Part 4 - Riddles, Enigmas & Eosteric Imagery of Revelation

Sunday, April 20, 2014

 

 

 

When we were last together we began our quest to find out "who is the Antichrist?" The word Antichrist is not found in the book of Revelation, but the theory of a future Antichrist was purported in the Scofield Reference Bible published in 1909, and adopted by the seminaries of America soon after. I believe we debunked the theory proposed by some pastors, influenced by this doctrine in their seminary education, that Benito Mussolini was the Antichrist.

 

I don't know Cyrus Scofield's motive for introducing this false end-time doctrine, but I do know that he was a lawyer...hmmm...does that tell us anything? He had to resign his position as U.S. District Attorney in Kansas, suspected of taking bribes. Later he was jailed on forgery charges. He abandoned his two children, refusing them financial support - admitting that he drank too much alcohol.

 

Mr. Scofield gleaned his end-time doctrine from the writings of an itinerant preacher from Britain - John Darby. Many eschatologists in Europe are amazed that Americans so easily accepted the newfangled doctrine of Mr. Darby, whom they had rejected as a false teacher. Did I mention that Mr. Darby was a lawyer, too?

 

In the last fifty years, the market has been flooded with books and movies interpreting the visions of Revelation with scary images of monsters, or human beings with large numbers stamped on their foreheads and forearms. These authors and movie producers believe that most of the Revelation and Daniel have not come to pass as yet. This means that their published works are interpreting prophecy of scripture, which the Apostle Peter said is not for private interpretation. If they disobey this admonition, how accurate can they be?

 

I can answer that question - they will be as accurate as you will be if you try to predict the events in your own future. This seems like a common sense deduction to me, but apparently not for ninety-nine percent of the Christian community, who bet their lives on their favorite end-time speculative doctrine, and call anyone else heretical that may have a different viewpoint.

 

How incensed would you be if I told you that most of the prophecy of the Revelation has already come to pass, while some are in the process of fulfillment? Early Biblical historians have documented - names, dates, places - for their fulfillment. I know this may be a new, even radical concept to you, so I hope you don't delete my blog before your curiosity is peaked. Why not check out what these historians have to say about the Revelation - you have nothing to lose.

 

Since this study will take some time to reveal all the proof that I have to offer, let me give you a teaser. Did you know that Martin Luther proved that he experienced the fulfillment of Revelation chapters 13, 17, and 18? Not only in his extensive writings, but also in his drawings, Martin Luther revealed that he personally knew the "man of sin" depicted in II Thessalonians 2:3. Yes, prophecy of scripture is understood in its fulfillment. 

 

Why have modern end-time scholars simply disregarded the proof that Martin Luther provided to the generations that would follow him? I will answer that question - it doesn't fit into Mr. Scofield's and Mr. Darby's narrative of some scary Antichrist who will take over the world someday.

 

If we believed the historical documentation of Martin Luther, we would also have to believe that Daniel's seventy-week vision has also been fulfilled - by 70 A.D. The historian Flavius Josephus has already proven it has been fulfilled, all 70 weeks, and I will supply you that documentation.

 

So where did this doctrine of some future Antichrist originate? Actually it originated in Martin Luther's time. Stay tuned...

 

God's sheep question the doctrines of men...sheeple follow without question...

 

 





Part 3 - Riddles, Enigmas & Esoteric Imagery of Revelation

Sunday, April 13, 2014

 

 

When we were last together, I promised that we would delve into to the history that provided the modern end-time doctrine of all mainline denominations - the one you hear on radio and television programs.  While it will take more than one blog, I will begin today, while also explaining one of the enigmas in the doctrine.

 

Have you ever heard of Francisco de Ribera, John Darby, Margaret MacDonald, or Cyrus Scofield? If not, I will acquaint you with these players, who provided the script for the modern end-time doctrine that many of you have embraced without question, because your spiritual leadership has told you that this doctrine is the truth.

 

In 1909, Cyrus Scofield published a reference Bible with his personal end-time philosophy, at the prestigious Oxford University Press in London. He gleaned his modernistic ideas from the writings of  the other three people mentioned above, professing that most of the visions in the Revelation had not come to pass. Historians refute this claim. His commentary interpreted Bible prophecy and set up a strategic outline for future events to come to pass.

