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Appendix A Daniel, A Prophet of Pentecost!
According to Modern prophecy teachers, Daniel chapters 9 and 12 speak of a future great tribulation. In this section we will briefly present this popular view. Afterward, we shall consider the same texts with an interpretation that we reason is more correct. We will show that these verses were fulfilled by Jesus' earthly ministry and through the outpouring of the Holy Ghost. We are not seeking to deny the great apocalyptic chaos of the future. Rather, we simply seek to apply these particular scriptures according to their original intent. The Dispensational -- Futurists View of Daniel 9 + 12 Today's Popular Interpretation of Daniel Chapter Nine Daniel 9 predicted the time of the Messiah's coming and told of his death for sinners. Daniel also foresaw how many years would separate a kings decree to rebuild Solomon's fallen temple and the arrival of Messiah. When Messiah (Jesus) was crucified, Daniel's prophetic clock was paused and a long time gap we now call the age of the Gentiles began. The future Rapture will restart Daniel's prophetic clock and the final seven years (one-week) of Daniel's ancient prophecy. This coming seven years is believed to include the Great Tribulation and physical reign of the Antichrist. ------------------------------------------------ Daniel 9:26 "And after threescore and two weeks shall Messiah be cut off, but not for himself: (The Crucifixion)and the people (The 'People' is understood to be the Roman Army that destroyed Jerusalem in 70 AD.) of the PRINCE that shall come shall destroy the city and the sanctuary; and the end thereof shall be with a flood, and unto the end of the war desolations are determined. ------------------------------------------------ The Prophetic Gap Most current teachers believe that a great prophetic gap occurs in verse 26 at the word PRINCE. The PRINCE is said to be the future Antichrist. However, some assert that all of verse 26 applies to the past destruction of Jerusalem in 70 AD. In their view the prince is the Roman general Titus that lead his armies against Jerusalem. All futurist teachers agree that Daniel's prophetic clock restarts by verse 27. That verse reveals what will transpire during the future Great Tribulation. ------------------------------------------------ Daniel 9:27 And he (Antichrist) shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: (seven years) and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, ( breaking his covenant with Israel) and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate." ------------------------------------------------ Futurist teachers report that the above verse speaks of Antichrist. During the Great Tribulation, Antichrist will make and break a covenant with Israel. He will sit in a rebuilt Jewish Temple and say that he is God. He will stop the reinstated sacrifices of the Jews. Today's Popular Interpretation of Daniel Chapter Twelve ------------------------------------------------ Daniel 12:11 "And from the time that the daily sacrifice shall be taken away, (when future Antichrist stops Jewish sacrifice) and the abomination that maketh desolate set up, (Antichrist will declare himself God) there shall be a thousand two hundred and ninety days.(Antichrist breaks his covenant with Israel, half of the way through the tribulation.) 12. Blessed is he that waiteth, and cometh to the thousand three hundred and five and thirty days." (When Christ appears in the air to set up his earthly Kingdom.) ------------------------------------------------ This text repeats the events revealed in Daniel 9:27 above. The Antichrist will betray the Jews and sit in the Temple while announcing that he is God. This will take place in the middle of the coming 7 year Tribulation. Verse 12 seems to indicate; If you can survive the second half of the Tribulation a wonderful day will follow. A Tarnished Cup The PROTESTANT world was first introduced to the above interpretations by Lacunza the Jesuit (a.k.a. Joseph Ben Ezera converted Jewish Rabbi.) 108 These ideas were unique to the Catholic Church before the Reformation. 109 Lacunza put forward the bulk of these views while trying to undo the prophetic cornerstone of the Reformation. Lacunza disguised the ongoing activity of antichrist by scooting him into the distant future. He also attributed the covenant ministry of Jesus to the future antichrist. His thesis of prophecy was an attempt to deny today's great spiritual conflict and was an attack on the priesthood of the common believer. Lacunza's teaching was an attempt to restore the authority of the Roman Priesthood and Catholic Church. ----------------------------- 108 History of the Christian Church, -- Schaff, Vol. 1, page 838. 