Ecumenism
Jim Butler
Exegesis
Exegesis is a theological term used to describe an approach to
interpreting a passage in the Bible by critical analysis. Proper
exegesis includes using the context around the passage, comparing it
with other parts of the Bible, and applying an understanding of the
language and customs of the time of the writing, in an attempt to
understand clearly what the original writer intended to convey. In
other words, it is trying to “pull out” of the passage the meaning inherent
in it. and; Hermeneutics
Hermeneutics is the technical term for the process of careful,
analytical interpretation of the meaning of passages in the Bible. The
Bible is not just one document, a narrative written by one author at
one point in history. It is a collection of writings by numerous authors,
created over a period of over 1000 years. These writings include
history, narrative description, guidance for daily living, poetry,
revelation, symbolic dreams and visions, and more. In order to
understand clearly what a biblical writer was attempting to convey to
the reader, a number of factors must be considered. Is the passage
intended to be a literal description of events, or a symbolic
representation of something? Is the passage declaring a principle
applicable for all time for all people, or was it intended to be
relevant to just a certain group of people at a certain time and place?
These and many other considerations need to be incorporated into the
effort to understand how the passage may apply to the Bible student of
the 21st century.
What do faiths such as “Charismatics, Mormon’s, Jehovah’s Witnesses,
Roman Catholicism” and the like use?
Eisegesis
The word eisegesis is a theological term used to describe an approach
to interpreting a passage in the Bible by “reading into” the passage a
meaning that is not evident at all by the passage itself, or the
context in which it appears in the Bible. Thus eisegesis is usually perceived
as a negative term, and indicates that the person using the method of
eisegesis is not being intellectually honest. Instead, they are coming
to the passage with a pre-conceived notion on a particular doctrinal
matter, and wishing to force the passage to fit that preconceived
notion. Often you hear them say “it’s in the bible!” with no scripture
reference mentioned.
and;
The Traditions Of Men
Thus with Eisegesis and man make traditions we have the foundation for
the “One World Church to begin it’s work.”
The Great Man rose to his feet. A swelling silence rolled over the
immense crowd as an ocean wave over the sand of the seashore. The
silence rose in a crescendo of anticipation as he motioned to the high
priest. The priest slowly lifted his staff, and a mountain of fire fell
from the sky, exploding into a raging inferno. The huge crowd stood
mesmerized as the prepared sacrifice was incinerated in the flames. The
silence then erupted into choruses of praise as every individual fell
prostrate to the earth in worship of the Great Man. Is this not the
long-anticipated Holy One? Is this not the Second Coming of Christ to
the Christian, Crishna to the Hindu, Maitreya to the Buddhist, Imam
Mahdi to the Muslim, Hiram Abiff to the Mason, and Messiah ben David to
the Jew? Is he not the fulfillment of the ancient prophecies concerning
each of these and others? After all, he alone accomplished what all
before failed to achieve: he became the provider of world peace,
established himself as the rightful priest-king of all mankind, and
provided both spiritual and political direction for the entire planet.
With all the dissenters humanely removed to rethink their positions, he
successfully blended the common values of all religions into a new,
syncretistic, all-encompassing faith. The long-awaited “Golden Age” has
at last arrived. WELCOME TO THE ONE WORLD CHURCH.
This Super Church will not appear out of thin air, as the plans for
this organization are as old as the present antediluvian civilization
itself. It will not result from a direct frontal assault on established
religion; but rather, will be built piece by piece, as the mending of
subplots in a complex mystery novel. The pieces are now falling into
place, and the subplots are rushing headlong to the climax the Rapture
of the Church and subsequent appearance of Antichrist. Tragically, many
well-meaning, sincere individuals are falling prey to the vast
deception of Satan’s plan for the Super Church. This includes many Christians
and Christian organizations who are becoming unwitting accomplices to the
impending One World Church.
How could any Christian be so naive? How could God possibly allow His
children to contribute to the plans of Satan? The problem lies in a
lack of adherence to the doctrines of the Word of God. When a man is
born-again, he does not mystically become immune to deception. It is
the man’s responsibility to “draw nigh unto God” (James 4:8). This is
accomplished by studying and taking heed to the precepts of the Word of
God. A Christian must study to become established in Bible Doctrine (II
Tim. 2:15). DOCTRINE is the key to discernment and fighting deception.
Curiously, even the “Evangelical Church” of today is subordinating the
teaching of doctrine to social issues, psychological development,
cultural crises, worship and praise, and practically every other
pseudo-spiritual “ism” or study imaginable. This course of events has
resulted in a generation of Christians who have no clue as to what they
believe or how to recognize heresy. Since so many are facing this
dilemma, they have become easy prey for deception which comes
“gift-wrapped” in a religious package. To fully understand the
ramifications of this deception, the building of the One World Church,
and the organizations involved in its establishment, one must look back
to the year, 1948.
