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Yep. Hebrews 10:31 It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.

Jesus Christ cast demons out of people. This woman who is working for the Enemy of all men's souls is casting them into this young man as Bill Johnson simply stands by idly watching. This is NOT the Holy Spirit, this is what a demon possessed man looks like. And she just carries on as if nothing is going on with her ridiculous and repetitive impartation, legacy and crowns nonsense speech. Very troubling! I've looked into Hedi Baker in the past, she, and many like her in our day fall into this category: Galatians 1:6-9 I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: (7) Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. (8) But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. (9) As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed. May this man come to repent and believe on the true Lord Jesus Christ and be set free, along with any others she's channeled demons into. And then stay clear of sorcerers like her: 2 Corinthians 6:14-18 Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? (15) And what concord (agreement) hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? (16) And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. (17) Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, (18) And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty. 2 Corinthians 7:1 Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.

On my DVD shelf. Great movie and testimony of what Corrie and the Ten Boom family went through as a result of their helping Jews during the Nazi occupation.

In hopes some folks may come out from the deep deception that Bethel and others stuck in similar places like this. A number in our area are very similar, and it's not the Christ of the Bible. People can trade one sinful vice for another supernatural sinful vice, and it still not be from God's kingdom. The Swami Satchidananda who spoke at WoodStock festival in 69 mentioned to the mass of people in his hearing that they could trade their drugs in for a similar spiritual high through Eastern Meditation. Fast forward 49 years, and this same type of meditation has made inroads in to many Church denominations, only they call it "meditation, centering prayer, mindfulness, the silence, be still, and it's many other various names that bring one into contact with religious spirits that are not from God's Kingdom. When a man or woman has proven to be in falsehood, quit following that man, and continue to love and follow Christ as He has outlined Himself in His Word. I am by no means doing any hating here, but loving enough to call to those involved for your repentance, and warning many folks in our day to "...Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins." A good 16 page read: Beware of Bethel: A Brief Summary of Bill Johnson’s Unbiblical Teachings

We have been following this for a while as the sinful LGBT-IBP folk press in to make their sinful lifestyle acceptable before the world. It never will be before God who is unchangeable, but thank God, they can repent and be forgiven! We appreciate what Alliance Defending Freedom does. In hopes the Christian baker may win in this new federal lawsuit. Be praying Saints!

Well, the guy in the Jesus Christ T-Shirt needs to understand! Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? And what concord (agreement) hath Christ with Belial? (a lawless, wicked one) or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? (A disbelieving heathen) And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. (2 Corinthians 6:14-16) Or repent, and get that wicked heart right with the outer appearance of that T-Shirt! Ezekiel 11:21 But as for them whose heart walketh after the heart of their detestable things and their abominations, I will recompense their way upon their own heads, saith the Lord GOD. Matthew 4:17 From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.

Great song by William Cowper! After several failed suicide attempts, William Cowper came to realize that Jesus Christ and His shed blood can erase the stain of any sin! Upon this realization, he later penned: "There is a fountain filled with blood" "After recovering, Cowper came to realize how God can erase the stain of any sin." http://www.hymntime.com/tch/htm/t/f/o/tfountfb.htm Zechariah 13:1 In that day there shall be a fountain opened to the house of David and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem for sin and for uncleanness.

Like Lightning Dissident Prophet http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f1pq1I1TYV0 Lyrics: They came up to Jesus with a smile on their face They said ‘we cast out demons in Your name’ He said ‘don’t rejoice that the demons obey Instead be glad that the Book contains your name’ (Luke 10:1-20) Coz like lightning, like lightning, I saw Lucifer fall, like lightning, like lightning, like lightning, I saw Lucifer fall, like lightning He took Jesus to the desert 40 days and nights He tempted Him to jump from an awesome height He showed Him all the nations in his hand He said they’re yours if you’ll just bow down like a man (Luke 4:1-13) But like lightning, like lightning, I saw Lucifer fall, like lightning, like lightning, like lightning, I saw Lucifer fall, like lightning He accuses the Brethren all day and night When the Lord like a thief came and took his bride There was battle between Michael and that serpent of old Called Satan and the Devil who deceives the whole world (Revelation 12:7-10) But like lightning, like lightning I saw Lucifer fall, like lightning, like lightning, like lightning, I saw Lucifer fall, like lightning

