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Tuesday 27 October 2020

JONATHAN CAHN DEBUNKED: ISRAEL TRUMP AND CYRUS

THE ORACLE: Ancient Prophecy Foretelling Trump & End Times | Jonathan Cahn

Jonathan Cahn's novel The Oracle: The Jubilean Mysteries Unveiled (2019) presents specific events that allegedly correspond to biblical prophecy and the establishment of the modern-day nation of Israel. The PDF version of the book is available on https://files.charismahouse.com/pdfs/9781629996301.pdf The subject of the book is an unnamed traveller, described as "a seeker of truth", a man who receives a divine revelation from "the Oracle" on the top of a mountain. The dialogue between the traveller and the Oracle reveals "the Jubilean Mysteries" i.e. the alleged connection between the years of Jubilee and the return of the Jewish people to to their ancestral land. (Leviticus 25:10-11). Cahn's introduction reads: “What you are about to read is presented in the form of a narrative, but what is contained in the story, all that the Oracle reveals, is absolutely real.” 

The Jubilean Code

According to Cahn the Hebrew word tashuvu (you shall return) equates to the year 1948. “In this year of Jubilee each of you shall return (tashuvu) to his property. {Leviticus 25:10,13]." Cahn's thesis relies on Kabbalistic gematria rather than accepted exegetical methods.

WTCD: "When the year of the Hebrew calendar is written, the millennia number is always ‘5’, and is therefore never written (a kind of short-hand), so the 708 in this case can be interpreted by the process of Kabalistic gematria as referring to the year 5708, which just so happens to equal the Christian calendar date of 1948, the year when the modern State of Israel was declared.

The phrase (repeated twice) in Leviticus 25:10 – TaShuVU (“you shall return”) can now be interpreted according to the principles of Kabalistic gematria as – “you shall return (lacking, minus, or without the 6[,000,000] in the year [5]708).”" {1}

The Stranger

Cahn: “The prophecy was appointed to be read in every synagogue in the world. So all across the earth, in every synagogue from San Francisco to Siberia, they were reciting and chanting the prophecy of the stranger, who would come from far away to the land of Israel to bear witness of the desolation. And so the prophecy of the stranger was being proclaimed throughout the earth at the very moment the stranger was in the land fulfilling its words.” “And they had no idea.” “Nor did the stranger.” {2}

In the above quote, Cahn refers to the reading of weekly parashah, i.e. the portion of the Torah that is read each week in Jewish synagogues on the Sabbath. Cahn claims that on the particular Sabbath that Mark Twain walked through the ancient city (Jerusalem) in 1867, the remnant of Jewish people living there would have been reciting the appointed Scripture of the stranger’s visit "proclaiming it, chanting it. . . as the stranger walked in their midst.” {2} According to Cahn, Mark Twain fulfilled the prophecy of Deuteronomy 29:22-23 of "the stranger/foreigner" on account of his description of the desolation of Israel. It is true that Mark Twain did travel to what was known as Palestine in 1867, and he did describe the country as "desolate and unlovely" in his travelogue Innocents Abroad. However, this is where the similarity ends.

Mark Twain: "Palestine sits in sackcloth and ashes… the spell of a curse that has withered its fields and fettered its energies… Palestine is desolate and unlovely… It is a hopeless, dreary, heartbroken land." {3} 

Deuteronomy 29:22-23
And the next generation, your children who rise up after you, and the foreigner who comes from a far land, will say, when they see the afflictions of that land and the sicknesses with which the LORD has made it sick— the whole land burned out with brimstone and salt, nothing sown and nothing growing, where no plant can sprout, an overthrow like that of Sodom and Gomorrah, Admah, and Zeboiim, which the LORD overthrew in his anger and wrath—
 
Cahn's alleged biblical fulfilment of Mark Twain's visit to Palestine typifies his eisegetical approach to the scriptures. The reference to "the foreigner/stranger" in Deuteronomy 29:22 is a plural term that refers to the next generation..  your children.. and the foreigner. This verse is not a prophecy regarding a specific stranger/foreigner who comes from a far land several generations later. Cahn's application of these verses to Mark Twain simply because he visited Palestine and brought back a negative report is out of context. In addition, the dates he alleges for specific Jubilee years cannot be verified.
 
Cahn continues with the coincidence that this happened to Mark Twain some years after God’s judgment on Israel through the Romans in 70AD. He claims that the beginnings of Zionism are also tied to the same year. This is inaccurate. Modern Zionism emerged in the late 19th century. The political movement was formally established by the Austro-Hungarian journalist Theodor Herzl in 1897, thirty years after Mark Twain's visit to Palestine in 1867. {4} 
 
Mark Twain was the pen name for Samuel Langhorne Clemens. Cahn makes much of this name, on the basis that the meaning of Samuel in Hebrew is "God has heard". Clemens is not a Hebrew name; it is an Old French name meaning “Merciful, mild, gentle". Nevertheless Cahn interprets Samuel Clemens as "The Lord has heard.. He has now been merciful". 

Cahn fails to mention Mark Twain's bizarre unfinished novel, The Mysterious Stranger: The Chronicle of Young Satan, a story that relates three boys encounter with a mysterious stranger, Satan or No. 444. {5} 

Mark Twain was a Freemason and member of the Polar Star Lodge No. 79 of Saint Louis. 
He was also a member of the Society for Psychical Research. 
Scottish Rite: "Although there is not a great deal of evidence to point to Mark Twain’s Masonic devotion, it is clear that Freemasonry had an impact on his life, which can be seen throughout his various writings. In The Innocents Abroad, he includes many Masonic phrases such as 'great Architect of the Universe,'” {6}    

The Trump/Cyrus Connection

A number of evangelical leaders, including Lance Wallnau, Mike Evans, Jim Bakker and Jonathan Cahn have exploited the idea of Trump as a modern day King Cyrus. (Ezra 5:13).

Aljazeera: "Back in 2016, during a televised conversation on whether Trump has a 'biblical mandate' to be a president, evangelical thinker Lance Wallnau opined: 'America’s going to have a challenge […] With Trump, I believe we have a Cyrus to navigate through the storm.'” {7} 

In 2018, Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu made a comparison between Trump and King Cyrus. Netanyahu: "I want to tell you that the Jewish people have a long memory. So we remember the proclamation of the great King Cyrus the Great—Persian King. Twenty-five hundred years ago, he proclaimed that the Jewish exiles in Babylon can come back and rebuild our temple in Jerusalem." {8} 

Cahn informs us that the name Donald means "world leader" and that Trump means "trumpet". On the day of  President Trump's birth (Friday June 14the 1946), the appointed parashah was Numbers 10:1-10 i.e. the Lord's instruction to Moses regarding two silver trumpets. Cahn's justification for this dubious link: "Trump means the one who blows the trumpet". Once again Cahn's exegesis leaves much to be desired. Two silver trumpets were employed by the Israelites for various reasons: ..you shall use them for summoning the congregation and for breaking camp; to sound an alarm; at appointed feasts and the beginning of your months you shall blow the trumpets over your burnt offerings and over the sacrifices of your peace offerings. They shall be a reminder of you before your God: I am the LORD your God.”

On December 6th 2017, Trump made a proclamation recognizing Jerusalem as the capital of the State of Israel and relocating the United States Embassy to Jerusalem. Cahn speculates that 2017/18 was a Jubilee year, and he claims that "Cyrus did the same thing."  There is no evidence that Cyrus edict occurred on a Jubilee year. According to various sources there is considerable uncertainly regarding the calculation of Jubilee years. The first injunction to observe Sabbath years and Jubilee years was given to Moses, to be observed "When you enter the land I am giving you.." (Leviticus 25:1-4, 8-10). According to Chabad.org the Jubilee was not regularly observed after the Assyrians conquered the Northern Kingdom of Israel in the 6th century BC. As such Cahn's claims for various Jubilee years are speculative. 

