WHY NAR ESCHATOLOGY IS DANGEROUS

NAR eschatology presents a major paradigm shift from the eschatology found in the scriptures. The disparity between the scriptural account and "victorious eschatology" taught by false NAR dominionist "prophets" and "apostles" is a comprehensive departure from Jesus' teaching. This aberrant eschatology was introduced into Christian charismatic organizations by false "Apostle" C Peter Wagner (1930-2016). Wagner is well-known as the founder of the New Apostolic Reformation, a network in the Apostolic-Prophetic movement. NAR leaders vary in the details of their eschatological beliefs. However, in general terms, they have adopted a new optimistic eschatological revelation for the church, which they claim supersedes the scriptures and excludes the prewrath rapture of the church. (Matthew 24:31; 1 Corinthians 15:51-53; 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17). The NAR mandate involves removing "demonic forces" from worldly positions of power and replacing them with Christian "prophets and apostles" who will ultimately cause the kingdom of God to be established on the earth before Jesus' return. This agenda is known as the "seven mountain mandate" i.e., seven aspects of society that believers seek to dominate: family, religion, education, media, arts and entertainment, business, and government. Their agenda includes practicing various unbiblical "spiritual warfare" techniques, including "prayer walking", "spiritual mapping", and "prayer warriors" aggressively declaring various decrees against territorial strongholds held by demons to oust/destroy them from their alleged positions of authority. These practices supposedly facilitate "alignment with God" allowing the eradication of evil and the miraculous transformation of society, culminating in the ultimate merger of church and state. The reasoning behind victorious eschatology is that the church is given the mandate to take back dominion forfeited by Adam to Satan in the Garden of Eden. (Genesis 1:26-28). According to NAR doctrine, Jesus cannot, or will not, return until the church has achieved "your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven". (Matthew 6:10).1 In other words, NAR proponents separate Matthew 6:10 from the petitionary context of the Lord's prayer and reinvent it as a mandate to take dominion over the earth prior to Jesus' return. 

Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name.
Your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.*
Give us this day our daily bread,
and forgive us our debts,
as we also have forgiven our debtors.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.

* may your kingdom come, may your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. (NET Bible)2

Jesus' command to "keep watch" in the Olivet Discourse

No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. As it was in the days of Noah, so will it be at the coming of the Son of Man. For in the days before the flood, people were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, up to the day Noah entered the ark. And they were oblivious until the flood came and swept them all away. So will it be at the coming of the Son of Man. Two men will be in the field: one will be taken and the other left. Two women will be grinding at the mill: one will be taken and the other left.

Therefore keep watch (γρηγορεῖτε), because you do not know the day on which your Lord will come. But understand this: If the homeowner had known in which watch of the night the thief was coming, he would have kept watch and would not have let his house be broken into. For this reason, you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour you do not expect. (Matthew 24:36-44).

The present active imperative verb γρηγορεῖτε  - watch, be vigilant, stay awake is a critical instruction to the church. Present active imperative verbs give commands. These commands have an imperfect aspect. In other words, they command an action to happen continuously or repeatedly. Γρηγορεῖτε is a recurring imperative in the New Testament that occurs frequently when associated with Christ's coming. (Matthew 24:42,25:13,26:38,26,41; Mark 13:35,37). The recurring emphasis of the command to watch relating to Christ's coming refutes those who claim that eschatology is a secondary issue! If believers are unaware of what they should watch for, how will they escape? Jesus repeated γρηγορεῖτε in the parable of the wise and foolish virgins:

Then the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish, and five were wise. For when the foolish took their lamps, they took no oil with them, but the wise took flasks of oil with their lamps. As the bridegroom was delayed, they all became drowsy and slept. But at midnight there was a cry, ‘Here is the bridegroom! Come out to meet him.’ Then all those virgins rose and trimmed their lamps. And the foolish said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.’ But the wise answered, saying, ‘Since there will not be enough for us and for you, go rather to the dealers and buy for yourselves.’ And while they were going to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the marriage feast, and the door was shut. Afterward the other virgins came also, saying, ‘Lord, lord, open to us.’ But he answered, ‘Truly, I say to you, I do not know you.’ Watch (γρηγορεῖτε) therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour. (Matthew 25:1-13).

Jesus parallels "the days of Noah" and the end of the age in the Olivet Discourse. Both periods are defined by wickedness, corruption, moral decay, spiritual apathy, and apostasy. 

The Lord saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intention of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. (Genesis 6:5).

NAR eschatology is incompatible with the book of Revelation. Revelation 13 describes the rise of the beast (the Antichrist) and the false prophet. And they worshiped the dragon, for he had given his authority to the beast, and they worshiped the beast, saying, “Who is like the beast, and who can fight against it?” (Revelation 13:4). 

