Truthoughts

False Teachings: Dr. John Killinger

truthoughts — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 01:55:30 +0000

A friend sent me an email regarding an article titled, “CBF presenter questions Christ’s deity “. When I read through the article, I was floored! I wish that I could copy the entire article here, but that would be wrong… So, I will take some excerpts from the article for our discussion. I would highly recommend that you click the link and read the article in its entirety for yourself so that you get a complete and contextual idea of what was written. The picture to the left is of Dr. John Killinger, the speaker of which the article is written about.

Many of you are aware of the Ecumenical movement and the Emerging church movement and how they believe that we must “reinvent” the Christian faith (life), which means changing the true Word of God (Bible) to fit into their self-seeking, self-pleasing, humanistic point of view. If you are unaware of this movement, you can read about it at these links: Understand The Times, Slice Of Laodicea, A Little Leaven, Lighthouse Trails, Discernment Ministries also, if you would like more links, please visit my “Links” page.

These movements have caused quite the shake in the Church and are gaining momentum in some outrageous ways as of late. This article is just one more example of the heretical teachings that are creaping into the Church just as the Bible predicted would happen in the last days.

2 Peter 2:1 “But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction.”

2 Timothy 4:1-4 “I charge [thee] therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom; Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away [their] ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.”

Dr. Killinger seems to look down on fundamental doctrines of the Christian faith, however, to be a true Christian… you must believe what it says in the Word of God on how to become a Christian… This is fundamental, correct? Otherwise you are just playing a game that has no true outcome of which you strive for, so that being said, what would be the use? Your effort would be in vain. The Word of God is an all or nothing sort of thing. Jesus Himself said, “If ye love me, keep my commandments” (John 14:15) and also, “If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father’s commandments, and abide in his love” (John 15:10). It is logical, don’t you agree, that in order to do what the Word says, you must believe what the Word says and then you get what the Word says… eternal life in the Lord’s love.

Now, lets take a look at some excerpts from the article…

Excerpt 1

“Doctrine isn’t the driving force to many people today” except “to the fundamentalists who insist on it,” Killinger said. “But doctrine is a thing of the past now religiously.”

Pastors can follow this cultural shift by preaching about Jesus’ human side rather than insisting that He was God and that He always existed, Killinger said.

This excerpt goes along with what I have stated in the previous paragraph as you can clearly see.

Excerpt 2

“I find from pastors a greater and greater reluctance to preach from the Gospel of John, which used to be the greatest pleasure for most preachers because John was so assertive about the incarnation and the role of Christ” versus “the tendency to go back to Mark and Matthew and Luke to see the more human side of Jesus, who was anointed at the time of His baptism to be the savior of Israel, but not necessarily to be the preexistent one that we find in John.”

The part of this excerpt that stands out the most is the very last phrase, which is underlined by me. I would like to share the following verse with you, which was written before Jesus, the man, came to earth.

Psalm 110:1 “The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou at my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool.”

Also, Jesus clarified Himself to the scribes in the following statement:

Luke 20:41-44 “And he said unto them, How say they that Christ is David’s son? And David himself saith in the book of Psalms, The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand, Till I make thine enemies thy footstool. David therefore calleth him Lord, how is he then his son?”

Now, how do we know for sure that it was Jesus, the Lord (as Jesus Himself claimed to be)? Well, lets take a look at the following:

Hebrews 1:13-14 “But to which of the angels said he at any time, Sit on my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool? Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation?”

This proves that it was not an angel which was spoken of. Lets continue…

Acts 2:34-36 “For David is not ascended into the heavens: but he saith himself, The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand, Until I make thy foes thy footstool. Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ.”

Ah-ha! I think we have a winner! Jesus is the One! Is Dr. Killinger going to through out the book of Acts along with the book of John? If so, then how do we explain the Church being filled with the Holy Spirit and the gifts of the Spirit which they so love to claim? You can learn more about the exploited gifts of the Spirit by researching the Toronto Blessing, etc. from the links which were provided above.

Excerpt 3

“Jesus Himself has had a lot of things said in His behalf that He never intended. This is one of the things that’s going on today in biblical studies — and I think is much more promising than some of the fundamentalists will allow — is that we are questioning whether Jesus Himself said this or whether an institutional church that grew up in Jesus’ wake said this. This was the purpose of the so-called Jesus Seminar,” Killinger said.

Lets just take a look back at what Jesus said about Himself, shall we?

John 14:6-7 “Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. If ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also: and from henceforth ye know him, and have seen him.”

Then Jesus is questioned by Philip regarding what Jesus just told them and Jesus responds with:

John 14:9-10 “Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? he that hath seen me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou [then], Shew us the Father? Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? the words that I speak unto you I speak not of myself: but the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works.”

This is why Dr. Killinger doesn’t want to hold to the doctrine in the book of John. The book of John is to the point, direct, in your face or as Dr. Killinger stated, “assertive”.

Excerpt 4

“I’m just suggesting that I think we need to be a little less certain about what Jesus meant, what He was about, what His life and work were about. I think we’re reevaluating all that.”

For example, Jesus did not conceive of Himself as the Savior of the world and may not have viewed Himself a sacrifice at all until the crucifixion, Killinger said.

Again, please notate the underlined portion, emphasis mine. Now, lets take a look at some more scripture:

John 3:14-21 “And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life. For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.”

This as we can clearly see, is another reason why Dr. Killinger doesn’t want to pay attention/teach the book of John… it clearly states that Jesus IS the Savior. Jesus clarifies in the following verses:

Matthew 16:15-17 “He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am? And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God. And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed [it] unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.”

