Does Adam Simmonds believe that other religions are a valid means of salvation and access to God?
For the benefit those who may not be aware, there is a vast difference between ecumenical Christianity
and what is known as the remnant i.e. the true church; those faithful Christians who believe the Bible
is the Word of God, and who accept the Son of God Jesus Christ to be the ONLY
Messiah (John 14:6; Acts 4:12; 1 John 4:15). The scriptural mandate for Christians who
believe the Bible and the exclusivity of Jesus Christ is to
maintain unity with one another (Ephesians 4:3-4; John 17:22). The Ecumenical Movement is completely at odds with this mandate, since it actively seeks syncretism between Protestants, Roman Catholics, and
non-Christian religions. Modern ecumenical leaders promote "interfaith
dialogue" with Mormons, Islamists, Hindus, Buddhists, Wiccans,
Universalists, and a variety of New Age belief systems. This is what the Bible calls spiritual prostitution (Revelation 14:8). Scripturally, it is anathema for true Bible
believing Christians to embrace the Ecumenical Movement, it is
considered apostasy (James 4:4; 2 Corinthians 6:14-16). Religious pluralism promotes the validity of all religions and philosophies, and the Ecumenical Movement is rapidly moving in the direction which will eventually lead to the Antichrist, the One World Religion and the New World Order.
Adam Simmonds is Director and Trustee of Trinity Life Church
in Leicester, which is an Assemblies of God (AOG) fundamental Pentecostal denomination.* If you refer to their web site, the AOG DO NOT accept non-Christian religions as valid means of salvation and access to God.
"The Assemblies of God aligns readily with evangelical Christianity in declaring that only
in Christ is there salvation. No apology need be made for this
exclusive claim for Christ. For this reason the Assemblies of God
disavows universalism and the toleration of worldviews that do not
require entering the kingdom of God through the narrow gate of the
God-man, Jesus Christ."
http://ag.org/top/beliefs/topics/gendoct_16_religions.cfm
http://www.aog.org.uk/about-us/what-we-believe
Furthermore, the AOG IS NOT affiliated with ANY ecumenical organisations.
"The Assemblies of God is not affiliated with either the World Council of Churches or the National Council of Churches."
http://ag.org/top/about/affiliations.cfm
Requirements for Assemblies of God Deacons and Trustees:
"The
deacon/trustee is proper in doctrine, keeping “hold of the deep truths
of the faith with a clear conscience” (1 Timothy 3:9), fully subscribing
to the tenets of faith of the Assemblies of God."
http://ag.org/top/Beliefs/Position_Papers/pp_downloads/pp_4171_deacons.pdf
Deacons likewise must be dignified, not double-tongued, not addicted to much wine, not greedy for dishonest gain. They must hold the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience. And let them also be tested first; then let them serve as deacons if they prove themselves blameless. (1 Timothy 3:8-10)
Apart from his other questionable activities such as cronyism and overspending, there is grave dissonance between Simmonds political aspirations and his so called "faith". If Simmonds really does hold onto the deep truths of the faith, then there is an inexplicable conflict between the biblical beliefs required as a Trustee of the AOG and his overt ecumenical activities. The so called Christian "faith groups" Simmonds dishes out money to such as Corby Street Pastors, Perspective Trust, Crime2Christ are all ecumenical. This is why I question whether Adam Simmonds faith is in fact the genuine article.
Simmonds creation of the Office of Faith-Based & Community Initiatives (OFBCI), his involvement with Churches Together
in Northampton, the Faith Covenant for Engagement Signing Event (APPG), Interfaith Festival of Color Basti Ram and the Woolf
Institute which specialises in the study of relations between Jews,
Christians and Muslims from a multidisciplinary perspective etc. are completely at odds with his so called beliefs as a "committed Christian". Furthermore they certainly are not consistent in any way with Assemblies of God principles or rules for Trustees. In my view, these activities disqualify Simmonds from holding the position of Trustee and Director at any AOG church. Individual AOG churches are run autonomously, and as I have previously written,Trinity Life Church in Leicester is sadly wanting in respect of its biblical principles, probably due to compromised leadership, bad theology and the influence of Simmonds and his ilk.
No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love
the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You
cannot serve God and money. (Matthew 6:24)
Equally no one can serve God and selfish ambition (James 3:14-16; Philippians 1:17).
http://www.aog.org.uk/about-us/what-we-believe
https://www.facebook.com/No-more-Simmonds-397104093748026/timeline/
http://bewareofthewolves.blogspot.co.uk/2014/12/who-is-god-of-adam-simmonds-pcc.html
http://ofbci.com/event/faith-covenant/
Petition: Vote of no confidence in Adam Simmonds PCC for Northamptonshire:
https://www.change.org/p/police-crime-panel-northamptonshire-vote-of-no-confidence-in-adam-simmonds-pcc-for-northamptonshire?recruiter=13124123&utm_source=share_petition&utm_medium=copylink
UPDATE
* It appears that Simmonds is no longer a Director or Trustee of Trinity Life Church in Leicester:
"In
answer to your question regarding whether or not Mr Simmonds is a
Director or Trustee at the Trinity Life Church, I can confirm that the
current published register of interest accurately reflects the fact the
Mr Simmonds no longer holds any such role at this, or indeed any other
organisation."
From John Neilson
Active Chief Executive
Northamptonshire Police and Crime Commissioner
Dated 15th February 2016
Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves.You will recognize them by their fruits (Matthew 7/15-16)
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Thursday, 31 December 2015
Sunday, 27 December 2015
bill johnson's leaven: beware global legacy 2016 all nations church leicester uk
But false prophets
also arose among the people, just as there will be false teachers
among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even
denying the Master who bought them, bringing upon themselves swift
destruction. And many will follow their sensuality, and because of
them the way of truth will be blasphemed. And in their greed they
will exploit you with false words. Their condemnation from long ago
is not idle, and their destruction is not asleep. (2 Peter 2:1-3)
Global Legacy came from a "prophetic
word" from none other than arch deceiver, cult leader and
self appointed "apostle" Bill Johnson of Bethel
Church Redding who perpetuates the aberrant teachings of the New
Apostolic Reformation (NAR). There is so much negative information
reported about Bill Johnson that is is difficult to know where to
begin. I reported some time ago about Bethel's practice of
"gravesucking" which is a form of necromancy.1
Bethel also claims various "signs and wonders" such
as miraculous healings, glory clouds, gold dust, feathers, fire
tunnels etc. The scriptures tell us us that an evil and adulterous
generation seeks a sign (Matthew 6:4; 12:39). When the disciples
asked Jesus Christ about the sign of his coming and of the end of the
age, his first words were: "See that no one leads you
astray." (Matthew 24:3-4). He continued to warn
them about wars and rumours of wars, various earthly catastrophes,
tribulation, false prophets, the increase in lawlessness and the
prevalence of great (lying) signs and wonders (Matthew 24:3-13, 24).
Bill Johnson is an influential leader of the NAR, a heretical movement which encompasses Dominion Theology (aka Kingdom Now,
Christian Reconstructionism and Theonomy). The NAR seeks to implement authoritarian theocratic world government based on "biblical law". Johnson teaches that the mandate of the end-times church is to achieve dominion on the earth prior to Christs return.
The basic tenets of Dominion Theology are as follows:
- God gave Adam dominion over the earth based on Genesis 1:28.
- Adam lost dominion over the earth to Satan when he sinned in the Garden of Eden.
- Jesus Christ defeated Satan and reclaimed dominion in his victory on the cross.
- After his death and resurrection Jesus Christ reversed the curse of sin and gave dominion back to believers.
- The Church must gain control of the earth’s governmental and social institutions, and establish the Kingdom on earth, by force if necessary.
- Jesus Christ cannot return until all His enemies have been put under the feet of the Church.
The lies of the enemy are a clever mixture of
truth and error, in order to deceive the very elect if possible
(Matthew 24:24). While Christ did indeed reverse the curse of Adam's
sin, the completion of his achievement on the cross is
premillennial (Zechariah 14:4-9; Matthew 25:31-34). The kingdom will
not be established until JESUS CHRIST (NOT THE CHURCH) sets up
his millennial reign after the Great Tribulation (Revelation
19:11-20:4; 22:19). Jesus Christ did not commission the church to remodel society, the church was commissioned to preach the gospel to the
whole world and to make disciples (Mark 16:15; Matthew 24:14; Matthew 28:19-20).
Johnson's theology is not in accord with the
scriptures at all, it is rooted in the flesh. His elitist mentality
splits the Body of Christ into the "Elijah generation"
i.e. specially "anointed ones" and their
dumbed down followers. The "apostolic unity" taught
by the NAR is in fact personal submission to self-proclaimed
apostles, it is not unity based on agreement with the
Word of God and it is not based on obedience to Jesus
Christ. In fact the dominionist model is more analogous to the
one world religion of the Antichrist and False Prophet! According to
Johnson, these "anointed ones" can do greater
miracles than Jesus and will bring about a great end time revival.
The Bible tells us that only Jesus Christ is uniquely anointed and
that all Christians are equally anointed through Him.
