Tue, Jul 16th - 7:48PM
EXPOSING FALSE TEACHING
THE BOOK OF SIGNS
Dr. David Jeremiah
Dr. David Jeremiah, author, pastor and host of the television program Turning Point makes a number of false statements in his book - THE BOOK OF SIGNS. He writes: "The Rapture is the event in which all who have put their trust in Jesus Christ will be suddenly caught up from the earth and taken to heaven by Him. It is set to occur at an unspecified time in the future. ... I believe there will be two stages to the second coming of Christ. First, he will come suddenly in the air to snatch up His own. This is the Rapture, the "catching up" of the church, which will occur at the beginning of the Tribulation that is coming upon the earth" (pp. 155 - 156).
Dr. Luke tells us that Jesus must remain in heaven until the time comes for God to restore everything. He writes: He must remain in heaven until the time comes for God to restore everything, as he promised long ago through his holy prophets" (Acts 3: 21). The apostle Peter informs us that God will restore everything on the day of judgment by creating a new heaven and a new earth. He recorded: "But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, the home of righteousness" (2 Pet. 3: 13).
The conclusion is that Jesus will remain in heaven until the day of judgment; proving that the second coming and the coming down from heaven for the rapture are the same event (Matt. 25: 31 - 32; 1 Thess. 4: 16 - 17; Heb. 9: 27 - 28).
Our Lord Jesus Christ taught that he will raise up those that the Father has given to him at the last day (John 6: 39 - 40). He also taught that he will raise up all the dead at the same time (John 5: 28 - 29), making the last day the time of the general resurrection.
The conclusion is that the rapture will take place at the last day (see Matt. 24: 29 - 31; Rev. 11: 18).
The apostle Paul taught that the coming of the Lord and the rapture will happen on the day of the Lord. He informed us that two things must happen before the day of the Lord comes. 1) There will be a rebellion against God 2) The man of lawlessness (the Antichrist) will be revealed. The apostle cautioned the Thessalonians that they should not allow anyone to fool them, "Now, dear brothers and sisters, let us clarify some things about the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and how we will be gathered to meet him. Don't be so easily shaken or alarmed by those who say that the day of the Lord has already begun. Don't believe them, even if they claim to have had a spiritual vision, a revelation, or a letter supposedly from us. Don't be fooled by what they say. For that day will not come until there is a great rebellion against God and the man of lawlessness is revealed - the one who brings destruction" (2 Thess. 2: 1 - 3; NLT). The apostle Peter recorded the following: I would like you to remember the words spoken by the holy prophets and the command given by our Lord through his apostles. You must understand that in the end times people will come doubting. They will follow their evil desires. They will question about the coming that our Lord promised. ... By the same word the heavens and earth are kept to be destroyed by fire on the day of judgment. On that day ungodly men will be destroyed. ... The day of the Lord will come unexpectedly like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a loud noise. The elements will be destroyed by fire. The earth and everything in it will become bare (2 Pet. 3: 2 - 4, 7, 10).
The apostle Peter showed that the day of the Lord is the day of judgment, proving that the second coming and the coming down from heaven for the rapture are the same event.
Dr. Jeremiah writes: "The Millennium is a literal period of a thousand years, which is scheduled for the future and will begin when Jesus come again at the end of history to set up His earthly kingdom" (p. 366). Since eternity will commence on the day of judgment at the coming of Jesus (Matt. 25: 31 - 32, 46), therefore the thousand years recorded in Revelation 20: 1 - 7 cannot follow the second coming as some teach.
The thousand years must precede the second coming since time and eternity cannot coexist. The events of the end times are presented in the following diagram. The calculation shows that our Lord ministered for three and a half years.
Are the thousand years literal? The thousand years are not literal. They are symbolic and cover an extended period of time. Are both thousand years of the same duration (Rev. 20: 2; Rev. 20: 4)? Both thousand years are of the same duration, since the calculation of the length of our Lord's ministry shows that our Lord ministered for three and a half years and the length of the tribulation will be three and a half years (Dan. 7: 25; Rev. 13; 5 - 8). When did the thousand years begin? In the case of Satan, the thousand years began at the commencement of our Lord's ministry (Rev. 20: 2; Matt. 12: 29), and they will end when he is set free for a short time (Rev. 12: 12; Rev. 20: 3). Regarding our Lord, the thousand years began at his ascension (Rev. 20: 4; Acts 1: 9 - 11) and they will end when he comes again (Matt. 25: 31; 1 Cor. 15: 22 - 23; 1 Thess. 4: 16 - 17; 2 Thess. 1: 6 - 10; Heb. 9: 27 - 28; 1 Pet. 4: 4 - 5; 2 Pet. 3: 7 - 10; Titus 2: 13).
