March 24, 2026 | www.gospelofjesuschrist.blog | River Wilde
(The following writings are my own opinions, and believes, not statements of fact, which I have obtained through tremendous study of end-times prophecy as written in the bible. I have prayerfully included God in my studies to remain on-track for seeking truth. I do not speak as a representative of any religion).
Throughout history, religion has often been a source of comfort, guidance, and hope. At its best, it points people toward God, humility, and love for one another. Yet the Bible also warns that in the last days, religious systems will not always serve God’s purposes. Instead, some will seek power, wealth, and control over people.
Scripture makes it clear that deception will increase as the end of the age approaches. Jesus Himself warned about this in Matthew 24:4–5 (KJV):
“Take heed that no man deceive you. For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many.”
Notice that these deceivers come in His name. They appear religious. They use the language of faith. But their motives and actions are not aligned with the gospel of grace that Jesus preached.
The Temptation of Power
Power has always been a temptation for human institutions, including religious ones. When a religious system gains influence over large populations, it can shape beliefs, behaviors, and even political systems. In the last days, the Bible describes a global religious structure that works closely with worldly power.
Revelation symbolically describes this system as a powerful entity influencing nations:
“For all nations have drunk of the wine of the wrath of her fornication, and the kings of the earth have committed fornication with her…”
(Revelation 18:3 KJV)
This imagery points to a system that is deeply intertwined with political authority and global influence. Instead of pointing people to humility before God, it seeks influence over governments and populations.
The Pursuit of Wealth
Another warning sign the Bible highlights is the accumulation of wealth. When religion begins focusing heavily on money, buildings, prestige, and financial growth, it can drift away from the simple message of the gospel.
The Apostle Peter warned that some religious leaders would exploit believers for financial gain:
“And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you…”
(2 Peter 2:3 KJV)
The phrase “make merchandise of you” suggests treating people as a source of profit rather than as souls to shepherd and care for. In the last days, this warning becomes even more relevant as religious organizations grow into large institutional structures.
I found this to be the case with my own religion, losing my temple recommend because I had paid my tithing to a homeless and women’s shelter, rather than to the church directly. I was told that this didn’t count, and that I could no longer attend the temple. It was at this time that I certainly felt the church was “making merchandise of me” just as the scripture states.
It wasn’t about fulfilling the concept of tithing, which I had clearly done. It was about paying the church my money in order to continue with religious worship…A very telling sign to me that this was NOT the gospel that Jesus Christ taught when He was on the earth.
Control Over Belief and Conscience
One of the most subtle dangers of powerful religious systems is control over individual conscience. Instead of encouraging believers to seek God personally through Scripture and prayer, some systems demand unquestioning loyalty to leaders or institutions. What religious material they can and cannot study. The absolute avoidance of using AI for spiritual study, and the directive to follow the leader even over your own personal revelation from God. Doesn’t this demonstrate control and not spiritual freedom with God?
Yet the Bible consistently teaches that believers should test everything.
“Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God…”
(1 John 4:1 KJV)
God never intended faith to be blind submission to human authority. The gospel invites a personal relationship with Christ through faith, not dependence on a religious hierarchy.
Why This Matters in the Last Days
According to prophecy, deception will be one of the defining characteristics of the final generation before Christ returns.
Paul warned in 2 Timothy 3:5 (KJV) about people who would have:
“A form of godliness, but denying the power thereof…”
This means religion may appear outwardly righteous while inwardly lacking the transforming power of the gospel.
The true message of Christ is remarkably simple: salvation by grace through faith. It does not require wealth, influence, or control over others. It calls people to humility, repentance, and trust in Jesus Christ alone.
The Call for Discernment
In these final days, believers are called to develop spiritual discernment. This does not mean rejecting faith or community, but rather returning to the foundation of Scripture and the teachings of Christ.
Jesus did not build a system focused on accumulating power. He washed the feet of His disciples. He welcomed the poor. He preached repentance and grace. He did not teach, or make us feel that we were not good enough…and that we need to strive for perfection on this earth.
He also taught us that we are saved by Grace, and not because of our good works.
Ephesians 2:8–9
“For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
Not of works, lest any man should boast.”
Our salvation is a gift from God, through Jesus Christ, given to those who accept Him into their life’s, and repent of their sins. We do not earn our way into heaven through our good works. Our good works are the fruit of becoming Born Again, NOT the root of salvation.
The closer we get to the return of Christ, the more important it becomes to ask a simple question when evaluating any religious system:
Does it point people to Christ — or does it point people to itself, the Church?
For those seeking truth, the Bible remains the clearest guide. And its message remains unchanged: salvation is not bought with money, earned through institutions, or controlled by human authority. Is your church more concerned with your faithfulness to their organization, or your personal relationship with Jesus Christ?
One clear give away to me is a religion having tithing settlement each year to ensure that members are paying their tithing, yet there is no required meeting each year to talk about their relationship with Jesus Christ. In my opinion, the focus of this religion is not aligned with the teachings of the Gospel of Jesus Christ as He and His apostles taught when He was on the earth.
It is again my opinion that Religions who have stockpiled money for the last days clearly have alternative plans, unrelated to the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Their focus is on Mortal POWER, and not helping the poor and needy, which is indeed the entire purpose of tithing.
God does not need ANY MORTAL Power for the end times. HE is that power. He has the power to do anything and everything, and money is not necessary for Him, (nor His church) to complete His plan of the end times, as He has laid out through the prophets of the Bible.
I invite you to ask God if your “man-made” religion is serving you with the things that you need to be prepared for the end times. Ask Him why the leaders are not teaching anything about the end times. And most importantly, ask Him how you can come out from under the veil of deception that the church has placed upon you.
The Apostles of Jesus Christ actually warned us about false religions and false prophets “…deceiving the very elect.”
Matthew 24:24 (KJV)
“For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.”
As you take a moment and seek guidance directly from God, you too will see that this scripture was written for you and me, who are the “very elect.”
I invite all of you to stop listening to a “leader” who is not teaching the end times prophecies as recorded in the Bible, and start listening to God directly in your personal prayers. He will guide you forward through what is coming. Do not let an earthly religion control you spiritually. You are not showing “Blind Faith” by doing so, you are simply being deceived, as the scriptures stated would be the case.
Do not even trust my words today, but trust in God that He will confirm all truth. We do not need a mortal church to lead us right now; we need God in that position. He will lead us through the promptings of the Holy Ghost…I’m certain that most of you have that kind of faith in Him…It is NOW time to rely on that guidance SOLELY, without the deception of men, even if they claim divine authority.
To me it is blatantly obvious that if a person were a prophet of God today, they would be teaching the end times prophecies that God gave to the prophets of the Bible. God want’s His followers to understand these prophecies fully, and if a “prophet of God” is not teaching these things every chance that he gets, it is my STRONG Belief that he is not a prophet of God.
I invite you to spend time on your knees with God, asking for His guidance in finding all truth, and to be released from the deceptions that we all are facing in these last days. It is my prayer that you will find humility, and become teachable so that you can hear the teachings of God in relation to what I have written.
I wish you all of the best in your search for truth.
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