Category: spiritual warfare

Saved from Hell, But Lost in Tradition #6

Wednesday, February 20, 2013

“…God our Saviour; who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth” (1 Timothy 2:3,4 KJV).

Can someone go to heaven without ever learning dispensational Bible study?

Salvation from hell—“God who will have all men to be saved” (today’s Scripture).

What has God done for man that man could never do for himself? How has the Lord Jesus Christ dealt with our sin problem, fully and completely? What must we do to be saved, to appropriate to our account, what Jesus Christ did for us, so we can avoid eternal hellfire?

The Gospel of the Grace of God answers these questions. “Christ died for our sins, He was buried, and He rose again the third day” (1 Corinthians 15:3,4). “But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness” (Romans 4:5). “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved” (Acts 16:31).

Salvation from false teaching—“God who will have all men to come unto the knowledge of the truth” (today’s Scripture).

Why is Almighty, holy God willing to save us weak, sinful humans from the hellfire we deserve? What will He do with us who have trusted Jesus Christ alone as our personal Saviour? How does Christ’s finished crosswork impact our lives on a daily basis?

Dispensational Bible study answers these questions. We study all of the Bible, but we emphasize Paul’s epistles, Romans through Philemon, God’s Word written to and about us members of the Church the Body of Christ. God will use us in the heavenly places for all eternity to glorify Jesus Christ there (2 Corinthians 5:1; Ephesians 1:3; Ephesians 2:6,7; 2 Timothy 4:18). “As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him” (Colossians 2:6). We received Christ by faith without our works; our Christian life will operate likewise—by faith in what Christ will do in and through us. “Ye are not under the law, but under grace” (Romans 6:14). We are “dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord” (Romans 6:11).

Saved from Hell, But Lost in Tradition #5

Tuesday, February 19, 2013

“…God our Saviour; who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth” (1 Timothy 2:3,4 KJV).

Can someone go to heaven without ever learning dispensational Bible study?

The Gospel of the Grace of God is the solution to man’s sin problem, and salvation from hell can be found therein: “Christ died for our sins, He was buried, and He rose again the third day” (1 Corinthians 15:3,4). Simple faith in this Gospel alone guarantees a person that he or she has been given the righteousness of God in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:21), is forgiven of all sins (Colossians 2:13), and will be “present with the Lord” in heaven upon physical death (2 Corinthians 5:8). “But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness” (Romans 4:5).

Dispensational Bible study is the key to Bible understanding, and salvation from false teaching can be found therein: “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth” (2 Timothy 2:15). Verses 16-18 discuss false teachers who failed to “rightly divide the word of truth.” They subsequently misled some Christians to doubt their own salvation from hell!

Paul warned Timothy of apostasy, a departure from God’s truth in order to embrace “doctrines of devils” (1 Timothy 4:1). He instructed Timothy regarding salvation from deception: “Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee” (verse 16). Years later, he cautioned Timothy regarding impending “perilous times”—especially false teaching (2 Timothy 3:1-13). “But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them; and that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus” (verses 14,15).

Salvation from hell is the most important Bible doctrine, but let us not forget that God wants to save us Christians from false teaching….

Saved from Hell, But Lost in Tradition #4

Monday, February 18, 2013

“…God our Saviour; who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth” (1 Timothy 2:3,4 KJV).

Can someone go to heaven without ever learning dispensational Bible study?

What prevents a person from going to heaven is sin, the lack of righteousness. However, God offers His righteousness to us as a free gift: “The righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference” (Romans 3:22). We can be justified—declared righteous before God—by simple faith in Jesus Christ’s perfect sacrifice of Himself for us on Calvary’s cross.

The Gospel of the Grace of God is the solution to man’s sin problem and salvation from hell can be found therein: “Christ died for our sins, He was buried, and He was raised again the third day” (1 Corinthians 15:3,4). Once someone places his or her faith in this gospel alone, God imputes (applies) His righteousness to his or her account, and this person is now a permanent member of the Church the Body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12:13; Ephesians 4:30; 2 Timothy 1:12). He or she is now heaven-bound, and will avoid the eternal penalty of sin (hell and the lake of fire)!

