Preamble
The Prophets spoke of redemption to come. Isaiah gave us the sign and titles of the Saviour. Jesus preached His Gospel and showed what we must do to enter His Kingdom; not of this world. The Evangelists recorded His ministry, while Peter, Paul, James, John and Jude, illuminated the Gospel and Prophets so we might better understand the truth of the Christ. Jesus gave us His two Great Commands; promised He would never leave, but live in believers through His comforting Spirit. He also gave us the key to His kingdom hidden in the Prayer He gave us.
This is the heart of the LORD’S purpose for us all. The only requirement is we believe and do what he said; live as He taught, and keep His commands. That is the order of things down the generations as we await our glory to come. Yet, it seems we have chosen to ignore it…
We must clean our House
Now, I have recently been looking into various Christian on-line forums. The thing that hit me most is the number of errant ideas and theology we have seen over the last 300 years, now codified in church teaching. It has influenced how many now view the Bible in terms of current affairs and politics, as they play out in Europe, Asia and especially Israel. We are also witnessing growing attention to the end times and the so-called man of sin, seen by many evangelicals as imminent. This new thinking has very much skewed the message of the Gospel and Old Testament Covenants. Mistaken scripture, indeed a new canon, has added layers of confusion to a once simple message.
In view of this, these forums are not for anyone seeking the truth of the Christ. Opinions expressed by faceless individuals can be extremely inaccurate even brutal. The fruits of the spirit are rarely in evidence on these supposed Christian sites. Unsound theology has many blindsided by wayward notions now underpinning mainstream theology. It has subverted certainty offering a tainted Gospel and an empty cup, as we see in most Churches today.
The Path of Error
Many are of the view that in the not too distant future, believers will be taken to a place of safety for an indefinite period when they are “raptured” by God. The Earth will be returned to a better state through a process of cleansing during their absence. After this period of tribulation they will return to a new world of peace and prosperity; evil having been erased for at least the medium term. Tied to this, many believe the Jewish people will adopt the Christian faith.
Accordingly, such views have blurred the lines pertaining to the use and comprehension of the words Zionism, Judaism, Judah, Israel and Israelite. We have also seen the launch of several new words into the Christian vocabulary for example, Restorationism, Dispensationalism and Millennialism. Trinity and Rapture (also not found in the Bible) now part of this narrative. Until this new thinking came to the forefront our path was surprisingly simple; it has been made a lot more complicated. Context rather than content is now the standard, which guides the Church.
Uncertain doctrine now outweighs the clearly articulated account pertaining to salvation. It seems one’s easy understanding of the LORD and His Christ is no longer adequate in the present Christian climate. The simplicity of Christ now put aside with the growth of a human-centric theology deeply lacking the Holy Spirit. In the following concerning the Jews and Israel (our first port of call) we find a perfect example of men supplanting Scripture by manufacturing their own version of events to suit their doctrine. In the case of Jewish repatriation they have attempted to force God’s hand to suit an idea with no basis in Scripture whatsoever.
(1) Jewish Repatriation
This mistake began in the late 18th Century with, Samuel Rutherford and the Puritan, John Owen. Others of similar mind, including John Darby, continued the ideas of Rutherford and Owen that all Jews must be resident in Palestine in order for Jesus to return. Their plan for Jewish Restoration soon gained momentum with the support of leaders and politicians in Britain, Europe and America. It was seen as providence; the Jews were God’s chosen people after all. In 1818, America’s second president, John Adams said he wished the Jews again in Judea, an independent nation, and believed they would gradually become Unitarian Christians. (Ruth Kark: American Consuls in the Holy Land: 1994)
In 1844, George Bush (related to the Presidents) published his book, The Valley of Vision: The Dry Bones of Israel Revived. In it he denounced the thraldom and oppression, which has so long ground Jews into the dust, and called for “elevating the Jews to a rank of honourable repute among the nations of the earth” by their restoration to the land of Israel where the bulk would be converted to Christianity. According to Bush, it would be of immense benefit not only to Jews but all mankind, “forming a link of communication between humanity and God.” Yes, he actually wrote that. On the other hand, the LORD’S Prophet, Jeremiah said this of the Jews; the remnant of Judah:
And I will deliver them to be removed into all the kingdoms of the earth for their hurt, to be a reproach and a proverb, a taunt and a curse in all places whither I shall drive them. (Jer 24:9)
The 3rd International Christian Zionist Congress (ICZC) held in Jerusalem in 1996, closed with this remarkable statement:
“God the Father, Almighty, chose the ancient nation and people of Israel, the descendants of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, to reveal His plan of redemption for the world. They remain the elect of God, and without the Jewish nation His redemptive purposes for the world will not be completed.”