The insanity continues. PETA didn't like the animal cookies behind bars. They wanted them cage free and got their inordinate wish. I hope they don't read this, next thing they'll want will be plant crackers, as People are Eating Tasty Animals. "PETA Executive Vice President Tracy Reiman says she's celebrating the box redesign for the cultural change it represents. "The new box for Barnum's Animals crackers perfectly reflects that our society no longer tolerates the caging and chaining of wild animals for circus shows," she said." Before: After:

I honestly do not believe Brian Simmons saw the "real" Jesus, while having his "out of body" experience. Or that Jesus Christ is holding out on an extra chapter 22 from the book of John that he wanted "to steal" from "God's" library. Much less had him slaying adults and children in the spirit, or told to write this problematic "new translation" he calls "The Passion" in which Brian was the lead translator. Towards the end of the video, Brian attempts to build his case for this non-existent chapter 22 in John, on one verse found in John 14:12: John 14:12 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father. From the video: Sid Roth: "But there's only 21 chapters in John. What's this 22?" Brian Simmons: "Well John 22, go back to John 14:12 and you'll see that there is a greater works generation. "The works that I do you will do even greater works than these." I believe the John 22 generation will be a people that do the greater works of Jesus. They will not add to the scripture, and that's a sealed book. But it is a book that is unfolding and the works of Jesus will be replicated by an entire generation of people that believe fully in the power of God." It's interesting in the very last chapter and verse in John, an expressed exaggeration, a figure of speech (a hyperbole) is used, where this "chapter 22" would follow: John 21:25 And there are also many other things which Jesus did, the which, if they should be written every one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that should be written. Amen. This hyperbole is similar to our Lord speaking to Abraham in Genesis 22:17 where the Lord mentions he will multiply Abraham's seed as the stars of heaven, and as the sand on the sea shore: Genesis 22:17 That in blessing I will bless thee, and in multiplying I will multiply thy seed as the stars of the heaven, and as the sand which is upon the sea shore; and thy seed shall possess the gate of his enemies; The "New Apostolic Reformation" (NAR) and others like them often build their cases on verses like this, taking the meaning to be literal, when only figurative is implied. I can't search over chapter 22, it's not in my Bible. So how can I know what this esoteric and hidden chapter says that Brian Simmons wanted "to steal" from Jesus Christ's library while he was in heaven paying him a visit? I cannot, it does not exist. The Word of God has a beginning in Genesis 1:1, and a complete ending in Revelation 22:21. NOTHING needs to be added, or taken away from what God has given us. Deuteronomy 4:2 Ye shall not add unto the word which I command you, neither shall ye diminish ought from it, that ye may keep the commandments of the LORD your God which I command you. I've looked over this spirit with it's message in the context of given Scripture, it's not of God: 1 John 4:1 Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world. No need for this "missing" John 22: 2 Timothy 3:16-17 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: (17) That the man of God may be perfect, throughly (completely) furnished unto all good works. John chapter 22 does not exist anywhere. Nothing but vain words of subversion and if this "chapter 22" is ever "released" from "Jesus's library" it will contain "vain babblings and increase unto more ungodliness": 2 Timothy 2:14-18 Of these things put them in remembrance, charging them before the Lord that they strive not about words to no profit, but to the subverting of the hearers. (15) Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. (16) But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness. (17) And their word will eat as doth a canker: of whom is Hymenaeus and Philetus; (18) Who concerning the truth have erred, saying that the resurrection is past already; and overthrow the faith of some. Previously, Brian Simmons has mentioned the Bible being "sealed." And yet, John 22 is still on "Jesus's library" bookshelf... This same "Jesus" told Brian Simmons in this video: "You are not ready for that book." Then he (Jesus) promised that, "I will bring you back one day and I will give you that book." Are we ready for His quick coming? Or shall we wait for a non-existent John chapter 22 that Brian Simmons has been told by "Jesus" that he will get later? Revelation 22:18-21 For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book: (19) And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book. (20) He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus. (21) The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen. Clear admonition for the Body of Christ in any generation: Proverbs 30:5-6 Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him. (6) Add thou not unto his words, lest he reprove thee, and thou be found a liar.

