Two Roads, Two Gates, One Goal ~ Bible Prophecy Today,: No~Michael James Stone

Two Roads, Two Gates, One Goal ~ Bible Prophecy Today

Read this above to understand the post below, Sounds good, looks good, presented by a good teacher, but everyone has "pet" ideas trhey want to add to scripture: Read the article first.





The point of the post? No.

Whenever someone makes a point, then takes A LONG TIME to get back to the point and fills the between with things easy to agree with, My RED FLAG WARNING goes into effect.

Like Rabbis, who use the same methodology, we are to go What? as the point is stated then get in agreement with parts that are not in particular to the point, so you go, Yes, yes , yes, yes, yes, yes then the kicker is tossed in which is not substantiated or proven and you are supposed to go....

Yes.

Ahhh.....NO.

Sorry.

Broad is the way that leads to destruction is not written to believers as Mr Kelley states.

USING the Message and INTERJECTIng theology rather than what Jesus Said is tendentialism and Jack knows that.

His messages are Often correct, but also some are full of idea's tossed in to make a point and have no basis in the basic read and interpretation by scripture of scripture.

You read it, you decide, but the more I get these Insertions of OPinions on the Scripture, I wonder at the accuracy of the person doing it.

Lately, it's getting obvious.....

Read the Word for waht the Word says, not some addition to it a bible teacher adds to it.

Michael James Stone

What Is Purgatory?~Jack Kelley

What Is Purgatory?

Q. I thank the Lord for you, your staff and for this website.

In regards to your articles on Jesus preaching to the spirits in prison, is this the same place what the Roman Catholics believe as PURGATORY? If not, where did they get the concept from?

A. Before the cross, no one from Earth could enter into heaven upon dying. (John 3:13) Both the saved and unsaved went to a place called Sheol in Hebrew and Hades in Greek. For those who had died in faith of a coming redeemer who would die for their sins it was a place of comfort, but for non believers it was a place of torment. The story of Lazarus and the Rich Man describes this. (Luke 16:19-31) It also explains that there was no way of crossing from one to the other. In other words, once a person has died their eternal destiny is fixed. So there is no such place as purgatory.

The practice of praying for the dead originated in ancient pagan religions and may be the source of the Catholic belief in purgatory. The idea was first introduced into the Catholic Church in the 2nd Century AD. as a place between heaven and hell where the dead who have not sinned greatly enough to warrant hell, but have not yet purified themselves enough in goodness to enter into heaven, go to prepare and purify themselves of sin.

As you can see belief in purgatory requires that one first assumes the Lord’s death was not sufficient to pay for all our sins, and that it’s up to us to finish the work He only began. This is a non Biblical doctrine that is specifically and repeatedly denied in Scripture.

Moving The Ark Of The Covenant~Jack Kelley (update Michael James Stone)

Moving The Ark Of The Covenant

Q. As an archeology buff, the “Ark of the Covenant” is a fascinating subject and I really wish someone would find it. The question I have is, since the presence of the Lord is no longer dwelling in the ark itself, would we be able to touch it today if it were found or would the “don’t touch” rule still apply?

A. Numbers 4 gives very clear instructions on moving the Ark. I would imagine they still apply. Those who claim the Ark was recently moved from Ethiopia to Jerusalem are careful to note that all the soldiers involved were Levites.

I should note that so far there’s been nothing to substantiate this claim, and with the Ethiopian priest’s reversal of his recent promise to unveil it, we can’t even know for sure if the Ark was ever in Ethiopia.

-------------------

Recent news articles and reports have confirmed the Ark in Ethiopia reported to be found was a Hoax. All investigators and scholars, while silent on the facts now found, still wish it would turn up in Ethiopia, or somewhere else, are suddenly going "no comment" on the embarrassment.

Semsationalizing scripture is dangerous for your reputation if you jump on the band wagon. There will be no "find" of the original ark. There will be a substitute made and it will be counterfeit like the Channukiah is a counterfeit miracle and corruption of the Menorah seen in Heaven.-MjS

Emergent Church~Jack Kelley~update by Michael James Stone

Emergent Church

I have a question regarding the rapid growth of the emergent church and I wonder if you could explain this movement to me in more detail. I had always thought that the real Church would be the one falling away from the false teachings going on in organized religion today.

