exalts himself, if anyone hits you in the face.” Christ praises the church at Ephesus for her intolerance of evil men and reprimands the church at Thyatira for tolerating the woman Jezebel. To tolerate means to permit something or leave something alone.

 

How can you be so judgmental and unloving by calling so and so out as a false teacher? Who made you an authority on what is true for me?  Don’t judge me! You do you, and I’ll do me! If you are living a life that resembles that of our Lord, you have heard it all before. God was intolerant of sin from the beginning. Ask Adam and Eve. Ask Noah why he ended up on a boat with only 7 others from all of creation while the world drowned. Ask Uzzah! Who? The man in 2 Samuel 6 who sincerely believed his heart was in the right place when he reached out to touch the ark of the covenant so it would not fall to the ground. He wrongly believed his own hands were more holy than the ground. God has always and will always punish sin! Maybe not immediately, as in Uzzah’s case or the case of Ananias and Sapphira, but like Numbers 32:23 says, we can all be sure that when we sin against the Lord, our sin will find us out!

 

Germany is a blip on the map of God’s universe.  The Germans are tolerant, “as long as nobody breaks her rules.” Did you catch that from the article quoted above? What do you suppose happens when one breaks German rules? That one is punished. Yet, rules set forth by God, who is the Sovereign ruler over all the universe, that are broken…should be tolerated? Christians really can’t judge anyone. However, they can stand firmly upon the authority of God’s Word to warn people that judgment is coming for all sin. God has already judged sin; Christians just warn of the sure judgment to come unless that one in sin repents. This is God’s definition of love.

 

So, we see, this new-day doctrine of ‘Tolerance’ is nothing more than a wicked society trying to shut the mouths of those speaking truth that convicts them of the sin they so desperately love and seek to guard and protect. If God were tolerant, like the world, Jesus would never have needed to go to the cross for your sin and mine. One writer said it beautifully. God’s love is not a tolerant love but a redemptive love. Portrayed as love by a sinful society, tolerance, when it comes to sin, is unloving.

 

My last post ended with the whole of Isaiah 47. Just recently, someone questioned me regarding ‘who came up with this concept that Scripture interprets Scripture’. This Christian wanted to know if some ‘white supremacist male’ had ‘invented’ that theory. I assured her that anyone who has studied the Bible for any length of time would never entertain that question for one moment. Comparing Isaiah 47 with the next portion of Scripture in Revelation 18 should shut the mouths of anyone endeavoring to support their warped, distorted desires to subvert God’s authority to a feminist, antichrist agenda. Critical theory, linking arms with a feminist agenda, has swept the globe religiously and politically, but it has been around for a very long time. The doctrine of ‘tolerance’ has given it a more blatant, center stage platform enabling it to be thrust into every facet of our society.

 

With eyes wide open, Christians can stand upon truth knowing that judgment is coming for all those who stand in rebellion against God and His Word. And that judgment will be based on God’s perspective of all sin committed. It will be personal and perfectly fit the depths of each wicked heart.

 

Revelation 18:6-8—Pay her back even as she has paid and give back to her double according to her deeds; in the cup which she has mixed, mix twice as much for her. To the degree that she glorified herself and lived sensuously, to the same degree give her torment and mourning; for she says in her heart, ‘I SIT as A QUEEN AND I AM NOT A WIDOW, and will never see mourning.’ For this reason, in one day her plagues will come, pestilence and mourning and famine, and she will be burned up with fire; for the Lord God who judges her is strong.

 

God knows the depths of sin—the motives and intent of each heart. Babylon thought God did not see her sin, but the tower of sin she was building so indiscreetly, was visible and blatantly defiant before His eyes. Under the Law of Moses, restitution required paying back double what was stolen. What was stolen from God? His honor and His glory, all that rightfully belonged to Him alone. In Jeremiah 50:21, Merathaim (meaning double rebellion or double obstinacy) is another name for Babylon. It is made up of words that mean ‘to be rebellious against Jehovah and His commandments’.

 

She has been serving up a cup of wine, intoxicating the nations since ancient times. She will now be forced to drink from her own cup. Isaiah 47:10-12 talked about her warped wisdom and knowledge that caused her to truly believe the world revolved around her. She taught her devoted children to focus on themselves so that they, too, might have the same high self-esteem. Tony Garland says that the spirit of humanism first expressed at Babel has permeated human history ever since.

