Wednesday, April 26, 2023

Trump Return & White Hat Intel

 



Trump Return & White Hat Intel - The “Latter Rain” Revival Movement Part 6 - Tim Russ is Obama Body Double – US Military News - Gene Decode Breaking News - ATLAS SHRUGS - X22 Report - Geert Wilders Calls Out 'Arab Influence in EU  and more.

Researched & Comments by Pastor Gary Boyd

April 26th 2023

 

 New ShariRaye & Judy Byington Shocking Update for April Showers Intel - Wednesday, April 26, 2023 15:55 - https://beforeitsnews.com/prophecy/2023/04/new-shariraye-judy-byington-shocking-update-for-april-showers-intel-2540841.html

New TruthStream: Clones, Huna's: Ascension, Law of One, The Bible, Consciousness, Donald Marshall - Wednesday, April 26, 2023 15:59 - Cloning is the process of producing individual organisms with identical or virtually identical DNA, either by natural or artificial means. In nature, some organisms produce clones through asexual reproduction. https://beforeitsnews.com/prophecy/2023/04/new-truthstream-clones-hunas-ascension-law-of-one-the-bible-consciousness-donald-marshall-2540842.html

MAIL ONLINE: Oral sex is fueling an 'epidemic' of throat cancers in the US and UK, doctor claims - Dr Hisham Mehanna warned people with more sexual partners were at risk - This was because they were more likely to catch HPV, which can cause cancer - READ MORE: Many Americans don't realize this STD can cause cancer, survey - By LUKE ANDREWS HEALTH REPORTER FOR DAILYMAIL.COM - UPDATED: 15:04 EDT, 26 April 2023 - https://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-12016417/Oral-sex-fueling-epidemic-throat-cancers-UK-doctor-claims.html

REAL RAW NEWS - Star Trek: Voyager Actor Tim Russ is Barack Obama Body Double -  By Michael Baxter -April 25, 2023 -Tim Russ, the actor who played the Vulcan Tuvok in Star Trek: Voyager in the 1990s, has revived his acting career with a fresh gig: portraying disgraced former President Barack Hussein Obama on television and in public, sources at U.S. Army Cyber Command (ARCYBER) told Real Raw News. https://realrawnews.com/2023/04/star-trek-voyager-actor-tim-russ-is-barack-obama-body-double/

US MILITARY NEWS: Restored Republic via a GCR: Update as of April 25, 2023 - By Divina Ellisson - 25 April, 2023 - https://theusmilitarynews.com/restored-republic-via-a-gcr-update-as-of-april-25-2023/

BLP: Entrapped Victim of Gretchen Whitmer Fednapping Hoax Makes Impassioned Plea for Investigations of FBI, DOJ - By Shane Trejo - Apr 25, 2023 - Adam D. Fox, the alleged ringleader of the fednapping hoax of Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer, is making an impassioned plea demanding the investigation of the FBI and DOJ for setting up the entire entrapment scheme. Fox made his plea in a letter addressed to Congressman Jim Jordan (R-OH). The letter was reported on the Substack of Radix Verum. https://bigleaguepolitics.com/entrapped-victim-of-gretchen-whitmer-fednapping-hoax-makes-impassioned-plea-for-investigations-of-fbi-doj/

US MILITARY NEWS: Judy Byington: Full Situation and Intel Update Restored Republic via a GCR: Wed. 26 April 2023 (Video) - Wednesday, April 26, 2023 11:52 - The main Cabal corporations were Blackrock, State Street and Wall Street owned by the Rockefellers and Rothschilds. https://beforeitsnews.com/alternative/2023/04/judy-byington-full-situation-and-intel-update-restored-republic-via-a-gcr-wed-26-april-2023-video-3791997.html

New Situation Update 04.26.23 ~ Trump Return - White Hat Intel ~ Juan O Savin. SGAnon Intel - Wednesday, April 26, 2023 11:00 - https://beforeitsnews.com/prophecy/2023/04/new-situation-update-04-26-23-trump-return-white-hat-intel-juan-o-savin-sganon-intel-2540832.html

 Gene Decode Breaking News 4-26-2023!! - Must Video - Wednesday, April 26, 2023 13:40 - https://beforeitsnews.com/opinion-conservative/2023/04/gene-decode-breaking-news-4-26-2023-must-video-3661268.html

ATLAS SHRUGS - WATCH: Tucker Carlson’s Speech After Final Fox News Show Goes Viral - Wednesday, April 26, 2023 11:09 - These are the most important words Tucker Carlson has ever spoken. Listen to this. https://beforeitsnews.com/opinion-conservative/2023/04/watch-tucker-carlsons-speech-after-final-fox-news-show-goes-viral-3661242.html

X22 Report - Biden Admin Will Not Negotiate The Debt Ceiling! This Will Fail Just Like Everything Else! - Must Video - Wednesday, April 26, 2023 15:16 - The [CB]/[WEF] are now pushing shortages of products in the EU, this is part of their GND. The Biden IRA plan will not work, the plan has been accelerated and it will fail because the world will not be able to function. The plan to crash the market and blame it on the Republicans will fail. https://beforeitsnews.com/economy/2023/04/x22-report-biden-admin-will-not-negotiate-the-debt-ceiling-this-will-fail-just-like-everything-else-must-video-3083993.html

RAIR - Must Watch: Geert Wilders Calls Out 'Arab Influence' Over EU Politicians Pushing for the 'Islamization of Europe' - By Amy Mek - April 25, 2023 - Geert Wilders, the leader of the Netherlands Party for Freedom, delivered a powerful speech at the convention hosted by AndrĂ© Ventura, the founder, and leader of Portugal’s national conservative party, Chega. Wilders and other high-profile conservative leaders were invited to speak at the event as part of an effort to strengthen political alliances across Europe. Wilders said, “Weak politicians and cultural relativists have destabilized Europe by letting millions of migrants into the continent, many of whom come from Islamic countries and embrace the violent and totalitarian Islamic Sharia law.” https://rairfoundation.com/must-watch-geert-wilders-calls-out-arab-influence-on-eu-politicians-pushing-for-islamization-of-europe/

 

 


The “Latter Rain” Revival Movement Part 6

by Thomas Ice

Researched by Pastor Gary Boyd

April 26th 2023

 

This is my final installment on the ” latter rain” revival movement. Thus, I will bring to an end my discussion on the Ephesians 5:25-27 passage and then call attention to the negative implications that this doctrine has upon pretribulationism and Bible prophecy in general.

 

Key Theological Concepts and Passages

 

A Perfect Church?

 

In my previous article, I demonstrated that restorationists teach that the church must reach a level of experiential perfection before the return of Christ is possible. They believe that Christ may not return until this is achieved. The means that they believe bring about this perfection is an end-time outpouring of the Holy Spirit, resulting in a ” latter rain” revival. This revival will be the vehicle for perfecting the existing church and, in turn, lead to the quick conversion of millions to Christ. The key to the revival will be the unity of the church. Some of these beliefs are alleged to come from Ephesians 5:25-27. I will complete an examination of that passage.

 

In a nutshell, the Bible here describes the believer’ s legal standing before God, as won on our behalf through Christ’ s work on the cross. On the other hand, Restorationist (mis)apply this text as something which the believer and the Church must grow into and become in our current experience. I will now examine reasons why this passage should be interpreted positionally. First, verse 25 is grounding Paul’ s admonition on the basis of Christ’ s giving of Himself sacrificially on the cross. Within the context of this passage it is a clear reference of something that can only apply to the believer’ s legal standing before God. Because Christ’ s giving of Himself on behalf of Believers is a summary of His gracious provision to the church for her salvation.

