Atheolous

Unfortunatley, not one Churchite sent over an explanation of why Jesus said "heaven" so many times, but "paradise" only once, just before His death and burial. (I was sure Churchite Jimbo from Departout would submit a helpful explanation, but I guess he's got nuttin' honey.)

The penitent thief asked the Lord Jesus to remember him in the future, after their deaths at Calvary.

Lu 23:42 And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom.

The Greek word translated as "remember" in the King James version is "mnaomai" (Strong's #3415). "Mnaomai" is related to the Greek word "mnema" (Strong's #3418) which is translated as "grave", "sepulchre" and "tomb".

Re 11:9 And they of the people and kindreds and tongues and nations shall see their dead bodies three days and an half, and shall not suffer their dead bodies to be put in graves <3418>.

Lu 23:53 And he took it down, and wrapped it in linen, and laid it in a sepulchre <3418> that was hewn in stone, wherein never man before was laid.

Mr 5:5 And always, night and day, he was in the mountains, and in the tombs <3418>, crying, and cutting himself with stones.

Our English word "mnemonic", which is related to these Greek words, is any learning technique that aids memory.

Graves and tombs are not memorials for the living to remember the dead. Did you ever hear the phrase: "One hundred years from now, all new people"? Not one person on earth is able to "remember" anyone who died 100 years ago. We might know about a person who died 100 years ago, but we cannot "remember" that person. Graves and tombs are for the dead who need to be remembered by God. The dead would not need to be remembered by God if their souls were in heaven with Him. The penitent thief knew that he was on his way to his grave, which Jesus referred to as "paradise" when He informed the thief that they would be together that day in death. Folks drop the utopian-sounding name "paradise" all the time, completely oblivious to its true meaning. Paradise is the place where the parabolic rich man spoke to "Father Abraham" when he and Lazarus died and were buried.

Believers need to be remembered by God on resurrection day. Zechariah's name means "Jehovah remembers" or "God will remember".

Ps 103:14 For he knoweth our frame; he remembereth that we are dust.

Ps 88:4 I am counted with them that go down into the pit: I am as a man that hath no strength:

5 Free among the dead, like the slain that lie in the grave, whom thou rememberest no more: and they are cut off from thy hand.

Some Churchites claim that the unsaved are tortured by "the Lamb" in his presence, citing Revelation 14:10. But, as Psalm 88:5 clearly states, they will be forgotten by God. Job pleaded with the Lord to remember him in the grave.

Job 14:13 O that thou wouldest hide me in the grave, that thou wouldest keep me secret, until thy wrath be past, that thou wouldest appoint me a set time, and remember me!

What location is being described in these verses from Chapter 3 of the book of Job?

Job 3:17 There the wicked cease from troubling; and there the weary be at rest.

18 There the prisoners rest together; they hear not the voice of the oppressor.

19 The small and great are there; and the servant is free from his master.

Verses 11 through 16 tell us that the location is the grave.

Job 3:11 ¶ Why died I not from the womb? why did I not give up the ghost when I came out of the belly?

12 Why did the knees prevent me? or why the breasts that I should suck?

13 For now should I have lain still and been quiet, I should have slept: then had I been at rest,

14 With kings and counsellors of the earth, which built desolate places for themselves;

15 Or with princes that had gold, who filled their houses with silver:

16 Or as an hidden untimely birth I had not been; as infants which never saw light.

There, the wicked "CEASE FROM TROUBLING". This is very clear and concise teaching, straight from the Bible - not some deluded "church father".

Sorry, Eternal Torment lovers. It's time to pack up your capes and pitchforks and go home. The Bible defeats your evil schemes!

The believer's soul does not ascend into heaven when the believer dies. The soul dies. Jesus describes death as "sleep" because death is temporary until the resurrection. The entire person in his or her spirit, soul and body is preserved unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

1Th 5:23 And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

The "soul" (Hebrew "nephesh", Strong's #05315) of Ezekiel 18:4 and Ezekiel 18:20:

Eze 18:4 Behold, all souls are mine; as the soul of the father, so also the soul of the son is mine: the soul that sinneth, it shall die.

Eze 18:20 The soul that sinneth, it shall die. The son shall not bear the iniquity of the father, neither shall the father bear the iniquity of the son: the righteousness of the righteous shall be upon him, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon him.

The "soul" of Ezekiel 18:4 and 20 is the "life" of Genesis 9:4-5:

Ge 9:4 But flesh with the life <05315> thereof, which is the blood thereof, shall ye not eat.

Ge 9:5 And surely your blood of your lives <05315> will I require; at the hand of every beast will I require it, and at the hand of man; at the hand of every man’s brother will I require the life <05315> of man.

The "soul" of Ezekiel 18:4 and 20 is also the "life" of Jonah 4:3:

Jon 4:3 Therefore now, O LORD, take, I beseech thee, my life <05315> from me; for it is better for me to die than to live.

The "soul" of Ezekiel 18:4 and 20 is the "body" of Haggai 2:13:

Hag 2:13 Then said Haggai, If one that is unclean by a dead body <05315> touch any of these, shall it be unclean? And the priests answered and said, It shall be unclean.

The "soul" of Ezekiel 18:4 and 20 is the "mind" of Jeremiah 15:1:

Jer 15:1 Then said the LORD unto me, Though Moses and Samuel stood before me, yet my mind <05315> could not be toward this people: cast them out of my sight, and let them go forth.

The "soul" of Ezekiel 18:4 and 20 is the "heart" of Hosea 4:8:

Ho 4:8 They eat up the sin of my people, and they set their heart <05315> on their iniquity.

The "soul" of Ezekiel 18:4 and 20 is the "person" of Ezekiel 33:6:

Eze 33:6 But if the watchman see the sword come, and blow not the trumpet, and the people be not warned; if the sword come, and take any person <05315> from among them, he is taken away in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at the watchman’s hand.

The "soul" of Ezekiel 18:4 and 20 is the "creature" of Leviticus 11:46:

Le 11:46 This is the law of the beasts, and of the fowl, and of every living creature <05315> that moveth in the waters, and of every creature <05315> that creepeth upon the earth:

The "soul" of Ezekiel 18:4 and 20 is "yourselves" in Leviticus 11:44:

Le 11:44 For I am the LORD your God: ye shall therefore sanctify yourselves, and ye shall be holy; for I am holy: neither shall ye defile yourselves <05315> with any manner of creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.

Jesus Christ, the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords;

Who only hath immortality and was the first to rise from the dead because He is preeminent. Christ was the first to rise from the dead.

Ac 26:23 That Christ should suffer, and that he should be the first that should rise from the dead, and should shew light unto the people, and to the Gentiles.

Col 1:18 And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.

Christ FIRST and then they that are Christ's "at his coming" and not one minute sooner:

1 Co 15:20 ¶ But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept.

21 For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead.

22 For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.

23 But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ’s at his coming.

Jesus' many references to "heaven" are recorded in the following verses from the book of Matthew, and also in the books of Mark, Luke and John:

Mt 5:12 Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.

Mt 5:16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

Mt 5:45 That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.

Mt 5:48 Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.

Mt 6:1 Take heed that ye do not your alms before men, to be seen of them: otherwise ye have no reward of your Father which is in heaven.

Mt 6:9 After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.

Mt 6:10 Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.

Mt 6:20 But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:

Mt 7:11 If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?

Mt 7:21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.

Mt 10:32 Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven.

Mt 10:33 But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven.

Mt 12:50 For whosoever shall do the will of my Father which is in heaven, the same is my brother, and sister, and mother.

Mt 16:17 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.

Mt 16:19 And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.

Mt 18:10 Take heed that ye despise not one of these little ones; for I say unto you, That in heaven their angels do always behold the face of my Father which is in heaven.

Mt 18:14 Even so it is not the will of your Father which is in heaven, that one of these little ones should perish.

Mt 18:18 Verily I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.

Mt 18:19 Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven.

Mt 19:21 Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me.

