TRINITY LIFE CHURCH LEICESTER ASSEMBLIES OF GOD GOING DOWN THE TUBES

SHOULD FUNDAMENTAL CHRISTIAN CHURCHES APPLY FOR LOTTERY FUNDING?
  
"The Open Hands Trust has been granted £446,626 after receiving support from Voluntary Action Leicestershire (VAL) with their bid for Big Lottery Reaching Communities funding." http://www.valonline.org.uk Release date 12th of November 2013. Open Hands Trust is a project founded by Trinity Life Church (TLC) in Leicester which is part of the Assemblies of God (AOG) Pentecostal denomination in the UK.

"Over the past 15 years, Lottery distributors have awarded at least 139 grants worth more than £3.1m to evangelical, Pentecostal and conservative Christian groups." http://www.theguardian.com

This is a very critical debate which I believe is significant in our time. We may rightly pose the question: Should those who claim to be Bible believing fundamental Christians pursue secular funding for church projects? Lottery money in particular has extremely negative associations with gambling, and so we can legitimately say that from a biblical perspective it comes from an “unclean” source and that it is money tainted by sin. An inevitable consequence is that the church loses its right to speak against the evils of gambling if it is advertising, benefiting from and accepting the proceeds of gambling.

The social evil of gambling is rooted in greed and idolatry; its addictive nature and the misery that it causes to some people in society is very well known. For the Church to raise money from this source is pure hypocrisy. Critics say that the lottery exploits the poor and gives them false hope; it is said to be a tax on the poor, and those with little cash to spare are more likely to buy a £2 ticket than high earners. Is it right that those who call themselves Bible believing Christians should benefit from such wickedness?

Biblically money obtained through the sinfulness of gambling is an abomination; it will not bring the blessing of God but rather His curse. The ethical question of how money is obtained is a critical one because we cannot honour God with our substance unless it has been honourably and honestly acquired. 

You shall not bring the fee of a prostitute or the wages of a dog into the house of the LORD your God in payment for any vow, for both of these are an abomination to the LORD your God. (Deuteronomy 23/18)

In the Old Testament, nothing unclean was ever allowed into the temple because the Glory of Yahweh dwelt there. God is holy and He cannot dwell in a defiled temple. What agreement is there between the temple of God and idols? “For we are the temple of the living God. As God has said: "I will live with them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they will be my people." (2 Corinthians 6/16)

The lambs and other animals offered as sacrifices in the Old Testament were to be without blemish (Exodus 12/5; Leviticus 22/19-21). Do not bring anything with a defect, because it will not be accepted on your behalf. (Leviticus 22/20) Good works done with unclean lottery money in God's name are indeed defective offerings. 

Therefore go out from their midst, and be separate from them, says the Lord, and touch no unclean thing; then I will welcome you..... (2 Corinthians 6/17; Isaiah 52/11 ) 

The aim of our charge is love that issues from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith. (1 Timothy 1/5)

A great deal of casuistry has to be applied to justify the pursuit of unrighteous lottery funding:

TLC: “We are privileged to show the love and compassion of Christ to some of the most vulnerable people in our city with Isaiah ch58 vs6-12 very much being our heartbeat.” http://www.trinitylifechurch.org.uk

In context, Isaiah Chapter 58 addresses the internal sins of the house of Jacob and calls for their repentance (Isaiah 58). For instance, the Israelites were unjust and oppressed all their workers (58/3). This is not to say that Christians should not help the poor and needy, but it should not be done with money gained by wickedness. 

Whatever happened to trusting God for provision? 

And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4/19)

The underlying issue is whether such schemes, programmes and building works are really in the will of the Lord. Are these plans and activities really in the will of God or are TLC empire building in the flesh?

How many hoops have TLC had to jump through in order to receive this money?

Lottery funding comes at a terrible cost: THE GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST. 

“Lottery distributors' rules make a distinction between religious activities and the community projects churches run. They say: "The project outcomes are key, rather than the non-project activities and ethos of the organisation. Crucially, the activities undertaken with lottery money cannot promote religion or belief." http://www.biglotteryfund.org.uk/

TLC: "Compassion is at the very heart of God and the very heart of TLC. The challenge of Isaiah 58 and Matthew 28. Through our compassion charity Open Hands we are privileged to show the love and compassion of Jesus to some of the most vulnerable people in our city." http://www.trinitylifechurch.org.uk/compassion/ 

And Jesus came and said to them,“All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28/18-20)

Here we have a dilemma: Either TLC together with Open Hands are promoting Jesus Christ or they are not. The above statement by them seems to indicate that they are, albeit in a very clandestine way. Here we have a double compromise; firstly the compromise of selling the gospel down the river; secondly the compromise of applying for lottery funding under false pretences. You cannot please two masters (Matthew 6/24)

Critically, the Bible puts preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ as the first priority as against good works and helping the poor. According to Lottery rules, TLC are not allowed to preach the gospel to those it helps. 