Furthermore, the scriptures speak of a massive falling away,
spiritual deception and the rise of the Antichrist who will initiate
a false revival (Matthew 24; 2 Thessalonians 2:3; 1 Timothy 4:1;
Revelation 13:5). Dominion theology facilitates a reversal from
looking up for Christ's return (Luke 21:28), to looking to
certain "anointed ones" to bring about the triumph
of the church. In other words, it replaces Jesus Christ!
Global Legacy 2016:
Global Legacy 2016:
"Global Legacy 8th and 9th of
January...... Global Legacy is dedicated to helping fulfil the
mission of Bethel Church, which is REVIVAL: The personal, regional,
and global expansion of God's kingdom through His manifest presence!
Global Legacy (GL) is an apostolic, relational
network of revival leaders whose purpose is to bring Heaven to earth
(Matt. 6:10). Following the New Testament model for apostleship, GL
seeks to establish Kingdom government and to build empowering
cultures.
Recognising that relationship is the foundation of God's government, GL helps to build relationships between revival leaders through relational gatherings, ministry events and mission trips, as well as through monthly newsletters and video conferencing. GL also offers resources that equip leaders, and those they lead, to transform their spheres of influence and surrounding cultures into Kingdom cultures.
Global Legacy is dedicated to helping fulfill the mission of Bethel Church, which is REVIVAL: The personal, regional, and global expansion of God's kingdom through His manifest presence!" 2
Recognising that relationship is the foundation of God's government, GL helps to build relationships between revival leaders through relational gatherings, ministry events and mission trips, as well as through monthly newsletters and video conferencing. GL also offers resources that equip leaders, and those they lead, to transform their spheres of influence and surrounding cultures into Kingdom cultures.
Global Legacy is dedicated to helping fulfill the mission of Bethel Church, which is REVIVAL: The personal, regional, and global expansion of God's kingdom through His manifest presence!" 2
Johnson is opposed to careful scholarship based on
sound exegesis of scripture, and herein lies his strength. Johnsons
"off the map" approach denies the Reformation
principle of sola scriptura and leaves his followers
vulnerable to "every wind of doctrine" (Ephesians
4:14), with no means to test what is said (1 John 4:1; 1
Thessalonians 5:2; 2 Timothy 2:15; Isaiah 9:16). As a result we see
the church being infiltrated with unbiblical manifestations and
doctrines of demons.
The verse quoted by Global Legacy is
Matthew 6:10 from the Lord’s Prayer which is primarily a prayer for
the return of Christ:
Your kingdom come,
your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.
Global Legacy: "Heaven’s government is family, and
Global Legacy seeks to express the government of heaven here on
earth. We are richer because of our relationship with you and your
ministries and organizations. We look forward to running alongside
you in pursuit of worldwide revival!" 3
My kingdom is not of
this world. If my kingdom were of this world, my servants would have
been fighting, that I might not be delivered over to the Jews. But my
kingdom is not from the world. (John 18:36)
“In the model prayer that Jesus gave His
disciples, He taught them to pray, 'Thy kingdom come. Thy will be
done in earth, as it is in heaven' (Matthew 6:10, King James
Version). Did He mean that we are to pray that Christians will take
over the governments of the earth to establish a visible kingdom of
God? Since He gave us no such command and described His kingdom as
not of this world and not visible in the natural sense, we must
conclude that the answer is no.
Completely in keeping with what Jesus did
commission, what Jesus meant in this prayer is that we are to pray
for the spread of God's spiritual kingdom on earth through the
preaching of the Gospel and the subsequent conversion of hearers who
will then submit to God's will." 4
Many church leaders in Leicester have strong links
with All Nations Church and have no qualms about joining in with
Bethel Church and their associated doctrines of demons.5
John McGinley of Holy Trinity Church embraces the aberent teachings
of Bill Johnson and his Sozo deception.6
David Hind of Trinity Life Church (TLC) praises Bethel's Jesus Culture7
and Andrew Upton of Knighton Evangelical Free Church promotes false unity with both All Nations and TLC 8
These men are not true shepherds, they are hirelings at best and wolves in sheep's clothing at worst (1 Corinthians 10:20; Matthew 15:14;
John 10:12-13).
WORLDWIDE REVIVAL OR JUDGEMENT FOR UNGODLINESS?
WORLDWIDE REVIVAL OR JUDGEMENT FOR UNGODLINESS?
While the churches in Leicester and elsewhere are
enjoying their double standards, their false doctrines and their
lying signs and wonders, judgement is coming! The false prophecies of "revival"
these elite "apostles and prophets" have been promoting for years
WILL NOT be a genuine revival of the Holy Spirit, their predictions are rooted in the spirit of antichrist!
The coming of the lawless one is by the activity of Satan with all power and false signs and wonders, and with all wicked deception for those who are perishing, because they refused to love the truth and so be saved. Therefore God sends them a strong delusion, so that they may believe what is false, in order that all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness. (2 Thessalonians 2:9-12)
The coming of the lawless one is by the activity of Satan with all power and false signs and wonders, and with all wicked deception for those who are perishing, because they refused to love the truth and so be saved. Therefore God sends them a strong delusion, so that they may believe what is false, in order that all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness. (2 Thessalonians 2:9-12)
1 http://bewareofthewolves.blogspot.co.uk/2015/04/grave-sucker-bill-johnson-to-join.html
4
http://www.wordofhisgrace.org/twokingdoms2.htm
6 http://bewareofthewolves.blogspot.co.uk/2015/05/bill-johnsons-sozo-poison-occult.html
7 http://bewareofthewolves.blogspot.co.uk/2015/03/david-hind-trinity-life-church.html
Tuesday, 22 December 2015
john whitcomb twisting scripture the ptrc way. the two witnesses and the pre-tribulation rapture deception!
"Woe to the shepherds who destroy and scatter the sheep of my pasture!” declares the Lord. Therefore thus says the Lord,
the God of Israel, concerning the shepherds who care for my people:
“You have scattered my flock and have driven them away, and you have not
attended to them. Behold, I will attend to you for your evil deeds,
declares the Lord. (Jeremiah 23:
1-2)
The Pre-Trib Research Center (PTRC) describe themselves as a "think tank" committed to the study, proclamation, teaching and defending of the Pretribulational Rapture (pre-70th week of Daniel) and related end-time prophecy. They also believe that God's plan for history demands a consistent distinction between national Israel and the church which includes an ongoing plan for national, ethnic Israel that culminates in Christ's millennial kingdom.1 This post continues to examine the function of the two witnesses during the Great Tribulation, and to expose the unsustainable arguments of John Whitcomb which are at odds with the scriptures.Whitcomb's examination of the role of the two witnesses below are an integral part of his preposterous assertion that the third temple will be "divinely ordained" and that the two witnesses will authoritatively set the pattern for halakhic blood sacrifices on earth following the rapture of the Church. 2
Whitcomb cannot even produce an accurate summary of two straightforward verses of scripture, let alone analyse the complexities of the sequential of events in the book of Revelation! I am afraid I must pour contempt upon his "weighty observations" - they would be laughed out of any serious academic forum.
I have limited my exposure to Whitcomb's three "most significant arguments" for the two witnesses ministry during the first half of Daniel's 70th week. I will not dignify his further arguments with an answer. You can read the full extent of Whitcomb's drivel on this subject on the link below.3
The PTRC are desperate to find reasons for placing the ministry of the two witnesses in the first half of the 70th week, so much so that they are reduced to academic dishonesty and myth!
Whitcomb: "Immediately following the rapture of the church, there will be no believers left on this planet. Assuming that God never leaves Himself without a witness in the world, the two witnesses will suddenly appear in Jerusalem to begin their powerful work." 4
The Pre-Trib Research Center (PTRC) describe themselves as a "think tank" committed to the study, proclamation, teaching and defending of the Pretribulational Rapture (pre-70th week of Daniel) and related end-time prophecy. They also believe that God's plan for history demands a consistent distinction between national Israel and the church which includes an ongoing plan for national, ethnic Israel that culminates in Christ's millennial kingdom.1 This post continues to examine the function of the two witnesses during the Great Tribulation, and to expose the unsustainable arguments of John Whitcomb which are at odds with the scriptures.Whitcomb's examination of the role of the two witnesses below are an integral part of his preposterous assertion that the third temple will be "divinely ordained" and that the two witnesses will authoritatively set the pattern for halakhic blood sacrifices on earth following the rapture of the Church. 2
The Chronological
Relationship of the Three Septet Judgements of the Tribulation To
Daniel’s Seventy Weeks Dr. Robert Dean
"In 2007, Dr.
Whitcomb presented a cogent argument for the witnesses having their
ministry in the first half of Daniel's seventieth week. This argument
is based on several reasons, the most significant of which I will
summarize here."
1) "First, our Lord commanded those who witness the abomination of desolation in the middle of Daniel's seventieth week should immediately flee to the mountains. Whitcomb raises the obvious question: Would the two Jewish witnesses remain in Jerusalem during the latter half of the Antichrist's reign of terror since the Lord commanded them to flee to the mountains?"