 

Second, in verse 26, the passive participle ” having cleansed,” speaks of action which occurs simultaneously with the action of the verb (gave), to which it is related to in verse 25. This means that the cleansing is related to Christ’ s giving of Himself on the cross- a positional and not experiential sense. In other words, this is something that happens at justification (the moment one becomes a true Christian) and not at sanctification (the process of living the Christian life after initial faith in Christ).

 

Third, the vocabulary words used in this passage are terms that are employed throughout the Bible to describe positional salvation or justification, not the process of living the Christian life or sanctification. ” Cleanse” refers to ceremonial washings within the Old Testament temple ritual that depict justification, not sanctification. This same Greek word is used to describe positional salvation (justification) in John 15:3 when Jesus said, ” You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you.” ” Washing of water with the word” is also a positional phrase descriptive of becoming a Christian, not being a Christian (cf. Titus 3:5).

 

Fourth, the terms in verse 27, having no ” spot” or ” wrinkle,” and that believers should be ” holy” and ” blameless,” in this context, like the previous terms, refers to a Believer’ s legal standing earned by Christ in His death on the cross. They do not speak of a current process like sanctification, as would be required for the restorationist view to have merit. For the restorationist interpretation to be possible, this part of the passage should have used language that speaks of sanctification, which it does not.

 

Fifth, when will these things be accomplished for the church? As Lenski says, ” the words indicate the final perfection of holiness at the last day.” [41] It is a future perfection to which Paul speaks. Commentator John Eadie concludes and summarizes, after examining the meaning of this passage from the original Greek text, the following:

 

Such, then, is to be the ultimate perfection and destiny of the church. . . .

 

We have already said that the presentation is not contemporary with the consecration, but is posterior to it, and does not finally and formally take place on earth. The ” church” we understand in its full significance, as the whole company of the redeemed, personified and represented as a spiritual Spouse. The presentation belongs therefore to the period of the second coming, . . .

 

The church as it now is, and as it has always been, has many spots and wrinkles upon it. But perfection is secured by a process of continuous and successful operation, and shall be ultimately enjoyed.[42]

 

This would mean that the body of Christ is being perfected when a new individual believes the Gospel and God applies the finished work of Christ to their account. When the last person believes, then the rapture will occur, because the Body of Christ will have been made complete. Up in heaven, the resurrected and glorified bride, who has made herself ready (Rev. 19:1-10), will be presented to Christ in experiential perfection at the marriage supper of the Lamb. The Church will not experience perfection before the resurrection, even though legally she is made perfect by the work of Christ. This experience of perfection, up in heaven, will take place during the same time that the supposed ” latter rain” outpouring of the Holy Spirit is said to fall upon the Church.

 

Theological Implications

 

For those following this series, you should be able to see by now that terms like ” latter rain” and ” Joel’ s army” from Joel 2 do not in any way, shape, or form refer to the Church. Instead they refer to God’ s program for Israel. Thus, it cannot refer in any way to the church. In fact, one of the purposes of the tribulation will be that God will purge out the rebels (unbelieving Israel) from the remnant (Ezek. 20:38) so that ” all Israel will be saved” (Rom. 11:26) by the time of Christ’ s second coming. These passages, taken in their contexts, refer to God’ s program for Israel and not the Church.

 

Such misinterpretation leads to ram, cram, and jamming God’ s plan for Israel into the Church. This causes those who do such things to not only distort God’ s plan for Israel during the tribulation, but to also miss the focus for the Church, which is Christ’ s any-moment return at the rapture. It is not surprising that as more Evangelicals focus upon a revival theology, that their gaze is taken away from the Blessed Hope (Titus 3:5). John teaches that it is just such a hope ” fixed on Him [that] purifies himself, just as He [Jesus] is pure” (1 John 3:3b).

 

Since the Church will be taken out before the tribulation of Daniel’ s 70th week begins (the pretrib rapture), which I believe, then one cannot believe in a theology of restoration and latter rain. The pretrib position teaches that the Church is raptured, not restored. Other views of the rapture (partial, midtrib, pre-wrath, and posttrib), all mix God’ s program for Israel and the Church into the tribulation, thus allowing for the possibility, but not the necessity, of some form of latter rain/restoration teachings. This is one of the main reasons why so many Charismatic leaders appear to increasingly pepper their sermons with anti-rapture statements. They realize that one cannot be looking both for a great ” latter rain” revival and an any-moment return of Christ at the rapture. If a revival is necessary, then there is something that has to happen before Christ could return, and the rapture would have to wait until after this has convened.

 

I have meet people who say that they believe in both an any-moment rapture and the necessity of an end-time revival. This is logically impossible as noted above. If any thing has to happen before the rapture, then it is logically impossible that the rapture is imminent. Yet, even after asking those who hold this position for an explanation that would resolve this clear conflict, they cannot verbalize one. They are usually quick to tell me that God can to things that appear impossible to us and continue believing two contradictory views. The impossible things that God does in history do not relate to resolving contradictions, but refers to Him accomplishing things that a finite, fallen human being lacks the ability to perform. God never has or will accomplish things that contradict His Word. Instead, He performs His will in His own time in His way. So this is not an instance of a both/and, but of an either/or. Either the pretrib rapture is true or it is not. Or, either an end-time ” latter rain” revival is true or it is not. Fish or cut bait, but you cannot do both.

 

Many have been exposed to bits and pieces of ” latter rain” revival teachings through a whole host of vehicles. For example, the Vineyard churches (founded by the late John Wimber) have been advocating a ” latter rain” revival teachings since at least February 1989 when Paul Cain taught these things at their annual conference in Anaheim, California. The ” latter rain” revival doctrines have been disseminated to many others through Vineyard influenced events such as ” The Praise March,” or ” The March for Jesus,” and the well-know and well-attended ” Promise Keepers.” The end-time ” latter rain” revival doctrines are being disseminated through music on the radio and at various Christian events. These teachings are quite evident on Christian radio and television. Trinity Broadcasting Network (TBN) has an over abundance of ” latter rain” revival advocates, although they rarely call it that. They primarily just speak of the coming revival and sometimes bash belief in the rapture. There are dozens of books, the last ten years, that advocate similar themes.

 

An increasing number of Evangelical leaders and participants in these events are adopting ” latter rain” revival ideas, some in bits and pieces rather than the whole cloth. Some are adopting pieces such as belief in an end-time revival and the requirement of experiential unity in order to effect such a revival. Such views are increasingly widespread and undermine the biblical teaching of pretribulationism.

 

Conclusions

 

I believe that one of the major reasons why a significant segment of Evangelicals are moving away from pretribulationism is due to the increasing popularity of ” latter rain” revival teachings. To buy into such categories naturally causes an antagonism to pretribulationism and its accompanying doctrines. I believe that many Evangelicals have been exposed to the teachings of both pretribulationism and ” latter rain” revival teachings and have not reached the point of sorting out the differences so that they may come down on one side or the other. The purpose of this series is to explain the rise and development of these teachings so that anyone, pro or con, might see them as a whole and not just absorb bits and pieces from one and wonder why their theology on these matters seem confused. I want to clarify positions so that Believers can make an informed choice. Hopefully, falling on the side of biblical truth and the pretrib rapture.

