"God, I hate to go to Texas," Kennedy told a friend, saying he had "a terrible feeling about going."
He was certainly preoccupied with the possibility of assassination
As utterly shocking and traumatic as the assassination of John F. Kennedy was, the one person who might not have been surprised that it happened was JFK himself. It's worth remembering, as the 50th anniversary of JFK's death approaches, that the young president had a morbid fascination with sudden death - and sometimes speculated that he would die at the hands of an assassin. "Thank God nobody wanted to kill me today," he said to a friend half a century ago tonight while flying from Florida to Washington. How would it happen? By someone firing at his motorcade from a high window, he thought. Kennedy also confided in the friend, Dave Powers, that he really didn't want to go to Texas later that week. "God, I hate to go to Texas," JFK said, adding that he had "a terrible feeling about going." And on the morning of his murder, Friday, November 22, that terrible feeling was still with him. "Last night would have been a hell of a night to assassinate a president," he told his wife Jacqueline and Ken O'Donnell, a top aide. William Manchester, in the definitive account of the assassination - Death of a President - picks up the story:
"I mean it," Kennedy said. "There was the rain, and the night, and we were all getting jostled. Suppose a man had a pistol in a briefcase." Then Kennedy "gestured vividly, pointing his rigid index finger at the wall and jerking his thumb twice to show the action of the hammer. "Then he could have dropped the gun and the briefcase" - in pantomime he dropped them and whirled in a tense crouch - "and melted away in the crowd." [Death of a President]
Why the fatal fixation? Kennedy - whose favorite poem was "I Have a Rendezvous with Death" by Alan Seeger - knew that for him, for his family, death was always near. He lost his older brother in World War II, when his plane blew up over the English Channel in August 1944. Another plane crash, in May 1948, claimed a sister. He and Jacqueline lost two children: Arabella, their first daughter, delivered stillborn in August 1956, and son Patrick Bouvier Kennedy, who died in August 1963 after just 36 hours. When the infant passed, his father was holding his hand, urging him to hang on; JFK then retreated to a nearby boiler room and broke down in sobs. Intertwined with these family tragedies were three brushes with death for Kennedy himself. He was given the last rites of his church three times. In 1947, after becoming gravely ill in England. In 1951, he nearly succumbed to a very high fever while visiting Japan. The third time was in 1954 following back surgery to repair his spine: he developed an infection and slipped into a coma for several weeks. If anything, Kennedy's close calls instilled in him an appreciation for life; both friend and foe described him as a man who understood that time was short and therefore must be lived to the hilt each day. He once predicted he wouldn't live past age 45 (he was off by less than six months) and didn't waste a minute. Of course, this zeal often manifested itself in unsavory ways. He was, as we all know, a notorious philanderer, bedding everyone from movie stars to wives of close friends to young White House interns. Then there is this tragic irony: The very understanding that time was limited encouraged him to take risks with his life; that risky behavior may have contributed to his early death. As president, he insisted on riding in open cars whenever possible, and preferred that Secret Service agents be posted, whenever possible, on the follow-up car directly behind his. Unless the weather was bad or there was a known threat, that's the way he liked it. Simply put, John F. Kennedy wanted to be seen, he wanted maximum exposure to voters. A treasure trove of photos from countless trips over the course of his entire presidency belie the conspiracist notion that somehow the security in Dallas in Nov. 22 was different. It wasn't. Indeed, agents that morning at Love Field, where the motorcade was to begin, were wondering whether to put the top (which wasn't bulletproof anyway) on SS100X, Kennedy's 1961 Lincoln Continental. After all, it was drizzling. A call to the president's top aide, O'Donnell, gave them their answer. "If the weather is clear and it's not raining, have that bubbletop off," the Secret Service was told. The skies cleared, and Air Force One, after a 13-minute flight from Fort Worth, landed under brilliant blue skies. It was a good omen, and the president's men always called a day like Nov. 22 "Kennedy weather."
Jim Woodford was brain dead for 11 hours. Propelled through a tunnel of light, Jim Woodford found himself standing on the edge of Heaven and utter darkness. Something began calling his name. Jim went to Heaven and was sent back with a message from Heaven — it’s never too late to cry out to God.
Jim Woodford recently died and went to Heaven, but not before visiting the gates of Hell.
Heaven – An Unexpected Journey. (Book) Unsaved, and facing death, Jim Woodford cried out for God to forgive him. Jim died, but it was not his time — Jesus sent him back, and he is here to tell you it’s not too late for you.
Jim’s journey through a tunnel of light brought him to the edge of Heaven and Hell. The darkness and the sound of Hell’s gates were real, but so was his angelic rescue from a creature who called him by name. Jim shares the experiences of singing flowers, God’s “sticky love” and meeting Jesus, who silently read the book of his life to him. Jim was ashamed that his worldly accomplishments amounted to so little! Jim is changing that now, and his book will change you!
Heaven is Beyond Your Wildest Expectations (Book) shares the testimonies of ten ordinary people who have been to Heaven — having died and returned, or in a vision or dream. These real life, modern-day stories inspire faith that, no matter what happens here on earth, all troubles are momentary, light afflictions compared to the glory that awaits you in Heaven.
"The first time I saw Jesus I was completely overwhelmed. When He looks at you His eyes pierce you, they go all the way through you. Just love! I melted in His presence." — Dr. Gary Wood
Life After Death. (2-CD Set) Many people have died (medically speaking) or had a near-death experience, visited heaven or hell and then returned to life or consciousness. These people have given amazingly similar accounts of their experiences. Since we must all exit this life, we have a natural curiosity about what they have seen and heard.
These stories give a vivid picture of the reality of both Heaven and Hell. Among the 10 first hand accounts, you will hear from:
• Dr. Richard Eby • Ron Reagan • Gary Wood • Dean Braxton • Bill Wiese
Jim Woodford was a successful commercial airline pilot by career standards but he lived his life apart from God. His experiences with death, Hell, Heaven and the goodness of God include seeing the book of his life and an encounter with Jesus, then being sent back to earth.
DONALD STAMPS IN THE LIFE STUDY BIBLE PAGE 1,995 WRITES: "THE FALSE PROPHETS/TEACHERS WILL COMMERCIALIZE THE GOSPEL, BEING EXPERTS IN GREED AND IN GETTING MONEY FROM BELIEVERS TO ENHANCE THEIR MINISTRIES AND AFFLUENT LIFESTYLES. BELIEVERS MUST BE AWARE THAT ONE OF THE CHIEF METHODS OF FALSE MINISTERS IS TO USE FEIGNED WORDS TO TELL IMPRESSIVE STORIES THAT ARE NOT TRUE , OR TO GIVE EXAGGERATED STATISTICS IN ORDER TO INSPIRE GOD'S PEOPLE TO GIVE MONEY. THEY GLORIFY THEMSELVES AND ENHANCE THEIR MINISTRIES WITH THESE FABRICATED STORIES (cf 2nd Corinthians 2:17). THUS, THE UNWARY AND SINCERE CHILD OF GOD BECOMES AN OBJECT OF EXPLOITATION. BECAUSE THESE MINISTERS DEFILE GOD'S TRUTH AND PEOPLE WITH GREED AND DECEIT, THEY ARE ASSIGNED TO ETERNAL DOOM AND DESTRUCTION". 2 Corinthians 2:17 "You see, we are not like the many hucksters who preach for personal profit. We preach the word of God with sincerity and with Christ's authority, knowing that God is watching us".