The modern downward spiral to religious apostasy began with two very
significant events in 1948. On May 14,1948, the nation of Israel was
reborn. Never before in the history of mankind has any dispersed nation
been re-established in the same territory after an absence of in excess
of 1000 years. The rebirth of Israel can only be attributed to the
direct working of the hand of God. This rebirth signaled the start of
the final countdown to the “end of the age”. In his book, Jerusalem, a
Cup of Trembling, Dave Hunt explains that the last days prior to the
return of Christ will be marked by the following:
Israel in the ‘Promised Land’
The Church in decline, Growing apostasy, The Church finally removed”
(1) If this line of reasoning is followed through to fruition, the
influence of the nation of Israel on world events must increase, while the
influence of the Church must decrease.
This scenario has been aided by the second significant event of
1948 the formation of the World Council of Churches. The WCC was formed in
Amsterdam with 147 protestant denominations (today there are 307) (2). The organization’s goal was clearly stated at its inaugural meeting
(August 1948) by General Secretary of the WCC, W.A. Visser’t Hooft :
“…there can be and there is finally only one church of Christ on
earth…we are aware of the situation, that we do not accept it
passively, that we move forward towards the manifestation of the ONE HOLY CHURCH.” (3)
(Lest any misunderstand, the Universal Church certainly does exist.
This is the “Body of Christ”, consisting of all those who have been redeemed
by the blood of Jesus. However, this Universal Church DOES NOT include
every member of every church and/or religion. This “Body” also DOES NOT
include those who merely claim Christianity but have never experienced
the new birth.) The opposite view of the WCC has been correctly
conveyed by Dr. David Cloud:
“We could describe the error of the WCC under a number of categories.
We could speak of its Doctrinal Heresy, its Modernism….Universalism. The
simple fact is that the WCC fails every Biblical test which could be
applied. It is patently and grossly unscriptural.” (4)
Though the Roman Catholic Church is not officially a member of the WCC,
the Vatican has worked very closely with the WCC since the “Ecumenical
Movement” of the 1960s (The Ecumenical Movement was a failed effort to
reunite mainline protestants with the “Mother Church”). Dr. Edward
Panosian, chairman of the Department of History at Bob Jones
University, stated,
“Rome’s conception of the ecumenical movement is the joining of all
churches- eventually all religions- to Rome. Rome does not join the
WCC. She invites the WCC to join her….” (5)
The member churches of the WCC have been sliding into an ever-deepening
chasm of doctrinal apostasy. They have turned their backs on the
fundamental doctrines of the faith. Many member churches deny the
Inerrancy of Scripture, the Virgin Birth, the Bodily Resurrection, and
the Deity of Christ. They have been quick to endorse Marxist causes,
gays and lesbians, feminism, and even promote goddess worship. While
many true “blood-washed” believers may be members of this body, they
are certainly supporting the building of the One World Church.
After the failure of the Ecumenical Movement of the 1960s, the 1970s
brought forth the second wave of the “Charismatic Movement”. The
Charismatics actively seek unity on the basis of (supernatural)
manifestations, many times at the expense of doctrinal truth. They have
taken the position that differences in doctrine can be overlooked “as
long as those with whom we seek unity confess the name of Jesus and
appear to exhibit the gifts of the Spirit particularly speaking in
tongues . . .” (6). This has led many Charismatics into Dominion
Theology (see page 6 for explanation), and has also given Roman
Catholics the opportunity to regain credibility with many protestants
(7). (“The ‘gift of tongues’ was received spontaneously by many
Catholics as they were engaged in prayer to Mary.”) (8) Many
influential Charismatic leaders have begun to embrace unity with Roman Catholics.
This includes such well-known men as Pat Robertson, Paul Crouch, and
Oral Roberts. Meetings between Catholic and Evangelical Charismatics
have expanded to up to 80,000 participants (9). This scenario is the
direct result of the call for Charismatic Unity.
The two major common denominators of the Ecumenical and Charismatic
Movements are: 1) the forsaking of biblical truth for the sake of
unity, and 2) the influence of the Church of Rome. The forsaking of biblical
truth is obviously the most tragic mistake an ecclesiastical body can
make. Yet, so many have been willing to compromise truth for the sake
of unity. As a result, the idea that theological teaching is dull, boring,
or irrelevant for today’s society is creeping into even the more
conservative churches. Churches (influenced mainly by high profile
media ministries) are starting to cater to emotional, psychological, or
social teachings. This reaction to the compromise by the high profile
ministries is paving the way to find that “set of common values” with
those of every religion. This is the groundwork for the One World
Church.
