jacob prasch moriel ministries.. the intra-seal deception: the seven spirits of god (revelation 4:5):

I have previously written about the intra-seal rapture theory in some depth due to the peculiar claim of Jacob Prasch that the Restrainer of 2 Thessalonians 2:7 is the Holy Spirit. Prasch circulates the intra-seal theory unequivocally as a "doctrine" and he teaches that the Holy Spirit will be taken out of the world during a fictitious "seven year tribulation". The "tribulation" (properly the great tribulation) does not begin until the abomination of desolation is set up in the middle of the 70th week of Daniel (Daniel 12:11). In fact the great tribulation is a period of unknown precise length since it is 1290 days (3.5 years) cut short (Matthew 24:22). I have debunked Prasch's false "seven year tribulation" teaching in a previous post.{1}

Prasch: "Pentecost is reversed... the same as Jesus went and sent the Holy Spirit, the Holy Spirit goes and sends Jesus. In that interim period you have a powerless church that cannot fulfil its mission any more... The Holy Spirit will not be taken from the hearts of true believers but He will be taken from the world (Gen 6:3; 2 Th 2:6). God will, as it were, return to an Old Covenant dealing with man. His judgements upon Egypt will be recapitulated on the whole planet (Revelation 16)." {2}  

I now have gained some further insight concerning the seven spirits of God in the book of Revelation which I think is relevant to the case against Prasch's false teaching about the Restrainer.

The seven spirits of God are mentioned four times in the New Testament:

John to the seven churches that are in Asia: Grace to you and peace from him who is and who was and who is to come, and from the seven spirits who are before his throne, (Revelation 1:4)

And to the angel of the church in Sardis write: ‘The words of him who has the seven spirits of God and the seven stars. “‘I know your works. You have the reputation of being alive, but you are dead.
 (Revelation 3:1)

From the throne came flashes of lightning, and rumblings and peals of thunder, and before the throne were burning seven torches of fire, which are the seven spirits of God, (Revelation 4:5)

And between the throne and the four living creatures and among the elders I saw a Lamb standing, as though it had been slain, with seven horns and with seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God sent out into all the earth. (Revelation 5:6)

It is generally agreed (also by Prasch) that the seven spirits of God are seven manifestations of the Holy Spirit as found in the book of Isaiah:

And the Spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him, the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and might, the Spirit of knowledge and the fear of the LORD. (Isaiah 11:2).

Jesus Christ's letters to the seven churches in Revelation 2-3 were addressed to the first century churches situated in Asia Minor (Revelation 1:4). The book of Revelation tells us that the seven spirits of God occupy a position at the very closest proximity to the throne of God, before the twenty-four elders and the four living creatures. It was necessary for Jesus Christ to go away so that He could send the Holy Spirit (John 16:7-8), but it is clear from the above verses that the same is not true in reverse. Significantly, the Holy Spirit is present in the throne room of God and in the world at the same time. In other words, when the Holy Spirit was "sent", He did not "leave" the throne room of God. (Revelation 5:6). The operation of sending the Holy Spirit at Pentecost did not necessitate Him vacating heaven, as was the case with the incarnation of Jesus Christ. (John 6:38). The argument that the Holy Spirit must "leave the world" in order to facilitate Jesus’ return is therefore invalid. Where the scriptures themselves do not provide clarity, as in this particular case, it is extremely foolish to attempt to fathom the unfathomable with vain speculations based on human reasoning and then call it a "doctrine" (Romans 11:33). In fact, the Holy Spirit is omnipresent (Psalm 139:7).

Revelation 5 is a critical passage which confirms many things in the scriptures. It tells us that Jesus Christ, the Lamb, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the  Root of David alone is worthy to open the scroll. The gospel message is reitterated (v9) and the seven spirits have been sent out into all the earth.. (Revelation 5:1-9). This then is the stated situation as it stands when the first seal is opened. Nothing is said to precede the opening of the first seal which signifies the start of the 70th week of Daniel. Far from being recalled during the 70th week, Revelation 5:6 affirms just the reverse to be the case i.e. prior to the opening of the first seal, the Holy Spirit i.e. seven spirits of God, have been sent out into all the earth. We would have to add to the Book of Revelation if we were to presume a reversal of Pentecost (Revelation 22:18). I do not find anywhere that the Holy Spirit is recalled, partially recalled, or that His mission will alter, or will be limited to believers only as intra-seal asserts. Prasch's argument/theory simply does not hold water! 
 
