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Coming Soon!!

January 1, 2013

Hello everyone and Happy New Year!!  I wanted to let everyone know that my article on Michael the archangel is now posted.  It is a permanent article as opposed to my blog writings (it has it’s own page).  It takes time making sure all the dots and tees are crossed.  My beautiful wife, Melody, does all the editing.  As an attorney, her innate skills bring my articles to life. My next article is on the resurrection of Jesus Christ.  After that, the Bible’s teaching on Salvation will post.  I will soon have every major Watchtower doctrine in article form.  My goal is to share all their teachings and compare them to what God’s Word communicates on the subject.  My last topic of Michael the archangel, now complete, is lengthy, but a subject that needed to be addressed.  I am very happy to announce it’s completion.

I wish everyone a Happy New Year and please, hold your heads high because God is in control of the world’s affairs.  God Bless You!!

Your brother, Cochise

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70 Weeks of Years

November 12, 2012

70 Weeks of Years

Daniel 9:24-27

Messiah Appears As Predicted, But Who Is The Prince Who Is To Come? 

To be sure, the prophecy of Daniel 9 is exceptionally exciting.  It not only foretold the coming of the Messiah, but also foretells the coming of “the prince who is to come.”  In my opinion, it is one of the most illuminating and important prophecies in Scripture.

 Prophecy Under Discussion: 

“Seventy weeks have been decreed for your people and your holy city, to finish the transgression, to make an end of sin, to make atonement for iniquity, to bring in everlasting righteousness, to seal up vision and prophecy, and to anoint the most holy place. So you are to know and discern that from the issuing of a decree to restore and rebuild Jerusalem until Messiah the Prince there will be seven weeks and sixty-two weeks; it will be built again, with plaza and moat, even in times of distress.  Then after the sixty-two weeks the Messiah will be cut off and have nothing, and the people of the prince who is to come will destroy the city and sanctuary.  And its end will come with a flood; even to the end there will be war; desolations are determined.  And he will make a firm covenant with the many for one week, but in the middle of the week he will put a stop to sacrifice and grain offering; and on the wing of abominations will come one who makes desolate, even until a complete destruction, one that is decreed, is poured out on the one who makes desolate.” Daniel 9:24-27.

Under the Watchtower interpretation, Daniel’s prophetic time clock began in the year 455 B.C. and culminated in the year 36 A.D., but this article will demonstrate why that is incorrect.  In fact, the prophecy has not yet culminated.

As part of the discussion, I will address the following questions: 

(1)  In What Year Did The Prophecy Begin?

(2)  How Long is the “70-Week” Period?

(3)  Is There a “Gap”(undisclosed period of time) Between the 69th and 70th Week?

(4)  Who is the “Prince Who Is To Come?”

The 70-Week Prophecy Revealed to Daniel was in Response

To His Prayer for the Nation of Israel 

When Daniel saw that the 70 years of the Jews’ captivity (as set forth in 2 Chronicles 36:21) was nearing an end, he realized that before the exiles could return to their homeland, they needed to confess and repent of their sin of disobedience before God.  (Lev 26:40-46)  While Daniel was making his petition (Daniel 9:4-19), the angel Gabriel appeared to give him understanding of the prophetic message concerning the 70 weeks (Daniel 9:24-27): “while I was still speaking in prayer, then the man Gabriel, whom I had seen in the vision previously, came to me in my extreme weariness about the time of the evening offering.  And he gave me instruction and talked with me, and said, ‘O Daniel, I have now come forth to give you insight with understanding.’  At the beginning of your supplications the command was issued, and I have come to tell you, for you are highly esteemed; so give heed to the message and gain understanding of the vision.” (Daniel 9:21-23) 

As any Bible student knows, proper interpretation of Scripture is contingent upon understanding its biblical context.  In other words, to whom does the passage speak?  In this case, Daniel is thinking about the nation of Israel – he was praying for his people.  Since the prophecy was written for the nation of Israel, its culmination also rests with them.  In context, the prophecy speaks directly to the nation of Israel, not the Christian church.

Answer #1:  The prophecy began in 444 B.C.

In arriving at this conclusion, we start by looking at Daniel 9:25, which gives us the historical event needed to launch the prophecy into motion:

“So you are to know and discern that from the issuing of a decree to restore and rebuild Jerusalem until Messiah the Prince there will be seven weeks and sixty-two weeks; it will be built again, with plaza and moat, even in times of distress.”

The historical event that launched this prophecy into motion was the issuing of a decree (or command) to restore and rebuild Jerusalem.  According to Dr. Harold W. Hoehner, Professor of Theology at Cambridge University, four decrees are mentioned in scripture, but the first three do not apply here:  (1) the decree of Cyrus,  (2) the decree of Darius, (3) the decree of Artaxerxes to Ezra, and (4) the decree of Artaxerxes to Nehemiah.

The historical event/decree referenced in Daniel 9:25 for the commencement of the 70 weeks is the decree of Artaxerxes to Nehemiah.  This is evidenced by several factors.  First, there is a direct reference to the restoration of the city (Neh 2:3, 2:5) and of the city walls and gates (Neh 2:3,8).  Second, Artaxerxes wrote a letter to Asaph to give materials to be used specifically for the walls (Neh 2:8).  Third, the Book of Nehemiah and Ezra 4:7-23 indicates that the restoration of the walls was done in the most distressing circumstances, as predicted by Daniel (Dan 9:25), and lastly, no later decrees were given by the Persian kings pertaining to the rebuilding of Jerusalem.

The date of this decree is provided in Nehemiah 1:1, which states that Nehemiah heard of Jerusalem’s desolate conditions in the month of Chislev (November/December) in Artaxerxes’ twentieth year.  Then later in Artaxerxes’ twentieth year, in the month of Nisan (March/April), Nehemiah reports that he was granted permission to restore the city and build its wall (Neh 2:1).  To have Nisan later than Chislev (in the same year) may seem strange until you realize that Nehemiah was using a Tishri-to-Tishri (September/October) dating method rather than the Persian Nisan-to-Nisan method.  Nehemiah was following what was used by the kings of Judah earlier in their history.  The method used by Nehemiah is confirmed by the Jews in Elephantine, who also used this method during the same time period as Nehemiah.  (S. H. Horn and L. H. Wood, “The Fifth-Century Jewish Calendar at Elephantine,” Journal of Near Eastern Studies, XIII, January, 1954, 4, 20.)