Answer: Exegesis means “exposition or explanation.” Biblical exegesis involves the examination of a particular text of scripture in order to properly interpret it. Exegesis is a part of the process of hermeneutics, the science of interpretation. A person who practices exegesis is called an exegete.
Good biblical exegesis is actually commanded in scripture. “Study [be diligent] to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth” (2 Timothy 2:15). According to this verse, we must handle the Word of God properly, through diligent study. If we don’t, we have reason to be ashamed.
There are some basic principles of good exegesis which serious students of the Bible will follow:
1. The Grammatical Principle. The Bible was written in human language, and language has a certain structure and follows certain rules. Therefore, we must interpret the Bible in a manner consistent with the basic rules of language.
Usually, the exegete starts his examination of a passage by defining the words in it. Definitions are basic to understanding the passage as a whole, and it is important that the words be defined according to their original intent and not according to modern usage. To ensure accuracy, the exegete uses a precise English translation and Greek and Hebrew dictionaries.
Next, the exegete examines the syntax, or the grammatical relationships of the words in the passage. He finds parallels, he determines which ideas are primary and which are subordinate, and he discovers actions, subjects, and their modifiers. He may even diagram a verse or two.
2. The Literal Principle. We assume that each word in a passage has a normal, literal meaning, unless there is good reason to view it as a figure of speech. The exegete does not go out of his way to spiritualize or allegorize. Words mean what words mean.
So, if the Bible mentions a “horse,” it means “a horse.” When the Bible speaks of the Promised Land, it means a literal land given to Israel and should not be interpreted as a reference to heaven.
3. The Historical Principle. As time passes, culture changes, points of view change, language changes. We must guard against interpreting scripture according to how our culture views things; we must always place scripture in its historical context.
The diligent Bible student will consider the geography, the customs, the current events, and even the politics of the time when a passage was written. An understanding of ancient Jewish culture can greatly aid an understanding of scripture. To do his research, the exegete will use Bible dictionaries, commentaries, and books on history.
4. The Synthesis Principle. The best interpreter of scripture is scripture itself. We must examine a passage in relation to its immediate context (the verses surrounding it), its wider context (the book it’s found in), and its complete context (the Bible as a whole). The Bible does not contradict itself. Any theological statement in one verse can and should be harmonized with theological statements in other parts of scripture. Good Bible interpretation relates any one passage to the total content of scripture.
5. The Practical Principle. Once we’ve properly examined the passage to understand its meaning, we have the responsibility to apply it to our own lives. To “rightly divide the word of truth” is more than an intellectual exercise; it is a life-changing event. Recommended Resource: Basic Bible Interpretation by Roy Zuck
Question: "How did Jesus fulfill the meanings of the Jewish feasts?"
Answer: The way in which Jesus fulfilled the Jewish feasts is a fascinating study. In the Hebrew Scriptures, the Jewish prophet Amos records that God declared He would do nothing without first revealing it to His servants, the prophets (Amos 3:7). From the Old Covenant to the New, Genesis to Revelation, God provides picture after picture of His entire plan for mankind and one of the most startling prophetic pictures is outlined for us in the Jewish feasts of Leviticus 23.
The Hebrew word for “feasts” (moadim) literally means "appointed times." God has carefully planned and orchestrated the timing and sequence of each of these seven feasts to reveal to us a special story. The seven annual feasts of Israel were spread over seven months of the Jewish calendar, at set times appointed by God. They are still celebrated by observant Jews today. But for both Jews and non-Jews who have placed their faith in Jesus, the Jewish Messiah, these special days demonstrate the work of redemption through God’s Son.
The first four of the seven feasts occur during the springtime (Passover, Unleavened Bread, First Fruits, and Weeks), and they all have already been fulfilled by Christ in the New Testament. The final three holidays (Trumpets, the Day of Atonement, and Tabernacles) occur during the fall, all within a short fifteen-day period.
Many Bible scholars and commentators believe that these fall feasts have not yet been fulfilled by Jesus. However, the “blessed hope” (Titus 2:13) for all believers in Jesus Christ is that they most assuredly will be fulfilled. As the four spring feasts were fulfilled literally and right on the actual feast day in connection with Christ's first coming, these three fall feasts, it is believed by many, will likewise be fulfilled literally in connection to the Lord's second coming.
In a nutshell, here is the prophetic significance of each of the seven Levitical feasts of Israel:
1) Passover (Leviticus 23:5) – Pointed to the Messiah as our Passover lamb (1 Corinthians 5:7) whose blood would be shed for our sins. Jesus was crucified on the day of preparation for the Passover at the same hour that the lambs were being slaughtered for the Passover meal that evening (John 19:14).
2) Unleavened Bread (Leviticus 23:6) – Pointed to the Messiah's sinless life (as leaven is a picture of sin in the Bible), making Him the perfect sacrifice for our sins. Jesus' body was in the grave during the first days of this feast, like a kernel of wheat planted and waiting to burst forth as the bread of life.
3) First Fruits (Leviticus 23:10) – Pointed to the Messiah's resurrection as the first fruits of the righteous. Jesus was resurrected on this very day, which is one of the reasons that Paul refers to him in 1 Corinthians 15:20 as the "first fruits from the dead."
4) Weeks or Pentecost (Leviticus 23:16) – Occurred fifty days after the beginning of the Feast of Unleavened Bread and pointed to the great harvest of souls and the gift of the Holy Spirit for both Jew and Gentile, who would be brought into the kingdom of God during the Church Age (see Acts 2). The Church was actually established on this day when God poured out His Holy Spirit and 3,000 Jews responded to Peter's great sermon and his first proclamation of the gospel.
5) Trumpets (Leviticus 23:24) – The first of the fall feasts. Many believe this day points to the Rapture of the Church when the Messiah Jesus will appear in the heavens as He comes for His bride, the Church. The Rapture is always associated in Scripture with the blowing of a loud trumpet (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 and 1 Corinthians 15:52).
6) Day of Atonement (Leviticus 23:27) – Many believe this prophetically points to the day of the Second Coming of Jesus when He will return to earth. That will be the Day of Atonement for the Jewish remnant when they "look upon Him whom they have pierced," repent of their sins, and receive Him as their Messiah (Zechariah 12:10 and Romans 11:1-6, 25-36).
