All posts by bibleprotector

General

English for the world

An excerpt from “Rightwise” by Matthew Verschuur. Full book freely available here: http://goo.gl/t2qZc6

The English language is the most widespread language being used today. This is no accident, but part of the design for world wide evangelism.

The day of Pentecost indicated the beginning of the reversal of the tower of Babel. No longer would there be scattering into separate languages, but the beginning of bringing people to the same message, and consequently, one language. That process has happened slowly.

The Reformation was particularly a time where the progress of Christianity moved toward a single language. The medieval world had been divided between primarily the Greek-speaking and the Latin-speaking traditions. Protestantism has become more and more apparently dominated so completely by English, that all progress of a spiritual nature has to take place within English. That is to say, that all advancement such as Wesley’s message, and all spiritual outpouring, such as the Pentecostal Revival, have been more specifically reliant on English and happened in English-speaking areas, and therefore has created such an English-rich environment that no spiritual work would happen without it being in English.

Not only has the majority of missionary activity come from English-speakers, but all the highest theology and knowledge of Christian doctrine exists specifically in the English language. English has become the spiritual language.

This means that the best Christians, the best books and Christian thinking, is in English. The best churches, the best doctrine, the highest advances, are found in our tongue.

We find, more importantly, that among all copies of the Bible that exist, that the best translation and the best version in the whole world is the King James Bible. This is no accident, because it means that there is a global language which is ready to be used for the teaching of the highest Christian knowledge with the best Bible. It has all been designed for the most widespread evangelism.

These ideas concerning Divine Providence are not just based on mere observation or conjecture, but are in line with what we find prophesied in various passages throughout the Scripture.

We find in Revelation 10, for example, a prophecy which Historicists have identified is about the Reformation. The attributes of this prophecy show that it is about the English-speaking Christianity and the English Bible coming forth as a witness to the world.

8 ¶ Therefore wait ye upon me, saith the LORD, until the day that I rise up to the prey: for my determination is to gather the nations, that I may assemble the kingdoms, to pour upon them mine indignation, even all my fierce anger: for all the earth shall be devoured with the fire of my jealousy.
9 For then will I turn to the people a pure language, that they may all call upon the name of the LORD, to serve him with one consent.
(Zephaniah 3:8, 9).

The gathering of the nations for the prey is a reference to the fall of Gog. The promise is that there is one pure language available for all these people. That pure language means the language of the Bible, specifically, the King James Bible. It is not saying that English itself is the pure language, but that English is obviously the mechanism for use for the King James Bible.

Having one Bible is a basis for religion is important, because it provides a foundation for faith and practice. We read another remarkable passage in the Scripture, which specifically points to “another tongue”.

11 For with stammering lips and another tongue will he speak to this people.
(Isaiah 28:11).

Like other prophecies, this passage has two meanings. The symbolical meaning, as understood by the Apostle Paul, is the speaking in tongues seen in the New Testament. However, the literal interpretation would be that another language comes to be used by the Jews, and it is in that language that the Gospel is preached to them.

Never have the Jews properly responded to the Gospel, so it could not be said to be Greek, Latin or any other language. However, the Jews do know English and the Gospel which is to be preached to them in that language is to have the great success not seen in previous generations.

Editorial

An example of the danger of weak Christianity

Australia has a Kenyan-born Pentecostal woman Senator named Lucy Gichuhi.

Here is an opportunity for standing up for Biblical views and traditional standards. But no, The Australian newspaper reported her saying, “I don’t operate on the extremes because the world we live in is about finding ­middle ground to coexist”.

This seems to indicate a view that if the Bible says, “Thou shalt do this,” and the world says, “Do that”, this kind of person is going to find a middle position. Honestly, the middle ground is the most anti-Christian position of all.

Re 3:15 I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot.
Re 3:16 So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.

These are Jesus’ words. He is demanding a people that stand for Him. Else, you can be fully committed to the world and its ways. But don’t try to be friends with everyone.