A bit more from the original article: "If it becomes D.C. law, it would force pro-life crisis pregnancy centers and healthcare providers to comply or face a mountain of discriminatory, mean-spirited lawsuits for not hiring someone who supports the practice of abortion," wrote Glenn. "Rather than forcing the faith-based healthcare providers to hire against their conscience or shut down, the D.C. Council should recognize the profound contribution these organizations make to our community." Seems kind of like a Christian ministry being made to hire a murderous Satanist! While most of the "District's list of protected classes" make sense, a few, like this one if passed, border on insanity!

Newsflash: ‘The Shack’ Author (William P. Young) Claims Unsaved Can Still Be Reconciled to God After Death: ‘I Don’t Think Death Is Our Damnation’ Snip: "... in a recent interview that he believes people are still given chances to receive Christ’s sacrifice after death, remarking, “I don’t think the story is over just because you die.” An acquaintance of Young’s, who has long expressed concern about the popular author, says that he is saddened that some are so willing to accept such false teaching from Young." ....However, James B. DeYoung, author of “Burning Down the Shack: How the ‘Christian’ Bestseller is Deceiving Millions” and an acquaintance of William P.Young.... has written three books to counter Young’s teachings, including the aforementioned “Burning Down the Shack,” as well as “Lies Paul Young Believes About God” and “Exposing Universalism,” which also cites the beliefs of Brian McLaren and Rob Bell. “For fourteen years I have been asserting that Paul Young advocates universal reconciliation (also known as universal salvation) in all his novels, including ‘Crossroads’ [2010] and ‘Eve’ [2015]) and the movie ‘The Shack.’ My views were generally rejected. Now the ‘genie is out of the bottle,'” he said." Note: I read "Burning Down the Shack" a few years back. Although a bit dry, it was a well researched book in exposing William P. Young's heresies.

@Willie T Hi Willy, this was the video angels4u was referring to, as she mentioned, well worth looking into: That being said, I want nothing to do with a transvestite "father god" who is a large black woman, or a transvestite "un holy ghost" Asian woman. This aspect of "The Shack" is often not mentioned, but none the less a part of the universalist William P. Young's falsehoods as well.