According to Dr. Hoehner, Artaxerxes’ father, Xerxes, died shortly after December 17, 465 B.C., and Artaxerexes immediately succeeded him.  Since the accession-year system was used, the first year of his reign under the PersianNisan-to-Nisan reckoning would have been Nisan 464 to Nisan 463, and according to the Jewish Tishri-to-Tishri reckoning, his first year would have been Tishri 464 to Tishri 463.  Thus, the twentieth year of Artaxerxes’ reign, mentioned in Nehemiah 1:1 and 2:1, occurred in Chislev (November/December) of 445 B.C., and the decree of Artaxerxes occurred in Nisan (March/April) of 444 B.C.  (Richard A. Parker and Waldo H. Dubberstein, Babylonian Chronology 626 B.C. – A.D. 75 (2nd ed.; Providence, 1956, p. 32; Herman H. Goldstine, New and Full Moons, 1001 B.C. to A.D. 1651 (Philadelphia, 1973, p. 47).  Since Artaxerxes began his rule Nisan 444 B.C., the prophecy time clock likewise started to run in 444 B.C.

How the Years are Counted

The 70 weeks of Daniel is understood to be 70 weeks of years (490 years to be exact).  Dr. Hoehner refines the original calculation presented by Sir Robert Anderson, using the 360-day year:  Multiplying the 69 weeks x seven years for each week x 360 days = 173,880 days.  The difference between 444 B.C. and 33 A.D. then is 476 solar years.  By multiplying 476 x 365.24219879 (or 365 days, 5 hours, 48 minutes, 45.975 seconds), you get 173,855.28662404 days (or 173,855 days, 6 hours, 52 minutes, 44 seconds).  This leaves only 25 days to be accounted for between 444 B.C. and 33 A.D.  By adding the 25 days to March 5 of 444 B.C., you come to March 30 of 33 A.D., which was Nisan 10 in 33 A.D.  This then is the date of the triumphal entry of Jesus into Jerusalem.  (Dr. Harold W. Hoehner, “Chronological Aspects of The Life of Christ” pg.138.) 

The Messiah made His timely appearance as predicted by Daniel’s prophecy.  Zechariah 9:9 foretold the manner in which He would present Himself: “Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion!  Shout in triumph, O daughter of Jerusalem!  Behold, your king is coming to you; He is just and endowed with salvation, Humble, and mounted on a donkey, Even on a colt, the foal of a donkey.”  The Messiah, Jesus Christ, during His triumphal entry into Jerusalem upon a donkey, fulfilled Zechariah’s prophecy on Monday Nisan 10 (March 30) 33 A.D., and ended the 69 weeks of years (483 years).

Answer #2:  The 70-week period is 490 years, and has not yet culminated.

The last week (7 years) is the key here.  As a former member of the Watchtower, I did not know that there was a 7-year unfulfilled portion of Daniel 9.  The Messiah was cut off after the 69th week but not during the 70th week.

“If the cutting off of the Messiah occurred in the middle of the seventieth week, it is very strange that the cutting off is said to be after the sixty-nine weeks (figuring the sum of the seven and the sixty-two weeks).  Much more naturally the text would have read ‘during’ or ‘in the midst of’ the seventieth week, as it does in verse twenty-seven concerning the stoppage of the sacrifices.  The only adequate explanation for this unusual turn of expression is that the seventieth week did not follow on the heels of the sixty-ninth.  The crucifixion then comes shortly ‘after’ the sixty-nine but not within the seventieth because of an intervening gap.  The possibility of a gap between the sixty-nine and the seventieth weeks is established by the well-accepted OT phenomenon of prophetic perspective, in which gaps such as that between the first and second advents were not perceived.” (Guntry, p. 190)

Gap Between the 69th and 70th Weeks

This leads into our third question:  Is there an undisclosed gap of time between the 69th and 70th weeks?  To explain this, I turn your attention to what our church fathers taught (quoting Dr. Thomas Ice):

“In this final installment on the seventy weeks of Daniel, I want to deal with the history of the church’s interpretation of it. What has the church believed about this passage down through the years. One of the main reasons for spending time on this matter is that some have said that our view that sees a gap of time between the sixty-ninth and seventieth weeks of Daniel is a recent development in church history. Truth of the matter is that it is the oldest known view in church history. Read on and see.

… it is clear ‘that in Irenaeus [130-200 A.D.] and Hippolytus we have the originators of that method of interpretation that places the seventieth week of Daniel at the time of the consummation.’  Irenaeus speaks of how ‘three years and six months constitute the half-week’ in his section on the prophecy of Daniel 9. This is why Knowles says that in Irenaeus ‘we have the basic concept for a futuristic construction of the Seventy Weeks, viz., the position of the last week at the end of the age.’ Hippolytus, Irenaeus’ pupil is even clearer.

Hippolytus is the first known person in the history of the church to write a commentary on any book of the Bible, and he wrote on Daniel. “Hippolytus give us the first attempt at detailed interpretation of the Seventy Weeks,” observes Knowles. “He is dependent, no doubt, upon Irenaeus for the foundational proposition that the last half-week of the seventy is to be connected with the Antichrist, but the detailed development is not found in Irenaeus.” In fact, Hippolytus refers to a gap or, in his words “division,” multiple times. Hippolytus says,

For when the threescore and two weeks are fulfilled, and Christ is come, and the Gospel is preached in every place, the times being then accomplished, there will remain only one week, the last, in which Elias will appear, and Enoch, and in the midst of it the abomination of desolation will be manifested, viz., Antichrist, announcing desolation to the world. … ‘Certainly Hippolytus’ interpretation does not have the refinements of the later development, but it is the direct ancestor of it,’ concludes Knowles.

