CHARLES COOPER: WHAT IS OUTER DARKNESS?

Crown Me (Part 4) – The Price of Victory | Bible Prophecy Daily 

Bible Prophecy Daily is a weekday podcast that is usually very good. I believe the prewrath rapture position is the correct view, and I normally have no hesitation in recommending this podcast to anyone interested in eschatology. It therefore pains me to write this critique of Charles Cooper's teaching regarding the parable of the talents in Matthew 25. Some of Cooper's foolish remarks have caused me concern in the past, and this particular episode is misleading and inaccurate.

"In this episode, he (Charles Cooper) picks up at Matthew 25:24-30, where he now discusses the sad peril of the third man in the Parable of the Talents and the implications for the Christian who is faithLESS: “Derision”, “Demotion”, and “Divarication”."  

Evidently Cooper has discovered a new word, although it might have been more straightforward to have used the word "separation". According to Merriam-Webster: "The word 'divarication' derives from the Medieval Latin divaricatio, which in turn descends from the verb divaricare, meaning 'to spread apart.' Divaricare itself is derived from the Latin varicare, which means 'to straddle' and is also an ancestor of prevaricate ('to deviate from the truth'). The oldest sense of divarication, which first appeared in print in English in 1578, refers to a literal branching apart (as in 'divarication of the roads'). The word eventually developed a more metaphorical second sense that is used when opinions 'stretch apart' from one another."1   

Cooper refers to the Bema Seat of Jesus Christ and the rewards given to believers prior to the millennium. (2 Corinthians 5:10; Romans 14:10). In particular, he discusses the fate of the third servant who made no increase on the talent he was entrusted with. This parable follows the previous parable about the ten virgins, five of whom are denied access to the marriage feast. (Matthew 25:1-12).  

For it is just like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted them with his possessions. To one he gave five talents, to another two talents, and to another one talent—each according to his own ability. And he went on his journey. The servant who had received the five talents went at once and put them to work and gained five more. Likewise, the one with the two talents gained two more. But the servant who had received the one talent went off, dug a hole in the ground, and hid his master’s money. After a long time the master of those servants returned to settle accounts with them. The servant who had received the five talents came and presented five more. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘you entrusted me with five talents. See, I have gained five more.’ His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you30 in charge of many things. Enter into the joy of your master!’The servant who had received the two talents also came and said, ‘Master, you entrusted me with two talents. See, I have gained two more.’ His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Enter into the joy of your master!’ (Matthew 25:14-23).

Finally, the servant who had received the one talent came and said, ‘Master, I knew that you are a hard man, reaping where you have not sown and gathering where you have not scattered seed. So I was afraid and went out and hid your talent in the ground. See, you have what belongs to you.’You wicked, lazy servant!’ replied his master. ‘You knew that I reap where I have not sown and gather where I have not scattered seed. Then you should have deposited my money with the bankers, and on my return I would have received it back with interest. Therefore take the talent from him and give it to the one who has ten talents. For everyone who has will be given more, and he will have an abundance. But the one who does not have, even what he has will be taken away from him. And throw that worthless servant into the outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’ (Matthew 25:23-30)

Cooper: Why would Jesus Christ give an unbeliever, who has no capacity to please God, the responsibility of watching over God's property? It makes no sense."

Cooper's reasoning.. because the third man is referred to as a "servant" he must be a believer in order to merit the Lord's trust with the talent. Cooper: "Is this man a believer or not? Many people think he is an unbeliever..  'wicked' is misleading..  the word that is translated 'wicked'.. one of the nuances is 'worthless'". This parable is related to the earlier parable of the ten virgins. It appears that the "foolish virgins" had a superficial belief in Christ and an outward profession of faith. The chilling words "I do not know you" excluded them from the wedding feast. (Matthew 25:11-12 cf. Matthew 7:23). In other words, they were not part of the bride of Christ and therefore not qualified to enter the wedding feast. The parable of the man at the wedding banquet with no wedding garment is another example: Bind him hand and foot and cast him into the outer darkness. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’ For many are called, but few are chosen.” (Matthew 22:11-14). There is something essentially lacking in both instances; the foolish virgins had no oil, and the man with no wedding garment was not clothed with the garments of salvation and the robe of righteousness. (Isaiah 61:10 cf. Revelation 6:11,7:9,13). Gaebelein: “'For many are called, but few chosen.' The many which are called are all those who heard the call and made an outward profession, without having accepted the Lord Jesus Christ."2 

The NASB is the only version that translates πονηρός as "worthless". All the other versions translate πονηρός as either "wicked" or "evil".  Strong's Definition: "toilsome, bad; Usage: evil, bad, wicked, malicious, slothful."3  In the other occurrences of πονηρός in the New Testament there is no evidence for Cooper's translation of "worthless" e.g. Matthew 5:11,37,39,45,6:13,23,7:11,17,18,9:4 etc.4  I therefore concur with the majority of translations that in all but one instance translate πονηρός as "wicked".     

Pulpit Commentary: "Verse 26. - Thou wicked and slothful servant. In marked contrast with the commendation, 'good and faithful,' its vers, 21, 23. He was 'wicked,' in that he calumniated his master, who really seems to have been ready to acknowledge the least service done to him, and never looked for results beyond a man's ability and opportunities; and he was 'slothful,' in that he made no effort to improve the one talent entrusted to him."5  

Outer Darkness?

Cooper: "Many conclude that the phrase 'outer darkness' is the judgment of unbelievers, but I do not believe that any other places where 'outer darkness' is used refers to unbelievers. Hell certainly is not outer darkness. The lake of fire in Revelation 20 certainly is not characterized by darkness. In fact, the destiny of the damned, those who do not know God, is never, is nowhere, described as darkness. Darkness is not a characteristic of the place of assignment for unbelievers, nowhere in scripture. Hell is not dark, the lake of fire of course is not dark. This is a description of the state of believers who prove unfaithful.. The darkness outside is the place where those unfaithful believers will be assigned to spend, how long I don't know.. He is not describing hell here or the destiny of unbelievers. He is actually describing the destiny of the unfaithful believers who have no rewards. Because you have nothing to give, you receive nothing.  This is not talking about salvation, it is talking about sanctification and the reward for your faithfulness. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth; profound regret, wailing and weeping, they are going to be divaricated. It means to separate. There is going to be derision, demotion and divarication; criticism, condemnation and separation.."  

