Teaching

Biblical Shunning or Apostate Church?

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by John McGlone
Feb 12, 2024

What is the shunning process according to the Bible? I have believed since 2015 that failure by the leadership of local churches to correct errors within the body leads to a progression to apathy generally and individually. This apathy often will then grossly morph into general and individual apostasy. We see that in large churches and movements like the Methodists and Salvation Army that started so well to end in miserable apostate conditions.

What if we come before the Lord, and people we have served, taught, prayed for, discipled, loved, and had fellowship with are castaway by Jesus Christ on that final day? What if the souls that we were given responsibility over, are turned over to eternal torment in God’s justice called hell? What if we feared what men thought of us, more than we feared what God taught us by the Holy Spirit? The fear of man is a snare, but the fear of God is wisdom. Prov 29:25

Luke 12:4-5 And I say unto you my friends, Be not afraid of them that kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do. 5 But I will forewarn you whom ye shall fear: Fear him, which after he hath killed hath power to cast into hell; yea, I say unto you, Fear him.

STEP ONE: DEALING WITH THE OFFENDER/S AND OFFENSES AMONGST US
Matt 18:15-17
15 Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother. 16 But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.17 And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican.
a. alone
b. with a witness in this second step it is important to not reveal any of the problems of the situation to the second or third witnesses that they may judge the situation between the parties without bias or partiality. The person that seeks the witness to reveal sins, may in fact be revealed as a false accuser.
c. before the church (some teach this means elders/pastors only, I believe this to be a serious error)

STEP TWO: ACTIONS OF THE LEADERSHIP AND THE MEMBERS OF THE LOCAL BODY
a. to teach every member of the church, youngest to oldest this Matt 18 process so that sinful; behaviors, doctrines(ideas) are removed from the fellowship of the saints over the course of time. This will eliminate the tendency of some members to gossip, slander, and backbite as the exposure, correction and solving of problems amongst ourselves helps to purify the local body.
b. to monitor these practices to ensure they are in order and above all to love one another.
c. to periodically check on the divisive brother to see if he’s changed his mind and behaviors which would lead them to be welcomed back into the body after he’s made his apologies/restitutions then he would be restored.

Titus 3:9-11
But avoid foolish questions, and genealogies, and contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and vain. 10 A man that is an heretick (some translations divisive) after the first and second admonition reject; 11 Knowing that he that is such is subverted, and sinneth, being condemned of himself.

This passage begs the question, “Is it divisive to then address bad doctrines or behaviors within the members that may lead to divisions? No, because the truth as taught by the Holy Ghost from the Holy Bible is in authority amongst all of us. For example, Hell and it’s real existence by the teachings of Jesus multiple times in the NT would never be called foolish strivings. In fact, doctrines are salvational not only for ourselves but those that hear us.

1 Tim 4:16
16 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.

I suppose the doctrine the Apostle Paul is speaking of is generally the letter he wrote. We could at least call it the Gospel. IF that is the case then the warning of God’s justice and hell are an important part of that presentation.

HOW DO WE EXECUTE THIS DIFFICULT PROCESS?

Galatians 6:1 – Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.

2 Thessalonians 3:14-15 And if any man obey not our word by this epistle, note that man, and have no company with him, that he may be ashamed. 15 Yet count him not as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother.

Ezekiel 33:8-9 When I say unto the wicked, O wicked man, thou shalt surely die; if thou dost not speak to warn the wicked from his way, that wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at thine hand. Nevertheless, if thou warn the wicked of his way to turn from it; if he do not turn from his way, he shall die in his iniquity; but thou hast delivered thy soul.

2 Tim 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 furnished unto all good works.

STEP THREE: PUTTING THE SINNER OUT OF FELLOWSHIP.
Once sin among a member is discovered and processed biblically according to Matt 18, what’s next? The Bible is clear to put out or shun that person from the fellowship. I am not saying that we can not keep a relationship with them IF they are willing. But, that relationship is understood as a saint and an errant brother who needs to repent.

1 Cor 5:9-13
I wrote unto you in an epistle not to company with fornicators:
10 Yet not altogether with the fornicators of this world, or with the covetous, or extortioners, or with idolaters; for then must ye needs go out of the world. 11 But now I have written unto you not to keep company, IF ANY MAN IS CALLED A BROTHER (emphasis mine) be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such an one no not to eat. 12 For what have I to do to judge them also that are without? do not ye judge them that are within? 13 But them that are without God judgeth. Therefore put away from among yourselves that wicked person.

James 5:19-20
Brethren, if any of you do err from the truth, and one convert him;
20 Let him know, that he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins.

1 Cor 5:4-8
In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, when ye are gathered together (assembling of the saints), and my spirit, with the power of our Lord Jesus Christ, 5 To deliver such an one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus. 6 Your glorying is not good. Know ye not that a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump? 7 Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened. For even Christ our passover is sacrificed for us: 8 Therefore let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, neither with the leaven of malice and wickedness; but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.

BENEFITS TO FOLLOWING GOD’S INSTRUCTION ON DEALING WITH SINNERS IN THE LOCAL CHURCH
In spiritually rejecting the willful sinner in your midst, you are purging the leaven/sin from within the local body. This is painful, but what are the affects on the individual and the body of Christ as a whole?

1. it may bring forth good fruit IF the transgressor repents and returns to the Lord Jesus and good doctrine/behaviors.

2. The biblical judicial exercise within the local church when exercised properly will cause the body to fear God. It will also cause the saints to obey Jesus’ commandments. Holiness unto the Lord!

3. Those that are lukewarm will either repent properly and be converted or they will depart themselves being pruned by the Holy Ghost. Better this than for Jesus to say depart from Me, ye cursed…

John 15:5-6
I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing. 6 If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned.

Rev 3: 16
So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.

Matt 25:41
Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:

4. Lastly, for those that are unbelievers amongst us, it will instill the Fear of God which is the beginning of wisdom leading unto salvation. However, it may cause them to depart as well thus cleansing the local church. Or they may depart for a season, returning when the Lord has convinced them to repent by the instruction of the Holy Ghost and those seeds we’ve planted and watered amongst them. I won’t list the five verses these ideas in this paragraph are based upon. Do you know where they are dear reader?

I would sadly estimate that nearly all visible churches in America fail to implement proper judicial and biblical corrections for it’s members. It is the responsibility, therefore greater judgment by God, of the elders, pastors, teachers, and deacons to administrate the local assembly of believers. What are some of the reasons for this terrible failure? a. Our culture and people are offended at any correction, even if it’s from the Bible. b. Our nation has fallen for the false idea that truth is relative, therefore what is good for this person may be okay for them even if the Bible condemns it. c. The church leaders refuse to teach that we are to live holy and obey Jesus and the Gospel. d. A false system of evangelism of ‘invite the sinner’ into the church or ask Jesus into your heart. e. A false idea that we are not to ‘judge’ which is disproven by many verses in the Bible. 1 Cor 6:2-5 f. A false idea that Christians sin in thought, word, and deed daily.

