Sunday, 21 November 2021

DALTON THOMAS # JOEL RICHARDSON: SEVENTH TRUMPET DISTORTION AND MORAL CORRUPTION

The Greatest Moment in Human History: Maranatha Global Bible Study 31 - YouTube

There has been a fairly long break since Dalton Thomas' and Joel Richardson's last bible study. I was hoping that this was due to the fact that they saw the need to make some radical adjustments to their skewed views. I also wondered whether they had been honest enough to question their legitimacy as bible teachers ~ but apparently not. I will go into this in more detail at the end of this post.

In my previous post I questioned Dalton Thomas' distortion of the book of Revelation and his warped teaching regarding the fifth and sixth trumpets (the first two woes) in Revelation chapter 9. I observed that he had invented his own bizarre scenario for the first six trumpet judgements. {1} The above episode reveals a number of further problems relating to Dalton Thomas' eschatology, in particular his distorted "seventh trumpet" rapture view. 

The belief that the "last trumpet" in 1 Corinthians 15:51-52 is the seventh trumpet in the book of Revelation is highly problematic. 

Behold! I tell you a mystery. We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we shall be changed. (1 Corinthians 15:51-52).

For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. (1 Thessalonians 4:16).

Then the seventh angel blew his trumpet, and there were loud voices in heaven, saying, “The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ, and he shall reign forever and ever.” (Revelation 11:15).

Dalton Thomas' theory does not match the context or the chronology of the book of Revelation. 

Dalton Thomas: "There is a 'great trumpet' described.. Isaiah 26 says that right before a great wedding feast in Zion there is going to be a great trumpet blast." There is no "great trumpet" in Isaiah 26. The verse he refers to is Isaiah 27:13 which applies to the return of the Israelites from Egypt and Assyria. Isaiah 26:19-21 confirms that God's wrath follows the resurrection of the dead i.e. the prewrath position. 

Dalton Thomas begins with the presumption that Paul's "last trumpet" coincides with the seventh trumpet of Revelation. He resorts to eisegesis in order to justify his presupposition. One problem with this view is that Paul wrote 1 Corinthians in about 53–54AD and John wrote the book of Revelation in about 96AD, leaving a gap of about forty years between the books. As such Paul was probably unaware of the seventh trumpet of Revelation 11:15 (cf. Revelation 8:2-6,12; 9:1,13; 10:7). Dalton Thomas claims that this is a "goofy argument". The forty year gap between Paul and John would not be a convincing argument in isolation, but this is only one aspect of the problematic seventh trumpet/post-trib rapture view. Dalton Thomas fails to grasp the concept that Paul was alluding to the imagery of the shofar in the Old Testament rather than the seventh trumpet of Revelation 11:15. This explanation fits the context and is more compelling since the shofar was sounded in order to summon the assembly. (Exodus 20:18; Psalm 81:3; Isaiah 18:3; Isaiah 27:13). 

Dalton Thomas appears to be teaching a distorted version the classical post-trib rapture view. This view generally promotes the idea that the trumpets and bowls correspond with one another, and that the sixth seal, the seventh trumpet and the seventh bowl are the same events. However, there is convincing evidence that the seals, the trumpets and bowls in the book of Revelation are sequential. In a general sense, the rise in the intensity of judgements suggests a sequential rather than a simultaneous view. More specifically, when the fourth seal is broken, Death and Hades are given power over one fourth of the earth (Revelation 6:8). However one third of the earth is the specific figure relating to the first four trumpets. (Revelation 8:7, 9,10-12, 9:15). The intensity of the judgements culminate with the seven bowls ~ for with them the wrath of God is finished. (Revelation 15:1). The trumpet and bowl judgements are not a close enough match to draw the conclusion that exactly the same events are being described. For instance, at the fourth trumpet the sun and moon are struck causing a reduction of the light by one third (Revelation 8:12), whereas when the fourth angel pours out his bowl on the sun, it is allowed to scorch people with fire. (Revelation 16:8). The river Euphrates is mentioned in the sixth trumpet and the sixth bowl, but their purpose is totally different. (Revelation 9:13-14; 6:12). Furthermore there are contextual considerations that Dalton Thomas ignores. For instance, Revelation 7:1-8 describes the sealing of the 144000 Jews which necessarily precedes the fifth trumpet judgement of Revelation 9:4. The sealing of the 144,00 Jews in Revelation 7:1-8 takes place during an interlude between the sixth and seventh seals, but its relationship to the seals and the chronology of the events is indisputable. Similarly Revelation 16:2 (the mark of the beast) presupposes Revelation 13:16-18. This event occurs between the conclusion of the trumpets and the beginning of the bowls. 

