The End Times Passover: An Important Message From Joe Ortiz

BABYLON THE GREAT' IS ISRAEL?

2012-01-31T13:09:00.000-08:00

Is the country of Israel "Babylon the Great?"

My friend and colleague, Alf Hutchinson, who hails from South Africa, has written an interesting (biblically-based) missive you have to read:

'BABYLON THE GREAT' IS ISRAEL

I thought I was alone in my thinking on ‘Jerusalem the great City’, but a very dear brother in Christ, Joe Ortiz, author of ‘The End Times Passover and Why Christians Will Suffer Great Tribulation, sent me this missive written by his Rev. Ted Pike 29 Mar 2010……

In the mystical book of Revelation, the apostle John sees a scarlet woman called “Babylon the Great, Mother of Harlots and Abominations of the Earth.” She is drunk on the blood of Christians and rides a many-horned and -headed beast. John was told this woman symbolized a city that would one day rule and corrupt the world. Who is this woman? Does she exist today?

The answer lies thousands of years in history, in a story of redemption, love and betrayal – recounted in Ezekiel 16. This stern yet tender allegory tells how God rescued Israelfrom death as a rejected infant and chose her for His spiritual bride – not because of her goodness but out of His compassion. From the furnace of Egyptian bondage, the tiny Hebrew nation burst forth. She plagued Pharaoh, crossed the divided sea and finally lived under Moses’ leadership in the desert of Sinai. There God entered the covenant of spiritual marriage with His bride. But that happiness was so brief!

Ezekiel 16:15 [Israel] you trusted in your beauty and played the harlot because of your fame and poured out your harlotry on every passer-by who might be willing...

From Moses through the prophets, Israel is repeatedly characterized as an imperious whore. In more than 80 instances, she is specifically denounced as a harlot or lewd woman. Isaiah and the other pre-exilic prophets aimed their wrath at Jerusalem: Isaiah 1:21 “How the faithful city has become a harlot!" Isaiah denounced apostate Jews asIsaiah 57:3. “sons of a sorceress, offspring of an adulterer and a prostitute”

Did Israel’s evil ways end in the dusty annals of the Old Testament? No. Israel rejected Jesus Christ, her Messiah. She has never yet repented. This compels an inevitable conclusion: Israel of today and tomorrow is the same symbolic woman once chosen as God’s unique bride but ultimately divorced and cast away because of her spiritual adultery. Israel is that “Mother of Harlots” that John saw on the beast of Revelation 17 and 18.

Israel was the first to marry God (Christ) and be spiritually one with Him. Thus the position she enjoyed as a spiritual bride was unique to her. Likewise, only apostate Israel can be the “mother” of spiritual whoredom. When she was chosen as Christ’s bride, other nations were disobedient like a child to its parent. Only Israel was made capable of a wife’s infidelity. As a result, when she became a spiritual whore, she was indelibly marked, “Mother of Harlots.” Jeremiah said, Jer. 3:3 “You had a harlot's forehead, you refused to be ashamed.” Other apostate systems may be spiritual harlots but only Israel is “mother” of that scarlet sorority. And without repentance, neither time nor wanderings can remove that epithet from her. When Israel shouted “Crucify Him! Crucify Him!” her resurrected spouse banished her. The Jewish people were condemned to wander like a woman divorced for adultery, perpetually looking for that substitute husband (anti-Christ) who would take the place of the One she killed.

The Great City

What has happened to that rejected unfaithful wife today?

Revelation 17 confronts us with the specter of a city “which reigns over the kings of the earth.” It has physical power—more wealth and importance than any other city—but also spiritual power, embodying the full potentiality of human degeneracy. “What city is like this great city?” the merchants of the earth will wail. This city is so commercially important that when she falls, world trade also comes crashing down. The title “the great city” is exclusive. There will doubtless be other powerful cities in the end time but John witnesses “the great city,” an unequaled center of trade, political power, culture and human bondage.

And to whom does that term refer? In Revelation, “the great city” (hey polis megaley in Greek) is used to clearly refer to Jerusalem, capitol of the Jewish people! When the two witnesses are killed, their dead bodies lie in the streets of “the great city (hey polismegaley). "... Rev 11:8 Sodom and Egypt, where also our Lord was crucified”. This unmistakably implies that powerful, corrupt Babylon and the great city “ Sodom andEgypt, where our Lord was crucified,” are the same city… Jerusalem.

The apostle Peter, bishop of Jerusalem, also calls Jerusalem “ Babylon.” He sends greetings from the church in Jerusalem saying, 1 Peter 5:13 “She who is in Babylon…sends you greetings” . Peter never visited Babylon. He is clearly identifying the moral cesspool of antiquity, Babylon, with the city where Christ was killed, Jerusalem.
There are other reasons to believe “ Babylon the Great” means the Jewish city. When she is destroyed, Revelation describes the fall of this city as different from that of “Gentile” (ethnos) cities. Rev 16:19 “And the great city was divided into three parts and the cities of the nations (Gentiles) fell…” A city which is not Gentile must, of course, be Jewish.

Also, Rev. 18:24 says that the great city is guilty for having shed the blood of the Hebrew prophets and righteous from the beginning of history. Jesus said the same concerning the rulers of Jerusalem, the Pharisees: Matt. 23:35"that upon you may fall the guilt of all the righteous blood shed on the earth, from the blood of righteous Abel to the blood of Zechariah the son of Berechiah, whom you murdered between the temple and the altar" .

Yet even from earliest post-apostolic times, Christians have misread Revelation’s prophecy. They thought Babylon the Great meant Rome, which has traditionally been described as sitting on seven hills. Yet the city of Rome encompasses many more than seven hills. This is not true of Jerusalem. Ernest L. Martin, Ph.D. points out:

the City of Jerusalem as it existed in the time of Christ Jesus was also reckoned to be a 'City of Seven Hills.' This fact was well recognized in Jewish circles. In the Pirke de-Rabbi Eliezer, an 8th century A.D. midrashic [Talmudic] narrative (Section 10), the writer mentioned without commentary (showing that the understanding was well known and required no defense) that, "Jerusalem is situated on seven hills." ("The Seven Hills of Jerusalem” http://www.askelm.com/prophecy/p000201.htm)

Armenian Christians, living for centuries in Palestine, taught their

schoolchildren that the seven hills are: Mt. of Olives, Mt. Scopus, Mt. Zion, Mt. Moriah (the Temple mount), Golgotha, Hill of Moses, and Mt. Herzl.

Scripture also describes only one city as center of world rule in the last days, and that isJerusalem. Paul states clearly that the anti-Christ will declare his one-world authority from the temple at Jerusalem, where he proclaims he is God. (2 Thess. 2:4) When the two witnesses resist him, they do not battle a papal anti-Christ but “the wicked profane prince of Israel” in Jerusalem. (Ezek. 21:25) These scriptures point to Jerusalem as the epicenter of one-world rebellion against God; Jerusalem and Babylon are one!

Modern Judaism is Babylonian

There is more depth to the metaphor. Judaism literally is Babylonian, more than nearly any other religion or culture. Most of its religious laws and traditions, including the Babylonian Talmud and Zohar (Kabbalah), come from nearly 1,600 years Jews spent on the fertile plains of Shinar. Few religions have a deeper tradition of occult. Revelation describes Babylon the Great deceiving the world through her “sorceries” and the Jewish encyclopedias tell us it was Judaism which carried Babylon’s black arts, demonology and astrology to the West.

This is as true today as ever. Jewish supremacism today is not only erecting a political, financial, commercial world empire but spewing filth on the nations through their movie and TV media. (link to Jews in media article) They spearhead freedom-destroying, pro-homosexual hate crimes laws worldwide and abet all forms of left-wing and anti-Christ radicalism through their “civil liberties” fronts such as ADL, ACLU and the Southern Poverty Law Center.

And just as “Babylon the Great” will deceive the world, so Jewish leaders today present a whitewashed façade to Christians and the world – an illusion of goodness that has never been more convincing or scrupulously maintained. The Jewish lobby deceived Christians into unquestioning support of Israel’s ambitions and atrocities in the Mideast; this is awesome evidence of the manipulative influence Jewry will enjoy as we draw even closer to the end. When Christ warned that the delusions of the end time would be so irresistible that “even the very elect” could be deceived, He was speaking of our day!

In our day we witness the continuing and monstrous complications of that great divorce of Christ from his chosen bride millennia ago. We are not simply approaching the foothills of anti-Christ. We are in them. Through intrigue and deception, the control and commercialism of “ Babylon the Great” has come surround us. Yet we have not perceived it. We have, in fact, assisted it.

Babylon is now!

How should Christians respond to the fact that Israel and Babylon are one? Jesus tells us the answer. Rev. 18:4-5"Come out of her, my people, that you may not participate in her sins, and that you may not receive of her plagues, for her sins have piled up as high as heaven…"
Adapted from Israel: Our Duty Our Dilemma by Rev. Ted Pike.

Joe Ortiz, newspaper, radio and television journalist, talk show host and author http://www.blogger.com/profile/09298569870962359507 has books on the subject “The End Times Passover” and “ Why Christians Will Suffer Great Tribulation” (Author House), which exhaustively provides scripture to confirm my findings.

Many things are not as they appear to be on the surface…I urge you now to search more on this subject…and please don’t be surprised if you are as shocked as I was at your findings.

Yours In His Name

Alf Hutchison

info@obadiahoutreach.org

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2012-01-18T07:26:00.000-08:00

EXTRA! EXTRA! EXTRA!

Dave MacPherson Discovers More Proof That Margaret Macdonald (not John Nelson Darby) Is Responsible for Pre-Tribulation Rapture to Heaven Mythology!

More Facts About Margaret Macdonald
          by Dave MacPherson

     In my first book ("The Unbelievable Pre-Trib Origin," 1973) at the end of my chapter on "The Macdonald Clan" I wrote this:
     "Somewhere in this big world there must be some more old documents throwing further light on Miss Margaret Macdonald and her Pre-Trib revelation of 1830. Maybe this book will encourage someone to search for them. And then share them."
     Back then, while beginning what Wheaton College prof Arthur Katterjohn called my "pioneer research" on pretrib beginnings, I had no idea that during the next few decades I would be privileged to unearth enough long-forgotten "rapture" facts to fill seven more books and many hundreds of articles.
     Margaret's biographer, Robert Norton M.D., had briefly mentioned in one of his books that she had been married at the time of her death - news included in my first book. But nowhere had Norton revealed her husband's name or the exact dates and locations of her birth and death.
     Quite some time later I discovered that European scholar Timothy C. F. Stunt's comprehensive work "From Awakening to Secession" (2000) referred on p. 284 to the "Irvingite historian Robert Norton, who married Margaret Macdonald...." Stunt's source was the "Journal of the European Pentecostal Theological Association, xvi. 1996, 63-4." But unfortunately Stunt did not provide an exact quote from that publication.
     Although Stunt (who at times seems to target critics of dispensationalism) was inadvertently helping me in my worldwide search for more facts about Margaret, I still didn't know the details about her marriage or the exact dates of her birth and death.
     Not terribly long ago my continuing search for more Macdonaldiana found me noticing a feature titled "The Problem with the Rapture" (2008) on the "Ministerial Musings" blog. Some comments at the end stated that Dr. Timothy Stunt had claimed that Margaret had married Dr. Norton. The next person to comment was Timothy Stunt himself who revealed that "Robert Norton married Margaret Macdonald on 31 October 1835 at Port Glasgow, [county of] Renfrew Scotland in the parish registers. See the International Genealogical Index."
     Again Stunt failed to include a quotation for his claim. And I was still in the dark on definite dates for Margaret's birth and death. (Wikipedia has "1815" and "around 1840" for her birth and death years.)
     Well, the story isn't over. Just a few days ago, while Googling "Margaret Norton (Port Glasgow, 1830s)," I was directed to the Watt Library in Greenock, a town a couple miles west of Port Glasgow. (That library was named after James Watt, inventor of the first modern steam engine, who was born in Greenock in 1736.)
     After Googling "Watt Library, Greenock Births, Marriages and Death Index: Letter N Surnames," I found this notice which had appeared in the "Greenock Advertiser" on Nov. 23, 1841:
     "Margaret Norton, wife of Robert Norton M.D. died at Brougham Street Greenock on 20th November 1841."
     Finally - here was something exact about Margaret's death that was found in an exact source!
     Here's more exactness:
     My writings have consistently stated that the Irvingites (Edward Irving's followers), as well as Margaret, taught a pretrib rapture long before John Darby did.
     My book "The Rapture Plot" (p. 9) quotes Irving's journal ("The Morning Watch," Sep. 1830, p. 510) on Irvingism's view of Revelation's seven churches:
     "The Philadelphian church expresses the period of that preparation, until the Lord come to the air, and be met by his saints changed and risen.
     "The Laodicean church (the only one yet entirely future) is our sad monitor concerning the history of the church on earth during that period of great tribulation which shall intervene between the coming of the Lord to the air and the establishment of his throne and rest in Zion."
     The same writer on following pages explained "great tribulation" as "the great tribulation" (which he tied to Rev. 3:10, Luke 21:36 etc.).
     This journal, which previously had been teaching only the historic posttrib view, suddenly began clearly teaching a pretrib coming (as shown) - after some of its writers had visited Margaret a few weeks earlier - and the above quote reflected Margaret's partial rapturistic pretrib view which saw some of the church in a pretrib rapture and the rest of the church left on earth during the great tribulation.
     It's strange (or not so strange!) that this monumental quote about Philadelphia and Laodicea is totally missing in the most quoted histories of dispensationalism (and the Plymouth Brethren) - histories more often than not written for the plaudits of fellow scholars and not for folks like the "common people" (Mark 12:37) who listened to Jesus "gladly" - the people I like to reach also.
     If "The Morning Watch" didn't get its new pretrib view from Margaret, I challenge everyone - scholar and commoner alike - to find who or what did inspire that journal's change of doctrine.
     Incidentally, if Darby adopted a pretrib rapture as early as 1827, as some pretrib leaders assert, why do his published papers (1828-1830) teach only a posttrib rapture? And if he already had his "church/Israel dichotomy" in 1827, why in his 1837 paper did he "see" the church "going in with Him to the marriage, to wit, with Jerusalem and the Jews"? Darby didn't clearly teach pretrib until 1839, and his scriptural basis for this was only the "rapture" of Rev. 12:5's "man child" - a symbol/support for pretrib that had been used first for the same purpose by Irving eight years earlier in "The Morning Watch"!
     If you are curious about the Margaret who is one of the most influential females of all time, I invite you to Google "Pretrib Rapture Diehards," "X-Raying Margaret," "Edward Irving is Unnerving," "Thomas Ice (Bloopers)," "Walvoord Melts Ice," "Pretrib Rapture Secrecy," "Pretrib Rapture - Hidden Facts," and "Pretrib Rapture Dishonesty." My 300-page work "The Rapture Plot" is available online at Armageddon Books etc. Google "Scholars Weigh My Research" for reactions to my research from leading scholars.
     In closing I want to publicly thank our good friend Joe Ortiz for airing discoveries of mine on his distinctive and much needed web sites (like "The End Times Passover" blog) which also offer his scholarly theological books on Bible prophecy.

xxxxx

[It is an honor and a privilege to be the Internet/media vehicle to publish the most current news concerning Dave MacPherson, author of many books (including The Rapture Plot) that bring greater clarity to how the Pre-Tribulation Rapture to Heaven mythology was concocted. If the readers have any questions or comments concerning his latest revelation, please post them on this blog or write directly to me at Joe.Ortiz9299@GMail.com. I will personally relay them to Dave.

Who's At Fault? Jews or Zionists? A Theological Perspective!

2011-11-29T07:05:00.000-08:00

One of the most heated debates throughout the entireworld, strongly visible and predominating the Internet, regards the issue ofwho is responsible for the majority of the conflicts, including religious,societal and political, that engulfs more than water cooler discussions.

Those folks primarily from the left, as well as manyinformed Christians, believe the promulgators of world conflict lay at thethrone of a historical clandestine cabal and its ideological Zionist agenda, and a large throng ofindividual pundits, as well as web sites have grown larger and become more boldin their accusations that demonic financial masters (such as the Rothschild Family) are not only responsible for the ills of theworld, they have been manipulating governments and their citizens forcenturies.

On the other side, the U.S. government, the majority ofJews (and their representative groups such as AIPAC and ADL, along with a largethrong of right wing evangelical Christians, use the Anti-Semitism mantra claiming the world is against the Jewish people and will not allow them the opportunity to establish their own homeland. That Christian segment boldly waves the Biblein your face and scream, “It’s right here! This Holy book says the Jews are theChosen people of God, and obviously the majority of Jews agree with them(especially Israeli leaders), albeit they do not believe Jesus Christ is theirMessiah!” It is these two ideologies that supposedly are creating hate throughout the world, while at the same time picking the pockets of the innocent while the debate continues to muddy the reality waters.

Well, someone has to be right and someone has to bewrong! This incessant debate cannot continue unabated without empirical dataproving (or providing) who would Jesus really side with. While millions andmillions of people do not believe that the Bible is truly the word of God(albeit both sides conveniently quote select verses to enhance their polemics)not enough scripture is tossed into the mix to substantiate, beyond a shadow ofa doubt as to who and what action Jesus would approve.

First of all, let us emphatically state that this isnot an issue of ethnicity. In other words, out of the starting gate we believethere are millions of Jews who seek peace and tranquility in the Middle Eaststate of Israel, including God-loving, God-fearing Jews throughout the world.Many do believe Jesus is the Messiah albeit the majority of these folks don’t.Their disbelief in Jesus is insufficient reason to call them “The Enemy” andlump them with their leaders, most of which profess undying belief in Zionismand its true purpose. Therefore, at the outset, we stare directly in the faceof anyone person who would accuse us of making “Anti-Semitic” remarks, and tellthem to use that reverse- psychology- politically-motivated-ploy-designed-to-manipulate-a-person-into-a-state-of-guilt on someone else. We could not care less how many acts oflegislation have been enacted (due to Zionists pressure) that to ask questions,give opinions or even write articles or books about a perception as to the trueand underlying motives that were birthed by the Zionism philosophy has anythingto do with being Anti-Semitic. No one person, group or nation has the right toexact a law among its people that goes contrary to God’s immutable law.

Don’t you dare make a claim that you (who accuse peopleof being Anti-Semitic) are God’s chosen people, and have a right to possess aspecific parcel of Land in the Middle East because you believe God said so, andnot expect anyone to question or challenge that assertion. God is no respecterof any man or nation, nor has He given them immunity from being examined as towhether that claim is consistent or in accordance with His written word.

Having set the required parameters for any furtherdiscussion, let us state from the outset that there is no written record of anychronological consistency that can trace the bloodline of those who today callthemselves Jews to the roots of the original tribe of Judah spoken of in Torah(Old Testament), anymore than can anyone person of Asian, African, Hispanic norAnglo-Aryan extraction.

In fact, evidence to the contrary as to the lineage ofthose who today call themselves Jews is available in great abundance throughoutthe Internet, libraries, universities and colleges throughout the world, thatthe lineage of those who call themselves Jews are actually the descendants anancient peoples known as the Khazars.

Atsome point in the last decades of the 8th century or the early 9th century, theKhazar royalty andnobility convertedto Judaism,and part of the general population may have followed.^[31] Theextent of the conversion is debated. The 10^th century Persian historian Ibn al-Faqih reportedthat "all the Khazars are Jews." Notwithstanding this statement, mostscholars believe that only the upper classes converted to Judaism; ^[32] thereis some support for this in contemporary Muslim texts.^[33]

Essaysin the Kuzari, written by Yehuda Halevi,detail a moral liturgical reason for the conversion which some consider a moraltale. Some researchers have suggested part of the reason for conversion waspolitical expediency to maintain a degree of neutrality:the Khazar empire was between growing populations, Muslims tothe east and Christians tothe west. Both religions recognized Judaism as a forbearer and worthy of somerespect. The exact date of the conversion is hotly contested. It may haveoccurred as early as 740 or as late as the mid-9th century. Recently discovered numismatic evidencesuggests that Judaism was the established state religion by c. 830, and though St. Cyril (who visited Khazaria in 861) did not identify the Khazarsas Jews, the khagan of that period, Zachariah, had a biblical Hebrew name. Some medieval sources give thename of the rabbi who oversaw the conversion of theKhazars as Isaac Sangari or Yitzhak ha-Sangari.