How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!” But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Isaiah says, “Lord, who has believed what he has heard from us?” So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ. (Romans 10/14-17)

If TLC believe that they can somehow win people to Jesus Christ without preaching the gospel, they are not only breaking Lottery rules, they are deceiving themselves and more importantly they are dishonouring the Lord. TLC have in effect yoked themselves together with unbelievers and are prevented from doing the very thing that Christ told Christians to do i.e. engage in The Great Commission, that is to boldly proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ and make disciples of all nations (Matthew 28/19). That of course brings a price which these days few are prepared to pay. 

Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? Or what fellowship has light with darkness? (2 Corinthians 6/14) 

.....and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak. (Ephesians 6/19-20) 

…..preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching. (2 Timothy 4/2) 

woe to me if I do not preach the gospel..... (1 Corinthians 9/16)

An insipid message has come from the Evangelical Alliance on this subject - we should not be surprised: 

"A spokeswoman for the Evangelical Alliance – condemning the lottery as ‘a thinly disguised and unjust tax’ – says, ‘there is no biblical basis for relying on chance for income, either through gambling or applying to an unjust structure for monies.’ She echoes the view that funding streams have shifted to the lottery, and says the alliance does not advocate a hard line on lottery applications for social projects." http://www.lottery-monitor.com 

LOTTERY EQUALITY VALUES ARE INCOMPATIBLE WITH BIBLICAL CHRISTIANITY! 

“.....it is equally important that when applying for lottery funding, such groups believe and abide by equality values." http://www.theguardian.com

Do TLC believe and abide by equality values? For instance, one of the criteria for equality is: Promoting inclusive communities such as other religions. Do TLC believe that other religions are equal to Christianity? It appears that they do not since they promote the exclusivity of Jesus Christ above other religions.
http://www.trinitylifechurch.org.uk/messages/

Another equality value is: Reducing disadvantage and exclusion. Disadvantaged groups may include lesbian, gay and bisexual people. Would TLC say that LGBT people are in God's will? Would they appoint them in key positions of leadership? Do TLC agree with same sex marriage etc?

If TLC do believe and abide by secular equality values then they have betrayed the Jesus Christ. If however TLC do not believe and abide by secular equality values then they have obtained lottery funding by deception and they have also betrayed Jesus Christ. Either way they are not in God's will!

I inadvertently attended an Open Hands presentation by Sue Smout, Senior Manager of the Open Hands Trust at Knighton Evangelical Free Church last year. It was a typical worldly TLC presentation - I might just as well have been at a slick business promotional meeting. How they love to peddle their own ideas and promote themselves above the Word of God at the expense of true worship – it was a very painful and grievous experience. We are indeed experiencing the end time apostasia (falling away) prophesied by the Apostle Paul (2 Thessalonians 2/3). 

PINK ACTIVISTS ARE MORE HONEST THAN THE CHURCH!

It is amazing how God uses His enemies to accomplish his work and discipline his people if they stubbornly persist in wickedness. The Lord employed the wicked nations of Babylon and Assyria to punish apostate Israel (2 Kings 15/29; 16/7-9; 18/9-12). It appears that God is using the Pink activists of all people to put a stop to the hypocrisy of the church! The LGBT community object strongly to fundamentalist churches receiving lottery funds, and rightly so. Their arguments are absolutely correct in that the church cannot expect to get the benefits of the world if they are not willing to play the world's game. What an indictment on the church that this should be the case. I pray that these Pink activists are successful if it will bring TLC and other worldly churches like them to their senses.

Some excerpts from Peter Tatchell and the Pink Activists:

“The government and national lottery need to establish tighter controls on grants, to ensure that homophobic and other hate-mongering organisations do not get funding.” http://www.pinknews.co.uk/

LGBT rights campaigner Peter Tatchell: "No lottery money should be given, directly or indirectly, to organisations that promote prejudice and discriminatory values." http://www.gaystarnews.com

Labour MP Chris Bryant: "I don't object to religious charities being supported by the lottery, as many churches and religions do a great deal for society. But most people would be scandalized to hear that lottery money is being used by groups that peddle fundamentalist prejudice and bigotry.” http://www.gaystarnews.com 

"In a free society, extremist churches are entitled to believe that homosexuality is wrong, but they should not receive money that comes from the public and is intended to support good causes." http://protectthepope.com/?p=7285

When and not if the challenge comes, how will TLC respond when their charity status is threatened if they don’t comply to Caesar’s demand that we worship him? Will they try and wriggle around the issues and make their tenuous position before God even worse, or will they repent?

There are some ingenious worldly ideas floating around if they need any help in taking their apostasy further forward: 

"While Christianity has traditionally forbidden sodomy, believing it to be parallel to homosexuality, it's been discovered in the Hebrew text and history that the word sodomy literally means "male temple prostitute", and not a translation for homosexual. Thus, homosexuality is not thought of as an act of sin in a growing population of churches today, namely the religion of Christianity." Assemblies of God USA 

THE SATANIC 666 LOTTERY LOGO!

