Here is why, inter alia, the Church of modern times, the Laodicean Church (c.f. Rev. 3:14-22) has failed not only the brethren, but those who would come to trust the Word of God.  It is a letter recently sent to a church secretary.  It is self explanatory.  It is why gossip rules over common sense.  Neither hot nor cold, just come on Sunday and listen to whatever tantalizes them; truth be damn.

 

Annie

You may wish to add this to your records if you like. 

 

FOR THE RECORD

I cannot sit by and let false prophecy to be preached and unchallenged by this Berean (see Acts 17:11).  If it is NOT in the Bible, I challenge it.  We are warned about false prophets in the end times (Mark 13:22).  And we are warned in the last chapter in the Bible NOT to add words to the prophecy (Revelation 22:18-19); a very simple and strong warning with consequences.  I do not make the rules; God did.  I did not add to the Prophecy, I just read the very word of the Prophet.  The Bible study notes found in many modern bibles add to the words, incorrectly; without scriptural evidence.  Many modern pastors pass these along unquestioned.  Never was it before circa 1840 when John Nelson Darby came up with such nonsense.  Many seminaries have swallowed it hook line and sinker, not checking the very words of the Prophet.  There are many books out there disputing these false doctrines.  Beware; trust only the text of God, not the notes at the margins or bottom of pages that were written (added) by someone other than the Apostles or Prophets.  Do not trust all you hear from the pulpit either; God gave you warning in Acts 17:11.  Challenge them and yourself to know and hear the truth, the plane and simple Words from the Prophets, form the Bible itself (not the notes, man’s notes, at the bottom of some pages).  Man's commentary should never trump the very Word of God.  Never!

I read only the plane and simple words of Daniel the Prophet, that plane reading cannot be controversy.  Ryrie and Scofield’s study notes are controversial, as found and so challenged in many scholarly publications.  But I was called dumber than Ryrie, and my reading from the Bible is not as trustworthy as Ryrie's study notes.  YES, I was told my study and reading of the Word directly from the Bible was INFERIOR to Ryrie's study notes in his study bible, and similar study notes in other study bibles. That is what was said at fellowship meeting.  Good grief!

 

Challenging these “study notes,” now considered truth by many  from our seminaries and pastorships has been called “controversial;” because the false teaching has been re-published over and over again throughout the twentieth century (ever since C.I. Scofield published he book on the matter in 1908).  And they now have found their way in the notes and margins of many modern Bibles.  These concepts were never taught by the Apostles, not any theologian until the early 1800’s.  All of a sudden, we have a new gospel that refutes the very Word of the Prophet Daniel; unchallenged by many, challenged by some who are ignored.   And now many reiterations of the false premise and teaching have found there way into other study bibles now published in America, such as the NKJV Study Bible, or NASB study bible, or Pastor Hagee Study Bible, or the Charles Stanley Prophecy Study Bible, and many others.  Some held of these Study Bibles are held by members of our church.  I suppose the more these notes get re-written and re-published, the more correct they become.  So some would have you believe.

 

In Daniel 12, which is what I was referring too, there is no mistranslation into the English.  There are however mistranslation into English other parts of the Bible.  I have studies Hebrew.  I know where the errors are.  But those are not the verses questioned in this debate.  I did however (in a much earlier Men’s fellowship meeting) point out one Jewish idiom; which this complainant chooses to ignore in favor of Ryrie who most likely either never studied Hebrew, or ignores that which he was taught in favor of his own concept.  Of course, as the complainant suggests, I cannot be as learned as Ryrie; after all, he went to Seminary and wrote a book and study bible.  The Holy Spirit could never speak to me.  I must be wrong; it does not agree with Ryrie or Scofield.  Those who are learned and studied (allegedly) cannot be wrong.  So I was told.

 

I gave the complainant an opportunity to show me where I was wrong.  He could not do it.  Over and over again I asked to show me, with Gods words, that these study notes were correct.  He could not do it.  He just said I could not be as wise as Ryrie or Scofield, or all the other pastors who make the calim.  So he goes and complains to a pastor of our church; unable to defend himself with the word of God.  And of course the Pastor never really heard what was really said; he was only told the complainant’s ignorant ill-understanding, and stubbornness that “the Gospel according to Ryrie” was their view, and I was challenging it.  How immature and underhanded.

And I was told by this Pastor not to confuse the younger (meaning less perceptive, less cognizant, less learned, less sapient, less wise) members of the congregation.  In other words, “do not say anything that I (the Pastor) may disagree with.”  I was told that is his job.  Huh?  Has he never read Acts 17:11?  Outrageous (yes, outrageous) as it was and so not to add dissension among the brethren, I agreed.  That is why, upon reflection, I choose not to attend men’s fellowship any longer.

Unfortunately, I am sure the gossip among church membership will hear something other than what I just said above.  For they were not at the fellowship meeting, and wish only to believe what tantalizes them.  This is an unfortunate comment, but most likely true.  I think some are on a witch hunt.  Indeed membership should be cautious; but not to exclusion of the very Words in the Bible.  The Bible alone.

 

Do you wonder by now what was the alleged is the controversy?  Read Daniel chapter 12 for yourself.  Then ask yourself, how long (duration) did the Prophet say was the time of great troubles that was never as before nor will be? 

 

“And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince which standeth for the children of thy people: and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time: and at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book.  And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt.  And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever.  But thou, O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time of the end: many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased.  Then I Daniel looked, and, behold, there stood other two, the one on this side of the bank of the river, and the other on that side of the bank of the river.  And one said to the man clothed in linen, which was upon the waters of the river, How long shall it be to the end of these wonders?  And I heard the man clothed in linen, which was upon the waters of the river, when he held up his right hand and his left hand unto heaven, and sware by him that liveth for ever that it shall be for a time, times, and an half; and when he shall have accomplished to scatter the power of the holy people, all these things shall be finished.” [Daniel 12:1-7, KJV] 

 

“A time of trouble,” is stated in the first verse.  That is what we are talking about.  Tribulation, the tribulation of those days.  There has never been a controversy from anyone I know nor anyone I have read (and I have read a lot) what a “time, times and half of time” (a direct translation from the Aramaic or Hebrew) means.  Three and one half years.  Not seven.  How could a time (one year), times (two years) and a half time (half year) add up to anything than three and a half years?  My second grade teacher would have given me an F if I said seven.  The Prophet Daniel is telling us what the man on the other side of the river said, inspired Scriptures from God, three and a half years.  Not seven.  How ignorant does one have to be to believe otherwise?

 

But, but, but… is what you get from those who wish to believe the likes of C.I. Scofield and Charles Ryrie.  There are no buts about it here in God’s Words.

 

And all I was doing in fellowship was pointing out the Prophets words.  I suppose I am not qualified to read and state them; for I am not a Pastor.

 

Enough said.

 

In Christ,
Berean

April 30, 2008