7) Tabernacles or Booths (Leviticus 23:34) – Many scholars believe that this feast day points to the Lord's promise that He will once again “tabernacle” with His people when He returns to reign over all the world (Micah 4:1-7).
Should Christians celebrate these Levitical feast days of Israel today? Whether or not a Christian celebrates the Jewish feast days would be a matter of conscience for the individual Christian. Colossians 2:16-17 tells us, “Therefore do not let anyone judge you by what you eat or drink, or with regard to a religious festival, a New Moon celebration or a Sabbath day. These are a shadow of the things that were to come; the reality, however, is found in Christ.” Christians are not bound to observe the Jewish feasts the way an Old Testament Jew was, but we should not criticize another believer who does or does not observe these special days and feasts (Romans 14:5).
While it is not required for Christians to celebrate the Jewish feast days, it is beneficial to study them. Certainly, it could be beneficial to celebrate these days if it leads one to a greater understanding and appreciation for Christ’s death and resurrection and the future promise of His coming. As Christians, if we choose to celebrate these special days, we should put Christ in the center of the celebration, as the One who came to fulfill the prophetic significance of each of them.
Recommended Resource: Faith of Israel, 2d ed.: A Theological Survey of the Old Testament by William Dumbrell
The Prewrath Rapture position is a biblical synthesis of Pre-, Mid-, and Posttribulationalism, together with a refinement of the timing issue that brings harmony to all of the rapture passages in question.
A thorough examination of the Prewrath position reveals that an unquestionable truth from each of the three positions is kept while the errors of each position are discarded. The proponents of these three major positions would probably concur that the major area of disagreement concerns the actual timing of the rapture which, they would have to admit, also influences their interpretation of many passages that deal with issues related to the rapture question.
Each camp on the rapture question has committed followers of Jesus Christ as adherents. Dr. John F. Walvoord was an advocate of the pretribulational view. Having studied at Dallas Theological Seminary and spent time in his company, I can personally testify to Dr. Walvoord’s love for God and His Word. “A giant of the faith in modern time” is a fitting title for this man of God. The fact that he believed the church will be taken before Daniel’s Seventieth Week begins makes him no less an honorable man. Dr. Gleason L. Archer, Jr. on the other hand follows the midtribulational viewpoint. He argues that Christ returns to rapture His church at the mid-point of the Seventieth Week. I have not personally met Dr. Archer, but I have read and utilized his writings. As an Old Testament professor, Dr. Archer has distinguished himself as a first rate exegete of God’s Word. The fact that he believes the church will be taken at the mid-point of the Seventieth Week, before the “great tribulation,” makes him no less a serious student of the Bible. Dr. Douglas J. Moo endorses a posttribulational rapture. As a Professor of New Testament, Dr. Moo has demonstrated an outstanding mind for New Testament exegesis. The fact that Dr. Moo believes Scripture teaches that Christ will return at the end of the Seventieth Week to rapture His church, after the “great tribulation” and after the six trumpets and six bowl judgments, makes him no less a committed follower of Christ.
The number of faithful followers of Jesus Christ who hold to each of the positions stated above are many. Logically, it makes sense that the correct position on the timing of Christ’s return is some combination of the three major views, given that each view is based on the same passages of Scripture. It is arrogant and illogical then to conclude that only one of these positions is absolutely right and the other two are totally wrong.
The question that each position is attempting to answer concerns the timing of the rapture. This continues to be the irreconcilable difference. Countless hours of time and gallons of ink have been expended in order to prove the other two positions wrong. Scholars continue to search for the one argument that will close the debate in favor of their own particular position. The sad result is that the discussions have gotten so trivial and the distinctions between words so technical that the average follower of Christ cannot follow the arguments. The price of this continual infighting is, on the one hand, an uneducated laity convinced that the truth cannot be known. On the other hand, committed godly men and women support pre-, mid-, and posttribulationalism with fierce devotion to their position. For now, the debate is purely esoteric. No real danger exists, for all things continue as before.
However, one day there will be a world full of people that will be called upon to be that final generation of humanity to experience the climactic events of history. The old adage that end-time events “will all pan out in the end” will not be taken so lightly by the generation that will see these things begin to happen.
A Starting Point The Church of Jesus Christ is exempted from the eschatological wrath of God. On this point, posttribbers (George E. Ladd and Robert H. Gundry), midtribbers (Gleason L. Archer Jr. and J. Oliver Buswell), and pretribbers (John F. Walvoord and Leon Wood) are in accord. The message of 1 Thessalonians 1:10 and 5:9 is unmistakable in asserting that believers are promised deliverance from the eschatological wrath of God. But in light of this fact, certain questions arise. Precisely, then, what is the wrath of God and when does it occur? What method will God use to deliver His people? Will He remove them from the world or merely protect them while in the world? To illustrate the eschatological positions, let’s use a chair. This chair has a beautiful place in which the believer sits–the rapture. The problem: the legs are missing. The correct eschatological position must give the seat the support it needs–four solid legs–for the chair to be complete, reliable, and practical.
The Truth of Pretribulationalism Pretribbers teach that the Church of Jesus Christ is exempted from the eschatological wrath of God. However, everyother element of the pretrib position can be and is debated. The flaw of the position is the insistence that the entireSeventieth Week of Daniel is the direct wrath of God, thereby requiring the Church to be evacuated from the earth before the Seventieth Week begins. There is no incontrovertible biblical support that says the entire Seventieth Week of Daniel is the wrath of God. Perhaps this is why Dr. John F. Walvoord wrote some years ago, “Neither posttribulationalism nor pretribulationalism is an explicit teaching of Scripture. The Bible does not, in so many words, state either.” (1) The pretrib position also allows for contradictions. While arguing that Matthew 24 is not applicable to the Church, they consistently use Matthew 24:36 to support their claim for an imminent rapture. In this writer’s opinion, the pretrib position has only one valid leg to stand on.
The Truth of Midtribulationalsim Midtribulationalism also recognizes that the church is exempted from the eschatological wrath of God. But midtribbers also make a fundamental distinction in the nature of the Seventieth Week of Daniel that is different than those of the pretribulational persuasion. Dr. Gleason L. Archer, Jr. indicates two sources of wrath during the Seventieth Week. When speaking of the wrath issue, he writes,
It simply regards the first three and a half years, during which the Antichrist will increase his power and mount his persecution against the church, as a less tribulation, not nearly as terrifying or destructive of life as those fearsome plagues that will dominate the last three and a half years. In other words, this interpretation makes a clear division between the first half as the period of the wrath of man, and the second half as the period of the wrath of God. For the reasons adduced . . . we understand that the final generation of the pre-Rapture church will be subject to the wrath of man, but spared from the wrath of God. (italics added) (2)
He also adds that,
. . . when we speak of the “wrath of man” as the distinctive feature of the first half of the “week,” we mean that the wrath of the Antichrist and his associates in government is the dominating feature on the stage of this drama. . . . But as the second half of the week comes into play, with the church safely removed from the scene, the indignation of the Lord breaks forth with overwhelming, supernatural power. . . . Hence we rightly speak of this period as the “wrath of God.” (3)
I agree with Archer in that a distinction must be maintained between the wrath of Antichrist/man and the wrath of God. This is a critically important point. Satan’s wrath marks the second half of Daniel’s week according to Revelation 12:7-17.