The context of the trumpets in Revelation is specific in that they implement the day of the Lord i.e. the wrath of God following the breaking of the seventh seal. (Revelation 8 ff.). 1 Corinthians 15:52 and 1 Thessalonians 4:16 refer exclusively to the rapture, there is no reference whatsoever to judgement/wrath in these passages.

Dalton Thomas explains the forty year gap between Paul and John as "progressive prophecy continuity". Dalton Thomas: "There are not multiple 'last trumpets', the seventh trumpet is the last trumpet."  This naïve viewpoint fails to take account of the complexities of the subject and the unresolvable problems related to the seventh trumpet argument. If we take the trouble to examine the scriptures, we discover that the rapture precedes the seven trumpets and occurs immediately after the tribulation:

Immediately after the tribulation of those days: ‘The sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from the sky, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken. At that time the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven, and all the tribes of the earth will mourn. They will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven, with power and great glory. And He will send out His angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather His elect from the four winds, from one end of the heavens to the other. (Matthew 24:29-31 cf. Revelation 6:12-17).

The above event describes the sixth seal cosmic disturbances. Chronologically the trumpet judgements follow the opening of the seventh seal. (Revelation 6:12-17).

When the Lamb opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven for about half an hour. Then I saw the seven angels who stand before God, and seven trumpets were given to them... Now the seven angels who had the seven trumpets prepared to blow them.. (Revelation 8:,1,2,6).

In Revelation 7:9 there is a great multitude that no one could number before God's throne clothed in white robes. This indicates that the number of the resurrected saints is now complete and that the rapture has occurred.

These are the ones coming out of the great tribulation. (Revelation 7:14). In Revelation 6:11 the martyrs are given white robes and are told to wait a little longer. In Revelation 7:9 the great multitude are clothed in white robes:

Then they were each given a white robe and told to rest a little longer, until the number of their fellow servants and their brothers should be complete, who were to be killed as they themselves had been. (Revelation 6:11).

After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands.. (Revelation 7:9).

One has to throw out all pretense of sound hermeneutic in order to justify the Revelation 11:15 seventh trumpet rapture view. Despite this, a number of post-trib rapture teachers are determined to hold fast to their "seventh trumpet". Dalton Thomas refutes the pre-trib rapture view, but problematically his own view is appallingly deficient. This effectively generates further confusion concerning the timing of the rapture and defeats his alleged object of providing clarification. 

Alan Kurschner: "..the 'seventh trumpet is when the rapture occurs' interpretation is a skewing domino affect where posttribulation interpreters get almost everything wrong on their interpretation of the book of Revelation." {2}

Dalton Thomas' parting shot - Do not study

"This is how revelation is given, it is not by studying -- you can study all day long and be a demon. Studying doesn't do anything. Studying is not the same as hunger and humility.. Lots of people study for other motivations.. to get certain things and to be something else.. Hunger and humility is the only way.."
 
I would not argue that hunger and humility are not essential ingredients in order to grow in the Lord. However by denouncing study, Dalton Thomas appears to actively discourage anyone who would test his skewed teaching against the scriptures. 

For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love. For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. (2 Peter 1:5-8).

My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge; (Hosea 4:6).

Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth. (2 Timothy 2:15).  The KJV has ~ "Study to show yourself approved.."

Strong's: "From spoude; to use speed, i.e. To make effort, be prompt or earnest -- do (give) diligence, be diligent (forward), endeavour, labour, study." {3} 

In isolation "knowledge puffs up". (1 Corinthians 8:1). However, the notion that we do not need to study the scriptures is to resort to reductio ad absurdum. We do need to study in order to be properly equipped both to understand the scriptures and to test the spirits. (1 John 4:1; Acts 17:11). I suggest that Dalton Thomas' examines his own motivations for saying such a foolish thing. 

Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness. (James 3:1).

Both lifestyle and doctrine are essential requirements for anyone purporting to be an elder or a teacher. (1 Timothy 4:16). 