The whole world lies under the dominion of the evil one, Satan, the prince of this world (1 John 5/19; John 12/31; Luke 4/6).

Hidden in plain sight, Satanic numbers and symbols are commonly used in corporate logos e.g. Cadbury, Coca Cola and Cern amongst many many others. I have demonstrated this in my Hubpages article referenced below. By using the number 666 in some form, disguised or otherwise, Satan is marking his territory. The Lottery logo is no exception and contains a very thinly disguised 666 – any organisation receiving lottery money is to be literally saturated with the signature of Satan!

Below is an excerpt from the Big Lottery Fund Website:

"Questions about using BIG’s logo

Do I have to use the logo?

Yes - by accepting your award you have made a commitment to using our logo to acknowledge your grant publicly. This is a requirement of your grant contract. Acknowledging your grant is part of your contract with us, and not acknowledging is a breach of that contract. We monitor projects closely for acknowledgement, and contact all projects that don’t meet these guidelines.
Where should I use the logo?

All grant recipients should acknowledge the support of BIG when producing any form of promotional or publicity material, including your website, press releases, leaflets, posters, brochures, annual reports and stationery, such as letterheads.

When advertising a job funded by us, our logo should feature in the advert.

If you have a building, especially if it was funded by the Big Lottery Fund, a plaque should be installed on completion. Site hoarding stickers must be installed while work is in progress."

http://www.biglotteryfund.org.uk

CROSSED FINGERS!

The Big Lottery logo is not only a thinly disguised 666, it is the image of crossed fingers, an image which has its history in witchcraft and superstition. By crossing fingers we are engaging in making a spell, albeit inadvertently. As far as the lottery goes, crossed fingers depicts “good luck”, supposedly as an aid to winning. Other meanings of crossed fingers include protection from harm e.g. when walking under a ladder. When people cross fingers behind their backs it has negative connotations with lies. The symbol of crossed fingers is the antithesis of biblical Christianity and yet TLC are obliged to have this logo plastered all over their Open Hands material! 

Then I heard another voice from heaven saying, “Come out of her, my people, lest you take part in her sins, lest you share in her plagues; (Revelation 18/4)

http://eliora.hubpages.com/hub/SATAN-THE-DECEIVER-GOD-OF-THIS-WORLD-SATANIC-LOGOS

UPDATE: http://standfirminthelord.wordpress.com/2014/11/28/the-trouble-with-adam-simmonds-pcc-northamptonshire/

THE CIRCUS COMES TO TOWN - FALSE PROPHET BENNY HINN TO COME TO LEICESTER

Athena Theatre, Queen Street, Leicester on the 26th January 2014.

THE FALSE TEACHING AND PROPHECIES OF BENNY HINN

Benny Hinn has been around for many years and is very well known for his “Miracle Crusades” and as a so called “TV Evangelist” on the godless TBN and other apostate TV stations. His false teaching, false prophecies and false healings are very well documented. This so called “ministry”  is totally unbiblical - Hinn is actually an enemy of Jesus Christ.

• “The Spirit”  told Hinn that Fidel Castro would die some time in the 1990s.
• Hinn predicted that a major earthquake would devastate the East Coast before the year 2000.
• “The Lord”  told Hinn: “In the mid 90's, about '94-'95, no later than that, God will destroy the homosexual community of America. But He will not destroy it - with what many minds have thought Him to be, He will destroy it with fire. And many will turn and be saved, and many will rebel and be destroyed." Orlando Christian Center, Dec. 31st, 1989.
• Hinn announced that Jesus would appear physically on the stage at his crusade in Nairobi Kenya (29th -30th of April, 2000)
• Hinn announced that the world would end in 1992 and 1999.
• Hinn has announced on TBN that he believes when Billy Graham dies, America will experience a major religious revival.
• Hinn claims that there are nine members of the Trinity.
• Hinn has previously taught the “Jesus died spiritually”  heresy, also promulgated by other word-faith false teachers such as EW Kenyon, Kenneth Hagin, Kenneth Copeland etc.
• Hinn underwent a congressional investigation and numerous exposés by news organizations that failed to turn up a single person ever healed at his "Miracle Crusades".
• Hinn has an exorbitant lifestyle; he has an estimated net worth of $42 million and a seven figure salary.
• Hinn promotes Roman Catholicism and ecumenism.

Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter! (Isaiah 5/20)

Hinn issues curses and threats to anyone who would question his false “anointing” : ''There's a heavy price and I would not want to be in the shoes of the one who touches the anointing. Don't touch the anointing!" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i-A51ltVq7I

If what a prophet proclaims in the name of the Lord does not take place or come true, that is a message the Lord has not spoken. That prophet has spoken presumptuously. Do not be afraid of him. (Deuteronomy 18/22)

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

NECROMANCY! 