THE MILLENNIAL REIGN
Since our Lord is reigning now (1 Cor. 15: 25 - 26), and since he will commence his eternal reign after he judges all nations (Matt. 25: 31 - 32, 46; Rev. 11: 15 - 18), therefore his present reign must be his millennial. The millennial reign is now in progress. It is in heaven. Our Lord is reigning with his saints, those in heaven (Rev. 6: 9 - 11) and those on earth (John 14: 20; Col. 3: 1 - 3).
A NEW HEAVEN AND A NEW EARTH The apostle John was given the privilege of seeing what lies in the future. He saw a new heaven and a new earth. He saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem descending from heaven. It was beautiful. He heard a voice from the throne which said: “Now the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them. … There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.’ …. But the cowardly, the unbelieving, the vile, the murderers, the sexually immoral, those who practice magic arts, the idolaters and all liars - their place will be in the fiery lake of burning sulfur. This is the second death" (Rev. 21: 1 - 4, 8).
CONCLUSION
Dr. Jeremiah's teaching of a pretribulation rapture, a two-stage second coming and a literal thousand-year reign of our Lord on the earth is not only unscriptural but also Satanic. He rejects the teaching of our Lord Jesus Christ, his apostles as well as that of Dr. Luke.
In his teaching on the end times, Dr. Charles F. Stanley taught the same concepts that Dr. David Jeremiah teaches.
NOTE: (italic - mine) blue - scriptural quotation red - author's concept purple - emphasis
Unless otherwise indicated, all "Scripture taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. Copyright c 1973, 1978, 1984 International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Bible Publishers."
Scripture quotation is taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright c 1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
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Tue, May 14th - 5:42PM
WHO ARE THE CHOSEN PEOPLE UNDER THE NEW COVENANT? LEMA 'AN ZION Gabriel A. Goldberg, one of three authors of the newsletter from the above named ministry in Israel writes: “If God’s covenant with Israel would end and the Jewish people would no longer be His Chosen People, human existence would end. The universe as we know it would end” ( "Hashivah" The Return Vol. XLVI, Number 4, 2023-5784, p. 4). His assertion is not supported by Scripture. God promised Israel that she would remain a nation until the end of the age (Jer. 31: 36). He did not promise her that she would remain his chosen people until the end of the age. In fact, God promised Israel that he would make a new covenant with her. "The time is coming," declares the Lord, "when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah" (Jer. 31: 31). THE NEW COVENANT The new covenant was put into effect through the precious blood of our Savior/ Messiah and LORD, Jesus Christ. Although God through the prophet Jeremiah, announced the new covenant to the people of Israel and the people of Judah (Jer. 31: 31), Scripture asserts that the new covenant is for the world. "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life" (John 3: 16). Under the first covenant, the Israelites were God's chosen people (Exod. 19: 5-6; Psalm 33: 12), but under the new covenant, believers, both Jews and Gentiles are God's chosen people. The apostle Paul stated concerning believers under the new covenant. Through faith in Christ Jesus, both Jews and Gentiles become children of God. They are one in Christ Jesus. Anyone who belongs to Christ becomes a seed of Abraham and an heir according to the promise (Gal. 3: 26-29). WHEN JESUS DIED When Jesus breathed his last, "the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom," exposing the Holy of Holies (Matt. 27: 51; Mark 15: 38), signifying the establishment of the new covenant and making the first covenant obsolete (Heb. 9: 13). When the first covenant became obsolete, all that pertained to it also became obsolete. Judaism had run its course. A believer in Jesus could now communicate with God the Father through Jesus. Nobody can come to the Father except through me (John 14: 6). Under the new covenant, believers, both Jews and Gentiles are God's chosen people. The apostle Paul wrote: As believers in Christ, there is no Gentile or Jew, "but Christ is all, and is in all". So as God’s chosen people who are truly loved show compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience (Col. 3: 11 - 12). The apostle Peter penned the following to believers who were scattered over the Roman world, the majority of whom were Jews. You are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation. You belong to God. So praise him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light ( 1 Pet. 2: 9). WHAT ABOUT ISRAEL? The prophet Isaiah penned the following: “The Redeemer will come to Zion to those in Jacob who repent of their sins,” declares the LORD (Isa. 59: 20). The prophet Zechariah paints a bleak picture for the Israelites. The Lord declares: Two-thirds of Israel will be struck down and perish. The remaining third will pass through the fire and will call on my name. … They will call on me and I