The Chocolate Soldier ~ by C. T. Studd

The Chocolate Soldier

By C. T. Studd

Christian Literature Crusade
Fort Washington, Pennsylvania

 

“THE CHOCOLATE SOLDIER”

or

“Heroism – The Lost Chord of Christianity”

_______________

HEROISM is the lost chord; the missing note of present-day Christianity!

Every true soldier is a hero! A SOLDIER WITHOUT HEROISM IS A CHOCOLATE SOLDIER! Who has not been stirred to scorn and mirth at the very thought of a Chocolate Soldier! In peace true soldiers are captive lions, fretting in their cages. War gives them their liberty and sends them, like boys bounding out of school, to obtain their heart’s desire or perish in the attempt. Battle is the soldier’s vital breath! Peace turns him into a stooping asthmatic. War makes him a whole man again, and gives him the heart, strength, and vigour of a hero.

EVERY TRUE CHRISTIAN IS A SOLDIER – of Christ – a hero “par excellence”! Braver than the bravest–scorning the soft seductions of peace and her oft-repeated warnings against hardship, disease, danger, and death, whom he counts among his bosom friends.

THE OTHERWISE CHRISTIAN IS A CHOCOLATE CHRISTIAN! Dissolving in water and melting at the smell of fire. “Sweeties” they are! Bonbons, lollipops! Living their lives on a glass dish or in a cardboard box, each clad in his soft clothing, a little frilled white paper to preserve his dear little delicate constitution.

Here are some PORTRAITS OF CHOCOLATE SOLDIERS taken by the Lord Jesus Christ Himself.

“He said, ‘I go, sir,’ and went not”; he said he would go to the heathen, but stuck fast to Christendom instead.

“They say and do not” – they tell others to go, and yet do not go themselves. “Never,” said General Gordon to a corporal, as he himself jumped upon the parapet of a trench before Sebastopol to fix a gabion which the corporal had ordered a private to fix, and wouldn’t fix himself, “Never tell another man to do what you are afraid to do yourself.”

To the Chocolate Christian the very thought of war brings a violent attack of ague, while the call to battle always finds him with the palsy. “I really cannot move,” he says. “I only wish I could, but I can sing, and here are some of my favourite lines:

“I must be carried to the skies
On a flowery bed of ease,
Let others fight to win the prize,
Or sail thro’ bloody seas.

Mark time, Christian heroes,
Never go to war;
Stop and mind the babies
Playing on the floor.

Wash and dress and feed them
Forty times a week.
Till they’re roly poly –
Puddings so to speak.

Chorus:

Round and round the nursery
Let us ambulate
Sugar and spice and all that’s nice
Must be on our slate.”

“Thank the good Lord,” said a very fragile, white-haired lady, “God never meant me to be a jelly-fish!” She wasn’t!

GOD NEVER WAS A CHOCOLATE MANUFACTURER, AND NEVER WILL BE. God’s men are always heroes. In Scripture you can trace their giant foot-tracks down the sands of time.

NOAH walked with God, he didn’t only preach righteousness, he acted it. He went through water and didn’t melt. He breasted the current of the popular opinion of his day, scorning alike the hatred and ridicule of the scoffers who mocked at the thought of there being but one way of salvation. He warned the unbelieving and, entering the ark himself, didn’t open the door an inch when once God had shut it. A real hero untainted by the fear of man.

Learn to scorn the praise of men.
Learn to lose with God;
Jesus won the world thro’ shame!
And beckons us His road.

ABRAHAM, a simple farmer, at a word from the Invisible God, marched, with family and stock, through the terrible desert to a distant land to live among a people whose language he could neither speak nor understand! Not bad that! But later he did even better, marching hot foot against the combined armies of five kings, flushed with recent victory, to rescue one man! His army? Just 318 odd fellows, armed like a circus crowd. And he won too. “He always wins who sides with God.” What pluck! Only a farmer! No war training! Yet what hero has eclipsed his feat? His open secret? He was THE FRIEND OF GOD.

MOSES – the man of God – was a species of human chameleon – scholar, general, law-giver, leader, etc. Brought up as the Emperor’s grandson with more than a good chance of coming to the throne, one thing only between him and it – Truth – what a choice! What a temptation! A throne for a lie! Ignominy, banishment, or likely enough death for the truth! He played the man! “Refusing to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter, he chose rather to suffer affliction with the people of God than to enjoy the pleasures of sin and success for a season, accounting the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures of Egypt.”

Again I see him. Now an old man and alone, marching stolidly back to Egypt, after forty years of exile, to beard the lion in his den, to liberate Pharaoh’s slaves right under his very nose, and to lead them across that great and terrible wilderness. A WILD-CAT AFFAIR, if ever there was one! When were God’s schemes otherwise? Look at Jordan, Jericho, Gideon, Goliath, and scores of others. Tame tabby-cat schemes are stamped with another hall mark – that of the Chocolate Brigade! How dearly they love their tabbies yet think themselves wise men! REAL CHRISTIANS REVEL IN DESPERATE VENTURES FOR CHRIST, expecting from God great things and attempting the same with exhilaration. History cannot match these feats of Moses. How was it done? He consulted not with flesh and blood, he obeyed not men but God.

Once again I see the old grey-beard, this time descending the Mount with giant strides and rushing into the camp, his eyes blazing like burning coals. One man against three million dancing dervishes drunk with debauchery. Bravo! Well done, old man! First class! His cheek pales not, but his mouth moves, and I think I catch his words, “If God be for me who can be against me? I will not be afraid of 10,000 of the people that have set themselves against me. Though a host should encamp against me, my heart shall not fear.” And he didn’t. He wins again. Whence this desperate courage? Listen! “Now the man Moses was very meek above all the men which were upon the face of the earth.” “The Lord spake unto Moses face to face as a man speaketh unto his friend.” “My servant, Moses,” said his Master, “is faithful in all Mine house, with him will I speak mouth to mouth.” Such is the explanation of Moses the chameleon, the man and friend of God and consequently a first-class hero.

