Jehovah’s Witnesses: The Cult Whose Name Is A Misnomer

Part II: The Arguments

Christ is Jehovah

Old testament prophesies such as Zechariah 12:1-10 and Jeremiah 23:5-6 equate Jehovah to Christ. We see that Isaiah 53:12 is fulfilled in Luke 22:37 - here we see that Christ was numbered among the transgressors, though he himself was without sin (2 Corinthians 5:21). Christ, being God even had the power to forgive sins (Matthew 9:2). We see Psalm 78:1-2 fulfilled in Matthew 13:34-35, in this example Jehovah God is also equated to Christ.

In Isaiah 43:11 and Hosea 13:4 we can see Jehovah declaring that beside him there is no Saviour. In John 4:42 and 1 John 4:14 we see that Christ Jesus is declared to be the Saviour. This is quite clear. The prophets said that there was no Saviour but God, yet the scriptures declare Christ as the only Saviour of the world, therefore Christ is God according to the Holy Scriptures.

If Christ was not God, he could not have been without sin, and he would not have been worthy to be a sacrifice for us (1 Peter 1:19).

In 1 Peter 1:21 we see that God raised Jesus from the dead, and in John 10:17-18 we see Jesus declaring that he will raise himself from the dead. This is not a contradiction, but it attests to the fact that Christ was God in the flesh. Again, if Christ was a liar he could not have done what he did.

In Exodus 3:13-15 we see that “I AM” and “Jehovah” are the same individual. In John 8:58 Jesus identified himself as “I AM.”

Psalm 34:8 is quoted in 1 Peter 2:3 - “Taste that the Lord is good.” Here again Christ is equated to Jehovah, because in Psalm 34:8 the LORD is Jehovah, and in 1 Peter 2:3 the Lord is Christ.

In Isaiah 44:6 and Revelation 1:8-18, especially verses 17-18 we can see that both Jehovah and Jesus Christ are one in the same. For they both say “I am the first, and I am the last.”

“Thus saith the LORD the King of Israel, and his redeemer the LORD of hosts; I am the first, and I am the last; and beside me there is no God.” - Isaiah 44:6

“I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty. I John, who also am your brother, and companion in tribulation, and in the kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, was in the isle that is called Patmos, for the word of God, and for the testimony of Jesus Christ. I was in the Spirit on the Lord's day, and heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet, Saying, I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last: and, What thou seest, write in a book, and send it unto the seven churches which are in Asia; unto Ephesus, and unto Smyrna, and unto Pergamos, and unto Thyatira, and unto Sardis, and unto Philadelphia, and unto Laodicea. And I turned to see the voice that spake with me. And being turned, I saw seven golden candlesticks; And in the midst of the seven candlesticks one like unto the Son of man, clothed with a garment down to the foot, and girt about the paps with a golden girdle. His head and his hairs werewhite like wool, as white as snow; and his eyes were as a flame of fire; And his feet like unto fine brass, as if they burned in a furnace; and his voice as the sound of many waters. And he had in his right hand seven stars: and out of his mouth went a sharp twoedged sword: and his countenance wasas the sun shineth in his strength. And when I saw him, I fell at his feet as dead. And he laid his right hand upon me, saying unto me, Fear not; I am the first and the last: I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death.” - Revelation 1:8-18

In John 5:22-23 we read - “For the Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgement unto the Son: That all men should honour the Son, even as they honour the Father. He that honoureth not the Son honoureth not the Father which sent him.” (also see John 9:36-38)

In John 10:30 the Lord Jesus said “I and my Father are one.”

In Isaiah 9:6-7 we see that some names for God the Son - Jesus Christ - are the same as those used for God the Father (such as “mighty God” and “everlasting Father”).

Regarding the Holy Ghost - we can see that he is also described as God in Acts 5:3-4, as well as in Matthew 28:19, 1 John 5:7, 2 Corinthians 13:14, etcetera.

A god?

In Exodus 20:3-5, 34:14, Deuteronomy 4:24, etcetera, we can see clearly that God is a jealous God. He does not tolerate any other who claims to be God. If Jesus was not God in the flesh as he claimed and as the scriptures teach, then he could not have done what he did, nor wrought the Salvation upon us by his death as he has done.