Chabad.org: "..the last time there was a biblical requirement to observe the Jubilee was about 150 years before the destruction of the First Temple."  {9}

Cahn: "The building of the house decreed by Cyrus came at the end of a period of seventy years. The house decreed by President Trump was inaugurated on May 14, 2018. It was inaugurated exactly seventy years from the birth of Israel—to the exact day!" {10}

Cahn: "'[Cyrus'] proclamation was linked to a house,' says the protagonist in The Oracle. 'It specifically directed the construction of a house; it decreed a building to be built in Jerusalem. So if the American president is following the template of the ancient king, could his declaration follow that of the ancient proclamation? Could it likewise decree that a house be established, a building be built, in Jerusalem?..'" {11}

Cahn's reference to "a house" is another distortion of the scriptures. Cyrus edict is mentioned twice in the scriptures (2 Chronicles 36:22-23 and Ezra 1:1-4). In both accounts, Cyrus' edict specifically concerns the subject of the Second Jerusalem Temple. In contrast, Trump's declaration concerned the US Embassy in Jerusalem. Cahn's incomplete comparison between the two "houses" is a misleading analogy that has no scriptural precedent. 

Cyrus' Edict

Cahn's seventy year comparison between Israel's release from Babylonian captivity and Trump's declaration only partially matches his thesis. When we examine all the facts, a definite correlation between Cyrus/Trump and a seventy year mystery is questionable.

Trump issued his declaration concerning Jerusalem in his first year as president, precisely 70 years after the UN Resolution in 1947. Cahn: "Seventy years before Trump’s 2017 declaration was 1947—the very year that Israel was voted back into existence."    

King Cyrus made his edict in his first year after the 70 years of Israel in captivity according to the prophecy of Jeremiah:  

“For thus says the LORD: When seventy years are completed for Babylon, I will visit you, and I will fulfill to you my promise and bring you back to this place. (Jeremiah 29:10 cf. Daniel 9:2).   

In the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, to fulfill the word of the LORD spoken through Jeremiah, the LORD stirred the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia to send a proclamation throughout his kingdom and to put it in writing as follows: “This is what Cyrus king of Persia says: ‘The LORD, the God of heaven, who has given me all the kingdoms of the earth, has appointed me to build a house for Him at Jerusalem in Judah. Whoever among you belongs to His people, may the LORD his God be with him, and may he go up.’ ” (2 Chronicles 36:22-23).

In the first year of King Cyrus, he issued a decree concerning the house of God in Jerusalem:
Let the house be rebuilt as a place for offering sacrifices, and let its foundations be firmly laid. It is to be sixty cubits high and sixty cubits wide, with three layers of cut stones and one of timbers. The costs are to be paid from the royal treasury. Furthermore, the gold and silver articles of the house of God, which Nebuchadnezzar took from the temple in Jerusalem and carried to Babylon, must also be returned to the temple in Jerusalem and deposited in the house of God. (Ezra 6:3-5).

Cyrus the Great was an ancient world leader who had, or rather was given, sole authority to sanction the rebuilding of the Second Temple and the return of the Jewish exiles. Cyrus' edict was inclusive of both these events, whereas Trump's declaration related to neither of these things. Trump's declaration occurred after a seventy year gap from the birth of Israel and the reversal of the diaspora. Israel's Declaration of Independence on May 14th 1948 contained no hint of a third Jewish temple. Trump's declaration concerning Jerusalem was limited to the United States, it was rejected by the majority of world leaders. Unlike Cyrus, Trump is not an autocrat i.e. he does not have the power to sanction anything concerning Jerusalem outside his own sphere influence. According to the international standards, Jerusalem is a divided city.  

Cyrus was called by name i.e. Isaiah's prophecy applies specifically to Cyrus: “Thus says the Lord to his anointed, to Cyrus.. For the sake of my servant Jacob, and Israel my chosen, I call you by your name, I name you, though you do not know me. (Isaiah 45:1-4). Exegetically, Cahn's allusion to "Trump and trumpet" is not a credible proposition when compared with the precise information given in Isaiah 45. 
 
Cyrus the Great (c. 559 – 530 BC) 

The popular view concerning King Cyrus is that approximately 150 years before he was born, he was called by name in the book of Isaiah as the deliverer of the Jews from their seventy year long Babylonian captivity. The Jewish historian Josephus states that Cyrus was made aware of material from the book of Isaiah and that he was motivated to fulfill the prophecy. (Isaiah 44:28; 45:1ff).

Antiquities of the Jews — Book XI

“Thus saith Cyrus the King: since God Almighty hath appointed me to be King of the habitable earth, I believe that He is that God, which the nation of the Israelites worship. For indeed he foretold my name by the Prophets, and that I should build him an house at Jerusalem, in the countrey of Judea.”
2. This was known to Cyrus by his reading the book which Isaiah left behind him of his Prophecies. For this Prophet said, that God had spoken thus to him in a secret vision: “My will is, that Cyrus, whom I have appointed to be King over many and great nations, send back my people to their own land, and build my temple.” This was foretold by Isaiah one hundred and forty years before the temple was demolished. Accordingly when Cyrus read this, and admired the divine power, an earnest desire and an ambition seized upon him, to fulfil what was so written. {12} 

There are a number of problems with Josephus' account. Josephus was a first century Romano-Jewish historian. This puts hundreds of years between him and the events in question. As far as we know, Josephus did not have independent sources to validate his version of Cyrus' calling. (2 Corinthians 13:1). Biblical scholars generally agree that the book of Isaiah has at least three distinct timelines and was written by at least three different authors, referred to as Proto-Isaiah, Deutero-Isaiah and Trito-Isaiah. Chapters 1-39 (Proto-Isaiah) is thought to have been written by the eighth century prophet Isaiah. However, there is compelling evidence that  chapters 40-45 (Deutero-Isaiah) was written during the sixth century BC. Not only is there a significant break in language, content, themes, style and theology, the events are described as past events. This evidence puts considerable doubt upon Josephus' claim that Cyrus was called before his birth. As such, it is unlikely that Deutero-Isaiah was a prediction of a future Persian ruler since Cyrus was already living at that time. 

The Third Temple

The Oracle: "A question,” I said. “Since in the ancient decree the house was the Temple, could what happened in 2018, the establishment of the house in Jerusalem, be a foreshadowing of a future rebuilding of the other house, the Temple?” “It could,” he said. “Remember, each Jubilean event is only the beginning and sets in motion the course for the next Jubilean cycle. So the Jubilee of 2017 had set in motion a course of events." {13}

The political maneuverings around Jerusalem and Trump's 2017 declaration may well be a precursor for the Third Temple. However, Cahn's partially accurate speculations are scripturally defective and are a distraction from biblical eschatology. (1 John 4:1).

There is no scriptural mandate for the Jews to build a Third Temple on the Temple Mount in Jerusalem.
However many people would disagree, including radical fringe groups of Orthodox Jews (The Temple Institute and the Temple Mount and Eretz Yisrael Faithful Movement). Support for a Third Temple is strong in certain quarters, including many evangelical Christians who believe that the building of the Third Temple is necessary in order to fulfill bible prophecy. I do not doubt that the prophecies will be fulfilled, only that the outcome will be very different to what is expected. The apostle Paul referred to the coming temple as the seat of the man of lawlessness where he (the Antichrist) will perform the abomination of desolation before the great and terrible day of the Lord. (Joel 2:31 cf. 1 John 2:18). 

Now concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our being gathered together to him, 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. 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. Do you not remember that when I was still with you I told you these things? (2 Thessalonians 2:1-17; cf. Daniel 9:24-27,  11:31, 12:11; Matthew 24:15; Revelation 11:1-2, 13:1-18). 

I regard Cahn's book, The Oracle, as a demonically inspired occult work with loose connections to events and dates based on half truths, numerology, speculation and mysticism (Kabbalah).

1.   http://wtcdemolition.com/blog/node/1351
2.   https://files.charismahouse.com/pdfs/9781629996301.pdf page 44
3.   http://www.literaturepage.com/read/twain-innocents-abroad-458.html
4.   https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_Zionism
5.   https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/102564.The_Mysterious_Stranger
6.   https://scott,ishritenmj.org/blog/the-masonic-life-of-mark-twain
7.   https://www.aljazeera.com/opinions/2019/4/11/is-trump-a-king-cyrus-or-a-queen-esther/
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Friday 16 October 2020

JONATHAN CAHN ~ THE RETURN: PROPHETIC WORD TO AMERICA

Prophetic Word to America - Jonathan Cahn At 'The Return'
https://www.youtube.com/watch?

