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Thursday 30 March 2017

NONSENSE UPON NONSENSE, LIE UPON LIE! JACOB PRASCH

God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth. (John 4:24).

IS THE STAR OF DAVID AN OCCULT SIGN?  

Jacob Prasch: “Nonsense upon nonsense, lie upon lie. The two (types of) people who propagate this the most are either conspiracy theorists or (the) ignorant, or anti-Semites. The star of David is not even a star, it is called Magen David, it is the shield of David. It represents divine protection, a configuration of the battle shield referred to in the book of Isaiah and adopted in its Roman variant in Ephesians 6..... Later Rabbinic interpretations..... explain it as the configuration in the book of Numbers and Exodus of the tribes of Israel organised around the Holy Ark when they camped, each space and each triangle being one, and there being a total of six. That is how they look at it, they don’t see it as a star. Secondly, a symbol of witchcraft and sometimes Wicca is a five pointed star called the pentagram. To this day, witches use it, covens use it, but you will also see it on cartoons or you will see it on commercial advertisements. Those people are not using it deliberately as a demonic symbol. That is absolute nonsense.... "

The opening remarks are typical of Prasch's ungodly diversionary tactic of disparaging anyone who challenges him scripturally. I am not a conspiracy theorist, ignorant, or anti-Semitic, and I will debunk Prasch’s arguments point by point:

* Prasch's claim that anyone who is Jewish or who knows the Hebrew language identifies the star of David as a shield is incorrect. Magen David does actually translate shield of David, but it is accepted by many rabbis as both a star and a shield. The shield of David is purely fictitious, but if it had existed, the supposed shield of David would have been circular, in other words, it would have consisted of a star within a circle, therefore both interpretations are valid.  

* Prasch forgot to specify the verse in Isaiah that refers to the “shield of David".  Perhaps that is because no such verse exists! There is no specific reference to the shield of David in the book of Isaiah or anywhere else in the scriptures. The Jewish Encyclopedia: "Never in the Tanakh does it reference HaMelekh David having such a shield." {1} Ephesians 6 is New Testament: ..take up the shield of faith. (Ephesians 6:6). This verse does not tie in with Magen David at all, this is simply more of Prasch's eisegesis. The official explanation for the symbol is entirely secular: “When Theodor Herzl looked for a symbol for the new Zionist movement, he chose the Star of David because it was so well known and also because it had no religious associations.” [2]

The Jewish Encycopedia:“The Jewish view of God, which permitted no images of Him, was and still is opposed to the acceptance of any symbols, and neither the Bible nor the Talmud recognizes their existence. It is noteworthy, moreover, that the shield of David is not mentioned in rabbinical literature. The "Magen Dawid," therefore, probably did not originate within Rabbinism, the official and dominant Judaism for more than 2,000 years.” [1]

* Since there is absolutely no support for the shield of David either in the scriptures or in early rabbinic literature, Prasch is forced to base his argument upon obscure “later Rabbinic interpretations” which he cannot legitimise and fails to cite. He is clutching at straws.

The Jewish Virtual Library: “Scholars such as Franz Rosenzweig have attributed deep theological significance to the symbol. For example, some note that the top triangle strives upward, toward G-d, while the lower triangle strives downward, toward the real world. Some note that the intertwining makes the triangles inseparable, like the Jewish people. Some say that the three sides represent the three types of Jews: Kohanim Levites and Israel. While these theories are theologically interesting, they have little basis in historical fact.” {3}

 * Prasch: "What a symbol means in one time and in one culture, does not mean it has the same meaning in another time or another culture."  hmmm - this certainly does not apply to Magen David. The hexagram star is the star of rephaim/repham/remphan and has particular evil connotations in both the Old and the New Testaments. Remphan has links with Moloch, a Canaanite god associated with child sacrifice. Stephen condemned the practices associated with "Moloch and the star of your god Rephan" shortly before he was stoned (Acts 7:43; Amos 5:26). This particular star god is known both as Rephan and Kalwan (Hebrew Chiun).  ".....we can infer that this star of Remphan may well be the Seal of Solomon. In Qabbalistical magical texts attributed -- either rightly or wrongly -- to King Solomon, we see that both of these symbols, the pentagram and hexagram, when incased in a circle, are used to conjure spirits and called, respectively, the 'Pentacle of Solomon' or the 'Hexagram of Solomon'." {4} 

The "Seal of Solomon" was adopted by Mayer Amshel Bauer who changed his name to Mayer Amschel Rothschild (red shield) when he adopted the symbol of the hexagram around 1763.

When the Flag of Israel was adopted on October 28, 1948, five months after the establishment of the State of Israel, it met with tremendous opposition from many Jews who were aware of its historical connection with the mystery religions as the symbol of Moloch. This necessitated significant revisionist propaganda in order to transform it into an acceptable Jewish symbol. 

More information about the star of David can be found on my previous post:
Prasch goes on digging an even bigger hole by referring to Procter and Gamble (P&G) and the controversy surrounding their former logo. Actually the problem concerned rather more than the thirteen stars on the P&G logo if I remember correctly! Below is a quick résumé of the rumours of Satanism that have caused P&G a number of problems over the years. Below are the main P&G details that are available on the web: 