Cooper has been teaching this strange doctrine since 2020.6  

 

Cooper's eisegesis of the unfaithful servant in this parable is unacceptable. He seems to be describing something analogous to purgatory! His assertion that the destiny of unbelievers is never described as "darkness" is inexplicable. For example, the judgement of false teachers is described as "blackest darkness". Blackest darkness is reserved for them. (2 Peter 2:17; Jude 1:12-13).

The day of the Lord is described as "darkness".

Is not the day of the LORD darkness, and not light, and gloom with no brightness in it? (Amos 5:20 cf. Zephaniah 1:15; Isaiah 13:9-10; Matthew 24:29).

The contrasting metaphors of "light" and "darkness" are ubiquitous within the scriptures. Darkness is a metaphor to refer to evil and sin, whereas light is a metaphor representing God’s presence and goodness. Darkness is often associated with death and wickedness.

I am the light of the world.. (John 8;12,9:5). 

God is light and in him is no darkness..  (1 John 1:5 cf . John 1:4-5,4:18-19, 8:12,3:19; Acts 26:17-18 etc.

GotQuestions: "Darkness is used as a symbol of moral depravity (Psalm 82:5; Proverbs 2:13; Romans 3:12). Darkness can also refer to trouble and affliction (Job 5:12; Proverbs 20:20; Isaiah 9:2) and to death and nothingness (1 Samuel 2:9; Ecclesiastes 11:8; Job 3:4-6)."7  

..while the sons of the kingdom will be thrown into the outer darkness. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” (Matthew 8:12). "The sons of the kingdom" are the unbelieving Jews who reject Jesus as their Messiah.

The overwhelming view of bible expositors is that "outer darkness" refers to the place assigned to unbelievers. I have only come across one other instance of similar deviant ideas from false teacher Zane Hodges.*

Blessed are those who wash their robes, so that they may have the right to the tree of life and that they may enter the city by the gates. Outside are the dogs and sorcerers and the sexually immoral and murderers and idolaters, and everyone who loves and practices falsehood. (Revelation 22:14-15).

* The “Outer Darkness”: Heaven’s Suburb or Hell? | Bible.org

1. Divarication Definition & Meaning - Merriam-Webster
2. Matthew 22 Gaebelein's Annotated Bible (biblehub.com)
3. Strong's Greek: 4190. πονηρός (ponéros) -- toilsome, bad (biblehub.com)
4. Strong's Greek: 4190. πονηρός (ponéros) -- 79 Occurrences (biblehub.com)
5. Matthew 25:26 Commentaries: "But his master answered and said to him, 'You wicked, lazy slave, you knew that I reap where I did not sow and gather where I scattered no seed. (biblehub.com)
6. The Outer Darkness - the Punishment for Unfaithfulness! (youtube.com)
7. What is the outer darkness in Matthew 22:13? | GotQuestions.org

CHARLES COOPER: DIVINE PREROGATIVES

What Has God Done Through You lately?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UUCCE3VJLaU&t=151s

In this video revisionist Charles Cooper redefines the scriptures in what appears to be a style almost identical to the Word-Faith heresy, where it is claimed that Christians can access the power of faith through proclamation. Cooper describes himself as "an author, lecturer, and Church consultant". He is also the founder and director of the Prewrath Resource Institute or Orlando, Florida. {1} This is very unfortunate, since Cooper's deviant theology is unhelpful to the prewrath position.

Several of Cooper's statements in this video are extremely questionable:

Cooper: "While many believers want to be used mightily by God, few experience anything remotely worth talking about their whole lives! This is so sad given God's purpose in saving us in the first place. Don't you want to wield Divine Prerogatives?"

"You are supposed to be a person of influence in this world... radical influence. You are supposed to be able to do things that are so beyond normal that people have to give you sway..  healing is a divine prerogative." (Matthew 5:23-34). 

According to Cooper - "Going to heaven is not the most significant aspect of why God called you, drew you, and made you a member of his sovereign administration." 

Cooper: "The sovereign administration of God is another way of saying the kingdom of God."  

Cooper redefines the phrase "the kingdom of God/the kingdom of heaven", and shifts the focus away from the foundation of our faith i.e. the gospel of Jesus Christ, the hope of our salvation. (Colossians 1:23). Progression in the faith is dependent solely upon this foundation. (1 Corinthians 3:11). Cooper minimizes the message of the gospel and digresses into the area of what he calls "divine prerogatives", in other words the gift of healing and deliverance. The scriptures always give the gospel priority:

Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, (1 Timothy 1:15).

For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost." (Luke 19:10).

He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. (Colossians 1:13-14).

Jesus Christ's instruction to His remaining eleven disciples i.e. the Great Commission:

Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, (Matthew 28:19).

I am compelled to preach. Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel! (1 Corinthians 9:16).

Paul does not say.. Woe to me if I do not heal the sick. 

Kingdom of God/Kingdom of heaven

"The phrases 'kingdom of God' and 'kingdom of heaven' have been supposed to have a considerable variety of meaning. Some have supposed that they refer to the state of things in heaven; others, to the personal reign of Christ on earth; others, that they mean the church, or the reign of Christ in the hearts of his people. There can be no doubt that there is reference in the words to the condition of things in heaven after this life. But the church of God is a preparatory state to that beyond the grave - a state in which Christ pre-eminently rules and reigns and there is no doubt that the phrases sometimes refer to the state of things in the church; and that they may refer, therefore, to the state of things which the Messiah was to set up his spiritual reign begun in the church on earth and completed in heaven." {2}

* And when he got into the boat, his disciples followed him. And behold, there arose a great storm on the sea, so that the boat was being swamped by the waves; but he was asleep. And they went and woke him, saying, “Save us, Lord; we are perishing.” And he said to them, “Why are you afraid (δειλοί), O you of little faith?” Then he rose and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great calm. (Matthew 8:23-26).

