Page 73 - The Road from Babylon to Zion

make it to the land of promise. It takes faith and patient endurance to go the whole
distance to which the Father calls us. Abram continued on from Haran without his
father, and Lot continued the journey with Abram.

The tragic story of Lot is well known. Upon arriving in the land of promise Abram
and Lot separated for they both were very wealthy and had many flocks and servants
and strife was arising between their servants. Abram gave Lot first choice regarding
where he would go and Lot chose that which was pleasing to the eye and attractive
to the senses. He settled in the rich and fertile plains of Sodom and Gomorrah.

When the judgment of God came upon the inhabitants of Sodom and Gomorrah, Lot
and his family were brought out at the hand of angels by the mercy of God, but Lot
lost all that he owned. His wife, whose heart had become attached to Sodom,
disobeyed and looked back and she was turned into a pillar of salt. Lot was a man
who was now destitute. All he owned was gone and his wife was dead. He suffered
tremendous loss.

The story of Abram's journey from Ur of the Chaldees is typical of the journey many
are being called to in this hour. There are many who are setting forth, but not all are
enduring to the end. Like Nahor and Lot, it seems that a majority of those who set
forth to Zion are falling short of the promise. Many are falling short of the goal as
they are falling prey to deception and error. This deception is a mark of the last days.

Matthew 24:11, 24
"Many false prophets will arise and will mislead many...
"For false Christs and false prophets will arise and will show great signs
and wonders, so as to mislead, if possible, even the elect."

II Peter 2:1-3
But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will also
be false teachers among you, who will secretly introduce destructive
heresies... Many will follow their sensuality, and because of them the
way of the truth will be maligned; and in their greed they will exploit
you with false words...

II Peter 3:17
You therefore, beloved, knowing this beforehand, be on your guard so
that you are not carried away by the error of unprincipled men and fall
from your own steadfastness...

The deception spoken of in these verses is not something that is for future days. It
is here now. I am witnessing false prophets and false anointed ones (Christs) who are
luring many into deception and into spiritual death.