Showing posts with label Israel. Show all posts

DID JESUS HAVE A BEGINNING? (RePost)  

Posted by Seeker Of Truth in , , , , , , , , ,

I am reposting this article. However, it differs from the original in that there are a few alterations and additions. I will follow up with a related article on July 7TH.

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It is my hope that those who believe that, or are not yet sure if, Ron Weinland is a prophet or that what he teaches is truth will do as the Bereans did, to check the scriptures to see if what he says is true. My hope also, is that you will follow my suggestions in the box below.

I strongly suggest the use of an Interlinear (original language the scriptures were written in), and a Strong’s Dictionary for word definitions. Without one, Bible study is greatly diminished. You can get them for New and Old Testament, although Old Testament is difficult to find and costly. A New/Old Testament set costs approximately seventy some dollars.

For those who may not be familiar: (G2064) (H3068) This is a reference to the Greek (G) or Hebrew (H) word in the interlinear and the Strongs number assigned to it for easier locating in the Strongs Dictionary for the definition of the Greek or Hebrew word.

I recommend you not only look at the scriptures listed here, but research the subject thoroughly by finding a lot more scriptures on your own. It's not a good idea to limit yourself to the verses given you by the person presenting you their beliefs.

Below, my comments, that are mixed in with verses, are bracketed: [...].


First, Ron claims that Jesus is not Yahweh and also that those who teach this are mistaken. I have scripture that says otherwise. Why does it matter? Because he uses this lie to assist in the denial of Christ having always existed.

I will open with,

2Jn. 7 Many deceivers, who do not acknowledge Jesus Christ as coming (G2064 having come) in the flesh, have gone out into the world. Any such person is the deceiver and the antichrist. V.8 Watch out that you do not lose what you have worked for, but that you may be rewarded fully. V.10 If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not take him into your house or welcome him. V.11 Anyone who welcomes him shares in his wicked work.

Ron dismisses the truth of:

Jn.4:2 This is how you can recognize the Spirit of god; Every spirit (G4151 The rational soul) that acknowledges that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God.

He says this scripture is NOT about a self existent eternal Jesus coming to earth in the form of a flesh body, rather about Jesus dwelling in our flesh. This is a lie! When scripture speaks of the Holy Spirit dwelling in us, it is quite clear, and this scripture is not one of them! Ron claims people just don't understand the bible, then proceeds to explain what the scripture 'REALLY' means! I'll make an entry later, that covers the topic of whether or not we must be taught by others (clergy), as opposed to the Holy Spirit.

Why say he came in FLESH if he had a beginning? It would be stating the obvious. Anyone born, is of the FLESH. However, if God had been made flesh, it then makes sense to state it. Moreover, why would scripture mention anyone denying Jesus’ Spirit dwelling in us? Are there any scriptures you have seen that talk about people that don’t acknowledge Jesus’ Spirit dwelling in us? I haven’t seen any. When the Bible talks about the Holy Spirit dwelling in us, it is quite evident!

I won’t take the stance that he has: 2008—God’s Final Witness, Page51,

'I am simply to state the truth as it is. I do not have to spend endless hours defending it, debating it or expounding upon it. The truth is simply the truth…' (Bold his).

Rather, my stance is 1Pe.3:15….”Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect.”

This is my aim here. To offer the proofs of my belief statements.

When I first began listening to Ron and heard his questionable teachings, I spent ten months searching scriptures to see if what he said in his sermons and books were true. I found many of his teachings to contradict the Bible!


Jesus, also, is called Yahweh

If you have an interlinear you will see that Jer. 23:5-6 Is talking about Jesus and that in v.6 it says the name he will be called by is the LORD our Righteousness.
Two things; * Ron explains: that LORD, all caps, in the bible, is the word
Yahweh (H3068 Eternal, Self-Existent) which is true - see your interlinear,
* and that only the Father is called Yahweh and that Jesus is not. However, this verse says otherwise. Verse 5 and 6 are talking of the coming of Jesus in the flesh. It says in v.6 he will be called Yahweh.

5 "The days are coming," declares the LORD,
"when I will raise up to David a righteous Branch,
a King who will reign wisely
and do what is just and right in the land.

6 In his days Judah will be saved
and Israel will live in safety.
This is the name by which he will be called:
The LORD Our Righteousness.


Zec.2:8 For this is what the LORD (G3068 Yahweh-Eternal; self-existent) says: After he has honored me and has sent me against the nations… [The Father sends the Son, the Son doesn’t send the Father. These two verses make it quite clear that they are both called Yahweh.]

8 For this is what the LORD Almighty says: "After he has honored me and has sent me against the nations that have plundered you—for whoever touches you touches the apple of his eye-
9
I will surely raise my hand against them so that their slaves will plunder them. Then you will know that the LORD Almighty has sent me.