Necromancy is a form of witchcraft involving communication with the dead (actually evil spirits), either by summoning spirits as an apparition or raising them bodily for the purpose of divination, imparting the means to foretell future events or discover hidden knowledge.

Hinn claims to get his anointing from visiting the graves of Kathryn Kuhlman and Aimee Semple McPherson. He also claims to have dreams which he calls “visions” or “night visions”.

Hinn: "Well, anyway, in this one, in this vision that-that I saw-saw Miss Kuhlman. And she said, 'Follow me.' That's all she said. And I followed her to a second room. In that second room stood the Lord. When the Lord, uh-when-when I saw the lord, Kathryn disappeared. She was just gone. And now the Lord looked at me and said, 'Follow me.' And I followed him to a third room. In the third room sat a gentleman - I still remember his face. I can tell you, I still remember the man's face. And the man sat in this wheelchair in that third room. There was a big hole in his neck. A tube down his throat. He was crippled on that wheelchair. And he had tubes down his body. Totally crippled, totally para-totally, of course, paralyzed. The Lord laid His hands on this man and as He did the tubes disappeared, the hole closed, he was completely healed and got up off the wheelchair. It was a creative miracle. Now I'm standing watching the Lord in this vision heal this man. And now as the man was healed, the Lord looked at me with piercing eyes - I'll not forget that one I'll tell you. (He) looked at me with piercing eyes and said, 'DO IT!' And the dream and the vision came to an end." (Benny Hinn, This Is Your Day, June 11, 1997)

Hinn's interpretation: "When I woke, when I got up, when I came out of the vision, I was trembling and perspiring from head to toes. I know exactly what that vision means. It was Kathryn Khulman who took me, who introduced me to the Holy Spirit. That is the meaning of that first room when she said, 'Follow me.' But when Kathryn was gone, Jesus was there. Kathryn did her job and was gone and the Lord said, 'Follow me' into a third room. And there was this man. I believe I'm about to enter that third room. [Audience applause.] I'm telling you I feel it. I sense it. I believe that room speaks of a dimension, a new dimension in the Spirit. I believe I've been in that second room now for the last seven years. What is amazing to me, what's amazing to me is God works or has worked in my life in seven year cycles. I'm now in the seventh year - beginning the eighth of the ministry of these crusades. 1990 we started - March. This is what? '97. And just now I feel another platform, another dimension, another level is really coming. ell, saints you're going to be a part of it. God- God has sent you as partners to be a part of it. So how many are ready to see greater things for the glory of God?" (Benny Hinn, This Is Your Day, June 11, 1997) 

The sin of necromancy is an abomination and is absolutely forbidden in the Bible.

Do not turn to mediums or necromancers; do not seek them out, and so make yourselves unclean by them: I am the Lord your God. (Leviticus 19/31 see also Leviticus 20/6 Deuteronomy 18/9-12 Isaiah 8/19)

Hinn: "In this dream, I did not see his face. Everything in me knew it was the prophet Elijah . . . I walked up to him and he was turning water into blood. As I came to him, he said to me, 'Take this!' I took the rod from him."

Fellow “prophet”  Marc Chironna's interpretation: "You have received the spirit of Elijah and the essence of the Elijah ministry."

The prophet Elijah's mantle was first given to Elisha the prophet (1 Kings 19/19; 2 Kings 2/9-10, 15) and then John the Baptist (Luke 1/17). John the Baptist and Elijah were fearless in preaching an uncompromised message before rulers and governors. In the last days the Bible tells us that “Elijah” will come again as a true prophet of the Lord, and like John the Baptist he will prepare the way of the king (Luke 3/4) – many believe as one of the two witnesses during the tribulation period (Revelation 11).  The two witnesses will boldly proclaim the clear, uncompromising, and unpopular message of the gospel of Jesus Christ shortly before the Lord's return (Revelation 11/3). The spirit of Jezebel is raising up counterfeits – false Elijah's who herald the false messiah i.e. the antichrist. Benny Hinn no doubt fancies himself as Elijah the prophet, but whatever he is, he is no true prophet of the Lord!

Behold I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord. And he will turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the hearts of the children to their fathers, Lest I come and strike the earth with a curse." (Malachi 4:5, 6)

.

Let the prophet who has a dream tell the dream, but let him who has my word speak my word faithfully. What has straw in common with wheat? declares the LORD. (Jeremiah 23/28)

But that prophet or that dreamer of dreams shall be put to death, because he has taught rebellion against the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt and redeemed you out of the house of slavery, to make you leave the way in which the LORD your God commanded you to walk. So you shall purge the evil from your midst. (Deuteronomy 13/5) 

Hinn is practising witchcraft and occult practices wrapped up in Christian garb. Notice his horned hand Luciferian salute.