However, like pretribulationalism, the flaw of this position is Dr. Archer’s incorrect assessment of the nature of the Seventieth Week when it comes to the timing of the rapture. Daniel 9:27 indicates three-and-a-half years of tranquility for Israel followed by three-and-a-half years of intense persecution at the hands of “the Prince who is to come.” New Testament Scriptures emphasize that Satan, the beast, and the false prophet will execute a reign of terror against the people of God during the second half–42 months–of the Seventieth Week (4) and Revelation 12:12-14 explains that these final three-and-a-half years of persecution is “Satan’s wrath.” More specifically, Satan will give his power to Antichrist who will persecute the people of God.
Revelation 6:12-17 indicates when God’s wrath begins upon the earth, beginning with the trumpet judgments, and Revelation 15:1 explains the end of His wrath, the bowl judgments. It is clearly the wrath of God that brings Satan/Antichrist’s wrath to an end. Therefore, the wrath of Antichrist and the wrath of God will both be evident during the second half of Daniel’s Seventieth Week. This, in part, contradicts the midtribbers who insist that only God’s wrath will be incurred during the second half of Daniel’s Seventieth Week. This position also contradicts Matthew 24:36 by indicating the midpoint of Daniel’s Week as the day of the rapture.
Continuing the chair illustration, while the pretrib position has only one solid leg to stand on, the midtrib chair has two solid legs to stand on: the exemption from the eschatological wrath of God and the distinction between God’s wrath and the wrath of man.
The Truth of Posttribulationalism The posttrib position takes the rapture question one step further. Like the midtrib position, posttribbers recognize the involvement of both the wrath of God and the wrath of Satan during Daniel’s Seventieth Week. (5) However, posttribulationalism offers a different explanation for the order of events and the timing of the rapture. Dr. Douglas Moo explains that the great tribulation will be the persecution of the saints by Antichrist and will continue for a large portion of the second half of the Seventieth Week. The wrath of God will be concentrated in the very last part of the Week. The wrath of God is limited to the eschatological Day of the Lord which Dr. Moo argues is “a decisive intervention of God for judgment and deliverance.” (6) Since the eschatological Day of the Lord involves both the judgment of God (7) and the deliverance of His people, (8) posttribbers argue that the eschatological Day of the Lord and “the great tribulation” cannot be the same event. Dr. Moo writes,
Several factors suggest that it is not. First, no reference to the eschatological ‘day’ in the New Testament clearly includes a description of the Tribulation. . . . Second, Malachi 4:5 (the coming of Elijah) and Joel 2:30-31 (cosmic portents) place what are generally agreed to be Tribulational events before the Day. . . . Third, Paul seems to suggest in 2 Thessalonians 2 that the Day cannot come until certain, clearly tribulational, events transpire. (9)
Second Thessalonians 2:3 indicates that “the man of lawlessness” is revealed before the “Day” begins. Therefore, posttribbers contend that the eschatological Day of the Lord follows the period called “the great tribulation” that occurs at the beginning of the second half of the Seventieth Week. Since Paul teaches that the coming (parousia) of Christ ends the reign of “the man of lawlessness,” the Parousia must occur at the very end of the Seventieth Week, i.e., posttribulational. Dr. Moo writes,
The Parousia is indisputably posttribulational in Matthew 24:3, 27, 37, 39 and in 2 Thessalonians 2:8. . . . On the other hand, the Parousia of Christ is explicitly stated to be an object of the believer’s expectation in 1 Thessalonians 2:19; 3:13; James 5:7-8; and 1 John 2:28. . . . If, then, believers are exhorted to look forward to this coming of Christ, and this coming is presented as posttribulational, it is natural to conclude that believers will be present through the Tribulation. (10)
Continuing the chair illustration, posttribulationalism is three-legged. Like the first two positions, posttribbers hold to the Church’s exemption from the eschatological wrath of God. Like the midtribbers, the Seventieth Week of Daniel will evidence both the wrath of God and the wrath of Antichrist. Thirdly and differently from the other two positions, the eschatological Day of the Lord and “the great tribulation” do not cover the same time period during the second half of Daniel’s Seventieth Week, but the “day of God’s wrath” follows the time of Antichrist’s tribulation. It is my position that all of these legs are incontrovertible.
The flaw of the posttrib position is in its timing of the rapture. By placing it at the end of the Seventieth Week there is insufficient time allowed for the trumpet and bowl judgments to occur sequentially (as the text indicates), and for the salvation of Israel’s remnant and some Gentile converts to populate the millennial kingdom. Another flaw of the posttrib position states that believers will not be removed from earth during the eschatological wrath of God, but rather that they will be protected from it as if under a big umbrella. The rather fancy attempt by Dr. Robert H. Gundry to explain how God’s people can be protected if God’s judgment is selective does not measure up to biblical scrutiny. (11)
Posttribbers’ continual insistence that believers will be caught up to heaven and immediately returned to earth cannot be harmonized without serious problems in sequencing as outlined in Revelation. The correct position must allow sufficient time between the rapture and the Second Advent. Dr. Paul Feinberg outlines this necessity when he writes,
To begin with it is important to see the need for saints in nonglorified, physical bodies. While the Millennium will see the radical reduction of evil and the flourishing of righteousness, sin will still exist. . . . There will be sickness and death (Isa. 65:20). . . . All of these are not usually thought of as a part of the life of those who have been glorified. (12)
Matthew 25:31-45 indicates that only believers will enter the millennial kingdom. Isaiah 19:18-25 clearly indicates that Gentiles along with Jews will populate the millennial kingdom in nonglorified bodies. Since the fully glorified do not sin, and some earthly kingdom constituents will sin, the rapture must have an interval between it and the coming of Christ at the battle of Armageddon to allow for the salvation of those nonglorified people who will populate the millennium. While it is certainly true that God has in the past protected His people in the midst of judgment, Scripture indicates a different type of protection in the last days . . . as in the days of Noah . . . as in the days of Lot.