God made flesh

Now, we see in 1Tim. 3:16 [if you have an interlinear you will not be held back in your studies, and you will see this verse says,] God was manifested in flesh. [If you have a concordance, you may be able to find these translations in the back of it. The Strong's number for the words are as
follows]: v.16 He [actual Greek word translates;
God (G2316)], appeared [translates; Manifested (G5319)] in a body [translates; flesh (G4561).]

If you don't have an interlinear but have a concordance that provides the Strong's Numbers, you can use it to find the original word and definitions in the back. However I prefer a Greek, Hebrew dictionary.

Php. 2:5-8 {Need interlinear to translate properly} says; v.6 Who, subsisting (G5225) in form of (G3444) God, did not consider equality with God to be plunder (G725) [i.e., something he should grasp and not let loose of], v.7 but emptied (G2758) himself [became flesh, no longer spirit], taking the very nature of a servant [did not come to be served but to serve] being made in human likeness. V.8 And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death [if you are flesh you die, that’s obedience to death]– even death on the cross.

If he was created, had a beginning, why say he was made in human likeness? Anyone born is in human likeness. If he was created, what did he empty himself of? If he was created, why say he was found in appearance as a man? What other appearance is there for a human? If he was created, what did he humbled himself of? If he was created, how did he become obedient to death? Are not ALL HUMANS obedient to death? Is there anyone who can defy death?


Obviously, we are all familiar with;

Jn. 1:4 the word became flesh. And,
Rev. 19:13 his name is the word of God.

So, do we ignore these scriptures and believe when Ron says the 'word' was the Father's spoken word and NOT a being who became flesh?

2 Cor. 8:9 talks about him giving up his spirit body for a flesh one, it says; Jesus was rich
[spirit/eternal], yet for your sakes he became poor [flesh], so that you through his poverty [flesh body] might become rich [gain eternal life through his sacrifice].


1 Jn. 4:2 Jesus has come, (G2064
having come) in the flesh... Ron says this is talking about Jesus dwelling in us! Absolutely false. When the Bible talks about the Father or Jesus dwelling in us, it is quite obvious. This is not about that, but about Jesus having come in a flesh body; giving up his richness (spirit body) to be poor (flesh body) for our salvation.
What love, for our God to give up His glorious spirit body and take on the form of a flesh body, a body that does what our lowly human bodies do, sweat, go to the bathroom etc., Like any great leader, He left His 'desk' to be in the 'trenches' with His 'men',
and in that human form He felt the pain of physical torture to the death, to save a bunch of unworthy humans! Truly, there is no greater love!
He gave up his spirit body and became flesh, relying on the Father to raise his flesh body from death and return him to the Glory he had before!

1Cor.15:47-49 says Adam was of the dust of the earth [flesh], Jesus the Lord (G2962 Kurios) out of heaven [spirit]. As was the earthly [flesh] man (Adam), so are those who are of the earth ; and as is the man from heaven, [spirit], so are those who are of heaven. And just as we have borne the likeness of the earthly [flesh] man (Adam), so shall we bear the likeness of the man from heaven [spirit].

Jn. 6:38-42 Note: v.38 For I have come down from heaven. V.41 The Jews began to grumble about him because he said, “ I am the bread that came down from heaven.” V.42 They said, “Isn’t this Jesus, the son of Joseph, whose father and mother we know? How can he say ‘I came down from heaven’?” [What were they upset about? That God caused a virgin to birth him or that he claims to have come from heaven?]

Jn.6:62 What if you see the son of man ascend to where he was before?

Ep.4:9 What does “ascended” mean, except that he also descended


All things made by him

Col. 1:16-18 is talking about Jesus and says; for by him all things were created. And also the following scripture;

Jn. 1:10…the world was made through him…[How can something be created though him if he hadn’t been born yet because he had a beginning? Are we going to call this a metaphor or say 'it is BEING created through him everyday'? The bible CLEARLY is not saying that. We know it is speaking of THE creation.]


Preexistence

Jesus and John say:

Jn. 1:15 [Jesus was before John the Baptist (who was born six months before Jesus)].

15John testifies concerning him. He cries out, saying, "This was he of whom I said, 'He who comes after me has surpassed me because he was before me.'

Jn.6:62 What if you see the son of man ascend to where he was before?

Jn.8:56-59 Note v.58 Jesus answered; before Abraham was born, I AM! [(I AM = God), he was God before Abraham was born, not became God after Abraham was born!] (Note:
Ex.3:14 This is what you are to say to the Israelites: ‘I AM has sent me to you.”)

V.59 [They picked up stones to stone him for this statement! Why?! Because he was claiming to ‘HAVE BEEN before Abraham’, i.e. God with no beginning!]