Mt 22:30 For in the resurrection they neither marry, nor are given in marriage, but are as the angels of God in heaven.

Mt 23:9 And call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven.

Mt 24:30 And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.

Mt 28:18 And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.

And yet, there is only ONE (1) lonely reference by Jesus to "paradise" in Luke 23:43.

Lu 23:43 And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise.

Isn't it interesting how so many Unconditional Immortalists in the churches latch onto the one reference Jesus made to "paradise" and claim that it is the identical place as His many references to "heaven"?

The two words, "heaven" and "paradise", are not related at all.

"heaven": "ouranov" in Greek

"pardise": "paradeisos" in Greek

I wonder why the churches' Unconditional Immortalists think that Jesus would suddenly refer to "heaven" as "paradise", but only when He was speaking to the penitent thief on the cross, immediately before their deaths, and three days before Jesus' resurrection. I wish one of the Churchites would explain their reasoning to me. Why did Jesus switch to a completely different name for the very same place?????? I don't get it, but then, I am just a Conditional Immortalist.

A friend commented privately on a past 'Bah-Humbug' blog of mine wherein I compared Christmas to Halloween. And so, I was inspired to seize another opportunity to spread my anti-Christmas message of tears, sorrow and mourning for any Christmas-weary believer who might happen by.

Jas 4:9 Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep: let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to heaviness.

Try to come up with a Christmas carol for that message. James' instruction to his adulterous brethren is as necessary during the month of December as it is during any other time of the year. The plain and boring fact of the matter is, there are no "holy-days" which believers are to either observe or celebrate. Not even one. That is why pastors and Bible teachers are adored by so many followers. They make the Bible much more fun with their traditions which God refers to as "strange fire".

From the Drudge Report/Reuter's: "Pope Decries Faux Christmas":

"Today Christmas has become a commercial celebration, whose bright lights hide the mystery of God's humility, which in turn calls us to humility and simplicity," he said in his homily to about 10,000 people in the basilica and millions more watching on television throughout the world."

http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/12/24/us-christmas-pope-idUSTRE7BN0GG20111224

Here is a tiny crumb of truth from the miserly Pope, but truth is truth, even when it is drowned out by tons of lies. I suppose my adversaries will label me a Campingite-turned-Catholic for saying so, but that's okay. I know that every cult, church and religion relies on some biblical truth in order to gain subscribers. The Pope offered a grain of truth in the above quote, even though his annual Christ-Mass celebrated at St. Peter's in Rome is rife with faux Christmas symbols and traditions. The "mass" itself presents the very same faux-ness which the Pope decries when he targets the holiday's "bright lights". To Mr. Pope Benedict, I say, "masses", "bright lights", "tomato", "tomahto".

I have endured yet another season of tinsel, snowmen, santas, decorated trees, unwanted gifts, overcrowded stores, office parties, Christmas carols, obligatory wishes, etc., and so I'm happy it's over for another eleven months. Each year at this time, I can't help but notice how strong the temptation is to contribute to the man-made revelry that claims the birth of Christ as its "reason for the lunacy". The lure of the sentimentality and romanticism surrounding the month-long holiday can be extremely hard to resist. However, this year, by Christ's strength that is made perfect in my weakness, I held my ground and resisted the urge to partake in the world's delicacies.

It's not easy being captives in this dark world we live in, but God gives strength to His people to remain sober in order to show the light of Christ as our friends and neighbors party hardy. We can quietly excuse ourselves from meaningless celebrations, without being judgmental. The world's "Christmas" reminds me of the unhealthy diet Daniel shunned while in captivity:

Da 1:5 And the king appointed them a daily provision of the king’s meat, and of the wine which he drank: so nourishing them three years, that at the end thereof they might stand before the king.

6 Now among these were of the children of Judah, Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah:

7 Unto whom the prince of the eunuchs gave names: for he gave unto Daniel the name of Belteshazzar; and to Hananiah, of Shadrach; and to Mishael, of Meshach; and to Azariah, of Abednego.

8 ¶ But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king’s meat, nor with the wine which he drank: therefore he requested of the prince of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself.

The latest date prediction comes to us from one of Chris McCann's faithful watchers in T&J message #11250.

T&J MCCANNITE: "One last factor to consider: in the countdown to the new year as the world readies for a night of literal drunkenness and revelry could it be possible that God might have a surprise waiting that the world does not expect such as the end."

What a cool timepath! It fits the end of the world perfectly with the excitement of the seconds winding down, tick, tick, tick, tick...

"5, 4, 3, 2, 1...."

Raptured!

Or, Dead!

The whole world would be watching the clock, completely oblivious to what only the date setters know. But alas, Teacher McCann immediately dashed this terrific idea to smithereens. What a scrooge. Purim is so blah, compared to New Year's Eve.

MCCANN: "The end will not come this Christmas or at the end of 2011. There is nothing in the Bible pointing to these dates. We cannot just pick a time that sounds reasonable to us and establish it as a candidate for Christ's return. God has shown us from His previous workings with the calendar of history that He does things very meticulously."

Amen, Chris. We can't just pick a time that sounds reasonable to us.

SOMEONE, PLEASE MAKE IT STOP! CALL THE MEN IN THE WHITE COATS! THIS CAN'T BE HAPPENING...THESE ARE ADULTS WHO ARE IN CHARGE OF RAISING CHILDREN...SOME OF THEM VOTE... PLEASE! TAKE THEM AWAY FOR GOOD!

Sorry about that. I lost control for a second.

They really still believe they can know. They reject the phrase "date predicting", preferring to call their favorite past-time "watching". They say that "watching" means "look in the Bible", but the only thing they are looking for in the Bible is a date to predict. Their little euphemism looks good on paper, but only until they come up with a new date and no longer need to watch. They are afraid they will be caught by the thief if they don't know the date, but they are so sure they are saved, the thief cannot possibly come until they "watch in the Bible" and a new, progressively revealed date pops into Chris McCann's head. They have no gospel truth, only a man's failed calendar. What are God's "previous workings with the calendar of history" which Chris talks about? It seems to me that God's previous workings with the "calendar of history" were to show us beyond any doubt that Harold Camping's calendar of history is false and that he and every last one of his pathetic followers are seriously lost cultists.

Isn't it just like Tom Golda's sick tormentor-god to motivate the date setters to announce "October 21st" all over the world, only to return at the stroke of midnight on New Years Eve as the celebrants wildly cheer the descending ball in Times Square, wearing their silly 2012 glasses and "Happy New Year" hats? As far as I'm concerned, that timing would be fine with me, but sooner would be better.

Lu 12:40 Be ye therefore ready also: for the Son of man cometh at an hour when ye think not.

Thinking has been banned at the Time & Judgment group, except for false date predictor-teacher Chris McCann.

T&J Message #11235 from Chris McCann to his group on December 21st, 2011 (emphasis mine):

MCCANN: "Dear Time & Judgment, ...The Jews led by Joshua destroyed their enemies and then inhabited the land. But how did they possess the land? By lot. The tribes of Israel were given a possession of land by lot. I think we can see that this identifies with the end of this world (all enemies destroyed) and the inheritance (by lot) of the new heaven and new earth."

T&J Message #11254 from Chris McCann to group member "Greg", on December 22nd, 2011 (emphasis mine):

MCCANN: "Hi Greg, The key words in your note are "I think". You're free to think and do as you wish, but your thoughts (as well as the thoughts of multitudes in the churches) are not the standard for the child of God. The standard remains, 'What does God think'? And His will can only be found in the Bible. And it is in the Bible Yhat we are encouraged to seek understanding on the doctrine of Christ's return as well as any other doctrine."

Tom (The Furious One) Golda writes:

THE FURIOUS ONE: "With so many verses it is clear the Bible does not teach "sleeping and non-existance"

That is true. What the Bible does teach is sleeping and the first death prior to Christ's return and the ressurrection". Since there is a "first" death, mere common sense dictates that a "second" death follows.