“The President of Procter & gamble appeared on the Phil Donahue Show on March 1, 1994. He announced that due to the openness of our society, he was coming out of the closet about his association with the church of Satan. He stated that a large portion of his profits from Procter & Gamble Products goes to support this satanic church. When asked by Donahue if stating this on t.v. would hurt his business, he replied, ‘THERE ARE NOT ENOUGH CHRISTIANS IN THE UNITED STATES TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE.’” [5]
"P&G's former logo originated in 1851 as a crude cross that barge workers on the Ohio River painted on cases of P&G star candles to identify them. P&G later changed this symbol into a trademark that showed a man in the moon overlooking 13 stars, said to commemorate the original 13 colonies. 
The company received unwanted media publicity in the 1980s when rumors spread that the moon-and-stars logo was a satanic symbol. The accusation was based on a particular passage in the Bible, specifically Revelation 12:1, which states: "And there appeared a great wonder in heaven; a woman clothed with the sun, the moon under her feet and upon her head a crown of 12 stars." P&G's logo consisted of a man's face on the moon surrounded by 13 stars. Some claimed that the logo was a mockery of the heavenly symbol alluded to in the aforementioned verse, thus construing the logo to be satanic. Where the flowing beard meets the surrounding circle, three curls were said to be a mirror image of the number 666, or the reflected number of the beast. At the top and bottom, the hair curls in on itself and was said to be the two horns like those of a ram. The moon-and-stars logo was discontinued in 1985 in a failed attempt to squash the rumors.
These interpretations have been denied by company officials and no evidence linking the company to the  Church of Satan or any other occult organization has ever been presented. The company unsuccessfully sued Amway from 1995 to 2003 over rumors forwarded through a company voice-mail system in 1995. In 2007, the company successfully sued individual Amway distributors for reviving and propagating the false rumors. The Church of Satan denies being supported by Procter & Gamble.” [6]
1905?
Despite the eradication of alleged connections between P&G and Satanism, there are still people around who remember the supposed President of Proctor and Gamble admitting to being a Satanist publicly on TV. {7} I actually remember watching the programme in question myself some years ago. The former P&G logo may be relevant to the subject of Magen David. According to P&G, the logo pictured a man in the moon with 13 stars, representing the original American colonies.[8] The 13 colonies are also found in the form of stars on the original Great Seal of the United States. Many people are aware that the Great Seal of the United States is full of occult symbolism. Barry Smith did a very informative expose' of the Great Seal on the dollar bill some years ago. Coincidentally(?) the thirteen stars (pentagrams) above the eagle head on the Great Seal form the Star of David incorporating both the hexagram and the pentagram: “The 13 stars above the Eagle head are arranged in the form
of a hexagram or Star of David also known as mogen David, the most evil of all occult symbols used to invoke Satan. Each individual small star is five-pointed and  is known as the Seal of Solomon which is used by initiate witches and warlocks 
Great Seal of the United States
as a means of protection.” [9]
Moving on to the subject of NASA, Prasch would have us believe that NASA are a transparent organisation. In reality NASA are undoubtedly an occult Luciferian organisation. They did name their projects after Greek Gods which are actually demons as Prasch reports. NASA are demonstrably involved in Freemasonry at the highest levels of the organisation. Buzz Aldrin has made no secret of the fact that he is a 33 Degree Scottish Rite Freemason. He admitted performing a ceremony on board the lunar module with Neil Armstrong, possibly to the god Osiris(?) during the alleged moon landing. Below is Neil Armstrong with his masonic apron supposedly on the moon.


Neil Armstrong on the moon(?)





Symbolism is the language of the occult!

 Many would argue that a significant tactic of the enemy is to desensitise the population to occult symbolism via psychological conditioning as the 70th week of Daniel approaches. The argument that the significance of occult symbolism is the domain of conspiracy theorists is Prasch's attempt to downplay the seriousness of the situation. Conspiracy theories fail to be theories when they can be proved as fact. There may be exceptions, but when companies and celebrities display the number 666 and other satanic symbols it is usually deliberate, the CERN logo is an example of this. The satanic invasion is not limited to company logos; satanic rituals are ubiquitous within the entertainment industry as many of us have observed with great concern. Bob Dylan, John Lennon, Prince, Billy Joel, Bono and many others have publicly admitted making a pace with Satan in order to obtain fame and fortune. The occult symbolism surrounding Super Bowl and various celebrities has been exposed by Joe Schimmel of Good Fight Ministries among others: They Sold Their Souls for Rock and Roll: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wnl7Rgwa08w  When the mark of the beast does come it will not be resisted by those who come under the influence of the great delusion (2 Thessalonians 2:11). The great delusion will not happen in a vacuum, the battle is now on to ensure that many people are uninformed and unprepared for the Antichrist. To use a Praschism, they will be "ignorant". My warnings about Jacob Prasch are based on serious concerns that he is a very dangerous false teacher. Why is Prasch so virulent against those who reject the star of David, and why does he downplay the obvious satanic invasion of our time? Some of the things he teaches are valid of course, but the appearance of credibility demands there has to be some truth in the mix. The unclean always defiles that which is clean, a little leaven leavens the whole lump. (Galatians 5:9). Perhaps Prasch would be more at home at NASA rather than in Christian ministry!

 We know that we are from God, and the whole world lies in the power of the evil one. (1 John 5:19).
Moriel Ministries Logo


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Sunday 26 March 2017

IS THE STAR OF DAVID A LEGITIMATE SYMBOL FOR ISRAEL?

How you are fallen from heaven, O Day Star, son of Dawn! How you are cut down to the ground, you who laid the nations low! (Isaiah 14:12)


Emblem of the State of Israel

The Emblem of the State of Israel (Hebrew: סמל מדינת ישראל‎, translated Semel Medinat Yisra'el‎, depicts a menorah surrounded by an olive branch on each side, and the writing "ישראל" (Hebrew for Israel) below it.[1] Since ancient times, the menorah has gained recognition as the most enduring and iconic Jewish symbol. The menorah was chosen as the Emblem of the State of Israel in 1948. This particular depiction may be based on the vision of the Zechariah, where he describes seeing a solid gold seven branched lampstand flanked by two olive trees, one on each side. (Zechariah 4:1-14). The Torah states that God Himself gave the instructions for the precise design and construction of the menorah directly to Moses. The golden lampstand was a foreshadowing of Jesus Christ, the future Messiah. The lampstand symbology carries right through from Moses to the vision of Zechariah, to the seven lampstands in Revelation 1:20.

