ONE CHURCH LEICESTER (FORMERLY TRINITY LIFE CHURCH): DAVID AND SUSAN HIND NARCIGESIS

 (171) One Church Message | David & Susan Hind (4th June 2023) - YouTube

After this I looked and saw a door standing open in heaven. And the voice I had previously heard speak to me like a trumpet was saying, “Come up here, and I will show you what must happen after these things. At once I was in the Spirit, and I saw a throne standing in heaven, with someone seated on it. ” (Revelation 4:1- 2).

Context is king!

The Book of Revelation is concerned with a series of prophetic visions of apocalyptic events. Revelation 4:1-2 is a momentous event for John who is about to enter, and then enters, the very throne room of God through an open door. 

Does anyone dare reinvent these verses to suit their own interpretation? Yes, actually David and Susan Hind do! A classic Charismatic/Pentecostal/NAR tactic is to rip specific verses of scripture out of context in isolation and put their own spin on them, effectively misapplying them to some invented scenario of their own making. I have heard this practice described as narcigesis, which is a combination of narcissism and eisegesis. When presumptuous false teachers ignore the context of specific verses and crowbar them into their own small selfish ambitions and projects, they are in rebellion and are deeply offensive to the Lord. These false teachers do not rightly divide the word of truth. (2 Timothy 2:15). Warnings are given throughout the scriptures not to alter God's word in any way. (Deuteronomy 4:2, 12:32; Proverbs 30:6). However in the book of Revelation, the revelation of Jesus Christ, a specific warning is given to potential scripture twisters. 

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

The warning at the end of the book of Revelation. 

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

Same old same old 

What follows Hind's "prophetic word" is the same old hype we have heard from him previously. This time Hind attempts to convince us that they have "an open door, a prophetic word (Revelation 22:18-19), and a God plan".  I lost count of the number of times Hind repeated the phrase "open door" during this manipulative presentation. The apparent success of TLC/ONE Church is questionable in spiritual terms. ONE Church is comparable to the infamous monster, Hillsong Church, or more locally, Jesus Army aka Jesus Fellowship (by the way approved by the Hinds'), and also the "shipwreck" All Nations Church (previously at 10 Frog Island). These supposed successful churches are often lethal places where inestimable damage is done to vulnerable people. Success in material terms is not a sign that ONE Church is enjoying the favour of God. In fact, it may be a sign that God has actually given them over to apostasy. I have recorded the catalogue of ungodly decisions made by Hind and his cohorts in previous posts, not least how they managed to obtain lottery funding and worm their way into worldly influence through Adam Simmonds, former Director of Trinity Life Church and disgraced Northamptonshire PCC from 2012-2016. {1} This latest hype from the Hinds' confirms their continued pattern of ungodliness and throws up a number of additional red flags. 

* The folly of employing new "Worship Director" Ashtyn Michael. How they love their titles! (Matthew 23:5-12; 2 Corinthians 5:12). Hind wants to introduce "a new breed of worship leaders", and Ashtyn Michael will be moving from London to become their new Worship Director in August. Michael was previously part of the infamous Holy Trinity Brompton's worship team from September 2016 to January 2018. HTB is the source of the controversial Alpha Course and the so-called "Toronto Blessing" in the UK. In 1998 HTB was accused of using "cult methods", and the Alpha Initiative was accused of creating "a Mickey Mouse religion which is cheap, graceless and addictive". {2} After leaving HTB Michael briefly became a Junior Chef at TGI Fridays. {3} After his one-month stint as a Junior Chef, Michael moved to Leicester in September 2019 to be part of the staff team at Chroma Church (formerly Leicester City Vineyard). This position doesn't seem to have lasted very long either as he appears to have scuttled back to London during the pandemic. {4} It would be interesting to know what salary ONE Church will be paying their new Worship Director, but I think we are unlikely to find out since they do not divulge embarrassing details like individual staff salaries. 

* The folly of endorsing false NAR prophet Simon Braker who spoke at their "Encounter Night" the previous Sunday, May 28th. Braker prophesied:  "As you step back into your physical space, know that it is a prophetic gateway. You will walk into increased levels of influence and anointing and His glory. For God has found you faithful in this last season and He has seen your persistence and your refusal to give up, and His word to you is 'ONE Church arise and shine'". (31:00 mark)  I would advise my readers to do some research on the New Apostolic Reformation of which Braker is very much a part. (See Further Links). 

* Susan Hind's alleged "prophetic" aeroplane dream: "I saw a vision of a classic silver aeroplane and many people from ONE Church getting on it, and in the dream, I got up and declared 'There is a seat for everyone on the plane.'" 

* Four months to harvest?  Do you not say, ‘There are yet four months, then comes the harvest’? Look, I tell you, lift up your eyes, and see that the fields are white for harvest. (John 4:35). More manipulation of the scriptures from Dominic Yeo (AOG Singapore) who feeds into the Hinds' delusional mindset. {5} On the strength of this verse, Yeo believes that there are four months to harvest. (31:00 mark)

* The folly of prophecy training. It is pure lunacy to attempt to train anyone in the prophetic. At these sessions, self-professed gurus in the prophetic teach people to replace the Holy Spirit with their own imagination. (Ezekiel 13:3; Jeremiah 23:16).

 

* Female pastors. Hind alone was allegedly invited to join TLC (although the way this was handled by Brian Niblock was very strange to say the least). Now, sixteen years later, ONE Church, formerly Trinity Life Church, are paying wages to no less than four members of the Hind family, and the biblical precept that a woman should not have authority over a man is completely ignored. (1 Timothy 2:12). The information given on The Charity Commission's website is that no member of staff at ONE Church earns more than £60,000. I therefore surmise that the Hinds' are at the upper end of the pay scale, and that their combined annual salaries amount to somewhere in the region of just under £120,000. The Hinds' standard of living is probably far higher than most attendees who contribute sacrificially to ONE Church. 

Charities report - 22.1 (charitycommission.gov.uk) 

* David Hind's bizarre motivational presentations. According to Debretts, hand gestures make you look more charismatic: "..sweeping expansive hand gestures convey the idea that you are talking about a large idea or concept." {6} When hand gestures are overdone (as they are in Hind's case), they can actually have a negative effect on an audience because they look rehearsed. It is worth noting that overzealous or exaggerated hand gestures are not only cringeworthy to witness, particularly when coupled with a teenage hairstyle, but they can also suggest that the speaker is insincere. {7} In my view Hind's bizarre motivational presentations exude superficiality and are an indication of someone who is trying very hard to sell a bill of goods. (2 Peter 3:16).

* David Hind (1st May 2022): "This is a fulfillment season, an outbreak season."  Over a year later, according to David Hind, we are still on the cusp of revival. This is the typical mantra of false prophets who constantly repeat that we are on the cusp of something enormous, but that "something" never happens - NAR buzzwords: revival, breakthrough, outbreak, awakening etc.