Revelation 16 describes the kings of the earth being assembled by demons for the battle at Armageddon, followed by further exhortation to watch (γρηγορῶν) in Revelation 16:15.

The sixth angel poured out his bowl on the great river Euphrates, and its water was dried up, to prepare the way for the kings from the east. And I saw, coming out of the mouth of the dragon and out of the mouth of the beast and out of the mouth of the false prophet, three unclean spirits like frogs. For they are demonic spirits, performing signs, who go abroad to the kings of the whole world, to assemble them for battle on the great day of God the Almighty. (“Behold, I am coming like a thief! Blessed is the one who stays awake (γρηγορῶν), keeping his garments on, that he may not go about naked and be seen exposed!”) And they assembled them at the place that in Hebrew is called Armageddon. (Revelation 16:12-16).

Then I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse! The one sitting on it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he judges and makes war. His eyes are like a flame of fire, and on his head are many diadems, and he has a name written that no one knows but himself. He is clothed in a robe dipped in blood, and the name by which he is called is The Word of God. And the armies of heaven, arrayed in fine linen, white and pure, were following him on white horses. From his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations, and he will rule them with a rod of iron. He will tread the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God the Almighty. On his robe and on his thigh he has a name written, King of kings and Lord of lords. (Revelation 19:11-16).

NAR deviation from scripture should alarm Christians who believe in the authority and inerrancy of the word of God as the basis for all matters of life and doctrine. (2 Timothy 3:16).  

But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing upon themselves swift destruction. (2 Peter 2:1 cf. Acts 20:29-20; Romans 16:17-18; 2 Timothy 4:3-4).

1. NAR "Apostle C. Peter Wagner teaching its key doctrine of Dominionism
2. Matthew 6:10 Your kingdom come, Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.

WARREN MCGREW (IDOL KILLER) DENIAL OF PENAL SUBSTITUTION IS DISINGENUOUS

Responding to Dr. David Allen’s Defense of Penal Substitution

In their rebuttal of David Allen's Defense of Penal Substitution, Warren McGrew, Paul Vendredi, and Will S claim that the Church Fathers did not expound the doctrine of Penal Substitution. Their contention that Reformed theologians invented the doctrine of Penal Substitution is disingenuous. There are many legitimate criticisms of Reformed theology, however, this is not one of them. Below are various citations from the Church Fathers that debunk McGrew and his guests. 

McGrew: "We just heard Dr Allen state that the early church fathers affirmed penal substitution. He said that he's got half a page worth of footnotes, but he didn't offer any specific name or citation or quote for us to consider.. I don't have a copy of his book, but from my research, I don't know of any instance where an early church father is affirming the unique claims of penal substitution.. that God can't forgive, that he needed to be rendered well disposed and propitious by disposing of his wrath on Jesus."

Epistle to Diognetus (? AD130): He Himself took on Him the burden of our iniquities, He gave His own Son as a ransom for us, the holy One for transgressors, the blameless One for the wicked, the righteous One for the unrighteous, the incorruptible One for the corruptible, the immortal One for those who are mortal. For what other thing was capable of covering our sins than His righteousness? By what other one was it possible that we, the wicked and ungodly, could be justified, than by the only Son of God? O sweet exchange! O unsearchable operation! O benefits surpassing all expectation! That the wickedness of many should be hid in a single righteous One, and that the righteousness of One should justify many transgressors! (Epistle to Diognetus, 9.2–5). 

Justin Martyr (AD150-165): "For the whole human race will be found to be under a curse. For it is written in the law of Moses. Cursed is every one that continues not in all things that are written in the book of the law to do them.' Deuteronomy 27:26 And no one has accurately done all, nor will you venture to deny this; but some more and some less than others have observed the ordinances enjoined. But if those who are under this law appear to be under a curse for not having observed all the requirements, how much more shall all the nations appear to be under a curse who practise idolatry, who seduce youths, and commit other crimes? If, then, the Father of all wished His Christ for the whole human family to take upon Him the curses of all, knowing that, after He had been crucified and was dead, He would raise Him up, why do you argue about Him, who submitted to suffer these things according to the Father's will, as if He were accursed, and do not rather bewail yourselves? For although His Father caused Him to suffer these things in behalf of the human family, yet you did not commit the deed as in obedience to the will of God." {Dialogue with Trypho Chapter 95}

Athanasius (AD300-375): "Thus, taking a body like our own, because all our bodies were liable to the corruption of death, He surrendered His body to death instead of all, and offered it to the Father. This He did out of sheer love for us, so that in His death all might die, and the law of death thereby be abolished because, having fulfilled in His body that for which it was appointed, it was thereafter voided of its power for men. This He did that He might turn again to incorruption men who had turned back to corruption, and make them alive through death by the appropriation of His body and by the grace of His resurrection. Thus He would make death to disappear from them as utterly as straw from fire.." (chapter 2)