Cooper: "Control of nature is a divine prerogative.. Jesus is disappointed that His disciples didn't seize the moment.. The Lord's response: 'Why are you cowards' (the word afraid actually means cowards) 'oh ye of little faith'. Jesus expected the twelve to respond very differently to this storm.. It is a divine prerogative ~ to be able to change the nature around you. Jesus seemingly expects us to know this and to handle it in a certain kind of way.. so that's a prerogative."

The Greek adjective δειλοί = cowardly, fearful (from deos), is found in three places in the NT: Matthew 8:26, Mark 4:40, and Revelation 21:8; and also once as a noun (deos) in Hebrews 12:28.

Word-Faith teachers Kenneth and Gloria Copeland claim the "divine prerogative" to control the weather in the name of God. {3} Copeland recently rebuked COVID-19 to no effect.



Cooper: "Resurrecting the dead is a divine prerogative. It is a divine prerogative to raise the dead, and those humans that he give the authority to do the same." (Matthew 9:18b-19; 23-26).

This deception is also taught by Bill Johnson and Bethel Church Redding. The much publicized failed attempt to raise two year old Olive Heiligenthal last year is a clear example of false teachers who bring the way of truth into disrepute. (2 Peter 2:2).  In reality Bethel are part of the heretical New Apostolic Reformation (NAR).

Bill Johnson's justification for attempting to raise the dead is Jesus' instruction to the twelve: Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse lepers, cast out demons. You received without paying; give without pay. (Matthew 10:8).

Church Watch Central: The result of Kalley’s request were thousands of decrees, declarations, and even commands for the child’s spirit to return to her body. In other words, instead of making their requests known to God, Bethelites & co responded in line with Bill Johnson’s little god theology by ‘activating their faith’, attempting to take dominion over death, and speak life into the body. This is pure word of faith and dominion theology – two heresies taught at Bethel. The activity has not ceased, Johnson stated that ‘Since that night, and at the continued request of the Heiligenthal family, Bethel Church has hosted prayer and worship gatherings which consist of singing and prayer (this is the first-ever public gathering of prayer for resurrection that Bethel has hosted).'” {4}

*Jesus Walks on the Water (Matthew 14:22-27)

But when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were terrified (ἐταράχθησαν), and said, “It is a ghost!” and they cried out in fear. (φόβου) (Matthew 14:26).

Cooper's response to this verse: "cowards, conduct of the cowards."   (23:00 mark)

φόβος is not a synonym for δειλός (cowardly).

φόβος  noun ~ be afraid, + exceedingly, fear, terror. {5} (Eng. phobia)

On this occasion Jesus did not rebuke them or call them cowards, rather he reassured them:

But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, “Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid (φοβεῖσθε).” (Matthew 14:27).

Peter falters in his faith when he attempts to go to Jesus on the water:

But when he saw the wind, he was afraid (ἐφοβήθη), and beginning to sink he cried out, “Lord, save me.” Jesus immediately reached out his hand and took hold of him, saying to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” (Matthew 14:30-31). 

Cooper: "Walking on water is a divine prerogative.. it is what God does, and those to whom God gives authority to do the same."  Jesus gave Peter the supernatural ability to walk on water, but to say that he had the authority to do this is Cooper's eisegesis. 

THE ALL IMPORTANT QUESTION 

Cooper: "Was this only in the purview of the twelve?

His answer: "With the right to enter (God's kingdom), comes the right to wield divine prerogative." 

During his earthly ministry, Jesus commissioned the twelve to preach the gospel and heal the sick:

As you go, preach this message: ‘The kingdom of heaven is near.’ Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, drive out demons. Freely you have received; freely give. (Matthew 10:1,7 cf. Mark 3:14-15; Luke  9:2;10:9). 

Supernatural healing is prevalent in the Gospels and also in the book of Acts. And God was doing extraordinary miracles by the hands of Paul.. (Acts 19:11). However, these "extraordinary miracles" do not play a prominent role in the Epistles.

The signs of a true apostle were performed among you with utmost patience, with signs and wonders and mighty works. 2 Corinthians 12:12  
The twelve: And they departed and went through the villages, preaching the gospel and healing everywhere. (Luke 9:6).
The Seventy two: Heal the sick in it and say to them, ‘The kingdom of God has come near to you.’ Luke 10:9, 17-18).

The focus changes significantly in the Epistles:

Do all have gifts of healing? (1 Corinthians 12:9, 28-30).

Timothy's "frequent ailments"

(No longer drink only water, but use a little wine for the sake of your stomach and your frequent ailments.) (1Timothy 5:23).

I have thought it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus my brother and fellow worker and fellow soldier, and your messenger and minister to my need, for he has been longing for you all and has been distressed because you heard that he was ill. Indeed he was ill, near to death. But God had mercy on him, and not only on him but on me also, lest I should have sorrow upon sorrow. (Philippians 2:25-27).

Erastus remained at Corinth, and I left Trophimus, who was ill, at Miletus. (2 Timothy 4:20).

The believers at Corinth brought judgement upon themselves due to their improper participation of the Lord's supper. That is why many of you are weak and ill, and some have died. (1 Corinthians 11:21-30).

Paul's thorn in the flesh (sickness or something else?)

So to keep me from becoming conceited because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to harass me, to keep me from becoming conceited. Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me. But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong. (2 Corinthians 12:7-10).

I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.’ (Matthew 25:36).

Then they also will answer, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and did not minister to you?’ (Matthew 25:44).

*And he did not do many mighty works there, because of their unbelief. (Matthew 13:58).
Cooper's interpretation: "Jesus did not do many miracles in Nazareth because no one asked him."  (34:00 mark)

It was not that they "..did not bother to ask him", as Cooper says. In the previous verse we see that ..they took offence at him. (Matthew 13:57). To "take offence" suggests open hostility. (Matthew 24:10).