Nevertheless, I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you. And when he comes, he will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment: concerning sin, because they do not believe in me; concerning righteousness, because I go to the Father, and you will see me no longer; concerning judgment, because the ruler of this world is judged. (John 16:7-11)  

The verb to send (ἀποστέλλω) is closely associated with the sender, Jesus Christ, to those He personally commissions as his witnesses e.g. John the Baptist (Mark 11:2) and the twelve apostles (Matthew 10:5). 

To "convict the world" is to (a) reprove, rebuke, discipline, (b) I expose, show to be guilty.{3} The conviction of the world is by witness concerning Jesus Christ (John 15:26).  The Holy Spirit was given to believers in order to empower them to be Jesus' witnesses: But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth. (Acts 1:8). The scriptures confirm that the ability to bear witness during the great tribulation is not removed (Luke 21:13). The consequence of conviction may result in one of two outcomes in various subjects, either conversion (1 Corinthians 14:24), or hardening and condemnation (Acts 24:25; Romans 11:7 ff.). Prasch teaches that the Holy Spirit will be taken from the world, not from believers, and that the capacity to preach the gospel will end i.e. grace will come to an end. Isn't this a denial of the gospel? 

Jacob Prasch's Dishonesty

The pre-wrath position as we know it was actually developed by Robert Van Kampen during the 1970's. I am at a loss to understand why Prasch is in denial about this fact, other than his apparent desire to be deliberately perverse! Prasch gives all the credit for pre-wrath to those who cannot legitimately take the credit for it i.e. Tregelles and CS Lovett.{4} Pre-wrath was definitely NOT developed by Tregelles who was post-tribulational. Lovett's version of pre-wrath is a combination of pre-wrath and post-trib which differs significantly from the pre-wrath position as we know it. Lovett extends the tribulation to the entirety of the 70th week of Daniel and puts the rapture at the end of this period. According to his view, the wrath of God is poured out after the 70th week. The church therefore escapes the wrath, but goes through seven years of tribulation. I am confident in my view that the pioneer of the pre-wrath position as we know it today was in fact Robert Van Kampen who was later supported by Marvin Rosenthall. Jacob Prasch disputes these simple facts and continues to promote his nonsensical intra-seal theory. In this respect, Prasch is very similar to the pretribulationists in his insistence on a "doctrine" which finds not one verse of confirmation in the scriptures!

 "Lovett believes the Church will go through seven years of tribulation, and at the end of those seven years, i.e., the end of Daniel's 70th week, it will be raptured and then the wrath of God is poured out, i.e., the seven bowls of wrath. After 45 days, the Church will then return with Christ. Though he says he is a "Prewrather," his doctrine reads as sort of a combination of PreWrath/Posttrib."{5}

Prasch's comparison between intra-seal and pre-wrath, is, in my view, a very dishonest tactical move in order for his theory to gain credence! I haven't noticed any pre-wrath scholars rushing to agree with Prasch about the alleged similarities between pre-wrath and intra-seal! The pre-wrath camp generally believe the Archangel Michael to be the Restrainer, though they are not dogmatic. Intra-seal is a kind of mishmash of other peoples ideas. In particular Prasch has borrowed Darby's view of the Holy Spirit as the Restrainer, the erroneous seven year tribulation is borrowed from the pretribulationists, and he has mimicked and corrupted original scholars Robert Van Kampen and Marvin Rosenthall.{4}The modern pre-wrath scholars are, in my experience, very careful in their exegesis and they back up their assertions with the scriptures. We cannot say the same about Prasch's intra-seal eisegesis.  

The danger of the intra seal theory is that it adds to the general confusion/deception surrounding the 70th week of Daniel. Because intra-seal is so nonsensical with no scriptural basis, the danger is that it may actually work against the purposes of God and have the effect of strengthening the false pre-tribulation rapture theory which has such a stronghold on the Western church. Prasch has done no-one any favours with his wacky theory. Furthermore, no one, even within Moriel, with the exception of Prasch himself, appears to understand intra-seal. Like Darby's pre-trib deception, intra-seal is nothing more than an exercise in academic vainglory and should be treated as such. I regard this whole sorry teaching as a presumptuous misrepresentation of the Godhead which also compromises the gospel (2 Corinthians 11:4).   

