SHAME ON YOU CHRIS ROSEBROUGH / PHIL JOHNSON / JUSTIN PETERS RE JD HALL

(3) F4F | The Fall of JD Hall - YouTube

Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them. (Ephesians 5:11).

It is likely that a number of people in Sydney Montana are rejoicing and praising the Lord following the arrest of JD Hall on the 11th of May for DUI, and the later charges of domestic violence with a weapon and embezzlement. Hall is no longer listed as the pastor of Fellowship Baptist Church in Sydney, Montana, and he has been removed from the staff of Protestia (originally Pulpit & Pen).

It is difficult to comprehend the attitude of Chris Rosebrough, Phil Johnson and Justin Peters during the above "discussion" dated 7th of July. This video appeared to me to be a blatant attempt to block others from publicly evaluating Hall's "ministry". The seriousness of the accusations against Hall does not warrant the accusation of "gloating" or "gossiping" against those who have ventured to express their views publicly. Does Justin Peters claim to know the intentions of the heart? (Hebrews 4:12). Someone who sets themselves up as a pastor with a public profile should be tested biblically and should be held accountable and publicly exposed. (1 John 4:1). It is pertinent to point out that the discussion is not limited exclusively to Rosebrough and his cronies, and that others do actually have the right to discuss and question Hall's "ministry", particularly in light of recent events. Isn't this precisely what these three "watchmen" do in cases that do not involve their own particular clique? Was Paul gossiping about the problem at Corinth? (1 Corinthians 5:1). The church should operate in an atmosphere of complete integrity and openness, especially when things go wrong. 

Our three "watchmen" described how they had implored and admonished Hall on multiple occasions privately regarding his "pugnacious" attitude. Phil Johnson compared Hall to the infamous pastor, J Frank Norris, who shot and killed an unarmed man in his office in 1927. {1}  Rosebrough, Johnson and Peters obviously recognized how dangerous Hall was, both spiritually and physically, and yet they decided to limit their actions to private admonitions!

In such a dire situation it would have been appropriate to put some sort of plan into place. Although the JD Hall situation did not fit the guidelines in Matthew 18, it would have been wise to set up a meeting and remonstrate with Hall as a group. After that, it would have been appropriate to approach Hall's church elders. I believe that this step would have been futile at that time, but at least it would have demonstrated their concerns. According to Micah Hershberger, Hall fired the elders of Fellowship Bible Church in 2014 as a result of their attempts to hold him accountable following the suicide of Braxton Caner. {2} It appears that during 2014, Fellowship Independent Church quickly degenerated into a church with an unhealthy pattern of leadership. In other words, Hall allegedly appointed yes-men as elders, and FBC was effectually transformed into an autocracy. As such, any attempt to hold Hall accountable would have been futile prior to recent events. 

The last step would have been for our three "watchmen" to warn the body of Christ publicly about Hall on their platforms instead of turning a blind eye and essentially propping him up. Paul did not hesitate to publicly call out Peter, his fellow apostle, when he was in error and in danger of damaging the body of Christ. (Galatians 2:11-14). It appears that different criteria apply to many discernment ministries where their own camp is concerned. Given Hall's aberrant behaviour and his alleged arsenal of weapons, it is clear that the concerns of Phil Johnson that Hall posed a life-threatening hazard to others was no exaggeration. How then can we explain his reticence to sound the alarm? (Ezekiel 33:6).

If your brother sins against you, go and confront him privately. If he listens to you, you have won your brother over. But if he will not listen, take one or two others along, so that ‘every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.’ If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church. And if he refuses to listen even to the church, regard him as you would a pagan or a tax collector. (Matthew 18:16-17).

Justin Peters' dishonesty

   

Justin Peters: "For the last several years I have not publicly connected myself with Jordan, I have not promoted any of his teaching.." (23:00 mark) 

Justin Peters at Fellowship Bible Church Church 7th March 2021: Good morning. I hope everyone is doing well this morning. It is a joy to be with you, it truly is. I have been here once before and it's been a while, seven eight or so, nine years ago maybe, it's been quite a while, so it's a joy to be back. I appreciate so much Jordan's friendship and the kindness and support that he has shown me.." {3} 

To add to the reticence of these "watchmen" to publicly expose Hall as an extremely dangerous man, we are also faced with further difficulties regarding the dishonesty of Justin Peters. Peters' rightly exposes all kinds of dishonesty and lies amongst false teachers, but apparently the rules do not apply to him! We now have to try to make sense of his own dishonesty in falsely stating that he had not publicly connected with Hall for "several years". I have given Justin Peters the benefit of the doubt on previous occasions, particularly regarding the Doreen Virtue incident. It should have been clear to both Rosebrough and Peters that Doreen Virtue had no business seamlessly switching her New Age platform to a Christian "ministry", including detailed accounts of her dubious vision of Jesus, both online and in her book. {4} Rosebrough and Peters' managed to bring some correction to Doreen Virtue, but the whole mess could have been avoided if they had done their due diligence and acted wisely instead of making excuses for yet another Calvinist. 

We have heard nothing further from our three "watchmen" regarding Hall since their attempt to close down the discussion on the 7th of July. Does this mean that they will follow the pattern of other hirelings who choose to ignore troublesome issues hoping that they will go away? The sin of partiality is very serious, particularly for those claiming to operate discernment ministries. (Proverbs 24:23). This is especially relevant considering their wholesale condemnation of Word-Faith NAR prosperity teachers and other heretics. (James 3:1). If we can’t take the plank out of our own eye, then we have no chance of addressing the errors of others. (Matthew 7:5). 

But if we judged ourselves truly, we would not be judged. (1 Corinthians 11:31).

1. Lessons from the Megachurch Pastor Who Killed a Man (thegospelcoalition.org)
2. (1) The Jordan Hall Story - Corruption, Cover-Up & Abuse - YouTube
3. SermonAudio - Media Player
4. WOLVES IN SHEEP'S CLOTHING: FALSE PROPHETS AND BIBLE TEACHERS IN THE LAST DAYS: DOREEN VIRTUE: BEYOND REPROOF (bewareofthewolves.blogspot.com)

J.D. Hall Removed from Church for ‘Failure to Demonstrate Repentance’ (julieroys.com)

CHRIS ROSEBROUGH # PHIL JOHNSON # JUSTIN PETERS: THE FALL OF CULT LEADER JD HALL

(25) F4F | The Fall of JD Hall - YouTube

Chris Rosebrough, Phil Johnson and Justin Peters' recent discussion regarding the fall of their friend JD Hall completely failed to hit the mark. No doubt many who have observed JD Hall's ungodly methods and abusive behaviour over the years are relieved that he has gone ~ but if we say anything about it apparently we are gloating. Really? Gloating has nothing to do with it! 

Chris Rosebrough began by praising the elders of JD Hall's church (Fellowship Baptist Church, Sidney, Montana) because they have exercised church discipline. Rosebrough noted that such an occurrence is unusual in our time and that elders rarely initiate church discipline. The general pattern I have observed is that when a church leader is caught out publicly, or when the evidence against him is overwhelming, then, and only then, is church discipline initiated. JD Hall was caught red-handed by the police in May on DUI and weapons charges. Otherwise, I am convinced that no action by the leadership would have been taken. The statement from the FBC leadership refers to an "incident" that took place on Sunday the 5th of June 2022, but they have neglected to apprise the public of any details regarding this. {1} It is alleged that this further "incident" involving Hall on the 5th of June was a physical attack against his wife and ten-year-old daughter. The offense has been described by the Sidney Police Department MT as "Assault With Weapon.. Forces used: Knife/Cutting instrument" and "Strangulation of Partner or Family Member". {2} It appears that the leaders of FBC have attempted to cover up this dreadful incident and that they are not supporting Mrs Hall and her family as they claim! Evidently, Hall is also under investigation for “Theft Exceeding $10,000 By Embezzlement”. {3} 

JD Hall has gone unchecked for a number of years, leaving a trail of devastation behind him. He should have gone a long time ago, but he was not held accountable. In effect, the leaders of FBC had little choice but to enforce church discipline following recent events and they have nothing to be proud of. I believe that the leaders of FBC are culpable for allowing Hall to continue in his position for so long. 