Cooper: "Most don't ask, or when they do, they couch in the language of cowards. You know what the language of cowards are 'Jesus heal our brother if it be your will',  that is the language of cowards." (35:00 mark)

The above statement is extremely dangerous and upsetting, especially to vulnerable people suffering from sickness. Many sick people have been hurt by promises of healing that have not materialized, and many have subsequently gone through a crisis of faith as a result. (Matthew 18:6). I am not a cessationist. I believe that God may spontaneously heal a sick person, or he may direct another, or others, to lay hands on a sick person and to pray for their recovery:

Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer of faith will save the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. (James 5:14-15).

..do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. (Philippians 4:6).

Pray in the Spirit at all times, with every kind of prayer and petition. To this end, stay alert with all perseverance in your prayers for all the saints. (Ephesians 6:18).

Dear friend, I pray that you may enjoy good health and that all may go well with you, even as your soul is getting along well. (3 John 1:2).

For a man who boasts about his prowess in the original languages, Cooper's exegesis is pitiful! As far as I can ascertain, Cooper attended Ouachita Baptist University in 1982 and gained a BA in Pastoral Ministries and a minor in Greek. {1} A Minor is a secondary concentration of courses that often complements the Major. Certainly this video demonstrates that Cooper has virtually no understanding of the original Greek at all!

1. https://prewrathrapture.com/charles-cooper/
2. https://biblehub.com/commentaries/matthew/3-2.htm
3. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SKiKf8isLG8
4. https://churchwatchcentral.com/2019/12/21/bethels-false-premise-for-raising-the-dead/
5. https://biblehub.com/greek/5401.htm

CHARLES COOPER'S APPRAISAL OF THE RICHARDSON/WHITE ANTICHRIST DEBATE

We All Lost! The Richardson/White Debate - An Appraisal

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qH5FkVL4Jdc&feature=youtu.be&fbclid=IwAR1YZnmOpNcdpLzWzwLWvIF15eSfQGNZ-Hq-MAJAUSuKKi983lt8M9thCac

DEBATE With Joel Richardson & Chris White: Will The Antichrist Be A False Jewish Messiah?https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uy2ytMSFvm0

This post exposes the various inconsistencies in Charles Cooper's "appraisal" of the recent debate between Joel Richardson and Chris White regarding the ethnicity of the Antichrist. Charles Cooper's assessment, including his personal remarks about Robert Van Kampen, Chris White and Joel Richardson was extremely insulting and unnecessary. I really did not want to hear that Van Kampen could be "very mean and nasty" and that "his bible study skills were limited". Apparently Cooper thinks that it is acceptable to say negative things about Van Kampen because he died in 1999 and is no longer with us. I wonder how Van Kampen's family feel about Cooper's attempt to tarnish his reputation. As founder of the PreWrath Resource Institute in Orlando, Florida, I question whether Cooper's remarks were helpful to the prewrath cause, especially since this debate did not specifically concern either Van Kampen or the prewrath rapture position.

Van Kampen was a very gifted man. As well as being a successful businessman and investor, he rediscovered and developed the biblical prewrath rapture position held by the early church fathers. As such, he presented a significant challenge to the false the pre-tribulation rapture camp. I don't know whether Van Kampen had any recognized theological qualifications, but his prewrath work surpassed that of many qualified theologians in my view. Unlike the pre-trib or post-trib views, the prewrath rapture view is incredibly accurate when tested against the scriptures. (1 John 4:1; Acts 17:11).

I was aware of Van Kampen's view that Hitler will be the Antichrist, but I have not read his books The Sign or The Fourth Reich. The sign is a discourse on the end times featuring the prewrath rapture, and The Fourth Reich is a novel. Undoubtedly Hitler was a type of the Antichrist in that he fulfilled many of the "qualifications" for such a candidate, in particular his hatred for the Jews. Van Kampen clearly convinced himself about Hitler, but his conclusion is questionable. Considering that Van Kampen's views about the Antichrist were not the subject of this debate, I can't see that Cooper's remarks were at all relevant or edifying to those considering the prewrath position.

The Van Kampen Collection is one of the most significant collections of biblically related artifacts, scrolls, manuscripts and early printed editions of the Bible in the world. The Collection was assembled by the Van Kampen family and is open to the public at The Scriptorium: Center for Biblical Antiquities at The Holy Land Experience in Orlando Florida. Unfortunately it is now owned by TBN. {1}

Cooper's "expert advice" was to counsel people not to watch this debate. He also stated that he was "very disappointed" at least three times.

Cooper: "Joel Richardson ~ I have never met the man..  I have only just read some of his works. Friends of mine have..  but when I read some of his first works, it became very clear to me that Mr Richardson is a fiction writer ~ most of what he writes is fiction. He thinks it's truth but it's not. He has very limited exegetical skills, same as Van Kampen, they don't work in the original languages..  When you get to the level that these men are presenting themselves, you got to know how to deal with the text.. Mr Richardson violates and makes the error of 'illegitimate totality transfer' over and over again, assuming that because a word or phrase or idea in one place that it is going to mean that same thing somewhere else..  When I read his book I realized he has no spiritual discernment, none.." (22:00 mark)

Cooper openly admits that he only has a superficial knowledge of Richardson's early material (apparently only one book). As such, he is not in a position to make any judgements about Richardson's work. (Matthew 7:1-5).

Following his attack on Richardson, Cooper proceeded to direct his negative attention towards White.

