SLAIN IN THE SPIRIT: THE CORRUPT LOGIC OF MICHAEL BROWN

Is Being ‘Slain in the Spirit’ Really from the Lord? (youtube.com)

Below: New Apostolic Reformation proponent Michael Brown's devious response to the question of whether the phenomenon of "slain in the Spirit" is from the Lord:   

Where is it spoken against in the bible?
Where does God warn against it?

Where does scripture say this is something we should avoid? 

We use the Word of God according to the Word of God, not according to your standard or mine, but according to the Word of God.

Does (slain in the Spirit) lead them to Jesus, does it lead them to the truth, does it lead them to the Word, does it lead them to holiness?

The answer to all the above questions is negative. The "slain in the Spirit" phenomenon is not found in the scriptures. Along with other alleged "signs," this phenomenon can only be found within charismania and it does not lead people to Jesus, truth, and holiness. 

Many have witnessed the antics, the fakery, and the abominations of false teachers like Todd Bentley, Benny Hinn, Bill Johnson, Mike Bickle, Todd White etc. Their teachings and lifestyles are disqualifying traits and a denial of the faith. (2 Timothy 3:8; Colossians 2:18). The scriptures instruct believers to mark and avoid those who teach things contrary to the scriptures. (Romans 16:17). Should we believe anecdotal evidence from Brown and other NAR leaders about this experience? Michael Brown has already demonstrated to the world that he is far too busy "fulfilling God's calling" and providing cover for his friends to care about believers! (Acts 20:21).1

Arguments from scriptural silence

Brown's assumption that whatever is not expressly forbidden in the scriptures is allowed is yet another one of his devious attempts to obscure the scriptures. To reject NAR false teachers and any phenomena associated with them is to practice spiritual discernment. Arguments from scriptural silence are by their very nature unsound. If we operate on the premise of scriptural silence, we are free to approve of any practice we care to devise. The result is that literally anything goes and all kinds of disorderly and corrupt conduct arises. (1 Corinthians 14:40; Colossians 2:5).

Several Old Testament passages demonstrate the folly of deviating from the scriptures: e.g. Nahab and Abihu and the strange fire incident (Leviticus 10:1). When David brought the ark from Kiriath-Jearim he said "If it seems good to you and from the LORD our God."  The specific instruction for transporting the ark given to Moses was that it was to be carried by the Levitical priests. (Exodus 25:10-15). However, David transported the ark on a cart, and when the oxen stumbled, Uziah put out his hand to take hold of the ark and the Lord's anger was kindled. (1 Chronicles 13:7-10). King David's willful act of taking a census was incited by Satan. (1 Chronicles 21:1-7). A census of the Israelites was to be taken only when God specifically commanded it to be done. (Numbers 1:1-2,4:2,26:2-4). God condemned the illicit high places erected by the people of Judah: And they have built the high places of Topheth, which is in the Valley of the Son of Hinnom, to burn their sons and their daughters in the fire, which I did not command, nor did it come into my mind. (Jeremiah 7:31).

Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God, which he obtained with his own blood. I know that after my departure fierce wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock; and from among your own selves will arise men speaking twisted things, to draw away the disciples after them. Therefore be alert, remembering that for three years I did not cease night or day to admonish every one with tears. (Acts 20:28-31 cf. Matthew 24:24)

Keep a close watch on yourself and on the teaching. Persist in this, for by so doing you will save both yourself and your hearers. (1 Timothy 4:16 cf. Exodus 23:13; 1 Corinthians 4:6).

    

Brown quoted the response of Puritan theologian and philosopher Jonathan Edwards to his critics during the "Great Awakening" in the 1730s and 1740s. Edwards: "We ought not to limit God where he hath not limited Himself."2  Brown's snapshot of Jonathan Edwards is misleading. Edwards did not class various manifestations (bodily effects) as distinguishing marks of the Holy Spirit one way or the other. Edwards was a very controversial character who eventually lost the confidence of his own congregation. Because false revivals are often accompanied by unusual phenomena not found in the scriptures, those leading them are unreliable witnesses. 

Wikipedia: "The movement met with opposition from conservative Congregationalist ministers. In 1741, Edwards published in the defense of revivals The Distinguishing Marks of a Work of the Spirit of God, dealing particularly with the phenomena most criticized: the swoonings, outcries, and convulsions. These "bodily effects", he insisted, were not distinguishing marks of the work of the Spirit of God one way or another. So bitter was the feeling against the revival in some churches that in 1742 he felt moved to write a second apology, Thoughts on the Revival in New England, where his main argument concerned the great moral improvement of the country. In the same pamphlet he defends an appeal to the emotions and advocates preaching terror when necessary, even to children, who in God's sight 'are young vipers... if not Christ's.'"3  

Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world. (1 John 4:1).

 

1. A Friendly Challenge to My Critics (youtube.com)
2. Edwards - The Distinguishing Marks of a Work of the Spirit of God (monergism.com)
3. Jonathan Edwards (theologian) - Wikipedia

Further Links

The Silence of the Scriptures: Permissive or Prohibitive? | Christian Courier
An Introduction to Bible Silence (insearchoftruth.org)
If Brown is not a NARpostle, then what was he ‘imparting’ to NARpostle Katherine Ruonala? (churchwatchcentral.com)Search Results for “Michael Brown” – ChurchWatch Central

JOEL RICHARDSON DISTORTING THE SCRIPTURES: THE DEATH OF THE ANTICHRIST?

Armageddon & the Death of the Antichrist BOOK OF REVELATION Session 70 (youtube.com)

Who is Gog?

This is my third post debunking Joel Richardson's false assertion that the Antichrist will be killed. No biblical evidence supports Richardson's repeated assertion that Gog and the Antichrist are the same individual. In fact, there are various contradictory speculations regarding Gog's identity and the timing of the Gog/Magog war of Ezekiel 38 and 39. The chart below, taken from Chris White's YouTube channel, demonstrates that the only commonality among speculators is that Ezekiel 38 and 39 is a future event.1 

Most speculators ignore the reference in Ezekiel 38 to a peaceful people dwelling securely. 

This is what the Lord GOD says: On that day, thoughts will arise in your mind, and you will devise an evil plan. You will say, ‘I will go up against a land of unwalled villages; I will come against a tranquil people who dwell securely, all of them living without walls or bars or gates— (Ezekiel 38:10-11,14).

Armageddon - Mount Megiddo or Jerusalem? 

There are a number of reasons why Mount Megiddo is the location of Armageddon as against Jerusalem. The Armageddon/Jerusalem theory is relatively recent and was introduced by Michael Heiser whose eschatological teaching is unreliable. We should remember that the entire world will be subject to massive topological changes via the great earthquake during the seventh bowl of wrath. It is unlikely that the Antichrist will be in Jerusalem (the great city) during the seventh bowl judgement. Rather it makes more sense that the Antichrist and "the kings of the world" will flee the cities and will assemble at Mount Megiddo. (Revelation 16:14,16). I have done a deeper analysis of Heiser's view in a previous post. (See further links) 

The seventh angel poured out his bowl into the air, and a loud voice came out of the temple, from the throne, saying, “It is done!” And there were flashes of lightning, rumblings,c peals of thunder, and a great earthquake such as there had never been since man was on the earth, so great was that earthquake. The great city was split into three parts, and the cities of the nations fell, and God remembered Babylon the great, to make her drain the cup of the wine of the fury of his wrath. And every island fled away, and no mountains were to be found. And great hailstones, about one hundred pounds each, fell from heaven on people; and they cursed God for the plague of the hail, because the plague was so severe. (Revelation 16:17-21 cf. Revelation 18:24).

The death of the Antichrist?

In hermeneutics, the basic rule is that the clear interprets the obscure i.e. clear passages take precedence over obscure ones. All Scripture presents one unified system of truth (2 Timothy 3:16; 2 Peter1:20-21). As such, where there seems to be a contradiction or discrepancy we should seek to harmonize obscure passages with the clearer ones.

It is to Richardson's advantage that the Antichrist will be killed since he has widely taught the speculative Islamic Antichrist theory for years. Furthermore, he has written books on this subject with false teacher Walid Shoebat and others. The reference to the beast and the false prophet being thrown alive into the lake of fire is an explicit proof text. Unfortunately, Richardson's poor hermeneutic and eisegesis have taken precedence over the important principle of harmonizing obscure passages.

And the beast was captured, and with it the false prophet who in its presence had done the signs by which he deceived those who had received the mark of the beast and those who worshiped its image. These two were thrown alive into the lake of fire that burns with sulfur. (Revelation 19:20).  

And the devil who had deceived them was thrown into the lake of fire and sulfur, into which the beast and the false prophet had already been thrown. There they will be tormented day and night forever and ever. (Revelation 20:10).

The buriel of Gog in Israel presents a huge problem for those who claim he is the Antichrist. 

On that day I will give to Gog a place for burial in Israel, the Valley of the Travelers, east of the sea. It will block the travelers, for there Gog and all his multitude will be buried. It will be called the Valley of Hamon-gog. (Ezekiel 39:11).