The Truth of PrewrathI believe that the Prewrath position adds the fourth leg to the chair illustration. By taking what is biblically defensible from each of the other three positions, the Prewrath position begins with strong supports already in place. As do all the rapture positions discussed, I also believe that the saints will not experience the eschatological wrath of God. Like those who hold to the midtrib position, I see a distinction between the wrath of God and the wrath of Antichrist/man. Like the posttrib position, I believe that the wrath of God will be evidenced only after the persecution of Antichrist is finished. Therefore, like the posttribbers, I believe that the Church will experience the direct persecution of Satan/Antichrist.
This is where the Prewrath position adds the critical fourth leg to the chair. The Word of God teaches that Satan/Antichrist’s persecution will be cut short (13) in Matthew 24:22. (14) How? By removing the object of the evil one’s persecution–the Church–to heaven and putting the remnant of Israel in protective custody. (15) This one refinement makes several things possible: 1) it provides sufficient time for all of God’s wrath to occur without manufacturing a way for the Church to be present while that wrath rains down all around them; 2) it provides the necessary time needed for the salvation of Zechariah’s prophesied one-third remnant of Israel who will be the inhabitants of the millennial kingdom; 3) it provides the time necessary for the salvation of a remnant of Gentiles from the nations who refuse to take the mark of Antichrist.
Therefore, the Prewrath position stands on four solid legs. One leg involves the Church’s exemption from the wrath of God (pretribulationalism). One leg consists of a distinction between the wrath of God and the wrath of Antichrist (midtribulationalism). One leg constitutes a distinction between the “great tribulation” and the eschatological Day of the Lord (posttribulationalism). The last leg shows that the persecution by Antichrist will be cut short (16) before the end of the Seventieth Week, providing the interval between the rapture and Christ’s coming at the battle of Armageddon during which time all of the trumpet and bowl judgments will be played out.
The identification of the wrath of God with the eschatological Day of the Lord is the key. All sides agree that the eschatological Day of the Lord involves both the final judgment of God and the deliverance of His saints. Drs. Craig A. Blaising and Darrell L. Bock in reference to 1 Thessalonians write,
Deliverance in the Day of the Lord is a special theme of 1 Thessalonians. At His return, Jesus “delivers us from the wrath to come” (1:10). Paul teaches the church that the Day of the Lord will not “over take you like a thief” (5:4). . . . In the context, this deliverance would seem to be the blessing of resurrection and translation into immortality which Christ will grant His own at His coming (1 Thes. 4:13-18), an event which is called the Rapture. . . . This deliverance, or rapture, would appear to coincide with the inception or coming of the Day of the Lord, since that is the focus in 1 Thessaolonians 5:2-4. (17)
Both Drs. Blaising and Bock taught at Dallas Seminary during my time of study there. It was from Dr. Blaising that I studied eschatology. Both are solidly pretrib, yet they recognize the biblical basis for claiming that the eschatological Day of the Lord and the timing of the rapture must occur at the same time. J. Dwight Pentecost writes in his book,Things to Come,
The only way this day could break unexpectedly upon the world is to have it begin immediately after the rapture of the church. It is thus concluded that the Day of the Lord is that extended period of time beginning with God’s dealing with Israel after the rapture at the beginning of the tribulation period and extending through the second advent and the millennial age unto the creation of the new heavens and the new earth after the millennium. (18)
Pentecost is obviously pretribulational. However, he too recognizes the necessity that the eschatological Day of the Lord follows the rapture. The timing issue can be settled if the beginning of the Day of the Lord can be determined within the frame work of end-time events. The Prewrath position acknowledges that the eschatological Day of the Lord will be signaled by a sign given in the sun, moon, and stars, a sign distinctly described in the eschatological book of Joel. (19) Jesus indicates in the Olivet Discourse that His Parousia will immediately follow the sign Joel prophesied, which marks the inception of the eschatological Day of the Lord. Jesus also indicated in His revelation to John that Joel’s sign in the sun, moon, and stars will be the sign that announces the day in which His wrath begins, a sign given in the heavenlies that will be displayed at the breaking of the sixth seal. Therefore, as one compares the six seals to the events outlined in the Olivet Discourse, one quickly sees that the rapture must occur after the Seventieth Week of Daniel begins, after the mid-point of that same Week has begun, and after Satan/Antichrist’s persecution of the Church is cut short (Matt. 24:22) when the sign of the eschatological Day of the Lord and the parousia of Christ is given in the sun, moon, and stars. The exact day or hour when the sixth seal will be broken is not detailed in the Scriptures (Matt. 24:36), but when that happens it will announce to the entire world the inception of the eschatological Day of the Lord.
Does the timing component offered by the Prewrath position have incontrovertible biblical support? If you search the Scriptures we believe that it does. Our four-legged chair is durable, reliable, and practical. Have a seat, and test it for yourself.
DEAR VIEWER: I AM A FORMER MEMBER OF
PASTOR CAHN'S CHURCH BETH ISRAEL. I UNFORTUNATELY DEFECTED FROM HIS
CHURCH BECAUSE AFTER MANY YEARS WHILE SITTING UNDER HIS TEACHINGS, I
REALIZED THERE EXIST SERIOUS ERRONEOUS DOCTRINES REVOLVING AROUND HIS
APOLOGETICS. THIS BLOG WHICH I CREATED NEARLY 5 YEARS AGO HAS SOUGHT TO
ADDRESS SOME OF THOSE ISSUES. BELOW I AM SHARING THESE ARTICLES AND
VIDEOS BECAUSE I SINCERELY BELIEVE THAT THIS SO CALLED PROPHECY BY
JONATHAN CAHN IS FALSE BASED UPON THE EVIDENCE PRESENTED. KEEP IN MIND THAT GOD DOES NOT VALIDATE THE WORK/WORDS OF FALSE PROPHETS.
DONALD TRUMP, BARACK OBAMA, OSAMA BIN LADEN, BILL & HILLARY CLINTON UNVEILED IN THE OLD TESTAMENT?
SYNOPSIS The book begins with Mr. Cahn’s powerful and compelling exploration of Israel’s decent into immorality as a template to America’s current state of affairs. Mr. Cahn shows how two nations, with such auspicious beginnings, show uncanny parallels that are inescapable and troubling. This part of the book provides many valuable insights. As the book progresses Mr. Cahn unpacks his Paradigm beginning with a look at the two infamous Biblical characters of Ahab and Jezebel which he sees as types for two of today’s most famous or infamous (depending on your point of view) political characters i.e. William Jefferson & Hillary Clinton. This exploration of shadow and type of Old Testament hero & villain and twenty first century American politicians continues up to our present day with the election of our current president Donald Trump. Had Mr. Cahn left the exploration of shadow and type to a general character sketch which looked at the how immorality and righteousness influence men and women, especially those in positions of power, then this book would have been a home run. Unfortunately Mr. Cahn didn’t stop with a paradigm which shows how human actions which separate themselves from the laws of God lead naturally down a path which has common threads amongst all human beings. In what appears to be a well-meaning effort to buttress this paradigm Mr. Cahn takes the ancient Biblical types and attempts to show how specific actions and dates are paralleled in their modern American political anti-types. This takes the subject from type and anti-type into the realm of prophetic speculation. Most of the paradigms are based on no specific cross scriptural reference to other passages of the Holy Text. They serve only to define whatever point Cahn wishes to make about future events, corresponding to past events and usually can be readily matched to the future person. THE CENTRAL CORE PROBLEM SURROUNDING THE PARADIGM After watching the above 2 videos I assure you that Mr. Cahn's book is based on an eisegetical approach to interpreting the Holy Scriptures.
