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PRETERISM PART “2”

June 23, 2018

Matthew Chapter 24, Past or Future?

There are strikingly profound similarities between the eschatology of Jehovah’s Witnesses and that of Full Preterism.   Both groups claim: (1) Christ has already returned; (2) they know the year of His return; (3) they know the location of His return, and finally (4) they have evidence of His return.  

The Watchtower teaches that Christ returned in 1914 while the Preterists teach that Christ returned in A.D. 70.  Both groups assert that the Second Coming of Christ was invisible; while He failed to physically return, His arrival was seen through the manifestation of an historical event (the outbreak of World War I in 1914 proving that the Gentile Times had ended for the Watchtower, and the desolation of Jerusalem in A.D. 70 for Preterists).  This kind of rhetoric reminds me of what Christ warned His disciples of: 

“If therefore they say to you, ‘Behold, He is in the wilderness,’ do not go forth, or, Behold, He is in the inner rooms,’ do not believe them.”  Matthew 24:26. 

The words of Christ need to be read by both groups.  Those who claim to know of His whereabouts, and or know when He was going to return, all speak with a lying tongue. As Christ continues the conversation concerning His return, His statement was crystal  clear: 

“For just as the lightening comes from the east, and flashes even to the west, so shall the coming of the Son of Man be.” Matthew 24:27. 

The words of Jesus Christ at Matthew 24: 26-27 forewarn the coming of men or women who will claim knowledge of His whereabouts or return.  Unfortunately, many will ignore this warning, and will believe the teachings of man over the words of God the Son.  

Among the Body of Christ, we all have our own opinions regarding the subject of Pre, Mid, or Post Tribulation views.  However, Full Preterists (also called Covenant Eschatology or Transmillennialism) believe that the prophecies in Matthew 24 and Revelation were largely or completely fulfilled in the past, hence the latin word preter, which means “past.” 

According to Full preterists, AD 70 saw the culmination of the Great Tribulation, the Antichrist, the Abomination of Desolation, the Second Coming of Jesus Christ, the resurrection of the dead, and the restoration of all things; in other words, all biblical prophecy has seen fulfillment.  Ironically, former Full Preterists call Full Preterism heresy.  

Although Partial Preterists are not as extreme in their beliefs, they do mirror the Full Preterist position that the books of Daniel, Matthew and Revelation (with the exception of the last 2 or 3 chapters) have all seen complete fulfillment by AD 70.  The belief system of Partial Preterists are not the focus of this article, but because they hold to the same Book of Matthew position, they too come under scrutiny.  However, that said, it is my understanding that their system of belief includes the denial of the rapture and the millennium, and their use of hermeneutics for Revelation are throughly inconsistent. Those topics will be covered in future articles.  

My book “The Bible vs The Watchtower … YOU Decide …” was written using the authority of Scripture to refute Watchtower beliefs.  This article will be no different.  We will examine the Full and Partial Preterist claims that the Book of Matthew saw complete fulfillment by AD 70, i.e., Matthew Chapter 24 past or future?  However, this article will not be all inclusive.  My primary focus is the physical return of Jesus Christ.  

Our opening verses: 

“ And Jesus came out from the temple and was going away when His disciples came up to point out the temple buildings to Him.  And He answered and said to them, ‘Do you not see all these things?  Truly I say to you, not one stone here shall be left upon another, which will not be torn down.’  And as He was sitting on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to Him privately, saying, ‘Tell us, when will these things be, and what will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age?’’ Matthew 24: 1-3

As this is interpreted, the entire context must be kept in mind.  Jesus Christ is dealing with issues pertaining to Israel, exclusively, and not to the church.  The Olivet Discourse is the rejection of the Messiah and the disciplining of Israel (Matthew 23), and the questions of the disciples pertain only to Jewish concerns.

The disciples knew nothing (at this point) about the church age.  In His answer, Jesus spoke of things that involved the Jewish people, such as the Sabbath (Matthew 24:20), those living in Judea (Matthew 24:16), the abomination of desolation (Matthew 24:15), the gospel of the kingdom (Matthew 24:14), and the presence of false prophets (Matthew 24:11), which would be a problem for Israel (false teachers would be a problem for the church).  In light of this, we should not see the church age in the Olivet Discourse, even as some have in Matthew 24:4-8.  

Dr. Arnold G. Fruchtenbaum Th.D., and the Second Advent of Christ

“The second coming of Christ does have a major precondition that must be met before Christ will return to establish the Messianic Kingdom.  What this condition is can be deduced from five passages of Scripture.  The first passage is Leviticus 26:40-42 … Moses predicted how, because of disobedience to God’s revealed will, the Jews would be scattered all over the world.  According to the New Testament, this came as a direct result of the rejection of the Messiahship of Jesus.  

By verse 39, the world-wide dispersion is a fact.  Up to this point, Leviticus 26 has been fulfilled.  In verse 42, Moses states that God has every intention of giving Israel all the blessings and promises of the Abrahamic Covenant during the Messianic Kingdom.  It is first necessary for them to fulfill the condition of verse 40: … they shall confess their iniquity, and the iniquity of their fathers.  

Something to notice is that the word iniquity is in the singular and that it is specific.  There is one specific iniquity committed by the fathers and continued by them which Israel must confess before she can begin to enjoy all of the benefits of the Abrahamic Covenant. 

The second passage is Jeremiah 3:11-18.  In verses 14-18, Jeremiah describes the blessings which God has in store for Israel in the Messianic Kingdom.  It will be a time of tremendous blessing and restoration for the Jewish people when the kingdom is established by their Messiah.  However, all of these blessings are conditioned by verse 13 where they must acknowledge or confess one specific iniquity which they committed against Jehovah their God.  

The third passage is in the Book of Zechariah.  Chapters 12-14 are a single unit of thought containing one prophecy God gave the prophet.  Chapter 13 speaks of the national cleansing of Israel from their sin.  Chapter 14 describes the second coming of the Messiah (vv. 1-15) and the establishment of the kingdom (vv. 16-21).  However, the cleansing of Israel followed by the second coming of Christ and the Messianic Kingdom are all conditioned on Zechariah 12:10. 

“And I will pour out on the house of David and on the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the Spirit of grace and supplication, so that they will look on Me whom they have pierced; and they will mourn for Him, as one mourns for an only son, and they will weep bitterly over Him, like the bitter weeping over a first-born.” Zechariah 12:10

Before Israel will receive the cleansing of her sin, and before Christ will return to establish His kingdom, Israel must first look unto the One whom they have pierced and must plead for His return.  Once they do this, then, and only then, will they receive their cleansing and begin to enjoy the blessings of the Messianic Age.  

The fourth passage is in Hosea five.  The One who is doing the speaking throughout the chapter is God Himself, and God is still speaking in verse 15: 

“I will go and return to My place, Until they acknowledge their guilt and seek My face: in their affliction they will earnestly seek Me.”

There are certain presuppositions behind the understanding of this verse.  Before anyone can return to a place, he must first leave it.  In this passage God states that He is going to return to His place.  God’s place in heaven.  Before God can return to heaven, He must first leave it.  God left heaven at the incarnation when He became a man, in the person of Jesus of Nazareth.  Then, because of one specific offense committed against Him, He returned to heaven at the ascension from the Mount of Olives.  This verse further states that He will not come back to the earth until the offense that caused Him to return to heaven is acknowledged or confessed.  

The national Jewish offense committed against the person of Jesus is not, as so many people think, in killing Him.  The actual killing of Christ was done by Gentile, not Jewish, hands.  He was condemned and sentenced by a Gentile judge.  He was crucified by Gentile soldiers.  All this is ultimately irrelevant, for regardless of Jewish acceptance or Jewish rejection, Jesus would have had to die anyway to become the sacrifice for sin.  The national offense of Israel was in the rejection of His messiahship.  According to this verse, only when this offense is acknowledged or confessed will Christ come back to the earth.  

