JOEL RICHARDSON: THE DEATH OF THE ANTICHRIST IS A FALSE TEACHING

The Death of the Antichrist Fulfilled

Joel Richardson's shady agenda continues as he presses his unbiblical case for the death of the Antichrist. In this video, he works stealthily under the cover of legitimate arguments against preterism.

And I saw the beast and the kings of the earth with their armies gathered to make war against him who was sitting on the horse and against his army. And the beast was captured, and with it the false prophet who in its presence had done the signs by which he deceived those who had received the mark of the beast and those who worshiped its image. These two were thrown alive into the lake of fire that burns with sulfur. And the rest were slain by the sword that came from the mouth of him who was sitting on the horse, and all the birds were gorged with their flesh. (Revelation 19:19-21). and the devil who had deceived them was thrown into the lake of fire and sulfur where the beast and the false prophet were, and they will be tormented day and night forever and ever. (Revelation 20:10 cf. Revelation 17:11). 

 

Richardson's false claim that Gog is the Antichrist 

Richardson conflates the Gog/Magog war in Ezekiel 38-39 and Armageddon. (Revelation 16:14-16; 19:1-21 cf. Zechariah 14:1-17). The insurmountable difficulty with this position is that Gog will attack Israel when they are "dwelling securely".

Thus says the Lord God: On that day, thoughts will come into your mind, and you will devise an evil scheme and say, ‘I will go up against the land of unwalled villages. I will fall upon the quiet people who dwell securely, all of them dwelling without walls, and having no bars or gate.. Therefore, son of man, prophesy, and say to Gog, Thus says the Lord GOD: On that day when my people Israel are dwelling securely, will you not know it? You will come from your place out of the uttermost parts of the north, you and many peoples with you, all of them riding on horses, a great host, a mighty army. You will come up against my people Israel, like a cloud covering the land. In the latter days I will bring you against my land, that the nations may know me, when through you, O Gog, I vindicate my holiness before their eyes. (Ezekiel 38: 10-16). 

At the close of the 70th week of Daniel, Israel will certainly not be "dwelling securely". The Bible refers to a period of great distress and tribulation that will come upon the Jewish people in the period known as "the great tribulation" and "Jacob's trouble". Alas! That day is so great there is none like it; it is a time of distress for Jacob; yet he shall be saved out of it. (Jeremiah 30:7). The Antichrist's persecution against the Jews from the midpoint of the 70th week will leave the Jews decimated.  And there shall be a time of trouble, such as never has been since there was a nation till that time. But at that time your people shall be delivered, everyone whose name shall be found written in the book. (Daniel 12:1; Matthew 24:21; Zechariah 13:8-9).). 

Further reasons why Richardson's Gog/Antichrist argument is a non-starter.

* Specific countries are named in Ezekiel 38:1-6, whereas "all the kings of the earth" are assembled against Israel at Armageddon. (Revelation 16:12-16).

* The battles have different locations. Gog fights in the mountains in the north/northern Israel. (Ezekiel 39:2-4). Armageddon takes place in the valley of Jezreel. (Revelation 16:16).

* Gog's incentive is to take wealth. (Ezekiel 38:12). The Antichrist's agenda is to destroy the Jews and world domination. (Revelation 12:13,13:8).

* Israel will not be dwelling securely when Armageddon occurs (above).

* Gog's armies will be destroyed by torrents of rain, hailstones, fire, sulfur, and self-inflicted wounds. (Ezekiel 38:21). The Antichrist armies will be destroyed directly by Jesus Christ. (Revelation 19:15).  

* Gog's activities are limited to Israel. (Ezekiel 38:16). Armageddon is a global battle. (Revelation 16:14-16). 

* The Israelites will be burying the bodies of Gog's armies for seven months. (Ezekiel 39:12). The dead bodies of the Antichrist armies are eaten by birds for seven months and no cleanup operation is mentioned. (Revelation 19:17).

* Gog is killed and is buried in the Valley of the Travelers. (Ezekiel 39:11). The Antichrist and the false prophet are captured and are thrown alive into the lake of fire. (Revelation 19:20).

Sisera's death

Richardson identifies Sisera, the oppressor of the Israelites and the commander of the Canaanite army in Judges 4-5 as a type of the Antichirst. (Judges 4:3). The ludicrous argument presented by Richardson is that because Jael killed Sisera with a tent peg, the Antichrist will also be killed by a "tent peg". In the Bible, a type (typology) is a representation by one thing of another e.g. Adam was a type of Christ (Romans 5:14), the Passover was a type of Christ (1 Corinthians 5:7) etc. Types should not be taken verbatim to apply to what they represent in every detail. Richardson digs a deeper hole with his questionable connection with Zechariah 10:4 where the same noun (yathed) is used but in a completely different context. 

But Jael the wife of Heber took a tent peg, and took a hammer in her hand. Then she went softly to him and drove the peg into his temple until it went down into the ground while he was lying fast asleep from weariness. So he died. (Judges 4:21).

From him shall come the cornerstone, from him the tent peg (yathed), from him the battle bow, from him every ruler—all of them together.. (Zechariah 10:4). KJV: out of him the nail..

Strongs: "yathed: nail, paddle, pin, stake".1 

Pulpit Commentary: "The nail. The word (yathed) is taken for the peg that fastens the cord of a tent, for a nail used in building with timber, or a peg for hanging up arms and utensils on the walls of a house. In whichever sense we take it here, it implies one who consolidates or upholds the political constitution (Isaiah 22:23, 24)".2

The King of Babylon Isaiah 14:15-20 

Isaiah 14 is a well-known passage that includes a taunt against the King of Babylon. (Isaiah 14:4-11). The focus changes in verses 12-14 with allusions to Lucifer, the morning star (Satan) whose vain aspirations to be "like God" led to his downfall from heaven. Verse 16 reverts back to the King of Babylon who suffers an ignominious death. Richardson's view that "the man" in Isaiah 14:16 is the Antichrist is an uncorroborated assumption.

Is this the man? Isaiah 14:16

Those who see you will stare at you and ponder over you: ‘Is this the man who made the earth tremble, who shook kingdoms, who made the world like a desert and overthrew its cities.. (Isaiah 14:16-17).

Morris: "Here Isaiah's vision, which had focused upon Satan in Isaiah 14:12-15, returns to the human king of Babylon (who had been possessed by Satan) and his reception by the other dead kings as they greet him in hell (Sheol, the great pit at the center of the earth)."3 

Coffman: "Whatever specific king the Lord could have been speaking of in this prophecy, we must believe that this chapter should be read, 'as a prediction of the fall of every human tyrant and his fate in the afterlife.'" 4 

Pulpit Commentary: "Verse 16. - They that see thee. Dr. Kay well observes that 'here the scene of the parable is changed back to earth. The corpse of the mighty conqueror is lying unburied.' Shall narrowly look upon thee. Like the inhabitants of hell (ver. 10), those of earth also shall scarcely believe their eyes. They shall look close to see if it is indeed the great king that is slain. Isaiah 14:16."5

Those who follow Richardson seem easily persuaded by his silver tongue, but critically they have yet to do their homework. (1 John 4:1). I highly recommend Chris White's comprehensive podcast in which he systematically demolishes the Islamic Antichrist view point by point: CHRIS WHITE, Author at Bible Prophecy Daily

So why does Richardson persist in promoting these defective eschatological views? I venture to guess that confusion is his main intention combined with peddling his books and other materials. (2 Corinthians 2:17; 1 Timothy 6:10). The answer becomes clearer when we look at his track record. Richardson has been involved with false teachers from the beginning. He claims that his "prophetic endorsement" by "Latter Rain" false prophet and wolf Paul Cain was the catalyst that kick-started his "ministry". Note his associations with false teachers include Mormon Glenn Beck, Jim Bakker, Sid Roth, Mike Bickle, Walid Schoebat, Paul Wilbur, TBN, Pat Robertson 700 Club, CBN News, Joel Rosenberg (listed 2009), IHOP (International House of Prayer), Jonathan Cahn, Mark Biltz, Chuck Missler, Daystar TV, Vlad Savchuck, Chris Reed and Dalton Thomas. Richardson's false teachings also include Identificational Repentance and the Metatron heresy.6 

Richardson's subterfuge that the Antichrist will be literally killed as opposed to thrown alive into the lake of fire (Revelation 19:20) is blatantly false. The scriptures are unambiguous. The Antichrist and the false prophet will be treated differently from the rest of the wicked humanity at Armageddon. They will not be killed, they will be fast-tracked alive to the lake of fire. The lake of fire (second death) is not allocated to unbelievers until the end of the millennium. (Revelation 20:13-15,21:8). Richardson not only violates the Book of Revelation (Revelation 22:18-19), he also flouts sound hermeneutics. (1 Corinthians 4:6). A general principle of hermeneutics is that clear passages always take precedence over ambiguous ones. 