109 Acts and Monuments, --Fox, Volume 5, pp. 131-196 In 1391 Walter Brute argues against many points of Prophetic Futurism as taught by the Roman Church. _______________________ The Worst Trade Ever Pentecost for Antichrist? Daniel, Chapters Nine and Twelve are some of the least understood and therefore, most difficult prophecies in the Bible. Are these chapters speaking of past or future events? People living in the final Tribulation will certainly experience apocalyptic chaos preceding Christ's appearing but that final period of wrath should not be attached to Daniel 9 and 12. There are far richer truths contained in Daniel's prophecy! In the remainder of this chapter we shall explore how these prophecies foresee the hope of the ages and the desire of the nations! These Prophecies will be shown to contain: 1. The Well Spring of our salvation that flowed from the Cross. 2. The connection between Jesus' atonement and the Temple's destruction. 3. The coming of the Holy Ghost as the prophesied blessedness of Chapter 12. The PROTESTANT Explanation of Daniel 9 + 12 Daniel 9 and 12, contain a wonderful surprise! Both texts tell of common events. Understanding this truth restores simplicity and logic to the wording of the verses. Seventy Weeks to Salvation, A Desolate Mountain ------------------------------------------------ Dan 9:24-27 24 Seventy weeks are determined upon thy people and upon thy holy city, to finish the transgression, and to make an end of sins, and to make reconciliation for iniquity, and to bring in everlasting righteousness, and to seal up the vision and prophecy, and to anoint the most Holy. ------------------------------------------------ This prophecy reveals: 1. Jesus' work of Salvation: a. On the Cross, shedding his Blood b. Before the Father, presenting His Blood c. With his Disciples, confirming His Blood 2. The anointing of the Holy Ghost is placed: a. Upon Jesus at his Baptism b. Upon his Church at Pentecost110 ----------------------------------- 110 Might the most Holy be both Jesus and his Church? Yes, this may be correct because we are made one in Christ and are entered into his holiness! Jesus becomes our Holiness. 2 Corinthians 5:21 "For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him." John 17:21 "That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me." 1 Peter 2:5 "Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood. . ." 2 Timothy 1:9 "Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling. . . which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began," 1 Corinthians 3:17 ". . . temple of God is holy, which temple ye are." Romans 12:1 "I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, . . ." Romans 11:16 "For if the firstfruit be holy, the lump is also holy: and if the root be holy, so are the branches." ________________________________ The Coming of Messiah Foretold There were 483 years, (69 weeks of years) between the decree to rebuild Jerusalem, and the beginning of Jesus' ministry. When the 69th week was over Jesus began his great week of covenant ministry. There are several prophecies in Scripture that employ this "day--year" principal of interpretation. The command to restore Jerusalem is found in Nehemiah 2:1-6, when Artexerxes I ordered the rebuilding of Jerusalem. Four hundred and eighty three years later Jesus began his prophesied ministry. However, because of wars and changing kingdoms, some conflicts exist in old calendars. Because of these differences, my messianic calculations can either match perfectly or miss by four years. No matter which dates are accepted, it is easy to see that Jesus was the prophesied Messiah. We are shortening our consideration of these years because many others have already written on this lengthy subject. Conversely, the remainder of this prophecy, which is less understood, is our target. Messiah Cut Off -- The Temple Destroyed ------------------------------------------------ When Messiah comes two things shall transpire: 1. Messiah will be cut off for the sins of others. The precise time of Jesus' death is only roughly placed in this particular verse. The following verses are more descriptive of the timing. 2. The prince shall destroy the sanctuary. Jerusalem and the Temple were destroyed by the Roman Army in 70 AD. This destruction arrived in response to Jewish apostasy and Christ's atonement. The two events became an inevitable action and reaction! (Luke 13:35, Hebrews 8:13) God allowed the destruction because the Temple of Jerusalem ceased to exist as the door to God, when Jesus died on the Cross. His sacrifice forever invalidated Temple worship. The Temple's physical and spiritual overthrow will be retold in, Daniel 12:11. Fulfilling God's Covenant to Israel ------------------------------------------------ Seven Years of Ministry to Israel A full seven years were allotted to confirm God's covenant with Israel and to fulfill God's promise to them. 111 The first three and one half years were accomplished through Jesus' physical ministry including His Sacrifice. The last three and one half years were fulfilled by His anointed Christ filled disciples. They completed Jesus' week by offering fleshly Israel full salvation and God's law upon the heart, which was the great promise of the prophets. The period that the disciples ministered should not be viewed as a make do or inferior substitution. The disciple's ministry was foretold in the Old Covenant. 