* End-time revival or apostasy? The revival mantra of the false prophets has no biblical foundation whatsoever. No prophecy of an end-time revival exists in the New Testament. The New Testament prophesies rampant spiritual deception, apostasy, false prophets, lying signs and wonders, birth pains.. and ultimately worldwide spiritual deception under the Antichrist. (Revelation 13:14). We should be very wary of those who consistently prophesy "revival" or "awakening". False prophets tickle itching ears and tell us what we want to hear, not what we need to hear. (2 Timothy 4:3).

For false christs and false prophets will arise and perform great signs and wonders, so as to lead astray, if possible, even the elect. (Matthew 24:24).

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

Let no one deceive you in any way. For that day will not come, unless the rebellion comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction.. (2 Thessalonians 2:3).

Now the Spirit expressly states that in later times some will abandon the faith to follow deceitful spirits and the teachings of demons.. (1 Timothy 4:1).

But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing upon themselves swift destruction. (2 Peter 2:1).

Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world. (1 John 4:1).

Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’ (Matthew 7:21-23).

1. WOLVES IN SHEEP'S CLOTHING: FALSE PROPHETS AND BIBLE TEACHERS IN THE LAST DAYS: Trinity Life Church Leicester (bewareofthewolves.blogspot.com)
2. Church accused of `cult' methods | The Independent | The Independent
3. Ashtyn Michael - Startup Team - naborly | LinkedIn
4. Ashtyn Michael - EverybodyWiki Bios & Wiki
5. Reverend Dominic Yeo – Assemblies of God Singapore (ag.org.sg)
6. What do your hand gestures mean? • Debretts
7. How to REALLY spot a liar | Daily Mail Online

Further Links

Major errors of Pentecostalism (bible.ca)
(178) What is The New Apostolic Reformation (NAR)? with Holly Pivec - The Alisa Childers podcast #16 - YouTube
WOLVES IN SHEEP'S CLOTHING: FALSE PROPHETS AND BIBLE TEACHERS IN THE LAST DAYS: Simon Braker (bewareofthewolves.blogspot.com)
Resource: A glossary of New Apostolic Reformation terminology. (churchwatchcentral.com)
AZUSA STREET-Birth of a Lie (scionofzion.com)

JESUS FELLOWSHIP (FORMERLY JESUS ARMY) REDRESS PAYMENT SCHEME

Jesus Fellowship Community Trust

The Jesus Fellowship Redress Scheme offers redress to those who have suffered harm, abuse or adverse experiences within the Jesus Fellowship community. 

If you meet the criteria for the Individual Redress Payment Scheme, you may be entitled to: An award of compensation for the harm or injury suffered, aligned with Common Law Compensation Awards;
A written apology acknowledging what has happened to you, providing acceptance of responsibility and an assurance that lessons of the past have been learned and shared with relevant authorities;
An invitation to meet with a Trustee of the Trust to share your story, if you so wish;
Provision towards the cost of solicitor fees.

Please note: The invitation to meet with a Trustee is not compulsory, nor will it have any impact on any offer made. It is entirely up to the discretion of the person applying.

Who can apply?

Any person who can establish they are/were a Member AND/OR a Dependant of a Member family in the Church and/or Community;

AND

There is evidence to show that on the balance of probabilities they suffered;

Emotional Abuse; and/or
Physical Abuse; and/or
Sexual Abuse; and
Recognised Psychiatric Injury.

AND

The abuse was committed, counselled or instructed by a person at that time engaged in the leadership, management, operation or supervision of the Church and/or Community whether as a Leader of the Church and/or Community or a person for whom the Trust would be Vicariously Liable;

OR

The abuse was committed by an individual invited to stay in a Shared Property by a Member in the circumstances where there were inadequate safeguarding measures in place.

Who cannot apply to the Individual Redress Payment Scheme?

Any person who:has pursued a Civil Claim for compensation against the Trust in respect of the same damage for which they are applying to the Individual Redress Payment Scheme and has received an award of compensation in full and final settlement of that Civil Claim;
has received a criminal conviction in respect of their conduct towards others in the Jesus Fellowship.
was a member of the Covering Authority and/or Apostolic Group of the Jesus Fellowship.


Please note: A person under the age of 18 may apply to the Individual Redress Payment Scheme but they will be required to have a Litigation Friend to support them throughout the process. You can find more information on our FAQ page about applying under the age of 18.

3. How to Apply


Application Form

You can apply online by selecting ‘Apply Online’ or you can download an application form to print, complete and post, both at the bottom of this page.

Information required to apply

1. Identification

If you have engaged with a solicitor you will not need to provide any ID documentation with your application, as identity will be confirmed by the solicitor.

If you are not engaging a solicitor you will be asked to provide certified proof of identity. A full list of accepted ID and how to certify ID can be found on our FAQ page

If you have had a legal change of name either by marriage, divorce or by deed poll since their time in the Jesus Fellowship, then you will need to provide evidence of the name change (e.g. a marriage certificate).

If you wish to send your application via post, please do not send original copies of ID as we cannot return any documents sent.


2. Details of the applicant’s involvement within the Jesus Fellowship

You need to be able to establish that you are/were a Member AND/OR a Dependant of a Member family in the Church and/or Community, in order to be eligible for the Individual Redress Payment Scheme.

To be able to confirm an applicant’s status within the Jesus Fellowship we ask for information regarding Community living and/or their association with the Jesus Fellowship Church.

You will be asked to provide information, if available or known, relating to your time in the Jesus Fellowship Church and/or Community such as:Address history
Community household name/s
Date/s of involvement
Membership status


3. Referee

You will be given the option to provide details of a Referee. This is someone who will be able to confirm membership status in the Church/Community. This is optional, and they will only be contacted by the Scheme Solicitors to help confirm eligibility.


4. Witness Statement

You will need to provide a Witness Statement with your application.

If you have engaged a solicitor then they will be able to work with you to complete the witness statement.

If the choice has been made not to engage a solicitor, you must use the Witness Statement template available here. Using this will ensure that all the information has been included to process the application. The witness statement can then be added as an attachment to the online form, or posted with a paper application.

We understand that this might be a painful process. For information on independent organisations that will be able to support you, please visit our Support page.


5. Supporting Documents (if applicable)

You may have further documents that you wish to provide in support of their claim. This is optional and there will be space for these to be uploaded to the online application. If the application form is being posted, please include any supporting documents.

If more information is required during the application process, the Scheme solicitors will contact the applicant or the applicants solicitors for more details.


6. Processing your personal data

You will need to sign a declaration to confirm that you have read the Jesus Fellowship Redress Scheme Privacy Notice and to confirm you understand how your information is shared and kept, before submitting their application.

For all information on how personal data is collected, stored and used, please see here.


Checklist

You can download the Individual Redress Payment Scheme Application Checklist to ensure you have all the relevant documents and information collected before applying.