A quick look at two plainly stated verses lets us know for sure what is in store:

Mt 9:24 He said unto them, Give place: for the maid is not dead, but sleepeth. And they laughed him to scorn.

Heb 9:27 And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:

FURIOUS ONE: "The annihilationists, like the atheists, want you to think that the fate of the unsaved is the same as the flowers and butterflies....non existance

If that was true, then all these verses quoted can also apply to the flowers and butterflies....that butterflies will weep and gnash of teeth in the lake of fire"

How silly. No one is going to "weep and gnash their teeth in the lake of fire". It is a picture of the message being conveyed. Isn't it interesting how the eternal torment Churchites interpret passages of the Bible literally when it comes to their evil tormentor of a god, the work of church attendance, etc.?

THE FURIOUS ONE: "Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye devour widows' houses, and for a pretence make long prayer: therefore ye shall receive the GREATER DAMNATION." Matthew 23:14

There is no such thing as "greater annihilation." It can't fit. Jesus promised the "scribes and pharisees" a "greater" damnation....degrees of punishment

Just as he warned Israel:

"But I say unto you, That it shall be MORE TOLERABLE for the land of Sodom in the day of judgment, than for thee." Mathew 11:24

Just as He warns teachers:

"My brethren, be not many masters, knowing that we shall receive the GREATER CONDEMNATION." James 3:1

Just as He closes out the Canon:

"For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall ADD unto him the PLAGUES that are written in this book" Revelation 22:18

"Greater" damnation and "greater" condemnation and "more tolerable" and plagues "added" show 100% that judgment and hell is in degrees and you must be conscious to endure those degrees..."

More silliness. Not to mention a lack of punctuation. Condemnation and the adding of plagues is not annihilation. Who ever said it was? Only Mr. Lambsfury, as far as I can tell.

Here is a picture of the "condemnation", which means "judgment" and the adding of the plagues that are written in the Bible:

Mt. 7:22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? 23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.

The event described for us in Matthew 7:22 is not going to be like a job interview that does not lead to a job offer. It is going to be the most terrifying experience the world has ever known. Our minds cannot even imagine it. If we could, we would probably not be able to live out our day to day normal lives. Do you know how a bad experience, in retrospect, feels like it lasted so much longer than its actual duration of time? I suffered a serious pain affliction from September 2010 until September 2011 when I underwent surgery to destroy part of my trigeminal nerve. Looking back now, it's hard to believe that my hardship of enduring unbearable pain and having to rely on drugs lasted only one year. It seems as if it lasted much longer, at least fifteen years. That is pretty much what the condemnation will feel like for those who are not covered by blood of Christ on judgment day. Before they are annihilated for good.

That's all for today. The Furious One can't digest too much truth in one sitting.

If you would like to learn how the spin-off denominational churches started as soon as the apostles were replaced by grievous wolves who entered in, look no further than the below list of new denominations being formed from the Family Radio ministry. We can be sure this is only a partial list, as new denominations will continue to surface with their very own pastors as the disagreements continue without the leadership of Harold Camping and a guaranteed date.

Dedicationists: This denomination believes that Christ will return on either the first or the last day of the Jewish Feast of Lights, more commonly known as Hanukkah (which means "dedication"). It's an eight day feast which begins on the 25th day of the ninth month.

First Woists: This denomination believes that the first woe continues on, indefinitely, beyond October 21. It teaches that, although we should continue to live as though today may be the last day, we really should expect to remain here on earth for a very long time to come, even though salvation did come to an end on May 21.

Floodists: This denomination believes that Christ will return on one of the dates associated with the flood of Noah's day. It breaks down into two sub-denominational categories: one for the date, and one for which calendar to use. With respect to the date, there are Peakists (who believe Christ will return on the 1st day of the tenth month because that's when the tops of the mountains were seen), and there are Shorists (who believe that Christ will return on the 27th day of the second month since that's when Noah and his family went ashore). With respect to the calendar, there are Gregorianists (who believe that God used our current calendar), there are Hebrewists (who believe that God used the Jewish calendar), and there are Thirtyists (who believe that each month of the calendar in use during Noah's day was 30 days long).

Gestationists: This denomination believes that Christ will return on a date which is related to the average length of a human pregnancy which started on May 21.

Indignationists: This denomination believes that we're currently within a period of time during which God is expressing His indignation against people and groups who, though being outside of the churches, are conducting themselves as though they are churches and who believe that certain groups have more “insight” or “see” more in scripture than the next person.

Liberal Peakists: This denomination is a split from the pure Peakists (a sub-denomination of the Floodists). It holds to the same basic tenants as the Peakists except that it's found mathematical relationships which point to December 28 (which, this year, is the 2nd day of the tenth month of the Hebrew calendar) which are sufficiently compelling that they don't seem to care that that date is one day later than is required by the Bible and that is held to by their more fundamentalist fathers.

Manifestationists: This denomination believes that there are two stages to salvation. God first plants the seed of His Gospel in the heart of a person, then, after that seed has grown for a while, the person finally shows evidence of his salvation. It believes that a person has only become truly saved when the evidence of his salvation can be observed by others.

Purimists: This denomination believes that Christ will return on one of the days of the two-day battled associated with the Feast of Purim, which would be either the 14th or the 15th day of the twelfth month.

Salvationists: This denomination believes that salvation has fully resumed again, for an unknown length of time, as of October 21.

Seventh Month Adventists: This denomination believes that time was suspended on October 21, the 23rd day of the seventh month. No matter how much time is actually left, the official date forever remains October 21. Christ, therefore, will return on October 21 for sure.

The body of Christ does not "go to" church. They "are" the church.

Eph 4:11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; 12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:

A lot of church folk claim that Ephesians 4:12 means that believers are required to attend local churches in order to be perfected by the offices listed in Ephesians 4:11. That is not what my Bible teaches me.

How can the body of Christ be perfected and edified by some pastor in a local church today? Only certain, isolated members of Christ's body could be edified by a local pastor, but only if that pastor spoke the pure words of Christ, the way the apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers who were divinely appointed to their offices communicated Christ's pure words.

Let's take each office one by one.

1. Apostles

There were twelve apostles and they are all dead. A few other names were notable "among the apostles". No apostle can be found in any local church denomination today. The apostles were sent out from Christ into the world. Grievous wolves had infected the churches very early on by pretending to be apostles.

Re 2:2 I know thy works, and thy labour, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them which are evil: and thou hast tried them which say they are apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars:

This same lying problem has spread into every church denomination.

2. Prophets

There are prophets in the churches today, but they are Baal's prophets, not God's. The actual prophets of God were sent to God's people and spoke His words that were recorded for every believer, right in our own Bibles. That is how we can know without a doubt that the churches' prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers are liars.

Jas 5:10 Take, my brethren, the prophets, who have spoken in the name of the Lord, for an example of suffering affliction, and of patience.

What other men do believers need for an "example of suffering affliction and of patience" besides the men who were appointed to record God's word? Most, if not all, church pastors and teachers today are enjoying the high life and have no idea what "suffering affliction" means.

3. Evangelists

Who did Paul tell to do the work of an evangelist? Timothy. Paul also told Timothy to salute Prisca and Aquila and the household of Onesiphorus.

2Ti 4:5 But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry

Of course, believers who read the intimate message from Paul to Timothy and the churches are to glean spiritual meaning for their own walks. We may attempt to do the work of an evangelist, like Timothy, but we cannot salute Prisca, Aquila or the household of Onesiphorus.

Philip was also an evangelist.

Ac 21:8 And the next day we that were of Paul’s company departed, and came unto Caesarea: and we entered into the house of Philip the evangelist, which was one of the seven; and abode with him.

Would you like to hear from an evangelist? No need to go to a church. Here is a word from Philip, the evangelist:

Ac 8:37 And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.

4. Pastors

You say you need a pastor in a local denomination? That is not what the Bible says believers need. The Bible says we need Christ, the Shepherd (Pastor).