57 "You are not yet fifty years old," the Jews said to him, "and you have seen Abraham!" 58 "I tell you the truth," Jesus answered, "before Abraham was born, I am!" 59 At this, they picked up stones to stone him...

Jn.16:27-31 …the Father himself loves you because you have loved me and have believed that I came from God. V.28 I came from the Father and entered the world; now I am leaving the world and going back to the Father. V.29 Then Jesus’ disciples said, “Now you are speaking clearly and without figures of speech. V.30 Now we can see that you know all things and that you do not even need to have anyone ask you questions. This makes us believe that you came from God.” V.31 “You believe at last!” Jesus answered.

____________________________________________


I am going to break this down:

v.28 I came (G1831 exerchoma- come forth, come out, depart out of) from (G3844 para- near, from beside, at/in the vicinity of) the Father (G3962 Pater- father) and entered (G1659 eleutho- liberate / G2064 eltho- to come, to go) the world (G2889 kosmos- world); now (G3825 palin- once more, again) I am leaving (G863 aphiemi- send, send forth), the world and going (G4198 poreuomai- traverse, travel, remove) back to (G4314 pros- forward, toward – the side of, near to, the related destination) the Father.”


Therefore, it says:

‘I left the Fathers side, liberated to come into the world. Again, I leave the world and, travel to the Fathers side.

Jn. 17:5 And now, Father, glorify me in your presence with the glory I had with you before the world began.


Heb 1:2 but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom he made the universe. [Again, how can the Father create a universe through an unborn son that doesn't exist yet?
And a quick note for those who may ask 'how can He inherit what is already his?' What makes you think he already owned it? Does your child own now, the family Bible you intend to pass onto them one day? No, it still belongs to you.

Note:

Jeremiah 10:16 He who is the Portion of Jacob is not like these,
for he is the Maker of all things,
including Israel, the tribe of his inheritance—
the LORD Almighty is his name.

[Israel is Yahweh's inheritance. This argues a couple of things;

1) the 'how can He inherit what He already owns?' question, is not a good argument to try to prove Jesus had a beginning, because this scripture says Yahweh inherits. Meaning; if only the Father is Yahweh, then the Father inherits...so this question, in regards to Jesus, doesn't hold water.

2)Who is the Portion of Jacob? Jesus is, and the One who is the Portion of Jacob is the Maker of all things, and His name is Yahweh. Meaning; Jesus is the Maker of all things and, Jesus is Yahweh also, not just the Father. Following, are a couple more;]

Zechariah 2:12 The LORD [Yahweh] will inherit Judah as his portion in the holy land and will again choose Jerusalem.

Psalm 33:12 Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD, the people he chose for his inheritance.]

Heb. 1:10 [Now, go over this chapter carefully] v.8 But about the Son he says...V.10 He also says, in the beginning O Lord, you laid the foundations of the earth, and the heavens are the work of your hands.

Ron explains this away, saying that v.10 is about the Father creating. If that were true, this sentence would read something like this: The Father also says, "In the beginning O Me the Father laid the foundations… [The Father is not talking to himself, he’s talking to Jesus.]

Jg.6:11-14 [We know that LORD is Yahweh, and we see here that the angel of the LORD visits Gideon, and we see in v.11 that this messenger is Yahweh. So this ‘angel of the LORD is God and if only the Father existed at that time, as Ron says, then these verses are calling the Father, the Messenger (angel means messenger) of himself. Did the Father send himself to give a message to Gideon? No, he sent Jesus.]

1co.10:4 …drank from the spiritual rock that accompanied them and that rock was Christ.

1 For I do not want you to be ignorant of the fact, brothers, that our forefathers were all under the cloud and that they all passed through the sea. 2 They were all baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea. 3 They all ate the same spiritual food 4 and drank the same spiritual drink; for they drank from the spiritual rock that accompanied them, and that rock was Christ.
[This statement; ' accompanied them' is information Paul got from
Ex. 13:21! (below), note the next three scriptures.]

Ex.3:8 (v.3-8) So I have come down to rescue them from the hand of the Egyptians and to bring them up out of that land….[Who came down to rescue them? Who accompanied them? Jesus, the Christ, as we see in the above scripture. Who was in the burning bush then? Well, I'd say Jesus, the Christ.]

Ex.13:21 By day the LORD [Yahweh] went ahead of them in a pillar of cloud..and by night in a pillar of fire.. [Yes, ahead of them was Jesus.]

Jg.2:1The angel of the LORD [messenger of Yahweh, Father and Son are each called Yahweh,] went up from Gilgal to Bokim and said,” I brought you up out of Egypt and led you into the land that I swore to give to your forefathers.

