JOEL RICHARDSON: SABOTAGING PREWRATH!

(210) The Pre-Wrath Rapture Strengths & Weaknesses THE RAPTURE & ENDURANCE OF THE SAINTS - YouTube

Given my misgivings regarding Joel Richardson's ministry, I have some skepticism about his motives and whether he really does have genuine questions about the prewrath rapture view, or whether this is an attempt at sabotage. Reading the comments below this video, Richardson appears to have succeeded in putting his listeners into a spin! In any event, I will attempt to refute what Richardson refers to as prewrath "weaknesses" below for the benefit of those he has thrown into confusion. 

The day or the hour (Matthew 24:36)

According to Richardson, one of the common objections to the posttrib rapture view is that Jesus' return can be determined by calculating the time between the point at which the Antichrist takes his seat in the temple of God (2 Thessalonians 2:4) and Armageddon (Revelation 19:19). The period referred to in Revelation 11 and 12 is 1260 days, 42 months, a time, time and half a time based on a 360-day prophetic year. Daniel also refers to 1,290, 1,335, and 2,300 days. (Daniel 8:14,12:11-12). The posttrib camp amalgamates the tribulation and the wrath of God, and according to this view, the period referred to is exactly 42 months or 3.5 prophetic years. If the posttrib camp were to calculate the precise day of Jesus' return, I believe they would base it on 1260 days. Richardson's speculations regarding the various time periods specified in Revelation and Daniel are rather muddled.     

Two comings?

The information that Jesus will appear in heaven/come on the clouds of heaven immediately after the tribulation following the cosmic disturbances is unequivocal and is recorded in all three synoptic gospels. As such there can be no doubt that this is precisely when the rapture will occur.     

Immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, and the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken. Then will appear in heaven the sign of the Son of Man, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. And he will send out his angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other. (Matthew 24:29-31 cf. Mark 13:24-27; Luke 21:25-27 cf. Revelation 7:14).

Richardson: "No matter how you slice it, the prewrath perspective has more than one coming of Jesus."

Richardson's misrepresentation of the prewrath view as "two comings" is a criticism often levelled against the pre-trib camp. Alan Kurschner and other prewrath scholars have demonstrated repeatedly that there is no disconnect between the rapture and the second coming (the Parousia). Rather the rapture initiates part of a unified complex event that begins following the cosmic disturbances.1  When the prewrath view is understood correctly as a unified complex event, this alleged "weakness" is easily debunked. 

Christ cannot return until all His enemies have been defeated?

Richardson argues that Jesus Christ cannot leave heaven until his enemies are defeated based on Psalm 110:1 and Matthew 22:44. The context of Psalm 110, particularly verse 5, reveals that this argument is deficient.

The LORD said to my Lord: “Sit at My right hand until I make Your enemies a footstool for Your feet.” The LORD extends Your mighty scepter from Zion: “Rule in the midst of Your enemies." Your people shall be willing on Your day of battle. Arrayed in holy splendor, from the womb of the dawn, to You belongs the dew of Your youth. The LORD has sworn and will not change His mind: “You are a priest forever in the order of Melchizedek.” The Lord is at Your right hand; He will crush kings in the day of His wrath. He will judge the nations, heaping up the dead; He will crush the leaders far and wide. He will drink from the brook by the road; therefore He will lift up His head. (Psalm 110:1-7).

Following the great tribulation and the cosmic disturbances, the defeat of God's enemies is a foregone conclusion. (Revelation 6:16-17). Psalm 110:1 is an overview, whereas a more detailed description of what will occur follows. Before the rapture of the church, the mediatorial reign of Christ from heaven at the right hand of God is stated as His primary function. (Hebrews 7:25). Once the rapture has occurred there will be no more occasion for Christ's mediatorial reign. 

Bengel's Gnomen: 1 Corinthians 15:25. Δεῖ, He must) for it has been foretold.—αὐτὸν, He) Christ.—βασιλεύειν, reign) ררה, reign Thou in the midst of Thy enemies, Psalm 110:2.—ἄχρις οὗ ἄν, until) There will be no further need of the mediatorial reign.—θῇ, He hath put) viz. the Father.—πάντας, all) Paul brings in this, to prepare for a transition to what follows.—τοὺς ἐχθροὺς, enemies) bodily and spiritual, supply His, from that expression, His feet, to wit, the Son’s: but it is now elegantly elliptical; since Christ has long ago destroyed these enemies, in so far as they were the enemies of Christ; He will destroy them [their destruction is still future], in so far as they are our enemies. The remaining part of His victory bears the same relation to His triumph already achieved, as any frontier or corner does to the whole extent of any human monarchy which has been subdued. 2

In Psalm 110:5 there is a major shift in the activity of the Godhead. Jesus sits at the right hand of the Father in Psalm 110:1. In verse 5, the Father (Adonai), is at the Messiah's right hand in the day of His wrath. This shift occurs at the onset of the day of His wrath i.e at the breaking seventh seal of Revelation. 

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. (Revelation 8:1-5). 

Following a momentous silence in heaven for about half an hour, the seven angels who stand before God are given trumpets. Another angel offers much incense with "the prayers of all the saints". This indicates that the prayers of the saints are complete and confirms that the rapture has occurred. During the day of His wrath, Jesus directs the angels via the trumpet and bowl judgements from heaven. As such, Jesus no longer sits at the right hand of the Father following the prewrath rapture and during the Day of the Lord. 

Richardson's postrib "hybrid" view is problematic. When Jesus returns at Armageddon, His enemies are not literally under His feet until He has defeated them! The idea that Jesus must be seated next to the Father until His enemies are literally defeated is unsustainable.

The Last Trumpet?

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

Then the seventh angel blew his trumpet, and there were loud voices in heaven, saying, “The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ, and he shall reign forever and ever.” (Revelation 11:15).

The post-trib view makes the assumption that the church will be on the earth when the seventh trumpet of Revelation 11:15 is sounded. However, there are a number of reasons why this cannot be the case. Revelation 7:9-17 situates the resurrected saints between the sixth and seventh seal i.e. a great multitude suddenly appears in heaven prior to the breaking of the seventh seal. It is explicitly stated: These are the ones who have come out of the great tribulation; (Revelation 7:14). 

It is not possible for the seventh trumpet to be sounded before the breaking of the seventh seal. 

The seven trumpets in Revelation 11 signify judgments, they do not signify gathering. 