The fifth passage is in Matthew 23 which contains Christ’s denunciation of the Scribes and Pharisees, the Jewish leadership of that day, for leading the nation in the rejection of His messiahship.  He was still speaking to them in verses 37-39:  “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her!  How often I wanted to gather your children together, the way a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, and you were unwilling.  Behold, your house is being left to you desolate!  For I say to you, from now on you shall not see Me until you say, BLESSED IS HE WHO COMES IN THE NAME OF THE LORD!”  Matthew 23: 37-39.

Speaking to the Jewish leadership, Christ reiterated His original desire to gather them if they would only accept Him (v. 37).  Because of their rejection of His messiahship, in place of being gathered they are going to be scattered.  Their house, the Jewish Temple, will be left desolate and will be destroyed with nothing remaining (v. 38).  He then declares that they will not see Him again until they say, Blessed is He that cometh in the name of the Lord (v. 39).  This is a quotation of a messianic Psalm, Psalm 118:26.  

Jesus will not come back to earth until the Jews and the Jewish leaders ask Him to come back.  Just as the Jewish leaders led the nation to the rejection of the Messiahship of Jesus, they must some day lead the nation to the acceptance of the Messiahship of Jesus.  This, then, is the twofold basis of the second coming of Christ: Israel must confess her national sin and then plead for Messiah to return, to mourn for Him as one mourns for an only son.  Until these two things happen, there will be no second coming.’” Israelogy: The Missing Link In Systematic Theology, by Arnold G. Fruchtenbaum, Th.M., Ph.D., pp. 781-784.

By the use of Scripture, Dr. Fruchtenbaum’s expertise in Hebrew / Old Testament prophecy reveals the reason Christ has yet to appear.  Without regurgitating Dr. Fruchtenbaum’s insights, it’s no wonder we have yet to see lightning flashing from the east to the west as Christ predicted — the conditions to His return have not yet occurred.  But wait, there is more. 

Scripture teaches us that God’s word never returns to Him empty.  If then, as Full Preterits dogmatically assert, Christ returned in AD 70, when in human history did the Prophetic Scriptures Dr. Fruchtenbaum enumerate materialize?  When exactly did the passages of Scripture below come to fruition? 

“For I say to you, from now on you shall not see Me until you say, BLESSED IS HE WHO COMES IN THE NAME OF THE LORD!”  Matthew 23:39.

“And I will pour out on the house of David and on the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the Spirit of grace and supplication, so that they will look on Me whom they have pierced; and they will mourn for Him, as one mourns for an only son, and they will weep bitterly over Him, like the bitter weeping over a first-born.” Zechariah 12:10.

“BEHOLD, HE IS COMING WITH THE CLOUDS, and every eye will see Him, even those who pierced Him, and all the tribes of the earth will mourn over Him.  Even so, Amen.” Rev. 1:7.

“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 great power and glory.” Matthew 24:30.   

To bring us into the 21st Century for a moment, His physical appearance alone would create a journalistic frenzy.  It would be all over the newspapers and television networks across the world.  Why can I say this?  Because of how the New Testament Greek words describe His Second Coming, and what those words literally mean.  

Although I am not qualified to interpret the Greek words themselves, Dr. Spiros Zodhiates, Th.D., a Greek scholar, absolutely is.  According to Dr. Zodhiates, the words used to describe the Second Coming of Christ are as follows: 

“The word translated ‘coming’ is parousia, which basically means ‘presence’ or arrival.  In Hellenistic Greek it was used to designate the visit of a ruler.  The word parousia is used in Matthew 24:3, 27, 37, 39; I Cor. 15:23; 16:17; II Cor. 7:6,7; 10:10; Phil. 1:26; 2:12; I Thess. 2:19; 3:13; 4:15; 5:23; II Thess. 2:1, 8, 9; James 5:7,8; II Pet. 1:16; 3:4, 12; I John 2:28.  

The specific meaning of parousia is made clear in I Thess. 4;15 where it is defined as the time when the Lord shall come out of heaven (I Thess. 1:10). At that time the dead who are believers will rise first, and those who are believers and are alive will be changed and be caught up in the air by Jesus Christ.  

Apokalupsis is another Greek word speaking of the return of Christ. There is yet a third word used which is related to the Second Coming of the Lord and that is epiphaneia which means, ‘a manifestation.’ In Ancient Greek, it was used especially of the appearing of the gods and also the manifestation of divine power and providence in extraordinary events.  In the N.T. it is used of the appearing of the manifestation of Jesus Christ on earth (II Thess. 2:8; I Tim. 6:14; II Tim. 1:10; 4:1,8; Tit. 2:13.  These are the only references in the N.T. of the word epiphaneia. The Hebrew-Greek Key Study Bible – by Dr. Spiros Zodhiates, Th.D. 

The Greek words describing the return of Christ paint a picture of illuminating clarity.   In other words, the whole world will see His physical return.  His arrival will be like the flashing of lightning from east to west: “For just as the lightening comes from the east, and flashes even to the west, so shall the coming of the Son of Man be.” Matthew 24:27.

But wait, there is more, still.   

Dr. Walter Martin was the author of “The Kingdom of the Cults.”  In his book, under the heading “The Physical Return of Christ,” refuting the Watchtower interpretation of the Greek word parousia, paragraph 3 reads: 

“these arguments are another example of the half-truths used by Jehovah’s Witnesses to lead people astray.  To begin with, Thayer, who is esteemed reliable in the field of scholarship, clearly states on page 490 of his Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament that parousia, especially in the New Testament, refers to the second coming of Christ in visible form to raise the dead, hold the last judgment, and set up the kingdom of God. … The physical return of Christ is the ‘blessed hope’ of Christendom (Titus 2:13), and the language used to portray its visible certainty is most explicit.  In Titus 2:13 the Greek word epiphaneia (‘appearing’) is more correctly translated ‘manifestation’ or ‘visible’ from phanero, ‘to make manifest, or visible, or known.’” (pp. 152-153)

Walter Martin then says, “The language is self-explanatory.  When the Lord returns with His saints, “every eye shall see Him” (Matthew 24:30, cf. Revelation 1:7). 

This brings me to the next passage of Scripture, which is important because it is the go-to text of Full and Partial Preterists when pushing their position: “Truly I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all these things take place.” Matthew 24:34.

Dr. Zodhiates analyzes this Scripture as follows:  

“The signs mentioned in Matthew 24:4-14 can be misconstrued because they are general in character.  But the signs given in verses 15-28 are specific and discernible.  Then in verse 29 the sun, the moon, and the stars will be involved, signs that immediately follow the seven-year period of the Great Tribulation.  These signs point clearly to Christ’s appearance on earth.  In the same way, the fig tree, when ‘its twigs get tender and its leaves come out’, points to summer’s approach.

Jesus said that if we are alert when we ‘shall see all these things’ take place, we will then ‘know’ (from gingko [1097], to experientially know) that the coming of the Lord is ‘near’ (eggus [1451], at the very doors.  The adjective eggus is relative and should be contrasted to heko (2240), to be here, to arrive (2 Pet. 3:10).  ‘These things’ refers to the sensational heavenly disturbances referred to in verse 29.  Through these visible events, the Lord will knock at the doors of people’s hearts.

Jesus concluded His teaching with these words, ‘Verily I say unto you, This generation shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled.’ When the sun and moon are darkened and stars fall from the skies, Jesus advised us to realize that the end is near.  These events will take place in rapid succession.  