JD Hall was a cult leader and a bully 

The discussion between Rosebrough, Johnson and Peters was all about JD Hall, his problems, his addiction to Xanax and how to "restore" him.  Apart from a quick reference to one of his more recent misdemeanors, nothing was said about the people/families Hall has damaged over the years, not least the suicide of Braxton Caner in 2014. Hall was accused of cyber-bullying Braxton Caner, the teenage son of pastor and Brewton-Parker College President Ergun Caner weeks before the youth committed suicide. Although Hall expressed regret, his behavioral problems were clearly ongoing. 

Around the same time as the suicide of Braxton Caner, Hall admitted that his overzealous quest to expose corruption in the Baptist church had devolved into an adversarial approach to problem-solving that was downright sinful, and he claimed that he was already in the process of changing his ways weeks before Braxton's suicide.

Hall was the voice of the Pulpit&Pen (later renamed Protestia). Last year, Hall was sued for libel after a story was published in the Montana Gazette about Adrian Jawort, a Native American activist. In that article, Hall referred to Jawort as a “transvestite Goth” and accused him of threatening a state senator.

As part of a settlement, Hall admitted that the story was fabricated and apologized, according to the Great Falls Tribune. (1 Corinthians 6:10). The libel suit was dismissed with the agreement Jawort will be able to make a claim of $250,000 against Hall, who is currently in bankruptcy.

Hall: “I apologize to Adrian Jawort.. The information I published about Adrian was false. Adrian did not threaten or harass Senator Butch Gillespie. I regret the error and sincerely apologize to Adrian for publishing it.” {4}

Hall's gutter press tactics against Servus Christi (Joshua Chavez) and his accusations of "human trafficking" were insupportable. {5} Hall renamed Chavez "Servus Diablos". He also referred to Chavez as "Servetus" which was a reference to Michael Servetus, the man who was murdered by John Calvin. {6} I viewed this as a veiled threat against Chavez. Chavez himself voiced concerns that there was a potential threat from Hall in January 2019. (1:14:00 mark) (26) Pulpit & Pen Founder Finally Critiques John MacArthur? - YouTube 

Hall reportedly bullied his own congregation to the degree that those who came into conflict with him even feared for their physical safety!

Garrett Mullett: "Never before JD Hall had I encountered attendees, members, or leaders of a church – past or present – afraid for their physical safety or that of their family after conflict with a pastor. Yet I have heard such concerns more than once with regards to Jordan and his church." {7}  

These are not the actions of a born-again Christian, much less a pastor! ..not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock. (1 Peter 5:3).

Hall has stated that unless a person is in "covenant membership" with a local church then they are not a Christian! Our covenant is with Jesus Christ, it is not with bullies, liars and revilers masquerading as leaders. (1 John 2:4). Is it any wonder that true believers are leaving the churches en masse, even those churches claiming to have "sound doctrine"?

After so much damage and so many red flags, most of us would have learned a lesson, but Hall did not. He was left unchecked until his arrest in May. 

When the fruit of the spirit is so glaringly absent from the life of an individual, then we need to question whether he/she is in fact a saved believer. (Galatians 5:16-24). To refer to Hall as a "Christian" on the basis of doctrine alone is questionable. In my view, the term "Christian" cannot be applied to someone who claims to have faith but has no works. (James 2:14).  

Does JD Hall have sound doctrine?  

The Reformed (Calvinist) limitation of salvation (limited atonement) to the chosen few is a perverted doctrine. Jesus came to offer salvation to the whole world. (John 3:16; Matthew 11:28). Orthodoxy and orthopraxy are essential biblical requirements for believers and Hall has failed to demonstrate either of these. (Philippians 4:9). The Protestant tyrant John Calvin ran Geneva like a gulag from 1541 to 1564. Hall became Calvin's disciple indeed, but he has certainly not exhibited any evidence of being a disciple of Jesus Christ! He has made a mockery of the noble calling of a pastor. (1 Timothy 3:1-3).

For an overseer, as God’s steward, must be above reproach. He must not be arrogant or quick-tempered or a drunkard or violent or greedy for gain, but hospitable, a lover of good, self-controlled, upright, holy, and disciplined. He must hold firm to the trustworthy word as taught, so that he may be able to give instruction in sound doctrine and also to rebuke those who contradict it. (Titus 1:7-9).

This is a trustworthy saying: If anyone aspires to be an overseer, he desires a noble task. An overseer, then, must be above reproach, the husband of but one wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, not dependent on wine, not violent but gentle, peaceable, and free of the love of money. (1 Timothy 3:1-3).

They profess to know God, but by their actions they deny Him. They are detestable, disobedient, and unfit for any good deed. (Titus 1:16).

As for a person who stirs up division, after warning him once and then twice, have nothing more to do with him.. (Titus 3:10).

I like Chris Rosebrough and Justin Peters and I have learned a lot from some of their teachings. Having said that, I have major problems with Calvinism and also with some aspects of Lutheranism. The elephant in the room is their staunch support for false teacher John MacArthur who appears to be their "pope". 

Further Links

(29) The Jordan Hall Story - Corruption, Cover-Up & Abuse - YouTube
(Update #2) J.D. Hall Is Accused of Domestic Violence with a Weapon as well as Embezzlement. He Also Has Had A Lot of Guns. What Did the Church Know? | The Wartburg Watch 2022

1. Statement on the Disqualification of JD Hall - Protestia
2. Protestia Founder Jordan Hall Attacks Wife & Daughter | Servus Christi
3. Protestia Founder Jordan Hall Investigated For Embezzlement | Servus Christi
4. J.D. Hall, pastor and founder of Pulpit&Pen, admits fabricating story about trans activist (religionnews.com)
5. WOLVES IN SHEEP'S CLOTHING: FALSE PROPHETS AND BIBLE TEACHERS IN THE LAST DAYS: PULPIT AND PEN'S BIG SCOOP ON SERVUS CHRISTI: GUTTER PRESS TACTICS (bewareofthewolves.blogspot.com)
6. Servus Christi's Life of Sin to Be Exposed on Monday (pulpitandpen.org)
7. Empowering JD Hall Hurts Good People and Worthy Causes (onthe.rocks)

MICHAEL HEISER'S SUPPRESSION OF ESCHATOLOGY

(13) Why I DISLIKE Eschatology - YouTube

ALL SCRIPTURE is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness. (2 Timothy 3:16).

For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy. (Revelation 19:10).

Michael Heiser: "This is why I really dislike eschatology: Because there's so much left to the domain of speculation, that you can pick out just about anything, any facet of the End Times subject, because there's a lot that goes under that umbrella, and run with it, and defend a particular idea. And if you're loud enough about it, and you do it often enough, people are going to think you're on to something. And the people who are doing that know that, because it's so complicated, it's so vast, there's so many ins and outs and intricacies of it. 'Who in the world is going to spend the time telling me I'm wrong?'"

Heiser is one of a number of teachers whose cavalier dismissal of eschatology flies in the face of the scriptures. Anyone alleging to be a "bible expert" who discourages the study of eschatology should be treated with the utmost suspicion. It is one thing to say that eschatology is not your particular area of expertise, and it is quite another to suppress this important subject. Eschatology is an integral part of the whole canon of scripture and it is just as likely to be misinterpreted as any other biblical topic. We cannot afford to amputate the parts of scripture that are not to our personal liking! 