Jesus taught that he who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep.

Jn 10:2 But he that entereth in by the door is the shepherd of the sheep.

He also taught that "any man" who enters in by the door (Christ) are, like Christ, Himself, shepherds of the sheep.

Jn 10:9 I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.

You say you need a pastor? Here He is.

Heb 13:20 Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant,

1Pe 2:25 For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls.

Be edified all you want. Just read your precious Bible. No need to go to a local church [INSERT DENOMINATION HERE]. Just return to the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls. Remember, any time anybody starts to say to you that "you must ____________", run for the hills and do not look back!

5. Teachers

Who is the believer's Teacher?

Mt 11:1 And it came to pass, when Jesus had made an end of commanding his twelve disciples, he departed thence to teach and to preach in their cities.

There were always false teachers, right from the start.

Mt 15:9 But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.

So which teacher should we be learning from? Christ, alone, or some sin-laden "reverend"? Paul was a teacher, as well as a preacher and an apostle. Is Paul not enough for you? Do you need a man in a pulpit twisting Paul's words to shreds in order to promote his despicable church doctrine? Why is Paul not enough? Or Peter? Or James? Or John? Perhaps you are simply addicted to the lies of men.

2Ti 1:11 Whereunto I am appointed a preacher, and an apostle, and a teacher of the Gentiles.

The message of Hebrews 5:12 was sent to the Hebrew believers when the body of Christ was in its infancy.

Heb 5:12 For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat.

These letters which we have for our inspiration and encouragement were sent to certain people whom Paul and the other apostles actually knew. We are edified by them when we read them. Churchites constantly warn that we should not over-spiritualize, but that is exactly what they do when they imagine that today's church pastors are referenced in Paul's letters.

Churchites who quote men like John Calvin to promote the "admirable and divine work" of men are the fanatical proud ones, not those who understand that the private reading of the holy Scriptures is the only external ministry we ever need. Paul never taught that God's divine work of perfecting and edifying the body of Christ is the work of men. God forbid. At least, that kind of God-dishonoring message is not in my Bible.

1Jo 2:27 But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him.

Lu 16:29 Abraham saith unto him, They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them.

Joh 5:39 Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.

Joh 5:39 Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.

2Ti 3:15 And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.

2Ti 3:16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:

~~Campingite~~ McCannite Gary Higgins is getting embarrassed by his group's visibility in the world. He and others are working on a new date prediction, but after a dozen or so failed over the past two months, it got a little embarrassing. Damage control is needed for the future.

HIGGINS: "I do not believe it is wise to declare another date at this time openly so all can hear."

If the Campingites can test new dates, then why can't the rest of us? Even if we are doubters, can't we even have the opportunity to say our good-byes before they are raptured and leave the rest of us behind? I don't like surprises.

HIGGINS: "I can see what the scoffers are doing. They are putting what some are saying on these sites concerning another date and going to other scoffers mocking and scoffing and slandering these dates that come and go."

Guilty as charged! I have shared news about new dates that are currently being tested by the Campingites. Not only that. I also never congratulated them as I should have for proclaiming May 21st as the rapture and start of five months of hellish torment on earth before the final destruction of the world on October 21st of this year (now referred to simply as "judgment day"). I should have given them their well-deserved props, but I didn't. What a terrible scoffer I am. How could I scoff and slander Gary's dates that come and go?

HIGGINS: "Now this I know is par for the course but the fact is, we do not have to give them fuel for the fire so to speak. When we openly set up another date we should be very careful because others are just waiting to use this as an attack on the cause of Christ."

An attack on the cause of Christ? How about an attack on the rebellious, ungodly practice of date setting? Where exactly does the Bible teach that new, progressive-type revelations are to remain with only a certain group of men? Harold Camping never taught such an idea. I distinctly recall that Mr. Camping declared that it was his duty as a faithful Bible teacher to openly reveal whatever God had progressively revealed to him. I do not believe Gary has biblical support for his privacy campaign in order to avoid further embarrassment. Did Paul huddle in underground caves before preaching the gospel message that was given to him? Of course not. Neither did he have to first test out the gospel that was given to him. Paul went into the cities and synogogues and openly declared the gospel of Christ to everyone as soon as it was given to him.

HIGGINS: "We reflect the Lord we are lights in the world when we come up almost every other week with a new date we lose all credibility..."

Gary seems to think that he and his fellow date-setters have credibility. There is no way to be "lights in the world" while in hiding. Gary cites passages now like Jeremiah 8:13-14 and Isaiah 26:20-21 to try to support his idea that new date predictions are a private matter between him and those who have more or less departed out of Family Radio, the Latter Rain group and the Friday Night group. Let's see. I believe I count a grand total of three Family Radio denominations so far. The McCannites went way too far to return to Camping's new ongoing salvation program, along with the rest of the churches. They are now stuck with the very unpleasant task of coming up with a new date guarantee from scattered shards of a broken Timeline of the History of the World.

Gary's verses for remaining hush-hush:

Je 8:13 ¶ I will surely consume them, saith the LORD: there shall be no grapes on the vine, nor figs on the fig tree, and the leaf shall fade; and the things that I have given them shall pass away from them.

14 Why do we sit still? assemble yourselves, and let us enter into the defenced cities, and let us be silent there: for the LORD our God hath put us to silence, and given us water of gall to drink, because we have sinned against the LORD.

Is 26:20 ¶ Come, my people, enter thou into thy chambers, and shut thy doors about thee: hide thyself as it were for a little moment, until the indignation be overpast.

21 For, behold, the LORD cometh out of his place to punish the inhabitants of the earth for their iniquity: the earth also shall disclose her blood, and shall no more cover her slain.

Wait a minute. I thought these passages applied to Camping's infamous period of "silence in heaven", when he claimed that no one was saved between 1988 and 1994. (Excuse me. Make that "virtually no one", so that those who believe they were saved during that period will not get their feathers ruffled.) Do you see how history has to keep repeating itself with this bunch?

I now see that I was wrong to suggest in my previous post that Chris McCann's latest Esther study is a diversion from the date setting. McCann's Esther studies are out in the open for all to see, and they are apparently laying serious groundwork for Chris' belief that we are currently in the final five month period before the end of time. We know that any number that Chris talks about is literal in his mind, so it's fairly easy to figure out that the new date he is testing like a mad scientist is sometime in March of 2012. As usual, others in his group have different ideas that will buy more time until May and beyond. Backup dates will come in handy.

HIGGINS: "...this is why some have been discouraged and dropped out because they see this is not right."

Gary's cover-up spin is that discouraged post-October 21st folks dropped out of their ranks on account of new date predictions leaking out of their group. Gary can't imagine that some folks could have dropped out because they realized that they were scammed. Or, he just doesn't want to suggest such a scenario. Isn't belief in the Timeline Gary's litmus test for being a faithful believer? If so, then he ought to say 'Good riddance' to those who dropped out, supposedly because of unbelief.

HIGGINS: "I believe May 21, was judgment day, the grapes on the vine and the figs on the tree shall fade"

Ps 57:4 My soul is among lions: and I lie even among them that are set on fire, even the sons of men, whose teeth are spears and arrows, and their tongue a sharp sword.

HIGGINS: "Psalm 23 this is a wonderful picture of heaven. Let us wait on the Lord and be of good courage and He will strengthen thy heart wait I say on the Lord, Psalm 37:1-8".

Nice verses. Unfortunately, none of Gary's references mention working out an exclusive date prediction while waiting silently on the Lord.

They can't fade too much, in my humble opinion.

New dates are now being tested by Family Radio's newly formed 'no-salvation" denomination headed by Chris McCann of EBiblefellowship. Chris has been de-throned by Family Radio, but in spite of his disenfranchisement, he seems to maintain a friendly relationship with the ministry. Who knows? Chris may just be on vacation from Family Radio until Camping approves of the new date his elves are working on. Today, almost two months after his latest end of the world prediction, Chris McCann has taken up residence in his underground bunker lab to work on a brand new date.