 

Why did the seminaries and Bible school teachers in America quickly embrace and adopt into their curriculum, his fanciful, scripturally unfounded interpretations of Bible prophecy? Did they know anything about the personal life of this self-proclaimed prophet of the future? Did he have any Christian fruits in his lifestyle, or did the Bible scholars of the 20th century even bother to find out?

 

They did not bother to find out, they simply swallowed his newfangled ideas without question. I was perplexed at their lack of inquiry into Mr. Scofield's character, before they adopted his eschatology. But to have a new and bright idea with which to capture the attention of their waning national flock, probably was one reason the scholars grasped hold of a doctrine that could not be supported by biblical historians, but was mysteriously sensational enough to captivate the interest of their followers.

 

ANTICHRIST - An enigma

 

Who is the Antichrist? Do you know? Since the Scofield Reference Bible purported there is coming an evil person called the Antichrist, who will rule the world someday, thousands of books have been written on this subject,  and movies with endless speculations? Did you know that new translations of the Bible have altered portions of scripture to prove this theory? Probably not...but they have. 

 

The Apostle Peter said that no prophecy of scripture is of any private interpretation, for prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit...II Peter 1:20-21. So why do men insist on attempting to interpret Bible prophecy, if prophecy is understood in its fulfillment so we will believe, according to Jesus? John 14:29

 

In the 1930's during Benito Mussolini's totalitarian reign in Italy, a self-appointed cadre of pastors from America, took a long journey to personally meet with him? Why would they do such a thing? This proud group of Bible prophecy interpreters, went there to inform this tyrant that he was the Antichrist of the book of Revelation. Where in the book of Revelation does it call anyone the Antichrist? Apparently these scholars had it all figured out - were they right?

 

A major danger in interpreting prophecy of  scripture - it will mislead the saints of God to follow another voice. Stay tuned...

 

God's sheep question the doctrines of men...sheeple follow without question...

 

 

 

 





Riddles, Enigmas & Esoteric Imagery of Revelation - Part 2

Sunday, April 6, 2014

 

            When we were last together I claimed that you can understand the book of Revelation...and you will by walking the path of a news-hound, nosey for facts, asking a lot of questions that can and will be answered on our quest together.

 

If someone becomes curious about the book of Revelation, whether Christian or non-Christian, the seeker probably checks out any number of Christian television networks, radio programs, or  purchases an end-time book from thousands of choices, to see what they say on the subject.

 

I can guarantee you that all of the Christian television networks, and all of the major Christian radio programs will basically teach the same end-time doctrine. Some authors or teachers have a flare for the dramatic, so put a bit of stylized spin on their teaching, or reveals some Hebrew or Greek meaning for an in-depth presentation, but the end result is the same. When I tune in I ask myself, "Are they clones - does not one of these fine eschatology teachers have an original thought?"

 

My hunger for the truth about end-time matters goes back to about 1973, after I read my first end-time book. I had been devouring the Bible for about a year by the time I read this very popular book. This author had been purported to be a "scholar" so his well researched book was to be accepted as revolutionary truth regarding the end of times. So this new Christian, myself, eager to learn from the  scholars, read his book from cover-to-cover.

 

As I worked my way through the book, I highlighted information that I believed contradicted the scriptures that I had been studying so hungrily. What me...a new Christian...what did I know? How dare I challenge a scholar!! Well, it wasn't with meanness that I verbalized my challenge out loud in my living room, but rather with curiosity, as to how he drew his conclusions, if there was scripture that contradicted his summarization of the matter.

 

I really don't want to be gullible, and so enamored with a Bible teacher or pastor, that I lose perspective. Not one Christian has all truth - only Jesus Christ has all truth. As a researcher of the truth on any subject in the Bible, I want to hear all sides and ideas on the matter - don't you? We must never be close-minded, especially on end-time future events -- because which Bible teacher or author really knows the future? If you said...none of them...you would be correct.

 

Consider yourself - do you know what tomorrow will bring your way? I hope you said...no!! While you may have a skeletal outline of a plan for you life, that's why you go to college or a trade school, but you really do not know what tomorrow will bring to your life.