[The individual who is speaking says He brought them out of Egypt...this individual is the messenger of Yahweh. So this messenger of Yahweh brought them out of Egypt and led them to the land that this messenger of Yahweh swore to give to their forfathers. Did a created angel swear to give them that land? No.]


Who returns to fight and stand on the Mount of Olives?

Zec.14:3-9 Then the LORD will go out and fight against those nations, as he fights in the day of battle. On that day his feet will stand on the mount of Olives… [If “LORD” is Yahweh and if only the Father is Yahweh, as Ron teaches, then this would be saying the Father, and not Jesus, will fight and stand on the Mt. We know this is not the case.]

How many Gods are there?

Ron also explains away (Gen.1:1) In the beginning God (H430 Elohiym) created the heavens and…. The New Strong’s Complete Dictionary of Bible Words, says: (H430 Elohiym; Plural of H433 Elowahh, eloahh; gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article –the-) of the supreme God).

Ron also points to (Is.45:18)…”I am the LORD, and there is no other.

Let’s look more closely at this.

In (V.1) we see he is addressing Cyrus, who is to be born in the future (v.13), telling him of His plans for him (v.14-16). Saying that Egypt and Cush will come to him in chains and, will be his. They will bow before him and plead with him, saying, “Surely God is with you, and there is no other; there is no other god.”(V.16) All the makers of idols will be put to shame and disgraced… (V.18) …”I am the LORD, and there is no other. This is in reference to idols.


Does it matter? Is it important?

Ro. 10:1-3 Brothers, my heart’s desire and prayer, to God for the Israelites is that they may be saved. V.2 For I can testify about them that they are zealous for God, but their zeal is not based on knowledge. [But their zeal is not based on knowledge. Interesting statement.] V.3 Since they did not know the righteousness that comes from God and sought to establish their own, they did not submit to God’s righteousness. [Righteousness comes through faith, not by works.]

2Jn :7 Many deceivers, who do not acknowledge Jesus Christ as coming (G2064 having come) in the flesh, have gone out into the world. Any such person is the deceiver and the antichrist. V.8 Watch out that you do not lose what you have worked for, but that you may be rewarded fully.

V.9 Anyone who runs ahead and does not continue in the teaching of Christ does not have God; whoever continues in the teaching has both the Father and the Son.

V.10 If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not take him into your house or welcome him. V.11 Anyone who welcomes him shares in his wicked work.

So what's the deal? Anyone who doesn't acknowledge Jesus having come in the flesh is the deceiver and the antichrist! You don't really believe this scripture is warning us against someone who denies that Jesus dwells in our flesh, do you?


In Closing:

As Ron says in his book 2008—God’s final witness, on page 46:

“If some doctrine or belief in God is a lie, then by its very definition it cannot be true or from God. People who embrace any of the thousands of ‘Christian’ beliefs need to know what their church teaches, where their beliefs originate, and whether they truly come from God. If they find lies, then they must change or willingly submit to what they know is false, and thereby be guilty of opposing the one true God.”

[And I know you are aware this doesn't exclude Ron.]

He asks, on page 50 in regard to Sunday worship:

Why do they feel they must defend this doctrine themselves by twisting and misrepresenting scriptures so that they seemingly indicate that there is some validity in …
[whatever the subject may,] (underline and bold, mine).

I ask this same question of those who believe the biblical contradictions that Ron teaches. Contradictions that require twisting and, misrepresentation of scriptures so that they seemingly indicate that there is some validity in what he teaches. Contradictions that one can easily see with:

  • simple study of scripture, (as the Bereans were of more noble character than the Thessalonians because they searched the scriptures daily to see if what Paul said was true, Ac.17:11), And
  • a desire to see the truth regardless of the source and,
  • a willingness to not so readily defend a doctrine that may- by discovery of any particular scripture- be a lie, because you think, or thought your original source or belief to be correct.


Are we interested in defending our belief in something, at any cost, or are we interested in the truth even if it pulls the rug out from under us? Is your heart in pleasing God?


One final thought/scripture to leave you with;

Isaiah 43:10

10 "You are my witnesses," declares the LORD, [Yahweh (H3068 Eternal, Self-Existent]
"and my servant whom I have chosen,
so that you may know and believe me
and understand that I am he.
Before me no god was formed,
nor will there be one after me.

So.... If Jesus had a beginning... a God WAS formed!
Someone is NOT telling you the TRUTH!
And God is no liar.

WHAT LAW ARE WE BOUND TO, & WHEN?  

Posted by Seeker Of Truth in , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

MY COMMENTS ARE IN CAPS &/OR [BRACKETS]:



WHAT LAW ARE WE BOUND TO, AND WHEN?
An Illustration From Marriage (NIV)
Rom. 7:1 Do you not know, brothers—for I am speaking to men who know the law—that the law has authority over a man only as long as he lives?