He assumed a body capable of death, in order that it, through belonging to the Word Who is above all, might become in dying a sufficient exchange for all.. (chapter 2)
But beyond all this, there was a debt owing which must needs be paid; for, as I said before, all men were due to die. Here, then, is the second reason why the Word dwelt among us, namely that having proved His Godhead by His works, He might offer the sacrifice on behalf of all, surrendering His own temple to death in place of all, to settle man's account with death and free him from the primal transgression.. He died to ransom all... (chapter 4) 

Gregory of Nazianzus (AD329-390): "For that which He has not assumed He has not healed; but that which is united to His Godhead is also saved." {Letters division 1) Vendredi links this sentence to what he refers to as "The Restored Icon Model" based on Genesis 1:26 and The Wisdom of Solomon 2:23-24 in the Septuagint.1 This view affirms that man is an icon of God that has become damaged. To repair this damage, God Himself assumes human flesh, uniting the entirety of human nature to his divinity. The Greek word in question is εἰκών (eikón): an image, i.e. lit. statue, fig. representation. While I have no argument with this model as far as it goes, Gregory of Nazianzus had more to say about the atonement:  

"..as for my sake He was called a curse, Who destroyed my curse; and sin, who takes away the sin of the world; and became a new Adam to take the place of the old, just so He makes my disobedience His own as Head of the whole body. As long then as I am disobedient and rebellious, both by denial of God and by my passions, so long Christ also is called disobedient on my account. {Fourth Theological Oration (Oration 30)}

John Chrysostom (AD347-407): And what does He entreat? Be reconciled unto God. And he said not, 'Reconcile God to yourselves;' for it is not He that bears enmity, but you; for God never bears enmity. Urging moreover his cause, like an ambassador on his mission, he says, For Him who knew no sin He made to be sin on our account.
'I say nothing of what has gone before, that you have outraged Him, Him that had done you no wrong, Him that had done you good, that He exacted not justice, that He is first to beseech, though first outraged; let none of these things be set down at present. Ought ye not in justice to be reconciled for this one thing only that He has done to you now?' And what has He done? Him that knew no sin He made to be sin, for you. For had He achieved nothing but done only this, think how great a thing it were to give His Son for those that had outraged Him. But now He has both well achieved mighty things, and besides, has suffered Him that did no wrong to be punished for those who had done wrong. But he did not say this: but mentioned that which is far greater than this. What then is this? Him that knew no sin, he says, Him that was righteousness itself, He made sin, that is suffered as a sinner to be condemned, as one cursed to die. For cursed is he that hangs on a tree. Galatians 3:13 For to die thus was far greater than to die; and this he also elsewhere implying, says, Becoming obedient unto death, yea the death of the cross. Philippians 2:8 For this thing carried with it not only punishment, but also disgrace. Reflect therefore how great things He bestowed on you. For a great thing indeed it were for even a sinner to die for any one whatever; but when He who undergoes this both is righteous and dies for sinners; and not dies only, but even as one cursed; and not as cursed [dies] only, but thereby freely bestows upon us those great goods which we never looked for; (for he says, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him;) {Homily 11 on Second Corinthians}

The above selection demonstrates that the writings of the Church Fathers contain elements of Christ's substitutionary death using penal language. While they had no systemized formula for the atonement, their focus was multifaceted. Anyone can quote fragments of the Church Fathers selectively to suit their own interpretation, but it is vital to take account of the overall picture of their writings, and elements of PSA are very much part of that picture.

1. Paul Vendredi : The God that Answereth by Fire, Let Him Be God

WOLVES IN SHEEP'S CLOTHING: FALSE PROPHETS AND BIBLE TEACHERS IN THE LAST DAYS: Search results for penal substitution

THE NAR BLIGHT: TODD WHITE EXPOSED

Mike Winger: "This video is dedicated to the victims of Todd White. The following info is from multiple eye-witnesses who have come forward to tell the truth about Todd White. I've met with them, confirmed their identities, seen the evidence that corroborates their testimonies, and believe that it's Christ-honoring to come forward and shout a warning to believers everywhere that Todd White is disqualified and dangerous.

You can download the open letter from whistleblowers about Todd White’s pathological lying and disqualifications from ministry. Link below." 

An-Open-Letter-to-the-Church-Concerning-Todd-White.pdf

Mike Winger's exposé of Todd White, founder and president of Lifestyle Christianity, Watauga, Texas, typifies the corruption of New Apostolic Reformation leaders. Todd White claims that he has not sinned since his conversion, but it appears that his entire life and ministry are defined by pathological lying and sin. (1 John 1:8). This latest exposure of yet another NAR wolf follows Mike Bickle, Robert Morris, Art Lucier, Benny Hinn, Joel Osteen, Tony Evans, and many others.  