The announcement of the third woe immediately precedes the seventh trumpet. (Revelation 11:14). 

The narrative continues in Revelation 15-16 with the final seven plagues of God’s wrath poured out in the seven bowl judgments. (chapters 15–16). 

Paul knew nothing about the Book of Revelation. 1 Corinthians was written around 55AD, whereas the book of Revelation was written around 90-95AD, approximately forty years later. As such, the final trumpets of God's wrath were not in Paul's mind when he wrote this epistle.

For further details please refer to Alan Kurschner's article below. 

The tribulation must last for three and a half years?

He shall speak words against the Most High, and shall wear out the saints of the Most High, and shall think to change the times and the law; and they shall be given into his hand for a time, times, and half a time. (Daniel 7:25).  

And if those days had not been cut short, no human being would be saved. But for the sake of the elect those days will be cut short. (Matthew 24:22; Mark 13:20).).

A critical aspect of the prewrath view is that the great tribulation will be cut short (koloboó). Literally "to mutilate (Polybius 1, 80, 13); hence in the N. T. of time (Vulg.brevio) to shorten, abridge, curtail: Matthew 24:22; Mark 13:20.."3 Some describe this event as an amputation. i.e. the saints are physically amputated or snatched away at this time. The remainder of the seven-year period facilitates sufficient time for God to pour out His wrath. 

My concern is that Richardson's equivocations are likely to put a stumbling block in the way of those seeking answers to the rapture question. What is needed is a robust argument that stands up to genuine criticism, and in my view prewrath achieves this. 

1. Will Jesus Come FOR HIS CHURCH at the Rapture, But WITH HIS CHURCH at the Second Coming? - Ep 145 | ESCHATOS MINISTRIES (alankurschner.com)
2. 1 Corinthians 15:25 Commentaries: For He must reign until He has put all His enemies under His feet. (biblehub.com)
3. Strong's Greek: 2856. κολοβόω (koloboó) -- to curtail (biblehub.com)

Further Links

WOLVES IN SHEEP'S CLOTHING: FALSE PROPHETS AND BIBLE TEACHERS IN THE LAST DAYS: Joel Richardson (bewareofthewolves.blogspot.com)
Articles for Posttribulationism to Consider | ESCHATOS MINISTRIES (alankurschner.com)For THIS Reason the 'Last Trump' Cannot Be the Seventh Trumpet - Ep. 169 | ESCHATOS MINISTRIES (alankurschner.com)
A Response to Joel Richardson (alankurschner.com)
Why are Joe Schimmel and Jacob Prasch not discerning within their own camps? - UK Aplogetics Library (ukapologeticslibrary.net)
The Islamic Antichrist Theory Debunked - FULL 8 HOUR - AUDIO BOOK - Bible Prophecy (youtube.com)

7 Pretrib Problems and the Prewrath Rapture

ONE CHURCH LEICESTER: "UPGRADE" AND FALSE PEACE

 (207) One Church Together | 31st December 2023, 10.30am - YouTube

They have healed the wound of my people lightly, saying, ‘Peace, peace,’ when there is no peace. (Jeremiah 6:14).

David Hind's latest dose of snake oil began with his announcement of the resignations of Brian Niblock and Colin Jewitt as Trustees of One Church Leicester (formerly Trinity Life Church). Brian Niblock came to the red light district of Highfields in Leicester forty years ago to "put on the green light". He may now find the time to contemplate the tragic irony of his capitulation to the dark agenda of the New Apostolic Reformation (NAR) and the false teaching and worldliness of the Hinds. (Romans 14:12).

J John and ecumenism

One Church Leicester is hosting two services on the 28th of January with guest speaker Anglican Canon J John who promotes ecumenism. J John's lethal compromise with the false gospel of Roman Catholicism is an offence to God! (2 Corinthians 11:4). The English Fundamentalist describes J John's betrayal of the gospel: J John Facing the Canon Exposed - False teacher of Church Apostasy (youtube.com)   

J John is an Honorary Canon of The Order of St Leonard.1  Rob Thomas (watchman4wales) has carried out extensive eye-opening research on The Order of St Leonard: APOSTASY, ERROR & DECEPTION IN WALES - the watchman4wales blog.: Order of St. Leonard

False prophets and empty oracles

Every chapter in the New Testament with the exception of Philemon warns about false teachers and prophets. Those who misuse the scriptures take the Lord's name in vain and are committing grievous sin. (Exodus 20:7; Deuteronomy 5:11; Leviticus 19:12). It is typical of false prophets to abuse the scriptures and give false hope to their hearers. They prophesy peace and prosperity when the reality is the reverse! Ultimately things will end very badly for One Church. I know this, not because I am a prophet, but because One Church perverts the scriptures and teaches a "different gospel". (2 Corinthians 11:4). The ultimate end for false prophets is fearful judgement! (Jude 1:13)

Susan Hind misapplies Isaiah 60 and claims that it is a prophecy for One Church. She also alleges that the Lord asked her "Do you want an upgrade?" (Jeremiah 23:16). Isaiah 60 is a millennial passage that specifically refers to Israel and the future glory for Zion. Instead of bronze I will bring gold, and instead of iron I will bring silver; instead of wood, bronze, instead of stones, iron. I will make your overseers peace and your taskmasters righteousness. (Isaiah 60:17-18).

It is a mystery how the Hinds circumvent the plain teaching of the scriptures regarding women pastors. (1 Timothy 2:12). Susan Hind is no "helpmeet" (Genesis 2:20). Rather she has elevated herself by assuming the prohibited status of a pastor, and in doing so she has raised herself to an unauthorized position. In the process, she has, no doubt, doubled the salary of the Hind household at the expense of the naive congregation of One Church.

David Hind: "..the very core of what God wants to do this year.. is from Acts 9: 31: So the church throughout all Judea and Galilee and Samaria had peace and was being built up. And walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, it multiplied. This is the heart of the Father for One Church in 2024 an upgrade firstly of peace.. I believe it's the Father's heart to see an upgrade of peace.. every time we meet in any context this year ahead let's expect the Prince of Peace to impact lives. People in contact with us to find peace, to experience peace to leave knowing peace. This will be a safe place and we will pray all year for people who are anxious and lost and afraid to be filled with peace people will gather in small groups in youth meetings in children's context in celebrations in twos and threes and the Prince of Peace will pour out his peace an upgrade a peace into our lives.." He goes on to quote John 14:25-27. The promise of peace in John 14 does not apply to counterfeit churches.