Pastor Chris has gotten himself into a real pickle. He preached vehemently on "no more salvation" as soon as his ailing master came out with his hastily-devised cover-up after the predicted May 21st rapture date came and went. Now, McMann, whose goal was to pastor a church, is left holding a very smelly bag of "no more salvation". This is a huge problem for any pastor without a date prediction at the ready. My womanly intuition tells me that Chris feels he can no longer be the mouthpiece for Harold Camping's ministry that keeps pulling the rug out from under him almost as soon as it is laid down. However, the duplicitous, sheep herding Chris McCann still promotes Family Radio in his Yahoo group, even as Family Radio now implements a whole new plan that very much includes the promise of ongoing salvation for the world.

Chris McCann's Yahoo home page states:

"This group continues to support the teaching of the longtime faithful Bible ministry "Family Radio" and its president Mr. Harold Camping. Although EBiblefellowship's "Discerning Time & Judgment" group has no affiliation with Family Radio we encourage everyone to visit: Familyradio.com or find your local Family Radio station to listen to."

Oh, really? Chris McCann now claims that all elect have become saved. Family Radio now claims that salvation is still in progress. This is no minor difference of opinion. There is probably no greater doctrinal question to divide any group, and yet, Chris continues to align himself with Family Radio. If Family Radio is "faithful" as Chris states in his welcome message, then that faithfulness must certainly include their new 'continuing salvation' message.

The new date prediction Chris and his lab rats are working on is based on another rapture date, followed by another five months before the final end of the world. The question is, will the date prediction be announced publicly, outside of their underground network, or will it remain top-secret among the shamed calendar worshipers? The topic du jour at Chris' public Yahoo group is the book of Esther, but no discussions concerning new dates are showing up. I get the uneasy feeling that poor Esther is being used as a wag-the-dog type of diversion to provide Chris' congregants with busy-work while the new date is being prepared. The new date prediction remains a private matter between the self-appointed pastors/teachers of EBF, at least until it gets a final nod of approval from Chris and/or Harold Camping. They and their followers simply must know the date, and so, until the Lord actually does return, they will continue to predict new dates as soon as each one assumes its place in history. This is how the Campingites and McCannites waste away their dysfunctional, Christ-less lives. But, at least they have each other.

Family Radio Board Member, Tom Evans, prepared a little "Oops" speech for the ministry's listeners. First, Tom highlights Jonah's ministry in Nineveh in this excerpt:

EVANS: "The Bible gives us the example of the prophet Jonah, and God’s command to preach to Nineveh the message that they would be destroyed in 40 days. Jonah had no idea that God would not destroy Nineveh, or that He would have compassion on those people. There is serious evidence in the Bible that many of them were saved, because God says in Jonah 3:10: “And God saw their works, that they turned from their evil way; and God repented of the evil, that He had said that He would do unto them; and He did it not.

Therefore He did not destroy them. Jonah was very disgruntled by God’s apparent change of plans. In truth, God did not tell him the whole story. God’s purpose was for Jonah to bring the message of God’s judgment, but He did not tell him what the outcome would be. In the same way, we believe God used Family Radio for the purpose of getting the message of the coming judgment out to the whole world. Many of you participated in that important task of warning the world.

In the same way that God destroyed the whole world with the flood 7000 years ago, God will definitely destroy the whole world again on the last day. The whole world has been warned. But we are still here, and our task continues to be to proclaim God’s Word. In Matthew 28 Christ gave His believers the command to preach the Gospel to the whole world. That command has not been rescinded anywhere in the Bible. We know that Christ tells us to “occupy” until He comes."

The outcome of Jonah's ministry in Nineveh was not at all similar to the outcome of Family Radio's May 21st warning to the world. The outcome of Jonah's mission was the repentance of the entire city of Nineveh "from the greatest of them even to the least of them". Since Family Radio warned most of the world about the May and October dates, wherever they brought their message is their "Nineveh". The Family Radio circus caravan came here to New York City, so shouldn't all New Yorkers, including Mayor Bloomberg, have repented and turned to Christ by now? I hear reports about all kinds of sin, wickedness and evil continuing full speed ahead all over the world. Where on earth did the citizens of any city, state or country repent the way the Ninevites repented? God did not have compassion on the Ninevites for no reason. He lifted the sentence of destruction because the Ninevites repented.

Tom Evans claims that Family Radio's mission was accomplished exactly as God wanted it to be accomplished. History has been rewritten and the message that was preached by Family Radio's Campingites is now another message altogether. The Family Radio message we all heard loud and clear was that on May 21st the entire world would be shaken by a great earthquake. All dead bodies would be spewed onto the earth. The elect were to be raptured and saved from the carnage, but all the unsaved would be left to endure utter anguish and torment for the next five months. On October 21st, the earth would be completely destroyed. That was the very distinct and guaranteed warning that went out of Family Radio into the world.

The Family Radio "May 21st" message has now turned into a warning that the world will someday end the same way it ended for the inhabitants of the earth in Noah's day.

Remember the post-May 21st "shame" Harold Camping warned us about night after night on his Closed Open Forum program? As it turns out, the shame is on everyone associated with Family Radio today. Not only shame, but also fear. The Campingites' fear comes from not knowing the date of the rapture/end of the world. Believers of the Camping Timeline were promised the light of Christ if they adopted the dates May 21st and October 21st, 2011 as their creed. Until Chris McCann picks up the slack and announces the New and Improved Date, the Campingites remain in the darkness which they believe rules all those who are ignorant of "the date".

1Th 5:4 But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief.

By the way, I was wondering, since May 21st is supposed to be such an important date that was faithfully proclaimed by Family Radio, then why don't we hear that hair-raising May 21st anthem on Family Radio anymore?

Oh well. That's all I can say. Only God's word can properly address the ineffable disgrace that is known as "Family Stations, Inc."

Ps 52:2 Thy tongue deviseth mischiefs; like a sharp razor, working deceitfully.

3 Thou lovest evil more than good; and lying rather than to speak righteousness. Selah

The McCampingites are still going strong in their never-ending, merry-go-round of delusions. Chris Mcann hosted a packed house of date seekers on Sunday and offered what he believes is calendar encouragement from Hebrews 10:36-37:

Heb 10:36 For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise.

37 For yet a little while, and he that shall come will come, and will not tarry.

I tuned into the program to find out if the McCannites are sticking to their post-October 21st "no salvation" message, but that wasn't Sunday's topic. The present message, at least until a new date is officially declared, is "patience" - for a new date. What else? Did you expect to hear about a sound biblical teaching from Chris McCann? McCann can't hang on too long with only "patience" messages. The pressure is on to get the calendar craze going again.

Chris explained to his fan club that the "will of God" in Hebrews 10:36 refers to the Mc-Campingites' recent efforts to proclaim May 21st, 2011 as the deadline for getting right with God. The "promise", according to McCann, is his soon-to-be announced new date.

For those of us who, by God's grace, are only observers of the Mc-Campingites, the "will of God" is whatever is recorded for us in the Bible. The "promise" is the promise of our salvation when we are glorified at His return.

And so, the Great Scam-ping Commission continues until the new "official" date is announced and passes and then another new "official" date is announced and passes, etc., ad nauseum. I could be wrong but I believe the new date may be.........

March 7th, 2012..........or..........May 19th, 2012. December 27th of this year is also being bandied about, but that date is much too soon. There is not enough time to test that one out thoroughly in order to build up the excitement. The later, the better, in order to get the most enjoyment out of it. I think they should invest in a date five or six years out. Close enough to get excited over, but distant enough to have a lot of fun searching for - and finding - all those terrrific time paths. Pick a date. Any date. You know you can find dozens, nay, scores of connections and mind-blowing, guaranteeable proofs.

Patience is a good message. A new date is not.

Ps 37:7 ¶ Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for him: fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way, because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass.

Wait patiently for the LORD - not a new date. Fret not thyself because of Chris Mcann.