Prasch endorses proven ecumenist David Noakes as a valid prophetic voice and gives him a platform.{6} 

David Noakes is a director of Harvest Vision and is well known within certain circles for his "Thus saith the Lord" prophecies. Harvest Vision together with CCM (The Centre of Contemporary Ministry) is the overarching Charity responsible for Moggerhanger Park which is ecumenical. Noakes is an adviser for Issachar Ministries (also based at Moggerhanger until 2015) and is also in partnership with interfaith/ecumenical HopeTogether. Clifford Hill (CCM) thoroughly endorses Noakes - they have been close friends and colleagues for more than 30 years. Noakes' prophecies in the first person of the Lord are plausible enough for him to pass them off as genuine. However, with such connections we should seriously question their authenticity. Noakes' prophecy of November 2015 and Clifford Hill's endorsement can be read on the link below.{7}

Question: Would God speak in the first person and give prophecies through a man who is ecumenical? I think not! We would be have to be very naive to believe that Prasch is not fully aware of Noakes and his connections.

Conclusion

Essentially Prasch has denied the gospel and the ministry of the Holy Spirit for the entirety of the 70th week of Daniel which is no small matter! As more and more concerns come into the light, I think we are justified in asking the question: Is Jacob Prasch what he appears to be, or is he in fact part of the problem?  His questionable intra-seal theory muddies the waters at a critical time when clarity, not confusion is needed (Ezekiel 34:18). Prasch's abusive language towards those who are supposedly his "brethren" just compound the concerns now being voiced about him by a growing number of Christians!

Concerns about Jacob Prasch:

• He has repeatedly given a platform to proven ecumenist David Noakes.{6} 
  
• Intra-seal is based on eisegesis and is not found in the scriptures.
• He has been dishonest in giving credit to the wrong people for pre-wrath. {8}
• The comparison between intra-seal with pre-wrath is invalid.
• There is no such thing as a seven year tribulation in the scriptures.{1}
• He has incorrectly stated that the two witnesses of Revelation 11 will prophesy at the beginning of the 70th week of Daniel.{9}
• He has attempted to muddy the waters concerning the role of women in the church.{10}
• He flaunts the six pointed star as a valid national symbol for Israel, which it is definitely not! {11}
• He has a reputation as a reviler (1 Corinthians 5:11).{12} 

Believers should stop being naive about their favourite teachers, whoever they are, and should test prophecy and teaching with the scriptures (1 John 4:1):

Now these Jews were more noble than those in Thessalonica; they received the word with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so. (Acts 17:11) 

My full refutation of Prasch's false eschatology can be viewed on the following link: 
http://bewareofthewolves.blogspot.co.uk/2016/04/jacob-prasch-rapture-holy-spirit-and.html

{1}  http://bewareofthewolves.blogspot.co.uk/2016/07/jacob-prasch-say-again-tribulation-is.html
{2}  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m8BousC77kU
{3}  http://biblehub.com/greek/1651.htm  
{4}  https://www.moriel.org/component/k2/item/2682-the-development-and-origins-of-modern-pre-wrath-inter-seal%20positions.html  
{5}  http://www.velocity.net/~edju70/Prewrath1.htm  
{6}  https://www.moriel.org/component/k2/item/2629-prophecy-from-david-noakes.html
{7}  http://ukapologeticslibrary.net/ecumenists-clifford-hill-david-noakes-moggerhanger-park/  
{8}  http://bewareofthewolves.blogspot.co.uk/2016/08/jacob-prasch-moriel-ministries-and-his.html#comments 
{9}  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0pH8tJ8cWQg
{10} http://bewareofthewolves.blogspot.co.uk/2016/07/jacob-prasch-moriel-ministries-gagging.html
{11} http://www.seekgod.ca/forum/showthread.php?tid=218 
{12} http://bewareofthewolves.blogspot.co.uk/2016/08/jacob-prasch-moriel-ministries-and-his.html
 
Further links: 
http://www.endtimesseminar.com/session-1---introduction-to-end-times.html 
http://www.seekgod.ca/jpfriends2.htm
http://www.bizstats.co.uk/ltd/harvest-vision-limited-02286386/ 
http://prewrathrapture.com/the_two_witnesses_minister_during_the_se/ 
http://bewareofthewolves.blogspot.co.uk/2016/09/revelation-tv-tim-vince-and-his.html 
https://closingstages.net/