“Mental Jesus”: "If You're Deceived, You Don't Know It Because You're Deceived"

By John Pierce

No one on the planet can deny the Physical Signs of the Era in which we live. We see them every day on television, the internet or in newspapers. But, the Real Signs are "unseen and are Spiritual in nature. In the King James Bible, Deception is not only mentioned four times in Matthew chapter twenty-four, but Jesus mentions it first among the signs of the end. Certainly it must be among the most significant and perhaps the most powerful sign before His return. We will discover this is great detail as we study the Bible together.
Satan, the enemy of all mankind tried to pollute the blood line of Messiah in order to stop any hope for redemption for mankind in Genesis Chapter 6, however, when that failed he tried to murder the descendants of the Messiah and eventually baby Jesus through King Herod. He failed yet again! Now the Dragon has his sights on the Gospel message itself. The Devil knows that the Gospel is power and brings humanity out of the Darkness of this fallen world and into the Light of Jesus Christ. Knowing his time is limited, Satan has started the final campaign to pervert and change the true Gospel into a false gospel called Mental Jesus!
By the Grace of God, we will examine his methods, weapons and strategies using the Word of God to expose his plans. Mental Jesus is an eye-opening realistic book that exposes the darkest Deception the enemy has ever attempted... to destroy the Gospel and replace the "Good" seed with an "Evil" seed. This produces false coverts over and over again. But, "fear not" the Lord says because 1 John 4:4 says "You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world." Amen.

• Language: English
• Publisher: AuthorHouse
• Release date: Nov 15, 2013
• ISBN: 9781491832479

John Pierce

John Pierce is a licensed and ordained Minister from Waco, Texas. John has been studying the bible for over 20 years, in particularly Bible Prophecy and End Times as it relates to Current Events. He is also medically retired from the United States Army (82nd Airborne), while injured in the line of duty. He Preaches and Teaches throughout the Central Texas Region. He is also a Board Certified Licensed Faith Based Counselor and has an Undergraduate degree in Church Ministry. His Vision is to spread the Gospel and to arm Christians everywhere against the diabolical Deceptions that have made their way into the Church and the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

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© 2013 John Pierce. All rights reserved.

No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted by any means without the written permission of the author.

Published by AuthorHouse 11/09/2013

ISBN: 978-1-4918-3245-5 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-4918-3246-2 (hc)

ISBN: 978-1-4918-3247-9 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2013920280

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Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

~Dedication~

Acknowledgments

Introduction

Chapter 1.   Mental Jesus… Say What?

Chapter 2.   Deception… Hiding In Plain Site

Chapter 3.   The Truth… Relatively Speaking!

Chapter 4.   The Sinners Prayer Of False Converts!

Chapter 5.   The Good Person Myth Exposed

Chapter 6.   No Thank You Jesus!

Chapter 7.   Deception Of Misconceptions

Chapter 8.   Bible Buffett People

Chapter 9.   Pocket Jesus

Chapter 10.   The Gospel In Real Life

Chapter 11.   Biblical Discipleship

Chapter 12.   Got Fruit?

Chapter 13.   The Big Picture

Chapter 14.   Take Action

Bibliography

~DEDICATION~

T his book is dedicated to the memory of my father, Charles CW Pierce a decorated World War Two Veteran, who served honorably in the European Theater under General George Patton, a recipient of the Bronze Star for Valor, a loving Husband and Father of three sons. He was a man who loved God, His Word, and a man who contended for the faith in truth with love. He set the example for me at the young age of 10 years old about the importance of reading God’s Word, Prayer and having a Personal Relationship with Jesus Christ. I didn’t realize how important it was then, but I do now! Thank you Daddy for loving me and planting the seeds of salvation within me at such a young age   .   .   . I know I will see you again in heaven! (1919-1975)

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Me and my Father in 1968

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

F irst and Foremost, I would like to publically confess that Jesus Christ is my Lord, God and Savoir. He saved this wretched sinner who has broken all Ten Commandments either in thought, word or deed. He washed my sins away by giving His life’s blood for me.

The Lord put this book on my heart in 2009, and it has never left my mind’s eye since. Additionally, there are many people who have contributed to this book over the last five years, and I know I will forget their names, but God knows their faithful work and He will reward them. Thank you to my loving wife Michelle for extending grace to me for the many hours, I spent away researching and writing this book; she is a great encourager and the Love of my life. Pastor Dr. Doug Shafer who is a published Author of Chronicles of the Host for giving me Godly advice on this, and for inspiring me to write this book. Pastor Jack Thoemke for contributing and his love by providing The Gospel in Real Life, but for being a mentor and a real man of God who not only Talks the Talk… But Walks the Walk! Bishop’s David Fuller and Sonny Cathey for supporting me and for being strong men of God in my life for several decades. Valarie Warnock for giving me a kidney that extended my life to accomplish this life goal. Rey and Linda Luckett for their love and support to this ministry in its infancy. At the moment, they blessed me; I had no idea it would end 5 years later with a book called Mental Jesus! Lastly, for all the wonderful people I have had the pleasure talking to, having fellowship with and the churches that welcomed me to preach and teach as the Lord opened the doors. I am grateful and blessed to have been among such loving people. God bless them all! Agape!