This is for my old friend, Campingite, Darrell Lockridge. Darrell believes that the Campingites are the two witnesses who "stand upon their feet" after three and a half days of being killed. Darrell believes the two witnesses (i.e., the Campingties) are resurrected from their dead state to continue to proclaim the gospel. Yes, that is what Darrell believes, even though Revelation 11:7 clearly states that the two witnesses had finished their testimony. (There goes God confusing things again.) Darrell, in Latter Rain group message #52877 writes:

DARRELL: "Family Radio also needs to purge doctrines which teach that the two witnesses are dead. The Bible is clear that the two witnesses will "stand upon their feet" proclaiming the gospel until they are raptured at the end of the world."

Here are the two verses Darrell cites to prove his case. Please read them carefully. I will highlight the phrases emphasized by Darrell.

Rev 11:11* And after three days and an half the Spirit of life from God entered into them, and they stood upon their feet; and great fear fell upon them which saw them.12* And they heard a great voice from heaven saying unto them, Come up hither. And they ascended up to heaven in a cloud; and their enemies beheld them.

Acts 26:16* But rise, and stand upon thy feet: for I have appeared unto thee for this purpose, to make thee a minister and a witness both of these things which thou hast seen, and of those things in the which I will appear unto thee; 17* Delivering thee from the people, and from the Gentiles, unto whom now I send thee, 18* To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me.

This kind of teaching is typical from Darrell who is desperate to get his old show back on the road again.

Here is the chain of events from Revelation 11:11:

1. The two witnesses are dead for three and a half days;

2. They stand upon their feet;

3. They are seen by others;

4. They hear a great voice from heaven;

5. They are told to "come up hither" (to heaven);

6. They ascend up to heaven in a cloud.

Where is the proclaiming of the gospel? Do you see it? Me neither. That's because it's not in Revelation 11 at all. But it is in Darrell's mind, and he would like us to see it with him in Revelation 11:11 and Acts 26:16, combined.

I am not very interested in whether or not God is still saving today. I don't feel it's any of my business to know whether or not the completion of the believers' testimony has been already been fulfilled. However, I do know from my own experience that most people I know are completely uninterested in the gospel truth and I find no opportunities to share that truth. Neither am I ever approached by those who would seek to share Christ with me. There is a deafening silence in my particular ghetto when it comes to Christ and His salvation. Bibles are kept all the way in the back of the bookstores stores, on the bottom shelves. Every year they are harder to find. Whatever happens in my ghetto will soon be coming to your ghetto. I am also unable to subject myself to the churches' many perversions of God's word. I am content to leave it at that as I continue to endure, knowing that the sanctification of the believers goes on, regardless of the timing of the two witnesses' death. I believe that there are some things I really don't need to know. If I ever do need to know these things, God will prompt me to ask Him for understanding.

In Revelation 11, John is describing his vision of two witnesses who represent the elect. When the two witnesses are overcome and killed, that is a very final act. Their death ends, rather than pauses, their lives. The only step that can possibly follow death is resurrection. Make no mistake. There will be a resurrection at the end of time when all men will stand before the Judge of the whole earth to be judged. That is what Revelation 11:11 is about.

Apparently, Darrell doesn't care much about Zechariah 14:12 as he makes his pitch for on-going salvation by the work of the Campingites. Zechariah 14:12, with the same phrase, "stand upon thy feet", exposes Darrell's false conclusion.

Zec 14:12 And this shall be the plague wherewith the LORD will smite all the people that have fought against Jerusalem; Their flesh shall consume away while they stand upon their feet, and their eyes shall consume away in their holes, and their tongue shall consume away in their mouth.

If, as Darrell suggests, we are to compare Revelation 11:11 with Acts 26:16, then why not also with Zechariah 14:12? Are the Darrellites planning to spread the gospel to save souls with their flesh consumed away, their eyes consumed away in their holes and their tongues consumed away in their mouths? Eeek! I don't think I would want to accept a tract from them in that condition. In fact, I think I'm sure I would run away and call 911.

The phrase "stand upon thy feet", like every phrase in the Bible, must be interpreted in light of the context of its passage. In Revelation 11, the two witnesses are raised from death. Immediately after being resurrected, they are raptured. There is no proclaiming of the gospel in view at all. Their testimony was proclaimed for a "thousand years" and then it was "finished". In Acts 26, Paul had fallen down onto the earth and the Lord told him to stand up on his feet to do His work. His fall was not death.

Here is another example of "stand upon feet", from Ezekiel 37 which Darrell ignored.

Ez 37:10 So I prophesied as he commanded me, and the breath came into them, and they lived, and stood up upon their feet, an exceeding great army.

11 Then he said unto me, Son of man, these bones are the whole house of Israel: behold, they say, Our bones are dried, and our hope is lost: we are cut off for our parts.

The prophesies about the "dry bones" is a very interesting study which I have posted about here in the past. For now, I would like to highlight the fact that when the bones in Ezekiel 37:10-11 (with flesh, sinews and skin, but no breath) stood upon their feet, they stood with dried bones and lost hope. They cried that they were "cut off" for their parts. Does that sound anything at all like power being given to them to proclaim the gospel?

Darrell is a very good teacher - for the still un-found lost sheep in the Family Radio cult. They will open their LR message #52877 and applaud and cheer. They will send Darrell their "amens" for being such a great leader. Now they can get back to playing church, right alongside the Churchites. But what is their new message that will draw folks away from the churches and into their cult? They used to have a Bible calendar, but now they only their marred reputations. They will need something good to compete with the Churchites' comfy [INSERT DENOMINATION HERE] church homes, free-will gospels, social networks and pot luck lunches.

A certain spiritual midget debates my beliefs that are amply supported by scripture by telling others that I live in a "ghetto".

Ouch.

After giving this novel idea much thought, I decided that this is very true on the spiritual level, if not the physical level. First, a definition of "ghetto" from Wikipedia:

"A ghetto is a section of a city predominantly occupied by a group who live there, especially because of social, economic, or legal issues. The term was originally used in Venice to describe the area where Jews were compelled to live. The term now refers to an overcrowded urban area often associated with specific ethnic or racial populations living below the poverty line. From a statistical perspective, are typically high crime areas relative to other parts of the city."

What an apt description of the extremely tiny community of believers living in this world at any given time. All believers are ghetto dwellers whilst enduring the hardships of life in the wilderness that is called "the world".

The first ghetto we read about in the Bible is Goshen, a district of approximately 900 square miles, north of Thebes in Egypt where Jacob and his family were granted permission to settle during Joseph's rule as prime minister during a famine in Canaan (Gen. 46). Their fortunes eventually fell with the overthrow of the Hyksos kings. That is when Goshen became the world's first ghetto. The Hebrews descended into slavery, as "there arose up a new king over Egypt, which knew not Joseph."

Ex 1:8 Now there arose up a new king over Egypt, which knew not Joseph.

Ac 7:17 ¶ But when the time of the promise drew nigh, which God had sworn to Abraham, the people grew and multiplied in Egypt,

18 Till another king arose, which knew not Joseph.

Put on your spiritual thinking cap. Who does Joseph represent, spiritually? Who does the king who 'knew not Joseph' represent, spiritually?

Ac 7:19 The same dealt subtilly with our kindred, and evil entreated our fathers, so that they cast out their young children, to the end they might not live.

I see the same subtle dealings by the "king" of my own ghetto. Who does Moses represent, spiritually?

Ac 7:20 In which time Moses was born, and was exceeding fair, and nourished up in his father’s house three months:

Always look for the spiritual meaning, even when others are attempting to hatefully slander you.

The questions then become, Is this ghetto I live in my home? While I dwell here in this ghetto, is it my reality? Negative and negative.

Ever hear of "strangers" and "sojourners"?

Ex 22:21 Thou shalt neither vex a stranger, nor oppress him: for ye were strangers in the land of Egypt.

What beautiful verses that show us how to view our temporary abodes here in this corrupted world!