112 First, the head, Jesus died for sinners, then the anointed body of Christ offered the risen Messiah to lost Israel! At the end of the messianic week God opened the door of salvation to the Gentiles as the apostle Paul received his commission. ---------------------------- 111 Confirming God's Covenant With Many a. Jesus, God's Covenant Promise Mark 16:20 And they went forth, and preached every where, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following. Matthew 10:6 But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel." Matthew 15:24 "But he answered and said, I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel. Romans 15:8 Now I say that Jesus Christ was a minister of the circumcision for the truth of God, to confirm the promises made unto the fathers: b. Many Received the Promise! Acts 5:14 And believers were the more added to the Lord, multitudes both of men and women." Acts 13:45 "But when the Jews saw the multitudes, they were filled with envy, Acts 6:7-8 And the word of God increased; and the number of the disciples multiplied in Jerusalem greatly; and a great company of the priests were obedient to the faith. 112 An Old Promise Fulfilled Through the Disciples Exodus 19:6 And ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation. These are the words that thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel. Acts 13:32-33 And we declare unto you glad tidings, how that the promise which was made unto the fathers, 33 God hath fulfilled the same unto us their children, in that he hath raised up Jesus again... _______________________ By the end of these seven years or Messianic week many Jews had rejected God's Law, promise, Covenant, Messiah, Sacrifice, and very God in the flesh. These had crucified the Lord of glory and refused the undeniable sign of his resurrection and its proof through innumerable miracles. Although, a great multitude of Jews and priests believed, many refused Christ and were consequently separated from God. God had no more to offer those which rejected the hope of Abraham. Those poor souls are forever lost! Because of unbelief, the Covenant was "taken from you, and given to a nation bringing forth the fruits thereof." (Matthew 21:43) Yes, God opened his covenant to the Gentiles and invited them to unite with the remnant of faithful Israel. Jews were never arbitrarily excluded from salvation. The only change that occurred was the inclusion of outsiders called Gentiles. Everyone was invited to the feast! "Go ye therefore into the highways, and as many as ye shall find, bid to the marriage." Matthew 22:2-9 God called Paul as the "point man" of God's prophesied inclusion of the Gentiles. This new direction signaled the end of Israel's monopoly on righteousness. A new eternal Israel was established "after the order of Melchizedek" and Jesus. Most of new Israel lacked an earthly pedigree of race but all possessed the blood of Jesus and eternal faith. In Heaven nothing else will count! The Church is not just a symbolic or spiritual Israel but the eternal prophesied Israel. This Israel of faith was foreseen from the beginning. God saw Eternal Israel, Jews and Gentiles as one nation born of the Holy Ghost. Paul indicated that until non-Christian Jews receive Christ, they are no longer God's true Israel. The unjust Crucifixion did not create this breach. Jews and Gentiles both took part in Christ's death. Each individual's response to Jesus, places them in or out of the Israel of God. God never lost his true Israel, he simply invited the outsiders to join his growing family.113 Paul continued to carry a great burden the Jews that were still lost. ---------------------------- 113 Joining the Family of God Ephesians 3:6 "That the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel:" Romans 2:29 "But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God." ______________________ Overspreading of Abominations He Shall Make it Desolate Verse Twenty-Seven makes the connection between Jesus' death, the invalidation of sacrifice, and the physical destruction of the Temple. First, the Temple was rendered ineffective, because, Jesus paid the full price for sin. Next, the Temple was physically destroyed and replaced with stinking idolatry. Would all-powerful God allow his house to lie desolate for 2000 years? No, God's true eternal house is now in the making and we are the living stones in that eternal temple. A physical or stone temple would now constitute an idolatrous abomination in the sight of God. Reviewing the Prophecy: Daniel 9 contains the prophecy of the Seventy Weeks. The final result of these seventy weeks was the coming of righteousness and the sealing up (fulfilling or finishing) of the vision. 