DAVID – the man after God’s own heart – was a man of war and a mighty man of valour. When all Israel were on the run, David faced Goliath – alone . . . with God – and he but a stripling, and well scolded too by his brother for having come to see the battle. What a splendid fool Eliab must have been! as though David would go to see a battle and not stay to fight. THEY ARE CHOCOLATE SOLDIERS WHO MERELY GO TO SEE BATTLES, AND COOLLY URGE OTHERS TO FIGHT THEM. They had better save their journey money and use it to send out real fighters instead. Soldiers don’t need dry nurses, and if they did the Holy Ghost is always on the spot and ready to undertake any case on simple application. No! David went to the battle and stayed to fight, and won! Wise beyond his years, he had no use for Saul’s armour. It cramped his freedom of action. He tried it on and took it off, quick sharp. And, besides, it made such a ghastly rattle, even when he walked, that he could not hear the still small voice of God, and would never have heard Him saying afterwards, “This is the way to the brook, David! and there are the five smooth stones! Trust only in Me and them. Your own home-made sling will do first class, and there! that’s the shortest cut to Goliath.” THE CHOCOLATES RAN AWAY – they were all Chocolates – but David ran upon Goliath. One smooth stone was enough.

David’s secret was that he had but one Director, and He, the Infallible One. He directed the stone, as He directed the youth. Too many directors spoil the sport, and two are too many by just one. Thus Christ said to His soldiers: “HE shall teach you all things, HE shall guide you into all the truth.”

“THIS is My Beloved Son: HEAR HIM.”

“ONE MEDIATOR ONLY, between God and men, the man Christ Jesus.”

ONE DIRECTOR OF CHRISTIAN MEN – GOD THE HOLY GHOST. Whose directions require indeed instant obedience, but not the endorsement of any man.

THE DEVIL NEEDS RED-HOT SHOT, FRESH FROM THE FOUNDRY OF THE HOLY GHOST. He laughs at cold shot or tepid, and as for that made of half-iron and half-clay, half-divine and half-human, why you might just as well pelt him with snowballs.

Whence did this raw youth derive his pluck and skill? Not from military camps, nor theological schools, nor religious retreats. “To know The Only True God and Jesus Christ,” is enough. Paul determined to know only Jesus Christ, and look at the grand result! Whilst others were learning pretty theories, David, like John, had been alone with God in the wilds, practising on bears and lions. The result? HE KNEW GOD AND DID EXPLOITS. He knew God only. He trusted God only. He obeyed God only. That’s the secret. God alone gives strength. God adulterated with men entails the weakness of iron and clay – Chocolate – brittleness!

Yet hero as he was, even David alas! once played the role of Chocolate Soldier. HE STAYED AT HOME WHEN HE SHOULD HAVE GONE TO WAR. His army, far off, in danger, fighting the enemy, won. David, at home, secure, within sight of God’s house and often going there, suffered the one great defeat of his life, entailing such a bitter, life-long reaping as might well deter others from the folly of sowing wild oats. David’s sin is a terrific sermon (like Lot’s preaching in Sodom must have been), its theme – “DON’T BE A CHOCOLATE SOLDIER!”

In his simple, quick, and full confession, David proved himself a man again. It takes a real man to make a true confession – a Chocolate Soldier will excuse or cloak his sin. He tumbles in the mud, flounders on, wipes his mouth to try to get the bad taste of his acted lie out of it, and then goes on his way saying, “I have done no wickedness.” A self-murdering fool! Killing his conscience to save his face, like Balaam beating the ass who sought to save his master’s life. Being a Chocolate Soldier nearly did for David. Beware!

NATHAN was another real Christian Soldier. He went to his king and rebuked him to his face, like Peter’s dealing with Ananias (only David embraced his opportunity and confessed), and unlike the Chocolate Soldiers of today who go whispering about and refusing either to judge, rebuke, or put away evil because of the entailed scandal forsooth. Veritable Soapy Sams. They say “It is nothing! nothing at all! A mere misunderstanding!” As though God’s cause would suffer more through a bold declaration and defence of the truth and the use of the knife, than by the hiding up of sin, and the certain development of mortification in the member, involving death to the whole body. “He that doeth righteousness is righteous,” and “he that doeth sin is of the devil,” and ought to be told so. He that is a second time led captive by the devil needs neither plaster nor treacle, but the brace rebuke and summons to repentance of a righteous man to effect his salvation. WE ARE BADLY IN NEED OF NATHANS TODAY, who fear God and nought else, no, not even a scandal.

DANIEL was another hero. Of course he was! Was he not the man greatly beloved of God who sent an angel to tell him so?

I love to watch him as he walks, with firm step and radiant face, to the lions’ den, stopping but once – like his Master en route to Calvary – to comfort his weeping and agonized emperor. God shut the mouths of the lions against Daniel, but opened them wide against those who had opened their mouths against His servant.

A man is known by his works, and the works of Daniel were his three friends, who, rather than bow down to men or gold, braved the fiery furnace.

Again we see him going to the banquet hall, and hear his conductor whisper in his ear, “Draw it mild, Daniel, be statesmanlike. Place and power again for you if you are tactful and wise – especially tactful!” And Daniel’s simple reply, “Get thee behind me, Satan!” There he stands before the king, braving torture or instant death – but it’s the king who quails, not Daniel – who tells him to his face the whole hot truth of God, diminishing not a jot.

JOHN THE BAPTIST – a man taught and made and sent of God – good old John! Who doesn’t love and admire him? Why, even Herod did. A genuine deficiency of oil and treacle in his composition. He always told the bang flat truth, with emphasis. As he loved, so he warned. He knew not how to fawn. HE WOOED WITH THE SWORD, AND “MEN” LOVED HIM THE BETTER FOR IT. They always do.