Third party support with application

When applying for the Individual Redress Payment Scheme, you can be supported by either;a Solicitor: all eligible applicants will be entitled to provisions of costs towards any solicitors’ fees. For more information about using a solicitor please continue to the next section below on this page.

a Litigation Friend: an individual who offers support to an eligible applicant who lacks capacity, and who can fairly and competently conduct an application on behalf of that eligible applicant, and who has completed a certificate of suitability (N235 form) to be filed with the court.

an Attorney: a person who has a Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) as registered with the Office of the Public Guardian (OPG).

a Nominated Representative: a family member, friend or individual who can assist the eligible applicant with their application form. The applicant must provide a completed Nominated Representative Form, identifying the individual who will be acting as their Nominated Representative. You can find the form here.

If you are being supported by a Litigation Friend, an Attorney (LPA) or Nominated Representative, then proof of consent will need to be provided with the application form along with certified ID. More information on third party support can be found on our FAQ page.

4. Using a Solicitor

We strongly advise that all applicants engage a solicitor to support them through the Individual Redress Payment Scheme process.

A solicitor will:Help complete an application form; and
Give independent legal advice; and
Explain all the options if an offer of payment is made.

If you are offered a payment and want to accept it, you will be asked to sign a settlement agreement. The settlement agreement is a legal document. It has important consequences on your rights to raise or continue civil court action related to your abuse. You must sign and return the settlement agreement to receive payment. A solicitor will be able to advise you on the terms of the settlement agreement.

Eligible applicants whose Individual Redress Payment applications are agreed, will be entitled to payments of reasonable legal costs as covered in the scheme. These costs are capped at £2,500 plus VAT and sent directly to the eligible applicant’s solicitor following settlement and payment of the Individual Redress Payment.

Applicants should check with their chosen solicitor that they will work for the fees available.

How to engage a solicitor?

We are not in a position to recommend a particular solicitor but help can be found through the Law Society website Law Society website.

5. Next Steps

You can apply using the buttons at the bottom of this page.

Once your application has been submitted, you will be sent an acknowledgment from the Scheme Solicitors, to confirm your application has been received. If more information is required to confirm eligibility to the Individual Redress Payment Scheme, you will be contacted within 45 days of your application being received.

Through each step of the process you will be contacted with updates regarding the status of your application. When applying, you will be asked to confirm whether you would like to be contacted by post or by email.


Please note: If you have a solicitor supporting you through your application, all communication will go through them. Your solicitor will be informed of receipt of application and be contacted for any further information. When your application is being processed:
Initially, your application will be checked against your certified ID and a check of records will be carried out to confirm that you were connected to the Jesus Fellowship Church and/or Trust.

The Scheme Solicitors will look at your claim and Witness Statement provided and come back to you or your solicitor, if further information is required.

Once the Scheme Solicitors have reviewed the Witness Statement and considered the application, they will then send advice to the Trustees with recommendations.

You will then receive a decision either directly or via your solicitor if you have one, which may include an offer of compensation by way of settlement offer. You will also be given the option to meet with a Trustee to share your story.

You will then be required to respond to the scheme solicitors. If you have engaged a solicitor, they will be able to advise you on the offer received for your consideration.

Once an offer has been accepted, any funds that may be owed to you will be paid. Any solicitor fees paid for by the Scheme will be sent directly to your chosen solicitor.

Whilst the scheme solicitors will endeavor to respond to applications in a timely manner you may expect the process to take weeks or months, depending on the volume of applications received at any given time. You will be updated throughout the application process.

6. Apply

You can apply either by selecting ‘Apply Online’ or you can download an application form to print and complete.

Please ensure that you have all of the required information available before starting your application form. If you are applying online, you will be able to save the application and return to it, if required, however once the application has been submitted it can not be changed.

You can download the Individual Redress Payment Scheme Checklist to ensure you have collected all the relevant documents and information collected before applying.

All paper forms must be sent to the Scheme solicitors at the following address;

JF Redress Scheme
Clyde & Co,
2 New Bailey Square,
Stanley Street,
Salford, M3 5GS

LEE BRAINARD'S FALSIFICATION OF THE CHURCH FATHERS: IRENAEUS WAS NOT PRE-TRIB!

(160) The Pre-trib Rapture Before Darby, Part 2 | TWIBP - YouTube

Lee Brainard: "In modern dispensationalism, when we use the word 'church' we are referring, not to all the saints of all the ages. We are referring only to the saints basically from the time of Christ forward..[Gonzalez: 'Pentecost forward'] to the saints of this age. And we would put the Old Testament saints and the tribulation saints under the heading of Israel and maybe Gentile proselytes to Israel. It is a very different idea.."

My objection to Brainard's dispensational mindset is that the pre-trib camp has moved the goalposts. The scriptures should dictate our definitions, not dispensationalism or any other tradition. We do not impose our terminology upon the scriptures, rather the scriptures should dictate our terminology. Just because dispensationalists argue that the church is a particular group of believers during a particular time frame does not make it so. For instance, the apostle Paul sometimes refers to "the saints" and at other times he refers to "the church" at specific locations. In other words, when "the saints" are referred to in the book of Revelation, we cannot make the assumption that they are a separate or secondary group of believers distinct from the church. 

To the saints and faithful brothers in Christ at Colossae" (Colossians 1:1).

To the church of God that is in Corinth, to those sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints together with all those who in every place call upon the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, both their Lord and ours. (1 Corinthians 1:2).

Also it [the beast] was allowed to make war on the saints and to conquer them. And authority was given it over every tribe and people and language and nation.. (Revelation 13:7).

Another instance of pre-trib revisionism is the redefinition of the tribulation period. The early fathers referred to the final 3.5 years of the seventieth week of Daniel as "the great tribulation" in agreement with the scriptures. The pre-trib camp has lengthened the tribulation period to encompass the entire 70th week of Daniel i.e. seven years, in order to suit their own agenda.  (Matthew 24:21) (See Further Links) 

Irenaeus - Against Heresies

Brainard gives three examples from Irenaeus Against Heresies that supposedly prove that he taught a pre-trib rapture. Although Irenaeus does make a distinction between the rapture and the second coming in Against Heresies 5.5.1, he indicates a prewrath rapture. In various other passages, Ireaneaus clearly states that the church will face the Antichrist prior to the rapture (see below). 

Against Heresies 5.25.4 And then he points out the time that his tyranny shall last, during which the saints shall be put to flight, they who offer a pure sacrifice unto God: “And in the midst of the week,” he says, “the sacrifice and the libation shall be taken away, and the abomination of desolation [shall be brought] into the temple: even unto the consummation of the time shall the desolation be complete.” Now three years and six months constitute the half-week. {1} 

Brainard's first example:

Against Heresies 5.5.1 For Enoch, when he pleased God, was translated in the same body in which he did please Him, thus pointing out by anticipation the translation of the just. Elijah, too, was caught up [when he was yet] in the substance of the [natural] form; thus exhibiting in prophecy the assumption of those who are spiritual, and that nothing stood in the way of their body being translated and caught up..  Wherefore also the elders who were disciples of the apostles tell us that those who were translated were transferred to that place (for paradise has been prepared for righteous men, such as have the Spirit; in which place also Paul the apostle, when he was caught up, heard words which are unspeakable as regards us in our present condition, and that there shall they who have been translated remain until the consummation [of all things], as a prelude to immortality. {2}

Above: Irenaeus makes a distinction between those who have been "translated" (the rapture) and "the consummation [of all things]", but a pre-trib rapture is not a concept that he is aware of. 