will answer them. The Lord will say: “They are my people,' and they will say, 'The LORD is our God”(Zech. 13: 9). THE DAY OF JUDGMENT On the day of judgment, our Lord Jesus Christ will gather all people before him, people from the creation of the world to the last person to be born before his coming. He will place the righteous on his right (those who have received him into their hearts) and the unrighteous on his left ( those who have rejected him) ( Matt 25: 33). He will say to those on his right: “Come, you who are blessed by my Father, take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world” (Matt. 25: 34). To those on his left, he will say: “Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels” ( Matt. 25: 41). A PRAYER TO BE SAVED / BORN AGAIN Almighty God, I thank you that you sent your one and only Son, Jesus to die on the cross for the sins of the world. Lord Jesus, I thank you that you died on the cross for my sins. Almighty God, I believe that you raised him from the dead as the Bible declares. Jesus, I confess my sins to you. I am sorry for them and I turn away from them. Please forgive me I pray. Jesus, I now receive you into my heart as my Savior/Messiah and LORD. Please fulfill your plan for my life through the ministry of the Holy Spirit. NOTE: (italic - mine) scriptural quotation scriptural paraphrase scriptural quotation (emphasis) Author’s assertion "Scripture taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. Copyright c 1973, 1978, 1984 International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Bible Publishers." ARE YOU A BORN AGAIN BELIEVER? Jesus said to Nicodemus you must be born again. Please read John 3: 3 - 18. As a born again believer, God lives in you and you live in God. We read in Scripture: " If anyone acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of God, God lives in him and he in God" (1 John 4: 15). "Scripture taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. Copyright c 1973, 1978, 1984 International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Bible Publishers." IS SALVATION PERMANENT OR CONDITIONAL?
A number of people including pastors, authors, ministries and Bible Colleges teach that once a person is saved, he or she is always saved. Dr. Charles F. Stanley wrote: "Eternal life is received by grace through faith. It is a once-and-for-all-transaction that can never be undone. Because of the nature of God's grace, once you become a Christian, you are always a Christian" (p. 191, Handbook For Christian Living).
Our Lord Jesus Christ said: "Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, but he who stands firm to the end will be saved" (Matt. 24: 12).
Our Lord also said: "He who overcomes will, like them, be dressed in white. I will never blot out his name from the book of life, but will acknowledge his name before my Father and his angels" (Rev. 3: 5).
Our Lord encouraged believers as follows - Hold on to what you have so that you will have your crown when I come. I am coming soon (Rev. 3: 11).
Is salvation permanent or conditional? You be the judge!
"Scripture taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. Copyright c 1973, 1978, 1984 International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Bible Publishers."
WHO IS A SAINT?
There are some who teach that a saint must possess certain characteristics. That teaching is false. It is not found in the Scriptures.
A saint is any born again believer (John 3: 1 - 18) regardless of colour or social standing or any other characteristic. The apostle Paul made this abundantly clear in writing to the churches.
"To all in Rome who are loved by God and called to be saints" (Romans 1: 7).
" ... To the church of God in Corinth, together with all the saints throughout Achaia" (2 Corinthians 1: 1).
" ... To the saints in Ephesus, the faithful in Christ Jesus" (Ephesians 1: 1).
" ... To all the saints in Christ Jesus at Philippi ..." (Philippians 1: 1).
" To the holy and faithful brothers in Christ at Colosse" (Colossians 1: 2). (See Ephesians 1: 1).
Some people teach "purgatory." They teach that when someone dies that person goes in purgatory (a state between heaven and hell). They require that prayers must be said in order to get those souls out of purgatory. This concept is not found in Scripture. Scripture teaches that when a born again believer dies his soul/spirit go to heaven.
The apostle Paul states: " ... I desire to depart and be with Christ ... " (Philippian 1: 23).
We observe that there are souls in heaven before the resurrection which will take place at the last day (Rev. 6: 9 - 11; John 6: 39 - 40). From where did those souls come? Those souls are the souls of believers who died. They will take part in the first resurrection (Rev. 20: 4). The first resurrection is a spiritual resurrection. When the fifth seal was opened the souls of those who had been slain were in heaven. They called out to God: " ... How long, Sovereign Lord, holy and true, until you judge the inhabitants of the earth and avenge our blood?" (Revelation 6: 10).
When an unbeliever dies his soul remains in the grave until the resurrection at the last day, at the end of the thousand years (John 5: 28 - 29; John 6 : 39 - 40; Rev. 20: 5).