Richardson's alleged proof texts

Habakkuk 3:13-14

You went out for the salvation of your people, for the salvation of your anointed. You crushed the head of the house of the wicked, laying him bare from thigh to neck. Selah. You pierced with his own arrows the heads of his warriors, who came like a whirlwind to scatter me, rejoicing as if to devour the poor in secret. (Habakkuk 3:13-14 cf Psalm 68:21; Genesis 3:15)).  

But God will strike the heads of his enemies, the hairy crown of him who walks in his guilty ways. (Psalm 68:1).

I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring; he shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise his heel.” (Genesis 3:15 cf. Hebrews 2:14). 

Habakkuk 3:13-14 is not a reference to the Antichrist, rather, "the head of the house of the wicked" refers to Satan, confirmed in Genesis 3:15: "crush the head".

    

Coffman: “Thou woundest the head” Who is the head “out of the house of the wicked,” if not Satan? Here is a prophetic renewal of the great promise of the Protoevangelium (Genesis 3:15) that the head of the evil one would be bruised.2  

Lange: "SCHMIEDER (on Hab 3:13): The picture might be still more comprehensive, if, in accordance with Dan. 2:31 ff., we conceive the entire succession of hostile empires as the image of one man or house, whose colossal size falls under the judgments of God, after its head is broken off."3  

Isaiah 11:4 and 2 Thessalonians 2:8

And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord Jesus will kill (ἀνελεῖ) with the breath of his mouth and bring to nothing (katargeo) by the appearance of his coming. (2 Thessalonians 2:8).

..but with righteousness he shall judge the poor, and decide with equity for the meek of the earth; and he shall strike the earth with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips he shall kill (mûwth) the wicked. (Isaiah 11:4 cf. ). Strongs: מוּת mûwth, mooth; a primitive root; to die (literally or figuratively);4 

Examples of ἀναιρέω

Thayers Greek Lexicon: ἀναιρέω 1. to take up, to lift up (from the ground); middle to take up for myself as value, to own (an exposed infant): Acts 7:21; (so ἀναίρεσθαι, Aristophanes nub. 531; Epictetus diss. 1, 23, 7; (Plutarch, Anton. 36, 3; fortuna Romans 8; fratern. am. 18, etc.)). 2. to take away, abolish.5

..and when he was exposed, Pharaoh’s daughter adopted (ἀνείλατο) him and brought him up as her own son. (Acts 17:21).

then he added, “Behold, I have come to do your will.” He does away (ἀναιρεῖ) with the first in order to establish the second. (Hebrews 10:9).

Examples of καταργέω

Strongs: "καταργέω katargéō, kat-arg-eh'-o; from G2596 and G691; to be (render) entirely idle (useless), literally or figuratively:—abolish, cease, cumber, deliver, destroy, do away, become (make) of no (none, without) effect, fail, loose, bring (come) to nought, put away (down), vanish away, make void."6  

Now if the ministry of death, carved in letters on stone, came with such glory that the Israelites could not gaze at Moses’ face because of its glory, which was being brought to an end (καταργουμένην), will not the ministry of the Spirit have even more glory? For if there was glory in the ministry of condemnation, the ministry of righteousness must far exceed it in glory. Indeed, in this case, what once had glory has come to have no glory at all, because of the glory that surpasses it. For if what was being brought to an end (καταργούμενον) came with glory, much more will what is permanent have glory. Since we have such a hope, we are very bold, not like Moses, who would put a veil over his face so that the Israelites might not gaze at the outcome of what was being brought to an end (καταργεῖται) (2 Corinthians 3:7,11,13).

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown: "..so Christ's mere approach is enough to consume Antichrist. The mere 'appearance of the coming' of the Lord of glory is sufficient to show to Antichrist his perfect nothingness. He is seized and 'cast alive into the take of fire' (Re 19:20)."7

Revelation Revolution: "In light of the way katageo is used in Romans 6:6, 1 Corinthians 6:13 and 2 Corinthians 3:14 I believe this word is perhaps better translated do away or remove in 2 Thessalonians 2:8. Similarly, considering the way in which anaireo is translated as take or took away in Acts 7:21 and Hebrews 10:9, I believe 2 Thessalonians 2:8 is more accurately or precisely translated: 'And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord Jesus will take away with the breath of his mouth and take or do away with [and thus reduce to inactivity] by the splendor of his coming.' As stated above, katargeo means to make inactive or to reduce to inactivity." 8 

Is this the man? Isaiah 14 

Is this the man who made the earth tremble, who shook kingdoms, who made the world like a desert and overthrew its cities, who did not let his prisoners go home?’ (Isaiah 14:16-17).

Richardson's claim that "the man" in Isaiah 14:16 refers to the Antichrist is unreliable. Isaiah 14:1-22 is a taunt against the king of Babylon (with allusions to Lucifer.) (Isaiah 14:3). But you are brought down to Sheol, to the far reaches of the pit. (Isaiah 14:9,11,15). The King of Babylon is compared with Lucifer, the Morning Star, whose pride and ambition led to his downfall from heaven. According to the Old Testament, Sheol/Hades is a temporary place where souls are kept as they await the final resurrection. The lake of fire Revelation 19:20 and 20:10,14-15, is the final hell, the place of eternal punishment, both for apostate angels and wicked human beings. (Matthew 25:41). The scriptures are unequivocal, the destination of the Antichrist (the beast) is the Lake of Fire, not Sheol. (Revelation 19:20).

I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: if anyone adds to them, God will add to him the plagues described in this book, and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God will take away his share in the tree of life and in the holy city, which are described in this book. (Revelation 22:18-19).

It is critical to examine Richardson's track record before endorsing his views. I have written sixteen posts debunking his speculations and exposing his dubious associations with Paul Cain, Walid Shoebat and Dalton Thomas: WOLVES IN SHEEP'S CLOTHING: FALSE PROPHETS AND BIBLE TEACHERS IN THE LAST DAYS: Joel Richardson (bewareofthewolves.blogspot.com)  

1. A GOG MAGOG STUDY - Part 1 - Intro & Revelation 20:7-10 - Bible Prophecy Talk (youtube.com)
2. Habakkuk 3 - Coffman's Commentaries on the Bible - Bible Commentaries - StudyLight.org
3. Habakkuk 3 Lange Commentary on the Holy Scriptures (biblehub.com)
4. H4191 - mûṯ - Strong's Hebrew Lexicon (kjv) (blueletterbible.org)
5. Thayer's Greek: 337. ἀναιρέω (anaireó) -- to take up, take away, make an end (biblehub.com)
6. G2673 - katargeō - Strong's Greek Lexicon (KJV)
7. 2 Thessalonians 2:8 Commentaries: Then that lawless one will be revealed whom the Lord will slay with the breath of His mouth and bring to an end by the appearance of His coming; (biblehub.com)
8. https://www.revelationrevolution.org/

Further Links

A GOG MAGOG STUDY - Part 4 - Who Is Gog? - Bible Prophecy Talk (youtube.com)

The Timing of the Gog Magog War (youtube.com)
The Islamic Antichrist Theory Debunked - FULL 8 HOUR - AUDIO BOOK - Bible Prophecy (youtube.com)
WOLVES IN SHEEP'S CLOTHING: FALSE PROPHETS AND BIBLE TEACHERS IN THE LAST DAYS: JOEL RICHARDSON: FALSE TEACHING THAT THE ANTICHRIST WILL BE KILLED (bewareofthewolves.blogspot.com)
WOLVES IN SHEEP'S CLOTHING: FALSE PROPHETS AND BIBLE TEACHERS IN THE LAST DAYS: MICHAEL HEISER'S ALLEGED LOCATION OF ARMAGEDDON (bewareofthewolves.blogspot.com)
Zion's Hope (zionshope.org)

LEIGHTON FLOWERS VS JAMES WHITE JOHN 6:44 UNCONDITIONAL ELECTION?

Leighton Flowers VS James White: The John 6:44 Debate | Does John 6:44 Teach Unconditional Election? (youtube.com)

"Leighton Flowers VS James White: The John 6:44 Debate | Does John 6:44 Teach Unconditional Election?" 

Got Questions definition of unconditional election: "God, before the foundation of the world, chose to make certain individuals the objects of His unmerited favor or special grace. These individuals from every tribe, tongue and nation were chosen by God for adoption, not because of anything they would do but because of His sovereign will. God could have chosen to save all men (He certainly has the power and authority to do so), and He could have chosen to save no one (He is under no obligation to save anyone). He instead chose to save some and leave others to the consequences of their sin."1 

James White's theological debates include Calvinism, Roman Catholicism, Islam, Mormonism, infant baptism, the King James Only movement, Jehovah's Witnesses, and atheism. White has described Leighton Flowers as a "one-string banjo" referring to what he describes as his "obsessive" mission against Calvinism. Flowers attempted to make the debate more light-hearted by giving White a gift of a one-string banjo. However, at the end of the debate, White refused to accept it. White's "one string banjo" quip was doubtless thrown out as an insult, but Flowers apparent approval of other false doctrines is odd. For my part, I am unable to reconcile Flowers hyper-focused fight for truth in one aspect (Calvinism), and his apparent approval of error in another (ecumenism). (Acts 20:27). I was so troubled by this disconnect in 2018 that I have not paid him much attention since that time. 