Themore important aspect of this reality is that today’s Jews have to choosewhether they are a race or a religion. If they are a genetic race, they do notqualify to make any claim whatsoever to the promises of God. Almighty God madecovenantal promises that included conditions, which have been abridged over andover again for centuries, thereby denying them any claim to any land promiseswhatsoever. If Jews choose to call theirs a religion (Judaism) they alsoautomatically forfeit any of the privileges and covenantal promises made by Godto Abraham and his descendants, because they were based on faith in Messiah.Judaism does not believe that Jesus is the Christ, therefore they have norights to any of the promises that were made to Abraham, the father of faith,of which there also exists numerous conditions which have also been broken byeither entity for centuries as well. This reality automatically mitigates theclaims made by those Christians who believe that God requires 100% support ofany group of peoples, nation, religious or political entity that claims theyare Jews, the chosen people of God.

Thosewho call themselves Jews cannot have it both ways. They cannot make any claimsbased on either their ethnicity nor of the faith of their own choosing. Simplyby claiming they are Jews does not afford them either privilege.

EnterZionism!

The origin of the word "Zionism" is the biblical word"Zion," often used as a synonym for Jerusalem and the Land of Israel(Eretz Yisrael). Zionism is an ideology which expresses the yearning ofJews the world over for their historical homeland - Zion, the Land of Israel.

The hope of returning to their homeland was first held by Jews exiled toBabylon some 2,500 years ago - a hope which subsequently became a reality.("By the waters of Babylon, there we sat down and wept when weremembered Zion." Psalms 137:1). Thus political Zionism, whichcoalesced in the 19th century, invented neither the concept nor the practice ofreturn. Rather, it appropriated an ancient idea and an ongoing active movement,and adapted them to meet the needs and spirit of the times.

Political Zionism, the national liberation movement of the Jewishpeople, emerged in the 19th century within the context of the liberalnationalism then sweeping through Europe.

Zionism synthesized the two goals of liberal nationalism, liberation andunity, by aiming to free the Jews from hostile and oppressive alien rule and toreestablish Jewish unity by gathering Jewish exiles from the four corners ofthe world to the Jewish homeland.

The rise of Zionism as a political movement was also a response to thefailure of the Haskalah,the Jewish Enlightenment, to solve the "Jewish problem." According toZionist doctrine, the reason for this failure was that personal emancipationand equality were impossible without national emancipation and equality, sincenational problems require national solutions. The Zionist national solution wasthe establishment of a Jewish national state with a Jewish majority in thehistorical homeland, thus realizing the Jewish People's right to self-determination.Zionism did not consider the "normalization" of the Jewish conditioncontrary to universal aims and values. It advocated the right of every peopleon earth to its own home, and argued that only a sovereign people could becomean equal member of the family of nations.

Most of the founders of Zionism knew that Palestine (the Land of Israel)had an Arab population (though some spoke naively of "a land without apeople for a people without a land"). Still, only few regarded the Arabpresence as a real obstacle to the fulfillment of Zionism. At that time in thelate 19th century, Arab nationalism did not yet exist in any form, and the Arabpopulation of Palestine was sparse and apolitical. Many Zionist leadersbelieved that since the local community was relatively small, friction betweenit and the returning Jews could be avoided; they were also convinced that thesubsequent development of the country would benefit both peoples, thus earningArab endorsement and cooperation. However, these hopes were not fulfilled.

Contraryto the declared positions and expectations of the Zionist ideologists who hadaspired to achieve their aims by peaceful means and cooperation, the renewedJewish presence in the Land met with militant Arab opposition. For some timemany Zionists found it hard to understand and accept the depth and intensity ofthe dispute, which became in fact a clash between two peoples both regardingthe country as their own - the Jews by virtue of their historical and spiritualconnection, and the Arabs because of their centuries-long presence in thecountry.

Duringthe years 1936-1947, the struggle over the Land of Israel grew more intense.Arab opposition became more extreme with the increased growth and developmentof the Jewish community. At the same time, the Zionist movement felt itnecessary to increase immigration and develop the country's economicinfrastructure, in order to save as many Jews as possible from the Nazi infernoin Europe.

Theunavoidable clash between the Jews and the Arabs brought the UN to recommend,on 29 November 1947, the establishment of two states in the area west of theJordan River - one Jewish and one Arab. The Jews accepted the resolution; theArabs rejected it.

On 14 May1948, in accordance with the UN resolution of November 1947, the State ofIsrael was established.

Theestablishment of the State of Israel marked the realization of the Zionist goalof attaining an internationally recognized, legally secured home for the Jewishpeople in its historic homeland, where Jews would be free from persecution andable to develop their own lives and identity.

Since1948, Zionism has seen its task as continuing to encourage the"ingathering of the exiles," which at times has called forextraordinary efforts to rescue endangered (physically and spiritually) Jewishcommunities. It also strives to preserve the unity and continuity of the Jewishpeople as well as to focus on the centrality of Israel in Jewish lifeeverywhere.

Downthrough the centuries, the desire for the restoration of the Jewish people inthe Land of Israel has been a thread binding the Jewish people together. Jewseverywhere accept Zionism as a fundamental tenet of Judaism, support the Stateof Israel as the basic realization of Zionism and are enriched culturally,socially and spiritually by the fact of Israel - a member of the family ofnations and a vibrant, creative accomplishment of the Jewish spirit.

While this loftynationalistic goal has been accomplished to a great degree, the currentpolitical atmosphere in the so-called Promised Land is anything but Holy and,if anything, the continued course of action by the Zionist movement (which manybelieve their underlying goal is to head a one world government from the cityof Jerusalem) can only lead to the annihilation of mankind as we know it today.

Furthermore, even if it were remotely possible that anyethnic, religious or political connection can be made by Zionists that theyhave the right to dictate to the world that they will reign supreme, thisevidence by no means provides any one group of people the right to claim theyhave the absolute right to any parcel of land on earth. While God has allowedvarious groups the privilege to reside in various regions on this planet, Hehas done so based on the requirements that His laws of order and care for boththe land and its residents meet with His will and commands, because all land on our green earth is His.

In conclusion, (and it is extrememly important for the Christian Zionist to read) Hebrews, Chapter 11, which makes God’s wordperfectly clear that the Patriarchs (from Abel, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob (andhis sons who make up the 12 tribes of Israel) were never looking to a parcel ofland in the Middle East as their eternal nor final resting place:

⁸ By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he wouldlater receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not knowwhere he was going. ⁹ By faith he made his home in the promised landlike a stranger in a foreign country; he lived in tents, as did Isaac andJacob, who were heirs with him of the same promise. ¹⁰ For he was lookingforward to the city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God.

¹¹ By faith Abraham, even though he was past age—and Sarahherself was barren—was enabled to become a father because he^[^a^]considered him faithful who had made the promise. ¹² And so fromthis one man, and he as good as dead, came descendants as numerous as the starsin the sky and as countless as the sand on the seashore.

¹³ All these people were still living by faith when they died.They did not receive the things promised; they only saw them and welcomed themfrom a distance. And they admitted that they were aliens and strangers onearth. ¹⁴ People who say such things show that they are looking fora country of their own. ¹⁵ If they had been thinking of the countrythey had left, they would have had opportunity to return. ¹⁶Instead, they were longing for a better country—a heavenly one. Therefore Godis not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them, (Hebrews 11:8-16, NIV)

Theconundrum?

Jewsonly believe in the Torah, the five major books from the Old Testament, whileChristians believe in both the Old and New Testament (the new covenant); andregardless of whether the Jews agree with what is encapsulated in Hebrews11:8-16, God is speaking loud and clear (especially to believers) that thisinsanity has gone on long enough and has to cease…or suffer the consequences

-30-

Formore information about the author and his books TheEnd Times Passover and WhyChristians Will Suffer Great Tribulation.

Toacces the author’s web sites and blogs, please click on JoeOrtiz

Right Wing Prophecy "Experts" like Hal Lindsey and Tim LaHaye Make Millions Selling Zionist Kool Aid To Christians!

2011-11-22T22:56:00.000-08:00

The Everlasting Hatredby Hal Lindsey- 2011 revised edition

ALREADY IN SECONDPRINTING!

WorldNet Daily website is tooting the horn about Hal Lindsey's 'revised edition' of his "TheEverlasting Hatred," book stating:

"This most recentbook from the best-selling author alive - Hal Lindsey - sold out in less than amonth, and for good reason. WND goes on to state that Lindsey is “Going whereothers fear to tread, the "father of modern prophecy" answers:

§ Why do most Muslims hate Jews?

§ Why do Islamic fundamentalists hate the UnitedStates and call it The Great Satan?

§ Why did Islamic terrorists sacrifice their ownlives to kill Americans?

§ Do Islamic fundamentalists have access toweapons of mass destruction?

§ Could Islamic terrorists imperil the survival ofthe United States?

§ What light does Bible prophecy shed on this?

§ Does the Koran call for violence and conquest?

§ And much more...

Phew!

It's not bad enough thatthese topics are sheer fuel that stokes the political and foreign policyfirestorm that could ignite World War 111, this polemic is coming from someonewho ostensibly believes and supposedly practices the religion called"Christianity.

WND adds in its advertisementthat, "In a clear and eye-opening manner, Lindsey lays bare the complexroots of Islamic fundamentalism and its purpose to replace the Judeo-Christianworld order with an Islamic world order. Addressing the issues head on, Lindseyreveals the enormity of the threat America faces and how imperative it is thatevery individual knows and understands this historic hatred and itsrepercussions."

WMD and theZionist-controlled public relations machine (called American Mainstream Media)fail to realize (or maybe they really do) is that their propaganda is actuallyfeeding and fanning the flames that could pose a greater threat than therepercussions and hatred they supposedly are trying to protect us from. Theirxenophobic and political rhetoric is actually fueling the alleged terrorists moreso than preventing genuine terror, which will eventually cause a worldconflagration unlike anything in history.

Yet, those in the'know" who have proven time and again that Premillennial Dispensationalism (the doctrine that claims the state of Israel isfavored by God, therefore needs to be supported by ALL Christians), is incontradistinction to orthodox theology. Hundreds of new authors and scholars(both Christian and secular) present a case that Lindsey and others like JohnHagee, Tim LaHaye, Mike Evans and many other right-wing evangelicals arepromoting a faulty doctrine in regards (especially) to a Middle East conflictthat is literally out of control. Folks like Lindsey and LaHaye especially areflying high on the magic flying carpet of Zionism-controlled media and publishingempires, making (at least over 200) millions of dollars from a highly distorted theology.

While many credible anddeeply researched books that biblically refute the prevalent "LeftBehind" doctrine are making headway into the marketplace (written by Biblescholars like Stephen Sizer, Steve Wohlberg, Ted Noel, Barbara Rossing, ArnieSuntag, Dave MacPherson, to name a few), the majority of Christendom is beinginundated by the politically (and for financial profit) designed campaign thatmost certainly will start World War 111.

Please don't read anyjealousy on the part of these brave authors who dare challenge a Zionism ideologyand culture, an ersatz theological polemic beginning back with CI Scofield, whowrote the distorted Scofield Bible (with a myriad margins that skewed the Bible)solely to enhance the Premillennial Dispensationalism doctrine, which playswell into the hands of the Zionism agenda. Surely, they don't get the exposurenor author support services that Lindsey and LaHaye get from the MSN. Whyshould they? Their books don't paint the 'soothing gospel' one finds in theRapture to Heaven messages inculcated in Lindsey's and LaHaye's escapist tomes.Millions of uninformed Christian readers pay tons of money to ease their escapistpsyche, as well as their jingoistic, Manifest Destiny, American Exceptionalism,and nationalism ideology they feel gains them points with God by supporting thestate of Israel.

However, folks likeSizer and the others did not write their books to become wealthy and famousauthors, they wrote them because Christians need to know they are being fed thebiggest pitcher of theological Kool Aid ever concocted.

Mine is not an adhominem attack on Lindsey, LaHaye and others who write and support thePre-Tribulation Rapture to Heaven and the Israel (is God's Holy Nation) Firstideology. I and the aforementioned authors have challenged Lindsey and LaHayeto debate the theological discrepancies contained throughout their books. Theydidn’t even have the courtesy to respond in the negative.

Oh wait! One of LaHaye’shired guns, Tommy Ice, did respond when I offered him a free copy of my book, The End Times Passover, to examine, but heresponded by saying, “I don’t read Jewish books.” Strange response from aperson who believes Israelis are still God’s ‘chosen people.’

Nevertheless, thosededicated servants who disagree with the Premmillennial Dispensationalismdoctrine continue to parse through the war-mongering propaganda such as WNDand others are putting out there. And, hopefully, they will convince the committedChristians will return to their Bibles to read and study what God’s word trulysays about the nefarious Rapture to Heaven and ‘Israel First’ doctrines.Hopefully they will realize that they need to draw closer to Christ as we seein the immediate horizon that great persecution of the church is increasingexponentially, and that Christians will suffer great tribulation.

TheChristian –who has studied the Bible correctly, guided by the Holy Spirit –should know better that to listen, believe and teach others to follow theoriesthat do not comport with the exact words God has given us in His easy tounderstand instructions about his overall salvation plan, and what to expectbefore the final return of Christ. But yet, many would rather entertain thetitillating and provocative theories being presented to them by a throng ofpastors, evangelists and Bible teachers who promulgate the erroneous theoriesbeing put forth by the likes of Tim LaHaye, John Hagee, Hal Lindsey, et al, whoseduce the church to follow political ideology, ethnic strife, war-mongeringand Rapture fantasy above God’s specific word.

As weclearly see in Matthew 13:11-23, the group ofscripture that describes the parable of the sower, Though seeing, they do not see; though hearing, they do not hear orunderstand, they respond to their propaganda rather than doing the will ofGod.

Sadly, many Christians - who have been lulled into a false sense of confidenceby their Bible distortion - may not be ready to handle the impendingtribulation that awaits them.

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Formore information about the author’s two books that provide deep and insightfulunderstanding concerning what the Christian will experience before Christreturns, please click on The End TimesPassoverand Why Christians WillSuffer Great Tribulation. To access the author’s web sites and blogs, pleaseclick on Joe Ortiz.

Inaccurate Bible Prediction Prophets Run Rampant for Profit?

2011-10-31T08:10:00.000-07:00

I have been accused of late by some folk of posting articles and promoting Bible prophecy (as in predicting that Armageddon is right next door), and many of these folks want me to enter into debates with them not just to compare notes, but for them to be able to say my point of view is not as accurate as theirs.
My response is that I will send them free copies of both of my books (The End Times Passover and Why Christians Will Suffer Great Tribulation if they can send me any form of proof that I have engaged in any debates or postings on Facebook or in any of my blogs any type of discussions concerning the timing of the Rapture, or any connection between CNN type of news reports connecting them to any scripture whatsoever. While I will agree that we are one day closer to the return of our Lord and savior Jesus Christ to rule and reign on earth forever, I never have discussed any Old Testament nor New Testament prophecies, nor made any attempts to discern the messages found in the book of Revelations, as if somehow God has blessed me with any special gifts of discernment with its contents. Thousands before me and many ersatz prophets do this daily, sadly to their failed (perceived) biblical knowledge, exegetical implosions, orthodox upcommance and their eventual ministerial unraveling.

     While some have seen me of late focusing somewhat on the innerant "Zionist Agenda" (especially how it has captured the hearts of many evangelican Chrisitians to support the political agenda of the state of Israel), my main focus has been on steering the disciples of Jesus to draw closer to Him and His mandate for His children. Some fear that I may be violating the Orwellian Global Anti-Semitism Review Act, and that I may even be placing my life in "Harm's Way" for my boldness. My doing so has nothing to do with being Anti-Semetic nor am I personally attacking the Jewish people (my daughter is Jewish) in any form or fashion, other than to point out Bible truths that Jesus Christ has fulfilled all the promises God made to Abraham (and his spiritual descendants), who is our father of faith!
     More accurately, in all of my works, I am sounding the clarion call to avoid these popular "Doomsday Prophets" and focus rather on God's message to practice His true religious commandments (see James 1:26-27, with a strong emphasis and extollation to draw closer to Christ rather than man-made, man-conceived solutions to every day problems promulgated by the demonic forces that have been plaguing humanity since the fall of Adam.
     I recently ran across a great article that pretty much puts my thoughts into greater perspective concerning the 'alarmist fringe' that has hypnotized the church as never before, detracting it from a more important agenda:

Prophecies of Book of Revelation Fulfilled in 18thCentury America?

By Thomas Williamson

A common and popular method of exposition of the Book of Revelation, is to link the prophecies in that book to current events and geopolitical realities in our modern world, and to proclaim that the headlines in our daily newspapers are fulfillment of John's prophecies.

These alleged ongoing fulfillment of prophecy are then touted as proof that the Rapture must come soon, since "the stage is being set" for the final consummation of the end-times scenarios of the Book of Revelation. Every day, in every way, Antichrist's roadies are out there setting the stage for his coming, just as they have been for many generations.

For instance, the "10 Kings" of Revelation 17:12-13 are taken to be a reference to the European Common Market. Never mind that there were only 6 nations in the Common Market when it was founded in 1958. Never mind that the European Union now has 25 nations, with 4 applicant nations on the way. Never mind that fewer than 10 of these nations have any literal king or any sort of monarchy.

Meanwhile, the "Left Behind" movie presents the 10 Kings as rulers of countries scattered all over the globe, not just in Europe. The 10 Kings are an amenable, flexible crew of royal gentlemen - they can be anything and anywhere you want them to be. Somewhere in Europe or elsewhere on earth, you can always find some sort of alliance or confederacy that, with a bit of stretching, can be made out to be the 10 Kings of prophecy. And you can cry that up as an evidence that the Rapture is coming really soon.

There are entire schools of sensationalist prophecy, based on the notion that we are now seeing John's visions in Revelation fulfilled, in meticulous detail, right before our very eyes, in the swirl of modern events, wars, peace treaties, alliances, dictatorships and disasters in Europe, the Middle East, and elsewhere in the world.

What many of us do not realize is that for many centuries, past generations of sincere Christians have believed the same thing - that they were living through the events portrayed in Revelation, and that these things were signs that the end of the age would come very soon, even within their lifetimes. Obviously, they were mistaken in that belief, and this should caution us to avoid dogmatic certainty in reading the "signs of the times."

Bible-believing Christians in colonial America believed that they were living in the last days and that they were seeing Bible prophecy fulfilled in their time.

Daniel Wojcik, in "The End of the World As We Know It - Faith, Fatalism and Apocalypse in America," notes that Christopher Columbus regarded his discovery of America as a fulfillment of prophecy: Columbus "apparently believed that he was fated to fulfill various prophecies prior to the appearance of the Antichrist and imminent apocalypse. Upon landing, Columbus supposedly quoted scripture from the Book of Revelation about discovering the Terrestrial Paradise - the 'new heaven and new earth' - cited in the Bible."

The Puritans of New England also thought they were fulfilling specific end-time prophecies: "Eschatological beliefs pervade the writings of the Puritans, many of whom maintained that they had been elected by God to fulfill a divinely determined historical plan. Puritan settlements were conceived as communal millennialist prototypes, established in anticipation of Christ's Second Coming. The sermons of Puritan preachers such as John Cotton and Increase Mather dealt with apocalyptic prophecy. Cotton asserted in 'The Pouring Out of the Seven Vials' (1642) that doomsday would occur after the destruction of the Catholic Church, which was identified as the Antichrist. . . . The apocalyptic speculations of Increase Mather's son, Cotton Mather, had an especially strong influence on American colonialist religion. Cotton Mather was preoccupied with prophecy and the specifics of Christ's Second Coming - how Christ would return, who would accompany Him, the exact date, and the location of the millennial kingdom on earth - all of which he believed could be predicted by interpreting contemporary events as Providences."

The mid-17th Century was a time of great millennial expectations, partly stirred up by the overthrow and execution of King Charles I in 1649. John Cotton of Boston, Massachusetts predicted the final overthrow of Antichrist's power by 1655. Such eager expectations subsided after the restoration of the Stuart dynasty in 1660, and prophecy teachers moved on to the next big speculative sensation.