Q. Again thank you so much for your knowledge and faith.

I have a question regarding the rapid growth of the emergent church and I wonder if you could explain this movement to me in more detail. I had always thought that the real Church would be the one falling away from the false teachings going on in organized religion today. Not falling away from OUR FATHER, but false religion.Thanks again.

A. The Emergent Church is also known as the Seeker Friendly or Seeker Sensitive movement. It was begun a few years back as a way to bring more people to church on Sundays. The Gospel is de-emphasized in favor of a less threatening message with a focus on entertainment and socialization. The idea is to attract as many people as possible into a church setting thinking that some of them would want to learn more about Jesus on their own.

Although the movement has attracted a great many people who wouldn’t otherwise have gone to church, it’s criticized by traditionalists for not providing clear guidance into a born-again relationship. After all the point of Christianity, they say, isn’t to spend Sunday mornings in a building singing and laughing with a bunch of people, but to secure our place in eternity and learn how to live in a manner pleasing to God while we wait.

The phrase falling away comes from 2 Thes. 2:3 where it’s also called the rebellion. The Greek word it comes from is the one from which we get apostasy, which is the act of abandoning the truth. So it’s not the true church falling away from false doctrine, but the exact opposite.

Tags: False Teaching

Related Posts:

• Great Falling Away
• The Emergent Church
• Emergent Or Emerging?
• What Is The Emergent Church?
• Seeker Friendly Signs

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This entry was posted on Monday, November 20th, 2006 at 8:48 am and is filed under Ask a Bible Teacher.

"Sign of the Swine" Alert

It is easy to see "emergent" ideologies in anyone and everyone we disagree with. Whether it be the Jesus Movement when Hippies getting saved were called Cults and were so non-denominational and House or "home bible study" based that we who live it recall being called "Freaks" because we did not fit in the Traditional mold of Pews and Suits and Ties.

We even went barefoot to church....,

There is a false doctrine out there, making it's rounds as False doctrines do. They are meant to happen and do occur to test us, stregthen us, and cause us to reveal our nature:

1. Do We condemn or convince?

One of the biggest splits in the Early Jesus Movement was Vineyard and Calvary Chapel. In a simplified anlysis:

Calvary Chapel put the Word or Bible First over experience.
Vineyard put the Experience of the Holy Spirit First.

We who were there, could have fought tooth and nail to argue fine points of what God was doing, but God used Calvary Chapel......

AND

God used Vineyard.

Eventually God allowed the Toronto Blessing to occur.....it nearly destroyed Vineyard Ministries and aftermath is still around, an Experience that taught the leaders well.

I recall a wise statement Chuck Smith told me once, He said, we will watch and see what you are calling this new blessing and if the Holy Spirit is leading you, then you go, but as we are also Blessed by God, we will continue as God leads us.

I do not know WHO is in fact a bonafide off the wall account of a "seeker friendly" or a User Friendly, or a Emergent Church.

I do know the gospel and Jesus radically shook up established religion by saving the poor, sinners, destitute, prostitute and Tax collectors and he went where they were no matter where they were....

So I say the Doctrine may be off, but until YOU ACTUALLY see for yourself, or a factual texting of a sermon is presented:

1. Be careful who you label
2. Check your facts first
3. Pray First for the people and the ministry
4. Seek to Ask to speak and listen to the Pastor
5. Watch to see if people "are" getting saved.
6. See if they mention the name "Jesus"
   

We can resist the false spirits that are out there, and we can STAND against emerging ideas if they contradict scripture and we know why and how they do, but we do have to be careful as to individuals who often have no idea what you are talking about when you label them something they do not know.

Genuine Miracles actually occur at some of the biggest charlatans in Christendoms History because God will Judge the Minister, but he will Do as He chooses to do as He wills and not our will.

In the Winter, I will go to a Emergent Church and repost back.

On the Doctrine I can find fault, on the presentation, I ahve yet to see.

Michael James Stone

Is It Conviction Or Guilt?~Jack Kelley

Is It Conviction Or Guilt?

Q. I have a quick question. How do you know if it is the Holy Spirit convicting you or if it is Satan working on you to make you feel bad and draw you away from God? Thank you very much for your studies and website it has helped me greatly.

A. The answer can be determined by checking which direction you’re going. If you’re headed for the cross to find forgiveness, then you’re experiencing the conviction of the Holy Spirit. If you’re running away from the cross and hiding from God, then it’s Satan making you feel ashamed. Either way, you can ask God’s forgiveness and you’ll receive it and begin feeling better ( 1 John 1:9). Then if you resist the devil he’ll flee from you (James 4:7) and you’ll be at peace again.