Perhaps some here who still side with this false pastor might consider this man's testimony on coming out from Bill Johnson's Bethel church in Redding CA. I and a few others here can hope... Over the years I've seen the same things in many of the Charismatic and Pentecostal churches not only in our area, but a few of our adjacent states as well. In exposing this nonsense, we would often pray, asking God for folks to be delivered from these false signs and wonders churches that I knew to be operating in the demonic, and not in the Christ or the Holy Spirit of the Bible. Also asking for His protection as Satan does not care to have his ministers or envoys exposed. In the few years I've been at Worthy, some of the members who continue to support this very nonsense I've been slightly surprised at as well. The last "fire tunnel, portal" pastor I ran into, upon my expounding on the demonic involved in this kind of witchcraft pretty much flipped out on me in front of a number of other people. I simply told him "you sir need to repent!" letting folks in our hearing he was no "pastor." Part of his testimony on coming out from Bill Johnson's cult: "Even from my first visit, I would get myriad ”words of knowledge” spoken to me by many people EVERYDAY. I still have them written down. I think maybe ONE came true, but I know NOW that it was just a lucky guess..the rest em’?? UN-lucky guesses…lol. So to make a long story short , I absorbed every thing Bethel offered I dove in seven days a week. I had my first ”fire tunnel” experience at a house…my first impression…OVERRATED!! While everyone else that went through it laughed and convulsed hysterically, I was unaffected EVEN in spite of the countless attempts of others to ”IMPART” (one of their buzz words) into me what they were feeling. Also, I found it strange that I couldn’t even communicate with people even about simple matters like the weather or a basketball game without them jerking, shaking or convulsing…these convulsions were so profuse within the cult that for me it QUICKLY became overkill. Another idiosyncrasy was the constant belting out of the phrase…”’WHOA” OR ”WOE” This is heard constantly. Still seeing through rose colored glasses though, I overlooked the weird behavior and justified it by concluding that ”God loves it when his kids are having fun with Him” Gradually though, I started deducing that this wasn’t mere fun…it was borderline mockery, the shaking, the jerking, the laughing, the cackling, the convulsing….it just went on TOOOO MUCH!!! If it were done in moderation, it may have gone undetected by me, but this was INSANE!!! Later, I started noticing a LOT of name dropping from the pulpit (mostly from Bill Johnson) of false prophets and wolves like Bob Jones, Patricia King, Todd Bentley, Heidi Baker, and a plethora of others… This was constant, and when these names were mentioned, cheers went up with the fervor and magnitude of a Super Bowl touchdown reaction. During my entire time there, I NEVER ONCE heard Jesus get even a fraction of that type of praise,worship, or delightful frenzy. I might add that NEVER ONCE did I hear salvation, repentance, holiness, righteousness, judgment, or wrath preached, neither from the pulpit nor when I’d travel the streets with them. The whole business plan (because it’s NOT a ministry) is to focus on LYING signs and wonders….impotent magic tricks. I’ve always wondered why Bill would rave about all of these so-called and UNDOCUMENTED ”miracles” happening through Bethel around the world, YET, when it comes to home, we never get to see any of em’ manifested. For instance, Bill and his wife both wear prescription glasses…where’s the healing?? Bill had a hernia surgically removed…WHAT??? No miracle?? Bill’s son Eric is deaf and has a speech impediment…C’mon Bill…that’s your son..HEAL HIM!!!…Bill and his wife have gray hair (a sign of zinc deficiency)…but no ”supernatural” intervention has taken place, yet all of this GREAT stuff is happening EVERYWHERE ELSE EXCEPT HOME ON BETHEL’S TURF!!! Gimme a break!!!. The real thing that got me though was the death of little J.C. the infant of two dear Korean friends of mine. He died from cancer at two years old. Prayers went out for him every second of the day. People jerked, shook, laughed, convulsed, spoke in (FAKE/DEMONIC) tongues over him…the works…and when he died, we were left with feeble excuses like ”God needed him more” "...There was a class held every Sunday called ”Fire Starters” birthed out of the Toronto Blessing movement. This class was supposed to ..get this…”TEACH” PEOPLE HOW TO PROPHESY…LOL!!! Yes…I laughed too!! So anyway, every class people were randomly called to the front of the room, they were lined up, and asked to pick someone in the room and give them a word of knowledge…BUT THERE WERE RULES…WHAT EVER YOU SAID HAD TO BE SWEET, KIND, AND MAKE THE PERSON ”FEEL” GOOD…Those are the rules verbatim!!!"

Well, my "Sky Viper Nano Drone m220" hardly applies, but yes I do! It's camera-less, about the size of a 50 cent piece. And I'd likely shave off ones eyebrows if they were in the same room with me as I attempt to control the thing!

Good drone pictures George, not a bad camera on that thing! Cool short video too from Arad with the Dead Sea in the background!

Hi dr3032! Good advice above from HikerMom on (prayerfully) asking for God's help in forgiving your parents if you need to! Not forgiving folks definitively puts unseen prison bars around those who choose not to forgive. Your subject " A Lamp On The Stand" had me thinking immediately on this verse, as if you "perhaps" already "knew" the answer! Luke 11:33 No man, when he hath lighted a candle, putteth it in a secret place, neither under a bushel, but on a candlestick, that they which come in may see the light. This verse has your parents included in it's context, let them know the great news when you get a chance!