NOTE: (italic mine) blue - scriptural quotation
"Scripture taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. Copyright c 1973, 1978, 1984 International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Bible Publishers."
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Sun, Apr 21st - 6:06PM
THE SEVENTH DAY ADVENTIST CHURCH The Sabbath Law was given to the Israelites. " ... They are to keep my laws and my decrees for all my appointed feasts, and they are to keep my Sabbaths holy (Ezek. 44: 24). What did the Sabbath law require? Moses said to the Israelites, this is what you are commanded to do. "For six days, work is to be done, but the seventh day shall be your holy day, a Sabbath of rest to the Lord. Whoever does any work on it must be put to death. Do not light a fire in any of your dwellings on the Sabbath day (Exod. 35: 2 - 3). The Seventh Day Adventist Church teaches that the Sabbath law is still in effect. But that teaching is false. When the first covenant became obsolete (Heb. 8: 13), the Sabbath law also became obsolete. All the laws and regulations under the first covenant were done away with. When our Lord and Savior breathed his last, the curtain in the temple was torn in two from top to bottom exposing the Holy of Holies (Matt. 27: 50 - 51). No longer was there need for a human high priest and animal sacrifices. Jesus was the final sacrifice. He is our heavenly high priest "Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has gone through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess" (Heb. 4: 14). When the first covenant became obsolete, Judaism had run its course. The new covenant was now in effect. Under the new covenant, there are no laws and regulations. Born again believers operate on the fruit of the Spirit and the gifts of the Spirit (Gal. 5: 22 - 23; Rom. 12: 6 - 8; 1 Cor. 12: 7 - 11). "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law" (Gal. 5: 22 - 23). " We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man's gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith. If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully" (Rom. 12: 6 - 8). AMAZING FACTS MINISTRIES Pastor Doug Batchelor, President of Amazing Facts International teaches a number of unscriptural concepts. 1) Two future resurrections separated by a thousand years. In so doing, he rejects the teaching of the prophet Daniel, our Lord Jesus Christ and the apostles Paul and Peter (Dan. 12: 2; John 5: 28 - 29; Acts 24: 15; 2 Pet. 3: 3 - 13). " Do not be amazed at this, for a time is coming when all who are in their graves will hear his voice and come out - those who have done good will rise to live, and those who have done evil will rise to be condemned (John 5: 28 - 29). 2) The righteous will go to heaven for a thousand years. We learn from Scripture that God will create a new heaven and a new earth on the day of judgment when our Lord returns (2 Pet. 3: 3 - 13). At that time, the Holy City, the new Jerusalem will come down out of heaven. The righteous will live with God in the Holy City for all eternity. 3) Two future comings of our Lord. One at the time of the rapture and the other a thousand years later. This concept is not supported by Scripture. The apostle Peter informs us that there will be one future coming. It will take place on the day of judgment (the day of the Lord - the day of God ), In the last days scoffers will ask where is the coming he promised? (2 Pet. 3: 3 - 4). " But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything in it will be laid bare" (2 Pet. 3: 10). " But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, the home of righteousness" (2 Pet. 3: 13). 4) The wicked will be slain at the second coming of Christ and will be raised a thousand years later to receive their judgment and reward. Scripture teaches that all nations will be gathered unto Jesus when he returns on the day of judgment. (Matt. 25: 31 - 32). The righteous will go into eternal life and the unrighteous into eternal punishment. " Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life" (Matt. 25: 46). 5) The wicked will be destroyed forever at the end of the thousand years. Scripture teaches that the wicked will go into the fiery lake of burning sulfur on the day of judgment. " Then he will say to those on his left, 'Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels" (Matt. 25: 41). 6) Satan and his evil angels will be confined to the desolated earth for a thousand years. We are informed in Scripture that Jesus must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet. Since the last enemy to be destroyed is death and death will be destroyed when the resurrection occurs (1 Cor. 15: 22 - 26); therefore, Satan, who is an enemy (1 Pet. 5: 8), must be destroyed before death is destroyed. Satan will likely be destroyed by the splendor of our Lord's coming just as the Antichrist (2 Thess. 2: 8). "Scripture taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. Copyright c 1973, 1978, 1984 International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Bible Publishers."
JEHOVAH WITNESSES "Jehovah's Witnesses believe God, Jehovah, is the supreme God and Jesus Christ is his agent for reconciling sinners to God. The Holy Spirit is not a spirit but the active force of God on earth. Witnesses also believe they are living in the final days before Christ's presence will establish the kingdom of God on earth." Jehovah's witnesses please read the following and learn from the Scriptures, the inspired word of God. Each person will have to account for rejecting the truth of Scripture.