The word “Christ” in the Greek is Χριστός which means:

Christ = “anointed”

1) Christ was the Messiah, the Son of God

2) anointed

Dictionary.com determins Christ as a Messiah. It also clarifies a “Messiah” as a savior, deliverer, liberator.

So, as we can see… whether by the Word of God (English, Greek, Hebrew) it all spells out that Jesus was, is and always will be the Savior of the World.

Dr. Killinger goes on to state that he can read the book of John to himself and compares it to a “mystical” experience. This is classic Emergent phylosophy.

Excerpt 5

Many CBF pastors agree with his views of salvation, Killinger said, citing an experience at a gathering of pastors in South Carolina. When he asked them what salvation meant to them, they all talked about self-fulfillment and love rather than doctrine, Killinger said.

The pastors also said they did not disbelieve in an afterlife but were not overly concerned about it, Killinger said. When asked whether they thought people of other world religions are going to hell, the pastors replied that they did not think in terms of heaven and hell, he said.

I find it interesting that Pastors today are so not concerned about heaven and hell, yet Jesus cared enough to warn us all about it. (Please read the books of Matthew - John and the book of Revelation for specifics, for there are too many to list now).

Dr. Killinger goes on to attempt discrediting the book of Daniel and its prophetically acurate writings, stating that the book of Daniel “fibbed a lot”.

I have given you pretty much the gist of the article, however, I do recommend that you read it in its entirety. I hope that all of you will search out the scriptures and align everything with them, in the proper context, not withholding any books because of personal preference, as Dr. Killinger and others are trying to do. If these heretical teachers do not turn from their destructive ways, the Lord Himself will come unexpectedly with their just reward (condemnation), which they will not escape.

We are all accountable for what we influence others toward, so as watchmen on the wall… you have been warned. Now it is up to you what you will do with that, as you will be accountable for it.

Update: Successful efforts in Myanmar

truthoughts — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 00:19:11 +0000

We have received an update from Understand The Times International Ministry regarding their relief efforts in Myanmar (Burma) Yangon area. I will include the email sent to us from Roger Oakland in the following:

June 18, 2008

Report on Nargis Disaster Relief Trip - June 4-12, 2008

A representative from UTT journeyed to Yangon, Myanmar from June 4-12, 2008 to help provide disaster relief from Cyclone Nargis, distributing funds from Understand the Times donors and helping to organize future relief efforts utilizing friends and ministries already established in Yangon and the severely affected Irrawaddy delta area. Three others representing UTT also were in Yangon as tourists and were able to take in funds for disaster relief. We also were able to take in several power tools with rechargeable batteries.

Over $50,000 has been provided from people all over the world who responded to the UTT Myanmar Relief Fund. At this point we have distributed approximately $20,000. All of the funds that have been donated for the Myanmar Relief Fund will be used for this purpose.

We first provided for the immediate needs of the 120 children and adults that we are supporting in Yangon. Meetings were held and a plan was then established to supply food and assist in providing shelter for people in the outlying areas that were most devastated by the cyclone.

The following report put together by Tom (UTT Board member who was in Yangon) lays out some of the things that have been done and what our long-term plan is for assisting and evangelizing. We have not named specific people for their protection, as you will understand.

While we will continue to receive and distribute funds for the Myanmar Relief Fund, our concern at this moment is that we meet our budget for supporting the 120 children, students and adults that we are committed to supporting. While many of the children and students have sponsors, we have many other expenses and immediate needs. In the future we will be posting what these needs are.

This is just the first few paragraphs of the report. Please click here to read the entire report with pictures.

As you can see, there is a lot of positive efforts being done in Myanmar despite the rejections of the Junta government. We are keeping the Bryce Lodge orphanages and the people of Myanmar in our prayers as well as those involved with the ministry efforts of Understand The Times.

If you go to the link provided by the email, you will see much more information and some really great pictures of what is being done there. They are actively trying to support those in surrounding areas as well as those associated with the Bryce Lodges.

If you would like to help them in their future efforts, you can give to the cause by clicking here. The people of Myanmar will greatly appreciate all of your support whether it be financially or by prayer. You are making a difference in the lives of those devistated by cyclone Nagris.

Myanmar Junta Refuses US Aid

truthoughts — Sat, 14 Jun 2008 01:07:07 +0000

The following article is from the Associated Press at Yahoo news, so it will change as information is updated on this topic.

UN says Myanmar farmers need fuel for planting

…The U.N. estimates more than 1 million survivors, mostly in the delta, still need help more than five weeks after the cyclone struck. The government’s official death toll is above 78,000 and an additional 56,000 people are missing…

…”The window of opportunity is very short, and the need is of the utmost urgency,” Heyzer was quoted saying. “The planting season in the delta is June to July, after which it will be too late, with disastrous consequences for food security in Myanmar and the region.”

The U.S. Department of Agriculture said in an assessment this week that the area affected by the cyclone “normally accounts for roughly 60 percent of (Myanmar’s) rice production.”…

…In a clear reference to the U.S. on Thursday, the New Light of Myanmar newspaper, a mouthpiece for the junta, said that “the goodwill of a big Western nation that wants to help Myanmar with its warships was not genuine.”

Myanmar turned down humanitarian aid from U.S., British and French warships, which sailed to the waters off the Southeast Asian nation after the cyclone hit May 2-3…

1st Picture 2nd Picture

The Junta government of Yangon (Myanmar) mistrusts the US government because of their (US) ties with the democratic government and opposition towards the Junta military government. The Junta leaders feel that their are strings attached to the aid offer presented by the USA and others who hold the same stance, therefore, they will not accept the aid from those governments.