All scripture quoted with permission will be the Amplified Version unless otherwise stated by the author. ("Scripture quotations taken from the Amplified Bible, Copyright © 1954, 1958, 1962, 1964, 1965, 1987 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. (www.Lockman.org)" (1. AMP)

INTRODUCTION

L et us begin with a real question that’s on every person’s heart…  What is Eternity? We can survey other synonyms to get a greater understanding for example… everlasting, forever, infinity, perpetuity or without an ending. As we examine these terms there are various images and thoughts that enter into our minds, but in fact… Eternity is a word that we can’t conceptualize because we haven’t experienced it . Speaking for myself, I can’t wrap my minuscule brain around the concept of eternity because every time I think about it, I find myself realizing how vast the possibilities are. Are you confused yet? Don’t worry because you’re supposed to be… at least that was my plan. The answer in not complicated for a reasonable minded person because the intellectual cannot explain the supernatural! Or another way of putting it The Natural cannot describe the Spiritual! You see our God exists outside our perception of time and space; therefore, He is the One and Only Eternal God with no beginning and no end. That, in, and of itself is confounding because we live in the real world of linear time and space. Linear time for human beings begin at birth and concludes with death. There is a beginning and an ending for all human beings. But for God there is neither. He is the Great I AM! and the Everlasting Father.

Ecclesiastes 3:"[11] He has made everything beautiful in its time. He also has planted eternity in men’s hearts and minds [a divinely implanted sense of a purpose working through the ages which nothing under the sun but God alone can satisfy], yet so that men cannot find out what God has done from the beginning to the end (¹) (Emphasis mine)

It is crucial to grasp the importance of Eternity to the best of our understanding because everything in this book will ultimately lead you back to this very word. In other words, after this life we still exist, we will all enter into eternity whether you know it, believe it or reject the entire concept outright because the Bible declares it to be so, and it will come to past. If you don’t agree right now. Its ok, but I implore you to keep reading. I would like to ask one favor from you as you are reading this book, and that is to keep the whole idea of Eternity tucked away in the back of your mind as you read every word because, by doing so, I believe you will be able to realize the Ideas, Precepts and Absolute Truth written within God’s Word and by God’s Grace maybe some of my own words, God willing.

Now, let’s move forward into the Vast Struggle of an eternal battle for the souls of men. Unbeknownst to me at that time, this book started out as a bible class in 2009, and, then soon after that I made a little video I posted on YouTube under the same title Mental Jesus. Then I was moved to write an entire book about this topic as I truly believe the Holy Spirit gave me a strong urgency to get started even though I had no idea how I was going to do it, considering I have never written a book and had no inkling of fundamentals such as format, style, word count, chapters, etc… I think you get the idea. This is the start of what I believe will be a rollercoaster ride for you the reader and for me the author as we unravel the seriousness of the days in which we are living and the both the physical and spiritual signs of the return of Messiah. It’s inescapable to see the world is changing every day, and not necessarily for the better is it? Even though we witness mostly negative news coverage in the media, there is good news! Literally, the Good News of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, which leads to eternal life.

This same Eternal Gospel is under attack in ways we can’t imagine because our finite minds cannon fathom it’s a Spiritual War!

A battle that rages in the unseen eternal realm and every human soul is at stake.

Consider this… "If you’re deceived you don’t know it because you’re deceived!"

2 Corinthians 4:4 ‘For the god of this world has blinded the unbelievers’ minds [that they should not discern the truth], preventing them from seeing the illuminating light of the Gospel of the glory of Christ (the Messiah), who is the Image and Likeness of God.", (1) (Emphasis mine)

Matthew 7: [21] Not everyone who says to Me, Lord, Lord, will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father Who is in heaven. [22] Many will say to Me on that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name and driven out demons in Your name and done many mighty works in Your name? [23] And then I will say to them openly (publicly), I never knew you; depart from Me, you who act wickedly [disregarding My commands]. [See also Ps ⁶:⁸.] (1) (Emphasis mine)

My Prayer… Father God, I cannot wrap my mind around the images of what it would be like standing before the Great White Thrown Judgment and hearing the words uttered from the mouth of the King of Kings, the Lord Jesus Christ… "I never knew you . . . depart from me! Lord I humbly ask that those who are seeking you indeed find you! But if one person reading this book can awaken to the light of Jesus Christ and call upon Your Holy Name then I praise the Lord with all my heart, soul, mind, and spirit for allowing me to serve you, In Jesus Name, Amen. Lastly, if anything my hope is that this book will help people examine their own hearts and judge for themselves if the Spirit of God is leading them… or if it’s something else.

CHAPTER ONE

MENTAL JESUS… SAY WHAT?

T he Bible, the Word of God states clearly that there will be a day… where every person who said, No thank you Jesus will stand before Him, and be judged according to their words and actions. Most people I’ve talked to don’t take into consideration our thought life as I call it. You see we serve a Holy God who is the only one able to see into our minds eye… in other words there is nothing we can hide from almighty God, including our thoughts which lead us to act or not.