Brainard's Second Example:

Against Heresies 5:29:1 And therefore, when in the end the Church shall be suddenly caught up from this, it is said, There shall be tribulation such as has not been since the beginning, neither shall be. Matthew 24:21 For this is the last contest of the righteous, in which, when they overcome they are crowned with incorruption. {3}

Above: Brainard is recycling an old pre-trib argument by John Hart that was debunked by Alan Kurschner in 2019. Kurschner's response: "Irenaeus states that the church will be caught up 'from this,' which he identifies as the great tribulation (cf. Matt 24:21, 31). So the question then is does 'from this' mean from before it happens or from as it is happening? Pretribs assume without any evidence that it means before it happens. But the statement that Hart carelessly omits constrains the meaning, which identifies “from this” with the period of great tribulation that the righteous will experience: 'For this is the last contest of the righteous, in which, when they overcome they are crowned with incorruption [resurrection].' Irenaeus is therefore linking 'the last contest of the righteous' with the period of great tribulation." {4}

In the same chapter Irenaeus continues to compare the time of the Antichrist with the wickedness of Nebuchadnezzar and the resistance of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego (Hebrew names ~Ananias, Azarias, and Misael) in Daniel 3; and also the six hundred years of Noah and the number of the beast. (Genesis 7:6). Irenaeus confirms that this pattern of events will be recapitulated during the time of the Antichrist, culminating in “a cataclysm of fire.. [upon the earth].”

Against Heresies, 5.29.2 And there is therefore in this beast, when he comes, a recapitulation made of all sorts of iniquity and of every deceit, in order that all apostate power, flowing into and being shut up in him, may be sent into the furnace of fire. Fittingly, therefore, shall his name possess the number six hundred and sixty-six, since he sums up in his own person all the commixture of wickedness which took place previous to the deluge, due to the apostasy of the angels. For Noah was six hundred years old when the deluge came upon the earth, sweeping away the rebellious world, for the sake of that most infamous generation which lived in the times of Noah. And [Antichrist] also sums up every error of devised idols since the flood, together with the slaying of the prophets and the cutting off of the just. For that image which was set up by Nebuchadnezzar had indeed a height of sixty cubits, while the breadth was six cubits; on account of which Ananias, Azarias, and Misael, when they did not worship it, were cast into a furnace of fire, pointing out prophetically, by what happened to them, the wrath against the righteous which shall arise towards the [time of the] end. For that image, taken as a whole, was a prefiguring of this man’s coming, decreeing that he should undoubtedly himself alone be worshipped by all men. Thus, then, the six hundred years of Noah, in whose time the deluge occurred because of the apostasy, and the number of the cubits of the image for which these just men were sent into the fiery furnace, do indicate the number of the name of that man in whom is concentrated the whole apostasy of six thousand years, and unrighteousness, and wickedness, and false prophecy, and deception; for which things’ sake a cataclysm of fire shall also come [upon the earth]. {5} 

Brainard's third example:

Against Heresies 5.31.1 For as the Lord went away in the midst of the shadow of death, where the souls of the dead were, yet afterwards arose in the body, and after the resurrection was taken up [into heaven], it is manifest that the souls of His disciples also, upon whose account the Lord underwent these things, shall go away into the invisible place allotted to them by God, and there remain until the resurrection, awaiting that event; then receiving their bodies, and rising in their entirety, that is bodily, just as the Lord arose, they shall come thus into the presence of God. {6}

Above: Irenaeus mentions the rapture (resurrection), but once again he does not specify a pre-trib rapture.

Below are three significant passages from Against Heresies that refute the pre-trib rapture.

 

Against Heresies 5.26.1 And they [the ten kings who shall arise] shall lay Babylon waste, and burn her with fire, and shall give their kingdom to the beast, and put the Church to flight. {7}

Against Heresies 5.30.3-4 It is therefore more certain, and less hazardous, to await the fulfillment of the prophecy [2 Thessalonians 4:1-12], than to be making surmises, and casting about for any names that may present themselves, inasmuch as many names can be found possessing the number mentioned; and the same question will, after all, remain unsolved..   But he (Pau1) indicates the number of the name now, that when this man [the Antichrist] comes we may avoid him, being aware who he is: the name, however, is suppressed, because it is not worthy of being proclaimed by the Holy Spirit. {8}

Against Heresies 5.35.1 For all these and other words were unquestionably spoken in reference to the resurrection of the just, which takes place after the coming of Antichrist, and the destruction of all nations under his rule; in [the times of] which [resurrection] the righteous shall reign in the earth, waxing stronger by the sight of the Lord: and through Him they shall become accustomed to partake in the glory of God the Father, and shall enjoy in the kingdom intercourse and communion with the holy angels, and union with spiritual beings; and [with respect to] those whom the Lord shall find in the flesh, awaiting Him from heaven, and who have suffered tribulation, as well as escaped the hands of the Wicked one. {9} 

Every single Church Father who wrote on this subject taught that the church would face the Antichrist. 

I repeat that pre-trib rapture teachers are nothing less than false prophets who are setting up the church for a terrible fall! (Matthew 24:10-11). Brainard says nothing new - he is simply regurgitating old pre-trib arguments that have been previously debunked. Given the abundant evidence from various church fathers (e.g. The Epistle of Barnabas, the Shepherd of Hermes, Justin Martyr, Tertullian, Hippolytus, Cyprian), I wonder how Brainard can, in all conscience, dredge up these old arguments and pretend that he is doing "original research". 

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. (2 Thessalonians 2:1-4).

I recently heard Andy Woods (another rabid pre-trib rapture teacher) glibly remark that if things do not pan out how they expect them to, they will have to redraw their prophecy charts. Frankly, the repercussions for pre-trib rapture teachers will be very serious indeed ~ their charts will be the last thing on their minds. (Luke 17:1). Are Lee Brainard, Mondo Gonzalez (Prophecy Watchers) and others, prepared to repent and take responsibility for propagating the lethal pre-trib deception initiated by the insane cult leader John Nelson Darby? 