David Hind: "We received a word recently in one of our encounter nights and I just want to read you just a few lines from this 'I'm here to prophesy that God is going to pour out on this house fresh oil from heaven that will not only come upon the leadership it will come upon everybody in this house and this church everything in your apostolic grace is about to be upgraded God is saying he's well pleased..'"

Therefore, behold, I am against the prophets, declares the LORD, who steal my words from one another. Behold, I am against the prophets, declares the LORD, who use their tongues and declare, ‘declares the LORD.’ Behold, I am against those who prophesy lying dreams, declares the LORD, and who tell them and lead my people astray by their lies and their recklessness, when I did not send them or charge them. So they do not profit this people at all, declares the LORD. (Jeremiah 23:30-32).

The Numbers Game

In 2022 Hind employed the infamous NAR mantra "imminent revival". Needless to say, this false prophecy was not fulfilled. (Jeremiah 5:13).

* 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. 2 

Hind's failed prophecy of imminent revival/outbreak in 2022 has been revised and downgraded to 300+ people in 2024!

Hind: "I believe he wants to give us an upgrade and I felt challenged to say this to you today. I'd love you to pray with me that in 2024 across all our ministries we'll see decisions and commitments and recommitment to Jesus this year ahead and that we'll see at least 150 people baptized in our church and that we'll see 300 or more new people being added to this house in 2024." (1:26 mark)

Speculating and praying for specific numbers of future converts is presumptuous. (2 Corinthians 10:17). The church is called to preach the gospel and make disciples without any speculation or concern about numbers. (Matthew 28:19; Mark 16:15). God gives the increase. I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth. So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth. (1 Corinthians 3:6-7). No talk about numbers of converts is ever mentioned in the New Testament before the fact! (Acts 2:47,6:7). We only have to remember King David's sin when he numbered Israel in pride. (1 Chronicles 21:1). 

Tithing

Hind: "Let's keep giving tithes and offerings.." (1:29 mark) 

The New Testament encourages believers to be cheerful givers and to give what has been decided in their hearts, not under compulsion. Giving in the New Testament was for the benefit of the poor (Acts 2:43-47,4:32-37) and to support those who preach the gospel. (Matthew 10:10; Luke 10:7; 1 Corinthians 9:6-14; 1 Timothy 5:17-18). Money was definitely not given to support the extravagant lifestyle of greedy pastors or for things like ostentatious building projects that never come to an end. Any pastor or minister who has a superior lifestyle to that of his congregation is a hireling and is unworthy to be in the ministry. (1 Timothy 6:8). There should be no pressure to tithe in any New Testament Church. Believers are no longer under the Mosaic Covenant. (Romans 6:14-15,7:5-6; Galatians 3:15-4:7; 2 Corinthians 3:4-18).  

Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. (2 Corinthians 9:7 cf. Psalm 37:21).  

The Lord did not intend a large body of believers to be governed by a centralized leadership. In the New Testament congregations are described as local assemblies governed entirely by local elders. (Acts 14:22; Titus 1:5). The New Testament model eliminates the need for the popish "megachurch" model and the crippling expense of huge buildings and facilities. 

The Holy Spirit

Constantly asking for a "fresh touch of the Holy Spirit", "more of the Holy Spirit",  "breathing in the Holy Spirit" etc. is the wrong focus. In my view breathing in the Holy Spirit is a dangerous mystical practice. God promised the Holy Spirit to believers and He is present in any authentic assembly. (John 14:16; 1 Corinthians 6:19). There is no instance in the New Testament of believers "inviting" the Holy Spirit, rather the Holy Spirit is sent. (John 14:26, 15:15-25). A sure sign of being filled with the Holy Spirit is that truth is proclaimed and unrighteousness is challenged. (Acts 4:8-12,7:51-60,13:9-10). The Holy Spirit puts all the focus on Jesus Christ. (John 14:17,15:26). If the Hinds want the Holy Spirit so desperately, it would be a novel idea for them to do what the scriptures say and obey the Word. (James 1:22-25; Luke 6:46). God gives the Holy Spirit to those who obey Him! (Acts 5:32).    

A flimsy wall smeared with whitewash 

Precisely because they have misled my people, saying, ‘Peace,’ when there is no peace, and because, when the people build a wall, these prophets smear it with whitewash, say to those who smear it with whitewash that it shall fall! (Ezekiel 13:10-11). 

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

1. Leadership | The Order of St Leonard (osluk.org)
2. WOLVES IN SHEEP'S CLOTHING: FALSE PROPHETS AND BIBLE TEACHERS IN THE LAST DAYS: One Church Leicester (bewareofthewolves.blogspot.com)

Further Links

Ecumenical Unity Must Stop (youtube.com)

Unbiblical stuff the Catholic Church teaches: Mary, Indulgences, Eucharist, Priests, 7 Sacraments (youtube.com)

ONE CHURCH LEICESTER: J JOHN AN URGENT WARNING

One Church Together | 31st December 2023, 10.30am (youtube.com)

I know that after my departure fierce wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock; and from among your own selves will arise men speaking twisted things, to draw away the disciples after them. (Acts 20:29-30).

One Church Leicester (formerly Trinity Life Church) is hosting two services on the 28th of January with guest speaker J John.  

The critical thing to note about J John is that he is an Anglican and ecumenical to the core. This means that he does not follow the true gospel of Jesus Christ, but that he teaches a "different gospel". (2 Corinthians 11:4).

The video below by The English Fundamentalist accurately sums up the "ministry" of J John. (2 Corinthians 11:13). 

An assessment of the ministry of British evangelist J John - a ministry of grave danger and great deception, particularly with regard to the coming lying signs, wonders and miracles movement, and Roman Catholic seduction.

