As I urged you when I was going to Macedonia, remain at Ephesus so that
you may charge certain persons not to teach any different doctrine, nor to devote themselves to MYTHS and endless genealogies, which promote SPECULATIONS rather than the stewardship from God that is by faith. (1 Timothy 1:3-7).
THE IMMINENCY MYTH - CHUCK MISSLER
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b1xoON5GLSw
Chuck Missler uses the background of the ancient Jewish wedding as proof of imminency:
In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also. (John 14:2-3)
Missler teaches that this passage proves imminency because the bridegroom departs for an "indeterminate time" before returning unexpectedly for his bride, the church.
This is an illegitimate illustration of imminency. The ancient Jewish wedding took place in two distinct stages, usually about a year apart. The first stage, kiddushin (sanctification or dedication), including erusin (betrothal), after which the groom would depart for about a year in order to prepare a dwelling place in his father's house to which he would later bring his bride. The second stage, nisuin (the formal marriage) when the marriage was consummated and the couple started their life together. The period of time for the bridegroom to return for the nisuin, though not exact, was predictable - it was certainly not "indeterminate" or "imminent" as Missler and others claim. The context of John 14:2-3 is more of an assurance that Christ will indeed return, and that during his absence he is making preparations for his bride. It follows that if Christ is making preparations, he will not return until they are complete. Christ's journey is spoken of elsewhere as a long absence which does not indicate imminence (Proverbs 7:19; Matthew 21:33; 25:14; Luke 19:12; 20:9). The definition of imminency is that nothing must precede it, and yet clearly Christ's preparations do precede it. "If something else must occur before Christ comes, then His coming is not imminent. The necessity of something else taking place first destroys the concept of the imminent coming of Christ." http://www.pre-trib.org/articles/view/imminent-coming-of-christ
THE SEVEN DAYS OF HUPPAH MYTH
The Book of Joel gives us the Hebrew word "chuppah" which, in this context, is a bridal canopy or chamber (Joel 2:16). Below are three quotations from well known pretribulationists propagating the myth of the bride's seven days of seclusion in the bridal chamber (chuppah or huppah).
The Berean Call:
"Corresponding with the Jewish bride remaining hidden in the bridal
chamber for a period of seven days after arrival at the groom's father's
house, the Church will remain hidden for a period of seven [years]
after arrival at Christ's Father's house in heaven. While the seven-year
Tribulation Period is taking place on the earth, the Church will be in
heaven totally hidden from the sight of those living on the earth. Just
as the Jewish groom brought his bride out of the bridal chamber at the
conclusion of the seven days with her veil removed, so that all could
see who his bride was, so Christ will bring His Church out of heaven in
His Second Coming at the conclusion of the seven-year Tribulation Period
in full view of all who are alive, so that all can see who the true
church is (Col:3:4)."
https://www.thebereancall.org/content/behold-bridegroom-comes
Arnold Fruchtenbaum:
".....(being taken away and hidden in the 'cheder', the bridal-chamber, was the consummating act of the ancient Jewish wedding. Unless the bridegroom fulfilled the required "seven days in the bridal-chamber" with his bride, the marriage covenant was not considered to be consummated or fulfilled. In prophetic application, the Lord invites His bride to 'hide in the bridal-chamber' prior to 'the Indignation' - the Great Tribulation)" http://www.arielministries.net/ariel0626.html
Chuck Missler:
"During the seven days of the wedding feast, the bride and groom remained hidden in the bridal chamber19 (Cf. Genesis 29:21-23, 27-28) for the seven days of the huppah.20
Afterwards, the groom came out of hiding, bringing his bride with him,
but with her veil removed so that everyone could see her." http://www.khouse.org/articles/2003/449
Missler cites The Universal Jewish Encyclopedia, pp.5, 504 as his source for the above quotation. Actually this quotation comes from a piece written by staunch pretribulationist Renald Showers who has misquoted The Universal Jewish Encyclopedia. In effect we have Showers fictional statement about the groom coming out of hiding with his bride etc. tagged onto his
misquotation of the source, a ruse seemingly designed to completely mislead the
readers of both Missler and Showers! Showers source: "Huppah," The Universal Jewish Encyclopedia, ed.
Isaac Landman (New York: Universal Jewish Encyclopedia Co., Inc.,1948),
5, 504.
http://www.biblestudymanuals.net/jewish_marriage_customs.htm
http://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=mdp.39015069223728;view=1up;seq=526
Many pretribulationist authors re-quote Showers and Missler as authoritative evidence for "the seven days of huppa". However, the problem
for the pretribulationists is that there is no evidence for the mythical
seven days of isolation in the Tanakh. This necessitates their reliance upon tradition alone without biblical support, in order to validate their point. Ironically, even here they fail! Although the Talmud does give detailed information on Jewish wedding
procedures, opinion seems to differ among the rabbis concerning these procedures in ancient times. In Talmudic times, the room where the marriage was consummated was huppa or chuppah. In other words the huppah was a later addition practiced during Talmudic period. The Tanakh refers to the wedding simply as the seven days of the feast (Genesis 29:27 Judges 14:12).
"Of the marriage ceremonial little is known; it is not mentioned at all
in the story of Isaac, while in that of Jacob (Gen. xxix.) a
marriage-feast and a nuptial week are spoken of." http://www.jewishencyclopedia.com/articles/10432-marriage
"Many medieval rabbis were uncertain about what precisely the Talmud was thinking of when it said 'the huppah.' According to many authorities the huppah was the groom's house, or, if
not, it was a room or space other than the bride's parental home." http://templeemunah.org/images/sermons/Rabbi_David_Lerner/Previous_Years/5768/09-27-07%20-%20Sukkot%205768.pdf
Dr Thomas L Constable explains some of the background concerning weddings in the ancient Near East: "Sixth,
the bride and groom would consummate their marriage at the groom's home
the night of the wedding ceremony. Seventh, there would be a banquet
that would often last as long as seven days. This often took place at
the groom's home." http://www.soniclight.com/constable/notes/pdf/matthew.pdf
Kaufmann Kohler refers to "the seven days of her" or "of the ḥuppah" as a seventeenth century practice amongst Dutch Jews. http://www.jewishencyclopedia.com/articles/7941-huppah
My conclusion: Evidence for the seven day period of seclusion of the bride and groom in the bridal chamber appears to be taken from from later Jewish tradition and forms part of the pre-tribulation rapture propaganda. Furthermore, many pretribulationists are desperate to prove a seven year tribulation in order to prove their point, but this is another myth. The Great Tribulation referred to by Jesus Christ is a period of 3.5 years (Matthew 24:21; Revelation 12:5-6; 13:5). The seven year period is commonly referred to as "Daniel's seventieth week" (Daniel 9:27). As I have previously written, the history of the pre-tribulation rapture
deception is sordid through and through and still persists to this day through men who for some unknown reason are determined to propagate this
myth at the expense of truth.These men are even prepared to re-write history and twist the scriptures to fit in with their dubious agenda. http://bewareofthewolves.blogspot.co.uk/2015/10/thomas-ice-and-paul-wilkinson-sordid.html
Chuck Missler's past is something of a shock if one isn't prepared. Missler has publicly apologised for his heavy plagiarisation of Edwin Yamauchi's ©1982 book
titled Foes from the Northern Frontier: Invading Hordes from the Russian
Steppes (FNF). Missler has also been accused of plagiarism of New Age writer Michael Talbot's 1992 book The Holographic Universe in his 1999 book Cosmic Codes: Messages from the Edge of Eternity.
http://calvarychapel.pbworks.com/w/page/13146663/missler-plagiarism
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chuck_Missler
The video below gives an alarming exposé about Chuck Missler and the secretive Council for National Policy (CNP). The CNP was founded in 1981 by suspected Mason, Tim LaHaye, author of the best selling pre-tribulation rapture series Left Behind. CNP members have been given billions of dollars by Sun Myung Moon, self proclaimed Messiah (Lord of the Second Advent) and founder of the Unification Church (the Moonies). Membership of the CNP is a covert affair and by invitation only - a current list of members is "strictly confidential". Previous members lists include Chuck Missler, Bob Jones III, Beverly and Tim LaHaye, Sun Myung Moon, Pat Robertson, James Robison, Jerry Falwell, Paige Patterson, Ergun Caner and many more. Interestingly a numberof these people are now embracing Roman Catholicism!
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Council_for_National_Policy#Meetings_and_membership
http://www.ministers-best-friend.com/Council-for-National-Policy.html
The Berean Call has recently come under fire due to Paul Wilkinson's vile attack on Joe Schimmel, Jacob Prasch and Joel Richardson. Note Wilkinson's outrageous announcement that anyone who does not believe in a pre-tribulation rapture is a heretic!
http://bewareofthewolves.blogspot.co.uk/2015/09/left-behind-or-led-astray-paul.html
http://bewareofthewolves.blogspot.co.uk/2015/09/berean-call-conference-2015-paul.html
They
profess to know God, but they deny him by their works. They are
detestable, disobedient, unfit for any good work. (Titus 1:6)
This people honors me with their lips,but their heart is far from me; in vain do they worship me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men. (Matthew 15:3-6; Mark 7:7-13; Isaiah 29:13).
http://www.contendingfortruth.com/wp-content/uploads/Exposed-Chuck-Missler-Tim-Lahaye-etc.pdf
http://www.jewishencyclopedia.com/articles/10435-marriage-laws
seven days of feasting ancient jewish wedding
https://archive.org/stream/cu31924091768253/cu31924091768253_djvu.txt
http://www.jewishmag.com/131mag/wedding_chuppah/wedding_chuppah.htm
http://www.jewish-history.com/minhag.htm
http://www.wikiwand.com/en/Chuppah
http://christianity.stackexchange.com/questions/16558/is-there-any-account-of-a-religious-marriage-ceremony-in-the-scripture
Friday, 23 October 2015
Saturday, 10 October 2015
thomas ice and paul wilkinson: the sordid pre-tribulation rapture deception!
but evil people and impostors will go on from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived. (2 Timothy 3:13)
Thomas Ice is is Executive Director of The Pre-Trib Research Center (PTRC). He founded the PTRC in 1994 with Tim LaHaye to research, teach, and defend the pre-tribulation rapture and related Bible prophecy doctrines. http://pre-trib.org/about/dr-ice
"Dr" Thomas Ice received his PhD from Tyndale Theological Seminary which is an unaccredited private Christian seminary with its campus in Fort Worth, Texas.
"WorldNetDaily reported on March 7 that a Texas district court has ordered the Tyndale Theological Seminary to pay fines totalling $170,000 for issuing 34 theological degrees without receiving approval from the state education agency."
http://www.preteristarchive.com/dEmEnTiA/2001_macpherson_deceiving.html
The key verse the PTRC use to promote the pre-tribulation rapture deception: Looking for the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus (Titus 2:13). The PTRC works on the presupposition that "the blessed hope" IS the pre-tribulation rapture of the church. There are some very serious problems with this presupposition. The relevant word in Titus 2:13 is "appearing" epipháneia, literally an epiphany, a fitting manifestation or a conspicuous appearing. This emphasises the impact that Christ's visible appearance will have on the entire world when every eye shall see him, both the saved and the unsaved (Revelation 1:7). In the New Testament epipháneia occurs six times and it is always used of Christ's coming (once of His first coming, 2 Timothy 1:10). The context is the appearing of the glory further confirms this understanding since the glory will not be manifest until Christ's second coming to the earth. The blessed hope is synonymous with the parousia i.e. the second coming of Christ (Matthew 24:3, 27, 37; 1 Corinthians 15:23).
"PTRC wants to impact Pastors and individual Christians with the central role and importance that Bible prophecy, especially the any-moment possibility of the rapture, should play in the life of the church. Dr. LaHaye and PTRC stresses three practical implications that flow from the rapture teaching. The first implication of pretribulationism is that it leads to godly living in an unholy age. Next, this New Testament teaching promotes a strong emphasis upon evangelism of the lost. Finally, when believers come to understand this eternal perspective, it leads to a zeal for worldwide missions." http://www.pre-trib.org/about
Exhortations to godly living in the New Testament do not hinge on a pre-tribulation rapture:
Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation (apokalupsis) of Jesus Christ. (1 Peter 1:13) The meaning of apokalupsis is to lay bare. It is the the manifestation of Jesus Christ, not in a pre-tribulation rapture, but his final advent.
Since all these things are thus to be dissolved, what sort of people ought you to be in lives of holiness and godliness, (2 Peter 3:11) This verse links godly living to the day of the Lord, not a pre-tribulation rapture.
The night is far gone; the day is at hand. So then let us cast off the works of darkness and put on the armour of light (Romans 13:12) the approaching parousia (see also Hebrews 10:37; 1 Corinthians 3:13).
.....for at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light (Ephesians 5:8; 1 Thessalonians 5:5; Luke 16:8; John 12:36). Christians are exhorted to walk as children of light because they belong to Christ.
See also 1 Peter 3:8-18, 2 Corinthians 7:1; 2 Peter 1:1-9 etc.
Similarly, evangelism and missions are centered on the salvation message i.e. the Gospel of Jesus Christ in the New Testament, not on a pre-tribulation rapture.
The doctrine of imminency, i.e. the teaching that the rapture could take place at any moment, is not found in the Bible, rather it is an induction.
Thomas Ice interprets the "falling away" in 2 Thessalonians 2:3 as the rapture, due to his interpretation of apostasia "the departure". 1 Timothy 4:1 demonstrates very clearly that apostasia is not the rapture - apostasy is defection, desertion, rebellion departure from a previous standing. There are several instances where the meaning of apostasia is clear: Luke 2:37, 4:13, 8:13, 13:27; Acts 5:37, 12:10, 15:38, 19:9, 22:29; 2 Corinthians 12:8; 1 Timothy 4:1; 2 Timothy 2:19; Hebrews 3:12. You cannot possibly get the rapture from apostasia!