Satan' s wrath will be directed towards the Jewish people living in Israel at the mid point of the 70th week of Daniel (Daniel 9:27). A Jewish remnant will flee to the mountains (Petra?) where they will be divinely protected for 1,260 days during the latter half of the 70th week (Revelation 12:6 cf. Matthew 24:15-21). The ministry of the two witnesses will also be of 1,260 days duration (Revelation 11:3). Their ministry will end with their death and resurrection, which will occur towards the end of the 70th week, after the sixth trumpet is sounded, during second woe of the seventh seal (Revelation 9:12; 8:1-2 9:13;11:11-15 cf. 16:1-21). It is important to note that it is after the flight of the remnant that the two witnesses will begin their unique 1,260 day ministry. The remnant will be protected for the duration of the 1,260 day ministry of the two witnesses, not only from the wrath of Satan, but also from the devastation the two witnesses will inflict upon the earth (Revelation 11:4-6). The two witnesses are therefore not subject to the instruction to flee to the mountains, since their appearance coincides with the flight of the remnant.
1) "First, our Lord commanded those who witness the abomination of desolation in the middle of Daniel's seventieth week should immediately flee to the mountains. Whitcomb raises the obvious question: Would the two Jewish witnesses remain in Jerusalem during the latter half of the Antichrist's reign of terror since the Lord commanded them to flee to the mountains?"
Satan' s wrath will be directed towards the Jewish people living in Israel at the mid point of the 70th week of Daniel (Daniel 9:27). A Jewish remnant will flee to the mountains (Petra?) where they will be divinely protected for 1,260 days during the latter half of the 70th week (Revelation 12:6 cf. Matthew 24:15-21). The ministry of the two witnesses will also be of 1,260 days duration (Revelation 11:3). Their ministry will end with their death and resurrection, which will occur towards the end of the 70th week, after the sixth trumpet is sounded, during second woe of the seventh seal (Revelation 9:12; 8:1-2 9:13;11:11-15 cf. 16:1-21). It is important to note that it is after the flight of the remnant that the two witnesses will begin their unique 1,260 day ministry. The remnant will be protected for the duration of the 1,260 day ministry of the two witnesses, not only from the wrath of Satan, but also from the devastation the two witnesses will inflict upon the earth (Revelation 11:4-6). The two witnesses are therefore not subject to the instruction to flee to the mountains, since their appearance coincides with the flight of the remnant.
These are the two
olive trees and the two lampstands that stand before the Lord of the
earth. And if anyone would harm them, fire pours from their mouth and
consumes their foes. If anyone would harm them, this is how he is
doomed to be killed. They have the power to shut the sky, that no
rain may fall during the days of their prophesying, and they have
power over the waters to turn them into blood and to strike the earth
with every kind of plague, as often as they desire. (Revelation
11:4-6; cf. Zechariah 4:1-14 )
2) ".....if the 1,260 days occur in the last half of the week, then the world would engage in the three and a half day celebration of their death after the return of Christ and the consignment of the two beasts and the dragon to their respective punishments."
The two witnesses ministry ends with their death and resurrection which occurs after the sixth trumpet is sounded, during second woe of the seventh seal (Revelation 8:1; 9:13; 11:14). However, Christ's second advent will not take place until the seventh bowl of God's wrath has been poured out during the third woe, after the sounding of the seventh trumpet of the seventh seal (Revelation 10:7; 11:15; 16:17-20; 19:11 cf. Joshua 6:16). The "Day of the Lord" (God's wrath) begins with the opening of the seventh seal, "day" (hémera/yom) being an indefinite period of time (Revelation 6:17; Joel 1:15). The period of time between the sixth trumpet/second woe and the end of the seventh bowl/trumpet/third woe therefore allows for the three and a half day "celebration" of the death of the two witnesses. The consignment of the two beasts and the dragon to their respective punishments will take place after Christ returns at his second advent as above, following the seventh bowl/trumpet/seal (Revelation 19:11-20:3).
2) ".....if the 1,260 days occur in the last half of the week, then the world would engage in the three and a half day celebration of their death after the return of Christ and the consignment of the two beasts and the dragon to their respective punishments."
The two witnesses ministry ends with their death and resurrection which occurs after the sixth trumpet is sounded, during second woe of the seventh seal (Revelation 8:1; 9:13; 11:14). However, Christ's second advent will not take place until the seventh bowl of God's wrath has been poured out during the third woe, after the sounding of the seventh trumpet of the seventh seal (Revelation 10:7; 11:15; 16:17-20; 19:11 cf. Joshua 6:16). The "Day of the Lord" (God's wrath) begins with the opening of the seventh seal, "day" (hémera/yom) being an indefinite period of time (Revelation 6:17; Joel 1:15). The period of time between the sixth trumpet/second woe and the end of the seventh bowl/trumpet/third woe therefore allows for the three and a half day "celebration" of the death of the two witnesses. The consignment of the two beasts and the dragon to their respective punishments will take place after Christ returns at his second advent as above, following the seventh bowl/trumpet/seal (Revelation 19:11-20:3).
3) ".....how
can he (the first beast) bring fire from heaven upon their enemies
(Rev. 13:13) when the two witnesses are bringing fire from heaven
upon theirs (Rev. 11:5)? The only other option would to make the
terms 1,260 days describe a free-floating three and a half-year
period which began at sometime in the middle of the first half and
end sometime in the second half. Such a use has no precedent or
support in the Scripture. In the absence of other usage, it should
refer to either the first or second half. Those who support the
second half option have no answer to these weighty observations."
Whitcomb's third point is scandalously inaccurate in several details. It is the second beast i.e. the false prophet, not the first beast, who brings fire down from heaven as an impressive (satanic) sign, not upon their enemies, but "in front of people", in order to deceive the earth and its inhabitants and cause them worship the first beast. (Revelation 13:11-14; cf. 2 Thessalonians 2:9). The two witnesses do not "bring fire down from heaven", fire pours from their mouths as a defensive and judgemental act. The book of Revelation replays Exodus when Moses and Aaron inflicted the plagues upon Egypt. One might similarly ask Whitcomb: How could Pharaoh's magicians (Jannes and Jambres) copycat the signs of Moses and Aaron? (Exodus 7:11-12 cf. 2 Timothy 3:8) The distinctive differences between the two witnesses and the two beasts are vitally important. The two witnesses will be hated, despite their prophetic ministry and the accompanying judgements they produce (Revelation 11:1-14), whereas the false signs and wonders performed by the false prophet on behalf of the first beast will deceive those who dwell on the earth.
Whitcomb's third point is scandalously inaccurate in several details. It is the second beast i.e. the false prophet, not the first beast, who brings fire down from heaven as an impressive (satanic) sign, not upon their enemies, but "in front of people", in order to deceive the earth and its inhabitants and cause them worship the first beast. (Revelation 13:11-14; cf. 2 Thessalonians 2:9). The two witnesses do not "bring fire down from heaven", fire pours from their mouths as a defensive and judgemental act. The book of Revelation replays Exodus when Moses and Aaron inflicted the plagues upon Egypt. One might similarly ask Whitcomb: How could Pharaoh's magicians (Jannes and Jambres) copycat the signs of Moses and Aaron? (Exodus 7:11-12 cf. 2 Timothy 3:8) The distinctive differences between the two witnesses and the two beasts are vitally important. The two witnesses will be hated, despite their prophetic ministry and the accompanying judgements they produce (Revelation 11:1-14), whereas the false signs and wonders performed by the false prophet on behalf of the first beast will deceive those who dwell on the earth.
The False Prophet
(Second Beast): It
performs great signs, even making fire come down from heaven to earth
in front of people, (Revelation
13:13)
The Two Witnesses: And if anyone would harm them, fire pours from their mouth and consumes their foes. If anyone would harm them, this is how he is doomed to be killed. (Revelation 11:5)
The Two Witnesses: And if anyone would harm them, fire pours from their mouth and consumes their foes. If anyone would harm them, this is how he is doomed to be killed. (Revelation 11:5)
Whitcomb cannot even produce an accurate summary of two straightforward verses of scripture, let alone analyse the complexities of the sequential of events in the book of Revelation! I am afraid I must pour contempt upon his "weighty observations" - they would be laughed out of any serious academic forum.
I have limited my exposure to Whitcomb's three "most significant arguments" for the two witnesses ministry during the first half of Daniel's 70th week. I will not dignify his further arguments with an answer. You can read the full extent of Whitcomb's drivel on this subject on the link below.3
The PTRC are desperate to find reasons for placing the ministry of the two witnesses in the first half of the 70th week, so much so that they are reduced to academic dishonesty and myth!
Whitcomb: "Immediately following the rapture of the church, there will be no believers left on this planet. Assuming that God never leaves Himself without a witness in the world, the two witnesses will suddenly appear in Jerusalem to begin their powerful work." 4
Whitcomb's claim that
the two witnesses ministry occurs during the first half of the 70th week is a claim that props up (albeit falsely) the pre-tribulation rapture theory. Indeed this all falls into the category of the lucrative
pre-tribulation rapture deception the PTRC so avidly promotes!
Wednesday, 16 December 2015
false teacher john whitcomb, the rapture and beyond!