1. CHURCH FATHERS: Against Heresies, V.25 (St. Irenaeus) (newadvent.org)
2. CHURCH FATHERS: Against Heresies, V.5 (St. Irenaeus) (newadvent.org)
3. CHURCH FATHERS: Against Heresies, V.29 (St. Irenaeus) (newadvent.org)
4. Irenaeus Taught that the Church Would Face the Antichrist | ESCHATOS MINISTRIES (alankurschner.com
5. CHURCH FATHERS: Against Heresies, V.29 (St. Irenaeus) (newadvent.org)
6. CHURCH FATHERS: Against Heresies, V.31 (St. Irenaeus) (newadvent.org)
7. CHURCH FATHERS: Against Heresies, V.26 (St. Irenaeus) (newadvent.org)
8. CHURCH FATHERS: Against Heresies, V.30 (St. Irenaeus) (newadvent.org)
9. CHURCH FATHERS: Against Heresies, V.35 (St. Irenaeus) (newadvent.org)

Further Links

https://bewareofthewolves.blogspot.com/2017/11/the-seven-year-tribulation-fallacy.html
On Antichrist's Persecution of the Church: Epistle of Barnabas, Shepherd of Hermas, Justin Martyr, Irenaeus, Tertullian, Hippolytus, Cyprian | Early Church Fathers - Ep. 71 | ESCHATOS MINISTRIES (alankurschner.com)

WOLVES IN SHEEP'S CLOTHING: FALSE PROPHETS AND BIBLE TEACHERS IN THE LAST DAYS: Lee Brainard (bewareofthewolves.blogspot.com)
WOLVES IN SHEEP'S CLOTHING: FALSE PROPHETS AND BIBLE TEACHERS IN THE LAST DAYS: PSEUDO-EPHRAEM TAUGHT PRETRIB - NOT! BY DAVE MACPHERSON (bewareofthewolves.blogspot.com)
7 Pretrib Problems and the Prewrath Rapture

LEE BRAINARD'S PRE-TRIB RAPTURE HYPE

(159) The Pre-trib Rapture Before Darby, Part 1 | TWIBP - YouTube

The "ten sayings" Brainard claims to have found in Ephraim to prove a pre-tribulation rapture is duplicitous. Brainard does not provide pre-trib rapture evidence from either Pseudo Ephraim (Ephrem the Syrian) or Eusebius. Furthermore, Brainard's claim that he is doing original research is patently untrue. Extensive research has already been undertaken by bible scholars, and these sources have been rejected as proof texts for the pre-trib rapture. There is no scriptural evidence to support the pre-trib rapture, and furthermore, no early church father claimed that the church would be raptured before the arrival of the Antichrist!

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. (2 Thessalonians 2:1-4).

When the early fathers referred to the tribulation, they referred to the "great tribulation" i.e. the final 3.5 years of the seven-year period known as the 70th week of Daniel. (Matthew 24:21). The pre-trib camp has redefined the tribulation period to seven years in order to suit their own disingenuous agenda. (See further links) If Lee Brainard and Mondo Gonzalez (Prophecy Watchers) have any fear of the Lord or any regard for the truth, they really need to stop this nonsense. Pre-trib teachers are nothing less than false prophets who are setting up the church for a terrible fall! (Matthew 24:10-11)

Please also refer to Dave MacPherson's article on this subject written in 2017: 

WOLVES IN SHEEP'S CLOTHING: FALSE PROPHETS AND BIBLE TEACHERS IN THE LAST DAYS: PSEUDO-EPHRAEM TAUGHT PRETRIB - NOT! BY DAVE MACPHERSON (bewareofthewolves.blogspot.com)

Further Links

WOLVES IN SHEEP'S CLOTHING: FALSE PROPHETS AND BIBLE TEACHERS IN THE LAST DAYS: THE SEVEN YEAR TRIBULATION FALLACY (bewareofthewolves.blogspot.com)
WOLVES IN SHEEP'S CLOTHING: FALSE PROPHETS AND BIBLE TEACHERS IN THE LAST DAYS: Lee Brainard (bewareofthewolves.blogspot.com
St. Irenaeus: Against Heresies: Book V - Christian Classics Ethereal Library (ccel.org)

ROB ZINS' CALVINIST TAKE ON 2 PETER 3:9: "GOD IS NOT WILLING THAT ANY SHOULD PERISH".

(145) "God Is Not Willing That Any Should Perish," Who Is God Talking About In 2 Peter 3:9? All Or Some? - YouTube

But do not overlook this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you,* not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance. But the day of the Lord will come like a thief, and then the heavens will pass away with a roar, and the heavenly bodies will be burned up and dissolved, and the earth and the works that are done on it will be exposed. (2 Peter 3:8-10).

* some manuscripts = on your account.

Rob Zins: "Does God arrive at knowledge? - or to explain the question, - Does God know all  things that come to pass as a result of His willing them to be so, or must He wait for events to happen so that He can look ahead and gain knowledge of events?"  

According to Zins, a consistent theme of Pelagian, Arminian-Evangelical and Roman Catholic theology is the idea that God looks down the tunnel of time to find out, or arrive at, knowledge. In other words, simply stated, "God is unaware until He takes a look". Zins is describing "open theism", a false doctrine that is supported by a relatively small number of Christians. 

Zins seems to assume that all non-Calvinist Christians are "Evangelical-Arminians" - this is a false assumption. Furthermore, he has misrepresented the views of Arminians and Roman Catholics, and in doing so he has compromised his entire argument. There are differing views within the Arminian camp, but generally speaking, Arminians argue for the traditional view that God's foreknowledge is exhaustive and complete, and that the future is certain and is not contingent on human action. 

Nathan Justice: "Arminianism argues for the traditional understanding of divine foreknowledge, which says that God has 'complete and infallible knowledge of the future.'1 This definition of divine foreknowledge is also called 'simple foreknowledge', because Molinists accept God’s complete and infallible knowledge of the future while also affirming God’s middle knowledge. In defending simple foreknowledge, Arminians represent the most common view of divine foreknowledge throughout church history as well as the most common interpretation of the biblical data. In distinction from Calvinism, which holds that God foreknows because He foreordains, Arminius argued that God foreknows future things through the infinity of his essence, and through the pre-eminent perfection of his understanding and prescience, not as he willed or decreed that they should necessarily be done, though he would not foreknow them except as they were future, and they would not be future unless God had decreed either to perform or to permit them." {1}

I am certainly not an apologist for Roman Catholicism, but as far as I can ascertain, the RCC promotes God's infallible foreknowledge and has no idea of God "arriving at knowledge". {2}

Rob Zins: "It is our contention that God knows all things because He wills all things. God does not arrive at knowledge and He leaves nothing to chance."

The struggle to reconcile God's omniscience and human free will is extremely challenging. The scriptures are clear that God is omniscient i.e. He is all-knowing and He knows exactly what will happen. (Isaiah 14:24, 46:10; Psalm 33:11). In other words, God has complete and ultimate knowledge of every decision made by human beings past, present, and future, otherwise, how can we explain bible prophecy? Any philosophical attempt to explain God's omniscience is feeble and inevitably falls short. If the Apostle Paul was among us, I think he would tell us not to lean on our own understanding. (Proverbs 3:5). In one particular sense Zins is correct in that God does not arrive at knowledge and that He knows all things. However, the thorny question remains: What part does human free will play in salvation? Zins' statement"regeneration precedes salvation" is extremely problematic since a number of scriptures suggest that faith precedes salvation. (e.g. John 1:12, 3:15-16; Acts 2:38, 3:19, 21,11:18,16:31; Romans 10:9-10; 1 Corinthians 1:21).