I believe that many who are believing this lie propagated by Augustine, Calvin, and the ‘churches’ through the ages have not sought holiness in Christ, thought, word, and deed daily. I believe the confusion is that people consider temptations to be sin. We are all tempted in many things daily, our afflictions are great, but we can do all things through Christ who strengthens us. Phil 4:13, 1 Cor 10:13
Jesus was tempted in all points, yet without sin. Heb 4:15 He is our example, and whom we should model our thinking, and behaviors upon. 1 John 2:3-6 John the Baptist was filled with the Holy Ghost from the womb of his mother Elizabeth. See my blog post Doctrines of Temptations for more of God’s Word on this vital subject.

Prov 17:15 He that justifieth the wicked, and he that condemneth the just, even they both are abomination to the LORD.



This model of evangelism in most churches is in direct contradiction to what we see in the book of Acts the blueprint for the church. All of the saints should have times of prayer individually and corporately, fasting, seeking the Holy Ghost, preparing, and going out into the world to preach or witness the Gospel to connect with our communities. We should: 1. bring them in if they are already born again and not attending fellowship (the spirits must be tested) 2. bring them in, if they are sincerely humble and seeking the truth of Jesus in a deeper way. (should go to immediate personal counsel with the leadership) 3. if they are choosing to hear another day then ask for a personal follow up over coffee. 4. If they mock and scorn then leave them to their wiles, tell them to repent or they will perish. Then pray that God would soften their hearts in the future. Thoughts of what happened with the Apostle Paul on Mars Hill come to mind in these scenarios.


#Shunning, #Shun, #Apostacy #ApostateChurch

Casting Pearls Before the Gay Swine?

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Nashville Pride 2015

by John McGlone June 4, 2019

We are in full swing into another year filled with God hating, homosexuality promoting, PRIDE parades and festivals which are kicked off in the month of June.

I find a continuing idea among Christians to be especially grieving. Almost every social media thread regarding those preachers that are going out into these filthy events will contain comments along the lines of why bother? They will include the ideas these homosexuals are reprobates, and you are simply casting your pearls before swine. So, I want to answer these foolish ideas with some of my observations of what I have experienced in going there and how the Bible relates to these outreaches.

Firstly, these events are filled with children, youth, and young adults many who have no idea that these things they are being taught are sinful and condemnatory. Many are being sexually abused by the ‘parents’ before, during, and after these public displays of lewdness and sexual predation. Don’t you care to try and reach them before they become ‘reprobates’ if that idea homosexuals you are believing and communicating is true?

Secondly, reprobation is a process unto death. Either God has given you over to your sin before you die, or you are in the process of resisting the Holy Spirit unto condemnation until your death. A question I have for you is can a Christian who is not living the LGBTQP life be reprobated? Let’s see what the Bible says.

2 Cor 13:5 Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?

Wait a minute! A Christian believer if he fails to examine himself, according to the Bible, may fail and become reprobate? That’s what God’s Word says folks!

If we are careful how we examine Rom 1 we will realize that starting in vs 18 that God is angry with all sin, all ungodliness, and wretched depravity of mankind. Who hold Jesus, who is the Truth, as not being correct or righteous. This is the start of every creature who grows into these monsters of iniquity, called ‘sinners’. This is the start of reprobation. God has given all mankind a period of probation on this earth to seek after Him. many things and evidences of Himself that He may be found. He is not far from any one of us. Acts 17:26-28. It is right in front of them if they would simply look to Him and them; creation, history, the Bible, faithful Christian witnesses, conscience, the moral law, the light of men, etc. I consider at a minimum that all believers are in a period of probation. Meaning that God the Judge has forgiven us based on what Jesus did at the cross. Now, to willingly trample in that mercy will bring condemnation and possible reprobation for even the believer, if they will not repent!

Rom 1:18-25 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness; 19 Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them. 20 For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: 21 Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. 22 Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools,23 And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things. 24 Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves: 25 Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen.

Thirdly, the whole idea of not casting your pearls before swine is communicated by Christians who usually don’t share their faith verbally, and publicly with any others. I think this is a serious error in Christendom. If this idea were true we shouldn’t share our faith with any sinner swine at all. Please read this carefully, the swine are the proud in heart, the good ground is the humble heart. So we don’t share the pearl or good news of our faith with the prideful swine sinner. But, if the swine humbles themselves under the preaching or the witness, then we give them the grace of God. Well, this idea does not just apply to the homosexual community but the human community who is living in rebellion to God. God is impartial. He hates partiality. I often will say when preaching to this generation of homosexuals and approvers that God is an equal opportunity condemner.

James 4:6 “But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.” 

But, wait a minute preacher this is a PRIDE event! Sure it is, but that does not mean that God’s Word can not crush that pride in an individual or perhaps a whole crowd of sinful people. God’s Word is like a hammer, and it does not return void. So, though like Lot I am vexed by neo Sodom & Gomorrah called America. But Lord willing, I want to stay the course and preach as Noah did until God calls me home via the ark of His Son Jesus Christ.

This is an unkind preacher dealing with a loving homosexual.
Can you tell which one is which?

What is the Gospel of Jesus Christ?

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by John McGlone Mar 15, 2019

Saints, this is such an important question to ensure we get right for the salvation of our souls and those that hear us! We should be regularly examining ourselves, testing the spirits to see if what we have or are believing according the instruction of the Holy Ghost by the Holy Writ.

1 Tim 4:16 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.

101418 What is the Gospel Vol 1

102118 What is the Gospel Vol 2

102818 What is the Gospel Vol 3

I welcome you to get a pad of paper and pen out that you would note all the Scriptures we cover in these three days of fellowship, over three hours of instruction. Taste and see that the Lord is good! Personally, I think this is some great steak from God’s Word on how we should understand what the Gospel is that we are to preach and share. God bless you as you listen. Please comment on the blog to leave your thoughts, feedback or correction to the teachings. If you are edified in the faith of Christ please share to social medias, with friends, family and enemies.


Master, What Will be the Sign of Your Coming? Vol 1

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End Times Considered
by John McGlone

Perhaps Eschatology, the study of the End Times is one of the most controversial, divisive, and polyviewed doctrine in all of Christendom.  There are Pre, Mid, Post Tribulation and PreWrath Rapture views of when the saints of God will be caught up in the air to be with Him forevermore.  There are Pre ,Post Millennial, and Amillennialism  views of when the New Jerusalem will be upon the earth.

Premillennialism, in Christian eschatology, is the belief that Jesus will physically return to the earth (the Second Coming) before the Millennium, a literal thousand-year golden age of peace. The doctrine is called “premillennialism” because it holds that Jesus’ physical return to earth will occur prior to the inauguration of the Millennium.

Amillennialism (Greek: a- “no” + millennialism), in Christian eschatology, involves the rejection of the belief that Jesus will have a literal, thousand-year-long, physical reign on the earth. This rejection contrasts with premillennial and some postmillennial interpretations of chapter 20 of the Book of Revelation

Postmillennialism, in Christian end-times theology (eschatology),  is an interpretation of chapter 20 of the Book of Revelation which sees Christ‘s second coming as occurring after (Latin post-) the “Millennium“, a Golden Age in which Christian ethics prosper.[1] The term subsumes several similar views of the end times, and it stands in contrast to premillennialism and, to a lesser extent, amillennialism (see Summary of Christian eschatological differences).

Preterism is a Christian eschatological view that interprets some (partial preterism) or all (full preterism) prophecies of the Bible as events which have already happened. Much of this view is based upon seeing the prophecies of Revelation as events that happened in the first century AD  at the destruction of Jerusalem in AD 70.  They hold annihilationism, that eternal hell is not true.  Also, they believe that Jesus is not actually God.  This is heresy of the oldest and basest sort.