The influence of the Church of Rome in these movements is obvious. One
need not be a great historian to understand the desire of the Vatican
to
garner ecclesiastical control of the entire planet. From its earliest
days, the intent of the Church of Rome has been to “establish the
Kingdom of God on earth under the headship of the pope” (10). The
Bible
is very explicit in its description of the One World Church. The
Apostle
John, under the direction of the Holy Spirit, records in Revelation 17
the image of a harlot riding a beast:
“And here is the mind which hath wisdom. The seven heads are seven
mountains which the woman sitteth.” (11)
This is a very clear reference to Rome. The entire passage not only
accurately describes the Catholic Church, but many (including this
author) believe the pope to be the “False Prophet” of Antichrist as
described in Revelation 13. Pope John Paul II has been quoted by
Catholic Priest, Malachi Martin and others, regarding his rulership of
the planet. In an interview with the National Research Institute,
Martin revealed the following:
“According to Malachi Martin, John Paul II is anxiously awaiting the
reappearance of Mary, which will be seen by all on earth and will
authenticate John Paul II as her’s and God’s personal ambassador to
RULE THE WORLD AND SOON . . . John Paul eagerly awaits this event, since it
will confirm his claim to geo-political world dominion. It will be part
of a great disaster which will transform minds and catapult humanity
into chaos (from which John Paul will rescue it) . . . This event will
particularly involve the sun and will be seen as ‘the glory of the
woman clothed with the sun and giving birth to the child who will rule the
nations with a rod of iron.’ (Malachi Martin, Keys of This Blood) . .
.
Malachi Martin told NRI, ‘The sign will be so potent you will have to
(believe) . . . Your own conscience will scream out that THIS IS GOD!”
(12)
As if the thoughts of the pope are not convincing enough, the Roman
Catholic Church has now taken steps beyond the Ecumenical and the
Charismatic Movements. In 1986, the Church of Rome sponsored the
Vatican Interfaith Conference. This was not another effort to bring rebellious
protestants back into the fold of the “Mother Church.” This was a
council of world RELIGIONS. The conference included Catholics,
Protestants, Buddhists, Hindus, Zoroastrians, Native Americans, African
Animists, and Aboriginal Snake Worshippers (13). This was an effort to
find common ground, common values, and learn tolerance the building
blocks of the One World Church.
Since 1986, many other groups have begun similar efforts. In 1993,
Chicago hosted the Council for a Parliament of the World’s Religions.
This meeting generated a proclamation for a Declaration of Human Values
(14). This declaration included those values common to all religions.
Also in 1993, Rev. William Swing (Episcopal) announced the formation of
the United Religions (UR). The UR is to be fully functional by the year
2000, and will serve as a ngo (non-governmental organization) to the
UN.
One goal of the UR is the establishment of a “Value Bank” that will
allow people to invest their money to “promote the values of the UR.”
The UR also desires to be a “symbol of unity in a world of disunity”
(15). The World Conference of Religion and Peace, organized in 1970,
gathered at Melbourne, Australia, in July 1997. This organization
stressed “Acceptance, Tolerance, and Collaberation” among all religions
EXCEPT those who hold to any form of exclusivity (i.e. “no man cometh
to the Father but by me”) or absolutism (i.e. absolute truth). They also
endorsed the UR and sought the common values found in all religions
(16).
The One World Church is nearing fruition. The UR and similar
organizations are aggressively seeking to bond all world religions. The
leaders of world religions are actively seeking common ground, common
beliefs, and common values. The World Council of Churches is determined
to participate in and aid these efforts. The pope and Church of Rome
are “seizing the moment” to finally grasp their goal of establishing the
so-called “Kingdom of God” on earth. Absolutism and exclusivity are
rapidly becoming labeled as intolerance and bigotry.
This certainly reveals the serious threat of ecumenism to Bible-based
Christianity. Yet, many Christian leaders are busy making their own
overtures of unity. In May of 1994, the document Evangelicals and
Catholics Together (ECT) was authored by Charles Colson of Prison
Fellowship and R. J. Neuhaus, a Catholic priest [former Lutheran]. The
document “laid the groundwork for Evangelicals to set aside their
distinctive doctrines and unite with the Catholic Church and other
religions which are coming together by the year 2000 A.D.” (17). The
ECT document was also signed by such notable Evangelicals as Bill Bright,
Pat Robertson, and Mark Noll. Other Christian leaders have also been
making statements that link them to this train of thought. The
following are some prime examples:
“I found that my beliefs are essentially the same as those of Orthodox
Roman Catholic.” –Dr. Billy Graham (18)
“We (Catholics and Evangelicals ed) have differences, but on the
ancient creeds and core beliefs of Christianity, we stand together.”
–Charles Colson (19)
“I don’t know anyone more dedicated to the great doctrines of
Christianity than the Catholics.” –W. A. Criswell (20)
“I am eradicating the word ‘protestant’ from my vocabulary . . .
it’s time for Catholics and non-Catholics to come together as one.” –Paul
Crouch (21)
“In all the Pope’s writings…he has hundreds and hundreds of Bible
verses. If I dare to say there are less [sic] than seven to ten
thousand Bible verses in the new catechism, backing everything they say, I
wouldn’t be exaggerating. And he makes a statement and backs it with
the Word of God. ” –Jack Van Impe (22)
Why would these “Evangelical Leaders” praise the Catholic Church? Was
the Reformation simply a misguided mistake? Were the millions murdered
at the hands of the Office of the Inquisition really heretics? While
only God knows the heart, these men do not pass the test of scrutiny
when evaluated according to the principles of the Word of God.