In one sense it does not matter what others who have come before our current generation think on an issue, since in reality a matter rises or falls upon whether it squares with God’s Word. However, in another sense it does matter what others have thought down through church history, since if something is taught in the Bible then it may be legitimate to ask why others have not understood a particular teaching. While there are a number of doctrines that have gone well over a thousand years before members of Christ’s church have come to realize what was there in Scripture all along, the necessary gap of time between the sixty-ninth and seventieth weeks of Daniel is not one of those late teachings.

Answer #3:  Yes, there is a “gap of time” separating the 69th week of years from the last seven years of the prophecy.

The “Prince Who Is To Come”

Who is the “prince who is to come” referenced in Daniel’s prayer?  Daniel says of this person:  “And he will make a firm covenant with the many for one week, but in the middle of the week he will put a stop to sacrifice and grain offering; and on the wing of abominations will come one who makes desolate, even until a complete destruction, one that is decreed, is poured out on the one who makes desolate.” (Daniel 9:27) 

We can appreciate for many reasons that Daniel is not referring to the Messiah, Jesus Christ.  This scripture mentions a covenant that will be made with the nation of Israel in the future and broken.  That covenant involves the last 7 years, also known as the Great Tribulation.  When the Messiah appears at the second coming, the nation of Israel accepts Jesus Christ as their Messiah during the prophecy’s apex.  At that time the prophecy will culminate, and the Messiah will finish the transgression, make an end of sin, make atonement for iniquity, bring in everlasting righteousness, to seal up vision and prophecy, and anoint the most holy place.  All of these have reference to the nation of Israel, but none of has been fulfilled.  Israel has not yet finished her transgression or been purged of her iniquity.  Nor has she experienced the everlasting righteousness promised her.  The apostle Paul sees this as a future reality:  “For I do not want you, brethren, to be uninformed of this mystery, lest you be wise in your own estimation, that a partial hardening has happened to Israel until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in; and thus all Israel will be saved; just as it is written, ‘THE DELIVERER WILL COME FROM ZION, HE WILL REMOVE UNGODLINESS FROM JACOB.’ AND THIS IS MY COVENANT WITH THEM, WHEN I TAKE AWAY THEIR SINS.”  (Romans 11:25-27)

Answer #4:  The “prince” spoken of here is the Antichrist.

According to Matthew 24:15, Jesus said, “Therefore when you see the ABOMINATION OF DESOLATION which was spoken of through Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place,” this was to take place after His ministry on earth.  He spoke of the appearance of the abomination of desolation in the Jerusalem temple as a signal of the Great Tribulation, which is immediately followed by Christ’s second advent: “But immediately after the tribulation of those days THE SUN WILL BE DARKENED, AND THE MOON WILL NOT GIVE ITS LIGHT, AND THE STARS WILL FALL from the sky, and powers of the heavens will be shaken, and then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in the sky, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the SON OF MAN COMING ON THE CLOUDS OF THE SKY with power and great glory.” (Matthew 24:29-30)

It is true that Jerusalem suffered destruction in 66-70 A.D., but Christ did not return in 70 A.D.  In fact, the Book of Revelation speaks of Jerusalem’s desolation as yet future and not as having been fulfilled nearly a quarter century before its composition.  (Gundry, pp. 190-91)

“A careful study of this text (Daniel 9:24-27) will show that the first 483 of the 490 years are now history, having been fulfilled at the time of the first coming of the Messiah.  However, there are seven years left to run in God’s prophetic time clock for Israel.  These are the same seven years as those of the Great Tribulation.  The issue now is: What is the one event that begins these last seven years ticking away?  Daniel 9:27 answers that question.  This verse speaks of an individual making a seven-year covenant with the Jewish nation.  The he refers back to its nearest antecedent which is the prince that shall come in verse 26.  This person is better known in Christian circles as the Antichrist.  When the Antichrist signs a seven-year covenant with Israel, the last seven years of God’s prophetic time clock for Israel begin ticking away.  This and only this is the starting point of the seven years of the Tribulation.” (Israelology, The Missing Link In Systematic Theology, by Arnold G. Fruchtenbaum, Th.M., Ph.D., pg. 769.)

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Is Michael The Archangel Jesus Christ? (Revised)

September 29, 2012

Is Michael Jesus Christ?  

 “All Scripture is inspired of God and beneficial for teaching, for reproving, for setting things straight, for disciplining in righteousness, that the man of God may be fully competent, completely equipped for every good work.” (2Tim. 3:16,17, NWT) 

 “All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.” (2 Tim. 3:16, 17 NASB)

Question: Do you believe that Scripture is God breathed for teaching, correcting, and training, so we as His people are fully educated on what He teaches and instructs?  I ask this question because some say absolutely but in application or real life (real time), man’s biblical teachings trump God’s breathed scriptural communication.

Let us imagine for a moment that God called (you) on the phone.  God wanted to become your personal instructor and asked: “Would you like Me to instruct this course?”  He then provided you His personal training manual.  This manual was not an ordinary instruction booklet.  To the contrary, it was “The Instruction Manual.” Nothing on earth could trump the absolute truth found from every word on every line of every page. Within the binding of this “Instruction Manual” (66 books in total, yes, the Bible), God told man everything He wanted them to know. Therefore, is Michael the archangel Jesus Christ according to the Authority (God’s Breathed Word)?

The Watchtower Position

 “there is Scriptural evidence to concluding that Michael was the name of Jesus Christ before he left heaven and after his return.” (WT May 15, 1969, pg 307)

“Michael the great prince is none other than Jesus Christ Himself.” (WT 12-15-84, pg 29

The Watchtower Invitation

“The Watchtower invites careful and critical examination of its contents in the light of the Scriptures.” (WT 8-15, 1950 WT, pg 263)

“We should prove by the word of God whether the things found in the Watchtower are from man or from the Lord!” (WT May 1, 1934 WT, pg 131)

To be sure, the Watchtower invites a critical examination of their theology in light of Holy Scripture.  So, never feel uncomfortable about investigating and questioning Watchtower teachings.  They themselves invite you to examine their theology using God’s Breathed Word.  That said, however, their Bible must not be used.  Finding truths must not include biased materials.  I would use other Bibles for examination purposes. However, use their Bible for comparison purposes.  Let us then, together, examine the Holy Scriptures and find out if Michael the archangel is Jesus Christ according to the Watchtower organization.

