| Philippians 3:17-19 17 Brothers, be followers of me, and observe those who walk after the pattern we have set, so as to have us for an example. 18 For many walk, of whom I have often told you, and now tell you weeping, who are the enemies of the cross of Christ; [Because Christianity teaches there is no need take up the cross to destroy your selfish, sinful nature through the inward cross, they are truly enemies of the cross.] 19 Their end is destruction, their God is their belly [desires, lusts], and whose glory is their shame, who think on earthly things.4 | |||||||||
4 For many walk, of whom I have often told you, and now tell you weeping, who are the enemies of the cross of Christ; whose end is destruction, whose God is their stomach [appetites, lusts], and whose glory is in their shame, who think on earthly things. The only cross Christendom understands is the cross on the wall of the chapel, or the jewelry cross that they wear on their body to make a show of their religion. Christendom is an enemy of the cross of Christ, teaching everyone there is no need to deny yourself of your lusts, affections, and pleasures. Yet, Jesus is recorded six times telling us that we must pick up our cross daily and follow him to be his disciple. And Paul tells us that those who belong to Christ have crucified the flesh [the sinful nature] with its passions and desires [lusts and affections] Gal 5:24.
Since Christendom is an enemy of the Cross of Christ, denying its necessity, denying Christ's commands as being absolutely necessary; then Christendom's end is destruction. This is the way Jeremiah describes it, as the false church of Babylon is destroyed, the ministers and shepherds being the priority target of the archers:
And the slain of the LORD shall be at that day from one end of the earth even to the other end of the earth. They shall not be lamented, neither gathered, nor buried; they shall be dung upon the ground.
Wail you shepherds and cry; and wallow in the ashes, you principal ones of the flock; for the days of your slaughter and of your dispersions have come, and you shall fall and be shattered like a crystal glass.
The shepherds shall have no way to flee, nor the principal ones of the flock to escape.
A voice of the cry of the shepherds, and a wailing of the principal ones of the flock, shall be heard. For the LORD has destroyed their pasture.
Put yourselves in array against Babylon round about. All of you that bend the bow, shoot at her, spare no arrows for she has sinned against the LORD.
Call together the archers against Babylon. All of you who bend the bow, camp against her all around; let none of them escape. Recompense her according to her work; according to all that she has done, do to her. For she has been proud against the LORD, against the Holy One of Israel.
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