There are many other views and ideas about the end times, but I believe we should just let the Bible interpret the Bible and the Holy Ghost to show us the way to the Kingdom, amen?  I believe the Lord showed me years ago an excellent key to understanding the end times as they unfold is to look for a key question that the disciples and the Jews were constantly asking Jesus, “Tell us, when shall these things be? …. and of the end of the world?”

Matt 23:3-4 “…the disciples came unto him privately, saying, Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world? 4  And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you.”

Matt 24:3-14  And as he sat upon the mount of Olives, the disciples came unto him privately, saying, Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world? 4  And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you. 5  For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many. 6  And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. 7  For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places. 8  All these are the beginning of sorrows. 9  Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name’s sake. 10  And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another. 11  And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many. 12  And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold. 13  But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved. 14  And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.

So, a first step in end times understanding is to look for the keys in the New Testament Scriptures.  Then we can assemble them all in one place which will begin to give us a clearer picture of what will be seen before the end of the age actually is upon us!  Secondly, we should take a look at any Old Testament prophecy or Scripture that relates to these New Testament passages we just mentioned.  Now we will have many pieces to arrange and put into some type of chronological order.

PUZZLE PIECE #1 THE TWO WITNESSES

Rev 11:1-14
And there was given me a reed like unto a rod: and the angel stood, saying, Rise, and measure the temple of God, and the altar, and them that worship therein.2 But the court which is without the temple leave out, and measure it not; for it is given unto the Gentiles: and the holy city shall they tread under foot forty and two months. 3 And I will give power unto my two witnesses, and they shall prophesy a thousand two hundred and threescore days, clothed in sackcloth. 4 These are the two olive trees, and the two candlesticks standing before the God of the earth. 5 And if any man will hurt them, fire proceedeth out of their mouth, and devoureth their enemies: and if any man will hurt them, he must in this manner be killed. 6 These have power to shut heaven, that it rain not in the days of their prophecy: and have power over waters to turn them to blood, and to smite the earth with all plagues, as often as they will. 7 And when they shall have finished their testimony, the beast that ascendeth out of the bottomless pit shall make war against them, and shall overcome them, and kill them. 8 And their dead bodies shall lie in the street of the great city, which spiritually is called Sodom and Egypt, where also our Lord was crucified. 9 And they of the people and kindreds and tongues and nations shall see their dead bodies three days and an half, and shall not suffer their dead bodies to be put in graves. 10 And they that dwell upon the earth shall rejoice over them, and make merry, and shall send gifts one to another; because these two prophets tormented them that dwelt on the earth. 11 And after three days and an half the Spirit of life from God entered into them, and they stood upon their feet; and great fear fell upon them which saw them. 12 And they heard a great voice from heaven saying unto them, Come up hither. And they ascended up to heaven in a cloud; and their enemies beheld them. 13 And the same hour was there a great earthquake, and the tenth part of the city fell, and in the earthquake were slain of men seven thousand: and the remnant were affrighted, and gave glory to the God of heaven.  14 The second woe is past; and, behold, the third woe cometh quickly.

God’s Two Oil Lamps

Some of My Suppositions
1. The world has never seen these two prophets outside the Temple in Jerusalem. 
2. These two prophets will do Moses & Elijah like miracles and then some! They will hold back water, turn water to blood, and even kill their enemies that are attempting to kill them with fire out of their mouths!
3. They are finally slain by the beast who will rise out of the pit.
4. Their death and resurrection after 3.5 years is a major flag! 
5. The whole world will create a holiday to celebrate their murder. I call it, “Happy We Killed the Prophets Day”. They will give gifts to each other, what lunacy!
6. This will be midway through the tribulation, 3.5 years remain for about the time the Seventh Seal will be broken and the Saints will go to be with Jesus Christ in the air. . 
7. Verse one implies a third temple to be built. The Jews have been preparing this for years. 

“Salvational or Non-Salvational?”, A Pitfall From the Enemy!

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by Br. John McGlone Oct 12, 2018

It seems often when it comes to the multitudes of varying doctrines that have infiltrated into Christianity, it makes you ponder, “Who holds the keys to good and enduring doctrine that we should learn and obey?”.  I see Facebook ‘debates’ of brethren who are involved in heated disputes that many times lead to misunderstandings and breaks in relations.  This should never be among Christians.  Do any of us have complete agreement on what the Lord hath said?  Are doctrines important?  Emphatically I say, “Yes and it’s salvational!” Herein lies my proof from the Bible.

1 Tim 4:16
16 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.

So, doctrine is obviously salvational, but did Paul just mean the Gospel or any doctrine that might be found in Scripture?   We simply need to back up to vs 11 to find out:

1 Tim 4:11-15
These things command and teach. 12 Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity. 13 Till I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine. 14 Neglect not the gift that is in thee, which was given thee by prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the presbytery.  Meditate upon these things; give thyself wholly to them; that thy profiting may appear to all.

In vs 13 we see, “…to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine.”  So, it should be generally applied to all Scripture and any doctrine that we are taught of the Holy Ghost.  Many will not agree with this interpretation but what else could it mean? Keep in mind that they primarily were using the OT to teach from.

Okay, with all the schisms, shunning, mistreatment of brethren over doctrine, why is this so important?  Because we are supposed to love each other as verse 12 describes.  If one is in error, he needs to be shown the error from Scripture.  Jam 5:19-20   Is it an easy task to lovingly deal with others that are in contradiction to your understanding?  No, but there is nothing that is precious that is easy to obtain.

Well if cosmology is described in the Bible, why wouldn’t it be a doctrine that all Christendom seek to understand and explain?  Mostly what I hear from brethren is, “Why does it matter?”.

How do we know which would be the true doctrine?  Well, the Holy Ghost teaching each of us individually as we seek understanding on any particular subject.

John 14:26-31
But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.

Now, part of the problem is that more mature Christians who have learned over the years from the Holy Ghost and experiences what are good interpretations, now seek to teach those doctrines to others.   The seasoned believers who have endured spiritual battles, spent much time in study and meditation interact with others who have or have not made the same investment.  Or, possibly they inverse is true regarding the persons involved. This leads to a conflict in views that, more often than not, will bring unnecessary divisions because of miscommunication, misunderstandings, and lack of suffering.   These have been real life experiences for me over the course of 22 years and more recently when a dear brother of mine and I have come into hard conflict and seemingly a spiritual impasse that had brought division.  I certainly do not think either of us desired that.  Praise God, we have worked through our misunderstandings and are able to call each other brother.

Another way of telling if a doctrine we hold to is true, is to bring it before others for them to examine to see if they find truth therein.  This would not be seeking to have  some special secret doctrine which a person holds to rule over you.  But, a plain and public reading and understanding that all can nod their heads in agreement with…eventually.

2 Pet 1:20
20 Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation.

I say eventually because learning new things take time.  I think every sincere Christian seeks to understand from above by the Holy Ghost.  This can be difficult, painful, and very humiliating, especially if we are the ones who need to adjust our thinking or ideology.  Part of the process of sharing doctrines are the ideas that God’s Word is as He describes.