Below is an excerpt from my previous post in 2018: 

  

"One would expect Flowers to have a bible verse on the 'Our Beliefs' page of his website, but his primary text is a quotation from AW Tozer! In fact there are many scripture references, but no actual bible quotations on this page at all.

I notice that Flowers also frequently quotes CS Lewis in his videos. Both CS Lewis and AW Tozer were ecumenists and closet mystics. As I look down the list of non-Calvinistic scholars Flowers lists as reading material, I am very troubled indeed. For example, he lists false teachers such as ecumenist Billy Graham, false deliverance teacher Derek Prince, ecumenist Greg Laurie, open theist and annihilationist Clark Pinnock, ecumenist Ravi Zacharias, ecumenist David Jeremiah.. I could go on.. and on... This tells me that Calvinism is not the only serious problem that needs to be addressed within the Southern Baptist denomination. The ecumenical movement is THE biggest threat to biblical Christianity in our time, and yet inexplicably, Flowers actively promotes ecumenical teachers and apostates on his website!"2 

The Debate

All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never cast out. For I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will but the will of him who sent me. And this is the will of him who sent me, that I should lose nothing of all that he has given me, but raise it up on the last day. For this is the will of my Father, that everyone who looks on the Son and believes in him should have eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day.”So the Jews grumbled about him, because he said, “I am the bread that came down from heaven.” They said, “Is not this Jesus, the son of Joseph, whose father and mother we know? How does he now say, ‘I have come down from heaven’?” Jesus answered them, “Do not grumble among yourselves. No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him. And I will raise him up on the last day. It is written in the Prophets, ‘And they will all be taught by God.’ Everyone who has heard and learned from the Father comes to me— (John 6:37-45).

White: "Has the historical understanding of John chapter 6 since the Reformation.. is that a proper reading of the text?" This opening question was very telling in that it indicates that White's presuppositions are inhibited by his Calvinistic tradition.

White opened by emphasizing that there is no break or contradiction in verse 44 i.e. the group drawn by the Father is the same group that is raised up on the last day, namely the Jews who had been drawn by the Father via the prophets. Based on his understanding of John 6:44, White's view is that no distinction exists between the (passive recipients ?) being drawn by the Father, those being taught, those hearing and those learning in verse 45.   

Flowers opened by identifying God as the initiator and the hearers as the responders. His position is that the Jewish crowd in John 5:43 rejected God due to their own fault because they were unwilling. (31:00 mark) In contrast, White's presupposition from Calvin (originally Augustine) is that sinful people reject God by default. Flowers also quoted Calvinist John MacArthur: "Sinful man is pre-programmed by God to believe lies." Flowers appealed to various proof texts as evidence that the Jewish crowd was responsible for responding to Jesus.

I have come in my Father’s name, and you do not receive me. If another comes in his own name, you will receive him. (John 5:43).

 

But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God, John 1:12 ..  cf. Ezekiel 18:32

For this people’s heart has grown dull, and with their ears they can barely hear, and their eyes they have closed; lest they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears and understand with their heart and turn, and I would heal them.’ (Acts 28:27).

O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it! How often would I have gathered your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you were not willing! (Matthew 23:37 cf. Isaiah 30:15). 

Flowers: "Notice this hardened condition of Israel is not a universal default condition of all humanity from birth. It is a purposeful divine judicial judgement upon a rebellious people at a particular place in time to bring about Calvary through their rebellion.."  (Luke 19:41-42; John 12:39). This also explains why Jesus spoke in parables to the crowds. (Mark 4:34). Flowers also referred to Romans 11: ..as it is written, “God gave them a spirit of stupor, eyes that would not see and ears that would not hear, down to this very day.” (Romans 11:8). As a result of their rebellion, the Jews were ..ever seeing but never perceiving. (Mark 4:12). 

Flowers: "There is only one point of distinction.. why does God give certain people to the Son?" He continued.. "those who believed in the Father are given to the Son". Calvinism reverses the stated order given in the text i.e. regeneration precedes belief. From the Calvinist perspective draw = regeneration, whereas draw is given a different definition in the text.. i.e. those drawn are those who have heard and learned = those who have responded. 

Flowers position on John 6:44 ~ The Jewish crowd is not given to Christ because of their continued refusal to believe all that the Father has taught them (through Moses and the prophets).

White's position on John 6:44 ~  The Jewish crowd is unable to believe by default because they are not given to Christ.

Ex-Calvinist Bible Scholar Reviews James White Vs. Leighton Flowers Debate: John 6:44

https://youtube.com/live/ir0m-1h5wSU?feature=share

The subsequent review of this debate by Biblical Studies expert Dr Joel Korytko, although rather technical, is significant. In it, he identifies various critical weaknesses in White's arguments. White's smoke and mirrors strategy i.e. his technical knowledge of Greek grammar was a tactic that ultimately backfired. It became apparent during Korytko's review that White's frequent references to Greek grammar were not only superfluous and misleading, but were even incorrect at times. Korytko asserted that White's detailed information about aorist present participles in John is not remotely related to the debate and was an unnecessary distraction. In addition, Korytko pointed out that John 6:44-45 does not give evidence of volition. 

 

The Old Testament background to John 6:45 - the Prophets  

It is written in the Prophets: ‘And they will all be taught by God.’ Everyone who has heard the Father and learned from Him comes to Me— (John 6:45).

Then all your sons will be taught by the LORD.. (Isaiah 54:13 cf. Joel 3:1-2; Jeremiah 31:4; John 2:20). Isaiah 54:13 is an eschatological prophecy referring to Israel's ultimate salvation in their post-conversion state. (Zechariah 12:10). John 6:45 omits "all your sons" and simultaneously refers to the eschatological prophecy as a present reality (inaugurated eschatology) via the new covenant. This verse presupposes the willingness of present believers, as well as the future inhabitants of the New Jerusalem, to be taught by the Lord. Biblia: "Essentially the same promise is given in Joel 3:1-2, and Jeremiah 31:34; and represented in 1 John 2:20 ('Ye have the anointing of the Holy One, and know all things') as already fulfilled."3 

The LORD appeared to us in the past, saying: “I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore I have drawn you with loving devotion. (Jeremiah 31:3 - Berean Standard Version).

The ESV does not convey the meaning of draw in Jeremiah 31:3. However, several other versions translate the equivalent of the NT word elkusō (draw) Hebrew mashak. Jeremiah 31 sets the stage for the new covenant and the ultimate regathering of Israel. Critically Jeremiah 31:3 powerfully illustrates that the sense of mashak/elkusō (draw) is to lovingly persuade. There is no indication of irresistible grace aka effectual calling in this verse. 

Bengel's Gnomen: The same word occurs in the Septuag., Song of Solomon 1:4, εἵλκυσάν σε, [Engl. Vers.] “Draw me, we will run after Thee;” Jeremiah 31:3, “I have loved thee with an everlasting love, therefore with loving-kindness have I drawn thee” [in Septuag. ch. 38:3, εἵλκυσά σε εἰς οἰκτείρημα]. 4  

pantes and pas

'And they will all (pantes) be taught by God.’ Everyone (pas) who has heard the Father and learned from Him comes to Me— (John 6:45).

Flowers seemed to get rather flustered by White's use of pantes (all) and pas (everyone) (1:38 mark). Flowers has now modified his view and he accepts that all and everyone are in fact the same group. Few teachers are humble enough to publicly admit their errors, and we should give Flowers credit for his subsequent U-turn. Korytko effectively simplified this misunderstanding by appealing to the eschatological reality of John, i.e. everyone taught by God is the same group who have heard and learned from the Father and come to Jesus.           

heard and learned

Everyone who has heard the Father and learned from Him comes to Me. (John 6:45).  

White's false assumption is that heard and learned are passive verbs i.e. those who have heard and learned are the passive recipients of the Father's instruction. In context, everyone is the subject of the sentence. Everyone actively performs the action of coming to Jesus after hearing and learning from the Father.

Other parts of the New Testament emphasize how we hear (active) indicating volition, or whether people have ears to hear. The formula "He who has ears to hear"  (Matthew 13:9; Mark 4:9 etc.) suggests more than ordinary powers of thought to comprehend.5  

Take care then how you hear (akouete), for to the one who has, more will be given, and from the one who has not, even what he thinks that he has will be taken away. (Luke 8:18).

And a voice came out of the cloud, saying, “This is my Son, my Chosen One; listen (akouete) to him!” (Luke 9:35 cf. Luke 9:44; Deuteronomy 32:46-47; Proverbs 2:2-5).

For this people’s heart has grown dull, and with their ears they can barely hear, and their eyes they have closed, lest they should see with their eyes and hear with their ears and understand with their heart and turn, and I would heal them. (Matthew 13:15).