Tags: Forgiveness, sin

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• Conviction Or Guilt?
• How Long Can I Go On This Way?
• Conviction Or Condemnation?
• Staying On Track
• A Slave To Fear

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This entry was posted on Sunday, July 12th, 2009 at 5:00 pm and is filed under Ask a Bible Teacher.

Living In Heaven, Reigning On Earth?~Jack Kelley

Living In Heaven, Reigning On Earth?

Q. I have further questions on your article of June 25th. In it you say we will live in heaven with Christ, and yes I understand our home (or mansion) will be made there. How does Revelation 20:4-6 fit into this? If we are reigning with Christ for that 1000 years it must be on earth. God reigns in heaven forever and there is no other need to reign there.

A. You’re making an assumption that sounds logical but isn’t necessarily so. Who says we have to live on Earth? John 14:2-3 clearly says that Jesus went to Heaven to prepare a place for us there, and that’s where He’s going to take us in the Rapture. Rev. 20:4-6 says that those from the first resurrection will reign with Christ, but it says nothing about where we’ll live.

We find out from Rev. 21 that the home He built for us and will take us to is the New Jerusalem which is seen coming down out of heaven. But it never says that it lands on Earth. In fact a comparison of its dimensions shows that it’s too big to fit in Israel or any other place on Earth. Personally, I believe the New Jerusalem, which is 1/6th the size of Earth, will orbit Earth in close proximity like a satellite would. From there we’ll reign with Christ.

Tags: Millennium, Revelation Times

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• Heaven Or New Jerusalem?
• Class Division In The Millennium
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• Will The Church Live On Earth?
• Who Lives Where?

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This entry was posted on Sunday, July 12th, 2009 at 5:00 pm and is filed under Ask a Bible Teacher.

the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, and the pastors and the teachers

Understanding Ephesians 4:11-12

Q. The Apostle Paul speaks about the gifts that Christ has given the church we are the following: the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, and the pastors and the teachers. Their responsibility is to equip God’s people to do his work and build the church, the body of Christ.

My first question is where the operation (job description) of these gifts are defined in the Bible because I want to know how a certain gift is expected to operate?

Secondly, why in nowadays we specifically hear ONLY about Pastors and other gifts are seemingly disregarded as compared to pastoring?

A. The key to understanding Ephesians 4:11 can be found in a study of the Greek words Paul used, and comparing them with what he said about their purpose in verses 12 and 13. The word for apostle means ambassador or commissioner, the one for prophet means foreteller, evangelist means preacher, pastor means shepherd, and teacher means instructor. Their combined purpose is to bring unity, maturity, and purity to the body of Christ.

I think the position of pastor became the senior one among these when we began paying pastors as professionals and giving them ultimate authority over local congregations. But as Ephesians 4:11-12 indicates, this was not the original intention.

Tags: Interpreting Verses, New Testament

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• Old And New Testament Prophets
• A New Race of Human … Commentary on Ephesians, Pt. 3
• Desire The Greater Gifts
• Apostles And Prophets
• False Prophets And Carnal Christians

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This entry was posted on Friday, July 10th, 2009 at 5:00 pm and is filed under Ask a Bible Teacher.

Law AND Grace? The LAW Returns After Rapture?

The Great Pause, More Follow Up

Q. Are you saying that after the Rapture, one must believe in Jesus ‘and’ subscribe to the Law? The plan obviously shifts to Israel but does this mean that no Gentiles have a chance after the Rapture? What is the purpose of the sacrifices in the Temple then? Is it only for the Jew? Which blood atonement will God recognize, that of the animals for the last 7 years or that of His Son? Will there be no grace after the Rapture?

A. Just after the Mark of the Beast is introduced, God will send an angel to warn the people of earth to refuse the mark or suffer eternal consequences. Rev. 14:12 says,“This calls for patient endurance on the part of the saints who obey God’s commandments and remain faithful to Jesus.” Like it was in the time before the Church, when faith had to be evidenced by obedience, so will it be after we’re gone. Remember, the Church didn’t end the Age of Law, it just interrupted it seven years short of its appointed time.

There has only ever been one blood atonement for our sins, and that’s the blood of Jesus. The sacrifice of animals delays the judgment, but doesn’t eliminate it.