The leaders of religion sent to John to ask him the dearly loved question of every Pharisee, “By what authority doest thou these (good) things?” They asked that of Christ Himself, and crucified Him for the doing of them. John’s answer was plain and pungent, “I will tell you what you ask, and more. (John was always liberal!) I? I am nobody, but ye and your masters are a generation of vipers.” A good hot curry, that! John never served his curries with butter sauce, but he was always very liberal with chutney – a man of God – NO SUGAR PLUM NOR CHOCOLATE SOLDIER HE!

Thus also he faced Herod after six months in an underground dungeon, and he a man of “God’s Open-air Mission”. Brought straight in before the king; surrounded with all the might and majesty of camp and court; blinking at the unaccustomed sight of light, but by no means putting blinkers on the truth, he blurted out his hot and thunderous rebuke, “Thou shalt not have that woman to be thy wife.” A whole sermon in one sentence, as easy to remember as impossible to forget. John had preached like that before; like Hugh Latimer, he was not above repeating a good sermon to a king, word for word, when the king had not given sufficient heed to it.

John received the unique distinction of a first-class character from both God and the agent of the devil. Hark to the Saviour indulging in an outburst of exquisite sarcasm, “What think ye of John? A reed shaken by the wind? A man clothed in soft raiment?” A Chocolate Christian? (How delicious! The Chocolates were right in front of Jesus at the time – Pharisees, Sadducees, priests, scribes, lawyers, and other hypocrites. How the crowd must have enjoyed it!) “A prophet? Nay, much more than a prophet! Of men born of women there is none greater than John.” And what did the devil’s agent say when, after John’s death, he heard of Jesus? “This,” I tell you, “is John risen from the dead.” What a character! Fancy Jesus being mistaken for anyone! He could have been mistaken only for John. Nobody envies him the well-deserved honour, great though it was, for John was a man – pure granite right through, with not a grain of chocolate in him.

Had John but heard Jesus say, “Ye shall be My witnesses unto the uttermost parts of the earth,” I very much doubt if Herod’s dungeon, or his soldiers, could have detained him. He surely would have found some means of escape, and run off to preach Christ’s Gospel, if not in the very heart of Africa, then in some more difficult and dangerous place. Yet Christ said, referring to His subsequent gift of the Holy Ghost to every believer, “He that is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he,” intimating that even greater powers than those of John are at the disposal of every Christian, and that what John was, each one of us can be – good, straight, bold, unconquerable, heroic.

But here are other foot-tracks – outrageous ones: they can belong only to one man – THAT GRANDEST OF CHRISTIAN PARADOXES – THE LITTLE GIANT PAUL – whose head was as big as his body, and his heart greater than both. Once he thought and treated every Christian as a combination of knave and fool. Then he became one himself. He was called “fool” because his acts were so far beyond the dictates of human reason, and “mad” because of his irresponsible fiery zeal for Christ and men. A first-class scholar, but one who knew how to use scholarship properly; for he put it on the shelf, declaring the wisdom of men to be but folly, and determined to know nothing else save Jesus Christ and Him crucified. The result – he made the world turn somersault. His life was a perpetual gamble for God. Daily he faced death for Christ. Again and again he stood fearless before crowds thirsting for his blood. He stood before kings and governors and “turned not a hair”. He didn’t so much as flinch before Nero, that vice-president of hell. His sufferings were appalling; read them. He trod in his Master’s footsteps, and so received – God is always just in His favours – the same splendid compliment that Jesus did. “All forsook him.” So there were some Chocolate Christians in those days too. Anyone who forsook Paul must have been made of Chocolate. Doubtless the “CHOCOLATES” excused themselves as they do today. “Who could abide such a fanatical, fiery fool? such an uncompromising character? Nobody could work with him, or he with them!” (What a lie! Jesus did, and they got on well together.) A tactless enthusiast, who considered it his business to tell every man the unvarnished truth regardless of consequences. He won his degree hands down, and without a touch of the spur. A first-class one, too – that of the headman’s axe – next best to that of the cross.

And so the tale goes on. Go where you will through the Scriptures or history, you find that men who really knew God, and didn’t merely say they did, were invariably Paragons of Pluck; Dare-Devil Desperadoes for Jesus; Gamblers for God. “Fools and Madmen,” shout the world and the Chocolates. “Yes, for Christ’s sake,” add the Angels!

Nobly they fought to win the prize,
Climbing the steep ascents of heaven,
Thro’ peril, toil, and pain.
O God, to us let grace be given,
To follow in their train.

The Chocolate Christians of today can at least boast of having ancient pedigrees. There are CHOCOLATES A LA REUBEN, who have great searchings of heart, and make great resolves of heart too. But somehow they still sit among the sheepfolds, listening to the pipings of their much-loved organs and church choirs. It’s good to have a great heartsearching. It’s better to make a great heart-resolve. But, if instead of obeying, we squat among the sheep, leaving our few hard-pressed brethren to tackle the wolves by themselves, verily we are but Chocolate Christians. You made a great resolve to go to Africa for Christ a year or two ago. Where are you now? In England? Yes! Yes! Lollipop! (Judges 5: 16.)

There are CHOCOLATES MEROZ, who earned the curse of the angel of the Lord. War was declared; the battle about to begin; the odds were outrageous, and Meroz remained in England attending conventions until the battle was over, then he went, in comfort and security, as a Cook’s tourist! Doubtless they said, “They couldn’t fight till they had been properly ordained, and, besides, there was so very much to be done in fat, overfed Meroz, and surely to feed a flock of fat sheep in a safe place has always been considered the ideal training of war”; as though the best training for the soldier was to become a nurse-maid!!! (Judges 5: 23.)

CHOCOLATES DU BALAAM begin first-class, and earn the name of prophets. Then they develop a squint, melt, and finally run out of the frying-pan into the fire, thus Balaam.