As you can see in the article, it is time for them to plant for their rice harvest and if they do not, they will surely suffer greater devistation as well as others around the globe due to the shortage. Also according to the article, tens of millions of dollars have been donated and offered but the Junta will not accept it for the people of Myanmar. This tragedy reaches far deeper than words can convey and it has only just begun.

Military Ship Picture

The Junta government claims that you cannot trust aid from a source that presents it from military vessels, such as Navy ships and helicopters, etc. In the following picture, you can see the devistated areas with some census information, taken by: Reuters News

We have not recently heard any additional information from Understand The Times Ministries, however, the last that we did hear was that the orphanages were structurally sound and that no one was hurt. They have been struggling along with everyone there, due to the rising food costs while trying to help those around them in need. Please continue to pray for them and you can stay informed through the ministry site as to their progress. You can help by going to Understand The Times Donation Center, which is a dedicated link for Bryce Lodge in Myanmar. From what we have heard, the aid efforts are better received by having an inside source to go through rather than without a contact in the region. The children at Bryce Lodge and the people in the surrounding areas will be blessed by your prayers and donations.

Living the Christian Life - Part II

truthoughts — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 23:59:02 +0000

In Living the Christian Life - Part I, we looked at how the Bible defines “love”. We began our study in Galatians 5:22-26 as we will pick up our study today with looking at “joy”. To recap, this is what those verses state:

Galatians 5:22-26 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another.

Dictionary.com has one definition of joy as follows:

Joy

Joy\, n. [OE. joye, OF. joye, joie, goie, F. joie, L. gaudia, pl. of gaudium joy, fr. gaudere to rejoice, to be glad; cf. Gr. ? to rejoice, ? proud. Cf. Gaud, Jewel.]

1. The passion or emotion excited by the acquisition or expectation of good; pleasurable feelings or emotions caused by success, good fortune, and the like, or by a rational prospect of possessing what we love or desire; gladness; exhilaration of spirits; delight.

If we look at Philippians 1:25 and 2 Corinthians 1:24, we can see that joy is based in faith and if we look further in Romans 15:13 and 1 Thessalonians 1:6, we can see that our joy (or faith) is given through the power of the Holy Ghost (Holy Spirit) and Acts 13:52.

In 1 Thessalonians 2:19-20, we see that our joy is correlated with hope and a crown of rejoicing. The hope of our joy is what helped Jesus to endure the cross as in Hebrews 12:2. Then if we look at Luke 15:10, we can see that joy is in the salvation of those who are included in the Bride of Christ (Christians) and the fullness of the Bride is the Lord’s joy fulfilled (John 3:29).

In John 15:11, we can see that the Word of the Lord is joy to us, as well as John 17:13. In John 16:22 we see that the Lord gives us joy that no man can take away. We can see that it is through the Holy Spirit in Christ that we attain our joy in Romans 5:11 and Romans 14:17.

We can see that in Hebrews 11:11 faith is strength and we have already concluded that joy is through faith, therefore, our joy in the Lord through the Word inspired by the Holy Spirit is what gives us the faith to strengthen us through our lives and the hope of our salvation to the conclusion of the fullness of the Bride of Christ.

We have this joy, hope, faith and strength because of our love toward the Lord our God because He first loved us (1 John 4:19). Now, this takes us to our next topic, peace, which will be covered in Part III.

Living the Christian Life - Part I

truthoughts — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 07:03:37 +0000

A friend of mine is doing a study on the Fruit of the Spirit, so today, I am focusing on how we are to live as Christians. The best examples given are the scriptures that I have copied into this article. Now, because this is going to be an in depth study, I will post it in parts (this being Part I). The first scripture we will take a look at today is Galatians 5 verses 22-26 and it reads as follows:

Now, lets break that down a bit… The first one listed is Love. What else does the Bible say about Love? It says:

Leviticus 19:18 and Leviticus 19:34 tell us that love is to love our neighbors and to consider strangers among us as ourselves.

Deuteronomy 6:5 and Deuteronomy 10:12-13 describes love as fearing the Lord, walking in all His ways and serving Him with all of our hearts and souls while keeping His commandments and statutes. For those of you who do not believe that we are to strive to follow the commandments of the Lord our God, that Jesus did away with the law in His first coming, please read Matthew 5:18 and Luke 16:17.

Deuteronomy 11:22 describes love as cleaving to the Lord. According to Dictionary.com to cleave means:

1. to adhere closely; stick; cling (usually followed by to).

2. to remain faithful (usually followed by to): to cleave to one’s principles in spite of persecution.

So, we can look at it this way… that we are to stay close to the Lord through His Word and remain faithful in spite of persecution. This is what Deuteronomy is trying to relay.

Deuteronomy 30:20 goes a little more in depth by stating that we must obey His voice and that cleaving to Him is because He is our life. So, understanding this and placing the context into the previous sentence, lets see what it might say to us.

We are to desperately stay close to the Lord our God for dear life through obedience to His Word and remain faithful in spite of persecution.

That says so much of our Christian life, doesn’t it?

The Lord showed us what love truly is in two verses:

John 15:13 Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.

1 John 3:16 Hereby perceive we the love [of God], because He laid down His life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.

We are to give of ourselves completely and whole-heartedly to the Lord through studying His Word 2 Timothy 2:15 and conforming to His will Romans 12:1-2 through His Word faithfully, even unto death.

We will continue our study in Part II

What is the date of Pentecost (Shavuot) 2008?

truthoughts — Tue, 10 Jun 2008 08:33:04 +0000

I am writing this as an update (edit) to my original post: the Feast of Pentecost and the Rapture of the Church concerning the date of Pentecost (Shavuot) 2008.