2
For example, by law a married woman [THE CHURCH] is bound to her husband [PHYSICAL JESUS] as long as he is alive, but if her husband [PHYSICAL JESUS] dies, she is released from the [OLD COVENANT/PHYSICAL ] law of marriage.

3
So then, if she marries another man while her husband [physical Jesus] is still alive, she is called an adulteress. But if her husband [PHYSICAL JESUS] dies, she is released from that [O.C./PHYSICAL] law and is not an adulteress, even though she marries another man [SPIRIT JESUS].

4
So, my brothers, you also died to the [O.C.] law through the [PHYSICAL] body of Christ, that you might belong to another, to him who was raised from the dead [SPIRIT JESUS], in order that we might bear fruit to God.

5 For when we were controlled by the sinful nature, the sinful passions aroused by the [O.C.] law [the motions of sins, which were by the law (Authorized Version)] were at work in our bodies, so that we bore fruit for death.

6 But now, by dying to what once bound us, we have been released from the law so that we serve in the new way of the Spirit, and not in the old way of the written code.



THE OLD COVENANT REVEALED SIN:
Struggling With Sin
7 What shall we say, then? Is the law sin? Certainly not! Indeed I would not have known what sin was except through the law. For I would not have known what coveting really was if the law had not said, "Do not covet."



YET WE REALIZE, BY IT, WE BORE FRUIT FOR DEATH:

8
But sin, seizing the opportunity afforded by the commandment, produced in me every kind of covetous desire. For apart from law, sin is dead.

9
Once I was alive apart from law; but when the commandment came, sin sprang to life and I died.

10
I found that the very commandment that was intended to bring life actually brought death.

11 For sin, seizing the opportunity afforded by the commandment, deceived me, and through the commandment put me to death.

12
So then, the law is holy, and the commandment is holy, righteous and good.

13
Did that which is good, then, become death to me? By no means! But in order that sin might be recognized as sin, it produced death in me through what was good, so that through the commandment sin might become utterly sinful.


WE KNOW THE O.C. WAS TEMPORARY, FADING AWAY:

2 Co. 3:7
Now if the ministry that brought death, which was engraved in letters on stone, came with glory, so that the Israelites could not look steadily at the face of Moses because of its glory, fading though it was,

8
will not the ministry of the Spirit be even more glorious?

9
If the ministry that condemns men is glorious, how much more glorious is the ministry that brings righteousness!

10
For what was glorious has no glory now in comparison with the surpassing glory.

11
And if what was fading away came with glory, how much greater is the glory of that which lasts!

12
Therefore, since we have such a hope, we are very bold.

13
We are not like Moses, who would put a veil over his face to keep the Israelites from gazing at it while the radiance was fading away.

14
But their minds were made dull, for to this day the same veil remains when the old covenant is read. It has not been removed, because only in Christ is it taken away.

15
Even to this day when Moses is read, a veil covers their hearts.

16
But whenever anyone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away
.




WE KNOW IT'S PURPOSE WAS TO LEAD US TO CHRIST:

Gal.3:21 Is the law, therefore, opposed to the promises of God? Absolutely not! For if a law had been given that could impart life, then righteousness would certainly have come by the law.

22
But the Scripture declares that the whole world is a prisoner of sin, so that what was promised, being given through faith in Jesus Christ, might be given to those who believe.

23
Before this faith came, we were held prisoners by the law, locked up until faith should be revealed.

24
So the law was put in charge to lead us to Christ that we might be justified by faith.

25
Now that faith has come, we are no longer under the supervision of the law.




WE KNOW WE CAN'T INHERIT THE KINGDOM UNDER THE O.C.

Hagar and Sarah


Gal. 4:21 Tell me, you who want to be under the law, are you not aware of what the law says?

22
For it is written that Abraham had two sons, one by the slave woman and the other by the free woman.

23 His son by the slave woman was born in the ordinary way; but his son by the free woman was born as the result of a promise.


24
These things may be taken figuratively, for the women represent two covenants. One covenant is from Mount Sinai and bears children who are to be slaves: This is Hagar.

25
Now Hagar stands for Mount Sinai in Arabia and corresponds to the present city of Jerusalem, because she is in slavery with her children.

26
But the Jerusalem that is above is free, and she is our mother.

27
For it is written:"Be glad, O barren woman [GENTILES - CHILDREN BY FAITH, who bears no children,break forth and cry aloud,you who have no labor pains;because more are the children of the desolate womanthan of her [ISRAEL] who has a husband [JESUS]."
28 Now you, brothers, like Isaac, are children of promise.

29
At that time the son born in the ordinary way persecuted the son born by the power of the Spirit. It is the same now.

30
But what does the Scripture say? "Get rid of the slave woman and her son, for the slave woman's son will never share in the inheritance with the free woman's son."