Heb 4:12 
For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

Prov 27:17
Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend.

Eph 6:17-18
And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:  Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;

Every good soldier in warfare knows very well that in training he will become better in battle.  Do you train in study, prayer, armor bearing, shield and sword wielding?   Is it fun getting smacked around by another Christian in training?  No, but if the hearts are right with God and each other, who better to ready ourselves with for the real spiritual battle that lies at our doorstep?   Do you not know that the Roman legions perhaps the greatest natural army that ever existed were trained by each other first, long before they entered into an actual battlefield?

2 Tim 2:3-5
Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.  4 No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier.  5 And if a man also strive for masteries, yet is he not crowned, except he strive lawfully.

So, when any man challenges a doctrine you are promoting and believe, often he will give you the pitfall challenge, “Do you mean if I don’t believe this I am not saved?”  or maybe something like, “Is this salvational or non-salvational?”

1 Cor 10:12-13  Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall. 13 There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.

I use this pitfall example metaphorically as an example what I believe is a spiritual bomb when this question is asked to challenge doctrines that are opposed.

Certainly, some doctrines don’t fall under the heading essential, important, or salvational so it shouldn’t matter, right?

My response is all doctrines from Scripture are important and matter, period.  I think if there were exceptions to this idea they would have been listed by the Apostle Paul.   I suppose this question of, “Salvational or Non” to be a trap of the devil to bring divisions, animosities of all sorts between believers.

Phil 2:12-13
Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.  For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.

Each of us individually need to work out our own salvation.  Do I care about my brother’s soul?  Of course, but I can’t do his work for his salvation for him.  But, I can do everything possible to ensure whatever I am teaching to be clear, concise, and biblical.  This will edify the body of Christ and strengthen us together to go out into the harvest field together.

This naturally leads me back to the point of this article.  Why do we ask each other this stumbling question, “Is this doctrine salvational or not?”.  It automatically assumes conflict or denial in this spiritually loaded question.

On the first hand, if you reply it’s salvational and they don’t agree with the doctrine,  you may have condemned them for:
1. ignorance
2. maturity
3. contrary understanding or experience
4. possible inability to comprehend naturally/spiritually
5.  poor listening/speaking skills
6. stumbling of a brother.
…and there are other many possibilities.

On the second hand, if you say it’s not a salvational issue you have:
1. lessened the importance of God’s Word and His doctrines
2. reduced or eliminated the urgency for the theological opponent to change his mind about the ideology.
3.  You have not been faithful to communicate spiritual warnings God has placed in His Word out of ‘respect’ for the person.
4.  stumbled a brother who is unrighteously condemning your biblical view.
…and there are other many possibilities.

I think the solutions that I am attempted to communicate regarding our conflict can help many to be able to be unified in the Holy Spirit and yet really examine doctrines openly without fear of reprisals, shunning, name calling, or other ad hominem attacks as we grow in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Rom 14:7-12
For none of us liveth to himself, and no man dieth to himself. 8 For whether we live, we live unto the Lord; and whether we die, we die unto the Lord: whether we live therefore, or die, we are the Lord’s. 9 For to this end Christ both died, and rose, and revived, that he might be Lord both of the dead and living. 10 But why dost thou judge thy brother? or why dost thou set at nought thy brother? for we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ. 11 For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God. 12 So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God

So, if we seek to love our brothers, we will not judge them as condemned eternally.  Especially for those that hold doctrines that oppose our current beliefs.  I know many will balk at that idea.   Each saint of God will be judged individually before all.  At the same time, we should seek to remove stumbling blocks as Paul did.

I definitely still believe we should test all things including doctrine.  Remember previously, I agreed with God’s Word that doctrine is essential to the salvation of one’s soul, and those that hear us.  1 Tim 4:16  If I am convinced of a doctrine that the Lord has pressed upon me to teach/preach then I must out of duty to Him, the saints, and the lost do so.  Likewise each of you have the same duty to not hold back what the Lord has given you toward me and everyone else.  The neglect of doing these ideas aforementioned is one of  the deep roots of the apostate ‘church’.  At the same time God has communicated let not many among you teach, as we would give a stricter or harsher judgment.  Much responsibility comes with the territory of being a Christian ‘teacher’ at whatever level.

Some of my views which involve cosmological doctrines from the Bible, were the source of our previously mentioned hard dispute.  I have listed an in-exhaustive nine point list from the thread in footnote below.

Is Cosmology important?  Of course, this area of knowledge in both Christendom and the secular world guides either to or away from the Creator.  As an open air preacher of the Gospel I share this point over and again that God’s creation points to himself as God.  Kind of like the building/builder, painting/painter ideas which show intelligent design points back to their creator. I’ve been shocked to hear holiness open air preachers profess that they don’t believe cosmology is important as a doctrine.  What?  If it’s important to use when preaching to the lost, it surely must be important for the brethren to examine it together and publicly.

Is this study/ideology in Christendom important?  Is it essential or necessary for the salvation of my soul or others?   Of course!  Do I mean in this exact moment for you to be considered saved?  No, I mean it is essential to study these doctrines as we work out our own faith in maturity and understanding from the Holy Ghost as we all walk down this narrow and difficult way.  As many Christian geocentrists and flat earthers say, “Research it yourself.”  To re-search is to search it out again.

If GC and FE are true then who would not want this information to be understood and obeyed by Christians?  The answer of course is the father of all lies, the devil.  I know his strategy is to:  ruin human perspective of what God created so people won’t draw near to God through it, create doctrines which unbelievers may mock Christian ideology, kill and destroy souls that they may not be saved.  Ironically, the very things that sinners mock regarding God’s creation are the very forensic evidence which He will eternally condemn them with.  Do you see why cosmology is important now?

Rom 1:19-20
Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them.  20 For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:

With all the misinformation from every direction on these issues you’d think a spiritual atomic bomb went off when someone talks about cosmology from the old paths, ie geocentricity or Hebraic cosmology. ….I think people are having a worldwide awakening to the idea of ‘truth’, and seeking that.  If they are sincere they will find Jesus, who is the truth, the way, and the life.  John 14:6

We see Job’s complaining against God brings a very strong scourging from God unto Job in chapters 38-39 regarding His cosmogony.

Then the Lord answered Job – This speech is addressed particularly to Job, …,  because he had indulged in language of murmuring and complaint. God designed to bring him to a proper state of mind before he appeared openly for his vindication.  -Albert Barnes Notes on Job

Job 38:1-6
Then the Lord answered Job out of the whirlwind, and said, 2 Who is this that darkeneth counsel by words without knowledge? 3 Gird up now thy loins like a man; for I will demand of thee, and answer thou me. 4 Where wast thou when I laid the foundations of the earth? declare, if thou hast understanding. 5 Who hath laid the measures thereof, if thou knowest? or who hath stretched the line upon it? 6 Whereupon are the foundations thereof fastened? or who laid the corner stone thereof;

Matt 24:29-31
Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken: 30 And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. 31 And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.

This passage begs the question about the stars falling to earth.  Of course, the natural scientists don’t believe this, but do you?  Is this simply poetry, simile, or something else?  What’s your interpretation?  Please feel free to comment below the blog post with thoughts.