In general, Jesus taught that the generation that ‘see[s] all these things’ (v. 33) will not pass away without witnessing the completion of all the events prophesied. ‘All these things’ were typically fulfilled in the forty years from A.D. 30 to 70 when Jerusalem was destroyed.  Jerusalem’s destruction was a sign for believers to prepare for the rapture of His church and parousia.  Typical fulfillment of prophecy enhances imminence – the nearness of the Lord’s return.  

Imminence in these verses refers to Christ’s coming in judgment after the Tribulation period and is aimed squarely at unbelievers; as Paul says, ‘Ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief’ (1 Thess. 5:4).’” Exegetical Commentary on Matthew, by Spiros Zodhiates, pp. 411-412.

In light of the analysis by Dr. Zodhiates and his expert knowledge of New Testament Greek, illuminating the literal meanings of the words describing Christ’s physical return, Preterists are unable to scripturally reconcile their claim that the Matthew 24:34 “generation” of A.D. 70 ran concurrently with the arrival of Christ.  On the other hand, Dr. Zodhiates’ “typical fulfillment” analysis is contextually sustainable. 

There is but one last passage of Scripture I’d like to focus on because it, too, involves this event.  It is found at Matthew 24:21: “for then there will be a great tribulation, such as has not occurred since the beginning of the world until now, nor ever shall.” 

“The words ‘great’ and tribulation,’ occurring without definite articles, should be taken generically, introducing us to a special kind of tribulation.  ‘Such” translates a form of the relative pronoun hoios (3634), such a one.  The contrast that follows is between this and every other tribulation.  This will be the severest.  

‘To this time’ translates heos (2193), until this time. The last phrase, ‘no, nor ever shall be,’ begins with the negative oude (3761), ‘but not.’  This is a contrasting compound conjunction of the two negatives ou (3756) and me (3361) combined as an intensive combination, meaning absolutely not, never at any time.  The intensive negative means that this tribulation will be absolutely unprecedented.  Exegetical Commentary on Matthew, by Spiros Zodhiates, p. 401.

Here Dr. Zodhiates also helps us to understand the literal meanings of the Greek words describing the Great Tribulation.  The phrase “no, nor ever shall be” helps us understand that this event of horror will be unparalleled to anything in human history.  The carnage will be so vast that if not stopped no flesh would survive.

“Full preterism is a small but tenacious movement within some fundamentalist circles.  But the concerned Christian should not allow its size to fool him: it is also a theologically dangerous movement.” Kenneth L. Gentry, Jr., Th.D.

“Full preterism is not just another eschatology. It affects other aspects of systematic theology as well. Theology is systematic. That is, it draws upon the whole of the Bible. Rather than utilizing individual texts in isolation from one another, it attempts to relate various portions to one another, to coalesce the varied teachings into some type of harmonious or coherent whole.” Christian Theology (Erickson, Millard J., Grand Rapids: Baker, 1990) p.21.

“Despite the failures of both our forefathers and contemporary Christians, the truth of God about last things still stands. One day Christ will return to sum up all things. The dead will rise, Christ will sit as judge, and every human will be examined and consigned to his or her eternal home either in heaven or in hell. These tenets are the stuff of true Biblical eschatology.” The Day and Hour: Christianity’s Perennial Fascination with Predicting the End of the World (Atlanta, GA: American Vision, Inc., 2000) Gumerlock, Francis X.

Summary

My goal in writing this piece was simple — to discuss and analyze whether Matthew Chapter 24 agrees, or disagrees, with Full and Partial Preterists that Christ returned invisibly in A.D. 70.  

Full Preterism attempts to force a square peg into a round hole.  It could also be said that it places the cart before the horse, because before we experience the physical arrival of Christ, certain prophecy must be fulfilled.  

Dr. Fruchtenbaum presented 5 passages of Scripture (4 Old Testament and 1 New Testament) demonstrating what must take place prior to the return of Jesus Christ (Leviticus 26:40-42; Jeremiah 3:11-18; Zechariah  Chapters 12-14; Hosea 5; Matthew 23: 37-39), but none of these events have been fulfilled. 

Dr. Zodhiates presented the literal meanings of Greek New Testament words used to describe the physical return of Jesus Christ.  When Christ does return, His appearance will be so spectacularly revealing that not a soul on earth will miss it.  His Matthew Exegetical Commentary also interpreted Greek New Testament words describing the Great Tribulation, which demonstrate that this event will be so severe and catastrophic, it will be absolutely unprecedented in the history of mankind. No future battle or carnage of destruction will parallel this horrific event.  So if it had already occurred, everyone would certainly know it. 

Conclusion

In lieu of all the unfulfilled prophecies which must take place prior to His return, our insight into the literal meanings and their applications of Greek words used describing His arrival, placed alongside the cataclysmic Great Tribulation’s unparalleled human carnage to any past, present or future war in human history, Preterists are faced with a conundrum.  How can they possibly reconcile their claim that Christ already returned and the Great Tribulation already occurred? 

Although Preterists are faced with a problem with their interpretation of Scripture, the Bible is crystal clear.  There is no ambiguity.  There is no escaping the logical conclusion of which Dr. Zodhiates refers (A.D. 70 was only a “typical fulfillment” of Matthew 24).  To insist that Christ returned in A.D. 70, invisibly, is as credible as the Watchtower’s claim that Christ returned invisibly in 1914.  Therefore, and as demonstrated above, the Bible categorically repudiates Full and Partial Preterism eschatology on their Matthew 24 position. 

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How To Refute Preterism … Part I (70 Weeks of Years Prophecy) Gap Week!

May 19, 2018

The Seventy Weeks of Daniel – Part XII :: by Thomas Ice

by RR@admin2 Category:General Articles, Thomas Ice

This article can be found at raptureready.com … I post it here to refute Preterist Christian ideology.  This is only Part I … I will be posting other articles and or research material, and will present it for the reader to decide the issues; as my book title reads: The Bible vs The Watchtower … YOU decide.

For those unaware of the Preterist ideology; in a nut shell but not all inclusive, Revelation, Matthew 24, and Daniel 9, have already been fulfilled.  There are, however, those Preterists who take a less all inclusive position; believing for example that Christ returned in 70CE.  Because they are of the Body of Christ, I am compelled to address their views and dogmatic teaching posture of Scripture. The article below was written by Dr. Ice, of which, addresses the 70 weeks ‘gap’ position of our Church Fathers.

 

Part I

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.

Recent Development Charges

Over the last few years, I have come to expect outburst against all aspects of the literal interpretation of Scripture from preterists who believe that Bible prophecy is a think of the past. They come through in predicable fashion concerning this issue of the historical interpretation of Daniel 9:24-27.

Gary DeMar is perhaps the most strident on this issue when he says, “nearly all Bible scholars agree that the first sixty-nine weeks of Daniel’s prophecy refer to the time up to Jesus’ crucifixion, only dispensationalists believe that the entire seventieth week is yet to be fulfilled.” In a later edition of the same book, DeMar asserts concerning a non-gap view that it “has been the standard interpretation for centuries, except for minor differences in details. John Nelson Darby and other changed all this with their church-parenthesis hypothesis.” After the first sentence of DeMar’s statement, he footnotes a reference to an errant source on the matter, Philip Mauro, who declares the following: “Nor, so far as we are aware, was any other meaning ever put upon them until within recent years, and then only by those belonging to a particular ‘school’ of interpretation.” Of course, Mauro’s recent “school” is reference to those of us who see a future seventieth week in Daniel’s prophecy. Mauro certainly was not aware of what was taught in the early church, as we shall shortly see.

