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Friday, December 12, 2014

The Cancelling of a Debt Means to Forgive, Leave a Person Alone, Not Left Behind!

WHAT IS IT IN THE LORD'S PRAYER THAT GOD IS ASKING US TO DO?

9 “This, then, is how you should pray:

“‘Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
10 your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
11 Give us today our daily bread.
12 And forgive us our debts,
as we also have forgiven our debtors.

13 And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from the evil one, (Matthew 6:9-13)

In the Lord's prayer, we are to ask God to forgive us our debts as we ourselves are asked to forgive our debtors. You can't collect a debt from someone who can't pay. Therefore, forgive! This principle is noted in the Bible. The longest term of debt God’s people took on in the Bible was about seven years. During the year of remission, the seventh year, the Israelites were instructed to release their brothers from any indebtedness. Deuteronomy 15:1-2 says: “At the end of every seven years you must cancel debts.
The word "forgive", as defined in the American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, means "to absolve from payment;" that is, to cancel a debt. In the Greek language, the word "aphieimi" is used for the word "forgive. Ironically "aphieimi" is also used to define the word "left" as is used in Luke 17:34-37. This is the same word that people like Tim LaHaye used to base his entire "Left Behind" theory. It is obvious that LaHaye has misused the word "left" when in reality, it stands for those people being forgiven and left alone, rather than "Left Behind," as he claims. The sad part of Mr. LaHaye's polemic is that it is supposed to support his Rapture to Heaven theory, but in reality he confuses his audience by stating that those who are "Left Behind" are unbelievers and those who are taken (supposedly to Heaven) are believers. 

This is the major reason why students of the Bible (and especially their teachers) need to make sure they know the true meaning of words in the Bible by using the proper and exegetical translation of words instead of interpreting them. And there is a big difference.

Interpreting and translation are two closely related linguistic disciplines. Yet they are rarely performed by the same people. The difference in skills, training, aptitude and even language knowledge are so substantial that few people can do both successfully on a professional level.

On the surface, the difference between interpreting and translating is only the difference in the medium: the interpreter translates orally, while a translator interprets written text. Sadly, too many teachers and evangelists preach their interpretation of scripture rather than providing clear cut translation of words in the Bible. This is the main reasons why we have so many varying doctrines among the Christian religion. If we can focus more so on the translation of a word we would have greater clarity of Bible wisdom. For example, regarding issues of debt and how they should be handled.

Unfortunately, many people try to force others who have hurt them to "pay" for their actions. Rather than forgiving -- "absolving from payment" -- such people try to force others to pay them back.

Other people may have committed evil against you; however, the Bible says that we overcome evil with good (Romans 12:21).

An excellent example of this principle of overcoming evil with good can be seen in the life of Joseph (Genesis 37-50). He had many opportunities to be bitter toward others, yet he refused to do so. Indeed, he kept a good attitude even during greatly unfair circumstances.

When Joseph was seventeen years old, his brothers sold him into slavery (see Genesis 37). The slave traders took him to Egypt, where, Pharaoh, the leader of Egypt, had a dream, which Joseph interpreted to mean that Egypt would have seven years of plenty followed by seven years of famine. Pharaoh was so impressed by Joseph that he placed the young man in charge of the entire food supply of Egypt. Joseph stored food during the first seven years so that the country would survive during the subsequent seven.

After just a year or two of famine, Egypt was the only place around that had food left. And, sure enough, Joseph's brothers came to get food. Joseph could have demanded that his brothers repay him for abusing him, mistreating him, and selling him into slavery. But instead, Joseph forgave them -- he canceled their debt.

In your life, you will certainly be presented with situations in which you must choose either to try to force others to repay you for what they did to you or in which you can simply forgive them. Like Joseph, forgive!

God wants your heart. Therefore, he demands your money.

Jesus gives us these simple instructions concerning money and possessions: "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal." (Matthew 6:19-20)

He commands us not to store up money here on Earth, but instead to invest that money into the Kingdom of God. Why is it so important to put your money into the Kingdom? Jesus explains: "For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also" (Matthew 6:21).

It is impossible to overlook the importance of that verse. Wherever your treasure is, that determines where your heart will be. Your money leads; your heart follows. Knowing this, Jesus commands us to put our money into eternal things. Why? So that our heart will be into eternal things.

For example, say you invest money into a company's stock. Previously, you didn't really care about that company, and you didn't bother to read news articles about them. Now, however, you're scouring the newspaper for any articles that even remotely relate to that company, you check their stock price daily, and you religiously read their earnings reports. What caused such a change? Your money went into the company and with it your heart.

This principle—where your money goes, your heart follows—is illustrated very well in Mark 10:17-22, which records the story of a rich young man who came to Jesus asking how to be saved. He had done everything right and followed all the laws and commandments, but, according to Jesus, there was "one thing" he lacked: "Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me." At this the man's face fell. He went away sad, because he had great wealth.

The man had great wealth, but really his wealth had him—it owned and controlled him. Jesus wanted the man's heart, and so Jesus demanded his money. Jesus knew that the man could never follow Him if his heart was more attached to his possessions than to God.

The man's face fell, and he went away sad because his heart was too attached to his possessions. His money was invested in his own possessions, and therefore his heart was invested in his own possessions. However, Jesus wanted to break that bondage, so he commanded the man to give away all of his possessions to others. By giving his money to help the poor and the needy, Jesus knew that the man's heart would be transformed into serving others, and in so doing he would come identify with and follow Christ.

Do you want your heart to be full of love for others? Give to them, and bless them with your money. Then your heart will follow.


If you want a heart for God, invest your money in building the Kingdom of God. Then your heart will follow. If you want a heart for the poor and the needy of the world, use your money to fight global poverty and hunger. Then your heart will follow. If you want a heart for global missions, support missionaries in Africa, Asia, and the rest of the world. If you really want to be effective, give your money to the needy who live right next door in your own community! Then your heart will follow. Wherever your treasure is, that's where your heart will be.