But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will be
false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive
heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing upon
themselves swift destruction. (2 Peter 2:1)
John Whitcomb was born in 1924 in Washington, DC. He is the founder and president of Whitcomb Ministries and specialises in biblical creationism, traditional dispensationalism, premillennial eschatology, pretribulational rapture, presuppositional apologetics, and literal-historical-grammatical interpretation.{1} Whitcomb taught at Grace Theological Seminary's Old Testament and Christian Theology departments from 1951 to 1990. He was dismissed from this position amid several theological controversies and complaints about his strong personality.{2} In 1992, Whitcomb led a split from the Fellowship of Grace Brethren Churches, the denominational home both of himself and of Grace Seminary, forming the Conservative Grace Brethren Churches, International.{3} Whitcomb is the author several published works, including a number of articles in support of the pre-tribulation rapture theory which can be found on the website of the Pre-Trib Research Center (PTRC).{4}
Chapter 3 The Rapture and Beyond, by John Whitcomb.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B3ZT9g8mkzuRZ0F1b2JHejVURUk/view?usp=sharingJohn Whitcomb was born in 1924 in Washington, DC. He is the founder and president of Whitcomb Ministries and specialises in biblical creationism, traditional dispensationalism, premillennial eschatology, pretribulational rapture, presuppositional apologetics, and literal-historical-grammatical interpretation.{1} Whitcomb taught at Grace Theological Seminary's Old Testament and Christian Theology departments from 1951 to 1990. He was dismissed from this position amid several theological controversies and complaints about his strong personality.{2} In 1992, Whitcomb led a split from the Fellowship of Grace Brethren Churches, the denominational home both of himself and of Grace Seminary, forming the Conservative Grace Brethren Churches, International.{3} Whitcomb is the author several published works, including a number of articles in support of the pre-tribulation rapture theory which can be found on the website of the Pre-Trib Research Center (PTRC).{4}
Chapter 3 The Rapture and Beyond, by John Whitcomb.
This post takes issue with Whitcomb's conclusion concerning the alleged validity of Israel's Levitical sacrificial system in the Tribulation Temple during the first half of Daniel's 70th week (Daniel 9:27; 12:11-13; Isaiah 66:1-4; Matthew 24:15; 2 Thessalonians 2:3-4; Revelation 11:1-2).
Whitcomb: "Only Israel, not the Church, is under a divinely enforced Sabbath law."
"Our Lord Jesus Christ warned Israelite believers to pray that during the Great Tribulation that their 'flight will not be ... on a Sabbath' (Matthew 24:20)."
Whitcomb quotes the Law of Moses (Numbers 15:32-36; cf. Exodus 35:2-3), but he fails to say that the Law has now been cancelled by Jesus Christ and therefore cannot apply to Israel in the present tense. We must take into account that Matthew 24 is a combination of the events of 70AD and end time prophesy. Following the destruction of the Second Temple in 70AD, it was impossible to fulfill the halakhic blood sacrifices and they were subsequently abolished. The Church is of course not under Sabbath Law: Therefore let no one pass judgment on you in questions of..... a Sabbath (Colossians 2:16; cf. Romans 14:5). Since Christ died for every person on the planet (1 John 2:2; 1 John 4:14), it therefore follows that no-one is under Sabbath Law, not Israel, not the church nor anyone else!
(eksaleíphō = erase, cancel, obliterate)
Whitcomb: "Our Lord Jesus Christ also warned Israelite believers that the Abomination of Desolation would stand 'in the holy place' (Matt. 24:15). Only Israel, not the Church, can have a legitimate 'holy place' on this earth. Our Lord stated to the Samaritan woman, 'An hour is coming when neither in this mountain, nor in Jerusalem, will you worship the Father' (John 4:21). However, Paul spoke of the future 'man of lawlessness' who 'takes his seat in the temple of God' (2 Thessalonians 2:3-4; cf. Revelation 11:1-2)..... The temple and the altar for sacrifice will be divinely ordained in Jerusalem during this future period and will not be a mere Jewish cultural center.....
Not only will there be a God-approved temple and altar with appropriate sacrifices in Tribulation Jerusalem, but there will also be, of necessity, Levitical priests to carry out this Israelite form of worship. Ever since Roman armies destroyed the temple and its genealogical records in AD 70, Jews have been unable to determine their precise tribal identity. Thus, there can be no legitimate Israelite worship during the Church age."
The third temple Whitcomb refers to above cannot be "legitimate", "divinely ordained" or "God-approved". We are plainly told in the Book of Hebrews that Korban (sacrificial worship) has been abolished because Christ’s sacrifice has accomplished what the blood sacrifices of animals could not (Hebrews 10:1-18). God gave instructions for the first two temples to be built, but there is no such instruction given for a third temple to be built. The third temple is presently being prepared by The Temple Institute, a group of Orthodox Jews who are actively seeking to reinstate the abrogated Mosaic sacrificial system. They are so obstinate in their unbelief and rejection of Jesus Christ that they expect another Messiah (John 5:43). This third temple will become the temple of the Antichrist at the mid point of the 70th week.
Whitcomb: "Our Lord Jesus Christ also warned Israelite believers that the Abomination of Desolation would stand 'in the holy place' (Matt. 24:15). Only Israel, not the Church, can have a legitimate 'holy place' on this earth. Our Lord stated to the Samaritan woman, 'An hour is coming when neither in this mountain, nor in Jerusalem, will you worship the Father' (John 4:21). However, Paul spoke of the future 'man of lawlessness' who 'takes his seat in the temple of God' (2 Thessalonians 2:3-4; cf. Revelation 11:1-2)..... The temple and the altar for sacrifice will be divinely ordained in Jerusalem during this future period and will not be a mere Jewish cultural center.....
Not only will there be a God-approved temple and altar with appropriate sacrifices in Tribulation Jerusalem, but there will also be, of necessity, Levitical priests to carry out this Israelite form of worship. Ever since Roman armies destroyed the temple and its genealogical records in AD 70, Jews have been unable to determine their precise tribal identity. Thus, there can be no legitimate Israelite worship during the Church age."
The third temple Whitcomb refers to above cannot be "legitimate", "divinely ordained" or "God-approved". We are plainly told in the Book of Hebrews that Korban (sacrificial worship) has been abolished because Christ’s sacrifice has accomplished what the blood sacrifices of animals could not (Hebrews 10:1-18). God gave instructions for the first two temples to be built, but there is no such instruction given for a third temple to be built. The third temple is presently being prepared by The Temple Institute, a group of Orthodox Jews who are actively seeking to reinstate the abrogated Mosaic sacrificial system. They are so obstinate in their unbelief and rejection of Jesus Christ that they expect another Messiah (John 5:43). This third temple will become the temple of the Antichrist at the mid point of the 70th week.
Rabbi Chain Richman, International Director of the Temple Institute: “We do not accept the notion that scripture 'foretells' that G-d would robe Himself in flesh. We believe that this idea is the very embodiment of idolatry, and we must give our very lives to make a stand against it… as indeed we Jews have always done through the ages.”{5}
For many deceivers have gone out into the world, those who do not confess the coming of Jesus Christ in the flesh. Such a one is the deceiver and the antichrist. (2 John 1:7)
THE TWO WITNESSES
For many deceivers have gone out into the world, those who do not confess the coming of Jesus Christ in the flesh. Such a one is the deceiver and the antichrist. (2 John 1:7)
THE TWO WITNESSES
Whitcomb: "The only way the Antichrist will be able to break his seven-year covenant with Israel and to cause the blood sacrifices and the grain offerings to cease (Dan. 9:27) will be to kill God's two witnesses in Jerusalem (Rev. 11:7-12). It is difficult to see how blood sacrifices could be offered on the Jerusalem altar during those first three and a half years if the two witnesses of God did not approve of this form of worship; for their teaching ministry will be supernaturally enforced (Rev. 11:3 6), even to the destruction of all enemies. Thus, they will authoritatively set the pattern for the true worship of God on earth following the rapture of the Church."
Whitcomb's prevarications concerning the two witnesses deliberately disregards the text of Revelation 11 which gives a precise time frame for their ministry during the LATTER HALF of the 70th week of Daniel. The ministry of the two witnesses will last for 1,260 days, or three and a half years (Revelation 11:3). Their death and resurrection occurs after the sixth trumpet is sounded, during second woe (Revelation 9:12). The seven trumpet judgements are encompassed within the seventh seal (Revelation 8:1-2 9:13;11:11-15 cf. 16:1-21). The scriptures are very specific: The second woe has passed; behold, the third woe is soon to come. (Revelation 11:14) Since the seventh seal is opened at the end of Daniel's 70th week, it is obvious that the two witnesses will have no part in allowing the blood sacrifices, or setting the pattern of false worship in the third temple during the first half of the 70th week.
THE 144,000
Whitcomb: "However, during the early part of Daniel's Seventieth Week, God will reveal the true tribal identity of at least 144,000 Israelites (Rev. 7:4-8)......"