King Philip's War, an Indian rebellion in 1675-1676, was interpreted by Increase Mather as a fulfillment of the red horse of Revelation 6:4. Joseph Mede suggested that the American Indians would constitute the demonic army that would rebel against Christ in Revelation 20:9.

In 1691, Cotton Mather, based on current events in the Ottoman Empire and on the revocation of the Edict of Nantes in France (1685) tentatively predicted the end of the world in 1697. In 1692 Mather proclaimed that "I am verily persuaded 'The Judge is at the door;' I do without any hesitation venture to say, 'The Great Day of the Lord is near,' it is near, and it hastens greatly."

When the 1697 date passed in an uneventful manner, Mather determined that the world would end in 1736. Later he corrected that to 1716. He dramatically proclaimed, "All that has been foretold . . . as what must come to pass before the Coming . . . is, as far as we understand, Fulfilled: I say ALL FULFILLED!"

Francis Gumerlock, in "The Day and the Hour - Christianity's Perennial Fascination With Predicting the End of the World," says that Samuel Sewall of Boston "believed that the slaughter of Native Americans by the Spanish was the fulfillment of the 4^th and 5^th seals of Revelation. Sewall believed that the 'souls of those who had been slain because of the word of God' were the Native Americans."

The Great Awakening under Jonathan Edwards and other preachers in the early 1740's was taken as a sign of the approach of the Millennium, but by 1745 revival fires had almost completely died out. In that year troops from New England captured the French fortress of Louisbourg, Nova Scotia, and the clergy took this as a hopeful harbinger of the Millennium.

Nathan Hatch, in "The Origins of Civil Millennialism in America," observes, "British victories . . . gave rise to an unprecedented outpouring of hope that Christ's kingdom was imminent. When Louisbourg fell, ministers overcame their theological differences to join in a harmonious chorus of millennial rejoicing. Not only would the Man of Sin no longer rule as vice-regent in the area of Cape Breton, but the conquest of Louisbourg was a sign that the day was not far off when it would be proclaimed that 'Babylon the Great is fallen.' Less than one year later the defeat of the Pretender [Bonnie Prince Charlie] at Culloden evoked even greater displays of millennial expectancy."

Paul Boyer, in "When Time Shall Be No More - Prophecy Belief in Modern American Culture," says that Jonathan Edwards avoided public date-setting, although he privately thought that the Millennium might begin in the year 2000. "But Edwards did believe the Millennium was approaching: the Reformation represented the Fifth Vial of Revelation, and the world was now in the period of the Sixth Vial - the last before the end."

The book "The Strange and Wonderful Predictions of Mr. Christopher Love," published in Boston in 1759, predicted the rise of Antichrist in 1761 and the final end in 1763. The same year, Richard Clarke published "The Prophetic Numbers of Daniel and John," predicting the end of the world by 1766.

The French and Indian War (1754-1763) was taken as a sign of the end, as the American colonists fought the French Catholics who were regarded as minions of his infernal majesty, the Antichrist. Samuel Davies described the war as "the grand decisive conflict between the Lamb and the Beast."

Aaron Burr preached in 1756 that "the destruction of Antichrist and the end of this night of popish darkness is near at hand"and that the Millennium would soon begin. John Burt denounced the French as "Offspring of that Scarlet Whore, that Mother of Harlots, who is justly the Abomination of the Earth." When the French were defeated in Quebec in 1760, Samuel Langdon saw it as the fulfillment of Revelation 18:2, "Babylon the Great is fallen, is fallen."

With the French bogeymen safely disposed of, the British were soon identified as the Antichrist, especially after passage of the Stamp Act in 1765, which was identified as the Mark of the Beast of Revelation 13, and a prelude to Antichrist's reign. In 1766 Lord Bute of Scotland was identified as the Beast from the Sea of Revelation 13:1. By 1773 the American colonists had decided that King George III was the Antichrist, and one clever number-cruncher calculated the numerical value of the phrase "Royal Supremacy in Great Britain" as 666.

Samuel Sherwood in 1776 saw American Christians as the Church that fled into the wilderness, Revelation 12:14. In the same year the Maryland Journal denounced a statue of King George III, from which the head had been removed, as the IMAGE of the BEAST."

In 1776, Timothy Dwight predicted that an independent America would be the fulfillment of the prophecy of a 1000-year reign of peace. In 1777 he interpreted General Burgoyne's invasion of northern New York as a fulfillment of Joel's prophecy of invaders from the north.

David Tappan saw the surrender of Cornwallis to George Washington in 1781 as a sign that the millennium would soon begin. Nathan Hatch states that "Sermons during the [Revolutionary] War stressed repeatedly that American liberty was God's cause, that British tyranny was Antichrist's, and that sin was failure to fight the British. With the coming of peace many ministers envisioned Christ's 1000-year reign on earth."

Contrary to the confident expectations of the best prophecy experts of the 18^th Century, Antichrist did not arise, Christ did not return, the world did not end nor did we enter the Millennium. All these things were predicted with certainty, as a result of careful correlation of the prophecies of Revelation and other parts of the Bible, with events reported in the colonial newspapers.

The 18^th Century prophecy buffs, however sincere, had fallen into the same "Bible in the News" deception that is so heavily worked by the prophecy preachers today. Any event that happens anywhere in the world can be declared to be a fulfillment of the venerable visions of John. You can produce a book or video about it, and make a lot of money. There is a lot of profit in being a prophet.

But as we have seen, there is no factual or scriptural validity to this sanctimonious and deluded form of prophecy divination. There are many helpful teachings to be found in the Book of Revelation, but the timing of Christ's coming is not one of them. In Acts 1:7 Christ said, "It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power."

So, when some madcap prophecy guru assures us that we are living in the "Terminal Generation," let us stop to reflect that Christians of the 18^th Century believed, based on the same Biblical texts that are used to prove the point today, that they were living in the Last Days also. And they were wrong. We need to re-evaluate a system of prophetic interpretation that results in date-setting predictions with a failure rate of 100%. God's Word is true, but our system of interpreting, massaging and manipulating the Word to fit with current events is sadly mistaken."

For those who would be tempted to lump me among the doubters spoken of in 2 Peter 3:4 (And saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation), I say there is no doubt in my mind Jesus will return soon, but I choose not to be held captive by ersatz prophets who titilate the church with unsubstantiated prophecy rants designed to bring attantion to themselves and their pocketbooks.

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

The Israel of God

2011-10-28T07:02:00.000-07:00

The Israel of God
By: Edward Hendrie

[Excerpt from the book, Antichrist Conspiracy, Inside the Devil’s Lair, Chapter 63, pp 310]

Many ignorant Christian pastors, who have been brainwashed in seminaries controlled by undercover Jesuits and Talmudic Jews, believe that it is important for the United States and all Christians to support Israel. As authority for their position they cite Genesis 12:2-3. “And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing: And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed.” (Genesis 12:2-3 AV) The passage does not refer to earthly Israel. Jesus never hesitated to curse the Jews. John 8:39-47; Matthew 15:1-9; Matthew 23:23-33. In fact, God calls earthly Jerusalem “Sodom. and Egypt” See Revelation 11:8.

Some think that all references in the Bible to Israel are references to fleshly Israel and that passages that refer to events that are believed to have not yet occurred, are prophecies regarding fleshly Israel. That is simply false doctrine! All prophecies referring to general blessings upon fleshly Israel that have not been fulfilled will never be fulfilled because those promises were conditional promises based on the obedience of Israel. Fleshly Israel rebelled against God and therefore has been cut off from the tree of life.

God has saved a remnant of fleshly Israel to be grafted back in to the tree, but their ingrafting is upon the same grounds as everyone else, by the grace of God through faith in Jesus Christ. Many cite Romans chapter 11 as proof of a future renewal and blessing upon fleshly Israel outside the church. Let us look at that section.

And if some of the branches be broken off, and thou, being a wild olive tree, wert graffed in among them, and with them partakest of the root and fatness of the olive tree; Boast not against the branches. But if thou boast, thou bearest not theroot, but the root thee. Thou wilt say then, The branches were broken off, that I might be graffed in. Well; because of unbelief they were broken off, and thou standest by faith. Be not highminded, but fear: For if God spared not the natural branches, take heed lest he also spare not thee. Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God: on them which fell, severity; but toward thee, goodness, if thou continue in his goodness: otherwise thou also shalt be cut off. And they also, if they abide not still in unbelief, shall be graffed in: for God is able to graff them in again. For if thou wert cut out of the olive tree which is wild by nature, and wert graffed contrary to nature into a good olive tree: how much more shall these which be the natural branches, be graffed into their own olive tree? For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in. And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob: For this is my covenant unto them, when I shall take away their sins. As concerning the gospel, they are enemies for your sakes: but as touching the election, they are beloved for the fathers' sakes. For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance. For as ye in times past have not believed God, yet have now obtained mercy through their unbelief: Even so have these alsonow not believed, that through your mercy they also may obtain mercy. For God hath concluded them all in unbelief, that he might have mercy upon all. O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out! (Romans 11:17-33 AV).

That passage says nothing about the regeneration of fleshly Israel. It simply states that salvation comes only through being grafted into the olive tree of life and that a remnant of fleshly Israel has been chosen by God for salvation. It says nothing about some future renewal of fleshly Israel outside being ingrafted into God’s church. Some take the position that fleshly Israel as a nation will be grafted back into the olive tree as fleshly Israel. That is not possible. God’s kingdom is not of the flesh but of the spirit. Once a Jew is grafted into Christ he becomes a part of spiritual Israel, the church. “Not as though the word of God hath taken none effect. For they are not all Israel, which are of Israel: Neither, because they are the seed of Abraham, are they all children: but, In Isaac shall thy seed be called. That is, They which are the children of the flesh, these are not the children of God: but the children of the promise are counted for the seed.” (Romans 9:6-8 AV)

There is no more distinction between Jew or Gentile, all are one in Christ. Romans 10:12; Colossians 3:11, 28. Some state that the passage in Romans 11 that “that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in” indicates that there will be a Jewish dispensation sometime in the future, at which time the Christian dispensation will end. That is false doctrine.

The theme of the Gospel is that there will be no end to Christ’s kingdom, or his people, the church. 2 Peter 1:11. When the fullness of the Gentiles come in then will be the end of the world. 1 Corinthians 15:23-24. God did not state that the Jews will be saved en masse after the fullness of the Gentiles comes in. He simply stated that the Jews will be blind in part until the world ends. God has chosen a remnant of Jews to save from every generation, not just one generation during some post-Christian era.

God’s plan is to establish the earthly then the spiritual. “Howbeit that was not first which is spiritual, but that which is natural; and afterward that which is spiritual. The first man is of the earth, earthy: the second man is the Lord from heaven. As is the earthy, such are they also that are earthy: and as is the heavenly, such are they also that are heavenly.” (1 Corinthians 15:46-48 AV) God will not reverse course and reestablish the earthly kingdom of Israel in place of his spiritual kingdom of Israel. That is contrary to his revealed plan. Fleshly Israel was intended by God for an example to us, his church. 1 Corinthians 10:6. It is not the circumcision of the flesh that counts but the circumcision of the heart. Colossians 2:11.

He would not have us return to the weak and beggardly elements of the old testament law under fleshly Israel. See Galatians 4:9-11. To teach such a thing is to blasphemously state that Christ’s sacrifice was imperfect and insufficient, and that therefore there is a need to reinstate the animal sacrifices. The old testament law was to act as a schoolmaster until the promise of Christ.

God would have no reason to reinstate something that was intended to be in place only until he came to offer his own body as a perfect sacrifice. In Christ there is neither Jew nor Gentile, we are all one by faith in Christ. He is not going to divide us once again into Jew and Gentile. Hischurch is his body which cannot be divided. 1 Corinthians 1:13. For a kingdom divided against itself cannot stand. Mark 3:24. The seed of the promises to Abraham is Christ and those who have the faith of Christ, his church, not fleshly Israel.

But before faith came, we were kept under the law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed. Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith. But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster. For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus. And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise, (Galatians 3:23-29 AV).

A Jew who believes in Jesus as Christ becomes a new creation. He is no longer a fleshly Jew. He becomes a spiritual Jew, a Christian. “For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature.” (Galatians 6:15 AV).

The bible makes clear that the old covenant made to fleshly Israel has vanished away, being replaced by the new covenant of faith in Jesus Christ. “In that he saith, A new covenant, he hath made the first old. Now that which decayeth and waxeth old is ready to vanish away.”(Hebrews 8:13 AV)

Why would God reinstate something in which he has said would vanish away and in which he has had no pleasure? “In burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin thou hast had no pleasure.” (Hebrews 10:6 AV). Fleshly Israel is symbolized by the fig tree. That fig tree will never again bear fruit. And seeing a fig tree afar off having leaves, he came, if haply he might find any thing thereon: and when he came to it, he found nothing but leaves; for the time of figs was not yet. And Jesus answered and said unto it, No man eat fruit of thee hereafter for ever. And his disciples heard it. . . . And in the morning, as they passed by, they saw the fig tree dried up from the roots. And Peter calling to remembrance saith unto him, Master, behold, the fig tree which thou cursed is withered away. (Mark 11:13-14, 20-21 AV)

Whereas spiritual Israel is symbolized by the olive tree. “Can the fig tree, my brethren, bear olive berries? either a vine, figs? so can no fountain both yield salt water and fresh.” (James 3:12 AV) The answer is no! Fleshly Israel will never ever bear spiritual fruit for God. The spiritual fruit only comes from the spiritual olive plant, the church. The blessings of God do not flow to the physical seed of Abraham but rather to his spiritual seed.

Who is the seed of Abraham? Jesus is the seed of Abraham. “Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ. (Galatians 3:16 AV). All who believe in Jesus are heirs of the promise given to Abraham. Galatians 3:23-29. Through faith in Christ one becomes the spiritual seed of Abraham. Obedience to God is the result of salvation not the cause of it. Just as with Abraham, who believed God and it was accounted to him as righteousness, so too all others who believe God it is also accounted unto them as righteousness.

Even as Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness. Know ye therefore that they which are of faith, the same are the children of Abraham. And the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the heathen through faith, preached before the gospel unto Abraham, saying, In thee shall all nations be blessed. So then they which be of faith are blessed with faithful Abraham. (Galatians 3:6-9 AV). A true Jew is the spiritual seed of Abraham, not the physical seed. “For he is not a Jew, which is one outwardly; neither is that circumcision, which is outward in the flesh: But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God.” (Romans 2:28-29 AV) “Not as though the word of God hath taken none effect. For they are not all Israel, which are of Israel: Neither, because they are the seed of Abraham, are they all children: but, In Isaac shall thy seed be called. That is, They which are the children of the flesh, these are not the children of God: but the children of the promise are counted for the seed.” (Romans 9:6-8 AV).

The eternal blessings of Abraham flow to all who believe in Jesus Christ. God’s kingdom is a spiritual kingdom not an earthly kingdom. His children are spiritual children not earthly children. In God’s kingdom there are no distinctions between Jew or Gentile. “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus. And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise.” (Galatians 3:28-29 AV).

Fleshly Israel of the Old Testament is a temporal type of the spiritual Israel of the New Testament, which is the church. But with many of them God was not well pleased: for they were overthrown in the wilderness. Now these things were our examples, to the intent we should not lust after evil things, as they also lusted. (1 Corinthians 10:5-6 AV)

Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come. (1Corinthians 10:11 AV). Thus, the prophecies regarding Israel had both temporal and spiritual fulfillment. The distinction between the temporal Israel and the eternal Israel is explained clearly in R. B. Yerby’s book The Once and Future Israel. First there is the temporal earthly fulfillment and then there is the spiritual fulfillment. 1 Corinthians 15:46. The scriptures teach us that in all of God's dealings with mankind, from the time of Adam, we may discern the same divine principle at work, namely, "first the natural, then the spiritual." (1 Cor 15:45-46). God has progressively revealed his purpose through, first, his dealings with the natural Israel and, second and finally, his dealings with spiritual Israel. (There is no scriptural basis for the regressive idea that God's dealings will again be centered exclusively on natural Israel at some future date.)

Because God's dealings follow the sequence of first the natural, then the spiritual, it is easy to see and understand that the same progression applied to his people and his promises. The natural people of Old Testament Israel enjoyed the natural fulfillment of the promises made to them, and saw the promises invalidated through sin and unbelief. Likewise, the spiritual people of New Testament Israel, the followers of Jesus Christ, have received, are receiving and will receive all spiritual fulfillments of the promises.

* * *

[In Galatians 4:21-31] as in many other New Testament passages, Paul skillfully defeated his adversaries with their own ammunition. He took the “foolish Galatians” who desired to be under the law" (Gal 4:21) right into the thick of Old Testament Law, into Genesis, the first book of Moses, to prove a spiritual truth with natural types. The early church recognized the need for spiritual authority to support their doctrines (for them, of course, the scriptures were the writings we today call the Old Testament) and therefore, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, they quoted freely from the Old Testament.

In the fourth chapter of Galatians, as elsewhere, Paul proved his point through the superior understanding God gave him of the true meaning of the Old Testament scriptures. He said that the story of the two sons of Abraham was more than just a prominent part of the history of the Jewish people. It was, he said, an allegory (Gal. 4:24), that is, a story in which the people and events were symbols or types standing for some greater truth (Gal. 4:24).

The allegory speaks of two women and their two sons who were fathered by Abraham. Hagar, the bondwoman and the mother of Ishmael who was "born after the flesh" (Gal 4:23), typifies natural Jerusalem. Sarah, the freewoman and the mother of Isaac, the child of promise (Gal 4:23, 28), typifies the church which is spiritual Jerusalem. The children of natural Jerusalem are in bondage (Gal. 4:25), as are all who are unsaved, but the children of the church, the heavenly Jerusalem, are free (Gal. 4:26). Those who are in bondage, who are not born again are only "born after the flesh” (Gal. 4:29) cannot possibly be God's people. Therefore, the scriptures “cast out”(Gal 4:30) the natural Jerusalem and her children after the flesh, and identify the heirs as the believers in Christ who are the children of promise (Gal 4:30).

* * *

Paul was constantly in trouble with the Jews because his spiritual interpretations of the Old Testament scriptures warred with their natural interpretation. Our onetime Pharisee had come to see clearly that "the things that are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal" (2 Cor 4:18) but his former colleagues could not believe that their highly vaunted institutions were ready to “vanish away” (Heb 8:13).

* * *

Because the Lord Jesus "endured the cross, despising the shame" (Heb 12:2) spiritual Israel hears a better voice than the voices heard by natural Israel (Heb. 1:1, 2), and we have, among other things, a better Priest (Heb. 4:15), a better priesthood (Heb. 5:6), a better hope (Heb. 7:19), a better covenant (Heb. 8:10), a better Tabernacle (Heb. 9:11), a better altar (Heb. 13:10), a better sacrifice (Heb. 9:14), a better country (Heb. 11:16), and a better city (Heb. 12:22).
1
Many believe that some of the prophecies in the Old Testament regarding natural Israel have not been fulfilled and therefore there must be a post-Christian period during which they will be fulfilled. Let us examine these Old Testament prophecies. In Genesis 12:2 God told Abraham: “And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing.” Abraham did not see the fulfillment of that prophecy. That promise was fulfilled in part by fleshly Israel. “And God spake unto Israel in the visions of the night, and said, Jacob, Jacob. And he said, Here am I. And he said, I am God, the God of thy father: fear not to go down into Egypt; for I will there make of thee a great nation” (Genesis 46:2-3 AV) After a 400 year of captivity God raised up Moses who brought Israel out of Egyptian bondage and it became a great nation, just as promised by God. See Joshua 8-12; 1 Chronicles 17:21.

Keep therefore and do them; for this is your wisdom and your understanding in the sight of the nations, which shall hear all these statutes, and say, Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people. For what nation is there so great, who hath God so nigh unto them, as the LORD our God is in all things that we call upon him for? And what nation is there so great, that hath statutes and judgments so righteous as all this law, which I set before you this day? (Deuteronomy 4:6-8 AV).