For more information about about his web sites, blogs and books, please click on
 Joe Ortiz

Friday, November 14, 2014

Franklin Graham's Warning! by Dave MacPherson


     Franklin's warning of coming persecution of Christians echoes what his mother Ruth and father Billy have clearly stated. 
     In a Google article titled "Letter from Mrs. Billy Graham," Ruth stated that "I would rather prepare myself to go through the tribulation and be happily surprised by an unexpected rapture, than expect to be raptured only to find myself going through tribulation."
     Her husband, Billy, had this to say: "Perhaps the Holy Spirit is getting His Church ready for a trial and tribulation such as the world has never known." He stated this on p. 72 in Sam Shoemaker's book "Under New Management," and the same quote is also found in a Google piece entitled "Famous Rapture Watchers - Addendum."
     Since Franklin blamed the Obama administration for his own National Day of Prayer snub and persecution, and since he accused "Christian" Obama of "giving Islam a pass," you can observe the real, uncovered Obama by Googling "Obama Supports Public Depravity," "Obama Avoids Bible Verses," "Separation of Raunch and State," and "The Background Obama Can't Cover Up."
     For more about coming persecution, see two unique books by media figure Joe Ortiz entitled "The End Times Passover" and "Why Christians Will Suffer 'Great Tribulation' " - both published in the US and UK by AuthorHouse.
     The "imminent pretrib rapture" is still found here in America, which is basically an island of ease and comfort (and unreality) surrounded by a worldwide ocean of anti-Christian persecution of true believers. 
     My fully documented book "The Rapture Plot" (available by calling 800.643.4645) focuses on the long-hidden-but-now-uncovered beginnings of the same 184-year-old "any-moment fly-away" doctrine, and I have been amazed at the numbers of leading scholars who've given their stamp of approval to my historical sleuthing - especially scholars in foreign countries where persecution of Christians isn't foreign to them.
     In this regard I think of the late eminent Australian theologian and church historian, Dr. F. Nigel Lee, who had nine (!) earned doctorates and who had this to say about my extensive research here and abroad:      
     "Dave MacPherson, in his various books, has made a major contribution toward vindicating Historic Christian Eschatology. The 1830 innovations of the disturbed Margaret Macdonald documented by MacPherson----in part or in whole----immediately spread to Edward Irving and his followers, then to J. N. Darby and Plymouth Brethrenism, and were later popularized by the dispensationalistic Scofield Reference Bible, by Classic Pentecostalism, and by latter-day pretribulationists like J. F. Walvoord and Hal Lindsey."
     Many evangelicals are still being told that the pretrib rapture view is a 2000-year-old belief, but it was actually dreamed up by 19th century "fringe" Britishers and is actually less than 200 years old!
     Want dessert? Google "Pretrib Rapture Politics," "Pretrib Rapture Secrecy," "Pretrib Rapture Stealth," "Evangelicals Use Occult Deception," "Hal Lindsey's Pretrib Rapture Proof," "Pretrib Rapture Pride," "Margaret Macdonald's Rapture Chart," "Pretrib Rapture's Missing Lines," "The Unoriginal John Darby," "Famous Rapture Watchers," "Grant Jeffrey's Apocalypse Debacle," "The Pretrib Rapture Jackpot!," "The Left Behind Rupture," "Roots of Warlike Christian Zionism," and "Pretrib Rapture Dishonesty." (BTW, if you Google "Joe Ortiz Associates" you can find many of my web articles on his outstanding blogs.)
     Now you have really been warned!


Dave MacPherson. What People are saying



What They Are Saying About ... THE RAPTURE PLOT!

Gary DeMar (President American Vision): "A majority of prophecy writers and speakers teach that the church will be raptured before a future tribulational period. But did you know that prior to about 1830 no such doctrine existed. No one in all of church history ever taught pretribulational rapture. Dave MacPherson does the work of a journalistic private investigator to uncover the truth....The Rapture Plot is the never-before-told true story of the plot - how plagiarism and subtle document changes created the 'mother of all revisionisms.' A fascinating piece of detective work." Robert H. Gundry (Professor Westmont College): "As usual MacPherson out hustles his opponents in research on primary sources. C. S. Lovett (President Personal Christianity): You don't read very much of Dave MacPherson's work before you realize he is a dedicated researcher. Because his work has been so honest and open his latest work The Rapture Plot has produced many red faces among some of the most recognized rapture writers of our time. When their work is compared to his it is embarrassing for them to see how shallow their research is." R. J. Rushdoony (President Chalcedon): "Dave MacPherson has been responsible for major change in the eschatology of evangelical churches by his devastating studies of some of the central aspects thereof. In The Rapture Plot MacPherson tells us of the strange tale of 'rapture' writings, revisions, cover-ups, alterations and confusions. No one has equaled MacPherson in his research on the 'pretrib rapture.' Attempts to discredit his work have failed...."

About the Author: Born 1932 of Scotch/English descent Dave MacPherson is a natural for British historical research. His calling was journalism. Receiving a BA in English in 1955 he spent 26 years as a newsman reporting and filming many notable events persons presidents and dignitaries.

Friday, October 17, 2014

Did You Know There Are Grave Consequences When You Fail to Forgive?


To be sincere in our forgiveness of others we should not even remember the incident. Sometimes forgiveness can be conditional, we shall tell somebody we have forgiven them, but maybe later we will bring it up to use it against them. This is not real forgiveness. Only when we do not think about the experience have we really forgiven others.

When we forgive others, we should not feel that we are just doing somebody else a favor; through forgiving others we are helping ourselves immensely. By remembering the misdeeds of others we live in the critical and judgmental mind. However through forgiveness we learn to appreciate the good qualities of others. Through forgiveness we become aware of our extended reality. If someone does something wrong a good attitude to take is. “I could quite easily have committed that sin myself”. Even if we wouldn’t have done this action, forgiving makes us even more humble.

HEALTHY love relationships are not possible without forgiveness! You cannot have a loving and rewarding relationship with anyone else, much less yourself, if you continue to hold on to things that happened in the past. Regardless of the situation, making peace with past love partners, your parents, children, your boss or anyone who you think may have "done you wrong" is the only way to improve your chances of a "healthy" relationship with yourself or anyone else for that matter!