1Ch 29:15 For we are strangers before thee, and sojourners, as were all our fathers: our days on the earth are as a shadow, and there is none abiding.

Those whose lives, homes, storehouses and churches are firmly planted in this world are carnal men and women who know not the Lord Jesus Christ. They look askance at those who appear on the surface to lack goodly apparel and iPads. Their worldly church covens are filled with the world's wickedest thieves, waiting in the shadows for new members to check out and rob. If they are deemed to be equally worldly, they will be accepted as part of the club on "New Member Sunday".

Jas 2:2 For if there come unto your assembly a man with a gold ring, in goodly apparel, and there come in also a poor man in vile raiment;

3 And ye have respect to him that weareth the gay clothing, and say unto him, Sit thou here in a good place; and say to the poor, Stand thou there, or sit here under my footstool:

4 Are ye not then partial in yourselves, and are become judges of evil thoughts?

5 Hearken, my beloved brethren, Hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him?

Try to find a local [INSERT DENOMINATION HERE] church somewhere that is solidly in line with the apostles' pure doctrine (I mean, all doctrines, not just the ones on your list) before the grievous wolves entered in. You will never find one. What you will find are carnal respecters of persons who will ask you where you hang your hat, your Body Mass Index, your profession, your net worth and your gender - not what you believe about the Bible and why.

My ghetto is my ghetto. It is not my home.

Heb 11:13 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.

D'oh! I erred in my previous post when I stated that "God is the pillar and ground of truth" - again. After I shared that idea, I remembered that I recently received correction on it, but then I forgot the correction and lapsed back into the wrong idea. This is not what some would call being "tossed to and fro" with every wind of doctrine, but rather the need to reinforce correction after so much error has been reinforced.

I was listening to one of Harold Camping's teachings on Family Radio on Sunday which was rudely sandwiched in between the music and Bible readings I had been enjoying. When Camping's teaching program came on, I got into listening to him carefully outlining his anti-churches message. After referring to 1st Timothy 3:15, Camping backed up his idea that the 'pillar and ground of truth' is God, rather than the 'church of the living God', with 1st Corinthians 3:11:

1Ti 3:15 But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.

1Co 3:11 For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.

As I was listening to the lesson while in transit, it occurred to me that 1st Corinthians 3:11 provided adequate support for Camping's point. But, I also made a mental note to check it out further. I began to think more about the words "pillar", "ground" and "foundation" and it occurred to me that "foundation" is not a synonym for either "pillar" or "ground". I reviewed 1st Timothy 3:15 again and realized that the subject of the verse is 'how to behave' in a certain place (whether physical or spiritual).

In his argument, Mr. Camping gave an explanation of how the original Greek supports his view. He said something about the word "being" in there somewhere, but it didn't make sense to me.

The phrase "house of God" is defined as the "church of the living God". God's house, or church, has a pillar, a ground and also a foundation. God's house is made up of Jesus Christ and His body of chosen believers.

Twelve Pillars & Tribes

Ex 24:4 And Moses wrote all the words of the LORD, and rose up early in the morning, and builded an altar under the hill, and twelve pillars, according to the twelve tribes of Israel.

"Good Ground"

Mt 13:8 But other fell into good ground, and brought forth fruit, some an hundredfold, some sixtyfold, some thirtyfold.

All elect believers are part of God's spiritual house, or church, and we are to "behave" ourselves accordingly therein. The word "behave" means "abide". In the case of 1st Timothy 3:15, that is what all believers everywhere do, whether in a local denominational church congregation or isolated at home or in a cave.

While Mr. Camping and his departed-out Campsters cannot legitimately cite 1st Timothy 3:15 in their end-of-church age argument, neither can the Churchers cite 1st Timothy 3:15 for their "join up" with a local denomination argument.

"Behave" in (Strong's #390)

Mt 17:22 And while they abode <390> in Galilee, Jesus said unto them, The Son of man shall be betrayed into the hands of men:

The word "behave" ("anastrepho") is also translated as "live".

Heb 13:18 Pray for us: for we trust we have a good conscience, in all things willing to live <390> honestly.

All believers in every age and in every place are to behave or "live honestly" in "all things", not just in Sunday-go-to-meeting things.

1Pe 1:17 And if ye call on the Father, who without respect of persons judgeth according to every man’s work, pass <390> the time of your sojourning [here] in fear.

Yesterday I spotted an ad for the Marble Collegiate Church in my city. The Marble Church has a rich history which began in 1628 when it was formed as The Collegiate Reformed Protestant Church. I checked their website when I got home and found the three-steps necessary for membership in this church, which is currently part of the Reformed Church of America.

Are you ready to make a commitment for Christ? He is waiting for you to decide. All you need to do is start the three-step process next Sunday. God, in His graciousness, has made it very easy for you to say, 'Today I have become a member of the body of Christ'.

'Three Easy Steps' from the Marble Church website:

1. Speak to a membership person and fill out a membership form.

Following Sunday worship, Membership team members can be found in the Welcome Center in Peale Parlor located in the hallway directly behind the Chancel, please stop by and sign up this Sunday.

3. Attend a two-part Orientation Session*.

This session is held in two parts on the first Sunday of every other month. There is a pre-worship session prior to the 11am worship service followed by a buffet lunch and program immediately following the service. These sessions provide an opportunity for you to learn more about Marble Church - what it means to be a member, the people, the programs and outreach - and to meet the ministers, church staff and other new members. There is a suggested donation of $8 for the buffet lunch.

3. Be present on New Member Sunday when you will be welcomed into membership.

New Members are received several times a year during the 11am worship service.* Baptism is administered during this same service for those requiring it.

Easy, right? The Buffet Lunch is part of the membership process, for the low price of just eight bucks. How can you say no to such an easy and affordable deal?

All sarcasm aside, the above steps are for any club. Please don't tell me there are other faithful churches. In every church denomination, the day you join on "New Member Sunday", you will be considered a member of Christ's church. This general understanding, alone, makes every one of the many wannabe pillars and grounds of truth 100% apostate.

God is the pillar and ground of truth. Not Marble Church or any other denominational church. It is impossible to "join" Christ's true church and it is equally impossible to gather in person with Christ's true church.

Churchite Bruno Kolberg of the FRL group shared a link to his copyrighted study of the symbolic two witnesses, two olive trees and two candlesticks.

http://www.redatedkings.com/download/NightVis5.pdf

Mr. Kolberg introduces his study by expressing his hope that it will foster discussion. That is also my hope. He then asserts right at the get-go that the "temple" is the New Testament church. He cites only Zechariah's fifth night vision for his wild conclusion, when God assures Zechariah that the rebuilding of the temple would be rebuilt. The premise with Churchites is always that "two" refers to two halves of Christ's one elect body, Old and New Testament churches. That is patently false. And you can copyright that all the way to the bank.

For Churchites, "the gospel meaning" is "most relevant here", but when they refer to "the gospel meaning", they usually mean the New Testament, their main source of truth. Little do they know that "the gospel" is also recorded for us in the Old Testament. If you want to see where the Good News of Jesus' birth, death and resurrection is and where His judgments and salvation is from the vantage point of the Old Testament, just ask me and I will help you locate them. The Old Testament is the promise of Grace and the New Testament is the fulfillment of Grace. It's all the same gospel (Good News) of Christ's salvation program for His elect.

I see no connection at all between the two witnesses, olive trees and candlesticks with the New Testament [INSERT DENOMINATION HERE] church. I do see a connection, however to the entire body of Christ, or the eternal, invisible church of Christ.

The two witnesses (aka "the twelve") were sent forth with power "by two and two".

Mr 6:7 And he called unto him the twelve, and began to send them forth by two and two; and gave them power over unclean spirits;

They were sent forth into the world, not into a local New Testament denominational congregations!

Mr 6:10 And he said unto them, In what place soever ye enter into an house, there abide till ye depart from that place.

Lu 9:6 And they departed, and went through the towns, preaching the gospel, and healing every where.