Thomas Ice would have us believe that "the 24 elders" in Revelation 4:4 are the complete raptured church in heaven prior to the tribulation. This is yet another induction. Firstly, Revelation 4:4 is a description of the throne-room of God, there is nothing to indicate that it is a future event. Revelation 15:1-6 is a future scene with those who had conquered the beast and its image and the number of its name, standing beside the sea of glass with harps of God in their hands. This seems clear enough, but additionally, Revelation 5:8 has the 24 elders each holding a harp, and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints. This verse seems to indicate that the "elders" represent the saints, not that the saints are actually present. Furthermore the redeemed of Revelation 6:9 are not with the 24 elders around the throne of God, they are under the altar. The word "elder" is not used of angels in the scriptures, but neither are "elders" referred to as the complete church - elders are simply "elders", we are given no further information about their identity.
Thomas Ice et al are very adept at mis-translating the scriptures in order to advance their pre-tribulation deception. Theologians call it "revisionism" - I call it cheating! A terrible judgement awaits anyone who dares to alter God's word (Deuteronomy 4:2, 12:32; Proverbs 30:5-6; Revelation 22:18-19).
THE SORDID HISTORY: JOHN NELSON DARBY OR EDWARD IRVING?
Prior to the 1830s no one had heard of the pre-tribulation rapture theory. The church looked to the second coming, the parousia, as their hope for just over 1800 years, until Darby that is. Even today, pretribulationism is a doctrine which is held exclusively by the western church, the rest of the Christian world holds to the apostolic position. It was not until Darby departed from the apostles teaching and began to inflict pretribulationalism onto congregations, both in the UK and the US, that the deception began to take hold. In his own words, Darby's wish was that it would spread through the church like "leaven". The deception was further popularized in the US in the early 20th century by the wide circulation of the Scofield Reference Bible. Scofield's unholy life is a subject in itself; suffice to say that he was a dishonest man known for scandal, lies, fraud, adultery, forgery, drunkenness and disgrace.
http://fortheloveofhistruth.com/2013/08/28/scofield-bible-part-2-re-defining-the-darkness-of-fraud-conspiracy-and-heresy/
http://proliberty.com/observer/20090507.htm
The PTRC credits John Nelson Darby, and Darby alone, with the pre-tribulation rapture theory.
".....I believe it can be established that Darby first came to believe in both dispensational truth and pretribulationism by December 1826 or January 1827, before these other alleged sources even surfaced."
http://www.pre-trib.org/articles/view/when-did-j-n-darby-discover-the-rapture
The above PTRC statement is very misleading. It appears that Darby did not clearly teach the pre-tribulation rapture until after the split of the Brethren movement in 1839, twelve years after the date claimed by the PTRC. In fact, evidence suggests that Edward Irving and his followers came up with all of the crucial aspects of dispensationalism well before Darby. Irving published extensive pre-tribulation teachings in his journal "The Morning Watch" from 1829 to 1833. Furthermore, it seems inconceivable that Benjamin Wills Newton would have invited Darby to join the Plymouth Assembly had Darby held pretribulational views in 1831. It was not until 1834 that cracks began to develop in the relationship between Darby and Newton, when Darby began to shift positions and became increasingly convinced in a pre-tribulation rapture. Ordinarily these details would not be critical, but there are good reasons why the PTRC want to credit Darby as the originator of pre-tribulation theory and distance themselves from Irving. Irving was declared a heretic by the Church of Scotland in 1833 for teaching that Christ's human nature was sinful. Furthermore, Irving was a Universalist, an occultist and a false prophet (he predicted that Christ would return in 1864). Clearly Irving's pedigree is not conducive to the PTRC aims of promoting pre-tribulation rapture as a credible proposition. It has been suggested, and not without some foundation, that there has been a sordid cover up in order to credit Darby with pretribulationalism. This plot is promoted primarily through the prevarications of Thomas Ice, and more recently the PTRC's new thug, Paul Wilkinson, who is also a member of the PWMI in the UK. Wilkinson has recently conducted a vicious attack against Joe Schimmel, Jacob Prasch and Joel Richardson, through his defective critique of the DVD Left Behind of Led Astray (LBOLA) by Good Fight Ministries. His subsequent rebuttal to the round table discussion is very weak if not pathetic; he refuses to even answer certain questions saying: "They are not worthy of comment".
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IiNjDYsHfh4&feature=youtu.be
http://livestream.com/bereancallconference/israel2
http://www.pre-trib.org/articles/view/left-behind-or-led-astrayexposed-long-version
As General Director of The Prophetic Witness Movement International (PWMI), Colin LeNoury's knowledge of the subject is embarrassingly sparse. One would think that the General Director of the PWMI would be fully conversant with the history of the pre-tribulation rapture theory. In the DVD LBOLA, Le Noury says that Darby's pre-tribulation ideas ran concurrently with Edward Irving. This contradicts Ice and Wilkinson who say that Darby pre-dated Irving. LeNoury could not answer the question whether there was evidence that Darby's ideas about a pre-tribulation rapture had crystallized prior to 1830: "I am not sure. It is not an area I have researched deeply enough to say whether we have or not." Le Noury has also stated in the same DVD that there is no verse in the scriptures which proves a pre-tribulation rapture. Enough said I think!
THE RECENT SORDID HISTORY: HAL LINDSEY AND TIM LAHAYE
During the 1970's the pre-tribulation rapture theory came back into focus and was popularised by Hal Lindsey's book The Late Great Planet Earth (1970), which has reportedly sold over 60 million copies. The film A Thief in the Night, which followed in 1972, was heavily influenced by The Late Great Planet Earth. In 1995, the pre-tribulation rapture theory was further popularised by Tim LaHaye's Left Behind series of best selling novels which sold tens of millions of copies and later developed into a multi-media franchise. Needless to say, since the 1970s, the pre-trib industry has developed into big business worth millions of pounds.
Very little is known about Hal Lindsey's co-author Carole C. Carlson. This seems very odd for someone who has co-authored several best sellers. It has been suggested by some that Carlson is a Roman Catholic nun writing under a pseudo name in order to hide her true identity. Lindsey and Carlson went on to write several sequels, including Satan is Alive and Well on Planet Earth and The 1980s: Countdown to Armageddon. Carlson is also co-author of Escape the Coming Night with David Jeremiah. Why do we know so little about Carlson? Lindsey is also equally tight lipped about his four marriages. Should we take a man seriously as a Bible prophecy expert who has been married four times and who has close associations with the apostate TBN TV station? According to several sources, the 2002 Alumni Directory of the Jesuit Gonzaga University lists two of Lindsey's daughters as attendees. In addition to this, Lindsey is a false prophet (Deuteronomy 18:20; 2 Peter 2:1):
Lindsey prophesied in The Late Great Planet Earth, that the Soviet Union would be the Empire of the Anti-Christ.
He also prophesied that Jesus would return within 40 years of the birth of the nation of Israel (citing Matthew 24 and the budding of the fig tree).
http://hallindsey.homestead.com/index.html
http://www.survivalistboards.com/showthread.php?t=137240
Despite all of the above, Thomas Ice refers to Hal Lindsey in glowing terms.
Tim LaHaye: "No single verse specifically states Christ will come before the Tribulation."
Tim LaHaye has strong connections with Sun Myung Moon, founder of the Unification Church (the Moonies). Moon has proclaimed himself "the world’s new Messiah" and "the Lord of the Second Advent." LaHaye was the chair of Moon’s Coalition for Religious Freedom, and is reported to have received at least half a million dollars in funding from Moon’s associate Bo Hi Park. It is extraordinary to say the least that LaHaye and his wife have attended and spoken at Moon-sponsored events without raising any theological objections to Moon's claims.
Tim LaHaye to Sun Myung Moon: "Your suffering will cleanse the sins of America."
In 1981 LaHaye founded The Council for National Policy described by The New York Times as: "A little-known club of a few hundred of the most powerful conservatives in the country." LaHaye along with others, is said to be a major figure in subverting the messianic faith. Please read the details of this very secretive organization on the links below. Additionally LaHaye's book Power of the Cross uses the unmistakable Freemasonry Knights Templar symbol, the Cross and Crown, on its cover.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Council_for_National_Policy
http://www.aljacobsladder.com/lord-help-me/gods-fakirs/more-moronic-con-men.html
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cross_and_Crown
The above information should be quite enough for any Christian to avoid Tim LaHay and Left Behind like the plague. However so called "prophecy expert" "Dr" Thomas Ice
actually founded the PTRC with him!
What are we supposed to make of all this? I do not know what Thomas Ice and Paul Wilkinson are in reality, only God knows what they are. What I do question is:
We see so called evangelicals Rick Warren, Joel Osteen, TD Jakes etc. openly aligning themselves with Rome and Jesuit Pope Francis, but is there something just as sinister going on among "respectable" evangelical leaders who claim to be "Bereans"? I personally believe that there is.
Joe Schimmel and Jacob Prasch have stated that the timing of the rapture should not be a divisive issue. I agree that there are many genuine Christians who have been sucked into the pre-tribulation rapture deception by their pastors and/or denominations, and I am not saying that I would divide from these dear believers in Jesus Christ. My personal problem at this point in time is that I cannot maintain unity with those who in my view are deliberately perpetrating a deception which threatens to turn Christians away from their salvation. This is no small issue! I regard these men as false witnesses who are facilitating the "apostasia" (2 Thessalonians 2:3; Mark 10:19; Proverbs 12:17; 14:25). They muddy the waters and have sought to re-invent the sordid pre-tribulation rapture history with no scriptural basis to authenticate their position . I personally have no confidence in either Thomas Ice or Paul Wilkinson as true leaders of the church; I regard them as wolves in sheep's clothing (Matthew 7:15; 1 Timothy 3:1-13). I could no more fellowship with these men than I could with Benny Hinn!
I see nothing of the gospel on the PTRC website, all of their time and substantial efforts are focused upon this deception to the exclusion of the gospel itself.
.....and from among your own selves will arise men speaking twisted things, to draw away the disciples after them. (Acts 20:20)
http://www.seeking4truth.com/john_darby.htm
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Benjamin_Wills_Newton
http://www.scionofzion.com/edward_irving.htmhttp://www.omegashock.com/2013/02/20/jesuit-pretrib-rapture/
http://watch.pair.com/lahaye.html
http://www.rense.com/general20/unholy.htm
http://www.contendingfortruth.com/wp-content/uploads/Exposed-Chuck-Missler-Tim-Lahaye-etc.pdf
http://libertytothecaptives.net/tim_lahaye.html
Thomas Ice is is Executive Director of The Pre-Trib Research Center (PTRC). He founded the PTRC in 1994 with Tim LaHaye to research, teach, and defend the pre-tribulation rapture and related Bible prophecy doctrines. http://pre-trib.org/about/dr-ice
"Dr" Thomas Ice received his PhD from Tyndale Theological Seminary which is an unaccredited private Christian seminary with its campus in Fort Worth, Texas.
"WorldNetDaily reported on March 7 that a Texas district court has ordered the Tyndale Theological Seminary to pay fines totalling $170,000 for issuing 34 theological degrees without receiving approval from the state education agency."
http://www.preteristarchive.com/dEmEnTiA/2001_macpherson_deceiving.html
The key verse the PTRC use to promote the pre-tribulation rapture deception: Looking for the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus (Titus 2:13). The PTRC works on the presupposition that "the blessed hope" IS the pre-tribulation rapture of the church. There are some very serious problems with this presupposition. The relevant word in Titus 2:13 is "appearing" epipháneia, literally an epiphany, a fitting manifestation or a conspicuous appearing. This emphasises the impact that Christ's visible appearance will have on the entire world when every eye shall see him, both the saved and the unsaved (Revelation 1:7). In the New Testament epipháneia occurs six times and it is always used of Christ's coming (once of His first coming, 2 Timothy 1:10). The context is the appearing of the glory further confirms this understanding since the glory will not be manifest until Christ's second coming to the earth. The blessed hope is synonymous with the parousia i.e. the second coming of Christ (Matthew 24:3, 27, 37; 1 Corinthians 15:23).
"PTRC wants to impact Pastors and individual Christians with the central role and importance that Bible prophecy, especially the any-moment possibility of the rapture, should play in the life of the church. Dr. LaHaye and PTRC stresses three practical implications that flow from the rapture teaching. The first implication of pretribulationism is that it leads to godly living in an unholy age. Next, this New Testament teaching promotes a strong emphasis upon evangelism of the lost. Finally, when believers come to understand this eternal perspective, it leads to a zeal for worldwide missions." http://www.pre-trib.org/about
Exhortations to godly living in the New Testament do not hinge on a pre-tribulation rapture:
Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation (apokalupsis) of Jesus Christ. (1 Peter 1:13) The meaning of apokalupsis is to lay bare. It is the the manifestation of Jesus Christ, not in a pre-tribulation rapture, but his final advent.
Since all these things are thus to be dissolved, what sort of people ought you to be in lives of holiness and godliness, (2 Peter 3:11) This verse links godly living to the day of the Lord, not a pre-tribulation rapture.
The night is far gone; the day is at hand. So then let us cast off the works of darkness and put on the armour of light (Romans 13:12) the approaching parousia (see also Hebrews 10:37; 1 Corinthians 3:13).
.....for at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light (Ephesians 5:8; 1 Thessalonians 5:5; Luke 16:8; John 12:36). Christians are exhorted to walk as children of light because they belong to Christ.
See also 1 Peter 3:8-18, 2 Corinthians 7:1; 2 Peter 1:1-9 etc.
Similarly, evangelism and missions are centered on the salvation message i.e. the Gospel of Jesus Christ in the New Testament, not on a pre-tribulation rapture.
The doctrine of imminency, i.e. the teaching that the rapture could take place at any moment, is not found in the Bible, rather it is an induction.