Some people can easily forgive a sin against them, especially if it was committed only once, or the person did not know he or she was committing whatever offended you. Obviously, people under the influence of medicine, alcohol or drugs do some stupid things. Either way, that person who committed that act must be confronted. That party deserves to be confronted and also deserves the opportunity to defend the accusation. If he or she confesses and genuinely apologizes for the mistake, it is your responsibility to forgive them. Too often, we refuse to speak to friends, family, love ones and colleagues because we heard something from someone else about them that hurt or offended you.
That person maybe has no idea what other people told you about them! Maybe what you heard was exaggerated or even made up to endear them to you, or even done on purpose to drive a wedge between you.

Therefore, it is your responsibility to confront that person about the accusation. Every person deserves to know what they are accused of. If they deny it, no forgiveness is required on your part because a person cannot forgive something someone else denies happened. Thereby that person has to live with his or her lies.

We have all known someone who would never admit when they were wrong? No matter how insurmountable the evidence is against them, they will not confess to making a mistake. A follower of God cannot have this kind of mentality! One cannot become a child of God if they won’t admit sin. The apostle John wrote, “If we say we have no sin, we are deceiving ourselves and the truth is not in us” (1 John 1:8). God will not forgive the person who does not admit his need for forgiveness. He or she will die in their sin!
 
 However, if they confess their sin to you, it must be forgiven. If they commit that sin again, and ask for forgiveness again, Jesus tells us we must forgive them up to seven times seventy. Obviously, if that sin is so egregious (adultery, murder, rape, etc), you are not obligated to forgive nor to reestablish your relationship, which requires long-term trust building action.

More importantly, above and beyond you setting yourself free from the hate, resentment, sorrow, angst, bitterness, pain, self-pity and ill-feelings you have towards the person that injured you, you have to remember what God has stated about forginess. Most Christians believe that God will forgive all sins, except for “Blasphemy.”:

The blasphemy of the Spirit today, which is the same as the unpardonable sin, is the state of continued unbelief. There is no pardon for a person who dies in unbelief. Continual rejection of the Holy Spirit’s promptings to trust in Jesus Christ is the unpardonable blasphemy against Him. Remember what is stated in John 3:16: “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” Further on in the same chapter is the verse “Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God's wrath remains on him” (John 3:36). The only condition wherein someone would have no forgiveness is if he is not among the “whoever believes in Him,” for it is he who “rejects the Son.”

However (and an extremely important Bible fact that many people forget, or purposely overlook) is what we are about to read:

Matthew 6:14-15 “For if you forgive others for their transgressions, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. 15 “But if you do not forgive others, then your Father will not forgive your transgressions. “

Matthew 6:14 “For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.”

Matthew 18:35 "This is how my heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother or sister from your heart."

Mark 11:26 “But if ye do not forgive, neither will your Father which is in heaven forgive your trespasses. “

Matthew 5:7 “Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.”

Most Christians believe there is only one sin that God cannot forgive, which is blasphemy against the Holy Spirit. Some even play the Luke 23:34 card:

"On the cross Jesus Christ uttered an immortal utterance:

“Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do, Luke 23:34).”

But based on the previous group of scripture, we can see clearly where God cannot forgive if you don't forgive others for their sin, either!! If you choose not to forgive, it is a "knowable" act that you chose, therefore you cannot play the "forgive me (card) because I did know know what I was doing!"

Now you know what God has to say about forgiveness, and now you know what you should do! You have no excuse!

                                                                 ~~~~

To learn more about his books, “The End Times Passover” and “Why Christians Will Suffer Great Tribulations,” please click on Joe Ortiz

Wednesday, October 08, 2014

The Perils of Pop Prophecy Exposed by Tal Brooke


The hugely popular Left Behind series of books, TV specials and movies (most recently with Nicholas Cage), emphasizing “the pre-tribulation rapture” among other novel beliefs, constitute an ongoing propaganda campaign on behalf of Pop Prophecy, parading before the world a contrived, Marvel Comics level presentation of Christianity contrary to its long-standing beliefs. Click the following link for more information:The Perils of Pop Prophecy Exposed!

Tal Brooke (my close friend and colleague), is a renowned author, and is the President/Chairman of SCP (Spiritual Counterfeits Project), Inc. Click the link for or information about SCP Journal

Thursday, October 02, 2014

Pseudo-Ephraem Taught Pretrib - Not! by Dave MacPherson

[Our wise and trusted friend, fellow author Dave MacPherson, again provides insights to the reality that the "Pre-Tribulation Rapture to Heaven" doctrine is a myth; yet theorists-pundits-wannabee Bible scholars continue promoting the biggest hoax ever perpetrated on main stream Christianity, even though it has been debunked over and over again. We feel privileged he has chosen our blog to post his findings].