I appeal to you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and create obstacles contrary to the doctrine that you have been taught; avoid them. (Romans 16:17).

1. Strong's Hebrew: 3489. יָתֵד (yathed) -- a peg, pin
2. Zechariah 10 Pulpit Commentary
3. Isaiah 14 Commentary | Precept Austin
4. Isaiah 14 - Coffman's Commentaries on the Bible - Bible Commentaries - StudyLight.org
5. Isaiah 14 Pulpit Commentary

6. WOLVES IN SHEEP'S CLOTHING: FALSE PROPHETS AND BIBLE TEACHERS IN THE LAST DAYS: Joel Richardson

JOEL RICHARDSON DISTORTING THE SCRIPTURES: THE DEATH OF THE ANTICHRIST?

Armageddon & the Death of the Antichrist BOOK OF REVELATION Session 70 (youtube.com)

Who is Gog?

This is my third post debunking Joel Richardson's false assertion that the Antichrist will be killed. No biblical evidence supports Richardson's repeated assertion that Gog and the Antichrist are the same individual. In fact, there are various contradictory speculations regarding Gog's identity and the timing of the Gog/Magog war of Ezekiel 38 and 39. The chart below, taken from Chris White's YouTube channel, demonstrates that the only commonality among speculators is that Ezekiel 38 and 39 is a future event.1 

Most speculators ignore the reference in Ezekiel 38 to a peaceful people dwelling securely. 

This is what the Lord GOD says: On that day, thoughts will arise in your mind, and you will devise an evil plan. You will say, ‘I will go up against a land of unwalled villages; I will come against a tranquil people who dwell securely, all of them living without walls or bars or gates— (Ezekiel 38:10-11,14).

Armageddon - Mount Megiddo or Jerusalem? 

There are a number of reasons why Mount Megiddo is the location of Armageddon as against Jerusalem. The Armageddon/Jerusalem theory is relatively recent and was introduced by Michael Heiser whose eschatological teaching is unreliable. We should remember that the entire world will be subject to massive topological changes via the great earthquake during the seventh bowl of wrath. It is unlikely that the Antichrist will be in Jerusalem (the great city) during the seventh bowl judgement. Rather it makes more sense that the Antichrist and "the kings of the world" will flee the cities and will assemble at Mount Megiddo. (Revelation 16:14,16). I have done a deeper analysis of Heiser's view in a previous post. (See further links) 

The seventh angel poured out his bowl into the air, and a loud voice came out of the temple, from the throne, saying, “It is done!” And there were flashes of lightning, rumblings,c peals of thunder, and a great earthquake such as there had never been since man was on the earth, so great was that earthquake. The great city was split into three parts, and the cities of the nations fell, and God remembered Babylon the great, to make her drain the cup of the wine of the fury of his wrath. And every island fled away, and no mountains were to be found. And great hailstones, about one hundred pounds each, fell from heaven on people; and they cursed God for the plague of the hail, because the plague was so severe. (Revelation 16:17-21 cf. Revelation 18:24).

The death of the Antichrist?

In hermeneutics, the basic rule is that the clear interprets the obscure i.e. clear passages take precedence over obscure ones. All Scripture presents one unified system of truth (2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter1:20-21). As such, where there seems to be a contradiction or discrepancy we should seek to harmonize obscure passages with the clearer ones.

It is to Richardson's advantage that the Antichrist will be killed since he has widely taught the speculative Islamic Antichrist theory for years. Furthermore, he has written books on this subject with false teacher Walid Shoebat and others. The reference to the beast and the false prophet being thrown alive into the lake of fire is an explicit proof text. Unfortunately, Richardson's poor hermeneutic and eisegesis have taken precedence over the important principle of harmonizing obscure passages.

And the beast was captured, and with it the false prophet who in its presence had done the signs by which he deceived those who had received the mark of the beast and those who worshiped its image. These two were thrown alive into the lake of fire that burns with sulfur. (Revelation 19:20).  

And the devil who had deceived them was thrown into the lake of fire and sulfur, into which the beast and the false prophet had already been thrown. There they will be tormented day and night forever and ever. (Revelation 20:10).

The buriel of Gog in Israel presents a huge problem for those who claim he is the Antichrist. 

On that day I will give to Gog a place for burial in Israel, the Valley of the Travelers, east of the sea. It will block the travelers, for there Gog and all his multitude will be buried. It will be called the Valley of Hamon-gog. (Ezekiel 39:11).

Richardson's alleged proof texts

Habakkuk 3:13-14

You went out for the salvation of your people, for the salvation of your anointed. You crushed the head of the house of the wicked, laying him bare from thigh to neck. Selah. You pierced with his own arrows the heads of his warriors, who came like a whirlwind to scatter me, rejoicing as if to devour the poor in secret. (Habakkuk 3:13-14 cf Psalm 68:21; Genesis 3:15)).  

But God will strike the heads of his enemies, the hairy crown of him who walks in his guilty ways. (Psalm 68:1).

I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring; he shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise his heel.” (Genesis 3:15 cf. Hebrews 2:14). 

Habakkuk 3:13-14 is not a reference to the Antichrist, rather, "the head of the house of the wicked" refers to Satan, confirmed in Genesis 3:15: "crush the head".

    

Coffman: “Thou woundest the head” Who is the head “out of the house of the wicked,” if not Satan? Here is a prophetic renewal of the great promise of the Protoevangelium (Genesis 3:15) that the head of the evil one would be bruised.2  

Lange: "SCHMIEDER (on Hab 3:13): The picture might be still more comprehensive, if, in accordance with Dan. 2:31 ff., we conceive the entire succession of hostile empires as the image of one man or house, whose colossal size falls under the judgments of God, after its head is broken off."3  

Isaiah 11:4 and 2 Thessalonians 2:8

And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord Jesus will kill (ἀνελεῖ) with the breath of his mouth and bring to nothing (katargeo) by the appearance of his coming. (2 Thessalonians 2:8).

..but with righteousness he shall judge the poor, and decide with equity for the meek of the earth; and he shall strike the earth with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips he shall kill (mûwth) the wicked. (Isaiah 11:4 cf. ). Strongs: מוּת mûwth, mooth; a primitive root; to die (literally or figuratively);4 

Examples of ἀναιρέω

Thayers Greek Lexicon: ἀναιρέω 1. to take up, to lift up (from the ground); middle to take up for myself as value, to own (an exposed infant): Acts 7:21; (so ἀναίρεσθαι, Aristophanes nub. 531; Epictetus diss. 1, 23, 7; (Plutarch, Anton. 36, 3; fortuna Romans 8; fratern. am. 18, etc.)). 2. to take away, abolish.5

..and when he was exposed, Pharaoh’s daughter adopted (ἀνείλατο) him and brought him up as her own son. (Acts 17:21).

then he added, “Behold, I have come to do your will.” He does away (ἀναιρεῖ) with the first in order to establish the second. (Hebrews 10:9).

Examples of καταργέω

Strongs: "καταργέω katargéō, kat-arg-eh'-o; from G2596 and G691; to be (render) entirely idle (useless), literally or figuratively:—abolish, cease, cumber, deliver, destroy, do away, become (make) of no (none, without) effect, fail, loose, bring (come) to nought, put away (down), vanish away, make void."6  

Now if the ministry of death, carved in letters on stone, came with such glory that the Israelites could not gaze at Moses’ face because of its glory, which was being brought to an end (καταργουμένην), will not the ministry of the Spirit have even more glory? For if there was glory in the ministry of condemnation, the ministry of righteousness must far exceed it in glory. Indeed, in this case, what once had glory has come to have no glory at all, because of the glory that surpasses it. For if what was being brought to an end (καταργούμενον) came with glory, much more will what is permanent have glory. Since we have such a hope, we are very bold, not like Moses, who would put a veil over his face so that the Israelites might not gaze at the outcome of what was being brought to an end (καταργεῖται) (2 Corinthians 3:7,11,13).