Thomas Ice interprets the "falling away" in 2 Thessalonians 2:3 as the rapture, due to his interpretation of apostasia "the departure". 1 Timothy 4:1 demonstrates very clearly that apostasia is not the rapture - apostasy is defection, desertion, rebellion departure from a previous standing. There are several instances where the meaning of apostasia is clear: Luke 2:37, 4:13, 8:13, 13:27; Acts 5:37, 12:10, 15:38, 19:9, 22:29; 2 Corinthians 12:8; 1 Timothy 4:1; 2 Timothy 2:19; Hebrews 3:12. You cannot possibly get the rapture from apostasia!
Thomas Ice would have us believe that "the 24 elders" in Revelation 4:4 are the complete raptured church in heaven prior to the tribulation. This is yet another induction. Firstly, Revelation 4:4 is a description of the throne-room of God, there is nothing to indicate that it is a future event. Revelation 15:1-6 is a future scene with those who had conquered the beast and its image and the number of its name, standing beside the sea of glass with harps of God in their hands. This seems clear enough, but additionally, Revelation 5:8 has the 24 elders each holding a harp, and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints. This verse seems to indicate that the "elders" represent the saints, not that the saints are actually present. Furthermore the redeemed of Revelation 6:9 are not with the 24 elders around the throne of God, they are under the altar. The word "elder" is not used of angels in the scriptures, but neither are "elders" referred to as the complete church - elders are simply "elders", we are given no further information about their identity.
Thomas Ice et al are very adept at mis-translating the scriptures in order to advance their pre-tribulation deception. Theologians call it "revisionism" - I call it cheating! A terrible judgement awaits anyone who dares to alter God's word (Deuteronomy 4:2, 12:32; Proverbs 30:5-6; Revelation 22:18-19).
THE SORDID HISTORY: JOHN NELSON DARBY OR EDWARD IRVING?
Prior to the 1830s no one had heard of the pre-tribulation rapture theory. The church looked to the second coming, the parousia, as their hope for just over 1800 years, until Darby that is. Even today, pretribulationism is a doctrine which is held exclusively by the western church, the rest of the Christian world holds to the apostolic position. It was not until Darby departed from the apostles teaching and began to inflict pretribulationalism onto congregations, both in the UK and the US, that the deception began to take hold. In his own words, Darby's wish was that it would spread through the church like "leaven". The deception was further popularized in the US in the early 20th century by the wide circulation of the Scofield Reference Bible. Scofield's unholy life is a subject in itself; suffice to say that he was a dishonest man known for scandal, lies, fraud, adultery, forgery, drunkenness and disgrace.
http://fortheloveofhistruth.com/2013/08/28/scofield-bible-part-2-re-defining-the-darkness-of-fraud-conspiracy-and-heresy/
http://proliberty.com/observer/20090507.htm
The PTRC credits John Nelson Darby, and Darby alone, with the pre-tribulation rapture theory.
".....I believe it can be established that Darby first came to believe in both dispensational truth and pretribulationism by December 1826 or January 1827, before these other alleged sources even surfaced."
http://www.pre-trib.org/articles/view/when-did-j-n-darby-discover-the-rapture
The above PTRC statement is very misleading. It appears that Darby did not clearly teach the pre-tribulation rapture until after the split of the Brethren movement in 1839, twelve years after the date claimed by the PTRC. In fact, evidence suggests that Edward Irving and his followers came up with all of the crucial aspects of dispensationalism well before Darby. Irving published extensive pre-tribulation teachings in his journal "The Morning Watch" from 1829 to 1833. Furthermore, it seems inconceivable that Benjamin Wills Newton would have invited Darby to join the Plymouth Assembly had Darby held pretribulational views in 1831. It was not until 1834 that cracks began to develop in the relationship between Darby and Newton, when Darby began to shift positions and became increasingly convinced in a pre-tribulation rapture. Ordinarily these details would not be critical, but there are good reasons why the PTRC want to credit Darby as the originator of pre-tribulation theory and distance themselves from Irving. Irving was declared a heretic by the Church of Scotland in 1833 for teaching that Christ's human nature was sinful. Furthermore, Irving was a Universalist, an occultist and a false prophet (he predicted that Christ would return in 1864). Clearly Irving's pedigree is not conducive to the PTRC aims of promoting pre-tribulation rapture as a credible proposition. It has been suggested, and not without some foundation, that there has been a sordid cover up in order to credit Darby with pretribulationalism. This plot is promoted primarily through the prevarications of Thomas Ice, and more recently the PTRC's new thug, Paul Wilkinson, who is also a member of the PWMI in the UK. Wilkinson has recently conducted a vicious attack against Joe Schimmel, Jacob Prasch and Joel Richardson, through his defective critique of the DVD Left Behind of Led Astray (LBOLA) by Good Fight Ministries. His subsequent rebuttal to the round table discussion is very weak if not pathetic; he refuses to even answer certain questions saying: "They are not worthy of comment".
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IiNjDYsHfh4&feature=youtu.be
http://livestream.com/bereancallconference/israel2
http://www.pre-trib.org/articles/view/left-behind-or-led-astrayexposed-long-version
As General Director of The Prophetic Witness Movement International (PWMI), Colin LeNoury's knowledge of the subject is embarrassingly sparse. One would think that the General Director of the PWMI would be fully conversant with the history of the pre-tribulation rapture theory. In the DVD LBOLA, Le Noury says that Darby's pre-tribulation ideas ran concurrently with Edward Irving. This contradicts Ice and Wilkinson who say that Darby pre-dated Irving. LeNoury could not answer the question whether there was evidence that Darby's ideas about a pre-tribulation rapture had crystallized prior to 1830: "I am not sure. It is not an area I have researched deeply enough to say whether we have or not." Le Noury has also stated in the same DVD that there is no verse in the scriptures which proves a pre-tribulation rapture. Enough said I think!
THE RECENT SORDID HISTORY: HAL LINDSEY AND TIM LAHAYE
During the 1970's the pre-tribulation rapture theory came back into focus and was popularised by Hal Lindsey's book The Late Great Planet Earth (1970), which has reportedly sold over 60 million copies. The film A Thief in the Night, which followed in 1972, was heavily influenced by The Late Great Planet Earth. In 1995, the pre-tribulation rapture theory was further popularised by Tim LaHaye's Left Behind series of best selling novels which sold tens of millions of copies and later developed into a multi-media franchise. Needless to say, since the 1970s, the pre-trib industry has developed into big business worth millions of pounds.
Very little is known about Hal Lindsey's co-author Carole C. Carlson. This seems very odd for someone who has co-authored several best sellers. It has been suggested by some that Carlson is a Roman Catholic nun writing under a pseudo name in order to hide her true identity. Lindsey and Carlson went on to write several sequels, including Satan is Alive and Well on Planet Earth and The 1980s: Countdown to Armageddon. Carlson is also co-author of Escape the Coming Night with David Jeremiah. Why do we know so little about Carlson? Lindsey is also equally tight lipped about his four marriages. Should we take a man seriously as a Bible prophecy expert who has been married four times and who has close associations with the apostate TBN TV station? According to several sources, the 2002 Alumni Directory of the Jesuit Gonzaga University lists two of Lindsey's daughters as attendees. In addition to this, Lindsey is a false prophet (Deuteronomy 18:20; 2 Peter 2:1):
Lindsey prophesied in The Late Great Planet Earth, that the Soviet Union would be the Empire of the Anti-Christ.
He also prophesied that Jesus would return within 40 years of the birth of the nation of Israel (citing Matthew 24 and the budding of the fig tree).
http://hallindsey.homestead.com/index.html
http://www.survivalistboards.com/showthread.php?t=137240
Despite all of the above, Thomas Ice refers to Hal Lindsey in glowing terms.
Tim LaHaye: "No single verse specifically states Christ will come before the Tribulation."
Tim LaHaye has strong connections with Sun Myung Moon, founder of the Unification Church (the Moonies). Moon has proclaimed himself "the world’s new Messiah" and "the Lord of the Second Advent." LaHaye was the chair of Moon’s Coalition for Religious Freedom, and is reported to have received at least half a million dollars in funding from Moon’s associate Bo Hi Park. It is extraordinary to say the least that LaHaye and his wife have attended and spoken at Moon-sponsored events without raising any theological objections to Moon's claims.
Tim LaHaye to Sun Myung Moon: "Your suffering will cleanse the sins of America."
In 1981 LaHaye founded The Council for National Policy described by The New York Times as: "A little-known club of a few hundred of the most powerful conservatives in the country." LaHaye along with others, is said to be a major figure in subverting the messianic faith. Please read the details of this very secretive organization on the links below. Additionally LaHaye's book Power of the Cross uses the unmistakable Freemasonry Knights Templar symbol, the Cross and Crown, on its cover.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Council_for_National_Policy
http://www.aljacobsladder.com/lord-help-me/gods-fakirs/more-moronic-con-men.html
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cross_and_Crown
The above information should be quite enough for any Christian to avoid Tim LaHay and Left Behind like the plague. However so called "prophecy expert" "Dr" Thomas Ice
actually founded the PTRC with him!
What are we supposed to make of all this? I do not know what Thomas Ice and Paul Wilkinson are in reality, only God knows what they are. What I do question is:
- Why, without one verse of scripture to corroborate it, do intelligent "Christian" men seek to promote pre-tribulation theory so vehemently?
- Why do the PTRC and the PWMI promote flawed ideas of disreputable men like Irving, Darby, Lindsey and LaHaye?
- Why did Paul Wilkinson seek to make the pre-tribulation theory a divisive issue at the Berean Call Conference this year?
- Why did Paul Wilkinson seek to destroy the ministries of reputable biblical experts and teachers Joe Schimmel, Jacob Prasch and Joel Richardson?
We see so called evangelicals Rick Warren, Joel Osteen, TD Jakes etc. openly aligning themselves with Rome and Jesuit Pope Francis, but is there something just as sinister going on among "respectable" evangelical leaders who claim to be "Bereans"? I personally believe that there is.
Joe Schimmel and Jacob Prasch have stated that the timing of the rapture should not be a divisive issue. I agree that there are many genuine Christians who have been sucked into the pre-tribulation rapture deception by their pastors and/or denominations, and I am not saying that I would divide from these dear believers in Jesus Christ. My personal problem at this point in time is that I cannot maintain unity with those who in my view are deliberately perpetrating a deception which threatens to turn Christians away from their salvation. This is no small issue! I regard these men as false witnesses who are facilitating the "apostasia" (2 Thessalonians 2:3; Mark 10:19; Proverbs 12:17; 14:25). They muddy the waters and have sought to re-invent the sordid pre-tribulation rapture history with no scriptural basis to authenticate their position . I personally have no confidence in either Thomas Ice or Paul Wilkinson as true leaders of the church; I regard them as wolves in sheep's clothing (Matthew 7:15; 1 Timothy 3:1-13). I could no more fellowship with these men than I could with Benny Hinn!
I see nothing of the gospel on the PTRC website, all of their time and substantial efforts are focused upon this deception to the exclusion of the gospel itself.
.....and from among your own selves will arise men speaking twisted things, to draw away the disciples after them. (Acts 20:20)
http://www.seeking4truth.com/john_darby.htm
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Benjamin_Wills_Newton
http://www.scionofzion.com/edward_irving.htmhttp://www.omegashock.com/2013/02/20/jesuit-pretrib-rapture/
http://watch.pair.com/lahaye.html
http://www.rense.com/general20/unholy.htm
http://www.contendingfortruth.com/wp-content/uploads/Exposed-Chuck-Missler-Tim-Lahaye-etc.pdf
http://libertytothecaptives.net/tim_lahaye.html
Saturday, 3 October 2015
more dishonesty from howard conder revelation tv
An article in the Telegraph has revealed that the Home Office plans a new counter-extremism strategy, giving the Charity Commission new legal powers to sack trustees of charities. The leaked strategy document defines extremism as “the vocal or active
opposition to fundamental British values, including democracy, the rule
of law, individual liberty and the mutual respect and tolerance of
different faiths and beliefs.”
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/terrorism-in-the-uk/11877560/Extremists-to-be-purged-from-charity-boards-under-new-law.html
Those likely to be affected are hard-line mosques operating as charities, but it is feared that the strategy will be used far more widely and may well affect Christian Charities such as Revelation TV.
Christian Charities, What Christian Charities?
There may be some genuine Christian Charities out there, but I personally do not know of any. Those I have had any interaction with, are, in my opinion, unworthy to receive British taxpayers money e.g. Victory Outreach UK, Trinity Life Church in Leicester, Compassion UK and of course the apostate Revelation Foundation. Many Christian Charities are ecumenical rather than biblical and have simply jumped onto the very lucrative charities bandwagon. Christian Aid’s Chief Executive, Loretta Minghella was paid the princely sum of £126,206 last year! In my opinion the so called "Christians" taking advantage of the British taxpayer do need a good clear out, and it may well be God's will for them to face financial sanctions.
Revelation TV's continual pretence that they are biblical is getting rather boring in light of their proven track record of promoting apostates and false teachers. By their own admission they have aired "iffy" ministries for financial gain:
Conder: "What I initially wanted to do was to give RevTV to the Revelation Foundation charity thinking this was the right and fair thing to do as the viewers are now supporting the channel to such a greater level than ever so we could take off the air many of the paid ministries which we would rather not have had on our channel but for financial reasons we had little other choice at the time."
Conder: "We are not in this for the money believe it or not, we are in this to declare the Word of God and that is without compromise.... " !!!!!
http://www.revelationtv.com/programmes/episode/the-late-show377635
If he repeats it often enough he will even believe it himself! How ironic that on the very same program, RTV aired plagiarist and adulterer John Hagee of blood moon fiasco fame, a false teaching which is now backfiring in his face!
It is getting very uncomfortable for Conder and The Revelation Foundation; they are now talking about disassociating from the Charity Commission altogether..... but don't worry viewers, your money is safe with Howard Conder - or is it? Conder proposes giving RTV viewers their donated money back so that they can re-donate it outside the Charity Commission - is that legal?