There has been some criticism of Mike Winger due to his previous affirmation of Todd White as "sincere" and a "brother in Christ". Winger's unfortunate indulgence of NAR heretics has caused consternation in some quarters, and rightly so. Todd White is definitely not a "brother in Christ". (Matthew 7:23). There are also concerns about anonymous whistleblowers. I hope these individuals will have the courage to identify themselves; there is no such thing as an anonymous witness in the bible. The Body of Christ needs full disclosure in order to evaluate these claims. A further problem is that the whistleblowers have been accused of validating White's doctrine. Their statement appears to be limited to the affirmation of the gifts of the Holy Spirit. However, I think we need clarification on this crucial point since false doctrine negatively impacts integrity and character. (1 Timothy 4:1-2; 2 Timothy 2:16-18; Titus 1:10-11). 

Whistleblowers: "It is important to clarify that our concerns with Todd are not regarding the doctrine of the gifts of the Spirit, miracles, or signs and wonders—we believe in these wholeheartedly. Rather, our concerns lie with Todd’s integrity and character, which we find increasingly troubling."

I appeal to you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and create obstacles contrary to the doctrine that you have been taught; avoid them. For such persons do not serve our Lord Christ, but their own appetites, and by smooth talk and flattery they deceive the hearts of the naive. (Romans 16:17-18).

PAUL WILKINSON FALSE TEACHER: PRETRIB BLATANT DISHONESTY

Paul Wilkinson teaching on the rapture

Above: False teacher Paul Wilkinson teaches the pretrib rapture at Light and Life Preston Church which I believe is an Assemblies of God Gypsy church. 

The dishonesty among pretrib rapture teachers is astonishing. Anyone tempted to believe this false doctrine should test the spirits. (1 John 4:1). Wilkinson is one of the worst offenders! He is a revisionist and has attempted to cover up the history of the pretrib rapture, which originated with cult leader and despot John Nelson Darby.* 

The Day of the Lord

Interestingly, Paul precedes 2 Timothy 4:7-8 with a warning about people turning away from the truth and wandering off into myths. (2 Timothy 4:3-4). The pretrib rapture falls precisely into the "myth" category as a widely held but false belief.

I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by his appearing and his kingdom: preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching. For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths. As for you, always be sober-minded, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.

For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure has come. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing. (2 Timothy 4:1-8).

This is the third time the expression "that day" is used in this epistle. 

For this reason I also suffer these things, but I am not ashamed; for I know whom I have believed and I am convinced that He is able to guard what I have entrusted to Him until that day. Retain the standard of sound words which you have heard from me, in the faith and love which are in Christ Jesus. Guard, through the Holy Spirit who dwells in us, the treasure which has been entrusted to you.
You are aware of the fact that all who are in Asia turned away from me, among whom are Phygelus and Hermogenes. The Lord grant mercy to the house of Onesiphorus, for he often refreshed me and was not ashamed of my chains; but when he was in Rome, he eagerly searched for me and found me— the Lord grant to him to find mercy from the Lord on that day—and you know very well what services he rendered at Ephesus. (2 Timothy 1:12-18).

The term "that day" in the scriptures does not refer to the rapture; it refers to the eschatological day of judgment, often called the Day of the Lord.  On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’ (Matthew 7:22-23).

There are a hundred verses that refer to the day of the Lord in both the Old and New Testaments.*  Below are three examples that confirm the Day of the Lord is the eschatological wrath of God.

But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then the heavens will pass away with a roar, and the heavenly bodies will be burned up and dissolved, and the earth and the works that are done on it will be exposed. Since all these things are thus to be dissolved, what sort of people ought you to be in lives of holiness and godliness, waiting for and hastening the coming of the day of God, because of which the heavens will be set on fire and dissolved, and the heavenly bodies will melt as they burn! (2 Peter 3:10-12 cf. 1 Thessalonians 5:2; Revelation 3:3).

Behold, the day of the Lord comes, cruel, with wrath and fierce anger, to make the land a desolation and to destroy its sinners from it. (Isaiah 13:9).

The great day of the Lord is near, near and hastening fast; the sound of the day of the Lord is bitter; the mighty man cries aloud there. A day of wrath is that day, a day of distress and anguish, a day of ruin and devastation, a day of darkness and gloom, a day of clouds and thick darkness, (Zephaniah 1:14-15).

The rapture is absolutely not a signless event.

Wilkinson: "There will be no signs before the rapture.. the world won't see this."

Below are specific rapture passages that absolutely refute Wilkinson's claim that the rapture is a signless event. The scriptures explicitly refer to "a great earthquake, cosmic disturbances, the sign of The son of Man, a loud trumpet, a loud command, the voice of an archangel, every eye will see him."  