Although soul salvation from hell is good in and of itself, God has more to say in His Word than simply the Gospel of His Grace. Soul salvation is only part of God’s will for everyone (the first half of today’s Scripture). God now wants the Christian to progress in spiritual maturity, to gain a greater understanding of why he saved him or her (the second half of today’s Scripture). Just as Satan’s policy of evil is designed to blind lost people from understanding the Gospel, and keep them on their way to hell, it also prevents Christians from understanding God’s will for them with respect to spiritual maturity, so they remain spiritually ignorant. Christians are already saved from hell. Now they need to be saved from false (that is, denominational) teaching—this is the goal is dispensational Bible study….

Saved from Hell, But Lost in Tradition #1

Friday, February 15, 2013

“…God our Saviour; who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth” (1 Timothy 2:3,4 KJV).

Can someone go to heaven without ever learning dispensational Bible study?

When Christians begin to understand (even the basics of) dispensational Bible study, they usually ask, “What about these Christians whom I knew, who died never having known this doctrine? Are they in heaven?” This is an excellent question. It is posed because once believers in Christ begin to grasp the Bible and see its magnificent dispensational truths, it is so revolutionary that it almost seems like getting saved from hell all over again! However, we must never confuse salvation from hell with salvation from false teaching. There are many types of salvation in Scripture, and the context explains what each one involves.

For instance, in 1 Samuel 2:1, Hannah, the mother of the prophet Samuel, prays to the LORD: “I rejoice in thy salvation.” From the context, it is clear that this is not soul salvation from hell; Hannah is saved from despair due to her infertility. Once, she was barren and depressed (1 Samuel 1:5-18); now, she has conceived Samuel. Comparatively, Paul writes that we are “saved by hope.” Although these physical bodies are corrupted by sin and we have our aches and pains, the hope of our resurrection (the rapture) sustains us and guards us against despair (Romans 8:18-25).

Nevertheless, within the confines of these studies, we will discuss two specific types of salvation, and today’s Scripture identifies both of them. God has one overall plan for the heaven and the earth: for all of eternity, He wants to glorify His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, in both realms (Ephesians 1:9,10).

Thus, the God of heaven and earth, through the finished crosswork of Jesus Christ, saves people from hell, and makes them Christians (“[God] who will have all men to be saved”). Then, the God of heaven and earth, through sound Bible study, saves these Christians from false teaching, and makes them spiritually mature (“[God] who will have all men…to come unto the knowledge of the truth”).

We will examine this in greater detail….

Replacement Terminology Theology #7

Monday, February 11, 2013

“For though there be that are called gods, whether in heaven or in earth, (as there be gods many, and lords many,) but to us there is but one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we in him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by him” (1 Corinthians 8:5,6 KJV).

Satan deceptively employs terms that the Bible uses—“God,” “Lord,” “Jesus,” “Christ”—but he does not always apply them to the same individuals the Bible does. What ingenuity!

The modern “bible” versions entirely remove “JEHOVAH” from their texts and insert the less specific “LORD.” They extensively utilize the term “the Christ,” which New Agers apply to someone/something other than God’s Son Jesus. Adding insult to injury, they haphazardly eliminate “Christ,” “Lord,” “Jesus,” and “God” from their texts dozens of times! Little by little, these terms of Deity are being excised from books that claim to be “the Bible.” Consequently, they blur the stark contrasts between the true God and the counterfeits of today’s Scripture. Unfortunately, they do it with such craftiness and inconspicuousness that modern “bible” readers usually never discern the omissions!

While there are many “gods” and “lords” in this pagan world, our King James Bible enables us to avoid worshipping them. It is our lifeline to the true and living God of heaven and earth. As today’s Scripture teaches, faith (trust) in that Holy Bible leads us to conclude, “There is but one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we in him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by him.”

The judicious eye can see the spiritual warfare reflected by these studies of “replacement terminology theology.” Satan utilizes Bible terms—especially names of Deity—to actually lead people away from the true God and away from His written Word, the Bible. How clever! No wonder religion has fooled billions in the past and will continue to deceive them indefinitely.

Beloved, our salvation from this widespread spiritual deception is to study and believe our King James Bible rightly divided. Let us not be “tossed to and fro” by “replacement terminology theology.”

Replacement Terminology Theology #6

Sunday, February 10, 2013

“For though there be that are called gods, whether in heaven or in earth, (as there be gods many, and lords many,) but to us there is but one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we in him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by him” (1 Corinthians 8:5,6 KJV).