“You shall make a lampstand of pure gold. The lampstand shall be made of hammered work: its base, its stem, its cups, its calyxes, and its flowers shall be of one piece with it. And there shall be six branches going out of its sides, three branches of the lampstand out of one side of it and three branches of the lampstand out of the other side of it; three cups made like almond blossoms, each with calyx and flower, on one branch, and three cups made like almond blossoms, each with calyx and flower, on the other branch—so for the six branches going out of the lampstand. And on the lampstand itself there shall be four cups mgade like almond blossoms, with their calyxes and flowers, and a calyx of one piece with it under each pair of the six branches going out from the lampstand. Their calyxes and their branches shall be of one piece with it, the whole of it a single piece of hammered work of pure gold. You shall make seven lamps for it. And the lamps shall be set up so as to give light on the space in front of it. Its tongs and their trays shall be of pure gold. It shall be made, with all these utensils, out of a talente of pure gold. And see that you make them after the pattern for them, which is being shown you on the mountain. (Exodus 25:31-40).

 Now the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, “Speak to Aaron and say to him, When you set up the lamps, the seven lamps shall give light in front of the lampstand.” And Aaron did so: he set up its lamps in front of the lampstand, as the Lord commanded Moses. And this was the workmanship of the lampstand, hammered work of gold. From its base to its flowers, it was hammered work; according to the pattern that the Lord had shown Moses, so he made the lampstand. (Numbers 8:1-4).

The menorah was an obvious choice as the official symbol for Israel in 1948, and yet somehow! the flag of Zionism which displays the so called Shield of David took precedence over it. In complete contrast with the menorah, Māḡēn Dāwīḏ, David's shield aka the Star of David was never a uniquely Jewish symbol until relatively recently. The word magen can be found sixty three times in the Old Testament and its short definition is shield. [2] However, there is no mention of David's shield in the scriptures, or for that matter in early rabbinic literature. The symbol is so rare in early Jewish literature and artwork that art dealers suspect forgery if they find the symbol in early Jewish works.[3]

M. Hirsch Goldberg in his book The Jewish Connection states: "The Star of David is not of Jewish origin - and the ancient Israelites never used it as their religious symbol" (they used the Menorah or Seven Candlestick). [4]

In reality the hexagram star is the star of rephaim/repham/remphan and has particular evil connotations in both the Old and the New Testaments. Remphan has links with Moloch, a Canaanite god associated with child sacrifice. Stephen condemned the practices associated with "Moloch and the star of your god Rephan" shortly before he was stoned (Acts 7:43; Amos 5:26). This particular star god is known both as Rephan and Kalwan (Hebrew Chiun). Kewan is probably the Old Babylonian Kayawanu for the planet Saturn. Stars are often associated with, and named after, specific pagan gods, for instance Aphrodite is Venus, Zeus is Jupiter etc. The "host of heaven" presented a particular temptation for the ancient Israelites towards false worship (1 Kings 21:3; 2 Kings 21:1). The Israelites were censured for false worship of the sun god Adrammelech (2 Kings 17:31) and Amon (Jeremiah 46:25); the moon goddess Anammelech and Diana/Artemis (Acts 19:24-35); and Merodach/Marduk (Mars?) (Jeremiah 50:2). Stars are sometimes illustrative of angels and fallen angels in the scriptures. (Job 38:7; Revelation 1:20; Revelation 12:4). John erroneously fell down to worship at the feet of an angel (Revelation 22:8). Satan himself, the "shining one" translated "star of the morning", masquerades as an angel of light. (Isaiah 14:12; 2 Corinthians 11:14) in the place of Jesus Christ, the bright morning star. (Revelation 22:16). The Masonic Dictionary provides  convincing evidence that the "star of Remphan" refers to the Seal of Solomon:

".....we can infer that this star of Remphan may well be the Seal of Solomon. In Qabbalistical magical texts attributed -- either rightly or wrongly -- to King Solomon, we see that both of these symbols, the pentagram and hexagram, when incased in a circle, are used to conjure spirits and called, respectively, the 'Pentacle of Solomon' or the 'Hexagram of Solomon'."  [5]

"The Seal of Solomon or the Shield of David, for under both names the same thing was denoted, is a hexagonal figure consisting of two interlaced triangles, thus forming the outlines of six-pointed star. Upon it was inscribed one of the sacred names of God, from which inscription it was opposed principally to derive its talismanic powers." [6]

Remphan was probably Saturn (Satan), the supreme god of the Chaldeans. Saturn was important to the religion of Mithra and also the Druids. Osiris, Egyptian god of the afterlife and lord of the dead is also represented by Saturn. The horned deity, the “great god Pan” represented Saturn in ancient paganism. This half-man half-goat creature is considered the ancestor of our modern depictions of Satan.

Manley P. Hall: “The pipes of Pan signify the natural harmony of the spheres, and the god himself is a symbol of Saturn because this planet is enthroned in Capricorn, whose emblem is a goat.” [7]

There are also occult links between Chium/Saturn and the mark of Cain. According to Blavatsky: “The god of time was Chium in Egypt, or Saturn...and Chium is the same as Cain.” [8]

Interestingly, Rome was originally known as Saturnia, the City of Saturn. The Roman Catholic church retains much of the Saturn worship in its ritual. Black cubes and monoliths also play a part in Saturn’s dark symbolism. The supreme deity Ēl or Il (Father of Heaven / Saturn) is the husband of the goddess Asherah and was represented by a black cube according to the clay tablets of Ugarit.