“I am the LORD: that is my name: and my glory will I not give to another, neither my praise to graven images.” - Isaiah 42:8

In the beginning of John chapter 1 we can see that Christ was with the Father in the beginning, and that it was by Christ that the earth and that which is therein was created (also see Colossians 1:16-17). This is why God said “let us make man in our image…” - “our” refers to the Godhead or Trinity (Genesis 1:26).

Another belief that these particular (and I suppose all) JW’s espoused is that there are many gods. This is perhaps best exampled by their corrupt Bible translation which reads the “Word was a god” in John 1:1 instead of the “Word was God.” The “Word” in John chapter one clearly refers to and is the Lord Jesus Christ, as can be seen by reading the whole of John chapter one (as well as 1 John 5:7, John 8:12, 9:5 and other verses). Since JW’s worship idols (a god of their imagination), it is fitting that they believe in many gods. However, as Christians there are two portions of scripture which help to make this clear.

In 1 Corinthians 8:5-6 we can see that many have idols who are their gods. We also see that to us there is but one God.

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

In Isaiah 43:10 we read this verse which I also shared with those JW’s who came to my door -

“Ye are my witnesses, saith the LORD, and my servant whom I have chosen: that ye may know and believe me, and understand that I am he: before me there was no God formed, neither shall there be after me.”

The false prophets and their false prophesies

“For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned.” - Matthew 12:37

The words of scripture themselves are enough to know that the JW’s are a antichristian organization. However, further insights, as to how deceived they really are, can be gained by judging the words of there own mouth according to the Holy Scriptures. Old copies of the Watchtower magazine are filled with clear and damning evidence, and they are a clear witness to all men of the fallaciousness of this cult which calls itself by a Christian name. I am not going to go into detail on every example, but will merely point out some references for those who seek proof of that which I speak. In the Watchtower Magazine, April 1, 1972, p197 it is claimed that Jehovah’s Witnesses are prophets - and it is true, they are prophets - false prophets. An example of their false prophecies can be seen in the works of their false prophets such as Joseph F. Rutherford and Charles Taze Russell. For example see page 101 of “The Time is at Hand” (1888) by Charles Russell, see page 485 of “The Finished Mystery” (1917) by Joseph Rutherford, also see his book “Millions now living will never die” (1920), see the old magazines published and copyrighted by the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society. See the Watchtower magazines of the 1920’s, and see page 23 of the “Awake” magazine of October 8, 1968 which is copyrighted by the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society, see page 226 of the “Zion’s Watchtower” magazine from July 15, 1894, see the old issues of the “Golden Age” the “Consolation” and the “Awake” magazines which are copyrighted by the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society. There could be more listed, but a review of the above will show plainly the false prophesies supported by the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society and those who call themselves Jehovah’s Witnesses.

The New World Translation: A Corrupt Bible

Perhaps the biggest mistakes in the New World Translation stem from the fact that the Greek text primarily used for its translation of the New Testament is “The New Testament in the Original Greek” published by Westcott and Hort.* This is the same problem with nearly all modern Bible translations. It is really a wonder that so many are deceived into believing that the Westcott and Hort Greek has any accuracy whatsoever. To make a long story short Westcott and Hort were supporters of the Roman Catholic Church, and neither of them believed in the inspiration of scripture. This can be seen by those who have eyes to see upon reading the following books; “Life and Letters of Fenton John Anthony Hort” Volume I by Anthony Hort, published by Macmillan and Co. LTD. 1896, and “Life and Letters of Brooke Foss Westcott” Volume I by Arthur Westcott, published by Macmillan and Co. LTD. 1903. Upon reading these books and discovering who Westcott and Hort were, it is almost unbelievable, that in the present day, so many professing Christians are still deceived by them. This can only be evidence of the spirit of antichrist at work today.

The other, perhaps larger evidence of the corruption of the Westcott and Hort text, can be known by carefully comparing the Bibles translated from their text with Bibles translated from the preserved text (such as the KJV and the Geneva). Ask these questions; Which Bible gives more glory to God? Which Bible supports Christian doctrine?

For example, Westcott and Hort remove 1 John 5:7. Jehovah’s Witnesses are benefited by this fact, for without 1 John 5:7 it is much easier for them to deny Christ, and negate him to a position lower than that which the scriptures teach.