Satan deceptively employs terms that the Bible uses—”God,” “Lord,” “Jesus,” “Christ”—but he does not always apply them to the same individuals the Bible does. What ingenuity!

Have you ever called a religious leader “reverend?” What about “father” and “monsignor” (pronounced mon-seen-your)?

The title “reverend” is only found once in the King James Bible, and it applies to the true and living God, not some fallible, sinful man! Psalm 111:9 says: “He sent redemption unto his people: he hath commanded his covenant for ever: holy and reverend is his name.”

The term “monsignor” is French for… perhaps you guessed it… “my lord!” Although “lord” itself is not an evil word, using it for a religious leader is blasphemous. No church leader is our “lord.”

Our Lord Jesus Christ forbade His disciples to call religious leaders “father,” for they had one Father—His heavenly Father (Matthew 23:9). Interestingly, in ancient Israel, a Jewish man asked a younger man, an apostate Levitical priest, to be unto him “a father and a priest”—he agreed too (Judges 17:7-13). Would you call a younger man “father?!” It was clearly used in a spiritual sense, not a physical one. Furthermore, “Holy Father” is a title of Father God (John 17:11), so why is this the pope’s title? Even the term “pope” is derived from the Latin papas, meaning… what else?… “father!”

Why is this serious?

The Holy Bible speaks of a future time—the seven-year Tribulation—when religious deception will be at an all-time high (Matthew 24:24). We can see the world preparing for it even today: the confounding of Bible terms and applying them to Satan’s counterfeits (see today’s Scripture). Modern “bibles” and many so-called “Bible-believing” churches and “godly” church leaders are paving the way for the antichrist’s satanic, one-world religion. Beware!

Replacement Terminology Theology #4

Friday, February 8, 2013

“For though there be that are called gods, whether in heaven or in earth, (as there be gods many, and lords many,) but to us there is but one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we in him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by him” (1 Corinthians 8:5,6 KJV).

Satan deceptively employs terms that the Bible uses—“God,” “Lord,” “Jesus,” “Christ”—but he does not always apply them to the same individuals the Bible does. What ingenuity!

For instance, the name “Jesus” certainly sets God’s only begotten Son apart from the world’s religious leaders, for it means “Saviour” (Matthew 1:21). There are many rabbis, philosophers, gurus, imams, popes, and ministers, but there is only one Saviour—Jesus Christ. “Jesus Christ… neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved” (Acts 4:10,12). But, there are false Jesuses too. Paul spoke of “another Jesus” (2 Corinthians 11:4), one whom Satan would use to corrupt our minds. Even today, we hear about a “Jesus” in religious circles—one who is “too loving” to send anyone to hell, one who dwells in the church “sanctuary,” one who appears in the form of common bread for his followers to consume, one who died for only some rather than all, one who will come to usher us into Israel’s earthly kingdom, one who gives all of Israel’s blessings and promises to us, et cetera.

Another example is Satan’s corruption of the term “Christ,” which is the name and title of Jesus, a unique office that He fulfills in God’s purpose and plan for heaven and earth. The Bible warns of “false Christs” (Matthew 24:23-26). Even today, some religious leaders claim to be “Christ;” some male religious leaders claim to be “the Son of God!” (Blasphemy!)

Using the Bible’s terms, redefining them, and/or completely eliminating them are Satan’s most effectual methods to deceive mankind, especially regarding references to Deity that distinguish the God of the Bible from pagan “gods” and “lords” (today’s Scripture).

But, there is much, much more deception in “replacement terminology theology….”

Replacement Terminology Theology #3

Thursday, February 7, 2013

“For though there be that are called gods, whether in heaven or in earth, (as there be gods many, and lords many,) but to us there is but one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we in him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by him” (1 Corinthians 8:5,6 KJV).

Satan deceptively employs terms that the Bible uses—“God,” “Lord,” “Jesus,” “Christ”—but he does not always apply them to the same individuals the Bible does. What ingenuity!

According to today’s Scripture, many “gods” and “lords” compete for our worship and devotion. Sinful man, cooperating with Satan’s policy of evil, has misled many Christians and all lost people alike in this regard. Modern English “bibles” are problematic because they change expressions and terms that English-speaking Christians have grown accustomed to for centuries, especially concerning references to Deity.