Regarding White's book (presumably) False Christ: Will the Antichrist Claim to Be the Jewish Messiah? {2} Cooper said: "I really really really REALLY wish had allowed me to read it before he published it."  (15:20 mark)

Cooper: "As prewrathers we got to stick together particularly when it comes to teaching what is essential to prewrath. Its alright to speculate.. to have cofee-esk... what or what is not the meaning of the scripture we should have extreme caution and we should proceed very carefully.. needless unnecessary distractions... and we don't need that... Chris has used a lot of my material... in a lot of ways he is like Van Kampen, these guys are tenacious..   he is in many many ways the consummate researcher,  but in many ways he doesn't have refined exegetical skills..  you cannot use a simplistic hermeneutic..  illegitimate totality transfer...   argue that the antichrist is a Jew a Jew who is timing to be the messiah, the true messiah and that he is a Jew...  the accumulative build up of a lot of circumstantial evidence.."  (29:00 mark)

Clearly White did not feel that it was necessary to defer to Cooper before he published his book, and why should he? Although Cooper claims to know White, he obviously does not know him very well. Cooper admitted that he has not read White's book and that he was not even aware that he held this view. White has stated that it took him some years to come to this view, and that two previous books preceded this one. {2} This suggests that the two men have had no contact for a number of years, since the book in question was published in 2014. It seems very strange that Cooper should denigrate White's exegetical skills when (apparently) he has had no recent contact with him and has not even read his material. Cooper's unkind attacks on both Richardson and White were superficial in that they were not based on a thorough or current assessment of their work.

Cooper has a strong personality and is very good at promoting himself. He tells us that people are waiting with bated breath for him to publish his latest book: "..people want me to (publish), they are begging me, they want me to put it out, they are excited.." (18:00  mark)

Cooper seems to think that other prewrath scholars need to defer to him in order for them all to sing from the same hymn sheet, in other words he seeks to rule others. In reality this is never going to happen. It appears that Cooper believes that he is the only bible scholar with superior exegetical skills. I must say that I haven't noticed! Cooper also boasts of having superior revelations that most of us mere mortals are not ready to hear. (47:00 mark) I can only hope and pray that he continues to keep them to himself! Having observed his cringeworthy performance at Fellowship Bible Chapel Fall Prophecy Conference Q&A last year, I can say nothing good about Cooper's exegetical skills:

Fellowship Bible Chapel Fall Prophecy Conference Q&A: Charles Cooper Concerns
https://bewareofthewolves.blogspot.com/2019/10/fellowship-bible-chapel-fall-prophecy.html
Fellowship Bible Chapel Fall Prophecy Conference Session 3 - Charles Cooper
https://bewareofthewolves.blogspot.com/2019/11/fellowship-bible-chapel-fall-prophecy.html

Cooper does himself no favours by attacking others in the guise of protecting the prewrath position. As far as I can determine, the biggest obstacle to the prewrath cause is Cooper himself rather than those he perceives as his underlings.

Was the debate between Richardson and White a waste of time as Cooper claims? Even though I did not resonate with a number of points on both sides of the debate, I found it interesting and I learned a lot from it. In my view, the anti-Semitic remarks were overdone by Richardson. Although he did not directly claim that White was anti-Semitic, the inference was there. By the same criteria, we could say that Richardson's position is Islamophobic.

Richardson seems not to value the principle of biblical separation. His appearances on TBN and CBN with various questionable characters alarms me very greatly. Those with any kind of influence in the church should not defile themselves, and by implication, influence others, by knowingly associating with apostates and false teachers. (Romans 16:17; Ephesians 5:11).

For the purposes of this post, I will limit myself to Richardson's co-author Walid Shoebat ~ God's War on Terror: Islam Prophecy and the Bible) {3} I am in the process of reading Chris Whites book, Islamic Antichrist Debunked. {4} In chapters 7 and 8 of this book, White successfully demolishes Shoebat's flawed exegesis of Isaiah 21 which refers to historic Babylon and not end time Babylon as Shoebat claims. White also destroys Shoebat's proposition that Edom is Babylon, and he also unmasks Shoebat's unsound translation of pséphizó (calculate) and arithmos (number) in Revelation 13:18. In short, White thoroughly exposes Shoebat's unhinged hermeneutics in favour of an Islamic Antichrist. I have to say at this point that it absolutely astounds me that so many "teachers" change the book of Revelation, apparently for their own quesionable reasons. (Revelation 22:18)

Shoebat's translation of the mark of the beast can be found on the following link: 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GtquNNEO7Fw
Shoebat's tranlsation is also exposed by C Michael Patton:
https://credohouse.org/blog/walid-shoebat-youtube-video-on-the-mark-of-the-beast 

Apart from his dubious theology, Shoebat's claim to be a former terrorist has come under scrutiny and was investigated by CNN’s Anderson Cooper in 2011: "..finding no evidence of him being a terrorist, nor did Shoebat’s relatives, who were interviewed for the investigation, support his claims. More damningly, CNN’s Jerusalem bureau reported: “The Tel Aviv headquarters of Bank Leumi had no record of a firebombing at its now-demolished Bethlehem branch. Israeli police had no record of the bombing, and the prison where Shoebat says he was held ‘for a few weeks’ for inciting anti-Israel demonstrations says it has no record of him being incarcerated there either.” {5} 

There is too much to say about the flawed Islamic Antichrist theory in this post. I recommend White's book in which he comprehensively breaks down the position point by point.

White keeps better company than Richardson. However, I have difficulty accepting his thesis that the Antichrist will be Jewish.

White: "The thesis of this book is that the Antichrist will attempt to present himself as the Jewish Messiah, that he will try his best to appear as if he is instituting what Jewish believers know as the Messianic Age and what Christians know as the Millennial reign."  {6}

White's claim that this was the earliest view of the church can be confirmed, but I am still not convinced. {7} Problematically, I find nothing in the scriptures that supports this view. As Richardson points out: "The Bible does not specifically say that the Jews will accept the Antichrist as the Messiah." {8} This is a a critical point.

My view is that at this stage it is impossible to definitively identify the ethnicity of Antichrist. All the various theories about the Antichrist seem to be fraught with difficulties. Certainly the various conjectures about Obama, Macron etc. are mere speculation. It is entirely possible that no one will know the answer to this question until the Antichrist is "revealed".

Let no one deceive you in any way. For that day will not come, unless the rebellion comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction, who opposes and exalts himself against every so-called god or object of worship, so that he takes his seat in the temple of God, proclaiming himself to be God. (2 Thessalonians 2:3-4).

Having said that, it appears that it will be possible for the wise to identify the beast at some point: ..let the one who has understanding calculate the number of the beast, for it is the number of a man, and his number is 666. (Revelation 13:18).