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown: "..so Christ's mere approach is enough to consume Antichrist. The mere 'appearance of the coming' of the Lord of glory is sufficient to show to Antichrist his perfect nothingness. He is seized and 'cast alive into the take of fire' (Re 19:20)."7

Revelation Revolution: "In light of the way katageo is used in Romans 6:6, 1 Corinthians 6:13 and 2 Corinthians 3:14 I believe this word is perhaps better translated do away or remove in 2 Thessalonians 2:8. Similarly, considering the way in which anaireo is translated as take or took away in Acts 7:21 and Hebrews 10:9, I believe 2 Thessalonians 2:8 is more accurately or precisely translated: 'And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord Jesus will take away with the breath of his mouth and take or do away with [and thus reduce to inactivity] by the splendor of his coming.' As stated above, katargeo means to make inactive or to reduce to inactivity." 8 

Is this the man? Isaiah 14 

Is this the man who made the earth tremble, who shook kingdoms, who made the world like a desert and overthrew its cities, who did not let his prisoners go home?’ (Isaiah 14:16-17).

Richardson's claim that "the man" in Isaiah 14:16 refers to the Antichrist is unreliable. Isaiah 14:1-22 is a taunt against the king of Babylon (with allusions to Lucifer.) (Isaiah 14:3). But you are brought down to Sheol, to the far reaches of the pit. (Isaiah 14:9,11,15). The King of Babylon is compared with Lucifer, the Morning Star, whose pride and ambition led to his downfall from heaven. According to the Old Testament, Sheol/Hades is a temporary place where souls are kept as they await the final resurrection. The lake of fire Revelation 19:20 and 20:10,14-15, is the final hell, the place of eternal punishment, both for apostate angels and wicked human beings. (Matthew 25:41). The scriptures are unequivocal, the destination of the Antichrist (the beast) is the Lake of Fire, not Sheol. (Revelation 19:20).

I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: if anyone adds to them, God will add to him the plagues described in this book, and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God will take away his share in the tree of life and in the holy city, which are described in this book. (Revelation 22:18-19).

It is critical to examine Richardson's track record before endorsing his views. I have written sixteen posts debunking his speculations and exposing his dubious associations with Paul Cain, Walid Shoebat and Dalton Thomas: WOLVES IN SHEEP'S CLOTHING: FALSE PROPHETS AND BIBLE TEACHERS IN THE LAST DAYS: Joel Richardson (bewareofthewolves.blogspot.com)  

1. A GOG MAGOG STUDY - Part 1 - Intro & Revelation 20:7-10 - Bible Prophecy Talk (youtube.com)
2. Habakkuk 3 - Coffman's Commentaries on the Bible - Bible Commentaries - StudyLight.org
3. Habakkuk 3 Lange Commentary on the Holy Scriptures (biblehub.com)
4. H4191 - mûṯ - Strong's Hebrew Lexicon (kjv) (blueletterbible.org)
5. Thayer's Greek: 337. ἀναιρέω (anaireó) -- to take up, take away, make an end (biblehub.com)
6. G2673 - katargeō - Strong's Greek Lexicon (KJV)
7. 2 Thessalonians 2:8 Commentaries: Then that lawless one will be revealed whom the Lord will slay with the breath of His mouth and bring to an end by the appearance of His coming; (biblehub.com)
8. https://www.revelationrevolution.org/

Further Links

A GOG MAGOG STUDY - Part 4 - Who Is Gog? - Bible Prophecy Talk (youtube.com)

The Timing of the Gog Magog War (youtube.com)
The Islamic Antichrist Theory Debunked - FULL 8 HOUR - AUDIO BOOK - Bible Prophecy (youtube.com)
WOLVES IN SHEEP'S CLOTHING: FALSE PROPHETS AND BIBLE TEACHERS IN THE LAST DAYS: JOEL RICHARDSON: FALSE TEACHING THAT THE ANTICHRIST WILL BE KILLED (bewareofthewolves.blogspot.com)
WOLVES IN SHEEP'S CLOTHING: FALSE PROPHETS AND BIBLE TEACHERS IN THE LAST DAYS: MICHAEL HEISER'S ALLEGED LOCATION OF ARMAGEDDON (bewareofthewolves.blogspot.com)
Zion's Hope (zionshope.org)

JOEL RICHARDSON: SABOTAGING PREWRATH!

(210) The Pre-Wrath Rapture Strengths & Weaknesses THE RAPTURE & ENDURANCE OF THE SAINTS - YouTube

Given my misgivings regarding Joel Richardson's ministry, I have some skepticism about his motives and whether he really does have genuine questions about the prewrath rapture view, or whether this is an attempt at sabotage. Reading the comments below this video, Richardson appears to have succeeded in putting his listeners into a spin! In any event, I will attempt to refute what Richardson refers to as prewrath "weaknesses" below for the benefit of those he has thrown into confusion. 

The day or the hour (Matthew 24:36)

According to Richardson, one of the common objections to the posttrib rapture view is that Jesus' return can be determined by calculating the time between the point at which the Antichrist takes his seat in the temple of God (2 Thessalonians 2:4) and Armageddon (Revelation 19:19). The period referred to in Revelation 11 and 12 is 1260 days, 42 months, a time, time and half a time based on a 360-day prophetic year. Daniel also refers to 1,290, 1,335, and 2,300 days. (Daniel 8:14,12:11-12). The posttrib camp amalgamates the tribulation and the wrath of God, and according to this view, the period referred to is exactly 42 months or 3.5 prophetic years. If the posttrib camp were to calculate the precise day of Jesus' return, I believe they would base it on 1260 days. Richardson's speculations regarding the various time periods specified in Revelation and Daniel are rather muddled.     

Two comings?

The information that Jesus will appear in heaven/come on the clouds of heaven immediately after the tribulation following the cosmic disturbances is unequivocal and is recorded in all three synoptic gospels. As such there can be no doubt that this is precisely when the rapture will occur.     

Immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, and the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken. Then will appear in heaven the sign of the Son of Man, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and 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 heaven to the other. (Matthew 24:29-31 cf. Mark 13:24-27; Luke 21:25-27 cf. Revelation 7:14).

Richardson: "No matter how you slice it, the prewrath perspective has more than one coming of Jesus."

Richardson's misrepresentation of the prewrath view as "two comings" is a criticism often levelled against the pre-trib camp. Alan Kurschner and other prewrath scholars have demonstrated repeatedly that there is no disconnect between the rapture and the second coming (the Parousia). Rather the rapture initiates part of a unified complex event that begins following the cosmic disturbances.1  When the prewrath view is understood correctly as a unified complex event, this alleged "weakness" is easily debunked. 

Christ cannot return until all His enemies have been defeated?

Richardson argues that Jesus Christ cannot leave heaven until his enemies are defeated based on Psalm 110:1 and Matthew 22:44. The context of Psalm 110, particularly verse 5, reveals that this argument is deficient.

The LORD said to my Lord: “Sit at My right hand until I make Your enemies a footstool for Your feet.” The LORD extends Your mighty scepter from Zion: “Rule in the midst of Your enemies." Your people shall be willing on Your day of battle. Arrayed in holy splendor, from the womb of the dawn, to You belongs the dew of Your youth. The LORD has sworn and will not change His mind: “You are a priest forever in the order of Melchizedek.” The Lord is at Your right hand; He will crush kings in the day of His wrath. He will judge the nations, heaping up the dead; He will crush the leaders far and wide. He will drink from the brook by the road; therefore He will lift up His head. (Psalm 110:1-7).

Following the great tribulation and the cosmic disturbances, the defeat of God's enemies is a foregone conclusion. (Revelation 6:16-17). Psalm 110:1 is an overview, whereas a more detailed description of what will occur follows. Before the rapture of the church, the mediatorial reign of Christ from heaven at the right hand of God is stated as His primary function. (Hebrews 7:25). Once the rapture has occurred there will be no more occasion for Christ's mediatorial reign. 