Jonathan Cahn is a well known Messianic rabbi and author of a number of books, including bestselling novel The Harbinger: The Ancient Mystery that holds the Secret of America's Future (2012). The Return was an event specifically based on Cahn's "harbinger" theme i.e. his "prophetic" view that nine parallel harbingers show a connection between ancient Israel's destruction and a possible coming destruction of present-day America. The event was promoted by Cahn as "A global day of prayer and repentance" on the National Mall in Washington DC on Saturday September 26th 2020. 

Good News Florida: "Believers and leaders from every walk of life are already part of 'The Return' include Dr. James Dobson, Pat Robertson, Ann Graham Lotz, Alveda King, Kevin Jessip, Michele Bachmann, Gordon Robertson, Marcus Lamb, Bishop Harry Jackson—and many more."  {1}

Cahn's books are published by the Charisma Media Group whose Founder and CEO is Stephen Strang, an "apostle" with ties to the New Apostolic Reformation. 

Cahn's associates include Benny Hinn, Kenneth Copeland, Jim Bakker, Sid Roth, Pat Robertson, Morris Cerullo, John Paul Jackson etc. All these teachers follow an ecumenical agenda at odds with the scriptures and all of them promote an end time "revival". 

The Return: "Now we move forward together for worldwide revival and the end-time harvest foretold in the Scriptures." {2} 

The scriptures warn about false prophets, apostasy and wickedness in the last days, not revival. (Matthew 24:5-12; 2 Timothy 3:1-9). 

Cahn does not claim to be a "prophet". As such it is difficult to hold him accountable to Deuteronomy 18:22. However, his reticence on that score is something of a misnomer since The Return was promoted as a "prophetic announcement". Cahn's title "rabbi" is antithetical to the New Testament. Jesus Christ stated unequivocally that no one should be called "rabbi" (Matthew 23:8). Cahn is very careful to make loose predictions and ambiguous statements with disclaimers without actually saying anything definite. His books are presented as "fiction" and yet he claims divine insight. Cahn is very careful not to say that America is actually in "covenant relationship" with God. However this is what he constantly infers.

Cahn: “Those who laid America’s foundations saw it as a new Israel, an Israel of the New World. And as with ancient Israel, they saw it as in covenant with God.’” {3}   

God's covenant is with individuals from every tribe, nation and language and is entered into exclusively by grace through faith in Jesus Christ. (Revelation 7:9; John 3:16; Romans 3:21-26; Ephesians 2:8-9). America can claim no special distinction amongst the nations before God. (Romans 3:23).

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. (Matthew 28:19).

But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. Once you were not a people, but now you are God’s people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy. (1 Peter 2:9-10).

I have not read Cahn's book The Harbinger and I am unlikely to do so. However, I have listened to his audio The Harbinger On Audio. {4} Cahn claims that: "..there are only two nations in world history founded and dedicated from their inception upon God -  they are Israel and America." {5} 

The Myth: America's Puritan Foundations

It is important to note that the Pilgrims/Puritans were not the first to land in America, nor did they discover it.

Cahn argues as historical fact that American civilization was founded exactly 400 years ago by the Puritans who set sail from Plymouth on the Mayflower in 1620. The Mayflower set sail with up to 30 crew and 102 passengers on board. Forty one of the passengers were Puritans who were also known as "Separatists". Cahn identifies Plymouth Massachusetts as the first foundation of American civilization, and he specifically draws attention to the The Mayflower Compact. {6} Cahn fails to point out that the Anglicans had already established colonies in America prior to 1620.

Jamestown Virginia, America’s first permanent English colony, was founded in 1607, thirteen years before the Puritans landed at Plymouth Massachusetts on the Mayflower. The Jamestown charter was granted by King James to the Virginia Company on April 10th 1606. The Anglican leaders of the Virginia Company of London oversaw the original charter.

Text of The Jamestown Charter

"Wee, greately commending and graciously accepting of theire desires to the furtherance of soe noble a worke which may, by the providence of Almightie God, hereafter tende to the glorie of His Divine Maiestie in propogating of Christian religion to suche people as yet live in darkeness and miserable ignorance of the true knowledge and worshippe of God and may in tyme bring the infidels and salvages living in those parts to humane civilitie and to a settled and quiet governmente.." 

 "Jamestown was sponsored by the Virginia Company of London, a group of investors who hoped to profit from the venture. Chartered in 1606 by King James I, the company also supported English national goals of counterbalancing the expansion of other European nations abroad, seeking a northwest passage to the Orient, and converting the Virginia Indians to the Anglican religion." {7} 

The original Jamestown charter was subsequently followed by three further charters:

The Second charter of the Virginia Company of London, 1609 
The Third Charter of the Virginia Company of London, 1612 
The Great Charter November 18, 1618
Dissolution of the Charter - The Jamestown Massacre in 1622 {8}


The Mayflower Compact was signed on the 11th November 1620 on board the Mayflower. Nothing in the Mayflower Compact dedicates America as a nation to God. The Mayflower Compact was the first governing document of the Plymouth Colony i.e. its application and relevance was limited to that particular geographical area.

Text of The Mayflower Compact:

In the name of God, Amen. We whose names are under-written, the loyal subjects of our dread sovereign Lord, King James, by the grace of God, of Great Britain, France, and Ireland King, Defender of the Faith, etc.

Having undertaken, for the glory of God, and advancement of the Christian faith, and honor of our King and Country, a voyage to plant the first colony in the northern parts of Virginia, do by these presents solemnly and mutually, in the presence of God, and one of another, covenant and combine our selves together into a civil body politic, for our better ordering and preservation and furtherance of the ends aforesaid; and by virtue hereof to enact, constitute, and frame such just and equal laws, ordinances, acts, constitutions and offices, from time to time, as shall be thought most meet and convenient for the general good of the Colony, unto which we promise all due submission and obedience. In witness whereof we have hereunder subscribed our names at Cape Cod, the eleventh of November [New Style, November 21], in the year of the reign of our sovereign lord, King James, of England, France, and Ireland, the eighteenth, and of Scotland the fifty-fourth. Anno Dom. 1620.

The Arbella 1630

Cahn misquotes Puritan leader John Winthrop who travelled on the Arbella in 1630 and founded the Massachusetts Bay Colony with 900 Puritans.

Cahn: "He (Winthrop) was saying that our nation shall be as a 'city on a hill." {9}

Winthrop was referring to Massachusetts Bay Colony, NOT TO AMERICA AS A WHOLE.

"While crossing the Atlantic Ocean aboard the Arbella, Winthrop delivered a renowned sermon entitled 'A Modell of Christian Charity.' Winthrop compared the flight of the Puritans to the story of Exodus. He described the future colony as an ideal Puritan society, where colonists could uphold their obligations to God and one another. Winthrop believed that the world was watching this grand Puritan experiment and, in an echo of Jesus's words in Matthew chapter 5:14, he declared that Massachusetts 'shall be as a city on a hill." {10} 

Winthrop’s sermon has been quoted out of context by almost every president to hold office including John F Kennedy, Lyndon Johnson, Richard Nixon, Jimmy Carter, Ronald Reagan, George HW Bush, Bill Clinton, and Barack Obama.

National Endowment For The Humanities: "..the content of Winthrop’s sermon—what {Perry} Miller thought Winthrop was actually saying or proposing as a model—differed radically from what Reagan and others would make of it. According to Miller, this sermon called Puritans to model radical communal solidarity. It had nothing to do with the American Dream, nothing to do with bettering one’s life, nothing at all to do with making money or getting ahead. In fact, Miller claimed, Winthrop specifically rejected all such ideas. Going it alone, pulling ahead of others, getting rich or even trying to—these were the very dangers that Winthrop sought to guard against. Society’s success depended instead on mutual affection, being 'knit together in this work as one man.'" {11} 

Cahn also quoted from George Washington's Inaugural Address in which he affirmed America's relationship to God. Washington's precise phrase was "that Almighty Being". Since George Washington was a Freemason, we might legitimately question whether his faith was biblical, or whether he followed the ambiguous Great Architect of the Universe. George Washington was influenced by the Illuminati or “luminaries", a movement rooted in the Enlightenment. {12} America was allegedly consecrated to God in 1789 at today's ground zero in New York, a fact that Cahn finds "prophetic". 