Preterist, Dr. Kenneth Gentry, speaking of his non-gap interpretation insists that “Conservative scholars widely agree on such an interpretation, which is virtually ‘universal among Christian exegetes’—excluding dispensationalists.” Later, Dr. Gentry continues his inaccurate statements by saying “that the early Father held to a non-eschatological interpretation of the Seventieth Week.” This is just not true, as shall be noted below. Now I will examine just what the early church did believe about the seventy weeks of Daniel.

Early Church Views

The main point for which I am looking into the early church view of Daniel’s seventy weeks prophecy is whether they held to a gap between the sixty-ninth and seventieth weeks of years. Interestingly, an article of note was done on this subject, published in a Reformed Journal, which is the general theological orbit of Gary DeMar and Dr. Kenneth Gentry. The article was written by Louis E. Knowles and referenced errantly by Dr. Gentry when he said, “that the early Father held to a non-eschatological interpretation of the Seventieth Week.” Dr. Gentry’s statement is clearly in error when compared with the writings of the early church fathers.

The earliest extant writings of the church fathers reveal just the opposite of Dr. Gentry’s claim, with the exception of The Epistle of Barnabas (about a. d. 90-100), which presents a short and incomplete treatment on the subject. Knowles divides the early church (Barnabas through Augustine) into two interpretive groups, “the eschatological and the historical.” By eschatological, Knowles refers to those who took the seventieth week of Daniel as future prophecy leading up to Christ’s return. By historical, he means those who believe that Daniel’s final week has already been fulfilled. Knowles concludes that Barnabas”envisioned the completion of all the weeks before the development of the church.”

When Knowles deals with the next major contributors—Irenaeus (130-200) and his disciple Hippolytus (170-236)—he describes their views as “undoubtedly the forerunners of the modern dispensational interpreters of the Seventy Weeks.” Knowles draws the following conclusion about Irenaeus and Hippolytus:

. . . we may say that Irenaeus presented the seed of an idea that found its full growth in the writings of Hippolytus. In the works of these fathers, we can find most of the basic concepts of the modern futuristic view of the seventieth week of Daniel ix. That they were dependent to some extent upon earlier material is no doubt true. Certainly we can see the influence of pre-Christian Jewish exegesis at times, but, by and large, we must regard them as the founders of a school of interpretation, and in this lies their significance for the history of exegesis.
Thus, it is clear “that in Irenaeus and Hippolytus we have the originators of that method of interpretation that places the seventieth week of Daniel at the time of the consummation.”

Although, Irenaeus does not explicitly spell out a gap in his writings, there is no other way that he could have come up with his view of a future tribulation period of at least at least three and a half years. 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.
Le Roy Froom grudgingly admits that “Hippolytus . . . arbitrarily separates by a chronological gap from the preceding sixty-nine weeks, placing it just before the end of the world.” “Certainly Hippolytus’ interpretation does not have the refinements of the later development, but it is the direct ancestor of it,” concludes Knowles.

Other Views

There were a number of others in the early church, up till the time of Augustine (354-430), who spoke about the subject of the seventy weeks prophecy found in Daniel 9. Jerome (340–420) in his commentary on Daniel is reluctant to set forth his own interpretation of Daniel’s seventy weeks prophecy, “because it is unsafe to pass judgment upon the opinions of the great teachers of the Church and to set one above another.” So Jerome simply records the various views up till his time. The first view that Jerome cites is that of Africanus (160-240), who does not mention a gap between the sixty-ninth and seventieth weeks, but does, like early gap proponents “definitely views this passage as eschatological and decidedly Messianic.” Thus, Africanus fits into the eschatological camp, making him closer to the futurist gap position, and not the historical.

Eusebius (270-340), the father of church history, teaches an historical view, but he places a gap of time between the sixty-ninth and seventieth weeks. Knowles explains:

In regards to the last week, we have some rather distinct views in Eusebius. We must recall that the last week does not follow immediately upon the sixty-ninth, but comes after the ‘indeterminate space of time’ in which the events of vs. 26 are being fulfilled. This last week, then, covers a period of seven years that extend from three and one-half years before the crucifixion to three and one-half years after it.

Knowles speaks of a writer named Hesychius whom Augustine refers to as an opponent of his historical fulfillment view. “Hesychius has questioned Augustine about the fulfillment of the Seventy Weeks, and seems to be an adherent of the futurist school of interpretation.” Thus, it is clear that even in the early fifth century there are still proponents of the eschatological and futurist schools of interpretation of Daniel’s seventieth week. “We have seen the formation of two definite schools of interpretation. . . .” notes Knowles. “All the later developments in Christian literature will be found to fit into one of these categories.”

Conclusion

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. Why opponents of a future seventieth week of Daniel want to make matters worse for themselves by saying that we do not have ancient historical precedent is beyond me. It is obvious that our futurist view was found early and often throughout the early church, and only became scarce when premillennialism was banded from the medieval church as a result of the influence of Augustine and Jerome. “But the saints shall never possess an earthly kingdom,” declares Jerome, “but only a heavenly. Away, then, with the fable about a millennium!” With Jerome’s banishment of early premillennialism went the literal interpretation of prophecy. History would have to wait more than a thousand years for the revival of a literal interpretation of Bible prophecy and the literal approach to the seventieth week of Daniel. Maranatha!

 

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The Evolution Position Falls To Utter Absurdity

April 12, 2017

Hello, Cochise here …

Christians often struggle with evolutionists.  The 45 minute video, below, will end that struggle!

 

God Bless All of Us!!

Your brother in The Lord,

Cochise Pendleton

 

 

 

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God’s Kingdom

October 12, 2015

The Stone That Crushes All Man-Made Kingdoms!

Jehovah’s Witnesses are taught that God’s Kingdom began ruling invisibly, in heaven and in the year 1914. Scripture, however, contradicts the Watchtower’s position on every point. The intent of this article is to bring biblical clarity by shining God’s Word over this topic. It will demonstrate when God’s Kingdom will begin to rule and from where, by analyzing the meaning of Nebuchadnezzar’s dream and how it affects us today.

Scripture foretells that God’s Kingdom will overthrow all man-made governments. It even tells us who will call the shots — the Stone:

(44) “And in the days of those kings the God of heaven will set up a kingdom which will never be destroyed, and that kingdom will not be left for another people; it will crush and put an end to all these kingdoms, but it will itself endure forever. (45) Inasmuch as you saw that a stone was cut out of the mountain without hands and that it crushed the iron, the bronze, the clay, the silver, and the gold, the great God has made known to the king what will take place in the future; so the dream is true, and its interpretation is trustworthy.” Daniel 2:44, 45

Here God is speaking to Nebuchadnezzar, an idol worshipper, through this image in a dream, and He is telling Nebuchadnezzar what shall be in the latter days. He was a world ruler and was concerned about where it was all going to end.

The stone which was cut out of the mountain informs us that it crushes all the governments (represented in Daniel as precious metals). The identity of this Stone will be forthcoming, but first, let us identify the metals that Daniel refers to:

GOLD = Kingdom of Babylon
SILVER = Kingdom of Media-Persia
BRASS = Kingdom of Graeco-Macedonia
IRON = Kingdom of Rome
At Daniel 2:41-43, we find the continued image of the statue in Nebuchadnezzar’s dream, that of the feet and toes:

(41) “And in that you saw the feet and toes, partly of potter’s clay and partly of iron, it will be a divided kingdom; but it will have in it the toughness of iron, inasmuch as you saw the iron mixed with common clay. (42) And as the toes of the feet were partly of iron and partly of pottery, so some of the kingdom will be strong and part of it will be brittle. (43) And in that you saw the iron mixed with common clay, they will combine with one another in the seed of men; but they will not adhere to one another, even as iron does not combine with pottery.”