Transcript:

"There is an evangelist today who I would equate to Billy Graham in his method, worldwide impact, amount of souls reached, preaching and Christian profession. But this is of course a bad thing. He goes by the name of J John, an anglicized form of his Greek-rooted Ioannes Ioannou, John son of John. And like Billy Graham, he is a friend of the devil's Roman Catholic religion. London-born J John has been in ministry as an evangelist for well over three decades now, preaching all over the world to large crowds at crusade-type events, often reminiscent of Billy Graham in his subtle work of deception. J John has been a significant figure in shaping today's perverse hybrid Christianity. Souls responding to his preaching responded in turn to his anti-Christian philosophy which has paved the way for the emerging Roman Catholic takeover and false signs and wonders movement. J John is a good example of today's corrupted UK evangelical Christianity and has played his part in bringing it to fruition. The sixty-two-year-old describes himself as an Anglican, as a Canon of Coventry Cathedral, honorary it seems, has authored a large number of books, and has spread the seeds of his hybrid Christianity all over the world to untold millions of people in receiving appraisal, even awards from two Archbishops of Canterbury, Justin Welby and George Carey. The alarm bells should sound very loudly for us regarding J John. Please listen to me my friends, this man is more dangerous than we can ever imagine as I shall show. He is a signs and wonders enthusiast who, and note this well, has declared that he seeks God's revival through the Catholic Church in a fresh move of the Spirit; not exclusively through that system, I grant that, but he is open wide to such an idea and is thus setting people up for the false Eucharistic or Marian miracles that may well be coming soon from the belly of the Roman Catholic harlot. J John loves the Roman Catholic Church. His attitude towards such epitomizes the general tone of UK evangelical Christianity. Yes, he has stated that he does not believe as Catholics do on certain issues such as transubstantiation, but he equally does not oppose it, he speaks not against it, he sees it as a legitimate expression of Christian truth. It's today's typical unity in diversity heresy. J John validates Roman Catholicism. He says we should respect and support this Roman Church. He intimates the deception that the Roman Catholic system stretches back in history 2,000 years to the days of the Apostles. He praises Rome's extraordinary richness of doctrine and traditions terming such a 'blessing'. He sees Catholics as genuine Christians, doing no favors to the deluded souls caught up in that wicked parody. He is open to speaking at Roman Catholic conferences, has claimed to have prayed with the Pope, rejoices in his month working with Mother Teresa and her Sisters of Charity Order, claiming that it was a life-transforming experience, inspiring by nature. J John allegorizes reprobate churches as 'differing flavors of the same product' all equally valid, and advocates each individual finding a flavor that suits them with such ?? it's not about what's true it's about what flavor you like, and this of course involves his legitimizing of Romanism and sending persons into the clutches of the harlot. What wicked manner of evangelism and pastoring is this? J John's large evangelistic events under the 'Just One' banner, also described by the man himself as 'a movement of church unity', and his Emirates Stadium event had 223 churches and charities partnering and working together with him in his ecumenical evangelism that, like Billy Graham, will send supposed converts to the Church of their choice or background rather than steer them away from falsehood and error. J John fellowships with a rogue's gallery of prolific spiritual offenders, heretics and reprobates; speaks on their platforms, interviews them approvingly, persons such as Matt Redman Nicky Gumbel, Guvna B, John Sentamu, Carl Lentz, Mike Pilavachi, Justin Welby, Philip Yancey and so on; associates whose compromised sin and era lead the way in the dark course of reprobate evangelicalism. He has spoken at habitations of devils, such as Holy Trinity Brompton, Sole Survivor, Hillsong London and Hillsong New York City. And to the complete lack of surprise to those acquainted with the state of UK Christianity today, J John has directed respondents at his rallies to attend the Alpha Course, that wicked imposture of the false prophet Nicky Gumbel, the gateway course to end times deception. J John's Christianity is a hybrid Christianity, a mixture of truth and a lot of deadly error. He of course utilizes the music of the world, the all kinds of music of Nebuchadnezzar's worldwide Empire and religion, as all the false teachers do. It is a significant adhesive and accelerant of the Roman Catholic ecumenical movement designed to destroy Christian truth and replace it with Papal Authority and the Roman Catholic system. A token or badge recognition was given to J John by the Minister of Satan, Justin Welby, who spoke well of J John in the recent past, saying of him that he is 'one of the best communicators of what it is to be a Christian'. An appraisal from the Archbishop of Canterbury signifies the corrupt roots of the ministry receiving it. J John, as I have mentioned, is a signs and wonders man and undoubtedly accepts the Roman Catholic system as a Christian Church as valid as any other denomination, and that its adherents are Christians, and that it's Christ is the true Jesus. Now if miracles signs and wonders began to flow publicly and powerfully from the heart of the Roman Catholic Church, J John will point people there with enthusiastic accreditation. He is a catastrophic deception waiting to happen, and many others with him. Let us recall, he will accept as authentic, a revival, even if it came by the Roman Catholic Church. That is his position, and those souls tutored under his ministry, many false converts as well as intrigued unbelievers will be led into great deception by this false teacher and false prophet, who for many years has received a stipend for preparing the way for satanic deception. And the way has been prepared, and deception is abundant now and is to come in manifested power. Whether J John himself, who has sown the seeds and helped build the necessary conditions for end times deception regarding lying signs and wonders, or one like him, such as Matt Redman, Nicky Gumbel or Mike Pilavachi, there shall be charismatic popular attractive personalities eagerly pointing to Rome as the source of God's revival and move of the Holy Spirit. J John's ministry has been accompanied by miracles, and people follow the miracles in unrighteousness instead of receiving a love of the truth. For Satan can work miracles. False christs and false prophets work great signs and wonders to deceive. We must test the spirits by the word of God. J John's initials remind me of Jannes and Jambres in 2nd Timothy chapter three (2 Timothy 3:8), those wicked persons who withstood Moses and resist the truth, referring I believe to those magicians of Egypt in Exodus who through their enchantments, were allowed of God to mimic the work of God to their own shame and folly by false signs and wonders, a feature of the end times church led by individuals very much akin to the false prophet J John." 

Money money money!

Hind: "Let's keep giving tithes and offerings.." (1:29 mark) 

The New Testament encourages believers to be cheerful givers and to give what has been decided in their hearts, not under compulsion. Giving in the New Testament was for the benefit of the poor (Acts 2:43-47,4:32-37) and to support those who preach the gospel. (Matthew 10:10; Luke 10:7; 1 Corinthians 9:6-14; 1 Timothy 5:17-18). Money was definitely not given to support the extravagant lifestyle of greedy pastors or for things like ostentatious building projects that never come to an end. Any pastor or minister who has a superior lifestyle to that of his congregation is a hireling and is unworthy to be in the ministry. (1 Timothy 6:8). There should be no pressure to tithe in any New Testament Church. Believers are no longer under the Mosaic Covenant. (Romans 6:14-15,7:5-6; Galatians 3:15-4:7; 2 Corinthians 3:4-18). I have added a link on this subject at the end of this post. 

Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. (2 Corinthians 9:7 cf. Psalm 37:21).  