SUMMARY OF MY CONCLUSIONS

  • Doctrine is important and salvational to ourselves and those that hear us. 1 Tim 4:16
  • We have a duty to share our doctrines with each other in love. 1 Tim 4:12
  • The Holy Ghost is the primary teacher for every Christian.  John 14:26
  •  We know the Holy Ghost teaches us truth.  Titus 1:2
  •  Scripture must be publicly taught and understood.   2 Pet 1:20
  •  God’s Word is a spiritual sword.  We must train with each other before battle.
  • Work out your own salvation. Phil 2:12
  • Stay out of Jesus’ judgment seat.  Rom 14:7-12
  • Cosmology is important to God Gen 1, Job 38-39, Rom 1:19-20, Matt 24

Some of my cosmological views from the Bible, were the source of our previously mentioned hard dispute.  After my cosmological opponent laid out his beliefs I used his outline and inserted my understandings.  Here is how it went on FB.

“Since some religious ‘spirits’ have been stirred up by this post, I want to clarify some things and explain my position fully in regards to flat earth.

1. I 100% believe the earth is generally flat as evidenced by the oceans and water always seeks level which creates a horizon which is horizontal. I believe the earth is the center of the universe, stationary and immovable as God’s Word plainly states. I say all of this with no reservations whatsoever.

2. I have no issue whatsoever if someone chooses to believe the earth is rotund, oblate, pear shaped, or otherwise. Nor do I condemn those that believe helioentricity. However, I believe that the belief in the scientism and aforementioned doctrines to be anti-cogent, illogical, and scientifically unsound. But, don’t expect me to shut up because you don’t agree with what I believe by faith.

3. The bible is not silent on the cosmology of God’s creation.

4. I believe that anyone who makes cosmology of no importance for careful examination is wrong. Calling me a heretic hurts my feelings but I’ll get over it.

5. For some, the belief in the ‘science’ they have been taught in public school at every level has become an idol.

6. I think ribbing or joking about ideas in good fun to be okay. But, we are talking about God’s cosmogeny and it is no laughing matter to belittle what He hath said.

7. Accusing someone of being a heretic because they do not believe in heliocentrism or geocentrism or a particular shape of the world as we know it, is slander and sinful.

8. I believe that taking clear statements in God’s word to be figurative, simile, metaphor, or poetic could very well lead to major errors in understanding of God’s Word, will, and creation.

9. I believe the devils influenced and started the modern ideas of the ‘scientific’ heliocentric theory to discredit God and His Word.”

Lastly, “Do I think this is salvational or non salvific?”  For me, emphatically yes!  Because I have studied it thoroughly for four years and can not deny what God has taught in His Word.   To do so would blaspheme the Holy Ghost who taught me these things.  What about you?  Have you even bothered to see if these things are so from the Bible?  Or have you shrugged it off and thought, “Why is this important?” and gone back to sleep on the issues.  If you have gotten this far into this blog, may I interest you in checking our our Confronting the Cosmogony page?  Thank you and God bless you.

South Latitudes Disprove Global Scientism!

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Introduction by John McGlone

As a navigator in the U.S. Navy, retiring after 21 years it took me over four years of regular and sometimes very intense seasons of study to answer enough questions for myself to come to the cosmological view of geocentricity and the flat earth domed model of our ‘earth’ that I would actually discuss and promote these things publicly.

Ship Captains and First Mates have wrestled through hundreds of years of voyaging and the two worst areas to sail are the northern and southerly latitudes.  Anything above or below the Arctic or Antarctic Circles were filled with horrifying stories of men and ship’s inexplicably and tragically lost.   It is now my belief that God has topographically, environmentally, and naturally hindered the approaches to the ‘north pole’ or the icy edge of the ‘southern’ continent.  Check the following reading I am currently studying for information about these relatively modern mariners struggles in the southerly latitudes especially.

excerpt by Edward Hendrie’s book, “The Greatest Lie on Earth”

Obviously, the globe model presents the traveler with a significantly different configuration than does the flat earth model, particularly in the so-called “southern hemisphere.” The discrepancy between the reality of a flat earth and the myth of a south seas.

Samuel Rowbotham, in his book Zetetic Astronomy, explains the dangers of the false charts based upon a globe model: In the southern hemisphere, navigators to India have often fancied themselves east of the Cape when still west, and have been driven ashore on the African coast, which, according to their reckoning, lay behind them. This misfortune happened to a fine frigate, the Challenger, in 1845.405 How came Her Majesty’s Ship Conqueror, to be lost? How have so many other noble vessels, perfectly sound, perfectly manned, perfectly navigated, been wrecked in calm weather, not only in a dark night, or in a fog, but in broad daylight and sunshine–in the former case upon the coasts, in the latter, upon sunken rocks–from being ‘out of reckoning,’ under circumstances which until now, have baffled every satisfactory explanation.406 Rowbotham explains how the British ship Challenger completed the circuit of the southern region, indirectly, to be sure, circumnavigating Antarctica. The approximate circumference of Antarctica is supposed to be approximately 14,460 statute miles on the globular earth model. However, the Challenger spent three years and traversed nearly 69,000 miles. That is a distance that would have allowed the ship to circle Antarctica over 4 times if the earth were in fact a globe. The 69,000 mile long journey around the circumference of the earth that is Antarctica, however, is perfectly explained by a flat earth.

 

 

Rowbotham quotes from voyagers, who found that their charts, which used a globular earth model, almost always put them off course in the south seas. “We found ourselves every day from 12 to 16 miles by observation in advance of our reckoning.”  Another southern seafarer stated: “By our observations at noon we found ourselves 58 miles to the eastward of our reckoning in two days.”  The spherical earth charts did not account for the expanse of distance between the lines of longitude the further south one travels on a flat earth. Consequently, the mariners’ true position on the earth, determined by using celestial navigation and a chronometer, was found to be off by several degrees from the position on the chart that was plotted using dead reckoning. One mariner detailed the distance that the erroneous charts, which assumed a globular earth, put them off course in the south seas. February 11th, 1822, at noon, in latitude 65.53. S. our chronometers gave 44 miles more westing than the log in three days. On 22nd of April (1822), in latitude 54.16. S. our longitude by chronometers was 46.49, and by D.R. (dead reckoning)47°11´: On 2nd May (1822), at noon, in latitude 53.46. S., our longitude by chronometers was 59° 27´, and by D.R. 61° 6´. October 14th, in latitude 58.6, longitude by chronometers 62° 46´, by account 65° 24´. In latitude 59.7. S., longitude by chronometers was 63°28´, by account 66°42´. In latitude 61.49. S., longitude by chronometers was 61° 53´, by account 66° 38´.