Almost one-third of the scriptures concerns bible prophecy! In particular, the book of Revelation is given special prominence and is described as the word of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ. Further important passages are 1 & 2 Thessalonians, Matthew 24, Mark 13, Luke 21 and 1 Peter 3.

This is the revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave Him to show His servants what must soon come to pass. He made it known by sending His angel to His servant John, who testifies to everything he saw. This is the word of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ. Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear and obey what is written in it, because the time is near. (Revelation 1:1-3).

Stay dressed for action and keep your lamps burning, and be like men who are waiting for their master to come home from the wedding feast, so that they may open the door to him at once when he comes and knocks. Blessed are those servants whom the master finds awake when he comes. (Luke 12:35-37).

Jesus warned His disciples that the details of His return are of critical importance. (Matthew 24:15). If we willfully ignore bible prophecy, we dismiss critical parts of God’s word at our own peril and are playing directly into Satan's hands. Satan knows how important bible prophecy is, and he will go all out to deceive believers to either misinterpret or ignore the subject altogether. (Ephesians 6:12). 

Warren B Smith who is knowledgeable about New Age teachings made the shocking discovery that prophecy dissenters Rick Warren, Brian McLaren and Robert Schuller were repeating the words of theosophist Alice Bailey almost verbatim. {1} 

Rick Warren: "When the disciples wanted to talk about prophecy, Jesus quickly switched the conversation to evangelism. He wanted them to concentrate on their mission in the world. He said in essence, 'The details of my return are none of your business. What is your business is the mission I have given you. Focus on that!'"  {2}

Brian McLaren: "Instead, he [Jesus] tells them it’s none of their business to speculate about how God plans to work out history, and then he gives them a mission to accomplish." {3} 

Robert Schuller: “Don’t let eschatology stifle your long-term thinking.” {4}

Alice Bailey: "If our work is rightly done, He will come at the set and appointed time. How, where or when He will come is none of our concern. Our work is to do our utmost and on as large a scale as possible to bring about right human relations, for His coming depends upon our work. {5} 

Hypocritically, despite his statements to the contrary, Heiser does like to dabble in eschatology and has proffered his own inaccurate speculations! For instance, Heiser does not believe in a literal millennium. {6}  Heiser has changed the location of Armageddon to Jerusalem for questionable reasons. {7} He also endorses the problematic recapitulation theory regarding the seals, trumpets and bowls:

Heiser: "Revelation may not even be intended to be read chronologically (in linear fashion), but instead as repeating cycles (i.e., the seals, bowls and trumpets all express the ideas in similar, but not identical, ways). One’s willingness to accept this cyclic repetitive view ('recapitulation') depends on being comfortable with 'joining' them instead of 'splitting' them." (8) 

narwatchisrael have identified a number of red flags associated with Heiser's theology, including his nod to universalism.

Reasons (excuses) why teachers avoid eschatology

There are various reasons why church leaders avoid eschatology. A further problem is that many teachers are unwilling to correct inaccurate eschatology due to their denominational affiliations. It is my contention that every one of these reasons has its source in self-interest i.e. the flesh. (John 6:63).

Fear of man ~ Fear of controversy and/or fear of coming into conflict with the view of their particular denomination or tradition is a major reason why teachers avoid eschatology. 

The fear of man lays a snare, but whoever trusts in the LORD is safe. (Proverbs 29:25)
Towing the party line ~ Those who tow the party line for the sake of their own security is the mark of a hireling! 

He flees because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep. (John 10:13).
Fear of losing members and finance ~ These teachers are concerned with building their own kingdoms as against giving their full attention to the kingdom of God.
Fear of getting it wrong ~ A faithful teacher will study the word and seek the Lord.
When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come. (John 16:13).
Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth. (2 Timothy 2:15).
If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking. (James 1:5).
Pride and immaturity ~ He must not be a recent convert, or he may become puffed up with conceit and fall into the condemnation of the devil. (1 Timothy 3:6).
Laziness ~ The way of a sluggard is like a hedge of thorns, but the path of the upright is a level highway. (Proverbs 15:19).

Making a name for themselves ~ New "innovative" teachings that conflict with the scriptures are rooted in pride. 
The fear of the LORD is hatred of evil. Pride and arrogance and the way of evil and perverted speech I hate. (Proverbs 8:13).

Rebellion and apostasy ~ I know that after my departure fierce wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock; (Acts 20:29).

It is the responsibility of every church leader to teach the whole counsel of God.

..for I did not shrink from declaring to you the whole counsel of God. (Acts 20:27).

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 1:21).

Jesus said to him, “No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.” (Luke 9:62).

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

1. Rick Warren: Prophecy is None of our Business? - by Warren B. Smith (newagetoamazinggrace.com)
2. Rick Warren, The Purpose Driven Life, op. cit, pp. 285-286.
3. Brian D. McLaren, The Secret Message of Jesus, op. cit., p. 171, 2006.
4. Robert Schuller, interview with Leadership Journal, April 1, 1997. http://www.ctlibrary.com/le/1997/spring/7l2114.html.
5. Alice A. Bailey, The Reappearance of the Christ (New York, NY: Lucis Publishing Company, 1948, Eleventh Printing, 1996), p. 188.
6. (13) Premillennial and Amilllennial: Ruling and Reigning - Michael Heiser - YouTube

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

8. Seventy Weeks of Daniel (aka, The Pit of Despair) - Dr. Michael Heiser (drmsh.com)

Further Links

Examining Heiser’s Divine Council theories / Dr. Wave Nunnally Hebrew Early Judaism Professor (youtube.com)
Concerns about Michael Heiser’s teachings from Hebrew & Systematic Theology Professors and Pastors (youtube.com)

LEE BRAINARD'S DESPERATE ACCUSATIONS AGAINST THE PREWRATH RAPTURE

(4) The Source of the Pre-Wrath Rapture | Lee Brainard - YouTube

In an attempt to distance the pre-trib rapture from the vision of 15-year-old Margaret MacDonald, Lee Brainard informs us in this video that John Nelson Darby rejected her end-time vision. It is true that John Nelson Darby and Benjamin Wills Newton of the Plymouth Brethren came to the conclusion that Margaret's visions were demonic. I do not think there is any disagreement on that score as this information is well documented. However, Brainard failed to mention that Edward Irving (1792-1834) played a pivotal role in this story. Edward Irving and his controversial sect known as the "Irvingites" (the Catholic Apostolic Church), were precursors of the later Pentecostal and Charismatic movements. Irving accepted Margaret MacDonald's vision and claimed her as one of their own prophetesses.

David Malcolm Bennet: "..with regard to the adoption of a two-stage return of Christ, the first being associated with a pretribulation rapture of the saints. Irving taught something similar to it in March 1830, and at least some in the CAC seem to have adopted a pretribulation rapture by September that year. Darby and other members of the Brethren do not seem to have accepted it until later. Darby, himself, probably did not adopt this teaching until after December 1831,[26] so later than the CAC and, thus, presumably later than Irving." {1}

Whilst it cannot be definitively proved that Margaret MacDonald was the source for Darby’s concept of a pretribulation rapture, her vision seems to be the catalyst for his ideas. Samuel Prideaux Tregelles alleged that the pre-trib concept was taken from one of the charismatic utterances in Edward Irving's church. Tregelles regarded these utterances as "pretending to be from God", and he implied that Darby's rapture teaching was from a demonic source. 