A few years back, we watched the International Space Station one night go overhead quickly as it went from horizon to horizon on it's way around the earth again! There was a definite portion of an "arc" to its path! Nothing conspiratorial from NASA on these gorgeous photos!~ https://www.nasa.gov/feature/top-15-earth-images-of-2015 Isaiah 40:21-22 Have ye not known? have ye not heard? hath it not been told you from the beginning? have ye not understood from the foundations of the earth? (22) It is he that sitteth upon the circle of the earth, and the inhabitants thereof are as grasshoppers; that stretcheth out the heavens as a curtain, and spreadeth them out as a tent to dwell in:

Well informed article on the subject, just watched it with the family. Thanks George. This is a link they mentioned in the 28 minute video: https://creation.com/the-flat-earth-myth-and-creationism Snip: "History of the flat-earth myth The story that Christians believed in a flat earth until Columbus’ time, and for some time thereafter, began as part of a fictional story that was elevated to historical fact by late 19th-century Darwinists who used it primarily as a means to ridicule Christians. The spherical shape of the earth was known to the ancient Greeks, who even made some good estimates of its circumference and, contrary to the claims of the flat-earth myth perpetuators, was never lost. One well-known example is Eratosthenes who measured the earth’s diameter fairly accurately in the 3rd century BC. Eratosthenes calculated the circumference using geometry to within 3.5% of the true value.1 The ancient Greek experimenters knew its shape by evaluating a variety of evidences, including the earth’s shadow during a lunar eclipse and the changing sky as one travels northward and southward." I recall hearing this Irving myth in public school years ago in a "history book" emphasis mine: "... The myth that the Church ‘condemned as heretics all who claimed that the earth was round’ was ‘invented by two fabulists working separately: Antoine-Jean Letronne, an anticlerical 19th-century Frenchman, and Washington Irving. The 19th-century American writer Washington Irving was actually the first major promulgator of the flat-earth myth. In his very unreliable biography of Columbus, titled History of the Life and Voyages of Christopher Columbus (1828), Irving wrote that it was the flat-earth believing churchmen who vehemently opposed Columbus’ plan to travel to the Indies on the grounds that his ship would fall off the edge of the earth while attempting to sail across the Atlantic. In fact, those who opposed Columbus not only knew the earth was a sphere, but also had a good idea of how large it was—and this was the major reason why they opposed Columbus. Columbus and his men were not afraid of falling off the earth as Irving claimed, but of travelling so far from land in an unknown part of the world. They did not know the American continent existed, and, for this reason, Columbus’ critics correctly believed that a voyage to the Far East would take far too long and cost way too much. Unfortunately, Irving used many facts from reputable references to make his fictional account appear well supported, and, as a result, ‘the public was fooled into taking his literary game as history. A careful reading of Irving makes it clear that his ‘history’ was deliberately designed to make Christianity appear prejudiced, dogmatic and ignorant, and to make scientists appear as objective persons who were carefully weighing the facts and who, in the end, were correct. As Morrison correctly concluded, Irving’s account is ‘mischievous nonsense … . The sphericity of the globe was not in question. The issue was the width of the ocean,’ and on this question Columbus’ opposition was correct." "...By citing only secondary sources, the flat-earth myth propagandists did what they accused the church of doing—and what Darwinists do today—and, as a result, they created a ‘body of false knowledge by consulting one another instead of the evidence. This history clearly supports, not a war of religion against science, but instead a war of evolutionary propagandists against religion. The fact that White and ‘his imitators have distorted history to serve ideological ends of their own’ is only one of the many examples of this war by materialists against Christianity."