For instance, by completely removing the sacred name of the God of the Bible—“JEHOVAH”—modern versions deny their readers a critical opportunity to distinguish Him from the pagan deities, who are also called “god” and “lord” (today’s Scripture). This is one of many sly methods whereby Satan and sinful men water down the Bible’s profound truths.

Now, consider this. The King James translators, in the New Testament, usually rendered the Greek Christos as “Christ,” although in 17 instances they added the definite article (“the Christ”). However, for reasons unknown, the modern translators added the definite article over two-dozen more times! To wit, “the Christ” appears in the modern versions twice as much as it appears in the King James.

This change seems petty at first, until we learn that the heretical New Age Movement—begun in the 1970s—teaches everyone can find “the christ” in himself or herself. Its adherents purport that some mystical force/energy/power called “christ” possessed Jesus, and that it can occupy us so we can reach a “higher self.” Essentially, it teaches everyone is a “potential christ.” By replacing “Christ” with “the Christ” in over two-dozen instances, the modern versions—NIV, NASB, NKJV, ESV, et cetera—emphasize a term that heretics use!

But, there is much, much more deception in “replacement terminology theology….”

Fearful Versus Fearless

Monday, February 4, 2013

“For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind” (2 Timothy 1:7 KJV).

As our world wallows in fear and uncertainty, we have peace and strength in Christ.

In recent months, I have spoken to Christians and lost people who are concerned about national and world events. Both lost and saved people alike know that our culture, especially in the United States, is undergoing significant change. Decades ago, one Christian brother lamented, “Society’s moral fabric is rotting.” I wonder what he would say today?! To exacerbate the situation, the quality of much of Christendom’s teaching and preaching is just as godless and unscriptural as society’s morality. But there is hope!

God did not take us to heaven the moment we trusted Christ as our personal Saviour. Instead, He left us here on earth. Why? Jesus Christ, “the light of the world” (John 8:12), now lives in us members of His Body. We Christians are the vessels in which God has deposited the life of His Son, so He can then manifest His spiritual light to this dark world! Beloved, it is our privilege to be here as “ambassadors for Christ” (2 Corinthians 5:20). Let us not shrink away in fear.

Instead of being fearful and hiding in our homes to avoid the evil world system, we can be fearless beacons of hope and light in and to this lost and dying world. Paul’s encouraging words to the Philippians were: “Do all things without murmurings and disputings: that ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world; holding forth the word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither laboured in vain” (2:14-16).

We, the Church the Body of Christ, may be a small group of people, and yes, we King James Bible Pauline dispensationalists are a remnant within that remnant, but God Almighty is on our side, and nothing He does is in vain. Let us fearlessly continue in sound Bible doctrine!

Something Not Worth Losing

Sunday, February 3, 2013

“For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?” (Matthew 16:26 KJV).

Super Bowl Sunday comes annually in the United States. Teams fuel the intense passions in the athletic world by vying for a corruptible trophy. Howbeit, the competition in today’s Scripture is spiritual, is worldwide, never has a halftime, and involves the eternal souls of men!

The human soul is most zealous about religion, politics, and sports. These areas are most personal, so they generate many heated debates and conflicts. However, believe it or not, there are worse outcomes than losing a church member, losing an election, and losing a game. Losing your eternal soul is the greatest of all losses!

In the context of today’s Scripture, Jesus Christ told His Jewish disciples to “take up [their] cross, and follow [him]” (verse 24). “For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it” (verse 25). They should not fear losing their earthly lives for His sake. What is most important is that they not lose their souls!

Jesus Christ declared there is more to life than this physical world and its temporal possessions. There is a spiritual world—an afterlife—to consider. In today’s Scripture, He asks them, “For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?” Does it make sense to emphasize this temporary world and its corruptible goods, to the point of ignoring your eternal soul, and wind up losing it in hellfire forever and ever?

Dear reader, there is more to you than just your physical body. Your inner man—your soul, your spiritual body—is everlasting. To ignore Jesus Christ’s finished crosswork as sufficient payment for your sins, is to remain dead in those sins, resulting in you spending eternity suffering God’s wrath in the lake of fire literally as a nameless, hopeless, disfigured creature.

Your soul is not worth losing! Trust Christ as your personal Saviour today!