The Lord did not intend a large body of believers to be governed by a centralized leadership. In the New Testament congregations are described as local assemblies governed entirely by local elders. (Acts 14:22; Titus 1:5) The New Testament model eliminates the need for the popish "megachurch" model and the crippling expense of huge buildings and facilities. 

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).

Further Links

7 Reasons Christians Are Not Required to Tithe (thegospelcoalition.org)
Dave Hunt - The false “unity” of ECUMENISM [YT] (youtube.com)
Billy Graham Exposed by Dave Hunt (youtube.com)
WOLVES IN SHEEP'S CLOTHING: FALSE PROPHETS AND BIBLE TEACHERS IN THE LAST DAYS: Billy Graham (bewareofthewolves.blogspot.com)
APOSTASY, ERROR & DECEPTION IN WALES - the watchman4wales blog.: Order of St. Leonard

JOEL RICHARDSON MUDDYING THE WATERS: PREWRATH VS POSTTRIB RAPTURE

The Pre-Wrath Versus the Post-Tribulational Rapture THE RAPTURE & ENDURANCE OF THE SAINTS (youtube.com)

Joel Richardson has a very neat way of coming on board and then muddying the waters by undermining the very teaching he claims to support. He has employed this technique against the prewrath rapture view previously. 

Richardson describes his own view regarding the timing of the rapture as a "kind of hybrid" between prewrath and posttrib. His "initial introduction" makes this topic more confusing than it already is. The following summary is sufficient to introduce the subject minus Richardson's various nuances.

The pretrib rapture view ~ The rapture occurs at an indeterminate point before the 70th week of Daniel.
The prewrath rapture view ~ The rapture occurs after the tribulation following the cosmic disturbances in between the sixth and seventh seal in the book of Revelation.
The posttrib rapture view ~ The rapture occurs at Armageddon i.e. at the end of the 70th week of Daniel.

Richardson describes the prewrath view as "a relatively newer position". His poor research into this subject is obvious and he is inaccurate on many points. It is reasonable to say that the prewrath interpretation is not a new position, rather it has been defined this way in recent history. Many of the early Church Fathers have been described as "posttrib" erroneously since they taught significant aspects of the prewrath view. It therefore appears that the early Fathers were generally prewrath without applying the "prewrath" label. 

Richardson: "..there was no one that held to prewrath in the more specific limited sense, for example the form of prewrath that would be articulated by Alan Kurschsner. There's no one throughout church history that's going to hold to that view right, they're going to largely hold more to a posttribulation perspective." Alan Kurschner argues that many early Church Fathers were, in fact, prewrath without using the "prewrath" label.1  

Robert Van Kampen was the primary mover in developing the prewrath view during the 1970s and 80s.2 Marvin Rosenthal was formerly a staunch pretribulationalist and it took some time for him to be persuaded by Van Kampen. Rosenthal began to adopt the prewrath view in 1986 much to the ire of the pre-trib camp. In 1990 Rosenthal's book The Pre-Wrath Rapture of the Church popularized the prewrath view. Rosenthal was one of those rare pre-trib teachers who had the courage of his convictions. He was removed from his position as Executive Director of The Friends of Israel Gospel Ministry in 1989 due to his prewrath stance.3

Richardson points out the massive ramifications to the church if pre-trib teachers are wrong. The pretrib rapture view could indeed ruin a large portion of the church. Sadly many staunch pre-trib teachers appear to be blinded to the devastating implications of this dangerous error. Nevertheless, I pray that many believers will re-think this question and will consider the prewrath position. 

Richardson: "..prewrath vs posttrib.. I don't care about arguing. I personally wholeheartedly believe that prewathers and posttribers need to unite and essentially work together and expose the deception the dangerous deception of pretribulationism." thinks arguments between prewrath and posttrib are "the dumbest thing to fight about" because both camps agree on the important distinction that believers will face the persecution of the Antichrist. I may have agreed with this perspective at one time, but having thought about it more deeply, I see that it is necessary to present an accurate and credible argument to pretrib believers. (1 John 4:1). The posttrib view has some serious flaws that any thoughtful pretribber will easily pick up. A flawed argument that integrates the prewrath/posttrib views is likely to lead pretrib believers to reject any argument that believers will face the Antichrist. For clarity, we need to present a sound theological argument, and the prewrath view achieves that criterion. Richardson claims to have found "some problems" with the prewrath rapture view which he says he will articulate in a later video. Richardson: "In reality I don't know, I don't have absolute confidence, and I don't care.. who cares?"  This is perverse. If he doesn't know, if he hasn't got confidence, and if he doesn't care, then it begs the question: Why does he feel that he is qualified to critique the prewrath rapture view or make recommendations? Richardson's narrative demonstrates his negligent attitude toward sound teaching: "..it's not worth dividing over, we do need to unite.." I would not reject a posttrib teacher/believer or regard them as unsaved. However, having studied Joe Schimmel's posttrib view, I have come to the inevitable conclusion that he has mistaught the book of Revelation for years. (Revelation 22:18-19).4 Schimmel refuses to even acknowledge or address the questions that I have put to his ministry. The same applies to Sam Adams of Independance Baptist Church. 5 When posttrib teachers will not even acknowledge identifiable problems associated with their view then it is difficult to have any respect for them.

Joel Richardson's "interesting" history and his strange friends

Richardson's history and questionable associations demonstrate that he does not care about sound teaching. 

Richardson: "I got saved in the Assemblies of God. It's is a denomination that I greatly esteem, it's one of the most rock-solid missions-focused, most globally influential denominations in the world. I mean you know in terms of out there throughout the Middle East on the ground the Assemblies of God is a great denomination."  I profoundly disagree with Richardson about the Assemblies of God (AOG). I attended the AOG myself in Leicester some years ago and I am horrified by their unbiblical teachings. Many AOG churches promote the New Apostolic Reformation and are lethal places to attend. It is perverse that the AOG officially rejects NAR teaching and yet their practice in many instances is the very opposite. Holly Pivec: "..many churches that remain part of the Assemblies of God actively promote NAR teachings--even inviting NAR apostles and prophets into their churches."6 

In previous posts, I have catalogued a number of serious problems associated with Joel Richardson's "ministry". (summarized below).

Richardson's "prophetic endorsement" by "Latter Rain" false prophet Paul Cain who he claims was the catalyst that kick-started his "ministry".

Richardson's previous associate and co-author false teacher Walid Shoebat and their case for an Islamic Antichrist. 