The skippers of the ships in the south seas could only guess that the discrepancies between their dead reckoning plotted on their charts and their true positions, confirmed by precise chronometers and sextants, was due to the currents. Rowbotham explains, however, that currents could not possibly account for the navigation errors, because the errors in the navigation were manifested regardless of whether the ships were traveling east or west. The commander of the United States exploring expedition, Lieutenant Wilkes, in his narrative, says that in less than 18 hours he was 20 miles to the east of his reckoning in latitude 54° 20´ S. He gives other instances of the same phenomenon, and, in common with almost all other navigators and writers on the subject, attributes the differences between actual observation and theory to currents, the velocity of which, at latitude 57° 15´ S., amounted to 20 miles a day. The commanders of these various expeditions were, of course, with their education and beliefin the earth’s rotundity, unable to conceive of any other cause for the differences between log and chronometer results than the existence of currents. But one simple fact is entirely fatal to such an explanation, viz., that when the route taken is east or west the same results are experienced. The water of the southern region cannot be running in two opposite directions at the same time; and hence, although various local and variable currents have been noticed, they cannot be shown to be the cause of the discrepancies so generally observed in high southern latitudes between time and log results. The conclusion is one of necessity–is forced upon us by the sum of the evidence collected that the degrees of longitude in any given southern latitude are larger than the degrees in any latitude nearer to the northern centre; thus proving the already more than sufficiently demonstrated fact that the earth is a plane, having a northern centre, in relation to which degrees of latitude are are diverging lines, continually increasing in their distance from each other as they are prolonged towards the great glacial southern circumference.

Conclusions by Br. John McGlone

In closing:  1.  Admiral Byrd’s adventures into the Antarctica revealed the immensity and impossibility of actually confirming the globe.  2.  The forensic evidence of the edge of our world has forced the nations of the earth to an inclusive treaty that everyone has kept!  3.  The old school mariners had the same problem modern ones do in higher latitudes especially the southerly  4.  The actual distance to circle the ‘continent of Antarctica’, or more accurately circle the perimeter of the edge, must be greater than approximately 70.000 nautical miles.  5.  Because I don’t believe we have even ventured close to where the heavenly firmament [dome] meets the edge of the terra firma we can’t really give an exact measure of the distance in point four.  6.  God has set these limits upon mankind to point them to Himself.  Topographic, extreme weather temperatures, pressures, storms, hardness of the firmaments, etc also prevent us from  venturing beyond our terrestrial environ.  7.  All of this is confirmed by natural and spiritual evidences in our own experiences, in Holy writ, and extrabiblical literature.

 

 

 

Finally, IF the edge of the FE = ~70,000 nautical miles / π or 3.14 = ~ 22,293 nm
This is very close to the calculated circumference of the ‘globe’ by the pythagorean theorum and is confirmed by actual distances from the center or ‘north’ pole and the edge of the antarctic continent or rim. From 90°N the north pole or center pole of the earth to the equator = 5400 nm from the equator to 90°S or the edge of the face of the earth = 5400 nm.  So, 5400 nm X 4 quadrants = 21,600 nm.  Stop the presses this must mean we live on a globe right?  Wrong.  The pi presumes a circle in our calculation but for global believers they presume a 3D globe.  But, FE’rs don’t presume a pancake, but a structure as the Bible describes with foundations, pillars, the deep etc.   If you go to google earth you will see how they can jump between 2D & 3D with the click of a button, let that sink in for a few minutes….


Lost Books Mentioned in the Bible

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by John McGlone  Aug 10, 2018
ERRATA: *** CHANGES ENUMERATED Oct 4, 2023

I have always been intrigued by extra biblical books that are mentioned within canon of the Holy Bible that we have today.  {I can only deduct that depending on the context they must also be Scripture and inspired by the Holy Ghost.}

ERRATA #1***  I am continuing to study these lost books mentioned in the Bible to consider their authenticity as references for the Christian faith.  We believe any books worth studying as relevant to the 66 books verbal plenary inspiration must meet the following hermeneutical considerations to even press forward with more historical and forensic research.

FILTERS TO CONSIDER RESEARCHING LOST BOOKS OF THE BIBLE AS
VERBAL PLENARY INSPIRED SCRIPTURE

1. It must be mentioned in the Bible in historical text and context.

2. Must have historical/archaeological evidence to support itself.  For example, the book of Enoch is found in the Qumran caves with the other canonized Scriptures.

3. law of non-contradiction, it can not contradict obvious salvation pending doctrines like prophecies, virgin birth, Jesus is God, etc.

4. recover by the power of the Holy Spirit any and all lost books or epistles that have been possibly removed from the canon. Our goal is never to add or take away from the 66.

5. We must do this by faith that the Holy Spirit leads us and teaches us on the matters of the book or letter that we are historically and archaeologically examining. ***


Rev 22:18-19 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: 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.

1 Tim 3:16-17
All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.

The below image I found on FB peaked my interest months ago and goes way beyond; Enoch, Jubliee, and other well known Apocryphal and/or ‘lost books’.

Num 21:14-16 Wherefore it is said in the book of the wars of the LORD, What he did in the Red sea, and in the brooks of Arnon,  And at the stream of the brooks that goeth down to the dwelling of Ar, and lieth upon the border of Moab.  And from thence they went to Beer: that is the well whereof the LORD spake unto Moses, Gather the people together, and I will give them water.

Josh 10:13-14 And the sun stood still, and the moon stayed, until the people had avenged themselves upon their enemies. Isnot this written in the book of Jasher? So the sun stood still in the midst of heaven, and hasted not to go down about a whole day.  And there was no day like that before it or after it, that the LORD hearkened unto the voice of a man: for the LORD fought for Israel.
1 Kings 11:41 And the rest of the acts of Solomon, and all that he did, and his wisdom, are they not written in the book of the acts of Solomon?
1 Chr 29:29 Now the acts of David the king, first and last, behold, they are written in the book of Samuel the seer, and in the book of Nathan the prophet, and in the book of Gad the seer,
2 Chr 9:29  Now the rest of the acts of Solomon, first and last, are they not written in the book of Nathan the prophet, and in the prophecy of Ahijah the Shilonite, and in the visions of Iddo the seer against Jeroboam the son of Nebat?
2 Chr 12:15  Now the acts of Rehoboam, first and last, are they not written in the book of Shemaiah the prophet, and of Iddo the seer concerning genealogies? And there were wars between Rehoboam and Jeroboam continually.
2 Chr 20:34  Now the rest of the acts of Jehoshaphat, first and last, behold, they are written in the book of Jehu the son of Hanani, who is mentioned in the book of the kings of Israel.
2 Chr 33:19  His prayer also, and how God was intreated of him, and all his sin, and his trespass, and the places wherein he built high places, and set up groves and graven images, before he was humbled: behold, they are written among the sayings of the seers.

1 Cor 5:9  I wrote unto you in an epistle not to company with fornicators:

Col 4:16  And when this epistle is read among you, cause that it be read also in the church of the Laodiceans; and that ye likewise read the epistle from Laodicea.

Jude 1:14  And Enoch also, the seventh from Adam, prophesied of these, saying, Behold, the Lord cometh with ten thousands of his saints,…[prophecy from God is so detailed that it indicates it must have been written down previously.]

LINK to Book of Enoch

LINK to Book of Jasher

LINK to Apocryphal books

Last thoughts on this;  1.  I have always believed that men have and will continue to add to, or take away from the Word of God therefore bring great damnation upon themselves.  2.  The KJVO view is nullified by these additional writings if they are true. it’s first edition in 1611 which included the Apochrypha as inspired writings then removed them at later dates.**   3.  There are many clarifying concepts that can be gleaned from some of these writings.  4. We need to discern by the Holy Ghost and not just accept something that may be spiritually dictated to us.  5.  Reminds us to stay humble and not become high minded  6.  All of these writings are prewritten before the Council of Nicea.
7.  The Bible tells us that in the latter days, knowledge will increase.  Will that be true of the saints of God as we see this quickly approaching storm called the Great Tribulation?