I would like to begin our investigation with a question.  Question:  What does God’s Breathed Word say about angels ruling man?  Is the human race in subjection to angels?  Have angels ever ruled man?  In other words, are angels permitted to rule and have man in subjection to them? Does God permit it?

We are not interested in what man has to say on the subject (man’s breathed word).  We are only interested in God’s answer (remember 2 Tim. 3:16).  Let’s find out.  Turn with me to Hebrews 2:5: “For He did not subject to angels the world to come, concerning which we are speaking.”  The NWT reads: “For it is not to angels that he has subjected the inhabited earth to come, about which we are speaking.” In other words, God is saying angels do not rule man … and will not rule man in the future!!

God’s breathed word teaches us that man will never be subjected to the authority of angels.  Angels will never rule over man.  God Said It … Not Me.  So, thus far and we’ve just begun, no angel (which includes Michael the archangel), will ever have man under their subjection / rule over man.  Let us think about that as we continue our discussion.  I ask again: Question: Do you believe 2Tim. 3:16,17, NWT: “All Scripture is inspired of God and beneficial for teaching, for reproving, forsetting things straight (in other words, man’s truth vs God’struth), for disciplining in righteousness, that the man of God may be fully competent (competent in what, in what God teaches), completely equipped for every good work.” (my words in  parenthesis) 

Angels Cannot Be Worshipped. 

 “At that I fell down before his feet to worship him.  But he tells me: ‘Be careful!  Do not do that! All I am is a fellow slave of you and of your brothers who have the work of witnessing to Jesus.  Worship God; for the bearing witness to Jesus is what inspires prophesying.’” Rev. 19:10, NWT, (Also Rev. 22:9)

Turn with me to Daniel

Let us not stop here but continue on with what Daniel says about Michael. 

Daniel 10:13 reads: But the prince of the kingdom of Persia was withstanding me for twenty-one days; then behold, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, for I had been left there with the kings of Persia.”  The WT teaches that Michael, here, was Jesus Christ (before becoming man), angel, human, angel 

Daniel 12:1 reads: “Now at the time Michael, the great prince who stands guard over the sons of your people, will arise.  And there will be time of distress such as never occurred since there was a nation until that time; and at that time your people, everyone who is found written in the book, will be rescued.”

Question: Where in the text of Daniel 10 and 12 does God’s Breathed Word say that Michael (one-of-the-chief-princes) is Jesus Christ?  The answer: It doesn’t.  So, to posture and assert a position that Jesus Christ is Michael from the text is nothing less than heretical.  Jesus Christ isn’t even mentioned in the context.

VINES Complete Expository Dictionary, pg.36: archangelos (743) “is not found in the OT, and in the NT only in 1Thess. 4:16 and Jude 9, where it is used of Michael, who in Daniel is called ‘one of the chief princes,’ and ‘the great prince’ (Sept,.‘the great angel’), 10:13, 21; 12:1. Cf. also Rev. 12:7 … Whether there are other beings of this exalted rank in the heavenly hosts, Scripture does not say, though the description ‘one of the chief princes’ suggest that this may be the case; cf. also Rom. 8:38; Eph. 1:21; Col. 1:16, where the word translated ‘principalities’is arche, the prefix in archangel (from Notes on Thessalonians, by Hogg and Vine, p. 142).  In 1Thess. 4:16 the meaning seems to be that the voice of the Lord Jesus will be of the character of an ‘archangelic’ shout.’”

In fact, since Michael is “one of the chief princes,” this indicates that there are others.  He (Michael) just happens to be named in Scripture.   Christ is referred to as “Unique” in John 3:16 (monogenes), one-of-a-kind.  He is not “one-of-the-chief-princes” (Jesus Christ is never called a “Chief Prince), He is “Unique” according to John 3:16; He is One-of-a-kind, not “one of many.  To the contrary, Jesus Christ is called King, Lord, and Savior.  We have already learned that angels cannot rule over man and cannot be worshipped.  Michael the archangel is never called King … Michael the archangel cannot be called King, and Lord, because angels never rule over man (Kings, and Lords rule).

Jesus Christ is never referred to as a mere chief prince (among many), but as Revelation 19:16 reads: “And on His robe and on His thigh He has a name written, ‘KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.”  This is a title that indicates absolute sovereignty and Authority … King of Kings / Lord of Lords is much higher in authority than a mere “Chief Prince” (who is one among many).  The first one has absolute sovereignty and authority; the latter has derived, limited authority.

That said, Jesus Christ, according God’s Breathed Word, cannot be Michael … Why …  Because, Jesus Christ is KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS, and RULES over man (angels according to Heb. 2:5 will never have man under their subjection, thus, will never rule man).

What About 1Thess. 4:16? 

NWT: “Because the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a commanding call, with an archangel’s voice and with God’s trumpet, and those who are dead in union with Christ will rise first.” (1Thess. 4:16)

KIT: “Because very (one) the Lord in command, in voice of archangel and in trumpet of God, he will come down from heaven, and the dead (ones) in Christ will stand up first.” (1Thess. 4:16)

“BECAUSE HIMSELF THE LORD WITH A CRY OF COMMAND, WITH A VOICE OF AN ARCHANGEL AND WITH A TRUMPET OF GOD, WILL DESCEND FROM HEAVEN AND THE DEAD N CHRIST WILL RISE FIRST.” (The New Greek English Interlinear New Testament)  (1Thess. 4:16)

We have already learned from Hebrews 2:5, I will read it again so there is no misunderstanding: The NWT reads: “For it is not to angels that he has subjected the inhabited earth to come, about which we are speaking.” (Hebrews 2:5)

What is God’s Breathed Word communicating to us in 1Thess: 4:16?  I will describe it in military terms: Christ (King of Kings, and Lord of Lords, and rules over man) comes with a cry of command (The General Commanding) voice of archangel (The General’s officer sounds out), Trumpet of God (Christ comes with total Authority).