Masonic author John Sebastian Marlow Ward associated Saturn with Satan:
“Saturn is the opposite to Jupiter; his symbol is the cross above the sign of Luna. He is the Satan, the Tempter, or rather the Tester. His function is to chastise and tame the unruly passions in the primitive man.”  [9]

 There is a direct link between Rephaim and evil spirits in the book of I Enoch. The Rephaim were the offspring of the "watchers" or fallen angels, the giants, who were condemned to become evil spirits. (Enoch 15:8-9 cf. Daniel 4:13, 17. 23). I think that we must take the Book of I Enoch seriously since it is identified as prophecy by Jude, the Lord's half brother and one of the twelve apostles. (Jude 1:14 cf.  Jude1:6). Og king of Bashan appears to be the last remaining of the Rephaim, Moses having previously struck and dispossessed them. (Joshua 12:4, 13:12 Deuteronomy 3:11). The Rephaim were variously known also by other names: Emim, Gibborim, Zamzummim, Anakim and Avim. (Deuteronomy 2:10-23). Evidence for the existence of antediluvian/postdiluvan giants is compelling. Not only do giants appear as the Nephilim in the scriptures (Genesis 6:4; Numbers 13:33), in the Book of I Enoch and other extra-biblical material, references to giants (Greek Gigantes) appear in the ubiquitous mythology and legends of many cultures.

Demonic associations with the hexagram star can easily be brought up to date. The hexagram is a very powerful witchcraft symbol and is used to conjure evil spirits (the Rephaim) when it is drawn inside a circle. Aleister Crowley devised the unicursal hexagram, which he claimed further codified the symbolism contained within the hexagram, the rosy cross, and the ankh. In fact, Crowley gave prominence to the hexagram and described it as "the lesser ritual of the pentagram". Thelemapedia  makes a distinct connection between the hexagram and the planets Saturn, Jupiter, Mars, Sol, Venus, Mercury and Luna.[10] Blavatsky noted the significance of the theosophic hexagram, and Hitler, who was a member of the Satanist Thule Society, used this curse symbol to mark the Jews during the holocaust.

The Star or Shield of David became an official symbol of Judaism after it was chosen to represent the First Zionist Congress in 1897 by secular Jew, Theodore Herzl. Herzl was the President of World Zionism and the founder of the First Zionist Congress, the political movement created to ensure a Jewish homeland in Palestine. Edmond de Rothschild, the real power behind Zionism, worked closely with both Theodore Herzl and his successor, Chaim Weizmann. Rothschild told Weizmann: "Without me Zionism would not have succeeded...."  Hence, the “Rothschild Hexagram” was adopted as the "flag of Zion" in 1948. When the Flag of Israel was unveiled, it met with tremendous opposition from many Jews who were aware of its historical connection with the mystery religions as the symbol of Moloch:

".....the symbol continued to be controversial for many years afterward. When the modern state of Israel was founded, there was much debate over whether this symbol should be used on the flag." [11] 

Opposition to the hexagram star symbol necessitated significant revisionist propaganda in order to transform it into an acceptable Jewish symbol. The saying: "If you repeat a lie often enough, people will believe it" is attributed to Joseph Goebbels. The often repeated revised explanation for the hexagram star is as follows:

"The two blue stripes represent a tallit or prayer shawl, and both sides of the split Red Sea that the Hebrews walked through as written in the Book of Exodus." 

"The Star of David also represents the Jewish identity of Israel, as well as the culture and history of the Israeli people."  [12]

In reality, the star of Remphan morphed into the occult Seal of Solomon and the Rothschild Hexagram aka the Illuminati Hexagram. I view Magen David as a satanic facade in order to obscure the true demonic history of the Star of Remphan. Even the designation 'the shield of David' is a misnomer. With no scriptural basis and all the evidence of evil and death attending this symbol prior to the 19th century, the hexagram is surely not God's choice for the symbol of Israel. This symbol evokes the propensity for the ancient Israelites to worship the true God and other gods concurrently. We therefore have the usurper, the so called star or shield of David, competing with the menorah for precedence.

The Rothchilds are believed to own and control 80% of the state of Israel and are one of the wealthiest families on earth. The red background of the Rothschild family shield is identical to that found on the heraldic arms of the Byzantine emperors and the Vatican. The history of the Rothschild dynasty is key to the implementation of the star of David as the premier Israeli symbol. Ashkenazi Jew, Mayer Amshel Bauer (born 1744), started his career at the Oppenheim banking-house in Hanover and rose through the ranks to become a junior partner. The Oppenheimers were early members of the Bavarian Illuminati, and it appears that this was the catalyst that enabled Baur to ingratiate himself with the Luciferian elite. Baur possessed immense intellectual ability and was a shrewd businessman. Around the year 1760 Baur began doing business with the court of Hanau, aided by his acquaintance with General von Estorff. In 1763 Baur returned to Frankfurt having acquired his father's business. It was at this time that he changed his name to Mayer Amschel Rothschild (red shield) and adopted the symbol of the hexagram.[13]

"Give me control over a nation's currency, then it does not interest me who makes the laws." Mayer Amschel Rothschild
    
The history of the hexagram star is compelling, but in addition, the six-sided star numerically equals 666 (6 points, 6 triangles, 6-sided hexagon). Because this symbol is comprised of a six within a six within a six ( 6 points, 6 triangles, 6 sides of the inner hexagon), some speculate that it is the mark of the beast. (Revelation 13:18).

Abstain from all appearance of evil. (1 Thessalonians 5:22 KJV)

But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing upon themselves swift destruction. (2 Peter 2:1).

 

[1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emblem_of_Israel
[4] http://www.sermonindex.net/modules/newbb/viewtopic.php?topic_id=47474&forum=34
[7] Manly P. Hall, Secret Teachings of All Ages
[8] Blavatsky, The Secret Doctrine (897:390)
[9] J.S.M. Ward, Freemasonry and the Ancient Gods
[11] https://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/the-star-of-david
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Saturday 25 March 2017

FAMOUS RAPTURE WATCHERS - ADDENDUM by Dave MacPherson

[Many have seen my "Famous Rapture Watchers" list. Here are some other Christian leaders revealing their rapture view:]

Oswald J. Smith: “…I am absolutely convinced that there will be no rapture before the Tribulation, but that the Church will undoubtedly be called upon to face the Antichrist…” (Tribulation or Rapture – Which?, p. 2).