And Jesus said, “I am, and you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of Power, and coming with the clouds of heaven.” (Mark 14:62).

Immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, and the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken. Then will appear in heaven the sign of the Son of Man, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. And he will send out his angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other. (Matthew 24:29-31 cf. Acts 1:9-11).

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

For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a loud command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will be the first to rise. / After that, we who are alive and remain 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).

Behold, he is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see him, even those who pierced him, and all tribes of the earth will wail on account of him. Even so. Amen. (Revelation 1:7).

When he opened the sixth seal, I looked, and behold, there was a great earthquake, and the sun became black as sackcloth, the full moon became like blood, and the stars of the sky fell to the earth as the fig tree sheds its winter fruit when shaken by a gale. The sky vanished like a scroll that is being rolled up, and every mountain and island was removed from its place. Then the kings of the earth and the great ones and the generals and the rich and the powerful, and everyone, slave and free, hid themselves in the caves and among the rocks of the mountains, calling to the mountains and rocks, “Fall on us and hide us from the face of him who is seated on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb, for the great day of their wrath has come, and who can stand?” (Revelation 6:12-17).

Beware of false teachers who alter the Word of God!

I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: if anyone adds to them, God will add to him the plagues described in this book, and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God will take away his share in the tree of life and in the holy city, which are described in this book. (Revelation 22:18-19 cf. Proverbs 30:6).

* What Does the Bible Say About The Day Of The Lord?
* WOLVES IN SHEEP'S CLOTHING: FALSE PROPHETS AND BIBLE TEACHERS IN THE LAST DAYS: ANDY WOODS + PAUL WILKINSON: IS THE RAPTURE A SECONDARY ISSUE?
* WOLVES IN SHEEP'S CLOTHING: FALSE PROPHETS AND BIBLE TEACHERS IN THE LAST DAYS: PAUL WILKINSON: SERIAL REVISIONIST BY DAVE MACPHERSON
* WOLVES IN SHEEP'S CLOTHING: FALSE PROPHETS AND BIBLE TEACHERS IN THE LAST DAYS: LEE BRAINARD AND TOM HUGHES: PRETRIB DISHONESTY

STEVE KOZAR: HOW TO LOSE FRIENDS AND ALIENATE PEOPLE

What Did Paula White (Actually) Promise for $1,000?

When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with the humble is wisdom. (Proverbs 11:2).

Steve Kozar (The Messed Up Church) demonstrates how to lose friends and alienate people!

Kozar: "Paula White doesn't directly promise an angelic visitation (or "7 Supernatural Blessings") for a $1,000 donation. Please show where her commercial says 'If you don't send $1,000, you won't get 7 supernatural blessings,' before commenting. That's what this is about: being truthful. Truth matters. Words mean something. Please go to another more sensational channel if you don't like accurate and careful videos. This video does NOT "defend Paula White." (By the way, welcome to all of you 'Pastor Michael Grant''s viewers!)"

Once again, Steve Kozar has taken it upon himself to critique his fellow YouTube discerners and has offended many people. It appears that Kozar is actually looking for a fight with what he falsely terms as "sensational channels". Michael Grant, pastor of Moore's Corner Church, MA has come in for the brunt of Kozar's ire, which is shameful since Grant is head and shoulders above Kozar in the faith!

Kozar: "Paula White never actually said if you give her $1000 God will send you an angel."  

Paula White's actual words: "I believe that when you honour God on passover starting on April 12th at sundown to Good Friday on the 18th including on Easter Sunday, you can receive these seven supernatural blessings. For you and your house, according to Exodus 23, God will assign an angel to you; He will be an enemy to your enemies; He will give you prosperity; He will take sickness away from you; He will give you long life; He will bring increase in inheritance; and He will give a special year of blessing. You are not doing this to get something, but you are doing it in honour to God realising what you can receive." The video continues: "Don't miss your special moment to release seven supernatural blessings and provision into your life.." 

Paula White framed her scam in deceptive double talk.. "..you are not doing this to get something.. but you are doing this in honour to God realising what you will receive.."  Why is Kozar splitting hairs? I view Kozar's remarks as immature and divisive. His pettiness and sniping against his supposed "brethren" is absolutely disgusting (Matthew 7:18). Kozar promotes himself as an "expert" and the only one worthy of producing "accurate videos". Many see this as an agenda and an attempt to put himself first as the foremost discernment minister at the expense of maligning others. (3 John 1:9). This malicious and unfounded behaviour is unworthy of someone who claims to be a Christian.

As far as I am concerned, the more people calling out false teachers like Paula White, the better. Their voices add weight to the witness against her and other NAR wolves. 