There, however, was yet to be a spiritual fulfillment of the promise that from Abraham would spring a great nation. The church was the spiritual fulfillment of the promise given to Abraham. But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light: Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained
mercy. (1 Peter 2:9-10 AV).

On three different occasions God promised that Abraham’s descendants would be too numerous to count. And I will make thy seed as the dust of the earth: so that if a man can number the dust of the earth, then shall thy seed also be numbered. (Genesis 13:16 AV) And he brought him forth abroad, and said, Look now toward heaven, and tell the stars, if thou be able to number them: and he said unto him, So shall thy seed be. (Genesis 15:5 AV). That in blessing I will bless thee, and in multiplying I will multiply thy seed as the stars of the heaven, and as the sand which is upon the sea shore; and thy seed shall possess the gate of his enemies; (Genesis 22:17 AV).

Was that promise fulfilled in part by temporal Israel? Yes! We have the proof of the God inspired testimony of Moses, Solomon, and the author of Hebrews. Now, O LORD God, let thy promise unto David my father be established: for thou hast made me king over a people like the dust of the earth in multitude. (2 Chronicles 1:9 AV).

The LORD your God hath multiplied you, and, behold, ye are this day as the stars of heaven for multitude. (Deuteronomy 1:10 AV) Therefore sprang there even of one, and him as good as dead, so many as the stars of the sky in multitude, and as the sand which is by the sea shore innumerable. (Hebrews 11:12 AV). Judah and Israel were many, as the sand which is by the sea in multitude, eating and drinking, and making merry. (1 Kings 4:20 AV).

There, however, was to be a future spiritual fulfillment of that promise through the church. The seed of Abraham is a spiritual seed. The nation that would spring from him would be a nation built not on fleshly Israel only. There would be a better fulfillment of the promise through faith. Therefore it is of faith, that it might be by grace; to the end the promise might be sure to all the seed; not to that only which is of the law, but to that also which is of the faith of Abraham; who is the father of us all, (Romans 4:16 AV). In Genesis 17:5 God told Abraham he would be a father of many nations.(As it is written, I have made thee a father of many nations,) before him whom he believed, even God, who quickeneth the dead, and calleth those things which be not as though they were. (Romans 4:17 AV). As Abraham believed the promises of God and God counted it as righteousness. So too are those who have the faith of Abraham, they are the spiritual seed of Abraham. The church of God is the promised spiritual great nation.

Who against hope believed in hope, that he might become the father of many nations, according to that which was spoken, So shall thy seed be. (Romans 4:18 AV). Those that believe in Christ are Abraham’s seed and the innumerable children that God promised Abraham. First came the temporal earthly fulfillment of the promise through natural Israel, then came the spiritual eternal fulfillment through the church of Christ. And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise. (Galatians 3:29 AV).

On no less than four different occasions God promised to Abraham and his descendants the land of Canaan. Genesis 12:7; 13:14-15; 15:7,18; 17:8. Many say that the promise of the land was not fulfilled. That is not true. God has stated clearly that all the land that he promised to fleshly Israel was given to them. And the LORD gave unto Israel all the land which he sware to give unto their fathers; and they possessed it, and dwelt therein. And the LORD gave them rest round about, according to all that he sware unto their fathers: and there stood not a man of all their enemies before them; the LORD delivered all their enemies into their hand. There failed not ought of any good thing which the LORD had spoken unto the house of Israel; all came to pass. (Joshua 21:43-45 AV).

Some claim that the land that Israel occupied did not reach all the way from Egypt to the river Euphrates, as promised by God in Genesis 15:18, and therefore there is to be a future fulfillment of the promise. That claim is simply not true. Solomon, King of Israel, ruled from the river Euphrates to Egypt. “And Solomon reigned over all kingdoms from the river unto the land of the Philistines, and unto the border of Egypt: they brought presents, and served Solomon all the days of his life.” (1 Kings 4:21 AV) Is the river mentioned in verse 21 the Euphrates? Yes it is! In verse 24 we read that Solomon had dominion over Tipsah. Tipsah was located on the Euphrates in Mesopotamia. “For he had dominion over all the region on this side the river, from Tiphsah even to Azzah, over all the kings on this side the river: and he had peace on all sides round about him.” (1 Kings 4:24 AV).

Some have tried to beguile the children of God by stating that because Genesis 17:7-9 states that the land of Canaan was to be an everlasting possession of Israel, it is God’s plan thatnatural Israel regain possession of that land. Let us look at that passage. And I will establish my covenant between me and thee and thy seed after thee in their generations for an everlasting covenant, to be a God unto thee, and to thy seed after thee. And I will give unto thee, and to thy seed after thee, the land wherein thou art a stranger, all the land of Canaan, for an everlasting possession; and I will be their God. And God said unto Abraham, Thou shalt keep my covenant therefore, thou, and thy seed after thee in their generations. (Genesis 17:7-9 AV).

Notice that it refers to an everlasting covenant. That everlasting covenant is the New Covenant of Christ, which is fulfilled in Christ. It is a spiritual covenant. The land promised is a heavenly land that will be “everlasting.” God himself has revealed that truth to those who have ears to hear and eyes to see. By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went. By faith he sojourned in the land of promise, as in a strange country, dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise: For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God. Through faith also Sara herself received strength to conceive seed, and was delivered of a child when she was past age, because she judged him faithful who had promised. Therefore sprang there even of one, and him as good as dead, so many as the stars of the sky in multitude, and as the sand which is by the sea shore innumerable. These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. For they that say such things declare plainly that they seek a country. And truly, if they had been mindful of that country from whence they came out, they might have had opportunity to have returned. But now they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city. (Hebrews 11:8-16 AV)

[These last few verses are absolute proof that the contention for that parcel of land in the Middle East is sheer fallacy and chicanery on the part of demonically inspired Zionists who want that land to rule their New World Oder from, and they have nothing to do with the establishment of any geopolitical kingdom for ersatz Jews! (by the editor)].

Notice that those pilgrims of God died in faith not having received the promises on earth. The everlasting covenant of God is spiritual, the land is eternal in heaven, not temporal on earth. For the earthly land of Canaan could not possibly be an everlasting possession of fleshly Israel, because the earth will one day be destroyed and replaced by a new heaven and a new earth. “Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat? Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.” (2 Peter 3:12-13 AV).

“And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea.” (Revelation 21:1 AV).

God made a conditional covenant with Israel that is referred to as the Mosaic covenant. The blessings were conditioned on the obedience of Israel. Israel violated that covenant andtherefore the blessings did not flow to fleshly Israel. Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people: for all the earth is mine: And ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation. These are the words which thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel. And Moses came and called for the elders of the people, and laid before their faces all these words which the LORD commanded him. And all the people answered together, and said, All that the LORD hath spoken we will do. And Moses returned the words of the people unto the LORD.,(Exodus 19:5-8 AV).

No sooner did they agree to obey God that they immediately fell into idolatry. Saying unto Aaron, Make us gods to go before us: for as for this Moses, which brought us out of the land of Egypt, we wot not what is become of him. And they made a calf in those days, and offered sacrifice unto the idol, and rejoiced in the works of their own hands. Then God turned, and gave them up to worship the host of heaven; as it is written in the book of the prophets, O ye house of Israel, have ye offered to me slain beasts and sacrifices by the space of forty years in the wilderness? Yea, ye took up the tabernacle of Moloch, and the star of your god Remphan, figures which ye made to worship them: and I will carry you away beyond Babylon, (Acts 7:40-43 AV).

The history of natural Israel is one of continual sin intermixed with periods of repentance, until God finally finished with them according to his foreordained plan. There is a spiritual Israel, the church, to whom the blessings flow. God’s true Israel is and always was the church. The church contains the children of the promise. “Now we, brethren, as Isaac was, are the children of promise.” (Galatians 4:28 AV) The church is the Israel of God. “For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature. And as many as walk according to this rule, peace be on them, and mercy, and upon the Israel of God, (Galatians 6:15-16 AV)."

The church is the temple of God. “Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?” (1 Corinthians 3:16 AV) The church is God’s holy nation inheriting the promises made by God in Exodus 19:5-8. “But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light, (1 Peter 2:9, AV)."

God does not have a plan of salvation for fleshly Israel that is any different than the plan of salvation he has for Gentiles. Salvation is by grace through faith in Jesus Christ for all. There is one body of Christ, his spiritual Israel, made up of Gentiles and the remnant of fleshly Israel. Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus. Forby grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them. Wherefore remember, that ye being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands; That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world: But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ. For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us; Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace; And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby: And came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh. For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father. Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints, and of the household of God; And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit, (Ephesians 2:5-22 AV).

Christ did not in any way provide some exclusive plan for the Jews. He stated that the gospel was to be preached to “all nations.” Luke 24:47. The only difference for the Jews was that the preaching of the gospel should start at Jerusalem. It was to start with the Jews, but that does not mean it is to end with the Jews in some post-Christian era. The Old Testament has prophecies of the church of God consisting of both believing Jews and Gentiles. Amos 9:11-12; Hosea 1:10; 2:23. The Old Testament prophecies regarding salvation to the both the Jews and Gentiles together are explained in Acts 15:13-17; 26:22-23; Romans 9:23-26; and 1 Peter 2:10.

The New Testament writers, being inspired by God, clearly understood that the church is the Israel of God and is the object of the promises made to Israel by God in the Old Testament.

Paul said that believers are:
"The children of God" (Romans 8:16).
"The Household of God" (Ephesians 2:19).
"The children of Abraham" (Colossians 3:7).
"Abraham's seed" (Galatians 3:29).
"The Children of promise" (Rom. 9:8, Galatians 4:28).
"A peculiar people” (Titus 2:14).
"The elect of God" (Colossians 3:12).
"Heirs of God"(Rom. 8:17).
“Heirs according to the promise” (Galatians 3:29)."The temple of God" (1 Cor 3:16).
"The circumcision" (Philippians 3:3).
"The Israel of God" (Galatians 6:16).
Peter said that believers are:
"A chosen generation" (1 Peter 2:9).
"A royal priesthood" (1 Peter 2:9).
"A holy nation" (1 Peter 2:9).
"A peculiar people" (1 Peter 2:9).
James said that believers are:
"Heirs of the kingdom" (James 2:5).
John said that believers are:
"The sons of God" (John 1:12).
"Kings and priests unto God" (Revelation 1:6).
"The new Jerusalem" (Revelation 3:12).
“The Holy city (Revelation 21:2).
The letter to the Hebrews said that believers are:
"The people of God" (Hebrews 4:9).
“Mount Zion” (Hebrews 12:22).
“The city of the living God” (Hebrews 12:22).
“The heavenly Jerusalem” (Hebrews 12:22).

The Jews are our enemies, because they are antichrist. Romans 11:28. Jews hate Christ and Christians. We, however, are to love them and pray for them. “But I say unto you which hear, Love your enemies, do good to them which hate you, Bless them that curse you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, (Luke 6:27-28 AV).

God has chosen a remnant of Jews for salvation. We should preach the gospel to the lost world, including the Jews. We, however, should not think that a Jew any different in God’s plan than a Catholic, a Muslim, a Hindu, a Buddhist, a Satanist or any other follower of one of Satan’s pagan religions. Salvation for all, is by the grace of God through faith in Jesus Christ. If a Jew repents of his antichrist religion and believes in Jesus, then he is saved. Once saved, a Jew will not continue in his Talmudic practices any more than a Catholic will continue his Catholic practices or a Satanist will continue his Satanic practices once they are saved.

All believers in Christ become spiritual Jews, which are Christians. Loving our enemies does not mean that we should condone the pagan practices of the Jews, Catholics, Muslims, or other pagans. Rather, we are called by God to reprove them. “And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them, (Ephesians 5:11 AV)."

Antichrist Conspiracy, Inside the Devil’s Lair, by Edward Hendrie

Why do the heathen rage, and the people imagine a vain thing? The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the LORD, and against his anointed, saying, Let us break their bands asunder, and cast away their cords from us. He that sitteth in the heavens shall laugh: the Lord shall have them in derision. (Psalms 2:1-4 AV).

Revised Tenth Edition

The author hereby grants a limited license to copy and disseminate this book in whole or in part, provided that there is no material alteration to the text and any excerpts identify the book and give notice that they are excerpts from the larger work. All other rights are reserved. All Scripture references are to the Authorized (King James) Version of the Holy Bible, unless otherwise indicated.
Email: edwardhendrie@gmail.com

Web site: http://www.antichristconspiracy.com/

“To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever.

Have you been called to be one of God's propets? How can you tell?

2011-10-19T15:50:00.000-07:00

Jeremiah 1:1-17

The story of Jeremiah, who was called to be a prophet, contains several principles that can be applied to anyone who believes they have also been called by God, but are not certain if that be the case. One important point applicable to all who seek to serve is that God knew them before they were even a gleam in their daddy's eyes (see verse 5).

Another principle is that the prophet of God must go wherever God sends him and speak forth what He puts in their mouth, and not be afraid because God will always be with them and can also rescue them from any calamity (see verses 7 and 8). Thirdly, God not only provides the words a prophet is to speak, but He also choose the territory, which may be larger than they think (see verses 9 and 10). These messages He puts in their mouths were not intended for the church, but for kings and leaders. It is easy to criticize fellow disciples, but God's prophets were delivering His messages to the mighty, those who needed to hear God's word! When was the last time you heard any church leader or prophet proclaiming God's indignation to the President of the USA or any other country leader for committing sins against God?

Fourth, and equally important to remember is that God will be monitoring the prophet's assignment to see that the words He placed in their mouth are the same as He instructed them to speak to ensure they are specifically being fulfilled.

Before God's annointed prophets get ready to respond to the call and the specific mission He has given them, He tells them to "get themselves ready" to say exactly what He has commanded. As the great Bible comnentator of yesteryear, Matthew Henry, states about being ready, he reminds us: "Thou, therefore, gird up thy loins; free thyself from all those things that would unfit thee for or hinder thee in this service; buckle to it with readiness and resolution, and be not entangled with doubts about it.’’ He must be quick: Arise, and lose no time. He must be busy: Arise, and speak unto them in season, out of season. He must be bold!"

This part is difficult for many who assume that God has called them as a prophet. Difficult because, although they may have spent years upon years of (self-taught) Bible study or have been trained in a seminary, they believe they must speak forth their own knowledge of God rather than the specific word God wants them to deliver. God does not say, "Go forth ye, and show them how much you know about me, how knowledgable you are about (and have memorized all) my scriptures, what great intellect I have given you, and what great speaking and writing abilities I have blessed thee with." No! He tells the prophet to speak forth what He has placed in their mouth!! He also reminds us that being a prophet has nothing to do with "predicitions" or foretelling their interpretations of Old Testament prophecies in attempts to apply them to their own views of unfolding contemporary history. Prophecy entails proclaiming the will of God, not making predicitons of future events which only God knows what they are!!

Probably one of the most important message God gives the prophet is for each not to be afraid of those He sends them to, deliver His specific message, and if they do fear them, He will terrify them before their audience. He tells His prophets those to whom He has sent that they will fight them tooth and nail, but not to be afraid because even though He has given His prophets greater power than even they realize, He will not allow His detractors to overcome them, but will rescue each because He is with them.

Now, how does one knows if they have been called to be a prophet of God? It's simple! If you don't know by now, you haven't been called!

Jeremiah 1:1-17

1 The words of Jeremiah son of Hilkiah, one of the priests at Anathoth in the territory of Benjamin. 2 The word of the LORD came to him in the thirteenth year of the reign of Josiah son of Amon king of Judah, 3 and through the reign of Jehoiakim son of Josiah king of Judah, down to the fifth month of the eleventh year of Zedekiah son of Josiah king of Judah, when the people of Jerusalem went into exile.

The Call of Jeremiah

4 The word of the LORD came to me, saying,

5 “Before I formed you in the womb I knew[a] you,

before you were born I set you apart;

I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.”

6 “Ah, Sovereign LORD,” I said, “I do not know how to speak; I am only a child.”

7 But the LORD said to me, “Do not say, ‘I am only a child.’ You must go to everyone I send you to and say whatever I command you. 8 Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you and will rescue you,” declares the LORD.

9 Then the LORD reached out his hand and touched my mouth and said to me, “Now, I have put my words in your mouth. 10 See, today I appoint you over nations and kingdoms to uproot and tear down, to destroy and overthrow, to build and to plant.”

11 The word of the LORD came to me: “What do you see, Jeremiah?”

“I see the branch of an almond tree,” I replied.

12 The LORD said to me, “You have seen correctly, for I am watching[b] to see that my word is fulfilled.”

13 The word of the LORD came to me again: “What do you see?”

“I see a boiling pot, tilting away from the north,” I answered.

14 The LORD said to me, “From the north disaster will be poured out on all who live in the land. 15 I am about to summon all the peoples of the northern kingdoms,” declares the LORD.

“Their kings will come and set up their thrones

in the entrance of the gates of Jerusalem;

they will come against all her surrounding walls

and against all the towns of Judah.

16 I will pronounce my judgments on my people

because of their wickedness in forsaking me,

in burning incense to other gods

and in worshiping what their hands have made.

17 “Get yourself ready! Stand up and say to them whatever I command you. Do not be terrified by them, or I will terrify you before them. 18 Today I have made you a fortified city, an iron pillar and a bronze wall to stand against the whole land—against the kings of Judah, its officials, its priests and the people of the land. 19 They will fight against you but will not overcome you, for I am with you and will rescue you,” declares the LORD.

Bottom line, if you even have to ask the question whether you were called to be a Prophet, you were not called!!

God’s Breastplate of Armor Trumps The Red Shield!

2011-10-18T14:02:00.000-07:00

It is becoming apparent that my blog posts, articlesand other messages are creating concern for some folks. I speak of those whowho do not believe the Bible is the word of God and His candid message tomankind.

Those who are becoming offended (or who realize God’sword is exposing their fallacious attempts to drive a politically-correct wedgebetween God and His truly “Chosen People”) are becoming more skittish than everbefore. Those of us who have been blessed with the Holy Spirit gift of“Discernment” recognize that it is not Jews, Muslims nor Christian radicals whoare fomenting the rampant chaos throughout the world, but rather, it’s thePharisaical, Kabbalistically baptized hoard who promote the cleverly disguisedZionism agenda: World Domination by Demonic Elitist.

Many well-intended Christians point fingers at theJewish people, as well as Muslims (who both want to live in peace but arebranded as the cause of today’s chaos) and are accusing them of foistingacrimonious wars against each other. But it is not them who are at fault; it isthe clever and ingenious demonically possessed sons and daughters of the familyknown (henceforth) as The “RED SHIELD.” They know who they are, and many of us knowthem just as well!

They began control (and birthed) the ingenious financialformulae centuries ago to manipulate government funds and its people.They also formed media and public relations advocacy groups as their swords to battle any whowould even question their intentions (or racial make-up), and they live and freelywalk among us, lying and manipulating your lives and every move you make.

The RED SHIELD hates those of us who speak out andexpose their agenda. They know who we are! They read our messages and they arenot pleased. Demons are never pleased when God’s word is used to expose them.They try to coerce and intimidate us, subtly at first. And when this doesn’t work, theycrank it up a notch or two. If that doesn’t stop us, they take the ultimatecourse of action. They will kill us, just as they have killed thousands uponthousands who stood up to their diabolical machinations. They know where welive. They have tapped our phones, and made many attempts to destroy our computers with virus; they haveintimidated our friends and family members to pressure us to stop speakingforth the truth of the word of God! In some cases, they have succeeded inturning our own family and fellow church members against us, even our own children. Many of them even now believe that we are the heretics and are going against God’s will.

They have become so convinced that we are the enemythat they will be proud to pull the trigger on the very guns the Red Shield will use to kill us. Theyfail to realize that we do not fear temporary death compared to the eternaldeath and torment they will face in the Lake of Fire when Jesus Christ returns.

Paranoia? Conspiracy whacked? Senility kicking in?

Nope!

Just tired of trying tobe ‘politically correct’ with demons who reside among us, and with those whoignore the warning signs, and simply roll over!