COMPARE THE FOLLOWING TWO CONTRADICTORY STATEMENTS:
Howard Conder's statement on The Late Show 28th September 2015:
"The shares that I am holding in trust, which I tried several years ago to hand over to the charity, but because of the Spanish Law and all the complications, its taken time; but now I don't trust the Charity Commission, so if I were to pass on these shares of this particular company..... it holds the license, the EPG, the contract for Sky and everything else. If I hand that over to the Trustees I would be a fool right now.... I am going to stick my neck out and not do that.... I'm not going to part with those shares....."
The Statement on the old Revelation TV website:
"… Howard and Lesley began the TV station by forming a private company and remortgaging their home to put their own money into it. They could easily have retained ownership of the Revelation TV station for themselves and reaped the benefit of it financially in the years to come. But instead they handed it all over to the registered charity Revelation Foundation and wrote off their initial investment. Money was not their reason for starting the channel and never has been…"
Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world. (1 John 4:1)
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/terrorism-in-the-uk/11877560/Extremists-to-be-purged-from-charity-boards-under-new-law.html
Those likely to be affected are hard-line mosques operating as charities, but it is feared that the strategy will be used far more widely and may well affect Christian Charities such as Revelation TV.
Christian Charities, What Christian Charities?
There may be some genuine Christian Charities out there, but I personally do not know of any. Those I have had any interaction with, are, in my opinion, unworthy to receive British taxpayers money e.g. Victory Outreach UK, Trinity Life Church in Leicester, Compassion UK and of course the apostate Revelation Foundation. Many Christian Charities are ecumenical rather than biblical and have simply jumped onto the very lucrative charities bandwagon. Christian Aid’s Chief Executive, Loretta Minghella was paid the princely sum of £126,206 last year! In my opinion the so called "Christians" taking advantage of the British taxpayer do need a good clear out, and it may well be God's will for them to face financial sanctions.
Revelation TV's continual pretence that they are biblical is getting rather boring in light of their proven track record of promoting apostates and false teachers. By their own admission they have aired "iffy" ministries for financial gain:
Conder: "What I initially wanted to do was to give RevTV to the Revelation Foundation charity thinking this was the right and fair thing to do as the viewers are now supporting the channel to such a greater level than ever so we could take off the air many of the paid ministries which we would rather not have had on our channel but for financial reasons we had little other choice at the time."
Conder: "We are not in this for the money believe it or not, we are in this to declare the Word of God and that is without compromise.... " !!!!!
http://www.revelationtv.com/programmes/episode/the-late-show377635
If he repeats it often enough he will even believe it himself! How ironic that on the very same program, RTV aired plagiarist and adulterer John Hagee of blood moon fiasco fame, a false teaching which is now backfiring in his face!
It is getting very uncomfortable for Conder and The Revelation Foundation; they are now talking about disassociating from the Charity Commission altogether..... but don't worry viewers, your money is safe with Howard Conder - or is it? Conder proposes giving RTV viewers their donated money back so that they can re-donate it outside the Charity Commission - is that legal?
COMPARE THE FOLLOWING TWO CONTRADICTORY STATEMENTS:
Howard Conder's statement on The Late Show 28th September 2015:
"The shares that I am holding in trust, which I tried several years ago to hand over to the charity, but because of the Spanish Law and all the complications, its taken time; but now I don't trust the Charity Commission, so if I were to pass on these shares of this particular company..... it holds the license, the EPG, the contract for Sky and everything else. If I hand that over to the Trustees I would be a fool right now.... I am going to stick my neck out and not do that.... I'm not going to part with those shares....."
The Statement on the old Revelation TV website:
"… Howard and Lesley began the TV station by forming a private company and remortgaging their home to put their own money into it. They could easily have retained ownership of the Revelation TV station for themselves and reaped the benefit of it financially in the years to come. But instead they handed it all over to the registered charity Revelation Foundation and wrote off their initial investment. Money was not their reason for starting the channel and never has been…"
Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world. (1 John 4:1)
Saturday, 26 September 2015
berean call conference 2015: david james defective eschatology!
Like many of his contemporaries, David James incorrectly describes the tribulation as a seven year period. The "Great Tribulation",
as Jesus Christ referred to it, will last 3.5 years, and not seven years
(Matthew 24:21; Revelation 2:22; 7:14). The prophetic clock begins when
the Antichrist "makes a covenant with the many" (Daniel 9:27), but this does not indicate start of the Great Tribulation.
It is obvious that David James has no knowledge whatsoever about the seven seals of Revelation, the pre-wrath view of the rapture, or much else for that matter. Incidentally, his advice for "discernment" is to "trust your instincts". (Jeremiah 17:5-9)!
Really Mr James, you would do better to stay at home and pray for discernment yourself! Matthew 7:5 seems appropriate.
The Lost Art of Biblical Discernment
http://livestream.com/bereancallconference/discernment
Towards the end of the above inappropriately named Livestream broadcast at approximately 01:30, David James is asked a question: "Can you briefly explain what pre-wrath is.....?"
David James response was nothing short of staggering:
David James: "The pre-wrath view is a modified mid-tribulational rapture view......prior to (I think it's the sixth seal or in connection with the sixth seal), at any rate, prior to the Great Tribulation, Jacob's Trouble, the church will be raptured and that the church will go through the first seal judgements including the first four horsemen judgements, and what they say is that these are the wrath of man and the wrath of Satan and we are only said to be preserved from the wrath of God which doesn't start until the mid point or prior to the wrath, which could be after the revelation of the Antichrist. It is kind of a post/mid rapture view..... One problem with that is throughout history God has used human agency, even angelic agency, to accomplish his purposes, but it is still no less the wrath of God, no matter if he uses human agency, and in connection with that, we see that the judgements begin when WHO breaks the seal? Jesus breaks the seal, that means it is the wrath of God no matter whether he uses human agency or not. Of course his means are nature later, early on they are the Antichrist and the armies of the world.
When does David James think that the sixth seal is opened?
Does David James imagine that the cataclysmic events described in Revelation 6:12-17 occur prior to the Great Tribulation?
THE PRE-WRATH VIEW IS NOT A MODIFIED MID-TRIBULATIONAL VIEW!
The pre-wrath view does not maintain that the rapture occurs prior to the Great Tribulation.
The difference between the mid and pre-wrath views:
WRATH OR TRIBULATION?
The Book of Revelation describes the Day of the Lord as the apocalyptic time of God's wrath which comes upon the wicked, it is even referred to as "the day of their great wrath" (Revelation 6:17; Zephaniah 1:14-18; Isaiah 13:6-13; Joel 2:30-31; Acts 2:20). Following the opening of the sixth seal, the scriptures plainly state that the wrath of God has come (Revelation 6:12-17). If the wrath has only just arrived, it cannot have been there previously, you have to directly contradict the scriptures to come to another conclusion! The arrival of the wrath at the sixth seal is an imminent future event; the wrath is poured out during the seventh seal i.e. the trumpet and the bowl judgements. Matthew 24:29 puts the cosmic disturbances described in Revelation 6:12-14 immediately after the tribulation of those days. In other words, the events preceding the sixth seal are not the wrath of God, they are the tribulation. As is their usual practice, the pre-tribulationists have to resort to eisegesis; they read into the scriptures things which suit their own presuppositions and agendas (Revelation 22:18-19).
The Day of the Lord is indisputably linked with the rapture i.e. those "caught up" together with Jesus in the clouds.(1 Thessalonians 1:10; 5:9; 2 Thessalonians 2:1-2).
DERELICTION OF DUTY
It seems to me that McMahon,Wilkinson et al have a vested interest in promoting the pre-tribulation delusion. If this is correct, they do so at the expense of the flock. It is a hireling, not a shepherd, who puts his own interests above that of the flock 1 Peter 5:2; John 10:13).
Paul Wilkinson labels as "heretics" those who reject the pre-tribulation rapture delusion. He has not acted in a gentlemanly way, but has hurled all sorts of false accusations and abuse against Joe Schimmel, Jacob Prasch and Joel Richardson. Blame shifting seems to be another problem for Wilkinson, who lays the blame for Colin Le Noury's incompetence entirely at Joe Schimmel's door - apparently because he "tricked and deceived" Le Noury (General Director PWMI) into admitting that "there is not one verse to support a pre-tribulation rapture". I wonder who Wilkinson will blame for the blunders of David James? May the Lord save his bride from dishonourable men such as these (James 3:1).
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..... (2 Thessalonians 2:3)
A Roundtable Discussion Answering Dr. Paul Wilkinson & The Berean Call
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IiNjDYsHfh4&feature=youtu.be
The Sordid Pre-Tribulation Rapture Deception!
http://bewareofthewolves.blogspot.co.uk/2015/10/thomas-ice-and-paul-wilkinson-sordid.html
Further Links:
http://hwcdn.libsyn.com/p/c/a/3/ca3d37e7b859f2c1/Rapture_Debate_between_Alan_Kurschner_Prewrath_and_Thomas_Ice_Pretrib_9.25.15.mp3?c_id=9911990&expiration=1443439121&hwt=c17397d6d73b6843c2d460280a08985f
http://www.amatteroftruth.com/the-wrath-of-gos-verses-the-great-tribulation
http://bewareofthewolves.blogspot.co.uk/2015/09/berean-call-conference-2015-paul.html
http://bewareofthewolves.blogspot.co.uk/2015/09/left-behind-or-led-astray-paul.html#comments
http://livestream.com/bereancallconference/israel2
https://vimeo.com/139809424
It is obvious that David James has no knowledge whatsoever about the seven seals of Revelation, the pre-wrath view of the rapture, or much else for that matter. Incidentally, his advice for "discernment" is to "trust your instincts". (Jeremiah 17:5-9)!
Really Mr James, you would do better to stay at home and pray for discernment yourself! Matthew 7:5 seems appropriate.
The Lost Art of Biblical Discernment
http://livestream.com/bereancallconference/discernment
Towards the end of the above inappropriately named Livestream broadcast at approximately 01:30, David James is asked a question: "Can you briefly explain what pre-wrath is.....?"
David James response was nothing short of staggering:
David James: "The pre-wrath view is a modified mid-tribulational rapture view......prior to (I think it's the sixth seal or in connection with the sixth seal), at any rate, prior to the Great Tribulation, Jacob's Trouble, the church will be raptured and that the church will go through the first seal judgements including the first four horsemen judgements, and what they say is that these are the wrath of man and the wrath of Satan and we are only said to be preserved from the wrath of God which doesn't start until the mid point or prior to the wrath, which could be after the revelation of the Antichrist. It is kind of a post/mid rapture view..... One problem with that is throughout history God has used human agency, even angelic agency, to accomplish his purposes, but it is still no less the wrath of God, no matter if he uses human agency, and in connection with that, we see that the judgements begin when WHO breaks the seal? Jesus breaks the seal, that means it is the wrath of God no matter whether he uses human agency or not. Of course his means are nature later, early on they are the Antichrist and the armies of the world.
When does David James think that the sixth seal is opened?
Does David James imagine that the cataclysmic events described in Revelation 6:12-17 occur prior to the Great Tribulation?
THE PRE-WRATH VIEW IS NOT A MODIFIED MID-TRIBULATIONAL VIEW!
The pre-wrath view does not maintain that the rapture occurs prior to the Great Tribulation.
The difference between the mid and pre-wrath views:
- The mid-tribulation view puts the rapture at the mid point of Daniel's 70th week, prior to the Great Tribulation, approximately 3.5 years into the 70th week.
- The pre-wrath view puts the rapture after the sixth seal, not before, towards the latter half of Daniel’s 70th week, prior to the Day of the Lord (Revelation 6:12-17; Joel 2:28-32). Isaiah indicates this "day" is a literal year (Isaiah 34:8, 61:2, 63:4).
WRATH OR TRIBULATION?
The Book of Revelation describes the Day of the Lord as the apocalyptic time of God's wrath which comes upon the wicked, it is even referred to as "the day of their great wrath" (Revelation 6:17; Zephaniah 1:14-18; Isaiah 13:6-13; Joel 2:30-31; Acts 2:20). Following the opening of the sixth seal, the scriptures plainly state that the wrath of God has come (Revelation 6:12-17). If the wrath has only just arrived, it cannot have been there previously, you have to directly contradict the scriptures to come to another conclusion! The arrival of the wrath at the sixth seal is an imminent future event; the wrath is poured out during the seventh seal i.e. the trumpet and the bowl judgements. Matthew 24:29 puts the cosmic disturbances described in Revelation 6:12-14 immediately after the tribulation of those days. In other words, the events preceding the sixth seal are not the wrath of God, they are the tribulation. As is their usual practice, the pre-tribulationists have to resort to eisegesis; they read into the scriptures things which suit their own presuppositions and agendas (Revelation 22:18-19).
The Day of the Lord is indisputably linked with the rapture i.e. those "caught up" together with Jesus in the clouds.(1 Thessalonians 1:10; 5:9; 2 Thessalonians 2:1-2).
DERELICTION OF DUTY
It seems to me that McMahon,Wilkinson et al have a vested interest in promoting the pre-tribulation delusion. If this is correct, they do so at the expense of the flock. It is a hireling, not a shepherd, who puts his own interests above that of the flock 1 Peter 5:2; John 10:13).
Paul Wilkinson labels as "heretics" those who reject the pre-tribulation rapture delusion. He has not acted in a gentlemanly way, but has hurled all sorts of false accusations and abuse against Joe Schimmel, Jacob Prasch and Joel Richardson. Blame shifting seems to be another problem for Wilkinson, who lays the blame for Colin Le Noury's incompetence entirely at Joe Schimmel's door - apparently because he "tricked and deceived" Le Noury (General Director PWMI) into admitting that "there is not one verse to support a pre-tribulation rapture". I wonder who Wilkinson will blame for the blunders of David James? May the Lord save his bride from dishonourable men such as these (James 3:1).