The Bible communicates a succession of World Powers which began with Babylon as the head of Gold and with Rome as the last world power represented by Iron. While each kingdom was eventually overthrown, Rome was never conquered or defeated by any world power. This begs the question: Who represents the feet and 10 toes of the image?

Scripture continues to describe subsequent but divided kingdoms which appear after the Roman Empire of Iron. These kingdoms will not only be divided, but have the toughness of iron and be partly of pottery. Some of the kingdom will be strong and part of it will be brittle. The iron mixed with common clay will combine in the seed of men but they will not adhere to one another, such as iron does not combine with pottery.

We are living in the period of the latter days, and that is still a question today: What is this world coming to? And who is the “Stone” that is going to overthrow all man-made governments?

The Stone Identified

“Jesus said to them, ‘Did you never read in the Scriptures, (Psalm 118:22) THE STONE WHICH THE BUILDERS REJECTED, THIS BECAME THE CHIEF CORNER stone; THIS CAME ABOUT FROM THE LORD, AND IT IS MARVELOUS IN OUR EYES?” Matthew 21:42

Jesus Christ is that Stone mentioned in Daniel 2:44 … He is the Stone that the chief priests and Pharisees rejected. If we fall on that Stone, that is, rest in Him by faith, come just as you are without one plea but that His blood was shed for you … you are broken, you come as a sinner, with nothing to offer. But He is a wonderful Stone to rest upon.

Matthew 21:44 goes on to tell us what happens if we reject the Stone: “And he who falls on this stone will be broken to pieces; but on whomever it falls, it will scatter him like dust.”

The Stone is one of many figures of speech in Scripture which speak of Christ in His office as both Savior and Judge. He is the Rock of salvation (Deut. 32:15), and He is the Rock of Judgment (Deut. 32:4). These verses in Daniel speak of the time when He is coming to the earth as Judge to put down earth’s rebellion against God. The reference here is to the second coming of Christ to the earth, which is depicted for us in detail in Revelation 19:11-21.

“And in that day His feet will stand on the Mount of Olives, which is in front of Jerusalem on the east; and the Mount of Olives will be split in its middle from east to west by a very large valley, so that half of the mountain will move toward the north and the other half toward the south.” Zechariah 14:4

“God’s form of government is going to be one of the most strict forms of government that the world has ever seen. The Lord Jesus Christ is going to be a dictator, and if you are not willing to bow to Him, I don’t think you would even want to be in HIs Kingdom when He establishes it here upon the earth.” Daniel Commentary Series, by J. Vernon McGee, pg. 46.

The Ten Toes

No great world power ever followed Rome. The Roman Empire was the last, and it will be in existence in the latter days. The Roman Empire fell apart from within; it was destroyed by an enemy. Rome is living in the great nations of Europe today — Italy, France, Great Britain, Germany, and Spain are all part of the old Roman Empire.

You see, the Roman Empire fell apart like Humpty-Dumpty. Many men have tried to put it back together again (Hitler, Mussolini, Napoleon), but they did not succeed. So far, the man who will accomplish it has not yet appeared. Yes, it will be the Anitichrist, who comes out of Europe.

“What will be the final end of this last kingdom, the kingdom of iron mixed with clay? The clay, I believe, represents the masses, the different nations of the ten toes. The iron speaks of the fact that Rome lives on in this final form of the old empire.

The Antichrist, or the Man of Sin (he has about thirty-five aliases in Scripture), is the one who will bring back the Roman Empire. He will be a world dictator – he will rule the world just as Nebuchadnezzar did at the beginning {see Revelation 13}.” Daniel Commentary Series, by J. Vernon McGee, pgs. 47, 48.

At the Second Coming of Jesus Christ (after the seven year Great Tribulation period – Daniel 9:27), Our King, arrives (Daniel 2:44). He will put down all rebellion against Him. “Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron, Thou shalt shatter them like earthenware.” Psalm 2:9

“This passage presents the Messiah in a different manner from that of Isa. 42.3. Here Christ has an attitude of strength toward the proud and rebellious, but He has a gentle attitude toward the penitent and the humble.” The Hebrew-Greek Key Study Bible New American Standard, by Scholar Dr. Spiros Zodhiates, pg. 716.

“And in that day His feet will stand on the Mount of Olives, which is in front of Jerusalem on the east; and the Mount of Olives will be split in its middle from east to west by a very large valley, so that half of the mountain will move toward the north and the other half toward the south.” Zechariah 14:4

Why God’s Kingdom Is a Literal Government

“The basis for the belief in the Messianic Age is based on two things. The first is the numerous prophecies of the Old Testament which speak of the coming of the Messiah who will reign on David’s throne and rule over a peaceful kingdom. There is a great amount of material in the Old Testament on the Messianic Kingdom and the belief in a Messianic Kingdom rests on the basis of a literal interpretation of this massive material. The only real contribution that Revelation makes to the knowledge of the kingdom is to disclose just how long the Messianic Kingdom will last, namely one thousand years, for which the term ‘Millennium’ is used. This is the one key truth concerning the kingdom that was not revealed in the Old Testament.

The second basis for the belief in a coming kingdom rests on the four unconditional, unfulfilled covenants God made with Israel. These covenants are unconditional and so rely solely on God for their fulfillment and not on Israel. They are also unfulfilled and, since God is One who keeps His promises, they must be fulfilled in the future. They can only be fulfilled within the framework of a Messianic Age or a Millennial Kingdom … The first of these is the Abrahamic Covenant which promised an eternal seed developing into a nation that will possess the Promised Land with some definite borders. While that nation, the Jews, continues to exist, never in Jewish history have they possessed all of the Promised Land. For this promise to be fulfilled, there must be a future kingdom. Furthermore, the possession of the land was not merely a promise to Abraham’s seed, but to Abraham personally when God said, ‘To thee will I give it and to thy seed forever.’ For God to fulfill His promise to Abraham (as well as to Isaac and Jacob), there must be a future kingdom. The second covenant is the Palestinian Covenant which spoke of a worldwide regathering of the Jews and repossession of the land following their dispersion. While the dispersion has already occurred and is in effect today, the regathering and repossession of the land still awaits fulfillment in the future. This too requires a future kingdom. The Davidic Covenant is the third covenant which promised four eternal things: an eternal house (dynasty), an eternal throne, an eternal kingdom, and an eternal person. The dynasty became eternal because it culminated in a Person who is Himself eternal: Jesus the Messiah. For that reason, the throne and kingdom will be eternal as well. Jesus has never yet sat upon the Throne of David ruling over a kingdom of Israel. The re-establishment of the Davidic throne and Christ’s rule over the kingdom still awaits a future fulfillment. It requires a future kingdom. The last of these covenants is the New Covenant which spoke of the national regeneration and salvation of Israel encompassing each individual Jewish member of that nation. This, too, awaits its final fulfillment and requires a future kingdom.” Israelology The Missing Link In Systematic Theology, by Arnold G. Fruchtenbaum Th.M., Ph.D.pgs. 792-793

In Revelation chapter 20:1-15, Dr. Spiros Zodhiates makes this observation: “In this chapter, we find Jesus Christ coming back to rule and reign on earth for a thousand years. The length of time is specific and definite and cannot be mistaken otherwise. There are a number of O.T references which describe this particular time of the millennium (II Sam. 7:14-17; Ps. 24:1-10; 72:1-20; Isa. 2:1-4; 11:5-10; 35:1-10; Dan. 2:44). Here we have the judgment for the dead who are now in the afterlife (v. 12). The believers have already been raised, and now the unbelievers are raised so that each group may receive its punishment.” The Hebrew-Greek Key Study Bible, New American Standard Bible, Greek Scholar Spiros Zodhiates pg. 1695

Conclusion:

As we have discussed, God’s Word has clearly contradicted the Watchtower’s fantasy view of the location of God’s Kingdom and the year of establishment. It has also brought the geographical area of His return into focus.