Paul B. Smith: “You are perfectly free to quote me as believing rather emphatically in the post-tribulation teaching of the Bible” (letter dated June 9, 1976).

S. I. McMillen: “…Christians will suffer in the Great Tribulation” (Discern These Times, p. 55).

Norman F. Douty: “…all of the evidence of history runs one way – in favor of Post-tribulationism” (Has Christ’s Return Two Stages?, p. 113).

Leonard Ravenhill: “There is a cowardly Christianity which…still comforts its fainting heart with the hope that there will be a rapture – perhaps today – to catch us away from coming tribulation” (Sodom Had No Bible, p. 94).

William Hendriksen: “…the one and only second coming of Christ to judgment” (Israel in Prophecy, p. 29).

Loraine Boettner: “Hence we conclude that nowhere in Scripture does it teach a secret or pre-tribulation Rapture” (The Millennium, p. 168).

J. Sidlow Baxter: “…believers of the last days (there is only one small part of the total Church on earth at any given moment) will be on earth during the so-called ‘Great Tribulation’ ” (Explore the Book, Vol. 6, p. 345).

Merrill C. Tenney: “There is no convincing reason why the seer’s being ‘in the Spirit’ and being called into heaven [Revelation 4:1-2] typifies the rapture of the church…” (Interpreting Revelation, p. 141).

James R. Graham: “…there is not a line of the N.T. that declares a pre-tribulation rapture, so its advocates are compelled to read it into certain indeterminate texts…” (Watchman, What of the Night?, p. 79).

Ralph Earle: “The teaching of a pre-tribulation rapture seems first to have been emphasized widely about 100 years ago by John Darby of the Plymouth Brethren” (Behold, I Come, p. 74).

Clarence B. Bass: “…I most strongly believe dispensationalism to be a departure from the historic faith…” (Backgrounds to Dispensationalism, p. 155).

William C. Thomas: “The return of Jesus Christ, described by parousia, revelation, and epiphany, is one single, glorious, triumphant event for which we all wait with great eagerness!” (The Blessed Hope in the Thessalonian Epistles of Paul, p. 42).

Harold J. Ockenga: “No exegetical justification exists for the arbitrary separation of the ‘coming of Christ’ and the ‘day of the Lord.’ It is one ‘day of the Lord Jesus Christ’ ” (Christian Life, February, 1955).

Duane Edward Spencer: “Paul makes it very clear that the Church will pass through the Great Tribulation” (“Rapture-Tribulation” cassette).

J. C. Maris: “Nowhere the Bible teaches that the Church of Jesus Christ is heading for world dominion. On the contrary – there will be no place for her, save in ‘the wilderness,’ where God will take care of her (Rev. 12:13-17)” (I.C.C.C. leaflet “The Danger of the Ecumenical Movement,” p. 2).

F. F. Bruce: “To meet the Lord [I Thessalonians 4:17]…on the final stage of…[Christ’s] journey…to the earth…” (New Bible Commentary: Revised, p. 1159).

G. Christian Weiss: “Some people say that this [‘gospel of the kingdom’ in Matthew 24:14] is not the gospel of grace but is a special aspect of the gospel to be preached some time in the future. But there is nothing in the context to indicate this” (“Back to the Bible” broadcast, February 9, 1976).

Pat Brooks: “Soon we, in the Body of Christ, will be confronted by millions of people disillusioned by such false teaching [Pre-Tribism]” (Hear, O Israel, p. 186).

Herman Hoeksema: “…the time of Antichrist, when days so terrible are still to arrive for the church…” (Behold, He Cometh!, p. 131).

Ray Summers: “Because they [Philadelphia] have been faithful, he promises his sustaining grace in the tribulation…” (Worthy Is the Lamb, p. 123).

George E. Ladd: “[Pretribulationism] may be guilty of the positive danger of leaving the Church unprepared for tribulation when Antichrist appears…” (The Blessed Hope, p. 164).

Peter Beyerhaus: “The Christian Church on earth [will face] the final, almost superhuman test of being confronted with the apocalyptical temptation by Antichrist” (Christianity Today, April 13, 1973).

Leon Morris: “The early Christians…looked for the Christ to come as Judge” (Apocalyptic, p. 84).

Dale Moody: “There is not a passage in the New Testament to support Scofield. The call to John to ‘come up hither’ has reference to mystical ecstasy, not to a pretribulation rapture” (Spirit of the Living God, p. 203).

John R. W. Stott: “He would not spare them from the suffering [Revelation 3:10]; but He would uphold them in it” (What Christ Thinks of the Church, p. 104).

G. R. Beasley-Murray: “…the woman, i.e., the Church…flees for refuge into the wilderness [Revelation 12:14]…” (The New Bible Commentary, p. 1184).

Bernard L. Ramm: “…as the Church moves to meet her Lord at the parousia world history is also moving to meet its Judge at the same parousia” (Leo Eddleman’s Last Things, p. 41).

J. Barton Payne: “…the twentieth century has indeed witnessed a progressively rising revolt against pre-tribulationism” (The Imminent Appearing of Christ, p. 38).

Robert H. Gundry: “Divine wrath does not blanket the entire seventieth week…but concentrates at the close” (The Church and the Tribulation, p. 63).

C. S. Lovett: “Frankly I favor a post-trib rapture…I no longer teach Christians that they will NOT have to go through the tribulation” (PC, January, 1974).

Walter R. Martin: “Walter Martin finally said…’Yes, I’m a post-trib’ ” (Lovett’s PC, December, 1976).