Rev 22:18-19 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: 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.

**The 80 books of the King James Version include 39 books of the Old Testament, 14 books of Apocrypha, and the 27 books of the New Testament. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/King_James_Version

***Though my view has not moved much on the inspiration of these lost books mentioned in the Bible, I am making space to facilitate the removal of stumbling blocks for some brethren.***

BLUE LETTER BIBLE RE: ENOCH 1
https://www.blueletterbible.org/faq/canon.cfm

The Book of Jude seemingly contains a quotation of the intertestamental Book of Enoch. The question results from a citation found in Jude 14.

Now Enoch, the seventh from Adam, prophesied about these men saying, ‘Behold, the Lord comes with ten thousands of His saints’ (Jude 14).

Jude records a prophecy made by Enoch, who lived before the flood of Noah. Enoch predicted the coming of the Lord to judge wicked individuals. The Apostle Paul wrote of this same judgment (2 Thessalonians 1:7-10). This prophecy made by Enoch is not recorded in the Old Testament. Two questions arise: (1) Where did Jude obtain his information? (2) Was Jude’s information correct?

During the period between the testaments the Book of Enoch was written. It contains this prophecy. Some assume that Jude obtained this prophecy from the Book of Enoch, but this is not the case. Jude does not quote from the Book of Enoch but rather directly from Enoch. This could have been by means of special revelation from God or from some now unknown written source. The source of Jude’s quotation was the person Enoch. Where the Book of Enoch derived his information is another matter. It is possible that the source of the quotation found in the Book of Enoch was Jude, since there is no evidence as to the precise contents of the Book of Enoch until several centuries after Jude was written. Whatever the answer may be. It is not necessary to assume that Jude considered the Book of Enoch as authoritative.

Since we believe that Jude’s writing was inspired by God, we take this information as being correct. It is not essential to know how Jude obtained this information. Jesus had promised that His disciples would be indwelt by the Holy Spirit, who would guide them into all truth.

However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak (John 16:13).

Because of Jesus’ promise, the words of the New Testament writers were safeguarded from error.

We conclude that Jude did not quote from the Book of Enoch, but received the information in some other way.

MY RESPONSES TO BLB TEACHING ON THE BOOK OF 1 ENOCH

  1. They assert that Jude could have only been inspired by the Holy Ghost not from the manuscript of
    1 Enoch.  How do they know this?  How do any of the scholars know this?  How do we know this?  Is it a possibility that it was regarded as inspired by the early believers in the 1st through the 4th centuries?  Before the discovery of the Dead Sea Scrolls we didn’t have the script evidence to prove that at least there is such a book.

Do You Believe in Hell? Annihilationism Examined

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By Br. John McGlone

I recently had a great conversation with a young man on the doctrine of hell and his unbelief that God would torment people for eternity in fire.   He holds to the view of annihilationism.  This is basically the view that God will destroy sinners by fire but that would be finite and not everlasting as the Bible teaches.  He made an appeal to the many times that the Bible says that God will destroy or bring destruction upon the unbeliever.  I agreed with him that there are multitudes of verses, but added that you can not ignore the others that speak of a conscious torment in fire, gnashing of teeth, etc.   Here are a few verses from his interpretation:

Pro_15:11  Hell and destruction are before the LORD: how much more then the hearts of the children of men?

Pro_16:18  Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.

Pro_21:15  It is joy to the just to do judgment: but destruction shall be to the workers of iniquity.

Exo_22:20  He that sacrificeth unto any god, save unto the LORD only, he shall be utterly destroyed.

Psa_37:38  But the transgressors shall be destroyed together: the end of the wicked shall be cut off.

Psa_92:7  When the wicked spring as the grass, and when all the workers of iniquity do flourish; it is that they shall be destroyed for ever:

I immediately referred him to Mark 9:43-37 which is a direct quote from Jesus Christ.
Mar 9:43-50  And if thy hand offend thee, cut it off: it is better for thee to enter into life maimed, than having two hands to go into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched: 44  Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched. 45  And if thy foot offend thee, cut it off: it is better for thee to enter halt into life, than having two feet to be cast into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched: 46  Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched. 47  And if thine eye offend thee, pluck it out: it is better for thee to enter into the kingdom of God with one eye, than having two eyes to be cast into hell fire: 48  Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched. 49  For every one shall be salted with fire, and every sacrifice shall be salted with salt. 50  Salt is good: but if the salt have lost his saltness, wherewith will ye season it? Have salt in yourselves, and have peace one with another.

Well, in this passage it is referring to sinners who won’t cut sin, which offends God, out of their life.  This passage begs the question what is ‘their worm’, and why does Jesus mention it?  Firstly, the sinner has ownership of this worm, so by deduction we know that ownership will be eternal as the worm dieth not and are existing with the sinner in the fire.

I then queried him about the passage in Rev 14.

Rev 14:9-11  And the third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark in his forehead, or in his hand, 10  The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation; and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb: 11  And the smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever: and they have no rest day nor night, who worship the beast and his image, and whosoever receiveth the mark of his name.

I think he was surprised by my bringing up this passage and had not considered this one.  Yet, I was surprised within a few moments he agreed that this group of people that had received the mark of the beast would in fact suffer forever in conscious torment in fire.  This tells me that the Bible is the source which he is willing to surrender his ideas to, and adjust accordingly.  This is both a good sign and good practice for all believers.  I asked him if he thought this would be partiality on God’s part, he replied no.  I think he answered that too quickly and didn’t consider the ramifications of God burning these people forever, yet treating other sinners in a differing manner.

One of the most compelling passages about eternal fire and damnation is from Matt 25.

Mat 25:31-46  When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory: 32  And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats: …
…44  Then shall they also answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, or athirst, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister unto thee? 45  Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me. 46  And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.

This passage clearly points out the eternality of God’s justice, not just that it burns forever, but ‘these’ are in that punishment not just destruction.

Lastly, I pointed out to the young man and he agreed that none of us deserve heaven forever, but we all deserve hell forever.  I also shared that it is a temptation to try and make God more ‘loving’ than he has already shown at the bloody cross of Jesus and in His Word which is true forever and ever, and ever, and ever…

He began to respond with the Sheol in the Hebrew argument meaning ‘in the grave’.  At this point I believed the Lord was leading me to back off and allow some of the seeds and watering I had already done on this issue to sink in and germinate with him.

Here is a great blog on hell and it’s ramifications.  I don’t agree with all the points but it is very good.  I think you will be encouraged.

The Diffinitive On Hell….

Sodomy – A Crime for Homosexuals Only?

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Introduction by John McGlone

I offer these thoughts based on the following article which I found and copied, but unfortunately I didn’t copy the source.  I find it to be very informative and provoking.  Sodom and Gomorrah were destroyed by God for sexual immorality.