One day he couldn’t get his left eye to look at God. It would look at earth and mammon and that chit of a girl, Miss Popularity. He ought to have done as God told him, and plucked it out. But he said that was too much to ask of any man, and besides he wanted the best of both worlds. He had a hearty desire to die the death of the righteous, but he wasn’t willing to pay the price of a righteous life. He hadn’t the pluck to curse God’s people, so he made plans for others to make them sin. But one day, while his dupes were putting his chestnuts into the fire, they fell in themselves, and Balaam with them (Numbers 22-24).

“I counsel thee to buy of me eyesalve, that thou mayest once again have a single eye, and be enabled to see the folly of flirting with the world.”

CHOCOLATE DEMAS, who left old fiery hard-hitting Paul for an easier path. He said he thought Paul should wink at, or slobber over sin, instead of rebuking it. “He was so very fond of the knife, you know; and he never would use sticking-plaster, because he said it never healed the sore but made it burrow underneath and become bigger, worse, and dangerous” (2 Tim. 4: 10).

MARK joined the Chocolate Brigade once. He left Paul and Barnabas in the lurch, and went back to Jerusalem for a rest cure – a religious retreat. Thank God he got sick of it ere long, resigned his commission, and re-enlisting in God’s army became a useful soldier (Acts 13: 13).

MANY FINE YOUNGSTERS ARE TURNED INTO CHOCOLATES BY OLD PROPHETS. Old prophets who have lost their fire, or fire off words instead of deeds, usually become Great Chocolate Manufacturers. That poor young prophet. He did so well when he obeyed God only, but it was all over with him when he listened to another voice, even though that of an old prophet. Didn’t the old prophet say he was a prophet? and say he’d got the message straight from God? What a damnable lie! The floor of Christendom and elsewhere is littered with wrecks made by old prophets. God won’t stand nonsense from any man. Every man has to choose between Christ and Barabbas, and every Christian between God and some old prophet. Better be a silly donkey in the estimation of an old prophet than listen to his soft talk and flattery, and afterwards become a wreck. “This is My beloved Son, hear HIM.” No! not even Moses, nor Elijah, nor both. “HEAR HIM.” “You have an anointing from God, and you have no need that any man teach you.” You say you believe the Bible! do your deeds give the lie to your words? (1 Kings 13).

THE TEN SPIES WERE CHOCOLATES. They melted and ran over the whole congregation of Israel, turning them into CHOCOLATE CREAMS – “softies”, afraid to face the fire and water before them. God put them all into the saucepan again and boiled them for forty years in the desert, and left them there. He has no use for Chocolates. It’s not small things He despises, but “Chocolates”; for He said, “Your little ones shall inherit the promised land which you have forfeited through listening to men and despising Me” (Numbers 13).

JONAH became a Chocolate Soldier once. Told to go to Africa, he went to Liverpool and took ship for America. Luckily he met a storm and a whale which, after three days’ instruction, taught him how to pray and obey, and set him once again on the right track (Jonah 1).

There’s nothing that shows up CHOCOLATES so much as a bit of a breeze among God’s people. Paul and Barnabas had one once. Judging from experience, I guess there were some Chocolates about then who got into a fog right away! Before that, they had vowed they would go to the heathen; but this breeze between P. and B. put them off. If they hadn’t been MADE OF CHOCOLATE they would have said, “This affair between Paul and Barnabas only makes it more necessary for me to keep close to God, and do what He told me to do more exactly and punctually; so I shall go a bit sooner to Africa – that’s all!”

Difficulties, dangers, disease, death, or divisions don’t deter any but Chocolates from executing God’s Will. When someone says there’s a lion in the way, the real Christian promptly replies, “That’s hardly enough inducement for me; I want a bear or two besides to make it worth my while to go.”

CHOCOLATES are very fond of talking loud and long against some whom they call fanatics, as though there were any danger of Christians being fanatics nowadays! Why, fanatics among Christians are as rare as the “dodo”. Now, if they declaimed against “tepidity”, they would talk sense. God’s real people have always been called fanatics. Jesus was called mad; so was Paul; so was Whitfield, Wesley, Moody, Spurgeon. No one has graduated far in God’s School who has not been paid the compliment of being called a fanatic. We Christians of today are indeed a tepid crew. Had we but half the fire and enthusiasm of the Suffragettes in the past, we would have the world evangelized and Christ back among us in no time. Had we the pluck and heroism of the Flyers, or the men who volunteered for the North or South Polar Expeditions, or for the Great War, or for any ordinary dare-devil enterprise, we could have every soul on earth knowing the name and salvation of Jesus Christ in less than ten years.

Alas! What stirs ordinary men’s blood and turns them into heroes, makes most Christians run like a flock of frightened sheep. The Militants daily risked their lives in furtherance of their cause, and subscribed of their means in a way that cried “Shame” on us Christians, who generally brand the braving of risks and fighting against odds as a “tempting of God”.

CHOCOLATE CARAMELS – “stick-jaw”, boys call them – jawing, “I go, sir,” and sticking fast in Christendom. No conquest is made in assured safety, and conquest for Christ certainly cannot so be made.

We Christians too often SUBSTITUTE PRAYER FOR PLAYING THE GAME. Prayer is good: but when used as a substitute for obedience, it is naught but a blatant hypocrisy, a despicable Pharisaism. We need as many meetings for action as for prayer – perhaps more. Every orthodox prayer-meeting is opened by God saying to His people, “Go work today; pray that labourers be sent into My vineyard.” It is continued by the Christian’s response, “I go, Lord, whithersoever Thou sendest me, that Thy Name may be hallowed everywhere, that Thy Kingdom may come speedily, that Thy Will may be done on earth as in heaven.” But if it ends in nobody going anywhere, it had better never have been held at all. Like faith, prayer without works is dead. That is why many PRAYER-MEETINGS might well be styled “much cry, yet little wool”. Zerubbabel didn’t only hold prayer-meetings; he went and cut down trees, and started to build. Hence God said, “From this day will I bless thee.”

Report says that someone has re-discovered the secret of the old masters. Cannot we Christians re-discover, and put into practice, that of our Great Master and His former pupils, Heroism? He and they saved not themselves; they loved not their lives to the death, and so kept on saving them by losing them for Christ’s sake.

WE ARE FRITTERING AWAY TIME AND MONEY IN A MULTIPLICITY OF CONVENTIONS, conferences, and retreats, when the real need is to go straight and full steam into battle, with the signal for “close action” flying.

The "Vox Humana" plays too important a part in our Christian organs and organizations today. The music, whoever plays, is bound to be thin when the tops of “Instant Obedience” and “Fiery Valour” are missing or unused, and without them to play the “Lost Chord” of Heroism is an impossibility.

“Whatsoever he saith unto you, do it,” said the Blessed Virgin. Do what? Not put treacle and spice into the soft holy vessels inside the house, but pour the Water of Life into those empty stone ones outside. Cana’s marriage feast would have ended in shame had the wine run short. Christ’s marriage feast begins only when the wine is sufficient – a blend from every tongue and kindred and tribe and nation. The supply is assured, as soon as the water is poured out as Christ directed, into “the uttermost parts of the earth”. The mischief today is the reluctance of the servants to do the outside work. They all want to serve indoors, wear smart clothes, listen to the conversation, and make a terrible lot of themselves in the butler’s pantry.

DO LET US MAKE A REAL START NOW – AT ONCE. For years, like Mr. Winkle, we’ve declared we were just about to begin, and then never began at all.

We must divorce Chocolate and Disobedience, and marry Faith and Heroism.

“Who shall begin the battle?” asked the king. “Thou,” replied the prophet, and when the king and the young princes led the way, though the odds against them were terrific, they won with ridiculous ease. So, too, THE APOSTLES LED IN THE WAR OF GOD to the uttermost parts of the earth. Likewise in the Crusades, the kings and princes of State and Church led; then why not today in THE CRUSADE OF CHRIST TO EVANGELIZE THE WORLD?

GOD’S SUMMONS TODAY IS TO THE YOUNG MEN AND WOMEN OF GREAT BRITAIN AND AMERICA AND CHRISTENDOM, WHO CALL THEMSELVES BY THE NAME OF CHRIST. “New wine,” said Christ, “must be placed in New bottles.” Those superfluously labelled and patched-up old-fashioned ones are as hopeless as the New Theology. They can’t be moved lest they burst with pride and spill the wine in the wrong place.

Listen: “And it shall be in the last days, I will pour forth of My Spirit upon all flesh. Your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your young men shall see visions (of faith), your old men shall dream dreams (of valorous obedience); yea, and on My bondmen and on my bondmaidens in those days will I pour forth of My Spirit, and they shall prophesy; and I will show wonders in the heaven above and signs in the earth beneath; and it shall be that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved.” But how can they call on Him of whom they have not even heard? Must you stay, young man? Can’t you go, young woman, and tell them? Verily we are in the last – the Laodicean stage – that of the Lukewarm Church.

Wilt thou be to Christ the partner of His throne or an emetic (Rev. 3: 21); a Militant or a Chocolate Christian? Wilt thou fear or wilt thou fight? Shall your brethren go to war and shall ye sit here? When He comes, shall He find faith on the earth?

A thousand times you have admitted Christ’s

Love so amazing, so divine,
Demands your life, your soul, your all.

Wilt thou be a miser and withhold what honour demands of thee? Wilt thou give like Ananias and Sapphira, who, pretending to give all, gave only part?

Possessing and enjoying the vineyard, wilt thou, like the husbandman, refuse the agreed rent? Wilt thou fear death, or devil, or men? AND WILT THOU NOT FEAR SHAME?

Some shall rise to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt.

Shall we refuse to emulate the heroes of old, or shall we accomplish the double fulfilment of those glorious words? –

All these being men of war came with a perfect heart to make Jesus King over all the world. They were all mighty men of valour for the war! He that was least was equal to a hundred, and the greatest to a thousand! They were not of double heart! Their faces were like the faces of lions! They were as swift as the roes upon the mountains (to do their Lord’s commands)! Ye sought in time past, for Jesus to be King over you. NOW, THEN, DO IT. (Compare 1 Chron. 12: 8, 33 and 38, and 2 Sam. 3: 17 and 18.)

Shall we not reply: Thine are we, Jesus, and on Thy side. God do so to me, and more also, if as God has sworn unto Him, I do not even so to Jesus – to translate the kingdom from the house of Satan, and set up the throne of Jesus Christ over all the world. (Compare 1 Chron. 12: 18 and 2 Sam. 3: 10.)

Come, then, let us restore the “Lost Chord” of Christianity – HEROISM – to the world, and the crown of the world to Christ. Christ Himself asks thee, “Wilt thou be a Malingerer or a Militant?”

To your knees, man! and to your Bible! Decide at once! Don’t hedge! Time flies! Cease your insults to God, quit consulting flesh and blood. Stop your lame, lying, and cowardly excuses.

Enlist! Here are your papers and oath of allegiance. Scratch out one side and sign the other in the presence of God and the recording angel. Mark God’s endorsements underneath:

HENCEFORTH:

For me    To live is Christ.    To die is gain.    I’ll be a militant.    A man of God.    A gambler for Christ.    A hero.    Sign here . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

or

For me    Chocolate my name.    Tepidity my temperature.    A malingerer I.    A child of men.    A self-excuser.    A humbug.    Sign here . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

God’s promises are sure in either case:

“Lo, I am with you alway.”

“I will spew thee out of My mouth.”

Good Lord!

Baptize us with the Holy Ghost, and with fire;

Cure us of all this dread plague of Sleeping Sickness, this crazy talking in our sleep, that even as we unceasingly pray,

Thy Name may be hallowed everywhere;

Thy Kingdom come speedily;

Thy Will be done on earth as it is in heaven.

Amen and Amen!

_______________________________________________

More Information on C. T. Studd

 

Original website document can be viewed HERE.

Pdf doc at archive.org can be downloaded HERE.

Evangelising the Jew; Division in the Church

The Word of God was first given to YHVH’s chosen people Israel as the custodians of the Holy Scriptures. In view of this fact, when witnessing to a Jew concerning the prophesies of the coming Messiah contained in the Tanakh, the canon of the Hebrew Bible (Old Testament), how would one be able to show the birth of Yeshua haMeshiach, our Lord Jesus Christ, from the Old Testament text that He has already been born into this world and fulfilled His first advent as the Messiah?

If a Gentile is to witness to a Jew, surely the Gentile must be able to give empirical evidence from the Holy Scriptures, the Hebrew Tanakh, confirming the nativity of the Messiah in fulfilment of the prophesies contained in Isaiah 7:14, 9:6; Micah 5:2 as reflected in the Old Testament of the Bible. If a Gentile will point to the Old Testament Scriptures, evidence must be provided or the Jew will never believe that the Messiah has already come in the person of Yeshua haMeshiach (Jesus Christ), for at every Passover the Jews are still awaiting the arrival of Elijah to announce the arrival of Messiah.

If a Gentile refers to the Scriptures and then refers to the “fact” that born-again Messianic Jews and Gentiles celebrate the nativity of Messiah (Christ) on December 25th, the Jew will refute the date as evidence that He was born into this world as the Messiah, due to the Tanakh not confirming this date as one of the Hebrew festivals contained in Leviticus 23 and Deuteronomy 16:16. If this date cannot be found to be true whilst evangelising God’s chosen people Israel, “for salvation is of the Jews” (John 4:22c), then how can it be “true” to the Gentile who holds to the freedom of “celebrating Christ’s birth on December 25th”?  To win a Jew to his Messiah, the Gentile, with the help of the Holy Spirit, must be able to prove the Messiah’s coming in fulfilment of His nativity, for how else would Messiah come in fulfilment of the prophets and the law? If a Gentile cannot prove the nativity / first coming of the Messiah and the prophesies of Messiah’s death, burial and resurrection (Isaiah 53) from the Tanakh then it would be best to remain silent than try convince a Hebrew Jew to follow a man made tradition and custom (December 25th). One cannot have it many ways as the Hebrew Scriptures is the basis of our Judeo-Christian faith.

During a morning time before our LORD, the following was brought to my attention. Whilst reading through 2 Kings 13 and 14 I went back to 1 Kings 12 to recall the sin that Jeroboam did that brought sins continually against Israel. We know that the nation of Israel was divided when Rehoboam went to Shechem for all Israel had come to make him king. It came to pass that Jeroboam the son of Nebat returned from Egypt where he fled from the presence of king Solomon, and Jeroboam came with all the congregation of Israel and spoke to Rehoboam saying,

4  Thy father made our yoke grievous: now therefore make thou the grievous service of thy father, and his heavy yoke which he put upon us, lighter, and we will serve thee. 
5  And he said unto them, Depart yet for three days, then come again to me. And the people departed. 
6  And king Rehoboam consulted with the old men, that stood before Solomon his father while he yet lived, and said, How do ye advise that I may answer this people? 
7  And they spake unto him, saying, If thou wilt be a servant unto this people this day, and wilt serve them, and answer them, and speak good words to them, then they will be thy servants for ever. 
8  But he forsook the counsel of the old men, which they had given him, and consulted with the young men that were grown up with him, and which stood before him: 
9  And he said unto them, What counsel give ye that we may answer this people, who have spoken to me, saying, Make the yoke which thy father did put upon us lighter?
10  And the young men that were grown up with him spake unto him, saying, Thus shalt thou speak unto this people that spake unto thee, saying, Thy father made our yoke heavy, but make thou it lighter unto us; thus shalt thou say unto them, My little finger shall be thicker than my father’s loins.
11  And now whereas my father did lade you with a heavy yoke, I will add to your yoke: my father hath chastised you with whips, but I will chastise you with scorpions.
12  So Jeroboam and all the people came to Rehoboam the third day, as the king had appointed, saying, Come to me again the third day.
13  And the king answered the people roughly, and forsook the old men’s counsel that they gave him;
14  And spake to them after the counsel of the young men, saying, My father made your yoke heavy, and I will add to your yoke: my father also chastised you with whips, but I will chastise you with scorpions.
15  Wherefore the king hearkened not unto the people; for the cause was from the LORD, that he might perform his saying, which the LORD spake by Ahijah the Shilonite unto Jeroboam the son of Nebat.
16  So when all Israel saw that the king hearkened not unto them, the people answered the king, saying, What portion have we in David? neither have we inheritance in the son of Jesse: to your tents, O Israel: now see to thine own house, David. So Israel departed unto their tents. ~ 1 Kings 12:4-16

We then read that all Israel rebelled against the house of David and when Jeroboam had come they sent and called him to the congregation and made him king over all of Israel. There was a division that was created that only the tribe of Judah followed the house of David – the lineage through which our Saviour Jesus Christ would be born. Rehoboam came to Jerusalem and assembled all the house of Judah with the tribe of Benjamin to fight against the house of Israel to bring the kingdom again to Rehoboam the son of Solomon, king of Judah.