Jay Adams: “Today’s trend is…from pre- to posttribulationism” (The Time Is at Hand, p. 2).

Jim McKeever: “Nowhere do the Scriptures say that the Rapture will precede the Tribulation” (Christians Will Go Through the Tribulation, p. 55).

Arthur Katz: “I think it fair to tell you that I do not subscribe to the happy and convenient theology which says that God’s people are going to be raptured and lifted up when a time of tribulation and trial comes” (Reality, p. 8).

W. J. Grier: “The Scofield Bible makes a rather desperate effort…it tries to get in the ‘rapture’ of the saints before the appearing of Antichrist” (The Momentous Event, p. 58).

Pat Robertson: “Jesus Christ is going to come back to earth again to deliver Israel and at the same time to rapture His Church; it’s going to be one moment, but it’s going to be a glorious time” (“700 Club” telecast, May 14, 1975).

Ben Kinchlow: “Any wrath [during the Tribulation] that comes upon us – any difficulty – will not be induced by God, but it’ll be like the people are saying, ‘The cause of our problems are those Christians in our midst; we need to get rid of them’ ” (“700 Club” telecast, August 28, 1979).

Daniel P. Fuller: “It is thus concluded that Dispensationalism fails to pass the test of an adequate system of Biblical Interpretation” (The Hermeneutics of Dispensationalism, p. 369).

Corrie ten Boom: “The Bible prophesies that the time will come when we cannot buy or sell, unless we bear the sign of the Antichrist…” (Tramp for the Lord, p. 187).

Francis Nigel Lee (9 earned doctorates!): “Dave MacPherson, in his various books, has made a major contribution toward vindicating Historic Christian Eschatology. The 1830 innovations of the disturbed Margaret Macdonald documented by MacPherson – in part or in whole – immediately spread to Edward Irving and his followers, then to J. N. Darby and Plymouth Brethrenism, and were later popularized by the dispensationalistic Scofield Reference Bible, by Classic Pentecostalism, and by latter-day pretribulationists like J. F. Walvoord and Hal Lindsey.”

(In light of II Tim. 3:14 which says that we can’t know too much about our Bible teachers [Dave MacVersion], I invite you to read my article “Pretrib Rapture Dishonesty” which can be found on Google.)
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Thursday 16 March 2017