2 Pet 2:6 “And turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrha into ashes condemned them with an overthrow, making them an ensample unto those that after should live ungodly;”

Something God has been putting on my heart for quite a few years now is how does this play out for the heterosexual Christian couple?   Are we allowed to participate in anal or oral intercourse?  Is this not just as filthy as what the homosexuals do? There are a variety of responses to this of course, everything from we can do oral but not anal, or to everything goes because as long as it is inside the covenant of marriage.  Some will say that God speaking of strange flesh means non heterosexual.  So, as you examine this great article I would ask for you to seek the Holy Spirit to convince you what is pure before the God you worship.  If we play into the ideas that a little bit of this sexual leaven is okay, how is that not hypocritical before God?  Even from a natural standpoint fellatio, cunnilingus, and anilingus are not healthy as the natural bacterias that reside in those areas are not compatible in the mouth and visa versa.  For example, E. coli forms a mutualistic relationship with its host organism. … In fact, E. coli is actually an essential organism to the human body. However, there are a few that cause food poisoning and cause serious infections. But the most dangerous is O157:H7, which can be life threatening.

Jude 1:7 “Even as Sodom and Gomorrha, and the cities about them in like manner, giving themselves over to fornication, and going after strange flesh, are set forth for an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire.” 

 

Sodomy
by Unknown Source

Anal or oral intercourse between human beings, or any sexual
relations between a human being and an animal, the act of which may be punishable as a criminal offense.

The word sodomy acquired different meanings over time. Under the Common Law,
sodomy consisted of anal intercourse.Traditionally courts and statutes referred to it as “crime against nature” or as copulation
“against the order of nature.” In the United States, the term
 eventually encompassed oral sex as well as anal sex. The crime of
sodomy was classified as a felony.

Because homosexual activity involves anal and oral sex, gay men were the primary target of sodomy laws. Culturally and historically, homosexual activity was seen as unnatural
or perverse. The term sodomy refers to the homosexual activities of men in the story of the city of Sodom in the Bible. The destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah because of their residents’immorality became a central part of Western attitudes toward forms of nonprocreative
sexual activity and same-sexrelations.

Beginning with Illinois in 1961, state legislatures reexamined their sodomy statutes. Twentyseven states repealed these laws, usually as a part of a general revision of the criminal code and with the recognition that heterosexuals engage in oral and anal sex. In addition, state
courts in 10 states applied state constitutional provisions to invalidate sodomy laws. As of early 2003, eight states had laws that barred
heterosexual and homosexual sodomy. Three other states barred
sodomy between homosexuals.

In Bowers v. Hardwick, 478 U.S. 186, 106 S. Ct. 2841, 92 L. Ed. 2d 140 (1986), the U.S. Supreme Court upheld the Georgiasodomy statute. Michael Hardwick was arrested and charged with sodomy for
engaging in oral sex with a consenting male adult in his home. A
police officer was let into Hardwick’s home to serve a warrant and saw the sexual act. Although the state prosecutor declined to prosecute the case, Hardwick brought suit in federal court asking that the
statute be declared unconstitutional.

On a 5-4 vote, the Court upheld the law. Writing for the majority,
 Justice Byron R.White rejected the argument that previous decisions such as the Court’s rulings on Abortion and contraception had created a right of privacy that extended to homosexual sodomy. Instead, the Court drew a sharp distinction between the previous cases,
which involved “family,marriage, or procreation,” and homosexual
 activity.

The Court also rejected the argument that there is a fundamental
 right to engage in homosexual activity. Prohibitions against sodomy were in the laws of most states since the nation’s founding. To the
argument that homosexual activity should be protected
when it occurs in the privacy of a home, White stated that “otherwise illegal conduct is not always immunized whenever it occurs in the home.” Because the claim in the case involved only homosexual sodomy, the Court expressed no opinion about the constitutionality of the statute as applied to acts of heterosexual sodomy.

The Bowers decision was severly criticized. Justice lewis powell, who voted with the majority, later stated that he hadmade a mistake in voting to affirm the law. In July 2003 the Supreme Court reversed itself on the issue of sodomy.
In Lawrencev.Texas, 539 U.S. ___, 123 S. Ct. 2472, 156 L. Ed.
2d 508, in a 6 -3 decision, the Court invalidated a Texas anti homosexual sodomy law by invoking the constitutional rights to
privacy.

Sodomy
n. anal copulation by a man inserting his penis in the anus either of
another man or a woman. If accomplished by force,without consent, or with someone incapable of consent, sodomy is a felony in all states in the same way that rape is.Homosexual (male to male) sodomy
between consenting adults has also been found a felony, but
increasingly is either decriminalized or seldom prosecuted. Sodomy with a consenting adult female is virtually never prosecuted even in
those states in which it remains on the books as a criminal offense. However, there have been a few cases, including one in Indiana, in
which a nowestranged wife insisted that a husband be charged with
 sodomy for sexual acts while they were living together. Traditionally sodomy was called “the crime against nature.” Sodomy does not
 include oral copulation or sexual acts with animals
(bestiality).  (See: rape, bestiality) 1

footnotes:
1.  http://legal-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com/sodomy

 

 

Fishing for Men!

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by John McGlone
I saw a Facebook thread by my friend Cassie Colleen asking everyone the great spiritual question, “What would u say to my friends face to face who either don’t believe or believe what they want about God?”

I replied, “This is a standard way I approach, friends, family, or strangers…on the phone, in the market, on the bus, wherever I go.”  Then I gave her the following series of points outlining a basic way I do personal witnessing.   I have developed this beginning with Ray Comfort’s, ‘Way of the Master’ using the law but going further personally which is very simple and easy to do as the Holy Ghost guides you.  
 
1. Hi, intro…chit chat nice weather, etc .
2. Can I ask you a very serious personal question? They almost always say yes!

3. God forbid if you died today and stood before Jesus Christ, would you be guilty or innocent?

 
4. If they say guilty, you agree and ask them what the Judge of the universe Jesus will do with them.
4a. If they say I don’t know…explain what Jesus taught in the Bible.
4b. If they say throw me into hell, say, “Doesn’t that concern you?”
4c. If they say guilty, but Jesus forgives me. Ask them how?
 
5. If they say innocent, ask them why.
5a. If they say because I do good things, explain that Jesus taught that no one’s good works will get them heaven.
5b. If they say because Jesus died for my sins, AGREE!
 
6. Encourage them to truly repent of all sin, ask for forgiveness, mercy, and relationship with Him. Tell them to keep doing that until the Holy Ghost has confirmed that they are born again and forgiven. Then they need to love Jesus with obedience, draw near to Him for mercy, and give Him the glory with their lives that He deserves, pray, study, share their faith!
 
Of course there could be many ways this could go! But, let the Lord lead your answers. But, the first very serious personal question opens things up because:
1. You’re compassionate, you said, “God forbid you died today…”
2. You brought up the issue of death no one wants to speak about.
3. You mentioned the Name of Jesus! It’s powerful! “…stood before Jesus Christ,”
4. You are asking them to judge themselves, “…would you be guilty or innocent.” I’ve had people go silent for 2-3 minutes! I can hear them pondering this question in their mind and heart before their conscience and the Lord! Very exciting!
 

Once in a while a person will harden their heart from the beginning of the question. But, I would say the success rate is 80-90% Are they converted, mostly not then, but you have done your part.

1 Cor 3:6-9
I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase. So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase. Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one: and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labour. For we are labourers together with God: ye are God’s husbandry, ye are God’s building.

They mostly always want more information…etc. Get their contact information!  Putting the major parts of this on flash cards and # them in order will help you to remember. One you start practicing this you will be hooked on fishing for men!

 
Hope this helps. God bless you as you seek to fish for men and women for Jesus’ glory!