31
Therefore, brothers, we are not children of the slave woman, but of the free woman.


WE KNOW THAT BY KEEPING THE O.C., WE ALIENATE OURSELVES FROM CHRIST JESUS. BUT BY THE N.C. WE BEAR FRUIT TO GOD:
Freedom in Christ


Gal.5:1 It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.

2
Mark my words! I, Paul, tell you that if you let yourselves be circumcised, Christ will be of no value to you at all.

3
Again I declare to every man who lets himself be circumcised that he is obligated to obey the whole law.

4
You who are trying to be justified by law have been alienated from Christ; you have fallen away from grace.

5
But by faith we eagerly await through the Spirit the righteousness for which we hope.

6
For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision has any value. The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love.

The US & Britain; In Prophesy? Pt.1 of 2  

Posted by Seeker Of Truth in , , , , , ,

By CW (Contributing Writer)


I can barely imagine how the world must have looked to other kids my age as I was growing up. What I saw, I saw through a dark cloud of gloom. I saw, hanging over everyone’s head, the indiscriminate annihilation of virtually everyone in a grizzly blood bath by invading armies, followed by the burning, searing, element-melting nuclear holocaust that Herbert Armstrong so vividly described. On top of the tension of my Old Covenant authoritarian home, and the “us against all the outsiders” paranoia; this specter haunted my every waking moment. From Herbert’s perspective, most of the prophecies about Israel’s destruction were both, for the end times, and talking about my home, the USA. I was taught that we were Manasseh, the birthright tribe of the lost house of Israel, and the British Commonwealth was the tribe of Ephraim. I was taught Herbert’s hybrid version of British Israelism.

The theory of British Israelism goes way back before the times of King Henry VIII. Most experts on British Israelism agree, the theory was promoted by theologians to justify the break of the Church of England from the Roman Catholic Church.

In its simplest form, British-Israelism claims that the British people are the descendants of the Northern Kingdom of Israel, deported, initially, by Tiglath Pilezer III, king of Assyria, when he launched an invasion of the Kingdom of Israel in 740 B.C.E., and later by the successor of Shalmaneser V, Sargon II, who destroyed its capital city, Samaria, in 721 B.C.E.” Excerpt from JUSTIFICATION FOR AN EMPIRE

What early proponents used for justification of authority, mutated in America, and Herbert, among others, connected prophesies of Israel’s demise, and applied them to the current time. Herbert continued promoting the idea that the British throne is of the line of King David of Judah. He cited ancient Irish legends as fact, and referred to non-existent annals of written history, as in this excerpt from United States and the British Commonwealth in Prophecy (henceforth ‘USBP’); “Then, in 569 B.C. (date of Jeremiah's transplanting), an elderly, white-haired patriarch, sometimes referred to as a "saint," came to Ireland. With him was the princess daughter of an eastern king and a companion called "Simon Brach," spelled in different histories as Breck, Berech, Brach, or Berach. The princess had a Hebrew name Tephi -- a pet name -- her full name being TEA-TEPHI.”
Funny thing is no legitimate scholar can find these annals. You can read more about this at the following link; JEREMIAH IN IRELAND--FACT OR FABRICATION?

I have such vivid memories of the voice of HWA booming through the house. This would have been the early sixties. He always spoke with such authority, and over the years his arguments became familiar. Quoting the Hebrew made him sound like the wise sage as he presented his argument that both, Gen. 12:2 and Gen. 48:19 say, “many nations” in a prophesy that he said “could only be fulfilled by the USA, and Britain.” When making his case about the blessing of Ephraim and Manasseh He pointed out ad nauseam the Hebrew word ‘gowy’ in the first, but did not bother to mention that gowy is not used in the latter, rather; ‘am and male maw-lay, as we will see below.

God promised Abraham; Gen 12:2I will make you into a great nation (H1471 gowy; nation)”, and 17:4 You will be the father of many nations” (H1471). 17:6I will make nations of you, and kings will come from you.” OK, But what’s the connection to the USA? Herbert believed that what Jacob told his children, were prophesies of what kind of nations they would become in the last days, before the return of Jesus, and thus, believed the promises to Abraham needed to have a physical manifestation before that time. He would ask, “How could God leave the most blessed nation on earth out of prophesy?”

Herbert’s ‘proof’ started with (KJV) Gen 49:1 And Jacob called unto his sons, and said, “Gather yourselves together, that I may tell you that which shall befall you in the last days.” To Herbert, any time the term, “the last days,” was used, it meant; “The time just before Jesus’ return.” The word translated, “the last days,” is (H319 achariyth; the last, or end, hence the future). It doesn’t say; “end times or days.” It’s an idiom for the future, and an example of Herbert jumping to conclusions.