       Evidence abounds that all of dispensationalism's crucial aspects (including the pretrib rapture) were taught by some of John Darby's (less than orthodox) contemporaries in the 1830s before Darby taught them. Since this explosive discovery there's been an unholy frenzy to find sources as early as possible in the Church Age which can be "shaded" enough to appear to be authentically pretrib in order to avoid the (well deserved) stigma that pretrib is a "recent theory."
       In the 1990s Canadian prophecy teacher Grant Jeffrey claimed to have found clear pretrib teaching in a 4th century Christian writer known as Pseudo-Ephraem (which I'll abbreviate as P-E). 
       If anyone wants to find out what P-E really taught, he or she can Google "Apocalypse of Pseudo-Ephraem (Wikipedia)" and click on "Rhoades Translation from a Latin text of Pseudo-Ephraem." This translation into English affected Grant Jeffrey, and his purposely muddied-up revisionism of P-E has captivated Thomas Ice and other pretrib merchandisers.
      In Section 2 P-E wrote: "We ought to understand thoroughly therefore, my brothers, what is imminent or overhanging." He revealed what was imminent in his next sentence which stated that "there is not other which remains, except the advent of the wicked one [Antichrist]."
      Nevertheless Jeffrey (constantly repeated by Ice) claimed that P-E taught "an imminent pretrib rapture"! (In the twinkling of an eye they fearlessly changed an imminent arrival of Antichrist into an imminent arrival of Christ!)
      Right after this, in Section 2, P-E wrote: "For all the saints and elect of God are gathered, prior to the tribulation that is to come, and are taken to the Lord..." This phrase ("taken to the Lord") is trumpeted by Ice etc. as a clear reference to a pretrib rapture.
      But Dr. Paul Alexander's book "The Byzantine Apocalyptic Tradition," which inspired Jeffrey to claim he had found evidence of pretrib before 1830, says that this phrase means "participate at least in some measure in beatitude." (Encyclopedias dealing with this aspect of Byzantine theology reveal that "beatitude" has to do with doing "acts of virtue" on earth - the opposite of being raptured off earth!)
      Ice etc. even falsely claim that Dr. Alexander concluded that P-E was pretrib. But Alexander's book (pp. 218-19) has two summaries of P-E's beliefs, each one showing that P-E looked for only one future coming of Christ which would FOLLOW the "tribulatio magna lasting three and a half years"!
      My book "The Rapture Plot" (1995) has an appendix analyzing P-E, and Dr. Robert Gundry's (1997) book "First the Antichrist" also demolishes Jeffrey's claim.
      The recent eyes-wide-open revisionism of pretrib history has even been asserting that "many" of the early Church Fathers taught pretrib - daring prevarications that the late Dr. Walvoord would have denounced since he was never able to find any "pretribulationist" before Darby! For some excellent details on the current revisionism mania, Google "Pseudo-Pseudo-Ephraem" and "Grant Jeffrey's Apocalypse Debacle" by Florida researcher Tim Warner.
      There's now more deception than what's found in my Google piece "Pretrib Rapture Dishonesty." In fact, the sort of deceitfulness outlined above is now causing the SS Pretrib Rapture to list heavily to port - the port of no return!
      (PS - Many of my other pretrib history articles are found on Joe Ortiz's outstanding blogs including "The End Times Passover.")

     
 Dave MacPherson. What People are saying


What They Are Saying About ... THE RAPTURE PLOT!

Gary DeMar (President American Vision): "A majority of prophecy writers and speakers teach that the church will be raptured before a future tribulational period. But did you know that prior to about 1830 no such doctrine existed. No one in all of church history ever taught pretribulational rapture. Dave MacPherson does the work of a journalistic private investigator to uncover the truth....The Rapture Plot is the never-before-told true story of the plot - how plagiarism and subtle document changes created the 'mother of all revisionisms.' A fascinating piece of detective work." Robert H. Gundry (Professor Westmont College): "As usual MacPherson out hustles his opponents in research on primary sources. C. S. Lovett (President Personal Christianity): You don't read very much of Dave MacPherson's work before you realize he is a dedicated researcher. Because his work has been so honest and open his latest work The Rapture Plot has produced many red faces among some of the most recognized rapture writers of our time. When their work is compared to his it is embarrassing for them to see how shallow their research is." R. J. Rushdoony (President Chalcedon): "Dave MacPherson has been responsible for major change in the eschatology of evangelical churches by his devastating studies of some of the central aspects thereof. In The Rapture Plot MacPherson tells us of the strange tale of 'rapture' writings, revisions, cover-ups, alterations and confusions. No one has equaled MacPherson in his research on the 'pretrib rapture.' Attempts to discredit his work have failed...."

About the Author: Born 1932 of Scotch/English descent Dave MacPherson is a natural for British historical research. His calling was journalism. Receiving a BA in English in 1955 he spent 26 years as a newsman reporting and filming many notable events, persons, presidents and dignitaries.

Tuesday, August 12, 2014

The "Left Behind" Rupture by Dave MacPherson


Would it be sensational if one of the Vatican cardinals were to widely teach something completely opposite of what the Pope was teaching?

Since 1830 many evangelicals have been just as sensational with their "pretribulation rapture" belief.

I'm talking about Matthew 24:40, 41 and the famous phrase "one shall be taken, and the other left" which has inspired the recent invasion of "Left Behind" books and movies which imagine fearful things that could happen on earth to non-Christians after a pretrib rapture to heaven of all genuine Christians which supposedly can happen at any moment without warning.

There is abundant evidence that in 1830 15-year-old Margaret Macdonald of Scotland was the first to claim to have found a pretrib rapture in the Bible. She noticed that the word "taken" is found not only in the above Matthew verses but also in II Thessalonians 2:7 and came to believe that it is talking about a pretrib rapture of only the most worthy Christians (yes, she was an early "partial rapturist pretrib" and she influenced others around her including even John Darby of the Plymouth Brethren).

Many evangelicals today, including Hal Lindsey, agree with Margaret that the ones "taken" are Christians while the ones left behind on earth experience God's judgment including death.

But there are other evangelicals who believe just the opposite, that the ones "taken" are non-Christians whom God judges and even kills while the ones left on earth are in fact true followers of Christ.
You could even call it a rapture "rupture" involving interpretation and conclude that "Left Behind" books and films are part of it.

Proof of this "rupture" can be found even in the writings of the late Dr. John Walvoord, the longtime president of Dallas Theological Seminary (DTS) and one who was then viewed as the No. 1 pretrib rapture authority. (Leading pretrib teachers who have studied at DTS include Thomas Ice, David Jeremiah, Hal Lindsey and Charles Ryrie.)

Walvoord's classic book "The Rapture Question," after referring to the above Matt. 24 verses, states on p. 169: "The fact that those taken away are judged and those who remain enter the kingdom is taught explicitly in the context (Matt. 25:31-46)."

So Walvoord would disagree with the forthcoming "Left Behind" movie starring Nicolas Cage as to who will be "left behind."