There is much to think about following this debate. It has certainly challenged me to search the scriptures and to undertake further research on the subject.

1. https://legacy-cdn-assets.answersingenesis.org/assets/pdf/am/v4/n2/scriptorium-guide.pdf
2. https://www.amazon.co.uk/False-Christ-Antichrist-Jewish-Messiah/dp/0991232925
3. https://www.amazon.co.uk/Gods-War-Terror-Islam-Prophecy-ebook/dp/B00C0UQGLU
4. https://www.amazon.co.uk/Islamic-Antichrist-Debunked-Comprehensive-Critique/dp/0991232941
5. https://tribune.com.pk/story/247165/walid-shoebat-false-prophet-of-fear/
6. https://www.amazon.co.uk/False-Christ-Antichrist-Jewish-Messiah/dp/0991232925
7. https://www.catholic.com/tract/the-antichrist
8. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qH5FkVL4Jdc&feature=youtu.be&fbclid=IwAR1YZnmOpNcdpLzWzwLWvIF15eSfQGNZ-Hq-MAJAUSuKKi983lt8M9thCac

Fellowship Bible Chapel Fall Prophecy Conference Session 3 - Charles Cooper

2019 10 12 FBC Fall Prophecy Conference Session Three - Charles Cooper

The following observations on Session 3 are a follow up to my previous post regarding the final Session 5 Q&A, in which I took issue with a number of Cooper's assertions, including:

* The application of 1 Kings 17:14-16 to believers during the great tribulation.
* The apostasy of 2 Thessalonians 2:3 refers specifically to Israel.
* The cleansing of the church will occur before the great tribulation.
* The Antichrist will take his seat in "a holy place".
* Jesus' return with the armies of heaven (Revelation 19:14-15) will not include the resurrected saints.

My refutation of Cooper's skewed assertions can be found on: https://bewareofthewolves.blogspot.com/2019/10/fellowship-bible-chapel-fall-prophecy.html

At the beginning of Session 3, Cooper expressed some sympathy with his audience for "enduring" the length of his sessions (an hour and a half as against Alan Kurschner's one hour sessions). Indeed Cooper's habit of wandering off into all kinds of extraneous subjects and side issues does call for endurance!

Session 3 is described as "An an-depth look at the significance of the Seals and Bowls in relationship to the rapture, resurrection, and Day of the Lord."

During this session Cooper confirmed my previous suspicion that his "tradition" is probably Charismatic. Cooper: "In my tradition people stand up, clap, run round, they do things .."

Cooper: "Keep the main thing to the main thing. Don't get distracted into arguments that have nothing to do with the core values and beliefs of the (prewrath) position. This.. has hurt the pre-trib position... because you try to argue too many things that don't have a solid textual basis. It is unnecessary - it makes your position weak because you are arguing something that is tendential. It is the old theological noise.. 'how many angels can sit on the head of a pin'. What does that have to do with the timing of the Lord's return?" (3:00) Perhaps Cooper has not considered the possibility that the weakness of the pre-trib position necessitates frequent digressions into all kinds of unnecessary speculations. In other words, their recurrent deviations may be a deliberate ploy to distract attention away from "the main thing".

Ironically Cooper condemns pre-trib "novices" who do not articulate their position well. (5:30) We should remember that God created all of us with free will and that we in the west are privileged to live in a society that upholds freedom of expression. The abuse of freedom of expression does have some unpleasant consequences, but the alternative is dictatorship. At the present time we are obliged to endure "novices" who make uninformed judgements, though we may refute them. (Titus 1:9). Those who twist the scriptures will face eventual judgement. (2 Peter 2:3). In some sense we are all "novices". (1 Corinthians 13:12). The state of apostasy generally prevailing in the professing church necessitates a challenge, and that challenge falls upon faithful Christians outside the apostate denominations to make informed judgements on various dubious teachings. God is accessible to all the faithful, and every Christian has equal potential to minister for God. The doctrine of the "priesthood of believers" stands in opposition to the concept of a spiritual aristocracy or hierarchy within Christianity. All Christians are exhorted to "test the spirits". (1 John 4:1). 

Cooper claims that Jesus Christ is not going to ask you "What was your eschatology?" In saying this, he immediately relegates eschatology to a non essential subject. I would argue that understanding the timing of the return of Jesus Christ is essential in many key respects if Christians are to avoid being deceived as we approach the 70th week of Daniel. (Matthew 24:4,5,10). Jesus' rebuke to the Pharisees and Sadducees: "..you cannot interpret the signs of the times." (Matthew 16:3 cf. 1 Thessalonians 5:4).

Cooper states that eschatology will not ultimately matter. "What will have mattered is how you treated me as a fellow believer in Christ. The fact that we both believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, died and rose from the dead and is returning.. but you chose not to fellowship with me because of a theological difference on a point, that I think concerns God."

Cooper bemoans the animosity exhibited by the pre-trib camp against anyone who does not hold their view of the rapture. By calling it calling it "one little theological difference" (!!), Cooper grossly underestimates and de-emphasises the gravity of the pre-trib error. If it were such a small matter, then people like Alan Kurschner, Joe Schimmel etc. would not waste their time refuting it. I hold the same core beliefs about Jesus Christ as many pre-tribbers, and yet I believe that their error is lethal  i.e. lethal to the extent that it will lead many of its adherents to eventual apostasy! (Matthew 24:10). I could not attend a church that teaches pre-trib because in many cases their error frames the whole of their theology. A case in point is JD Farag, who made the insane accusation that anyone who attacks the pre-trib rapture is "satanic". {1} This is a classic case of calling good evil and evil good. (Isaiah 5:20). The scriptures tell us that divisions are unavoidable: for there must be factions among you in order that those who are genuine among you may be recognized. (1 Corinthians 11:19). At its source pre-trib is a satanic deception with not one verse of scripture to verify it. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness? (2 Corinthians 6:14; 1 John 4:1). Although I would not deliberately subject or expose myself to the pre-trib error, I do have some sympathy for genuine believers who have been sucked into this deception. The "main thing" is not to put fellowship above truth as Cooper would have it; the "main thing" is to maintain sound doctrine. Those who persistently err in significant areas are to be avoided. (Romans 16:17). 