Dave MacPherson: "For several decades some pretrib leaders have deceitfully isolated Margaret Macdonald's posttrib-resembling statement 'The trial of the Church is from Antichrist' to try to establish that she was posttrib. I have in mind leaders like R. A. Huebner, Charles Ryrie, Thomas Ice, and Frank Marotta. The same prophecy teachers are among those who've covered up the fact that partial rapturism----Margaret's view----sees a pretrib rapture of PART of the church while also seeing the REST of the church enduring a future tribulation..
Professor Ryrie wonders how Margaret can declare that 'the trial of the Church is from Antichrist' (lines 85-86) and speak of 'the fiery trial which is to try us' (line 65) if the Church will 'be caught up' before Antichrist arrives (lines 39-40). Apparently he's unaware of the terminology used by Partial Rapturists. {2} 

It appears that Darby, who was a renowned cult leader and a bully, jumped onto the Irvingite bandwagon and claimed the (questionable) glory for the pre-trib rapture doctrine in the late 1830s. Dave MacPherson: "Darby was posttrib from 1827 through 1838 and he had no clear pretrib teaching before 1839 - nine years after Irving and his group had begun the clear teaching of it." {3}

The prewrath position that the church will encounter the Antichrist is taken from the scriptures and from the early church fathers. I know of no prewrath teacher or scholar that endorses Margaret MacDonald's vision.  Prewrath does not teach a "secret rapture" as Margaret MacDonald apparently does. (Matthew 24:30; Revelation 6:15-16).

Margaret MacDonald: "Only those who have the light of God within them will see the sign of his appearance. No need to follow them who say, see here, or see there, for his day shall be as the lightning to those in whom the living Christ is. 'Tis Christ in us that will lift us up - he is the light - 'tis only those that are alive in him that will be caught up to meet him in the air." {4}

Margaret MacDonald's ramblings seem to be a confusing mishmash of various spiritual ideas. These (possibly demonic) ideas came from a very sick 15-year-old girl and they were not properly tested by Irving and others. (1 John 4:1). Brainard's deranged rantings against the prewrath view are desperately inaccurate and should be rejected out of hand.

1. Edward Irving and John Nelson Darby
2. WOLVES IN SHEEP'S CLOTHING: FALSE PROPHETS AND BIBLE TEACHERS IN THE LAST DAYS: X-RAYING MARGARET BY DAVE MACPHERSON (bewareofthewolves.blogspot.com)
3. WOLVES IN SHEEP'S CLOTHING: FALSE PROPHETS AND BIBLE TEACHERS IN THE LAST DAYS: JOHN DARBY DID NOT INVENT THE RAPTURE! BY DAVE MACPHERSON (bewareofthewolves.blogspot.com)
4. Margaret MacDonald (visionary) - Wikipedia

RICK WARREN'S EMPTY BOASTS!

 

The Apostle Paul: 

If anyone else thinks he has grounds for confidence in the flesh, I have more: circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin; a Hebrew of Hebrews; as to the law, a Pharisee; as to zeal, persecuting the church; as to righteousness in the law, faultless. But whatever was gain to me I count as loss for the sake of Christ. More than that, I count all things as loss compared to the surpassing excellence of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ and be found in Him, not having my own righteousness from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God on the basis of faith. I want to know Christ and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to Him in His death, and so, somehow, to attain to the resurrection from the dead. (Philippians 3:4-11).

Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. You will recognize them by their fruits. Are grapes gathered from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? So, every healthy tree bears good fruit, but the diseased tree bears bad fruit. A healthy tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a diseased tree bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus you will recognize them by their fruits. (Mathew 7:15-20)

But far be it from me to boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. (Galatians 6:14).

Unfortunately for the duplicitous Rick Warren, his boasts will count for nothing when he faces the judgement seat of Christ! ( Revelation 20:11-15 cf. Matthew 12:36).

Booklet Highlight: Rick Warren’s Dangerous Ecumenical Pathway to Rome And How One Interview Revealed So Much - Lighthouse Trails Research Project

LEE BRAINARD'S BLATANT MISREPRESENTATION OF THE PREWRATH RAPTURE VIEW

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4N-6Lb40v7c?cc_lang_pref=

Demolishing the Pre-Wrath Rapture / Lee Brainard

Lee Brainard: "Many of us have friends that are wrestling with the pre-tribulation rapture versus the prewrath rapture or maybe some other version".

According to Lee Brainard, the prewrath rapture view is the biggest threat to the pre-trib view. In the above video, he confirmed various reports that a number of pre-trib believers are turning towards the prewrath view. I find this admission very encouraging, and it is good to know that a significant number of pre-trib believers are seriously considering the prewrath view. 

It is very concerning that Brainard felt the need to give such an offensive refutation of the prewrath rapture view. His portrayal of the prewrath rapture was highly distorted in a number of key areas, and his misrepresentations were unworthy of a bona fide bible teacher. (Titus 1:7-8). A huge concern for many Christians is whether pre-trib really is the scriptural position. The correct way to critique another view, even if we strongly disagree with it, is to represent it accurately, and Brainard singularly failed in this respect. Such a blatant misrepresentation of the prewrath rapture view is likely to have very serious consequences, both for Brainard himself - who will have to give an account, and for his hearers. (Romans 14:12). Unless believers are prepared to research this subject themselves, they are likely to be misled by some teachers, who, for their own reasons, are determined to misinform them. 

It would be a grave mistake to pay attention to Brainard's detrimental remarks about prewrath teachers. In particular, his claim that prewrath teachers do not know the scriptures and that they are deliberate deceivers is disingenuous. In view of his own flawed presentation, Brainard should consider whether these accusations apply to himself. In my experience, prewrath teachers are head and shoulders above their counterparts within both the pre-trib and the post-trib camps. The false hope of a pre-trib rapture poses a signicant risk to the faith of many believers. (Matthew 24:10, Jeremiah 23:16; Proverbs 13:12). 

There is no information that the pre-trib rapture view existed prior to the mid 1800's despite the combined efforts of many pre-trib scholars to find it. The pre-trib rapture theory is a relatively new doctrine that fails to find specific confirmation in the scriptures. (1 John 4:1). The history of the pre-trib rapture theory has been extensively explored in my previous posts: WOLVES IN SHEEP'S CLOTHING: FALSE PROPHETS AND BIBLE TEACHERS IN THE LAST DAYS: Rapture (bewareofthewolves.blogspot.com)

Brainard weighed in almost immediately with the extraordinary claim that the prewrath view is "to argue from the position of fear". He continued: "We want to argue from the position of faith." The accusation that prewrath believers are operating in fear was a heavy handed attempt to discredit this view. Brainard's not so subtle attempt to discourage believers from testing the spirits is to go explicitly against the scriptures. (1 John 4:1; Acts 17:11). His ungodly tactics effectively erect a stumbling block in front of believers who are genuinely uncomfortable with the pre-trib view. (2 Corinthians 6:3). My own motivation for holding the prewrath view is a sincere desire to know the truth! (John 8:32; Luke 12:4).

Brainard's alleged six fatal arguments against the prewrath rapture view

1. There is no time between tribulation and second coming

Brainard: "The rapture and the arrival of the day of the Lord concur.. Their major premise is that the day of the Lord arrives at the sixth seal.. The rapture happens at the opening of the sixth seal.. The wrath doesn't start until after the sixth seal opens."  

The above is is a blatant misrepresentation of the prewrath view!

The prewrath view clarified

The prewrath view maintans that the rapture occurs between the 6th and the 7th seals. Matthew 24 and Revelation 6 and 7 confirm that the prewrath rapture occurs between the cosmic disturbances at the sixth seal in Revelation 6:12-14, and the opening of the 7th seal in Revelation 8:1.The period of God's wrath (the day of the Lord) begins with the seventh seal trumpet judgements in Revelation 8:6 ff. 