And several leading theologians are currently opposing the new movie's theology also. For a start on what's been written, Google "No, Christians Should Not Believe in 'Left Behind's' Rapture" by Dr. William Craig, a Talbot School of Theology prof. Also Google "Nine Reasons Why John Piper Disagrees with Nicolas Cage's 'Left Behind' Movie's View of Rapture" by Lauren Leigh Noske.

Excellent online sources including blogs which further expose the "rapture to heaven" delusion can be found by Googling "Joe Ortiz Associates."

Finally, the writers of the "Left Behind" bestsellers, Tim LaHaye and Jerry Jenkins, may soon wish to accept Walvoord's view of who will be left behind because it would give them more time to write even more "Left Behind" books!
Dave MacPherson

What scholars are saying about the works of Dave MacPherson, author of The Rapture Plot:


Loraine Boettner (theologian, author): "I think that you have done a magnificent job in showing the real origin of the Pre-trib rapture theory."


F. F. Bruce (theologian, encyclopedia contributor): "It is strange that Darby should acknowledge his indebtedness to a young lady in Limerick and say nothing about the young lady in Port Glasgow [that is, not acknowledge her pre-Antichrist rapture of part of the church]....If this work of yours can do anything to counter the influence of Hal Lindsey..., you will have rendered a signal service."

Superficial----and even devious----scholarship loves to repeat Bruce's 1975 surmise that pretrib was "in the air in the 1820s and 1830s." Hired critic Thomas Ice knows that this wasn't a scientific conclusion (does reliable data rest literally "in the air"?), and Ice moreover has ignored Bruce's later statements complimenting my evidence!

Gary DeMar (theologian, author): "THE RAPTURE PLOT is the never-before-told, true story of the plot----how plagiarism and subtle document changes created the 'mother of all revisionisms.' A fascinating piece of detective work."

Robert H. Gundry (theologian, author): "As usual, Dave MacPherson overwhelms his critics with a superior knowledge of the primary sources. His is a rare combination of historical research and investigative reporting. Those who would refute him have failed to outhustle him, especially in the tracking down of information uncatalogued in academic libraries."

Superficial scholarship is aware that the first----1973----printing of Gundry's THE CHURCH AND THE TRIBULATION stated on pp. 185, 187: "The likelihood is that Edward Irving was the first to suggest the pretribulational rapture....the outpouring on Margaret Macdonald did not include revelation of a pretribulational rapture...." But careful scholarship has long known that after Gundry saw my Macdonald findings, he deleted his Irving statement and substituted favorable comments about the Scottish lassie----changes appearing in his classic work since the 1980's!

John H. Kromminga (Calvin Sem. president emeritus): "The material appears to be well researched, and this impression is confirmed by the excellent comments you cite from well-established evangelical commentators."

Harold Lindsell (church historian, author): "...must reading for anyone who is interested in the [pretrib] origins...."

C. S. Lovett (pastor, author): "You have to be, in my opinion, the world's authority on Margaret."
Peter Marshall (pastor, author): "I am in emphatic agreement with you on your thesis."

Walter Martin (researcher, author): "[MacPherson has produced] a fascinating historical detective story...with surprising and not easily refutable conclusions."

J. Gordon Melton (editor): "According to the best scholarship available, the pretribulation, premillennial eschatology originated among members of the Catholic Apostolic Church as a result of a vision and revelation to Margaret MacDonald. See Dave MacPherson, THE UNBELIEVABLE PRE-TRIB ORIGIN." (ENCYCLOPEDIA OF AMERICAN RELIGIONS, 1978)

Gary North (author, church historian): "...Dave MacPherson has inflicted a deep wound on the pre-trib camp by showing that a teenage Scottish girl named Margaret Macdonald...came up with this doctrine...." (Dispensationalism in Transition, Nov., 1988)

Harold J. Ockenga (theologian, author): "You have done your research well."

J. I. Packer (author, church historian): "From my own explorations of the origins of Darbyism. I judge that you are presenting facts fairly, and I am glad you are, for I also regard dispensationalism as an unhappy aberration."

J. Barton Payne (theologian, author): "MacPherson has once and for all overthrown Ernest Sandeen's assertions that the Irvingites never 'advocated any doctrine resembling the secret rapture' and that to connect J. N. Darby and early dispensationalism with Irving's church is 'a groundless and pernicious charge'....For serious students of the history of dispensationalism the study of MacPherson's discoveries has become a must." (Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society, Winter, 1974)
The Prairie Overcomer (Canada): "...MacPherson's case seems to be watertight." (July, 1974)

Reformed Review: "MacPherson has done excellent historical research." (Spring, 1985)
Ian S. Rennie (author, church historian): "...it is likely that [Margaret's revelation] was grist for Darby's mill." (DREAMS, VISIONS AND ORACLES, 1977)
R. J. Rushdoony (theologian, author): "Dave MacPherson has been responsible for major change in the eschatology of evangelical churches by his devastating studies of some of the central aspects thereof. In THE RAPTURE PLOT, 
MacPherson tells us of the strange tale of 'rapture' writings, revisions, cover-ups, altercations, and confusions. No one has equaled MacPherson in his research on the 'pre-trib rapture.' Attempts to discredit his research have failed...."

The Seminary Review: "[MacPherson] shows conclusively that Margaret Macdonald was the originator of the concept." (June, 1984)

Oswald J. Smith (pastor, author): "You have some excellent thoughts here that will be difficult to answer."

Merrill C. Tenney (theologian, author): "...the connection between Margaret Macdonald and Irvingites and Brethren is reasonably well established. You have done a valuable piece of research."
The Witness (oldest & largest Darbyist Brethren magazine in England): "What [MacPherson] succeeds in establishing is that the [pretrib] view outlined was first stated by a certain Margaret Macdonald...early in 1830." (April, 1974).

The critics who have tried to cover up the above scholarship are basically the ones who've tried to muddy the waters by "discovering" hints of pretrib before 1830. For more on this, MacPherson's internet article entitled "Deceiving, And Being Deceived."

Monday, July 28, 2014

A Treatise against Christians who Revere Zionism above Jesus Christ!