1. A heathen King declared the rebuilding of Jerusalem. 2. After 69 weeks of years, Messiah began his ministry. 3. Messiah's was to confirm his covenant with Israel for one week. 114 4. In the midst of that week Messiah was cut off. (Jesus was crucified) Therefore, the animal sacrifices of the temple were invalidated before God and only an empty shell remained. 5. The final 3 1/2 years of covenant ministry were carried out by the "Jesus filled" disciples. After the apostate Jews rejected the clear signs confirming Christ's covenant. 115 The Gentiles were invited to the wedding feast, which marked the finish of Old Covenant ministry as foreseen by Daniel! 6. Jesus' death on the cross was linked with an inseparable consequence. This was the destruction and desecration of the physical Temple. (The Abomination Desolation) God took up his residence in humanity and tore the Temple's veil on the way out. 116 7. An Abomination was set up upon the Mountain of God. Idols replaced the old Temple of God. The Jews became displaced vagabonds, as they were cast out of the "Good man's Vineyard." The Temple's holy mountain became the seat of foreseen monstrosities. Nonetheless, God's mercy forever remains available to the wondering Jews. --------------------------------- 114 God's covenant with Israel was totally fulfilled in Jesus Christ. This was accomplished though seven years of ministry. Jesus fulfilled half of the time in the flesh and half through his royal priesthood of disciples. "But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood." (1 Peter 2:9) Yes, Jesus fully ministered through his disciples. (John 14:18) "I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you." At the end of the seven years Jesus went to the Gentiles because, he died for the Jews and for the whole world! 115 Many Jews came in during this time of confirmation. At the end of this period, God broke with tradition and called regular ministry to the Gentiles. "And last of all he was seen of me also, as of one born out of due time." (1 Corinthians 15:8) All nations were then invited to the table of God. Paul's ministry introduced Christ apart from the practice of Mosaic Law. The Jews were not turned out for being Jewish; they were cut off for their unbelief. The Jewish rulers were so hardened they paid off the Roman guards to lie about what they had seen. (Matthew 28:11-15) 116 (Matthew 21:42-44) "Jesus saith unto them, did ye never read in the scriptures, The stone which the builders rejected, (Jesus) the same is become the head of the corner: this is the Lord's doing, and it is marvelous in our eyes? 43 Therefore, say I unto you, The kingdom of God shall be taken from you, and given to a nation bringing forth the fruits thereof. (The Destruction of the Temple) 44 And whosoever shall fall on this stone shall be broken: but on whomsoever it shall fall, it will grind him to powder." __________________________________ 8. CONTINUING ABOMINATIONS ON ZION: a. The Jews continued to offer invalid sacrifices, slapping the face of their God by rejecting his true Sacrifice and their Messiah. b. Heathen Rome {the Dragon} built a temple of idols upon Zion when the Jews were removed. c. Next this Dragon of Rome passed its power to the Beast, {Apostate Christian Rome} who placed idol filled churches there. One of these still stands today but has been taken over by the Muslims. d. Muslims are a misbegotten child of Rome and maintain Geographic Zion as an empty shell of desolation. 117 You will be restrained if you attempt to pray on Zion. Muslims embody the antichrist spirit of old Rome by refusing the Son of God and his Word. ------------------------------- 117 The Prophet, by Chick Publications describes the Roman Catholic debacle that inadvertently spawned the Islamic Religion. The evidence of secular history seems to lay credence to Chick's allegation. Mohammed was reportedly groomed and financed by Rome but in the end deserted Catholicism and followed his own inner revelation. ____________________________ At last, the only way of salvation is to totally forsake that accursed mountain and City, "which spiritually is called Sodom and Egypt, where also our Lord was crucified." (Rev. 11:8) Run to the Rock of salvation, Jesus Christ and the city of our God the New Jerusalem! The curse upon Zion will not be lifted until Messiah physically returns to the earth in judgment.