Scripture DEMANDS SEPARATION, NOT UNITY:
“Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness . . . light with darkness . . . Christ with Belial . . . he that believeth with an infidel . . . the temple of God with idols? . . . Wherefore COME OUT FROM AMONG THEM AND BE YE SEPARATE saith the Lord.” (23)
Do these Evangelical leaders accept Apostolic Succession, Papal
Infallibility, Transubstantiation, Mary as Intercessor, Salvation only
of the Catholic Church, and/or the doctrine of Pergatory? Are any one
of these found in the Bible? How can they possibly follow the commands of
Scripture and unite with those who hold these unscriptural doctrines?
The tragic truth of the matter is this: Whether intentional or not,
these “leaders” are leading unsuspecting, undiscerning Christians into
promoting the plans of Satan for the One World Church.
In 1990, an organization was formed that has the potential to ignite
the flames of ecumenism already present in the “evangelical community” into
a raging inferno. This organization is Promise Keepers. Promise Keepers
(PK) was birthed into existence by former University of Colorado
football coach, Bill McCartney. PK has as its basic premise “to see men
become the spiritual leaders in their homes and make a moral impact on
their communities” (24). The book, The Seven Promises of a Promise
Keeper, goes even further to declare that the book is “for any male who
wants to: know his Creator better, be closer to his wife and children,
tear down the walls of division, see the entire world come to know
God’s love” (25). This all sounds very pious and spiritual. However, based on
the rampant ecumenism of our time, red flags should immediately be
raised concerning “tear down the walls of division” and “see the entire
world come to know God’s love.” What are these walls of division? At
what point in time is this reference to seeing “the entire world come
to know God’s love?”
Found within these two goals of Promise Keepers is a conduit to connect
many “evangelicals” and other conservative Christians to the effort to
build the One World Church. The second goal, “to see the entire world
come to know God’s love,” needs to be addressed first. While the Lord
Jesus Christ did indeed command His disciples to “go into the whole
world and preach the gospel . . .” (Mark 16:15), nowhere does the Bible
state that the entire world will know God’s love prior to the
Millennial Reign of Christ. There exists a theological belief system among some
Evangelicals and Charismatics known as Dominion Theology. This
theological system, led by notable Charismatics Pat Robertson, Kenneth
Copeland, Kenneth Hagin, and others declares the earth will be ruled by
or come under the dominion of the Church.
Some Dominionists believe this will happen prior to the Rapture of the
Church, while others believe a Postmillennial concept a “Spiritual
Millennium” rather than a literal 1000 year reign of Christ on earth
(as clearly taught by Scripture). For the purposes of this discussion, the
primary danger of Dominion Theology is the embracing of ecumenical
movements as the fulfillment of Bible prophecy. This is a major cause
for concern with the PK organization. As a matter of fact, while
interviewing Bill McCartney, “Pat Robertson suggested that PK is a
fulfillment of Bible prophecy” (26). Furthermore, the upper echelons of
the PK organization are filled with those from the largely Dominionist,
Charismatic Vineyard movement. The current PK president Randy Phillips
is a member of the Boulder, Colorado Vineyard Fellowship. The pastor of
this church, James Ryle, is a PK Board of Directors member. Bill
McCartney is also a member of this fellowship (27). This dangerous
Dominionist connection to PK is clearly seen by the goal of to “see the
entire world know God’s love.” According to Scripture, this goal will
not be reached in this present age. Furthermore, this is also the goal
of those who seek to build the One World Church (it is not clear which
“god” they desire to reveal).
Returning now to the first question (What are these walls of
division?), nestled within the answer to this question are the same common
denominators previously noted the Church of Rome and the forsaking of
biblical truth for the sake of unity. Therefore, red flags of warning
quickly turn to alarm as one continues to inspect the Seven Promises.
Promise One refers to a man’s relationship to God. This chapter,
written by Jack Hayford, speaks of this relationship. Under the subtitle,
“Redeeming Worship,” Mr. Hayford relates:
“Redeeming worship centers on the Lord’s Table. Whether your
tradition celebrates it as communion, Eucharist, the Mass, or the Lord’s
Supper, we are all called to this centerpiece of Christian worship.” (28)
This statement reveals the “walls of division” are the walls that
separate the Church of Rome and the Orthodox Church from the balance of
Christendom. The truth is that the Eucharist and Mass are not
equivalent to the Lord’s Supper. The Church of Rome and the Orthodox Church
teach that this sacrament is efficacious in and of itself. Furthermore, they
believe the bread and wine became the literal body and blood of Christ
via an act of alchemy performed by the priest (this is called
transubstantiation). The commemoration of the Lord’s Supper is simply
what Scripture demands a memorial service (“this do in remembrance of
Me”) (29). The Lord’s Supper is IN NO WAY EFFICACIOUS forgiving no
sin of the partaker.
This exposes an attitude of unity at the expense of doctrine. Again,
this is a direct violation of Scripture. The PK organization is willing
to sacrifice Biblical truth for unity with the Roman Catholic Church.
PK also includes Roman Catholics on the PK Board of Directors. Mike
Timmis, a Catholic PK board member, prayed at the 10/4/97 Washington rally:
“We recognize that we do have doctrinal differences . . . but Father,
we will not let these differences destroy our unity.” (30)
This statement echoes the Ecumenical and Charismatic Movements “Do not
let doctrine prevent unity.” PK takes the call for unity even further.