ONE GOD REVEALED IN THREE PERSONS
Scripture declares that there is one God. "Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one" (Deut. 6: 4). But He is revealed in three persons - God the Father (Matt. 3: 17; John 17: 24), God the Son (Jesus Christ) (John 1: 18; John 3: 16) and God the Holy Spirit (Gen. 1: 2; John 14: 26; Acts 16: 6 - 7; 2 Cor. 1: 22; Eph. 4: 30).
GOD THE FATHER
God spoke from heaven, "This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased" (Matt. 3: 17). God has not been seen by anyone. But Jesus has made him known. Jesus is seated at his right hand (John 1: 18). When Jesus was on the cross, he cried out to his Father. "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me" (Matt. 27: 46)? Jesus said to the Jewish people, you are desirous of killing me, but I have told you the truth that I heard from my Father (John 8: 40). God the Father is supreme, he is the only one in the universe who knows when this age will end. Jesus said: "No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father" (Mark 13: 32).
GOD THE SON
Jesus, the Son of God (Luke 1: 31 - 35), is identified with God the only Son (John 1: 17 - 18). The "son" is called "Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace" (Isa. 9: 6). The "Word" is God and Jesus is the "Word". "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God" (John 1: 1). Jesus said: I always do what my Father commands me to do (John 14: 31). He tells us plainly: " ... for the Father is greater than I" (John 14: 28).
GOD THE HOLY SPIRIT
The Holy Spirit has been shown to be the Spirit of God the Father (2 Cor. 1: 21 - 22) and the Spirit of Jesus (Acts 16: 6 - 7; Eph. 1: 13). Peter said to Ananias: " ... how is it that Satan has so filled your heart that you have lied to the Holy Spirit ... (Acts 5: 3). "You have not lied to men but to God" (Acts 5: 4). The Holy Spirit is the third person of the "trinity". The Holy Spirit is God.
"THE TRINITY" The word trinity is not found in the Scriptures but the concept is. At the baptism of Jesus, we observe the Spirit of God (the Holy Spirit) and God the Father (Matt. 3: 16 - 17). All three persons of the Godhead were mentioned. Other contexts are (Gen. 1: 1 - 2; Luke 1: 26 - 36; Matt. 28 - 19; John 14: 26; John 16: 7 - 11; Gal. 4: 4 - 6; Titus 3: 4 - 6). God is not only a trinity, He is a unity. In each of the three persons dwell the other two (Deut. 6: 4; John 14: 7, 10). The Spirit of God is the Holy Spirit (2 Cor. 1: 21 - 22). The Spirit of Jesus is the Holy Spirit (Acts 16: 6 - 7). God is also a plurality - "Let us make man in our image" (Gen. 1: 26). (see Gen. 3: 22; Gen. 11: 7; Isa. 6: 8). When Jesus returns on the day of judgment, he will gather all nations before him. The righteous will go into eternal life and the unrighteous into eternal punishment (Matt. 25: 31 - 46). And God will establish his eternal kingdom in the Holy City, the new Jerusalem (Rev. 11: 15 - 18; Rev. 21: 1 - 7).
NOTE: (italic - mine) scriptural quotation scriptural paraphrase concepts held by Jehovah's witnesses
CopyrightⒸ 2023 by Joseph E. Mahabir (B.A Hons. Psy. (York University, Tor.), M.Ed. Educ. Admin. (University of Toronto), M.A Biblical Studies, MAGNA CUM LAUDE, (Regent University, Virginia Beach, Virginia).
"Scripture taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. Copyright c 1973, 1978, 1984 International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Bible Publishers."
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Wed, Apr 17th - 8:11PM
ESCHATOLOGY What is eschatology?
Eschatology is the study of theology dealing with the four last things – death, judgment, heaven and hell. Eschatology is derived from the Greek word, eschatos, meaning last or final. Eschatological theories are named using Latin and English words. There are four theories. 1) HISTORIC PREMILLENNIALISM
2) DISPENSATIONAL PREMILLENNIALISM
3) POSTMILLENNIALISM
4) AMILLENNIALISM Millennium, meaning a thousand years, is made up of two Latin words mille (a thousand) and annus (year). Millennium is used for the thousand years recorded in Revelation 20:1-7. Historic Premillennialism teaches that the Second Coming of Jesus will occur at the end of the Tribulation before the commencement of the thousand years recorded in Revelation 20:1-7. The thousand years are literal.