Note: If the “voice” of an archangel represents identity, to be consistent then, the words “with the trumpet of God” must represent Deity (to be accurate).   I’m not saying this passage speaks of the Deity of Christ, but since the WT takes only half of the scripture (and interprets it), and ignores the second half, I will take the second half and make an assumption (I will do as the WT does); since the trumpet of God is also being held, Christ must be God.  Make sense?  Of course it doesn’t.  This passage neither teaches Christ is Michael the archangel or God.  Although the Scriptures teach Jesus Christ is God, this passage is not one of them.  Remember, I did exactly what the WT did.

Who Then Is Jesus Christ If Not Michael The Archangel?

Let us dig deeper into our investigation.  Turn with me to Isaiah 44:24: (NWT) “This is what Jehovah has said, your Repurchaser and the Former of you from the belly; ‘I, Jehovah, am doing everything, stretching out the heavens by myself, laying out the earth.  Who was with me?’”

NASB: “Thus says the LORD, your Redeemer, and the one who formed you from the womb, ‘I, the LORD, am the maker of all things, Stretching out the heavens by Myself, And spreading out the earth all alone.”

The Lord, God, Jehovah, made everything … all alone, and He even said, “Who was with me?”  I will come back to this passage of scripture in a minute.

Let us now turn to Colossians 1:15,16, Notice what the KIT reads: “because in him it was created the all (things) in the heavens and upon the earth, the (things) visible and the (things) invisible, whether thrones or lordships, or governments or authorities; the all (things) through him and into him it has been created.”

NWT: “He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation; because by means of him all (other) things were created in the heavens and upon the earth, the things visible and the things invisible, no matter whether they are thrones or lordships or governments or authorities.  All (other) things have been created through him and for him.

Before going on, please read 2Tim: 3:16 again below:

 “All Scripture is inspired of God and beneficial for teaching, for reproving, for setting things straight (man’s truth vs God’s truth), for disciplining in righteousness, that the man of God may be fully competent (competent in what, in what God teaches), completely equipped for every good work.”(2Tim. 3:16,17, NWT) (Parenthesis are mine)

 

Question: Does God Make Mistakes?

Please Listen To This Next Statement Very Closely 

First and foremost, the WT in reality, according to 2 Tim 3:16, believes that God’s word is God Breathed, “only when” it affirms / agrees with Watchtower theology.  Let me explain:  In essence, the WT is telling us that “The Teaching Manual (God’s Breathed Word, the Bible), failed.  God failed to accurately communicate Christ’s true identity.  How?  God forgot to insert the word “other” in Colossians Chapter 1:16.  God made a mistake.  When He inspired the apostle Paul to write the letter, He forgot to inspire Paul to write the word “other” in the text.  The Watchtower caught God’s mistake and corrected it.  God was saved through His Organization by their correction of His oversight.

This is how God was corrected: the Watchtower inserted the word “other” in the text.  They placed brackets around the word “other” indicating that the word did not appear in the original writings (God’s Breathed Word).  In essence, by adding to God’s word the word “other,” it changed the entire meaning of what God was communicating.  God’s error communicated Christ as the Creator (He created all things).  The Watchtower, however, came along and corrected what God had originally spoken.  According to the Watchtower, God didn’t mean Christ created all things (making Him the Creator), He meant, Christ created all other things (making him only a thing).  This of course changes the entire meaning of the text.

Christ, now, becomes a thing instead of God’s original teaching: Christ created all things, (again, making Him the Creator).  The Watchtower takes a giant leap of insanity.  They assume that they have the authority to correct God’s Breathed Word.  In this case, they believe 2 Ti. 3:16 “only when” it affirms their theology, that of, Christ is Michael the archangel.

Note: Scholars have added words into the text.  However, that said, it is only done for clarity purposes, and cannot be done if it changes the meaning of the text.

This reminds me of the Garden of Eden.  God said, “you will die.” Satan (the original serpent) contradicted God and said, “God made a mistake.” God meant “you will not die.”  Making a contrast here with our subject, God said Jesus Christ was the Creator of all things, but Satan said, no, God meant to say Jesus created all “other” things (making Jesus only a thing not the creator).  The question becomes: who are you going to believe … God’s Breathed Word or man’s breathed word (in this case the WT).

Question: Did God Inspire Paul To Teach Christ Created All Other Things or All things?

Getting back to Isaiah 44:24: “This is what Jehovah has said, your Repurchaser and the Former of you from the belly; ‘I, Jehovah, am doing everything, stretching out the heavens by myself, laying out the earth.  Who was with me?’”

However, that said, the apostle Paul teaches us that Jesus Christ created all things: “And He is the image of the invisible God, the first-born of all creation.  For by Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities – all things have been created by Him and for Him.”  (Colossians 1:16) (NASB)

Isaiah teaches us that Jehovah created all things by myself.  Paul teaches us that Christ created all things.  God’s Breathed Word never lies.  Was Christ (according to the WT) Michael before He came to earth?  No, He was “The Word” Logos, in John 1:1.  He was God.  Even the NWT says the Logos was “a god” (which by the way in an incorrect rendering of the text) … It does not say the Logos was Michael.  Verse 14 of John 1 tells us that “The Word, Logos, God” became flesh and dwelt among man (tented with man).  Jesus Christ, according to God’s Breathed Word is God The Son, and is The Creator.

Remembering that nothing can trump God’s instruction manual (man or any organization), and because it is absolute truth, His students believe it over any man-man organization / person (s) or even an angel from heaven.  That said, God’s instruction manual teaches the Logos (The Word) in vs 14 became Jesus Christ … as the creator (unless you deny His authority teaching manual).  According to scripture, The Word (Jesus Christ) according to Paul’s words created Michael the archangel.

Question: To which of the angels did He ever say “THOU ART MY SON, TODAY I HAVE BEGOTTEN THEE?  And again, ‘I WILL BE A FATHER TO HIM AND HE SHALL BE A SON TO ME?’  And when He again brings the first-born in to the world, He says, ‘AND LET ALL THE ANGELS OF GOD WORSHIP HIM.’ And of the angels He says, ‘WHO MAKES HIS ANGELS WINDS, AND HIS MINISTERS A FLAME OF FIRE.’  But of the Son He says, ‘THY THRONE, O GOD, IS FOREVER AND EVER, AND THE RIGHTEOUS SCEPTER IS THE SCEPTER OF HIS KINGDOM.’”:  (Heb. 1:5-8) Read the whole context … through 14 (Heb 1:10-12 and Ps. 102:25-27 … applied to Jehovah in Psalms but applied to Jesus in Heb.)