Php 2:15 That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world;

Mr 16:15 And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.

Churchites are able to discuss the prophesying of the two witnesses (aka olive trees and candlesticks), but they stop reading when Revelation 11 gets to the part about their demise for "three and a half days". These two witnesses are not in heaven, and yet, their testimony has ceased. Like it or not, they have been overcome and killed.

Kolberg cites Revelation 12:6 to support his assertion that the term of prophesying for the era of the faithful New Testament [INSERT DENOMINATION HERE] church is typified by 1,260 days.

Re 12:6 And the woman fled into the wilderness, where she hath a place prepared of God, that they should feed her there a thousand two hundred and threescore days.

I would ask Mr. Kolberg to explain the 1,260 days in relation to the 1,290 days.

I would also ask Mr. Kolberg, could not the "woman" of Revelation 12:6 who flees into the wilderness be typifying the children of Israel who made up the "church in the wilderness" (Acts 7:38)?

Churchites are only able to discuss the "power" of the two witnesses, but never the loss of that power by being overcome and killed for a period of time, typified by "three and a half-days" in Revelation 11:11. They never talk about Revelation 11:7-14 because they insist that their New Testament [INSERT DENOMINATION HERE] church era continues right up to the last day.

It's so easy for Churchites to cite Revelation 11:3-4:

Re 11:3-4 And I will give power unto my two witnesses, and they shall prophesy a thousand two hundred and threescore days, clothed in sackcloth. These are the two olive trees, and the two candlesticks standing before the God of the earth.

But it's not so easy for Churchites to continue through the rest of the chapter.

Re 11:7 And when they shall have finished their testimony, the beast that ascendeth out of the bottomless pit shall make war against them, and shall overcome them, and kill them.

What is the two witnesses' "prophecy" (Rev. 11:6)? It is the spirit of their testimony which is eventually finished (Rev. 11:7) for three days and an half.

Here are the words "prophesy" from Rev. 11:6 and "testimony" from 11:7:

Re 19:10 And I fell at his feet to worship him. And he said unto me, See thou do it not: I am thy fellowservant, and of thy brethren that have the testimony <3141> of Jesus: worship God: for the testimony <3141> of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy <4394>.

The two witnesses' prophesy or testimony comes to an end for a period of time before the return of Christ, but Churchites can't handle this truth. Between dividing the entire body of Christ up into two separate halves and claiming that the testimony of the two witnesses continues up to the last day, they are creating a whole new, twisted version of God's truth.

The body of Christ is one body, made up of many members, dead and alive. There is no such thing as an "Old Testament church" and a "New Testament [INSERT DENOMINATION HERE] church. Anyone who does not understand the crucial message of "many members are ONE BODY" should not be allowed to publish Bible studies. I just searched for the phrase "many members one body" and came up with the following verses.

Ro 12:4 For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office:

Ro 12:5 So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another.

1Co 12:12 For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ.

1Co 12:20 But now are they many members, yet but one body.

Mr. Kolberg's concluding idea that that the olive trees on the right and left sides of the bowl in Zechariah 4:3 "possibly" represents the positioning of the Old and New Testaments on either side of Pentecost is also based on his false idea that the body of Christ is divided in two parts.

Zec 4:3 And two olive trees by it, one upon the right side of the bowl, and the other upon the left side thereof.

I believe that God repeats catch-phrases throughout the Bible in the same way that false prophets use catch phrases to promote their false gospels. Harold Camping had a few dozen catch phrases that helped to brainwash his followers. We learn God's truth the same way, by repeatedly reading or hearing His familiar words and phrases. They either fit together like a puzzle, or we are left with puzzle pieces that are for another puzzle altogether.

Where do we hear the phrase "on the right and on the left"? Think! I know you know the answer! Are you thinking about the Old and New Testament [INSERT DENOMINATION HERE] churches right now? If so, then you are holding the wrong puzzle piece! Try these verses on for size, to see how "right and left" refers to the believers who are always many members in one body:

Mr 10:37 They said unto him, Grant unto us that we may sit, one on thy right hand, and the other on thy left hand, in thy glory.

Mr 10:40 But to sit on my right hand and on my left hand is not mine to give; but it shall be given to them for whom it is prepared.

The answer to the question, 'who or what do the olive trees represent'? is found in Zechariah 4:11-14. There is nothing recorded there about two separate bodies of believers.

Ze 4:11 ¶ Then answered I, and said unto him, What are these two olive trees upon the right side of the candlestick and upon the left side thereof?

12 And I answered again, and said unto him, What be these two olive branches which through the two golden pipes empty the golden oil out of themselves?
13 And he answered me and said, Knowest thou not what these be? And I said, No, my lord.
14 Then said he, These are the two anointed ones, that stand by the Lord of the whole earth.

Where do we hear a very similar question asked to learn the identity of the elect?

Re 7:13 ¶ And one of the elders answered, saying unto me, What are these which are arrayed in white robes? and whence came they?
14 And I said unto him, Sir, thou knowest. And he said to me, These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.

Contrary to the false teaching of Harold Camping, those who come out of great tribulation is the entire body of Christ - not a separate body of believers. It's interesting that John, who came long after Zechariah, was told "Sir, thou knowest", while Zechariah did not know.

The Old and New Testaments always compliment each other beautifully. They are not two separate stories. Jesus was teaching His disciples, which includes His entire elect body of believers. We are all given what is prepared for us.

Mt 20:23 And he saith unto them, Ye shall drink indeed of my cup, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with: but to sit on my right hand, and on my left, is not mine to give, but it shall be given to them for whom it is prepared of my Father.

Here is another example. The number 153 in John 21:11 will always seem very mysterious if we try to apply it to a timeline.

Joh 21:11 Simon Peter went up, and drew the net to land full of great fishes, an hundred and fifty and three: and for all there were so many, yet was not the net broken.

However, if we let our minds simply remember where we have heard that phrase before, we might recall passages such as Mark 6:40's "by hundreds, and by fifties":

Mr 6:40 And they sat down in ranks, by hundreds, and by fifties.

These were the people who came to Jesus when the disciples wanted to send them away and have Him all for themselves. But Jesus had compassion on them and fed all the people. Many more than the literal twelve needed to hear the gospel. What a simple solution, but much too simple for those who must twist the gospel into a timeline. The 153 fish caught in the net were never meant to be turned into days.

Bruno Kolberg is viewed as a kind of pope in the FRL group and so his study will most likely stand as the last word on the question of the two witnesses, olive trees and candlesticks. I believe that is because he wrote and published some books, including one or two to highlight the many flaws of Harold Camping's timeline. I will bet my bottom dollar that there will be no discussions on Kolberg's study amongst the FRL members, but rather, only applause and cheers - or silence. 'Why', you ask? Because, Kolberg's study preserves the New Testament [INSERT DENOMINATION HERE] literal churches without ever mentioning the end of the testimony of the two witnesses for a period of time before the return of Christ.

Here's the problem. Being that Churchites all believe they belong to "still faithful" [INSERT DENOMINATION HERE] churches whose foundations are satan-inspired traditions of men, they cannot possibly see how the testimony of the two witnesses could ever be finished. Mr. Kolberg's study on the two witnesses, olive trees and candlesticks may contain some valid points concerning typology, but his basic premise about the physical churches is seriously flawed.

Atheolous

Thursday, December 29, 2011

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Tuesday, December 27, 2011

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Sunday, December 25, 2011

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Thursday, December 22, 2011

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Tuesday, December 20, 2011

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Sunday, December 18, 2011

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Saturday, December 17, 2011

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Friday, December 16, 2011

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Wednesday, December 14, 2011

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Tuesday, December 13, 2011

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Sunday, December 11, 2011

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Saturday, December 10, 2011

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Tuesday, December 06, 2011

The Pillar And Ground of Truth

Monday, December 05, 2011

Church Membership: Three Easy Steps

Saturday, December 03, 2011

Bruno Kolberg's Two Witnesses, Olive Trees & Candlesticks