Bengel's Gnomen: 1 Corinthians 15:25. Δεῖ, He must) for it has been foretold.—αὐτὸν, He) Christ.—βασιλεύειν, reign) ררה, reign Thou in the midst of Thy enemies, Psalm 110:2.—ἄχρις οὗ ἄν, until) There will be no further need of the mediatorial reign.—θῇ, He hath put) viz. the Father.—πάντας, all) Paul brings in this, to prepare for a transition to what follows.—τοὺς ἐχθροὺς, enemies) bodily and spiritual, supply His, from that expression, His feet, to wit, the Son’s: but it is now elegantly elliptical; since Christ has long ago destroyed these enemies, in so far as they were the enemies of Christ; He will destroy them [their destruction is still future], in so far as they are our enemies. The remaining part of His victory bears the same relation to His triumph already achieved, as any frontier or corner does to the whole extent of any human monarchy which has been subdued. 2

In Psalm 110:5 there is a major shift in the activity of the Godhead. Jesus sits at the right hand of the Father in Psalm 110:1. In verse 5, the Father (Adonai), is at the Messiah's right hand in the day of His wrath. This shift occurs at the onset of the day of His wrath i.e at the breaking seventh seal of Revelation. 

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. And another angel came and stood at the altar with a golden censer, and he was given much incense to offer with the prayers of all the saints on the golden altar before the throne, and the smoke of the incense, with the prayers of the saints, rose before God from the hand of the angel. Then the angel took the censer and filled it with fire from the altar and threw it on the earth, and there were peals of thunder, rumblings, flashes of lightning, and an earthquake. (Revelation 8:1-5). 

Following a momentous silence in heaven for about half an hour, the seven angels who stand before God are given trumpets. Another angel offers much incense with "the prayers of all the saints". This indicates that the prayers of the saints are complete and confirms that the rapture has occurred. During the day of His wrath, Jesus directs the angels via the trumpet and bowl judgements from heaven. As such, Jesus no longer sits at the right hand of the Father following the prewrath rapture and during the Day of the Lord. 

Richardson's postrib "hybrid" view is problematic. When Jesus returns at Armageddon, His enemies are not literally under His feet until He has defeated them! The idea that Jesus must be seated next to the Father until His enemies are literally defeated is unsustainable.

The Last Trumpet?

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

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).

The post-trib view makes the assumption that the church will be on the earth when the seventh trumpet of Revelation 11:15 is sounded. However, there are a number of reasons why this cannot be the case. Revelation 7:9-17 situates the resurrected saints between the sixth and seventh seal i.e. a great multitude suddenly appears in heaven prior to the breaking of the seventh seal. It is explicitly stated: These are the ones who have come out of the great tribulation; (Revelation 7:14). 

It is not possible for the seventh trumpet to be sounded before the breaking of the seventh seal. 

The seven trumpets in Revelation 11 signify judgments, they do not signify gathering. 

The announcement of the third woe immediately precedes the seventh trumpet. (Revelation 11:14). 

The narrative continues in Revelation 15-16 with the final seven plagues of God’s wrath poured out in the seven bowl judgments. (chapters 15–16). 

Paul knew nothing about the Book of Revelation. 1 Corinthians was written around 55AD, whereas the book of Revelation was written around 90-95AD, approximately forty years later. As such, the final trumpets of God's wrath were not in Paul's mind when he wrote this epistle.

For further details please refer to Alan Kurschner's article below. 

The tribulation must last for three and a half years?

He shall speak words against the Most High, and shall wear out the saints of the Most High, and shall think to change the times and the law; and they shall be given into his hand for a time, times, and half a time. (Daniel 7:25).  

And if those days had not been cut short, no human being would be saved. But for the sake of the elect those days will be cut short. (Matthew 24:22; Mark 13:20).).

A critical aspect of the prewrath view is that the great tribulation will be cut short (koloboó). Literally "to mutilate (Polybius 1, 80, 13); hence in the N. T. of time (Vulg.brevio) to shorten, abridge, curtail: Matthew 24:22; Mark 13:20.."3 Some describe this event as an amputation. i.e. the saints are physically amputated or snatched away at this time. The remainder of the seven-year period facilitates sufficient time for God to pour out His wrath. 

My concern is that Richardson's equivocations are likely to put a stumbling block in the way of those seeking answers to the rapture question. What is needed is a robust argument that stands up to genuine criticism, and in my view prewrath achieves this. 

1. Will Jesus Come FOR HIS CHURCH at the Rapture, But WITH HIS CHURCH at the Second Coming? - Ep 145 | ESCHATOS MINISTRIES (alankurschner.com)
2. 1 Corinthians 15:25 Commentaries: For He must reign until He has put all His enemies under His feet. (biblehub.com)
3. Strong's Greek: 2856. κολοβόω (koloboó) -- to curtail (biblehub.com)

Further Links

WOLVES IN SHEEP'S CLOTHING: FALSE PROPHETS AND BIBLE TEACHERS IN THE LAST DAYS: Joel Richardson (bewareofthewolves.blogspot.com)
Articles for Posttribulationism to Consider | ESCHATOS MINISTRIES (alankurschner.com)For THIS Reason the 'Last Trump' Cannot Be the Seventh Trumpet - Ep. 169 | ESCHATOS MINISTRIES (alankurschner.com)
A Response to Joel Richardson (alankurschner.com)
Why are Joe Schimmel and Jacob Prasch not discerning within their own camps? - UK Aplogetics Library (ukapologeticslibrary.net)
The Islamic Antichrist Theory Debunked - FULL 8 HOUR - AUDIO BOOK - Bible Prophecy (youtube.com)

7 Pretrib Problems and the Prewrath Rapture

JOEL RICHARDSON MUDDYING THE WATERS: PREWRATH VS POSTTRIB RAPTURE

The Pre-Wrath Versus the Post-Tribulational Rapture THE RAPTURE & ENDURANCE OF THE SAINTS (youtube.com)

Joel Richardson has a very neat way of coming on board and then muddying the waters by undermining the very teaching he claims to support. He has employed this technique against the prewrath rapture view previously. 

Richardson describes his own view regarding the timing of the rapture as a "kind of hybrid" between prewrath and posttrib. His "initial introduction" makes this topic more confusing than it already is. The following summary is sufficient to introduce the subject minus Richardson's various nuances.

The pretrib rapture view ~ The rapture occurs at an indeterminate point before the 70th week of Daniel.
The prewrath rapture view ~ The rapture occurs after the tribulation following the cosmic disturbances in between the sixth and seventh seal in the book of Revelation.
The posttrib rapture view ~ The rapture occurs at Armageddon i.e. at the end of the 70th week of Daniel.

Richardson describes the prewrath view as "a relatively newer position". His poor research into this subject is obvious and he is inaccurate on many points. It is reasonable to say that the prewrath interpretation is not a new position, rather it has been defined this way in recent history. Many of the early Church Fathers have been described as "posttrib" erroneously since they taught significant aspects of the prewrath view. It therefore appears that the early Fathers were generally prewrath without applying the "prewrath" label. 

Richardson: "..there was no one that held to prewrath in the more specific limited sense, for example the form of prewrath that would be articulated by Alan Kurschsner. There's no one throughout church history that's going to hold to that view right, they're going to largely hold more to a posttribulation perspective." Alan Kurschner argues that many early Church Fathers were, in fact, prewrath without using the "prewrath" label.1  

Robert Van Kampen was the primary mover in developing the prewrath view during the 1970s and 80s.2 Marvin Rosenthal was formerly a staunch pretribulationalist and it took some time for him to be persuaded by Van Kampen. Rosenthal began to adopt the prewrath view in 1986 much to the ire of the pre-trib camp. In 1990 Rosenthal's book The Pre-Wrath Rapture of the Church popularized the prewrath view. Rosenthal was one of those rare pre-trib teachers who had the courage of his convictions. He was removed from his position as Executive Director of The Friends of Israel Gospel Ministry in 1989 due to his prewrath stance.3

Richardson points out the massive ramifications to the church if pre-trib teachers are wrong. The pretrib rapture view could indeed ruin a large portion of the church. Sadly many staunch pre-trib teachers appear to be blinded to the devastating implications of this dangerous error. Nevertheless, I pray that many believers will re-think this question and will consider the prewrath position. 