Question: how do you explain Heb. 1:8: “But of the Son He says, THY THRONE, O GOD, IS FOREVER AND EVER … vs. 9: THEREFORE GOD, THY GOD, HATH ANOINTED THEE WITH THE OIL OF GLADNESS ABOVE THEY COMPANIONS.”  (This was a quote from Ps. 45:6,7)

Who Only Receives Worship?

Exodus 34:14 “for you shall not worship any other god, for the LORD, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God.” 

Heb. 1:6: “And when He brings the firstborn into the world, He says. ‘AND LET ALL THE ANGELS OF GOD WORSHIP HIM.’”

Note: The angels worship Jesus Christ.  God the Father (Jehovah) calls His Son, God.  Jesus is God the Son, who receives worship, called King of Kings, Lord of Lords, and who is The Savior of the world.

 

Another Reason Michael Is Not Jesus Christ

Moses’ Body Dispute 

Jesus REBUKED Satan but Michael couldn’t …

Notice Jesus Rebuking Satan … “To express Sharp reproof / reprimand / Disaproval

Matthew 4:10: “Then Jesus said to him, ‘Be gone, Satan!  For it is written, YOU SHALL WORSHIP THE LORD YOUR GOD, AND SERVE HIM ONLY.’” (The Greek word for “LORD” in this verse is kurios.  It is the standard word for Lord in the New Testament.  It is also a direct parallel to the word Yahweh of Jehovah in the Old Testament.  (Now, it’s crucial to note that while Jesus is called kurios (Lord) many times in the New Testament, Michael is never called kurios)

Jude 9: “But Michael the archangel, when he disputed with the devil and argued about the body of Moses, did not dare pronounce against him a railing judgment but said, ‘THE LORD REBUKE YOU.’”

If Jesus could rebuke Satan, and Michael could not, this is proof positive that Michael is not Jesus.

Dr. Spiros Zodhiates says concerning Jude 9: “This refers to an unknown incident in which there was a dispute between the Archangel Michael and the devil concerning the burial of Moses’ body.  Jude related this incident to tell us that the archangel Michael did not bring a railing accusation against the devil, but said, ‘The Lord rebuke you.’ He wanted to show that neither we nor angels, no matter how hard we try, will be able to put the devil out of commission, but that his time is coming one day.  It is said of him in Rev. 20:2 that he will be bound for a thousand years during Christ’s millennial kingdom and that finally he is going to be cast into the lake of fire and brimstone (Rev. 20:10).

(Phil. 2:9-11 … Why couldn’t Michael rebuke Satan?  Because, Jesus Christ is Lord not Michael.

In conclusion, our investigation has proven Michael the archangel is none other than Michael the archangel.  Jesus Christ is King of Kings and Lord of Lords.  He is our Creator, Savior and is worshipped.  Jesus Christ created Michael the archangel.  God’s Breathed Word has spoken.  Who will you believe?  Will you believe 2 Tim. 3:16 or the Watchtower 3:16?  Only you can answer that question.  We will get into the trinity doctrine at another time.  This is all I have to share on this topic, but I could have said much, much more.

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“KNOW THE TRUTH” BY TODD ELLIS

August 6, 2012

Former Jehovah’s Witness Elder Todd Ellis, now Christian, wrote a book!!

I recommend this book to every Jehovah’s Witness (former or active), and every person within the Body of Christ.  The book is only $10.00 plus shipping.

This book is filled with precious gems and jewels of a spiritual kind.  It is a must have book in my opinion.  I love the layout of information (8 1/2 by 11).  It is very easy to read and comprehend.  This book, “Know The Truth,” by former Elder Todd Ellis, will become your go-to book for spiritual truths.

Contact Information Below:  

Todd Ellis,   P.O Box 312, New Smyrna Beach, FL 32170  … Phone number and email address: (386) 423-2731 … todbetellis@yahoo.com

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GOD’S SALVATION PLAN

July 22, 2012

Paul, in his letter to the Corinthian Church at 2 Corinthians 11:4, warns of another gospel and another Jesus.  How important then is Christ’s true identity to my salvation?  Very important, since those who reject Christ’s true identity remain in their sins.  Below are key scriptures that inform us of Jesus Christ’s true identity:

First, in the Gospel of John, Jesus Christ tells the world who He is, and why we must believe Him.  It reads:

 “I said therefore to you, that you shall die in your sins; for unless you believe that I am He, you shall die in your sins.” John 8:24

(According to Greek Scholar, Dr. Spiros Zodhiates, most authorities associate this with Exodus 3:14: “I AM WHO I AM.”)

Second, in John 8:58, we learn:

“Jesus said to them, ‘Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was born, I am.”

There is no misunderstanding here.  Those who deny Christ’s true identity (according to the words of Jesus Christ) shall die in their sins.  That being said, salvation (forgiveness of our sins) comes only to those who accept His true identity, that is, that Jesus was God in the flesh.

According to Dr. Wayne Grudem, Research Professor of Theology and Biblical Studies, in his book Systematic Theology (p. 543):

“Although the word theos, “God,” is usually reserved in the New Testament for God the Father, nonetheless, there are several passages where it is also used to refer to Jesus Christ.  In all of these passages the word “God” is used in the strong sense to refer to the one who is the Creator of heaven and earth, the ruler over all.”