Antichrists

Seeing then that Jehovah’s Witnesses are antichrists it is important to remember what the scriptures say of them in 2 John 1:7-11. Furthermore, we can see that without Papist supporters (Westcott and Hort), of that Romish Whore, that the Jehovah’s Witnesses cult would be much less supported. Is it any wonder that these antichrists are supported by a greater antichrist, The Pope and his false church, which has shed the blood of the saints of God, and continues to deceive the world and to ensnare men with false teachings and pleasant words, entrapping them with damnation?

But Let Us Trust In Christ Alone, For He Is The Victory That Overcomes The World!

“For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?” – 1 John 5:4-5

Faith Is The Victory

In Christ Alone

Also see a related Post > The Godhead (Holy Trinity)

*According to the introduction of the New World Translation, 1984 edition, published by the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society of New York, INC., International Bible Students Association, Brooklyn, New York, U.S.A.

**Note that there are many other errors in the Jehovah's Witnesses theology that are not even mentioned here. For more info see the links below.

Jehovah's Witnesses Cult

http://www.chick.com/information/religions/jw/

Jehovah’s Witnesses: The Cult Whose Name Is A Misnomer

Part I: The Story

One Tuesday in the late morning I returned home from running some errands. Shortly thereafter, there was someone at my door, two middle aged ladies. I opened the door and stood in the doorway as I talked with them. I suspected right away that they were Jehovah’s Witnesses, or so they call themselves, but it is really a misnomer since they do not even know who Jehovah is, seeing that they deny his own words. I quickly saw that they were carrying a New World Translation of the Bible, confirming my suspicions. I thought “O what a great opportunity to witness, God brought these people to my door.”

Before they could say much I first pointed out something upon which we agreed - that neither of us celebrates the unbiblical pagan holidays. I then said that the biggest problem I have with JW’s is that they don’t believe in the deity of Christ (or of the Holy Ghost). I pointed out Isaiah 40:3 and I said that I believe that this is a prophecy of Christ’s coming. The one lady said she agreed that it was, and I told her that Christ is Jehovah. (In the Greek, as well as in the New World Translation, the word LORD in the KJV is actually “Jehovah”) Here she disagreed, but we know that Christ is Jehovah because this prophecy was fulfilled by Christ in Matthew 3:3. John the Baptist was the one preparing the way for Jehovah. John the Baptist was the one who prepared the way for the coming of Jesus Christ. We then discussed some other verses as well.

Both I and the one lady did a fair amount of talking, perhaps she more, I tried to give them a copy of “The Crisis” by Jack T. Chick but she would not take it. I did say that I admired the fact that they went door to door (it’s a Biblical way to get converts). I basically said that I was not prepared to talk to them anymore because I did not have any other Bible references ready to discuss. I think she thought she was getting to me with her false teachings, and so she invited herself back, and we agreed to begin again next Tuesday morning sometime between 11:00 and 11:30.

The next Tuesday morning I woke up shortly after 6:00 and put together three pages of notes, mostly verses, and dug up lots of information on the history of Jehovah’s Witnesses and Westcott and Hort of whose Greek version of the New Testament the JW’s used for their Bible Translation. I also compared some verses between their Bible and ours.

I just knew they were going to come early, and so I gathered all my materials together, my Bible, their Bible, printouts of embarrassing (to them) pages from old watchtower magazines, and my three pages of notes.

I walked out on the porch at 10:45 and planned to wait for them, but no waiting did I. Nearly as soon as I walked out they came, and we began. This time the lead lady brought a different sidekick - an elderly woman. Perhaps I’m a suspicious person, but I believe here that I’m dealing with the devil, and we know his subtle tricks. She came early in an effort to catch me unawares, and she brought with her an old lady to calm my demeanor and arouse sympathy. After all, who would dare criticize a sweet old lady?