Brainard's claim: "Based on Matthew 24:29-30, there is no time between the tribulation and the second coming."  Brainard "forgot" to mention Matthew 24:31 which explicitly refers to the rapture! The cosmic signs referred to in Acts 2:19-20, Joel 2 and Isaiah 13 indicate the imminency of the rapture. The prewrath view sees the parousia as an extended period of time, beginning with the rapture, as against a single isolated event at Armageddon. 

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

Brainard's persistent error throughout this video is to insist that "the day of the Lord" is the entire 70th week of Daniel. The prewrath view asserts the biblical distinction between "the beginning of birth pains" (the first half of the 70th week), Satan's wrath i.e. the great tribulation (thlipsis) (the second half of the 70th week), followed by God's wrath (orge). Biblically, the great tribulation begins 3.5 years after the Antichrist confirms "the covenant with many for one week" in the middle of the 70th week of Daniel. (Daniel 9:27). The great tribulation will last for a time, time and half a time i.e. three and a half years, 42 months or 1,260 days (cut short -Matthew 24:22 cf. Daniel 12:2). The day of the Lord is initiated at the 7th seal. (Revelation 8:1-5). 

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

2.  The Identity of the twenty-four elders in Revelation 4-5

Brainard: "The church are in heaven in Revelation 4 and 5 prior to the opening of the first seal."

Around the throne were twenty-four thrones, and seated on the thrones were twenty-four elders, clothed in white garments, with golden crowns on their heads. (Revelation 4:4).

..and you have made them a kingdom and priests to our God, and they shall reign on the earth.” (Revelation 5:10).

In Revelation 5:10, the twenty-four elders distinguish themselves from the church whom they refer to in the third person. Revelation 4-5 describes the scene in the throne room of God immediately prior to the opening of the first seal. The scene depicts precise numbers i.e. twenty-four thrones, twenty-four elders, four living creatures and the Lamb, nothing more. The addition of the church is an allegorization of the text and is a weak attempt to strengthen pre-trib predilections. (Revelation 22:18-19).

Meyer: "..for they are distinguished from believers, Revelation 5:10 (according to the correct reading), Revelation 7:9 sqq., 14, Revelation 11:16 sqq.; and the glorified as yet wear no crowns, but are expecting only the time of dominion (Revelation 2:10 to Revelation 6:9); but it is the heavenly council, composed of representatives of the people of God in heaven.” {1}

The scene described in Revelation 7 at a later stage depicts "a great multitude" i.e. all believers including the raptured church.

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

3. The economy is back to Mosaic Law during the 70th week

Brainard seemed to get confused and I am not sure if he finished making his third point. The prewrath view maintains that both Jews and Christians will be on the earth simultaneously during the 70th week of Daniel i.e. until believers are raptured some time after the sixth seal is broken. The prewrath view rejects the error of hyper-dispensationalism, in particular, the false claim that the gospels are not relevant to the church.

4. Kept from the hour of trial

Because you have kept my word about patient endurance, I will keep you from the hour of trial (πειρασμοῦ) that is coming on the whole world, to try (πειράσαι) those who dwell on the earth. (Revelation 3:10).

The hour of trial or testing (peirasmos) coming on the whole world is the wrath of God. God's wrath begins after the great tribulation and is carried out during the seventh seal trumpet and bowl judgments. (Revelation 8-9, Revelation 15:1,5-8, 16:1-21). Those believers who keep God's word and are faithful during the great tribulation will not suffer God's wrath. (1 Thessalonians 5:9). Unfortunately the pre-trib view fails to make the appropriate distinction between Satan's persecution against believers, and God's wrath on the whole world.

5. The Greek preposition ὑπὲρ (uper) 

Brainard argues that the Greek preposition ὑπὲρ (uper) is translated wrongly as περί (peri) by prewrath scholars in 2 Thessalonians 2:1. Brainard's paraphrase of this verse: "We plead with you brethren, because of the rapture, not to worry about the day of the Lord."

"ὑπὲρ (uper) ~ A primary preposition; "over", i.e. (with the genitive case) of place, above, beyond, across, or causal, for the sake of, instead, regarding; with the accusative case superior to, more than -- (+ exceeding, abundantly) above, in (on) behalf of, beyond, by, + very chiefest, concerning, exceeding (above, -ly), for, + very highly, more (than), of, over, on the part of, for sake of, in stead, than, to(-ward), very. In the comparative, it retains many of the above applications." {2}

ESV: Now concerning (ὑπὲρ) the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our being gathered together to Him, we ask you, brothers, not to be easily disconcerted or alarmed by any spirit or message or letter seeming to be from us, alleging that the Day of the Lord has already come. Let no one deceive you in any way, for it will not come until the rebellion occurs and the man of lawlessness—the son of destruction—is revealed. (2 Thessalonians 2:1-3). 

KJV: Now we beseech you, brethren, by (ὑπὲρ) the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him.. (2 Thessalonians 2:1).

The preposition ὑπὲρ (uper) with the genitive case frequently refers to the object under consideration - concerning, of, as respects, with regard to.. on behalf of, beyond. {2} The translation of ὑπὲρ as "concerning" or "regarding" in this verse is a legitimate translation in my view. I do not claim to be an expert in biblical Greek by any means, but having studied the subject at degree level I do have some knowledge. Brainard's quibbling over ὑπὲρ appears to be an attempt to confound his audience with his alleged "knowledge" of biblical Greek. I am not quite sure why Brainard spent so much time making this point since it makes no difference to the argument. The discussion in these verses in context is the coming (parousia) of the Lord Jesus Christ and the rapture. It appears that the Thessalonians had received a message or a letter allegedly from Paul that had misled them into thinking that the day of the Lord had already come. Brainard's interpretation does not alter the fact that the rapture precedes the day of the Lord i.e. the wrath of God, and that the day of the Lord does not begin until the 7th seal is opened following the great tribulation, the cosmic disturbances and the rapture. Brainard repeats the error of failing to distinguish the period of wrath that follows the great tribulation. (Matthew 24:29).

6. The strong delusion is judgement 

For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work. Only he who now restrains it will do so until he is out of the way. And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord Jesus will kill with the breath of his mouth and bring to nothing by the appearance of his coming. The coming of the lawless one is by the activity of Satan with all power and false signs and wonders, and with all wicked deception for those who are perishing, because they refused to love the truth and so be saved. Therefore God sends them a strong delusion, so that they may believe what is false, in order that all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness. (2 Thessalonians 2:7-12 cf. Revelation 3:10).

Brainard refers to the strong delusion as the day of the Lord. He fails to distinguish between the strong delusion and the actual period of God's direct eschatological wrath upon the earth which begins with the seven trumpets in Revelation 8. In both the Old Testament and the New Testament, the common element that delineates God's eschatological wrath is FIRE. (Joel 2:3; Isaiah 66:15; Malachi 4:1; 2 Peter 3:7; 1 Thessalonians 1:7-8; Revelation 8:5, 7, 8). The seven bowls of wrath  (Revelation 6:16, 8:6-13, 15:1 16:1 cf. Revelation 14:10) are the culmination of God's wrath. 

Pulpit Commentary: "It is the ordinance of God that the wicked by their wicked actions fall into greater wickedness, and that thus sin is punished by sin; and what is an ordinance of God is appointed by God himself. That they should believe a lie; or rather, the lie, namely the falsehood which the man of sin disseminates by his deceit of unrighteousness. Being destitute of the love of the truth, they are necessarily led to believe a lie - their minds are open to all manner of falsehood and delusion." {3}

Is the day of the Lord a literal 24-hour day?