It is always bad when someone has the chance the stand up for Christianity, but instead they decline to really fight for what is right. Senator Gichuhi actually had the temerity to censure Pauline Hanson and swipe Christians in Parliament while she believes, according to The Australian newspaper, that the most important issues are “the state of aged care in ­Australia and financial literacy.” Really? With all the attacks on traditional values, abortion epidemic, rising national debt, war on marriage and the mainstreaming of leftist hatred of Australia, it seems like Senator Gichuhi’s “Christian” concerns are out of touch with reality, out of step with the Bible and out of order for a prosperous society.

It is dangerous to have a “Christianity” that actually is against what Christianity really means. It is often said that in Africa, South America and Asia there are movements advancing in Christianity way beyond our own. That’s unlikely to be correct, but even though Christianity is in serious decline in the West, this can be reversed. The biggest problem that needs to be overcome here is the decline in power and knowledge of Pentecostalism.

Smith Wigglesworth said, “I can see even in this Pentecostal work, except we see there is a real death, God will say to us, ‘Come out.’ Unless Pentecost wakes up to shake herself free from all worldly things and comes into a place of the divine-likeness with God, we will hear the voice of God, ‘Come out’ and He will have something far better than this. I ask every one of you, will you hear the voice of God and come out? You ask, ‘What do you mean?’ Everyone of you knows without exception, there is no word for Pentecost, only being on fire. If you are not on fire, you are not in the place of regeneration. It is only the fire of God that burns up the entanglements of the world.”

True Christianity has a world-reaching standard and call that must set the record straight, even if it contradicts messengers coming from some country which has birdlife in abundance.

(Also, being called the Australian Barack Obama is not an endorsement.)

Sources: https://www.theaustralian.com.au/life/weekend-australian-magazine/lucy-gichuhi-from-a-kenyan-hut-to-australias-senate-chamber/news-story/307aafc71b20732e845b76b4f43ed293
http://victoryfaithcentre.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/Wigglesworth.pdf

Editorial

Geopolitics: Biblical assessment of Russian threat

The Australian news reported a high level assessment that “we do not see Russia … as posing a military threat to Australia.” (Date: 29/1/18).

There are big parts to this here: Russia’s military and Australia’s place. These geopolitical questions must be addressed from a Biblical perspective.

The first issue is about Russia’s rise in the coming years. This is clearly laid out in many Scriptures, such as Ezekiel 38, 39; Daniel 8 and Daniel 11:30-45. From this we would have to conclude that Russia is certainly a military threat.

From our Australian Biblical geopolitical view, we only have to look at the ultimate aim of the Russian power to ascertain Russia’s military threat level: “But tidings out of the east and out of the north shall trouble him: therefore he shall go forth with great fury to destroy, and utterly to make away many.” (Daniel 11:44).

The next step that follows is to see what the Russian threat is actually designed against. This is identified in Daniel 11:31, which lists three things:

1. The sanctuary of strength being polluted.
2. The taking away of the daily sacrifice.
3. Placing an abomination that maketh desolate.

The sanctuary of strength deals with two areas: Christianity and where its “home base” is. This indicates that Christianity in the USA is the target.

10 And it waxed great, even to the host of heaven; and it cast down some of the host and of the stars to the ground, and stamped upon them.
11 Yea, he magnified himself even to the prince of the host, and by him the daily sacrifice was taken away, and the place of his sanctuary was cast down.
12 And an host was given him against the daily sacrifice by reason of transgression, and it cast down the truth to the ground; and it practised, and prospered.
(Daniel 8:10-12).

The “stars” indicate both Christian leaders as well as a symbol for some of the states in the United States.

The daily sacrifice means the practice of Christianity, the use and understanding of Scripture:

4 In God I will praise his word, in God I have put my trust; I will not fear what flesh can do unto me.
5 Every day they wrest my words: all their thoughts are against me for evil.
(Psalm 56:4, 5).