Now it is very important to speak gently and recognize verbally when they are correct. Most likely these ladies were well meaning. However, this cannot hold you back from speaking the truth, because Hell is a reality which we can’t suppose men avoid by any means other than that described in and by the word of God. They were pleased to see my copy of their Bible. I did complement on a few of the good features it has, because, after all God’s name is Jehovah, and I don’t think there is anything wrong with translating it for what it is. Before they could say much we immediately got into sharing verses which prove the deity of Christ, and of the Holy Ghost (not what she wanted to talk about). When I mentioned John 10:30 she says “Yes, but what kind of oneness is that?” Very tricky indeed she is. At one point I said “Did you know that the people who write the Watchtower magazine claim to be prophets?” She said “No they don’t.” I said “O really?” I then walked over to the porch step, lifted up the NWT Bible I had setting there and pulled out a copy of an old watchtower magazine and said that in this watchtower issue from 1972 they claim just that. She wrote down the issue date and page and said she would look it up to check it out. I also pointed out that if you read the old watchtower magazines from the late 1800’s and early 1900’s that there are a lot of prophesies that never came true, and that the whole Jehovah’s Witness movement, if you will allow me to call it that, was began by false prophets. I pointed out that the Bible defines false prophets as those who make predictions which fail to come to pass (Deuteronomy 18:20-22). She agreed that that was the right definition of a false prophet. She also made this strange statement; she said that they (JW’s) do not consider those who are “spirit anointed to be divinely inspired.” So I said “So first you say that they do not claim to be prophets, and then when I show you that they do you say that those who are spirit anointed are not considered divinely inspired, it sounds to me like you are saying that the divinely inspired are not divinely inspired, as if they cannot be held accountable for what they say?” She did not have much of a response to that.

Then I finally got around to 1 John 5:7. I said that “I think part of the problem here is your translation.” I said “I know this verse isn’t in your Bible but I’m going to read it for you anyhow.” She says “I know what it says.” Then I read it “For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one.” She said “That’s a spurious verse.” I said “O really, do you know anything about how your Bible was translated?” She said “well it was translated from the best copies of the originals.” I said “well that’s what you’ve been told.” I said “do you know what Greek text was primarily used for the translation of your Bible’s New Testament?” She did not know. I said that “the Greek text used was the one put together by Westcott and Hort, do you know who they were?” She did not know. I said “they supported the Roman Catholic Church.” She said “well everyone did, but there were those who knew the truth.” I said “did you know that these people did not even believe that the scripture was inspired, and you trust them to put a text together?” I said “did you know that these people based their text off two or three percent of the copies of scripture that were in existence?* And that they disregarded the majority of scripture. Just because the copies they chose may have been older, it does not mean that they were original.”

We also discussed John chapter 1 which their Bible badly mistranslates, as well as some other verses. I noticed her looking at her watch. She tried to get onto another subject, but I would not let her, and then I mentioned the fact that she was denying Christ for her failure to accept his divinity. She again tried to move onto another subject and I said “Well it is time for you to go,” and I motioned and pointed with my hand toward their van. She said “Hans you did this on purpose!” She tried to talk some more and I said “We have nothing else to talk about, because you deny Christ." I pointed to her van and said “You can leave now.” She said “well you read such and such a verse.” And I said “and you can read 2 John 1:7-11, and then you’ll know why I don’t let you in the house.” As they began to walk away I said “I pray you repent.” And I spent some time praying for them shortly thereafter.

Some explanations of this account

There were more details to our discussion/debate than I have written above, since writing every detail would be too time consuming. I have also written it as I remember, and it is possible that some of it is out of order or paraphrased. You can read Part II (the meat of the argument), which includes references for the facts shared in this account, as well as more arguments against the Jehovah’s Witness cult. When she said “Hans you did this on purpose!” I assume she was referring to the fact that I had planned for them to come back so that I could witness to them, and to the fact that I never let her get on to any other subject but that Glorious subject of our Lord Jesus Christ. I believe that it would have been an insult to God to let her speak a word after failing to recognize Christ in such a way as she did. Further, if she could not recognize Christ, I found it doubtful that she would be able to recognize anything else. You can't move on in Christian theology with people who do not even believe in something so basic as our Lord Jesus Christ.

Also see a related Post > The Godhead (Holy Trinity)

The Unforgivable Sin: Unbelief

Unbelief exampled as blaspheme against the Holy Ghost

Below are two portions of scripture which should be read carefully to understand what blaspheme against the Holy Ghost is.