Brainard has three separate definitions for the day of the Lord: the common sense which he thinks is the entire 70th week; the legal sense which he thinks is a literal 24-hour day (Malachi 4:1-3; James 1:9-11); and the figurative sense, the millennium. The problem with Brainard's convoluted view is that the scriptures do not refer to the day of the Lord in these terms.

It will be a day known only to the LORD, without day or night; but when evening comes, there will be light. (Zechariah 14:7).

Alan Kurschner: "..the term 'one day' should be better properly translated 'unique day' or 'never-ending day.' This is the rendering of most modern versions. For example: 'And there shall be a unique day, which is known to the LORD, neither day nor night, but at evening time there shall be light' (Zech 14:7 ESV, emphasis mine). See also the NIV and NASB for the same rendering. In other words, translators recognize that the context suggests this new era will be unique in redemptive history. It will be the new established conditions that will be ongoing. Thus, rendering and interpreting it as 'one day” misses the oracle’s point entirely." {4} 

Out of context verses cited by Brainard 

Brainard ends his abysmal presentation with two out of context verses which have no relevance to the day of the Lord.

"And on that day,”declares the Lord GOD, “I will make the sun go down at noon and darken the earth in broad daylight. (Amos 8:9 cf. Matthew 27:45).

This verse refers to the crucifixion, not the day of the Lord.

Coffman: "This is Amos' answer to the question propounded by the dishonest traders in Amos 8:5, 'When will the new moon... and the sabbath ... be gone?' Very well, the answer was: 'At that time when the sun goes down at noon, and the earth is darkened in a clear day,' an undeniable reference to the crucifixion of the Son of God, that being the only occasion in the history of the world when the sun set at noon, and the earth (not just a portion of it, but all of it) was darkened in a clear day! We may only marvel at the blindness of Biblical interpreters who fail to see this." {5} 

God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved; God will help her when morning dawns. (Psalm 46:5).

Psalm 46 concerns Israel's deliverance from the Assyrians and has no relevance to the day of the Lord. Pulpit Commentary: "The deliverance of Israel from Sennacherib came, it is to be remembered, when it was discovered 'early in the morning' that in the camp of the Assyrians were 185,000 'dead corpses' (2 Kings 19:35)." {6}

1. Revelation 4 Meyer's NT Commentary (biblehub.com)
2. Strong's Greek: 5228. ὑπέρ (huper) -- over, beyond, fig. on behalf of, for the sake of, concerning (biblehub.com)
3. 2 Thessalonians 2 Pulpit Commentary (biblehub.com)
4. Zechariah 14:7 and a Response to Post-Tribulationists | ESCHATOS MINISTRIES (alankurschner.com)
5. Amos 8 - Coffman's Commentaries on the Bible - Bible Commentaries - StudyLight.org
6. Psalm 46 Pulpit Commentary (biblehub.com)

BILL SALUS: GOG MAGOG DANGEROUS SPECULATIONS

Bill Salus: The NOW Prophecies, Part 2
(4) Bill Salus: The NOW Prophecies, Part 2 - YouTube

Prophecy Watchers: "Do you believe the Lord still works through dreams and visions? Bill Salus does. A few months ago Bill awoke in the middle of the night after hearing these words in a dream—The Now Prophecies. Bill was convinced it was a message straight from God. As the thought of going back to sleep crossed his mind, his cell phone rang. It was a call from somewhere in Africa and they didn’t speak a word of English! Wide awake now, Bill took it as a sign and he began writing like he never had before—in complete seclusion for 4 straight months! As things come to a head in the Middle East, the nations of the world seem poised once again for battle. Israel, Russia, Syria, Iran, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Jordan and the USA . . . are we about to see World War 3? Is this the season? Are Psalm 83, Ezekiel 38, Isaiah 17 and Jeremiah 49 about to be fulfilled in rapid fire succession? These are most certainly the NOW Prophecies." 

Bill Salus is a well known pre-tribulation rapture "prophecy expert" who has been on the circuit peddling his wares for a number of years. (Titus 1:11). He continues to promote his ideas through various "prophecy conferences" and also through channels like TBN and Prophecy Watchers. As the above narrative indicates, Salus' speculations are based on personal revelation and conjecture rather than on the scriptures. Recent events in Russia and Ukraine have sent various "experts" into a tailspin, increasing speculation that the Ezekiel 38-39 Gog/Magog attack against Israel could happen "very soon". According to Salus, the Gog/Magog battle is dependent upon certain preconditions, and he links these preconditions to what he describes as "Now Prophecies". In effect, Salus puts himself on the same level as Old Testament prophets with claims of epoch-making personal revelations from God. He connects these "revelations" to obscure Old Testament biblical prophecies which he alleges are applicable to "this generation".

Salus: "God's word to Noah was to prepare NOW for a worldwide flood. God's word to Joseph was to prepare Pharaoh and Egypt NOW for seven years of famine. God's word to Jeremiah was to prepare the Jews NOW for seventy years of exile into Babylon. The key word in these historical examples was NOW! What does God's Word say for us to prepare for NOW? What are the tough decisions we need to make? The NOW Prophecies book identifies the biblical prophecies that were written centuries ago for THIS GENERATION! These ancient inscriptions predict powerful events that will profoundly affect everyone. This book makes it easy to understand how to get ready NOW for what to expect in the near future!" {1}

Bill Salus' eisegesis

According to Salus, the Gog/Magog attack against Israel in Ezekiel 38-39 will precede the 70th week of Daniel. In his book The Now Prophecies, Salus makes the case that certain other imminent prophetic events will set the scene for the Gog/Magog attack. The nations in Bill Salus' speculative scenario are Israel, Russia, Syria, Iran, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Jordan and the USA. Salus theorizes that a "gap period" exists between the alleged pre-tribulation rapture and what he refers to incorrectly as "the seven-year tribulational period" (biblically the 70th week of Daniel). According to Salus, the seven year covenant between the Antichrist and Israel referred to in Daniel 9:27 does not indicate the beginning of the 70th week of Daniel, and he proposes that a "gap period" (an unspecified period of time) will precede the 70th week. {2} Salus' proposed "gap period" is problematic and is not indicated in the scriptures. The consensus among most bible scholars is that the 70th week of Daniel will begin when the seven year covenant is made. This view accommodates the timeline of the "abomination of desolation" event at the halfway point of the 70th week, when the Antichrist will put an end to sacrifice and offering and proclaim himself to be God: 

And he shall make a strong covenant with many for one week, and for half of the week he shall put an end to sacrifice and offering. And on the wing of abominations shall come one who makes desolate, until the decreed end is poured out on the desolator.” (Daniel 9:27).

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

Salus' complex eisegetical "revelations" indulge his imminent pre-trib rapture view and his so called "Now Prophecies". 

Iran (Persia/Elam)

The first event Salus proposes is a "potential nuclear disaster in Iran"  based on Jeremiah 49:34-39. Salus surmises that its most likely fulfillment will occur when the Bushehr Nuclear Power Plant is destroyed, either by the Israelis or by an earthquake, releasing radiation that will force the evacuation of the whole area.

This is the word of the LORD that came to Jeremiah the prophet concerning Elam at the beginning of the reign of Zedekiah king of Judah. This is what the LORD of Hosts says: “Behold, I will shatter Elam’s bow, the mainstay of their might. I will bring the four winds against Elam from the four corners of the heavens, and I will scatter them to all these winds. There will not be a nation to which Elam’s exiles will not go. So I will shatter Elam before their foes, before those who seek their lives. I will bring disaster upon them, even My fierce anger,” declares the LORD. “I will send out the sword after them until I finish them off. I will set My throne in Elam, and destroy its king and officials,” declares the LORD. “Yet in the last days, I will restore Elam from captivity..” (Jeremiah 49:34–39).