Thayers Greek Lexicon: "The Johannean phrase ἀκούειν παρά τοῦ Θεοῦ, or τί παρά Θεοῦ, signifies a. to perceive in the soul the inward communication of God: John 6:45."6 

Rightly handling the word of truth

White claims that taking verses 44 and 45 out of order in John 6 is inconsistent: "He (Flowers) begins at verse 45, assigns it a meaning, and then reads it back into the text, skipping over everything that comes previously". 

Korytko: "Verse 45 is the support for the previous statement.. this phrase is almost parallel to the previous one, they're supposed to interpret each other. Reading backwards is fine here because they are mutually interpreting each other.7  

White makes a similar argument regarding comparisons between John 6:44 and John 12:32.

No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him. And I will raise him up on the last day. (John 6:44).

And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself. (John 12:32).

White's hermeneutic of John is based on a rigid chronological verse-by-verse interpretation of the book in its historical context. While linear methodologies are useful in interpreting other passages of scripture, John has profound layers of meaning that simply do not lend themselves to this strategy. So when White claims that it is inconsistent to "jump six chapters into the future to a completely different context" from Jesus' Jewish audience in chapter 6 to all (Jews and  Greeks) in chapter 12, he ignores the circular nature of John's narrative and he misses the forest for the trees. (2 Timothy 2:15). Korytko: "In John, he is teaching a theology from the time of the present.. it is interacting with some of the things that Jesus said and also John's own spin on things."  (48:00 mark).

White's comparison with John 6:39-40 does not prove irresistible grace (TULIP) and is equally problematic regarding volition: And this is the will of Him who sent Me, that I shall lose none of those He has given Me, but raise them up at the last day. For it is My Father's will that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in Him shall have eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day.”   

        

The main focus for Calvinists is the verb "draw" (helkó) = I drag, draw, pull, persuade, unsheathe.8 Clearly, no one can be saved unless the Father draws them, but as we have seen from the Old Testament background, White's view that believers are compelled to respond to God's drawing is to make the false assumption that helkó invariably means to irresistibly drag. White's removal of the necessity for a response eliminates free will and human cooperation. The other passage where helkó is used in a moral sense is in John 12:32, where all people are the object of the sentence. Since universalism is not an option, the context of helkó determines its meaning. 

 

And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw (elkusō) all people to myself. (John 6:44).

Cambridge Bible: "There are two Greek words for ‘draw’ in the N.T., one of which necessarily implies violence, the other does not: it is the latter that is used here and in John 6:44; the former (suró) is used Acts 14:19; Acts 17:6. Man’s will is free; he can refuse to be drawn: and there is no violence; the attraction is moral. We see from John 6:44 that before the ‘lifting up’ it is the Father who draws men to the Son."9  

Ellicott: "The word 'draw' need not perplex us; and all the theories opposed to the width of divine love and influence, and to the freedom of human will and action, which have been built upon it, are at once seen to be without support, when we remember that the only other passage in the New Testament where it occurs in a moral sense is in the declaration: 'And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto Me'" (John 12:32).10 

“That this ‘drawing’ is not irresistible grace, is confessed even by Augustine himself, the great upholder of the doctrines of grace. ‘If a man is drawn, says an objector, he comes against his will. (We answer) if he comes unwillingly, he does not believe: if he does not believe, he does not come. For we do not run to Christ on our feet, but by faith; not with the movement of the body, but with the free will of the heart…Think not that thou are drawn against thy will; the mind can be drawn by love.’” (Alford)

f. Everyone who has heard and learned from the Father comes to Me: Those who have a revelation from God the Father will come to His Son and Perfect Representative. f. Everyone who has heard and learned from the Father comes to Me: Those who have a revelation from God the Father will come to His Son and Perfect Representative. To hear and learn from the Son is to hear and learn from the Father.   

Expositors Greek Testament: "But whether it is also true that everyone whom God teaches comes is not here stated; the καὶ μαθὼν introduces a doubtful element. [Wetstein quotes from Polybius διαφέρει τὸ μαθεῖν τοῦ μόνον ἀκοῦσαι.]"11 

Both Flowers and White agreed that drawing is the teaching, or as White put it, "communicating facts and data". Flowers added, "the gospel is the power of God unto salvation". I would not isolate teaching as the single element required for salvation. For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God.. (Ephesians 2:8).

Matthew Poole: "..unless it be illuminated and drawn by the Spirit of God. No soul is able of itself to discern spiritual things.."12   

One who heard us was a woman named Lydia, from the city of Thyatira, a seller of purple goods, who was a worshiper of God. The Lord opened her heart to pay attention to what was said by Paul. (Acts 16:14). 

I am not implying that Lydia was compelled to respond, as Calvinists assert, but without the Lord's direct intervention in opening Lydia's heart, she would not have been converted. 

The evidence summarized    

The circular style of the gospel John does not necessitate a rigid verse by verse interpretation: James White says We Can't Read Backwards (youtube.com)

Several New Testament passages talk about everyone responding to the gospel. 

The Greek grammar is not relevant to the debate: James White uses Greek (youtube.com)

helkó (draw) is not compulsive.

hearing and learning are not passive verbs in this context. James White Thinks Hearing and Learning are Passive (youtube.com)

John 6:44-45 does not demonstrate volition. 

1. Unconditional election - is it biblical? | GotQuestions.org

2. WOLVES IN SHEEP'S CLOTHING: FALSE PROPHETS AND BIBLE TEACHERS IN THE LAST DAYS: THE COMPROMISE OF LEIGHTON FLOWERS! SOTERIOLOGY 101 (bewareofthewolves.blogspot.com)
3. Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Isaiah 54:13 – Bible Commentary (biblia.work)
4. John 6 Bengel's Gnomon of the New Testament (biblehub.com)
5. Matthew 11:15 Commentaries: "He who has ears to hear, let him hear. (biblehub.com)
6. Strong's Greek: 191. ἀκούω (akouó) -- to hear, listen (biblehub.com)
7. Ex-Calvinist Bible Scholar Reviews James White Vs. Leighton Flowers Debate: John 6:44 (youtube.com)
8. Strong's Greek: 1670. ἑλκύω (helkó) -- to drag (biblehub.com)
9. John 12 Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges (biblehub.com)
10. John 6:44 Commentaries: "No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him; and I will raise him up on the last day. (biblehub.com)
11. John 6:45 Commentaries: "It is written in the prophets, 'AND THEY SHALL ALL BE TAUGHT OF GOD.' Everyone who has heard and learned from the Father, comes to Me. (biblehub.com)
12. Jeremiah 31:3 Commentaries: The LORD appeared to him from afar, saying, "I have loved you with an everlasting love; Therefore I have drawn you with lovingkindness. (biblehub.com)

Further Links

Why I Think Calvinism Is Unbiblical (youtube.com)

A Scholar Corrects James White on John 6 (youtube.com)

I Misunderstood James White (youtube.com)

Joel Korytko, PhD - Northwest Institute for Ministry Education ResearchNorthwest Institute for Ministry Education Research (nimer.ca)  

SAM STORMS + MICHAEL BROWN: WORTHLESS SHEPHERDS

Roundtable: Brown & Storms vs. Peters & Osman (youtube.com)

According to Sam Storms, a false teacher must deny some foundational truth. He went on to mention some "secondary issues" that he does not identify as false teaching i.e. "differences in eschatology, the mode of baptism, or the role of women in ministry". Storms parameters for false teachers are so broad that he does not identify Benny Hinn as a false teacher despite irrefutable evidence of Hinn's false prophesies, manipulative tactics, prosperity teaching etc. Storms claimed that he has never heard Hinn deny a foundational truth, and on that basis he accepts him as a believer "as far as I can tell". Justin Peters interjected with Hinn's heretical teaching on the nine-member godhead. Despite this Storms was still reluctant to call Hinn out as a false teacher. (22:23 mark) 

Storm's definition of a false teacher is scripturally inaccurate and shortsighted. If it were a black and white issue we would easily identify false teachers and we would not need discernment. (1 Corinthians 12:10). The challenging nature of discernment is to recognize that "lesser errors" bleed into the very gospel itself, and primary doctrines are indirectly attacked and diminished by so-called "secondary issues". (1 Corinthians 5:6). All false teaching is damaging and has repercussions on the gospel itself. For instance, irresistible grace (TULIP)) has massive implications for soteriology; the doctrine of baptismal regeneration misrepresents salvation; false eschatology such as dominionism and pretribulationism will have catastrophic consequences for those who have been mistaught. Eschatological error is likely to lead to catastrophic loss of confidence in Jesus Christ when severe persecution arises at the end of the age. (Matthew 24:10,21). Jesus' command to pay careful attention counters the sloppy attitude of many charismatics to the word of God. (Mark 4:24; Acts 17:11; Proverbs 19:27).