Richardson: "..prewrath vs posttrib.. I don't care about arguing. I personally wholeheartedly believe that prewathers and posttribers need to unite and essentially work together and expose the deception the dangerous deception of pretribulationism." thinks arguments between prewrath and posttrib are "the dumbest thing to fight about" because both camps agree on the important distinction that believers will face the persecution of the Antichrist. I may have agreed with this perspective at one time, but having thought about it more deeply, I see that it is necessary to present an accurate and credible argument to pretrib believers. (1 John 4:1). The posttrib view has some serious flaws that any thoughtful pretribber will easily pick up. A flawed argument that integrates the prewrath/posttrib views is likely to lead pretrib believers to reject any argument that believers will face the Antichrist. For clarity, we need to present a sound theological argument, and the prewrath view achieves that criterion. Richardson claims to have found "some problems" with the prewrath rapture view which he says he will articulate in a later video. Richardson: "In reality I don't know, I don't have absolute confidence, and I don't care.. who cares?"  This is perverse. If he doesn't know, if he hasn't got confidence, and if he doesn't care, then it begs the question: Why does he feel that he is qualified to critique the prewrath rapture view or make recommendations? Richardson's narrative demonstrates his negligent attitude toward sound teaching: "..it's not worth dividing over, we do need to unite.." I would not reject a posttrib teacher/believer or regard them as unsaved. However, having studied Joe Schimmel's posttrib view, I have come to the inevitable conclusion that he has mistaught the book of Revelation for years. (Revelation 22:18-19).4 Schimmel refuses to even acknowledge or address the questions that I have put to his ministry. The same applies to Sam Adams of Independance Baptist Church. 5 When posttrib teachers will not even acknowledge identifiable problems associated with their view then it is difficult to have any respect for them.

Joel Richardson's "interesting" history and his strange friends

Richardson's history and questionable associations demonstrate that he does not care about sound teaching. 

Richardson: "I got saved in the Assemblies of God. It's is a denomination that I greatly esteem, it's one of the most rock-solid missions-focused, most globally influential denominations in the world. I mean you know in terms of out there throughout the Middle East on the ground the Assemblies of God is a great denomination."  I profoundly disagree with Richardson about the Assemblies of God (AOG). I attended the AOG myself in Leicester some years ago and I am horrified by their unbiblical teachings. Many AOG churches promote the New Apostolic Reformation and are lethal places to attend. It is perverse that the AOG officially rejects NAR teaching and yet their practice in many instances is the very opposite. Holly Pivec: "..many churches that remain part of the Assemblies of God actively promote NAR teachings--even inviting NAR apostles and prophets into their churches."6 

In previous posts, I have catalogued a number of serious problems associated with Joel Richardson's "ministry". (summarized below).

Richardson's "prophetic endorsement" by "Latter Rain" false prophet Paul Cain who he claims was the catalyst that kick-started his "ministry".

Richardson's previous associate and co-author false teacher Walid Shoebat and their case for an Islamic Antichrist. 

Richardson's association with false teacher Dalton Thomas who was recently ejected from Frontier Alliance International Studios (FAI).7

Richardson's false teaching regarding Identificational Repentance. 

Richardsons Metatron heresy.

Richardson's false teaching that the Antichrist will be killed and not thrown "alive" into the lake of fire. (Revelation 19:20).

Richardson's attempt to shoehorn the Antichrist into Ezekiel 38 and 39.

Richarson's recent association with false teacher and "deliverance" guru Vlad Savchuk.9 

Richardson describes himself as a "friend" of false teacher Chris Reed, the new head of apostate Morningstar Ministries, formerly led by false teacher Rick Joyner who is a member of the Ecumenical Knights of Malta. Reed claims to have had a vivid dream allegedly from God revealing that John the Apostle has been living in a cave in Turkey for the last 2000 years! John the Apostle is supposedly going to come out of hiding and reveal how to interpret the book of Revelation (NOT)! You really can't make this stuff up!10 

For more information please refer to: WOLVES IN SHEEP'S CLOTHING: FALSE PROPHETS AND BIBLE TEACHERS IN THE LAST DAYS: Joel Richardson (bewareofthewolves.blogspot.com)

UK Apologetics Library: "Not only has Joel Richardson gone along with Mormon (Glenn Beck) but also other notable names of false teachers and organizations that are promoted, this includes Jim Bakker, Sid Roth, Mike Bickle, Walid Schoebat, Paul Wilbur, TBN, Pat Robertson 700 Club, CBN News, Joel Rosenberg (listed 2009), IHOP (International House of Prayer), Jonathan Cahn, Mark Biltz, Chuck Missler, Daystar TV. Joel Richardson is a frequent Speaker at Billy Humphrey's IHOP Atlanta".11

Given the plethora of information that identifies Richardson as a false teacher, it t is very concerning that he is endorsed by Zion's Hope and is a speaker at their conferences.12 

I appeal to you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and create obstacles contrary to the doctrine that you have been taught; avoid them. (Romans 16:17 cf. 1 Timothy 6:3-5).

1. Microsoft Word - Prewrath - Early Church Fathers.docx (alankurschner.com)
2. Robert Van Kampen - Rapture Ready
3. https://lionandlambapologetics.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/Another-Look-at-Rosenthals-Pre-Wrath-Rapture-McLean-1.pdf
4. WOLVES IN SHEEP'S CLOTHING: FALSE PROPHETS AND BIBLE TEACHERS IN THE LAST DAYS: Joe Schimmel Blessed Hope Chapel (bewareofthewolves.blogspot.com)
5. WOLVES IN SHEEP'S CLOTHING: FALSE PROPHETS AND BIBLE TEACHERS IN THE LAST DAYS: Sam Adams Independence Baptist Church (bewareofthewolves.blogspot.com)
6. The Assemblies of God and the NAR — Holly Pivec
7. Founder of Missions Group FAI Resigns Over Sexual Infidelity (julieroys.com)
8. Is the Disciple John Alive? - Chris Reed on the Elijah List (youtube.com)
9. 20231020 LIPS YT VSL ExplainerUGC 03 JW NoGH (youtube.com)
10. (3) Joel Richardson - An Important Update: Many of you who have been... | Facebo
11. Why are Joe Schimmel and Jacob Prasch not discerning within their own camps? - UK Aplogetics Libra ry (ukapologeticslibrary.net)
12. Zion's Hope (zionshope.org)

Further Link

Articles for Posttribulationism to Consider | ESCHATOS MINISTRIES (alankurschner.com)

JOEL RICHARDSON DISINFORMATION: JERUSALEM THE GREAT HARLOT

(31) Debunking Jerusalem as the Great Harlot THE BOOK OF REVELATION Session 58 - YouTube

In this video, Joel Richardson makes a disingenuous attempt to debunk the view that Jerusalem is the Great Harlot of Revelation 17 and 18. Richardson's talent for misrepresenting opposing views should be a matter of serious concern to those who take the time to test his various teachings against the scriptures. (1 John 4:1).

Richardson;  "In the session, I am going to take on the position that Mystery Babylon is referring to present-day Jerusalem, it is referring to an end-time entity. It is referring to Jerusalem at the end of the age just before the return of Jesus. In other words, the Jerusalem of today is in fact Babylon the Great."  

The view that Jerusalem is the Great Harlot refers to eschatological (future) Jerusalem, not present-day Jerusalem. This point is very difficult to miss since two of the best-known scholars who hold this view, Chris White and J Paul Tanner, have gone to some lengths to emphasize that they are referring to Eschatological  (future) Jerusalem. 