Thus, Herbert decided that the following applied to the “end times;” (KJV) Gen 48:19 This is where Israel is adopting the sons of Joseph and crosses his hands putting his right hand on the head of the younger son. Joseph objected…; 19And his father refused, and said, I know it, my son, I know it: he also shall become a people, and he also shall be great: but truly his younger brother shall be greater than he, and his seed shall become a multitude of nations. Herbert claimed, “This is a description of the British Empire and the US” (as do his disciples today - such as: Ron Weinland, Rod Meredith, Gerald Flurry,David Pack...); but Herbert didn't do his home work.

The verse I just quoted when read from the interlinear (the original Hebrew or Greek) reads: “He shall be a people,”H5971 (am; a people, as a congregated unit; spec. a tribe as those of Israel) “and shall become great. But his younger brother shall become greater than he, and his seed shall become the (fullness of the nations.)”(H4392 Male maw-lay; full, filling, fullness).

Herbert said it meant, (his famous); “a nation and a company of nations.” Nothing is said about becoming a separate nation, let alone a group of nations. The next scripture puts this into context; Gen 48:20 (Interlinear) “And he blessed them in that day, saying, in you shall Israel bless, saying, may God make you like Ephraim and like Manasseh.” They were blessed to the point that, nations of the day had reason to envy them. Look at a bible map of Israel during its pre-captivity days. Manasseh had two large parcels of land on either side of the Jordan River. They had the birthright, thus, were given a double portion exactly as per Deut 21:17 “… the firstborn by giving him a double share… The right of the firstborn belongs to him.

Followers of Herbert say, “Either the nations promised to Abraham are here in the world today, or God lied, and God can’t lie,” but read Isa 60:21, it tells of these very things promised to Abraham being fulfilled in a much more amplified way;
21 “
Then will all your people be righteous and they will possess the land forever. They are the shoot I have planted, the work of my hands, for the display of my splendor. 22 the least of you will become a thousand, the smallest a mighty nation. I am the LORD; in its time I will do this swiftly.”
That’s an enormous promise that happens when all the people are righteous. This is obviously yet to come. So why believe that the ‘Kings and nations’ promised to Abraham must be present now?

Zech 10:4 From Judah will come the cornerstone, from him the tent peg, from him the battle bow, from him every ruler.” If every ruler comes from Judah, then the Promise to Abraham will be fulfilled, in that; not just rulers come from him, but every ruler. And these rulers come through Jesus, in light of what He said in Rev 3:21;To him who overcomes, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I overcame and sat down with my Father on his throne;” and what Gal 3:7 says about those who believe; 7 “Understand, then, that those who believe are children of Abraham.

As his disciples do to this day, Herbert relied equally on; text supposed to prove the line of descent of the English royal family from the house of David, and other texts that claimed to reveal the identity of Britain and the United States, as mutually supporting his claim that they are of Israelite origin.

Herbert claimed that the throne of David would be maintained without a break from David’s time, until Jesus returned to claim the throne. His proof was (NIV) 2Sam 7:12When your days are over and you rest with your fathers, I will raise up your offspring to succeed you, who will come from your own body, and I will establish his kingdom. 13 He is the one who will build a house for my Name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever. 14 I will be his father, and he will be my son. When he does wrong, I will punish him with the rod of men, with floggings inflicted by men. 15 But my love will never be taken away from him, as I took it away from Saul, whom I removed from before you. 16 Your house and your kingdom will endure forever before me; your throne will be established forever.” Herbert claimed that this could only be King Solomon because of the line:” When he does wrong, I will punish him with the rod of men, with floggings inflicted by men.”

On pg. 21 of the USBP, Herbert speaks of a, “self professed scholar’ who makes some “ridiculous statement” to “reject this important truth.” Herbert could condescend to the “ignorant” while failing to show any scholarship himself. If he had looked at the original language for, “when he does wrong, I will punish him " he would have seen; “When he sins,” is derived from a single word; (H2399 chet: a crime or it’s penalty). Then, “I will punish him,” is derived from the single word; (H3198 yakach),which does mean to correct, but can also mean to convict. So I ask you; who for sin (chet) is convicted (yakach), and is a physical descendant of David whose kingdom will last forever? Who was convicted of crimes he didn’t commit and was punished to death with the rod of men? This seems more consistent with the bibles pivotal message; Jesus, but more proof is needed to confirm the choice of words.