Dispensational Premillennialism teaches two future comings of Jesus, one at the time of the rapture and one at the end of the Tribulation. The Tribulation will be followed by a thousand years as re corded in Revelation 20: 1-7. The thousand years are literal. There are three groups of dispensational premillennialists. The pretribulation rapture group, the midtribulation rapture group and the prewrath rapture group.
Postmillennialism teaches that the Second Coming of Jesus will take place after the thousand years. The thousand years are literal. Postmillennialism teaches that the world will be Christianized. Amillennialism teaches that the Second Coming of Jesus will take place at the close of the Tribulation. The thousand years of Revelation 20: 1-7 are not literal and future. They are symbolic and cover an extended period of time. They are in progress now.
A careful study of the Scriptures will show that Amillennialism is the only valid theory.
Dr. Luke tells us that Jesus must remain in heaven until the time comes for God to restore everything. He writes: He must remain in heaven until the time comes for God to restore everything, as he promised long ago through his holy prophets" (Acts 3: 21). The apostle Peter informs us that God will restore everything on the day of judgment by creating a new heaven and a new earth. He recorded: "But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, the home of righteousness" (2 Pet. 3: 13).
The conclusion is that Jesus will remain in heaven until the day of judgment; proving that the second coming and the coming down from heaven for the rapture are the same event (Matt. 25: 31 - 32; 1 Thess. 4: 16 - 17; Heb. 9: 27 - 28).
WILL THE TEMPLE BE REBUILT IN JERUSALEM? A number of scholars, authors, pastors and Bible Colleges teach the rebuilding of the temple in Jerusalem. It is good to ask at this time, what will be the function of the temple?
Premillennialists are dogmatic about the rebuilding of the temple. Who are premillennialists? Premillennialists are those people who believe and teach that the second coming of our Lord will be followed by his earthly thousand - year reign.
Dr. Charles F. Stanley wrote concerning the Antichrist. " He will bring great persecution on Israel (Dan. 7: 25) and even establish a center of worship in the temple in Jerusalem " (2 Thess. 2: 3 - 4) (p. 283, Handbook For Christian Living).
There are two things wrong with Dr. Stanley's statement. Firstly, Daniel 7; 25 does not refer to Israel. This is what that Scripture states, " ... The saints will be handed over to him for a time, times and half a time" and secondly, there will be no use for a future temple. The setting up of the Antichrist in God's temple (2 Thess. 2: 4) could be used symbolically with reference to Antiochus Epiphanes. "It set itself up to be as great as the Prince of the host; it took away the daily sacrifice from him, and the place of his sanctuary was brought low. Because of rebellion, the host of the saints and the daily sacrifice were given over to it. It prospered in everything it did, and truth was thrown to the ground" (Dan. 8: 11 - 12).
Could the apostle Paul be saying that the Antichrist will be as despicable as Antiochus Epiphanes? After Antiochus Epiphanes conquered Jerusalem, he set himself up in the temple proclaiming himself to be equal to God. He abolished the daily sacrifice and erected an altar to a pagan god. History records that he sacrificed a sow on the altar. Judas Maccabeus retook Jerusalem and tore down the pagan altar. The temple was rededicated.
"Antiochus IV (Epiphanes), the king of Syria, captured Jerusalem in 167 BC and desecrated the Temple by offering the sacrifice of a pig on an altar to Zeus (the Abomination of Desolation). In seeking to prohibit Judaism and Hellenize the Jews, Antiochus forbade their religious practices and commanded that copies of the Law be burned, all of which is related by Josephus in the Antiquities of the Jews (XII.5.4)."
The apostle Peter writes concerning the apostle Paul: " His letters contain some things that are hard to understand, which ignorant and unstable people distort, as they do the other Scriptures, to their own destruction" (2 Pet. 3: 16).
Is "he sets himself up in God's temple proclaiming himself to be God (2 Thess. 2: 4), one of the apostle's hard things to understand?
WHAT WAS THE FUNCTION OF THE TEMPLE UNDER THE FIRST COVENANT?
1) A dwelling place for God on earth (between the cherubim on the ark of the covenant). 2) A place for meeting 3) A place for offering sacrifices 4) A place for worship 5) A place where the high priest met with God once a year to atone for his sins and the sins of the Jewish people 6) A place to hear the reading of the Scriptures
An earthly high priest was essential for atoning for his sins and the sins of the Jewish people under the first covenant. Under the new covenant, we do not have high priests. Each born again believer confesses his or her sins to our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. " If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word has no place in our lives (1 John 1: 9 - 10). Jesus is our heavenly high priest. " Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has gone through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess" (Heb. 4: 14). Under the new covenant, believers are God's temple. "Don't you know that you yourselves are God's temple and that God's Spirit lives in you" (1 Cor. 3: 16).