It is impossible to deny the fact that God has created people with the capacity to choose from Eden, and yet there are those who persist in denying human free will. (Genesis 3:3). The appeal in the scriptures over and over again is for all people everywhere to repent. (Acts 17:30; Isaiah 45:22). The futile pursuit of attempting to reconcile God's sovereignty and human autonomy inevitably culminates in the formulation of distorted and divisive false doctrines. (1 Corinthians 1:19; Proverbs 3:5; 1 Timothy 6:20). Perhaps some should learn a lesson from Job! (Job 15:8). Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways! “For who has known the mind of the Lord, or who has been his counselor?” (Romans 11:33-34 cf. Isaiah 40:13; 1 Corinthians 13:12).

Zins gives the so-called "Arminian-Evangelical", or what he also refers to as the "inconsistent Evangelical Arminian" interpretation of 2 Peter 3:8-10. The Lord is not slow of the promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. Zins: "Not willing (βουλόμενος) is God's eternal will or desire, and the any is everyone in the world, past present and future. It is all without exception, and the word here come into repentance (χωρῆσαι μετάνοιαν) is salvation."  Zins doesn't accept the "Arminian Evangelical" interpretation of this passage, because, according to him "..they don't take into account the plural 'you'."  Zins makes the assumption that the phrase "toward you" in verse 9, applies to believers "beloved" (αγαπητοι) in verse 8. Does "toward you" apply to the beloved, or does Peter change focus and apply it to a wider audience, i.e. everyone in the world which is also plural? 

The other reason Zins doesn't like the "Arminian Evangelical" interpretation: "If Peter wanted us to believe that any, meaning each and every person in the whole wide world to come to repentance, which is salvation, he would have written something like: 'The Lord is not slow concerning his promise, but is longsuffering toward the world, or towards the cosmos, not willing for anyone to perish but for all to come into repentance.'" With words like any and all, non-Calvinist scholars have concluded that Peter does in fact mean every person in the world. Calvinists still do not accept that all humanity is referred to, even when the scriptures specifically identify the world/cosmos as in John 3:16. 

Zins continues to describe what he considers to be a flawed Calvinist response to the "Arminian Evangelical" view: "The Lord is not slow of the promise as some count slowness, but is long-suffering toward you (beloved), not willing (βουλόμενος) for any (of you) to perish, but for all (of you) to come, or to enter into repentance (salvation). Zins doesn't like this interpretation because of the idea that the word βούλομαι is not God's secret eternal will, but rather it is His will of desire (will of command) which can be broken. In other words, βούλομαι is just God's desire. Zins notes that even Calvin takes the view in his commentary that Peter does not refer to the eternal secret will of God, but rather he teaches that it is not God's desire for anyone to perish but for all to come to repentance (salvation). In other words, God's open command (His desire) is that everyone in the world will come to repentance.

Zins goes on to describe what he views as a more acceptable interpretation of this passage from various strong Reformed theologians including AW Pink. "He {Peter} is writing only to the elect because of the word 'beloved'.  'But let not this one thing be concealed from you (elect)..  He is long-suffering toward you (elect), not willing (the eternal will) for any (of the elect) to perish, but for all (of the elect) to come to repentance (salvation). The idea here is that the delay in Christ's return is so that all of the elect will come to salvation.."

Zins' own novel interpretation of 2 Peter 3:8-10: "This is not a salvation passage at all.. it is an experience in salvation, in other words, it refers to diligence and perseverance. 'but let not this one thing be concealed from you beloved (elect), that one day is as a thousand years and a thousand years one day. The Lord is not slow of His promise (regarding His coming, that's the theme), as some count slowness, but is long-suffering (patient in enduring) toward you (referring to the beloved), not willing (either will of desire or eternal will) for any of you (beloved) to perish (ἀπόλλυμι), but for all of you (beloved - his elect) to enter into or come into (chōrēsai) repentance (metanoia). Repentance here is not salvation, it is repenting from being involved in the sins that were so troubling to the reading audience." Zins cites 2 Peter 3:15 as his proof text for this interpretation.

If this passage refers to an experience in salvation rather than an experience of salvation, the false Calvinist belief in once saved always saved (OSAS) is compromised by the word perish (ἀπόλλυμι). Zins fails in two respects; firstly, he misrepresents the "Arminian Evangelical" and RC position regarding God's foreknowledge; and secondly, he suggests that the passage does not refer to salvation, which is completely at odds with the context and the word perish (ἀπόλλυμι).  

Bible Hub: "perish - ἀπόλλυμι = 622 /apóllymi ("violently/completely perish") implies permanent (absolute) destruction, i.e. to cancel out (remove); 'to die, with the implication of ruin and destruction' (L & N, 1, 23.106); cause to be lost (utterly perish) by experiencing a miserable end." {3}

Paul is addressing the "beloved" i.e. believers. When Paul says that God is "patient with you", he is referring to the apparent delay in Jesus' coming. He explains the reason for this in the next clause: not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance ~ The gospel invitation is inclusive and is extended to all people in the world/cosmos. (John 3:16). Jesus' apparent delay in coming is contingent upon the salvation of those who will respond to the gospel and put their faith in Him in the future. This is pertinent to "the beloved" of whom they will eventually become a part. The salvation of these future people will make the number of believers (the bride of Christ) complete in Him. (Matthew 22:9; Luke 21:24; Revelation 19:7). 

After watching Larry Wessels' video on CAnswersTV: (151) Unpopular Bible Doctrines #1: The Biblical God No One Wants To Know - YouTube  I was absolutely horrified. What kind of "God" do Calvinists believe in? Those who teach Calvinism malign Christ's teaching by denying the fullness of the gospel and limiting its application. In doing so they malign the very character of God Himself by denying His goodness and love toward all people. (John 3:16 ). These teachers grieve the Holy Spirit and inevitably cause pain and confusion to the body of Christ. (Ephesians 4:30; Proverbs 30:6). This teaching devastates churches and is very discouraging to unbelievers. How will these men be able to give an account to God for spreading this wicked doctrine? (Hebrews 4:13; James 3:1). 

I have included a link to Mike Winger's video on this subject below because he makes some useful points. Where I disagree with Winger is that he claims that this is not a "gospel issue". Zins himself says that Arminianism is a different gospel. (2 Corinthians 11:4). I agree with Zins that traditional Christianity and Calvinism are different gospels, but of the two teachings, it is my view that Calvinism is the "different gospel".  