It is reasonable to conclude that America consisted of pockets of believers from 1620, but it is also apparent that there were other influences at work in the country both before and after the Mayflower landing. This is evidenced by the Masonic symbols interwoven into American architecture and society, in particular, the Great Seal of the United States and other national seals, the symbols on the dollar bill, the layout of Washington DC etc. In fact several "founding fathers", such as George Washington, Benjamin Franklin and James Monroe were Freemasons.

Isaiah 9:10: The bricks have fallen, but we will build with dressed stones; the sycamores have been cut down, but we will put cedars in their place.”

Three leading politicians quoted Isaiah 9:10 following 9/11: Tom Daschle, John Edwards and Barack Obama. Isaiah 9:10 was Israel's vow of defiance against God after they had been struck by the Assyrians.  

Obama signed a beam laid at the WTC memorial with the words "We remember, we rebuild, we come back stronger." on June 14 2012. He also quoted Isaiah 9:10 on January 2009 in his first State of the Union address.


Barack Obama 2012


Tom Daschle Speech, 09/12/01 -  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ukYiWd3T9sk
John Edwards September 11 2004 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ts1IOn57a6s&t=10s

Cahn: “Like Daschle, Edwards thinks he’s invoking inspirational and comforting words from the Bible, but he’s actually inviting judgment on America.. He’s repeating the vow that provoked God to bring calamity on ancient Israel.” I find it hard to accept that leading politicians would publicly quote Israel's vow of defiance against God in Isaiah 9:10 without knowing the context as Cahn indicates. 

Cahn teaches that the terrorist attacks of 9/11 and the events that followed were warning signs of impending judgment or "harbingers". He sticks to the official script regarding 9/11, i.e. that it was a terrorist attack carried out by al-Qaeda. However numerous anomalies have arisen that have shed doubt on the official explanation, and several people, including myself, question this portrayal of the 9/11 disaster. 

The renewal of the Consecration of the United States of America to "the blessed Virgin Mary" was managed exclusively by the Roman Catholic Church:

LA Catholics: "On Friday, May 1, Archbishop José H. Gomez of Los Angeles and president of the USCCB, led the Renewal of the Consecration of the United States of America to the Blessed Virgin Mary. The U.S. bishops joined the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops in renewing the consecrations of the two nations to the care of our Blessed Mother."  {13} 

Cahn's Breaking Of The Vessel 

It is ominous that Cahn's "prophetic act" of smashing the vessel took place at the Mall in Washington DC at the southern tip of the occult inverted pentagram directly in front of the obelisk. Cahn's use of masonic hand signals is evident throughout this event. I refer in particular to his frequent upward pointing index finger (pointer).

Cahn: "How can God bless a nation that wars against His ways, that blasphemes His name, that silences his Word and vilifies those who uphold it, that sheds the blood of over sixty million of its children."

Cahn smashed the vessel in front of many "professing Christians" as a replay of Jeremiah 19. He specifically called out the sin of abortion as one of the primary reasons for God's impending judgement against America. The awful sin of abortion is a symptom of godlessness. However, pervasive sin in every area of society is the disease that can only be healed by the new birth. (John 3:3). 

The chronic sin Cahn fails to acknowledge is the sin of ecumenism. Cahn loudly protests the sin of abortion, but he deliberately ignores the millions of souls lost due to the false works gospel of Roman Catholicism. The inevitable prospect of spiritual death and eternal damnation awaits countless numbers of people deceived by the imitation gospel of the ecumenical movement. (2 Corinthians 11:4). 

The Return was a politically motivated event and a call to vote for Donald Trump who, like Cahn, is deeply involved with many false NAR Dominionist leaders who are guilty of the many things that Cahn supposedly speaks out against. 

Shabbat Shuvah

Cahn: "When this day was chosen for The Return, nobody realized, no one had any idea.. It turned out that this day was a sacred day set apart on the biblical Hebrew calendar from ancient times. It is called  Shabbat Shuvah. Shabbat means the sabbath, that's Saturday which is right now, but the key word is Shuvah. What does it mean? Shuvah means the return..  This day was specifically consecrated as the day of repentance of return to God for the return of a nation.."  

I find it surprising that Cahn, a "rabbi", was unaware that the 26th of September was Shabbat Shuvah/The Sabbath of Return. I am inclined to think that this date was specifically chosen for The Return to fit in with Cahn's spiel. In any event, there are discrepancies between Rabbi Hillel's lunisolar calendar and Jewish holidays.

"..there are discrepancies between his (Hillel's) calendar and the astronomical reality. This is a serious problem the Sanhedrin is taking steps to gradually fix." {14}

Cahn's involvement with the New Apostolic Reformation is a clear indication that he has a different agenda that is completely at odds with the scriptures. He works on the assumption that America's alleged special position before God through its Christian foundations is relevant to individuals living in America today. This assumption is not only false, it is a denial of the gospel of Jesus Christ who calls individuals out of the world, from darkness into his marvelous light. (John 17:6; 1 Peter 2:9). 

I regard Jonathan Cahn as an extremely dangerous man. (Matthew 24:24; Ephesians 6:12).

..the whole world lies in the power of the evil one. (1 John 5:19).

 




1.  https://www.goodnewsfl.org/the-return-a-movement-for-thousands-to-pray-for-repentance-on-the-washington-mall-sept-26/
2.  https://www.thereturn.org/
3.  https://www.facebook.com/notes/jonathan-cahn/jonathan-cahn-answers-dr-ice/461538227203199/
4.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vqb0Qc_Cr9Q
5.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vqb0Qc_Cr9Q
6.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vqb0Qc_Cr9Q
7.  https://www.historyisfun.org/jamestown-settlement/history-jamestown/
8   https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Virginia_Company#The_charters_of_the_Virginia_Company_of_
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Saturday 3 October 2020

PULPIT AND PEN ~ JD HALL'S DEFECTIVE VIEW OF THE CHURCH

According to Reformed fundamentalist JD Hall, unless you are in "covenant membership" with a local church then you are not a Christian! Whatever happened to faith alone! (Galatians 5:6). He made this astonishing statement during a twenty-minute recorded telephone conversation with Joshua Chavez some time ago. {1} 

JD Hall has been challenged on a number of occasions concerning his aggressive/abusive treatment of others. One can only assume that his ungodly behavior is based on his deviant view of God as some kind of ogre who predestines some people to everlasting life and foreordains others to everlasting death as per the Westminster Confession Chapter 3. JD Hall graphically demonstrates how one's behavior reflects a defective mindset and unsound foundational beliefs. (Proverbs 23:7). The believer is instructed: Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind. (Romans 12:2 cf. Ephesians 4:23 cf. Colossians 3:10). However, the desired transformation cannot take place on the back of a false foundation and faulty exegesis. (1 Corinthians 3:13). If your view of God is warped and you reject Him as the loving creator who desires every person to be saved, then inevitably the value you put upon others will manifest itself in some horrible distortion. (1 Timothy 2:4, Ezekiel 18:23, 32, John 3:17). 

Garret Mullet ~ Empowering JD Hall Hurts Good People and Worthy Causes 25th January 2020: "He wanted to know where I attended church and who my pastor, elders, and deacons were." {2} This is the standard weapon that JD Hall uses against those who dare to disagree with him. He regularly anathematizes and heaps condemnation upon those who are unwilling to submit to his own warped version of the church.

The true church consists of a remnant of faithful believers.

JD Hall's view of church membership is highly problematic from a scriptural perspective. 

The scriptures do not require believers to enter into "formal membership" or to "covenant" with a local church. A formal covenant often takes the form of a legally binding extrabiblical contract or an oath or a promise. This violates the biblical principle of going beyond a simple ‘Yes’ or ‘No’; anything more than this comes from evil. (Matthew 5:34-37). Church covenants become onerous when disputes arise that cannot be easily resolved at a later stage. Invariably people who are unwilling to sign a membership covenant are excluded from fully participating in the affairs of the church and are relegated as second class Christians. This undermines their true position in Christ. (1 Corinthians 12:13). The bible is clear that the nature of submission and authority is voluntary. (Hebrews 13:17). Fellowship with other believers depends upon how we walk, not upon binding one sided covenants according to man made structures. See the article published by the Wartburg Watch entitled “Church Membership Covenants – Legal Contracts That Are Not Biblical!”