Under the new covenant, we do not offer sacrifices. Our Lord Jesus Christ was the final sacrifice. UNDER THE NEW COVENANT WE OFFER A SACRIFICE OF PRAISE AND THANKSGIVING.
There will be no function for a future temple.
Under the new covenant, community of believers have buildings where they meet for worship and other purposes.
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Wed, Apr 17th - 7:56PM
IS, MY LORD AND SAVIOR, JESUS CHRIST YOUR MESSIAH?
Recently, I heard a Rabbi teach that Jewish people who have received our Lord Jesus Christ as their Messiah should celebrate some of the celebrations that were celebrated under the first covenant to maintain their Jewishness. His teaching is false. The apostle Paul did not teach that concept. When the first covenant became obsolete (Heb. 8: 13) all the celebrations under it also became obsolete. Judaism had run its course. When Jesus breathed his last, the curtain in the temple was torn in two from top to bottom bringing the first covenant to an end and establishing the new (Matt. 27: 50 - 51). The focus was now on Christ and his kingdom.
The apostle Paul explained the mystery of Christ. "This mystery is that through the gospel the Gentiles are heirs together with Israel, members together of one body, and sharers together in the promise in Christ Jesus" (Eph. 3: 6).
In writing to the Ephesians, the apostle recorded : "For he himself is our peace, who has made the two one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility." He did this by putting away in his body the law with its commandments and regulations. The reason was to make in himself a new man out of the two. Thereby making peace and reconciling both of them to God through the cross, by which he did away with their hostility. He preached peace to the Gentiles as well as the Jews. Through him both Jews and Gentiles have access to God the Father by the Holy Spirit (Eph. 2: 14 - 18).
The apostle Paul cautioned the Colossians. He wrote: Don't allow anyone judge you regarding what you eat or drink or concerning a religious festival, or the celebration of a New Moon or a Sabbath day. These were forerunners of the reality. The reality is centered in Christ (Col. 2: 16 - 17).
The apostle penned the following to the Galatians: "There is neither Jew nor Greek" (Gentile) ... If you receive Christ as you Savior/Messiah then you are Abraham's descendant and an heir according to the promise (Gal. 3: 28 - 29).
The world was made through Jesus and when he came to his own people, he was not received by the majority (John 1: 10). "Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God" (John 1: 12).
As children of God, how should we live?
1) proclaim the death of our LORD by engaging in Holy Communion (1 Cor. 11: 23 - 26).
2) do the good works which God has prepared in advance for us to do (Eph. 2: 10)
3) live holy lives (Heb. 12: 14) As children of God , it is necessary for us to cultivate and manifest the fruit of the Spirit in our daily activities. "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law" (Gal. 5: 22 - 23).
Make an effort to live in peace with everyone and to be holy; "without holiness no one will see the Lord" (Heb. 12: 14).
We read in the Book of Revelation: "The seventh angel sounded his trumpet, and there were loud voices in heaven, which said: "The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ, and he will reign for ever and ever." ... "The nations were angry; and your wrath has come. The time has come for judging the dead, and for rewarding your servants the prophets and your saints and those who reverence your name, both small and great - and for destroying those who destroy the earth" (Rev. 11: 15, 18),
A PRAYER TO BE SAVED / BORN AGAIN Almighty God, I thank you that you sent your one and only Son, Jesus to die on the cross for the sins of the world. Lord Jesus, I thank you that you died on the cross for my sins. Almighty God, I believe that you raised him from the dead as the Bible declares. Jesus, I confess my sins to you. I am sorry for them and I turn away from them. Please forgive me I pray. Jesus, I now receive you into my heart as my Savior/Messiah and LORD. Please fulfill your plan for my life through the ministry of the Holy Spirit.
NOTE - (italic - mine) scriptural quotation scriptural paraphrase regular print - emphasis
"Scripture taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. Copyright c 1973, 1978, 1984 International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Bible Publishers."