1. viewcontent.cgi (liberty.edu)
2. CATHOLIC ENCYCLOPEDIA: Predestination (newadvent.org)
3. Strong's Greek: 622. ἀπόλλυμι (apollumi) -- to destroy, destroy utterly (biblehub.com)

Further Links

(153) What does God know? Open Theism, Calvinism and Arminian views analyzed with scripture surveyed - YouTube
(156) Why Regeneration Cannot Precede Faith (Part 1) - YouTube

EMMA STARK'S PROPHETIC CORONATION WARNING!

(106) URGENT CORONATION PROPHETIC WARNING - with Emma Stark | Decree The Week! - YouTube

Certain persons, by swerving from these, have wandered away into vain discussion, desiring to be teachers of the law, without understanding either what they are saying or the things about which they make confident assertions. (1 Timothy 1:6-7 cf. 2 Timothy 3:13).

Emma Stark, supported by her associate Ruth Weller at Global Prophetic Alliance, has submitted what she describes as "a weighty word" and "an urgent coronation prophetic warning". In the above video, she asks her followers to "weigh and test biblically what we are laying at your feet".  On examination, Emma Stark's "weighty word", is an unabashed example of biblical ignorance and eisegesis. (John 4:1). 

Emma Stark: "They want to achieve a coronation of deception, and they want to have enthroned over the British Isles and the Commonwealth, and then touching all the nations around the world, an enthronement of deception and a raising of the Antichrist spirit in our midst..  What we have been watching in the spirit is the covens and the witchcraft community around the world sharing power.. to release a tidal wave of deception.. What we are decreeing on the back of this..  is the John 16 passage.. we will invoke in the limitless power of King Jesus.. a spirit of truth to come in place of a coronation of deception and Antichrist.. and to say now John 16 verse 12: 'the spirit of truth is welcome in my nation'. We have never had to navigate that because we had our Queen, or we had godliness at the head of our state church. That is now absent. So for the first time ever, we have this layering of political leadership, of national church leadership and of royal monarchy leadership.."

While her supporters are busy decreeing and declaring, Emma Stark announced that she will be doing more important things: "When I fly in the Spirit of God I have literally flown in the spirit around the throne .. that is my job in the body of Christ.. If you are not used to that level of warfare use the decrees.. I am certainly flying around the throne in the spirit in London saying that the agreement of the international covens will not hold.."

Emma Stark obviously hasn't noticed that Satan is the prince of this world aka the ruler of the world. (John 14:30; John 12:31; John 16:11; Colossians 2:8; 1 John 4:3)). She refers to "a three cord demonic agreement" i.e. church, state and government as a recent development of deception. In fact, this is no new development. It is doubtful whether the CofE has ever been godly at its highest levels, and in recent decades it has been in terminal decline. This year, conservative leaders representing 85% of the Anglican Communion have officially rejected the Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby and the Church of England due to their support of same-sex blessings: "Since the Lord does not bless same-sex unions, it is pastorally deceptive and blasphemous to craft prayers that invoke blessing in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit." {1}

In a previous post, I identified the Druidic and Masonic affiliations of the Queen and the Royal Family. These affiliations make it impossible to accept that the Queen was a true bible believing Christian as Emma Stark claims. {2}

If Emma Stark followed the bible she would realize that there will not be a four billion soul harvest and that there is no revival on the horizon. Actually, Satan will temporarily gain authority over the earth for a short time! Those who follow the false doctrine of Dominion Theology and reject the literal interpretation of the Book of Revelation are in very serious error. Dominion Theology proponents teach the diametric opposite of biblical eschatology. 

But woe to the earth and the sea; with great fury the devil has come down to you, knowing he has only a short time. And when the dragon saw that he had been thrown to the earth, he pursued the woman who had given birth to the male child. But the woman was given two wings of a great eagle to fly from the presence of the serpent to her place in the wilderness, where she was nourished for a time, and times, and half a time. Then from the mouth of the serpent spewed water like a river to overtake the woman and sweep her away in the torrent. But the earth helped the woman and opened its mouth to swallow up the river that had poured from the dragon’s mouth. And the dragon was enraged at the woman, and went to make war with the rest of her children, who keep the commandments of God and hold to the testimony of Jesus. (Revelation 12:12-17 cf. Revelation 13:7-8).

John 16:12-15 in context!

Emma Stark's claims about invoking a spirit of truth in place of a coronation of deception and Antichrist is typical meaningless NAR nonsense. 

It is critical to note that it is the Holy Spirit who makes declarations: the Holy Spirit (the Spirit of truth) will declare to believers the things that are to come. The Holy Spirit/Spirit of truth is the third person of the Godhead and is not subject to the whims or imaginations of human beings. The Holy Spirit cannot be "released"  or "invoked"  by any person. 

I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come. He will glorify me, for he will take what is mine and declare it to you. All that the Father has is mine; therefore I said that he will take what is mine and declare it to you. (John 16:12-15)..

How are we to wrestle?

In context, the scriptures direct us to stand (στῆναι πρός - stand one’s ground {against the wiles of the devil}). Cambridge Bible: "The key-word of the passage. The present picture is not of a march, or of an assault, but of the holding of the fortress of the soul and of the Church for the heavenly King." {3} Christians have no scriptural remit to directly oppose wicked powers and principalities.

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

The full armour of God i.e. the complete armour of God, comprises truth, righteousness, the gospel, faith, salvation, and the word of God. NOTE: praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. (Ephesians 6:14-18). When we pray we bypass the powers and principalities and go directly to God Himself. Daniel's example: Daniel did not direct his attention to powers and principalities, rather he humbled himself and his prayers were heard. The subsequent struggle between angelic powers of good and evil ensued for a period of twenty-one days-

“Do not be afraid, Daniel,” he said, “for from the first day that you purposed to understand and to humble yourself before your God, your words were heard, and I have come in response to them. However, the prince of the kingdom of Persia opposed me for twenty-one days. Then Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, for I had been left there with the kings of Persia. Now I have come to explain to you what will happen to your people in the latter days, for the vision concerns those days.” (Daniel 10:12-14).

 

Emma Stark: "Occasionally you see a principality inhabit a single person. Now you see that in the days of Jezebel in scripture..  the girl with a witchcraft principality in Acts 16". 

Jezebel was a Phoenician princess and a Baal worshipper. (1 Kings 16:31). There is no doubt that she was very wicked, but she is not described as being inhabited by a particular "principality". The slave girl in Acts 16 is described as having "a spirit of divination", not a "principality". (Acts 16:16). The reason for the subsequent commotion at Philippi was that her owners lost their source of income. (Acts 16:19-24). Principalities and powers are described in Ephesians 6:12 as εν τοις επουρανιοις, in, or about, heavenly places. They rule/preside over different geographical locations/nations and at hold sway over inferior spirits and demons. Principalities (as against demons) do not inhabit/possess human beings. The scriptures confirm that demons are terrestrial. (Matthew 12:43; Mark 5:13). In Ancient Jewish texts such as the Dead Sea Scrolls, demons are described as the disembodied spirits of the Nephilim. See also the non-canonical books of 1 Enoch, the book of Jubilees 10:5. {4} Josephus mentions δαιμόνια taking possession of men: Antiquities 6, 11, 2f; 6, 8, 2; 8, 2, 5 and describes them as the spirits of wicked men deceased b. j. 7, 6, 3. {5} In other words, a distinction exists between principalities and powers (in heavenly places), and demons (earthbound spirits). As Emma Stark claims to be an expert on spiritual warfare and allegedly goes to heaven on a regular basis she should know this!