But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin. (1 John 1:6-7).

JD Hall's popish anathematization of genuine believers who have withdrawn from the visible church is tantamount to verbal persecution. (Matthew 5:11-12). His reproaches are nothing less than a reversal of the biblical instruction to come out and be separate, not only from the world but from the corrupt church system that has overwhelmed Christendom. (2 Corinthians 6:17; Revelation 18:4). Therefore let us go to him outside the camp and bear the reproach he endured. (Hebrews 13:13). JD Hall has no scriptural authority to pronounce pontifical judgements of this kind against believers: "If you are not a part of a church you do not get to attack the church - you don't even get to admonish the church lovingly.." {1} Who is JD Hall to decide who is, and who is not, part of the true body of Christ? The Lord knows those who are His.. (2 Timothy 2:19). Instead of anathematizing others, JD Hall should examine himself to see whether he is in the faith. (2 Corinthians 13:5; Romans 2:1). 

The overwhelming experience of large numbers of believers in these difficult times is that faithful churches are the exception rather than the rule. (Acts 20:29-10; 1 Timothy 4:1). Many believers have resorted to meeting in small groups out of sheer necessity in order to remain uncontaminated by the massive infiltration of false doctrines and ungodly practices within the visible church. (Matthew 8:20; 2 Corinthians 11:4). Whether JD Hall likes it or not, the Lord actually requires the faithful remnant of believers to separate themselves. Therefore do not be partakers with them. (Ephesians 5:7).

JD Hall's cult, I mean church: Fellowship Baptist Church in Sidney Montana. {3}

Does JD Hall seriously think that any true believer in their right mind would involve themselves with a church whose pastor reportedly bullies and abuses his own members, even to the point that those who have come into conflict with him are actually in fear for their physical safety? 😮 The Protestant tyrant John Calvin ran Geneva like a gulag from 1541 to 1564. JD Hall is Calvin's disciple indeed! 

Garrett Mullett: "Never before JD Hall had I encountered attendees, members, or leaders of a church – past or present – afraid for their physical safety or that of their family after conflict with a pastor. Yet I have heard such concerns more than once with regards to Jordan and his church." {2}  

JD Hall: "The church in Corinth had all sorts of problems - they were puffed up, they were embracing a sin. Paul rebukes the daylights out of that guy, he rebukes the church. What's interesting is that he doesn't tell the church to disband, he doesn't tell anyone to leave the church - they are to embrace that church in spite of its flaws .. trying to reform the church and call into ?? holiness lifestyle character and conduct.."  {1}

Paul's first letter to the Corinthians demonstrates the initial stages of correction and godly discipline. In Paul's second letter we see that his rebuke had produced godly sorrow and repentance, so much so that he could say: "I rejoice that I can have complete confidence in you." (2 Corinthians 7:9-10). How would Paul have reacted if the Corinthians had not repented and expelled the immoral brother?  His earlier warnings indicate that their very existence as a church was at stake: Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality, nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. (1 Corinthians 6:9-10). If the Corinthians had obstinately refused to repent, I have no doubt of the eventual outcome: But now I am writing you not to associate with anyone who claims to be a brother but is sexually immoral or greedy, an idolater or a verbal abuser, a drunkard or a swindler. With such a man do not even eat. (1 Corinthians 6:9).. I am afraid that when I come again, my God will humble me before you, and I will be grieved (penthēsō) over many who have sinned earlier and have not repented of their acts of impurity, sexual immorality, and debauchery. (2 Corinthians 12:21). Strongs: "penthéō – properly, grieve over a death; (figuratively) to grieve over a personal hope (relationship) that dies, i.e. comes to divine closure ('ends')." {4} For JD Hall to say that we should 'embrace the church in spite of its flaws' is unbiblical. There are offences that believers should not 'put up with". (2 Corinthians 11:4 cf. Titus 3:10). 

Note: Paul's change of tone in chapters 10-13 suggests a further deterioration in his relationship with the Corinthian church. However, the general consensus, following Semler's argument, is that the book is not chronological and that these chapters represent an earlier stage in the conflict. {5} 

JD Hall erroneously claims that communion can only take place in a church building overseen by an ordained minister. Once again he defers to the traditions of men in the form of the Westminster Confession Chapter 29. (Mark 7:13). The scriptures make no such stipulation. (1 Corinthians 11:23-26).

Reading through the various disgraceful episodes of JD Hall, it appears that he is nothing less than a Reformed version of reviler Jacob Prasch: 

The Wartburg Watch 2020: JD Hall and Friends: "Theological Thuggery'" and Braxton Caner’s Suicide: "It is the opinion of TWW that JD Hall, Dustin Germain, and Alan Maricle overstepped the boundaries of decency, love and good judgment in engaging or speaking about Braxton Caner. Even more despicable, one has judged him as unsaved after his death. I believe that we speak for the majority of the Christian community in condemning these men for their actions and words. They all need to step down from their positions of leadership for 'a meaningful period.'" {6}

The Phoenix Preacher: "In harassing young Braxton Caner he was harassing Ergun Caner by proxy.. It was immature, cruel, and unworthy of a Christian minister.. often the thinnest of lines separate being a reformer from an abuser.." {7} 

On The Rocks Blog: On The Ejection of Pastor Jordan Hall From a Dickinson Church {8}
JD Hall's confrontational style is unlikely to win him any converts. I have no doubt what would happen if anyone interrupted his church service complete with body cameras as a publicity stunt.

The Rosaria Butterfield spat between James White and JD Hall in 2019 is a perfect example of JD Halls unbridled aggression. Even though I have no affinity with James White, and even though I disagree with him about Rosaria Butterfield, I found myself listening to a reasonable person calmly putting his points forward in a sane manner. In contrast, JD Hall's response was an ugly example of truth minus grace. (John 1:17). JD Hall may have won the "argument", but his performance did nothing for his reputation as a reviler and a bully. {9}

James White: "Tis the season to have to respond to another low in internet 'polemics,' and so we did, responding to JD Hall’s show, which featured a picture he trolled from my social media feed, “'James White is What Would Happen if Ignorance and Arrogance Had a Love Child.' Yep, that’s the title, and the substance matched the same level of childishness. It is particularly worrisome that JD’s memory is becoming twisted by his insistence upon being RIGHT about everything. He is now making things up as he goes along. In any case, we demonstrate the massive holes in his diatribe and continue to stand against his efforts to bully and slander others with impunity." {10}

JD Hall has no problem dishing out directives to others, but when it comes to obeying the law of the land he operates by a different set of rules. (Romans 13:1-7). His response when challenged about texting whilst driving at 70mph: “I’m perfectly fine with the entire world knowing I text and drive. I also refuse to wear a seatbelt because I don’t like being told what to do.” {11}

Following JD Hall's gutter press tactics regarding the fake marriage of Joshua Chavez. {12} 
JD Hall: "In the days since we first reported this incident, using his wife’s words publicized in various public formats, she has since reached out to us one-on-one. We have put her in touch with a Titus 2 type older woman (we promised not to have any knowledge of their private counseling, which would remain confidential) who could provide counsel from the Bible. We have offered her all of our resources for her to receive counseling near her home." {13} No doubt Chavez's "wife" does need counselling, but I question the wisdom of reaching out to Pulpit and Pen for spiritual guidance. Given JD Hall's past performances, I would not count on his confidentiality if it happens to conflict with his agenda!

For an overseer, as God’s steward, must be above reproach. He must not be arrogant or quick-tempered or a drunkard or violent or greedy for gain, but hospitable, a lover of good, self-controlled, upright, holy, and disciplined. He must hold firm to the trustworthy word as taught, so that he may be able to give instruction in sound doctrine and also to rebuke those who contradict it. (Titus 1:7-9).Pulpit and Pen’s over-wrought response to online church
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Thursday 24 September 2020

JOHN MACARTHUR ~ JD HALL: PERVERTED DOCTRINES AND SIX DEGREES OF KEVIN BACON

John MacArthur teaches false doctrine on so many different levels that it is not possible to address every one of them adequately in a single post. This initial post is an overview and a critique of the doctrines and practices of John MacArthur and his apologist JD Hall. 

