Beware of wolves in sheep's clothing. Like this man.

Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; (1 Timothy 4:1)
For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables. (2 Timothy 4:3-4)

In an act of outright blasphemy against The Lord, Bishop Eddie Long, of New Birth Missionary Baptist Church in Atlanta, GA, held a bizarre ceremony in his January 29th church service in which he was “enthroned” as a king and elevated in the air by a group of men to be worshiped as a God by the thousands of followers in his church. The clip is below.

Now first off there are several things to note. The Rabbi, Ralph Messer, is saying nothing that is Biblical or a part of Christianity in his “Kingship ritual.” Even if that “priceless” scroll was a copy of the Torah (the Jewish term for the Old Testament) there is nothing in the Bible about wrapping a person in it. No King of Israel was ever wrapped in the Torah or in any kind of document to be made King. There is also no record of Jesus going into the temple and unhooking a “belt of righteousness” or “laying it on the bema” (which is a ceremonial seat or stand).
Additionally, what authority would Messer have to anoint any person king? King of what? The nation of Israel? Messer does announce that his presentation of “government of God” is on behalf of “the Jewish people, the land of Israel and the God of Israel”, but again he has no warrant or right to make such a bold proclamation. The Bible tells us that there is a government of God and it belongs to one person:

For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. (Isaiah 9:6)

This prophecy was describing the birth of Jesus Christ, the Messiah. He is the son who was born and given to humanity as a gift from God. And the “government” of God is upon Jesus, not Eddie Long or any other pastor. All this fake-Christian doctrine that Rabbi Messer and Eddie Long were presenting to the church is evil and pure deception. Jesus Christ predicted that these things would happen as the end times approached:

Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. 16Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them. (Matthew 7:15-20)

We are warned to watch out for “wolves in sheep’s clothing.” Those who present themselves as “men of god” but are actually evil deceivers. And the test Jesus provides are their fruits, meaning their behavior and actions. Bishop Long had just been on hiatus to help repair his marriage after he settled a civil suit by paying damages to 4 young men that accused him of sexually molesting them as teens in his Youth Ministry. Long has never directly addressed these charges nor stated that he did not do the acts he was accused of. Additionally, his wife has reportedly filed for divorce. Instead of returning to church in humility and repentance, Long has chosen to exalt himself as a King in an unbiblical ceremony. This is corrupt fruit and a clear sign of a false prophet.
The presentation of the scroll to Eddie Long, adorning him with a shawl and chanting some words, from the Bible’s standpoint have no spiritual significance. There is a sinful Biblical connection however. The lifting of Eddie Long, above the four corners of the Earth, and presenting him with the “government of God” as if he is god, is similar to an event in the book of Acts. King Herod, a wicked King in Judaea (modern day Israel) at that time, had just killed one of the disciples, and wanted to kill the Apostle Peter next but failed after an angel freed Peter from prison. Herod was not a believer in Jesus Christ and unrepentant. In other words, he did not fear God’s judgments for his evil actions. This proved to be a great mistake:

And upon a set day Herod, arrayed in royal apparel, sat upon his throne, and made an oration unto them. 22And the people gave a shout, saying, It is the voice of a god, and not of a man. And immediately the angel of the Lord smote him, because he gave not God the glory: and he was eaten of worms, and gave up the ghost. But the word of God grew and multiplied. (Acts 12:21-24)

Notice Herod did not declare that he was god. The people called him god and Herod hearing it, did not deny it. Even if Eddie Long somehow had no idea about this blasphemous ceremony that was going to take place in his church, he should have still refused to be elevated and made king when Jesus Christ is the King in Christianity. Jesus Christ has the government of God. Jesus Christ is the one who seals us and saves us, not a paper scroll.
When Jesus disciples asked about the signs leading up to the end times, he provided many. But notice his first response:
3 And as he sat upon the mount of Olives, the disciples came unto him privately, saying, Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world? 4 And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you. 5For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many. (Matthew 24)

Jesus warned repeatedly about spiritual deception. He knew that Satan was going to infiltrate the church with his own sinful agents and have them portray themselves as godly Christian preachers. Since the Devil cannot destroy Christianity, he will copy it and make a false form of Christianity. And these two churches exist today: the false church which calls itself Christian and has all of the appearance – but teaches false doctrines, focuses on Earthly riches and success, repeatedly builds up the pride and ego of its followers and compromises on Biblical principles. Eddie Long is a major force in the Prosperity Gospel church which preaches health, wealth and success as the main goals of Christian life and not the Gospel, which is to save souls by believing in Jesus Christ.  In a prior article, we showed Biblically, how the Prosperity Gospel is a false teaching (see, “Prosperity Gospel Gone Wild: Joel Osteen and Myles Munroe charging over $100 To Watch Church Services“).  Additionally, a number of Jewish Rabbis have expressed outrage at Rabbi Messer’s “anointing ceremony.”  Long has since apologized for the ceremony’s offense to the Jewish community which is a step in the right direction, but does not change the fact that Long teaches a different Gospel from the Bible.
Despite the craziness taking place today, there is still a true church – and that is the church that believes the Bible and understands that the most important thing in this world is the state of the soul of every person on the planet and whether they are going to Heaven or Hell. It is committed to sharing and teaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ over anything as the eternal life we will live is far more important than our short, earthly existence. It recognizes that we are not “champions” and “destined for greatness” but looks to the bible which tells us that truthfully we are all sinners, guilty of violating God’s laws thousands of times. Who deserve hell but have been saved thanks to God’s mercy and Jesus’ sacrifice on our behalf. It teaches humility, charity and love of all people, even those who hate us. And to let Jesus live through us as opposed to following our own lusts and desires. Do not be deceived.
Pray for Eddie Long to stop this unbiblical heresy and repent. And pray for the thousands of people screaming and cheering for their newly-anointed king to gain some Bible knowledge and repent from their idol worship as well. This church is just a small example of what is taking place all over the United States and the world in many church where false Christianity has crept in.