AFTER THIS I saw four angels standing at the four corners of the earth, holding back the four winds of the earth, that no wind might blow on earth or sea or against any tree. Then I saw another angel ascending from the rising of the sun, with the seal of the living God, and he called with a loud voice to the four angels who had been given power to harm earth and sea, saying, “Do not harm the earth or the sea or the trees, until we have sealed the servants of our God on their foreheads.” And I heard the number of the sealed, 144,000, sealed from every tribe of the sons of Israel: (Revelation 7:1-4)
"AFTER THIS" The seal given to the 144,000 from the tribes of Israel follows the sixth seal just prior to "the day of their wrath" (Revelation 6:12-17). The sixth seal will be opened, causing the cosmic disturbances in the
sun, moon, and stars (Matthew 24:29; Mark
13:24,25; Revelation 6:12-13). The emphasis is on the 144,000 being sealed for their protection from the wrath of God during the seventh seal. Once again, this cannot possibly occur during the early part of Daniel's 70th week as Whitcomb suggests! Whitcomb: "However, during the early part of Daniel's Seventieth Week, God will reveal the true tribal identity of at least 144,000 Israelites (Rev. 7:4-8)......"
AFTER THIS I saw four angels standing at the four corners of the earth, holding back the four winds of the earth, that no wind might blow on earth or sea or against any tree. Then I saw another angel ascending from the rising of the sun, with the seal of the living God, and he called with a loud voice to the four angels who had been given power to harm earth and sea, saying, “Do not harm the earth or the sea or the trees, until we have sealed the servants of our God on their foreheads.” And I heard the number of the sealed, 144,000, sealed from every tribe of the sons of Israel: (Revelation 7:1-4)
The book of Revelation does not say what the function of the 144,000 will be, except to say that they are servants (Revelation 7:3) These have been redeemed from mankind as firstfruits for God and the Lamb (Revelation 14:4) The assumption that the 144,000 are evangelists whose mission is to
gain converts during the tribulation is not stated anywhere
in the text, nor should it be implied.
Whitcomb not only has the two witnesses and the 144,000 completely out of sync with the scriptural time frame, I fear that he has used these falsehoods as a ruse in order to justify a further deception, namely the pre-tribulation rapture!
Whitcomb: "Therefore it is biblically impossible to have the bride of Christ bearing witness to her Lord throughout the Seventieth Week of Daniel with one segment of the bride doing distinctively Christian things and another segment, divided into twelve tribes, doing distinctively Jewish things!"
As already stated, the 144,000 i.e. the twelve tribes, are not revealed until AFTER the sixth seal. To suggest that twelve tribes are doing distinctively Jewish things as the Bride of Christ during the first half of the 70th week is an oxymoron. The lost tribes of Israel are not yet discovered, and we cannot assume that those Jews offering blood sacrifices during the first half of the 70th week will be recognizably twelve tribes. Those offering blood sacrifices at this time will undoubtedly be Orthodox Jews who are hostile to Jesus Christ. They will be doing "distinctively Jewish things", but they will not be the Bride of Christ. Blood sacrifices offered in unbelief cannot possibly be valid (Romans 14:23). That is not to say that the Jews are without hope. The distinctive plan that God has for Israel is that in their distress under the Antichrist, God will pour out his grace upon them, and a remnant (a third) will be saved (Romans 11:5; Zechariah 12:10, 13:7-9, 14:2-9; John 19:37; Amos 8:10 Revelation 12:6). In the whole land, declares the LORD, two thirds shall be cut off and perish, and one third shall be left alive. (Zechariah 13:8)
Whitcomb not only has the two witnesses and the 144,000 completely out of sync with the scriptural time frame, I fear that he has used these falsehoods as a ruse in order to justify a further deception, namely the pre-tribulation rapture!
Whitcomb: "Therefore it is biblically impossible to have the bride of Christ bearing witness to her Lord throughout the Seventieth Week of Daniel with one segment of the bride doing distinctively Christian things and another segment, divided into twelve tribes, doing distinctively Jewish things!"
As already stated, the 144,000 i.e. the twelve tribes, are not revealed until AFTER the sixth seal. To suggest that twelve tribes are doing distinctively Jewish things as the Bride of Christ during the first half of the 70th week is an oxymoron. The lost tribes of Israel are not yet discovered, and we cannot assume that those Jews offering blood sacrifices during the first half of the 70th week will be recognizably twelve tribes. Those offering blood sacrifices at this time will undoubtedly be Orthodox Jews who are hostile to Jesus Christ. They will be doing "distinctively Jewish things", but they will not be the Bride of Christ. Blood sacrifices offered in unbelief cannot possibly be valid (Romans 14:23). That is not to say that the Jews are without hope. The distinctive plan that God has for Israel is that in their distress under the Antichrist, God will pour out his grace upon them, and a remnant (a third) will be saved (Romans 11:5; Zechariah 12:10, 13:7-9, 14:2-9; John 19:37; Amos 8:10 Revelation 12:6). In the whole land, declares the LORD, two thirds shall be cut off and perish, and one third shall be left alive. (Zechariah 13:8)
Whitcomb: ".....mixing Mosaic and Christian programs and thus falling into the heresy of Gala-tianism (Galatians 3:1-3) is a tragic consequence of the confusion of the Church and Israel."
The curse of "Gala-tianism" is precisely what Whitcomb approves for Israel during the first half of the 70th week. By validating Israel's blood sacrifices offered in unbelief, Whitcomb puts Israel in some sort of unique relationship with God that by-passes Jesus
Christ! Undoubtedly Israel does have a unique relationship with God, but it does not include the lie that their blood sacrifices are in any way valid or acceptable during these three and a half years. Such wicked false teaching will result
in unspeakable penalties for those promoting it (Revelation 22:18-19; Proverbs 30:6)!Whitcomb: "Israel and the church worship the same God." !!!!
Jesus Christ to the scribes and the Pharisees:
They answered him, “Abraham is our father.” Jesus said to them, “If you were Abraham’s children, you would be doing the works Abraham did, but now you seek to kill me, a man who has told you the truth that I heard from God. This is not what Abraham did. You are doing the works your father did.” They said to him, “We were not born of sexual immorality. We have one Father—even God.” Jesus said to them, “If God were your Father, you would love me, for I came from God and I am here. I came not of my own accord, but he sent me. Why do you not understand what I say? It is because you cannot bear to hear my word. You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies. But because I tell the truth, you do not believe me. Which one of you convicts me of sin? If I tell the truth, why do you not believe me? Whoever is of God hears the words of God. The reason why you do not hear them is that you are not of God.” (John 8:39-47)
{1} http://www.whitcombministries.org/the-whitcombs.html
{2} http://self.gutenberg.org/articles/john_c._whitcomb,_jr.
{3} https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fellowship_of_Grace_Brethren_Churches
{4} http://www.pre-trib.org/articles/view/the-two-witnesses
{5} http://beforeitsnews.com/prophecy/2013/10/the-shocking-truth-about-the-third-temple-unbelievable-evil-forces-at-work-2454702.html
Tuesday, 8 December 2015
A COMPILATION OF SHOCKING KENNETH COPELAND QUOTES - AN APPEAL TO MR. ALEX ASHTON OF KENNETH COPELAND MINISTRIES, PASTOR OF VINE CHRISTIAN CENTRE, BRIDGEND. BY ROB THOMAS WATCHMAN4WALES
A VERY INFORMATIVE POST BY ROB THOMAS WATCHMAN4WALES
"For many walk, of whom I have told you often,
and now tell you even weeping,
that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ:
Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly,
and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things."
(Philippians 3:18-19)
"With hell are we at agreement... and
under falsehood have we hid ourselves."
Kenneth Copeland and Pope Francis, 6/14.
"But there were false prophets also among the people,
even as there shall be false teachers among you,
who privily shall bring in damnable heresies,
even denying the Lord that bought them,
and bring upon themselves swift destruction.
And many shall follow their pernicious ways;
by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of."
And many shall follow their pernicious ways;
by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of."
(2 Peter 2:1-2)
THE
PURPOSE OF THIS BLOG IS TO PRESENT RELEVANT INFORMATION AND TO ASK
PERTINENT QUESTIONS. IT'S NOT ABOUT ENGAGING IN A "WITCH-HUNT" BUT
TRYING TO MAKE PEOPLE STOP AND THINK, AND TO HOPEFULLY CHANGE THEIR MIND
ABOUT HIGHLY QUESTIONABLE THINGS THAT THEY MAY BE INVOLVED IN. IT'S ALL
ABOUT EARNESTLY CONTENDING FOR THE FAITH WHICH WAS ONCE AND FOR ALL
TIME DELIVERED UNTO THE SAINTS.
WITH
THIS INTENTION FIRMLY IN MIND, WHAT CAN - AND MUST - BE SAID CONCERNING
SUCH A ONE AS PURPOSELY PARTNERS WITH A SHEEP-FLEECING SPIRITUAL
REPROBATE AND EAR-TICKLING 'WORD OF FAITH' DECEIVER LIKE KENNETH
COPELAND? ASSUREDLY, THERE IS NO GLORY IN SUCH A UNION, ONLY SHAME.
CERTAINLY, THERE IS NO HONOUR, ONLY DISGRACE. WOEFULLY, THERE IS NEITHER
WISDOM NOR DISCERNMENT, ONLY ABJECT FOLLY AND A WRETCHED FAILURE TO
TEST THE SPIRITS. BUT ABOVE ALL SUCH CONSIDERATIONS AS THESE, THERE IS
ABSOLUTELY NO JUSTIFICATION BEFORE GOD FOR SUCH AN UNRIGHTEOUS ALLIANCE,
ONLY AN IGNOMINIOUS ACCOUNTABILITY.