FAMOUS RAPTURE WATCHERS By Dave MacPherson

(The following quotes - to which a couple more have been added - were first circulated in a little-known , non-copyrighted paper of mine in the 1970's. While noting how Rev. 3:10 has been interpreted by the greatest Greek experts, can you determine the rapture view of each of the leaders herein?)
     Barnabas (40-100): "The final stumbling-block (or source of danger) approaches...for the whole [past] time of your faith will profit you nothing, unless now in this wicked time we also withstand coming sources of danger....That the Black One [Antichrist] may find no means of entrance..." (Epistle of Barnabas, 4).
     Clement of Rome (40-100): "...the Scripture also bears witness, saying, 'Speedily will He come, and will not tarry'; and, 'The Lord shall suddenly come [Matthew 24:30 coming] to His temple, even the Holy One, for whom ye look'" (I Clement, 23).
     Hermas (40-140): "Those, therefore, who continue steadfast, and are put through the fire [of the Great Tribulation that is yet to come], will be purified by means of it....Wherefore cease not speaking these things into the ears of the saints..." (The Pastor of Hermas, Vision 4).
     Polycarp (70-167): "He comes as the Judge of the living and the dead" (Epistle to the Philippians, II).
     Justin Martyr (100-168): "The man of apostasy [Antichrist], who speaks strange things against the Most High, shall venture to do unlawful deeds on the earth against us the Christians..." (Dialogue With Trypho, 110).
     Melito (100-170): "For with all his strength did the adversary assail us, even then giving a foretaste of his activity among us [during the Great Tribulation] which is to be without restraint..." (Discourse on the Resurrection, i, 8).
     Irenaeus (140-202): "And they [the ten kings who shall arise] shall lay Babylon waste, and burn her with fire, and shall give their kingdom to the beast, and put the church to flight" (Against Heresies, V, 26).
     Tertullian (150-220): "The souls of the martyrs are taught to wait [Rev. 6]...that the beast Antichrist with his false prophet may wage war on the Church of God..." (On the Resurrection of the Flesh, 25).
     Hippolytus (160-240): "...the one thousand two hundred and three score days (the half of the week) during which the tyrant is to reign and persecute the Church, which flees from city to city, and seeks concealment in the wilderness among the mountains" (Treatise on Christ and Antichrist, 61).
     Cyprian (200-258): "The day of affliction has begun to hang over our heads, and the end of the world and the time of the Antichrist to draw near, so that we must all stand prepared for the battle..." (Epistle, 55, 1).
     Victorinus (240-303): "...the times of Antichrist, when all shall be injured" (Commentary on the Apocalypse of the Blessed John, VI, 5).
     Lactantius (240-330): "And power will be given him [Antichrist] to desolate the whole earth for forty-two months....When these things shall so happen, then the righteous and the followers of truth shall separate themselves from the wicked, and flee into solitudes" (Divine Institutes, VII, 17).
     Athanasius (293-373): "...they have not spared Thy servants, but are preparing the way for Antichrist" (History of the Arians, VIII, 79).
     Ephraim the Syrian (306-373): "Nothing remains then, except that the coming of our enemy, Antichrist, appear..." (Sermo Asceticus, I).
     Pseudo-Ephraem (4th century?): "...there is not other which remains, except the advent of the wicked one [Antichrist]..." (On the Last Times, the Antichrist etc., 2).
     Cyril of Jerusalem (315-386): "The Church declares to thee the things concerning Antichrist before they arrive...it is well that, knowing these things, thou shouldest make thyself ready beforehand" (Catechetical Lectures, 15, 9).
     Jerome (340-420): "I told you that Christ would not come unless Antichrist had come before" (Epistle 21).
     Chrysostom (345-407): "...the time of Antichrist...will be a sign of the coming of Christ..." (Homilies on First Thessalonians, 9).
     Augustine (354-430): "But he who reads this passage [Daniel 12], even half asleep, cannot fail to see that the kingdom of Antichrist shall fiercely, though for a short time, assail the Church..." (The City of God, XX, 23).
     Venerable Bede (673-735): "[The Church's triumph will] follow the reign of Antichrist" (The Explanation of the Apocalypse, II, 8).
     Bernard of Clairvaux (1090-1153): "There remains only one thing----that the demon of noonday [Antichrist] should appear, to seduce those who remain still in Christ..." (Sermons on the Song of Songs, 33, 16).
     Roger Bacon (1214-1274): "...because of future perils [for the Church] in the times of Antichrist..." (Opus Majus, II, p. 634).
     John Wycliffe (1320-1384): "Wherefore let us pray to God that he keep us in the hour of temptation, which is coming upon all the world, Rev. iii" (Writings of the Reverend and Learned John Wickliff, D.D., p. 155).
     Martin Luther (1483-1546): "[The book of Revelation] is intended as a revelation of things that are to happen in the future, and especially of tribulations and disasters for the Church..." (Works of Martin Luther, VI, p. 481).
     William Tyndale (1492-1536): "...antichrist preacheth not Peter's doctrine (which is Christ's gospel)...he compelleth all men with violence of sword" (Greenslade's The Work of William Tindale, p. 127).
     Menno Simons (1496-1561): "...He will appear as a triumphant prince and a victorious king to bring judgment. Then will those who persecute us look upon Him..." (Complete Writings..., p. 622).
     John Calvin (1509-1564): "...we ought to follow in our inquiries after Antichrist, especially where such pride proceeds to a public desolation of the church" (Institutes, Vol. 2, p. 411).
     John Knox (1515-1572): "...the great love of God towards his Church, whom he pleased to forewarn of dangers to come, so many years before they come to pass...to wit, The man of sin, The Antichrist, The Whore of Babylon" (The History of the Reformation..., I, p. 76).
     John Fox (1516-1587): "...that second beast prophesied to come in the later time of the Church...to disturb the whole Church of Christ..." (Acts and Monuments, I).
     Roger Williams (1603-1683): "Antichrist...hath his prisons, to keep Christ Jesus and his members fast..." (The Bloody Tenent, of Persecution, p. 153).
     John Bunyan (1628-1688): "He comes in flaming fire [as Judge] and...the trump of God sounds in the air, the dead to hear his voice..." (The Last Four Things: Of Judgment).
     Daniel Whitby (1638-1726): "...after the Fall of Antichrist, there shall be such a glorious State of the Church...so shall this be the Church of Martyrs, and of those who had not received the Mark of the Beast..." (A Paraphrase and Commentary, p. 696).
     Increase Mather (1639-1723): "That part of the world [Europe] was to be principally the Seat of the Church of Christ during the Reign of Antichrist" (Ichabod, p. 64).
     Matthew Henry (1662-1714): "Those who keep the gospel in a time of peace shall be kept by Christ in an hour of temptation [Revelation 3:10]" (Commentary, VI, p. 1134).
     Cotton Mather (1663-1728): "...that New Jerusalem, whereto the Church is to be advanced, when the Mystical Babylon shall be fallen" (The Wonders of the Invisible World, p. 3).
     Jonathan Edwards (1703-1758): "...continuance of Antichrist's reign [when the Church is persecuted] did not commence before the year of Christ 479..." (A History of the Work of Redemption, p. 217).
     John Wesley (1703-1791): "'The stars shall...fall from heaven,' (Revelation, vi. 13)....And then shall be heard the universal shout...followed by the 'voice of the archangel,'...'and the trumpet of God'...(I Thessalonians iv. 16)." (The Works of the Rev. John Wesley, A.M., Vol. V, p. 173).