In my original post, I began counting the 50 days, from the Sabbath between the Passover (April 20th) and First Fruits (April 27) as opposed to the Sabbath (Saturday) which follows the Feast of First Fruits. Therefore, I came up with the date of June 8, 2008 for Pentecost. The actual date is Sunday, June 15, 2008.

According to Leviticus 23:15-16, we are to count from the morrow after the first Sabbath which follows the Passover, which is the feast of First Fruits. There are to be 7 Sabbaths completed, even unto the morrow (the day after the Sabbath). [Seven Sabbaths after First Fruits]

Leviticus 23:15-16

And ye shall count unto you from the morrow after the sabbath, from the day that ye brought the sheaf of the wave offering; seven sabbaths shall be complete: Even unto the morrow after the seventh sabbath shall ye number fifty days [*Omer]; and ye shall offer a new meat offering unto the LORD.

Passover was on April 20, 2008
Feast of First Fruits was on April 27, 2008

The seven Sabbaths (Saturdays) are:

1. May 3, 2008 (begin counting the *Omer)
2. May 10, 2008
3. May 17, 2008
4. May 24, 2008
5. May 31, 2008
6. June 7, 2008
7. June 14, 2008

The morrow (day after) the 7th Sabbath (Saturday) June 14, 2008 is (Sunday) June 15, 2008. That means that June 15, 2008 is Pentecost (Shavuot).

If you would like to read my full study on this subject “The Feast of Pentecost and the Rapture of the Church”, you can click these links below:
Part I
Part II

Witchcraft and the Church

truthoughts — Thu, 05 Jun 2008 01:53:45 +0000

I just read an article through an email that I thought was interesting. This article warned the Church against introducing witchcraft to their young ones. I wanted to write a post on this and so I decided to try and look up the original source. Well, I could not find the original source article, but I did find other articles written by the supposed author in which he contradicts the original article that I did read.

The author’s name is Mark Early and he writes for Crosswalk… some of you may know who he is. Well, I will quote an excerpt or two from the email article that I read first.

“According to a study conducted by the Barna Group called ‘Teens and the Supernatural,’ three out of every 10 teenagers have played the Ouija board, had their palms read, and eight out of 10 have read horoscopes.

Maybe these numbers do not shock you. But while these activities may seem innocuous, below the surface there lurks an extremely dangerous and powerful world – something Scripture refers to as ‘the powers of darkness…’”

The article goes on to say how, though it may seem harmless, it is quite dangerous, quoting the verses: Isaiah 8:19 and Deuteronomy 18. It also states how horoscope readings can lead to yoga (opens the door to Eastern Mysticism), which can lead to demonic themed games and contacting spirit guides.

All of what this author states in this article, I believe, however, the other article I found written by this person is disturbing to me. This other article is located HERE.

In this second article, he goes on to praise the movie Prince Caspian from the Narnia collection. I know that many Christians seem to think that C.S. Lewis’ writings are the child’s version of the Biblical gospel account, however, they fail to acknowledge the paganistic themes also present in these stories.

HERE is another article that I found which goes into more detail of the specifics of Greek Mythology, etc. presented in the Narnia collection of both the books and the movies.

“…The best example in this context (of Lewis’ faith) is Lewis’ atypical view of paganism, which is certainly at odds with many of his fundamentalist Christian supporters. He regarded paganism and Christianity as having much in common, and seemed to consider pagan religions as being a kind of nascent (emerging) form of Christianity…

…This blurring of the boundaries between these traditionally opposed faith traditions can be seen in the chronicles of Narnia, where Lewis not only uses creatures from Classical, Norse and Teutonic mythology such as centaurs, dryads, fauns and dwarves, and the gods Bacchus and Silenus, but also a number of the themes in the books are arguably derived from pagan religions as well. For example, Peter is knighted ‘wolfsbane,’ because he defeats the wolf Morgrim, which echoes stories from Norse and Teutonic sagas, notably the story of the chief god, Odin fighting Fenris-Wolf at Ragnarok, the last battle. The figure of the white witch arguably corresponds to the Norse crone-goddess, Hel, who ruled over the icy afterworld Niflheim…”

It reminds me of the flood of churches who begged, pleaded and shoved their congregations to go and see the Harry Potter movies… again, consciously blinding themselves to the witchcraft throughout the movie. It is the blind leading the blind.

So, in the days of apostasy and false unity for the ‘greater good’, we must hold ever tighter to the time-tested, accurate and fundamental Word of our Lord… The Bible. In the Bible, we see that this was all predicted to happen just before the return of our Lord to call His Bride, the Church (true believers who are watching and ready) to Himself and there we will be, with Him for eternity.

If you do not know the Lord, please read: The Gift of Salvation

The Most Moving Video

truthoughts — Tue, 03 Jun 2008 06:27:48 +0000

There is a video that I found a while back and I watched it again today. It is so moving that I wanted to have it on my site for you to see. Please watch it and listen.

Its amazing… and true. When things seem to be bad and all hope seems to dissipate, remember, the battle is already won… so hang in there my friend, you are not alone.

Stand Firm In Times Of Trouble

truthoughts — Tue, 27 May 2008 02:56:46 +0000

In the days of violence and persecution, it is difficult to find peace and joy. It is because of this, that I have chosen to write on this topic today. There are a few scriptures that came to mind, which deal directly with this topic. The life of a Christian believer is not one of ease and comfort, though many would like you to believe that it is. Once you become a believer in Christ Jesus, you become a target. We are meek in the fact that we put our trust in our Lord and Savior Jesus and not on our own abilities and influences. We are strong in the fact that our faith is an example, which cannot be disputed during the judgment of the unbelievers. That is right, we are an example.