It is they, the Red Shield, who subtly launched thePre-Tribulation Rapture to Heaven plot, to detract us away from the impendingreality that Christians Will Suffer Great Tribulation. Sadly, many Christian leaders, especially those who adhere to the Premillennial Dispensationalism doctrines, continue to drink and feed that same Kool Aid to well-intended believers. They are lullingchildren of God into a false comfort zone; as well as confusing them withnon-Bible notions that God still has geopolitical promises to fulfill tovarious ethnic groups. All promises made by God in the Old Testament werefulfilled by Jesus Christ at the cross.

Therefore, to my many beloved friends, relatives and other loved ones who know Christ, His mercy,grace, and loving kindness, put on the full armor of God, His almighty breastplate ofrighteousness, to withstand the fiery darts from the RED SHIELD, and beready to lay down your life for your brother. That time is upon us and couldvery well cost us our lives!

Is your commitment to Jesus Christ strong enough to endure this trial?

For more information about the author's books, click on The End Times Passover and Why Christians Will Suffer Great Tribulation. To access the author's web sites and blogs, please click on Joe Ortiz.

Pretrib Rapture Scholar Wannabes

2011-09-04T22:24:00.000-07:00

Our fellow servant here at The End Times Passover blog, renowned author, scholar and Pre-Tribulation Rapture antagonist, Dave MacPherson, honors us by submitting an enjoyable presentation concerning his observations about the entire premillenial dispensationalism folly that still permeates the "water cooler" eschatological dialogue throughout most of America. Enjoy!

PRETRIB RAPTURE SCHOLAR WANNABES!

To become a PH.D (Pretrib History Distorter) or a D.D. (Doctrinal Deviant), do the following:

(1) MISSPELL THE LAST NAMES OF MANUEL LACUNZA, MARGARET MACDONALD, C. I. SCOFIELD, HAL LINDSEY, GRANT JEFFREY, TIM LAHAYE ETC.

     (2) STATE THAT MARGARET MACDONALD WAS A PLYMOUTH BRETHREN MEMBER, OR THAT JOHN DARBY WAS HER PASTOR.

     Wrong and wrong.

     (3) OR GUESS THAT MARGARET WAS AN IRVINGITE, OR THAT EDWARD IRVING WAS HER PASTOR.

     Wrong and wrong again.

   (4) ASSUME THAT MARGARET MACDONALD ORIGINATED "DISPENSATIONALISM."

This "straw man" assumption by Jack Kinsella ("Is Dispensationalism a Recent Doctrine?," 8/11/11) is totally missing from all genuine scholarship, and Jack can't find her even mentioning that long word!

(5) CLAIM THAT MARGARET'S PRIVATELY CIRCULATED 1830 RAPTURE "REVELATION" TAUGHT ONLY THE POSTTRIB VIEW.

Longtime No. 1 pretrib rapture leader John Walvoord's "Rapture Question" proves (p. 105f) that Margaret's view (that only PART of the Church gets raptured) has long been a widely held form of the PREtrib view - and Charles Ryrie's 1981 "rapture" book and other pretrib works have purposely ignored Walvoord!

Margaret's 1830 "revelation" saw "the one taken [before Antichrist's revealing] and the other left." The PART of the Church left on earth after the rapture was viewed by her collectively as "the Church" - the same wording used in the same way by later partial rapturists! (Google "X-Raying Margaret" and "Edward Irving is Unnerving.")

(6) REPEAT THE FALSEHOOD THAT JOHN DARBY WAS DISPENSATIONALISM'S "FATHER."

Darby wasn't original on any crucial aspect of that system including the "church/Israel dichotomy," the church being absent from a future "Jewish" tribulation, the "Jewish" book of Matthew, the "literal method," the "Gentile parenthesis," the "ruin of the church," and especially the "pretribulation rapture." Margaret was the first to "discover" pretrib in the Bible and she shared her novel interpretation only privately with others (spring of 1830). Rev. Edward Irving and his followers, who credited Margaret, were the first to publicly teach it (September of 1830) in the Irvingite journal "The Morning Watch." Darby didn't clearly express pretrib until 1839 - and when he did he plagiarized the exact same Rev. 12 "man child caught up" argument Irving had publicly used eight years earlier!

(7) TRY NOT TO REPRODUCE MARGARET'S 117-LINE PRETRIB RAPTURE "REVELATION."

But if you do, copy it like Thomas Ice who in 1989 copied it so quickly he somehow omitted a total of 49 words from different sentences - the same 49 words that Tim LaHaye left behind in his 1992 book "No Fear of the Storm"! LaHaye (pp. 168, 207) also came up with two different titles for Lacunza's famous old book - neither one correct! (Google "Thomas Ice (Bloopers)," "America's Pretrib Rapture Traffickers" (which reveals that Ice's "Ph.D" was issued by a school that was fined by the state of Texas for illegally issuing degrees!), "Pretrib Expert John Walvoord Melts Ice," and "LaHaye's Temperament."

(8) DON'T LET YOURSELF QUOTE ACTS 2:34-35, ACTS 3:21, OR I THESS. 1:7-8.

Why? They prove that Christ can't leave heaven ahead of time for a pretrib rapture!

(9) READ PRETRIB INTO AS MANY PRE-1830 WRITERS AS POSSIBLE.

Such writers used only double meaning or unclear phrases like "escape," "taken away," "before the general conflagration," "before Armageddon" etc. - but many of your readers will believe you if you assert that the ancient writers were really teaching pretrib!

Even Walvoord couldn't find ANYONE before the time of Darby (whom Walvoord labeled as an "early pretribulationist"!) who taught pretrib, so Walvoord had to settle for only what seemed to be "imminence" (in three of the earliest church documents) which seemingly could fit into the pretrib scheme - and Walvoord even censored portions of the ancient statements which, when quoted completely, revealed the posttrib view! Is it possible that John Bray, Thomas Ice, Grant Jeffrey and some others can locate - or manufacture - evidence of pretrib before 1830 that even Walvoord couldn't find?! (To see exposures of those claiming to find pretrib before 1830, Google my internet article entitled "Deceiving and Being Deceived.")

(10) IGNORE ARTICLES ON GOOGLE AND YAHOO LIKE "PRETRIB RAPTURE - HIDDEN FACTS," "PRETRIB RAPTURE DIEHARDS," AND "PRETRIB RAPTURE SECRECY."

If you ignore this advice, at least take some tranquilizers first!

(11) PLAGIARIZING IS EASIER THAN RESEARCHING. BUT TRY TO DISGUISE YOUR THIEVERY!

If you think that stealing isn't a way of life for pretrib promoters (from Darby to LaHaye), you've never Googled "Pretrib Rapture Dishonesty," "Appendix F: Thou Shalt Not Steal," or "Thieves' Marketing."

(12) IF ALL ELSE FAILS, CLAIM THAT REV. 3:10 PROVES PRETRIB.

Avoid Googling "Famous Rapture Watchers" which reveals how the greatest New Testament Greek scholars of all time interpreted it.

Finally, I invite you to obtain my 300-page, highly endorsed online book "The Rapture Plot." What you've read so far in this paper is less than one percent of the mountains of documentation on pretrib rapture history in this book of mine. Some of my web articles, such as the ones listed above, are on various blogs (owned by my good friend Joe Ortiz) including "The End Times Passover" and "Why Christians Will Suffer Great Tribulation." Joe is the author of two excellent books that biblically refute the Rapture to Heaven mythology, namely, "The End Times Passover" and "Why Christians Will Suffer 'Great Tribulation.' "

Seven Biblical Answers to Common Zionist Assumptions by Stephen Sizer

2011-08-24T03:26:00.000-07:00

The ongoing conflict in the Middle East, between the state of Israel and the Palestinian people is the open nerve that is wreaking havoc on the entire world.

Sadly, so many evangelicals fail to realize they contribute to this conflict by supporting the leadership of the state of Israel believing that God requires their support in order to be blessed by Him. This belief is not supported by the Bible.

I have written about his problem for years and much proof is contained in my two books, if only people would take the time to read them. If you can't afford to buy them, I give PDF copies away for FREE ~

Nevertheless, my dear friend Stephen Sizer (whose books also provide proof that the government of Israel is not in God's future plans) has written an excellent article that provides all the scripture anyone needs to recognize that "Zionists" have captured the minds of the citizens of Israel and and well-intended American evangelicals, to support a corrupt group of elitists who want to control the world. Please read the Bible facts by clicking this link: Seven Biblical Answers to Common Zionist Assumptions by Stephen Sizer

How Many Times Does God Create New Heavens and a New Earth? Millennium? What Millennium?

2011-08-10T11:58:00.000-07:00

One of the saddest aspect to those who preach and teach God's word, is their inability to see the obvious, the plain in-your-face word of God, and what it clearly states.
There are those who teach about a 1000 year millennium that is supposed to begin when Christ returns at the 2nd Advent, and ends as we supposedly see New Jerusalem descending to earth. The "Millennium" has been taught for centuries but no one, none of its adherents, ever state the purpose for this alleged period. Some say we (Christians) will reign with Christ for those literal 1000 years, ruling over Israel (some say it is an Israeli geopolitical kingdom ruling over mankind), and its purpose is to clean and convert unrepentent Jews to Christianity. Can you see the confusing doctrines that are too often integrated with what the word of God actually states.
The first obvious clue to best understand this conundrum is found in verse 12 of 2 Peter 3:12-17, a group of scripture (see below) which clearly destroys the doctrine of "A Thousand Years" millennial period, which is detailed exhaustively in our book, The End Times Passover.

Without going into this matter in great detail, we leave you with two groups of scripture that discuss the "new heavens and the new earth" in specific detail. Most Christians read in this first group of scripture (which speaks directly to the church concerning what it should be looking for) that as we look forward to the day of God, that day will include the need for us to look forward to a new heaven and earth:
12 as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming.[a] That day will bring about the destruction of the heavens by fire, and the elements will melt in the heat. 13 But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, the home of righteousness. 14 So then, dear friends, since you are looking forward to this, make every effort to be found spotless, blameless and at peace with him. 15 Bear in mind that our Lord’s patience means salvation, just as our dear brother Paul also wrote you with the wisdom that God gave him. 16 He writes the same way in all his letters, speaking in them of these matters. His letters contain some things that are hard to understand, which ignorant and unstable people distort, as they do the other Scriptures, to their own destruction. 17 Therefore, dear friends, since you already know this, be on your guard so that you may not be carried away by the error of lawless men and fall from your secure position, (2 Peter 3:12-17). [Verses in bold serve as another reminder that way too many preachers and teachers are distorting the actual word of God and instead are inserting man-made theories to benefit their respective ministries]

However, in the following group of scripture, which most Christians believe does not happen until after 1000 years (The Millennium) has transpired, theorists contend that we don't see New Jerusalem descending until after the Millennium, a topic has been debated for centuries among early church fathers and reformers.
This group clearly states that John (The Revelator) saw and clearly writes that he sees a new heaven and a new earth, and he also saw New Jerusalem coming down from Heaven, prepared as a bride (supposedly the church as many theorists erroneously deduce):
1And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea. 2And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. 3And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God. 4And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away, (Revelation 21:1-4).
The question begs to be asked: How many times does God create new heavens and a new earth?
And if He does create new heavens and a new earth twice, can anyone provide the scripture to prove this?
If God creates a new heaven and a new earth only once, what does this do to the 1000 year Millennial gap that theorists contend has to occur after Jesus Christ returns at the 2nd Advent?
If you believe God creates new heavens and a new earth twice, please provide the scripture and also explain why He would do this twice.
Many of you will counter with this and that theory, juxtaposing one scripture from one part of the Bible with another part of the Bible, as so many preachers do in their presentations; but, can they provide more profound scripture than is presented in these two specific groups to prove their point? Or, could it be that throughout the centuries, we (students of the Bible) have failed to read exactly what the Bible clearly states and did not recognize that the Bible tells us that New Jerusalem descends at the same time that Jesus returns to earth at the 2nd Advent?
Or, as many theorists contend, are we to expect Jesus to reside at the Jerusalem Marriott for 1000 years, instead of occupying His rightful throne inside New Jerusalem as we clealry see stated in Revelation 21:5?

Of course not. Jesus sits on His glorious throne and He begins to pass judgment by separating the sheep from the goats. This is an earthly scene:
When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory; 32 And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats, (Matthew 25:31-32).
Here is where much confusion reigns amongst scholars and novice Bible students. Many have taught there are two judgments by Christ. One is called the BEMA which they call the "Judgment Seat of Christ" solely for His saints. Why, if Christians are already saved, Raptured to Heaven, and have returned with Christ, is there to be another judgment scenario for them? To quickly clarify this point, in his commentary on Romans 14:10, David Brown (Robert Jamieson, A. R.Fausset and David Brown, Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible, 1871) made the following observations and makes this claim about the verse that states we must all stand before the judgment seat of Christ:

“...stand before the judgment-seat of Christ--All the most ancient and best manuscripts read here, "the judgment-seat of God." The present reading doubtless crept in from 2Cr 5:10, where "the judgment-seat of Christ" occurs. But here "the judgment-seat of God" seems to have been used, with reference to the quotation and the inference in Rom 14:11, 12. (Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset and David Brown, Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible, 1871, (THE EPISTLE OF PAUL THE APOSTLE TO THE ROMANS Commentary by DAVID BROWN). [Underline is by the author, solely for emphasis]
Can theorists or any other Bible expositors state beyond a shadow of a doubt that The Judgment Seat of Christ and The Great White Throne Judgment are to be distinguished as separate and apart from one another? To whom do we give an account?
For it is written, as I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God. 12 So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God. (Romans 14:11-12, KJV.)
Are we to believe that when Christ returns, that Raptured Christian will not have to bow before the throne of our Lamb of God on bended knee, that we will not have to give an account of all the things we have done, nor confess with our individual tongue that Jesus Christ is Lord, solely because we have now been clothed with our new spiritual bodies, ready to begin ruling and reigning with Christ?
This also is an earthly scene; however, most theorists contend the White Throne Judgment has to be conducted in Heaven and that it does not happen until 1000 years after His first arrival. And they cite Revelation 20:11, which reads "And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them, (Revelation 20:11), yet this groups speaks of the old heavens and the old earth being done away with, something we saw happening in 2 Peter 3:12-17, a group of scripture we discussed at the beginning of this message, which deals with what Christians should be looking forward to before the 2nd Advent of Christ.
Now, mind you, theorists claim this is a heavenly scene, which makes one wonder how those destined to be cast into the Lake of Fire got up to Heaven to attend their actual day of judgment and condemnation. Must be that same Rapture Shuttle bus every talks about.
This could very well be a conundrum which scholars have dealt with for the longest time. many proferring a variety of explanations, quoting this verse here and that verse there. One of their biggest problems occurs when they take scripture out of context and try to attach it to these verses above to prove their theories.
However, in this missive, we deal solely with the issue of new heavens and a new earth being created. Either God does this once (immediately before, during or after) the 2nd Advent of Christ or He does this twice. Theorists do not see New Jerusalem coming down until after a 1000 year period of time (The Millennium), which would require God to create a new heaven and a new earth twice. If He does this twice, where are the scripture to substantiate this theory, and why would He do such a thing? By the way, Millennialism has been connected to have origins with the occult religion of Zoroastrianism.
Therefore, we ask, who do you trust? Preachers and teachers of various theories, or the exact word of God?
All of this, once again, is exhaustively discussed and explained with corroberating scripture in our book,The End Times Passover. Click or cut and paste to your browser this link to read that chapter: A Thousand Years!

Does New Jerusalem descend at the same time as Christ's return?

For more information about the author's two books, The End Times Passover and Why Christians Will Suffer Great Tribulation. To access the author's web sites and blogs, please click on Joe Ortiz

WHAT IS THE TRUE SABBATH?

2011-07-28T05:59:00.000-07:00

We are excited about this particular missive from my dear friend Alf Hutchison, founder of Obadiah Outreach Ministries of Cape Town, South Africa.

This particular message resonated deeply in my heart as it spoke about a subject matter I have often been confused by: The Sabbath!

I have read so much material about the Sabbath and have found so many interpretations, such as (the biggest one) which concerns what day is the Sabbath and what day should we devote to the Lord: Saturday or Sunday?

As you will see in Brother Alf's message, it's not about what specific day we should devote to the Lord, but that the disciple of Jesus Christ have entered into God's Sabbath Rest and should be devoted to Christ 24 hours a day!! Enjoy!

WHAT IS THE TRUE SABBATH?

For two thousand years now the debate continues unabated, ‘Is Saturday the Sabbath, or is Sunday the Sabbath…Or neither?’

When Jesus gave His sermon on the Mount of Beatitude, He tells us; Matt 5:17 “Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill.And that is exactly what His last words on the cross were concerning…JN 19:30 So when Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, "It is finished!" And bowing His head, He gave up His spirit. Jesus had fulfilled the Law; He had fulfilled all the prophecies regarding Himself and had fulfilled the Words of the Father….PS 95:11 So I swore in My wrath, 'They shall not enter My rest.'

Please, if you have never read this Psalm before …read it carefully …

Psalm 95

"95:1 Oh come, let us sing to the LORD!

Let us shout joyfully to the Rock of our salvation.

95:2 Let us come before His presence with thanksgiving;

Let us shout joyfully to Him with psalms.

95:3 For the LORD is the great God,

And the great King above all gods.

95:4 In His hand are the deep places of the earth;

The heights of the hills are His also.

95:5 The sea is His, for He made it;

And His hands formed the dry land.

95:6 Oh come, let us worship and bow down;

Let us kneel before the LORD our Maker.

95:7 For He is our God,

And we are the people of His pasture,

And the sheep of His hand.

Today, if you will hear His voice:

95:8 "Do not harden your hearts, as in the rebellion,

As in the day of trial in the wilderness,

95:9 When your fathers tested Me;

They tried Me, though they saw My work.

95:10 For forty years I was grieved with that generation,

And said, 'It is a people who go astray in their hearts,

And they do not know My ways.'

95:11 So I swore in My wrath,

'They shall not enter My rest.' "

The writer of Hebrews takes this Word of God from Psalms to its ultimate conclusion HEB 4:3 For we who have believed do enter that rest, as He has said: "So I swore in My wrath, 'They shall not enter My rest,' " although the works were finished from the foundation of the world.

The Lord, in Psalm 95, is addressing those Hebrews who had hard hearts and it was for them, He made the Laws… and they are still under that Law (Torah) today…even the law of the Sabbath…the Rest. "So I swore in My wrath, 'They shall not enter My rest,' for all those Christians who are returning to the ‘Jewish roots’, please read Gods words again "So I swore in My wrath, 'They shall not enter My rest,'

The writer of Hebrews tells us more Heb 3:18 And to whom did He swear that they would not enter His rest, but to those who did not obey?

3:19 So we see that they could not enter in because of unbelief .

The writer of Hebrews continues driving the point home 4:3 For we who have believed do enter that rest, as He has said:

"So I swore in My wrath,

'They shall not enter My rest,' "

although the works were finished from the foundation of the world.

4:4 For He has spoken in a certain place of the seventh day in this way: "And God rested on the seventh day from all His works";

4:5 and again in this place: "They shall not enter My rest."

4:6 Since therefore it remains that some must enter it, and those to whom it was first preached did not enter because of disobedience,

The writer of Hebrews then goes on to explain about the day concerned, regarding “His Sabbath rest”

4:7 again He designates a certain day, saying in David,( i.e. The Psalms) "Today," after such a long time, as it has been said:

"Today, if you will hear His voice,

Do not harden your hearts."

4:9 There remains therefore a Sabbath*rest for the people of God. (* G 4520 translates as ‘The repose of Christianity’)

4:8 For if Joshua had given them rest, then He would not afterward have spoken of another day.

4:10 For he who has entered His rest has himself also ceased from his works as God did from His.

Finally remember well the words of Paul to those in Colossae

2:16 So let no one judge you in food or in drink, or regarding a festival or a new moon or Sabbaths,

2:17 which are a shadow of things to come, but the substance is of Christ.

The New Covenant came in to effect upon Calvary’s cross JER 31:33 "But this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the LORD: I will put My law in their minds, and write it on their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people. And until that New Covenant is accepted by the Jews they will remain bound by the Law, and to the religious keeping of the Sabbath. Born again Christians already have the new Covenant in the Blood of Jesus Christ and have the Holy Spirit of God; and the Law in their hearts and there Sabbath rest is no longer a single day…it is everyday.

