Matthew 23:15 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye compass sea and land to make one proselyte, and when he is made, ye make him twofold more the child of hell than yourselves.
That is indeed, a threatening statement. Christ made this statement to those who were the leaders of the Jewish religion. At this time historically the “Jewish faith” was the one true religion, however it was so corrupted that it had become a tool for the condemnation of men and not their salvation. Such apostasy is truly alarming.
Equally alarming is that Christ prophesied that “Christianity” would also become so completely corrupted in the latter days. This is the meaning of the following two parables that Christ taught:
Matthew 13:31-33 Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is like to a grain of mustard seed, which a man took, and sowed in his field: Which indeed is the least of all seeds: but when it is grown, it is the greatest among herbs, and becometh a tree, so that the birds of the air come and lodge in the branches thereof. Another parable spake he unto them; The kingdom of heaven is like unto leaven, which a woman took, and hid in three measures of meal, till the whole was leavened.
Christianity is well on its way to this apostasy. I think it is accurate to observe that the majority of churches and groups that profess Christianity today have become so corrupted. Evidences of this corruption would be cases of the following:
1) Salvation has become taught as the result of works and sacraments
2) In many major “Christian” denominations Christ is no longer viewed as the divine Son of God.
3) Among thousands who profess “Christianity” it is seen only as one way to salvation among many.
It is little wonder that Christ’s encouragement for those who would come upon these days would be to “watch”. The following verse ought be a “watch word” for His people today.
Acts 4:12 Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.