Hebrews 12:1-4 Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider Him that endured such contradiction of sinners against Himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds. Ye have not yet resisted unto blood, striving against sin.

2 Corinthians 4:8-10 We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed; Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body.

2 Corinthians 4:13-15 We having the same spirit of faith, according as it is written, I believed, and therefore have I spoken; we also believe, and therefore speak; Knowing that He which raised up the Lord Jesus shall raise up us also by Jesus, and shall present us with you. For all things are for your sakes, that the abundant grace might through the thanksgiving of many redound to the glory of God.

2 Corinthians 4:16-18 For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.

Philippians 4:6-7 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made know unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

Philippians 4:8-9 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.

Philippians 4:13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.

So, what are we to think on??? We are to think on the things which are eternal, the things which we are taught by the Word of God, the things which we hope and long for by the redemption of our bodies at the rapture/resurrection of the Church, for this is our blessed hope – to be with the Lord God forever. When all around you seems to fail, when all around you seems hopeless, just remember, you have a hope… you have a Savior.

Psalm 34:17,19 The righteous cry, and the Lord heareth, and delivereth them out of all their troubles…Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the Lord delivereth him out of them all.

Psalm 97:10 Ye that love the Lord, hate evil: He preserveth the souls of His saints; He delivereth them out of the hand of the wicked.

The time to press on, is coming to an end, the work is almost done…

Matthew 9:37 Then saith He unto His disciples, the harvest truly is plenteous, but the laborers are few…

Will you work while you can? Will you store up treasures, where moth, rust and thieves cannot corrupt? Will you be counted worthy to escape the things, which are about to come?

Luke 21:36 Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.

Now is not the time to loose heart. Be encouraged, the day is almost done and your rewards await you in Christ Jesus.

The Feast of Pentecost and The Rapture of the Church Part II

truthoughts — Fri, 23 May 2008 23:22:38 +0000

Click here for Part I

I have found an article that goes into a little more detail in some areas of my previous study, which can be found here.

Instead of going over the entire article that I just found, I am going to refer to the parts pertaining to my previous study.

Hebrews 10:30-31,35-39 “For we know Him that said, vengeance belongeth unto Me, I will recompense, saith the Lord. And again, the Lord shall judge His people. It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God…Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompense of reward. For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise. For yet a little while, and he that shall come will come, and will not tarry. Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, My soul shall have no pleasure in him. But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition; but of them that believe to the saving of the soul.”

Below is an excerpt from the above article:

…For the enlightenment and benefit of our readers, a literal word for word rendering of Habakkuk 2:2-3 follows exactly as it is worded in the Hebrew text of the Bible,

2: And answered me Jehovah and said, Write the vision, and engrave it on the tablets, so that he may run who is reading it.

3: For still the vision is for the appointed festival, but it pants to the end, and does not lie. Though it hesitates, wait for it; for surely it will come; it will not tarry.

Please compare this literal rendering with the wording recorded in the King James Bible. Notice the words “appointed time” in the KJV. These words are translated from the Hebrew word, “mowadah.” This Hebrew word literally means “appointed festival.” See Gesenius Hebrew-Chaldee Lexicon, page 457, Strong’s No. 4150.

For any reader willing to deal honestly with God’s Word, this should settle the question of whether or not the Lord is coming on a Jewish Holy Day. This verse explicitly states that the vision of the Lord’s coming is to be fulfilled on “the appointed festival.” In view of this explicit statement, we need not expect the Lord to come at any other time than on a Jewish Festival, for the Lord never violates His own Word…

The Festival of Unleavened Bread

The instructions for observing this festival are given in Exodus 12:14-20 and Leviticus 23:6-14, with specific instructions being given in Leviticus 23:9-14 for the “firstfruits” offering. This observance is also mentioned in several other related passages. What I especially want our readers to notice in the course of this festival is the observance of the “firstfruits” offering.

The “firstfruits” offering was a “sheaf” [omer] of barley, the first grain ripe in Israel in the Spring of the year. There was always some of this grain ripe by Passover. This first ripe barley was gathered in from the field, and the grain was beaten out of the husks until there was an “omer” of barley. The “omer” full of the first ripe barley was then brought to the priest officiating in the Tabernacle [later in the Temple].

The Scriptures tell us that “on the morrow after the sabbath” following Passover, the priest would take this “omer” of barley into the Tabernacle, and standing before the veil which separated the holy place from the “holiest of all,” would lift up the “omer” of barley towards Heaven as high as he could reach, and would “wave the sheaf” [omer] vigorously back and forth before the veil “to be accepted for you, 23:11. The Lord Himself called it a “wave offering” in Leviticus 23:15. Glory to God!

Please dear readers, in this study I am only presenting those facts about the “wave offering” of the “firstfruits” which are necessary to give our readers an understanding of what the offering foreshadowed. You can study all the details for yourself.

The Fulfillment of Firstfruits

If you are a true Bible believer then you know that just as the Israelites sacrificed a lamb on that first Passover [and each Passover thereafter], so 1,517 years later the Lord Jesus Christ, “the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world,” John 1:29, was sacrificed on Passover in 30 A.D.

Three days and three nights after Christ was crucified, just as the 17th day of Abib ended and the 18th day began, “on the morrow after the sabbath” following the Passover, the Lord Jesus Christ came forth from the tomb, triumphant over death, hell, and the grave, Matthew 28:1; Mark 16:1-6; Luke 24:1-7; John 20. Glory to God! Hallelujah! Praise the Lord!