Hinn's so called “anointing”  is received from two dead people (supposedly - though actually demons), Kuhlman and McPherson, and allegedly the Old Testament prophet Elijah - as such it cannot possibly be of God. It is The Holy Spirit and none other who anoints (Acts 2). The Bible makes it perfectly clear that the anointing belongs to Jesus Christ and that it is the Spirit of God, the Holy Spirit who is poured out upon true believers, the body of Christ (Luke 24/49; Acts 2/32; John 14/16,26). 

“Repent and be baptised, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call.” (Acts 2/38-39) 

But the anointing that you received from Him abides in you, and you have no need that anyone should teach you. But as his anointing teaches you about everything, and is true, and is no lie—just as it has taught you, abide in him. (1 John 2/27) 

For if someone comes and proclaims another Jesus than the one we proclaimed, or if you receive a different spirit from the one you received, or if you accept a different gospel from the one you accepted, you put up with it readily enough. (2 Corinthians 11/4) 

And it is God who establishes us with you in Christ, and has anointed us....(2 Corinthians 1/21) 

Hinn's announcement that Jesus Christ would appear physically on the stage at his crusade in Nairobi Kenya (29th -30th of April, 2000) is totally unbiblical:

Then if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Christ!’ or ‘There he is!’ do not believe it. For false christs and false prophets will arise and perform great signs and wonders, so as to lead astray, if possible, even the elect. See, I have told you beforehand. So, if they say to you, ‘Look, he is in the wilderness,’ do not go out. If they say, ‘Look, he is in the inner rooms,’ do not believe it. For as the lightning comes from the east and shines as far as the west, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. (Matthew 24/23-27)

And the LORD said to me: “The prophets are prophesying lies in my name. I did not send them, nor did I command them or speak to them. They are prophesying to you a lying vision, worthless divination, and the deceit of their own minds." (Jeremiah 14/14)

Jesus Christ's warning: Watch out for false prophets.  They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. (Matthew 7/15)

Jesus Christ's TRIPLE warnings about end time deception: “Tell us, when will these things be, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the close of the age?” 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 many false prophets will arise and lead many astray. (Matthew 24/3-5,11) 

Peter's warning: But there were false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you.  They will secretly introduce destructive heresies … (2 Peter 2/1a)

What are true Christians instructions regarding prophesies? Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world. (1 John 4/1)

False Prophets:  We do not stone false prophets these days but this sin is no less serious.   "I have not sent them,” declares the Lord. “They are prophesying lies in my name. (Jeremiah 27/15a) But a prophet who presumes to speak in my name anything I have not commanded him to say, or a prophet who speaks in the name of other gods, must be put to death.  You may say to yourselves, “How can we know when a message has not been spoken by the Lord”  If what a prophet proclaims in the name of the Lord does not take place or come true, that is a message that Lord has not spoken.  That prophet has spoken presumptuously.  Do not be afraid of him." (Deuteronomy 18/20-22)

Actions against heretics: A man that is a heretic after the first and second admonition reject. (Titus 3/10)

The end of false prophets: But the cowardly, the unbelieving, the vile, the murderers, the sexually immoral, those who practice magic arts, the idolaters and all liars — their place will be in the fiery lake of burning sulfur.  This is the second death. (Revelation 21:8) 

Anyone who runs ahead and does not continue in the teaching of Christ does not have God; whoever continues in the teaching has both the Father and the Son. If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not take them into your house or welcome them. Anyone who welcomes them shares in their wicked work. (2 John 1/9-11)

Then I heard another voice from heaven saying, “Come out of her, my people, lest you take part in her sins, lest you share in her plagues; (Revelation 18/4) 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pQKCMl2XzTs

http://www.youtube.com/watch?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QAUv5ym5r-A

v=Bnr5DwH3cKU&list=PL1ycy1umY_pdWeThoHxwbNQRYkWCsE47J

http://www.deceptioninthechurch.com/shocking_facts_about_benny_hin.html

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-42208/Preying-sick.html

THE EXCLUSIVITY OF JESUS CHRIST: THE ONLY WAY TO THE FATHER

The Unique Claims of Jesus Christ

Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.  (John 14/6)

Of all the religious leaders in the world only Jesus Christ claimed exclusivity as the Son of God and the only way to God.

……he asked his disciples,“Who do people say that the Son of Man is? ”And they said, “Some say John the Baptist, others say Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.”  He said to them ,“But who do you say that I am?”Simon Peter replied,“You are the Christ,the Son of the living God.” And Jesus answered him, “Blessed are you,Simon Bar-Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you,but my Father who is in heaven. (Matthew 16/13-17)

Speculation about exactly who Jesus is is still going on today and many recognise Jesus Christ as someone very special:

· Islam knows Jesus as Isa who is one of God's highest-ranked and most-beloved prophets.

· The Jews consider that Jesus was a teacher and a leader but reject his claim to be their Messiah.

· Buddhism acknowledges that Jesus was a great person.