Blessing out of Desolation Pentecost or Antichrist? While keeping Daniel Chapter nine in mind, consider Daniel Twelve. This prophecy contains a forgotten store of truth. __________________________ __________________________ Outlining Daniel 12:11-12 Part A __________________ __________________________________
Part A --------------------------------- Here is the end of the Old Testament sacrificial system. This elimination was a direct consequence of Jesus' death on the Cross, as he became God's perfect Lamb and final sacrifice. Thus, Jesus warned the Jews, "Behold, your house is left unto you desolate." (Matthew 23:38) Consequently, we have become God's Temple and forever offer daily sacrifices of praise unto God! The Law established the daily sacrifice for all time.118 Since sacrificial worship was so highly valued, prophecy forewarned of each lapse. 1. The seventy years of Babylonian captivity were prophesied and fulfilled. 2. Daniel 8 told of the removal of the Sacrifice by the Greeks. 119 3. Daniel 12 predicted the final removal of Temple Sacrifice. The end of Temple worship was first indicated in Daniel 9:27, "...the sacrifice and the oblation to cease." Jesus further defined the Temples destruction in Matthew 24. --------------------------- 118 2 Chronicles 2:4 Behold, I build an house to the name of the LORD my God, to dedicate it to him, and to burn before him sweet incense, and for the continual showbread, and for the burnt offerings morning and evening, on the Sabbaths, and on the new moons, and on the solemn feasts of the LORD our God. This is an ordinance forever to Israel. Exodus 29:38-42 Now this is that which thou shalt offer upon the altar; two lambs of the first year day by day continually. (Evening and morning sacrifices) 119 Advanced study hint - (This Inter-testamental period is difficult to trace because of obscured dates. If you look into Daniel 8, notice that the English word for day, (Dan. 8:14) is literally "evenings and mornings" in Hebrew. Daniel 8:26 uses the same words of "evening and morning" and is translated as such. Thus, the count of 2300 days must be divided in half to reflect that only 1150 days were needed to miss 2300 evening and morning sacrifices. This will be a great help in figuring how long the altar was defiled under Antiochus Epiphanes. Don't miss this key point! __________________
A Hebrew Word Study An Interesting Possibility A slightly altered rendering of verse eleven may be justified. The exact Hebrew words used in that verse are translated one way in some texts and a second way in others. Because both of these variations are consistent with good translation we should not be afraid to interchange each English variation when the ORIGINAL LANGUAGE is the same in both places! The prepositional phrase at the beginning of Daniel 12:11, "And from the time that" might also be read as, "And from time." Thus, "And from time the daily sacrifice shall be taken away," This alternate reading gives rise to the though of the symbolic sacrifice being removed forever. The removal of God's daily sacrifice would be an unthinkable interpretation for any Jewish Scribe, but this is the truth of what happened through the Cross! The Daily Sacrifice was no more, because, God's PERFECT SACRIFICE was offered. "Then said he, Lo, I come to do thy will, O God. He taketh away the first, that he may establish the second." Hebrews 10:9 Which reading is correct, "and from the time" OR "and from time"? The Precedence For Our Alternate Reading of, "And from the..." to "And from..." is found in: Isaiah 11:11 "and from Elam," Exodus 8:8 "and from my people." These verses contain the exact Hebrew words that are translated as "And from the..." in Daniel 