Dalton Thomas does not fulfil the scriptural requirements of a teacher/elder due to his extra marital affair with a single woman on the team of FAI under his leadership. I will not go into details here, but I advise anyone who follows FAI to read the following article by Mike Reynolds: mikereynolds.org The scriptures state that elders should be above reproach. (Titus 1:5-9). Dalton Thomas markets himself as something of an expert, but much of his teaching is based on his own opinions and forced eisegesis, this is what the bible calls "empty talk". (Titus 1:10; Proverbs 18:2; 2 Timothy 1:13). In addition, he has known associations with IHOP, a questionable ministry associated with the New Apostolic Reformation. The above factors constitute more than enough evidence for believers to mark and avoid this man. (Romans 6:17).

I know nothing about Joel Richardson's personal morality, but I do know that a "prophetic endorsement" by "Latter Rain" false prophet Paul Cain was the catalyst that kick started his "ministry". Paul Cain's lifestyle was tarnished by spiritual deception, homosexuality and alcoholism. (Galatians 5:19-21). A "prophetic endorsement" from Paul Cain is a contraindication, not a recommendation ~ and yet Joel Richardson actually boasts about it! {4} Joel Richardson also has associations with TBN and other questionable neo-charismatic "ministries". Richardson is the only person in "ministry" I know of that goes under a pseudonym. Apparently this is because he believes that his family are at risk from harm from Islamic activists due to his questionable Islamic Antichrist theory. If his "ministry" really is legitimate, what would prevent him trusting the Lord regarding possible outcomes? (Psalm 118:6).

The eschatology of both Joel Richardson and Dalton Thomas is very twisted. I would advise believers to test the spirits and avoid these two empty talkers. (Titus 1:10; 1 John 4:1; Acts 17:11 cf. Romans 16:17-18).

UPDATE


at No comments:

Monday, 8 November 2021

SIMON BRAKER AND PREETHY KURIAN: WINEPRESS IMAGERY!

LegacyLIVE - YouTube

NAR prophets prophesying their own judgement?

NAR "prophets" Simon Braker and Preethy Kurian discuss what God will do "in the next season".

The false NAR prophets have noticeably changed tack since the failure of so many of their prophecies, the re-election of Trump being their most spectacular and humiliating failure. Their focus on a worldwide revival, an event that is unknown in the scriptures, has also been touted ad nauseam by many "prophets" over the years. However, the only "revivals" we have seen are horrors such as Toronto, Brownsville, Lakeland etc. 

Emma Stark, Simon Braker, Preethy Kurian and other NAR false prophets are now predicting that there is going to be a squeezing, or a pressing, or a crushing, or a shaking that will precede, or give way to, worldwide revival. The frequent chats that Simon Braker allegedly has with "the Lord" are highly questionable. Modern NAR "apostles and prophets" have a nasty habit of contradicting the scriptures; their prophecies are often inaccurate, and their "miracles" are contrived, as we have seen with Todd White's infamous leg lengthening trick and other false "signs". {1} Tragically, their false teachings are spreading like gangrene and are infiltrating many churches whose leaders are bereft of spiritual discernment. (2 Timothy 2:16-17; 1 John 4:1).

Simon Braker began this video by quoting half a verse of scripture, a common trait of NAR "prophets". "There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God."

The whole verse:  There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy habitation of the Most High. (Psalm 46:4).

Like many OT passages, Psalm 46 has layers of meaning. 
 
The immediate application of Psalm 46 is Jerusalem's deliverance from an enemy invasion (probably Jerusalem's miraculous deliverance from Sennacherib the Assyrian). (2 Chronicles 32:1-23; Isaiah 37:36-37). 

On a different level, Psalm 46 is an exhortation to trust God and not to be afraid no matter what disaster befalls us. 

God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in times of trouble. Therefore we will not fear,
though the earth is transformed and the mountains are toppled into the depths of the seas, though their waters roar and foam and the mountains quake in the surge. (Psalm 46:1-3).

God Himself is our refuge and strength. Psalm 46 is not a "deliverance formula", although God may deliver us from many evils during this lifetime. (John 14:27,16:33). There is tension, but there is ultimate assurance. 