“And the scribes which came down from Jerusalem said, He hath Beelzebub, and by the prince of the devils casteth he out devils. And he called them unto him, and said unto them in parables, How can Satan cast out Satan? And if a kingdom be divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand. And if a house be divided against itself, that house cannot stand. And if Satan rise up against himself, and be divided, he cannot stand, but hath an end. No man can enter into a strong man's house, and spoil his goods, except he will first bind the strong man; and then he will spoil his house. Verily I say unto you, All sins shall be forgiven unto the sons of men, and blasphemies wherewith soever they shall blaspheme: But he that shall blaspheme against the Holy Ghost hath never forgiveness, but is in danger of eternal damnation: Because they said, He hath an unclean spirit.” - Mark 3:22-30

“Then was brought unto him one possessed with a devil, blind, and dumb: and he healed him, insomuch that the blind and dumb both spake and saw. And all the people were amazed, and said, Is not this the son of David? But when the Pharisees heard it, they said, This fellow doth not cast out devils, but by Beelzebub the prince of the devils. And Jesus knew their thoughts, and said unto them, Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and every city or house divided against itself shall not stand: And if Satan cast out Satan, he is divided against himself; how shall then his kingdom stand? And if I by Beelzebub cast out devils, by whom do your children cast them out? therefore they shall be your judges. But if I cast out devils by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God is come unto you. Or else how can one enter into a strong man's house, and spoil his goods, except he first bind the strong man? and then he will spoil his house. He that is not with me is against me; and he that gathereth not with me scattereth abroad. Wherefore I say unto you, All manner of sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven unto men: but the blasphemy against the Holy Ghost shall not be forgiven unto men. And whosoever speaketh a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him: but whosoever speaketh against the Holy Ghost, it shall not be forgiven him, neither in this world, neither in the world to come. Either make the tree good, and his fruit good; or else make the tree corrupt, and his fruit corrupt: for the tree is known by his fruit. O generation of vipers, how can ye, being evil, speak good things? for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh. A good man out of the good treasure of the heart bringeth forth good things: and an evil man out of the evil treasure bringeth forth evil things. But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment. For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned.” - Matthew 12:22-37

Many people have assigned various meanings and described with differing definitions what it means to blaspheme the Holy Ghost. In the simplest most literal interpretation it simply means to speak evil of the Holy Ghost. Speaking evil of the Holy Ghost is certainly a sin, and a blasphemy, but is it really unforgivable? To say that it is unforgivable seems to contradict much of the Biblical promises of Grace to those who repent and trust the Lord Jesus Christ for a pardon and salvation.

We should then ask, and see the answer which is clear from these passages of scripture: Why were those who committed the unforgivable sin in these passages of scripture found to be guilty?

We can see that Jesus was performing miracles, specifically; he was healing physical defects and casting out demons. The Pharisees and scribes saw him doing this and attributed his power to do these things not to the Holy Ghost, but to Satan (Beelzebub the prince of the devils). Here glory was due to God the Holy Ghost, but these wicked vipers falsely attributed these miracles to Satan. So then, to my knowledge, the only specific example given in scripture of blaspheming the Holy Ghost (in an unforgivable way) is when men attribute to Satan the workings of the power of God.

Notice also that those who blasphemed in this example were speaking evil words out of their evil heart, and that they were falsely claiming that good was coming from evil (Matthew 12:33-35). Therefore, the Lord Jesus said “ by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned.” Forsooth, Christians should have a fear of speaking anything amiss about the Holy Ghost, but of committing the Blasphemy of the Holy Ghost in the sense of it being unpardonable as this passage of scripture describes; this is not a sin which is even possible for true Christians to commit. A requirement for this sin is a wicked heart, to the point of calling good evil and evil good. Against this evil heart the prophet Isaiah warns us in Isaiah 5:20. This is not the heart of a Christian as we see in Ezekiel 11:19-21 and Hebrews 8:1-13.

Many argue that this specific sin can no longer be committed today, since Christ is no longer on earth working miracles. People who think this forget about the Holy Ghost and the promises in the Holy Scriptures of the Holy Ghost’s distribution of gifts.

Of these gifts we can clearly read in 1 Corinthians 12:1-31, 1 Corinthians 14:37-39, and throughout the scriptures in many places.