ONCE AND FOR ALL, JESUS CHRIST IS NOT A JEW, ALBEIT BORN IN THE REGION OF JUDEA, HE NEVER BELIEVED IN NOR PRACTICED ANY RELIGION CALLED JUDAISM, AS SCRIPTURE CLEARLY PROVES!

Athanasius' refutation of the Jews! 

Athanasius of Alexandria (A.D. 297 – 373), Bishop of Alexandria, was a chief theologian and early Church Father of the Christian faith. To this day he is widely respected within Western Christianity, Eastern Orthodoxy, and Roman Catholicism. As a staunch Trinitarian, Athanasius spent much of his life battling against the groundwork laid by his predecessor, Arius, a non-Trinitarian. In his writings Against the Heathen, Orations Against the Arians, and The Incarnation of the Word of God, Athanasius stresses the urgency of holding to the faith proclaimed by the apostolic teachings of Scripture. Historically he has been credited as being the first person to identify the same twenty-seven books of the New Testament that are familiar to Christians today.

At the Nicaean Council of A.D. 325, the young Athanasius made the following statement: “Jesus, who I know as my Redeemer, cannot be less than God.” This passion for exalting the Eternal Trinity forced him into exile five separate times by Roman Emperors. However, as providence would have it, Athanasius returned undis­turbed to his home in Alexandria to spend his final years writing and preaching, until his death at the age of seventy-six. 

The following is an excerpt from Chapter 6 of Athanasius' Commentary, where he deals with the conflict between what Jews believe about Jesus Christ, and his profound refutation of the dogma they use to deny His divinity.

“Again, does Scripture tell of anyone who was pierced in hands and feet or hung upon a tree at all, and by means of a cross perfected his sacrifice for the salvation of all? It was not Abraham, for he died in his bed, as did also Isaac and Jacob. Moses and Aaron died in the mountain, and David ended his days in his house, without anybody having plotted against him. Certainly he had been sought by Saul, but he was preserved unharmed. Again Isaiah was sawn asunder, but he was not hung on a tree. Jeremiah was shamefully used, but he did not die under condemnation. Ezekiel suffered, but he did so, not on behalf of the people, but only to signify to them what was going to happen. 

Moreover, all these even when they suffered were but men, like other men; but He Whom the Scriptures declare to suffer on behalf of all is called not merely man but Life of all, although in point of fact He did share our human nature. “You shall see your Life hanging before your eyes,” they say, and “Who shall declare of what lineage He comes?” With all the saints we can trace their descent from the beginning, and see exactly how each came to be; but the Divine Word maintains that we cannot declare the lineage of Him Who is the Life. Who is it, then, of Whom Holy Writ thus speaks? Who is there so great that even the prophets foretell of Him such mighty things? 

There is indeed no one in the Scriptures at all, save the common Savior of all, the Word of God, our Lord Jesus Christ. He it is that proceeded from a virgin, and appeared as man on earth, He it is whose earthly lineage cannot be declared, because He alone derives His body from no human father, but from a virgin alone. We can trace the paternal descent of David and Moses and of all the patriarchs. But with the Savior we cannot do so, for it was He Himself Who caused the star to announce His bodily birth, and it was fitting that the Word, when He came down from heaven, should have His sign in heaven too, and fitting that the King of creation on His coming forth should be visibly recognized by all the world. 

He was actually born in Judea, yet men from Persia came to worship Him. He it is Who won victory from His demon foes and trophies from the idolaters even before His bodily appearing—namely, all the heathen who from every region have abjured the tradition of their fathers and the false worship of idols and are now placing their hope in Christ and transferring their allegiance to Him. 

The thing is happening before our very eyes, here in Egypt; and thereby another prophecy is fulfilled, for at no other time have the Egyptians ceased from their false worship save when the Lord of all, riding as on a cloud, came down here in the body and brought the error of idols to nothing and won over everybody to Himself and through Himself to the Father. He it is who was crucified with the sun and moon as witnesses; and by His death salvation has come to all men, and all creation has been redeemed. 

He is the Life of all, and He it is who like a sheep gave up His own body to death, His life for ours and our salvation.”

The above approbation from a revered and accomplished theologian such as Athanasius is only one testament from among thousands of scholars (many who gave up their lives in testimony of this profound truth) who are among a mere throng of witnesses to this fact.

Man self-proclaimed Christians abound that testify against this reality which is proven by their faith in a people who hang the banner of Judaism around their necks based on a distortion of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and the Old Testament scripture spoken to all mankind by the Father of Creation.

No individual person, who professes to being a disciple of Jesus Christ, can adopt any other belief in the person of Jesus Christ that will deny Him the glory that can belong solely to the Father of faith!"

- For an expanded version of this message, please click on A Treatise Against Christian Zionism! -

Saturday, July 26, 2014

DANGEROUS RADICALS OF THE RELIGIOUS RIGHT, by Dave MacPherson

Our dear friend and associate, Dave MacPherson, a prolific writer and Rapture Researcher, sent us a quickie he discovered among his archives. We are pleased and proud to publish it in our blog. [quotes are from Vital Quotations by Emerson West]


     ROBERT E. LEE: "In all my perplexities and distresses, the Bible has never failed to give me light and strength." (p. 21)

     DANIEL WEBSTER: "If we abide by the principles taught in the Bible, our country will go on prospering and to prosper." (p. 21)

     JOHN QUINCY ADAMS: "I have made it a practice for several years to read the Bible through in the course of every year." (p. 22)

     ABRAHAM LINCOLN: "I believe the Bible is the best gift God has ever given to man. All the good from the Saviour of the world is communicated to us through this book." (p. 22)

     GEORGE WASHINGTON: "It is impossible to rightly govern the world without God and the Bible." (p. 22)

     HORACE GREELEY: "It is impossible to mentally or socially enslave a Bible-reading people." (p. 23)

     THOMAS JEFFERSON: "I hold the precepts of Jesus as delivered by himself to be the most pure, benevolent, and sublime which have ever been preached to man. I adhere to the principles of the first age; and consider all subsequent innovations as corruptions of this religion, having no foundation in what came from him." (p. 45)