  

1 Enoch 15:8: Now the giants, who have been born of spirit and of flesh, shall be called upon earth evil spirits, and on earth shall be their habitation. Evil spirits shall proceed from their flesh, because they were created from above; from the holy Watchers was their beginning and primary foundation. Evil spirits shall they be upon earth, and the spirits of the wicked shall they be called. The habitation of the spirits of heaven shall be in heaven, but upon earth shall be the habitation of terrestrial spirits, who are born on earth. {6}

The scriptures call on Christians to pray for those in positions of authority. To go further than this is to add to the scriptures and to act presumptuously. (Proverbs 30:6).

First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all, which is the testimony given at the proper time. (1 Timothy 2:1-6 cf. Ephesians 6:18).

Emma Stark displays the unfortunate symptoms of a superiority complex; she loves the drama and oozes confidence, frequently reiterating her own importance as a "spiritual warfare expert" and a "prophet". “Repeat a lie often enough and it becomes the truth”, is a law of propaganda often attributed to the Nazi Joseph Goebbels. Emma Stark seems to be a case in point with 50.2K subscribers on her YouTube channel. It is very concerning that so many people have been taken in by this false teacher/prophet. 

1. GAFCON IV – The Kigali Commitment | GAFCON
2. WOLVES IN SHEEP'S CLOTHING: FALSE PROPHETS AND BIBLE TEACHERS IN THE LAST DAYS: TRINITY LIFE CHURCH LEICESTER AND OPEN HANDS: THE EMPTINESS OF WORLDLY ACCOLADES (bewareofthewolves.blogspot.com)
3. Ephesians 6 Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges (biblehub.com)
4. The Book Of Jubilees Chapter 10 (yahwehswordarchives.org)
5. Strong's Greek: 1140. δαιμόνιον (daimonion) -- an evil spirit, a demon (biblehub.com)
6. Chapter 15 – The Book of Enoch (book-ofenoch.com)

CALEB CORNELOUP (I THINK BIBLICALLY): IS THE PRE-TRIB RAPTURE VIEW A SALVATION ISSUE?

(83) Is The Pre-Tribulation Rapture Biblical? - YouTube

Caleb Corneloup (I Think Biblically) recently posted the above video rejecting the pre-trib rapture view. While he made some good points, he did not go into much depth, and he does not understand that the post-trib rapture view is also problematic. Unfortunately, Caleb removed my comment on YouTube. I will therefore repeat and expand on my comment in this post.

I get weary of people saying that certain teachings "are not a salvation issue". This statement trivializes the seriousness of scriptural deviation. ALL false teaching has consequences sooner or later! We may not see the effects straight away, but damage to the body of Christ will show itself sooner or later. What may appear to be minimal departures from the scriptures often lead to further departures and compromise. Those who tell us what is and is not necessary teaching have become arbiters and go beyond their remit. The danger of drifting away from sound doctrine and ending up in serious apostasy by degree is very real. (Hebrews 2:1; 1 Timothy 4:16; Galatians 5:9).  

You shall be careful therefore to do as the LORD your God has commanded you. You shall not turn aside to the right hand or to the left. (Deuteronomy 5:32 cf. Deuteronomy 17:20, 28:14; Joshua 1:7; 2 Kings 22:2).

Catch the foxes for us, the little foxes that spoil the vineyards, for our vineyards are in blossom.” (Song of Solomon 2:15).

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

Caleb Corneloup: "This is not a salvation issue by any means and we need to be very careful that we do not make this a salvation issue. If you try to say that someone is not saved because of a particular view on the rapture then you are really adding to the doctrine of salvation by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone. You are making a particular view of the rapture a necessity for salvation and that is teaching a works gospel. You need to be very very careful that you don't do that." 

I do not dispute that at the present time, there are genuine Christians who believe the pre-trib rapture view. However at a later date, at the onset of the great tribulation, the failure of the pre-trib rapture will be a critical matter for those who cling to this false hope. As I have said before, many pre-tribbers will be caught off guard by the persecution of the Antichrist. The risk of falling away due to dashed hopes, shock, confusion and lack of preparation is very real. (Proverbs 13:12). In other words, at some point in the future, during the great tribulation, the pre-trib rapture view will become a salvation issue. 

And then many will fall away and betray one another and hate one another. And many false prophets will arise and lead many astray. And because lawlessness will be increased, the love of many will grow cold. But the one who endures to the end will be saved. (Matthew 24:10-13).

The pre-trib rapture doctrine dominates the teaching of Andy Woods, Jan Markell, Amir Tsafarti, JD Farag and many others. They consistently churn out videos defending this view in spite of the fact that when tested, the evidence for a pre-trib rapture is questionable. (1 John 4:1). Pre-trib teachers should be mindful that the doctrines they so vigorously maintain are not a stumbling block to the body of Christ. (Psalm 40:4; James 3:1).

In 2017, pre-trib teacher JD Farag in conversation with Jan Markell and Amir Tsarfati made the insane accusation that anyone who attacks the pre-trib rapture is "satanic". Farag: "This is not hyperbole. If it were not for the blessed hope of the soon return of Jesus Christ in the (imminent, pre-trib) rapture…I would go literally insane. I would lose my mind. Amir Tsarfati interjected with, 'I wouldn’t live. I would not be able to handle what my eyes see – the evil and the darkness is such that the likes of which we have never seen in human history.'" 

I view pre-trib teachers as false teachers/prophets, even though they may teach sound doctrine in other respects. Many pastors and teachers need to repent due to the fact that they go with the flow and have put denominational loyalty above the scriptures. 

Caleb needs to go much deeper into this subject as his present stance is very short-sighted. I would also point out that the "seven year tribulation" is a pre-trib fallacy. The scriptures tell us repeatedly, in no uncertain terms, that the great tribulation will last for 3.5 years. {1}

1. WOLVES IN SHEEP'S CLOTHING: FALSE PROPHETS AND BIBLE TEACHERS IN THE LAST DAYS: THE SEVEN YEAR TRIBULATION FALLACY (bewareofthewolves.blogspot.com)

Further Links

Articles for Posttribulationism to Consider | ESCHATOS MINISTRIES (alankurschner.com)
7 Pretrib Problems and the Prewrath Rapture
Clarifying the Differences between the Pre-Wrath and Post-Trib Rapture Viewpoints | ESCHATOS MINISTRIES (alankurschner.com)