Revelation 20: [12] "I [also] saw the dead, great and small; they stood before the throne, and books were opened. Then another book was opened, which is [the Book] of Life. And the dead were judged (sentenced) by what they had done [*their whole way of feeling and acting, their aims and endeavors] in accordance with what was recorded in the books. [13] And the sea delivered up the dead who were in it, death and Hades (*the state of death or disembodied existence) surrendered the dead in them, and all were tried and their cases determined by what they had done [according to their motives, aims, and works]. [14] Then death and Hades (*the state of death or disembodied existence) were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death, the lake of fire. (1) (Emphasis mine)

Jesus warned us four times in Matthew chapter twenty-four that Deception would be among the signs right before His return. I find it very interesting that He took the time to mention deception more than any other Signs of the End in one chapter of scripture. Have I to wonder why? After more than 20 years of bible study and through the Grace of God. I believe I have uncovered answers concerning the signs of the End Times, within this most incredible book ever written… the Word of God.

Deception is not only mentioned four times in Mathew chapter twenty-four, but Jesus mentions it first among the signs of the end. Certainly it must be among the most significant and perhaps the most powerful sign before His return. We will explore this is great detail!

As a student of bible prophecy or the subject of End Times (Eschatology) the Lord placed this particular topic on my heart with a sense of urgency that I have never sensed before. As I discern people and the world, they all have one common factor… being enthralled in their own lives and the things of this world, yet the signs are clearly in plain sight, but yet unnoticeable if that makes sense? It seems as though the urgency and blindness sound like a blaring fire alarm ringing, yet no one is running for safety because it’s not real because people just continue to go about their daily lives… oblivious as though everything is just fine. I implore you if you don’t know Jesus Christ to wake up and run to Jesus today! This reminds me of two other passages that Jesus mentions how the world would be like, just before He returned.

Jesus said, "it would be like the Days of Noah (Matthew 24:37) and Lott." (Luke 17:28) So what were the days of Noah and Lott like? Keep in mind these prophecies were written several millennia ago. It is nothing short of amazing to me how our world mirrors the world of Noah and Lott today. Within our world of technology and travel, you can literally receive information, news, weather and every kind of data you can imagine instantaneously. A click on your computer mouse or your television remote control gives you instant access to the world… and this world is precisely as it was predicted it would be like by Jesus some two thousand years ago.

Jesus foretold our world today, as it relates to the world during the Genesis era. So what were the days of Noah and Lott like? Just ask yourself an honest question… Our society is on the brink of total destruction whether it’s moral depravity or life under the constant threat of nuclear, biological, computer or chemical terrorism. Any way you look at it… the times are coming to a close as Jesus foretold. So let’s look at the predictions made by Messiah.

The Days of Noah and Lott are predominately marked by the following characteristics; (The love of Money, Luxurious and Materialism were Priorities, Pride of life, Relativism (Everything was Relative to each person because Absolute Truth was absent), Faithlessness, Wickedness, Depravity, Unnatural Sexuality by both Men and Women in every evil way, Violence on a global scale, Worldliness, Great Evil Continually Everywhere, Men without Fear of God and Good would be considered Evil and vice versa, and the list goes on and on; I know, and I thank God I have Eyes to See and Ears to Hear!" What about you? Do you see and hear the Lord speaking to your heart? Do you share a sense of urgency within your soul in the same way as I do? I pray that you do and that, through the power of the Holy Spirit, you will move quickly to take action within your life and share with those whom you love, in the Name of Jesus… Amen. I must confess that along with this strong sense of urgency, I have also a firm conviction to examine how far and wide this deception has rooted itself within Christendom. But even more unprecedented is how deeply embedded this deception is within the Gospel. The mere idea that satanic deception has entered into the true Christian Church is disturbing enough by itself, but what’s an even greater threat is to what level and extent deception has been infused with the Gospel of Christ. Jesus warns us about false prophets in wolves clothing, in Matthew Chapter 7.

After all, the Gospel is how we spread our faith in Christ, and every other believer then reproduces the same Gospel they received, and Christianity thus springs forth, just like it did when the church was established in Acts Chapter 2… (The Good Seed principle.)

But, knowing this corrupted Gospel is being polluted and then reproduced over and over again? What must we do? What can we do? The first item, I would like to bring to the forefront is the fact that the innocent people who’ve fallen prey to this deception for the most part are completely unaware. As I said in the beginning of the book, If you’re Deceived, you don’t know it because you’re Deceived! You see the enemy of all mankind; Satan (the accuser) has been working behind the scenes for ages using people to distort the Gospel of Jesus Christ because he recognizes the Power of Salvation is within the true message from Christ. This is where I would like to start our discussion so that we may know who and how this deception is corrupting the Gospel. By recognizing the deceiver and his plans, we can together use the Word of God to expose his evil schemes and plans. But only by the power of the Holy Spirit we can Break the Chains of those who’ve been