 

So how do all of the end-time teachers and preachers, sit in these round-table discussions on television and radio, and with absolute assurance lay out future end-time events of the world?  Does that not bother you, at least a little bit? Hmmm...it does me. If they can't even predict tomorrow's events in their own lives, how can they predict future events of the whole world...and with emphatic clarity?

 

Jesus said that we were to watch for the signs of the times - He tells us things in advance, so that when the event comes to pass, we will remember that He told us - and believe.

 

The next time we are together, I will take you back in time, about 100 years, for a little history lesson, that will explain how this modern end-time doctrine, which you hear 24/7 on Christian broadcasting, books, and Internet, originated. Stay tuned...

 

God's sheep question the doctrines of men...sheeple follow without question.

 

 

Riddles, Enigmas, & Esoteric Imagery of Revelation - Part 1

March 30, 2014

When we were last together I said that on my next blog we will begin to study end-time doctrines - the differences between the modern viewpoint and the historical viewpoint on the book of Revelation. This will be an extensive study delving into historical documentation and defining the strange symbolism, idioms, metaphors, riddles, enigmas and esoteric messages. By doing so, the beautiful message in the Revelation will be unveiled.

During this comparison study, I hope you will become a questioner of modern men's religious doctrines, rather than simply accept their opinions without inquiry or challenge. The Apostle John said, "Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God:  because many false prophets are gone out into the world." - I John 4:1.

Can you imagine 2,000 years from now what our descendants may think if they read a book published in 2014, where someone asks the question, "Has a cat got your tongue?" Or, when a theater performer goes on stage, another performer says, "Break a leg." If the future reader tries to literalize either one of these metaphors, they would totally misunderstand the context of the story. We can not literalize a metaphor, or it wouldn't be a metaphor.

The languages of the Bible, specifically Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek are richly laced with metaphors, idioms, and figures of speech. Did you know that the book of Revelation is rife with these riddles, as well as scary imagery? Even numbers have significant meaning.

If I told you that every one of these riddles and enigmas can be explained with clarity and accuracy, revealing the beautiful truths of the Apocalypse -- would your interest be peaked enough to walk with me as I shed illumination on what some would say is impossible to understand?

Let's go back a bit in time - 55 A.D. We can see the Roman Emperor Nero's persecution of the Christians has just begun, where he is hotly pursuing the fledgling church, whom he imprisoned, tortured, and viciously murdered. They did not have an instruction book to explain why they must endure this horrific treatment, so it was urgent that Jesus Christ get a message of hope to them stat.

Jesus spoke in veiled language with extraordinary imagery, because it would be spiritually discerned by the believers, but would prevent their government enemies from understanding God's plans and purposes for His followers. Believe me - you can understand the book of Revelation!

God's sheep question the doctrines of men...sheeple follow without question...

How is Our Name Blotted Out of God's Book of Life?

Sunday, March 23, 2014

When we were last together I left you with the questions, "How can my name be blotted out of God's Book of Life? It isn't easy."

A baby, in the womb or outside, or a small child will go directly to Heaven when he dies because he is not accountable to sin. He cannot as yet make a spiritual decision for himself - for or against Jesus Christ. Even though each human being inherits the original sin of Adam and Eve - separated from God - these little one's are innocent and without guile, so God's hand protects his eternal spirit..

God told Moses, "Whoever has sinned against Me, I will blot out of My Book." What provoked God to say this to Moses? When Moses came down from the mountain where he was receiving instructions from God, he found the Israelites worshiping a pagan god of gold, made by their own hands. Surrendering our allegiance to another god (idol) is grounds for our name to be blotted out of God's Book of Life.

The blood of the lamb preserved the Israelites from the spirit of death that came upon Egypt, thus preserved their names in the Book of Life - yet some chose to return to idolatry and were blotted out. The blood of Jesus Christ preserves a believer's name in the Book of Life - but if he chooses to return to idolatry it can be blotted out.

There are two invisible powers in the universe - God and Satan. The Creator allows each human being to chose whom he will serve. Satan is god of this world and all that it offers. If our allegiance is surrendered to earthly things, and all the benefits, this is idolatry - no different than the golden calf designed by the Israelites long ago - names blotted out of God's Book of Life.

Longing for the fame and fortune offered by the world, coveting all of its grand accoutrements, makes us a friend of the world - thus an enemy of God. We can make a mate, a parent, a child, career, talent, or money another god. When our allegiance is surrendered to another god, this is idolatry - subject to our name being blotted out of God's Book of Life.

The earthly life is very short - 70 maybe 80 years on average. So the question to ourselves should be, "Is it really worth all the toil and sacrifice for things that will eventually rot and return to dust - or for a fleeting moment of applause and acclaim?" Remember, we will never see a U-Haul behind a hearse - so store up treasures in Heaven, where moth or rust cannot corrupt.

The next time we get together we will begin the study the differences between the modern and historical end-time doctrine of the church regarding:  Mark of the Beast - 144,000 - Antichrist - 4 Horsemen of the Apocalypse - Armageddon. What does history and the Bible really reveal about the riddles, enigmas, metaphors, and symbolic imagery in the Revelation prophecy?

God's sheep question the doctrines of men...sheeple follow without question...

Historical vs Modern End Time Doctrine of the Church

The last time we were together I shared how I asked myself, "How did Moses' name get written in the Book of Life - how is a name blotted out of this Book?" If we keep asking God questions, with the sincere desire to know Him better, He will open our eyes to His truth.

In my research of the Bible, all I could find is a name being blotted out of the Book of Life, but nowhere could I find a name being written into the Book of Life the moment someone accepts Jesus Christ as his Savior. Yet, there is a Book of Life in scriptures with names written in it.

How and when did these names get written in the Book of Life? Doesn't this peak your curiosity just a little bit?

"For you formed my inward parts:  you covered me in my mother's womb...Your eyes saw my substance, being yet unformed, and in your book they all were written, the days fashioned for me when as yet there were none of them."...Ps. 139:13 & 16.

When the union of a man and a woman produces the seed of life in the womb of the woman, at that moment, moment of creation, God's plan for the unformed human being is written in God's Book of Life. In this microscopic substance, seed of human life, God's life plan for this human being was fashioned for him, and written into His Book of Life - though he has not lived those days as yet.

This newly conceived human being, a nanosecond old, was so precious to God that his name was immediately written into His Book of Life.  If there is no life at conception, how does this unformed substance develop into a fully formed human being? At conception it's a done deal!
Do you still think it is a blob of tissue as the abortionists purport?

How does a fully formed ear of corn develop if there is no life in the unformed seed? Wow...how hard is that to figure out? Without life resident in the seed, nothing will grow to maturity.

We close today asking, "How can my name be blotted out of God's Book of Life? It isn't easy!!

God's sheep question the doctrines of men...sheeple follow without question...

Historical vs Modern end time doctrine of the Church

January 9, 2014

In my research of the scriptures to find out when my name was written in God's Book of Life, I left you with a question in my last blog, "Do you know the answer?"

Up to this point I was told my name was written in God's Book of Life the moment I accepted Jesus
Christ as my Savior OR when I was baptized with water. Since I could not verify either answer in the Bible, my search continued.

Do you remember what Jesus said to the seventy disciples whom He empowered to heal the sick and cast out demons, when they returned rejoicing about the miracles done by their hand?

Jesus said to them, "In this rejoice not that the spirits are subject to you, but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven...Luke 10:20. These disciples were not "born again" because Jesus had not died or risen from the grave. They were serving the Law of Moses. So how could their names be written in Heaven already? Did you ever ask yourself that question when reading this text?

After Moses came down from Mt. Sinai after communing with God, he saw that the Israelites had been busy making a pagan god of gold to worship. God was ready to destroy them, but Moses pleaded with God to forgive them, but if He wouldn't Moses asked God, "Blot me out of you book which you have written." Exodus 32:31-33

Now, how did Moses' name get written in God's Book of Life? Had Moses accepted Jesus as his Savior - this was several hundred years before Jesus was born. Had Moses participated in a ritual baptism - there was no such ceremony during his time. Now isn't this perplexing.

Not only does Moses know that God has written his name in the Book of Life, his name can be blotted out of God's book. Whoa...this knowledge could possibly unravel someone's theology! How did Moses' name get written in the Book of Life - and how is a name blotted out?


God's sheep question the doctrines of men...sheeple follow without question.