Storms noted that there are only eleven instances of the term "false prophet" in the New Testament and in each instance, the term always applies to non-believers. He neglected to mention that other terms and warnings also identify false teachers. For instance wolves, Acts 20:29; deceivers 2 John 1:7; evildoers and impostors 2 Timothy 3:13 etc. Storms objection that we have no business calling out false teachers to any significant degree because "we do not know their heart" is sentimental nonsense! The scriptures warn that there will be many false teachers/prophets at the end of the age and we are negligent if we do not take this warning seriously. (Matthew 24:5-11; Acts 20:29). The basis on which we are instructed to judge false teachers is to identify their fruit i.e. teaching and lifestyle. (1 Timothy 4:16). Since the scriptures condemn false teachers, we cannot doubt that they are on a calamitous course unless they repent. (2 Peter 2:17). The ultimate fate of false teachers is a matter for the Lord who knows the heart. (Acts 15:8). While we do not want to pick up on every little detail, we are required to be zealous regarding doctrine in order to keep the church pure and to purge evil from amongst ourselves. (1 Corinthians 5:13 cf. Deuteronomy 17:17). The lackadaisical attitude of many charismatics as evidenced by Storms, Brown and other leaders is responsible for the degenerate state of many congregations within that movement.  

The tragic irony is that when Storms had finished rebuking those of us who practice discernment, he went on to give a glowing report of Mike Bickle! (54:00 mark)

Justin Peters: "I believe that Mike Bickle has lied about a number of things, in fact, not the least of which he claims to have been to heaven at least twice. I don't believe that. I don't believe he has been to heaven." 

Storm's: You might not believe it, but how do you know he is lying?  I believe he has..  Everything you have said about Benny Hinn without knowing the man personally, Mike Bickle is probably my best friend in this world. I was in a small group with him and his wife for seven years, on his staff as his Senior Associate, on his staff at IHOP for an additional four years, eleven years. I know this man to the depth of his soul. I can't think of a more biblically orthodox, humble, Christ-exalting individual who lives an incredibly simple lifestyle.. If I hear people say that Mike Bickle is a false teacher it angers me.. because I know the individual. We are not talking about just watching ministry, I know the man personally and he is not NAR as has been claimed by so many..  the stories have been empirically verified.. Bob Jones had a remarkable gift.."

The false assumption that you have to know someone personally in order to critique their teaching is patently false. Clearly, it failed in this instance! Bickle's dubious association and experiences with false prophet Bob Jones has been widely exposed elsewhere. It is impossible to know what these two shady individuals cooked up between themselves, and in light of recent events, we should not believe any detail of Bickle's "prophetic" history. A group of former IHOPKC leaders known as "the Advocate Group" claim that Mike Bickle has been engaged in predatory sexual behavior and pathological misconduct spanning five decades.1 The Bickle debacle leaves Storms credibility and spiritual discernment in tatters!

As graphically demonstrated by Storms, we cannot base our approval for teachers on friendship, personal liking, or any other criteria; our approval must always be based on fruit. If Brown and Storms don't have the time or the inclination to research people like Sid Roth, Mike Bickle, Benny Hinn, Todd White etc. then they are negligent and have no business in the ministry. The mandate for shepherds is to guard the flock, not to support an old boy network! Such appalling negligence is an insult to the Lord and breaks the first commandment. (Mark 12:30 cf. Deuteronomy 6:5). 

 .

Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God, which he obtained with his own blood. (Acts 20:28). 

NAR Charismatics have not only brought the gospel into disrepute, in many cases they have caused untold damage and ruin to the body of Christ. (2 Peter 2:2). Michael Brown's affinity for Sid Roth is based on the false foundation of personal friendship of almost forty years. Brown absolutely views Sid Roth as a brother and he pleads ignorance regarding his ungodly antics. He claims that he doesn't know because he has only seen "snippets" of Roth's programs. (1:47 mark) Apparently Brown is too busy providing fresh victims for the wolves "Jewish evangelism" that he doesn't have time to test the spirits and guard the flock! (1 John 4:1; Matthew 28:19). As a leader and teacher it is Brown's responsibility to be fully conversant with the antics of the ministries and teachers he defends. God will hold leaders like Brown and Storms accountable for the flock! (Ezekiel 34:4-10).

On the basis of Titus 10:1-14  Brown and Storms are disqualified as leaders: 

    

He must hold firmly to the faithful word as it was taught, so that he can encourage others by sound teaching and refute those who contradict it. For many are rebellious and full of empty talk and deception, especially those of the circumcision, who must be silenced.. Therefore rebuke them sternly, so that they will be sound in the faith and will pay no attention to Jewish myths or to the commands of men who have rejected the truth. (Titus 10:9).

I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. He who is a hired hand and not a shepherd, who does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees, and the wolf snatches them and scatters them. He flees because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep. (John 10:11-13).

Woe to my worthless shepherd, who deserts the flock! May the sword strike his arm and his right eye! Let his arm be wholly withered, his right eye utterly blinded!” (Zechariah 11:17; cf Jeremiah 23:1). 

Pulpit Commentary: "Verse 17. - Woe to the idol shepherd! rather, woe to the worthless shepherd! literally, shepherd of vanity, or nothingness, as Job 13:4, "physicians of no value." The LXX., recognizing that no special shepherd is signified, renders, Ω οἱ ποιμαίνοντες τὰ μάταια, "Alas for those who tend vanities!" St. Jerome, expounding the verse of antichrist, "O pastor, et idolum!" That leaveth the flock. Thus Christ speaks of the hireling (John 10:12). The sword shall be upon his arm, etc. The punishment denounced is in accordance with the neglect of the shepherd's duties. The sword represents the instrument of punishment, whatever it he; the right eye, the severity of the retribution (1 Samuel 11:2). The arm that ought to have defended the flock shall be withered up as by catalepsy; the eye that should have watched for their safety shall be blinded. This is the judgment on the foolish shepherd."2

NAR charismatics and other false teachers should continue to be challenged and their deceptions exposed as commanded in the scriptures. (Ephesians 5:11). Reformed cessationists are not in the clear by any means. Calvinism has massive implications for soteriology and spiritual gifts. Peters and Osman's approval of Martin Luther is very telling and reveals that they are equally remiss. I have addressed the subject of Martin Luther's despicable behaviour and writings in a separate post: WOLVES IN SHEEP'S CLOTHING: FALSE PROPHETS AND BIBLE TEACHERS IN THE LAST DAYS: CHRIS ROSEBROUGH: THE SINS OF MARTIN LUTHER DOWNPLAYED (bewareofthewolves.blogspot.com)

1. I sadly admit I sinned’: IHOPKC founder repents, but denies ‘intense sexual activities’ (yahoo.com)
2. Zechariah 11:17 Commentaries: "Woe to the worthless shepherd Who leaves the flock! A sword will be on his arm And on his right eye! His arm will be totally withered And his right eye will be blind." (biblehub.com)

CHRIS ROSEBROUGH: THE SINS OF MARTIN LUTHER DOWNPLAYED

The Sins of Martin Luther - Chris Rosebrough (youtube.com)

Chris Rosebrough has posted this video in response to the points made by Michael Brown regarding Martin Luther during a recent roundtable discussion between Brown & Storms vs. Peters & Osman: (1: 26) Roundtable: Brown & Storms vs. Peters & Osman - YouTube Rosebrough's response massively downplays Luther's antisemitism: "Luther lashed back in a way that went beyond what was necessary and crossed into the line of sinfulness.."

Although I regard Brown as a false prophet and someone who facilitates NAR false teachers and prophets, his observations about Martin Luther were far from irrelevant. The double standards or "differing weights" employed by Lutherans and Calvinists are nowhere more evident than their reverence of this wicked man. (Proverbs 20:10).   

In his earlier period, until about 1537, Luther sought to convert Jews to Protestant Christianity. However, when they failed to convert he became hostile towards them. In his 65,000-word antisemitic treatise On the Jews and Their Lies he referred to the Jews in the vilest terms imaginable and urged their persecution. His influence upon Hitler's Nazi Germany is beyond doubt.

Rollins: "Martin Luther and Adolf Hitler are inseparably linked with their extreme anti-Semitism and nationalism. It is impossible to assume that Luther did not have any influence on Hitler and his views, for it cannot be mere coincidence that Hitler’s anti-Jewish sentiment of the 1930s and 1940s mirrors that of Luther’s anti-Semitism of the 1500s."1 

Excerpts from "On the Jews and Their Lies"

I had made up my mind to write no more either about the Jews or against them. But since I learned that these miserable and accursed people do not cease to lure to themselves even us, that is, the Christians, I have published this little book, so that I might be found among those who opposed such poisonous activities of the Jews who warned the Christians to be on their guard against them. I would not have believed that a Christian could be duped by the Jews into taking their exile and wretchedness upon himself. However, the devil is the god of the world, and wherever God’s word is absent he has an easy task, not only with the weak but also with the strong. May God help us. Amen..

He did not call them Abraham’s children, but a “brood of vipers” [Matt. 3:7]. Oh, that was too insulting for the noble blood and race of Israel, and they declared, “He has a demon’ [Matt 11:18]. Our Lord also calls them a “brood of vipers”; furthermore, in John 8 [:39,44] he states: “If you were Abraham’s children ye would do what Abraham did.... You are of your father the devil. It was intolerable to them to hear that they were not Abraham’s but the devil’s children, nor can they bear to hear this today..