As Christians, we are priests to God, offering up the daily sacrifice: “By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name.” (Hebrews 13:15). Proverbs 30 indicates that the proper name of God is found in the Scripture, yet there is a lot of attack on this by production of new and varying Bibles and alterations to the names of God (e.g. by Hebrew roots).

This then leads to the abomination that maketh desolate. This is the argument that Protestantism is not the inheritor of the Eastern Orthodox truth. The abomination says we must turn aside from the Protestant truth back to Eastern Orthodoxy. In reality, Protestantism is the true child of Eastern Orthodoxy, because (among other things) that is where the Protestant New Testament was taken from.

So we can certainly conclude that Russia would be a military threat to many nations. We can also see an associated ideological and religious conflict against Bible-believing Protestant Christianity (particularly in America) by Russian propaganda.

There is a geopolitical conflict at play. It would be naive and incorrect to deny Russia’s ability and power in this conflict. If anything, this is a time for Australians to turn to Biblical Christianity.

4 He shall not fail nor be discouraged, till he have set judgment in the earth: and the isles shall wait for his law.
12 Let them give glory unto the LORD, and declare his praise in the islands.
13 The LORD shall go forth as a mighty man, he shall stir up jealousy like a man of war: he shall cry, yea, roar; he shall prevail against his enemies.
14 I have long time holden my peace; I have been still, and refrained myself: now will I cry like a travailing woman; I will destroy and devour at once.
21 The LORD is well pleased for his righteousness’ sake; he will magnify the law, and make it honourable.
(Isaiah 42:4, 12-14, 21).

Editorial

The Princes

“Rightwise”, a book by Matthew Verschuur, is available here: http://goo.gl/t2qZc6

This book is about the ideological struggle for the correct form of the right (perhaps it could be termed the ctrl-right as a Christian polemic to the alt-right).

Rightwise describes a conflict between “the wise” and the Eastern Antichrist.

Focus is ultimately put on the struggle between God with His angels and human followers versus the devil and his works.

This manifests very much as a war among the gods, which is to say, both that the angels are deployed and devils at work, and that whatever princes, whether spiritual or human, they fighting along a course which has been determined by God.

In Daniel chapter eight the prophecy describes the rise of Eastern Antichrist. This prophecy has three time periods which it has outworked. First was with Antiochus Epiphanes. Second was with Islam and the Turks. And third is at hand, which is Gog, the Russian leader.

Now, if people are to walk by sight, they would think that all the rise and might of Gog in Daniel eight is a hopeless situation. If you didn’t believe in Bible prophecy, you wouldn’t be sure what was going to happen. That’s like the old fears about Communism, Germany, The Bomb, Y2K or the global warming beat up.

But the way to look at situations is not by looking at what is seen (empiricism), nor what is reasonable (rationalism), but to look spiritually. Start from the Word and let the Spirit guide you.

15 And when the servant of the man of God was risen early, and gone forth, behold, an host compassed the city both with horses and chariots. And his servant said unto him, Alas, my master! how shall we do?
16 And he answered, Fear not: for they that be with us are more than they that be with them.
17 And Elisha prayed, and said, LORD, I pray thee, open his eyes, that he may see. And the LORD opened the eyes of the young man; and he saw: and, behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire round about Elisha.
(2 Kings 6:15–17).

We are to look at things not seen. Yes, there are devils and hordes of evil men. But the greater one is in us, and the fiery hosts of angels with us.

God knows everything and is determining everything. Our battle is spiritual, not merely carnal. You can’t defeat Satan merely with martial arts or gunfire.

So then, the wise know this. We are in a transcendent war where we stand, speaking the words of God and act in the authority of the name of Jesus Christ.

That’s how strange events happen, that’s how mighty armies can be thwarted.

35 ¶ And it came to pass that night, that the angel of the LORD went out, and smote in the camp of the Assyrians an hundred fourscore and five thousand: and when they arose early in the morning, behold, they were all dead corpses.
(2 Kings 19:35).