12:11. Could it be correct to translate Dan. 12:11 with the same wording as was used in the above texts? We believe it is correct. If we made this change Daniel would read; Daniel 12:11 "And from time the daily sacrifice shall be taken away." Both English renderings of the same Hebrew word can be found throughout the Old Testament. Therefore the doctrinal understanding of the translator might certainly affect which reading might be chosen. Time and Sacrifice without End? Our use of the word time as a direct object would appear to gain its precedence from Ecclasiastes. ("A time to laugh," etc. etc. etc.) Both Daniel and Ecclasiastes use identical Hebrew words for time in their texts. Therefore, time might also be an object in Daniel's verse eleven. Through this usage the daily sacrifice would be removed forever! Both a laughing time and a sacrificing time come to an end! (Hebrews 9:12-15) The italicized word "that" which appears following "time" is an added word for ease of reading in English. Therefore, it can be dropped without great consideration. Part B ------------------------------------------------ Desolation refers to the tearing down of God's Temple. Abomination speaks of a stinking idolatry that was set in its place. We know that Adam died in spirit on the same day that he sinned, however, his physical death arrived much later. Likewise, the Temple completely lost its spiritual power when Messiah was crucified. The Temple's spiritual nullification was reflected by its destruction in 70 AD. God has continued to demonstrate the uselessness of the Temple by allowing gross idolatry to inhabit that location. Other than Christ there is no sacrifice for sin! One of the great prophecies that Jesus gave to his disciples was of the coming destruction of God's Temple.(Matthew 24) Following the Cross the Temple was rendered ineffective before God. Christians went about preaching this truth while predicting the Temple's physical ruin. They revealed that subsequent to the Cross, Salvation was only available though Jesus Christ. Hebrews 8:13 In that he saith, A new covenant, he hath made the first old. Now that which decayeth and waxeth old is ready to vanish away." Hebrews 9:26 For then must he often have suffered since the foundation of the world: but now once in the end of the world hath he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself." Part C ------------------------------------------------ How long was Jesus' fleshly ministry before his death? l. Daniel 9:26 said Messiah would be cut off at some point after the 69th week. Jesus did appear at the close of the 69th week and was later Crucified. This verse was speaking in generalities compared to the next verse. 2. Daniel 9:27 better defined the length of Messiah's physical ministry as ending in the midst of the messianic week. Conforming to that prophecy, Jesus went to the Cross after three and one half years of preaching. Most Bible historians agree with this figure. 3. Daniel 12 went the farthest in defining the exact length of Jesus' earthly ministry. Here, 1290 days were assigned to the physical ministry of Jesus, which was linked to an additional 45 day period. Anyone arriving at the 45th day would become a witness to a special day of blessing. This was the arrival of the blessedness or the promised Holy Ghost!
------------------------------------------------ This obscure verse stands among others as a
prince of promise. The outpouring of the Holy Ghost is the prophesied
"blessedness." As the disciples returned to Jerusalem, they were about
to receive an unimagined glory. This "blessing" or joy has become the
undoing of Satan's grip on mankind. Through God's Pentecostal power the
Gospel is filling the earth!