The passages referenced by Dr. Grudem include the following:

 “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.”
John 1:1

 “No man has seen God at any time; the only begotten God , who is in the bosom of the Father, He has explained Him.”
John 1:18

“Thomas answered and said to Him, ‘My Lord and my God!’”
John 20:28

“Looking for the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus.”
Titus 2:13

“But of the Son He says, ‘THY THRONE, O GOD, IS FOREVER AND EVER, AND THE RIGHTEOUS SCEPTER IS THE SCEPTER OF HIS KINGDOM.”
Hebrews 1:8 (quoting from Psalm 45:6)

“Simon Peter, a bond-servant and apostle of Jesus Christ, to those who have received a faith of the same kind as ours, by the righteousness of our God and Savior, Jesus Christ.”
2 Peter 1:1

“For in Him all the fullness of Deity dwells in bodily form.”
Col. 2:9

Why Was Jesus’ Deity Necessary For Salvation?

 “Here it is appropriate to recognize that it is crucially important to insist on the full deity of Christ … not only because it is clearly taught in Scripture, but also because (1) only someone who is infinite God could bear the full penalty for all the sins of all those who would believe in him – any finite creature would have been incapable of bearing that penalty; (2) salvation is from the Lord (Jonah 2:9 NASB), and the whole message of Scripture is designed to show that no human being, no creature, could ever save man – only God himself could; and (3) only someone who was truly and fully God could be the one mediator between God and man (Tim. 2:5), both to bring us back to God and also to reveal God most fully to us (John 14:9).”  (Systematic Theology, p. 553.)

In conclusion, God’s salvation plan was becoming a Man.  The biblical teaching of God becoming man (the Incarnation, although this word is not in scripture), is a major tenet of Christianity.  To deny this fact of scripture is, to state it bluntly, nothing less than heresy.  Our salvation is contingent upon God becoming a man.  Therefore, tantamount to our salvation is recognizing the true identity of our Lord Jesus Christ, which is, God in the flesh.

 

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HEAVEN’S GATEWAY

March 3, 2011

 


Stop Fearing Death!  

  

 “And He said to him,

‘Truly I say to you, today you shall be with Me in Paradise’” 

(Luke 23:43)

 

Those who accept Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior have nothing to fear from death.  Although the mere thought of death (the unknown) creates immeasurable amounts of anxiety and fear, the words of God the Son, Jesus Christ, above, assures the believer that death is nothing more than a gateway to Paradise.  Our Lord’s words caress and comfort the troubled heart.  In other words, death for the believer is not an unknown.  Once our eyes close for the last time here on earth, they reopen the same day above, in Paradise.  Death is merely a gateway or door; as one closes, another opens.  

Let us look at Paul’s attitude toward death (he knew it was a gateway to heaven).  Paul preferred death (Paradise) over life, considering it great gain.  Notice this in his letter to the Corinthians and Philippians, below:   

 “we are of good courage, I say, and prefer rather to be absent from the body and to be at home with the Lord”  (2 Cor. 5:8)   

“For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain.  But if I am to live on in the flesh, this will mean fruitful labor for me; and I do not know which to choose.  But I am hard-pressed from both directions, having the desire to depart and be with Christ, for that is very much better; yet to remain on in the flesh is more necessary for your sakes.”  (Philippians 1:21-24)

“What is this place called paradise?  The word paradeisos, ‘paradise,’ originally comes from the ancient Iranian, pairidaeza, and means ‘a garden with a wall.’  The Greek word is used for the first time by Xenophon for the gardens of the Persian kings.  The Septuagint translation of the Hebrew word for garden in Gen. 2:8 is paradeisos.  In the New Testament the word occurs only three times: 2Cor. 12:4; Luke 23:43; Rev. 2:7.  It was indicated as the place where the spirits or souls of men go immediately after death, which is also the place that Christ was going to once His spirit was separated from His body.  The continuation of the existence of the personality is also clearly intimated in the story of the rich man and Lazarus in Luke 16:19-31.  The paradise of 2Cor. 12:4 is the same as that spoken of by Christ in Luke 23:43.  In Rev. 2:7 the word is spoken of in an eschatological sense as being a gift to be given to the one who overcomes.  It is evidently the place where the disembodied personalities as spirits or souls of the believers go immediately at death to be with Christ.”  (Greek Scholar, Dr. Spiros Zodhiates – “The Hebrew-Greek Greek Key Study Bible,” pg. 1545)

At death, our disembodied personalities as spirits or souls arrive in heaven.  They are seen given white robes to wear:  

“And when He broke the fifth seal, I saw underneath the altar the souls of those who had been slain because of the word of God, and because of the testimony which they had maintained; and they cried out with a loud voice, saying, ‘How long, O Lord, holy and true, wilt Thou refrain from judging and avenging our blood on those who dwell on the earth?  And there was given to each of them a white robe; and they were told that they should rest for a little while longer, until the number of their fellow servants and their brethren who were to be killed even as they had been, should be completed.”  (Revelation 6:9-11)

Our brother Stephen, too, knew where his disembodied soul or spirit was destined:  

 “And they went on stoning Stephen as he called upon the Lord and said, ‘Lord Jesus, receive my spirit!’ (Acts: 7:59) 

In the Gospel of Luke, the continuation of the existence of the personality is clearly intimated in the story of the rich man and Lazarus:

“Now there was a certain rich man, and he habitually dressed in purple and fine linen, gaily living in splendor every day.  And a certain poor man named Lazarus was laid at his gate, covered with sores, and longing to be fed with the crumbs which were falling from the rich man’s table; besides, even the dogs were coming and licking his sores.  Now it came about that the poor man died and he was carried away by the angels to Abraham’s bosom; and the rich man also died and was buried.  And in Hades he lifted up his eyes, being in torment, and saw Abraham far away, and Lazarus in his bosom.  And he cried out and said, ‘Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water and cool off my tongue; for I am in agony in this flame.’  But Abraham said, Child, remember that during your life you received your good things, and likewise, Lazarus bad things; but now he is being comforted here, and you are in agony.  And besides all this, between us and you there is a great chasm fixed, in order that those who wish to come over from here to you may not be able, and that none may cross over from there to us.  And he said, ‘then I beg you, Father, that you send him to my father’s house – for I have five brothers that he may warn them, lest they also come to this place of torment.’  But Abraham said, ‘They have Moses and the Prophets; let them hear them.’  But he said, ‘No, Father Abraham, but if someone goes to them from the dead, they will repent!’  But he said to him, ‘If they do not listen to Moses and the Prophets, neither will they be persuaded if someone rises from the dead.’”  (Luke 16:19-31)

The account in Luke paints a vivid picture of both destinations.  This is not a fairy tale.  This is as real as it gets.  Jesus Christ is giving us a sneak-preview into the future.  The spirits or souls who accepted Christ as their Lord and Savior go directly to heaven.  On the other hand, those spirits or souls failing to do so go directly to hell.  As the disembodied souls in heaven (Rev. 6:9-11) cry out and are given white robes to wear, the rich man’s soul or spirit, too, discovers his new and eternal abode.  However, while his future (not Paradise) is far less pleasant, all those who reject God’s Son, Jesus Christ, as their Lord and Savior will experience the rich man’s fate.    