This has happened before! In January 2023, Kozar took it upon himself to issue a stern rebuke to Sean Christie (Revealing Truth) when he dared criticise the Lutheran "holy grail", baptismal regeneration.

At that time, Kozar referred to "..amateur discernment bloggers who seem to have the viewpoint of 'it's me and my bible against the world, I'm just going to do this all by myself.'"1

My question to Steve Kozar is this: Who do you think you are, and who are you to judge who is qualified to produce videos exposing false teachers?

I have recommended Kozar's videos in the past but with reservations. These days, I look for different sources of information due to the elephant in the room i.e. baptismal regeneration. Baptismal regeneration is a very serious error supported by Lutherans Steve Kozar, Daniel Long, and Chris Rosebrough. This heresy alters the very core of soteriology. For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God.. (Ephesians 2:8). 

On this occasion, I left a message on Kozar's YouTube video, but as I expected, it was to no avail, and he has doubled down. Like many other proud people, Kozar has refused to accept correction. 

Bible believers should mark and avoid the Lutheran Mafia! 

1. WOLVES IN SHEEP'S CLOTHING: FALSE PROPHETS AND BIBLE TEACHERS IN THE LAST DAYS: January 2023

PAUL WILKINSON PRETRIB ERROR LEADING GYPSY TRAVELLERS ASTRAY

Paul Wilkinson | The Beautiful Simplicity of the Rapture—A Gypsy Testimony | 2024

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).

Paul Wilkinson is back on the scene after a prolonged absence. Very sadly, this period of difficulty doesn't appear to have done him much good, and he has failed to ask the right questions. In particular, his vice-like grip on the pretrib rapture remains unchanged. If he had sought the Lord about this issue, I believe his difficulties would have been resolved a long time ago.

In this video Wilkinson explains how he came to join an Assemblies of God Gypsy church in Wales following an alleged direct word he received from God. This is a huge red flag. The AOG is Pentecostal, known mainly for the false New Apostolic Reformation and Charismania. My prayer is that the Lord will lead the Gypsy community into all truth. (John 16:13).

In a previous post, I exposed Wilkinson's dishonest revisionism concerning John Nelson Darby and the origin of the pretrib rapture.* In reality, Darby claimed that he received the pretrib rapture by "divine revelation". His cultish behaviour and teachings caused a firestorm of opposition from "Open" Brethren leaders George Müller, Benjamin Wills Newton, Samuel Tregelles, and James Grant. These men denounced Darby as a despot who maligned scripture. Darby was also condemned by Charles Spurgeon and DL Moody. 

Darby: "..what God has with infinite graciousness revealed to me concerning His dealing with the Church.."1 

"..it was in this the Lord was pleased, without man's teaching, first to open my eyes on this subject, that I might learn His will concerning it throughout."2 

In Wilkinson's own words, the pretrib rapture is "our blessed hope". 

The phrase "the blessed hope" is found in Titus 2:13. This phrase emphasizes the Christian anticipation of future fulfillment and redemption and refers to the second coming of Jesus Christ. The pretrib camp has modified this phrase to explicitly refer to the pretrib rapture. 

Wilkinson: "Of course there is that threat, there is that wrong teaching of tribulationalism, and it's around; the midtrib, prewrath, posttrib position that just blasts the hope out of the rapture." The prewrath view comes under special assault from pretrib teachers. Wilkinson quotes Tim LaHaye, whose comment reflects his "Left Behind" Mickey Mouse eschatology. Many Christians have rejected the false pretrib rapture in favour of prewrath precisely because it is a theologically bankrupt doctrine with no scriptural evidence to support it. (1 John 4:1).

There was a profusion of emotionalism in Wilkinson's talk but very little actual teaching. What concerned me very greatly is that the Gypsy church are teaching the pretrib rapture to their children and filling them with false hopes.. and so the deception continues.   

Wilkinson briefly mentioned "the hour of trial" in Revelation 3:10 out of context. 

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. (Revelaiton 3:19).

Pretrib teachers falsely teach that the Antichrist’s great tribulation (thlipsis) and the day of the Lord’s wrath (orgé) are a single period. The scriptures as a whole describe the day of the Lord's wrath in very specific terms as a separate period that follows the Antichrist's tribulation. Believers will be rescued from the hour of trial/the day of God's wrath but not from the great tribulation. (1 Thessalonians 5:9; Revelation 6:12-17; Matthew 24:29). Wilkinson's emotionalism may be persuasive to some, but his self-indulgent displays are not a sign of doctrinal soundness and stability. 

*WOLVES IN SHEEP'S CLOTHING: FALSE PROPHETS AND BIBLE TEACHERS IN THE LAST DAYS: ANDY WOODS + PAUL WILKINSON: IS THE RAPTURE A SECONDARY ISSUE?

1. Reflections Upon The Prophetic Inquiry And The Views Advanced In It | Plymouth Brethren Writings
2. Evidence From Scripture of the Passing Away of the Present Dispensation - John Nelson Darby (#62234) - BTP

ANDY WOODS + PAUL WILKINSON: IS THE RAPTURE A SECONDARY ISSUE?

PPOV 346. Drs. Paul Wilkinson & Andy Woods discuss Christian Palestinianism. 3-21-25.

For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. (Ephesians 6:12).

In this post, I am focusing on the above video from the 39-minute mark, when Andy Woods and Paul Wilkinson discuss "..rehabilitating John Nelson Darby and C.I. Scofield, and why the doctrine of the pre-tribulation rapture is under such vociferous attack today". For Woods and Wilkinson, the pretrib rapture is a primary issue, aka "the blessed hope". 

Darby's claim of direct revelation 

Paul Wilkinson purports to be an expert on John Nelson Darby, having supposedly written a PhD thesis on the subject. In this video, Wilkinson blatantly distorts several facts about Darby, beginning with the false claim that Darby arrived at the pretrib view by studying the scriptures.

Wilkinson: "Where did his (Darby's) understanding of the rapture come from? It didn't come immediately, but as he himself writes, in his own writings, he got it from studying the word.." (49:00 mark)

Darby - in his own words, claimed that God Himself revealed dispensational hermeneutics to him directly. 

Darby: "..what God has with infinite graciousness revealed to me concerning His dealing with the Church.."1 

"..it was in this the Lord was pleased, without man's teaching, first to open my eyes on this subject, that I might learn His will concerning it throughout."2 

Darby's claim of direct revelation from God puts the whole premise of his authenticity and the pretrib rapture on shaky ground. Darby put himself on the same level as the first-century apostles. (Galatians 1:12 cf. 1 Corinthians 11:23). It is not surprising that Darby claimed to receive "direct revelation" since he was associated with the Irvingites, who were pioneers in reviving the charismatic gifts of the Holy Spirit within the church. There are good reasons to believe that the Irvingites were precursors to the modern Pentecostal Movement.3 In our generation, many have learned painful lessons from recently exposed false NAR "apostles" and "prophets" such as Mike Bickle and Todd Bentley. It is a fatal mistake to buy into an alleged "prophetic word" without rigorously testing it against the scriptures. (1 John 4:1). Darby's claim was absolutely huge! He denied the very words of Jesus Christ Himself by announcing that the warnings in the Olivet discourse do not apply to the church. Wilkinson failed to mention that Darby's "direct revelation" was vigorously challenged by his contemporaries. In my view, the pretrib rapture is one of the biggest deceptions to be foisted onto the modern church. The pretrib camp has worked very hard to shoehorn the pretrib rapture into the scriptures. They have also made exhaustive efforts to prove that pretrib predates Darby and can be found in the Church Fathers. However, in both these endeavors they have failed miserably.4 Believers should consider the consequences ahead of time before the false hopes of pretrib leaders fail to materialize and the Antichrist's persecution becomes a reality. 

Woods: "My question for you is, is this a secondary issue, because a lot of people say 'don't get wrapped up in this, this is a secondary issue'? My other question..  Is the fact that pretribulationalism is always under assault proof that pretribulationalism is probably the right one?"

Wilkinson: "Is it a secondary issue? Well, the apostle Paul in Titus 2 said it's our blessed hope.. that's my hope, that's the church's hope.. Wilkinson continues with a lot of platitudes but he offers no exegesis of the various texts he cites. He completes his answer by trotting out the overused trope that Christians should be looking for Christ, not the Antichrist.  

Woods: "What I am hearing you say is that this is not a secondary issue because what you believe about this changes your focus."  Woods brings out another overused trope about bridegroom imagery with the excuse that if we go through the tribulation, then God is a "spousal abuser". This worn-out argument can equally be levelled against the martyrdom and persecution of Christians throughout church history. In the West, Christians are living in a persecution-free bubble, but this is not the case in many other countries. The scriptures warn us to expect persecution. (John 15:20; Matthew 5:11-12; 1 Peter 4:12-14; Philippians 1:29, etc.) When the Antichrist arrives at the midpoint of the 70th week, worldwide persecution against Jews and Christians will escalate exponentially. When God gives explicit warnings then we would be wise to take notice rather than bury our heads in the sand and be taken off guard! The very warnings that Jesus gave to his disciples about the end of the age in the Olivet Discourse are magicked away by pretrib teachers. (Matthew 24:4). Woods and Wilkinson can be in denial as much as they like, but their denial does not invalidate God's word!  

Woods: "I don't think it is a secondary issue either and I mark and avoid people. I have a hard time appearing on their shows, appearing at their conferences.. A lot of them have contacted me and wanted to participate at our conferences and when I find out they are aggressively promoting some other perspective, I just have a difficult time unleashing them in front of God's people.."

To paraphrase Woods' second question: 'Because the pretrib rapture is always under assault is proof that it is probably the right doctrine..' This remark lacks depth and fails to adequately explain or respond to the major exegetical problems associated with the pretrib rapture. Woods should know better than to offer this kind of pat answer. The truth will always be attacked by those who oppose the scriptures, but on the other hand, false doctrines also come under heavy attack by those who rightly divide the word of truth and practice discernment. (1 Timothy 2:15).

Is the timing of the rapture a secondary issue?

I feel the same way as Andy Woods in reverse, i.e., I "mark and avoid" those who promote the pretrib view. (Romans 16:16-17). I am not willing to quietly sit in a congregation and watch others passively swallow the pretrib Kool-Aid to their own destruction. At best, I consider pretrib leaders to be heavily deceived; at worst, I consider them to be wolves. (1 Timothy 4:1). My concern is that when the Antichrist's persecution begins, many will fall away and apostatize. (Matthew 24:10). In other words, many will forfeit their faith on the altar of the pretrib rapture. The stakes are incredibly high! Pastors who fail to prepare God's people for the coming persecution are sinfully negligent. What will happen to pretrib teachers who fail to sound the horn? (Ezekiel 33:6). Woods has effectively shut down any challenge to pretribulationism, and it is difficult to miss his particular hostility towards the prewrath camp. He can't even bear to mention the name of Alan Kurschner or any other prominent prewrath teacher.   

Woods: "Now we have this very perverted view of Rosenthall, and others came up with this, and there are some younger expondents and proponents of that view that I don't want to mention on this show because I don't want to promote their stuff..   They don't attack mid trib, post trib - they are always aiming their guns at pretribulationism. "  This is not true! While the false pretrib rapture teaching is a major concern to those within the prewrath camp, other views have not been ignored! Midtribulationism does not come in for much critique because it is only held by a small minority and is easily debunked. However, postribulationism has received attention from Alan Kurschner and others.5 

Paul Wilkinson's appalling distortion of John Nelson Darby

   

Wilkinson's claim that Darby was an innocuous guy who simply went around teaching the bible is outrageous. How did Wilkinson manage to miss the firestorm against Darby from "Open" Brethren leaders George Müller, Benjamin Wills Newton, Samuel Tregelles, and James Grant? These men denounced Darby as a despot who maligned scripture. Darby was also condemned by Charles Spurgeon and DL Moody. In addition, it is undeniable that Scofield was an absolute scoundrel.* I do not like to call anyone an out-and-out liar, but in this instance, I can't find an alternative explanation for Wilkinson's dishonesty. (Psalm 107:7; Proverbs 12:22; Ephesians 4:25).

For an accurate account of John Nelson Darby, see Papers of John Nelson Darby published by the John Rylands University Library at the University of Manchester. 

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?"6 

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."7

Anthony Groves:

"As the years passed, 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. The split was complete in 1848 to form the Open Brethren and the Exclusive Brethren."8

Wilkinson: "I have to believe and accept and rightly handle the word of my Lord. That's how I'm going to be judged by my Lord.. Did I rightly teach His word? Did I rightly divide it? Did I faithfully teach it? Wilkinson is attending an Assemblies of God church in Wales. This is a huge red flag. The Assemblies of God are a Pentecostal denomination known for their involvement with the New Apostolic Reformation (NAR). Given Wood's opposition to the charismatic movement, it is strange that he would even consider unleashing a man like Wilkinson onto his audience. Wilkinson's suspect "words" from the Lord, his dishonesty and revisionism of Darby, and his emotionalism are indications of self-deception and instability. (2 Timothy 3:13).

1. Reflections Upon The Prophetic Inquiry And The Views Advanced In It | Plymouth Brethren Writings
2. Evidence From Scripture of the Passing Away of the Present Dispensation - John Nelson Darby (#62234) - BTP
3. The Irvingites and the Gift of Tongues
4. Microsoft Word - Prewrath - Early Church Fathers.docx.
5. Articles for Posttribulationism to Consider | ESCHATOS MINISTRIES
6. Mr. Grant on "The Darby Brethren"
7. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_M%C3%BCller
8. Anthony Norris Groves - Borivali Assembly

Further Links

The "Darby Brethren"
Mr. Newton and the "Brethren"
WOLVES IN SHEEP'S CLOTHING: FALSE PROPHETS AND BIBLE TEACHERS IN THE LAST DAYS: LEE BRAINARD AND TOM HUGHES: PRETRIB DISHONESTY
* Heresy in the Heartland: C. I. Scofield: Scoundrel, Shyster, and Scalawag