It is in this context that I reproduce here a copy of the email I sent on Monday 30th. November 2015 (referencing my original email of Monday 23rd. November) to Mr. Alex Ashton, pastor of Vine Christian Centre in Bridgend, South Wales. I had hoped by such contact to have a constructive dialogue with Mr. Ashton, but very disappointingly he has not seen fit to respond to my approach to him in any way whatsoever.
It is in this context that I reproduce here a copy of the email I sent on Monday 30th. November 2015 (referencing my original email of Monday 23rd. November) to Mr. Alex Ashton, pastor of Vine Christian Centre in Bridgend, South Wales. I had hoped by such contact to have a constructive dialogue with Mr. Ashton, but very disappointingly he has not seen fit to respond to my approach to him in any way whatsoever.
Readers of this blog may draw their own conclusions about Mr. Ashton's complete silence on this important matter. For myself, my deep desire remains that he will at some point come to properly confront rather than ignore his personal culpability, and duly disassociate himself completely from Kenneth Copeland Ministries.
* * * * * * *
(Sent Monday 30th. November, 2015)
FOR THE ATTENTION OF MR. ALEX ASHTON
Dear Mr. Ashton,
As I have received no response to my email of Monday 23rd. November, I respectfully repeat my appeal to you in regards to this important matter, and would again politely ask if you would care to comment on the compilation of Kenneth Copeland quotes that I forwarded to you.
Sincerely, in Jesus our Lord and Saviour,
Rob Thomas.
www.watchman4wales.blogspot.co.uk
Here is a copy of my original email:
FOR THE ATTENTION OF MR. ALEX ASHTON
I would appeal to you, sir, as a very involved supporter of this man's UK/European operations, to give your most urgent and careful consideration to these quotes, and to evaluate them in light of what the Word of God reveals as unchanging truth about such things.
As born-again, Bible-believing Christians, surely we should have huge concerns about what this man is shown here to believe and teach? As it is written, "A little leaven leaveneth the whole lump" (1 Corinthians 5:6 and Galatians 5:9), and the leaven evidenced here is so very much more than just a little!
In bringing these quotes to your attention, would you perhaps be so good as to offer your opinion on them, as there is not just the leaven of error here but obvious heresy and unashamed blasphemy?
In light of this, could I further appeal to you to question your personal role in so actively promoting a man who so determinedly diminishes God and elevates men? This is a man who is proven by the record of his own utterances to preach "another Jesus" (2 Corinthians 11:4) and "another gospel, which is not another." (Galatians 1:6-7)
Sincerely, in Jesus our Lord and Saviour,
Rob Thomas.
www.watchman4wales.blogspot.co.uk
SOME KENNETH COPELAND QUOTES
KENNETH COPELAND'S ELEVATION OF HIMSELF TO GODHOOD:
When I read in the Bible where He says, "I AM," I just smile and say, "Yes, I AM too!"
KENNETH COPELAND'S ELEVATION OF ALL BELIEVERS TO GODHOOD:
1) Every Christian is a god.
2) You don't have a god in you - you are one!
3) Now Peter said, "By exceeding great and precious promises you become partakers of the divine nature." Alright. Are we gods? We are a class of gods!
KENNETH COPELAND'S INSTRUCTION TO MEN TO PRAY TO THEMSELVES, AS BEING ONE WITH THE GODHEAD:
Pray to your self, because I'm in your self and you're in my Self. We are one Spirit, saith the Lord.
KENNETH COPELAND, CONCERNING MEN'S ABILITY:
You have the same creative faith and ability on the inside of you that God used when He created the heavens and the earth.
KENNETH COPELAND'S CLAIM THAT ADAM WAS GOD INCARNATE:
God's reason for creating Adam was His desire to reproduce Himself. I mean a reproduction of Himself, and in the Garden of Eden He did just that. He was not a little like God. He was not almost like God. He was not subordinate to God even... Adam is as much like God as you could get, just the same as Jesus... Adam, in the Garden of Eden, was God manifested in the flesh.
KENNETH COPELAND'S TEACHING THAT GOD REPLICATED HIMSELF IN ADAM:
1) God spoke Adam into existence in authority with words. These words struck Adam's body in the face. His body and God were exactly the same size.
2) If you stood Adam upside God, they look just exactly alike. If you stood Jesus and Adam side-by-side, they would look and sound exactly alike.
KENNETH COPELAND'S ASSERTION THAT GOD HAS A (HUMAN-SIZED) PHYSICAL BODY:
1) So you see, that faith didn't come billowing out of some giant monster somewhere. It came out of the heart of a being that is very uncanny the way He's very much like you and me. A being that stands somewhere around 6' 2, 6' 3, that weighs somewhere in the neighbourhood of a couple of hundred pounds, little better...
2) God is a spirit-being with a body, complete with eyes, and eyelids, ears, nostrils, a mouth, hands and fingers, and feet.
KENNETH COPELAND'S ANDROGYNOUS ADAM AND ANDROGYNOUS GOD:
And then He created Eve out of Adam... When God said "Adam!" they both came... They had always been together. Even when she was still a part of him, he was as much female as he was male, like God is!
KENNETH COPELAND'S BELIEF THAT FAITH IS A FORCE:
Faith is a power force. It is a tangible force. It is a conductive force.
KENNETH COPELAND'S TEACHING OF (OCCULT) VISUALIZATION:
Words create pictures, and pictures in your mind create words. And then the words come back out your mouth... And when that spiritual force comes out it is going to give substance to the image that's on the inside of you. Aw, that's that visualization stuff! Aw, that's that New Age! No, New Age is trying to do this, and they'd get somewhat results out of it because this is spiritual law, brother!
KENNETH COPELAND'S DENIAL OF THE ETERNAL PRE-EXISTENCE OF JESUS:
1) Jesus existed only as an image in the heart of God, until such time as the prophets of the Old Testament could positively confess Jesus into existence through their constant prophecies.
2) Jesus has a beginning and an end.
KENNETH COPELAND'S DESCRIPTION OF JESUS AS A "FAITH" PRODUCT OF GOD:
The faith it took to make fingers was loosed, the faith it took to make arms was loosed in the earth, and now God had a way to hover over a little woman by the name of Mary. And there was born of that virgin woman a product of God. Once again, something has happened from the insides of God.
Now, you see, God is injecting His Word into the earth to produce this Jesus - these faith-filled words that framed the image that's in Him. .. He can't just walk onto the earth and say, "Let it be!" because He doesn't have the right! He had to sneak it in here around the god of this world that was blocking every way that he possibly could.
God was making promises to Jesus, and Jesus wasn't even there. But, you see, God deals with things that are not yet as though they already were. That's the way He gets them to come to pass.
KENNETH COPELAND'S ASSERTION THAT GOD HAS NO RIGHT OF ACCESS TO THE EARTH:
God's on the outside looking in. He doesn't have any legal entree into the earth. The thing don't belong to Him. You see how sassy the Devil was in the presence of God in the book of Job? God said, "Where have you been?" Wasn't any of God's business. He didn't even have to answer if he didn't want to... God didn't argue with him a bit. You see, this is the position that God's been in... Might say, "Well, if God's running things He's doing a lousy job of it." He hadn't been running 'em, except when He's just got, you know, a little bit of a chance!
KENNETH COPELAND'S DENIAL OF THE SUFFICIENCY OF CALVARY:
When Jesus cried, "It is finished!" He was not speaking of the plan of redemption. There were still three days and nights to go through before He went to the throne... Jesus' death on the cross was only the beginning of the complete work of redemption.
KENNETH COPELAND'S BELITTLING OF CALVARY:
Now it wasn't the physical death on the cross that paid the price for sin... Anybody could do that.
KENNETH COPELAND'S ASSERTION THAT IT WAS NOT JESUS ALONE WHO COULD HAVE ATONED FOR SIN:
Any O.T. prophet could have atoned for our sins, if they knew what Jesus knew.
KENNETH COPELAND'S WEAK JESUS:
We are the body of His Word. We are carriers of faith. Without us, people die and go to Hell. Without us being strong, Jesus is not strong.
KENNETH COPELAND'S DENIAL THAT JESUS IS THE ONLY BEGOTTEN SON OF GOD:
Jesus is no longer the only begotten Son of God.
KENNETH COPELAND'S CONTRADICTION OF HEBREWS 13:8:
Jesus has not remained the same, He has changed.
KENNETH COPELAND ON JESUS' RIGHTEOUSNESS:
Jesus had to give up His righteousness.
KENNETH COPELAND ON JESUS BECOMING SATANIC:
Jesus took on the nature of Satan when He was on the cross.
KENNETH COPELAND'S PRONOUNCEMENT THAT IT WAS SATAN WHO HAD THE VICTORY AT CALVARY:
Satan conquered Jesus on the Cross and took His spirit to the dark regions of Hell.
KENNETH COPELAND'S TEACHING ON JESUS IN HELL:
Jesus was dragged down into the bowels of Hell, where He was beaten and bruised by Satan and his demons until Jesus could finally fight His way out of Hell three days later.