They have extended their hand to the CULT of Mormonism. They contend
that the Mormons believe in Jesus Christ. However, who is the Jesus of
Mormonism? Mormonism teaches that Jesus was the elder brother of
billions of spirit children born to a god and his wives in some spirit
realm. Furthermore, all of humanity consists of his younger brothers
and sisters. THIS IS NOT THE JESUS OF THE BIBLE! Yet PK is willing to
exercise tolerance in ignoring these “insignificant, petty, miniscule,
irrelevant doctrinal differences” in order to join into the bond of
unity with Mormons. Lest anyone feel ignored, Reuters News Service
reported the PK call for unity was also extended to Louis Farrakhan and
his Nation of Islam in the form of an invitation to join the 1997 PK
rally in Washington, D.C. (31).
Promise Keepers has many merits. Men certainly need to be the spiritual
leaders of their homes and churches. There are those who have become
better husbands, fathers, and leaders due to their association with PK.
PK does present the gospel, and the gospel needs to be preached to all
who will listen. However, the “encounter group psychotherapy” methods
and unity at any cost are not biblical principles. The policy of
blindly embracing other religious groups that simply “name the name of Jesus”
is not sufficient. Jesus himself related that all who call “Lord, Lord”
will not enter into heaven (32). In the final analysis, TRUTH MUST BE
THE ULTIMATE GOAL NOT TOLERANCE. M. K. Reynolds, in Foundation
magazine noted:
“Separation from, not reconciliation with false teachers is God’s way
of preserving the purity and power of the Church.”(33)
In the spirit of the Ecumenical and Charismatic Movements, PK has
sacrificed doctrine for unity. Doctrine will always divide because
truth divides. Hugh Latimer, while burning at the stake, cried out, “Unity
must be ordered according to God’s Word, or else it be better war
than peace” (34). As the end of the age approaches, this PK policy of unity
is creating a bridge from the “Evangelical Community” to the One World
Church.
Jesus Christ will return. He will establish His Millennial Kingdom on
the earth. Prior to that time, however, the inhabitants of the earth
will witness the strongest deception in all of history. The One World
Church is a key ingredient to that deception. All religions will
worship Antichrist as God (35). The stage is now being set and the siren song
of unity is invading every of established religion. Born-again Christians
must pray for discernment to fight, not tolerate the ecumenical
philosophies of the time. The Church is facing guerilla warfare, and
the enemy is not easily identifiable.
The book of Jude instructs the Church “to earnestly contend for the
faith” because “there are certain men crept in unawares” (36). I
Timothy predicts “that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith”
(37). II Timothy warns “that in the last days perilous times shall come
. . . (men will have) a form of godliness but denying the power
thereof” (38). These passages speak of the deception from within the ranks of
the professing Church in the latter days. There is warning here of
deceptive “wolves in sheep’s clothing” that will infiltrate the body of
believers to turn them from the faith. Jude instructs the true believers to
contend for the faith. Does contending for the faith include tolerance
of and cooperation with those who deny fundamental doctrines? The
conclusion of the matter can be summed up in the simple statement of
Timothy: “FROM SUCH TURN AWAY.” (39)
Born-again Christians are obligated to obey the Great Commission. This
includes not only evangelization but also TEACHING:
“Go ye therefore, an TEACH all nations…TEACHING them to observe all
things whatsoever I have commanded you…” (40)
The ECT document prevents evangelization of Roman Catholics. Promise
Keepers forbids the teaching of doctrinal truth to Catholics and
Mormons so as not to threaten their unscriptural bond of unity. The bridge of
the gospel, supported by the foundation of doctrinal truth must be
extended to those trapped in false religious systems, while the bridge
of unscriptural ecumenical unity must be burned. These are simply the
requirements of the Word of God. May God give us courage and
discernment to stand for the truth in these perilous times.
The scripture says “Resist the devil and he will flee from you.”
Preach the truth and the self seeking will run in horror as the spirit of
error guides them. Tickle men’s ears make a friend, tell the truth
friendship ends.
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ENDNOTES
1. Hunt, Dave. Jerusalem, a Cup of Trembling, Harvest House Publishers,
Eugene, OR., 1995, p.350.
2. “ENI News Highlights,” Ecumenical News International, World Council
of Churches, December, 1997, http://www.wcc_coe.org/eni.
Ibid.
Cloud, David. Way of Life Encyclopedia, (as quoted by) Aho, Barbara,
Watch Unto Prayer Ministries, http://www.watch.pair.com/pray.html
Ibid.
Dager, James Albert. “Kingdom Now,” Media Spotlight Newsletter, Vol. 7,
No.3, July-December, 1986, p.18.
Ibid.
Hunt, Dave. A Woman Rides the Beast, Harvest House Publishers, Eugene,
OR., 1994, p.431.
“Religion in Politics,” Political Christianity,
http://www.isrp.org/PolChrs.html., p. 12.
Dager. P. 45.
Revelation 17:9.
Hayes, Kathleen. National Research Institute Trumpet, May, 1991, p.1.