The blasphemous doctrines of Calvinism via TULIP take the scriptures to hideous extremes that were never intended by the NT writers under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. Calvinism (aka Reformed Theology) has its roots in Augustinianism not in the scriptures. The teaching that only a chosen few are saved (limited atonement) destroys Jesus' carte blanche invitation to all men. (John 3:16; 1 John 2:2). All five TULIP points are interdependent and severely obstruct biblical soteriology. As a result, Calvinism horribly misrepresents the true gospel of Jesus Christ. (1 Timothy 4:1).

But I am afraid that as the serpent deceived Eve by his cunning, your thoughts will be led astray from a sincere and pure devotion to Christ. For if someone comes and proclaims another Jesus than the one we proclaimed, or if you receive a different spirit from the one you received, or if you accept a different gospel from the one you accepted, you put up with it readily enough. (2 Corinthians 11:3-4).
  
MacArthur's errors do not end with the wicked doctrines of Calvinism. He also teaches cessationism and the false pre-tribulation rapture theory. MacArthur and his sidekick Phil Johnson have prevaricated, but have never managed to dispel two further false teachings peddled by MacArthur:
  • The denigration of the Blood of the Jesus. {1}
  • The assertion that it will be possible to take the mark of the beast without being disqualified from salvation. (Revelation 14:9-11). {2} 
Six degrees of Kevin Bacon?

MacArthur has been vociferously attacked and accused of partnering with various false teachers, including Rick Warren, Greg Laurie and New Age sympathizer and devout Catholic, Roma Downey. He was due to speak at the NRB Proclaim Conference in 2019 with these heretics until he pulled out due to "illness", although I suspect that adverse publicity played a part in his withdrawal. {3}




MacArthur's dubious associations have been dismissed by JD Hall of Pulpit and Pen as being analogous to a Six Degrees of Kevin Bacon scenario, i.e. no person on earth is further apart than six degrees from another person. {4}

The NRB is an ecumenical "Christian Media Convention" claiming to be a network of "influential Christian communicators". 

The list of NRB 2021 Sponsors/Speakers/Musicians include Reagan Rose, Director of Digital Platforms Grace to You. Other names include Norm Mintle Executive Producer TBN, John Turver, former VP of Marketing for CBN and other false teachers. 

Reagan Rose is the Director of Digital Platforms at Grace to You, the media ministry of pastor John MacArthur. He is also the creator of Redeeming Productivity, a blog and podcast about how Christians should approach getting things done from a biblical perspective.







On the NRB Board of Directors is Chief Operating Officer of Grace To You Jay Flowers along with Jim Kirkland  Executive Director of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, Gordon Robertson CEO of CBN etc. {5} 

Jay Flowers
   Jay Flowers is the Chief Operating Officer of Grace to You, the 
   media ministry of John MacArthur, overseeing the day-to-day 
   operations of the organization. 
   In 1989, after graduating with a degree in communication from The 
   Master’s College, Jay began his career with Grace to You as a writer. He met 
   his bride, Stephanie, at a home Bible study in 1998 and married her as soon 
   as possible. He and Stephanie have two children, Madeline and Mason, 
   and minister as part of part of Grace Community Church where 
   John MacArthur serves as pastor.

 




JD Hall regarding biblical separation: "I believe in one degree by Biblical command, but might be open to more depending upon the sheer lunacy or radical heresy of the situation."  {6)

In reality, the "sheer lunacy or radical heresy of the situation" is that MacArthur's team at Grace to You are closely involved with NRB behind the scenes, and it appears that they are quite prepared to ditch their professed opposition to ecumenism. This is no "Kevin Bacon" fluke at all! 

In addition, Calvinist discernment sites have no reservations in aligning themselves with known heretics on the basis of their defiance of Covid restrictions. JD Hall, now of Protestia, ran a positive article on the Bethel-led revivals by Sean Feucht. {7} No mention was made of their cult status and the likelihood that false converts are being produced. Also, Reformation Charlotte ran an article on Jim Caviezel, the ultra orthodox Catholic, who supports ministers like John MacArthur for their stand. No caveat appeared on the website that Roman Catholicism is incompatible with Reformed Theology. {8} Both websites are in agreement with John MacArthur, who, after receiving a congratulatory call from Donald Trump, stated that genuine Christians should vote for him. What difference is there between this and Trump's close association with the NAR? Will we see MacArthur holding hands NAR leaders next? Trump may outwardly profess some "Christian" values in comparison with his opponents. However his association with false teachers Paula White, Kenneth Copeland etc. speaks for itself. If we are to believe Michael Cohen, Trump's former personal attorney and "fixer", Trump privately derides these NAR leaders and their practices:

"Speaking to Cohen after Trump gathered religious leaders at Trump Tower in the lead up to the 2016 presidential race, an encounter during which they asked to 'lay hands' on him, Trump asked Cohen, according to the book: 'Can you believe that bullsh*t?…Can you believe people believe that bullsh*t?' {9} 

Trump: "These ‘Abraham Accords’, a name chosen by the US administration, open the door to 'Arabs and Israelis, Muslims, Jews, and Christians to live together, pray together, and dream together, side by side, in harmony, community, and peace'” {10}
  
Isn't this what the Antichrist will do? (Daniel 9:27). I am not suggesting that Trump is the Antichrist, but rather that he is paving the way for the Antichrist. 


JD Hall demonstrates how NOT to preach the gospel!

JD Hall's video Terminus of Servus Christi was rendered impotent due to his deviation from known facts gained from second hand sources. {11}  Even those who have called out Joshua Chavez as a wolf found themselves unable to support this piece of gutter style journalism. (Matthew 7:16). {12}

Much more could be said about MacArthur's enormous income of just over $900,000 per year {13} and his Masonic connections. {14} 

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).

1. http://johnmacarthur.forumchitchat.com/post/john-macarthurs-heretical-teaching-regarding-the-blood-of-christ-10065861
2. https://bewareofthewolves.blogspot.com/2013/11/john-macarthur-false-teacher-wolf-in.html
3. https://www.lighthousetrailsresearch.com/blog/?p=29822
4. https://pulpitandpen.org/2018/03/23/demolishing-servus-christi-two-screenshots/?fb_comment_id=2054973224574206_2721981681206687
5. http://nrb.org/about/leadership/board-of-directors/
6. https://pulpitandpen.org/2018/02/24/video-six-degrees-kevin-bacon/
7. https://protestia.com/2020/09/17/after-concert-bethel-worship-leader-leads-1000-people-on-a-jesus-walk-through-the-streets-of-chicago/
8. https://reformationcharlotte.org/2020/09/15/infidel-star-praises-john-macarthur-for-taking-stand-against-tyranny-theyre-not-going-to-cancel-christianity/
9. https://www.patheos.com/blogs/susanwright/2020/09/former-trump-fixer-releases-astonishing-tell-all/
10. https://evangelicalfocus.com/world/8056/a-new-time-of-peace-among-the-children-of-abraham
11. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lkZjm2t8M-I
12. https://bewareofthewolves.blogspot.com/2020/08/pulpit-and-pens-big-scoop-on-servus.html
13. http://www.incpu.org/concerns-on-JohnM.htm
14. https://watch.pairsite.com/macarthur-6-freemasonry.html

Further Links

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Monday 7 September 2020

JOE SCHIMMEL BLESSED HOPE CHAPEL: VICTORINUS IS UNRELIABLE

Joe Schimmel takes his post-tribulation rapture view from the unreliable and utterly confused third century Church Father, Victorinus of Pettau. Victorinus' commentary on the book of Revelation is the source mentioned by Joe Schimmel Blessed Hope Chapel in a weak attempt to justify his post-tribulation rapture view. {1}

According to Joe Schimmel, the sixth seal, the seventh trumpet and the seventh bowl correspond to one another i.e. they are the same events. Joe Schimmel "..he (Victorinus) talks about a recapitulation, and how the bowls overlap.. they are not written consecutively.." {2} 

Apparently Victorinus was the first of the Church Fathers to invent the basic notion of repetition. He asserted that the apocalypse is not one uninterrupted and developing line of prophecy, but rather that various subdivisions run parallel with each other. Victorinus speculated that the theme of the soon coming second advent was a continuous thread of thought throughout the Apocalypse. {3} Victorinus' muddled ramblings run counter to the scriptures which demonstrate a consecutive-progressive framework for the seals, trumpets and bowls.