God then intervened when God sent His messenger Shemaiah the man of God, saying,

23  Speak unto Rehoboam, the son of Solomon, king of Judah, and unto all the house of Judah and Benjamin, and to the remnant of the people, saying,
24  Thus saith the LORD, Ye shall not go up, nor fight against your brethren the children of Israel: return every man to his house; for this thing is from me. They hearkened therefore to the word of the LORD, and returned to depart, according to the word of the LORD. ~ 1 Kings 12:23,24

Rehoboam hearkened unto the LORD and did not go to war with Jeroboam and the house of Israel. Jeroboam was afraid that Israel would return to the house of David by going up to the house of the LORD and sacrifice at Jerusalem, so he also feared that if Israel returned to king Rehoboam they would kill him. Therefore, Jeroboam did the following wicked thing:

28  Whereupon the king took counsel, and made two calves of gold, and said unto them, It is too much for you to go up to Jerusalem: behold thy gods, O Israel, which brought thee up out of the land of Egypt.
29  And he set the one in Bethel, and the other put he in Dan. 
30  And this thing became a sin: for the people went to worship before the one, even unto Dan. ~ 1 Kings 12:28-30

Jeroboam, king of Israel, caused the kingdom of Israel to sin by committing idolatry against God. What we see here is a division of the nation Israel – the majority of the tribes, ten in all, followed their king Jeroboam, while the remnant tribes – Judah and Benjamin – followed their king Rehoboam, of the house of David. This is a reflection of the Church of today where there is a majority of “believers” following after a pervert faith and idolatry (those on the broad way), whilst the remnant believers (those on the narrow way) are Abraham’s seed through the house of David who belong to The Seed – Yeshua haMeshiach (Jesus Christ). There is a division that exists between those who hold to the Holy Scriptures and those who hold to, and even side with, man’s traditions and customs. We also see that every generation of kings that followed in the kingdom of Israel, evil would not depart from Jeroboam and Israel for they were involved in idolatry, but yet God’s “servant David kept His commandments, and who followed me with all his heart, to do that only which was right in mine eyes” (see 1 Kings 14:7-13).

Throughout every generation in the kingdom of Israel, it followed:

16  And he shall give Israel up because of the sins of Jeroboam, who did sin, and who made Israel to sin. ~ 1 Kings 14:16

The kings of Israel that followed did evil in the sight of the LORD, and walked in the ways of Jeroboam, and in his sin wherewith he made Israel to sin. Yet the kings of the remnant tribes of the house of David were blessed.  God also sent a deliverer to Israel, and yet He too sends the Saviour to the Church that holds to idolatry (Jesus calls the Churches to Repent in Revelation 2 and 3).

So which kingdom are you following after? The idolatrise kingdom that continually sins against God? Or the remnant of the house of David as God’s servant David who kept His commandments, and who followed God with all his heart, to do that only which was right in God’s eyes? Truth is objective and absolute and cannot change. Therefore, two conflicting “truths” cannot both be true, for example “Tishri 15” (September/October) and “December 25.” In John 14:6 ~

Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

And as Jesus is the Truth He alters not, for Hebrews 13:8 reads ~

Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.

Therefore, Jesus Christ being the living Word can not contradict in two apparent “truths” and as disciples of Christ are to be sanctified by God through His Truth, for His Word is Truth (see John 17:17) we are to live and obey the Word of God and not man’s traditions and customs. In Hebrews 1:2 we are told that God “Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son,” Who is God manifest in flesh (see 1 Timothy 3:16). Therefore, the final authority of God’s Word comes from the Son, and we are therefore to adhere to His Word and commandments.

In another parallel of the division within the Church, in 1 Kings 18 we read the account of Elijah and the prophets of Baal. We read that Ahab brings an accusation against Elijah asking him if he is the one that is troubling Israel. Elijah then corrects Ahab and says that he has not troubled Israel, but it is rather Ahab and his father’s house, for they have forsaken the commandments of the LORD, and have followed after Baalim. We then read that Ahab is commanded to bring all Israel and the prophets of Baal (450) and the prophets of the groves (400) which eat at Jezebel’s table. And so Ahab sent unto all the children of Israel and gathered the prophets – all 850 of them – unto mount Carmel. And this was Elijah’s address to them ~

And Elijah came unto all the people, and said, How long halt ye between two opinions? if the LORD be God, follow him: but if Baal, then follow him. And the people answered him not a word. ~ 1 Kings 18:21

That is exactly the situation and issues of today’s “Churchianity” and “Christianity”. The people in the majority, just as in the days of the divided kingdom, those following after Jeroboam and his sins (idolatry) that he caused Israel to sin are those that will hold to their Baal worship – that which God has not commanded. There is a division within “Christendom” which is so prevalent over the month of December when the pagan feast day comes around, and we are not speaking about the lost, but by what we perceive to be “Biblically sound brethren” who hold to a “truth” that cannot be proved from Scripture. If Scripture is silent on an issue how can it be proved to be true? If Scripture speaks on an issue it can be proven as Truth. We come back to that statement made earlier:

Truth is objective and absolute and cannot change. Therefore, two conflicting “truths” cannot both be true, for example “Tishri 15” (September/October) and “December 25.”

Can the Holy Spirit regard both conflicting “truths” to be true? Obviously the answer is NO! So one must be true and the other a lie. We are also reminded in Scripture let God be true, but every man a liar (see Romans 3:4), and Jesus warned that the devil is the father of lies and that no truth is in the devil for when he speaks lies he speaks of his own for he is a liar and the father of it (see John 8:44). In Jeremiah we hear the prophet speaking the Word of God, warning ~

9  The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?
10  I the LORD search the heart, I try the reins, even to give every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings. ~ Jeremiah 17:9,10

God gave Israel what they deserved (the fruit of their doings) due to the sins of Jeroboam that caused Israel to sin, and judgment came upon the 850 Baal idol worshippers, and judgment will also come upon professing believers who have chosen idolatry in the name of “Christendom” that is an abomination in the sight of YEHOVAH (YHVH).

