KFLCC / New Age Bible Versions - Gail Riplinger

The 'New' Christianity has put down their cross to follow Pied P:per preachers who present Christ carrying a credit card instead of a cross. For them life becomes a Supermarket Sweepstakes where the 'Christian Winners', not Christian sinners, scramble for 'position' to pick up all the prosperity and pleasure they can until the trumpet rings. They pick the aisles marked 'Crown' not 'Cross', 'Happy' not 'Holy', 'Easy' not 'Right', 'Now' not 'Later'. The background musak 'ministry' croons: Prophesy not unto us right things speak unto us smooth things, prophesy deceits. Isaiah 30:10 But the timing of the tune is off and so is the timing of God's people. The Jews rejected Jesus because they wanted a temporal King 'now', not 'later'. Christians are rejecting the cross now, because they want the crown 'now' not 'later'. They shop the bible for bargains and deals, dodging Hebrews 11:35-40, 13:13-14, Romans 8:17,1 Corinthians 4:11-14, II Timothy 2:12, II Corinthians 11:23-27 or Luke 19:17. This chapter will continue to explore how the new versions make better bargains with the conscience. The temptation to skip the cross and capture the crown was presented to Christ by Satan in the wilderness (Luke 4). Satan pressed for a miracle—manna (verse 3); Jesus offered the word of God instead (verse 4). Satan counter-offered "the world,.. .power.. .and glory" (verses 5 and 6); Jesus called for service and worship toward God (verse 8). The devil demanded fulfillment of scripture promises-NOW (verse 11: Psalm 91:11); Jesus called this tempting God. Today's Christians, in the wilderness of this world, press for miracles. When offered the word instead, they counterclaim 'the world, power and glory' as a fulfillment of scripture promises-NOW. God calls Christians to a life of spiritual sustenance on scriptures, not manna—service and worship, not signs and wonders—and trusting not tempting God. Satan saved his most subtle scheme for Jesus and often snares super-saints with the same. The evil lay hidden, not in every proposition, but in the timing. Jesus will bring bread miraculously to Crown or Cross?