Today, on this earth, there are those who call themselves Christians even though they deny that the Holy Spirit still gives the gifts of prophecy, healing, miracles, tongues, the interpretation of tongues, etcetera. Further, those who claim this are also often compelled (either literally or by following their argument to its logical conclusion) to claim that any who claim to possess these gifts are liars, and that any who give evidence of these gifts do so by the power of Satan in order to corrupt the true gospel message of Salvation through Jesus Christ.

It is very true that in this time, and until the end, there are and will be many false prophets and those who work miracles by the power of Satan (2 Thessalonians 2:7-12). This is why it is all the more important that we know the scriptures, love the truth and be filled with the Spirit of God, that we may recognize and openly condemn the deceiving workers of unrighteousness among us, for the glory of God and the sake of the faithful.

But let us never, in our hast to warn of false prophets and false christs, declare those who possess the gifts of the Spirit, and who use the Spirits gifts to bring forth fruit (such as growing believers faith or leading men to Christ) as doing their good works by Satan’s power.

Now here is the warning in plain words; those who deny that the Holy Ghost still gives gifts to believers (such as prophecy and healing) are blaspheming the Holy Ghost and they are in danger of committing the unforgivable sin and of receiving the eternal damnation with which it is punished.

Unbelief exampled as Apostasy

Now the word Apostasy comes from 2 Thessalonians 2:3 where it is translated as “a falling away.” It is the Strong’s concordance word G646, in the Greek it is “apostisia.” Below we see two portions of scripture which help us understand what Apostasy is, and why it is an unforgivable sin.

“For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost, And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come, If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame. For the earth which drinketh in the rain that cometh oft upon it, and bringeth forth herbs meet for them by whom it is dressed, receiveth blessing from God: But that which beareth thorns and briers is rejected, and is nigh unto cursing; whose end is to be burned.” - Hebrews 6:4-8

“For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins, But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries. He that despised Moses' law died without mercy under two or three witnesses: Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace? For we know him that hath said, Vengeance belongeth unto me, I will recompense, saith the Lord. And again, The Lord shall judge his people. It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.” - Hebrews 10:26-31

In the first passage above we see Apostasy described, and we see how it is a state which, upon entering an individual cannot be freed. Why? Because it is impossible to bring these people to repentance - so if you can truly repent - you are not truly an apostate but just a backslider in need of revival. Notice the other reason why apostates cannot repent - because of their bad fruit for which they are to be burnt. This further implies that the production of good fruit would spare them Hell fire - but good works can only be produced if they repent and attach to the true vine, who is the Lord Jesus Christ (John 15:5-16).

There are a myriad of verses speaking about the grace and forgiveness available to those who repent - my favorite being 1 John 1:9. Therefore, when we see the second passage above (Hebrews 10:26-31) we should also know that these verses again are referring to the apostate. Apostate individuals are without hope and without a chance to be forgiven - not because God is unwilling (2 Peter 3:9), but because they have chosen to follow their father Satan (John 8:44) and they will not repent - so hope and forgiveness cannot be theirs. They refuse to repent and are in such a state that they could never repent - they have crucified Christ in their heart. They are "vessels of wrath fitted to destruction" (Romans 9:18, 22). They are like Satan - and are merely here waiting for the time when they shall be cast into the Lake of Fire (Revelation 20:10, 15).

What do blaspheme against the Holy Ghost and Apostasy have in common? They are both nothing other than Unbelief. Those who commit these sins fail to believe the word of God, and are justly damned.

“But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.” - Revelation 21:8

So then this all comes back to the heart of the Good News which is “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved.” - Acts 16:31

If only they would cry out with tears like the father of the crippled child "Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief." (Mark 9:24)

As the Israelites could not enter the promised land because of their unbelief* - neither can men enter the Kingdom of God unless they believe, making Jesus Christ their Lord and Savior.

"For he that is entered into his rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as God did from his. Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief." - Hebrews 4:10-11

*except for Joshua and Caleb who were faithfull and did believe, see Numbers 14:6-11, 28-38

Have The Sign Gifts Ceased?

Has God's Word Changed? No. So the sign gifts have not ceased.

The following is based on part of a letter I have recently written to a Dispensationalist.