     THOMAS JEFFERSON: "Had the doctrines of Jesus been preached always as pure as they came from his lips, the whole civilized world would by now have become Christian." (p. 47)

     BENJAMIN FRANKLIN: "As to Jesus of Nazareth, my opinion of whom you particularly desire, I think the system of morals and his religion, as he left them to us, is the best the world ever saw, or is likely to see." (p.49)

     WOODROW WILSON: "The sum of the whole matter is this----that our civilization cannot survive materially unless it be redeemed spiritually. It can only be saved by becoming permeated with the spirit of Christ and being made free and happy by practices which spring out of that spirit." (p. 143)

     PATRICK HENRY: "There is a just God who presides over the destiny of nations." (p. 145)

     THOMAS JEFFERSON: "Material abundance without character is the surest way to destruction." (p. 225)

     THOMAS JEFFERSON: "Of all the systems of morality, ancient or modern, which have come under my observation, none appear to me so pure as that of Jesus." (p. 237)

     GEORGE WASHINGTON: "The foolish and wicked practice of profane cursing and swearing is a vice so mean and low, that every person of sense and character detests and despises it." (p. 283)

     BENJAMIN FRANKLIN: "Here is my creed. I believe in one God, the Creator of the universe. That he governs it by his Providence. That he ought to be worshiped." (p. 301)

     CALVIN COOLIDGE: "The strength of a country is the strength of its religious convictions." (p. 305)

     GEORGE WASHINGTON: "The perpetuity of this nation depends upon the religious education of the young." (p. 306)

Prior to our increasingly "Hell-Bound and Happy" era, America's greatest leaders were part of the (gulp) Religious Right! Today we have forgotten God's threat (to abort America) in Psa. 50:22----"Now consider this, ye that forget God, lest I tear you in pieces, and there be none to deliver."
Dave MacPherson,
"Pretrib Rapture Answerman"

The End Times Passover blog site is excited that renowned author and Pre-Tribulation Rapture debunker, Dave MacPherson, has chosen this blog to host his question and answer project. Many folks have tons of questions concerning whether a Pre-Tribulation Rapture (a supposed catching away to Heaven scenario) is really based on God's word. Many do not know who to turn to in order to get verifiable facts about the Rapture, and Dave MacPherson is now making himself available to answer those questions directly to you. Here is a little bit Dave's background:

"Pretrib Rapture Answerman?"

Why is historian Dave MacPherson called the "Pretrib Rapture Answerman"? His bio explains why: Since 1968 MacPherson's research has majored on the earliest history of the pretribulation (pretrib) rapture view which began in 1830 in Britain and which was never a part of official theology or any organized church before that year. He has produced eight published books (including his bestseller titled "The Rapture Plot") and countless print and Internet articles including "Famous Rapture Watchers," "Pretrib Rapture Diehards," "X-Raying Margaret," "Edward Irving is Unnerving," "Pretrib Rapture - Hidden Facts," "Pretrib Rapture Secrecy," "Pretrib Rapture Dishonesty," and "Scholars Weigh My Research."

MacPherson's research has been publicly endorsed by numerous Christian leaders including premill, amill, postmill, preterist, historicist, futurist, midtrib, prewrath, posttrib, charismatic, dominionist, reformed, orthodox, and independent leaders.

The only leaders who haven't yet endorsed his research are pretrib rapture leaders - and MacPherson's writings reveal why."

If you have a specific question for Dave, please write it down and send it to us at this address Joe.Ortiz9299@GMail.com and we will try to get you an answer, sometimes within a 24 hour period.

Some folks may ask why does Dave MacPherson use The End Times Passover blog site to host his question and answer project. Why doesn't he develop his own web site or blog. The truth of the matter is that Dave and his wife Wanda travel throughout the country visiting various churches, schools, universities and seminaries, as well as radio stations to discuss the topics you yourself want answers to.

"Besides," said MacPherson, "I'm technically challenged when it comes to web sites, but I'm definitely up to speed to refute the Pre-Tribulation Rapture hoax being perpetrated on (primarily) American Christians."

Our (The End Times Passover) team is grateful for the opportunity to host Dave MacPherson's question and answer project. I must add (for the record) that back in 1979, I read a small booklet entitled The Late Great Pre Trib Rapture by Dave MacPherson. It was this tiny booklet that helped spur my deep 20 years of Bible study to find out why my first church (Assemblies of God in Montebello, California) after accepting Jesus Christ in 1975, was teaching The Pre-Tribulation Rapture when, in reality, those who taught and or wrote about this theory provided very little Bible support.

Back in 2002 (when my original manuscript for The End Times Passover was being prepared for publication), I sought out Dave MacPherson and found him located in a small town in Utah. I emailed him and asked if I could send him my manuscript. His response after reading it, was that my book was more than exemplary in refuting the Pre-Tribulation Rapture theory, and stated he would be more than pleased to write a review. After our publisher recommended we publish two books out of the original manuscript, we sent them to Mr. MacPherson and he emailed his comments. Since the original comments, he has re-read the books again and felt he had more comments to make, of which both are included in our Official Book Reviews.

Dave and I continued communications with each other which resulted in developing a special friendship that has lasted and grown in the last 12 years. We met in person when he and his wife Wanda and my wife Martha visited Disneyland about two years ago, of which I have written an article about that can be viewed in our archives Click here to read that article .

I personally am excited he has chosen The End Times Passover blog to host his question and answer series. So, write down your questions and send them to this address  Joe.Ortiz9299@GMail.com

For more information about this blog and information about the author's two books (The End Times Passover and 



Friday, July 25, 2014

Who is Telling the Truth? The Word of God or Christian Zionists?


Many people believe that the Jews are God’s “Chosen People;” however, Jesus made it perfectly clear that this claim is false. We can see (and read) clearly in this group of scripture what role the Jews played in the heart and mind of Jesus Christ. In the Book of John 8:31-58 (CEB), it is ever so clearly stated what His position has been, and remains to this day.