Now here is where the events really get interesting. For on that same first day of the week, “the morrow after the sabbath,” the Scriptures state, “many bodies of the saints which slept arose, And came out of the graves after His resurrection, and went into the holy city, and appeared unto many,” Matthew 28:52-53. Folks, these were the “firstfruits” [plural] of the resurrection, which included Christ Himself, 1 Corinthians 15:20, all of which were foreshadowed by the “omer” of barley. Glory to God! Praise the Lord! Hallelujah! But let’s put it all together.

According to John 20:1-18, on that glorious “first day of the week” when Christ arose, Mary Magdalene came early to the tomb, “when it was yet dark,” and found the tomb empty. She ran and told Peter and John and they came to the tomb and also found it empty. Peter and John then left the tomb, but Mary remained at the tomb weeping. The Lord then appeared to her, identifying Himself, and saying to her, “Touch Me not; for I am not yet ascended to My Father: but go to My brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto My Father, and your Father; and to My God, and your God.” It is then obvious that at that specific time on that resurrection morning, the Lord had not yet ascended to the Father.

However, according to Matthew 28:1-10, just a few hours [or a few minutes…??] later the Lord met “Mary Magdalene and the other Mary” as they were going to tell the other disciples what the angel had told them, “And they came and held Him by the feet, and worshiped Him.” Folks, in that interval of time the Lord had ascended into Heaven itself [Hebrews 9:24], where He presented His blood to the Father, and also presented to the Father “the firstfruits of them that slept,” all of which were received and accepted by the Father, and then the Lord returned to earth to meet the two Mary’s. Glory to God!

Folks, it certainly appears that Christ and the “firstfruit” saints were standing before the Father’s throne in Heaven that morning at the very same time that the Jewish priest was standing in the Temple waving the “firstfruits” barley offering before a veil that was standing wide open [Mark 15:38], clearly signifying that the way into Heaven itself was now open for all who will believe, Hebrews 10:19-20. Remember that the Scriptures explicitly state that this offering was “to be accepted for you.” Folks, it is the blood of our risen Christ that makes the truly repentant believer “accepted” by the Heavenly Father, Ephesians 1:3-7. Glory! Praise the Lord! Hallelujah! Glory to God! “Let every thing that hath breath praise the Lord.” Psalm 150:6.

Folks, there are two things here I want you to notice. First, it is obvious that the “wave offering” of the “firstfruits” of the “omer” of barley on “the morrow after the sabbath” following Passover clearly foreshadowed the resurrection of Christ and those “firstfruits” saints who came out of their graves after His resurrection. Second, this observance marked the beginning of the barley harvest.

Now let’s look at the other Jewish Festival…..

The Festival of Harvest

This Jewish Festival is known today as “Pentecost.” It is referred to in the Scriptures as “the feast of harvest,” Exodus 23:16, and also as “the feast of weeks,” Exodus 34:22; Deuteronomy 16:10; 16:16; 2 Chronicles 8:13. It is the only other Jewish Festival during the course of the Jewish year where a “wave offering” taken from the barley harvest was presented to the Lord. Didn’t we just see that the “wave offering” of the barley foreshadowed the resurrection and rapture of Christ and the “firstfruits” of God’s people? Then what do you think the second “wave offering” of barley foreshadows? Well..??

The instructions for the observance of Pentecost are recorded in Leviticus 23:15-21. The word “Pentecost” simply means “fifty.” This is because the “wave offering” on Pentecost came fifty days after the “firstfruits” wave offering on “the morrow after the sabbath” following Passover. Both “wave offerings” were regarded as “firstfruits” to the Lord, Leviticus 23:17; 23:20. .

On this “appointed festival” two loaves of barley bread were to be brought “out of your habitations” [homes] to the priest, Leviticus 23:17. The priest would take these two loaves of barley bread into the Tabernacle [or Temple], and standing before the veil would “wave” them before the Lord, just as he had “waved” the “omer” of barley 50 days previously. What does this foreshadow? Let’s see…..

The Waving of the Loaves

These two barley loaves had been baked “with leaven,” Leviticus 23:17. This is the only place in all of God’s Word where the Jewish people were explicitly told to use “leaven.” In God’s Word “leaven” is a type of sin. It never typifies anything but sin in God’s Word, Matthew 13:33; 1 Corinthians 5:6-8. Because leaven typifies sin, the Jews were explicitly forbidden from using “leaven” in all of their offerings to the Lord, except this one. Why this exception?

This exception was made because, just as the “omer” of barley typified the Lord and the “firstfruit” saints, these loaves also typify God’s people. In what way? Folks, true believers are now saints who were once sinners. The only people the Lord saves are sinners. The Lord doesn’t save so-called “good people” [Ecclesiastes 7:20; Romans 3:23]. He only saves men and women, boys and girls, who realize and confess that they are “dead in trespasses and sins,” Ephesians 2:1; 2:8-9. Then, having believed His Word and repented, the Holy Spirit comes into the repentant believer’s body and takes up His abode, John 14:16-17. And, just as the fire in the Jewish ovens baked the leaven out of those loaves of barley bread, so the fire of God’s Holy Spirit [which was given on Pentecost] bakes the SIN out of the life of the truly repentant believer. Glory! Glory to God! Praise the Lord!

These two loaves of barley bread then served two purposes.

First, they signified the end of the barley harvest which had been harvested over the past 50 days. Note this well!

Second, just as the “waving” of the “omer” of barley clearly foreshadowed the resurrection and rapture of the Lord Jesus Christ and the saints who came out of their graves after His resurrection, so the “waving” of these two barley loaves foreshadows the resurrection and rapture of God’s people [true believers] saved during this present Dispensation of Grace. Folks, the barley harvest is a type of the Dispensation of Grace. Just as the two barley loaves “waved before the Lord” at Pentecost signified the end of the barley harvest, so they also foreshadowed the end of “the fullness of the Gentiles” [Romans 11:25], and therefore the resurrection and rapture of “the dead in Christ” and “the living in Christ.” There are your two loaves! See John 11:25-26 and 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18.