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..... (2 Thessalonians 2:3)
A Roundtable Discussion Answering Dr. Paul Wilkinson & The Berean Call
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IiNjDYsHfh4&feature=youtu.be
The Sordid Pre-Tribulation Rapture Deception!
http://bewareofthewolves.blogspot.co.uk/2015/10/thomas-ice-and-paul-wilkinson-sordid.html
Further Links:
http://hwcdn.libsyn.com/p/c/a/3/ca3d37e7b859f2c1/Rapture_Debate_between_Alan_Kurschner_Prewrath_and_Thomas_Ice_Pretrib_9.25.15.mp3?c_id=9911990&expiration=1443439121&hwt=c17397d6d73b6843c2d460280a08985f
http://www.amatteroftruth.com/the-wrath-of-gos-verses-the-great-tribulation
http://bewareofthewolves.blogspot.co.uk/2015/09/berean-call-conference-2015-paul.html
http://bewareofthewolves.blogspot.co.uk/2015/09/left-behind-or-led-astray-paul.html#comments
http://livestream.com/bereancallconference/israel2
https://vimeo.com/139809424
Thursday, 17 September 2015
berean call conference 2015: paul wilkinson's divisive pre-tribulation delusion!!!
Are we witnessing a replay of the schism between John Nelson Darby and Benjamin Wills Newton of the Plymouth Brethren in the 19th century? The recent remarks made at the Berean Call Conference by Paul Wilkinson bear an uncanny resemblance to Darby's treatment of, and vitriol towards, anyone who dared to hold a different view to himself.
John Nelson Darby (who did not believe in adult baptism) claimed to be the source of dispensational hermeneutics and the pre-tribulation delusion. Wilkinson credits Darby with "restoring this precious truth" and has obviously swallowed Darby's false claim to have discovered "new truth" or "rediscovered truth" that had been lost since the apostles (2 Timothy 3:13). Claims of direct extra-biblical revelation are of course the trade mark of many false prophets. Nevertheless, Wilkinson expects his hearers to buy into Darby's pre-tribulation delusion in spite of its obvious defects.
The dispute between Darby and Newton became intensely personal on a number of levels. Newton interpreted 1 Thessalonians 4:16 and 2 Thessalonians 2:1 as proof of a post tribulation, non-secret rapture. He viewed Darby's dispensational and pre-tribulation rapture teaching as "the height of speculative nonsense". The various disputes between the two men resulted in Darby accusing Newton of deception and dishonesty. These charges were investigated by the elders at Ebrington Street and were dismissed. Actually, Newton's theology was very sound, especially in comparison with Darby's unscriptural rantings. This dispute was not about straightforward non-essential theological differences at all, it was underpinned by a dark spiritual battle between darkness and light. I say this because of Darby's intense hatred, character assassination and outright rejection of anyone who disagreed with him, which was anything BUT Christian. Does this sound familiar?
Brethren leaders George Müller, Anthony Groves and Benjamin Newton suffered intensely at the hands of Darby, who would broker no opposition to his sectarian views. Darby would not even tolerate anyone who wished to remain neutral. Darby's response to ANY opposition was to simply annihilate it. Those who disagreed with him were excommunicated. Why? - Because according to Darby, the Lord had personally revealed dispensational hermeneutics to him directly. In his own eyes this made him "right" and gave him liberty to butcher the body of Christ. It is difficult to argue against against a man with such obvious forcefulness, intelligence and powers of intimidation.
Charles Spurgeon:
"Mr. Darby is, to all intents and purposes a thorough Pope, though under a Protestant name. He will never admit that he is in error; and therefore very naturally declines to argue with those who controvert the soundness of his views. How, indeed, could it be otherwise? If Mr. Darby holds, which he does, with a firm grasp, the principle that whatever conclusions he and those acting in conjunction with him may come to, express beyond all question the mind of the Spirit; and if those Darbyites who gather together in London, can go so far as to exclude all other denominations, even the most godly among them, 'believing themselves to be the one or only, assembly of God in London,' how need we feel surprised that Mr. Darby, as the 'prophet, priest, and king' of the party, should exercise a perfect despotism within the domains of Darbyism?. . ."
http://spurgeon.org/s_and_t/dbreth.htm
George Müller:
"Scripture declares plainly that the Lord Jesus will not come until the Apostasy shall have taken place, and the man of sin shall have been revealed..."
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_M%C3%BCller
Anthony Groves:
"He (Groves) became increasingly concerned with the drift of the Plymouth Brethren towards sectarianism under the leadership of Darby and aligned himself with George Müller when the brethren split in 1848 to form the Open Brethren and Exclusive Brethren."
http://self.gutenberg.org/article/WHEBN0005787956/Anthony%20Norris%20Groves
Was the same divisive spirit insidiously operating at The Berean Call Conference this year? Paul Wilkinson's attempt to discredit and undermine the ministries of Joe Schimmel, Jacob Prasch and Joel Richardson in the name of "love and truth" is quite despicable, and having looked into the history, the comparison is hard to miss!
Paul Wilkinson (looking suitably humble):
"This DVD is damaging, it's destructive, it's dangerous, and it is thoroughly dishonest, and it is one of the most abominable Christian DVD's I have ever sat through. .....it is full of false accusations, unsubstantiated myths and lies."
"These men sadly are not doing what every pastor and every teacher is called ultimately to do if he is faithful to the word of God...."
"You will not hear these men talk about their love for Jesus; you will not see the tears fall down their cheeks; they will speak of the coming of the Lord very academically and very intellectually, but where is the heart, where is the love, where is the longing? It is not there. One of the reasons it is not there is that they are not pastors, they have not been called to take care of the flock, they have not been called to help prepare the bride for the bridegroom.
"The integrity of that man! .....it (LBOLA) is thoroughly dishonest on all kinds of levels."
Apart from the above direct quotes, Wilkinson went into considerable detail, claiming: Joe Schimmel "tricked and deceived" Colin Le Noury (PWMI) into admitting that there is not one verse of scripture to prove a pre-tribulation theory. Realising Colin Le Noury's embarrassing blunder, their presumptuous attempt to force Joe Schimmel by dictatorial edict to omit Le Noury's quote from the LBOLA DVD failed! http://livestream.com/bereancallconference/israel2
We see a quite a different spirit operating in Joe Schimmel and Jacob Prasch:
Joe Schimmel: "This isn't something we should divide fellowship over as Christians, because we recognise that this is an in-house debate. There are wonderful, beautiful, good Christians on both sides of the issue in this debate." LBOLA
Jacob Prasch: "We do not allow differing views as to the sequence of events preceding the rapture, or the exact point of its timing in the sequence, to become a basis for division but only for discussion."
http://www.moriel.org/component/k2/item/1709-when-will-the-rapture-take-place.html?ml=1
When they do refute the pre-tibulation delusion, Joe Schimmel and Jacob Prasch do not attempt to assassinate the ministries and reputations of those who genuinely hold this view.
Wilkinson, McMahon et'al should think long and hard about the consequences of attempting to destroy reputations and ministries over what is in fact based on nothing more than the unsanctified opinion of megalomaniac John Nelson Darby. Someone has commented that they should apologise and retract their remarks, but I see no sign of this happening any time soon.
Anonymous commented on my previous post:
"This mode of thought is deeply ingrained into their psyche, and no matter what you say to them about the fact that there is not one scripture to support the pre-trib rapture, they will not listen!"
http://bewareofthewolves.blogspot.co.uk/2015/09/left-behind-or-led-astray-paul.html#comments
If this is correct, then I do wonder whether God has given these men over to the pre-tribulation delusion, and in light of their conduct, I also wonder whether there is a hidden agenda here (2 Thessalonians 2:11).
A Roundtable Discussion Answering Dr. Paul Wilkinson & The Berean Call
Joe Schimmel, Jacob Prasch and John Haller:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IiNjDYsHfh4&feature=youtu.be
The Sordid History Of The Pre-Tribulation Deception
http://bewareofthewolves.blogspot.co.uk/2015/10/thomas-ice-and-paul-wilkinson-sordid.html
Further Links:
https://davemosher.wordpress.com/tag/pre-trib-rapture/
http://post-trib.net/macpherson/tribpages.html
http://www.alankurschner.com/2015/09/03/dave-james-at-the-recent-berean-call-conference-gives-a-tortured-definition-of-what-prewrath-teaches/
http://nopretrib.com/an-open-letter-to-t-a-mcmahon-of-the-berean-call/
http://nopretrib.com/a-warning-from-corrie-ten-boom/
https://vimeo.com/139809424
John Nelson Darby (who did not believe in adult baptism) claimed to be the source of dispensational hermeneutics and the pre-tribulation delusion. Wilkinson credits Darby with "restoring this precious truth" and has obviously swallowed Darby's false claim to have discovered "new truth" or "rediscovered truth" that had been lost since the apostles (2 Timothy 3:13). Claims of direct extra-biblical revelation are of course the trade mark of many false prophets. Nevertheless, Wilkinson expects his hearers to buy into Darby's pre-tribulation delusion in spite of its obvious defects.
The dispute between Darby and Newton became intensely personal on a number of levels. Newton interpreted 1 Thessalonians 4:16 and 2 Thessalonians 2:1 as proof of a post tribulation, non-secret rapture. He viewed Darby's dispensational and pre-tribulation rapture teaching as "the height of speculative nonsense". The various disputes between the two men resulted in Darby accusing Newton of deception and dishonesty. These charges were investigated by the elders at Ebrington Street and were dismissed. Actually, Newton's theology was very sound, especially in comparison with Darby's unscriptural rantings. This dispute was not about straightforward non-essential theological differences at all, it was underpinned by a dark spiritual battle between darkness and light. I say this because of Darby's intense hatred, character assassination and outright rejection of anyone who disagreed with him, which was anything BUT Christian. Does this sound familiar?
Brethren leaders George Müller, Anthony Groves and Benjamin Newton suffered intensely at the hands of Darby, who would broker no opposition to his sectarian views. Darby would not even tolerate anyone who wished to remain neutral. Darby's response to ANY opposition was to simply annihilate it. Those who disagreed with him were excommunicated. Why? - Because according to Darby, the Lord had personally revealed dispensational hermeneutics to him directly. In his own eyes this made him "right" and gave him liberty to butcher the body of Christ. It is difficult to argue against against a man with such obvious forcefulness, intelligence and powers of intimidation.
Charles Spurgeon:
"Mr. Darby is, to all intents and purposes a thorough Pope, though under a Protestant name. He will never admit that he is in error; and therefore very naturally declines to argue with those who controvert the soundness of his views. How, indeed, could it be otherwise? If Mr. Darby holds, which he does, with a firm grasp, the principle that whatever conclusions he and those acting in conjunction with him may come to, express beyond all question the mind of the Spirit; and if those Darbyites who gather together in London, can go so far as to exclude all other denominations, even the most godly among them, 'believing themselves to be the one or only, assembly of God in London,' how need we feel surprised that Mr. Darby, as the 'prophet, priest, and king' of the party, should exercise a perfect despotism within the domains of Darbyism?. . ."
http://spurgeon.org/s_and_t/dbreth.htm
George Müller:
"Scripture declares plainly that the Lord Jesus will not come until the Apostasy shall have taken place, and the man of sin shall have been revealed..."
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_M%C3%BCller
Anthony Groves:
"He (Groves) became increasingly concerned with the drift of the Plymouth Brethren towards sectarianism under the leadership of Darby and aligned himself with George Müller when the brethren split in 1848 to form the Open Brethren and Exclusive Brethren."
http://self.gutenberg.org/article/WHEBN0005787956/Anthony%20Norris%20Groves
Was the same divisive spirit insidiously operating at The Berean Call Conference this year? Paul Wilkinson's attempt to discredit and undermine the ministries of Joe Schimmel, Jacob Prasch and Joel Richardson in the name of "love and truth" is quite despicable, and having looked into the history, the comparison is hard to miss!
Paul Wilkinson (looking suitably humble):
"This DVD is damaging, it's destructive, it's dangerous, and it is thoroughly dishonest, and it is one of the most abominable Christian DVD's I have ever sat through. .....it is full of false accusations, unsubstantiated myths and lies."
"These men sadly are not doing what every pastor and every teacher is called ultimately to do if he is faithful to the word of God...."
"You will not hear these men talk about their love for Jesus; you will not see the tears fall down their cheeks; they will speak of the coming of the Lord very academically and very intellectually, but where is the heart, where is the love, where is the longing? It is not there. One of the reasons it is not there is that they are not pastors, they have not been called to take care of the flock, they have not been called to help prepare the bride for the bridegroom.
"The integrity of that man! .....it (LBOLA) is thoroughly dishonest on all kinds of levels."
Apart from the above direct quotes, Wilkinson went into considerable detail, claiming: Joe Schimmel "tricked and deceived" Colin Le Noury (PWMI) into admitting that there is not one verse of scripture to prove a pre-tribulation theory. Realising Colin Le Noury's embarrassing blunder, their presumptuous attempt to force Joe Schimmel by dictatorial edict to omit Le Noury's quote from the LBOLA DVD failed! http://livestream.com/bereancallconference/israel2
We see a quite a different spirit operating in Joe Schimmel and Jacob Prasch:
Joe Schimmel: "This isn't something we should divide fellowship over as Christians, because we recognise that this is an in-house debate. There are wonderful, beautiful, good Christians on both sides of the issue in this debate." LBOLA
Jacob Prasch: "We do not allow differing views as to the sequence of events preceding the rapture, or the exact point of its timing in the sequence, to become a basis for division but only for discussion."
http://www.moriel.org/component/k2/item/1709-when-will-the-rapture-take-place.html?ml=1
When they do refute the pre-tibulation delusion, Joe Schimmel and Jacob Prasch do not attempt to assassinate the ministries and reputations of those who genuinely hold this view.
Wilkinson, McMahon et'al should think long and hard about the consequences of attempting to destroy reputations and ministries over what is in fact based on nothing more than the unsanctified opinion of megalomaniac John Nelson Darby. Someone has commented that they should apologise and retract their remarks, but I see no sign of this happening any time soon.
