When we read the Bible it’s easy to miss the point of the passage if we miss a word or don’t know the context or don’t pay attention to WHO is talking to WHOM and about WHOM . In other words, the details matter!
For example, the Old Testament was written before Jesus was born, died and was resurrected for our redemption. So when reading those books we have to keep in mind that most of those people did not have the indwelling Holy Spirit like believers do today. The Spirit was selective and was used by God to carry out special purposes. Because of this they were very dependent on religious leaders and rules to know what God expected.
However, even back then people knew that God existed and either followed Him or followed other pagan gods. We all know God exists. Now, however, those who have faith in God through the Son are born again and have the Spirit living inside them and He helps us obey God. This is a critical detail.
People who don’t understand this truth are susceptible to false teachings and spiritual deception. They can either think they have the Spirit when they don’t or they can think they need to do something special to get the spirit, other than simply believe in Jesus.
Another detail we must not overlook is that much of the past and future wrath is the result of unfaithful religious leaders’ actions.
Why is that important? Because both the OT prophets and Jesus warned us to look out for these false teachers. Isaiah said Woe! to them that lied to the people saying peace and safety when they were worshiping idols. Jesus called them wolves in sheeps’ clothing . He said they are waterless clouds. They pretend to care about you but only care about money. They lead us astray by tickling our ears with pleasant words and never calling us to holiness. They send people to Hell.
Isaiah 5:20
Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter!
He warned us about the coming great delusion. He was more concerned that we know his Father and become his children. He knew that false teachers would lead us into being overly concerned with our own rights and not concerned enough about God’s authority over our lives.
Jesus condemned the injustices and oppression in the world system as well, but this kind of threat is not hidden. Christians should care about injustice. But Jesus knew that even caring about the poor could become an idol. He knew that pride and self righteousness was always lurking to derail us from following obedience to the truth.
The devil knows that people, even believers are easily led astray from being obedient to God if he can get them to focus on themselves. So churches today have become more concerned about making people feel welcome than with teaching God’s truth from the Bible. But your comfort won’t save you on judgment day.
So when you read the Bible notice how the false prophets and high priests and other religious people used their authority to stay rich and powerful. The true prophets were not popular. They warned the people but the people wouldn’t listen and eventually God punished them.
And when you listen to a teacher, preacher or podcast, compare what they say to your actual Bible. Knowing the scripture very well will help you discern truth from error. Do they glorify God or do they excuse sin? Do they deny some parts of the Bible ? Do they reinterpret passages to fit today’s culture? Do they simply never mention offensive verses?
God is going to execute justice on all who refuse to bow to his Son. Believe the gospel, all of it, and you will be saved.
[18] And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. [19] Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, [20] teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
Matthew 28:18-20 ESV
The time may be coming soon when speaking truth won’t be allowed. Learn and share while you can. But be sure to get the details right, because the truth is in the details.
Blue Skies and Green Pastures 
Another feature of the details of which we should be aware: the historical records are accurate and their recording is the inspired Word of God, but what they record IS history; who did what, and one needs to be very careful in developing dogma or doctrine from historical actions.
I agree. And we see that a lot.
It has been documented that 65% of professing Christians do not believe that the devil, demons, or hell really exists, but many are poised to find out otherwise. Also modern churches leave out a full 1/3 of the Bible from their sermons you know the really uncomfortable parts. You are right that many of these preachers are sending people to hell, but part of that blame also has to go on the person as well because they could have read the Bible for themselves.
I stopped going to brick and mortar churches decades ago because most of them have nothing to do with God they are more of a Sunday social club. There are preachers out there teaching dangerous things for the souls of potential Christians. Such as one that teaches that we are little gods because when dogs breed they have dogs, when cats breed they ave cats, so when the Godhead got together and made humans we became little gods and that is blasphemy. He also teaches that God needs our permission to do anything on earth. I would submit to you God can do anything He wants to any time He wants to and doesn’t need permission from any of His creation to do so.
One of the biggest problems is most people have never read any of the Bible because they rely on another human to tell them what to believe. I former friend of mine use to tell me how much she loved Jesus and asked her if she had ever read the Bible her answer was no. My next question was how can you love a God you know nothing about? She had no answer, however I know the answer though. It is she loves what her priest and others have told her about Him.
Fact of the matter is people will worship anything if someone makes it look good enough to them. All anyone has to do is look up how many cults there are and some disguised as Christian. What they worship is demonic and some of them know exactly what they worship and revel in it. The founder of the church of satan reveled in what he worshiped at least until he was on his death bed. It is said that right before he died he kept saying he was wrong about everything. If it is true I believe at that moment he saw exactly where he was going.
The end is near and I am looking up because my redemption is nigh.
Well said , thank you . And I do agree that each of us is responsible.