Richardson's association with false teacher Dalton Thomas who was recently ejected from Frontier Alliance International Studios (FAI).7

Richardson's false teaching regarding Identificational Repentance. 

Richardsons Metatron heresy.

Richardson's false teaching that the Antichrist will be killed and not thrown "alive" into the lake of fire. (Revelation 19:20).

Richardson's attempt to shoehorn the Antichrist into Ezekiel 38 and 39.

Richarson's recent association with false teacher and "deliverance" guru Vlad Savchuk.9 

Richardson describes himself as a "friend" of false teacher Chris Reed, the new head of apostate Morningstar Ministries, formerly led by false teacher Rick Joyner who is a member of the Ecumenical Knights of Malta. Reed claims to have had a vivid dream allegedly from God revealing that John the Apostle has been living in a cave in Turkey for the last 2000 years! John the Apostle is supposedly going to come out of hiding and reveal how to interpret the book of Revelation (NOT)! You really can't make this stuff up!10 

For more information please refer to: WOLVES IN SHEEP'S CLOTHING: FALSE PROPHETS AND BIBLE TEACHERS IN THE LAST DAYS: Joel Richardson (bewareofthewolves.blogspot.com)

UK Apologetics Library: "Not only has Joel Richardson gone along with Mormon (Glenn Beck) but also other notable names of false teachers and organizations that are promoted, this includes Jim Bakker, Sid Roth, Mike Bickle, Walid Schoebat, Paul Wilbur, TBN, Pat Robertson 700 Club, CBN News, Joel Rosenberg (listed 2009), IHOP (International House of Prayer), Jonathan Cahn, Mark Biltz, Chuck Missler, Daystar TV. Joel Richardson is a frequent Speaker at Billy Humphrey's IHOP Atlanta".11

Given the plethora of information that identifies Richardson as a false teacher, it t is very concerning that he is endorsed by Zion's Hope and is a speaker at their conferences.12 

I appeal to you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and create obstacles contrary to the doctrine that you have been taught; avoid them. (Romans 16:17 cf. 1 Timothy 6:3-5).

1. Microsoft Word - Prewrath - Early Church Fathers.docx (alankurschner.com)
2. Robert Van Kampen - Rapture Ready
3. https://lionandlambapologetics.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/Another-Look-at-Rosenthals-Pre-Wrath-Rapture-McLean-1.pdf
4. WOLVES IN SHEEP'S CLOTHING: FALSE PROPHETS AND BIBLE TEACHERS IN THE LAST DAYS: Joe Schimmel Blessed Hope Chapel (bewareofthewolves.blogspot.com)
5. WOLVES IN SHEEP'S CLOTHING: FALSE PROPHETS AND BIBLE TEACHERS IN THE LAST DAYS: Sam Adams Independence Baptist Church (bewareofthewolves.blogspot.com)
6. The Assemblies of God and the NAR — Holly Pivec
7. Founder of Missions Group FAI Resigns Over Sexual Infidelity (julieroys.com)
8. Is the Disciple John Alive? - Chris Reed on the Elijah List (youtube.com)
9. 20231020 LIPS YT VSL ExplainerUGC 03 JW NoGH (youtube.com)
10. (3) Joel Richardson - An Important Update: Many of you who have been... | Facebo
11. Why are Joe Schimmel and Jacob Prasch not discerning within their own camps? - UK Aplogetics Libra ry (ukapologeticslibrary.net)
12. Zion's Hope (zionshope.org)

Further Link

Articles for Posttribulationism to Consider | ESCHATOS MINISTRIES (alankurschner.com)

JUSTIN PETERS: SEXUAL SIN IS NEVER FULLY BLOTTED OUT - REALLY?

Justin Peters - Dangerous Doctrines: Session 3 (youtube.com)

Justin Peters: "My bible says that sexual sin leaves a wound and the reproach will never be fully blotted out. My bible says that sexual sin is sin that is committed inside the body, not outside the body. There is something especially pernicious and especially injurious about sexual sin that is not true of other sin.. Just because we have been forgiven judicially, does not automatically remove the ugly consequences of that sin, and there is something unique about sexual sin that leaves a wound, it leaves a scar because it is sin that is committed inside the body, not outside the body. The Bible does not 'whisper' about sexual sin.."  (51:00 mark) 

The passage Justin Peters refers to is 1 Corinthians 6 below:

"All things are lawful for me,” but not all things are helpful. “All things are lawful for me,” but I will not be dominated by anything. “Food is meant for the stomach and the stomach for food”—and God will destroy both one and the other. The body is not meant for sexual immorality, but for the Lord, and the Lord for the body. And God raised the Lord and will also raise us up by his power. Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ? Shall I then take the members of Christ and make them members of a prostitute? Never! Or do you not know that he who is joined to a prostitute becomes one body with her? For, as it is written, “The two will become one flesh.” But he who is joined to the Lord becomes one spirit with him. Flee from sexual immorality. Every other sin a person commits is outside the body, but the sexually immoral person sins against his own body. Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body. (1 Corinthians 6:12-20). But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. (1 Corinthians 6:12-21).

Although I agree with much of what Justin Peters says in this video, and I certainly have nothing but contempt for JD Greear and Ed Litton, it would be tragic if those who have been cleansed from their sin by the blood of Jesus were to believe that their previous sexual sin was not fully blotted out! Where does it say this in the Bible? Justin Peters' sweeping statement applies to a great many believers and it would be tragic if any believer, let alone a great number of believers, were to swallow the lie that their sexual sin was not fully blotted out. Paul referred to himself as "the worst of sinners" ~ he was a murderer and all his sins were blotted out. (1 Timothy 1:16). Ironically Justin Peters' opinion runs counterproductive to his aim of exposing false teachers. His false supposition has the potential to ruin the peace of many believers and is injurious to the very gospel itself! (Proverbs 30:6). Isn't this precisely how false doctrine gains a foothold? 

The Bible teaches that when someone repents of their sin and believes the gospel, ALL their sins are blotted out, including sexual sin. Sexual sin does differ from other sins in that it occurs inside the body. However, it is critical to note that Jesus has blotted out ALL our sins completely.

Repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out.. (Acts 3:19 cf. Isaiah 43:25,44:22; Psalm 51:1,9).

..how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without blemish to God, purify our conscience from dead works to serve the living God. (Hebrews 9:14).

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 (every) sin.   