Eisegesis is the approach to Bible interpretation where the interpreter tries to "force" the Bible to mean something that fits their existing belief or understanding of a particular issue or doctrine: People who interpret the Bible this way are usually not willing to let the Bible speak for itself and let the chips fall where they may. They start off with the up-front goal of trying to prove a point they already believe in, and everything they read and interpret is filtered through that paradigm. Stated another way, they engage in what the Bible refers to as "private interpretation". Exegesis is the process of approaching Bible interpretation with a humble spirit, and an open mind: In order to gain a true understanding of God's Word, one must be willing to allow God's Word to speak for itself, and be willing to abandon cherished beliefs if they are in conflict with God's Word: Proper exegesis includes using the context around the passage, comparing it with other parts of the Bible, and applying an understanding of the language and customs of the time of the writing, in an attempt to understand clearly what the original writer intended to convey. In other words, it is trying to "pull out" of the passage the meaning inherent in it. The opposite of exegesis is eisegesis, which is a person's particular interpretation of scriptures that are not evident in the text itself.
To put it another way, Exegesis and eisegesis are two conflicting approaches in Bible study. Exegesis is the exposition or explanation of a text based on a careful, objective analysis. The word exegesis literally means “to lead out of.” That means that the interpreter is led to his conclusions by following the text.
The opposite approach to Scripture is eisegesis, which is the interpretation of a passage based on a subjective, non-analytical reading. The word eisegesis literally means “to lead into,” which means the interpreter injects his own ideas into the text, making it mean whatever he wants.
Obviously, only exegesis does justice to the text. Eisegesis is a mishandling of the text and often leads to a misinterpretation. Exegesis is concerned with discovering the true meaning of the text, respecting its grammar, syntax, and setting. Eisegesis is concerned only with making a point, even at the expense of the meaning of words.
Second Timothy 2:15 commands us to use exegetical methods: “Present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.” An honest student of the Bible will be an exegete, allowing the text to speak for itself. Eisegesis easily lends itself to error, as the would-be interpreter attempts to align the text with his own preconceived notions. Exegesis allows us to agree with the Bible; eisegesis seeks to force the Bible to agree with us.
The process of exegesis involves 1) observation: what does the passage say? 2) interpretation: what does the passage mean? 3) correlation: how does the passage relate to the rest of the Bible? and 4) application: how should this passage affect my life?
Eisegesis, on the other hand, involves 1) imagination: what idea do I want to present? 2) exploration: what Scripture passage seems to fit with my idea? and 3) application: what does my idea mean? Notice that, in eisegesis, there is no examination of the words of the text or their relationship to each other, no cross-referencing with related passages, and no real desire to understand the actual meaning. Scripture serves only as a prop to the interpreter’s idea.
To illustrate, let’s use both approaches in the treatment of one passage:
2 Chronicles 27:1-2
“Jotham was twenty-five years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem sixteen years. . . . He did what was right in the eyes of the LORD, just as his father Uzziah had done, but unlike him he did not enter the temple of the LORD.”
EISEGESIS
First, the interpreter decides on a topic. Today, it’s “The Importance of Church Attendance.” The interpreter reads 2 Chronicles 27:1-2 and sees that King Jotham was a good king, just like his father Uzziah had been, except for one thing: he didn’t go to the temple! This passage seems to fit his idea, so he uses it. The resulting sermon deals with the need for passing on godly values from one generation to the next. Just because King Uzziah went to the temple every week didn’t mean that his son would continue the practice. In the same way, many young people today tragically turn from their parents’ training, and church attendance drops off. The sermon ends with a question: “How many blessings did Jotham fail to receive, simply because he neglected church?”
Certainly, there is nothing wrong with preaching about church attendance or the transmission of values. And a cursory reading of 2 Chronicles 27:1-2 seems to support that passage as an apt illustration. However, the above interpretation is totally wrong. For Jotham not to go to the temple was not wrong; in fact, it was very good, as the proper approach to the passage will show.
EXEGESIS
First, the interpreter reads the passage and, to fully understand the context, he reads the histories of both Uzziah and Jotham (2 Chronicles 26-27; 2 Kings 15:1-6, 32-38). In his observation, he discovers that King Uzziah was a good king who nevertheless disobeyed the Lord when he went to the temple and offered incense on the altar—something only a priest had the right to do (2 Chronicles 26:16-20). Uzziah’s pride and his contamination of the temple resulted in his having “leprosy until the day he died” (2 Chronicles 26:21).
Needing to know why Uzziah spent the rest of his life in isolation, the interpreter studies Leviticus 13:46 and does some research on leprosy. Then he compares the use of illness as a punishment in other passages, such as 2 Kings 5:27; 2 Chronicles 16:12; and 21:12-15.
By this time, the exegete understands something important: when the passage says Jotham “did not enter the temple of the LORD,” it means he did not repeat his father’s mistake. Uzziah had proudly usurped the priest’s office; Jotham was more obedient. It is easy to be a prophet of past events. In industry it's called reverse engineering. The tricky part is to get it right about something that will happen in the future. So far Mr Cahn's efforts in this regard have been abysmal. His false predictions and bogus mysteries concerning the four blood moons and the stock market collapse of Elul 29, 2015 is a graphic case in point.