MATT 12:8 "For the Son of Man is Lord even of the Sabbath. “Jesus Christ is our Sabbath rest, and His designated day is TODAY ….and every day… not just Sunday or Saturday …If we are to believe that “He is in us and we in Him”, then is it only on Sunday or Saturday that this occurs, or is it every day of our believing lives until He returns? If you are a born again Christian and you keep Sabbath, as the Jews do, you are in error…

MT 11:28 "Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

Yours In His Name

Alf Hutchison

hutch@yebo.co.za

info@obadiahoutreach.org

http://www.youtube.com/obadiahoutreach

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What is it about this little word ALL that Christians do not understand?

2011-07-21T16:07:00.000-07:00

Another great message from my friend and fellow servant, Alf Hutchison, founder of Obadiah Outreach Ministries. Check it out!

ALL AND EVERY

One little word can change our entire concept of a situation; it can, and has, changed our Christian doctrine and dogma.

What is it about this little word ALL that Christians do not understand ….is it that they speed read and miss it…or is it that this little word All, is so all encompassing, that they cannot comprehend the enormity of it …

This word has been misapplied for centuries; and it is high time that we took cognizance of it… MT 24:30 "Then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory

Now let us put this passage in context, by starting with the previous verse i.e. Matt 24:29:-

Matt 24:29 "Immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken.

24:30 "Then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.

24:31 "And He will send His angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they will gather together His elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other..

When Jesus comes with the great sound of a trumpet His elect who are alive on earth and the resurrected, who have been asleep (Denoted by the use of four winds i.e. here on earth) EZEK 37:9 Also He said to me, "Prophesy to the breath, prophesy, son of man, and say to the breath, 'Thus says the Lord GOD: "Come from the four winds, O breath, and breathe on these slain, that they may live." ' "

I am reminded of what Paul tells us 1 Thes 4:16 For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And thedead in Christ will rise first.4:17 Then we who are alive and remain (G4035 survive) shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord.

Now John the Revelator gives us more information on this same event RV 1:7 Behold, He is coming with clouds, and every eye will see Him, even they who pierced Him. And all the tribes of the earth will mourn because of Him. Even so, Amen.

Now before we continue let us take a closer look at this passage RV 1:7

Rev 1:7 Behold,^G2400 he cometh^G2064 with^G3326 clouds;^G3507 and^G2532 every^G3956 eye^G3788shall see^G3700 him,^G846 and^G2532 they also which^G3748 pierced^G1574 him:^G846 and^G2532 all^G3956kindreds^G5443 of the^G3588 earth^G1093 shall wail^G2875 because of^G1909 him.^G846 Even so,^G3483Amen.^G281

We see that the Greek word G 3956 is translated in this verse as both ALL and EVERY…so if all means every; and every means all ( and for clarity we are further told that the all and everyincludes those who pierced , or crucified Jesus… why do we believe that there will be two resurrections? Why do we believe that there will be a so called ‘Rapture’ to heaven if every andall eyes, of all who have ever lived, will see Him coming on the clouds?

WARNING TO THE DOCTRINAIRES

Holy scripture tells us that we may not add to or take away from these verses or we will be cursed: Rev 22:18 For I testify to everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: If anyone adds to these things, God will add to him the plagues that are written in this book;

22:19 and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part from the Book of Life, from the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.

Theologians today tell you that we cannot lose our salvation… well that is not what the above passage indicates to me … if you add to or take away from the words of this prophecy God will take away your part in his book of life and your entry to the holy city; New Jerusalem…

In conclusion; if we are to believe that the Holy Scriptures are the inerrant Word of God, then when we read these passages we have to assume that all means everyone, even those who have died i.e. even those who had crucified our Lord…following this reasoning that when the Lord comes we will meet Him coming in the air, there is nowhere written that the Lord will make a ‘U’ turn and take His so called Bride back to Heaven! But everyone who is not a believer will be resurrected as well….We have to remember that the Book of Revelation is a series of ‘windows’ or visions and they do not of necessity run in chronological order…most false doctrine has emanated from the misinterpretation of John’s Revelation.

There is only one coming of Jesus the Christ to earth as Lord of lords and King of kings (Rev 1:7; 1 Thes 4:16)

There is only one resurrection of the saved and unsaved (1 Thes 4:16; Rev20:6)

There is only one Judgment day... (Rev 20:11; Matt 25:31)

LK 21:28 "Now when these things begin to happen, look up and lift up your heads, because your redemption draws near."

Yours In His Name

Alf Hutchison

info@obadiahoutreach.org

www.obadiahoutreach.org

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Independence Day Hypocrisy

2011-07-06T09:21:00.000-07:00

Hypocrisy! What a word that is! The practice of claiming to have moral standards or beliefs to which one's own behavior does not conform to; pretension!
Many of my posts focus on both Christian hypocrisy and on American hypocrisy based not just on philosophical, doctrinal or cultural views but based on mere observation. What you see is what it is!

     This past 4th of July, I committed that great sin of hypocrisy. Last Sunday, as I looked around and saw that many of my neighbors had hoisted American flags on their property, I remembered my wife had bought one that she said she wanted to hang on the front of our house on the 4th of July. Now, my wife knows I'm not a "flag waving' type of guy, but I indulged her. In the back of my mind, I felt it would be best to do so to also avoid people looking down on or sneering at me for being unpatriotic if I didn't go along with all my neighbors. By the way, my wife is an immigrant from Mexico and still has her Green Card, even though she went to grammar and high schools and college in the US and has been a practicing Registered Nurse for over 35 years.
     I have to admit that (mostly these past four to five years), America's attitude towards immigrants has not made me feel very proud of my country, one that I have served throughout my entire life, in the military, always paying taxes on time, no criminal record, registered voter (once as a Republican), and basically conducting myself in what one would call a good old conservative American lifestyle.
     Nevertheless, I felt this queezyness deep inside my gut about hoisting the American flag. First of all, I don't believe in the displaying of any iconish symbols, especially any that folks may immediately identify as being loyal to anything other than to Jesus Christ. I am already instantly marginalized as being "one of those Latinos" by virtue of the color of my skin and my last name and therefore have learned to accept the fact that people already have a fixed concept of Mexican people.
     Regardless, the American flag is still on display on the front of my house and I don't know how soon I will take it down and pack it away until the next 4th of July. Most of my neighbors have it on display 365 days a year. As I looked at the flag this morning, I still had that queezyiness in my gut and I kept wondering why. It wasn't until I sat down in front of my computer and noticed an item on the Internet, with the title "Independence Day Hypocrisy."

By Stephen Lendman

    "All US federal holidays wreak of hypocrisy, representing notions and events other than what they commemorate. Besides Christmas, none perhaps is more celebrated than when America became independent from Britain on July 4, 1776.
    Coming in the summer, parades, outings, barbecues, other celebratory events, and baseball highlight the day for many - relaxing, not reflecting on the same independence we deny nations globally, waging imperial wars and other ways to prevent it.
     July 4 also commemorates America's history, liberation and traditions most people don't know, never learned, or forgot. Instead - in school to the highest levels and through media managed news - they've been force fed distortions, half truths and illusions to believe what, in fact, isn't true now and never was, a sanitized rewritten history, what historian Howard Zinn corrected in his "People's History of the United States."
     First published in 1980, it became an extraordinary non-fiction best seller with over two million copies sold and counting, followed (in 2004) by "Voices of a People's History of the United States," presenting words and thoughts of labor and anti-war activists, anti-racists, feminists, socialists, and others rarely heard.
     Zinn himself called his signature work "a biased account, one that leans in a certain direction. I am not troubled by that, because the mountain of history books under which we all stand leans so heavily in the other direction - so tremblingly respectful of state and statesmen and so disrespectful, by inattention, to people's movements - that we need some counterforce to avoid being crushed into submission."
     His exhaustive, informative, and gloriously original work includes material on America's Declaration of Independence and war waged for it not taught the way he did it.
    In the July 2009 edition of The Progressive, he headlined an article, "Untold Truths About the American Revolution," saying:

Was waging war then really worth it, taking perhaps 25,000 - 50,000 American lives, the "equivalent today to two and a half million (at the lower estimate) to get England off our backs."

     Canada ended British without war. So did Western Massachusetts farmers "driv(ing them out) without firing a single shot. They had assembled by the thousands and thousands around courthouses and colonial offices and they had just taken over (and) said goodbye to the British officials" nonviolently.
America's revolution was much different, but who "gained what?" Most Americans were poor. "(T)he Founding Fathers were rather rich" with much different interests from ordinary people. "Do you think the Indians cared about independence" or Blacks held involuntarily as slaves?
     "Slavery was there before (and) there after. Not only that, we wrote slavery into the Constitution. We legitimized it."
     "What about class divisions?" America was a racist class society then and remains one today to benefit elitist interests at the expense of working households, especially Black and Latino ones. "We try to pretend in this country that we're all one happy family. We're not."
     In fact, America's revolution wasn't "a simple affair of all of us against all of them," any more than today, sending young men and women abroad to "liberate" countries for capital, slaughtering people to save them, ruining the lives, welfare and futures of thousands of US forces at the same whose minds and bodies are irreparably harmed by the experience.
     As a result, Zinn said "(w)e've got to rethink this question of war and" decide it's unacceptable, no matter what the reasons given, or the excuse." In fact, they're no more valid now than rallying Americans against Britain's King George III, letting everything change but stay the same. The elite few always win against the ordinary many, but great pains are taken not to tell them.
     As a result, young minds are programmed to believe in America's exceptionalism, inherent goodness, and unique democratic values under governments of, by and for the people that never existed earlier or now.
     In "Democracy for the Few," Michael Parenti said "the Constitution was consciously designed as a conservative document" with provisions included or omitted to "resist the pressure of popular tides" and protect "a rising bourgeoisie('s)" freedom to "invest, speculate, trade, and accumulate wealth" the way things work for capital interests today.
     In fact, it codified in law what politician, founding father, jurist and nation's first Chief Supreme Court justice, John Jay, said the way things should be - that "The people who own the country ought to run it (for their benefit alone)."
     It's hardly reason to celebrate, especially today after decades of massive wealth transferred to America's super-rich already with too much, and a nation without enemies at war simultaneously with six nonbelligerent states, spending trillions of dollars unavailable for vital homeland needs.
     At America's birth, only adult white male property owners could vote. Blacks were commodities, not people, and women were childbearing, homemaking appendages of their husbands.
     Until 1810, religious prerequisites existed, and all adult white males couldn't vote until property and tax requirements were dropped in 1850. Moreover, states elected senators until the 1913 17th amendment enfranchised citizens, and Native Americans had no rights until the 1924 Indian Citizenship Act, in part, returning what no one had the right to take away in the first place. In addition, women's suffrage wasn't achieved until the 1920 19th Amendment after nearly a century of struggle for it.
     The 1865 13th Amendment freed Black slaves. The 1870 15th Amendment gave them what wasn't gained until passage of the landmark mid-1960s Civil and Voting Rights Acts, abolishing Southern Jim Crow laws now reappeared in new forms. Today, virtually all hard won gains are lost, hardly a reason for Blacks to celebrate, struggling in a repressive, uncaring America, wanting them mainly to fight imperial wars to enrich corporate predators globally.
     Native Americans perhaps have least to celebrate after centuries of extermination, persecution, denial, and isolation in poverty on reservations. Moreover, they're been mocked and demonized in films and society as drunks, beasts, primitives, savages, and lesser beings to be Americanized or warehoused and forgotten.
     As a result, their cultures are willfully denigrated. Their legacy includes betrayal, treaties made and broken, lands stolen, rights denied, and themselves criminally ignored to this day. For them, justice delayed was never gotten, giving them no reason to celebrate, nor America's growing impoverished millions on their own and out luck in an increasingly uncaring society, focused solely on serving privilege, not popular needs.
     So many others also are denied, persecuted, vilified, and gravely harmed in today's America, notably Latino immigrants and Muslims for their faith and ethnicity to give Washington convenient enemies to incite fear to wage wars for power, profit, and plunder at a time America's only enemies are manufactured, not real.
     Celebrants this holiday enjoying outings, picnics, barbecues, ballgames, outdoor concerts, parades, fireworks displays, visits to the shore on vacation, and other pleasures might reflect about growing millions of victimized/deprived Americans in need, besides billions more worldwide, hoping to survive another day.
     Imagine a future free from today's despair, depravation and perpetual wars. That indeed would be reason to celebrate and give thanks. It's also a goal everyone should support and dedicate themselves to achieve. It won't happen any other way for sure.
     Reflect about that on holiday Monday, as well as America's intolerable legacy of shame."

Excuse me folks, I'm feeling a little bit hypcritical at this precise moment, and have to go to the front of my house right now ~

     For information about the author's two books, pleace click on the titles of both The End Times Passover and Why Christians Will Suffer Great Tribulation. To access his web sites and blogs, pleasce click on Joe Ortiz.
     As an added bonus, we have attached a great radio interview by renown national radio talk show host Derek Gilbert, who intervies Joe Ortiz on a program Derek calls The Flag or The Cross?

RETURNING TO THE ROOTS?

2011-07-03T16:30:00.000-07:00

This missive from my dear brother Alf Hutchinson is very important and should be read by all who profess to walk with Christ; especially by Christians who go about pointing fingers at other denominations who albeit do not practice their Chrisitanity identically the way we do, at least don't deny their sole faith in Jesus Christ!

RETURNING TO THE ROOTS?

I open by asking a simple question “What is Satan’s greatest ruse”?

“Surely it is deception; deceiving those who believe, and deceiving those who do not.

Paul’s warning to those at Corinth reverberates down the centuries, but falls on many deaf ears in this day and age… 2 Cor11:13 For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into apostles of Christ.

11:14 And no wonder! For Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light.

11:15 Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also transform themselves into ministers of righteousness, whose end will be according to their works.

Today we are told by high profile evangelists that the Roman Catholic Church is an abomination; I am now going to tread where ‘Angels fear to tread’ and ask another question of you “Do Catholics deny the existence of Jesus Christ?...They may have extreme doctrinal differences to ours, but they do not deny the existence of Jesus… 2 John1:7 For many deceivers have gone out into the world who do not confess Jesus Christ as coming in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist.

1:8 Look to yourselves, that we do not lose those things we worked for, but that we may receive a full reward.

1:9 Whoever transgresses and does not abide in the doctrine of Christ does not have God. He who abides in the doctrine of Christ has both the Father and the Son.

Now answer this simple question “Do the Jews believe in Jesus Christ”?

Now whilst we have thousands of ‘bounty hunter’ Christians out there, busy tearing one another limb from limb… Satan is smiling; and why you may ask piously as you pause, wondering how you can wrestle another scripture to defend the doctrine that you would not personally die for…One thing is very certain when it comes to our individual doctrines we are arrogantly proud. We scoff at doctrines that differ from ours. And have the belief that what we believe is the truth, and all others are deceived …Paul warned young Timothy of this 2TM 4:3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers;

We live in an age where Christians are somehow seeking new frontiers to impress one another, similar to the warning given by Jesus MT 6:2 "Therefore, when you do a charitable deed, do not sound a trumpet before you as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets,that they may have glory from men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward…. Here Jesus was not describing Christian believers but Jewish unbelievers and Jesus also rebuked them MT 23:13 "But woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you shut up the kingdom of heaven against men; for you neither go in yourselves, nor do you allow those who are entering to go in.

Now both Jesus and Paul rebuked these hypocrites and warned of their wicked teachings which turned people away from the truth and fooled them with fables.

Today there is a move afoot to encourage Christians to “Return to their roots”…their so called Jewish roots …return to the Torah and the Talmud. They teach unsuspecting Christians that it is heresy to Sabbath on any other day but Saturday… They teach that to say anything against the Jews in present day Israel will bring a curse upon the transgressor, and they siteGen12;3. Nearly every Evangelist I know with very few exceptions are being drawn inexorably into this pit of lies…We now have churches with their services on Friday evenings and Saturdays who look down upon fellow brothers and sisters in the faith who still attend Sunday services referring to them now as pagan worshippers…We ought now be religiously “with it”…and refer to Jesus and God and the Holy Spirit only by their ancient Hebrew names…It is fashionable to be Jewish…whether we think they are right or wrong we are told that they are being blessed by God and we should help them…regardless

What they never tell you is that Jesus spoke Aramaic not Hebrew… Hebrew was only spoken in the temple by the evil Scribes and Pharisees…Only in recent times in present day Israel has Hebrew been spoken as a colloquial language. It was forced upon the returning Jews and proselytes by the Zionist movement…

Jesus warned the Church at Smyrna REV 2:9 "I know your works, tribulation, and poverty (but you are rich); and I know the blasphemy of those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan. Did you know that there exists in Israel a Jewish remnant who oppose the Zionist Jews?…

At this moment Christendom is being deceived in many ways; and it is driving wedges between brothers and sisters in Christ…The 66 books of the HOLY BIBLE are all we need to be saved.

Could this be the ‘falling away’ or apostasy that Paul warns us of?...2 Thes 2:3 Let no one deceive you by any means; for that Day will not come unless the falling away comes first,and the man of sin is revealed, the son of perdition,…Is this falling away starting through Christian Zionism, fueled by Jewish Zionism?… this wanting to return to old Jewish customs and ‘how things were’ just as Paul warned Timothy 2TM 4:4 and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables. There is every indication that another temple will be built in Jerusalem and that animal sacrifices (such as the Red Heifer will be performed), making a total mockery of the once for all sacrifice of our dear Lord and Savior Jesus the Christ. And it is being partly funded by churches!!!!

If you think for one moment that I have lost my senses or have become anti-Semitic (which I am not) then I suggest you hasten to the words of God Himself RV 18:4 And I heard another voice from heaven saying, "Come out of her, my people, lest you share in her sins, and lest you receive of her plagues. 18:5 "For her sins have reached to heaven, and God has remembered her iniquities…and who was ‘her’ you might ask? Well Holy Scripture is very clear …this is metaphorically ‘Babylon’ REV 18:2 And he cried mightily with a loud voice, saying, "Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and has become a dwelling place of demons, a prison for every foul spirit, and a cage for every unclean and hated bird!...

And the Babylon referred to by John the revelator, is non-other than the ‘GreatCity’ Jerusalem.

Here is a warning to all ….do not get sucked into their sins. They DO NOT BELIEVE IN JESUS AS THE CHRIST …all you are doing is encouraging their disbelief, you are not spreading the true gospel to them as you should be…and remember those who do not receive the gospel and accept Jesus, will see God’s almighty wrath … MT 10:23 "When they persecute you in this city, flee to another. For assuredly, I say to you, you will not have gone through the cities of Israel before the Son of Man comes.

EZEK 3:18 "When I say to the wicked, 'You shall surely die,' and you give him no warning, nor speak to warn the wicked from his wicked way, to save his life, that samewicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood I will require at your hand.

Yours In His Name

Alf Hutchison

info@obadiahoutreach.org

www.obadiahoutreach.org

http://www.youtube.com/obadiahoutreach

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New Jerusalem (The Holy City, Coming Down From Heaven) Is The True Promised Land!

2011-06-28T18:28:00.000-07:00

New Jerusalem (The Holy City, Coming Down From Heaven) Is The True Promised Land!

[The following is an excerpt from Joe Ortiz' new book, The End Times Passover.In this chapter (12) you will find biblical evidence that the "promised land" spoken of in the bible is not in the current state of Israel, as most Jews and right-wing evangelical dispensationalist believe. The true promised land is the New Jerusalem spoken of in the book of Revelation, which is the Holy City of God that descends to earth when Jesus Christ returns to rule forever, not just for 1000 years, as believed my thousands of Millenarians:

New Jerusalem Is The Promised Land!

In the previous chapter, the author presented scripture he believes clearly state that the Christian Church is not the Bride of the Lamb and that it will not be participating (as a bride) in the great wedding. The author believes scripture also clearly shows that the wedding spoken about in Revelation 19 is really speaking about Jesus possessing and becoming Lord and Master of New Jerusalem, the Holy City of God, which descends to earth to henceforth be the dwelling place of the Messiah and His ecclesia forever and ever. We briefly alluded to the fact that the author believes scripture is unveiling that New Jerusalem in actuality is the true Promised Land spoken of in many scriptures, of which Revelation 21:2-3 clearly shows the prophecy of Isaiah 62 is being fulfilled in Revelation 19. Nevertheless, the author feels this Promised Land issue deserves greater elucidation to bring the point home more clearly. He believes that this chapter will help provide profound scriptural answers to this claim, as well as clear up any past misperceptions.