But you will notice that Hezekiah didn’t just pray, he prepared Jerusalem for the siege. The real battle is about spiritual princes, such as Michael versus the prince Gog (Eastern Antichrist). However, this battle is not based on dualism, because God in control. Also, the battle between angels and devils still requires the movement of men and deployment of arms. But wars are not won by mere forces, they are won because things that happen are happening because they were “set” to happen just as the Bible promised.

General

The antichristian spirit in the East

The Eastern Orthodox Church kept itself much purer than the gradual corruptions and decline of the Western Roman Church in the Middle Ages. From this source, then, the true Protestants were able to draw upon copies of Scripture in Greek which did not suffer from the corruptions that appeared in the Latin.

We may point to some great figures and missionaries in the Eastern Church, some of which are very famous, such as George who slew a dragon (a large reptile, a dinosaur).

One interesting concept in the Orthodox tradition is the role of the Emperor/Tsar, who is both a national and religious leader. This has also been understood by some English-speaking Protestants, though not all.

Now, the question must be raised about whether an antichristian spirit could arise from Eastern Orthodox quarters. After all, the Apostle John, living in the Greek part of the Roman Empire, did warn of the spirit of antichrist.

So then, while we are all acutely aware of Western Antichrists past, present and future, we should also see how it is possible that out of a claimed Byzantine tradition, an antichristian operation can arise.

We are told in the Book of Daniel that one day the Archangel Michael is going to stand up for the godly people. It says, at Daniel 12:1, that there will be a time of trouble.

There has been an attack on the Bible and its promises very much in the West, but should we also expect an attack from an Eastern figure on the promises and certainty of Protestant copies of Scripture that would attempt to contradict Ezekiel 39:8?

“Behold, it is come, and it is done, saith the Lord God; this is the day whereof I have spoken.”

Editorial, Review

ADDRESSING THE CULTURE ISSUES — PART THREE

A certain Pentecostal leader in Victoria, who claims to be an apostle, recently wrote that Australia was largely Christian. He wasn’t speaking by faith, he wasn’t making a declaration … he actually thinks that most citizens are actually Christian.

On the other hand, Greg Sheridan, a conservative journalist, has written, “The Christian churches now need to reconceive of themselves as representing a distinct and not all that big minority (of practising Christians). They should conduct themselves as a self-confident minority, seeking to win conversion through example and persuasion”. Indeed, Mr Sheridan knows that Christianity is near extinct, but instead of actually fighting to win, he thinks it should fight to survive. That’s probably why Mr Sheridan has decided that he would “win” if he joined the side promoting same sex marriage, rather than to come along side with Pastor Margaret Court’s stand against it.

This new conservatism is completely weak and misguided, which is exactly why there is a Right resurgence and reactionary movements like the Alt-Right.

In Part One of this series, we looked at the call for Roman Catholics who not only stand up for good values, but who must come out into proper Protestant Christianity. In Part Two we looked at different approaches by believing Protestants. They have said, “We need a new Reformation.” I remember getting goosebumps when Ken Ham declared that uncompromisingly in Sydney years ago. Pentecostals, Fundamentalists, Presbyterians and any other believer need to stop compromising with the world, we need to seek a mass movement and outpouring of the Spirit on a ground level while also believing for doctrinal unity in the Church and Christian leadership at a top political level.

Jesus has placed ministry offices in the Church, “For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ” (Ephesians 4:12-16).

This requires outpouring of the Spirit, because there is no way that we can get our doctrine right and get into proper unity without Him.

I believe doctrinal unity of the believers is possible. I believe it is promised. I believe that we should let God do the work in us that are able to have it. But barely any Christian seems to believe that. Doctrinal unity is based upon the Word and Spirit, not on a sword or compromise.