Hi DaughterOfAKing! I'm glad your picking up on the great advice here, simply to add these verses you already knew about in your original post! 2Corinthians 6:14-18 Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? (15) And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? (16) And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. (17) Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, (18) And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty. That being said, a few "real life" examples of a few marriages I've witnessed over the years, with one "Saved" and one not. All of these couples with the exception of the young woman, knew what they were getting into. The young woman knew of these verses, but was fooled for a short season: 1. A Christian woman marries an unsaved man, figuring she will "get him saved" yet knowing good and well what the good Lord had to say on the matter. 25 years later, they are still together, he still is not saved. He commits adultery on her regularly. For now she is still married, and continues to pray for him. 2. Young Christian woman, 18, knows very little of the Lord, yet knows when she marries, that the man "should be" a Christian. For a short time dates an "UN-saved" man who would love to have her for a good time... So, still as an Un-Saved man, he professes to a Preacher he is now "Saved," and even gets baptized. Yet, as a false convert, he was just a dry sinner, coming up a wet one... A divorce follows a short time later when she comes home early one day, with another woman in their bedroom... 3. Christian woman marries an unsaved man, figuring she will "get him saved" yet knowing good and well what the good Lord had to say on the matter. 40 years into there marriage, and he still is not Saved. Their marriage has been a tough one, I prayed for them a number of times, and witnessed to the man of our glorious Savior Jesus Christ one day. Nothing but a cold "I know better than you" smile on his part. He dies. And unless he had a "death bed conversion," he goes on to an eternity in Hell. I could go on with several others I know of, but I hope this too will give you some reflection. DaughterOfAKing, Stand fast in the Lord, keep Him always as your first love, and trust Him for the outcome. And continue to prayerfully renew your mind with His Word!