· Most Hindus believe Jesus was a wise man and respect him as the founder of Christianity.

· The New Age Movement says that there have been many Christs and that Jesus is one of many.

The critical question for every person on the planet is: Who was Jesus Christ in reality?

These are the metaphors Jesus used about Himself:

The bread of life ( John 6/35).

The light of the world (John 9/5).

The door or gate - (the door of the sheep) (John 10/9).

The Good Shepherd – leader of the sheep ( John 10/11).

The resurrection and the life (John 11/25).

The way the truth and the life ( John 14/6).

The true vine (John 15/1).

Why Was Christ Crucified?

I have heard Richard Dawkins call the God of Christianity a “child abuser”  by putting his Son through the crucifixion. He said: “If God can do anything why can’t He just simply forgive everyone for the bad things they have done?”   Dawkins assumes an earthly father/child relationship between the Father and the Son, but this is to view things from an earthly perspective.  Christ is God Himself and one with the Father (John 1/1,14; 8/58).  The crucifixion was planned before the foundation of the world by the Godhead  (1 Peter 1/20).  Why doesn't God forgive everyone?  Well everyone is invited to accept God's forgiveness if they so choose, but that involves repentance and faith and many do not wish to turn away from sin.  

The Lord is not slow to fulfil his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance. (2 Peter 3/9)

Because God is righteous He cannot just simply forgive everyone carte blanche, God will not violate the human will and force anyone determined to persist in sin to repent and be forgiven.

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 9-12)

There are consequences for bad actions, that is the nature of the world we live in. Every single person has done something wrong at some time in their lives whether great or small. We cannot escape the fact that there is something very wrong inside each of us even if we claim to be good honest people (1 John 1/8). The very nature of God is love, but it is a tough love which cannot overlook the evil actions of individuals (1 John 4/8) To simply forgive is to say that sin doesn't matter when actually it does matter intensely to a holy and righteous God. Evil actions are destructive not only for the perpetrator but for those who are affected by them, and left unchecked evil grows so that people become worse and worse, more and more the opposite of God and alienated from Him. God is all truth and light he cannot look upon evil, therefore he can have nothing to do with those who are evil and do evil, those who are in darkness, basically everyone. Because every person falls short of the glory of God, even if someone wanted to, no one is qualified to pay the penalty. Blood is the currency which pays for what the Bible calls ‘sin’, but ordinary human blood will not do – only the blood of a sinless person – Jesus Christ.

Psalm 14 alone uses some strong language to describe atheists: corrupt, unwise, perverse, ignorant, evildoers, violent. Unbelievers are God's enemies. For some it is more convenient that they don't believe because they do not want to be accountable. This in itself is foolishness because it only delays the inevitable encounter with Him and it is more beneficial that it should be sooner in the time of grace. The disease of sin has infected the whole race of mankind and we need to face up to it.

The critical question concerning Jesus Christ for everyone on the planet today is: Who do you say that I am? (Luke 9/20).

Jesus Christ:  "The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel."  (Mark 1/15)

JOHN MACARTHUR: FALSE TEACHER ENEMY OF JESUS CHRIST

MARK OF THE BEAST!!!

John MacArthur is a very well known heavyweight Bible teacher (supposedly) of many years. A statement made by him during a Q&A session in 1980 has recently come to light; he actually stated that you will still be able to be redeemed if you take the mark of the beast! MacArthur still has the recording and transcript on his website and maintains this position. http://www.gty.org/resources/sermons/1301-I/

MacArthur puts such little importance on the shock-horror reaction to such a dangerous statement that he has not even bothered to respond to the criticisms personally. His spokesman Phil Johnson has responded however:

“Revelation 19:20 indicates that multitudes will take the mark of the Beast because they are deceived. Scripture does not say that they are thereby automatically hardened forever against repentance. That is not the point of the strong warnings.” http://mykingdomtube.com/index.php?topic=2539.0

The above response is completely irresponsible. The scripture is crystal clear - the Book of Revelation gives us an unequivocal answer:

And another angel, a third, followed them, saying with a loud voice, “If anyone worships the beast and its image and receives a mark on his forehead or on his hand, he also will drink the wine of God’s wrath, poured full strength into the cup of his anger, and he will be tormented with fire and sulphur in the presence of the holy angels and in the presence of the Lamb. And the smoke of their torment goes up forever and ever, and they have no rest, day or night, these worshippers of the beast and its image, and whoever receives the mark of its name.” (Revelation 14/9-11)

And the beast was captured, and with it the false prophet who in its presence had done the signs by which he deceived those who had received the mark of the beast and those who worshipped its image. These two were thrown alive into the lake of fire that burns with sulphur.

Then I saw an angel coming down from heaven, holding in his hand the key to the bottomless pit and a great chain. And he seized the dragon, that ancient serpent, who is the devil and Satan, and bound him for a thousand years, and threw him into the pit, and shut it and sealed it over him, so that he might not deceive the nations any longer, until the thousand years were ended. After that he must be released for a little while.