31 Jesus said to the Jews who believed in him, “You are truly my disciples if you remain faithful to my teaching. 32 Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

33 They responded, “We are Abraham’s children; we’ve never been anyone’s slaves. How can you say that we will be set free?”

34 Jesus answered, “I assure you that everyone who sins is a slave to sin. 35 A slave isn’t a permanent member of the household, but a son is. 36 Therefore, if the Son makes you free, you really will be free. 37 I know that you are Abraham’s children, yet you want to kill me because you don’t welcome my teaching. 38 I’m telling you what I’ve seen when I am with the Father, but you are doing what you’ve heard from your father.”

39 They replied, “Our father is Abraham.”

Jesus responded, “If you were Abraham’s children, you would do Abraham’s works. 40 Instead, you want to kill me, though I am the one who has spoken the truth I heard from God. Abraham didn’t do this. 41 You are doing your father’s works.”

They said, “Our ancestry isn’t in question! The only Father we have is God!”

42 Jesus replied, “If God were your Father, you would love me, for I came from God. Here I am. I haven’t come on my own. God sent me. 43 Why don’t you understand what I’m saying? It’s because you can’t really hear my words.

44 Your father is the devil. You are his children, and you want to do what your father wants. He was a murderer from the beginning. He has never stood for the truth, because there’s no truth in him. Whenever that liar speaks, he speaks according to his own nature, because he’s a liar and the father of liars. 45 Because I speak the truth, you don’t believe me. 46 Who among you can show I’m guilty of sin? Since I speak the truth, why don’t you believe me? 47 God’s children listen to God’s words. You don’t listen to me because you aren’t God’s children.”

48 The Jewish opposition answered, “We were right to say that you are a Samaritan and have a demon, weren’t we?”

49 “I don’t have a demon,” Jesus replied. “But I honor my Father and you dishonor me.50 I’m not trying to bring glory to myself. There’s one who is seeking to glorify me, and he’s the judge. 51 I assure you that whoever keeps my word will never die.

52 The Jewish opposition said to Jesus, “Now we know that you have a demon. Abraham and the prophets died, yet you say, ‘Whoever keeps my word will never die.’ 53 Are you greater than our father Abraham? He died and the prophets died, so who do you make yourself out to be?”

54 Jesus answered, “If I glorify myself, my glory is meaningless. My Father, who you say is your God, is the one who glorifies me. 55 You don’t know him, but I do. If I said I didn’t know him, I would be like you, a liar. But I do know him, and I keep his word. 56 Your father Abraham was overjoyed that he would see my day. He saw it and was happy.”

57 “You aren’t even 50 years old!” the Jewish opposition replied. “How can you say that you have seen Abraham?”

58 “I assure you,” Jesus replied, “before Abraham was, I Am, (John 8:31-58).”

Millions of self-proclaimed Christians believe that the current state of Israel in the Middle East (that government that is currently dropping bombs in the Gaza region, ostensibly as a counter measure to thwart rockets being fired upon their country by a so-called "terrorist" group called Hamas) is the same "Israel" spoken of in the Old Testament. They believe that "Israel" represents the same people that God supposedly promised it a parcel of land they could keep forever, and that this current "Israel" has a divine right to do whatever it takes to keep that region forever! This belief system is known as "Zionism, Simply put Britannica World Language Dictionary puts it this way: ZIONISM, “A movement for the resettlement of the Jews in Palestine. The form, which lays stress upon the Political questions involved, is sometimes called POLITICAL ZIONISM, and the term Religious Zionism is used by those Zionists who lay a special stress upon the regeneration of the Holy Land, as a center is social and religious influence for JUDAISM.

These Christians, who have adopted the Zionist doctrine, are basically (as Mikael Knighton, founder of Christians Standing for Israel eloquently states:


...Christians who see the regathering of the Jewish people in their land, as well as the establishment of the sovereign nation of Israel in 1948, as the literal fulfillment of biblical prophecy are known as "Christian Zionists". Christian Zionists see the Jewish people as the "apple of God's eye"--His Chosen people, and hold firm that God's promises, established in the Abrahamic Covenant, remain in effect today.

Christian Zionists are "Biblical advocates" for the Jewish people and the state of Israel. Furthermore, they stand in firm, diametrical opposition to land concessions of any sort which involve the forfeiture of the holy land of Israel as it is a sacred manifestation of the promises of God to the people He calls the "apple of His eye".

Christian Zionists also seek to stand with Israel, showing her unconditional support, solidarity and love whilst praying for her spiritual return to the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, who "foreknew" her.

A common rebuttal serving to debunk and discredit the underlying objectives of Christian Zionism is the shortsighted argument purporting that Christian Zionists seek to facilitate the literal fulfillment of Bible prophecy--specifically, the end of the world and the subsequent return of Yeshua Ha'Mashiach. Quick to dismiss the biblical significance of Israel as a nation and people, as well as the longevity of God's faithful and everlasting covenants with her, opponents of Christian Zionism--many of whom would call themselves "Christians"--do not recognize God's biblical commands for Christians to support the Jewish people. Source: Mikael Knighton, founder of Christians Standing With Israel.

Time and space prevents us from examining the Zionism issue any deeper, more than it has been debated for over the last 125 years, other than to state there is more than adequate scripture to counter every claim being made by both so-called Jews and their ardent Christian supporters. The Book of Joshua, Chapter 23 (for example) clearly states that God fulfilled His Land promises to the Israelites. More importantly, as we read the entire Chapter 11 in the Book of Hebrews, we can clearly see that the "true" Promised Land the Patriarchs (Abraham, Isaac, Jacob (nee Israel) were looking forward to was not a parcel of land in the Middle East, but rather it is a "Heavenly City" (New Jerusalem, the Holy City of God) whose architect is God, that will be descending to earth, His Tabernacle, to dwell among mankind. No one will be able to enter this Holy City other than those whose names are written in the Lamb's Book of Life!  

For more information about the author of this blog and his published books, please click on Joe Ortiz.