Barnes: "The general meaning is plain, that in regard to any and every sin of which we may be conscious, there is efficacy in that blood to remove it, and to make us wholly pure. There is no stain made by sin so deep that the blood of Christ cannot take it entirely away from the soul."

Clarke: "The blood of Jesus Christ — The meritorious efficacy of his passion and death has purged our consciences from dead works, and cleanseth us, καθαριζειημας, continues to cleanse us, i.e., to keep clean what it has made clean, (for it requires the same merit and energy to preserve holiness in the soul of man, as to produce it,) or, as several MSS. and some versions read, καθαριει and καθαρισει, will cleanse; speaking of those who are already justified, and are expecting full redemption in his blood.
And being cleansed from all sin is what every believer should look for, what he has a right to expect, and what he must have in this life, in order to be prepared to meet his God. Christ is not a partial Saviour, he saves to the uttermost, and he cleanses from ALL sin." 

Woods: "Moreover, it cleanses from sin, not merely solely the conscience, but sin (amartias), all sin, whether of thought, word, or deed, rash sins, sins of ignorance, of malice, of omission or commission, sins of the flesh, sins of the disposition, sins of pleasure or of pain, sins of every type and kind committed at any time or place."  1 

1. 1 John 1:7 - Verse-by-Verse Bible Commentary - StudyLight.org

WHO IS MATT CANDLER? IHOP NEST OF VIPERS!

Sunday Worship Service - Guest Matt Candler (youtube.com)

The murky depths of IHOP are thankfully being exposed and Matt Candler has replaced David Sliker as the President of IHOP University. Candler helped to set up IHOPKC in 1999.1 In other words, Candler lived under the Bickle's false prophesies and spiritual deception for many years, apparently without raising any concerns! (2 Timothy 3:13).

Two years ago Candler was a guest at Legacy Church in Washington which has all the hallmarks of the New Apostolic Reformation (NAR). Candler's false teaching begins at around the 1:20 mark.

Candler: "..this is a title I feel like the Lord gave me.. I want to talk about unbelief, friendship and the power of a preferred future." This is not a good start! We should treat with caution people who claim 'the Lord gave me a word'. If anyone claims or implies that the Lord has given them a prophetic word in an unworthy manner they have committed a grievous sin. (1 John 4:1; 1 Corinthians 14:29; Deuteronomy 18:20-22; Jeremiah 28:9). 

NAR buzzwords in bold:

Candler: "We are on the precipice of a great outpouring of the Holy Spirit we can't imagine.. bringing transformation... unprecedented notable miracles are going to break out.. miracles will be so commonplace but unbelief will also be rampant.."

Imminent revival or apostasy? 

The "imminent revival" mantra is characteristic of false prophets and has no biblical foundation. (Ezekiel 13:10). No prophecy of an end-time revival exists in the New Testament. The scriptures prophesy rampant spiritual deception, apostasy, false prophets, lying signs and wonders, birth pains.. and ultimately worldwide spiritual deception under the Antichrist. (Acts 20:29; Revelation 13:14). We should reject those who prophesy that we are on the "precipice of 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).

Candler's "sermon" is deeply flawed and incoherent. He teaches the false doctrine that believers should base their faith on "notable miracles". (Matthew 24:24; 2 Thessalonians 2:9).

Candler: "..when I think about unbelief you know I think about like seeing a miracle and being like unbelievable but I saw it and I'm like I see the works of God I read about the great works of God and outpouring of the spirit and i and I and there are people that they just think that they even see it they have a front row seat and they don't believe it and I'm thinking you just believe and I and there's a lot of talk especially in context of revival when the spirit is poured out and that the church is invited to ? church and outside the church and even in the bible to wrestle with. Do you believe this is true or is this not true in the book of Acts that was called a notable miracle and there's this issue of belief or unbelief but what I want to highlight is how can a person an individual us? included stand before something that was clearly notable and say I don't believe that because when we think of unbelief thinking all I need is enough evidence and then I'll be like I'll believe and the lord knows the depths of the human heart in a way and sees the roots of unbelief.."  

The difference between the works of Jesus and lying signs and wonders.

I have seen many alleged signs and wonders by those who falsely claim God's authority. A few examples are Todd White's leg-lengthening trick; Kathryn Krick's false deliverances using actors; various false "outpourings" (Toronto Pensacola etc.); Benny Hinn's false prophecies; Mike Bickle's false prophecies; Kenneth Copeland and Rodney Howard-Browne's fake tongues; unverified "healings", Morris Cerullo's False Miracles, Shawn Bolz' smart phone "cold readings" ~ on and on and on! Why would I trust "prophecies" of "notable miracles" and "imminent revival" given the track record of these wolves? (Matthew 7:22-23). Not only are we faced with fake signs, but Jesus Christ Himself warned us of powerful demonic signs. (Revelation 13:13).

If anyone’s will is to do God’s will, he will know whether the teaching is from God or whether I am speaking on my own authority. (John 7:17).

If I alone bear witness about myself, my testimony is not true. There is another who bears witness about me, and I know that the testimony that he bears about me is true. You sent to John, and he has borne witness to the truth. Not that the testimony that I receive is from man, but I say these things so that you may be saved. He was a burning and shining lamp, and you were willing to rejoice for a while in his light. But the testimony that I have is greater than that of John. For the works that the Father has given me to accomplish, the very works that I am doing, bear witness about me that the Father has sent me. .. You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is they that bear witness about me, yet you refuse to come to me that you may have life. (John 5:31-36, 39-40).

Candler: "They (the Pharisees) had the law, they had the scriptures.. they had their life, their reputation related to the scriptures.. the actual phrase is 'you don't want me though you love the scriptures'". This is absolutely false! Jesus condemned the Pharisees because they did not love or follow the scriptures, they followed the Oral law i.e. their traditions!

There is one who accuses you: Moses, on whom you have set your hope. For if you believed Moses, you would believe me; for he wrote of me. But if you do not believe his writings, how will you believe my words?” (John 5:45-47).

Then Pharisees and scribes came to Jesus from Jerusalem and said, “Why do your disciples break the tradition of the elders? For they do not wash their hands when they eat.” He answered them, “And why do you break the commandment of God for the sake of your tradition? For God commanded, ‘Honor your father and your mother,’ and, ‘Whoever reviles father or mother must surely die.’ But you say, ‘If anyone tells his father or his mother, “What you would have gained from me is given to God,” he need not honor his father.’ So for the sake of your tradition you have made void the word of God. You hypocrites! Well did Isaiah prophesy of you, when he said: “‘This people honors me with their lips, but their heart is far from me; in vain do they worship me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.’” (Matthew 15:1-90.