Jesus warned beware of the scribes cf Luke 20:45-47. The Greek word for scribe in this passage is "GRAMMATEUS", which means a writer( professional secretary). As in Christ's days on earth, we should be very careful of the writers of today, the modern day scribes who write books many of which are NY TIMES bestsellers that line the shelves of christian book stores. The modern church world today clearly lacks spiritual discernment by the way it neglects the 66 books of the Bible and runs after religious fad books. This gross lack of knowledge among those claiming to know the Lord is also an indication that many have not diligently studied the word of God for themselves, but rather have relied upon false teachers and prophets to tell them what they think God has said. Consequently many have been deluded by a false gospel. These false teachers and prophets prey upon the unlearned who are not skillful in rightly dividing God's word. These men and women are in the ministry STRICTLY FOR MONEY! Some hide this fact better than others which makes them all the more deceptive and deadly. MANY RELIGIOUS PROFESSIONALS ARE ENDORSING JONATHAN CAHN'S PRODUCTS STRICTLY FOR THE PURPOSE OF BOOSTING THEIR TELEVISION RATINGS AND TO ATTRACT GULLIBLE CHRISTIANS TO SEND THEM MORE MONEY IN THE FORM OF TITHES/OFFERINGS. THEY ARE: PAT ROBERTSON OF THE 700 CLUB, SID ROTH FROM IT'S SUPERNATURAL, JOSEPH FARAH FROM WORLD NET DAILY, CONVICTED FELON JIM BAKER & HIS CIRCUS TALK SHOW, KENNETH COPELAND FROM WORD OF FAITH CULT, BENNY HINN THE MAN OF SIN WHO JUST A FEW YEARS AGO WAS CAUGHT ON CAMERA WITH PROSPERITY PIMP PAULA WHITE HAVING A ROMATIC FLING IN ROME WHILE PRETENDING THEY WERE PATRONS OF THE ARTS FOR THE VATICAN( BENNY HINN WAS STILL LEGALLY MARRIED TO HIS FIRST WIFE AT THE TIME), CHARISMA MAGAZINE WHICH CONSTANTLY WRITES ARTICLES PROMOTING SO CALLED APOSTLES FROM THE NEW APOSTOLIC REFORMATION CHRISTIAN CULT WHO CLAIM THEY ARE RIVALS OF THE NEW TESTAMENT FOUNDATIONAL APOSTLES ETC, JUST TO NAME A FEW. SOME OF THESE SHADY CHARACTERS HAVE GONE AS FAR AS PROCLAIMING JONATHAN CAHN AS AMERICA'S PROPHET. EVEN MORE SUBTLE THAN THE ONE WHO SEDUCES SOULS IN A FLASHY WAY FOR SELF GAIN ARE THOSE WHO LIKE JONATHAN CAHN WRITE BOOKS THAT BECOME ASTOUNDINGLY THE BEST SELLERS AMONG CHRISTIANS TODAY. THEY USE LITTLE SCRIPTURE, AND WHEN THEY DO, MANY TIMES IT IS USED OUT OF CONTEXT IN THE FORM OF EISEGESIS IN ORDER TO PERPETUATE THEIR OWN AGENDA, AND IT IS NOT ALIGNED WITH THE WHOLE OF HOLY SCRIPTURE. DOES THIS NOT QUALIFY FOR MAKING MERCHANDISE OF GOD'S PEOPLE? (2 PETER 2:1-3,14). DONALD STAMPS IN THE LIFE STUDY BIBLE PAGE 1,995 WRITES: "THE FALSE PROPHETS/TEACHERS WILL COMMERCIALIZE THE GOSPEL, BEING EXPERTS IN GREED AND IN GETTING MONEY FROM BELIEVERS TO ENHANCE THEIR MINISTRIES AND AFFLUENT LIFESTYLES. BELIEVERS MUST BE AWARE THAT ONE OF THE CHIEF METHODS OF FALSE MINISTERS IS TO USE FEIGNED WORDS TO TELL IMPRESSIVE STORIES THAT ARE NOT TRUE , OR TO GIVE EXAGGERATED STATISTICS IN ORDER TO INSPIRE GOD'S PEOPLE TO GIVE MONEY. THEY GLORIFY THEMSELVES AND ENHANCE THEIR MINISTRIES WITH THESE FABRICATED STORIES (cf 2nd Corinthians 2:17). THUS, THE UNWARY AND SINCERE CHILD OF GOD BECOMES AN OBJECT OF EXPLOITATION. BECAUSE THESE MINISTERS DEFILE GOD'S TRUTH AND PEOPLE WITH GREED AND DECEIT, THEY ARE ASSIGNED TO ETERNAL DOOM AND DESTRUCTION". 2 Corinthians 2:17 "You see, we are not like the many hucksters who preach for personal profit. We preach the word of God with sincerity and with Christ's authority, knowing that God is watching us".
PART II
16 Signs of a False Prophet/Teacher
What does the Bible say about false prophets/teachers?
What does the Bible say about false prophets and teachers? Jesus said in Matthew 7:15-16,
“Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but
inwardly are ravenous wolves. You will recognize them by their fruits.” Whenever Jesus tells us to “beware,” he means this in the most
literal sense. As Christians we must be on guard, for wolves dress in
sheep clothing, trying to masquerade as innocent pastors but in reality
are dangerous false prophets and teachers. Wolves are cunning, they prey
on sheep rather than on other wolves, and therefore Christians must
know how to detect a dangerous leader, for they will not be obvious,
especially if you are an accepting person. 1 John 4:1-3
tells us that anyone who does not confess Jesus Christ has come in the
flesh from God is a false prophet. This sign of a false prophet is the
most obvious. But again, as Jesus warned us, false prophets are crafty
and they won’t always reveal themselves this easily. This is why 1 John 4:1 tells us, “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.” So here are 16 signs of a false prophet and teacher.
1. Many false prophets/teachers are gifted communicators but poor expositors. The requirement of an elder (pastor) is not gifted communication but
the ability to teach the word of God accurately. If someone is
pretending to be a good teacher of the Bible when in actually they are
simply a gifted orator who uses Christian ideas in their talks, which
are presented as sermons, this person is a false teacher/prophet. Twisting a passage of Scripture to mean something other than its
intended meaning is the defining mark of a false prophet or teacher. But
because they are cunning, they mask this deception with brilliant
communication style. (1 Timothy 3:2)
2. False prophets/teachers love large crowds rather than deep growth. There’s nothing wrong with wanting to preach to a lot of people. This
is a good desire if the motivation is to help many know God more
through your preaching. However, a false prophet/teacher loves large
groups of people rather than “loving people.” Individuals are a
nuisance. They love crowds for the sake of being admired and praised. (John 12:18-19)
3. False prophets/teachers hate being rebuked and disciplined. You can always know how authentic someone’s faith really is when they
get corrected and disciplined. False teachers/prophets love to be seen
as the leader, model, and the one doing the rebuking. But their faith is
not genuine if they cannot receive corrections because all Christians
will at times be in need of loving discipline by others. (Matthew 15:12-14)
4. A false teacher/prophet loves money. The mark of a true prophet or Bible teacher is not a hatred of money
or a vow of poverty. But most false prophets/teachers love money and use
the gospel for personal gain. (2 Corinthians 2:17, Titus 1:7, 1 Timothy 3:3)
5. False prophets/teachers hide problems in their family life. One of the qualifications for being an elder/pastor is that you
manager your own household well. This does not mean, however, there will
never be problems in a qualified pastor’s home. Sometimes he can lead
well while his family is following poorly. However, when his poor leadership (which he does not repent of) is
the cause of ongoing problems, this is when he is disqualified. A false
prophet/teacher knows this, and so they hide the problems in their
family. When a good pastor has family issues, he will seek the help of
others, overcoming his fear of people judging him. (1 Timothy 3:4)
6. A false prophet/teacher is often accompanied by a spiritually immature spouse. Having an immature spouse does not mean you are a false
teacher/prophet. And being a false teacher/prophet does not
automatically mean your spouse is also a problem. Typically, however,
people with similar character and values flock together (which is also
why false prophets/teachers have bad marriages since both have bad
character). (1 Timothy 3:11)
7. A false prophet/teacher will be adored by his followers but despised by many “outsiders”. If everyone hates you, it probably means you are a cruel person who
advances your own agenda at the cost of others. If everyone loves you,
it probably means you fear telling people the truth and want the
approval of man more than God’s approval. A good teacher, however, will be loved by some and despised by
others. He will have a good reputation with outsiders. A false prophet
will have a bad reputation with people who are not his followers. He
will create an “us verse them” mentality in his church (cult). Those who
don’t support him will be blacklisted by him and his followers. A true
Christian leader desires his local church to be united with other local
churches and leaders for the sake of supporting the universal church and
being a witness to the world through Christian unity. (1 Timothy 3:7, John 17:20-21)
8. Pride fuels false prophets/teachers. Satan was brought down by his own pride. So many times pastors start
out with good intentions, but over the years their own pride corrupts
them. They may not have started out as a false leader in the church,
which makes it difficult for people who have been around them along time
when suddenly they realize this person has changed. The mark of
maturity is humility, and only mature Christians should seek to be
leaders in the church. A false prophet/teacher is not motivated by love
for God and people but by pride and the desire for self-exaltation like
Satan. (1 Timothy 3:6)
9. A false prophet/teacher knows the Bible just enough to twist it towards their own ends. A false Bible teacher will know some doctrines, but they will not
love doctrine. They will know some Bible, but they will not love reading
it. They will preach passionately but not live for Christ passionately.