The Elamite Empire covered a large swath of modern day Iran along the Persian Gulf. Although little is known about the history of the Elamites, they are nevertheless included in the various judgements against Israel's hostile neighbours in Jeremiah 49. The above prophecy is believed to have been issued by Jeremiah in 597 BC, one year prior to Nebuchadnezzar's conquest of Elam in 596/5 BC. The Elamites and Medes subsequently became part of the Persian Empire when Cyrus the Great took control of the area in 539 BC. Salus has capitalized on the fact that details are sketchy regarding the fulfillment of this prophecy, and his wild speculations concerning a nuclear disaster cannot be corroborated by the scriptures. A significant problem with Salus proposed nuclear disaster is that this prophecy declares that Iran will be utterly "scattered, shattered and finished off". If Iran is "finished off" in the near future, how will they play a role in the alleged Gog/Magog coalition against Israel before the 70th week of Daniel? Persia, Cush, and Put will accompany them, (Ezekiel 38:5). 

 The destruction of Damascus

An oracle concerning Damascus. Behold, Damascus will cease to be a city and will become a heap of ruins. (Isaiah 17:10 cf. Jeremiah 49:23-27). 

There is a lot of hype in various quarters concerning the complete destruction of Damascus. Salus prophecies a nuclear attack upon Damascus by Israel. The claim that Damascus has "never been destroyed" is a fallacy. According to Vitringa, Damascus has been destroyed more often than any other city. Isaiah 17:10 probably refers to the destruction of Damascus by Sargon (possibly the son of Tilgath-Pilneser). "Sargon besieged the city, took it, and reduced it to ashes ('Records of the Past,' l. s.c.)." {3}

Gill: "Behold, Damascus is taken away from being a city; a kingdom, as the Targum; it was the head of one, but now its walls were demolished, its houses pulled down, and its inhabitants carried captive; this was done by Tilgathpilneser king of Assyria, 2 Kings 16:9 it had been a very ancient city, see Genesis 15:2 and the head of the kingdom of Syria, Isaiah 7:8, and though it underwent this calamity, it was rebuilt again, and was a city of great fame, when destroyed by Nebuchadnezzar, Jeremiah 49:24 after which it was raised up again, and was in being in the apostle's time, and still is, Acts 9:22, 2 Corinthians 11:32." {4} 

The toppling of Jordan

Behold, I will bring terror upon you, declares the Lord GOD of hosts, from all who are around you, and you shall be driven out, every man straight before him, with none to gather the fugitives. (Jeremiah 49:5 cf. Obadiah 1:1-14; Numbers 24:18).

According to Josephus, in 581 BC, Nebuchadnezzar made war against the Ammonites and the Moabites and brought them under subjection. {5} By the middle of the sixth century BC Ammon had ceased to exist as an independent nation. (Jeremiah 49:20-21). It is important to note that Edom and Moab and the main part of the Ammonites (Jordan) are very much in existence during the times of the Antichrist.  ..but these shall be delivered out of his hand: Edom and Moab and the main part of the Ammonites. (Daniel 11:41). Daniel's prophecy hardly facilitates Salus' claim that Jordan will be toppled prior to the 70th week of Daniel. 

The collapse of Egypt 

Isaiah 19:1-18 and  Ezekiel 29:1-21) 

I will deliver the Egyptians into the hands of harsh masters, and a fierce king will rule over them,” (Isaiah 19:4).

Isaiah 19:1-18 was subsequently fulfilled by various "harsh masters". It is not possible to identify precisely which "fierce king" Isaiah was referring to in the above verse. There are three possibilities:

Esarhaddon and Ashurbanipal (Assyrians) 

Nebuchadnezzar (Babylonians)

Cambyses and Alexander the Great (Greeks)

Therefore thus says the Lord GOD: Behold, I will give the land of Egypt to Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon; and he shall carry off its wealth and despoil it and plunder it; and it shall be the wages for his army. I have given him the land of Egypt as his payment for which he labored, because they worked for me, declares the Lord GOD. (Ezekiel 29:19-20). 

A clay cuneiform tablet in the British Museum gives a historical report of Nebuchadnezzar II's campaign against Egypt in his 37th year. {6} This campaign would have occurred two years after Ezekiel's prophesy.

At the beginning of the 70th week of Daniel the Antichrist comes out "conquering and to conquer". (Revelation 6:1). The opening of the first seal initiates the Antichrist's campaign against various near eastern nations. In Daniel 11:40 we read about the king of the south i.e. Egypt. Egypt will play a significant role during first half of the 70th week of Daniel. At the time of the end, Egypt will clash with the unnamed the king of the north who is widely believed to be the Antichrist. 

Daniel 11:40-45 specifically mentions the king of the south i.e. Egypt. The ruler of Egypt will attack the Antichrist and will be soundly defeated by him. These events happen during the first half of the 70th week of Daniel. The Antichrist's agenda during the first half of the 70th week is to gain ascendency in the Middle East, specifically the nations surrounding Israel. These conflicts follow the pseudo peace treaty the Antichrist makes with Israel. (Daniel 9:27). As such Egypt appears to be an independent nation prior to the 70th week of Daniel, until it comes under the subjection of the Antichrist. 

 

At the time of the end, the king of the south shall attack him, but the king of the north shall rush upon him like a whirlwind, with chariots and horsemen, and with many ships. And he shall come into countries and shall overflow and pass through. He shall come into the glorious land. And tens of thousands shall fall, but these shall be delivered out of his hand: Edom and Moab and the main part of the Ammonites. He shall stretch out his hand against the countries, and the land of Egypt shall not escape. He shall become ruler of the treasures of gold and of silver, and all the precious things of Egypt, and the Libyans and the Cushites shall follow in his train. But news from the east and the north shall alarm him, and he shall go out with great fury to destroy and devote many to destruction. And he shall pitch his palatial tents between the sea and the glorious holy mountain. Yet he shall come to his end, with none to help him. (Daniel 11:40-45). 

Psalm 83 

According to Salus, the Gog/Magog battle will follow the alleged Psalm 83 invasion of Israel when they are supposedly at peace and secure. (Ezekiel 38:11). {7} Psalm 83 is not presented within a prophetic framework and there is no evidence to suggest that it is a future event. In common with Psalms 79, 80, 82, and 85, Psalm 83 is a "lament” written by the psalmist in the present tense.

Before Bill Salus came up with his theory and published his book Isralestine in 2008, the consensus among bible scholars was that the ten nation confederacy poised to attack Judah in Psalm 83 was the 2 Chronicles 20 incident during the reign of Jehoshaphat (note the reference to Asaph in 2 Chronicles 20:14). The apparent mismatch between the three nation tribes in 2 Chronicles 20 and the ten nation confederacy in Psalm 83 is not strictly accurate due to overlaps. {8}

Gog/Magog - Russia?

Today we have a profusion of false "teachers/prophets" swamping the internet, making various claims about Russia and the end times. (Psalm 119:36). The Gog/Russia speculation rests on whether Hebrew נְשִׂ֕יא (rosh) refers to the leader/prince of Meshech and Tubal, or whether rosh is a proper noun and refers to modern Russia. CS Scofield introduced the Rosh/Russia notion in 1917, having taken the idea from 19th century Hebrew scholars, Heinrich Friedrich Wilhelm Gesenius and Carl Fiedrich Keil. This interpretation has led to widespread speculation that Putin (or a successor of Putin) is Gog, that Rosh refers to Russia, and that Russia will come against Israel in the end times. The dispute regarding the interpretation of rosh painfully demonstrates the far reaching implications and confusion that arises from making "adjustments" to supposedly small details of the scriptures. (Proverbs 30:6). In my view Russia will probably not play a major part in the future Gog/Magog battle. I have written about this subject in more detail in a previous post and I have included the original sources where possible: WOLVES IN SHEEP'S CLOTHING: FALSE PROPHETS AND BIBLE TEACHERS IN THE LAST DAYS: DOES GOG MAGOG REFER TO RUSSIA? (bewareofthewolves.blogspot.com)  

Saudi Arabia and the USA?  