Chris White: "I believe Mystery Babylon is the eschatological city of Jerusalem. I chose my words very carefully in this description. In other words, I believe it is the Jerusalem of the end times, where, according to Daniel 11:45, the Anti-Christ sets up his end-times world government and end-times world religion headquarters." {1}

Richardson points out that two women are identified in the book of Revelation, Jerusalem and Babylon, but he is unwilling to admit that it is possible for these two opposing "women" to exist simultaneously in one location. There were two opposing factions within physical Jerusalem in Jesus' time; those who believed and accepted Him as their Messiah, and those who falsely claimed to be the true descendants of Abraham due to their lineage. (John 8:33,39). Jesus identified his primary enemies as the scribes and Pharisees and He did not hesitate to condemn them. (John 8:44-45). The religious hierarchy of Jerusalem continued its fierce opposition to the gospel throughout the Book of Acts and beyond. (Acts 18:5-6). The faction that bitterly opposes Jesus today within Jerusalem will make a strong covenant with the Antichrist for one week (seven years). (Daniel 9:27). If anyone thinks it is anti-semitic to say such a thing, then we should consider how Jesus Himself regarded them.

It should be noted that all true believers are commanded to evacuate Jerusalem at the midpoint of the 70th week of Daniel when the city will be given over to the Antichrist. 

But when you see Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then know that its desolation has come near. Then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains, and let those who are inside the city depart, and let not those who are out in the country enter it, for these are days of vengeance, to fulfill all that is written. Alas for women who are pregnant and for those who are nursing infants in those days! For there will be great distress upon the earth and wrath against this people. They will fall by the edge of the sword and be led captive among all nations, and Jerusalem will be trampled underfoot by the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled. (Luke 21:20-24).

So when you see the abomination of desolation spoken of by the prophet Daniel, standing in the holy place (let the reader understand), then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains. Let the one who is on the housetop not go down to take what is in his house, and let the one who is in the field not turn back to take his cloak. And alas for women who are pregnant and for those who are nursing infants in those days! Pray that your flight may not be in winter or on a Sabbath. For then there will be great tribulation, such as has not been from the beginning of the world until now, no, and never will be. And if those days had not been cut short, no human being would be saved. But for the sake of the elect those days will be cut short. (Matthew 24:15-22 cf. Daniel 9:27, 11:31, 12:11; Revelation 13:7).

Richardson promotes the view that Mecca, the centre of the Islamic faith, is the Great Harlot. However, Babylon is defined as a name of mystery, i.e. it is non-literal: And on her forehead was written a name of mystery:“Babylon the great, mother of prostitutes and of earth’s abominations.” (Revelation 17:5). The non-literal name of Babylon is further alluded to in 1 Peter 5:13. It is probable that the place alluded to by Peter is Jerusalem since there is no evidence that Peter ever visited Rome.

Come, I will show you the judgment of the great prostitute who is seated on many waters, with whom the kings of the earth have committed sexual immorality, and with the wine of whose sexual immorality the dwellers on earth have become drunk.” (Revelation 17:1-2,15). Revelation 17:15 identifies many waters as peoples and multitudes and nations and languages. This is an apt description of the Antichrist's authority over the kings of the earth/the earth dwellers during the 70th week of Daniel. (Revelation 17:12-13). 

Richardson's claim that Babylon the Great must be a seaport is another one of his intentional errors. The text indicates that much wealth is made from Babylon the Great by those who earn their living on the sea. At the time of her destruction, the seafarers stood far off. (Revelation 18:17). This indicates that there is some distance between the seafarers and Babylon the Great. Jerusalem is approximately 50km/30 miles inland. It is perfectly feasible that her destruction will be visible from the Mediterranean Sea. One possibility is the seaport of Ashdod which is known as the "gateway to Jerusalem". 

And all shipmasters and seafaring men, sailors and all whose trade is on the sea, stood far off and cried out as they saw the smoke of her burning, “What city was like the great city?” And they threw dust on their heads as they wept and mourned, crying out, “Alas, alas, for the great city where all who had ships at sea grew rich by her wealth! (Revelation 18:17-19).

There can be no doubt that Jerusalem will be the headquarters of the Antichrist and the epicenter of eschatological iniquity. This iniquity will quickly fan out and engulf the entire world following the abomination of desolation event at the midpoint of the 70th week of Daniel. (Daniel 9:27). The Antichrist ..opposes and exalts himself over 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 cf. Matthew 24:15; Daniel 9:27, 11:31-32 ). Jerusalem, especially the future temple, is the most coveted place on earth for the Antichrist (empowered by Satan) to set up his headquarters. The original temple housed God's glory (1 Kings 6:1,37-38; 8:10-11), and it appears that the third temple will be the site of the Antichrist's lying signs and wonders. (2 Thessalonians 2:9). It is difficult to imagine a more wicked place on earth during this 3.5-year period of time. Jerusalem will be the city where the Antichrist will be hailed as the one true god by the inhabitants remaining in the city. There will be a brief moment of victory for the Antichrist and his supporters. (John 8:44). 

..there was found in her the blood of prophets and saints (Revelation 18:24). Jerusalem is held responsible for the blood of the prophets and saints. The words spoken are in the present tense and embrace both the past and the future. : “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it! How often would I have gathered your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing! See, your house is left to you desolate. For I tell you, you will not see me again, until you say, ‘Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.’” (Matthew 23:37-39 cf. Luke 13:34-35). Opposition to the beast system will arise in the form of the two witnesses, the final martyrs killed in Jerusalem. ..the great city that symbolically is called Sodom and Egypt, where their Lord was crucified (Revelation 11:8). Worldwide persecution against the tribulation saints will arise from the Antichrists headquarters in Jerusalem. (Revelation 12:17, 13:7).

Meyer: Matthew 23:37 ff. "After denouncing all those woes against the scribes and Pharisees, the departing Redeemer, looking with sad eye into the future, sets the holy city also—which He sees hastening to its destruction under the false guidance of those leaders—in a living connection with the tragic contents of Matthew 23:34 ff., but in such a way that his parting words are no longer denunciations of woe, but the deep wail of a heart wounded, because its love has been despised. Thus Matthew 23:37 ff. forms an appropriate conclusion to the whole drama of the discourse. Luke 13:34 introduces the words in a historical connection entirely different." {2}

Jerusalem and Babylon are both described as "the great city" in the book of Revelation. (Revelation 11:8, 14:8, 16:9, 17:18, 18:10). Richardson suggests that this phrase proves no connection between the two cities since other cities are described as "great" in the scriptures e.g. Gibeon (Joshua 10:2), Jericho (Jonah 1:2, 3:2, 4:11). These additional references to great cities in the Old Testament refer to previous cities, whereas eschatologically, the phrase "the great city" is limited to Jerusalem/Babylon.

Richardson's emotive argument pulls on the heartstrings and is based on God's love for Jerusalem and His intent to restore her. These prophecies concerning the future blessings of Jerusalem are obviously true, and yet at the same time, it is clear that Jerusalem's future blessed state comes through judgement and repentance. When Paul stated: all Israel will be saved (Romans 11:26), he was not referring to every single Israelite, but to the remnant who survive the Antichrist's persecution, aka the time of Jacob's trouble (Jeremiah 30:7 cf. Jeremiah 30:22; Hosea 6:1-2; Zechariah 12:10; Joel 2:32). Two-thirds of the Jewish people will perish during the great tribulation. (Zechariah 13:8-9). The surviving remnant of Israel will consist of one-third of the Jewish people i.e. those who call out to the Lord in repentance. (Revelation 12:14). 

And I will pour out on the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem a spirit of grace and pleas for mercy, so that, when they look on me, on him whom they have pierced, they shall mourn for him, as one mourns for an only child, and weep bitterly over him, as one weeps over a firstborn. On that day the mourning in Jerusalem will be as great as the mourning for Hadad-rimmon in the plain of Megiddo. The land shall mourn, each family by itself: the family of the house of David by itself, and their wives by themselves; the family of the house of Nathan by itself, and their wives by themselves; the family of the house of Levi by itself, and their wives by themselves; the family of the Shimeites by itself, and their wives by themselves; and all the families that are left, each by itself, and their wives by themselves.“On that day there shall be a fountain opened for the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem, to cleanse them from sin and uncleanness. (Zechariah 12:10-14, 13:1).