KENNETH COPELAND'S "BORN AGAIN" JESUS:
1) Jesus was reborn in the pits of Hell.
2) Jesus was born again - the firstborn from the dead the Word calls Him - and He whipped the Devil in his own backyard.
KENNETH COPELAND'S DECLARATION THAT JESUS NEVER CLAIMED TO BE GOD:
They crucified me for claiming I was God. I didn't claim that I was God. I just claimed that I walked with Him and that He was in me. Hallelujah! That's what you're doing!
KENNETH COPELAND'S CLAIM THAT HEAVEN IS A PLANET:
1) You don't think earth was first, do you? Huh? Well, you don't think that God made man in His image, and then made earth in some other image? ... This is all a copy. It's a copy of home. It's a copy of the Mother Planet. Where God lives. He made a little one just like His and put us on it.
2) Heaven has a north and a south and an east and a west. Consequently it must be a planet.
KENNETH COPELAND'S MAJORING ON MATERIALISM:
1) Prosperity is a major requirement in the establishment of God's will.
2) God's will for His people today is abundance.
3) God... needs you rich.
4) Clearly, our prosperity is important to God. It's so central to His will that He included it in the price Jesus paid for our redemption. So it doesn't matter whether or not we think we need it. What matters is that God needs it!
KENNETH COPELAND'S FALSE PROPHECY RE ISLAM:
And we're going to see the move of God like we've never seen it before... Because, you mark my word, 1995 is the beginning of the "Beyond what we are able to ask or think." 1995 is that beginning. It has come. There are many Muslims that while they are trying to worship what they think is God, Jesus is going to appear right in the middle of it. And under the influence of the power of the Holy Ghost, Islam will fall. Islam will become nothing. (Published 25/12/94).
KENNETH COPELAND'S ECUMENICAL ACCORD WITH THE POPE:
Thank you, sir. We do bless you. We receive your blessing. It's very, very important to us, and we bless you with all of our hearts, we bless you with all of our souls, we bless you with all of our might, and we thank you, sir. We thank God for you. And so all of us declare together, "Be blessed!" Once again, altogether, "Be blessed!" Amen.
KENNETH COPELAND'S DENUNCIATION OF GOD AS A FAILURE:
I was shocked when I found out who the biggest failure in the Bible actually is... The biggest in all the Bible is God!
He lost His top-ranking, most anointed angel, the first man He ever created, the first woman He ever created, the whole earth and all the fullness therein, a third of the angels at least! That's a big loss, man! I mean, you figure it all, that's a lot of real estate, brother, gone down the drain. Now the reason you don't think of God as a failure is He never said He's a failure. And you're not a failure till you say you're one!
Friday, 4 December 2015
mindy bak north heights lutheran church arden hills mn: the toxic aftermath of mike breen 3dm
But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty. For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving good, treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power. Avoid such people. (2 Timothy 3:1-5)
Following North Heights Lutheran Church (NHLC) extrication from the clutches of 3DM in April 2014, there is an ongoing bitter dispute with details emerging that NHLC are experiencing a gargantuan division due to financial difficulties, the closure of its satellite church in Roseville and leadership problems. Interim Pastor, Mindy Bak, has been accused of attempting to gain leverage by feeding the secular press her own very biased view of the troubled situation, saying that "many have rebelled" - strong words from the woman who is at the epicentre of these problems! The congregation of NHLC has decreased dramatically by two-thirds from 3,400 at its peak about ten years ago, to 1,600 a week earlier this year according to Interim Pastor, Mindy Bak. A breakaway group of about 900 strong calling themselves "Bondservants" are now meeting at the AmericInn Hotel & Suites in Mounds View.
MELINDA (MINDY) BAK:
Interim Senior Pastor North Heights Lutheran Church
Greater Minneapolis-St. Paul Area
2007 – Present (8 years) Arden Hills
Education:
University of Wisconsin-Madison
BA Journalism, Print and Documentary Production 1980 – 1984
Luther Northwestern Theolgoical Seminary
M.Div., Pastoral Studies and Theology 1984 – 1988
It appears that no thorough background check was carried out on Bak when she was employed as a staff member of NHLC in 2007. Bak is said to have been removed and escorted out of two previous churches for dishonesty and deception. A horrifying catalogue of Bak's alleged misdeeds can be found on the link below {1}. Bak resigned her previous position as Principal of Gethsemane School and her membership of Gethsemane Lutheran Church following a successful vote by members of to remove her. Frankly, had the leadership of NHLC not been so negligent, they might have avoided this awful situation!
Bob Shaw's Article at TwinCities.com. Pioneer Press Local News: North Heights Lutheran Church is a Church Torn Apart dated the 3rd of October has many inaccuracies and is obviously biased towards Bak. The acrimonious comments at the end of his article give quite a different picture and speak for themselves. Bak has attempted to claim that this is a gender issue, though her detractors vigorously deny that gender has any bearing on the problems.
NHLC: "It is our desire that this church body be functioning through and reliant solely on the Word of God, the Lordship of Jesus, and the guidance of the Holy Spirit." It always amazes me when churches make these kinds of statements, but then only implement them when it is convenient! (Luke 6:46-49)
RED FLAGS AT NHLC - A BIBLICAL PERSPECTIVE:
Council of Elders Special Meeting 19th October: "Consider and adopt a resolution directing the Council of Elders to terminate any and all relationship between NHLC and Pastor Mindy Bak." {5}
At the above meeting, the majority of the congregation voted to direct the Council of Elders to remove Interim Senior Pastor Bak, but they were ruled out of order. Apparently this has happened on more than one occasion and is the response to every motion the congregation puts forward.
SOME DISTURBING ALLEGATIONS FROM THE CHURCH TORN APART WEBSITE:
• SHE was previously removed and escorted out of two churches for making false accusations, lying, and deceptions.
• SHE falsely accused a well respected interim senior pastor from her previous church of sexual advances. SHE wanted him gone so she could obtain his job, he had to resign in shame. Women of that church stated he was a great man and never would have done such a thing.
• Several women from HER previous church stated, “SHE almost destroyed our church”.
• Women from HER previous church have warned men at our church not to be in a room alone with her because she could accuse them of sexual harassment.
• SHE maliciously fired many people at her previous school church because they didn’t agree with her way of thinking.
• “She hates men” this comment was stated by several women from her previous church.
• SHE went to the Council of Elders at her previous church and made a false statement about how a respected woman pastor of 30 years physically assaulted HER. SHE wanted her fired from that church so SHE could move into that position.
• SHE has verbally and maliciously attacked two well respected male pastors at our church, and one previous well respected male Senior Pastor at our church.
• SHE is doing everything possible to remove Pastor Greg Berglund from our church. SHE has attacked Pastor Greg Berglund with false accusations, lies, and deceived him numerous times. She wants him gone because he states the truth and he is in her path of destruction.
• SHE has lied and deceived Horace Beale who was on the Council of Elders at our church and pressured and threatened to sue him until he finally resigned in disgust.
• SHE continuously lies, assaults, and deceives many of the staff.
• Many members of our church have stated SHE continuously uses our church pulpit for political statements about running for the position of senior pastor....
.....and on it goes! {1}
UPDATE 7th March 2016
North Heights Lutheran Church Shutting Down
http://www.twincities.com/2016/03/07/former-mega-church-north-heights-lutheran-shutting-down/
{1} http://www.churchcancer.blogspot.co.uk/p/facts-march-21st-2015-north-heights.html
{2} http://www.banner.org.uk/misc/alpha.html
{3} https://gallery.mailchimp.com/1ed76762450972abcadf2cc92/files/Dekalb_Decline_to_Interview_7_13_2015.pdf
{4} http://www.nhlc.org/filerequest/36785
http://www.churchcancer.blogspot.co.uk/p/facts-march-21st-2015-north-heights.html
{5} http://www.northheights.church/what-we-believe/department_directory/council_of_elders
Further Reading:
http://bewareofthewolves.blogspot.co.uk/2014/05/mike-breen-3dm-playing-havoc-with_1.html#comments
http://theoldblackchurch.blogspot.com/2015/10/a-church-torn-apart-and-woman-is-to.html
http://www.i-m-f.org/
http://www.northheights.church/media/sermon-series/arden-hills-sanctuary-media/media-item/353/living-faith
http://www.schooleyfiles.com/2013/11/mike-breen-and-building-discipling.html?showComment=1443940146353#c9131639488582734338
http://www.thecommonsenseshow.com/2014/01/02/no-501-c-3-church-can-be-a-church-of-god/
http://hushmoney.org/501c3-facts.htm
http://eliora.hubpages.com/hub/HOLY-TRINITY-CHURCH-LEICESTER
http://www.twincities.com/localnews/ci_28913678/north-heights-lutheran-is-church-divided
http://nhexiledservice.blogspot.co.uk/
UPDATE: 3DM is now known as 5Q with Alan Hirsch, Cairn Network. Kairos network.