The dead do not praise God but go down into silence.  The believers, however, dead or alive praise their Lord forever:    

 “The dead do not praise the LORD, Nor do any who go down into silence; But as for us, we will bless the LORD From this time forth and forever.  Praise the LORD!”  (Psalm 115:17-18) 

For all of us who accept Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior, His words in Luke remove all fear of death (the unknown), and bring peace to the living.  Our eyes will close but reopen in Paradise: 

 “And He said to him,‘

Truly I say to you, today you shall be with Me in Paradise’” 

(Luke 23:43)

 

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Bible vs Watchtower Disfellowshipping

January 8, 2011

This is a very short post.  I have written an article on the biblical procedure to disfellowshipping.  You may copy this article free of charge at my website address:  http://thebiblevsthewatchtower.com

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God Said, “Listen To My Son” … Luke 9:35

August 8, 2010

During the Transfiguration found in Luke 9:35, God the Father said: “And a voice came out of the cloud, saying, ‘This is My Son, My Chosen One; listen to Him!'”

The Watchtower pride themselves on obeying Jehovah God. They boast to the world that they alone (their Organization) worship and serve the God of the Bible, Jehovah, in the manner He ascribes; however, after taking a closer look into their theology, it becomes apparent that their boast is not biblically founded, lacks credibility, and is misleading.

God The Father told the world in Luke 9:35 how to win His approval. Listening to His Son, Jesus Christ, is the only way that our worship is accepted. The Watchtower not only fails to listen to Jehovah’s Son, but contradicts His teachings.

Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ has already given the world the recipe for salvation. It is found at John 14:6 quoted here: “Jesus said to him, ‘I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no on comes to the Father but through Me.” The Watchtower, however, not only contradicts Jesus Christ, but usurps His authority by their published statement in 1981: “… come to Jehovah’s organization for salvation … ” Watchtower 11/15/1981, p.21.

Jesus Christ is the Person we must come to for salvation. He is the way … He is the Truth … He is the life … not the Watchtower, not the Mormons, not any organized religious or non-religious organization or person. Salvation has nothing to do with anything man-made.

We must listen, believe, obey, and follow our Lord Jesus Christ, because Jehovah God told us to do so. “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have eternal life.”  John 3:16.

www.thebiblevsthewatchtower.com

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God’s Purpose For You

July 24, 2010

Many of us go through life wondering  … why … why am I here … what is the purpose … what is my purpose … how do I fit in?  If I have a purpose at all, what can I do to make a difference?  Better yet, what is God’s purpose for me?

We all need purpose in life, because without it life becomes meaningless.  This begs the question:  What Is My Purpose?  Each of us must answer that question individually, as God has given each of us our own.

Today is the first day of the rest of your life.  How can God use you today to further His will and express His love to the world?  Our Lord Jesus Christ made you for a very special purpose.  Think!  How can He use your abilities to build up the body of  Christ?  He gave each of us an assignment … He gave us, individually, a gift that no one else has.  What is your gift?  Think!

I would say that this is the most important search/ inquiry of your life.  First, our Lord made you to reflect Him.  Allow that to happen.  If you truly want to know what God’s purpose for your life is … just ask Him!  He will reveal it to you and when He does, follow His lead.  In the meantime, however, there is one thing I can tell you, and it is this: God’s purpose for all of us is that we love Him!  How are you on relationships?  I ask that because He wants one with you.

www.thebiblevsthewatchtower.com

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Where To Now?

July 11, 2010

After leaving the Watchtower after 18 years of indoctrination, and feeling all fuzzy/protected, where to now I asked?  Where shall I go … Who shall I believe … What should I believe … Who should I trust, and why … Where am I going to get the answers?  These are all questions that perplexed me for years.

My name is Cochise Pendleton.  After leaving the Watchtower organization and drifting for some time, I never ceased in my efforts to search-out and hopefully discover who God was … but more importantly, what did He want of me.

Once I came to realize the importance of God’s son, Jesus Christ, was baptized again in Christ, I then wrote a book.  The title of the book, “The Bible vs The Watchtower (The Jehovah’s Witnesses’ Authority) YOU DECIDE.”

I wanted to do more than just write a book and share it.  There had to be more!  That said, however, what could I do?  I knew my book would become a tool helping my former brothers and sisters with their Watchtower addiction/theology, but there was something even more critically needed.

Once you leave the bubble effect (pseudo spiritual protection) of the Organization, you will experience for lack of a better word, a hole … vacuum.  This hole needs to be filled.  If unattended, I have found that many who have left the Organization become either agnostic or atheistic (a side effect of leaving the Watchtower).

Rick Fearon, former member of the Watchtower, now Christian, hosts the SixScreensOfTheWatchtower.com  One of the programs, “Christianity 101” hosted by yours truly, in hopes to fill that proverbial hole caused by Watchtower removal. In other words, what does the Bible really teach on the subjects taught by the Watchtower?

Come and join the discussion. This is an open forum after the teaching is complete. I invite everyone to listen-in, participate, ask questions, and just be part of our Ex Jehovah’s Witnesses Bible discussions. Allow God’s word to fill your hearts without the Watchtower or religion telling you what to do.

My next program is July 18th at 5pm PST, and two weeks thereafter. The number to call is (712) 432-8710 pin# 9925.

You may contact me by phone (949) 678-7378, by email at youdecide@cox.net, or through my website:
http://thebiblevsthewatchtower.com

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