Kah, Gary. The Demonic Roots of Globalism, Huntington House Publishers,
Layfeyette, LA., 1996, p.140.
The Council,for a Parliament of the World’s Religions brochure,
Chicago,
IL, 1993.
Swing, William. “Invitation to Share the Vision,” United Religions, San
Francisco, CA., p.3.
Howard, W.B. “World Conference of Religion and Peace,” Despatch
magazine, August 8, 1997, http://www.cth.com.au.
Aho, Barbara. “Evangelicals and Catholics Together,” Watch Unto Prayer
Ministries, http://www.watch.pair.com/pray.html.
A Woman Rides the Beast, p.389.
Ibid. p.347.
Ibid. p.388
Ibid. p.411
“Van Impe Accused of Bias,” Personal Freedom Outreach,
http://www.pfo.org/vanimpe.html.
II Corinthians 6:14-17.
McMahon, T.A. “Compromise Keepers,” The Berean Call, November, 1995,
p.1.
Philips, Randy. The Seven Promises of a Promise Keeper, Focus on the
Family Publishing, Boulder, CO., 1994, Cover Fly Leaf.
Hunt, Dave. “Unity and Truth,” The Berean Call, April, 1998, p.1.
Randles, Bill. “An Open Letter to Bill McCarthy,” August 22, 1995, p.5.
Hayford, Jack. The Seven Promises of a Promise Keeper, p.19.
I Corinthians 11:24.
“Unity and Truth,” p.1.
Meyer, David. “Promise Keepers and Farrakhan,” The Last Trumpet
newsletter, June, 1997.
Matthew 7:21.
Reynolds, M.H. “Promise Keepers is Dangerous,” Foundation newsletter,
vol. XVI, issue 1.
Hangraaf, Hank. Counterfeit Revival, Word Publishing, Dallas TX., 1997,
p.248.
Revelation 13:8.
Jude 3-4.
I Timothy 4:1.
II Timothy 3:1-5.
II Timothy 3:5.
Matthew 28:19-20.
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The Song of Moses: God’s Favor upon His People [podcast]

“And Moses spake in the ears of all the congregation of Israel the words of this song, until they were ended.” Deuteronomy 31:30
Everything we read of the children of Israel was pointing to Christ and to His perfect salvation He would later come and accomplish and bestow upon His beloved people, the body of Christ which is “the Israel of God.” (Galatians 6:16) And so this song is written to us (Romans 15:4; Corinthians 10:11).
At the end of his days, at the end of the 5 books he penned, God gives us through Moses a summation of His salvation work among His beloved people.
“He found him in a desert land, and in the waste howling wilderness; he led him about, he instructed him, he kept him as the apple of his eye. 11 As an eagle stirreth up her nest, fluttereth over her young, spreadeth abroad her wings, taketh them, beareth them on her wings: 12 So the LORD alone did lead him, and there was no strange god with him. 13 He made him ride on the high places of the earth, that he might eat the increase of the fields; and he made him to suck honey out of the rock, and oil out of the flinty rock; 14 Butter of kine, and milk of sheep, with fat of lambs, and rams of the breed of Bashan, and goats, with the fat of kidneys of wheat; and thou didst drink the pure blood of the grape.” Deuteronomy 32:10-14
“32:10-14 The birth and childhood of the nation of Israel are described in verse 10. After the Exodus from Egypt, God guided, instructed, and preserved His people with the love of a mother eagle (v. 11). There was no foreign god who had a part in Israel’s preservation. Why then should the nation turn to idolatry and ascribe the goodness of Jehovah to another? Beginning in verse 13, the song is prophetic. He brought them into the blessings of the Promised Land.” Believer’s Bible Commentary
“Deuteronomy 32:10
a [He found him in a desert land …] The sevenfold preservation of Israel:
1. God found (literally, sustained) him in the wilderness (Deu_32:10).
2. He led him around (Deu_32:10-12).
3. He instructed him (Deu_32:10).
4. He kept him as the apple (pupil) of His eye.
5. He preserved him from idolatry (Deu_32:12).
6. He exalted him among the nations (Deu_32:13).
7. He gave him material prosperity (Deu_32:13-14).
b [apple of his eye] Hebrew: ’iyshown (H380), the dark pupil of the eye; the hole, gate, or door of the eye (Psa_17:8; Pro_7:2)” Dake
“Deuteronomy 31:30-32:14
MOSES’ SONG: THE LORD’S FAVOR UPON ISRAEL
The song of Moses, like the fabled song of the swan, was his last and sweetest. It is probably the noblest ode in the whole compass of the Bible, and is the source from which subsequent singers derived suggestions for their noblest outbursts. The marginal references prove how deeply it dyed the national sentiment.
It excels in the names and designations of the Almighty. He is the Rock: Deu_31:4; Deu_31:15; Deu_31:18; Deu_31:30; Jehovah: Deu_31:6; Father: Deu_31:6; the Most High: Deu_31:8; God: El, the strong, Deu_31:15, etc. What a study are the names of God, scattered through the Bible! Each was coined to meet some need of the human soul. What the rocks of the desert are to its shifting sands God is amid the changes of this mortal existence.