Sheba and Dedan and the merchants of Tarshish and all its leaders will say to you, ‘Have you come to seize spoil? Have you assembled your hosts to carry off plunder, to carry away silver and gold, to take away livestock and goods, to seize great spoil?’ (Ezekiel 38:13).

Salus speculates that "Sheba and Dedan and the merchants of Tarshish, with all the young lions thereof" (Ezekiel 38:13, KJV) is a reference to Great Britain and its colonies, including the USA  (all the young lions thereof). This interpretation finds no confirmation in the scriptures and is another one of Salus' speculations. 

Sheba and Dedan are ancient names for the Arabian Peninsula, especially Saudi Arabia, and Tarshish was probably a city near Gibraltar in Spain. (Jeremiah 10:9; Ezekile 27:12). 

Encyclopedia of The Bible: "It has been considered the same as Tartessus (Herodotus 4:152), the city to which Jonah fled (Jonah 1:3; 4:2). A Phoen. inscr. of the 9th cent. b.c., found in 1773 in Sardinia, notes a Tarshish in the island. Tarshish ships traded there, as also in Eziongeber." {9} 

The interpretation of "young lions" as Great Britain and the USA, is, in my view, a gross misrepresentation of the text. The Hebrew word kə·p̄i·re·hā (villages) has been interpreted "young lions" in some translations. The ESV has "and all its leaders". {10} Logically, these "villages" consist of various neighbouring allies of Sheba and Dedan and Tarshish. As such "with all the young lions thereof" refers either to allies of Spain in southern Europe/Africa and/or to allies of Saudi Arabia. Geographically, the Arabian Peninsula includes Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Yemen, as well as the southern portions of Iraq and Jordan. It is unlikely that Ezekiel 38:13 includes "neutral countries" on an entirely different continent such the USA.

Gill: ..with all the young lions thereof; which some interpret of sea pirates, for their cruelty and voraciousness. The Targum paraphrases it, all the kings thereof; and so Kimchi thinks kings and princes are meant; but the Septuagint version renders it, all their villages; and so the Syriac version, all the cities.. {11} 

The question: "Have you come to seize spoil?" may be a protest against Gog's proposed invasion of Israel. However, a number of commentators have noted, the interpretation of the question is ambiguous i.e. it does not necessarily denote their disapproval or censure of Gog's intentions.  

The Gog/Magog battle cannot happen either before or during the 70th week of Daniel 

So I will make My holy name known among My people Israel and will no longer allow it to be profaned. (Ezekiel 39:7).

The most obvious rebuttal to Salus and others who make the claim that the Gog/Magog event will happen "soon" is that God's name will be profaned by national Israel right up until their repentance following the abomination of desolation event at the mid point of the 70th week of Daniel. (Matthew 24:15 cf. Jeremiah 30:7). The covenant that Israel makes with the Antichrist is in itself a profanity. (Daniel 9:27). The Jews will therefore continue in their rebellion against God right up until they are converted soon after the mid point of the 70th week of Daniel. This definitive information makes it impossible for the Gog/Magog battle to happen "soon". 

Unwalled Villages

This is what the Lord GOD says: On that day, thoughts will arise in your mind, and you will devise an evil plan. You will say, ‘I will go up against a land of unwalled villages; I will come against a tranquil people who dwell securely, all of them living without walls or bars or gates— in order to seize the spoil and carry off the plunder, to turn a hand against the desolate places now inhabited and against a people gathered from the nations, who have acquired livestock and possessions and who live at the center of the land.’ (Ezekiel 38:10-12).

There is no time in history when national Israel have dwelt securely. Israel has been threatened by its near neighbors from the time of the creation of the State of Israel in 1948. This continues to be the case to this day, and it is unlikely to change until the period of pseudo peace initiated by the Antichrist ensues at the beginning of the 70th week of Daniel.  

The Hebrew verb gābar suggests that the Antichrist imposes a strong covenant with many for seven years, which he will break at the mid point of the "week". The covenant appears to relate primarily to the protection of Israel and the reinstitution of the sacrificial system. It may be that an uneasy peace is imposed upon Israel by the Antichrist, and that Israel agrees to it, perhaps under coercion. In any event, the "security" claimed does not appear to be the unsurpassed security spoken of in Ezekiel 38:11.

I therefore submit that the only time the elusive Gog/Magog battle can happen is when the bible says it does i.e. at the end of the millennium. (Revelation 20:7-9).

Why are Salus' speculations so dangerous?

Rather than following the complex "revelations" of Salus and others, it would be wise to heed Jesus warnings in the Olivet Discourse. (I Corinthians 4:6). Jesus referred to various unspecified wars, rumours of wars, famines and earthquakes during the first half of the 70th week of Daniel. The information concerning these wars in Daniel 11:40-45 conflicts with Salus' "revelations". The "birth pains" referred to by Jesus will be followed by the great tribulation which occurs during the second half of the 70th week of Daniel. There is nothing in the New Testament that specifies particular preceding conflicts and disasters leading up to the 70th week. Salus' speculations are a dangerous diversion from authentic biblical prophecy and keep people very busy with newspaper eisegesis.

And Jesus answered them, “See that no one leads you astray. For many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and they will lead many astray. And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not alarmed, for this must take place, but the end is not yet. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and there will be famines and earthquakes in various places. All these are but the beginning of the birth pains. Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and put you to death, and you will be hated by all nations for my name’s sake. And then many will fall away and betray one another and hate one another. And many false prophets will arise and lead many astray. And because lawlessness will be increased, the love of many will grow cold. But the one who endures to the end will be saved. And this gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come. (Matthew 24:4-14 cf. Romans 8:22).

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).

1. The Now Prophecies : Bill Salus : 9780988726079 (bookdepository.com)
2. (14) Bill Salus: The Rapture Gap - YouTube

3. Isaiah 17 - The Pulpit Commentaries - Bible Commentaries - StudyLight.org

4. Isaiah 17:1 Commentaries: The oracle concerning Damascus. "Behold, Damascus is about to be removed from being a city And will become a fallen ruin. (biblehub.com)

5. Josephus: Antiquities of the Jews, Book X (uchicago.edu)

6. tablet | British Museum

7. PSALM 83, The Missing Prophecy Revealed - How Israel Becomes the Next Mideast Superpower eBook : Salus, Bill: Amazon.co.uk: Kindle Store
8. WOLVES IN SHEEP'S CLOTHING: FALSE PROPHETS AND BIBLE TEACHERS IN THE LAST DAYS: BILL SALUS: IS PSALM 83 PROPHETIC? (bewareofthewolves.blogspot.com)

9. Tarshish - Encyclopedia of The Bible - Bible Gateway

10. Strong's Hebrew: 3724. כֹּ֫פֶר (kopher) -- 17 Occurrences (biblehub.com)

11. Ezekiel 38:13 Commentaries: "Sheba and Dedan and the merchants of Tarshish with all its villages will say to you, 'Have you come to capture spoil? Have you assembled your company to seize plunder, to carry away silver and gold, to take away cattle and goods, to capture great spoil?'"' (biblehub.com)