Herbert conveniently avoided a verse that is virtually a duplicate of (NIV) 2Sam 7:12-14; 1Chron16:11-14, v11 When your days are over and you go to be with your fathers, I will raise up your offspring to succeed you, one of your own sons, and I will establish his kingdom. 12 He is the one who will build a house for me, and I will establish his throne forever. 13 I will be his father, and he will be my son. I will never take my love away from him, as I took it away from your predecessor. 14 I will set him over my house and my kingdom forever; his throne will be established forever.” Does God set Solomon over his house forever, or Jesus? The verses in 2Samual and 1Chronicles are talking about the same thing.

Herbert pointed out that when the name Israel is used in scriptures, it doesn’t necessarily mean Judah, he’d say with an exasperated tone, "Israel and Judah were no longer one kingdom after 2Chron 10." He was right about this, therefore when Israel is addressed, it may include Judah, but it definitely means the tribes of the Northern Kingdom (all the other tribes).
How then could he reason around Ho 3:4For the Israelites will live many days without king or prince, without sacrifice or sacred stones, without ephod or idol”. (This is the situation until when?) 5Afterward the Israelites will return and seek the LORD their God and David their king. They will come trembling to the LORD and to his blessings in the last days.” If England is Israel, it should have no king.
Herbert claimed a king of the Davidic line would always rule over at least part of Israel. This verse disagrees, as does the next example; Ez21: 25 "O profane and wicked prince of Israel, whose day has come, whose time of punishment has reached its climax, 26 this is what the Sovereign LORD says: Take off the turban, remove the crown. It will not be as it was: The lowly will be exalted and the exalted will be brought low. 27 A ruin! A ruin! I will make it a ruin! It will not be restored until he comes to whom it rightfully belongs; to him I will give it.” Both these verses tell us that there will be a long period of time without a king over Israel that only ends when Jesus returns.

Who Are The 144,000?  

Posted by Seeker Of Truth in , , , , , , , , ,

  • Are there only to be 144,000 resurrected when Jesus returns?
  • Abraham’s children are as numerous as the stars. Are only 144,000 of them to be resurrected? Are there only 144,000 stars?

Ron says that the 144,000 & the great multitude are one and the same.  He says God's not calling everyone.  He says God's church is a little flock.

Alright, it was a little flock back in Jesus' day. Do you think it's STILL that little?
Mt. 28:18 Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit...
Jesus told His disciples to go make disciples of all nations! Was Jesus confused? Why would He say that if His church was to consist of 144,000 people?
Do you think 144,000 is little? How about 500,000? What about 1,000,000?
Well, 'big' and 'small' are relative.
Small, compared to what? Small compared to your household? Compared to your family and relatives? Small compared to your town, your state, your country? Compared to the people alive at the current time, or perhaps those from the last 1 or 200 years? Small compared to WHAT?
I'd like you to try something. Get a piece of graph paper out & mark out a square about 32 x 32 (of the small squares). That represents about 6.5 billion people (currently on the planet). Now color in one of those single little squares. That represents about 6.5 million people. WOW! That square you colored in is SO SMALL! How much of that little colored square do think totals 144,000? A little dot in the corner. What if that colored square were the number of people in the first resurrection, (6.5 million)? Wouldn't that be SMALL!? Trace out a 10 by 10 section, that's 100 squares. That represents 650 million people! Wouldn't that be small!? Look how many of the 32 x 32 squares remain. Remember this sheet represents only people alive RIGHT NOW. Now consider all who have EVER lived and ask yourself again, what "small" is. Everything is relative.
(See bottom of page to see how this is calculated).

Mt.9:37 Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful… [Out of the BILLIONS, or more, people who have existed and now exist, are 144,000 Plentiful? Doesn't 144,000 sound more like the number of a sheaf offering than a total harvest? See Lev.23:10 .]
Alright, next step...
Rev.7:4-8, We see here, that the 144,000 come from the 12 tribes, numbered and named specifically. [What Herbert Armstrong proclaimed as proof, was no such thing. The US is not Israel. His proof is NOT proof. It is founded in fables and legends. He just gave some scriptures and added a make-believe story for them. There is nothing in the bible that backs him up. Nothing. Why would God list 12,000 from each specifically named tribe of Israel if He was not being literal? (More on British Israelism coming soon.)]
These below, however, come from every nation, tribe, people and language. Read what it says. Trust the Holy Spirit that God GAVE YOU and read it! It doesn't need to be Saturday, and you don't need to be taught by Ron!
Rev.7:9 After this I looked and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and in front of the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands.
There are two groups; the 144,000 and the great multitude: She who has a husband, (Israel, the original bride of Christ), and she who is barren and has no husband, (Gentiles, who would become part of the bride of Christ, once that door was opened by His sacrifice, making the two become one, as stated in the two scriptures below.)
Ga.4:27, Is.54:1 say that the barren woman [Gentiles, aka, anyone not an Israelite] will have more children [of God/great multitude] than the woman [Israel/144,000] who has a husband (Christ).