As for the outpouring of the Spirit, then all Pentecostals who profess to believe that (many worldly and compromised Pentecostals are ineligible) should see that there is a positive future for believers prior to the return of Christ in the rapture, not one of near defeat.

“Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his lord hath made ruler over his household, to give them meat in due season? Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing.” (Matthew 24:45, 46).

Notice that the promise of this passage is that the Christian is to be in leadership, the Christian is to be able to convert nations and systematically be reaching the normal person.

People have talked about supporting some secular ruler whom they like, whether Trump or Putin or any other hero of the Alt-Right. But if we are to have such heroes, they must be Christian in the true sense, and most importantly, it is foolish to try to get a Christian leader in without having a change in the culture. Constantine was able to come into power as a Christian ruler because there was a strong (albeit persecuted) Christian movement among the normal people.

We have the essence of correct culture being afforded to us, in the remnants of the ideology from Britain and America. Now the Christians in Australia need to assert genuine Christianity and reactivate what now is in pieces into a coherent whole, an Australian Christian culture.

Not yet her day. How long “not yet?”
There comes the flush of violet!
And heavenward faces, all aflame
With sanguine imminence of morn,
Wait but the sun-kiss to proclaim
The Day of the Dominion born.
Prelusive baptism!—ere the natal hour
Named with the name and prophecy of power.
(The Dominion, J. B. Stephens).

SOURCE: http://www.theaustralian.com.au/opinion/columnists/greg-sheridan/christian-churches-drifting-too-far-from-the-marketplace-of-ideas/news-story/e641fab1f62b1a63b08cc1ec75634af5

Editorial, Review

ADDRESSING THE CULTURE ISSUES — PART TWO

All Christians and so-called Christians are well aware of the state of current society. This problem is well known across the board, to conservatives (Catholic and Protestant) and to a variety of more right wing Protestant fundamentalists and so on.

Greg Sheridan, a thoughtful journalist at the left end of the scale of the Christian right has pointed out that, “In these [past] 120 years no victory was ever more than a temporary slowdown in secularism. While there seemed to be many tactical wins, the war was lost.”

That’s pure pessimism. His solution? He writes that Christians should, “reconfigure themselves as a bold, vigorous, self-confidant minority, determined to security their minority rights and to have their say on life and its purpose, come hell or high water.” It sounds good, until the hypocritical reality is revealed that Mr Sheridan went so far away from the traditional Christian view as to support same-sex marriage. It seemed that he was not content to even fight for a losing position with “minority rights”, but has fully pledged himself to the idea that “the war was lost”.

I was at a meeting with Christians in mid-2017 where they claimed that Mr Sheridan was a Christian journalist. Let me say that if this is the state of Christian thought, then Christianity needs a major shakeup.

For years a variety of Fundamentalists, Presbyterians and Pentecostals have been calling for a shakeup. They have prayed for revival and from time to time been involved in various meetings or events designed to promote a reinvigoration in the Church or in an evangelistic sense. It has not seemed to have got far.
These people have pined for the good old days and some future time of glory. Great conversions, they claim, are happening in Asia, Africa and South America … but not here. Now, is that really even true?

If the good old days were so good, they were not good enough to stop the decline we see now. If the far off future is good, then we should see steps toward it now. If all of these things are happening in foreign lands, then where is the evidence?

What is the real nature and calibre of Christianity in China? If there was spiritual revival in Kenya, wouldn’t we actually find missionaries coming forth? How much of what is going on in Argentina is actually for real and not being manufactured?

One missionary I saw online (who is too afraid to identify himself) claimed that he was having great impact with the Copts or whoever else in the Middle East. I don’t doubt there are believers in foreign parts, but I know nothing of any of their success. Surely this is not because of some worldwide media conspiracy.
But what does the Scripture and the Holy Ghost say to and for us today?

“ARISE, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the LORD is risen upon thee. For, behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the people: but the LORD shall arise upon thee, and his glory shall be seen upon thee. And the Gentiles shall come to thy light, and kings to the brightness of thy rising.” (Isaiah 60:1-3).