Pretrib Pastor J. D. Farag talking with Jan Markell and Amir Tsarfati said, 'This is not hyperbole. If it were not for the blessed hope of the soon return of Jesus Christ in the [imminent, pretrib] rapture…I would go literally insane. I would lose my mind. [Amir Tsarfati interjects and says, 'I wouldn’t live.'] I would not be able to handle what my eyes see – the evil and the darkness is such that the likes of which we have never seen in human history'" {2}

Referring to the hostility between pre-trib and prewrath believers, Cooper stated: "There is going to come a day when we are going to need one another." (7:50) When might that day be? If he is referring to persecution during great tribulation, I assume that he does not attribute the apostasy of 2 Thessalonians 2:3 to pre-trib believers (amongst others). Indeed, during Session 5, he made the unaccountable assertion that he attributes the apostasy to Israel.

And then many will fall away and betray one another and hate one another. And many false prophets will arise and lead many astray. And because lawlessness will be increased, the love of many will grow cold. But the one who endures to the end will be saved. (Matthew 24:10-13).

Cooper's paraphrase of Revelation 6:10: "God when are you going to get down there and start kicking butt for what they did to us?" (14:00).

Revelation 6:10: They cried out with a loud voice, “O Sovereign Lord, holy and true, how long before you will judge and avenge our blood on those who dwell on the earth?”

These kind of cheap remarks devalue the terrifying events of Revelation. Teachers especially need to show a proper respect for God's Holy Word. (1 Peter 5:3).

I have great difficulty with Cooper's assertion that the Antichrist will take his seat in "a holy place". (1:24) My understanding is that the unveiling of the Man Of Lawlessness will be in the rebuilt third Jewish Temple on Mount Moriah in Jerusalem at the midpoint of the 70th week of Daniel (2 Thessalonians 2:3,4). As far as I am aware, the third temple will be an ecumenical centre and will be located near or actually on the plot presently occupied by the Dome of the Rock. As such, I cannot see how the temple where the Antichrist takes his seat can possibly be holy.. although no doubt it will be known as "holy".

..who opposes and exalts himself against every so-called god or object of worship, so that he takes his seat in the temple of God, proclaiming himself to be God. (2 Thessalonians 2:4).

ναὸν τοῦ Θεοῦ = temple of God or temple of a god.

“So when you see the abomination of desolation spoken of by the prophet Daniel, standing in the holy place (ἐν τόπῳ ἁγίῳ) (Matthew 24:15).

According to Cooper, the Antichrist will not take his seat at the location of the temple of old i.e. the site of Solomon's temple, but "in the only holy place in existence right now - Mount Zion." 

I stand to be corrected, but I am not at all convinced that physical Mount Zion is a holy place at the present time?

In the book of Revelation, Jerusalem is described symbolically as Sodom and Egypt. (Revelation 11:8).

For Christians, a physical place of worship is not a necessary requirement. In the book of Hebrews, Zion is considered as a type of the church.(Hebrews 12:18). 

But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to innumerable angels in festal gathering, (Hebrews 12:22). 

But when Christ appeared as a high priest of the good things that have come, then through the greater and more perfect tent (not made with hands, that is, not of this creation). (Hebrews 9:11).

When Jesus returns, He will rule over the entire earth during the millennial kingdom from Zion. (Joel 3:17-21; Zechariah 14:8-9, 20-21; Revelation 20:4-6).

As Christians we anticipate the heavenly Jerusalem that descends from heaven.." a new heaven and a new earth."

Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. (Revelation 21:1-2).

1. https://youtu.be/d4R7wHuOtmM  
2. https://www.alankurschner.com/2019/04/23/pretrib-pastor-says-he-would-go-literally-insane-if-it-were-not-for-the-imminent-rapture-video/

FELLOWSHIP BIBLE CHAPEL FALL PROPHECY CONFERENCE Q&A: CHARLES COOPER CONCERNS

2019 10 12 FBC Prophecy Session Five - Cooper, Kurschner, Haller and Clapham
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YXJKrPqYIUc

As a prewrath proponent, I had very high hopes of this conference at Fellowship Bible Chapel in Ohio. The speakers were Alan Kurschner, Charles Cooper, Mike Clapham and John Haller. Alan Kurschner is something of a prewrath expert and the go-to person on this subject. I have only recently heard of Charles Cooper and Mike Clapham. Charles Cooper is described as ".. an author, lecturer and church consultant, and is also the founder and director of the Prewrath Resource Institute of Orlando, FL" {1}

I am concentrating this post on Session Five, i.e. the Q&A session at the end of the Prophecy Conference. Sadly, the session was rather badly managed with Cooper dominating the panel discussion with questionable eisegeses and various lapses into extraneous anecdotes. It would have been better to have had more input from the other speakers.

Cooper answered the first question (paraphrased for clarity): "What physical preparations should Christians make for the great tribulation?" Cooper on provisions: "If you only have one cupful of meal in a barrel, God will refill that cup every day.. While " ..nothing will be impossible with God (Luke 1:37), there is no indication in the scriptures that the word of Elijah the prophet for a specific situation in the OT will be applicable to Christians during the great tribulation. (1 Kings 17:14-16; Romans 8:35). Cooper: "The only thing you are going to need is a bible." Cooper went on to say that Christians would need a bible made of a material such as leather or plastic that would not easily be destroyed by water or heat. I do not know that such an item exists. These irrational remarks set the tone for Cooper's further questionable responses during the session.

Cooper completely dismissed the question about the identity of the Restrainer (2 Thessalonians 2:4). (7:45). I do not think that the identity of the Restrainer should be a point of contention, with one proviso. When various teachers insist that the Restrainer is the Holy Spirit, there are ramifications. This view forms an important part of the pre-trib argument and it has also been utilised by Jacob Prasch to form part of his flawed intra-seal theory.