 

She exhausted herself with the counsel of astrologers, and stargazers. But they will be unable to help her on the day of judgment. Boasting in her own glory, she lived luxuriously and sensually. A self-appointed ‘god’, she withheld nothing from herself—offering herself anything and everything that was pleasing in her sight.

 

She sees herself as sitting as queen. God says, “Come down and sit in the dust, O virgin daughter of Babylon; sit on the ground without a throne, O daughter of the Chaldeans!” Her reprobate mind envisions herself a queen who will never be a widow or see sorrow. I will NOT see sorrow is a double negative, the strongest negation possible. She utterly believes she is secure. How like the world does she sit today when people loudly protest, “You can’t judge me! I won’t be judged by you!” The haughtiness with which she makes these claims before Sovereign God who is watching and waiting for the time of her judgment is appalling. Imagine this one shaking her fist in the face of God, the Judge, saying He cannot and will not ever judge HER! This is the distorted reality in which she lives, but it is not God’s reality.

 

In one day, her plagues will come upon her. Isaiah 47:8-9a says that she will suffer the loss of children and will become a widow in a moment. Utter destruction in an instant. Burned up like Sodom and Gomorrah, destroyed forever. Revelation 19:3 says her smoke rises up forever and ever! We know that the Beast and the ten kings of the end will assist in her destruction, but it is God who judges her for the Lord of Hosts is strong! Jeremiah 50:33-34—This is what the LORD of armies says: “The sons of Israel are oppressed, and the sons of Judah as well; and all who took them captive have held them firmly, they have refused to let them go. Their Redeemer is strong, the LORD of armies is His name; He will vigorously plead their case so that He may bring rest to their land, but turmoil to the inhabitants of Babylon.

 

Revelation 9-20 talks about the reaction from those whose lives were influenced and swayed by the deceit and sensuality of Babylon. Their visible grief cannot be suppressed. All those who benefitted from her materially and physically will be beside themselves in their great loss. Having believed that nothing is more important than their own self-interests, that the world revolves around them, their ‘world’ has just come crashing down upon them. No longer can they use the great harlot for their sinful pleasures and gain. “Commercialism is a key contributor to the materialism and godlessness which characterizes Babylon at the end.” Tony Garland

 

Those influenced by Babylon, lured into her web of deceit are like the church at Laodicea. She falsely believed she was rich and wealthy, in need of nothing. The Lord knew she was wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked. Christians who truly love others and hate sin, see the spiritual wretchedness, the spiritual void in those around them. The most loving thing they can do is call unbelievers to repentance. Most often what is returned is a rebuke and to be labeled ‘intolerant’. Unless the Lord opens unbelieving eyes and ears to see and hear the truth of the Gospel causing that one to repent, sinners will be devastated in judgment like the Harlot and those who have followed her down through the ages.  

 

World=Kosmos, the world systems, worldly affairs, the aggregate of things earthly, the whole circle of earthly goods, endowments, riches, advantages, pleasures, etc., which although hollow and frail and fleeting, stir desire, seduce from God and are obstacles to the cause of Christ.  1 John 2:15-17—Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world. And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever.

 

In that one day, in that moment, the fruit you long for has gone from you, and all things that were luxuriant and splendid have passed away from you and men will no longer find them. (Revelation 18:14) This literally says, the fruit of the lust of the soul of you. Things which were rich (oily, fat, luxurious things), which are splendid (bright, shining, glittering things). The emphasis is on self-gratification and sensual living that feeds the flesh. 2 Timothy 3:1-4—But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: for men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God.

 

The great parallel in Revelation 18 is seen in these men made rich by the Harlot. While they stand, weeping, wailing—inconsolable in their grief—the angel encourages the saints, apostles, prophets, and the tribulation martyrs of 6:9-11 to rejoice over the Harlot’s demise. They rejoice, not over those doomed to eternal hell, but because God’s righteousness and justice will have prevailed. God pronounced judgment on Babylon the Great for His people. “God has avenged you on her” literally means “God has pronounced on her the judgment she wished to impose on you.” (See also, Revelation 6:10; 8:3-4; 17:6; 18:24; 19:2; Deuteronomy 32:43; Luke 18:7-8a.)