Quoting Oswald J. Smith: I'd like to address this portion of the article that I've also heard a number of times over the years. I do believe the time frame for Pre Tribulation's initial dating in the 1830s to be in error. The woman that Darby used was a questionable mystical woman. With her in the mix, it attempts to give the Pre-Tribulationist a bit of a dark and dubious starting point. However, there were others many years prior that believed in the Pre Tribulation rapture of the church. I thank David Cloud for his research here with a portion of his article quoted: https://www.wayoflife.org/reports/the_pre_tribulation_rapture.html When Was the Pre-Tribulation Rapture First Taught? "It has long been claimed by those who interpret prophecy allegorically that the doctrine of the pre-tribulation Rapture is a new doctrine, and since it is allegedly a new doctrine it cannot be a true one. ...When Demar says the pre-tribulation Rapture did not exist prior to 1830, he is referring to the The Morning Watch prophecy journal and the writings of John Darby which popularized dispensational theology in the 1800s. Though this claim continues to be made, it is patently false. MORGAN EDWARDS (1722-1795) The Pre-Tribulation Rapture was taught by prominent Baptist leader Morgan Edwards. His Two Academical Exercises on the Subjects Bearing the Following Titles; Millennium and Last-Novelties was published in 1744 in Philadelphia. Morgan Edwards was one of the most prominent Baptist leaders of his day. He was the pastor of the Baptist church in Philadelphia and the founder of Brown University, the first Baptist college in America. A summary of life was featured in the Baptist Encyclopedia. He was one of the first Baptist historians of repute, his Materials Toward A History of the Baptists (1770) providing a foundation for all subsequent works. Following is what Edwards believed about Bible prophecy: “The distance between the first and second resurrection will be somewhat more than a thousand years. I say, somewhat more; because the dead saints will be raised, and the living changed at Christ’s ‘appearing in the air’ (I Thes. iv. 17); and this will be about three years and a half before the millennium, as we shall see hereafter: but will he and they abide in the air all that time? No: they will ascend to paradise, or to some one of those many ‘mansions in the father's house’ (John xiv. 2), and disappear during the foresaid period of time. The design of this retreat and disappearing will be to judge the risen and changed saints; for ‘now the time is come that judgment must begin,’ and that will be ‘at the house of God’ (I Pet. iv. 17)” (Edwards, Two Academical Exercises on the Subjects Bearing the Following Titles; Millennium and Last-Novelties, 1744). ...EPHRAEM THE SYRIAN (AD c. 303-373) We now go back to two centuries after the apostles. Ephraem is venerated as a “saint” by the Catholic and Orthodox churches, but they would not allow him to teach his doctrine of prophecy today. Ephraem is called “the Syrian” because he lived in that region. He was a voluminous writer. Many of his sermons and psalms are included in the 16-volume Post-Nicene Library. (The Council of Nicea was held in AD 325, and historians divide the “fathers” into Ante-Nicene, before 325, and Post-Nicene, after 325). Some of Ephraem’s sermons and hymns are used in the liturgy of Orthodox churches. In the 1990s some of Ephraem’s writings were translated into English for the first time, one of these being On the Last Times, the Antichrist, and the End of the World, A.D. 373. The translation was done by Professor Cameron Rhoades of Tyndale Theological Seminary at the bequest of Grant R. Jeffrey. It was subsequently published in Jeffrey’s 1995 book Final Warning. It is obvious that Ephraem believed in a literal fulfillment of prophecy, including a Rapture of New Testament saints prior to the Tribulation. “For all the saints and Elect of God are gathered, prior to the tribulation that is to come, and are taken to the Lord lest they see the confusion that is to overwhelm the world because of our sins” (Ephraem the Syrian, On the Last Times). Observe that Ephraem taught that the saints will be taken to the Lord so they will not see the confusion that is to overwhelm the world, which is exactly what 1 Thessalonians 5:3-9 says. Ephraem taught a literal antichrist who will sit in a literal rebuilt temple in Jerusalem, a literal 3.5 year Tribulation, a literal Two Witnesses or prophets who will preach in Jerusalem, a literal battle of Gog and Magog. "...It was in the era of Augustine that allegoricalism widely replaced the previous method of interpretation. Prior to this, it was common among Bible believers to interpret prophecy literally. They believed that Christ would return literally (and imminently), bind Satan, and establish a literal millennial kingdom on earth. This is admitted by church historians. -William Newell says: “The early Church for 300 years looked for the imminent return of our Lord to reign, and they were right” (Newell, Revelation). -Phillip Schaaf said, “... the most striking point in the eschatology of the ante-Nicene age [prior to AD 325] is the prominent chiliasm, or millennarianism, that is the belief of a visible reign of Christ in glory on earth with the risen saints for a thousand years, before the general resurrection and judgment” (History of the Christian Church, 8 vols, Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 1960, 2:614). -Henry Thiessen says, “It is clear ... that the Fathers held not only the pre-millennial view of Christ’s coming, but also regarded that coming as imminent. The Lord had taught them to expect His return at any moment, and so they looked for Him to come in their day. Not only so, but they also taught His personal return as being immediately, with the exception of the Alexandrian Fathers, who also rejected other fundamental doctrines” (Thiessen, Introductory Lectures in Systematic Theology, p. 477). In fact, Augustine, “the father of amillennialism,” once believed in a literal millennium himself. He said, “I myself, too, once held this opinion. ... They who do believe them are called by the spiritual, Chiliasts, which we may literally reproduce by the name Millenarians” (Augustine, City of God, book 20, chapter 7).

Prophecy ... Different Views Shouldn't Turn into Slanderous Accusations Agreed. I've looked over at least 7 "rapture" theories in the past. Four of those I was able to quickly dismiss for lack of any real verses of Scripture in any kind of context at all. However, for "Pre, Mid, and Post tribulation positions, I've seen many scriptures that "seem" to have support for all three these positions. I've read along with many eschatological enthusiast here at Worthy here on their varied positions as well. For "now" at least, I'm a "Pan Tribulationist." I "know" it's all going to "pan out" in those 7 years. This much is for certain, whenever our Lord does return, we should look to be ready, keeping Him as our first love, and our faith in Him strong.

Read this in it's entirety to the family. We have an abundance of "replacement theologians" in our area, along with "Dominionist" that side with Israel only to "hasten the second coming of Christ." You did a great job clarifying and eliminating both even if only by their associated mindsets. With the hodgepodge of what a "Zionist" supposedly is these days, this is what the "real" meaning of one should look like. Looked up the Scripture verses you mentioned, and thought their cross references great for this brother.