After the seven year Great Tribulation period, Jesus Christ the King of God’s Kingdom becomes visible and appears; to destroy the Antichrist, all man-made governments, and all people who oppose Him.

After the seven year Great Tribulation period, Jesus Christ visibly reigns on earth for 1,000 years.

After the seven year Great Tribulation period, the covenant promises God made to Israel will be fulfilled.

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Blood Transfusions

December 20, 2014

Does The Bible Prohibit Blood Transfusions?

The purpose of addressing this particular subject is to allow the Bible to answer the question: “Does The Bible Prohibit Blood Transfusions?” The Watchtower declares that Jehovah forbids blood transfusions. While the Watchtower policy changes from time to time, one fact remains — their membership fears the Organization’s wrath if they accept a blood transfusion. Therefore, I wish to bring biblical clarity to this topic.

First and foremost, we never want to oppose God’s Inspired Word. His Word is absolute and non-negotiable. With that in mind, we look at whether the Bible forbids life-saving blood transfusions, as the Watchtower suggests.

The Organization insists that God’s Word condemns human to human blood transfusions. They base this upon the supposed authority of Acts 15:29. But does this Scripture actually affirm their position, or is the Organization improperly isolating one Scripture from its surrounding context and creating a man-made doctrine?

Acts 15:29 states as follows:

“that you abstain from things sacrificed to idols and from blood and from things strangled and from fornication; if you keep yourselves free from such things, you will do well. Farewell.”

When interpreting an isolated Scripture (those pulled out of their original context), its primary source must be examined. Understanding the surrounding context is the key to unlocking the meaning of the text. Therefore, a variety of questions must be asked:

(1)    What is the historical event?
(2)    Who is the passage speaking to?
(3)    Why was the content necessary?
(4)    How does it apply to me?

By asking these types of questions, we discover the true purpose of the message being delivered. This, in turn, reveals the actual meaning of the isolated scripture being quoted. So let us apply these questions to Acts 15:29:

1.     What is the historical event?

The Gentiles were accepting Christ, and certain Jews were demanding that the Gentiles become circumcised and be directed to observe the Law of Moses, as seen below at Acts 15:1, 3, 5:

verse 1: “And some men came down from Judea and began teaching the brethren, ‘Unless you are circumcised according to the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved.’”

verse 3: “Therefore, being sent on their way by the Church, they were passing through both Phoenicia and Samaria, describing in detail the conversion of the Gentiles, and were bringing great joy to all the brethren.”

verse 5: “But certain ones of the sect of the Pharisees who have believed, stood up, saying, ‘It is necessary to circumcise them, and to direct them to observe the Law of Moses.’”

As we see from these beginning verses of Acts 15, a wonderful thing was happening — Gentiles were being saved by accepting Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. We also see how certain Christian Jews (a sect of the Pharisees) became annoyed. The Christian Jews were telling these new Gentile believers that their salvation was contingent upon being circumcised. They also said that these Gentiles needed to observe the Law of Moses.

2.    Who is the passage speaking to?

The apostle Peter answers this by refuting the words of this certain sect of the Pharisees:

“And after there had been much debate, Peter stood up and said to them, ‘Brethren, you know that in the early days God made a choice among you, that by my mouth the Gentiles should hear the words of the gospel and believe. And God, who knows the heart, bore witness to them, giving them the Holy Spirit, just as He also did to us; and He made no distinction between us and them, cleansing their hearts by faith. Now therefore why do you put God to the test by placing upon the neck of the disciples a yoke which neither our fathers nor we have been able to bear? But we believe that we are saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus, in the same way as they also are.’” (Acts 15:7-11)

Peter’s words help us to appreciate that “through the grace of the Lord Jesus” we are saved. He also points out that these Christian Jews were “placing upon the neck of the disciples a yoke which neither our fathers nor we have been able to bear.” There was no need to circumcise these new Gentile believers in order for them to receive salvation — simply accepting Christ was enough. [As a side note, this reminds me of the yoke of the Watchtower. Their yoke of rules improperly make salvation contingent upon behavior, as if accepting Christ alone is not sufficient.]

3.    Why was the content necessary?

The content was necessary because of the spiritual weakness of some Jewish believers. So James recommended this at Acts 15:19:

“Therefore it is my judgment that we do not trouble those who are turning to God from among the Gentiles, but that we write to them that they abstain from things contaminated by idols and from fornication and from what is strangled and from blood.”

Acts 15:22-29 is what the Holy Spirit decided upon, with the final resolution set forth in verses 28 and 29:

“For it seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us to lay upon you no greater burden than these essentials: “that you abstain from things sacrificed to idols and from blood and from things strangled and from fornication; if you keep yourselves free from such things, you will do well. Farewell.”

The context of Acts 15 and the final resolution of the council are very specific and abundantly clear. This sect of Christian Jews wanted the new Gentile believers to follow certain aspects of the Law of Moses; however, since we are no longer under the Law (which was replaced with Grace), the Jerusalem Council only imposed certain restraints. One of those was the blood issue.

Now in order to fully understand the application of Acts 15:29, we must look to the original blood restriction under the Law of Moses. In other words, what kind of blood was the Mosaic Law referring to:

Leviticus 17:13-16:

“So when any man from the sons of Israel, or from the aliens who sojourn among them, in hunting catches a beast or a bird which may be eaten, he shall pour out its blood and cover it with earth. For as for the life of all flesh, its blood is identified with its life. Therefore I said to the sons of Israel, ‘You are not to eat the blood of any flesh, for the life of all flesh is its blood; whoever eats it shall be cut off.’ And when any person eats an animal which dies, or is torn by beasts, whether he is a native or an alien, he shall wash his cloths and bathe in water, and remain unclean until evening; then he will become clean.” [Emphasis added.]

Even prior to the Law of Moses, Jehovah similarly instructed Noah:

Genesis 9:2-4

“And God blessed Noah and his sons and said to them, ‘Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth. And the fear of you and the terror of you shall be on every beast of the earth and on every bird of the sky; with everything that creeps on the ground, and all the fish of the sea, into your hand they are given. Every moving thing that is alive shall be food for you; I give all to you, as I gave the green plant. Only you shall not eat flesh with its life, that is, its blood.’”

Now that we have examined the entire context of Act 15, thereby shining God’s light of truth over our subject, the interpretation of Acts 15:29 becomes evident. The Law of Moses prohibited the eating of animal blood. The Bible is totally silent on accepting human blood. Even Orthodox Jews have no problem with human-to-human blood transfusions.

To add to this, Greek scholar Dr. Spiros Zodhiates comments on Genesis 9:8-17 (Hebrew Greek Study Bible, pg. 14):

“Throughout history God has dealt with man through covenants or agreements. Later the Jews regarded this covenant between God and Noah as the basis of the relationship between God and all mankind, but the covenants with Abraham and with Moses at Mount Sinai were seen as forming the basis of God’s special relationship with Israel. Some believe that the stipulations laid on the Gentiles in Acts 15:20,29 find some of their source here in the covenant between God and Noah. In spite of the fact that the distinction between clean and unclean animals existed (Gen. 7:2), God allowed the eating of any plant or animal. The only restriction was the eating of animal blood, for that is where the life of the animal resided (Gen. 9:4). Later Israel was forbidden to eat not only blood but also the flesh of certain animals. The Lord removed the clean-unclean distinction from food altogether (Mk. 7:15; Acts 10:15). [Emphasis added.]