Appendix B The Miracle of Holiness "Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:" (Hebrews 12:14) "And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God." (1 Corinthians 6:11) The Rock of Apostasy -- "Office above Actions" Could God's chosen people ever fall? Would God ever destroy his heritage? Does God always cover the sins of his elect? Getting these questions wrong has provided Hell with many a smoking morsel. Through out the Old Testament the people of Israel wrongly mused that God would excuse their sin because they were God's chosen people. God's longsuffering and tender mercies were misunderstood and in the end were not enough to turn back judgment. When Israel's Messiah appeared the religious system was again far from God. The ministers of God elevated their "office above actions." Jesus exposed them when he said, "A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit." (Matthew 7:18) The early Church's success did not mark the end of spiritual conflict. Although Hell would not prevail a mighty battle continued to rage. Powerful men wrongly molded the visible Christian Church into a corrupt establishment. History repeatedly documents how that the Caesar Constantine's state sponsored church progressively mutated and revived many elements of the old Greco-Roman Mystery religion of Babylon. (I.e. idolatry121) Constantine's church asserted that the pope and his priests exclusively possessed the power to forgive sins. Their power was often used while engaging in corruption, murder, and vice.122 Just like the false leaders in Jesus' day, the new church leaders exalted their "office above actions," ------------------------------- 121 Variations of Popery, --Samuel Edgar, D.D., M.E. Church South 1873, pg. 147 History of the Christian Church, -- Schaff, V. I., p. 85, Popery the Foe of the Church and of the Republic, -- J.S. VanDyke, Peoples Publishing Co., 1872, pg. 40, The Two Babylons, -- Rev. Alexander Hislop, Loizeaux Brothers, Neptune NJ. 122 The Bad Popes by E.R. Chamberlin, The Dial Press Inc., Library of Congress Catalog: 78-83475 ____________________________ Reformation Theology Although the organized church of the dark ages neglected holy living and Scripture, God always sustained a remnant of faithful children. While reading the Bible the reformers embraced God's message of holiness. They understood that our living must conform to the standards of Christ and that being a Christian did not license free wheeling sin. The reformers grasped both the love and the fear of God. One truth that the Reformers often preached was justification though faith alone. The word "alone" emphasized that salvation did not come through a priest or any earthly church. However, modern Reformed theologians have redefined "alone" to mean, "The way that we live does not reflect or affect our standing with God." Wrong! Their assertion is not Reformed Theology but a Modernistic New-ology. The early Reformers all believed that we must confirm our faith through holy living. Luther was shocked when he saw how that people misused their freedom from Rome to purse the sins of the flesh. He said that these people would be better off under the bondage of Catholicism. Wycliffe and Tyndale both promoted holy living and noted that with out holy living our profession of faith was a sham. Modernists have distorted Calvin's message to excuse sinful living. Free grace teachers have ignored history to cover their personal exodus from God's righteousness. These pretenders believe that their position as God's elect will excuse their sin. They are building upon the old bogus teaching of "office above actions." Today, some are saying that a call to holy living is a call back to Rome. These should be more honest about history and study the Scriptures as their Reformed fathers did and return to God's Holiness! The Holiness Movement When the Reformed churches grew cold and abandoned the message of holiness, God looked for a new obedient generation. Since the name Reformed was already in use the more specific title of Holiness was embraced. No matter what the name, their Bible reading, prayer, charity, and a constant flight from sin always mark God's children. Many link the Holiness movement back to the preaching of the Wesleys. In spite of their assertions the Wesleys did not truly initiate but only revived the Holiness message! In Wesley's day the established Protestant church had become formal and cold. Therefore, God found a fresh willing heart to obey and spread his Word. God has always maintained a faithful remnant. Their ecclesiastical names have changed but their living remains constant. Christ always leads his flock into holiness. Scripture and the Holy Ghost always inspire holiness in the people of God. Holy, Holy, Holy The ageless Gospel of Christ cannot be lived without the Holy Ghost. Christ's Spirit works with the Scripture to empower holy living. By way of God's Spirit and his Word the lowest of sinners rise to righteous living. The appearance of this new life is malicious evidence of God's closeness. Holy living is one of the great signs that follow those that believe. Only the heart that loves sin denies these truths. History has confirmed that church denominations with wonderful beginnings often lose their way. When circumstance become comfortable they tend to forget God and empower organization. Satan ultimately uses the organizations of men to fight God's message of Holiness. When the enemy is successful, God always calls a new generation of obedient people. Therefore, both the Holiness and Pentecostal movements may one-day fade in faith. When this occurs God will surly call another generation of faith. These new people shall be identified through their holy living and love of the Scriptures. The Spirit of holiness will rest upon them and the miraculous power of God will work in their lives. Always look for these beautiful marks upon the true people of God. |