Yet, for those learned and wise scholars who pushed for Jewish repatriation, their plan came with an unexpected flaw. The Jews in question had no blood-lineage to the land; they were not descended from Jacob or Judah. This mega-blunder resulted in the world we know today, opening the door to worldwide social, political, economic and religious turmoil, and has added greatly to Middle East conflict. This is what happens when the ideas of men are deemed more important than the Word of God. Calamity must inevitably follow.
(2) Khazarian-Jews
Proselytization over the centuries has seen Judaism become one of the most racially diverse religions on Earth. Jesus spoke of it: For ye compass sea and land to make one proselyte, and when he is made, ye make him twofold more the child of hell than yourselves. (Matt 23:15)
The Jews of Eastern Europe are a Turkic-Fin people descended from the Khazars. Their ancestors were pushed into Lower Russia/Ukraine by the tribes of the Steppes around 500AD. They adopted the Babylonian Talmud in the 8th Century, and are not related whatsoever to Ancient Israel. Yet lo and behold, here they are running Jerusalem in a land where they had never set foot.
Ignorant of this history, mistaken Christians and politicians are responsible for the placement of foreigners in Jerusalem. Under the cover of the Balfour Declaration of 1917 the settlement of an alien people in the Holy Land was made legal; resulting in the expulsion of 700,000 Arabs and the seizing of their land; a land that Zionist leader Chaim Weizmann said was “empty.” The Khazarian Jews, who engineered the Zionist State, came from Poland, Belarus, Ukraine and Lower Russia. Until the Zionists arrived in 1948, the few local Jews and Arabs (Muslims and Christians) lived in harmony and many were friends. It is no longer the case.
None of this would have transpired without an errant 18th Century movement to restore the Jews to Palestine. Yet, the fact Khazarian-Jews now live in the Middle East and control Jerusalem is not the issue. It is the way in which they set about achieving it through terrorist policy (now largely ignored) and political-religious sleight of hand, to which Christianity has fallen victim lock, stock and barrel.
When adopting the Talmud, the Khazars built a counterfeit lineage by taking Old Testament names, laying claim to a pedigree that is not theirs by blood or ancestry. They were schooled in their new religion by Rabbis brought from Babylon as recorded in the history of Ashkenaze-Khazar Jews of Eastern Europe. Assuming a change of name is still very much in evidence.
The family name of the current Prime Minister is not Netanyahu but Milelkowski; it was changed by his Polish grandfather in 1920. David Ben Gurion changed from Grün to Ben Gurion in 1921. Golda Mabovitch emerged as Golda Meir; Ariel Scheinerman became Ariel Sharon; Mieczyslaw Wolfovitch Biegun, Menachem Begin; Shimon Peres was born Szymon Perski in Wiszniew, now part of Belarus. While they shy away from their ancestry; it is what it is.
The most significant mass conversion [to Talmudism] occurred in the 8th Century, in the massive Khazar kingdom between the Black and Caspian seas. The expansion of Judaism from the Caucasus into modern Ukraine created a multiplicity of communities, many of which retreated from the 13th Century Mongol invasions into Eastern Europe. (Prof: Schlomo Sand: The Invention of the Jewish People: Tel Aviv, 2008)
(3) Jewish Secularism
The outcome of Jewish Restoration was the Jewish Enlightenment, which saw the rise of secularism within a predominantly orthodox people. It marked a singular division within Jewry and for some, the opportunity to free themselves from the restraints of religion; an unexpected result for Christian Restorationists and the realization a conversion to Christianity was never going to happen.