The earliest known commentary on the Book of Revelation identifies Jerusalem as the Great Harlot:

Hippolytus - On Christ and Antichrist: By the unrighteous judge, who fears not God, neither regards man, he means without doubt Anti-Christ, as he is a son of the devil and a vessel of Satan. For when he has the power, he will begin to exalt himself against God, neither in truth fearing God, nor regarding the Son of God, who is the Judge of all. And in saying that there was a widow in the city, he refers to Jerusalem itself, which is a widow indeed, forsaken of her perfect, heavenly spouse, God. She calls Him her adversary, and not her Saviour; for she does not understand that which was said by the prophet Jeremiah: “Because they obeyed not the truth, a spirit of error shall speak then to this people and to Jerusalem.” {3}

The great city of Babylon will ultimately be completely obliterated in one day/in one hour and will be found no more. (Revelation 16:18-19; 18:8, 10, 17, 19, 21). Interestingly Ezekiel 40-48 tells us that millennial Jerusalem will bear no resemblance to the current city of Jerusalem regarding its size, location and topography. Jerusalem will sit on a high plateau and will have two rivers flowing from its east and west sides. In respect of size, Jerusalem will be nine times larger than present-day Jerusalem. The physical location of the city will not be in the exact location of the present city. The vast temple will be bigger than the current city of Jerusalem and will be located outside the city. Millennial Jerusalem, renamed the Lord is there, bears no comparison with present-day Jerusalem. (Ezekiel 48:35).

I find the case for eschatological Jerusalem as the Great Harlot very convincing. Like many other believers, I was influenced by Dave Hunt and other teachers who promoted Rome as The woman riding the beast aka the Great Harlot. However, looking at it with fresh eyes, I now wonder why did not realize that eschatological Jerusalem fulfils all the criteria for the Great Harlot. Where I  differ with Chris White is that I do not think that the Antichrist will claim to be the Jewish Messiah. My present view is that the Antichrist will pretend to be a political ally and a powerful friend to the Jewish people up until the midpoint of the 70th week. White's concluding analysis promoting Jerusalem as the location of Armageddon as against Megiddo originated with Michael Heiser who I do not endorse. {4} 

I have expressed my concerns about Richardson's background in previous posts. Richardson was "prophetically endorsed" by false prophet Paul Cain, which is no endorsement at all! During the same meeting, Cain also endorsed and kick-started the ministry of hyper-grace teacher Joseph Prince. Later, Cain transferred his "anointing" to Todd Bentley. {5} Richardson's disastrous associations with Whalid Shobat, TBN, and more recently with Dalton Thomas (Frontier Alliance International), casts further doubt on the validity of his ministry. 

Richardson is a popular speaker and many take him at face value and do not care to delve deeper into some of his questionable assertions. In particular, Richardsons teaching regarding an Islamic Antichrist is deeply flawed. There are those who genuinely seek truth through exhaustive study and sound exegesis, and there are those who peddle their wares and twist the scriptures for their own motives. I would define Richardson as belonging to the latter. (2 Corinthians 2:17).

1. ner.org)MYSTERY BABYLON – Full text | Nowhere To Run with Chris White

2.  Matthew 23:37 Commentaries: "Jerusalem, Jerusalem, who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her! How often I wanted to gather your children together, the way a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, and you were unwilling. (biblehub.com)

3.  CHURCH FATHERS: On Christ and Antichrist (Hippolytus) (newadvent.org)

4. WOLVES IN SHEEP'S CLOTHING: FALSE PROPHETS AND BIBLE TEACHERS IN THE LAST DAYS: MICHAEL HEISER'S ALLEGED LOCATION OF ARMAGEDDON (bewareofthewolves.blogspot.com)

5.  WOLVES IN SHEEP'S CLOTHING: FALSE PROPHETS AND BIBLE TEACHERS IN THE LAST DAYS: JOEL RICHARDSON ENDORSES PAUL CAIN # CHARISMANIA! (bewareofthewolves.blogspot.com)

Further Links

Tanner_ETS Paper on Rev 17-18_Mar 20 2017.pdf (paultan
 (conspiracyclothes.com)

(33) Part 1 - Mystery Babylon Study - Jerusalem - Chris White - YouTube

Revelation Commentary : Chapter Seventeen
WOLVES IN SHEEP'S CLOTHING: FALSE PROPHETS AND BIBLE TEACHERS IN THE LAST DAYS: Joel Richardson (bewareofthewolves.blogspot.com)

JOEL RICHARDSON: IDENTIFICATIONAL REPENTANCE IS A FALSE TEACHING

(33) Daniel's Four Visions: Chapter 9 - YouTube

Identificational Repentance

Identificational repentance is the technical term for repentance on behalf of others. This false teaching was introduced via the neo-charismatic Third Wave Movement and forms part of the intercessory warfare model of false NAR teachers. False "apostle" C Peter Wagner alleged that "identificational repentance" was one of the "ten Major Prayer Innovations of the 1990s". 

Alleged 10 Major Prayer Innovations of the 1990s

1. Strategic-level spiritual warfare. The idea of taking authority over high-ranking principalities and powers assigned by Satan to keep social networks of various kinds in spiritual darkness was the focus of the Spiritual Warfare Network starting in 1990. Key authors included Cindy Jacobs, Dick Eastman, and C. Peter Wagner.
2. Identificational repentance. The body of Christ began to learn that it is possible to heal the wounds of the past through identificational repentance and thus to weaken strongholds that Satan has built. The key author was John Dawson.
3. Prayer evangelism. Prayer has ordinarily been an add-on to evangelism, but now we know that prayer itself, when intelligently strategized and focused, can be a direct force for winning people to Christ. The key author was Ed Silvoso.
4. Personal intercession for leaders. For pastors and other Christian leaders, identifying and relating positively to personal intercessors can mean the difference between success and failure in ministry. Key authors included John Maxwell, Terry Teykl, and C. Peter Wagner.
5. Two-way prayer. Prayer is not just speaking to God, but also hearing directly from Him. Derivatives of this include prophecy, the office of prophet, and prophetic intercession. Key authors included Cindy Jacobs and Chuck Pierce.
6. On-site praying. Prayer began to move out of the church and into the community through praise marches, prayer expeditions, prayer journeys, and prayerwalking. Key authors included Graham Kendrick, Steve Hawthorne and C. Peter Wagner.
7. City transformation. Through prayer, the kingdom of God can move out of the church and penetrate all levels of society, thereby transforming cities and other territories. Key authors included George Otis, Jr., Ed Silvoso, John Dawson, and C. Peter Wagner.
8. The AD2000 United Prayer Track. A vehicle for mobilizing prayer for the lost at a level never before seen in church history. Key authors included Luis Bush, Beverly Pegues, and Dick Eastman.
9. Commitment to the land. Spiritual authority of pastors and other leaders increases proportionately to their commitment to the territory in which God has placed them. The key author was Bob Beckett.
10. Spiritual mapping. Spirit-guided research can help target our prayers and produce informed, and thus more effective, intercession. The key author was George Otis, Jr. {1}

Biblical repentance necessitates a deep awareness of the wickedness of personal sin and turning away from it. Repentance involves sorrow, contrition, confession, faith, and obedience to God's revealed will. In the Old Testament, every individual was responsible to turn from his evil way. (Jeremiah 18:11; 26:3, 36:3; Leviticus 5:5; 26:40-42; Ezekiel 14:4-6, 18:30, 33:11). In the New Testament, the key term for repentance is metanoia. The call to repent was addressed to every person who heard the message of the gospel. And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. (Acts 2:38 cf. Matthew 7:24-26).

Given the scriptural directives above, it is not possible for anyone to repent for sins they have not personally committed. It is likely that we will suffer the damaging effects caused by the sins of our ancestors or our contemporaries and we should not ignore/deny them. Nevertheless, it was/is the responsibility of the individuals committing those sins to repent, not ours. 

The rationale for identificational repentance is rooted in Old Testament passages such as Daniel 9:1-15 and Nehemiah 1:5-7. Richardson bases his argument on the premise that an individual can identify with, confess and repent for the corporate sins of a particular group he/she identifies with, even though he/she has not committed those sins. This teaching is highly problematic because it re-connects believers to secular groups that are not redeemed by the blood of Jesus Christ. Israel was chosen out of all the nations to be His treasured possession (Deuteronomy 14:2). Today God calls people out of the world to repent individually. God does not call believers to re-identify with secular groups belonging to the world. (2 Corinthians 6:17). The realm of the world is under the influence of the god of this age/the prince of this world. (2 Corinthians 4:4). For believers to re-identify with a particular nation or city inverts the scriptural command to be separate from the world. 