Therefore, the blind Jews are truly stupid fools...

Now just behold these miserable, blind, and senseless people ... their blindness and arrogance are as solid as an iron mountain.

Learn from this, dear Christian, what you are doing if you permit the blind Jews to mislead you. Then the saying will truly apply, “When a blind man leads a blind man, both will fall into the pit” [cf. Luke 6:39]. You cannot learn anything from them except how to misunderstand the divine commandments...

Therefore be on your guard against the Jews, knowing that wherever they have their synagogues, nothing is found but a den of devils in which sheer self-glory, conceit, lies, blasphemy, and defaming of God and men are practiced most maliciously and veheming his eyes on them.

Moreover, they are nothing but thieves and robbers who daily eat no morsel and wear no thread of clothing which they have not stolen and pilfered from us by means of their accursed usury. Thus, they live from day to day, together with wife and child, by theft and robbery, as arch thieves and robbers, in the most impenitent security.

However, they have not acquired a perfect mastery of the art of lying; they lie so clumsily and ineptly that anyone who is just a little observant can easily detect it. But for us Christians they stand as a terrifying example of God’s wrath.

If I had to refute all the other articles of the Jewish faith, I should be obliged to write against them as much and for as long a time as they have used for inventing their lies­­ that is, longer than two thousand years.

...Christ and his word can hardly be recognized because of the great vermin of human ordinances. However, let this suffice for the time being on their lies against doctrine or faith.

Did I not tell you earlier that a Jew is such a noble, precious jewel that God and all the angels dance when he farts?

Alas, it cannot be anything but the terrible wrath of God which permits anyone to sink into such abysmal, devilish, hellish, insane baseness, envy, and arrogance. If I were to avenge myself on the devil himself I should be unable to wish him such evil and misfortune as God’s wrath inflicts on the Jews, compelling them to lie and to blaspheme so monstrously, in violation of their own conscience. Anyway, they have their reward for constantly giving God the lie.

No, one should toss out these lazy rogues by the seat of their pants.

...but then eject them forever from this country. For, as we have heard, God’s anger with them is so intense that gentle mercy will only tend to make them worse and worse, while sharp mercy will reform them but little. Therefore, in any case, away with them!

Over and above that we let them get rich on our sweat and blood, while we remain poor and they such the marrow from our bones.

I brief, dear princes and lords, those of you who have Jews under your rule­­ if my counsel does not please your, find better advice, so that you and we all can be rid of the unbearable, devilish burden of the Jews, lest we become guilty sharers before God in the lies, blasphemy, the defamation, and the curses which the mad Jews indulge in so freely and wantonly against the person of our Lord Jesus Christ, this dear mother, all Christians, all authority, and ourselves. Do not grant them protection, safe-conduct, or communion with us.... With this faithful counsel and warning I wish to cleanse and exonerate my conscience.

Let the government deal with them in this respect, as I have suggested. But whether the government acts or not, let everyone at least be guided by his own conscience and form for himself a definition or image of a Jew.

However, we must avoid confirming them in their wanton lying, slandering, cursing, and defaming. Nor dare we make ourselves partners in their devilish ranting and raving by shielding and protecting them, by giving them food, drink, and shelter, or by other neighborly

Therefore, we Christians, in turn, are obliged not to tolerate their wanton and conscious blasphemy.

Accordingly, it must and dare not be considered a trifling matter but a most serious one to seek counsel against this and to save our souls from the Jews, that is, from the devil and from eternal death.

What shall we Christians do with this rejected and condemned people, the Jews? Since they live among us, we dare not tolerate their conduct now that we are aware of their lying and reviling and blaspheming. If we do, we become sharers in their lies, cursing and blasphemy. Thus, we cannot extinguish the unquenchable fire of divine wrath, of which the prophets speak, nor can we convert the Jews. With prayer and the fear of God we must practice a sharp mercy to see whether we might save at least a few from the glowing flames. We dare not avenge ourselves. Vengeance a thousand times worse than we could wish them already has them by the throat. I shall give you my sincere advice:

First to set fire to their synagogues or schools and to bury and cover with dirt whatever will not burn, so that no man will ever again see a stone or cinder of them. This is to be done in honor of our Lord and of Christendom, so that God might see that we are Christians, and do not condone or knowingly tolerate such public lying, cursing, and blaspheming of his Son and of his Christians. For whatever we tolerated in the past unknowingly ­ and I myself was unaware of it ­ will be pardoned by God. But if we, now that we are informed, were to protect and shield such a house for the Jews, existing right before our very nose, in which they lie about, blaspheme, curse, vilify, and defame Christ and us (as was heard above), it would be the same as if we were doing all this and even worse ourselves, as we very well know.

Second, I advise that their houses also be razed and destroyed. For they pursue in them the same aims as in their synagogues. Instead they might be lodged under a roof or in a barn, like the gypsies. This will bring home to them that they are not masters in our country, as they boast, but that they are living in exile and in captivity, as they incessantly wail and lament about us before God.

Third, I advise that all their prayer books and Talmudic writings, in which such idolatry, lies, cursing and blasphemy are taught, be taken from them. (remainder omitted)

Fourth, I advise that their rabbis be forbidden to teach henceforth on pain of loss of life and limb. For they have justly forfeited the right to such an office by holding the poor Jews captive with the saying of Moses (Deuteronomy 17 [:10 ff.]) in which he commands them to obey their teachers on penalty of death, although Moses clearly adds: “what they teach you in accord with the law of the Lord.” Those villains ignore that. They wantonly employ the poor people’s obedience contrary to the law of the Lord and infuse them with this poison, cursing, and blasphemy. In the same way the pope also held us captive with the declaration in Matthew 16 {:18], “You are Peter,” etc., inducing us to believe all the lies and deceptions that issued from his devilish mind. He did not teach in accord with the word of God, and therefore he forfeited the right to teach.

Fifth, I advise that safe-conduct on the highways be abolished completely for the Jews. For they have no business in the countryside, since they are not lords, officials, tradesmen, or the like. Let they stay at home. (...remainder omitted).

Sixth, I advise that usury be prohibited to them, and that all cash and treasure of silver and gold be taken from them and put aside for safekeeping. The reason for such a measure is that, as said above, they have no other means of earning a livelihood than usury, and by it they have stolen and robbed from us all they possess. Such money should now be used in no other way than the following: Whenever a Jew is sincerely converted, he should be handed one hundred, two hundred, or three hundred florins, as personal circumstances may suggest. With this he could set himself up in some occupation for the support of his poor wife and children, and the maintenance of the old or feeble. For such evil gains are cursed if they are not put to use with God’s blessing in a good and worthy cause.

Seventh, I commend putting a flail, an ax, a hoe, a spade, a distaff, or a spindle into the hands of young, strong Jews and Jewesses and letting them earn their bread in the sweat of their brow, as was imposed on the children of Adam (Gen 3[:19]}. For it is not fitting that they should let us accursed Goyim toil in the sweat of our faces while they, the holy people, idle away their time behind the stove, feasting and farting, and on top of all, boasting blasphemously of their lordship over the Christians by means of our sweat. No, one should toss out these lazy rogues by the seat of their pants.

But what will happen even if we do burn down the Jews’ synagogues and forbid them publicly to praise God, to pray, to teach, to utter God’s name? They will still keep doing it in secret. If we know that they are doing this in secret, it is the same as if they were doing it publicly. for our knowledge of their secret doings and our toleration of them implies that they are not secret after all and thus our conscience is encumbered with it before God.

Accordingly, it must and dare not be considered a trifling matter but a most serious one to seek counsel against this and to save our souls from the Jews, that is, from the devil and from eternal death. My advice, as I said earlier, is:

First, that their synagogues be burned down, and that all who are able toss in sulfur and pitch; it would be good if someone could also throw in some hellfire. That would demonstrate to God our serious resolve and be evidence to all the world that it was in ignorance that we tolerated such houses, in which the Jews have reviled God, our dear Creator and Father, and his Son most shamefully up till now but that we have now given them their due reward.

I wish and I ask that our rulers who have Jewish subjects exercise a sharp mercy toward these wretched people, as suggested above, to see whether this might not help (though it is doubtful). They must act like a good physician who, when gangrene has set in, proceeds without mercy to cut, saw, and burn flesh, veins, bone, and marrow. Such a procedure must also be followed in this instance. Burn down their synagogues, forbid all that I enumerated earlier, force them to work, and deal harshly with them, as Moses did in the wilderness, slaying three thousand lest the whole people perish. They surely do not know what they are doing; moreover, as people possessed, they do not wish to know it, hear it, or learn it. There it would be wrong to be merciful and confirm them in their conduct. If this does not help, we must drive them out like mad dogs, so that we do not become partakers of their abominable blasphemy and all their other vices and thus merit God’s wrath and be damned with them. I have done my duty. Now let everyone see to his. I am exonerated.
 