Throughout the Old Testament, we have seen where God made many promises to His chosen people, Israel. One of those promises that theorists allude to, in order to build upon their secret Pre-Tribulation escape to heaven mythology, is the land promised from God to Abraham and his descendants, which they interpret to mean that the eventual and eternal resting-place of national Israel is the current land that mostly Jewish people now inhabit in the Middle East. It is their contention that God promised the genetic nation of Israel the eventual (and eternal) possession of the entire land of Palestine, known today as the Jewish State of Israel. Theorists (and most Jews) believe many prophecies spoken of in the Old Testament are speaking and identifying this Middle East territorial region as the “Promised Land.” Their contention is partially true. One of the major promises God made to the nation of Israel did include its eventual and eternal resting place, and He did call it The Promised Land! However, was that promise solely speaking about a small parcel of land in the Middle East? Is that region in the Middle East the true Promised Land? Or does scripture unveil a greater land promise than either Jew or Gentile perceive? Let’s find out. In Genesis 12:1-7, it reads thusly:

The Lord had said to Abraham, “Leave your country, your people and your father’s household and go to the land I will show you. 2 I will make you into a great nation and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing. 3 I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you.” 4 So Abram went forth as the LORD had spoken to him; and Lot went with him. Now Abram was seventy-five years old when he departed from Haran. 5 Abram took Sarai his wife and Lot his nephew, and all their possessions, which they had accumulated, and the persons, which they had acquired in Haran, and they set out for the land of Canaan; thus they came to the land of Canaan. 6 Abram passed through the land as far as the site of Shechem, to the oak of Moreh. Now the Canaanite was then in the land. 7 The LORD appeared to Abram and said, "" To your descendants I will give this land.'' So he built an altar there to the LORD who had appeared to him, (Genesis 12:1-7, NIV). [Italics, bold and underline are by the author, solely for emphasis]

First of all, the aforementioned verses are not speaking solely about that land in the Middle East that so many Jews have struggled to return to, who claim complete and divine ownership of, and who are to this very day fighting to control and keep it for eternity. Genesis 13:14-15 does describe certain territorial promises when it stated, “And the LORD said unto Abram, after that Lot was separated from him, Lift up now thine eyes, and look from the place where thou art northward, and southward, and eastward, and westward: 15 For all the land which thou seest, to thee will I give it, and to thy seed for ever.” The author is certain the student who takes the time to examine the geography will be able to determine it does speak about the former land of the Canaanites, Hittites, Amorites, Perizzites, Jebusites and Girgashites, which is now the current land being occupied by today’s Jewish community in what is called the State of Israel. The Hebrews of yesteryear and most present day Jewry (and theorists, also) have interpreted this great promise of blessing as speaking solely about geographical (land) promises, as is mentioned in verses 4 through 7. Since the time of that promise, the Israelites and now modern-day Jewry have been consumed with the retention of that Palestinian region. And, surely as the Bible clearly states, this land was given to Abraham and his descendants, forever. However, what many are not aware of is that a specific part of the promise was fulfilled after the 70-year Babylonian exile spoken of in Nehemiah 9:7, 8. It clearly states thusly:

You are the LORD God, who chose Abram and brought him out of Ur of the Chaldeans and named him Abraham. 8 You found his heart faithful to you, and you made a covenant with him to give to his descendants the land of the Canaanites, Hittites, Amorites, Perizzites, Jebusites and Girgashites. You have kept your promise because you are righteous, (Nehemiah 9:7, 8, NIV). [See also Nehemiah 9:22-24; Joshua 11:23; Joshua 21:43-45 - Bold and underline by the author, solely for emphasis]

This particular verse (8) clearly states that God already fulfilled that promise and it is not a promise yet fulfilled in the future as theorists claim! Yet, present day Jewry (and theorists, especially) still see these ‘promised land’ prophesies as speaking in future geopolitical inheritance terms. What Jews and theorists misread in these prophecies is that the true Promised Land will not be fulfilled by (nor in) the Jewish State of modern Israel. The true Promised Land is the soon-to-descend Holy City of God, New Jerusalem! Theorists’ unrelenting belief that the Palestinian region known today as Israel is the Promised Land of the Jews is askew from biblical reality. Their belief also that the Bride of the Lamb, New Jerusalem, the Holy City of God, is the Christian Church is where they become sidetracked in their eschatological journey. They fail to see that the true Promised Land is not a parcel of land in the Middle East, but the true Promised Land is the city from above, the one that the true faith-believing descendants of Abraham were looking forward to (Hebrews 11:10, 16; 12:22; 13:14). This city from above is what the patriarchs and all called out ones were looking forward to. They were not looking forward to a resurrection unto life to dwell in earthly Old Jerusalem. The patriarchs were looking forward to a spirit-infused resurrection from the grave to dwell inside New Jerusalem, the headquarters for the heavenly Kingdom of God, which will dwell on earth for an eternity!

Nor should we view (as do many theorists) the ‘two sticks’ and the “valley of dry bones” prophecies in Ezekiel 37 as conveying any future geopolitical resurrection for genetic Israel (immediately before or at the beginning of any so-called 1000-year-reign of Christ in old Jerusalem), nor were they fulfilled in 1948. The dry bones prophecies allude to the final resurrection, which was insured by the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus Christ, and the subsequent outpouring of Holy Spirit power gifts on the Day of Pentecost. Christ’s act on Calvary made it certain the prophecy of the ‘two sticks’ was fulfilled. Matthew Henry ever so eloquently provides us with this discernment:

They shall all be the subjects of one king, and so they shall become one. The Jews, after their return, were under one government, and not divided as formerly. But this certainly looks further, to the kingdom of Christ; he is that one King in allegiance to whom all God’s spiritual Israel shall cheerfully unite, and under whose protection they shall all be gathered. All believers unite in one Lord, one faith, and one baptism. And the uniting of Jews and Gentiles in the gospel church, their becoming one fold under Christ the one great Shepherd, is doubtless the union that is chiefly looked at in this prophecy. By Christ and partition-wall between them was taken down, and the enmity slain, and of them twain was made one new man, Eph. 2:14, 15,” (Matthew Henry’s Commentary on Ezekiel 37) [Bold and underline is by the author, solely for emphasis]

Where is the Kingdom of God and what does it represent? First of all, the Kingdom of God is the Kingdom that He has prepared from eternity. The history of His Kingdom is embodied in His chosen people, who go back to the promises He made to Abraham and his faith-believing descendants. The called out ones for this Kingdom were strengthened to become a house that we now call the “church” (ecclesia), which supposedly was not created until the Holy Spirit was poured out on the Day of Pentecost. Obviously those who possess the new nature imputed by the Holy Spirit since Pentecost are, “like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ, (1 Peter 2:5, NIV).” However, when the Lord returns to reign on earth, this spiritual house (of called out ones) will become part of the administrative body that will reside in New Jerusalem, inside the Holy City of God, which descends from heaven to earth. This spiritual house (Gr. oikos, household, inmates) is not speaking about the dwelling place, the City of God. This spiritual house is not the Bride of the Lamb; but, rather, this spiritual house of called out ones is the body of Christ that will dwell inside the Bride of the Lamb, the Holy City of God! Then Jesus Christ, our Lord and our God, along with His chosen people, will reign (inside His Holy City) on earth, ruling mankind forever! [Bold and italics are by the author, solely for emphasis]

Theorists will incessantly cling to the belief that the Old Testament land promise means that national Israel will be geopolitically restored with complete dominion of the present State of Israel, and that the geographically located state in the Middle East is the Promise Land. However, the author believes scripture clearly proves that those Old Testament promises in Genesis 12:3 and 1 Chronicles 17:9-14 concerning Israel’s final resting place will be fulfilled in and by the New Jerusalem, the Holy City of God, the true Promised Land! We see scriptural proof that the specific promise that God made to Abraham and his genetic offspring concerning the Palestinian region spoken of in Genesis 15:18, 19 has already been fulfilled (Nehemiah 9:8; Joshua 11:23; 21:43-45). Yet, the present day Jewish nation will continue to struggle in battle (with support from many Christians and Zionists) to control this land to this very day. However, the eternal fulfillment to come, the final entering and resting in the eternal and true Promised Land (prophesied throughout the Bible) is not realized until the Holy City of God, God’s present dwelling place, the new City of Jerusalem, comes down from heaven.

The Lord Jesus Himself is presently preparing its administrative (ecclesia) body, which will include the assignment of a positional status (Gr. topos, condition, opportunity) for each called out one according to works accomplished in concert with their individual and spiritual calling. King David was well aware of this concept. He was not looking forward to the time when genetic Israel would inhabit for an eternity a physically located parcel of land on earth; but, rather, David was looking for the eternal home with God, the place from where God’s Kingdom would be administered. In 1 Chronicles 17:9-14, God made that perfectly clear to David in the following statement:

And I will provide a place for my people Israel and will plant them so that they can have a home of their own and no longer be disturbed. Wicked people will not oppress them anymore, as they did at the beginning 10 and have done ever since the time I appointed leaders over my people Israel. I will also subdue all your enemies. 10 and have done ever since the time I appointed leaders over my people Israel. I will also subdue all your enemies. "`I declare to you that the LORD will build a house for you: 11 When your days are over and you go to be with your fathers, I will raise up your offspring to succeed you, one of your own sons, and I will establish his kingdom. 12 He is the one who will build a house for me, and I will establish his throne forever, (1 Chronicles 17:9-12, NIV). [Bold and underline is by the author, solely for emphasis]

Verse 10 of this prophecy specifically deals with the spiritual household (Heb. bayith, family of descendants, an organized body) that God is building to this very day! [See also Genesis 18:19 for usage of bayith, household] The Hebrew word for build is banah, which (according to Unger and White) the verb, in each case used in the Bible, suggests “adding to existing material to fashion a new object.” That home mentioned in verse 9, that place (Heb. maqowm, a standing in one’s own country, city) is that heavenly country Abraham looked forward to inherit, the city (New Jerusalem) that God promised to provide His people (the Israel of God, His ecclesia); a glorious city which is to come to earth, “For here have we no continuing city, but we seek one to come, (Hebrews 13:14).” This city is seen coming to earth in Revelation 21:1-7, and in these verses we see who will inherit this kingdom city;

As stated in the previous chapter, the description of the house spoken of in 1 Chronicles 17 is not the Temple that Solomon built during his reign after his father David passed away. It is not a description of any other temples that were to be built and consequently destroyed repeatedly throughout the remainder of national Israel’s history. The description of the offspring in 1 Chronicles 17:11 is that of Jesus Christ, the Son of God, who is building the spiritual house of God today. The house in verse 9 that the Lord promises to build is His Kingdom of holy priests, the ecclesia, which is confirmed as whom we know to be the church in 1 Peter 2:5! The word “built” in 1 Peter 2:5 is the Greek word oikodomeo, which (like the Hebrew verb banah) means to edify, to embolden, to strengthen. This is exactly what happened when the Holy Spirit poured out gifts of power on the Day of Pentecost. The Christian Church was not formed nor created on that day; rather, the original assembly of God’s called out ones (God’s historical ecclesia) was built (Gr. oikodomeo, emboldened, strengthened) with power from on high to proclaim the Gospel and to advance the Kingdom of God!

All the patriarchs and the holy fathers, from Abraham on down, understood this. They knew God would strengthen His existing ecclesia, (See Joel 2:28). They knew that all nations would be blessed through Him, (See Galatians 3:29). They also knew there would be a resurrection (Hebrews 11:19), and they also knew that they (faith-believing Israel) would eventually reside with God; not in the land of Canaan, the present day Jewish State of Israel, but in God’s Holy City, New Jerusalem!

In Hebrews 11:8-16, it clearly states that Abraham and his believing descendants were not looking forward to a physical piece of land, nor an earthly geographical country in the Middle East, but rather, a heavenly city, coming down from above:

By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going. 9 By faith he made his home in the Promised Land like a stranger in a foreign country; he lived in tents, as did Isaac and Jacob, who were heirs with him of the same promise. 10 For he was looking forward to the City with foundations, whose architect and builder is God. 11 By faith Abraham, even though he was past age – and Sarah herself was barren – was enabled to become a father because he considered him faithful who made the promise. 12 And so from this one man, and he as good as dead, came descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as countless as the sand on the seashore. 13 All these people were still living by faith when they died. They did not receive the things promised; they only saw them and welcomed them from a distance. And they admitted that they were aliens and strangers on earth. 14 People who say such things show that they are looking for a country of their own. 15 If they had been thinking of the country they had left, they would have had opportunity to return. 16 Instead, they were longing for a better country – a heavenly One. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them, (Hebrews 11:8-16, NIV). [Bold, italics and underline are by the author, solely for emphasis]

Notice in verses 9 and 10, where it clearly states that Abraham admitted his sojourn in that region was as an alien and a stranger on earth, because he was longing for a country of his own, a permanent resting place for his tent. He and the others of faith desired and longed for a city with foundations whose chief architect and builder is God. They (Abraham and the patriarchs) were not looking for a geographical country, which the Jews (and theorists) believe was fulfilled in Palestine in 1948; but, rather, they were looking for a “heavenly city.” Notice, it says a “heavenly” city, not a “city in heaven.” The New Jerusalem is a heavenly city to be married (ba’al, possessed) by Christ for His called out ones, a better country, one that will descend to earth at the Lord’s Second Advent, (Hebrews 13:14).

The size of this heavenly city is described in Revelation 21:16 as being approximately 1400 miles long, 1400 miles wide and 1400 miles high as it is wide and long. If we multiply just the width and length of this great city, we are talking about 1,960,000 square miles. Present day Israel (the region of Palestine) is approximately 7992 square miles, an extreme length of 260 miles, and a width that varies between 10 to 70 miles. It is obviously clear, then, that the true Promised Land cannot be speaking about the geographical territory described in the Old Testament in Genesis 13:14-15.

The actual description and scope of the inheritance that the holy fathers and patriarchs were looking forward to was limited to a certain extent by Israel’s spiritual blindness. But Abraham, Isaac and Jacob knew! King David knew! The prophets knew and so did the apostles. When Jesus told the apostles His Kingdom was not of this world, He was not trying to make a distinction between a heaven-based kingdom and an earth-based kingdom. He was telling them His Kingdom is a heavenly kingdom ordained by God, one that flesh and blood cannot enter into but by the spirit of God, who will change our bodies into spiritual, immortal bodies at the last trumpet (1 Corinthians. 15-54), the one sounded as Jesus prepares to descend to planet Earth. Albeit the Kingdom of God is not a worldly ordained Kingdom, it does not negate the fact that Jesus Christ will rule as King of Kings and Lord of Lords inside the supernaturally ordained New Jerusalem, the Holy City of God, which descends (and will dwell) on earth forever!

But more importantly, one of the true but saddening aspects of this entire scenario is that the Jewish people (and theorists, as well) have been unwittingly clinging to their own interpretation of the land promise God made to Israel and its forefathers concerning their eternal resting place, their true Promised Land. Historically, they have been yearning and striving for the Jews (supposedly speaking about all of the 12 tribes of Israel) to reestablish a geopolitical kingdom in the Palestinian region they now call the State of Israel, as if this earthen parcel of land was their true Promised Land.

And, unlike many who believe and are buying into the popular Messianic Israel doctrine, which speaks about a geopolitical kingdom restoration of the two sticks (Ephraim and Judah) before The Second Advent, based on their interpretation of Ezekiel, Chapter 37, this prophecy was fulfilled through Jesus, as is clearly stated in Ephesians 2:11-22. This is the Kingdom of God! The only Kingdom prophesied in the Bible that will ever be established on earth is the Kingdom of God, and this Kingdom (currently in a spiritual state) will also be established by Christ on earth (Matthew 6:10; Luke 1:2), not for a mere 1000 years, but forever. As Ezekiel 37:28, states: And the nations will know that I am the Lord who sanctifies Israel, when my sanctuary is in their midst forever, (NASB). This verse alone should convincingly negate any and all millenarian doctrines once and for all. The Hebrew word for forever is `owlam, which means, everlasting, indefinite or unending future, eternity! [Underline is by the author, solely for emphasis]

So much war and death and contentiousness have been experienced in belief this small land mass in the Middle East is their (Jews and Messianic Israelites) final resting place. True! God did give Abraham and his descendants the land the Jews currently occupy. True! It is a parcel of land God gave them forever, if they obeyed His commandments. But, that great cloud of witnesses spoken of in Hebrews, Chapter 11, knew that their true inheritance was more than a parcel of land in the Middle East, and it was not going to be a geopolitical earthly kingdom, but a heavenly Kingdom on earth! They knew they were but mere aliens and strangers sojourning on that earthen Middle East territory. They knew that this earthen parcel of land in the Middle East, now being occupied by mostly Jewish people, those members of the tribe of Judah, was not their final resting place. If that were the case, they knew they had the opportunity to return to it, as verses 13 through 16 so clearly state:

All these people were still living by faith when they died. They did not receive the things promised; they only saw them and welcomed them from a distance. And they admitted that they were aliens and strangers on earth. 14 People who say such things show that they are looking for a country of their own. 15 If they had been thinking of the country they had left, they would have had opportunity to return. 16 But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God; for He has prepared a city for them, (Hebrews 11:13-16, NIV). [Bold and underline by the author, solely for emphasis]

This better country is truly a heavenly one, but it is not a city that will remain in heaven, waiting with open doors for born again Christians seeking a secret Pre-Tribulation escape; but, rather it is the glorious City of God that will soon descend to earth. The patriarchs knew this! King David knew this! The apostles knew this! They all knew they were looking for a better country, a city that is to come to earth. God’s words clearly states this fact:

For here we do not have an enduring city, but we are looking for the city that is to come, (Hebrews 13:14, NIV) [Bold and underline is by the author, solely for emphasis]

No! The Christian Church is not going to be caught up to heaven; but, rather, the Holy City of God is coming down from heaven. God’s called out ones will be co-administrators of His Kingdom inside New Jerusalem, to be members of a royal priesthood, accordingly with the positional status they will receive for their faith works accomplished on earth.

With this promise to look forward to, knowing that our portion of the inheritance is nearer than before, all called out ones should be girding themselves in the knowledge that as they go through great tribulation before Christ returns, greater opportunities will exist for God’s ecclesia to bring many more people into the Kingdom of God, to partake in the glorious inheritance that has been prepared for faith-believing Israel, all of God’s ecclesia, all of God’s children, who will rest forever, in God’s true Promised Land!

[For more information about this topic, or to read (and or download the entire book) click on this URL or cut and paste it to your browser.]

Is The Pre-Tribulation Rapture to Heaven Doctrine Anti-Christian?

2011-06-27T18:18:00.000-07:00

Editor’s Note: This article is part of a special series dealing with the issue of the Rapture by author Joe Ortiz. This series argues against a “pre-tribulation” Rapture of the Church in the Last Days.