This new secularism became openly opposed to traditional Jewish values as it set about building on Yiddish as a form of identity and nationhood. With the idea now firmly planted in the Jewish mind Jerusalem could be attained without God’s intervention; Christians had paved the way for a militarist-national-socialist movement, which would not only see further conflict in the Middle East but global unrest and uncertainty. Political Zionism has clearly polarized Jewry, Judaism and world opinion, pertaining to Jewish aspirations.
Zionism, by advocating a political and military end to the Jewish exile, denies the very essence of our Diaspora existence. We are in exile by Divine Decree and may emerge from exile solely via Divine Redemption. All human efforts to alter a metaphysical reality are doomed to end in failure and bloodshed. History has clearly borne out this teaching. (truetorahjews.org)
So, the stage was set for the most significant upheaval for Jews and Christians since the 1st Century. It would have far-reaching effects in not only the Middle East, but across Europe and the West; felt across society and importantly within the denominational Christian Church. Christian-Zionism and the Hebrew Roots Movement (SNM) are a direct result of Jewish Secularism. With their Pharisaic point of view, these movements have made their presence felt in most western Christian assemblies.
The flawed notion that Jews must return to their homeland to affect the return of Jesus has further damaged the Christian Church. It is a true perversion, pre-empting divine intervention by wrongly using God to a worldly end. It has confounded the truth of Jesus Christ, blurred the Abrahamic Covenant, distorted the seed of promise and buried the Priesthood. Jewish Restorationism added confusion where none existed. It has blinded the Church, binding a falsehood into its very heart. Believing it was God’s intention has trampled the truth of His Word.
Millennialism
Pre-millennialism is the belief, Jesus will return to the Earth (the Second Coming) prior to a literal thousand year reign of peace tied to the premise of a pre-tribulation rapture. Post-millennialism, is a dubious interpretation of the 20th chapter of the Book of Revelation, which proposes Jesus would return after such a golden age. We can dismiss this idea from the outset as the world will never see that sort of peace without Jesus in it.
This school of thought came out of Jesuit Futurism doctrine. Dispensationalism, Millennialism and the supposed Secret Rapture, are the offspring of Catholic teaching and like evolution theory, just as mistaken. And, all of this new age theology now sits within the denominational Church system.
And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness. (2Thess 2:12)
Dispensationalism
John Darby is the recognised founder of the dispensation movement. C. I. Scofield adopted the idea promoting it vigorously and supplied the oxygen for its growth. When put under scrutiny it has no basis in the LORD’S witness and revelation to mankind. It is a doctrine of division. Without it, the inventiveness of rapture doctrine, contextual scriptural interpretation and replacement theology, would not have seen the light of day.
Its principle is that God has at least one “authorized servant” on Earth who holds the priesthood and keys to impart interpretation, except there is no agreement as to who or what this administration might be. It reflects similar Catholic belief that the Pope is the replacement (Vicar) of Christ. And while we have seen messages dispensed down the ages from Irenaeus, there is One God, the LORD Jesus Christ; Luther; the just shall live by faith and John Wesley; by grace we are saved through faith, it was not stated these would come.
What was announced is the seal of the Holy Spirit in all who are baptized into Jesus’ Name and keep His Faith; I will come to you. (John 14:18; Rev 14:12) The commission to preach and share the Good News was given to all who profess the name of Jesus Christ.
Scofield’s Bible and Commentary became widely used by nonpartisan evangelicals, mainly in the US. Evangelist Lewis Chafer was greatly influenced by Scofield founding the Dallas Theological Seminary in 1924; the leading institution for spreading the ideas of dispensationalism as envisaged by Darby, Cotton Mather, and encouraged by Scofield. While Scofield’s Bible uses the text of the King James, his annotations are exceedingly problematic opposing much of Scripture.
By replacing the heavenly with the worldly, Scofield successfully managed to bury the truth of the Israel of God; his work influencing many Christians to unreservedly support a secular Zionist State. Those who follow his doctrine have developed uncompromised leanings toward Judaism and Israel, using mistaken Scripture to fit an assumption Jews are chosen by God. From the moment errant preachers thought Jews must return to Palestine to facilitate the return of Jesus, the die was cast for a tangled web to ensnare us all.