 

Rejoicing because sin has been judged will never be something tolerated by this world any more than glorifying and honoring God above self or anything else in this world will be tolerated. The world does not think like Christians because it does not have the mind of Christ and does not value His Word as a lamp unto its feet and a light unto its path. We should never be amazed, shocked, confused, or dumbfounded by pushback we receive for speaking the truth and standing for righteousness.  

 

Revelation 18:21-24—Then a strong angel picked up a stone like a great millstone and threw it into the sea, saying, “So will Babylon, the great city, be thrown down with violence, and will never be found again. And the sound of harpists, musicians, flute players, and trumpeters will never be heard in you again; and no craftsman of any craft will ever be found in you again; and the voice of the groom and the bride will never be heard in you again; for your merchants were the powerful people of the earth, because all the nations were deceived by your witchcraft. And in her was found the blood of prophets and of saints, and of all who have been slaughtered on the earth.”

 

Whenever I see the word millstone, my mind always goes to ‘the little ones’ of Matthew 18:6; Mark 9:42; and Luke 17:2. These passages all share Jesus’ words regarding the seriousness of causing ‘one of these little ones who believe in Me to sin’.

 

Jeremiah 51:60-64 foretells the angel’s actions in verse 21 of Revelation 18, thousands of years before as it related to Babylon’s ultimate judgment. This judgment has never been fulfilled in history. All this leads one to believe that the city of Babylon will be rebuilt to later be forever destroyed by God in judgment.

 

No more “eat, drink, and be merry for tomorrow we die”. No more grabbing the gusto of the ‘good life’. No more, ‘Enjoy life as much as possible because we won’t live forever’.  ‘Tomorrow’ has come. In Isaiah 22, the prophet warned the people of Jerusalem that their hypocritical nature would be their downfall. He had called them to weep and mourn over their impending invasion. They flippantly replied, “Let us eat and drink…for tomorrow we die” (verse 13). A hedonistic lifestyle is never advocated for in Scripture. That is the message of the Gospel according to Kosmos.

 

…for your merchants were the great men of the earth, because all the nations were deceived by your sorcery. (Revelation 18:23) Sorcery is pharmakeia. It describes “sorcery, magic, magic arts” and includes the use of drugs of any kind for magical effect. Isaiah gives a list of Babylon’s sorceries: enchantments, astrology, star-gazing, and monthly prognostication (Isaiah 47:12-13). These sorceries have piled up to heaven and brought about her destruction. She deceived the nations by her magical arts at the direction of the master deceiver, Satan. Revelation 21:8 says that those who practice sorcery “have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone” and will never enter the New Jerusalem (22:15).

 

And in her was found the blood of prophets and of saints, and of all who have been slaughtered on the earth. (Revelation 18:24) This city bears the guilt of immense religious persecution having violently murdered the saints of God. Remember, the Harlot drinks the blood of the saints. She, the mother of all harlots, is culpable for the blood of the godly shed by all her daughter harlots of all time. Tony Garland has said that “at the bottom of her cup is the blood of Abel.” And her cup continues to fill up even today.

 

Conspiracy theories abound in order to defame those whose sole purpose is to follow after righteousness and glorify and honor God. But for them, their vindication one day is sure. One more quote from Tony Garland (his commentary on Revelation is fantastic!): “When the vaunted wisdom, and progress, and experiments of unregenerate man are consummated, and there is nothing to show from it but a valley of burning cinders and desolation, with the whole earth from highest kings to meanest subjects howling in helpless lamentations, terror, and despair, history will have added its seal to all that the saints, apostles, and prophets have said and maintained. Then will their judgment have been judged out of that world which despised and persecuted them and spurned their hated pessimism for more flattering philosophies.”

 

Let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. (In all the excesses of the sinful desires of the Gentiles) they are surprised that you do not run with them into the same excesses of dissipation, and they malign you; but they will give account to Him who is ready to judge the living and the dead. The end of all things is near; therefore, be of sound judgment and sober spirit for the purpose of prayer. Above all, keep fervent in your love for one another, because love covers a multitude of sins. This type of love requires that we put the spiritual good of others ahead of our own desires in spite of being treated unfairly, unkindly, or even with hostility. This is NOT tolerance, but true love. But true love also includes not participating in the unfruitful deeds of darkness, but instead even exposing them. When these things begin to take place, straighten up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.