The only Temple will be in Israel, so as a practical matter only those living there will participate in the sacrificial system. And even then only until the abomination of desolation makes the Temple unusable in the middle of the last 7 years (Daniel 9:27).

Although ultimately all men are saved by grace, the Doctrine of Grace as it’s put forth inEphesians 2:8-9 will expire with the Rapture. After that salvation will be by faith in Jesus as evidenced by obedience to the Commandments, whether Jew or Gentile.

Tags: Grace, Great Tribulation, Salvation

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• Keeping the Sabbath Holy
• The Great Pause
• Jewish Atonement For Sin
• Eating Blood
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This entry was posted on Friday, July 10th, 2009 at 5:00 pm and is filed under Ask a Bible Teacher.

Post Rapture Salvation

Q. My question is about those left behind after the Rapture. If a person has heard the Gospel of Jesus Christ before the rapture but has not yet accepted Jesus as Lord nor repented and made a true confession of faith, what are their chances of being saved during the tribulation? Is it impossible?

In this respect would Jews and Gentiles be in the same situation - or do the Jews have a chance to come to Christ because they still have the Abrahamic covenant?

I know that everyone who has not heard the Gospel is eligible to be saved during the tribulation - my concern is for those who are still on the planet after the Rapture and are too late to be part of the Church. Thank you as always for your Bible knowledge and generosity in sharing it with us.

A. Some believe 2 Thes 2:9-11 warns that anyone who has heard the gospel and not accepted it will be subject to delusion after the Rapture and won’t be able to be saved then. Others say that the time after the rapture is intended for Israel to accept the Messiah so the remaining gentiles will not be a priority for the Lord.

I’m not sure that either of those positions is conclusive. But I do believe that it will be an extremely difficult time for gentiles who come to the Lord after the Rapture. As descriptive as some of them are, I think books and movies that try to depict those times accurately fall far short of conveying the precarious situation tribulation believers will find themselves in.

Tags: Great Tribulation, Salvation

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• Those Left Behind
• No Second Chance?
• The Last One Saved
• Will All Jews Be Saved?
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This entry was posted on Saturday, July 11th, 2009 at 5:00 pm and is filed under Ask a Bible Teacher.

"...recent times my rapture enthusiasm seems to have waned..."

Waning Rapture Enthusiasm

Q. I find that in recent times my rapture enthusiasm seems to have waned somewhat, and I don’t know why. I am starting to fear that it is because I never had any truth faith in Jesus at all, and am just deluding myself into thinking I’m a true Christian when I am just a false convert. Do you have any advice for me?

A. Yes I have. Get back into the word and review the promises the Lord made to you. You’ll find that if you asked sincerely the Lord granted your request for salvation and will never revoke it, no matter what. If you don’t know for sure that you were sincere when you asked, then do it again. It’s important to get this resolved, because the enemy has spotted a weakness in your defenses and is exploiting it. He can’t “unsave” you, but he can cause you to fear and doubt. That’s how he steals our joy. Try Matt. 7:7-8, John 6:38-40, Romans 10:9-10,13 and Titus 3:4-7.

You should also read 2 Cor. 10:3-5 and begin taking those thoughts of doubt captive and making them obedient to Christ.

Tags: Rapture, Salvation

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• Should Christians Fear?
• Am I Really Saved?
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This entry was posted on Saturday, July 11th, 2009 at 5:00 pm and is filed under Ask a Bible Teacher.

What are the Muslim beliefs in regards to Mary?

Mary And Islam

Q. I have a question regarding your comments about what religion would possibly be dominant during the tribulation. What are the Muslim beliefs in regards to Mary?

A. Many Christians are surprised that Moslems have a great affection Mary, the mother of Jesus. According to Juan Galvan, author of “Jesus and the Virgin Mary in Islam”, no woman is given more attention in the Quran, and of its 114 chapters, she is one of only eight people who have a chapter named after them. (Hers is number 19.) Although the Quran offers a different story on Mary’s origins than the Biblical account, it does confirm her supernatural conception resulting in the birth of Jesus (Quran 19:16-21) Mary is the only woman specifically named in the Quran and plays a very significant role in Islam. She is thought to be an example and a sign for all people.

Tags: Current Events

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This entry was posted on Saturday, July 11th, 2009 at 5:00 pm and is filed under Ask a Bible Teacher.