Now let’s examine some additional proof in God’s Word of what I am presenting, 1 Thessalonians 5:21.

Ruth…..The Gentile Bride

Any serious Bible student knows that Ruth is a type of the Gentile bride of Christ, and that Boaz is a type of Christ. The entire Book of Ruth is filled with Scriptures teaching these truths. Study it for yourself.

When Ruth [the Gentile] returned to the land of Israel with Naomi [the Jewess] “….. they came to Bethlehem in the beginning of the barley harvest,” Ruth 1:22. This gives us the time period involved in this account. The real story of Ruth began on or near Passover and the observance of “firstfruits.”

How and when does the story set forth in the Book of Ruth end? It ends with Ruth’s espousal [and subsequent marriage] to Boaz “in the threshing floor” of Boaz, where Boaz “winnoweth barley,” Ruth 3:2. Folks, that is exactly what the Lord is doing today. He is separating the barley from the chaff [true believers from mere “religionists”] in preparation for the marriage. Glory to God! Hallelujah!

After the espousal had been made on or near the end of the barley harvest [Pentecost], Boaz placed “six measures of barley” on the shoulders of Ruth, and “she went into the city.” Could the six measures of barley be a type of the saved during the 6000 years of human history? 2 Peter 3:8. Could her going “into the city” foreshadow our entering into the New Jerusalem? Folks, Ruth is a type of the Gentile bride of Christ; the Lord’s church, Acts 20:28; 2 Corinthians 11:2. Christ is coming after His bride just as He promised [John 14:1-3], and “they that are Christ’s” shall be “caught up…..to meet the Lord in the air,” 1 Corinthians 15:23; 1 Thessalonians 4:16-18. When? On Pentecost!

The Samaritan Woman

In John 4 the Lord met the Samaritan woman at the well of Jacob [the well of living water]. The Samaritan woman was looked down upon by the Jews, for they considered her to be a “goyim;” a Gentile dog. The Lord revealed Himself to this Gentile woman as the promised Messiah of Israel and the great “I AM.” [Check the actual way John 4:26 is worded in the Greek text].

The Samaritan woman then went into the city and proclaimed, “Come, see a Man, which told me all things that ever I did: is not this the Christ?” Folks, this is exactly what the Lord’s church has been doing the past 2,000 years; inviting the lost world to come to Christ. Some readers may object to using this adulterous woman as a type of the Lord’s church. I suggest that before you become too “self-righteous and holy” you ought to read Paul’s inspired statement to the church in 1 Corinthians 6:9-11. When a repentant sinner is “justified,” they become as spiritually pure as if they had never known sin. Sure this woman had previously had five husbands and was living in open sin with a man right then, but has it ever occurred to some of you that Ruth wasn’t a “virgin” either. She also had been previously married. Yet she is a wonderful type of the pure, virtuous Gentile bride of Christ. So is the Samaritan woman. Glory to God! Praise the Lord!

Now notice that the Lord’s disciples came on the scene and urged the Lord to eat. The Lord’s reply in John 4:34-36 is so enlightening.

“…..My meat [food] is to do the will of Him who sent Me, and to finish His work.

Say not ye, There are yet four months, and then cometh the harvest? behold, I say unto you, Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest.

And he that reapeth receiveth wages, and gathereth fruit unto life eternal: that both He that soweth and he that reapeth may rejoice together.”

Folks, Christ Himself is the “sower” who began sowing the seed at the beginning of the harvest season. He said so Himself in Matthew 13:37. He is also the “reaper” who brings the harvest to an end. That is exactly what He is stating in John 4:34. He is the One who will “finish the work” that He began. Praise the Lord!

But when is the work to be finished? Folks, it is exactly four months between the Festival of Pentecost and the Festival of Tabernacles. Count it for yourself. So it is obvious that the Lord met the Samaritan woman at Jacob’s well on the day of Pentecost. Folks, the Festival of Tabernacles is the celebration of all the completed harvests [barley…wheat…grape] at the end of the year. But there, on the day of Pentecost, the Lord explicitly told His disciples, “DO NOT SAY…..There are yet four months, and then cometh the harvest….” The Lord told His disciples the harvest was ready right then and was being reaped that day. What day? The day of Pentecost!

Folks, the Lord is coming to resurrect and rapture His New Testament saints to glory at the end of the barley harvest on the day of Pentecost. Glory! Praise the Lord! Hallelujah!

But what about…..

Rosh Ha-Shanah

“That is the day the trumpets are blown, and the rapture is clearly associated with the blowing of a trumpet, so it must be the day the rapture will occur. Right?”

Wrong! Wrong! Wrong! If God’s people would seriously get into God’s Word, they would find that the trumpets were blown on every Jewish holy day. Read it for yourself. The inspired instructions for making and using the trumpets are given in Numbers 10:1-10. Verse 10 explicitly states, “Also in the day of your gladness, and in your solemn days, and in the beginnings of your months, ye shall blow with the trumpets over your burnt offerings, and over the sacrifices of your peace offerings; that they may be to you for a memorial before your God: I am the Lord your God.”

Folks, the trumpets were blown on every day of significance to the Jewish people throughout their whole year. If all you have to connect Rosh Ha-Shanah with the resurrection and rapture of God’s people is the blowing of trumpets, then you have nothing.