This earlier part of the song is very tender. We are God’s portion; the apple of His eye; as young eaglets, whom the mother-bird is carefully teaching to fly, the favored recipients of God’s richest gifts, Deu_31:13, etc.” FB Meyer
Notice the descriptive language, the metaphors—how the LORD illustrates how He loves, protects, and provides for His people. In Scripture, the LORD uses imagery to communicate truth.
“He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High
shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. 2 I will
say of the LORD, He is my refuge and my fortress: my
God; in him will I trust. 3 Surely he shall deliver thee
from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome
pestilence. 4 He shall cover thee with his feathers,
and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall
be thy shield and buckler.” Psalms 91:1-4
Read Psalm 91 often so this truth permeates you. Here the LORD uses the imagery of His “winged fowl” creation (Genesis 1:21). GOD made this very creature/bird for the express purpose of showing us how much He loves us and how He comforts, cares and provides for, guides, and protects His own (Psalms 91:1).
“The Song of Moses is recorded in Deuteronomy 32 of the King James Version (KJV), spanning verses 1 through 43. It is a prophetic poem given by Moses to the children of Israel just before his death, serving as a witness and a reminder of God’s faithfulness and Israel’s potential turning away.”
Prayer: Father, please grant that I know and understand You more and more. I love You LORD. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
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Articles
Jesus in Every Book of the Bible

First and foremost, God’s Word was written to reveal Christ.
The Bible is said to be “The only Book where the divine Author is present every time you read it.”
He’s divinely encoded and present on every page of His Word.
“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
Every book of the Bible is about the LORD Jesus, who is the central theme, the sacred substance of all of Holy Scripture. If we miss Him, we miss everything, we miss the grand subject and revelation of God’s Word.
“Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me. 40 And ye will not come to me, that ye might have life.” John 5:39-40
This makes it clear that we can “search the scriptures,” we can know them, and yet not know the Author.
They knew the Word of God but did not know the God of the Word. They made the choice not to “come to” Jesus thorugh His Word. They made it about themselves, not Jesus.
The Bible is one Book from one divine Author. The divisions are there to help us navigator His Word. – Old and New Testaments, chapters, verses, etc.
“Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law.” Psalms 119:18
The supreme and most important “wondrous” thing we are to behold in Holy Writ, is Jesus Christ.
Amen. Jesus Christ is King of all kings, LORD of all lords.
“Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen. 8 I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty.” Revelation 1:7-8
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Articles
Redemption Through Christ’s Sacrifice [podcast]

The Glories
of the
Scarlet Thread
(Few things could be this important to your spiritual life)
Of the scarlet of redemption, one writer notes:
“The Wonder of Redemption: The blood is the power of redemption and you will see this as we follow through the Bible from the beginning to the end of God’s revelation of Himself to man as recorded in the Bible.”
“Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light: 13 Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son: 14 In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:” Colossians 1:12-14
The great apostle of Jesus declared the Gospel to us:
“Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; 4 And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:” 1 Corinthians 15:3-4
The Fall of Man
The Good News is so good due to the very bad news of our fall.
“Wherefore, as by one man (Adam) sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned: … Therefore as by the offence of one (Adam) judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life.” Romans 5:12, 18
When the man and woman whom God had created chose to sin against Him, He separated them from His presence. They attempted to cover their nakedness by sewing fig leaves together and girding them around their waists (Genesis 2:7). This was man’s attempt to cover his own sin and shame.
“The aprons of fig leaves speak of man’s attempt to save himself by a bloodless religion of good works.” William MacDonald
God did not honor the fig leaves so He shed the blood of animals to make them “coats of skins, and clothed them” (Genesis 3:21). Because He had already foretold that His Son would be sent to redeem the fallen race (Genesis 3:15), God chose to depict the sacrifice that the coming Redeemer would make by the sacrifice of innocent animals. The atonement for the man and woman by the sacrifice of these animals pointed to the prophesied Savior who would later come and personally shed His blood to atone for the sins of His creation which had been contaminated by sin.
“And I sought for a man among them, that should make up the hedge, and stand in the gap before me for the land, that I should not destroy it: but I found none.” Ezekiel 22:30
This Scripture above speaks to the utter need and absolute divine exclusivity and uniqueness of Christ.
From the cradle of creation through the dispensation of the Mosaic law, in Christ’s redemptive blood on Calvary’s cross, and throughout eternity future, we see that in the Creator’s economy it is blood that quenches the fire of His holy vengeance.
“And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is NO remission.” Hebrews 9:22
God obviously instructed Adam and Eve to sacrifice animals to continue to cover their sin because their son Abel brought “the firstlings of his flock” at the time of sacrifice (Genesis 4:4).
The blood sacrifice that Abel offered to God was accepted because it demonstrated faith in the coming Redeemer.
When Israel was in bondage God informed the nation that each family was to shed the blood of an unblemished lamb and place the blood upon their doorposts before He delivered them from Egypt (Exodus 12). He said that this blood would save them from His wrath. The unblemished lamb was a type of the spotless Lamb of God which was to come to be slain (1 Peter 1:19), saving those who would receive Him, from the wrath of God (Romans 5:9).