     The Rapture to Heaven doctrine has probably been the most debated issue in the Bible lo these past 20 to 30 years.
     Not a single second goes by where the debate does not continue to rage in homes, churches and more so now on the Internet. Everyone has an opinion. Everyone has their specific take on the Rapture ranging anywhere from a Pre, Mid to Post Tribulation position, as well as the ever increasing Pre-Wrath point of view.
     Most heated discussions usually end up with the often heard comment, “Well, it really doesn’t matter when Jesus comes, as long as we know we are saved?”
     That statement carries more concerns for us because, while salvation is first and foremost the biggest issue we have to concern ourselves with, little do folks recognize that being ignorant of what God really states in His word can cause people to go down the wrong road in all aspects of what the Bible (and God) proclaims in His written word.
     There are several scripture that quantify the positions we take that can have a bearing concerning whether we are truly committed to the specificity of God’s word. One statement from God that comes instantly to mind is found in Matthew 12:30 and Luke 11:23, which clearly state, “He that is not with me is against me and he that gathereth not with me scatterth abroad.”
     What does this statement really mean?
     This statement was made by Christ as He was addressing those who had decided to be part of His team, which in essences is what we do when we accept Jesus Chris as Lord and savior.
     The wonderful change that is made in conversion is Christ’s victory over Satan. The conversion of a soul to God is Christ’s victory over the devil and his power in that soul, restoring the soul to its liberty, and recovering his own interest in it and dominion over it.
     All the endowments of mind and body, the estate, power, interest, which before were made use of in the service of sin and Satan, are now converted to Christ’s service and employed for him. Hence Christ infers that, since the whole drift of his doctrine and miracles was to break the power of the devil, that great enemy of mankind, it was the duty of all to join with him and to follow his guidance, to receive his gospel and come heartily into the interests of it; for otherwise they would justly be reckoned as siding with the enemy: He that is not with me is against me.
     Those therefore who reject the doctrine of Christ, are looked upon as adversaries to him, and in the devil’s interest. Therefore, to deny the Gospel of Christ means that you are antichrist!
     What is the Gospel? It is very simple! The Gospel was preached to Abraham as we see in Galatians 3:7-9, which states, ⁷Know ye therefore that they which are of faith, the same are the children of Abraham. ⁸And the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the heathen through faith, preached before the gospel unto Abraham, saying, In thee shall all nations be blessed. ⁹So then they which be of faith are blessed with faithful Abraham.
     That’s it! That is the Gospel, period! End of story!
     But, those who promote or believe in the Rapture believe otherwise! They believe there are still future events that have to unfold regardless of or the need of faith in Christ, such as the following:

^(a)God has yet to fulfill His land Promises to Israel, although Joshua 23:14 boldly states otherwise!

^(b)God will save all Israel, regardless of faith, although Romans 11:23, where the Apostle Paul is speaking about Jews, boldly states that the only way a person can be saved is by faith in Christ!

^(c)God will establish a different kingdom for Israel besides the Kingdom of God, although several scriptures boldly state otherwise (1 Chronicles 22:10, Psalm 22:28, Isaiah 9:7, Daniel 2:44, Daniel 7:14, Daniel 7:22-27, Matthew 5:20; 6:10; Matthew 16:28).

^(d)God is not powerful enough to protect His children during times of tribulation nor while He pours out His wrath on the unrepentant, therefore He has to Rapture them up to Heaven, although a plethora of scripture boldly state otherwise, such as Psalm 91 and 2 Peter 2:9;

^(e)Left Behind, books written by Tim Lahaye and Jerry Jenkins have sold over 65 million copies, books of which their theory is based on the scripture in Luke 17:36, which says³⁶Two men shall be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left, interpreting the word taken is speaking of Christians being raptured to Heaven while unbelievers will be left behind. Yet, the original manuscript does not contain the word “behind” after the word “left.” The word left in the Greek is aphiemi which means to forgive,the same word(aphiemi) which is used twice in The Lord’s Prayer found in Matthew6:12. Therefore, 65 million people who purchased those books bought into a theory that is not based on Bible truth.
     We could go on and on and provide scripture after scripture (not theories or conjecture nor quoting the myriad of authors who have written Pro-Rapture books) that prove beyond a shadow of a doubt that the Rapture to Heaven doctrine is not biblical, but many of our readers will still cling to this belief. They will present a variety of theories concerning this chapter and that chapter, interpreting this verse and that verse to mean this and that. These novel notions create “Ahah” and “wow” reactions and they receive many compliments such as, “I never looked at that verse in that manner before; you are so intelligent and gifted and blessed by God.”
     However, after this has been said and done, there is only one quantifiable reality that can truly be considered concerning the legitimacy of Rapture to Heaven doctrine: Do those notions glorify Jesus Christ?
     The five points mentioned above not only do not glorify God, they in essence call Him a liar! Each scripture cited above rebuts without question that those notions go contrary to the word of God. In other words, these man-made concocted theories in essence are claiming that what God has clearly stated in His word is not true and those who posit those notions know more than God! They in essence claim that a certain ethno-religo-political group of people are more important than Jesus Christ and what He accomplished on the cross!
     We need to state that any doctrine that does not glorify Jesus and what He accomplished on the cross – thereby fulfilling the Law and all the prophecies cited in the Old Testament – is not of God! Therefore, if it is not of God, will continued belief in the Rapture to Heaven doctrine have any effect on your walk with Christ? Only the Holy Spirit can confirm this for each individual believer.
     I related to Chad Miles that due to my failing health and other pressing issues, I will not be able to fulfill my original plan of unveiling the entirety of my two books with the preliminary introduction and explanation to each of the respective chapters. The approach I initially used was not to solely write my opinions about the Rapture, but to systematically present the evidence that took me over 25 years of research to compile. I was prepared to do this more as an educational and teaching task, rather than just presenting ‘opinion’ or novel ‘theories’ about the Rapture. I apologize for my inability to do so at this stage of my life.
     I have been physically handicapped for the last 8 years due to injuries I sustained while working as a live-in Manager of a homeless shelter in Palm Springs, California for three years straight without a single day off, not even Holidays, on the average of 18 hours per day. I will turn 70 years in a couple of months, and life’s journey has indeed taken a physical toll.
     Nevertheless, I consider myself to be a “teacher” and an “elder” of the church and have spent close to 40 years of study and research of God’s word. Not in support of any particular doctrinal camp (Pre,Mid, Post, Pre-wrath, amillennial, premillennial, postmillennial, preterist, futurists, etc.) nor any allegiance to any of the existing polemical theories whatsoever.
     My studies have been based on the etymology of Bible words to gain a deeper and greater understanding as to what each word truly means, such as in the case cited concerning the true meaning of the word Left. As we saw in that example, the more correct rendering of that word is to forgive which pretty much turns upside down the entire “Left Behind” theory that is still being preached and taught in churches throughout America on a daily basis.
     I could spend the next ten years providing similar examples (that are all contained in my two books) and, for the most part, Rapture to Heaven adherents would still cling to their belief systems. Sadly, time and space on this great forum prevents this educational task from being accomplished to your satisfaction.
     However, as a parting gift, I have posted links where you may download free PDF copies of both books to examine their contents on your own. It has never been my goal to profit from any sales of my two books; I just wanted to get the information out to the public. This has irritated my publisher, but we have to do what we have to do.
     Click on the following book titles to download free PDF copies of The End Times Passover and Why Christians Will Suffer Great Tribulation.
     In parting, I have asked Chad Miles to afford me the opportunity to revisit Hearken the Watchman and provide any other scripture that I discover that adds confirmation to the discussion, because our study of the word of God is an ongoing process until He returns.
     I will say that no one truly knows beyond a shadow of a doubt whether Christians will be provided an escape from increasing times of tribulation we see looming in the immediate horizon. Based upon my work, I am convinced this will not be the case. I totally agree that we will be caught up to have a meeting in the air with Jesus Christ as He descends to earth to rule and reign forever; however, the Bible nowhere states He takes us back to Heaven. There is no reason for Him to do so. He can and will protects us until He returns; as Jesus Himself prayed to the Father: I do not ask you to take them out of the world, but I do ask you to keep them safe from the Evil One, (John 17:15).
     If somehow Christians do get caught up to Heaven, Halleluiah! If they don’t, and they find themselves not prepared to deal with increasing times of tribulation, the reader will never be able to say they were not provided with Bible knowledge that a Pre-Tribulation Rapture to Heaven would not occur, nor that they were not warned ahead of time.

Joe Ortiz has the distinction of being the first Mexican American in US history to conduct a talk show on an English-language, commercial radio station. He began his broadcasting career in 1971 at KABC TALK RADIO 790 AM in the highly competitive Los Angeles media market. He went on to become an award-winning broadcaster, news reporter and newspaper columnist in Los Angeles for over 30 years. Joe writes regularly on his two blogs The End Times Passover and Why Christians Will Suffer Great Tribulation.

The TRUE Israel of God - Part 1

2011-06-24T06:56:00.000-07:00

THE TRUE ISRAEL OF GOD PART 1

If you are amongst the millions of Christians who believe that the Jews living in present day Israel are the “Apple of God’s eye” and “His chosen people”, I urge you to re-evaluate your thinking in line with the clear teachings of God’s inerrant, holy Word…

In Africa, where I live, if I write on the Blacks I am labeled a racist…when I write about the Jews I am labeled not only a racist but ant-Semitic…Let me start off by stating that I am neither. I am not in this ministry to make friends or enemies; I am here solely to open eyes and ears to the truth…no matter the cost. John Wesley said to his lay-preachers “If you haven’t offended the congregation…you haven’t preached the Gospel”

Today we look at Israel and think that we have to take their side, no matter how harsh we believe they are against the Palestinians, or vice-versa. We believe that we have this bond with them because they are living in the country of our Old Testament Holy Scriptures.

I am now of the persuasion that we are being conned as Christians into believing that there is a certain time set aside for the Church age know as “The time of the Gentile” LK 21:24 "And they will fall by the edge of the sword, and be led away captive into all nations. And Jerusalem will be trampled by Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled.; after which God is going to re-establish all of the Jews in present day Israel to their promised land ROM 11:26 And so all Israel will be saved, as it is written: "The Deliverer will come out of Zion, And He will turn away ungodliness from Jacob; We have been conned into believing that the present day Jews are the sole heirs to the covenants or promises of old. I apologize to all, because I once thought this way as well.

In this missive we will investigate the four promises made to Abraham by God …and see how they were fulfilled…God is a covenant keeping God.

1.The first promise. God promised to make the descendents of Abraham into a great nation…Gen 12:1 Now the LORD had said to Abram:

"Get out of your country,

From your family

And from your father's house,

To a land that I will show you.

12:2 I will make you a great nation;

I will bless you

And make your name great;

And you shall be a blessing.

This promise was reaffirmed to Abrahams grandson Jacob (who was re-namedIsrael by God) Gen 46:2 Then God spoke to Israel in the visions of the night, and said, "Jacob, Jacob!" And he said, "Here I am."

46:3 So He said, "I am God, the God of your father; do not fear to go down toEgypt, for I will make of you a great nation there.

Through the leadership of Moses and Joshua we see how God fulfills His promise to make them a great nation 1 CRON17:21 "And who is like Your people Israel,the one nation on the earth whom God went to redeem for Himself as a people-to make for Yourself a name by great and awesome deeds, by driving out nations from before Your people whom You redeemed from Egypt? ….This great nationIsrael continued growing and at last reached its peak under the reign of David and Solomon.

2. The second promise given to Abraham by God was the promise of great posterity…that his descendants would be too numerous to count… GEN 13:16 "And I will make your descendants as the dust of the earth; so that if a man could number the dust of the earth, then your descendants also could be numbered. 15:5 Then He brought him outside and said, "Look now toward heaven, and count the stars if you are able to number them." And He said to him, "So shall your descendants be."

There are those today who think that this is still to be fulfilled, but Holy Scripture tells us through the words of Solomon otherwise… 2 CRON1:9 "Now, O LORD God, let Your promise to David my father be established, for You have made me king over a people like the dust of the earth in multitude.

1:10 "Now give me wisdom and knowledge, that I may go out and come in before this people; for who can judge this great people of Yours?"

The first book of kings states…1KINGS 4:20 Judah and Israel were as numerous as the sand by the sea in multitude, eating and drinking and rejoicing.

The brilliant author of Hebrews also confirmed this fact totally confirmed and fulfilled; that from one man (Abraham) … HEB 11:12 Therefore from one man, and him as good as dead, were born as many as the stars of the sky in multitude-innumerable as the sand which is by the seashore.

3. The third promise made to Abraham by God was that his descendents would inherit the land of Canaan…This was accomplished fully …JOSH 21:43 So the LORD gave to Israel all the land of which He had sworn to give to their fathers, and they took possession of it and dwelt in it.

21:44 The LORD gave them rest all around, according to all that He had sworn to their fathers. And not a man of all their enemies stood against them; the LORD delivered all their enemies into their hand.

21:45 Not a word failed of any good thing which the LORD had spoken to the house of Israel. All came to pass.

To-day there are those skeptics who maintain that the Israelites did not inherit all of the promised land from Egypt to the Euphrates…but this is simply not true GEN 15:18 On the same day the LORD made a covenant with Abram, saying: "To your descendants I have given this land, from the river of Egypt to the great river, the River Euphrates- …

A close look at King Solomon confirms that the promise was totally fulfilled in his lifetime…1 KINGS 4:21 So Solomon reigned over all kingdoms from the River to the land of the Philistines, as far as the border of Egypt. They brought tribute and served Solomon all the days of his life.

This River is the great Euphrates…how do we know that? …because Tiphsah was on the Euphrates river in Mesopotamia…

4:24 For he had dominion over all the region on this side of the River from Tiphsah even to Gaza, namely over all the kings on this side of the River; and he had peace on every side all around him. 9:16 (Pharaoh king of Egypt had gone up and taken Gezer and burned it with fire, had killed the Canaanites who dwelt in the city, and had given it as a dowry to his daughter, Solomon's wife.)

4. The fourth promise made to Abraham by God, was the promise of the Messiah…GEN 22:18 "In your seed all the nations of the earth shall be blessed, because you have obeyedMy voice." Paul clarifies exactly what is meant in this passage GAL 3:15 Brethren, I speak in the manner of men: Though it is only a man's covenant, yet if it is confirmed, no one annuls or adds to it.

3:16 Now to Abraham and his Seed were the promises made. He does not say, "And to seeds," as of many, but as of one, "And to your Seed," who is Christ.

Was this promise fulfilled? You better believe it …GAL 4:4 But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law,

4:5 to redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption as sons.

4:6 And because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying out, "Abba, Father!"

4:7 Therefore you are no longer a slave but a son, and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.

When Jesus, The Christ, hung and died upon the cross of Calvary all the promises given to Abraham and his descendants had been fulfilled …the physical covenants of the flesh had passed away and a New Covenant instituted …a spiritual Covenant.

HEB 8:13 In that He says, "A new covenant," He has made the first obsolete. Now what is becoming obsolete and growing old is ready to vanish away.

We the Church, have by no means replaced Israel, but we have been grafted into the root and as such get our sustenance from the OT root there is no longer a distinction between Jew and Gentile…We share in the promises…A Jew, as too a Gentile, has to accept Jesus as the Christ…There is no other way…except for those who were looking forward to a new kingdom on earth …this was the ‘land’ promised to them …and a resurrection to everlasting life with the Lord…We who believe on the Lord Jesus THE Christ…are the true Israel of God.

Yours In His Name

Alf Hutchison

info@obadiahoutreach.org

www.obadiahoutreach.org

http://www.youtube.com/obadiahoutreach

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Pretrib Rapture Vs. FACTS (No. 3) by Dave MacPherson

2011-06-23T03:00:00.000-07:00

The End Times Passover team is honored that prolific author, Dave MacPherson, has chosen us as the vehicle to post his messages to the general public. Dave and his wife Wanda have a "mobile" ministry in the sense they travel all over the country visiting various media, churches and other groups who have a high interest in his over 40 years of research concerning the birth and origins of the Pre-Tribulation Rapture to Heaven myth. Being on the go all the time, the MacPhersons have little time sitting behind a computer; therefore, his request from us to post his messages is greatly appreciated. If anyone has any questions or comments about his work, he is requesting they be sent directly to us at Joe.Ortiz9299@gmail.com. Thank You!

Pretrib Rapture Vs. FACTS (No. 3) by Dave MacPherson

     There should be a Claims Court to handle all of the wild claims that pretrib rapturists make! One of them goes like this:
     "None of John Darby's contemporaries taught a pretrib rapture before he did."
     The late Darby idolizer R. A. Huebner seared more than his barbecue gloves when he unconscionably claimed in a 1973 booklet of his that "The Irvingites (1828-1834) never held the pretribulation rapture or any 'any-moment' views."
     Even though Huebner never attended seminary, college, or even Bible school, he was desperately chosen by Dallas Theological Seminary president John Walvoord (over even his own DTS church history profs!) to be the one to throw darts at my highly endorsed historical findings. Charles Ryrie, Thomas Ice and some others soon took Walvoord's cue and have slavishly continued to exalt Huebner to Pretrib Rapture Sainthood!
     FACTS: As early as September 1830, Rev. Edward Irving's journal "The Morning Watch" (hereafter TMW) taught that the most worthy part of the church ("Philadelphia") would be raptured before "the great tribulation" while the less worthy part of the church ("Laodicea") would be left on earth as "the last and dying state of the Gentile church" - "church" used in the same way Margaret Macdonald used it in the second half of her epic pretrib rapture revelation which she had in the spring of 1830.
     The previous TMW issue (June 1830) had been teaching the historic view that "Philadelphia" as well as "Laodicea" would go through the great tribulation. But only three months later (in September and after some TMW writers had visited Margaret in her home) readers noticed a stunning change: the first time ever that any publication had ever publicly taught that "church" members ("Philadelphia") would be raptured off earth before Matt. 24's tribulation!
     Pretrib defenders who wish to credit Darby with originating the pretrib rapture view have a real dilemma. They can't find anyone, other than Margaret, who was teaching the new pretrib view during the summer of 1830. Or any publication before the September 1830 TMW that was teaching it. Darby himself was still defending the historic (and historicist) posttrib view in the December 1830 "Christian Herald" and expecting "to meet Him in the air in order to His judging of the nations" (Matthew 25:32) - a posttrib event. Darby didn't clearly teach a pretrib rapture before 1839.
     (Interestingly, Darby in that same article recognized the prophetic significance of Islam with his references to "the Saracenic comet," Euphratean horsemen" etc. There are Christian scholars today who view the same Middle East "scourge" as potentially more dangerous now than it was in Darby's time and they believe that God will allow it to persecute and purify Jews and Christians. Ephesians 5:27 reveals the Lord's desire for a spotless and wrinkle-less church which has had 2000 years to "fall away" while Jews have had almost 4000 years to become even more adept when it comes to apostasy!)
     My book "The Rapture Plot" fills many pages with short quotes from TMW issues dated 1830-1833 proving that it clearly taught an imminent pretrib rapture during those years. For example:
     "...the great tribulation (Rev. vii. 14) into which the sealed ones shall never enter."
     "...the translation for the living...of which we may daily expect the accomplishment...."
     "...that period ["the literal time of 1260 days"] does not commence till the moment of the translation of the saints...."
     Pretrib defenders claim that Darby saw the distinction (or dichotomy) between the church and Israel (which supposedly led him to believe in a pretrib rapture) as early as 1827. But they have never been able to prove this. And as late as 1837, Darby (in "Matthew 24, 25" in "The Christian Witness") saw the church "going in with Him to the marriage, to wit, with Jerusalem and the Jews" - a dichotomy that wasn't a dichotomy!
     The champion Irvingism-basher these days is Thomas Ice. In "When Did J. N. Darby Discover the Rapture?" he repeats the falsehood that "Irving never held to pretribulationism." In his "Myths of the Origin of Pretribulationism - Part II" he declares that "One of Dave McPherson's strangest claims is that Edward Irving and the Irvingites taught a pre-trib rapture."
     Ice even speaks disparagingly of "two British theologians" (Mark Patterson and Andrew Walker) who have written that "it is incontrovertible that Irving held to a pretribulation doctrine in a form that is developed and remarkably similar to contemporary dispensational views."
     If you don't have "The Rapture Plot" (my full-length, bestselling book on pretribism's bizarre 181-year-old history), you can obtain it for a low price at Armageddon Books online. You can also type in "Scholars Weigh My Research" on Google to see reactions to my decades of research from fellow scholars.
     Finally, I urge everyone who's interested in excellent theological contributions to the current rapture debate to acquire two books that biblically and etymologically refute all the tenets postulated in support of the Pre-Tribulation Rapture to Heaven myth. These two books written by my good friend Joe Ortiz, The End Times Passover and Why Christians Will Suffer Great Tribulation, should be used as study texts by both teacher and students of eschatological matters.

[Thank you brother Dave for your endorsement of our books. We greatly appreciate your kind gesture and consider it an honor. We are proud to partner with you and your most needed ministry. And yes, like you, we can and have been taking the heat from theorists who fail to produce scripture to support their distorted doctrines. God's word always provides His children with truth more so than conjecture]

For information about our two books, please click on The End Times Passover and Why Christians Will Suffer Great Tribulation. To access our web sites and blogs, please click on Joe Ortiz.