Alan Kurschner: "The prewrath position interprets a sequential chronological framework for the seals, trumpets, and bowls. That is, the seal-trumpet-bowl septets (sets of seven) will happen in a consecutive-progressive fashion with each septet consecutively following each other. For example, the trumpet septet cannot begin until the seventh seal is opened; and the bowl septet cannot begin before the seventh trumpet is blown. The last judgment element of the day of the Lord’s wrath will be the seventh bowl. Accordingly, the seventh seal and the seventh trumpet serve as transitions to the next set of God’s climaxing judgments, culminating with the seventh bowl." {4}

A cursory examination of Victorinus' commentary on the Apocalypse exposes some concerning departures from the scriptures.

From the Sixth Chapter    

Victorinus: 1,2. And when the Lamb had opened one of the seven seals, I saw, and heard one of the four living creatures saying, Come and see. And, lo, a white horse, and He who sat upon him had a bow.. The first seal being opened, he says that he saw a white horse, and a crowned horseman having a bow. For this was at first done by Himself. For after the Lord ascended into heaven and opened all things, He sent the  Holy Spirit, whose words the preachers sent forth as arrows reaching to the human heart, that they might overcome unbelief. And the crown on the head is promised to the preachers by the Holy Spirit. The other three horses very plainly signify the wars, famines, and pestilences announced by our Lord in the Gospel. And thus he says that one of the four living creatures said (because all four are one), Come and see. Come is said to him that is invited to faith; see is said to him who saw not. Therefore the white horse is the word of preaching with the Holy Spirit sent into the world. For the Lord says, This Gospel shall be preached throughout the whole world for a testimony to all nations, and then shall come the end.

Victorinus incorrectly identifies the white horse of Revelation 6:1-2 as the Holy Spirit. 
The consensus amongst reliable commentators is that the rider on the white horse is the Antichrist.

Victorinus: The black horse signifies famine, for the Lord says, There shall be famines in various places; but the word is specially extended to the times of Antichrist, when there shall be a great famine, and when all shall be injured. Moreover, the balance in the hand is the examining scales, wherein He might show forth the merits of every individual. He then says:—
6. Hurt not the wine and the oil. That is, strike not the spiritual man with your inflictions. This is the black horse.

The third seal/black horse relates to the beginning of birth pains i.e. famines in various places. (Revelation 6:5-6; Matthew 24:7-8). The Antichrist makes his appearance in the third temple at the mid point of the 70th week of Daniel after the first four seals are opened. (Daniel 9:27).  

Benson: "And he that sat on him had a pair of balances, or scales, in his hand — Implying that men should eat their bread by weight, and drink their water by measure, or that there should be a great scarcity." {5} 

Hurt not the wine and the oil - Revelation 6:6b does not refer to the exemption of "the spiritual man". The catastrophic events inflicted by the seals are indiscriminate natural occurrences. 

Victorinus: 9. And when He had opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of them that were slain. He relates that he saw under the altar of God, that is, under the earth, the souls of them that were slain.  Victorinus identifies this alter as the brazen altar ..the brazen altar is understood the earth, under which is the Hades, — a region withdrawn from punishments and fires, and a place of repose for the saints. 

Various commentaries confirm that the fifth seal martyrs are in the Lord's presence in heaven. {6} Therefore this alter is not under the earth. The scriptures indicate that Paradise (Abraham's bosom) was moved from Hades to Heaven at some point after the resurrection. (Luke 23:43; 2 Corinthians 12:2-4). 

Victorinus And for a solace to their body, there were given unto each of them white robes. They received, says he, white robes, that is, the gift of the Holy Spirit.  

The white robes of the martyrs signify purity.

12. And I saw, when he had opened the sixth seal, there was a great earthquake. In the sixth seal, then, was a great earthquake: this is that very last persecution.  

And the sun became black as sackcloth of hair. The sun becomes as sackcloth; that is, the brightness of doctrine will be obscured by unbelievers.

And the entire moon became as blood. By the moon of blood is set forth the Church of the saints as pouring out her blood for Christ. 

13. And the stars fell to the earth. The falling of the stars are the faithful who are troubled for Christ's sake.
Even as a fig-tree casts her untimely figs. The fig-tree, when shaken, loses its untimely figs — when men are separated from the Church by persecution. 

14. And the heaven withdrew as a scroll that is rolled up. For the heaven to be rolled away, that is, that the Church shall be taken away.

From the Seventh Chapter

2. And the trumpet is the word of power. And although the same thing recurs in the phials, still it is not said as if it occurred twice, but because what is decreed by the Lord to happen shall be once for all; for this cause it is said twice. What, therefore, He said too little in the trumpets, is here found in the phials. We must not regard the order of what is said, because frequently the Holy Spirit, when He has traversed even to the end of the last times, returns again to the same times, and fills up what He had before failed to say. Nor must we look for order in the Apocalypse; but we must follow the meaning of those things which are prophesied. Therefore in the trumpets and phials is signified either the desolation of the plagues that are sent upon the earth, or the madness of Antichrist himself, or the cutting off of the peoples, or the diversity of the plagues, or the hope in the kingdom of the saints, or the ruin of states, or the great overthrow of Babylon, that is, the Roman state.

I could continue, but hopefully I have done enough to make the point that Victorinus' commentary on the Apocalypse is deeply flawed. Although he was premillennial, Victorinus wrote in an allegorical style unacceptable to literal futurist premillennialists. Premillennialism depends upon a literal interpretation of prophecy, taking the words in their ordinary sense, and this is obviously not the case with Victorinus' exposition.
 
It is irresponsible for any bible believing Christian to base their eschatology on Victorinus, or any other Church Father, without testing their writings against the scriptures. (1 John 4:1; Acts 17:11). Victorinus' unscriptural interpretation muddies the waters, and his exegesis is, for the most part, defective. (Ezekiel 32:13-14). 

One has to engage is eisegesis and read ones own interpretation into the text to come up with a concurrent interpretation. This is a weighty matter because any departure from the scriptures has unhelpful implications for those Christians who are already confused about the timing of the rapture. (Revelation 22:18-19). Joe Schimmel's valid critique of the pre-trib view is blighted by the fact that he is unable to demonstrate his concurrent view from the scriptures. To have resorted to the fallacious teachings of Victorinus is a desperate measure that I might have expected from a false teacher, not from Joe Schimmel. 

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).

My question: Why does Joe Schimmel take his interpretation of the book of Revelation from this confused third century Church Father?

1. https://www.newadvent.org/fathers/0712.htm
2. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A0Y5PrIC-ME
3. https://peoplepill.com/people/victorinus-of-pettau/
4. https://www.alankurschner.com/2015/05/28/seals-trumpets-bowls-in-the-book-of-revelation-concurrent-recapitulation-or-consecutive-progressive-part-1-of-2-ep-36/
5. https://biblehub.com/commentaries/revelation/6-5.htm
6. https://biblehub.com/commentaries/revelation/6-9.htm

Further Posts: 
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Saturday 5 September 2020

JOE SCHIMMEL BLESSED HOPE CHAPEL: THE SIXTH SEAL, THE SEVENTH TRUMPET AND THE SEVENTH BOWL

Sunday Morning Service 

I have attempted to broach the question of the post-tribulation rapture view with Good Fight Ministries previously, in particular their view of the seals, trumpets and bowls. My discussion with GFM on the below link exposed a blind spot in their understanding of the timing of the rapture as it relates to the cosmic disturbances in Matthew 24:29-31. In fact all three synoptic gospels confirm the proximity of the rapture to the cosmic disturbances in Revelation 6:12-14. Although I am on board with Joe Schimmel (Blessed Hope Chapel/GFM) in many respects, their post-trib rapture view does not stand up to close scrutiny. (Acts 17:11).

Good Fight Ministries Scewed Post-trib Rapture View

Why is this question important?