     George Whitefield (1714-1770): "...'while the bridegroom tarried,' in the space of time which passeth between our Lord's ascension and his coming again to judgment..." (Gillies' Memoirs of Rev. George Whitefield, p. 471).
     David Brainerd (1718-1747): "...and I could not but hope, that the time was at hand, when Babylon the great would fall and rise no more" (Memoirs..., p. 326).
     Morgan Edwards (1722-1795): "[Antichrist] has hitherto assumed no higher title than 'the vicar general of Christ on earth'..." (Two Academical Exercises etc., p. 20).
     John Newton (1725-1807): "'Fear not temptation's fiery day, for I will be thy strength and stay. Thou hast my promise, hold it fast, the trying hour [Revelation 3:10] will soon be past'" (The Works of the Rev. John Newton, Vol. II, p. 152).
     Adam Clarke (1762-1832): "We which are alive, and remain...he [Paul] is speaking of the genuine Christians which shall be found on earth when Christ comes to judgment" (Commentary, Vol. VI, p. 550).
     Charles G. Finney (1792-1875): "Christ represents it as impossible to deceive the elect. Matt. 24:24. We have seen that the elect unto salvation includes all true christians." (Lectures on Systematic Theology, p. 606).
     Charles Hodge (1797-1878): "...the fate of his Church here on earth...is the burden of the Apocalypse" (Systematic Theology, Vol. III, p. 827).
     Albert Barnes (1798-1870): "...he will keep them in the future trials that shall come upon the world [Revelation 3:10]" (Notes on the New Testament, p. 94).
     George Mueller (1805-1898): "The Scripture declares plainly that the Lord Jesus will not come until the Apostacy shall have taken place, and the man of sin...shall have been revealed..." (Mrs. Mueller's Missionary Tours and Labours, p. 148).
     Benjamin W. Newton (1805-1898): "The Secret Rapture was bad enough, but this [John Darby's equally novel idea that the book of Matthew is on 'Jewish' ground instead of 'Church' ground] was worse" (unpublished Fry MS. and F. Roy Coad's Prophetic Developments, p. 29).
     R. C. Trench (1807-1886): "...the Philadelphian church...to be kept in temptation, not to be exempted from temptation..." (Seven Churches of Asia, pp. 183-184).
     Carl F. Keil (1807-1888): "...the persecution of the last enemy Antichrist against the church of the Lord..." (Biblical Commentary, Vol. XXXIV, p. 503).
     Henry Alford (1810-1871): "Christ is on His way to this earth [I Thessalonians 4:17]..." (The New Testament for English Readers, Vol. II, p. 491).
     John Lillie (1812-1867): "In his [Antichrist's] days was to be the great----the last----tribulation of the Church" (Second Thessalonians, pp. 537-538).
     F. L. Godet (1812-1900): "The gathering of the elect [Matthew24:31]...is mentioned by St. Paul, 1 Thess. 4:16, 17, 2 Thess. 2:1..." (Commentary on Luke, p. 452).
     Robert Murray McCheyne (1813-1842): "Christians must have 'great tribulation'; but they come out of it" (Bonar's Memoirs of McCheyne, p. 26).
     S. P. Tregelles (1813-1875): "The Scripture teaches the Church to wait for the manifestation of Christ. The secret theory bids us to expect a coming before any such manifestation" (The Hope of Christ's Second Coming, p. 71).
     Franz Delitzsch (1813-1890): "...the approaching day is the day of Christ, who comes...for final judgment" (Commentary on Hebrews, Vol. II, p. 183).
     C. J. Ellicott (1819-1905): "[I Thessalonians 4:17] 'to meet the Lord,' as He is coming down to earth..." (Commentary on the Thessalonian Epistles, p. 66).
     Nathaniel West (1826-1906): "[The Pre-Trib Rapture] is built on a postulate, vicious in logic, violent in exegesis, contrary to experience, repudiated by the early Church, contradicted by the testimony of eighteen hundred years...and condemned by all the standard scholars of every age" (The Apostle Paul and the "Any Moment" Theory, p. 30).
     Alexander Maclaren (1826-1910): "He will keep us in the midst of, and also from, the hour of temptation [Revelation 3:10]" (The Epistles of John, Jude and the Book of Revelation, p. 266).
     J. H. Thayer (1828-1901): "To keep [Revelation 3:10]:...by guarding, to cause one to escape in safety out of" (A Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament, p. 622).
     Adolph Saphir (1831-1891): "...the advent of the Messiah...to which both the believing synagogue and the church of the Lord Jesus Christ are looking..." (The Epistle to the Hebrews, Vol. I, p. 96).
     M. R. Vincent (1834-1922): "The preposition ['from'] implies, not a keeping from temptation, but a keeping in temptation [Revelation 3:10]..." (Word Studies..., p. 466).
     William J. Erdman (1834-1923): "...by the 'saints' seen as future by Daniel and by John are meant 'the Church'..." (Notes on the Book of Revelation, p. 47).
     H. Grattan Guinness (1835-1910): "...the Church is on earth during the action of the Apocalypse..." (The Approaching End of the Age, p. 136).
     H. B. Swete (1835-1917): "The promise [of Revelation 3:10], as Bede says, is 'not indeed of your being immune from adversity, but of not being overcome by it'" (The Apocalypse of St. John, p. 56).
     William G. Moorehead (1836-1914): "...the last days of the Church's deepest humiliation when Antichrist is practicing and prospering (Dan. viii:12)..." (Outline Studies in the New Testament, p. 123).
     A. H. Strong (1836-1921): "The final coming of Christ is referred to in: Mat. 24:30...[and] I Thess. 4:16..." (Systematic Theology, p. 567).
     Theodor Zahn (1838-1933): "...He will preserve...at the time of the great temptation [Revelation 3:10]..." (Zahn-Kommentar, I, p. 305).
     I. T. Beckwith (1843-1936): "The Philadelphians...are promised that they shall be carried in safety through the great trial [Revelation 3:10], they shall not fall" (The Apocalypse of John, p. 484).
     Robert Cameron (1845-1922): "The Coming for, and the Coming with, the saints, still persists, although it involves a manifest contradiction, viz., two Second Comings which is an absurdity" (Scriptural Truth About the Lord's Return, p. 16).
     B. B. Warfield (1851-1921): "...He shall come again to judgment...to close the dispensation of grace..." (Biblical Doctrines, p. 639).
     David Baron (1855-1926): "(Tit. ii. 13), for then the hope as regards the church, and Israel, and the world, will be fully realised" (Visions of Zechariah, p. 323).
     Philip Mauro (1859-1952): "...'dispensational teaching' is modernistic in the strictest sense...it first came into existence within the memory of persons now living..." (The Gospel of the Kingdom, p. 8).
     A. T. Robertson (1863-1934): "In Rev. 3:10...we seem to have the picture of general temptation with the preservation of the saints" (A Grammar of the Greek New Testament in the Light of Historical Research, p. 596).
     R. C. H. Lenski (1864-1936): "...it [Philadelphia] shall be kept untouched and unharmed by the impending dangers [Revelation 3:10]" (The Interpretation of St. John's Revelation, pp. 146-146).
     William E. Biederwolf (1867-1939): "Godet, like most pre-millennial expositors, makes no provision for any period between the Lord's coming for His saints and His coming with them..." (The Second Coming Bible, p. 385).
     Alexander Reese (1881-1969): "...we quite deliberately reject the dispensational theories, propounded first about 1830..." (The Approaching Advent of Christ, p. 293).
     Norman S. MacPherson (1899-1980): "...the view that the Church will not pass into or through the Great Tribulation is based largely upon arbitrary interpretations of obscure passages" (Triumph Through Tribulation, p. 5).

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