Further, Rosh Ha-Shanah is not one of the three Jewish Festivals. Habakkuk 2:3 explicitly states “For still the vision [of the Lord’s coming for His people] is for the appointed festival…” Folks, the Lord is not going to violate His own Word. The resurrection and rapture of God’s people is going to occur on one of the three Jewish Festival during the course of Israel’s year. Rosh Ha-Shanah is not a festival!

Again, Rosh Ha-Shanah comes in the end of the year just 15 days before the Jewish Festival of Tabernacles. Tabernacles comes four months after Pentecost. The Lord explicitly told His disciples, “DO NOT SAY, there are yet four months…” until the harvest. Are you one of the Lord’s disciples? Are you listening to Him?
The Rosh Ha-Shanah theory just doesn’t stand up to the testing of God’s Word. I might add that it makes no difference who is teaching the theory. That won’t alter the truth of God’s Word one iota. Almighty God is not a respecter of persons.

The Significance

Folks, the Day of Pentecost this year falls June 8th, however it actually begins at sundown on June 7th in Israel. What are the significance of these dates?

On June 7, 1967 the Holy Temple Mount and the city of Jerusalem were returned to their rightful owners during the Six Day War. That is the “date” when the tender branch of the fig tree put forth leaves, Matthew 24:32. The Lord Himself said, “So likewise ye, when ye shall see all these things, know that it is near, even at the doors,” Matthew 24:33. June 7, 1967 is the “date” when the forty year “generation” began, Matthew 24:34. Therefore on June 7, 2007 the fortieth year arrived. However, Israel is still in the 40th year until June 7, 2008. The 41st year will begin on June 8, 2008. What day is that? It is the Day of Pentecost. Is all of this just coincidence? Or is Almighty God trying to tell His people WHEN He is coming?

I am also told that Pentecost marks the 33rd counting of the “omer.” Thirty-three is the Bible number for “promise.” Is this just another coincidence? Some 2,000 years ago the Lord Jesus Christ promised His disciples, “And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto Myself; that where I am, there ye may be also,” John 14:3. Folks, the Lord always keeps His Word, and on this coming Pentecost, June 7th – 8th, you will see that for yourself. Glory! Praise the Lord!

“But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief,” 1 Thessalonians 5:4. Do you believe this Scripture? Do you really believe this Scripture? If you do, then you better get with God’s program. Our Lord is coming!

Conclusion

Folks, this truth is so simple that I now realize that the Lord has tried to show me this truth previously, and I was so dense I stumbled right over it.

The “feast of firstfruits” marked the beginning of the barley harvest, and foreshadowed the resurrection and rapture of “Christ [and] the firstfruits…,” 1 Corinthians 15:23.

The “feast of harvest” [Pentecost] marked the end of the barley harvest, and foreshadows the resurrection and rapture of all New Testament believers. Glory!

Isn’t that simple? Such a simple truth that God’s people have been stumbling right over it for centuries…

It truly is an amazing thing if we are that close to our going home to be with the Lord forever, always to be with Him. No matter how it all plays out, we know that He promised to return for His Church, He promised to prepare a place for us [John 14:2-3] there where He is and He has never let us down. He said to watch, look up and love His coming, so I urge you to do just that. Be prepared:

Luke 12:45 “But if that servant say in his hear, My Lord delayeth His coming; and shall begin to beat the menservants and maidens, and to eat and drink, and to be drunken;

Luke 12:46 “The Lord of that servant will come in a day when he looketh not for Him, and at an hour when he is not aware, and will cut him in sunder, and will appoint him his portion with the unbelievers.”

Luke 12:47 “And that servant, which knew his Lord’s will, and prepared not himself, neither did according to His will, shall be beaten with many stripes.

So, prepare yourself to meet your God because whether He comes while you live or not, you will meet Him.

Mark Biltz Responds To Criticism

truthoughts — Tue, 20 May 2008 05:52:18 +0000

With all of the controversy from the video I have posted, I would like to share an excerpt from Mark Biltz website:

For my previous posts please visit: Jewish Feasts of the Lord also Feasts of the Lord Part II and for the combined version… Jewish Feasts and Holy Days

Stipulating Eclipse Comments
By Pastor Mark Biltz

“[…] Remember when Messiah said the gates of hell will not prevail against the church! Gates
are a defensive piece of armory, not offensive! The church has been terrified of being
attacked by gates?! The truth here is that the gates are trying to keep people in captivity
and the church is supposed to storm the gates of hell and rescue the people held cap-
tive! The truth is that Satan and his minions are terrified of us! It’s time to storm them
and that’s my heart. Be Blessed!

I hope you enjoyed listening to the song above and now watch the video. May you
be inspired to join me as we Wake, Watch and go to Work! Pass this on to other
Warriors! We need to quit squabbling over the dating of the rapture and unite to the
Work! Keep this going, time is short, and the battle is near!”

There is a lot more that he said, but I would like for you to visit his site to see for yourself. The excerpt that I am sharing here is one that we should all be able to relate to in the Church. There should be no controversy with this. I found his words very insightful and inspiring and I hope that you will as well. Please do give it a read and if you have any questions about what he teaches, please ask him. Pastor Mark Biltz is the perfect source to find out what he, himself, means with what he states.

In this content that he has written, it also states his clarifications of what others may be misunderstanding about the controversial video interview he had with Prophecy In The News. For your researching desires, this is a great place to start.

This video has caused quite a stir amongst those in the church and those leering in for multiple reasons. For some, it has been an encouraging wake up call, for others, it has been an alarming siren that they just want to silence. It reminds me of the comparison of Jesus being the corner stone and a stumbling block.

If you have not seen the video, please check it out:

Part I Part II