Following North Heights Lutheran Church (NHLC) extrication from the clutches of 3DM in April 2014, there is an ongoing bitter dispute with details emerging that NHLC are experiencing a gargantuan division due to financial difficulties, the closure of its satellite church in Roseville and leadership problems. Interim Pastor, Mindy Bak, has been accused of attempting to gain leverage by feeding the secular press her own very biased view of the troubled situation, saying that "many have rebelled" - strong words from the woman who is at the epicentre of these problems! The congregation of NHLC has decreased dramatically by two-thirds from 3,400 at its peak about ten years ago, to 1,600 a week earlier this year according to Interim Pastor, Mindy Bak. A breakaway group of about 900 strong calling themselves "Bondservants" are now meeting at the AmericInn Hotel & Suites in Mounds View.
MELINDA (MINDY) BAK:
Interim Senior Pastor North Heights Lutheran Church
Greater Minneapolis-St. Paul Area
2007 – Present (8 years) Arden Hills
Education:
University of Wisconsin-Madison
BA Journalism, Print and Documentary Production 1980 – 1984
Luther Northwestern Theolgoical Seminary
M.Div., Pastoral Studies and Theology 1984 – 1988
It appears that no thorough background check was carried out on Bak when she was employed as a staff member of NHLC in 2007. Bak is said to have been removed and escorted out of two previous churches for dishonesty and deception. A horrifying catalogue of Bak's alleged misdeeds can be found on the link below {1}. Bak resigned her previous position as Principal of Gethsemane School and her membership of Gethsemane Lutheran Church following a successful vote by members of to remove her. Frankly, had the leadership of NHLC not been so negligent, they might have avoided this awful situation!
Bob Shaw's Article at TwinCities.com. Pioneer Press Local News: North Heights Lutheran Church is a Church Torn Apart dated the 3rd of October has many inaccuracies and is obviously biased towards Bak. The acrimonious comments at the end of his article give quite a different picture and speak for themselves. Bak has attempted to claim that this is a gender issue, though her detractors vigorously deny that gender has any bearing on the problems.
NHLC: "It is our desire that this church body be functioning through and reliant solely on the Word of God, the Lordship of Jesus, and the guidance of the Holy Spirit." It always amazes me when churches make these kinds of statements, but then only implement them when it is convenient! (Luke 6:46-49)
RED FLAGS AT NHLC - A BIBLICAL PERSPECTIVE:
- 1 Timothy 2:12 precludes a woman from taking up a pastoral role in authority over men. I do not permit a woman to teach or to exercise authority over a man;
- Bak's history of dishonesty and divisiveness.
- Bak was part of the leadership of NHLC when they introduced 3DM. Where was the spiritual discernment at NHLC prior to taking on Breen/3DM? They could not have done their homework or they would have known about Breen's ecumenism and the scandal surrounding the Nine O'Clock Service. In my view, it was foolish of NHLC to allow Bak to continue in leadership after the removal of 3DM (aka 3D Movements aka Missional Communities UK).
- North Heights Lutheran Church is a registered 501(c)(3) organisation which means they are government controlled. A 501(c)(3) church will jeopardise its tax exempt status if it openly preaches against, or organises anything in opposition that the government declares "legal", for instance abortion or homosexuality. In other words, in many cases, 501(c)(3) churches put financial considerations and political correctness above God (Matthew 6:24; 1 Timothy 6:10).
- NHLC hosts the controversial and much criticised Alpha Course. Alpha is the vehicle which has been used to introduce false doctrines and the Third Wave into the church. For more information about Alpha see the link below {2).
- Church membership is unbiblical if it involves taking oaths or making commitments and promises. The procedure for becoming a member at NHLC is not on their website. However, dual attendance was unknown in the early church, and in my experience it does cause a "them and us" situation with non-members being excluded from important decisions.
- On or about September 21, 2015 Bak's ordination license was revoked by International Ministerial Fellowship (IMF).
- There are rumours of Bak's continuing involvement with 3DM.
- Bak oversees an authoritarian leadership style at NHLC which circumvents the congregation and lacks accountability.
- Bak closed down the Roseville location without having a congregational vote according to NHLC bylaws.
- Bak: "We all tithe 10 or 11 percent. We have the goal of increasing that by 1 percent a year, so it will be 20 percent in 10 years." Tithing is not found in the New Testament. Malachi 3 is the passage commonly cited in order to justify tithing. However most people do not realise that Malachi condemns the abuses of the priests of Israel (Malachi 1:6; 2:1), and the sons of Levi (Malachi 3:3), not the people! To have this goal of 20% is legalistic and an unreasonable burden to put upon any congregation. No one should give under compulsion! (2 Corinthians 9:7)
- The decision by NHLC Council to retain an attorney to investigate misconduct allegations against Bak and certain Council members flies against the scriptural mandate for internal disputes to be settled within the Body of Christ (1 Corinthians 6:1-8). The expense of hiring an outside attorney is yet another matter of ethical concern which has been described as "irresponsible stewardship of the congregations tithes and offerings." {3}
- Bak: "There is going to be an outpouring"..... This phrase is the repeated mantra of many false teachers. The Bible has a great deal to say about end time apostasy and delusion, not revival! (Luke 18:8; 2 Thessalonians 2:3)
-
NHLC Announcement to Remove 3DM was very questionable in its wording:
"North Heights DNA is one soaked in the Holy Spirit;" "DNA" is a typical Breenism! "Soaking in the Spirit/soaking prayer" is a phrase used by the Arnott's of false Toronto fame among other false teachers. Why can't these people use biblical language rather than parroting dubious phrases from known apostates? (Colossians 3:16, Ephesians 5:18) {4}
Council of Elders Special Meeting 19th October: "Consider and adopt a resolution directing the Council of Elders to terminate any and all relationship between NHLC and Pastor Mindy Bak." {5}
At the above meeting, the majority of the congregation voted to direct the Council of Elders to remove Interim Senior Pastor Bak, but they were ruled out of order. Apparently this has happened on more than one occasion and is the response to every motion the congregation puts forward.
SOME DISTURBING ALLEGATIONS FROM THE CHURCH TORN APART WEBSITE:
• SHE was previously removed and escorted out of two churches for making false accusations, lying, and deceptions.
• SHE falsely accused a well respected interim senior pastor from her previous church of sexual advances. SHE wanted him gone so she could obtain his job, he had to resign in shame. Women of that church stated he was a great man and never would have done such a thing.
• Several women from HER previous church stated, “SHE almost destroyed our church”.
• Women from HER previous church have warned men at our church not to be in a room alone with her because she could accuse them of sexual harassment.
• SHE maliciously fired many people at her previous school church because they didn’t agree with her way of thinking.
• “She hates men” this comment was stated by several women from her previous church.
• SHE went to the Council of Elders at her previous church and made a false statement about how a respected woman pastor of 30 years physically assaulted HER. SHE wanted her fired from that church so SHE could move into that position.
• SHE has verbally and maliciously attacked two well respected male pastors at our church, and one previous well respected male Senior Pastor at our church.
• SHE is doing everything possible to remove Pastor Greg Berglund from our church. SHE has attacked Pastor Greg Berglund with false accusations, lies, and deceived him numerous times. She wants him gone because he states the truth and he is in her path of destruction.
• SHE has lied and deceived Horace Beale who was on the Council of Elders at our church and pressured and threatened to sue him until he finally resigned in disgust.
• SHE continuously lies, assaults, and deceives many of the staff.
• Many members of our church have stated SHE continuously uses our church pulpit for political statements about running for the position of senior pastor....
.....and on it goes! {1}
UPDATE 7th March 2016
North Heights Lutheran Church Shutting Down
http://www.twincities.com/2016/03/07/former-mega-church-north-heights-lutheran-shutting-down/
{1} http://www.churchcancer.blogspot.co.uk/p/facts-march-21st-2015-north-heights.html
{2} http://www.banner.org.uk/misc/alpha.html
{3} https://gallery.mailchimp.com/1ed76762450972abcadf2cc92/files/Dekalb_Decline_to_Interview_7_13_2015.pdf
{4} http://www.nhlc.org/filerequest/36785
http://www.churchcancer.blogspot.co.uk/p/facts-march-21st-2015-north-heights.html
{5} http://www.northheights.church/what-we-believe/department_directory/council_of_elders
Further Reading:
http://bewareofthewolves.blogspot.co.uk/2014/05/mike-breen-3dm-playing-havoc-with_1.html#comments
http://theoldblackchurch.blogspot.com/2015/10/a-church-torn-apart-and-woman-is-to.html
http://www.i-m-f.org/
http://www.northheights.church/media/sermon-series/arden-hills-sanctuary-media/media-item/353/living-faith
http://www.schooleyfiles.com/2013/11/mike-breen-and-building-discipling.html?showComment=1443940146353#c9131639488582734338
http://www.thecommonsenseshow.com/2014/01/02/no-501-c-3-church-can-be-a-church-of-god/
http://hushmoney.org/501c3-facts.htm
http://eliora.hubpages.com/hub/HOLY-TRINITY-CHURCH-LEICESTER
http://www.twincities.com/localnews/ci_28913678/north-heights-lutheran-is-church-divided
http://nhexiledservice.blogspot.co.uk/
UPDATE: 3DM is now known as 5Q with Alan Hirsch, Cairn Network. Kairos network.
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