Continue reading →

Editorial, Review

ADDRESSING THE CULTURE ISSUES — PART ONE

Greg Sheridan, a Roman Catholic journalist who belongs to the political Centre Left (he would probably say “conservative”), has written bemoaning the state of Christianity in Australia.
He writes about the “new religion of aggressive secularism”, the demise of church attendance and the capitulation of Christianity in the face of all social issues.

First we need to identify the Biblical reality. We are told in the Historicist interpretation of Daniel that in these days the transgressors are to come to the full (see Daniel 8:23). We are shown in Revelation chapter 3 that many attending church would be lukewarm.

There are two “Christian” stories about why this is happening. One is the Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox story, which is incorrect. It says that the Protestant Reformation opened up society to eventually have the French Revolution and the demise of it we see today. The other story, which is correct, is that the Enlightenment brought in a new era in prophetic history. The war against religion was first a punishment on Roman Catholicism, and as Roman Catholics have joined up with the French and now EU/UN secular powers, there has been a steady move to the political Left in the West. The full manifestation of the French Revolution finally arrived in Western English-speaking nations in the 1960s.

Interestingly, even though Roman Catholicism, in trying to hold to its traditions and Right-wing views, even linking up with Fascism and Nazism, eventually changed in the 1960s to become the champion of the then USSR, and bringing in tremendous compromises and further errors through the Vatican II Council. The problem is that lots of Protestants, in allowing in the world into their churches, have been aligning some way with Roman Catholicism, particularly with the Left-wing (i.e. Liberal, Modernist) forms of it.

Greg Sheridan says that Australia’s churches are in crisis and need a new approach to relevant to a post-Christian society. Honestly, Mr Sheridan’s suggestion and appeal is completely misguided. A Christian would look to the Bible and to the Spirit of God. We should not react or do things based on anything other than what is truth and spiritual. Of course, if Mr Sheridan meant that Christians should repent and everyone convert to Protestantism, that would be good, but obviously he is not meaning that at all.

Surrender! That’s what Mr Sheridan seems to be advocating. That’s exactly what he has been doing in his active support for same-sex marriage when the remaining faithful resisted it.
“In these [past] 120 years no victory was ever more than a temporary slowdown in secularism. While there seemed to be many tactical wins, the war was lost,” Mr Sheridan wrote. If the war is lost, then all is lost.

“And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.” (Galatians 6:9).

So then the answers are not with the Roman Catholics. The Catholic Left is part of the problem. The conservative Catholics are not able to address the problem. The best Catholics, of the SSPX and traditional variety, while at least taking a stand, are still in a system they need to exit.

“And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues.” (Revelation 18:4).

This Secularism, Modernism and Liberalism is a plague. God calls any of His people among the Roman Catholics to come out.

SOURCE: http://www.theaustralian.com.au/opinion/columnists/greg-sheridan/christian-churches-drifting-too-far-from-the-marketplace-of-ideas/news-story/e641fab1f62b1a63b08cc1ec75634af5

Review

Dugin claims to be Christian

Russian political scientist, Alexandr Dugin, claims to be Christian. He claims to be a restorer of Russian Orthodoxy.

This is an overt rejection of Protestantism, and worse, falsely accuses Protestantism as being the root and creator of modernism and liberalism.

“And arms shall stand on his part, and they shall pollute the sanctuary of strength, and shall take away the daily sacrifice, and they shall place the abomination that maketh desolate.” (Daniel 11:31)

This is the pollution of the sanctuary of strength (i.e. America). Further, the daily sacrifice of Protestant practice, Protestant prayer and most importantly Protestant Bible reading, is being replaced by something else in this philosophy.

The Protestant religion is one which says that everyone, every nation, should become Protestant. The extension of the Kingdom of God in this way is good. Dugin’s beliefs are not in any way representative of true Christianity.