FOR MORE INFORMATION PLEASE CHECK THE FOLLOWING LINKS
HIS CALL TO MINISTRY Joseph Emmanuel Mahabir
Joseph was born in Trinidad and grew up there. After graduating from College and Teachers' College, he taught school for twelve years. He immigrated to Canada in 1965 and continued teaching school in Toronto. After teaching school here for twenty years, at age 52, the LORD called him into the ministry in a night vision. The LORD said: "I want you to be a missionary." He responded: "Where?" The voice said: "In Canada." After this vision, Joseph enrolled in a Bible College in Toronto and did courses on a weekend basis. One night he had another surprise. The LORD said to him: "I want you to stop going to school here and go to CBNU (Christian Broadcasting Network University), later renamed Regent University. Joseph applied to CBNU and was accepted in a two-year Biblical Studies program. A short time later, the LORD impressed on him that he was going to Virginia Beach for nine months. Consequently, he applied to his School Board for a year's study leave. Interestingly, the School Board did not ask him what and where he was going to study. Leave was granted. The middle of August 1984 came. His wife Muriel and himself packed the trunk and back seat of their car, locked the doors in their house and started out for Virginia Beach, overnighting in motels on the way. A few days after arriving at their destination, they were able to rent an apartment. A week before the commencement of classes, students met with their program adviser. As Joseph met with Dr. Peter Prosser, he shared with him what the LORD had impressed on him. Dr. Prosser said: "No one is able to graduate in nine months." He went on to give several reasons why it was not possible. Classes began and Joseph followed the guidance of the Holy Spirit. He divided the courses for his program into three semesters. God did miracle after miracle from semester to semester. At the start of the third semester, Joseph was able to have all the courses needed for graduating if he completed them satisfactorily, except one. It was elementary Greek. A week went by. The Holy Spirit reminded him of what the LORD had impressed on him prior to leaving Toronto. He was motivated to speak with the professor who taught that course. He shared with Dr. Lyle Story how the LORD called him to the ministry and what he had impressed on him. Dr. Story informed him that he too was a teacher and had a similar call. He told Joseph that it was not possible to start the course with one person but if he was able to get at least four more students he would start the course the next week. After his next class that day, Joseph went to the elevator to get down to the main floor. A group of students were waiting to get down as well. He said to them: "Would anyone like to do elementary Greek if the course starts next week?" More than five people indicated that they would. Joseph noted their names and took them to Dr. Story. The rest is history. Later in the semester, Joseph became ill. He was not able to attend classes nor work on assignments. It was necessary for him to stay in bed from Monday to Friday except for washroom activities and something to eat. On Saturday morning he felt better and the LORD kept on energizing him. Monday morning came and Joseph was able to attend classes. The LORD enabled him to do everything that he did previously, starting at six in the morning and working until twelve midnight. In retrospect, Joseph believes that the LORD allowed him to get sick so that he could get a rest and also to show that God will enable us to accomplish whatever he has called us to do. May 26, 1985 came - graduation day. The Lord graciously enabled him to graduate in exactly nine months from the date of his first class. Before graduating, the President of the university offered employment to Joseph but he declined in faithfulness to God's call. We serve a great and awesome God. Joseph and his wife Muriel wish to thank God for all that He did for them during those nine months. Muriel played a significant role. She looked after everything in the apartment and provided all that he needed. Joseph thanks her greatly. On their homeward journey, they had a flat tire on a lonely stretch of roadway. No buildings or people were to be seen. They pulled over on the shoulder and got out of the car. They prayed for help and God answered. A police cruiser came and pulled up at the back of them. The officer asked if they needed help. Joseph said: "It is necessary to unpack the trunk to get the jack." The officer went to her car and came back with a jack. She took off the flat and installed the spare. They thanked her for her kindness and continued their journey. Joseph took a rest for a few months and commenced supply teaching at The Peoples Christian Academy (1986 - 1987) while waiting on the LORD for a ministry placement. He was later hired by Christian Broadcasting Associates, the 700 Club in Canada, as the Supervisor of Counselling. While serving there, Joseph was invited by The Peoples Church administration to join their pastoral staff. He served there from 1990 - 1997. During his ministry, the LORD motivated and enabled him to author two tracts "GOD AND HIS LOVE FOR US" and "GOD LOVES YOU - JESUS DIED FOR YOU" as well as two books "NO FUTURE MILLENNIUM - ANOTHER LOOK AT THE RAPTURE AND THE MILLENNIUM" and "THE GLORIOUS APPEARING." After retiring from The Peoples Church, Joseph continued serving the LORD in a tract distribution ministry in foreign countries when on mission trips and here in Metro Toronto. Later the LORD motivated him to commence a teaching ministry on the internet, posting videos and Bible Studies. He is still involved with the internet ministry and in tract distribution. Joseph has vowed to be faithful to God and his inspired word, the Bible, and to serve him diligently until his last breath in his mortal body and throughout all eternity. Praise to God the Father, praise to God the Son, praise to God the Holy Spirit, bless Jehovah, three in one.
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Name: Joseph Mahabir