As you can see, Dr. Zodhiates affirms the animal blood restriction. Human blood was not the topic under the Law … His conclusion is in complete harmony with Scripture, unlike the Watchtower’s position.

Jehovah’s Word fails to lend any support to the Watchtower’s human blood doctrine, so we are left to wonder. Since God’s word is absolute and non-negotiable, who gave the Watchtower permission to add human blood to the text? The Author of Scripture certainly did not. If Jehovah meant to include human blood in the restriction, He would have said so. Since His restriction was limited only to animal blood, why does the Watchtower continue to masquerade this doctrine in the name of Christianity? Whatever the answer, it is abundantly clear that the Watchtower’s man-made blood doctrine is nothing more than that … man-made. The Inspired writings of Scripture reveal that the Watchtower dogma on this topic goes beyond God’s Inspired Word.

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Your Bible Questions, Please …

November 9, 2013

Hello Everyone!!

First and foremost, God bless all of us.  Our economic climate has affected so many.  But take courage … Our Lord is watching!!  He will never leave or forsake us. That said, what can we do to better serve our brother and sisters?

Our political leaders have no clue how to stabilize, or bring about the economic balance needed for American families.  I see fear on faces daily.  Families losing incomes, homes, and hope for the future.

My blog today is to assure you that God is in control.  His children need to be courages.  As we watch the world spin out of control, we do not.  Our security does not rest in money, or any man made promise.  Our security is God Himself.  He is our Rock.  He is our Refuge.  He is our Protector.   Whatever comes upon man (Bible prophecy being fulfilled), the Middle East for example, we will watch without fear, and help as many come to Christ before the rapture.

In the meantime, as we ex Jehovah’s Witnesses continue to study God’s word, and help others come to Christ, are there any Bible questions that you’re needing answers to?  I ask this because my ministry is assisting my brother and sisters defending  Bible truths.

Any questions you may have, please ask … I will post them for all to see.  I will then answer those questions to the best of my ability.

God bless you all,

Your brother in Christ,

Cochise

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How To Receive Eternal Salvation …

September 29, 2013

 “Salvation is the theme of the Bible.  Truths set forth here concern issues that were settled ‘before the creation of the world’ but remain as relevant as today’s top new story.  No other issue deserves our time and attention more than this one.”

 (Charles R. Swindoll)

Salvation is broken up into three phases.  This article will demonstrate the first phase that of salvation itself, and the prerequisite of Jehovah to receiving His gift.  My next article will address the other two phases – sanctification and glorification.

The Promise Of God 

“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 (NASB)

God made mankind a promise.  In John 3:16, He communicated how eternal salvation is to be received.  Vitally important, however, is to glean what God did not say.  Let us focus our attention on what is missing in John 3:16, and in so doing, we will discover what the Holy Spirit was communicating.

God The Father did not enumerate a list of things to do before one could receive eternal salvation, as the Watchtower boldly asserts below:

“come to Jehovah’s organization for salvation” WT 11-15-1981, p.21 

“ … persons … will not be assured of everlasting life until they prove faithful against a final attack by Satan the Devil.” (Life … Purpose, p.177) 

“Jesus is the mediator only for anointed Christians … The ‘great crowd’ … is not in that new covenant.” (WT 4/1/1979, p.31)

Jehovah never communicates Watchtower dogma (quoted above) in Scripture. Rather, Jehovah promises to give eternal life to anyone who believes in His Son without any other condition.

Fellowship with Christ is essential, but is not a prerequisite to receiving salvation.  Discipleship comes after salvation is received. I will elaborate on that subject in a coming article, when I address phases two and three.

Before I continue, let me say that all my articles are written to rebut Watchtower doctrine.  Because the Organization fails to accurately teach biblical theology, thereby leading millions to their eternal state (not heaven but eternal punishment), I am compelled to categorically refute their doctrine in written form.  This is the ministry Jehovah has given me, and one I truly enjoy.  Let me now continue:

The simplicity of God’s Word is extremely profound.  To help us truly grasp what the antidote is for eternal life, the Apostle John, writes:

“If we receive the witness men give, the witness God gives is greater, because this is the witness God gives, the fact that he has borne witness concerning his Son.  The [person] putting his faith in the Son of God has the witness given in his own case.  The [person] not having faith in God has made him a liar, because he has not put his faith in the witness given, which God as witness has given concerning his Son.  And this is the witness given, that God gave us everlasting life, and this life is in his Son.  He that has the Son has this life; he that does not have the Son of God does not have this life.  I write you these things that you may know that you have life everlasting, you who put your faith in the name of the Son of God.”  (1John 5:9-13, NWT)

“The thrust of the paragraph is the testimony of God Himself concerning His Son (5:9), and the one who believes this testimony has an inner persuasion or testimony in his heart.  On the other hand, the one who does not believe it says, in effect, that God lies (5:10).

What is the ‘content’ of God’s testimony?  That is answered in 5:11-12: ‘God has given us eternal life, and this life in is His Son.  He who has the Son has life; he who does have the Son of God does not have life.’

The essence of God’s testimony to us is that He gives eternal life to those who trust in His Son. Why did John write ‘these things’ about believing His Son?  So that ‘you may know that you have eternal life’ (1John 5:13).’  This is a strong word of assurance of eternal life to those who believe in the Son of God.  This, too, parallels what Jesus said in John 5:24: ‘Most assuredly, I say to you, he who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me has everlasting live.’”  (Salvation, Earl D. Radmacher, pg. 212)

Faith in Christ alone is Jehovah’s prerequisite for life eternal.  Mans doctrines are of no consequence. In other words, if you believe in Jehovah’s Son, you are saved.

Sanctification / Glorification

My next article will focus on phases two and three, sanctification and glorification.  I will also discuss the importance of having fellowship with Christ.

Here Is Something I Want You To Think About

A text without context becomes a pretext for a proof-text.

 In other words, it becomes an erroneous text.

Because the Watchtower practices this kind of methodology (pulling a text from its original context and building their own Bible doctrine), my next article will demonstrate how they do this and how to guard against this attack on God’s Word.

 

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Cochise’s NEW Cause …

August 4, 2013

My NEW Cause is MONUMENTAL but with the Lord’s blessing, NOTHING is impossible!   As you all know, I am now taking seminary courses from Professor Freddy.  It gives me more on which to draw from biblically.  In other words, the How To in biblical understanding.  His mission and passion is teaching and equipping the brethren.  If more pastors (I say this in all love) spent more time teaching the “Why we believe What we believe,” cults would loose their hold.  My idea and NOW Cause and Mission: Provide FREE seminary teaching and training to the body of Christ on a large scale.

Provide a place to be trained and biblically taught, thus equipping God’s people to defend true biblical doctrine from cult doctrine (Watchtower, Mormon, etc.), and learn ALL subjects taught in seminary style.  This CAUSE which will bless the body of Christ, is now my prime focus.

We all need money to live, and our economy has placed millions out of work. My Cause needs money to build, and people need work to live. My idea and solution for helping both financially is using the Pure Leverage vehicle.  As one penny is doubled each day for thirty days, it turns into over Five Million Dollars.

The POWER of The PEOPLE (aka MLM), the Pure Leverage vehicle, will accomplish the same kind of wealth IF EVERYONE participates.  It is that simple.  Join me, and let us together, create incomes for people (THROUGH OUR PARTICIPATION), and then donate $.10 cents on every dollar you earn to this CAUSE.  If we ALL join ranks and participate (that is the secret ingredient) spreading our Cause, with God’s blessing, people will join because the reason for making money is bigger than themselves, consequently, both financial needs will be met. I cannot do this myself.  It is much-too-big.  I pray that you see the importance of both undertakings.  For more information, go to my site and click on opportunity for a deeper look: http://www.pureleverage.com/brokenomore53

JOIN ME to HELP People financially, AND, provide a FREE teaching institute for the body of Christ by Professor Freddy … 

Your bother in Christ,

Cochise

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Cochise and his Thoughts …

May 21, 2013

Hello Everyone!