Anonymous commented on my previous post:
"This mode of thought is deeply ingrained into their psyche, and no matter what you say to them about the fact that there is not one scripture to support the pre-trib rapture, they will not listen!"
http://bewareofthewolves.blogspot.co.uk/2015/09/left-behind-or-led-astray-paul.html#comments
If this is correct, then I do wonder whether God has given these men over to the pre-tribulation delusion, and in light of their conduct, I also wonder whether there is a hidden agenda here (2 Thessalonians 2:11).
But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For
the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the
Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to
keep you from doing the things you want to do. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy,
drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you
before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of
God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another. (Galatians 5:16-25)
A Roundtable Discussion Answering Dr. Paul Wilkinson & The Berean Call
Joe Schimmel, Jacob Prasch and John Haller:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IiNjDYsHfh4&feature=youtu.be
The Sordid History Of The Pre-Tribulation Deception
http://bewareofthewolves.blogspot.co.uk/2015/10/thomas-ice-and-paul-wilkinson-sordid.html
Further Links:
https://davemosher.wordpress.com/tag/pre-trib-rapture/
http://post-trib.net/macpherson/tribpages.html
http://www.alankurschner.com/2015/09/03/dave-james-at-the-recent-berean-call-conference-gives-a-tortured-definition-of-what-prewrath-teaches/
http://nopretrib.com/an-open-letter-to-t-a-mcmahon-of-the-berean-call/
http://nopretrib.com/a-warning-from-corrie-ten-boom/
https://vimeo.com/139809424
Thursday, 10 September 2015
left behind or led astray: paul wilkinson's vitriolic outburst at the berean call conference 2015!!!
Who is this that darkens counsel by words without knowledge? (Job 38:2)
The recent vitriol Paul Wilkinson displayed at the Berean Call Conference against the film Left Behind or Led Astray by Good Fight Ministries is an appalling attempt to discredit three dear brothers in Christ who reject the pre-tribulation rapture theory and who variously hold to a post-tribulation or intra-seal (pre-wrath) position!
http://livestream.com/bereancallconference/israel2
The Berean Call Conference did not live up to its name - in reality they are anything but Bereans (Acts 17:11). Instead of providing us with a reasoned argument supported by the scriptures, Paul Wilkinson tore into Joe Schimmel, Jacob Prasch and Joel Richardson like a savage wolf. I have rarely witnessed such an arrogant and abusive outburst against respected Bible expositors, infinitely better qualified to minister to the body of Christ than himself, men who rightly divide the word of truth (2 Timothy 2:15).
Paul Wilkinson: "This DVD is damaging, it's destructive, it's dangerous, and it is thoroughly dishonest, and it is one of the most abominable Christian DVD's I have ever sat through. .....it is full of false accusations, unsubstantiated myths and lies."
Paul Wilkinson: "The origin of the pre-tribulation rapture..... is found right here in the word of God" (waving his Bible in the air), though he did not care to specify where exactly!
The Bible teaches us to gently warn our opponents (assuming of course that we are right - 2 Timothy 2:25; see also 1 Timothy 5:1-2). It is a pity that Wilkinson could not extend the same grace that Joe Schimmel and Jacob Prasch extend to their brothers in Christ who hold a pre-tribulation rapture view. Certainly Jacob Prasch has always maintained that the timing of the rapture should not be a divisive issue. His previous respect towards, and friendship with those holding a pre-tribulation view, such as Dave Hunt, bears witness to this. Joel Richardson also came under fire from Wilkinson for daring to express his view without being "a pastor of the flock of Jesus Christ." Wilkinson is outraged that Joel Richardson "would DARE........ to say that pastors are leading the flock astray." Joel Richardson is an expert on biblical prophecy, an evangelist and a respected author and speaker; just because he is not "a pastor" does not disqualify him from having a view on the matter as Wilkinson infers! Are we back in the Dark Ages? MY QUESTION: How DARE Wilkinson preclude ANYONE, let alone a man of Joel Richardson's calibre, from speaking out and expressing his/her concerns about this critical debate of our time? Wilkinson seems to put greater emphasis on the position of "pastor" (a superior being whom we should bow down and do blind obeisance to apparently) and worldly qualifications that glorify men more than the word of God (Galatians 6:3; 1 Peter 5:3). He has insidiously voiced his own toxic opinion on this matter thereby predisposing his hearers into accepting it without providing any evidence to support it from the scriptures. In the process he has maliciously attempted to harm the good reputation and character of godly men, global experts in their field, who are spiritually and academically head and shoulders above himself. Apparently Wilkinson's "thorough rebuttal" will follow - but this is not the right way of doing things! There is clearly something very wrong here.
Instead of referring to the scriptures, Wilkinson made much of the supposed misinformation put out by Joe Schimmel in this DVD. Wilkinson insisted that Benjamin Wills Newton was NOT present with John Nelson Darby at Margaret McDonald's so called "revelations" in Glasgow. For someone who constantly brags about his own integrity, Wilkinson has blatantly contradicted his own research, as demonstrated below!!!!
"John Nelson Darby and Benjamin Wills Newton, whom the Brethren sent on their behalf to investigate, came to the conclusion that these displays were demonic."
Wilkinson, Paul Richard (2007). For Zion's Sake: Christian Zionism and the Role of John Nelson Darby. Paternoster. p. 192–93.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Margaret_Macdonald_%28Prophecy%29
The connection that Joe Schimmel makes between Margaret McDonald and John Nelson Darby is that she uttered revelations about the rapture prior to the Second Coming, which apparently was a novel idea at that time. What Wilkinson fails to point out is that there are different editions of McDonald's utterance. Apparently the earlier version has at least nineteen instances where the account adds a significant amount of words not found in the more condensed later edition. The link below does in fact show that McDonald's utterance bears some relevance to the pre-tribulation theory, and in this sense she IS part of the history. If there were any doubts about Joe Schimmel's meaning, surely most self respecting Christians would have had the grace to ask him for clarification before accusing him of dishonesty and vilifying him publicly!
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Margaret_MacDonald_%28visionary%29
Joe Schimmel: "Darby spent several days listening to Margaret McDonald's prophetic utterances about a secret second coming of Christ, which he and Newton came to believe were demonic in origin. However not long afterwards, DARBY HIMSELF WOULD FORMULATE HIS OWN NOVEL VIEWS ABOUT A SECRET COMING OF CHRIST."
It appears that Joe Schimmel IS correct in saying that Edward Irving got the idea of a secret rapture from a Jesuit, and that Irving DID have occult connections.
http://thedayaftertomorrow.net/gnk/The-Kabbalah-Unveiled.pdf
"For years the subject of prophecy had occupied much of his (Edward Irving's) thoughts, and his belief in the near approach of the second advent had received such wonderful corroboration by the perusal of the work of a Jesuit priest, Manuel Lacunza, writing under the assumed Jewish name of Juan Josafat Ben-Ezra, that in 1827 he published a translation of it....."
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edward_Irving
We should be very careful about calling anyone "A LIAR" (James 4:11). There are some very serious anomalies associated with Wilkinson's attack against Joe Schimmel, and I think we should question the motivation behind his vicious outburst!!!
"Paul Wilkinson is the Associate Minister at Hazel Grove Full Gospel Church in Stockport, England. He was converted to Christ in February 1990 whilst studying Mathematics and Statistics at the University of York. He has a BSc in Mathematics and Statistics, a BA and MA in Theology, and a PhD in Religions and Theology. He has also studied at the International School of Holocaust Studies at Yad Vashem in Jerusalem. In 2007 his PhD thesis was published by Paternoster Press entitled, For Zion’s Sake: Christian Zionism and the Role of John Nelson Darby.
Paul Wilkinson is a member of the Council of Prophetic Witness Movement International in the UK, and a member of the Pre-Trib Research Center in Lynchburg, Virginia."
http://www.bereanwatchmen.com/index.php/guest-articles/paul-wilkinson
Now that we have got that out of the way and are suitably impressed, let us get on to the subject in hand i.e. the pre-tribulation rapture theory which does not have one shred of evidence in the scriptures! Inconceivably, Wilkinson credits Darby with "restoring this precious truth" .....where did Darby restore it from exactly? Wilkinson cannot argue against the fact that the pre-tribulation rapture was unheard of prior to 1830. To insist upon a theory that no-one in the Christian world recognized until it was invented by Darby?* in the 1830's is to compromise ones spiritual and academic integrity. Wilkinson accuses Joe Schimmel and his guests of propagating "myths", yet ironically there is no greater myth than the secret rapture theory!
Wilkinson must be completely delusional if he really thinks that he can refute the following statements JUST BECAUSE HE SAYS SO, WITHOUT ONCE REFERRING TO THE SCRIPTURES! His behavior is just like that of his despotic hero John Nelson Darby!
"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....." (Revelation 22:18 see also Deuteronomy 4:2).
Error breeds error, and of course the pre-tribulation theory stands in tandem with the error of imminency which is another derived doctrine not explicitly stated in the scriptures (2 Timothy 2:15; Galatians 5:9).
The main verses that support a post tribulation/pre-wrath rapture are:
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. The Lesson of the Fig Tree “From the fig tree learn its lesson: as soon as its branch becomes tender and puts out its leaves, you know that summer is near. So also, when you see all these things, you know that he is near, at the very gates. (Matthew 24:29-33, 36, emphasis added).
For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. 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 4:16-17)
The dead in Christ rise FIRST on the LAST DAY preceding the rapture:
"This is the will of the Father who sent Me, that of all He has given Me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up at THE LAST DAY." (John 6:39, emphasis added)
"And this is the will of Him who sent Me, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in Him may have everlasting life; and I will raise him up at THE LAST DAY." (John 6:40)
"No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him; and I will raise him up at THE LAST DAY." (John 6:44)
"Whoever eats My flesh and drinks My blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up at THE LAST DAY" (John 6:54)
1 Thessalonians 4 is similar to what Paul says in two other passages, 1 Corinthians 15:51-54 and Philippians 3:20-21. At Jesus’ “coming” or “appearing” those who are still alive will be “changed” or “transformed” so that their mortal bodies will become incorruptible, deathless.
Because you have kept my word about patient endurance, I will keep you from the hour of trial that is coming on the whole world, to try those who dwell on the earth. (Revelation 3:10)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yGi9PBUJwAg
There are numerous proof texts and passages that support a post tribulation/pre-wrath rapture.
The awful accusations Wilkinson levels at Joe Schimmel and Jacob Prasch are unsubstantiated, they are scripturally deficient, academically devoid of integrity and spiritually toxic. He is embarrassingly guilty of the very accusations he levels at them i.e. dishonesty, false accusations, unsubstantiated myths and lies. We should not be surprised when Wilkinson's false words come back to bite him (Galatians 6:7).
If Paul Wilkinson is so very confident about the pre-tribulation theory, then he should claim the $10,000 offered by Joe Schimmel to anyone who can show him ONE CLEAR VERSE in the Bible that teaches a pre-tribulation rapture!
For they sow the wind, and they shall reap the whirlwind. The standing grain has no heads; it shall yield no flour; if it were to yield, strangers would devour it. (Hosea 8:7)
* Edward Irving published pre-tribulation teachings prior to Darby in his journal "The Morning Watch" (1830). It therefore appears that Darby was a plagiarist, and not the originator of the pre-tribulation theory.
http://www.seeking4truth.com/john_darby.htm
A Roundtable Discussion Answering Dr. Paul Wilkinson & The Berean Call
Joe Schimmel, Jacob Prasch and John Haller:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IiNjDYsHfh4&feature=youtu.be
The Sordid History of the Pre-Tribulation Rapture Deception:
http://bewareofthewolves.blogspot.co.uk/2015/10/thomas-ice-and-paul-wilkinson-sordid.html
Recommended Links:
http://www.leftbehindorledastray.com/
http://www.solagroup.org/articles/endtimes/et_0006.html
http://www.leftbehindorledastray.com/an-open-letter-to-t-a-mcmahon-of-the-berean-call/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9CGBKP1QKBM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KyV1jGL_-WY
http://freestockphotos.com/COMING1/DarbysInvention.htm
http://www.spurgeon.org/s_and_t/dbreth.htm
https://vimeo.com/139809424
The recent vitriol Paul Wilkinson displayed at the Berean Call Conference against the film Left Behind or Led Astray by Good Fight Ministries is an appalling attempt to discredit three dear brothers in Christ who reject the pre-tribulation rapture theory and who variously hold to a post-tribulation or intra-seal (pre-wrath) position!
http://livestream.com/bereancallconference/israel2
The Berean Call Conference did not live up to its name - in reality they are anything but Bereans (Acts 17:11). Instead of providing us with a reasoned argument supported by the scriptures, Paul Wilkinson tore into Joe Schimmel, Jacob Prasch and Joel Richardson like a savage wolf. I have rarely witnessed such an arrogant and abusive outburst against respected Bible expositors, infinitely better qualified to minister to the body of Christ than himself, men who rightly divide the word of truth (2 Timothy 2:15).
Paul Wilkinson: "This DVD is damaging, it's destructive, it's dangerous, and it is thoroughly dishonest, and it is one of the most abominable Christian DVD's I have ever sat through. .....it is full of false accusations, unsubstantiated myths and lies."
Paul Wilkinson: "The origin of the pre-tribulation rapture..... is found right here in the word of God" (waving his Bible in the air), though he did not care to specify where exactly!