They will have an appearance of godliness, but they will lack real
power in applying God’s word for his glory. (2 Timothy 3:5, 1 Timothy 4:16)
10. A false prophet/teacher avoids strong elders. A pastor who picks elders rather than a pastor picked by elders is a
red flag. Certainly there are times for church-planters to pick elders
to start a church, but even these elections should not be his sole
decision. A good pastor will seek strong elders before seeking large
numbers of congregants. A good pastor is eager to empower elders and be
submissive to them. Trying to build a church without strong elders is like building a
house on a weak foundation. It’s like starting construction before
getting your loan approved. A New Testament Church must be elder led,
where everyone, including the pastors and other elders are held
accountable to the group of elders. A false prophet knows this but
avoids other strong leaders because he wants all the control and hates
being corrected. He sets up figurehead “yes men” as elders to have an
appearance of a New Testament church but in actuality he alone is still
able to keep control. He surrounds himself with weak leaders who will
struggle to discipline him (which is also why a false prophet/teacher
often puts family in leadership). (1 Timothy 1:5, Acts 14:23)
11. A false teacher/prophet will have a life that looks nothing like his sermons. A false teacher/prophet primarily errs in preaching the word of God
accurately. But another significant mark of an unfit pastor is one whose
life contradicts the content of their own sermons. It’s possible to
fake your faith for an hour in the pulpit. But it’s impossible to fake
your faith throughout your whole week. Faith is expressed through your
deeds. A false prophet will have a life full of evil deeds, hidden from
the public of course. Don’t expect a false prophet/teacher to open up
his home life to his church. There are too many secrets there for that. (Matthew 5:19-20, 1Timothy 4:12)
12. A false prophet/teacher often points to their past “ministry successes.” Again, many pastors turn into a false prophet/teacher over a period
of time. Just because God did good through someone in the past does not
mean they are for sure a true pastor pleasing to the Lord. God is so
powerful, he can bring about converts and develop true Christians even
through false teachers/prophets (Philippians 1:15-18). Overtime, however, the fruitfulness usually fades, and thus they
typically talk about the glory days of the past and remind people often
of their past “successes” in ministry. (Matthew 7:22-23)
13. A false prophet/teacher will often preach the same message over and over again. John Stott said, “Every heresy is due to an overemphasis upon some
truth, without allowing other truths to qualify and balance it.” By
zeroing in on one doctrine, they often misrepresent other doctrines. A
false teacher/preacher also steers clear of expository preaching because
he wants to avoid parts of Scripture that do not advance his personal
agenda or that he feels personally convicted by. Many false preachers
try to preach through books of the Bible, but they reveal their
falseness through turning every passage into a sermon about what they
want to say rather than what the point of that specific passage actually
is. (2 Peter 2:1-3, Matthew 6:7)
14. A false prophet/teacher will surround himself with weak willed people. A wolf maybe evil, but he is not stupid. False pastors love power,
therefore they try to fill their churches with people who are easy to
manipulate and control. If you are an “easy going person,” a false
prophet/teacher will butter you up with titles, compliments, promises of
promotions, and through confiding in you as a friend. But don’t be
mistaken, this is all about getting control over you.
15. A false teacher/prophet seeks to “please God” in return for “blessings” and “success.” A false teacher/prophet is often very religious. They might fast
often, pray long public prayers, and perhaps have never even taken a
drink of alcohol in their life. While doing such pious acts can be great
benefits for any pastor, a false pastor does these things as a way of
appeasing God. A false pastor makes sacrifices because he thinks God
will bless him with power, ministry success, financial gain, or a bigger
following (Acts 8:18). A false prophet/teacher seeks to “glorify God”
so he can be successful in ministry (followed by a lot of people for
his ego) rather than seeking to be successful in ministry for the glory
of God. If a false prophet/teacher like this does achieve some
“success,” you will know he is false because he will take the credit for
the success, sometimes blatantly but always in the heart. He will give
himself credit because he believes that through his religious acts God
has blessed him and his ministry. (1 Corinthians 3:5-7, 1 Corinthians 4:6-7, Acts 8:18-23)
16. False prophets/teachers are led by their desire to be worshiped. So what does the Bible say about false teachers, prophets, and
pastors? Ultimately a false church leader is just that – false. The
theme of their life will be deception, hiding, and lies. They distort
the word of God in preaching and they distort the example of Christ in
their behavior. They tell people what their itching ears want to hear so
that they will receive from the people what they want in return –
power, fame, finances, and other worldly pursuits. In short, a false prophet/teacher does what he does because he
desires to be worshiped by people rather than lead the people in
worshiping God. He does not want to serve God. He pretends to serve God
so people will serve and worship him. (2 Timothy 4:1-5) WANT TO LEARN MORE ABOUT PROPHETIC FRAUDS? GO TO THE LINKS BELOW: The Prophets Who Cry 'Wolf' Harold Camping, Mark CROOKED PASTORS AND PREACHERS EXPOSED RECOMMENDED READING