They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. (John 17: 14-16 cf. 2 Corinthians 6:17; 1 Peter 2:9).

Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not of this world. If my kingdom were of this world, my servants would have been fighting, that I might not be delivered over to the Jews. But my kingdom is not from the world.”

And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper,f to be with you forever, even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you. (John 14:16-17 cf. 1 John 4:5; John 17:16).

Identificational repentance is linked to other "innovations" promoted by Wagner, involving unbiblical activities such as prayer walking, spiritual mapping and spiritual warfare. These activities sidestep the gospel of Jesus Christ and the commission given to the church to make disciples of all nations. (Matthew 28:19 cf.1 Timothy 2:1-6; Ephesians 6:19). 

The false teachings of Wagner and his cohorts are also employed to confuse believers regarding generational curses and spiritual healing that has already been accomplished by Jesus Christ on the cross. These teachings are rooted in dominion theology and the false beliefs of the NAR. Whilst Richardson is not overtly NAR, he has historic associations with Paul Cain and other charismatic deceivers. {2} His theology is replete with errors and he subtly inserts many perverted doctrines into his teachings. (1 Timothy 4:1). 

Daniel 9

In the first year of Darius the son of Ahasuerus, by descent a Mede, who was made king over the realm of the Chaldeans— in the first year of his reign, I, Daniel, perceived in the books the number of years that, according to the word of the LORD to Jeremiah the prophet, must pass before the end of the desolations of Jerusalem, namely, seventy years. 

Then I turned my face to the Lord God, seeking him by prayer and pleas for mercy with fasting and sackcloth and ashes. I prayed to the LORD my God and made confession, saying, “O Lord, the great and awesome God, who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love him and keep his commandments, we have sinned and done wrong and acted wickedly and rebelled, turning aside from your commandments and rules. We have not listened to your servants the prophets, who spoke in your name to our kings, our princes, and our fathers, and to all the people of the land. To you, O Lord, belongs righteousness, but to us open shame, as at this day, to the men of Judah, to the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and to all Israel, those who are near and those who are far away, in all the lands to which you have driven them, because of the treachery that they have committed against you. To us, O LORD, belongs open shame, to our kings, to our princes, and to our fathers, because we have sinned against you. To the Lord our God belong mercy and forgiveness, for we have rebelled against him and have not obeyed the voice of the LORD our God by walking in his laws, which he set before us by his servants the prophets. All Israel has transgressed your law and turned aside, refusing to obey your voice. And the curse and oath that are written in the Law of Moses the servant of God have been poured out upon us, because we have sinned against him. He has confirmed his words, which he spoke against us and against our rulers who ruled us by bringing upon us a great calamity. For under the whole heaven there has not been done anything like what has been done against Jerusalem. As it is written in the Law of Moses, all this calamity has come upon us; yet we have not entreated the favor of the LORD our God, turning from our iniquities and gaining insight by your truth. Therefore the LORD has kept ready the calamity and has brought it upon us, for the LORD our God is righteous in all the works that he has done, and we have not obeyed his voice. And now, O Lord our God, who brought your people out of the land of Egypt with a mighty hand, and have made a name for yourself, as at this day, we have sinned, we have done wickedly. (Daniel 9:1-15).

Although Daniel and Nehemiah confessed Israel's sins before God, they did not actually repent. Daniels's intercession was based specifically on the word of God to Jeremiah that Israel would return to the land after seventy years. (Daniel 9:2). The judgment that had been administered by God for the sins of Israel was about to come to an end. Daniel expressed sorrow, regret, and remorse, and because he was part of the covenant people of Israel he identified with them. The specific word of God concerning the world is that it perishing and under judgement. (John 12:31; 1 John 2:17). The future for the nations is well stated in the book of Revelation, and it does not involve wholesale revival as Richardson claims. (Revelation 13:12).

Discernment Group: "It is significant that this article cited above, attributed to the book Deliver Us from Evil: An Uneasy Frontier in Christian Mission (World Vision, 2002), was connected with the Lausanne movement. These spiritual warfare doctrines went mainstream into the global mission world via the Lausanne Committee for World Evangelization which held a "Deliver us from Evil Consultation" in Nairobi, Kenya in 2000. Its purpose was to focus on 'spiritual warfare with the principalities and powers of evil who are seeking to overthrow the church and frustrate the task of evangelization.' Again, notice that the underlying doctrine is faulty -- that Jesus didn't defeat Satan at the Cross and He has 'unfinished work'. {3} 

The prophet Ezekiel demonstrates that repentance is individual rather than corporate.

Then the word of the LORD came to me, saying, “What do you people mean by quoting this proverb about the land of Israel: ‘The fathers have eaten sour grapes, and the teeth of the children are set on edge’? As surely as I live, declares the Lord GOD, you will no longer quote this proverb in Israel. Behold, every soul belongs to Me; both father and son are Mine. The soul who sins is the one who will die..

But if a wicked person turns away from all his sins that he has committed and keeps all my statutes and does what is just and right, he shall surely live; he shall not die. None of the transgressions that he has committed shall be remembered against him; for the righteousness that he has done he shall live. Have I any pleasure in the death of the wicked, declares the Lord GOD, and not rather that he should turn from his way and live? But when a righteous person turns away from his righteousness and does injustice and does the same abominations that the wicked person does, shall he live? None of the righteous deeds that he has done shall be remembered; for the treachery of which he is guilty and the sin he has committed, for them he shall die. (Ezekiel 18:1-4,21-24). cf. Acts 3:19;

Fathers shall not be put to death because of their children, nor shall children be put to death because of their fathers. Each one shall be put to death for his own sin. (Deuteronomy 24:16).

Prayer for secular authorities 

Christians are instructed to pray for all people including secular authorities, but identificational repentance is never mentioned in the scriptures. 

First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. (1Timothy 2:1-3). 

Now the Spirit expressly says that in later times some will depart from the faith by devoting themselves to deceitful spirits and teachings of demons.. (1 Timothy 4:1).

1. Summary Report: AD2000 United Prayer Track
2. WOLVES IN SHEEP'S CLOTHING: FALSE PROPHETS AND BIBLE TEACHERS IN THE LAST DAYS: JOEL RICHARDSON ENDORSES PAUL CAIN # CHARISMANIA! (bewareofthewolves.blogspot.com)
3. Identificational Repentance (crossroad.to)

JOEL RICHARDSON: METATRON HERESY

(9) THE BOOK OF REVELATION // Session 20: The Sign of the Coming of the Son of Man - YouTube

Various false teachings are being fed insidiously to the body of Christ by Joel Richardson and Dalton Thomas (Frontier Alliance International). These false teachings primarily concern the alleged "Islamic Antichrist" which I have debunked in previous posts. In the above video Richardson refers to the pre-incarnate appearances of Jesus Christ as the Metatron. (26:00 mark). This blasphemous teaching was picked up by a few people in the comments. Richardson re-affirms this heresy below. 

The Metatron is described as an angelic being in the Babylonian Talmud, in various other mystical writings and in the apocryphal books of Enoch. In these writings, it is said that after Enoch's translation (Genesis 5:24), that he was transformed into the angel Metatron. The Greek Meta+Tron translates Beyond+Matrix. The Metatron is referred to as "Lesser YHVH" in a version of the Talmud by the Karite scholar Kirkisani. Jewish myths are condemned in the New Testament - as such Christians should completely avoid such teachings. (Titus 1:14).

Compelling Truth: "Metatron is at best a legend, and at worst, a deception—there is no reason to believe he exists. The Bible never mentions him, and the descriptions of Metatron in the mystical writings do not agree with the biblical descriptions of angels. The Bible tells us not to pursue 'godless myths and old wives' tales' but to instead train ourselves in godliness (1 Timothy 4:7 NIV). Furthermore, the worship of angels is associated with asceticism and false visions, and is opposed to the worship of Christ (Colossians 2:18-19)." {1}

I appeal to you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and create obstacles contrary to the doctrine that you have been taught; avoid them. (Romans 16:17).

1.  https://www.compellingtruth.orjjg/Metatron.html