The Bible teaches us to gently warn our opponents (assuming of course that we are right - 2 Timothy 2:25; see also 1 Timothy 5:1-2). It is a pity that Wilkinson could not extend the same grace that Joe Schimmel and Jacob Prasch extend to their brothers in Christ who hold a pre-tribulation rapture view. Certainly Jacob Prasch has always maintained that the timing of the rapture should not be a divisive issue. His previous respect towards, and friendship with those holding a pre-tribulation view, such as Dave Hunt, bears witness to this. Joel Richardson also came under fire from Wilkinson for daring to express his view without being "a pastor of the flock of Jesus Christ." Wilkinson is outraged that Joel Richardson "would DARE........ to say that pastors are leading the flock astray." Joel Richardson is an expert on biblical prophecy, an evangelist and a respected author and speaker; just because he is not "a pastor" does not disqualify him from having a view on the matter as Wilkinson infers! Are we back in the Dark Ages? MY QUESTION: How DARE Wilkinson preclude ANYONE, let alone a man of Joel Richardson's calibre, from speaking out and expressing his/her concerns about this critical debate of our time? Wilkinson seems to put greater emphasis on the position of "pastor" (a superior being whom we should bow down and do blind obeisance to apparently) and worldly qualifications that glorify men more than the word of God (Galatians 6:3; 1 Peter 5:3). He has insidiously voiced his own toxic opinion on this matter thereby predisposing his hearers into accepting it without providing any evidence to support it from the scriptures. In the process he has maliciously attempted to harm the good reputation and character of godly men, global experts in their field, who are spiritually and academically head and shoulders above himself. Apparently Wilkinson's "thorough rebuttal" will follow - but this is not the right way of doing things! There is clearly something very wrong here.
Instead of referring to the scriptures, Wilkinson made much of the supposed misinformation put out by Joe Schimmel in this DVD. Wilkinson insisted that Benjamin Wills Newton was NOT present with John Nelson Darby at Margaret McDonald's so called "revelations" in Glasgow. For someone who constantly brags about his own integrity, Wilkinson has blatantly contradicted his own research, as demonstrated below!!!!
"John Nelson Darby and Benjamin Wills Newton, whom the Brethren sent on their behalf to investigate, came to the conclusion that these displays were demonic."
Wilkinson, Paul Richard (2007). For Zion's Sake: Christian Zionism and the Role of John Nelson Darby. Paternoster. p. 192–93.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Margaret_Macdonald_%28Prophecy%29
The connection that Joe Schimmel makes between Margaret McDonald and John Nelson Darby is that she uttered revelations about the rapture prior to the Second Coming, which apparently was a novel idea at that time. What Wilkinson fails to point out is that there are different editions of McDonald's utterance. Apparently the earlier version has at least nineteen instances where the account adds a significant amount of words not found in the more condensed later edition. The link below does in fact show that McDonald's utterance bears some relevance to the pre-tribulation theory, and in this sense she IS part of the history. If there were any doubts about Joe Schimmel's meaning, surely most self respecting Christians would have had the grace to ask him for clarification before accusing him of dishonesty and vilifying him publicly!
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Margaret_MacDonald_%28visionary%29
Joe Schimmel: "Darby spent several days listening to Margaret McDonald's prophetic utterances about a secret second coming of Christ, which he and Newton came to believe were demonic in origin. However not long afterwards, DARBY HIMSELF WOULD FORMULATE HIS OWN NOVEL VIEWS ABOUT A SECRET COMING OF CHRIST."
It appears that Joe Schimmel IS correct in saying that Edward Irving got the idea of a secret rapture from a Jesuit, and that Irving DID have occult connections.
http://thedayaftertomorrow.net/gnk/The-Kabbalah-Unveiled.pdf
"For years the subject of prophecy had occupied much of his (Edward Irving's) thoughts, and his belief in the near approach of the second advent had received such wonderful corroboration by the perusal of the work of a Jesuit priest, Manuel Lacunza, writing under the assumed Jewish name of Juan Josafat Ben-Ezra, that in 1827 he published a translation of it....."
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edward_Irving
We should be very careful about calling anyone "A LIAR" (James 4:11). There are some very serious anomalies associated with Wilkinson's attack against Joe Schimmel, and I think we should question the motivation behind his vicious outburst!!!
"Paul Wilkinson is the Associate Minister at Hazel Grove Full Gospel Church in Stockport, England. He was converted to Christ in February 1990 whilst studying Mathematics and Statistics at the University of York. He has a BSc in Mathematics and Statistics, a BA and MA in Theology, and a PhD in Religions and Theology. He has also studied at the International School of Holocaust Studies at Yad Vashem in Jerusalem. In 2007 his PhD thesis was published by Paternoster Press entitled, For Zion’s Sake: Christian Zionism and the Role of John Nelson Darby.
Paul Wilkinson is a member of the Council of Prophetic Witness Movement International in the UK, and a member of the Pre-Trib Research Center in Lynchburg, Virginia."
http://www.bereanwatchmen.com/index.php/guest-articles/paul-wilkinson
Now that we have got that out of the way and are suitably impressed, let us get on to the subject in hand i.e. the pre-tribulation rapture theory which does not have one shred of evidence in the scriptures! Inconceivably, Wilkinson credits Darby with "restoring this precious truth" .....where did Darby restore it from exactly? Wilkinson cannot argue against the fact that the pre-tribulation rapture was unheard of prior to 1830. To insist upon a theory that no-one in the Christian world recognized until it was invented by Darby?* in the 1830's is to compromise ones spiritual and academic integrity. Wilkinson accuses Joe Schimmel and his guests of propagating "myths", yet ironically there is no greater myth than the secret rapture theory!
Wilkinson must be completely delusional if he really thinks that he can refute the following statements JUST BECAUSE HE SAYS SO, WITHOUT ONCE REFERRING TO THE SCRIPTURES! His behavior is just like that of his despotic hero John Nelson Darby!
- A pre-trib rapture cannot be proven from the Bible. Wilkinson: "YES IT CAN!."
- Pre-trib pastors are failing in their role as pastors. Wilkinson: "NO THEY ARE NOT!"
- It's history is sordid and scandalous. Wilkinson: "NO IT IS NOT!"
- Its origins are occultic and demonic. Wilkinson: "NO THEY ARE NOT!"
- The "theory" can be traced in some form to the Jesuits. Wilkinson: "NO IT CANNOT!"
"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....." (Revelation 22:18 see also Deuteronomy 4:2).
Error breeds error, and of course the pre-tribulation theory stands in tandem with the error of imminency which is another derived doctrine not explicitly stated in the scriptures (2 Timothy 2:15; Galatians 5:9).
The main verses that support a post tribulation/pre-wrath rapture are:
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. The Lesson of the Fig Tree “From the fig tree learn its lesson: as soon as its branch becomes tender and puts out its leaves, you know that summer is near. So also, when you see all these things, you know that he is near, at the very gates. (Matthew 24:29-33, 36, emphasis added).
For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. 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 4:16-17)
The dead in Christ rise FIRST on the LAST DAY preceding the rapture:
"This is the will of the Father who sent Me, that of all He has given Me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up at THE LAST DAY." (John 6:39, emphasis added)
"And this is the will of Him who sent Me, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in Him may have everlasting life; and I will raise him up at THE LAST DAY." (John 6:40)
"No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him; and I will raise him up at THE LAST DAY." (John 6:44)
"Whoever eats My flesh and drinks My blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up at THE LAST DAY" (John 6:54)
1 Thessalonians 4 is similar to what Paul says in two other passages, 1 Corinthians 15:51-54 and Philippians 3:20-21. At Jesus’ “coming” or “appearing” those who are still alive will be “changed” or “transformed” so that their mortal bodies will become incorruptible, deathless.
Because you have kept my word about patient endurance, I will keep you from the hour of trial that is coming on the whole world, to try those who dwell on the earth. (Revelation 3:10)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yGi9PBUJwAg
There are numerous proof texts and passages that support a post tribulation/pre-wrath rapture.
The awful accusations Wilkinson levels at Joe Schimmel and Jacob Prasch are unsubstantiated, they are scripturally deficient, academically devoid of integrity and spiritually toxic. He is embarrassingly guilty of the very accusations he levels at them i.e. dishonesty, false accusations, unsubstantiated myths and lies. We should not be surprised when Wilkinson's false words come back to bite him (Galatians 6:7).
If Paul Wilkinson is so very confident about the pre-tribulation theory, then he should claim the $10,000 offered by Joe Schimmel to anyone who can show him ONE CLEAR VERSE in the Bible that teaches a pre-tribulation rapture!
For they sow the wind, and they shall reap the whirlwind. The standing grain has no heads; it shall yield no flour; if it were to yield, strangers would devour it. (Hosea 8:7)
* Edward Irving published pre-tribulation teachings prior to Darby in his journal "The Morning Watch" (1830). It therefore appears that Darby was a plagiarist, and not the originator of the pre-tribulation theory.
http://www.seeking4truth.com/john_darby.htm
A Roundtable Discussion Answering Dr. Paul Wilkinson & The Berean Call
Joe Schimmel, Jacob Prasch and John Haller:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IiNjDYsHfh4&feature=youtu.be
The Sordid History of the Pre-Tribulation Rapture Deception:
http://bewareofthewolves.blogspot.co.uk/2015/10/thomas-ice-and-paul-wilkinson-sordid.html
Recommended Links:
http://www.leftbehindorledastray.com/
http://www.solagroup.org/articles/endtimes/et_0006.html
http://www.leftbehindorledastray.com/an-open-letter-to-t-a-mcmahon-of-the-berean-call/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9CGBKP1QKBM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KyV1jGL_-WY
http://freestockphotos.com/COMING1/DarbysInvention.htm
http://www.spurgeon.org/s_and_t/dbreth.htm
https://vimeo.com/139809424
Friday, 21 August 2015
beware of ian mccormack and revelation tv
I have previously written separately about Ian McCormack and Revelation TV in some depth. Revelation TV seem intent on deceiving their viewers with false teachers such as Jesse Duplantis, John Hagee, Joyce Meyer, Pat Robertson, Ellel Ministries etc..... the list is endless. The cost of promoting things contrary to sound doctrine will be very high indeed (1 Timothy 1:3-11; Revelation 21:8). Both Howard and Leslie Conder have both admitted airing "iffy" teachers for financial gain. By blatantly putting their own interests ahead of the word of God and the eternal destiny of their hearers, the Conders are committing great wickedness. We should remember that after betraying Jesus Christ, Judas Iscariot was unable to return the money to the chief priests and elders, he could not undo what he had done (Matthew 27:3-4).
Ian McCormack is one of the more plausible false teachers around today, possibly because he seems very genuine and full of "love". However, love and truth are inseparable, love is not real love without truth (2 Thessalonians 2:10).
http://www.revelationtv.com/programmes/episode/ian-mccormack747176
The above programme was aired originally on RTV on the 24th of June 2015. The doctrines of demons being taught by Ian McCormack are currently being repeated by RTV at regular intervals.
Ian McCormack describes what he calls "the problem of variance" or "the disintegration of unity" within the universal church. He blames the problem of disunity on non-cooperation between churches and the intransigence of individual ministries. Ian McCormack starts from the false premise that the "fivefold ministry" should be foundational and that the "new wineskin" should be operational universally. From the very beginning of this programme there are major issues with his teaching.
Ian McCormack: "The existing wineskin only provides pastoral positions." !!!!!
Wineskins are specifically linked to the new birth, NOT TO A MINISTRY. The gospel is signified by wine, and the new wineskins are those whom the Holy Spirit regenerates (Matthew 9:17).
Ian McCormack: "Jesus said 'The blood of the prophets is all over the church.'" !!!!!
This is completely false. Jesus Christ was referring to the Old Testament prophets; he was addressing the Scribes and Pharisees, NOT THE CHURCH (Matthew 23:29-31).
Ian McCormack: "Barnabas was an apostle." !!!!!
Barnabas is described as an "apostle" in Acts 14:14. However, in context, the Greek word "apostolos" simply means "messenger". Barnabas was an important pioneering missionary or "messenger", but he was not an "Apostle" in the sense that Ian McCormack would have us believe. Luke made clear distinctions between Barnabas and the Twelve apostles (Acts 4:36; 9:27; 15:2, 22). These verses and others demonstrate that Luke consistently used the term "Apostle" to refer only to the Twelve. There are four lists of the Twelve in the New Testament, one in each of the three Synoptic Gospels (Matthew 10:1-4; Mark 3:13-19; Luke 6:12-16) and one in Acts 1:13 which omits Judas Iscariot. In fact Matthias was chosen to replace Judas Iscariot; Barnabus was not even a candidate for the position (Acts 1:12-26)!
Ian McCormack: "If you don't have Salvation, Pastoral Care, Teaching, Deliverance, Apostolic, Prophetic........ then you don't have the full gospel....the full gospel is the whole pack." !!!!!
God has given us all things pertaining to life and godliness (2 Peter 1:3) without the distortions and additions of people like Ian McCormack. We already have the apostolic i.e. the apostles teaching, and we already have the prophets. Modern prophecy must be tested and should line up with the scriptures (1 John 4:1; 2 Timothy 3:16). Furthermore, the fallacy that redeemed Christians need "deliverance" is extremely dangerous. Deliverance of redeemed Christians is not taught anywhere in the scriptures; this is yet another denial of the cross of Christ from people who add to the word of God (Deuteronomy 4:2; Proverbs 30:6). http://eliora.hubpages.com/hub/THE-BIBLE-AND-INNER-HEALING-A-FOCUS-ON-ELLEL-MINISTRIES
The Key to Success: Proper Additions To Faith:
For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love. For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. For whoever lacks these qualities is so nearsighted that he is blind, having forgotten that he was cleansed from his former sins. Therefore, brothers, be all the more diligent to confirm your calling and election, for if you practice these qualities you will never fall. For in this way there will be richly provided for you an entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. (1 Peter 1:5-11)
Ian McCormack’s unbiblical teaching that God is restoring foundational apostles and prophets in these days puts him in broad agreement with the New Apostolic Reformation. He and other deceivers base their "fivefold" teaching on a single verse of scripture:
And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers….. (Ephesians 4:11)
In exactly what way can these new "apostles and prophets" be foundational?
The original apostles were unique, they knew Jesus Christ personally during his earthly ministry:
That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we looked upon and have touched with our hands, concerning the word of life— (1 John 1:1)
The office of "Apostle" was conditional:
"So one of the men who have accompanied us during all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, beginning from the baptism of John until the day when he was taken up from us—one of these men must become with us a witness to his resurrection.” (Acts 1: 21-22)
Ian McCormack and others who promote the "fivefold ministry" actually contradict Jesus Christ and destroy the foundation. Biblically Jesus Christ and the original apostles and prophets have (past tense) laid the foundation in defining the canon of scripture. These present day "apostles and prophets" as they refer to themselves, are usurpers, they seek to alter that foundation.
The apostles writings were infallibly inspired as the written word of God (John 14:26; 16:13; 1 Thessalonians 2:13 Ephesians 3:5). The scriptures tell us that the church is built on the foundation of the original apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone (Ephesians 2/20). There is no evidence to support any succession to the original apostles and prophets, and there is nothing further to add to the canon of scripture as these false apostles and prophets claim. These so called "apostles" are self appointed and do things by their own authority. What Ian McCormack is doing is called revisionism, he revises the scriptures to suit his own agenda.
So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints, and are of God's household, having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus Himself being the corner stone, in whom the whole building, being fitted together, is growing into a holy temple in the Lord… (Ephesians 2:19-21) The grammar is what we should pay particular attention to: "having been" + aorist passive participle (ἐποικοδομηθέντες) "built upon" - in other words, the foundation laid by Jesus Christ and the prophets is a completed past event.
For no one can lay a foundation other than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. (1 Corinthians 3:11)
If we are not building on the foundation laid by Christ and the apostles, then we are not in Christ.
For if someone comes and proclaims another Jesus than the one we proclaimed, or if you receive a different spirit from the one you received, or if you accept a different gospel from the one you accepted, you put up with it readily enough. (2 Corinthians 11:4)
..... knowing this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture comes from someone’s own interpretation. For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit. (2 Peter 1: 20-21)
The Apostle Paul had a similar dilemma with those who called themselves apostles - there is nothing new under the sun (Ecclesiastes 1:9).
And what I am doing I will continue to do, in order to undermine the claim of those who would like to claim that in their boasted mission they work on the same terms as we do. For such men are false apostles, deceitful workmen, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ. And no wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. So it is no surprise if his servants, also, disguise themselves as servants of righteousness. Their end will correspond to their deeds. (2 Corinthians 11:12-15)
I know your works, your toil and your patient endurance, and how you cannot bear with those who are evil, but have tested those who call themselves apostles and are not, and found them to be false. (Revelation 2:2)
The apostle Paul gives the example of Jannes and Jambres opposition to Moses in order to warn the church:
.....having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power. Avoid such people.
Just as Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses, so these men also oppose the truth, men corrupted in mind and disqualified regarding the faith. But they will not get very far, for their folly will be plain to all, as was that of those two men. (2 Timothy 3: 5, 8-9)
"..... in vain do they worship me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men." (Matthew 15:9)
One of the so called "apostles" Ian McCormack approves of is "gravesucker" Bill Johnson of Bethel Church, Redding CA. Johnson is one of the "apostles" who prophesied over Todd Bentley along with other false "apostles and prophets" at the "Toronto Blessing" in Florida. What these people stand for is inconsistent with the teaching and practice of Jesus Christ and the authentic apostles.
Ian McCormack: "I am up to here with hearing the bitterness, the anger, the unforgiveness and resentment because of the problem." My response: The "problem" is that the foundations laid by Jesus Christ and the apostles are being destroyed by wolves in sheep's clothing like Ian McCormack and the hirelings who give them a platform. If the foundations are destroyed, what can the righteous do? (Psalm 11:3) No true Christian can possibly remain within the apostate church, i.e. Babylon the great, mother of prostitutes and of earth’s abominations. (Revelation 17:5, 18:2 see also Hebrews 13:13).
The Bible bears witness that there will be massive deception in the last days. This is what is referred to as the "falling away" i.e. apostasy (2 Thessalonians 2:3; 1Timothy 4:1; 2 Peter 2:1-3; Acts 20:29).
Ian McCormack promotes an unholy unity within the "universal church". However, God commands his faithful people to do the diametric opposite:
Then I heard another voice from heaven saying, “Come out of her, my people, lest you take part in her sins, lest you share in her plagues....." (Revelation 18:4)
"Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith (faithfulness) on earth?” (Luke 18:8)
Ian McCormack's supposed numerous visits to the third heaven and his claim to a free right of access to heaven at any time is highly alarming. Some of the false teachers he has shared a platform with are Jill Austin, Heidi Baker, Bill Johnson and Todd Bentley: http://www.aglimpseofeternity.org/calendar/event.php?event=384
Further Reading:
http://bewareofthewolves.blogspot.co.uk/2014/08/ian-mccormack-open-heaven-or-spiritual.html
http://bewareofthewolves.blogspot.co.uk/2015/03/ian-mccormack-third-heaven-spiritual.html
http://bewareofthewolves.blogspot.co.uk/2014/09/ian-mccormack-fivefold-ministry.html
http://bewareofthewolves.blogspot.co.uk/2014/11/revelation-tv-apostasy-and-occult-logo.html
http://bewareofthewolves.blogspot.co.uk/2015/04/grave-sucker-bill-johnson-to-join.html
Ian McCormack is one of the more plausible false teachers around today, possibly because he seems very genuine and full of "love". However, love and truth are inseparable, love is not real love without truth (2 Thessalonians 2:10).
http://www.revelationtv.com/programmes/episode/ian-mccormack747176
The above programme was aired originally on RTV on the 24th of June 2015. The doctrines of demons being taught by Ian McCormack are currently being repeated by RTV at regular intervals.
Ian McCormack describes what he calls "the problem of variance" or "the disintegration of unity" within the universal church. He blames the problem of disunity on non-cooperation between churches and the intransigence of individual ministries. Ian McCormack starts from the false premise that the "fivefold ministry" should be foundational and that the "new wineskin" should be operational universally. From the very beginning of this programme there are major issues with his teaching.
Ian McCormack: "The existing wineskin only provides pastoral positions." !!!!!
Wineskins are specifically linked to the new birth, NOT TO A MINISTRY. The gospel is signified by wine, and the new wineskins are those whom the Holy Spirit regenerates (Matthew 9:17).
Ian McCormack: "Jesus said 'The blood of the prophets is all over the church.'" !!!!!
This is completely false. Jesus Christ was referring to the Old Testament prophets; he was addressing the Scribes and Pharisees, NOT THE CHURCH (Matthew 23:29-31).
Ian McCormack: "Barnabas was an apostle." !!!!!
Barnabas is described as an "apostle" in Acts 14:14. However, in context, the Greek word "apostolos" simply means "messenger". Barnabas was an important pioneering missionary or "messenger", but he was not an "Apostle" in the sense that Ian McCormack would have us believe. Luke made clear distinctions between Barnabas and the Twelve apostles (Acts 4:36; 9:27; 15:2, 22). These verses and others demonstrate that Luke consistently used the term "Apostle" to refer only to the Twelve. There are four lists of the Twelve in the New Testament, one in each of the three Synoptic Gospels (Matthew 10:1-4; Mark 3:13-19; Luke 6:12-16) and one in Acts 1:13 which omits Judas Iscariot. In fact Matthias was chosen to replace Judas Iscariot; Barnabus was not even a candidate for the position (Acts 1:12-26)!
Ian McCormack: "If you don't have Salvation, Pastoral Care, Teaching, Deliverance, Apostolic, Prophetic........ then you don't have the full gospel....the full gospel is the whole pack." !!!!!
God has given us all things pertaining to life and godliness (2 Peter 1:3) without the distortions and additions of people like Ian McCormack. We already have the apostolic i.e. the apostles teaching, and we already have the prophets. Modern prophecy must be tested and should line up with the scriptures (1 John 4:1; 2 Timothy 3:16). Furthermore, the fallacy that redeemed Christians need "deliverance" is extremely dangerous. Deliverance of redeemed Christians is not taught anywhere in the scriptures; this is yet another denial of the cross of Christ from people who add to the word of God (Deuteronomy 4:2; Proverbs 30:6). http://eliora.hubpages.com/hub/THE-BIBLE-AND-INNER-HEALING-A-FOCUS-ON-ELLEL-MINISTRIES
The Key to Success: Proper Additions To Faith:
For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love. For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. For whoever lacks these qualities is so nearsighted that he is blind, having forgotten that he was cleansed from his former sins. Therefore, brothers, be all the more diligent to confirm your calling and election, for if you practice these qualities you will never fall. For in this way there will be richly provided for you an entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. (1 Peter 1:5-11)
Ian McCormack’s unbiblical teaching that God is restoring foundational apostles and prophets in these days puts him in broad agreement with the New Apostolic Reformation. He and other deceivers base their "fivefold" teaching on a single verse of scripture:
And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers….. (Ephesians 4:11)
In exactly what way can these new "apostles and prophets" be foundational?
The original apostles were unique, they knew Jesus Christ personally during his earthly ministry:
That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we looked upon and have touched with our hands, concerning the word of life— (1 John 1:1)
The office of "Apostle" was conditional:
"So one of the men who have accompanied us during all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, beginning from the baptism of John until the day when he was taken up from us—one of these men must become with us a witness to his resurrection.” (Acts 1: 21-22)
Ian McCormack and others who promote the "fivefold ministry" actually contradict Jesus Christ and destroy the foundation. Biblically Jesus Christ and the original apostles and prophets have (past tense) laid the foundation in defining the canon of scripture. These present day "apostles and prophets" as they refer to themselves, are usurpers, they seek to alter that foundation.
The apostles writings were infallibly inspired as the written word of God (John 14:26; 16:13; 1 Thessalonians 2:13 Ephesians 3:5). The scriptures tell us that the church is built on the foundation of the original apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone (Ephesians 2/20). There is no evidence to support any succession to the original apostles and prophets, and there is nothing further to add to the canon of scripture as these false apostles and prophets claim. These so called "apostles" are self appointed and do things by their own authority. What Ian McCormack is doing is called revisionism, he revises the scriptures to suit his own agenda.
So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints, and are of God's household, having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus Himself being the corner stone, in whom the whole building, being fitted together, is growing into a holy temple in the Lord… (Ephesians 2:19-21) The grammar is what we should pay particular attention to: "having been" + aorist passive participle (ἐποικοδομηθέντες) "built upon" - in other words, the foundation laid by Jesus Christ and the prophets is a completed past event.
For no one can lay a foundation other than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. (1 Corinthians 3:11)
If we are not building on the foundation laid by Christ and the apostles, then we are not in Christ.
For if someone comes and proclaims another Jesus than the one we proclaimed, or if you receive a different spirit from the one you received, or if you accept a different gospel from the one you accepted, you put up with it readily enough. (2 Corinthians 11:4)
..... knowing this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture comes from someone’s own interpretation. For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit. (2 Peter 1: 20-21)
The Apostle Paul had a similar dilemma with those who called themselves apostles - there is nothing new under the sun (Ecclesiastes 1:9).
And what I am doing I will continue to do, in order to undermine the claim of those who would like to claim that in their boasted mission they work on the same terms as we do. For such men are false apostles, deceitful workmen, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ. And no wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. So it is no surprise if his servants, also, disguise themselves as servants of righteousness. Their end will correspond to their deeds. (2 Corinthians 11:12-15)
I know your works, your toil and your patient endurance, and how you cannot bear with those who are evil, but have tested those who call themselves apostles and are not, and found them to be false. (Revelation 2:2)
The apostle Paul gives the example of Jannes and Jambres opposition to Moses in order to warn the church:
.....having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power. Avoid such people.
Just as Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses, so these men also oppose the truth, men corrupted in mind and disqualified regarding the faith. But they will not get very far, for their folly will be plain to all, as was that of those two men. (2 Timothy 3: 5, 8-9)
"..... in vain do they worship me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men." (Matthew 15:9)
One of the so called "apostles" Ian McCormack approves of is "gravesucker" Bill Johnson of Bethel Church, Redding CA. Johnson is one of the "apostles" who prophesied over Todd Bentley along with other false "apostles and prophets" at the "Toronto Blessing" in Florida. What these people stand for is inconsistent with the teaching and practice of Jesus Christ and the authentic apostles.
Ian McCormack: "I am up to here with hearing the bitterness, the anger, the unforgiveness and resentment because of the problem." My response: The "problem" is that the foundations laid by Jesus Christ and the apostles are being destroyed by wolves in sheep's clothing like Ian McCormack and the hirelings who give them a platform. If the foundations are destroyed, what can the righteous do? (Psalm 11:3) No true Christian can possibly remain within the apostate church, i.e. Babylon the great, mother of prostitutes and of earth’s abominations. (Revelation 17:5, 18:2 see also Hebrews 13:13).
The Bible bears witness that there will be massive deception in the last days. This is what is referred to as the "falling away" i.e. apostasy (2 Thessalonians 2:3; 1Timothy 4:1; 2 Peter 2:1-3; Acts 20:29).
Ian McCormack promotes an unholy unity within the "universal church". However, God commands his faithful people to do the diametric opposite:
Then I heard another voice from heaven saying, “Come out of her, my people, lest you take part in her sins, lest you share in her plagues....." (Revelation 18:4)
"Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith (faithfulness) on earth?” (Luke 18:8)
Ian McCormack's supposed numerous visits to the third heaven and his claim to a free right of access to heaven at any time is highly alarming. Some of the false teachers he has shared a platform with are Jill Austin, Heidi Baker, Bill Johnson and Todd Bentley: http://www.aglimpseofeternity.org/calendar/event.php?event=384
Further Reading:
http://bewareofthewolves.blogspot.co.uk/2014/08/ian-mccormack-open-heaven-or-spiritual.html
http://bewareofthewolves.blogspot.co.uk/2015/03/ian-mccormack-third-heaven-spiritual.html
http://bewareofthewolves.blogspot.co.uk/2014/09/ian-mccormack-fivefold-ministry.html
http://bewareofthewolves.blogspot.co.uk/2014/11/revelation-tv-apostasy-and-occult-logo.html
http://bewareofthewolves.blogspot.co.uk/2015/04/grave-sucker-bill-johnson-to-join.html
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