Now there is one thing I must point out regarding the verses you shared about the sign gifts. You argue that the sign gifts (Prophesy, Healing, Miracles, Speaking in Tongues) are no more at all, but as proof you present verses which merely give examples that at some places they will not be. There is a big difference between examples where there were no sign gifts, and saying that there are no sign gifts. Can you see the distinction I’m pointing out?

You said that there is lots of evidence that the sign gifts have been withdrawn. I am pointing out that there is no evidence that they have been withdrawn, only evidence that they are not in existence in every Christian or in every place. There is quite a big difference between the two.

It has been said “If the sign gifts are still in effect why is Luke a Physician?” (implying that doctors would not be needed because God's people would heal everyone) That point is irrelevant because of two things. First, do you remember the condition for the working of the sign gifts? One condition is Faith, or belief. For many the sign gifts are of no use as far as miracles and healings, because they do not believe such a thing is possible. Notice in Matthew 13:58 and Mark 6:5 that Jesus did not do as many miracles and healing because the people did not believe. The modern western man is conditioned to believe that these types of healings and miracles are impossible, and so they greatly are because of his unbelief. Second, not every believer has every gift. Simply because we are a true believer, it is not the will of the Holy Ghost to give each of us every gift (1 Corinthians 12:4-12). Further, when you say that the sign gifts have ceased you are putting together a false (or incomplete) church, because you are cutting off some of its members (1 Corinthians 12:13-31). This is a serious error, and is part of the reason why the church in North America is declining (as it did in Europe), and why it is reportedly growing in Asia, and Africa, and Central America (and maybe South America also?).

I agree completely that there will be (and are) many false prophets (Matthew 24:24, Mark 13:22, 1 John 4:1). I also agree that any prophet who teaches anything contrary to God’s word (the Holy Bible), or who makes predictions that do not come true is a false prophet. But the scriptures are so clear that the gift of prophesy will continue, to believe other wise is in contradiction to the clear word of God. Perhaps it is you who believe false Prophets and their unbiblical teachings? Perhaps the answer to the question “What is a Prophet?” would clarify this issue. A prophet is someone who hears from God and speaks and does what God has told them to say and do. Because the Prophet hears God, they can also have knowledge of things they would normally not have, because God has told them. Thus, this is their means for prophesying the future. By the scriptures we can tell a true prophet from a false prophet. True prophets lead men to repent, to turn from wickedness, and to worship God. True prophets warn of the destruction coming to sinners. There are two ways to know a false prophet as given in Deuteronomy 13:1-5 , Deuteronomy 18:9-22, Matthew 7:15-23, and 1 Corinthians 14:32, 37, 39. First, if they make a prediction which later comes true, but they also lead men away from God and teach them to worship other gods, or if they bare bad fruit, leading men in wicked ways (into sin) they are false prophets. Second, if they make predictions which do not come to pass then they are false prophets. So to be a true prophet they need to do two things 1. They need to speak according to Gods word (not teaching anything unbiblical), and 2. They need to prophesy and there prophesies must never fail to come to pass. (And of course they must have been given the gift to prophecy by the Holy Ghost.)

Some Dispensationalists have professed that "The prophetic time clock has been put on hold, Peter did not know that and was in error when he said that the last days had begun."

To which I respond...

Do you realize that you are calling the Apostle Peter a liar? Peter said that the last days had come (Acts ch. 2) (Also see Hebrews 1:2 and 2 Timothy 3:1). If your theological view leads you to disbelieve the teachings of scripture than your theological view is corrupt and is based upon false teachings. Perhaps you have a different definition of “the last days” than the Bible does, but when discussing Biblical things you should use the same definition the Bible uses.

Also, do you not realize what the Apostle Paul says in the verses below? It sums things up and really cuts right to the point.

If any man think himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things that I write unto you are the commandments of the Lord. But if any man be ignorant, let him be ignorant. Wherefore, brethren, covet to prophesy, and forbid not to speak with tongues. - 1 Corinthians 14:37-39

Interestingly, there is a great similarity between the way God spoke to prophets through the Holy Spirit, and the way he now speaks to believers. Many verses and biblical stories attest to this fact, but one verse in particular that comes to mind is Matthew 5:12. Through the Holy Spirit in us today God communicates things which we could not know without Him, he allows us to know so that we may serve Him better and ultimately bring Glory to His name. Taking the sign gifts out of Christianity is taking the supernatural out of Christianity and turning it into nothing but a belief system. It is a belief system, but it is more, it is also a system of Revelation, Miracles, and Regeneration. For example, many answered prayers are miracles. And for myself I am convinced by the many answers to prayer I have received.