Then I saw thrones, and seated on them were those to whom the authority to judge was committed. Also I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for the testimony of Jesus and for the word of God, and those who had not worshipped the beast or its image and had not received its mark on their foreheads or their hands. They came to life and reigned with Christ for a thousand years. The rest of the dead did not come to life until the thousand years were ended. This is the first resurrection. Blessed and holy is the one who shares in the first resurrection! Over such the second death has no power, but they will be priests of God and of Christ, and they will reign with him for a thousand years. (Revelation 19/20 – 20/4)

The double qualifier in the above passages is that people receive the mark and they worship the beast or its image. These two things are synonymous:

It (the false prophet/second beast) exercises all the authority of the first beast in its presence, and makes the earth and its inhabitants worship the first beast, whose mortal wound was healed. It performs great signs, even making fire come down from heaven to earth in front of people, and by the signs that it is allowed to work in the presence of the beast it deceives those who dwell on earth, telling them to make an image for the beast that was wounded by the sword and yet lived. And it was allowed to give breath to the image of the beast, so that the image of the beast might even speak and might cause those who would not worship the image of the beast to be slain. Also it causes all, both small and great, both rich and poor, both free and slave, to be marked on the right hand or the forehead, so that no one can buy or sell unless he has the mark, that is, the name of the beast or the number of its name. (Revelation 13/12-17)

The only part of Phil Johnson's response which is correct is that multitudes will be deceived (Matthew 24/4-5; Revelation 13/14; 2 Thessalonians 2/9) They are deceived by false signs and wonders performed by the false prophet (Revelation 19/20).  However, this delusion is sent by God for the very reason that they might be damned:

And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.” (2 Thessalonians 2:11-12).

There is no room for any doubt whatsoever that those who worship the beast or its image and take the mark will be thrown into the lake of fire at the end of the millennium to suffer eternal torment. On this basis we must reject John MacArthur as a competent Bible teacher. Anyone teaching that it is forgivable to take the mark of the beast has completely lost all credibility. This is so very critical since we cannot play Russian roulette with God's Word or try to rationalise what is unequivocal. Some believing that MacArthur and his ilk are competent Bible teachers may actually take the mark thinking that they will be able to repent.

PRE-TRIBULATION RAPTURE?

MacArthur is also a pre-tribulationist: “the imminent pre-tribulation rapture is not stated, but is between the lines of the verses.”

The pre-tribulation theory originated in 1830 with dispensational cult leader John Nelson Darby who was a Freemason and an occultist.  There is speculation that Darby may have plagiarised the theory from a heretical group of people called the Irvingites.  In any event, the pre-tribulation rapture theory was unknown in the church prior to 1830.

The timing of the rapture is an extremely complex subject. Below are just some points to consider which make the pre-tribulation theory problematic.

Imminency?

Is the rapture imminent (meaning that it could occur at any moment) as MacArthur states? The pre-tribulation theory is the only view that allows for the immanency of the rapture. Other theories allow for an approximate estimation of where the rapture fits into end time events, in other words other things will precede it. If other things precede the rapture then it is not imminent by definition.

The early believers did not expect the imminent rapture of the church, they expected things to precede it. e.g. Paul said he must go to Rome - Acts 23/11; Peter would die when he was old (John 21/18).

The Last Trumpet

…..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 15/52 [Isaiah 27/13]) The last trumpet is sounded by the seventh angel towards the end of the tribulation period. (Revelation 11/15-19) A pre-tribulation view necessitates that the last trumpet in 1 Corinthians 15/52 is different from the last trumpet in Revelation 11/15.

The Marriage Supper of the Lamb

The marriage supper of the Lamb occurs in Revelation 19/7-9 towards the end of the tribulation period not prior to it as the pre-tribulation view necessitates.

The Day of the Lord

The Day of the Lord or The Day of His Wrath is not the Tribulation Period.

The pre-tribulation view maintains that God has not destined the church for wrath (1 Thessalonians 5/9). However the Bible does not support the view that the tribulation is The Day of the Lord or the Day of His Wrath as this view necessitates. In various passages of scripture, The Day of the Lord is the wrath of God poured out on the ungodly, i.e. unbelievers, and it is preceded by various cosmic signs:

• Isaiah 13/6-11 - The Day of the Lord comes to destroy sinners; to punish the world for its evil and the wicked for their iniquity. For the stars of the heavens and their constellations will not give their light; the sun will be dark at its rising, and the moon will not shed its light. (verse 10)
• Joel 3/12-15 - The Day of the Lord is near – to judge wickedness of the nations. The sun and the moon are darkened, and the stars withdraw their shining. (verse 15)
• Joel 2/31 -The sun shall be turned to darkness, and the moon to blood, before the great and awesome day of the LORD comes.
• Malachi 4/5 - “Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the great and awesome day of the LORD comes.” If Elijah is one of the two witnesses of Revelation 11 (as is generally agreed), he appears during the last half of the tribulation which precedes the Day of the Lord as above.
• Matthew 24/29-30 – Jesus Christ places the cosmic events which accompany the Day of the Lord after the tribulation. He describes the rapture of the elect after these cosmic events, prior to the Day of the Lord when the nations will be judged.  

the sun will be darkened,and the moon will not give its light;
the stars will fall from the sky,
and the heavenly bodies will be shaken.

Then will appear the sign of the Son of Man in heaven. And then all the peoples of the earth will mourn when they see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven, with power and great glory. And he will send 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.....

• Revelation 3/10 - 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. The phrase, τηρεῖν ἐκ occurs elsewhere in the New Testament only in John 17/1, when Jesus prays for his disciples: “I do not ask that you take them out of the world, but that you keep them from the evil one.”  This suggests that Revelation 3/10 is protection during the hour of trial (tribulation), not escape from it. The Greek τηρέω (tereo) means to watch over, to guard (Strongs No. 5083). We cannot twist this word to mean what we want it to mean.

Tribulation/persecution is not the wrath of God according to the Bible:

Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you. (Matthew 5/10-13)

Now concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our being gathered together to him (rapture), we ask you, brothers, not to be quickly shaken in mind or alarmed, either by a spirit or a spoken word, or a letter seeming to be from us, to the effect that the day of the Lord has come. Let no one deceive you in any way (the King James Version says by any means). 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 2/1-4). Paul the apostle was very concerned that believers would be deceived in this very area.

But concerning that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father only. (Matthew 24/36)

Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour. (Matthew 25/13)

Who or What is Restraining the Man of Lawlessness?

The assumption made by the pre-tribulationists is that the restrainer preventing the Antichrist from appearing is the church. In their view once the church is removed at the rapture, the Anitchrist will appear and the tribulation will begin. However once again scripture is not specific about who or what the restrainer is. The Thessalonian church knew what the restrainer was because Paul had told them:

Do you not remember that when I was still with you I told you these things? And you know what is restraining him now so that he may be revealed in his time. (2 Thessalonians 2/5-6).

It does seem odd that Paul should refer to the restrainer in this way if it was the church. Paul refers to the restrainers identity as something they knew about, but would he have said this if it was themselves i.e. the church?

Many have taught that the restrainer is the Roman Empire, some say it is the Papacy, some say that it is the Holy Spirit, some say that it is Michael the Archangel etc. The fact is that we cannot say with any degree of confidence who or what the restrainer is!

PRETRIBULATIONISM IS A THEORY

Lets remember that pretribulationism is a theory and nothing more than that, particularly in light of conflicting Bible passages. MacArthur and others teach the pre-tribulation rapture theory presumptuously. The consequences of this lethal doctrine will be dire for those Christians who do not expect to enter the tribulation; they will be unprepared for persecution; they will be thrown into confusion and they will be at great risk of abandoning their faith.

Pretribulationism is not taught in the Bible and furthermore the early church fathers did not believe in a pre-tribulation rapture. http://www.city-data.com/forum/christianity/575824-what-did-early-church-fathers-say.html

CESSATIONISM

MacArthur is also a cessationist (the gifts of the Holy Spirit ceased with the apostles). Yet again, we have MacArthur making assumptions which are not stated in the Word of God. Where is his Biblical evidence for this? Paul actually encouraged Christians to earnestly seek the gifts of the Holy Spirit:

And God has appointed in the church first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healing, helping, administrating, and various kinds of tongues. Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? Do all possess gifts of healing? Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret? But earnestly desire the higher gifts. (1 Corinthians 12/29-31)

CONCLUSION

• In respect of cessationism, John MacArthur's false assumptions are contrary to the Word of God and serve to defraud the body of Christ of precious gifts that God clearly encourages Christians to covet for the purpose of edification.

• Regarding the pre-tribulation rapture, this teaching sets Christians up for a fall from which they may not recover!

• MacArthur's grand finale concerning acceptance of the mark of the beast is unspeakably dangerous, having untold consequences, both for believers and unbelievers. How many will be eternally lost because of this man's teaching? MacArthur has actually set people up for eternal damnation – the very antithesis of what the Christian message is all about!

This man is an enemy of Christ – and he is all the more dangerous because he has the façade of orthodoxy. I really do wonder how MacArthur dares to promote such teachings without one jot of evidence from the Bible and also in contradiction to the book of Revelation concerning the mark of the beast. What a judgement this man will face for leading people astray in such a wicked way! The book of Revelation carries with it a terrible warning for those who would change it:

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 22/18-9)

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)


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IQ49HixVZmc

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5wo734i5HLI
http://www.thewatchmanwakes.com/John-Macarthur-salary-GCC-corporation-Larry-King.html