Not Just Any Blood
“But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, To redeem…” Galatians 4:4-5

Sin separated men from their holy Maker and God (Isaiah 59:2). Under the law God instructed the nation of Israel to approach Him by the sacrifice of animals. The sins of the people were atoned for by the blood of animals because this demonstrated faith in the prophesied and coming Redeemer (Leviticus 16:34, 17:11). In Leviticus 16 there is a twofold typology of Christ found. Aaron, the priest of Israel, was to take two goats to atone for the sins of the people (Lev. 16:8-10). One of these two goats was used as a “sin offering” and the other for a “scapegoat.” The “sin offering” goat that was sacrificed was a type of Christ who would later shed His blood, “offering Himself without spot to God” (Hebrews 9:14). His blood, which was depicted here in the blood of the animal, was to be the ultimate price for atonement (at-one-ment) that the Father required for the removal of the sins of the fallen race. The word “scapegoat” here literally means the goat of departure. Concerning this live goat of departure, the LORD instructed Aaron to lay both hands upon him and confess all the sins and iniquities of Israel upon him and then send him away into the wilderness (Leviticus 16:20-22). This goat, the scapegoat, was a type of Christ in that it would carry the sins of God’s people away from them. It would separate them from sin so that their sin wouldn’t separate them from God. This is a type of Christ in that He was to come and shed His perfect blood to “take away the sin of the world” (John 1:29).
Jesus cried: “Why hast thou forsaken me?” (Psalms 22:1; Matthew 27:46)
“It was the human body which God had given Him. It was the sacrifice that cried-the Lamb about to die! The Son of Man knew Himself forsaken. God dumped that vast, filthy, slimy mass of human sin on the soul of the Savior-and then backed away.” A.W. Tozer.
“Wow! All that filth was ours! Jesus was our ultimate sacrifice! And Isaiah says in 53:10 that it ‘pleased the Lord to bruise Him.’ This was God’s divine plan that Jesus would be the sacrifice for our sins so we could have redemption and reconciliation with God. We cannot understand the depths of this kind of love for us! All we can do is praise Jesus! And love Him with all our heart, soul, and mind (Matthew 22:37), and obey and follow Him all the days of our lives! All praise to You Jesus for loving us this much!” Karen Cochran
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This prophetic pattern continued to cover the sins of His people from the time of the fall until the One whom these sacrifices foreshadowed appeared (Hebrews 10). Those in Israel who truly loved the LORD fervently anticipated the arrival of the prophesied Messiah a Lamb of God. About 4,000 years after man had fallen, a prophet named John the Baptist, saw Jesus approaching and declared “Behold, the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world” (John 1:29). It was the fullness of time and the Father had sent the promised Redeemer into the earth to “take away the sin of the world.” The sacrifices that once atoned for Israel would now be superseded by the one sacrifice of God’s only begotten Son (Hebrews 10:1-23). His pure and spotless blood would now be shed to remove the sins of the world. The Lamb which was slain before the foundation of the world (in the mind of God) was now manifest in the flesh to redeem mankind from his sinful and separated state (Revelation 13:8; John 1:14). He became the “propitiation” (atoning sacrifice) for our sins (1 John 2:2).
Just before He went to His ordained altar, the cross, to be offered up for the sin of the world, Jesus said;
“For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.” Matthew 26:28
As is clearly announced in the God-breathed New Testament records, redemption, remission, and the forgiveness of sins comes only from the blood of Jesus, the one and only Redeemer of men (Ephesians 1:7).
“In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace.” Ephesians 1:7
THE ULTIMATE AND FINAL SACRIFICE
He who knew no sin became the atoning sacrifice for the sins of the world (2 Corinthians 5:21).
“When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost.” John 19:30
It was out of the riches of His mercy and grace that our sins have been remitted by the one sacrifice of Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God. Note the finality of language He uses to convince you of this in the following passage:
“But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God…For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified…. And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more. Now where remission of these is, there is no more offering for sin. Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh; And having an high priest over the house of God; Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith…” Hebrews 10:12-22
Not only does the blood of Jesus take away/remove the sins of the one who personally receives Him, but also the guilt that is always coupled with sin (Hebrews 9:14; 1 John 1:9). What great salvation!
“And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first-begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood.” Revelation 1:5
His blessed sinless divine blood is available to those who will simply “Come” to Him as He invites them to do … before and in order to be saved AND afterward, that fount is always available during this season …. (Matthew 11:28-30; Hebrews 4:14-16)! Anyone else thankful and happy about “the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot” today? (1 Peter 1:18-19)
For a topical study of deeper proportions on this subject, see The Blood of Jesus.
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If you will be planted deep into Christ, your Christology, your study of, your personal knowledge of Christ must be deep, not shallow (Colossians 2:6-10).
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“Amen! Words cannot express our thanks in what our Lord Jesus has done on the Cross for us, His suffering. We thank You Lord for all you have done, though we are undeserving, we thank you so much. Otherwise I would be lost, on my way to hell w/out your salvation.” Paula L.
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