Scripture Twisting

It is not difficult to find examples of how the Bible has been abused by unbelievers. Here is one example I came across recently. The source is a letter from a new age organization in Albuquerque, NM know as "Mission of Maitreya." In part it states:

"The word Maitreya has always been associated with messiah, who will come to unify the world and synthesize all religions under one banner. This expectation is now fulfilled. Known to Christians and Jews as the Messiah, Buddhists and Hindus as Maitreya and Moslems as Mahdi or Mohammed. Maitreya is called by all these names. The names Maitreya, Messiah and Mohammed are given to him; he did not call himself by these names, so besides other prophecies, the prophecy that 'many shall come in my name' would be fulfilled."
(Hidden Dangers of the Rainbow by Constance Cumbey, 1983, p 12)

This sounds good to most people, but for those of us who know the Bible and take it seriously as the complete special revelation of the one true God, we know that this is an obvious case of taking a scripture out of its context. Here's what it really says:

Matthew 24:4-5 And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you. (5) For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many.

It's sad that many who would hear something like that wouldn't take the time to find out if that's what the Bible is really saying. This example dates to more than twenty years ago, and this problem has just become worse. Sadly many popular "evangelical" preachers are doing what amounts to the same thing. And it should come as no surprise to the Bible believing Christian.

2 Timothy 4:2-4 Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. (3) 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; (4) And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.

Let's remember the warnings we have received from the only true Messiah, Jesus Christ:

Matthew 24:23-27 Then if any man shall say unto you, Lo, here is Christ, or there; believe it not. (24) For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect. (25) Behold, I have told you before. (26) Wherefore if they shall say unto you, Behold, he is in the desert; go not forth: behold, he is in the secret chambers; believe it not. (27) For as the lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.