My essay, I hope, will furnish a Christian (who in any case has no desire to become a Jew) with enough material not only to defend himself against the blind, venomous Jews, but also to become the foe of the Jews’ malice, lying, and cursing, and to understand not only that their belief is false but that they are surely possessed by all devils. May Christ, our dear Lord, convert them mercifully and preserve us steadfastly and immovably in the knowledge of him, which is eternal life. Amen.2  

Rosebrough: "The Judaism of today and even the Judaism of the Medieval period is exactly the same false Judaism that the Pharisees had created, and was responsible primarily for the crucifixion of Christ. And so we recognize that unbelieving Jews today are not neutral as relates to Jesus Christ, instead, they are overt enemies of Christianity and the saving message that Jesus Christ is the Messiah, the promise of the Old Testament, that he is the promised son of David, the promised Prophet that Moses prophesied about in Deuteronomy 18, and that we must listen to Him and that salvation is only in Him. Modern-day Jews oppose this gospel vehemently. Modern-day Judaism is an enemy of Christ and must be countered with sound reasoning as well as with love and temperance and respect."  Neither Luther nor Rosebrough have understood Romans 11, Zechariah 12 and other passages regarding the final salvation of the Jews. If Luther had been theologically sound he would not have dared savage them in such wicked terms! (Romans 11:18). Luther's diatribe against the Jews was eschatologically ignorant and was injected with hatred and theological error. Its source can only have been demonic.

I do not want you to be ignorant of this mystery, brothers, so that you will not be conceited: A hardening in part has come to Israel, until the full number of the Gentiles has come in. And so all Israel will be saved, as it is written: “The Deliverer will come from Zion; He will remove godlessness from Jacob. And this is My covenant with them when I take away their sins.”Regarding the gospel, they are enemies on your account; but regarding election, they are loved on account of the patriarchs. For God’s gifts and His call are irrevocable. (Romans 11:25-29).

Luther and the Peasants Revolt 1524-25

I have addressed this subject in a previous post: WOLVES IN SHEEP'S CLOTHING: FALSE PROPHETS AND BIBLE TEACHERS IN THE LAST DAYS: STEVE KOZAR + DANIEL LONG: ILLEGITIMATE BAPTISM (bewareofthewolves.blogspot.com)

Beginning in 1524 and ending in its suppression in 1525, the Peasants' Revolt began as a result of abuses cited by the peasants by the government and the church. Luther is often credited with the role of encouraging the Peasants' Revolt. However, he maintained allegiance to the German Princes against the violence of the rebels. Luther openly condemned the peasants and called for their brutal suppression, arguably inciting the demise of more than 100,000 peasants and facilitating further oppression of the lower classes."(German: Wider die Mordischen und Reubischen Rotten der Bawren) Against the Murderous, Thieving Hordes of Peasants typifies Luther's reaction to the Peasants' War, and alludes to Luther's concern that he might be seen to be responsible for their rebellion." 

Tract Against the Murderous and Thieving Hordes of Peasants, published in May 1525 

Therefore, let everyone who can, smite, slay, and stab, secretly or openly, remembering that nothing can be more poisonous, hurtful, or devilish than a rebel. It is just as when one must kill a mad dog; if you do not strike him, he will strike you, and a whole land with you.

To kill a peasant is not murder; it is helping to extinguish the conflagration. Let there be no half measures! Crush them! Cut their throats! Transfix them. Leave no stone unturned! To kill a peasant is to destroy a mad dog! – If they say that I am very hard and merciless, mercy be damned. Let whoever can stab, strangle, and kill them like mad dogs”[Erlangen Vol 24"

I have killed all the farmers in their rebellion; all their blood is on my neck..

Luther was massively obese and weighed a hefty 150kg (23st 8lb) at his death in 1546 at the age of 63. Luther was a glutton and a drunkard, and by his own admission, he indulged himself to excess. Apparently, he drank up to two litres of fortified wine with every meal in addition to large quantities of beer.

Luther's first German translation of the scriptures omitted 25 books (i.e., Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy, Esther, Job, Ecclesiastes, Jonah, Tobias, Judith, Wisdom, Sirach (i.e., Ecclesiasticus), Baruch, 1 and 2 Maccabees, Matthew, Luke, John, Acts, Romans, Hebrews, James, Jude and Revelation. Luther referred to the Epistle of James as 'straw not worthy to be burned in my oven as tinder'. He referred to other books as 'Judaizing nonsense'.  

If Rosebrough is unable or unwilling to see that Luther was a vile person who was theologically ignorant and unqualified as a leader and teacher then he is in spiritual darkness. (Matthew 7:5).

1. "Luther and Hitler: A Linear Connection between Martin Luther and Adolf" by Daphne M. Olsen (rollins.edu)
2. Martin Luther - "The Jews & Their Lies" (jewishvirtuallibrary.org)

Further Links

On The Jews and Their Lies : Martin Luther : Free Download, Borrow, and Streaming : Internet Archive
German Peasants' War - Wikipedia
'Slay the mad dogs': How Luther betrayed the peasants' revolt that he inspired (christiantoday.com)
Chris Rosebrough Calls Dr. Michael Brown - The Sins of Martin Luther (youtube.com)

ONE CHURCH LEICESTER: CLOSURE OF SIX DEGREES COFFEE HOUSE

One Church is an Assemblies of God (AG) Church in Leicester which has tangible links to the false teachings of the New Apostolic Reformation (NAR) having close ties with false prophet Simon Braker and other "prophetic" influences.1  Like many NAR churches, their somewhat "cool" image conceals a much darker agenda.

The AG is the world's largest Pentecostal denomination representing 65 million people. The AG has published a number of papers officially rejecting several key NAR teachings. Despite this, many individual pastors and leaders, including the Hinds, regularly flout these guidelines and introduce all kinds of aberrant NAR doctrines into their churches.

AG: "The New Testament does not make provisions for establishing the prophet in a hierarchical governing structure of the church; in fact, the content of prophecy itself should always be tested by and responsible to the superior authority of Scripture. However, the church should long for authentic prophecy with a message, which is relevant to contemporary needs and subject to the authority of Scripture."2

ONE Church: "After 8 wonderful years, we are announcing that 6 Degrees will be closing their doors this Easter. The shop was set up in 2016 as a social enterprise to bring profits to Open Hands & bless the community around Leicestershire through their compassion ministries. Throughout this journey, 6 degrees has fulfilled these aims and been a huge blessing on London Road. Over this last season, 6 Degrees has continued to be a blessing but has faced challenges in turning a profit. It’s now time to gracefully conclude this chapter and celebrate the wonderful journey it has been. Our heartfelt gratitude and prayers go out to our dedicated staff and volunteers as they transition to new opportunities.."3  

Six Degrees Coffee House is one of the most macabre stories I have ever reported on! Six Degrees was opened in 2016 by Trinity Life Church Leicester (now ONE Church). The profits from Six Degrees apparently go to the work of Open Hands Trust which was founded on lottery money in 2006! Not only was TLC's application for lottery funding unbiblical, it also went specifically against Assemblies of God guidelines.4 The most infamous thing about 6 Degrees was its ungodly signage which sported the number 666 for a considerable period of time.

The latest in a long line of bad decisions undertaken by the Hinds is their acceptance of an alleged prophecy to find "a watchtower at a high place" in order to hear from God! (Matthew 18:20). The location they chose for this heathenish act was Holyhead Mountain on Anglesey with its strong Druidic connections. Mark and avoid these false teachers/prophets. (Romans 16:17).  their glory is in their shame.. (Philippians 3:19).

But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty. For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving good, treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power. Avoid such people. For among them are those who creep into households and capture weak women, burdened with sins and led astray by various passions, always learning and never able to arrive at a knowledge of the truth. Just as Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses, so these men also oppose the truth, men corrupted in mind and disqualified regarding the faith. But they will not get very far, for their folly will be plain to all, as was that of those two men. (2 Timothy 3:1-9).

1. Prophetic Apostolic ministry | Legacy Ministries International
2. Assemblies of God (USA) Official Web Site | Apostles and Prophets (Official A/G Position Paper) (ag.org)
3. Facebook
4. Assemblies of God (USA) Official Web Site | A Biblical Perspective on Gambling (ag.org)

Further Links

Assemblies of God (USA) Official Web Site | The Kingdom of God (ag.org)

The Assemblies of God and the NAR — Holly Pivec

WOLVES IN SHEEP'S CLOTHING: FALSE PROPHETS AND BIBLE TEACHERS IN THE LAST DAYS: Trinity Life Church Leicester (bewareofthewolves.blogspot.com)

MARK BILTZ: 2024 SOLAR ECLIPSE SORCERY

The total solar eclipse to cross North America on April 8, 2024 has given rise to negative speculations from various suspect bible teachers. According to NASA, "The Monday, April 8, 2024, total solar eclipse will cross North America, passing over Mexico, the United States, and Canada. The total solar eclipse will begin over the South Pacific Ocean.."1 

False teacher and date setter Mark Biltz of El Shaddai Ministries claims to be the first person to have discovered the blood moon phenomenon.2 These baseless speculations were promoted primarily by Mark Biltz, John Hagee, and Jonathan Cahn in 2014 and 2015. These three false teachers continue to speculate about the end times regardless of their past failures.