And he said to them,“You have a fine way of rejecting the commandment of God in order to establish your tradition! For Moses said, ‘Honor your father and your mother’; and, ‘Whoever reviles father or mother must surely die.’ But you say, ‘If a man tells his father or his mother, “Whatever you would have gained from me is Corban”’ (that is, given to God)— then you no longer permit him to do anything for his father or mother, thus making void the word of God by your tradition that you have handed down. And many such things you do.” (Mark 7:9-13).

My advice to anyone still attending IHOP - LEAVE! IHOP is a nest of vipers and is saturated with false doctrine! (Matthew 12:34; Proverbs 1:7).   

1. My IHOPKC Experience: Matt & Dana's Story - IHOPKC BLOG

Further Links

Disgraced Televangelists (youtube.com)
Kenneth Copeland & Rodney Howard Browne Mighty Tongues Mighty Anointing (youtube.com)
EcoWell UK V1 (youtube.com)
30 Sec CS2589 CS Cont Rewired refresh (youtube.com)

SPENCER SMITH'S INAPPROPRIATE JESTING AKA FOOLISH TALK

 What is Jesting? (youtube.com)

In answer to Spencer Smith's charge that anyone who does not approve of his foolish talk has a humourless sour disposition and is miserable. We find our joy in the Lord Jesus Christ, not in Smith's version of humour, which apparently a number of people do not appreciate. 

Smith: "Smite that like button and all your dreams will come true."  This is fairly typical of Smith's idea of a joke. The underlying motive is of course that he wants to get as many hits on his channel as possible in order to generate income. Smith spends an inordinate amount of time merchandising, touting for subscriptions and donations, offering rewards for watching his videos, competitions, giveaways etc. He repeatedly tells his viewers to "smite thine like button". Smith's self-serving worldly behaviour is unseemly for a man of God.

Smith: "There are a breed of people that think that anything like that is unspiritual.. I mean I don't want to be this prude where I'm just, you know, like some hermit in a monastery somewhere and I never smile. I don't think that's scriptural either.. and I did some studying in the Bible and I found out several things. I found out that God laughs, I find out that merry heart doeth good like a medicine, and I just don't think this humourless sour disposition is becoming of a Christian."

Smith's two absurd examples:

But you, O LORD, laugh at them; you hold all the nations in derision. (Psalm 59:8 cf. Psalm 2:4; 37:13; Proverbs 1:26). This expression does not concern God's humour, rather it expresses his contempt and derision. 

A glad heart makes a cheerful face, but by sorrow of heart the spirit is crushed. (Proverbs 15:13). Smith quotes half the verse which continues with the opposite of glad i.e. sorrow. The definition of glad (sameach) is glad, cheerful, merry. This verse does not concern jesting!

Benson: "Hebrew, of a good heart, that is, composed, quiet, and contented, conscious of intending God’s glory in all things, and of being devoted to his service in love and obedience; hath a continual feast — Hath constant satisfaction and delight in all conditions, yea, even in affliction." 1 

 

Like many poor teachers, Smith doubles down on his ungodly behavior and attempts to justify it with the scriptures. Some have challenged Smith with Ephesians 5:3 regarding his inappropriate foolish talk or jesting. Smith proceeds to totally distort this verse to suit his own agenda. Ephesians 5:3 does, of course, refer to crude sexual jokes, but it also refers to "any kind of impurity or greed". In verse 4, Paul identifies idolatry as immorality impurity and greed. This passage is clearly not limited to crude sexual jokes! Several real theologians disagree with Smith's eisegesis of Ephesians 5:3.

But among you, as is proper among the saints, there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed. Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk, or crude joking, which are out of character, but rather thanksgiving. For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure, or greedy person (that is, an idolater), has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. (Ephesiains 5:3-4).

Barnes: "Nor foolish talking - This word - μωρολογία mōrologia - does not occur elsewhere in the New Testament. It means that kind of talk which is insipid, senseless, stupid, foolish; which is not suited to instruct, edify, profit - the idle 'chitchat' which is so common in the world. The meaning is, that Christians should aim to have their conversation sensible, serious, sincere - remembering the words of the Lord Jesus, "that every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment;" Matthew 12:36."

Ellicott: "But rather giving of thanks.—The opposition is striking. 'The foolish talking and jesting' aim at mirth and play of mind; St. Paul will not austerely condemn, such light-heartedness, but he finds a wholesome and spiritual vent for it in the habitual expression of thankfulness to God, which proceeds from a natural and childlike cheerfulness. Exactly in the same spirit below (Ephesians 5:18-20) he contrasts the excitement of drunkenness with the being 'filled with the Spirit . . . giving thanks always for all things.'”

Meyer: "μωρολογία] is the carrying on of insipid, foolish talk. Antig. de Mirab. 126: μωρολωγίας καὶ ἀδολεσχίας, Arist. H. A. i. 11; Plut. Mor. 504 A.
εὐτραπελία] signifies properly ready versatility (from τρέπω and εὖ), urbanity; then specially a witty, jesting manner; and in a bad sense, as here, the witticism of frivolity, scurrilitas. See in general, Wetstein ad loc.; Dissen, ad Pind. p. 180; Krüger on Thuc. ii. 41. 1."

Isaac Barrow: "All profane jesting, all speaking loosely and wantonly about holy things (things nearly related to God and religion), making such things the matters of sport and mockery, playing and trifling with them, is certainly prohibited, as an intolerably vain and wicked practice. It is an infallible sign of a vain and light spirit, which considereth little, and cannot distinguish things, to talk slightly concerning persons of high dignity, to whom especial respect is due; or about matters of great importance, which deserve very serious consideration.." 2  

But avoid irreverent babble, for it will lead people into more and more ungodliness.. (2 Timothy 2:16).

I do not recommend Spencer Smith as a bible expositor for obvious reasons! I guess I will continue to be "miserable" and find my joy in the Lord! (Psalm 19:8).

1. Proverbs 15:13 Commentaries: A joyful heart makes a cheerful face, But when the heart is sad, the spirit is broken. (biblehub.com)
2. Against Foolish Talking and Jesting. (biblehub.com)

WOLVES IN SHEEP'S CLOTHING: FALSE PROPHETS AND BIBLE TEACHERS IN THE LAST DAYS: Spencer Smith (bewareofthewolves.blogspot.com)