Ellicott: "The river, flowing calmly and smoothly along, may be only a symbol of the peace and blessing of the Divine presence, as the tumult and tempest of the sea in the last verse are of the world's noisy troubles." {2}

Pulpit Commentary: "In contrast with the scene of tumult and disturbance in the world at large, which the writer has presented to us in verse. 2, 3, he now shows us, resting in perfect peace and tranquility, 'the city of God,' threatened, indeed, by the nations, but undismayed by them, and calmly trusting in the protection of the God who is 'in the midst of her.'" {3}

Psalm 46 shifts focus to a distinctly eschatological perspective in verse 4, lifting us out of the raging tumult of the nations to the prophetic city of God, the city where God dwells. (Psalm 9:11; 132:13; Joel 3:17; Zechariah 8:3). The raging sea is a picture of the turbulent nations which are contrasted to the delightful river in the city of God:  ..a river whose streams delight the city of God, the holy place where the Most High dwells. God is within her; she will not be moved. God will help her when morning dawns. (Psalm 46:4-5).

Coffman observes: "..there seems also to be a prophecy of that Eternal City of God that cometh down out of heaven, the New Jerusalem, described in the last chapters of Revelation. The River of Life flows out of the throne of God in that City; and the Tree of Life grows on either side of it, the leaves of which are for the healing of the nations." {4}

The entity claiming to be "The Lord" asked Simon Braker: "Simon how do you make wine?" 
The entity continued: "You make wine by making grapes go through narrow places and they lose their individual identity and they get squashed and blended together."  According to Simon Braker, the imagery of the winepress is the interpretation of Psalm 46:4. 

Simon Braker: "I asked the Lord: 'What is the word for this next season Lord', and He said 'You are coming into the season of the great squeeze.'  ..the squeeze that brings forth a birth, whether it be the birth of new wine, the birth of a baby, whatever language you want to use. In the birth of a baby there is a squeeze, in the making of wine there's a squeeze. It seems generally speaking that if something good is going to be produced it is preceded by a squeeze or a press or a crush or a shaking.."  

Ironically, both Simon Braker and Preethy Kurian apply winepress and birth pain metaphors, involving shaking, crushing, pressing and squeezing to the church. In the scriptures, this particular combination of metaphors indicates eschatological wrath against the nations at the end of the age. These metaphors are not applicable to the church, rather this is the wrath of God against the godlessness and wickedness of the nations. These false prophets will indeed suffer wrath unless they repent. (2 Peter 2:1,17).

From his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations, and he will rule them with a rod of iron. He will tread the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God the Almighty. (Revelation 19:15 cf. Revelation 14:19-20; Isaiah 63:2-6).

As he sat on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to him privately, saying, “Tell us, when will these things be, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?” And Jesus answered them, “See that no one leads you astray. For many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and they will lead many astray. And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not alarmed, for this must take place, but the end is not yet. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and there will be famines and earthquakes in various places. All these are but the beginning of the birth pains. (Matthew 24:3-8).

Therefore I will make the heavens tremble, and the earth will be shaken out of its place, at the wrath of the LORD of hosts in the day of his fierce anger. (Isaiah 13:13 cf. Isaiah 2:19, 13:8; Psalm 18:7 Matthew 24:29).


For such men are false apostles, deceitful workmen, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ. And no wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. So it is no surprise if his servants, also, disguise themselves as servants of righteousness. Their end will correspond to their deeds. (2 Corinthians 11:13-15 cf. Matthew 24:24).


at No comments:

Monday, 1 November 2021

TRINITY LIFE CHURCH LEICESTER: HEROES OR VILLAINS?

TLC Online | 24th October, 11am - YouTube

Listening to Susan Hind teach on Nehemiah 4 at Trinity Life Church in Leicester (Assemblies of God), reminded me of their previous pastor, Brian Niblock and his admiration for Smith Wigglesworth. It makes me wonder if any of these teachers really do their due diligence in researching their supposed "heroes of the faith". Some years after I left TLC I did some research on Smith Wigglesworth, and the results were horrifying. {1}

Susan Hind's heroes apparently include Freemason Billy Graham and his mentor and close associate Raymond Edman who was a missionary in Ecuador for a time. Susan related the story of Edman's alleged miraculous healing from typhoid. Edman went on to become the fourth President of Wheaton College in Illinois in 1940, a position he held until he became chancellor in 1965. {2} Raymond Edman was a personal friend of Billy Graham and often worked with him on his crusades. Dr Martyn Lloyd-Jones was not so easily diverted from the gospel, and he went to great efforts to reason with Billy Graham about his compromise with Roman Catholics and liberals. However, after a long discussion, he failed to convince Graham that inclusivism with false churches was sinful. The outcome was that Martyn Lloyd-Jones refused to endorse or share a platform with Billy Graham. Apart from Graham's obvious disloyalty to the gospel, the seed sown was almost guaranteed to be snatched away by the false churches he sent responders to! (Matthew 13:19 cf. 2 Corinthians 11:3).