Wikipedia: "The prophecies stated that a tetrad (a series of four consecutive lunar eclipses—all total and coinciding on Jewish holidays—with six full moons in between, and no intervening partial lunar eclipses) which began with the April 2014 lunar eclipse was the beginning of the end times as described in the Bible in the Book of Joel 2:32, Acts 2:20 and Revelation 6:12. The tetrad ended with the lunar eclipse on September 27-28 2015." 3

In his latest offering, Biltz refers to the 2024 total solar eclipse: "The first of Nisan has a huge biblical meaning. It’s the beginning. And just like it’s the beginning of the inauguration of the Tabernacle, I believe it’s going to be the beginning of judgment upon America."4

Paul Begley: "It is truly a prophetic sign in the heavens, no doubt about that.. "5

Alton B Don Billingsley: "In view of Prophetic Biblical teachings, connected with major disastrous events, now occurring, and projected to worsen on a national and international scale over the next few years, strongly implies Jesus Christ will be standing on this earth in the year-2029."6

Genesis 1 describes the creation of the heavenly bodies and God's practical purpose in separating the day from the night and establishing time and seasons. 

And God said, “Let there be lights in the expanse of the heavens to separate the day from the night. And let them be for signs and for seasons, and for days and years, and let them be lights in the expanse of the heavens to give light upon the earth.” And it was so. And God made the two great lights—the greater light to rule the day and the lesser light to rule the night—and the stars. And God set them in the expanse of the heavens to give light on the earth, to rule over the day and over the night, and to separate the light from the darkness. And God saw that it was good. And there was evening and there was morning, the fourth day. (Genesis 1:14-19).

Amplified Bible: Then God said, “Let there be light-bearers (sun, moon, stars) in the expanse of the heavens to separate the day from the night, and let them be useful for signs (tokens) [of God’s provident care], and for marking seasons, days, and years;

Brown-Driver-Briggs: "8 signs, tokens of changes of weather & times Genesis 1:14 (P; of heavenly luminaries) אוֺתוֺת הַשָּׁמַיִם Jeremiah 10:2 (changes of the heavens as omens to frighten the nations) compare Psalm 65:9.7 

Genesis 1:14-19 is a powerful witness of God's attributes and allows no excuse for atheism: For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse. (Romans 1:20).

A stern warning was given to the ancient Israelites regarding replicating the superstitions of "the nations" or "the heathen" and their practice of foretelling portents in the heavens. Jeremiah 10:2-3 is an allusion to the condemned Babylonian practice of astrology which corresponds to sorcery. (Isaiah 47:12-13).

Learn not the way of the nations, nor be dismayed at the signs of the heavens because the nations are dismayed at them, for the customs of the peoples are vanity. (Jeremiah 10:2). 

Stand fast in your enchantments and your many sorceries, with which you have labored from your youth; perhaps you may be able to succeed; perhaps you may inspire terror. You are wearied with your many counsels; let them stand forth and save you, those who divide the heavens, who gaze at the stars, who at the new moons make known what shall come upon you. (Isaiah 47:12-13).

I am no fan of John Calvin, but in this instance, he gives a good sense of Jeremiah 10:2 "..certain inquisitive persons abuse this passages to give color to their frivolous predictions: I call those men Chaldeans and fanatics, who divine everything from the aspects of the stars. (69) Because Moses declares that the sun and moon were appointed for signs, they think themselves entitled to elicit from them anything they please. But confutation is easy: for they are called signs of certain things, not signs to denote whatever is according to our fancy. What indeed does Moses assert to be signified by them, except things belonging to the order of nature? For the same God who here ordains signs testifies by Isaiah that he ‘will dissipate the signs of the diviners,’ (Isaiah 44:25;) and forbids us to be ‘dismayed at the signs of heaven,’ (Jeremiah 10:2.) But since it is manifest that Moses does not depart from the ordinary custom of men, I desist from a longer discussion. The word מועדים (moadim,) which they translate ‘certain times’, is variously understood among the Hebrews: for it signifies both time and place, and also assemblies of persons. The Rabbis commonly explain the passage as referring to their festivals. But I extend it further to mean, in the first place, the opportunities of time, which in French are called saisons, (seasons;) and then all fairs and forensic assemblies. (70) Finally, Moses commemorates the unbounded goodness of God in causing the sun and moon not only to enlighten us, but to afford us various other advantages for the daily use of life. It remains that we, purely enjoying the multiplied bounties of God, should learn not to profane such excellent gifts by our preposterous abuse of them. In the meantime, let us admire this wonderful Artificer, who has so beautifully arranged all things above and beneath, that they may respond to each other in most harmonious concert."8  

Geneva Study Bible: "God forbids his people to give credit or fear the constellations and conjunctions of stars and planets which have no power of themselves but are governed by him, and their secret motions and influences are not known to man and therefore there can be no certain judgment of it, De 18:9."9

Clarke: "Be not dismayed at the signs of heaven; for the heathen are dismayed - The Chaldeans and Egyptians were notoriously addicated to astrology; and the Israelites here are cautioned against it."10

No astronomical signs are mentioned by Jesus concerning the end of the age until the sixth seal is broken. (Revelation 6:12-14). The signs that believers are specifically warned about in the Olivet Discourse are spiritual deception, wars and rumours of wars, famines and earthquakes, persecution, apostasy, and the abomination of desolation. (Matthew 24: 4-15).

Extraordinary signs

Extraordinary signs relating directly to Jesus Christ:

Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.” (Matthew 2:2).

Now from the sixth hour there was darkness over all the land until the ninth hour. (Matthew 27:45).

The scriptures give information about specific extraordinary astronomical signs linked to end-times events. In particular, the sixth seal cosmic disturbances will be seen and experienced globally - they indicate the rapture and the imminent return of Jesus Christ.

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 heaven, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken. Then will appear in heaven the sign of the Son of Man, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. And he will send out his angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other. (Matthew 24:29-31).

And when I saw the Lamb open the sixth seal, there was a great earthquake, and the sun became black like sackcloth of goat hair, and the whole moon turned blood red, and the stars of the sky fell to the earth like unripe figs dropping from a tree shaken by a great wind. The sky receded like a scroll being rolled up, and every mountain and island was moved from its place. (Revelation 6:12-14 cf. Joel 2:10,3:15; Isaiah 13:10,34:4).    

The seventh angel poured out his bowl into the air, and a loud voice came out of the temple, from the throne, saying, “It is done!” And there were flashes of lightning, rumblings, peals of thunder, and a great earthquake such as there had never been since man was on the earth, so great was that earthquake. The great city was split into three parts, and the cities of the nations fell, and God remembered Babylon the great, to make her drain the cup of the wine of the fury of his wrath. And every island fled away, and no mountains were to be found. And great hailstones, about one hundred pounds each, fell from heaven on people; and they cursed God for the plague of the hail, because the plague was so severe. (Revelation 16:17-20).

Speculation regarding the coming eclipse go specifically against God's command not to learn the way of the heathen or to be dismayed by events in the heavens. Biltz and other fearmongers are nothing less than sorcerers and astrologers and should be avoided. (Romans 16:17).

For the LORD spoke thus to me with his strong hand upon me, and warned me not to walk in the way of this people, saying: “Do not call conspiracy all that this people calls conspiracy, and do not fear what they fear, nor be in dread. But the LORD of hosts, him you shall honor as holy. Let him be your fear, and let him be your dread. (Isaiah 8:11-13).

1. 2024 Total Eclipse: Where & When - NASA Science
2. 'Blood moon' brings prophecies of end times – but Nasa says not to worry | Religion | The Guardian
3. Blood moon prophecy - Wikipedia
4. https://www.wnd.com/2024/02/biblical-expert-solar-eclipse-mark-beginning-judgment-upon-america/
5. Breaking "7 Planets In Line During Solar Eclipse" (youtube.com)
6. Biltz: Judgment of USA begins with solar eclipse April 8, 2024; Billinglesy: Jesus will be on earth in 2029; COGwriter: Accept God’s criteria for a prophet - Church of God News
7. Strong's Hebrew: 226. אוֹת (oth) -- a sign (biblehub.com
8. Genesis 1:14 - Verse-by-Verse Bible Commentary - StudyLight.org
9. Jeremiah 10:2 Commentaries: Thus says the LORD, "Do not learn the way of the nations, And do not be terrified by the signs of the heavens Although the nations are terrified by them; (biblehub.com)
10. Jeremiah 10 Clarke's Commentary (biblehub.com)

Further Links

False Teacher and Failed Date Setter Mark Biltz Makes a Most Dangerous Statement: 'We are safe and have another seven years' (alankurschner.com)
The Questionable Teachings of Mark Biltz | Creation Today