 

As I noted in earlier articles, the New Testament does not say even one word about a revival for the church at any time let alone about an end-time ” latter rain” revival. I also noted that God is free to sovereignly send a revival at any time He pleases, but that there are no formulas or conditions in the New Testament that will bring His blessing. The New Testament does warn in dozens of passages about the threat of apostate doctrine and behavior that Believers are to beware of. Finally, the New Testament does teach Believers ” to wait for His Son from heaven, whom He raised from the dead, that is Jesus, who delivers us from the wrath to come” (1 Thess. 1:10). Jesus Himself is our hope. The hope, like a betrothed bride, who longs to see and be with her groom because she loves him (and though you have not seen Him, you love Him, 1 Pet. 1:8). Maranatha!

 


Tuesday, April 25, 2023

Deep State Clones Report

 





Deep State Clones Report - The “Latter Rain” Revival Movement Part 5 - New Monkey Werx - X22 Report Information Warfare - Good Guys No Longer Run UN - NO MORE WHITE COATS FOR WHITES – Murdock & Fox Corrupt and more.

Researched & Comments by Pastor Gary Boyd

April 25th 2023

 

And We Know - We Are Prepared & Awake! Ukraine, Tucker, UN, Pieces Are Failing! Dangerous Path Taken! Let’s Go! Pray! - Must Video - Tuesday, April 25, 2023 15:40 - Fox “settlement” payment to Dominion vote machine company is simply payment for election fixing by Murdock to defeat Trump. The best place to hide crime is in plain sight. Now YOU see it. https://beforeitsnews.com/opinion-conservative/2023/04/and-we-know-we-are-prepared-awake-ukraine-tucker-un-pieces-are-failing-dangerous-path-taken-lets-go-pray-must-video-3661169.html

REAL RAW NEWS: Deep State Clones Expire After Three Years, Cloning Scientist Tells Military - By Michael Baxter -April 24, 2023 - Deep State clones exist for only three years once they leave their maturation chambers and are recalled to a reclamation center at least one week before they expire, according to a Deep State cloning scientist who was arrested by U.S. Special Forces in early January and taken to an undisclosed safe house for a lengthy interrogation. https://realrawnews.com/2023/04/deep-state-clones-expire-after-three-years-cloning-scientist-tells-military/

New Monkey Werx: The Trojan Horse and Russia's Club K Missile System SITREP 4.24.23 - Tuesday, April 25, 2023 10:27 - https://beforeitsnews.com/prophecy/2023/04/new-monkey-werx-the-trojan-horse-and-russias-club-k-missile-system-sitrep-4-24-23-2540774.html

ATF Director Can't Define "Assault Weapon" Despite Calls From Biden Administration To Ban Them (Video) - Tuesday, April 25, 2023 9:43 – I’m just going to say it like this, there is no such thing as an “assault weapon.”  Anything can be used to assault anyone, whether it’s a pencil, a pen, a knife, a gun or even a frying pan.  However, we don’t add “assault” to the object to identify it and so, we shouldn’t be doing this to arms either.  Nevertheless, the unconstitutional Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (BATFE) simply cannot define what an “assault weapon” is despite the fact that the illegitimate traitor in the White House has called for a ban on them. https://beforeitsnews.com/u-s-politics/2023/04/atf-director-cant-define-assault-weapon-despite-calls-from-biden-administration-to-ban-them-video-2603439.html

X22 Report - Information Warfare! No Sleep In DC! Transparency Brings Accountability! The Perfect Storm! - Must Video - Monday, April 24, 2023 20:43 - The information war is now heating up, the fake news outlets are preparing and restructuring and getting ready to try to control the narrative, this will not work. Transparency brings accountability and the people are now seeing more and more evidence that the country was overthrown by people who installed themselves in the White House. The perfect storm is not forming and the flood of evidence is coming. No sleep in DC. The hammer is coming down on the [DS]. https://beforeitsnews.com/opinion-conservative/2023/04/x22-report-information-warfare-no-sleep-in-dc-transparency-brings-accountability-the-perfect-storm-must-video-3661085.html

Mass Arrests Coming! Latin America Has Now Sent Washington DC A Unmistakable Message! - Tuesday, April 25, 2023 13:49 - https://beforeitsnews.com/prophecy/2023/04/mass-arrests-coming-latin-america-has-now-sent-washington-dc-a-unmistakable-message-2540792.html

WORLD ISRAEL NEWS: Israel offers to mediate ceasefire summit in Sudan - April 24, 2023 - By World Israel News Staff - Israel has offered to host ceasefire talks between warring factions in Sudan as the death toll reached several hundreds on Monday. “Since the start of hostilities in the country, Israel has been working different channels to bring about a cease-fire and the advancement in recent days is very encouraging,” Foreign Minister Eli Cohen said on Monday. https://worldisraelnews.com/israel-offers-to-mediate-ceasefire-summit-in-sudan/

THE NATIONAL PULSE: The United Nations Says Minors Can Consent to Sex, and Anti-Trans Activism Should Be CRIMINALIZED. - BY JACK MONTGOMERY - APRIL 18, 2023 - The United Nations – which receives around $12 billion dollars a year (a quarter of its total) in funding from American taxpayers – has published a report declaring that children can consent to sex “in fact, if not in law” and that this should be reflected in the enforcement, or rather non-enforcement, of age of consent laws. The grotesque report by the International Commission of Jurists — “60 eminent judges and lawyers from all regions of the world” — was launched by the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) and the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV and AIDS (UNAIDS) on International Women’s Day, and centers chiefly on how criminal law should be applied (or not applied) to sexual activities. (Comment: It is time to stop funding the UN with taxpayer money, shut down the UN building in NYC, get rid of the so called UN peacekeepers who are a large part of the problem in Africa. UN troops kill off small villages capture the children then sell them into human trafficking networks. The good guys no longer run the UN. A 2017 report says, According to a recent investigation by the Associated Press (AP), between 2004 and 2016, the United Nations received almost 2,000 allegations of sexual exploitation and abuse against its peacekeepers.) https://www.aljazeera.com/features/2017/8/9/do-un-peacekeepers-do-more-harm-than-good

NATURAL NEWS - NO MORE WHITE COATS FOR WHITES: Medical industry on cusp of adopting RACIST guidelines that systematically eliminate white medical professionals - Monday, April 24, 2023 by: Lance D Johnson - The medical industry, which is already suffering from staggering rates of depression and suicide, is considering new Critical Race Theory (CRT) guidelines in order to “dismantle … white supremacy culture.” https://citizens.news/719193.html

THE EXPOSE: Vaccine injuries become the dominant theme of German reporting on the mRNA injections - BY RHODA WILSON ON APRIL 24, 2023 • - Last month, German Health Minister and renowned virus pest Karl Lauterbach gave a remarkable interview in which he denounced “exorbitant” pharmaceutical profits, deplored “dismaying” vaccine injuries, and called for the manufacturers to set aside funds for those who have been harmed. He did so amid a growing wave of reporting on vaccine injuries in the German press – a wave which his statements have now turned into a tsunami. In the weeks since, vaccine injuries and side effects have become the dominant theme of German press coverage on the injections, from local papers to national media. https://expose-news.com/2023/04/24/vaccine-injuries-dominant-theme-of-german-reporting/

 

 


The “Latter Rain” Revival Movement Part 5

by Thomas Ice

Researched by Pastor Gary Boyd

April 25th 2023

 

After presenting an overview of the central role that the doctrine of apostasy plays in New Testament teaching, I will continue in this installment of the ” latter rain” series by examining key ” latter rain” issues in the light of Scripture. These are important contemporary items since they provide a challenge to those of us who interpret Scripture literally, believe in the pretrib rapture, and recognize God’ s distinction between His plans for Israel and the Church. These errors must be recognized and refuted from Scripture.

 

Key Theological Concepts and Passages

 

Restoration of the Fivefold Ministries

 

In a previous issue[33] I noted Bill Hamon’ s explanation of the restoration of the fivefold ministries of evangelists, pastors, teachers, apostles, and prophets in the end-time.[34] This is said by Restorationist to be spoken of in Ephesians 4:11-16. Fellow ” latter rain” advocate, Rick Joyner, claims that he received the contents of a book he authored called The Harvest, as a revelation from God on three different occasions in the late 1980s.[35] ” What is about to come upon the earth is not just a revival, or another awakening; it is a veritable revolution,” says Joyner about the vision he claims from God in his book. ” This vision was given in order to begin awakening those who are destined to radically change the course, and even the very definition of Christianity.” [36] Joyner spoke in his book about the restoration of apostles and prophets in order to prepare the Church for the soon coming fullness of the ” latter rain.” He said,

 

The next spiritual contraction will bring about the restoration and recognition of the PROPHETS. We will see the prophetic ministry become the primary focus of attention during the next few years as a much greater anointing comes upon this ministry than has been seen since Biblical times. [37]

 

There will be another contraction during which a true APOSTOLIC authority will be restored and recognized within the advancing church.[38]

 

” Latter rain” advocates like Hamon and Joyner commingle their interpretations of the Scripture with their own supposed direct revelation about the restoration of the gifted men in Ephesians 4:11. Their notions are erroneous for a number of reasons. A major objection is rather obvious to anyone who would simply read the passage. The passage says nothing about a restoration of these ministries. Simply put, the text does not speak of such an occurrence. They have pulled this concept out of the thin air of their fertile imaginations that they claim as a revelation from God. The New Testament warns against those who would have such a seared conscience that they would be bold enough to pass of their own imaginations as the sure Word of God (Acts 20:17-35; 1 Tim. 4:1-2; 2 Pet. 2:1-3; 1 John 4:1-6; Jude 8, 17-19).

 

Christ’ s giving of apostles and prophets to the Church is said in Ephesians 2:20 to be something which is to be foundational to the Church, not something given to each generation of believers. The passage says, ” having been built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus Himself being the corner stone.” The picture is that of a building process which is going on during the entire period of the Church age, from Pentecost to the rapture. This process can be described as taking place in three stages: Phase one is the laying of the corner stone , which describes the first century, non-repeatable, work of Christ. The rest of the building is supposed to orient itself in terms of Christ the corner stone.

 

Phase two is the foundation of the apostles and prophets, which also occurred in the first century and is non-repeatable. However, just as with Christ, even though it is non-repeatable, it does not mean that it is non-applicable for today. Just as with a foundation in a physical building, once it is laid, continues to be used for the life of the structure. So it is with the ministry of the apostles and prophets, who gave us the boundaries of the gospel and doctrine with which believers are being used of God to build Christ’ s Church. Once the foundation is laid, you don’ t keep relaying it each generation, instead you continue to build upon it.

 

Phase three represents the superstructure of the rest of the building. The building is built upon in accordance to the guidelines mandated by the dimensions of the corner stone and the foundation. This work began at the birth of the Church in Acts 2 and will be completed at the rapture when the last person destined to make up the final component of the Body of Christ believes the gospel. Then the Church will be complete.

 

From the perspective of the Biblical picture presented in Ephesians 2, it is wrong to say that God is restoring apostles and prophets in our own day. This error implies that the first century foundation was not complete and that it needs further work. This would mean that until recent restoration times, God has been building the house upon a shaky foundation. This kind of thought is a grave error.

 

Ephesians 3:5 echoes the thought of 2:20 when Paul says concerning the mystery of Christ: ” which in other generations was not made known to the sons of men, as it has now been revealed to His holy apostles and prophets in the Spirit.”The emphasis in this passage is upon revelation received during the time of Paul’ s writing in the first century. This strongly suggests that the ministry of apostles and prophets was completed in the past.

 

When we come to the Ephesians 4:11 use of apostles and prophets, with evangelists, and pastors-teachers, we observe a division of labor employed in the building of God’ s spiritual temple- the Church. The foundation, phase two, was completed during the apostolic age ending around A.D. 100. Upon completion, those workmen left the scene, leaving behind the trustworthy the fruit of their labor- a foundation. That foundation was the New Testament canon of Scripture.

 

Phase three is entrusted with the task of building upon the sure foundation of Christ and the apostles. This is why the bulk of labor, over the life of the project (the Church age) is done by the evangelist, and the pastor-teachers. They remain on site until the structure is complete at the rapture. This is why the Pastoral Epistles (1 and 2 Timothy and Titus) stress the importance of following and protecting the fixed deposit of Apostolic faith by faithful men, so that it can be passed from generation to generation (2 Tim. 2:2). Therefore, evangelist, and pastor-teachers have never been removed from the scene so that they have to be restored at the end of the Church age as ” latter rain” advocates teach.

 

The Holy Spirit has been using believers to win and disciple others for the last 2,000 years without interruption, as taught by the Restorationist movement. The Church is being perfected with the original doctrine contained in the New Testament and does not need an updated version of ” Apostles’ doctrine 2.1.” The first edition did not have any glitches and cannot be improved upon. Why would anyone want to bring the foundation crew back on the job when the roof is near completion, unless they want to improperly change the foundation with their new revelation. Yet, the desire to add to the foundation, when it has already been set, is the desire and practice of false prophets and teachers. The believer who opens themselves up to ” new revelation” is opening themselves up to deception. As Paul told Timothy, ” Retain the standard of sound words which you have heard from me, in the faith and love which are in Christ Jesus. Guard, through the Holy Spirit who dwells in us, the treasure which has been entrusted to you” (2 Tim. 1:13-14).

 

This is the Church’ s calling in our day: to guard the foundation laid by Christ, and the apostles and prophets, while building upon that foundation the superstructure through evangelism and discipleship. Believers are looking forward to the return of Christ at the rapture, not for new revelation.

 

A Perfect Church?

 

Restorationist Rick Godwin has been described by a former Southern Baptist pastor, Jack Taylor, as ” God’ s John Wayne to the Church!” [39] Probably a more accurate description would be to liken Godwin to Rambo since John Wayne had manners and was a gentleman. Godwin states his belief that the Church will be perfected before Christ’ s return:

 

The Lord is going to have a ” Glorious Church” before He returns. This thought encompasses the theme of personal and corporate purity, for Scripture says that His Church will be ” without spot, wrinkle or blemish.” His Church will have Power followed by signs and wonders, for Scripture says, ” it will be a glorious church.[40]

 

Ephesians 5:25-27 is the much quoted passage which ” latter rain” /Restorationist use to teach that the end-time Church will see the restoration of apostolic power, coupled with unity, which will produce the greatest period of miracles and conversions to Christ in all of history. However, to draw such a conclusion from this passage provides a clear example of their ability to mishandle Scripture. ” Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself up for her; that He might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, that He might present to Himself the church in all her glory, having no spot or wrinkle or any such thing; but that she should be holy and blameless” (Eph. 5:25-27).

 

There is no question that this passage speaks of a glorious church, without sport or wrinkle. But how does the Bible use these terms? Do Restorationists use this passage in the same way the Bible does? I believe they do not! In a nutshell, the Bible here describes the believer’ s legal standing before God, as won on our behalf through Christ’ s work on the cross. On the other hand, Restorationist (mis)apply this text as something which the believer and the Church must grow into and become in our current experience.

 

God’ s plan of salvation is often discussed in terms of one’ s covenantal standing before God. This is legal language. When Adam fell, his sin was imputed or credited to the legal bank account of every person born thereafter, even though no one personally committed Adam’ s sin (Rom. 5:12-21). Our legal standing (some call this positional truth) forms the basis from which our experience should follow. Therefore, human beings sin experientially because they are legally or positionally sinners. In the same way, Christ had to first deal with the legal barrier of sin in winning salvation for the Church as the basis for experiential change in the life of the individual believer and the Church as a whole. Positional standing in Christ is the basis upon which the believer is to live his life experientially through faith.

 

When properly interpreting Scripture, one must establish from Scripture itself, the way the Bible uses various terms. Often a decision must be made as to whether or not a word or phrase is describing a positional truth or an experiential aspect of salvation. The difference it makes in the interpretation of Ephesians 5:25-27 is great. If these are positional terms, then the perfection spoken of in this passage is that earned by Christ through His saving work, which is applied positionally to the believer. This means that our position will not be experienced in its fullness until glorification at the time of the resurrection. However, if these are taken experientially, as applying to our current time, then it is teaching experiential perfection of the individual believer as well corporate perfection.

 

In my final installment on ” latter rain” theology, I will complete the study of Ephesians 5:25-27 and provide reasons why this passage should be interpreted positionally. I will also draw implications for the doctrine of the rapture if such teachings are adopted.

 

(To Be Continued . . .)

 

 


Monday, April 24, 2023

Russia Rod of God Takes Out Nato Command

 



Liz Cheney to Hang Today - The “Latter Rain” Revival Movement Part 4 - US MILITARY NEWS - Tucker Carlson Fired From Fox - Rod From God Hits Ukraine Bunker - Glenn Beck Breaking - Bill Maher Says Blacks Killing Blacks - Scott Ritter & Middle East and more.

Researched & Comments by Pastor Gary Boyd

April 24th 2023

 

Real Raw News: Military Sentences Liz Cheney to Hang to Death - By Michael Baxter -April 23, 2023 - Vice Admiral Darse E. Crandall of the U.S. Navy Judge Advocate General’s Corps asked an all-female panel to find Liz Cheney guilty of treason after she all but confessed to betraying her oath of office and threatened to have her people murder the admiral and his family. He delivered a scorching statement painting Cheney as a depraved, bitter woman whose hatred of the U.S. Constitution rivaled her father’s, and whose unjustifiable animus for President Trump prompted her to commit election fraud and, later, spitefully chair a committee that failed to shame or criminally indict Trump. https://realrawnews.com/2023/04/military-sentences-liz-cheney-to-hang-to-death/

US MILITARY NEWS: Restored Republic via a GCR - Update as of April 24, 2023 - By Divina Ellisson -  24 April, 2023 – Vatican now empty all hanged for child trafficking – 650 plane leads of gold from Vatican tunnel seized by white hats returned to rightful owners worldwide – Two D/S helicopters shot down with VIP black hats aboard – D/S ground bunkers raided important D/S Colonel taken prisoner - https://theusmilitarynews.com/restored-republic-via-a-gcr-update-as-of-april-24-2023/

Russia Fires Hyper-Sonic Missile at Ukraine DUMB - 400 DMF’s - Monday, April 24, 2023 7:41 - A few days ago Russia fired six hypersonic missiles at military targets in Ukraine. One of the missiles acted like a “Rod From God” and took out a NATO Command Bunker 400 feet below the ground, killing over 300 top Ukraine and NATO Commanders. https://beforeitsnews.com/alternative/2023/04/russia-fires-hyper-sonic-missile-at-ukraine-dumb-400-dmfs-video-3791883.html

US MILITARY NEWS - Judy Byington: President Trump Just Pressed the Nuclear Button, Twice!! GCR Update as of Mon. 24 April 2023 (Video) - Monday, April 24, 2023 7:32 - https://beforeitsnews.com/alternative/2023/04/judy-byington-president-trump-just-pressed-the-nuclear-button-twice-gcr-update-as-of-mon-24-april-2023-video-3791882.html

Dan Bongino Show: 60 Minutes Goes Full Pravda! - Dan Bongino - Monday, April 24, 2023 14:56 - In this episode, I address the shocking episode of 60 Minutes where they try to gaslight America about January 6th. In 825 days since Joe Biden STOLE OFFICE, he has been the MOST CORRUPT, PATHETIC, INCOMPETENT, ASININE, TRAITOROUS and EVIL PRESIDENT EVER. Another 636 days to go. PLEASE HELP US GOD! - https://beforeitsnews.com/opinion-conservative/2023/04/60-minutes-goes-full-pravda-dan-bongino-3661057.html

Jan 6th Capitol Riot was THE STORM IS UPON US! Grammys Cancelled - Get On GETTR (First post on: Jan 7, 2022) - Monday, April 24, 2023 15:46 - Mass formation psychosis is trending, most have no idea what tyranny or mass formation means. COVID is an IQ test, how’d you do? Freemason Grammy Awards CANCELLED! January 6th Capitol riot distraction was on the same date we got the tweet from our VP – JFK Jr. “My fellow Americans, the Storm is upon us…….” God bless. President Trump statement and interview with Glenn Beck on January 6th. https://beforeitsnews.com/alternative/2023/04/jan-6th-capitol-riot-was-the-storm-is-upon-us-grammys-cancelled-get-on-gettr-first-post-on-jan-7-2022-3791909.html

Juan O' Savin HUGE Military Intel Apr 24: "OUR TROOPS ARE IN THIS "Theater Of War" (Video) - Monday, April 24, 2023 7:21 - Things are heating up and in this special military Intel, Juan exposes what’s really going on and what we can expect to take place very soon. https://beforeitsnews.com/alternative/2023/04/juan-o-savin-huge-military-intel-apr-24-our-troops-are-in-this-theater-of-war-video-3791880.html

Bo Polny: APRIL WORLDWIDE SHOCK! (Video) - Monday, April 24, 2023 9:38 - Bo is joined by Francine Fosdick an these 2 have some HEAVY Intel to share about the end of the month! This could get ugly!! https://beforeitsnews.com/alternative/2023/04/bo-polny-april-worldwide-shock-video-3791895.html

Scott Ritter - Middle East Embraces Russia & Loses Trust In The US! Forces In Play In Sudan Conflict! - Must Video - Monday, April 24, 2023 14:02 - https://beforeitsnews.com/war-and-conflict/2023/04/scott-ritter-middle-east-embraces-russia-loses-trust-in-the-us-forces-in-play-in-sudan-conflict-must-video-2478010.html

Glenn Beck Breaking: Could Losing Tucker Carlson DESTROY Fox News? - Must Video - Monday, April 24, 2023 13:19 - In this clip, Glenn announces breaking news that may be the biggest story for media this year: Tucker Carlson is OUT at Fox News. Glenn and Stu speculate why the number one host may be leaving, where Tucker will go next, and the DISASTROUS consequences this could have for the cable channel. Could this DESTROY Fox News and be the end of the network…? https://beforeitsnews.com/politics/2023/04/glenn-beck-breaking-could-losing-tucker-carlson-destroy-fox-news-must-video-3288411.html

NTEB: The Last Truth Teller’ Tucker Carlson Is Unceremoniously Fired From Fox News As Word Got Out He Was Planning To Expose Truth About Network - Monday, April 24, 2023 14:09 - Back in August of 2020, we did an article on Tucker Carlson where we called him the ‘last truth teller’ in the dinosaur corporate media, and in it we asked the question of how long can Tucker last before getting fired? As it turns out, today. During our live Podcast this afternoon, the news broke over the wire that Tucker Carlson had been fired immediately, not even being allowed a last show or even a goodbye. Why? We know why. Fox News is fake news, and the truth is not allowed there. https://beforeitsnews.com/global-unrest/2023/04/the-last-truth-teller-tucker-carlson-is-unceremoniously-fired-from-fox-news-as-word-got-out-he-was-planning-to-expose-truth-about-network-2537739.html

MAIL ONLINE: CNN insiders slam 'misogynistic, sexist, POS' Don Lemon as he's fired from network for 'losing the respect of women on staff' and for thinking being 'black and gay' gave him a 'get out of jail free card' - Sources said that no one wanted to work with Don Lemon after sexist comments - They claimed he thought he had 'get out of jail free card' for being black and gay - Lemon was sacked by CNN on Monday, igniting a war of words with the network - By JAMES VITUSCKA FOR DAILYMAIL.COM - PUBLISHED: 13:37 EDT, 24 April 2023 | UPDATED: 14:03 EDT, 24 April 2023 - https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-12008465/CNN-insiders-slam-misogynistic-sexist-POS-Don-Lemon-hes-fired-network.html

HAL TURNER SHOW: 3600 Pounds of GOLD BULLION Stolen from Canada Airport – WORLD - BY HAL TURNER - 20 APRIL 2023 - Police in Toronto and surrounding areas are going berserk looking for 3,600 pounds of Gold Bullion that was STOLEN from Pearson Airport in Toronto, Ontario.  The Gold is said to be worth over US$100 Million. The Royal Canadian Mounted Police confirmed they are looking into a gold robbery at Pearson International Airport. Gold mined in Canada can travel through Pearson on its way to customers around the world. - https://halturnerradioshow.com/index.php/en/news-page/world/3600-pounds-of-gold-bullion-stolen-from-canada-airport

GLENN BECK: THIS idea is PROOF that climate activists are ANTI-HUMAN - Some far left, climate activists now want to eliminate rice in order to save the world?! It’s ‘immoral,’ Glenn says, considering millions of people throughout earth rely on rice to survive. But, this is just further proof that climate activists — and the global elite who side with them — are anti-human. Alex Epstein, Founder and President of the Center for Industrial Progress, joins Glenn to explain why the combination of an ‘anti-human motive’ and evil governments dictating policy is a dangerous recipe for disaster… https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E3RcdO3AVK4

ALL ISRAEL NEWS: Hamas-affiliated digital accounts in its continued battle against terrorism - The Jewish state’s National Commission for Combating Economic Terrorism seized dozens of digital accounts affiliated with the Islamist organization Hamas in its ongoing battle against terrorism. In addition, the Israeli authority also succeeded in exposing hundreds of e-wallets used for providing funds of the Gaza-led terrorist organization. https://www.allisrael.com/israel-seizes-hamas-affiliated-digital-accounts-in-its-continued-battle-against-terrorism

ZERO HEDGE: 'Why Aren't Black Celebrities Talking About That?' - Bill Maher Asks Why Black People Are Killing Each Other In Cities Like Chicago - BY TYLER DURDEN- MONDAY, APR 24, 2023 - 07:24 AM - HBO host Bill Maher has done it again, asking the third rail questions and saying the quiet part out loud. The comedian and self-professed liberal said blasted Chicago Mayor-elect Brandon Johnson during his most recent show, saying that Johnson was "excusing horrific behavior" in a speech he delivered following several shootings in Chicagoland last week. Maher talked about crime with Brown University economist Glenn Loury and international relations scholar Daniel Bessner in the context of Chicago electing a soft-on-crime mayor and shoplifting in New York City. https://www.zerohedge.com/political/why-arent-black-celebrities-talking-about-bill-maher-asks-why-black-people-are-killing

 

 


The “Latter Rain” Revival Movement Part 4

by Thomas Ice

Researched by Pastor Gary Boyd

April 24th 2023

 

In a continuation of the fourth installment of our study of the ” latter rain” movement, I will pursue a study begun last month on key theological concepts and passages. Previously I began this section with an investigation of the idea of ” restoration” within the ” latter rain” tradition. I now turn to an examination of their notion of ” spiritual Israel.”

 

Key Theological Concepts and Passages

 

Spiritual Israel

 

Another common technique used by Restorationist and ” latter rain” advocates is to say that the Church is now spiritual Israel. They believe that they then have the right to take the volumes of passages, often from the prophets, and link them spiritually to the Church. Therefore, Israel is finished in God’ s plan as a nation, while individual Jews may come to faith in Christ; the Church inherits the promises made to Israel in some spiritual way. Restorationist Rick Godwin is an example of this view.

 

So we see in Abraham the birthing of two seeds: the nation of Israel physically and the spiritual nation of Israel- the Church. And if I hear one more person say, ” Ahhh, there ain’ t no such thing as the spiritual Israel.” I’ m going to vomit all over ‘ em. What are we reading? For God sake, get rid of that Judaistic spirit after the flesh and we’ ll find out what the real Jew is! You’ ll find out God has never been and is not now a racist. Ever! The Church is. God isn’ t. Never has been.” [26]

 

Well, Rick, there is no such thing as spiritual Israel. Watch out below!

 

Let’ s look at this matter more closely. The Church IS the spiritual seed of Abraham, but NOT spiritual Israel. The Bible does say that ” if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’ s offspring” (Gal. 3:29). It does not say that New Testament, Church Age believers are spiritual Israel. Was Abraham an Israelite? No, but he was the father of Isaac, who was the father of Jacob or Israel. Abraham became the source of blessing to both Jew and Gentile.

 

Too often those who want to replace physical Israel with the Church do it by stretching the term ” seed of Abraham” to all of a sudden mean ” spiritual Israel.” Charles Ryrie has noted that those who hold to a spiritual Israel view ” often argue that since the Church is the seed of Abraham and Israel is the seed of Abraham, the Church equals Israel.” [27] Ryrie answers that view by clarifying the proper relationship of the Church to the seed of Abraham by saying that ” the Church is a seed of Abraham, but this does not mean that the Church is Israel.” [28] Ryrie notes the three ways the Bible uses the term ” seed of Abraham:

 

(1) There is the natural seed, the physical descendants of Abraham- . . . (Isa. 41:8). (2) There is Christ- . . . (Gal. 3:16). (3) Christians are Abraham’ s seed- . . . (Gal. 3:29).[29]

 

Those who believe in a future destiny for physical Israel do not deny that the Church is part of the spiritual blessing flowing out of the Abrahamic Covenant through Christ. However, we do not believe that the Bible teaches that the Church replaces Israel, as do many. In this instance it is a ” both/and” situation, not an ” either/or” choice.

 

Paul makes it clear in Romans 15:27 that Gentiles during the Church Age ” have shared in their (Israel’ s) spiritual things.” Therefore, as sharers, he does not mean taker-overs. We are not spiritual Israel! Who, then, is spiritual Israel?

 

I think that the Bible uses the concept of spiritual Israel to refer to physical Israelites or Jews who are regenerate believers in Jesus as the Messiah. In other words, they are spiritual (born again) Jews or Israelites. Just as the term ” spiritual Gentile” would refer to a Gentile who has a relationship with God through Jesus Christ.

 

Paul is saying in Romans 2:28-29, when he states ” he is not a Jew who is one outwardly . . . but he is a Jew who is one inwardly,” that just because one is a physical Jew does not mean that He is saved and going to heaven. There are two kinds of Jews, those who do not know God through Christ, but are racial Jews (physical Jews), and those who are physical Jews, as well as spiritual Jews, who know God through Christ.

 

These spiritual Jews are the ones Paul is greeting as he closes his letter to the Galatians: ” peace and mercy be upon them and upon the Israel of God” (6:16). After having been so rough on the Judaizers- Israel after the flesh only- he concludes with a greeting to those within the family of God who are Jews, but are believing Jews; called in this passage by Paul ” the Israel of God.” S. Lewis Johnson, in an essay where he studies the meaning of the term ” Israel of God,” concludes:

 

If there is an interpretation that totters on a tenuous foundation, it is the view that Paul equates the term ” the Israel of God” with the believing church of Jews and Gentiles. To support it, the general usage of the term Israel in Paul, in the New Testament, and in the Scriptures as a whole is ignored. . . . If, as LaRondelle asserts, ” Paul’ s benediction in Galatians 6:16 becomes, then, the chief witness in the New Testament in declaring that the universal church of Christ is the Israel of God, the seed of Abraham, the heir to Israel’ s covenant promise (cf. Gal. 3:29; 6:16),” then the doctrine that the church of Gentiles and Jews is the Israel of God rests on an illusion. It is a classic case of tendentious exegesis.” [30]

 

Apostasy or Revival?

 

Another important area where Restorationist and ” latter rain” advocates have missed the teaching of Scripture is in regard to the state of the Church as this age draws to its end? Will it end in revival or will it sink increasingly into apostasy? They fail to realize that the Church, in its overall posture, cannot be characterized by both revival and apostasy at the same time. This is an ” either/or” issue. Rick Godwin has said,

 

The Lord is going to have a ” Glorious Church” before He returns. . . . For years the belief was that we would never have another revival, . . . We utterly reject that line of thinking in light of clear Scripture. The Glorious Church is to be a mighty army of over-comers through whom God reveals and demonstrates Himself to man.[31]

 

The Bible does not teach that the Church will be this mighty army of overcomers, in the way Godwin envisions. Once again, his ” support” is taken from passages which refer to Israel and not the Church. He misuses verses that refer to believers during the tribulation period, after the Church has been removed.

 

Let’ s look at what the words ” revival” and ” apostasy” mean as used by Christians today. A ” revival” includes evangelist success but usually means more than that. It often is used to refer to the stirring up of Christians who rededicate themselves to living a more committed life on behalf of our Lord. Effectiveness of a ” revival” is sometimes gauged by the social and political change which results from the impact of those who have be stirred to action. On the other hand, ” apostasy” does not refer to whether a small or large numbers of individuals are coming to Christ at a given point in time. Instead, it is concerned with the theological or doctrinal integrity of the Church. This is why a believer can always preach the gospel with confidence during the whole of the Church Age knowing that God is at work bringing sinners to Himself, even until the very end.

 

The New Testament, especially the Epistles, clearly teach that the whole of the Church Age is a time of increasing apostasy within Christendom . In fact, so much space is spent in the New Testament dealing with the issue of apostasy that it has to be considered one of its major themes. Apostasy constitutes the main theme of entire books and chapters as well as paragraphs and verses in the New Testament. Apostasy and its evil effects provide the main message of such books as First and Second Timothy, Second Peter, and Jude. Apostasy occupies a prominent place in such books as Galatians, Second Thessalonians, Hebrews and Revelation. Apostasy and apostates are set forth with varying degrees of detail as to their character and conduct, influence and teaching. Believers are warned to know how to recognize them and Christian leaders are supposed to protect their flocks from them and their unhealthy doctrine. Apostasy is doctrinal error, not how many will or will not be saved, whether or not the economy will be good or bad, or how moral or immoral society will be. The focus of apostasy is not secular society, but what is going on within the Church itself. When the great amount of New Testament Scripture, dealing with apostasy within the Church, is compared with the absence of language speaking of the victory of the Church, in the sense that restoration and ” latter rain” advocates suggest, then there is zero basis for their opinion found in the Word of God. The Bible does speak of individuals who are overcomers, but that proves the point, since they are contrasted with apostates. Victory language in the New Testament applies to individual believers, not the Church as a whole. Notice the chart which lists the references to apostasy in the New Testament.

 

APOSTASY IN THE NEW TESTAMENT

 

Gospels*

 

Matthew 12:14-37; 13:1-52; 15:12; 23:1-36; 24:10-28

 

Mark 6:21-30

 

Luke 8:13-18

 

John 6:60-71; 8:31-59; 13:21-30; 15:18-27

 

 

 

Acts

 

Acts 8:8-24; 13:4-12; 20:17-35

 

 

 

Paul’ s Epistles

 

Romans 1:18-32; 10; 16:17-18

 

2 Corinthians 11:1-15; 13:5

 

Galatians 1:6-9; 5:1-12

 

Philippians 3:2, 18-19

 

Colossians 2:4-23

 

2 Thessalonians 2:1-12

 

1 Timothy 1:3-7; 4:1-3; 6:3-5

 

2 Timothy 2:11-26; 3:1-14; 4:1-6

 

Titus 1:10-16

 

 

 

General Epistles

 

Hebrews 2:1-4; 3:7- 4:13; 5:12- 6:12; 10:26-31; 12:14-17

 

1 Peter 3:19-20

 

2 Peter 2:1-22; 3:3-10

 

1 John 2:18-23; 3:4-12; 4:1-6

 

2 John 9

 

Jude 3-23

 

Revelation

 

Revelation 2:1- 3:22; 4:1- 5:14; 6:1- 10:11; 11:1- 15:8; 16:1- 19:24; 19:1- 20:15[32]

 

* Incomplete listings

 

I take no pleasure in the apostasy theme of the New Testament, but we all must acknowledge this point in an effort to call the Church away from apostasy. The sobering fact is clear: either the restoration/” latter rain” movement is a heaven sent revival from God or it is part of the end-time apostasy preparing the way for the coming Antichrist. It cannot be both. We all must decide! No one can be neutral on this issue! If it is the great revival supposedly predicted for the end-times, then all true believers must join the band wagon. If it is not, then all true believers should have enough biblical sense to come in out of the latter rain apostasy. These are important issues.

 

(To Be Continued . . .)

 

The “Latter Rain” Revival Movement

 

Part V

 

by Thomas Ice

 

After presenting an overview of the central role that the doctrine of apostasy plays in New Testament teaching, I will continue in this installment of the ” latter rain” series by examining key ” latter rain” issues in the light of Scripture. These are important contemporary items since they provide a challenge to those of us who interpret Scripture literally, believe in the pretrib rapture, and recognize God’ s distinction between His plans for Israel and the Church. These errors must be recognized and refuted from Scripture.

 

Key Theological Concepts and Passages

 

Restoration of the Fivefold Ministries

 

In a previous issue[33] I noted Bill Hamon’ s explanation of the restoration of the fivefold ministries of evangelists, pastors, teachers, apostles, and prophets in the end-time.[34] This is said by Restorationist to be spoken of in Ephesians 4:11-16. Fellow ” latter rain” advocate, Rick Joyner, claims that he received the contents of a book he authored called The Harvest, as a revelation from God on three different occasions in the late 1980s.[35] ” What is about to come upon the earth is not just a revival, or another awakening; it is a veritable revolution,” says Joyner about the vision he claims from God in his book. ” This vision was given in order to begin awakening those who are destined to radically change the course, and even the very definition of Christianity.” [36] Joyner spoke in his book about the restoration of apostles and prophets in order to prepare the Church for the soon coming fullness of the ” latter rain.” He said,

 

The next spiritual contraction will bring about the restoration and recognition of the PROPHETS. We will see the prophetic ministry become the primary focus of attention during the next few years as a much greater anointing comes upon this ministry than has been seen since Biblical times. [37]

 

There will be another contraction during which a true APOSTOLIC authority will be restored and recognized within the advancing church.[38]

 

” Latter rain” advocates like Hamon and Joyner commingle their interpretations of the Scripture with their own supposed direct revelation about the restoration of the gifted men in Ephesians 4:11. Their notions are erroneous for a number of reasons. A major objection is rather obvious to anyone who would simply read the passage. The passage says nothing about a restoration of these ministries. Simply put, the text does not speak of such an occurrence. They have pulled this concept out of the thin air of their fertile imaginations that they claim as a revelation from God. The New Testament warns against those who would have such a seared conscience that they would be bold enough to pass of their own imaginations as the sure Word of God (Acts 20:17-35; 1 Tim. 4:1-2; 2 Pet. 2:1-3; 1 John 4:1-6; Jude 8, 17-19).

 

Christ’ s giving of apostles and prophets to the Church is said in Ephesians 2:20 to be something which is to be foundational to the Church, not something given to each generation of believers. The passage says, ” having been built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus Himself being the corner stone.” The picture is that of a building process which is going on during the entire period of the Church age, from Pentecost to the rapture. This process can be described as taking place in three stages: Phase one is the laying of the corner stone , which describes the first century, non-repeatable, work of Christ. The rest of the building is supposed to orient itself in terms of Christ the corner stone.

 

Phase two is the foundation of the apostles and prophets, which also occurred in the first century and is non-repeatable. However, just as with Christ, even though it is non-repeatable, it does not mean that it is non-applicable for today. Just as with a foundation in a physical building, once it is laid, continues to be used for the life of the structure. So it is with the ministry of the apostles and prophets, who gave us the boundaries of the gospel and doctrine with which believers are being used of God to build Christ’ s Church. Once the foundation is laid, you don’ t keep relaying it each generation, instead you continue to build upon it.

 

Phase three represents the superstructure of the rest of the building. The building is built upon in accordance to the guidelines mandated by the dimensions of the corner stone and the foundation. This work began at the birth of the Church in Acts 2 and will be completed at the rapture when the last person destined to make up the final component of the Body of Christ believes the gospel. Then the Church will be complete.

 

From the perspective of the Biblical picture presented in Ephesians 2, it is wrong to say that God is restoring apostles and prophets in our own day. This error implies that the first century foundation was not complete and that it needs further work. This would mean that until recent restoration times, God has been building the house upon a shaky foundation. This kind of thought is a grave error.

 

Ephesians 3:5 echoes the thought of 2:20 when Paul says concerning the mystery of Christ: ” which in other generations was not made known to the sons of men, as it has now been revealed to His holy apostles and prophets in the Spirit.”The emphasis in this passage is upon revelation received during the time of Paul’ s writing in the first century. This strongly suggests that the ministry of apostles and prophets was completed in the past.

 

When we come to the Ephesians 4:11 use of apostles and prophets, with evangelists, and pastors-teachers, we observe a division of labor employed in the building of God’ s spiritual temple- the Church. The foundation, phase two, was completed during the apostolic age ending around A.D. 100. Upon completion, those workmen left the scene, leaving behind the trustworthy the fruit of their labor- a foundation. That foundation was the New Testament canon of Scripture.

 

Phase three is entrusted with the task of building upon the sure foundation of Christ and the apostles. This is why the bulk of labor, over the life of the project (the Church age) is done by the evangelist, and the pastor-teachers. They remain on site until the structure is complete at the rapture. This is why the Pastoral Epistles (1 and 2 Timothy and Titus) stress the importance of following and protecting the fixed deposit of Apostolic faith by faithful men, so that it can be passed from generation to generation (2 Tim. 2:2). Therefore, evangelist, and pastor-teachers have never been removed from the scene so that they have to be restored at the end of the Church age as ” latter rain” advocates teach.

 

The Holy Spirit has been using believers to win and disciple others for the last 2,000 years without interruption, as taught by the Restorationist movement. The Church is being perfected with the original doctrine contained in the New Testament and does not need an updated version of ” Apostles’ doctrine 2.1.” The first edition did not have any glitches and cannot be improved upon. Why would anyone want to bring the foundation crew back on the job when the roof is near completion, unless they want to improperly change the foundation with their new revelation. Yet, the desire to add to the foundation, when it has already been set, is the desire and practice of false prophets and teachers. The believer who opens themselves up to ” new revelation” is opening themselves up to deception. As Paul told Timothy, ” Retain the standard of sound words which you have heard from me, in the faith and love which are in Christ Jesus. Guard, through the Holy Spirit who dwells in us, the treasure which has been entrusted to you” (2 Tim. 1:13-14).

 

This is the Church’ s calling in our day: to guard the foundation laid by Christ, and the apostles and prophets, while building upon that foundation the superstructure through evangelism and discipleship. Believers are looking forward to the return of Christ at the rapture, not for new revelation.

 

A Perfect Church?

 

Restorationist Rick Godwin has been described by a former Southern Baptist pastor, Jack Taylor, as ” God’ s John Wayne to the Church!” [39] Probably a more accurate description would be to liken Godwin to Rambo since John Wayne had manners and was a gentleman. Godwin states his belief that the Church will be perfected before Christ’ s return:

 

The Lord is going to have a ” Glorious Church” before He returns. This thought encompasses the theme of personal and corporate purity, for Scripture says that His Church will be ” without spot, wrinkle or blemish.” His Church will have Power followed by signs and wonders, for Scripture says, ” it will be a glorious church.[40]

 

Ephesians 5:25-27 is the much quoted passage which ” latter rain” /Restorationist use to teach that the end-time Church will see the restoration of apostolic power, coupled with unity, which will produce the greatest period of miracles and conversions to Christ in all of history. However, to draw such a conclusion from this passage provides a clear example of their ability to mishandle Scripture. ” Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself up for her; that He might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, that He might present to Himself the church in all her glory, having no spot or wrinkle or any such thing; but that she should be holy and blameless” (Eph. 5:25-27).

 

There is no question that this passage speaks of a glorious church, without sport or wrinkle. But how does the Bible use these terms? Do Restorationists use this passage in the same way the Bible does? I believe they do not! In a nutshell, the Bible here describes the believer’ s legal standing before God, as won on our behalf through Christ’ s work on the cross. On the other hand, Restorationist (mis)apply this text as something which the believer and the Church must grow into and become in our current experience.

 

God’ s plan of salvation is often discussed in terms of one’ s covenantal standing before God. This is legal language. When Adam fell, his sin was imputed or credited to the legal bank account of every person born thereafter, even though no one personally committed Adam’ s sin (Rom. 5:12-21). Our legal standing (some call this positional truth) forms the basis from which our experience should follow. Therefore, human beings sin experientially because they are legally or positionally sinners. In the same way, Christ had to first deal with the legal barrier of sin in winning salvation for the Church as the basis for experiential change in the life of the individual believer and the Church as a whole. Positional standing in Christ is the basis upon which the believer is to live his life experientially through faith.

 

When properly interpreting Scripture, one must establish from Scripture itself, the way the Bible uses various terms. Often a decision must be made as to whether or not a word or phrase is describing a positional truth or an experiential aspect of salvation. The difference it makes in the interpretation of Ephesians 5:25-27 is great. If these are positional terms, then the perfection spoken of in this passage is that earned by Christ through His saving work, which is applied positionally to the believer. This means that our position will not be experienced in its fullness until glorification at the time of the resurrection. However, if these are taken experientially, as applying to our current time, then it is teaching experiential perfection of the individual believer as well corporate perfection.

 

In my final installment on ” latter rain” theology, I will complete the study of Ephesians 5:25-27 and provide reasons why this passage should be interpreted positionally. I will also draw implications for the doctrine of the rapture if such teachings are adopted.

 

(To Be Continued . . .)