"In 1963 Billy Graham asked Dr Lloyd-Jones to chair the first World Congress on Evangelism (eventually held in Berlin in 1966; predecessor to Lausanne). Dr Lloyd-Jones told Billy Graham that if he would stop having liberals and Roman Catholics on his platform and drop the invitation system he would support and chair the Congress.
Billy Graham would not change his views, and Dr Lloyd-Jones declined to endorse or commend or work with him. No doubt the meeting between them was courteously conducted (it lasted three hours) but the outcome was a firm application of secondary separation.
Dr Lloyd-Jones adopted the same attitude to Billy Graham's London crusades. He took the view, and stated it publicly, that to have visible unity with those who are opposed to essential matters of salvation was sinful. (He also believed the invitation system was a source of mass-delusion and harm to churches.)
Despite Billy Graham's high standing with most British evangelicals, the enthusiastic support he received from the secular media, the fact that his name was a household word, and despite the significant place in world evangelicalism that he was offering to Dr Lloyd-Jones, the latter stood by his biblical principle, and declined all the overtures. He would not commend or work with Dr Billy Graham. This is true loyalty to God’s Word, and protectiveness of one’s congregation."  {3} 

Billy Graham showed his true colours in 1997 during his interview with Robert Schuller when he denied the gospel and said that all people are saved whether or not they have heard the gospel. Those who insist on portraying Billy Graham as a "hero of the faith" sugarcoat the real issues and are dishonest. 

Billy Graham: "..whether they come from the Muslim world, or the Buddhist world, or the Christian world or the non-believing world, they are members of the Body of Christ because they've been called by God. They may not even know the name of Jesus but they know in their hearts that they need something that they don't have, and they turn to the only light that they have, and I think that they are saved, and that they're going to be with us in heaven." {4} 

What foundation are TLC building on?

No one who is truly saved should have anything to do with the false gospel of Roman Catholicism. (John 4:24). The very first injunction to church leaders is to hold the line doctrinally and to protect believers from spiritual deception. All the nice-sounding advice and all the pep talks in the world from Susan Hind do not alter the fact that the primary obligation of leaders is to teach sound doctrine - this is the foundation of the church. TLC are not particular about associating with false teachers, and their ungodly actions are a contradiction and an offense to the gospel of Jesus Christ. The bizarre episode of their Coffee House and its association with 666 is still something that I find inexplicable! Without sound doctrine, TLC are wasting their time trying to build anything of real value. TLC is a superficial church that has been badly let down by its leaders. (Matthew 5:13).

if the foundations are destroyed, what can the righteous do? (Psalm 11:3-4).

Keep a close watch on yourself and on the teaching. Persist in this, for by so doing you will save both yourself and your hearers. (1 Timothy 4:16).

We will not be persecuted by a Sanballat, a Tobiah or "Arabs Ammonites and Ashdodites" if the temple we are building is devoid of sound doctrine. (Nehemiah 4:7). 

According to the grace of God given to me, like a skilled master builder I laid a foundation, and someone else is building upon it. Let each one take care how he builds upon it. For no one can lay a foundation other than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if anyone builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw— each one’s work will become manifest, for the Day will disclose it, because it will be revealed by fire, and the fire will test what sort of work each one has done. If the work that anyone has built on the foundation survives, he will receive a reward. If anyone’s work is burned up, he will suffer loss, though he himself will be saved, but only as through fire.(1 Corinthians 3:10-15).

1. WOLVES IN SHEEP'S CLOTHING: FALSE PROPHETS AND BIBLE TEACHERS IN THE LAST DAYS: TRINITY LIFE CHURCH LEICESTER – SMITH WIGGLESWORTH FALSE REVIVAL (bewareofthewolves.blogspot.com)
2. Edman, V. Raymond (Victor Raymond), 1900-1967. | Archives of Wheaton College
3. Secondary Separation | When to Stand Apart - Metropolitan Tabernacle
at No comments: