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LEADERS DECEIVED

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A foolish emperor who cares more about clothes and himself than about his responsibilities of the kingdom over which he is to rule - that's the main character in the children's story, The Emperor's New Clothes. It's also a fable of how, not only a King, but all of his leaders were deceived into believing an absurd lie. It is only a small child among all in the nation who was innocent enough to verbalize the obvious truth. Preying upon the King's pride for the finest clothing, two men shrewdly convinced him that they could make garments for him that were from the finest cloth in the entire world. They also explained that he would be able to determine if those employed in his kingdom were wise enough to hold their positions by their ability to recognize the beauty of the clothing tailored for the King.

 The tailors, however, wove no fabric. As the King sent his subjects to view the progress, each was afraid to report back to him that there was no cloth. The two tailors sat in front of empty looms pretending there was exquisite fabric being woven, reminding the subjects that those who couldn't appreciate its beauty were not capable of working for the King. Thus, no one reported truth. A huge celebration was planned for the "showing" of the King's new clothes. The day arrived when he was to be presented the clothing and be made ready for the parade. The tailors brought the invisible garments and held them up for the King to view, exclaiming how light-weight they were, of what expert tailoring they were fashioned, and from what luxurious fabrics they were designed. Because everyone had been raving about the clothes, the King, likewise, did not want others to think that he was not wise enough to recognize the craftsmanship; and, by implication, not be qualified for his position. So he, too, raved and pretended to put on the invisible attire.

The King stepped from his dressing room with courtiers accompanying, holding the invisible train on his invisible robe as they paraded through the town. The people had been told about the "renowned" tailors and how anyone who would not be able to recognize the quality workmanship of the King's new clothes would be considered outcasts. So, they, too, clapped and cheered as the King marched by.  However, an innocent little boy said, "But Daddy and Mommy, the King doesn't have on any clothes!" People around the child began to come to grips with "truth" and noised it among themselves, but the King continued down the street with his head up high as he said to himself, "I must go on with the procession."

Does this children's story have any application for us today? God's Word says that in the last days even the elect would be deceived: "For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall show great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect." (Matthew 24:24) Who might "the very elect" include today? Are not all of us Christians considered to be the elect? So, according to the Word, Christians will be deceived. If it is true that we can be deceived, what are some warning signs?                                                                

SIGNS TO DISCERN THOSE WHO ARE BEING DECEIVED            

APPLY GOD'S WORD CORRECTLY

There are many situations in which it may seem difficult to share Truth from the Word.  This is especially true if we have family members or friends who are participating in a lifestyle of sin.  This may be an adulterous marriage or fornication.  It may involve dishonest business practices.  It may include participating in activities which God says are sin.  However, we must evaluate all Truth by carefully comparing what is said by those we love, those we revere, those who say they are saved - with the words recorded in the Bible.  We must actually "try" what is being said.  "Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world."  (I John 4:1)  We must put aside what we have heard or believed, if it opposes God's Word.  This requires that we diligently study the Scriptures, else we become like the Emperor who goes out into the world with no clothes.  We are to be clothed with the "garment" of righteousness.  "Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready.  And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints."  (Revelaton 19:7,8)  "And he saith unto him, Friend, how camest thou in hither not having a wedding garment? And he was speechless.  Then said the king to the servants, Bind him hand and foot, and take him away, and cast him into outer darkness; there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth."  (Matthew 22:12,13)  

GOD'S CALLING FOR UNITY AMONG THE SAINTS

 The biblical stand which Restoration of the Family takes on many issues is not popular, but it is Truth.  It exposes those who are wearing "clothing" that is not acceptable to God.  It is what is written in the Bible. To teach and live by the Truths that are recorded in God's Word are what will bring unity among believers.  This is only possible, if we choose to rightly divide  (correctly apply) God's Word.  Many speak of the need for unity, but it's impossible to have Christian unity if we join arms with those who oppose God: His written Word. Study carefully Romans 16:17: "Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them." This doctrine spoken of is as it is written in the Word of God. When we call good evil and evil (sin) good -  often what the majority are supporting, the scales become tipped and those who bring Truth may appear as bringing divisions when they are actually giving biblical warnings so that the blood will not be on their hands and that innocent sheep might not be led astray.  "... Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!" (Isaiah 5:20)  "Woe unto them that decree unrighteous decrees, and that write grievousness which they have prescribed;  To turn aside the needy from judgment, and to take away the right from the poor of my people, that widows may be their prey, and that they may rob the fatherless!" (Isaiah 10:1,2) 

 In many such instances, the "divisions," even among believers, are the same types that Jesus brought when He said that His Word would - and does - divide. Study carefully Matthew 10:33-38:  "But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven."  "Suppose ye that I am come to give peace on earth? I tell you, Nay; but rather division:  For from henceforth there shall be five in one house divided, three against two, and two against three.  The father shall be divided against the son, and the son against the father; the mother against the daughter, and the daughter against the mother; the mother in law against her daughter in law, and the daughter in law against her mother in law."  (Luke 2:51-53)   This happens because there will be those of the same household who will choose to pay a great price to stand on what the Word of God teaches, even when it means that an ungodly lifestyle practiced by daughter or son must be rejected by a mother or father by sharing what is written in the Bible.  The love expressed by such actions is often misunderstood as being condemning or judgmental, but it is the highest form of love.  "For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.  If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not?  But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons."  (Hebrews 12:6-8)  

OUR DUTY AS WATCHMEN

Saints, we have been "set" as a watchman over God's Word. If we don't teach Truth, even when it is unpopular, we will have blood on our hands: "When I say unto the wicked, O wicked man, thou shalt surely die; if thou dost not speak to warn the wicked from his way, that wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at thine hand." (Ezekiel 33:8)  

Matthew 18:1-7 gives us this instruction: "Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven. And whoso shall receive one such little child in my name receiveth me. But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea.  Woe unto the world because of offences! for it must needs be that offences come; but woe to that man by whom the offence cometh!"

May the "fabric" of life that we weave bring glory unto God.  May we go into the world with the "covering" of God's Word in all that we do, in all that we teach.  May we not be ashamed of the gospel by neglecting our responsibility to share it whether it is popular or whether it brings division.  "Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.  For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables."  (II Timothy 4:2-4)

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