Another problem is the dispensationalist attachment to compartmentalizing God’s testimony. When Scripture is ring-fenced trouble must inevitably follow. Disrupting the continuity of God’s Word, dividing the Prophets from the sign of their word fulfilled, serves only to dilute understanding. Here is just one example of the LORD’S message sabotaged by citing Scripture in isolation. First Matthew followed by Isaiah: that when taken in isolation denies the authority of Jesus as the Ever-Living God.
And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins. (Matt 1:21) I, even I, am the LORD; and beside me there is no saviour. (Isa 43:11) Also this most vital Scripture, which gives us the Names of the Christ; and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, the Mighty God, the Everlasting Father; the Prince of Peace. (Isa 9:6)
The unchanging message of the Holy Bible is the LORD is one Lord. Moses revealed it, Israel lived it and Paul confirmed it when he declared One Lord, One Faith, One Baptism. (Eph 4:5) Israel’s Standard of Truth declared by Moses and the Prophets has never changed. JESUS is the same yesterday, and today, and forever. (Heb 13:8) Jesus confirmed the truth that Moses, the Prophets and David wrote about Him.
And he said unto them, These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms … “concerning me.” (Luke 24:44)
But, though system and law we have set in place a new religion: we have changed God’s word. We reduced the beautiful to rubble by adding and taking from it. In doing so, we teach and live a gospel where the Spirit of Jesus is absent; raising ourselves above all that is holy confounded by ramshackle doctrine as Paul shows us here:
Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, and with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. (2Thes 2:9-10)
Through Amos, JESUS warned He would dry up the hearing of His Word in those who stray into another Gospel. (See also Rev 19:13) Joel showed us in the locusts and cankerworms sent as a plague to blind the minds of those who reject the true nature of Jesus Christ. John tells us we are liars if we do. Who is a liar but he that denies that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist that denies the Father and the son. (1John 2:22) So, if we reject Jesus as Father and Son, we reject the LORD.
So, it’s time to clean the Word of God in our mind and heart. For if His pure Word is not in us, if we discard all or part of the Gospel, if we go after worldly things, we will forever remain imperfect. We must make straight our relationship with the LORD and His Christ.
Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God. But exhort one another daily, while it is called today, lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin; for we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast unto the end. (Heb 3:12-14)
Come out of her my people…
For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God? (1 Pe 4:17)
When the gathered at Pentecost heard the words of Peter and realized their error, the Scripture says they were pricked to the heart. As Paul counsels; examine yourselves whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves… (2Cor 13:5) This is not about your Church, it concerns you. So, what is the faith Paul speaks of?
First, it is not found in contention. It is not found in doctrines, which put man against man. It is not found in Dispensationalism, Millennialism, Rapture or Trinity that put church against church. It is not found in the manipulation of the Gospel to fit an idea that a particular group or race is chosen; for none are chosen but all are called. It is in nothing, which divides and conquers through dogma and doctrine. Salvation can only be found in the Prince of Peace, the Lord Jesus Christ.
This is the faith Paul speaks of. It is faith in the Faith of Jesus. (Rev 14:12) It is those who recognize and believe this faith that are sealed into the knowledge; Jesus is Father, Son and Holy Spirit; the ubiquitous LORD who conquered death as He said He would. As the Scripture says: Is there a God besides me? Yea there is no God, I know not any. (Isa 44:8)
We clean our house when we clean God’s Word in us. It is clean when undefiled by Church laws and doctrine that take away from the truth. It is clean when the Name of JESUS is honoured above all names. It is clean when we keep the Commandments Jesus gave us. (Mark 12:29; 31) It is clean when we confess this truth in our heart as did the scribe who when he heard said; well Master thou has said the truth: for there is one God, and there is none other but he. (v.32)
So, let us come out of false teaching. Keep His Word pure and be guided by the Spirit of Jesus who desires to take His place in your heart. Take control of the truth and rest in its shelter. For when we believe JESUS is Father and Son we enter by the narrow gate of His truth and life. We rest in the Sabbath so few find. There is nothing we can do but live by faith. There is nothing we can add to a once and perfect sacrifice other than believe. There is nothing for us to argue or prove to grow in righteousness. We live under His utterance and promise given at the Cross that has never, and can never be changed. It is finished… He has completed His work.
This is our faith. James,
A servant in His Holy Name