False Prophets: One Current Example

Harold Camping is one example of a false prophet. He predicted the "Rapture" of Christians to be May 21, 2011.

How do we know he is a false prophet?

The Bible guarantees it!*

In Mark 13:31-37 the scripture is clear that no one but God the Father knows the hour or the day of Christ’s coming. No one but the Father knows the day or hour this world shall end.

“Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away. But of that day and that hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels which are in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father. Take ye heed, watch and pray: for ye know not when the time is. For the Son of man is as a man taking a far journey, who left his house, and gave authority to his servants, and to every man his work, and commanded the porter to watch. Watch ye therefore: for ye know not when the master of the house cometh, at even, or at midnight, or at the cockcrowing, or in the morning: Lest coming suddenly he find you sleeping. And what I say unto you I say unto all, Watch.” - Mark 13:31-37

In Deuteronomy 18:21-22 we read how to identify a false prophet.

“And if thou say in thine heart, How shall we know the word which the LORD hath not spoken? When a prophet speaketh in the name of the LORD, if the thing follow not, nor come to pass, that is the thing which the LORD hath not spoken, but the prophet hath spoken it presumptuously: thou shalt not be afraid of him.”

In Jeremiah we read the word of the Lord against the false prophets of Jerusalem. See Jeremiah 23:16, 25-26, 32, 36, 39, 40

“Thus saith the LORD of hosts, Hearken not unto the words of the prophets that prophesy unto you: they make you vain: they speak a vision of their own heart, and not out of the mouth of the LORD.”

“I have heard what the prophets said, that prophesy lies in my name, saying, I have dreamed, I have dreamed. How long shall this be in the heart of the prophets that prophesy lies? yea, they are prophets of the deceit of their own heart”

“Behold, I am against them that prophesy false dreams, saith the LORD, and do tell them, and cause my people to err by their lies, and by their lightness; yet I sent them not, nor commanded them: therefore they shall not profit this people at all, saith the LORD.”

“…for ye have perverted the words of the living God, of the LORD of hosts our God.”

“Therefore, behold, I, even I, will utterly forget you, and I will forsake you, and the city that I gave you and your fathers, and cast you out of my presence: And I will bring an everlasting reproach upon you, and a perpetual shame, which shall not be forgotten.”

"The prophet which prophesieth of peace, when the word of the prophet shall come to pass, then shall the prophet be known, that the LORD hath truly sent him." - Jeremiah 28:9

Many professed Christians have actually done one of the same things as Mr. Camping. They choose to ignore parts of scripture which they do not like. (He disregarded Mark 13:32) They disregard parts of the scripture because it requires them to do something to which their flesh (their carnal mind) is opposed. Many modern (unbiblical) “Christians” who mock Camping are hypocrites in this way.

Just as Camping’s ignorance (weather purposeful or not) of the scriptures resulted in lies, wasted resources, anger, and destruction (both on his part and from his followers) so too does disobedience of the scriptures result in lies, waste, anger, and destruction in the lives of all who disregard them.

But most importantly, those who disregard the Gospel message will not experience the Joy and blessings of knowing Christ their Saviour (Ephesians 1:3-14). They will suffer the consequences of a vain life, and everlasting damnation in Hell where the fire is not quenched and the worm does not die (Ecclesiastes 11:8, Ecclesiastes 12:13-14, Daniel 12:2, Revelation 21:7-8, Isaiah 66:24, Mark 9:44, Mark 9:46, Mark 9:48, John 3:36, John 3:18, Hebrews 10:31).

Beware the many false prophets and false Christs today!

“For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect. Behold, I have told you before.” - Matthew 24:24-25

"Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it. Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them. Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity." - Matthew 7:13-23

See the following two links for more information.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harold_Camping

http://www.katu.com/news/local/122235709.html

or Google "May 21 Harold Camping" or "the rapture of Christians May 21, 2011"

*(to rightly use a phrase he misused).

March 2012 Update: Harold Camping Admits Sin, Announces End to Doomsday Predictions

Paul Washer on False Prophets