First and foremost, I love all of you and may the Lord bless all of us!!

This Post is another out-of-the-ordinary.  I wanted to share my thoughts and indulge your listening ear.  Being in the legal profession (not as an attorney) for over 35 years, I currently make my living serving legal documents. Not the average profession but, a profession nonetheless. Times are EXTREMELY difficult for millions of Americans and for millions of people across our globe. Honest hearted people can’t get work.  This REALLY hurts my soul!! I have a passion for people, and as you know, my number one passion is serving our Lord Jesus Christ.  I teach former members of the Watchtower true biblical theology on the six screens tele network.  Brother Rick Fearon is the owner and manages many hosted programs (Christianity 101 is only one of them).

My work brings me in contact with hundreds of people who are in financial straights. I know this first-hand because of my profession (I’m the one serving them evictions papers, divorce papers, writs on banks to extract all monies from their personal accounts, and bank foreclosures on million dollar pieces of property).   Everything I do is legal but disturbing to say the least.  I see expressions of hopelessness on faces every single day and frankly, I’m sick and tired of not being able to do something about it.  Of course, there are some who still make a good living, but even they fear the unexpected.

People need jobs.  Our Lord is GREAT!!  He is in total control.  That said, He has given us minds to think with.  A brain to come up with ideas that will help our families, friends, and fellow man.   Since our economy is not providing what the world masses need (JOBS), and after prayer and more prayer, decided to join a company that I believe, provides what our economy cannot … a financial income.

I serve legal collection papers to teachers with Master and PhD.’s without employment.  I am tired of seeing the faces of those striped of their homes and jobs with no hope of finding either.  Therefore,  I personally endorse the company called Pure Leverage, and recommend it as a vehicle for reaching financial stability.  It does take work and it is not a free ride.  However, I have worked out a method wherein Everyone will find success.

I have put my name on this company but more importantly, my reputation.  I created a Sales Letter which I will post here, and which, can be read and copied.

I now have two passions.  First, my ministry.  Second, helping people make a living.  I wrote a Sales Letter to market this venture.  For those who join me, this will be your letter to market.  Remember, don’t get hung up on all the hype … although it all being true, it is what it is.  Take-a-look and if this is something that you’re interested in, you know how to reach me.  On a side note, I love all the cutting edge Internet marketing tools and I use the Video conferencing tool on my Christianity 101 program.

Again, this post is out-of-the-ordinary.  It is my way of helping people (including myself) find other streams of income and I wanted to share this venture with all of you.  Technology will always be with us … so, I decided to join and share this new technology with everyone.  Below is the Sales Letter I put together and there is a link to watch a short video.   There is no pressure!!  You won’t hurt my feelings if this is not your cup-of-tea.  The cost to join is very inexpensive and is outlined in the letter.  I will share my strategy with you later.

May the Lord Bless this venture and I pray He does.  On a side note,  I would love your review of my sales letter. Sharing truth with people without hype is very difficult.  Let me know how I grade.

Your brother in Christ,

Cochise Pendleton

… Bill Gates’ VISION Made BILLIONS …

The VISION of Pure Leverage … World Economy–Blues–BUSTER …

 is YOUR Bill Gates Opportunity!!  

YOU are in the RIGHT place at the RIGHT moment in Time

To See Your Financial Windfall…

 

TIMING is EVERYTHING!  THIS opportunity JUST Launched, and Will-Go-GLOBAL!! Pays 100% in residual commissions! Collect another 50% of total sales from your Directly Sponsored!! 

ALL-in-ONE-System EVERY-Business EVERY-Person NEEDS-to-SUCCEED …

Evolving State-of-the-Art Cutting Edge Internet Marketing Tools!!

 

  • Video Email Service!
  • Video Internet Conference Room with all the bells and whistles!
  • Video Blogging!
  • Email Capture Lead Generation System!
  • Professional Auto Responder Service … Perfect Inbox Deliverability!
  • Banners!
  • Ad Copy!
  • And Much MORE!!

But WAIT, this One System for pennies a-day, only $24.95 per-month …

is JUST the Tip-of-The-Iceberg!

I just LOVE the Internet Video Conferencing tool all-by-itself because … I can SEE and TALK to family or clients ANYWHERE on Earth, FREE (this is not Skype) yes, from any Internet connection source! Demonstrate Power-Point-Meetings, see & talk to loved ones, and RECORD Everything … a Tool for Business & Pleasure!!  Warning!   HIGHLY addictive!!  So FUN to use you may spend too much time using it!!

TIMING is CRITICAL!!  BEFORE the World, or closer to home, friends / business associates Become AWARE … Get-in-Now!!  Bill Gates’ Vision was His Advantage … No One Knew.  NO One!!  Now YOU have this Advantage … NO One Knows!! Take Advantage of Your Advantage … EMBRACE and MOVE-on this Opportunity … Take Action Today!!  The Pure Leverage Vision Opportunity “World-Economy-Blues-BUSTER” is YOUR TIME To-Be-First!  Your Advantage Clock is Ticking!

New World Paradigm …

 EVERYONE-in … Means … ALL-WILL WIN!!

   

The PURE LEVERAGE Vision …

“WORLD-ECONOMY-BLUES-BUSTER” System Formula …

ALL-IN-ALL-WIN!!

 

“Team Work Makes The Dream Work”

 

ALL RIGHTS to Market and Receive 100% Commissions Plus 50% Commissions from Your Directly Sponsored … only $19.97 a-month!!

This is truly

Unbelievable BUT True!!

  

Watch Video and Join My TEAM Today:  http://www.CochiseMoneyMaker.com

 

P.S. Email me … FREE Video Conferencing demonstration: Leverage1953@gmail.com

REMEMBER this MOMENT … ALL who Rejected Bill Gates will NEVER forget their once-in-a-lifetime, Yes, FOREVER Lost BILLION dollar Money Maker VISION OFFER Opportunity!

P.P.S.  Tom Cruise said, “With me …Without Me” … With or without you, Pure Leverage is going global. This is Your once-in-a-lifetime VISION OFFER Money Maker Opportunity. You wanna Win You Gotta Get in!!  GO-Now and Test-Drive ALL these Tools 7 days for only $1.00!!

My name is Cochise … Watch Video Now and Join My Team Today!!    http://www.CochiseMoneyMaker.com

 

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SEE and TALK To Cochise FACE To FACE on Christianity 101, on 5-5-13 at 3:00pm (PST)!!

May 5, 2013

Hello everyone!!  I wanted to invite all my subscribers to the Christianity 101 program today, May 5, 2013, at 3:00PM (PST).  No need to call in because, those with a computer can now log into the program and WATCH the entire program on their computer screens.  Yes, like a television program.  AND, anyone wanting to come up on stage with me, CAN!!  The audience (those just watching on their computer screens) will be able to SEE and HEAR you,  too.  So, make sure you dress for the occasion.

Note: If you computer does not have a cam, you will still be able to see me … but, if your computer does not have speakers, no sound will come through.

Those wanting to join me on their computers, click the link below, and after you do, type your name where asked so I know you are in the audience.  I hope to see all you there today as this is the debut of new technology on Christianity 101 …

Oh, I almost forgot … those only wanting to see and hear this new technology, can, but are also able to communicate with me through texting on their screens.  I hope you all come today and support me on this debut … LOVE to everyone and God Bless Us All

Here is the link:

http://login.meetcheap.com/conference,33655540

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