Category: spiritual warfare

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!

Saint, Why Sayest Thou Nothing? #1

Sunday, January 27, 2013

“Howbeit no man spake openly of him for fear of the Jews” (John 7:13 KJV).

You are not alone in being shy about witnessing for Jesus Christ….

A Christian sister recently asked me why she feels nervous when she gets opportunity to talk to people about Jesus Christ and the Bible. Sometimes she says nothing because she is afraid; other times, she is bold enough to speak. There are a few reasons for this.

In the context of today’s Scripture, Jesus’ brethren have come to Judaea (the region surrounding Jerusalem) to celebrate the Feast of Tabernacles, but He stays behind in Galilee (verses 2-9). When His brethren arrive, the Jews demand to know where He is (verses 10,11).

This inquiry excites the common people. Some say of Christ, “He is a good man,” while others say, “Nay; but he deceiveth the people” (verse 12). Notice the expression in this verse, “There was much murmuring among the people concerning him.” Murmuring is quiet speech, a near whisper. Some of them are grumbling criticism of Jesus Christ; others are praising Him. Contrast this with today’s Scripture: “Howbeit [However] no man spake openly of him….” These people will not utter anything about Jesus Christ in a normal tone. Instead, they talk about Him softly. The context explains their “hush-hush” attitude.

Jesus Christ has just delivered an extensive, “non-feel-good” sermon in John chapter 6, so chapter 7 opens with, “After these things Jesus walked in Galilee: for he would not walk in Jewry, because the Jews sought to kill him.” Thus, we see why the common Jews dare not publicly mention Jesus Christ. They fear persecution: “If they want to kill Jesus Christ, and He is not here, then what would they do to us if we even mention His name?!” This disdain for Jesus Christ’s name continues today.

A Christian pastor was recently sentenced to eight years in prison for evangelizing his relatives and friends in his native country. He certainly did not fear the public reaction to his ministry.

What is one of the reasons we grow shy when witnessing? We fear people’s reaction to the name of Jesus Christ!

God’s Idea of “Hope and Change”

Monday, January 21, 2013

“But unto the Son he saith, Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: a sceptre of righteousness is the sceptre of thy kingdom. Thou hast loved righteousness, and hated iniquity; therefore God, even thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows” (Hebrews 1:8,9 KJV).

We reserve this historic day in American history to remind ourselves not to confuse man’s feeble political achievements with God’s kingdom.

Human governments are literally bewildered in attempting to deal with all of society’s problems. Solutions to environmental issues, achieving world peace, eliminating poverty, and combating terrorism are most elusive. They distribute checks, impose bans, sign treaties, pass laws, provide handouts, and hold summits, but the problems these activities are designed to address still afflict society. If you have faith in your fellow man that he will ever accomplish harmony and solve his problems, history and the Bible tell you to forget it!

God knows that mankind is sinful, unreliable, and weakly, so He does not depend on us for anything… except to mess up His creation! For 6,000 years, Satan has been “the god of this world” (2 Corinthians 4:4). Thus, although world history has its few benevolent and respectable leaders, tyrants, God-haters, and crooks mar much of it. We can change leaders, but the evil world system that underlies society still exists, and it will remain until Jesus Christ returns and establishes His earthly kingdom. Sinful mankind cannot solve the world’s problems, for he is the world’s problem. We need help from Almighty God, and thankfully, He will solve our problems for us!

In today’s Scripture God the Father speaks to Jesus Christ (quoting Psalm 45:6,7, which describes the LORD, demonstrating Christ’s deity; notice the Father calls Christ, “God”). Jesus Christ’s kingdom will be one of righteousness and justice—a staff of righteousness is the staff of His kingdom. God’s will shall always be accomplished in it. Iniquity will not be tolerated, and it will be dealt with promptly. God’s idea of “hope and change?” Jesus Christ ruling heaven and earth, thus solving the sin problem. What a glorious day that will be! 🙂

Established Saints #1

Wednesday, January 2, 2013

“For I long to see you, that I may impart unto you some spiritual gift, to the end that ye may be established; that is, that I may be comforted together with you by the mutual faith of you and me” (Romans 1:11,12 KJV).

Today’s Scripture is God’s will for every believer.

The Apostle Paul desired to come to Rome and see these saints many times, but he was “let [hindered] hitherto” (verse 13). He wanted to “impart unto [them] some spiritual gift.” His goal in doing so was to have them “established,” which is defined as “the mutual faith of [the Apostle Paul] and [them].”

The Holy Spirit through Paul is writing that He wants every believer to have a clear, firm understanding of the Pauline grace doctrine (Paul’s epistles of Romans through Philemon). God wants us to have the same understanding of His Word as the Apostle Paul did: What is God doing today? Forming the Church the Body of Christ. Why is He doing this? To have an agency He can use in the heavenly places in the ages to come, for His glory. How does the Christian life operate? By faith in sound grace Bible doctrine—not the Mosaic Law—which the Holy Ghost will use to transform the minds and lifestyles of believers.

As a dear brother in Christ says, “Your Christian life will not operate on the basis of ignorance!” Oftentimes, believers have such an extremely shallow understanding of Scripture that they are prone to be “tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine…” (Ephesians 4:14). Sadly, Satan’s religious system sweeps them away into serving a denomination, filling their minds with worthless “commandments and doctrines of men” (Colossians 2:22), and thus making their Christian life a “shipwreck” (1 Timothy 1:19).

Dear saints, God’s fervent desire, Paul’s fervent desire, and our fervent desire for you this year is that you be “established” in sound Pauline Bible doctrine—that you do not simply know about Paul’s ministry, message, and doctrine, but you also understand them and believe them. This will bring stability in your Christian life, and guard you against Satan’s deception in religion and philosophy.

Wilt Thou Serve the Denomination, Or the Lord? #3

Wednesday, December 5, 2012

“And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ” (Colossians 3:23,24 KJV).

Beloved, we have a choice—we can serve a theological system (which is worthless), or we can serve the Lord (which is priceless).

Almost all of the world’s two billion professing Christians attend and/or serve in a denominational church (over half in Roman Catholicism; just under half in Protestantism). Every denomination can be summarized with: “Dr. So-and-So” leads it, it prefers its own Bible translation and/or other literature, funds its own seminary or college, and promotes its own “programs” and “verses.” Can they all be right?! (No!)

Despite their godly façade, upon being queried regarding their authority, denominationalists mindlessly parrot their group’s unique, manmade “catechism” or “articles of confession.” All groups quote antithetical sources to support their beliefs and practices, and they all claim to be doing “God’s work.” Impossible! This is not Christianity, but Christendom (Christendumb). Denominationalists are blindly serving man, not the Lord.

Frankly, all denominationalism has ever done is divide and confuse, corrupting people who are already going to hell. “God is not the author of confusion” (1 Corinthians 14:33); therefore, God is not the author of denominations. These dear people shackled in religious duty claim to be following and serving Christ, but they have no idea what He is doing today. How can they be doing God’s will if they do not even know what God is doing? Impossible!

When the ascended and glorified Lord Jesus Christ first revealed Christianity to the Apostle Paul, He had no intention of giving us another set of rules, a list of programs, or a highly complex system of rites, rituals, and ceremonies. We sinners had enough trouble keeping TEN simple commandments!!! He had no intention of us serving and pleasing fellow man. He wanted to give us His life, so it would not be our performance in religion, but His performance in us! Thus, it is vain to follow a manmade system, for we should “serve the Lord Christ” (today’s Scripture).