Cooper identified the apostasy of 2 Thessalonians 2:3, not to the professing church, but specifically to Israel. (14:00). Cooper: "Professing people cannot commit apostasy." This sounds like the 'once saved always saved' error. Apostate Israel does not make sense within the context of Matthew 24:9-12. In context Jesus spoke about the persecution and martyrdom of his followers. Matthew 24:10. And then (at that time) many will fall away.. Matthew 24:12: ".. the love of most will grow cold. But the one who perseveres to the end will be saved." (Matthew 13:21, 57). Revelation 12:13-14 tells us that the dragon (Satan) will persecute the woman (Israel), that a remnant will flee and will be nourished and protected for 3.5 years in the wilderness i.e. the period of the great tribulation. Zechariah 13:8-9: In the whole land, declares the LORD, two thirds shall be cut off and perish, and one third shall be left alive. (cf. Jeremiah 30:7). If one third of the Jews are protected in the wilderness (Petra?), and two thirds perish, then who amongst the Jews are left to apostatize? In any event, how can unconverted Jews apostatize from something they have never believed in?

Cooper stated that the cleansing of the church will occur before the great tribulation! (22:00). When Cooper refers to "the church", he includes the apostate church, which he claims will be drastically reduced prior to the tribulation. However, the scriptures state that apostasy will increase in the last days. (Matthew 24:12; 1 Timothy 4:1-3; 2 Timothy 4:3-4; Revelation 3:14-22).

Regarding the third temple: I agree with the literal interpretation of the third temple. (2 Thessalonians 2:4; Matthew 24:15). Cooper: "If Antichrist takes his seat in a place and desecrates it, it has to be holy because God makes it holy.. When Antichrist takes his seat, he is going to take a seat in a holy place, and the only way it can be holy is that God makes it so." (33:00).  My problem with this view is that since the third temple is not divinely sanctified, then how can it be holy prior to the point when the Antichrist takes his seat there? From what I gather, the third temple will be ecumenical.. is this not a desecration, and is not the Dome of the Rock a desecration of the Temple Mount? The glory of the LORD came on Solomon's temple. (2 Chronicles 5:13-14 cf. Exodus 40:35; Zechariah 8:3). A principal theme in the book of Ezekiel is the departure and eventual return of God's glory to Jerusalem. Stephen proclaimed the truth that God no longer dwells in temples made with hands (Acts 7:48). Coopers statements are very confusing on this subject.

Regarding Jesus' return with the armies of heaven (Revelation 19:14-15) Cooper: "I am not convinced at all that the bride accompanies Him at that event.. I think the bride comes down in the New Jerusalem.. I don't think she descends with Him coming to do battle.." Cooper does not recognise the relevance of the "bride to armies" metaphors. (46:00).

There are problems with this view:

After the rapture, the glorified saints will always be with the Lord:

Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord. (1 Thessalonians 4:17).

And the armies of heaven, arrayed in fine linen, white and pure, were following him on white horses. (Revelation 19:14). This verse follows the description of the Bride in Revelation 19:8: ..it was granted her to clothe herself with fine linen, bright and pure— for the fine linen is the righteous deeds of the saints. 

Cambridge Bible: "fine linen, white and clean] The dress of Angels in St Matthew 28:3 and parallels, Acts 1:10; but of Saints in this Book, Revelation 3:4, Revelation 7:9, and probably Revelation 4:4 : compare the almost exactly similar words of Revelation 19:8." {2}

The "bride to armies" metaphors are not inexplicable actually - the bride is often referred to in terms of an army as per the following examples:

Ephesians 6:10-17 - ..put on the full armour of God..
Romans 13:12 - So then let us cast off the works of darkness and put on the armour of light.
2 Corinthians 10:4 - For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds.

1 Timothy 6:12 - Fight the good fight of the faith..  

I won't go into Cooper's opinions about the mark of the beast. (48:30). However, Mike Clapham made an interesting observation earlier on in the session about the apostasy of 2 Thessalonians 2:3 (10:30) i.e. that kai (and) links the man of lawlessness with the apostasy: For that day will not come, unless the rebellion comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction.. I agree that there is a connection between the apostasy and the man of lawlessness, but unless I am mistaken, the scriptures indicate that the mark of the beast occurs later than the mid point of the 70th week. The message of the third angel of Revelation 14:6-9 warns people of the consequences of worshipping the beast and its image and receiving the mark. This indicates that the mark is not yet compulsory? The time line indicates that prior to the third angels warning, the false prophet deceives those who dwell on the earth by performing great signs. After the people are deceived by the signs, the false prophet instructs them to make an image for the beast. The third element, the mark i.e. the name of the beast or the number of its name, appears to coincide with the image of the beast. It is unlikely that the angels proclamation of the gospel worldwide, and the third angels dire warnings about worshipping the beast and its image, and taking the mark are made ex post facto. I have gone into this scenario more thoroughly elsewhere and I have inserted two links at the end of this post.

During the prayer at the end of the session, Cooper decided to rebuke cancer in a woman's liver (I gather that it was a woman attending the conference). He went on to rebuke Satan himself and commanded the cancer to withdraw. (1:22). I do not doubt that the Lord heals, but I have seen too much of this sort of thing in the Pentecostal/Charismatic churches and I have become jaded by all the drama. (Jude 1:9).

I am rather troubled by the sloppy interpretations of Charles Cooper. I associate faulty eisegeses on this level with charismania. My concern is that others will also pick up on these problems and that the prewrath position will be impeded. Prewrath has hitherto been blessed with careful exegeses from Robert Van Kampen, Marvin Rosenthal, Alan Kurschner and others.

1. https://www.alankurschner.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/Prewrath-Conference-2019.pdf
2. https://biblehub.com/commentaries/revelation/19-14.htm

The Mark Of The Beast:
https://bewareofthewolves.blogspot.com/2019/01/the-mark-of-beast.html
https://bewareofthewolves.blogspot.com/2019/02/the-mark-of-beast-two-witnesses.html