How can post-trib proponents successfully oppose the pre-tribulation rapture when their own position has obvious flaws?  

Sadly the post-trib position does nothing to dispel the confusion surrounding the controversial subject of the timing of the rapture. To their discredit, the post-trib camp cannot defend their position biblically. This post is more detailed than my previous efforts, in the hope that Joe Schimmel and his team will study the scriptures rather than argue their position from preconceived ideas and eisegesis. (2 Timothy 2:15). 

According to Joe Schimmel, the sixth seal, the seventh trumpet and the seventh bowl correspond to one another i.e. they are the same events. Joe mentions an unreliable third century church father by the name of Victorinus. Apparently Victorinus was the first of the Church Fathers to ascertain the basic notion of repetition – that the Apocalypse is not one uninterrupted and developing line of prophecy, but rather that various subdivisions run parallel with each other. And he saw that the theme of the soon coming Second Advent was a continuous thread of thought throughout the Apocalypse.{1} Joe Schimmel "..he (Victorinus) talks about a recapitulation, and how the bowls overlap.. they are not written consecutively.. but whatever you believe about that, ultimately you need to understand this.. that prior to Christs coming in Revelation chapter 19, the Bride has been made ready.."  

Joe Schimmel's phrase "whatever you believe about that" assigns the subject to a non-essential category, i.e. whatever we happen believe about the timing of the rapture will not ultimately affect our salvation. In the case of pre-trib view I do not agree. There is a distinct possibility that pre-trib believers will "fall away" during the great tribulation. As such there is an inescapable correlation between the pre-trib rapture view and salvation. (Matthew 24:10; 1 Timothy 4:1). Moreover, there are significant reasons why the post-trib/prewrath debate should not be trivialized. If we fall short in this respect, we may unintentionally put a stumbling block in the way of our pre-trib friends, and also those who throw their hands in the air and say that they are "pan-trib" (it will all pan out i.e. those who underrate the significance of the rapture question). (Leviticus 19:14; 2 Corinthians 6:3). A growing number of Christians now adhere to the prewrath rapture position, having studied the scriptures and rightly divided the word of truth. (2 Timothy 2:15). 

Joe Schimmel rightly says that it is imperative that we have a right understanding of the timing of events in the book of Revelation. He says: "We are warned not to add or take away from this book, we dare not trifle with the outline that Jesus gave us.. God does not want us to add or take away from just one verse of the book of Revelation.. When you come up with a theology, or an eschatology ~ an eschatological construct that destroys the entire book... think what that does to God's heart.."  

I do not claim that the post-trib rapture view destroys the whole book of Revelation. However, this view is problematic and potentially damaging for the reasons outlined above. When scripture is misinterpreted it is often the thin end of the wedge. (1 Corinthians 4:6). CH Spurgeon: "It is knowing the difference between right and almost right. ... The devil likes to mix his lies with just enough of the truth to make it look plausible." 

Victorinus: "The Apocalypse here shows, therefore, that these reapers, and shepherds, and labourers, are the angels. And the trumpet is the word of power. And although the same thing recurs in the phials, still it is not said as if it occurred twice, but because what is decreed by the Lord to happen shall be once for all; for this cause it is said twice. What, therefore, He said too little in the trumpets, is here found in the phials. We must not regard the order of what is said, because frequently the Holy Spirit, when He has traversed even to the end of the last times, returns again to the same times, and fills up what He had before failed to say. Nor must we look for order in the Apocalypse; but we must follow the meaning of those things which are prophesied. Therefore in the trumpets and phials is signified either the desolation of the plagues that are sent upon the earth, or the madness of Antichrist himself, or the cutting off of the peoples, or the diversity of the plagues, or the hope in the kingdom of the saints, or the ruin of states, or the great overthrow of Babylon, that is, the Roman state." {2}

The sixth seal:

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, (Revelation 6:12).
Immediately after the tribulation of those days: ‘The sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from the sky, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken.’ At that time the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven, and all the tribes of the earth will mourn. They will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven, with power and great glory. And He will send out His angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather His elect from the four winds, from one end of the heavens to the other. (Matthew 24:29-31).

Matthew 24 specifically locates the cosmic disturbances of Revelation 6 immediately after the great tribulation. The rapture becomes imminent after the cosmic disturbances of the sixth seal i.e. it occurs between and the sixth seventh seal. The sixth seal indicates the impending wrath of God, specifically, the chronological sets of seven trumpet and and seven bowl judgements following the seventh seal.

The seventh seal:

Revelation 8 follows an explicit sequence of events:

~ The Lamb opens the seventh seal and there is silence in heaven for about half an hour. (v1)
~ Seven trumpets are given to the angels. (v2)
~ The seven angels prepare to blow the trumpets. (v6)
~ The first angel blows his trumpet. (v7).
~ The second to the fourth trumpets are sounded. (v8-12)
~ The remaining three trumpets are about to be sounded. (v13)

This passage is unequivocal. Common sense tells us that the sixth seal precedes the seventh seal and that the trumpets follow the opening of the seventh seal in chronological order. How does Joe Schimmel come up with the conclusion that the sixth seal and the seventh trumpet are the same event?

When the Lamb opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven for about half an hour. Then I saw the seven angels who stand before God, and seven trumpets were given to them. And another angel came and stood at the altar with a golden censer, and he was given much incense to offer with the prayers of all the saints on the golden altar before the throne, and the smoke of the incense, with the prayers of the saints, rose before God from the hand of the angel. Then the angel took the censer and filled it with fire from the altar and threw it on the earth, and there were peals of thunder, rumblings, flashes of lightning, and an earthquake. Now the seven angels who had the seven trumpets prepared to blow them. The first angel blew his trumpet, and there followed hail and fire, mixed with blood, and these were thrown upon the earth. And a third of the earth was burned up, and a third of the trees were burned up, and all green grass was burned up. (Revelation 8-1-7). 

There is an increasing intensity in the judgements as the seals, trumpets and bowls are discharged. The seals release natural events: sword, famine and pestilence, culminating in the sixth seal "great earthquake" and the cosmic disturbances, indicating that "the great day of their wrath" is at hand. (Revelation 6:12,17). The seven trumpets differ from the seals in that they are supernatural events dispensed by angels. Note the phrases in Revelation 8: thrown upon the earth, thrown into the sea, a great star fell from heaven, a third of the sun was struck, and a third of the moon, and a third of the stars. The three woes indicate even greater intensity. When the fifth angel sounds his trumpet a star falls from heaven to earth. The fifth angel opens the shaft of the bottomless pit releasing demonic "locusts" that torture humans for five months. (Revelation 9:1-7). The sixth trumpet releases four angels, who had been prepared for the hour, the day, the month, and the year, were released to kill a third of mankind. (Revelation 9:15). The seventh trumpet: ..but that in the days of the trumpet call to be (μέλλῃ) sounded by the seventh angel, the mystery of God would be fulfilled, just as he announced to his servants the prophets. (Revelation  10:7).  μέλλω = 3195 méllō – properly, at the very point of acting; ready, 'about to happen.' {3} The intensity of God's wrath upon the godless increases when the bowls are poured out on the earth. (Revelation 16:1-20). A plain reading of the text suggests a quick chronological succession of events. 

The Fifth Seal Martyrs

When he opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slain for the word of God and for the witness they had borne. They cried out with a loud voice, “O Sovereign Lord, holy and true, how long before you will judge and avenge our blood on those who dwell on the earth?” Then they were each given a white robe and told to rest a little longer, until the number of their fellow servants and their brothers should be complete, who were to be killed as they themselves had been. (Revelation 6:9-11).

This passage indicates that the wrath of God is yet to be discharged. As such, the trumpet and bowl judgments cannot occur before the fifth seal is opened.

There are various additional problems associated with the post-trib view that I have not mentioned in this post. I recommend Alan Kurschner's website for a full assessment of the difficulties associated with this view. 
(See Further Links). 

I would like to see Joe Schimmel and his team specifically address the problems associated with their view. It seems odd that Joe has not applied his usual expertise/exegesis in this area. Inexplicably he offers nothing concrete to substantiate his claims for a post-trib rapture.  

https://bewareofthewolves.blogspot.com/2020/09/joe-schimmel-blessed-hope-chapel.html
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