The Apostle Paul addressed the exact same issues with the Galatian churches where there was a perversion of the gospel being preached and also to the Corinth church where there were divisions amongst believers as we read:

9  God is faithful, by whom ye were called unto the fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord.
10  Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.
11  For it hath been declared unto me of you, my brethren, by them which are of the house of Chloe, that there are contentions among you.
12  Now this I say, that every one of you saith, I am of Paul; and I of Apollos; and I of Cephas; and I of Christ.
13  Is Christ divided? was Paul crucified for you? or were ye baptized in the name of Paul? ~ 1 Corinthians 1:9-13

We are encouraged, commanded by way of imperatives, to be in UNITY – to “all speak the same thing”, “and that there be no divisions among you”, and to “be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.” We are to have one mind and one mouth to glorify God (see Romans 15:6) for we have the mind of Christ (see 1 Corinthians 2:16). In 1 Corinthians 1:12,13 we see that in Corinth, just as in our present day, the “believers” were following after various men and due to disunity the question is asked – Is Christ divided? Do not think that just because you said a prayer you are now saved and grace will keep you from the wrath of God that will condemn you to Hell? This is a walk with God in His holiness and His righteousness that requires that “he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved” (Matthew 24:13; Mark 13:13) and we are to “Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:” (Hebrews 12:14). If there is no peace and holiness then the alternative exists: “For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because thou hast rejected the word of the LORD, he hath also rejected thee from being king. (1 Samuel 15:23).

The Body of Jesus Christ – the ekklesia (called out ones) – will speak the same thing and will have no divisions where they are perfectly joined together in the same mind and same judgment. Judgment is to start at the house of God, as we read:

17  For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God? ~ 1 Peter 4:17

So, will you be able to faithfully witness to a Jew and a Gentile in Truth presenting the True Gospel? Or will the “Church” remain divided just as the devil would want it to be?

Soli Deo Gloria!

A Balanced Message

Thank you dearly beloved Brother Marc for a message that did not deviate to the right or to the left, but was Biblically sound, balanced and aiming straight ahead. May God continue to bless your ministry of proclaiming TRUTH! Love and peace to the family of God our Father who assemble in your home. Shalom!

 

Soli Deo Gloria!

Kirk Cameron’s “Saving Christmas” Film

It is with unhappiness and much sadness that I write this article as it relates to two men I came to respect and love in the ministry and had the privilege of meeting, labouring with and being instructed in the ways of open-air preaching and sharing the Gospel of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. By the providence of our Great God and Saviour I was able to leave the shores of Africa and visit the United States of America in June 2008 and briefly attend the Ambassadors’ Academy 3, a ministry of Living Waters, under the leadership of the two brothers in the faith, namely Ray Comfort and Kirk Cameron of The Way of the Master ministry.

Just recently I viewed Kirk Cameron’s Facebook page where he had been promoting his “Saving Christmas” film as depicted here-above. I had been made aware of this film through an article that appeared at Christian News Network where it is surprisingly quoted:

Was Santa Claus a Christian? A ‘defender of the faith’? Is this reason to sit on the lap of the bearded man at the mall who “knows if you’ve been naughty or nice”? That is what Kirk Cameron is claiming as proof why Christians should celebrate Christmas in a new documentary that opens this Friday [November 14, 2014] in theatres across the country—an assertion that is raising concerns over Cameron’s confusion of Roman Catholicism with Christianity.

Cameron, best known for his role as Mike Seaver on the 80’s TV sitcom “Growing Pains” and films such as “Fireproof” and “Left Behind,” has been promoting his new film “Saving Christmas,” in which the actor seeks to “keep Christ in Christmas,” stating that some holiday traditions aren’t so bad or pagan after all.

After recently asserting that Christians should celebrate Halloween, in a video clip released last week entitled “Do You Love Santa Claus,” Cameron stated that “maybe someone like Santa Claus is actually on our team.” He then released a second video providing the history of the figure of Santa Claus, who was actually the Roman Catholic Bishop Nicholas of Myra, Turkey under Pope Sylvester I.

“He was a devout Christian,” Cameron states, but not noting Nicholas’ Roman Catholic faith. Read more Here (Full Report)

Another Christian News Network article that should be read appears at this link: ‘Maybe the Grinch Had a Point’: Kirk Cameron’s ‘Saving Christmas’ Won’t Be Saved From Critics.

Whilst I have personally not viewed the film, and will not be viewing the same in its entirety, I have watched the trailer and read some reviews on it, and have also seen the comments on Kirk Cameron’s Facebook page – for the film vs. against the film; pro-Christmas vs. anti-Christmas; man’s pagan traditions vs. Biblical Historical Truth. It all makes for interesting reading, but there can be only one Truth. Just as our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ said:

31  . . . If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed;
32  And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.
36  If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed. ~ John 8:31,32 & 36

This is the saddest part of this blog posting. I had placed a comment on Kirk’s Facebook wall, including the birth chart to the left (click on it to enlarge in another tab), and my comment was deleted. You read right – D E L E T E D. It appears that when one confronts error with the literal Biblical Historical Truth you are summarily deleted and not allowed to “play in the play-group.” I am saddened and really disappointed by how professing Christians can censure Christians if they do not agree with their world view! It goes much deeper than that as it is a matter of Truth vs. error and those in error do not want to listen! Well argue with the Word of God then. When one reads the Holy Scriptures, are you able to find “Christmas Day” mentioned in YHVH’s Holy Feast Days in Leviticus 23? Or maybe it was instituted in the New Testament and I have just missed the Chapter and Verse! No, you can’t find it, because it doesn’t exist.

Surprisingly an initial comment with the chart also appears to have mysteriously disappeared on Ray Comfort’s Facebook wall, and this before I reposted three more comments randomly! It is also very surprisingly that Kirk Cameron who is attempting to evangelise the masses has also changed his comment settings and you have to “possibly like” his page before you can comment thereon; or is the comment feature only not available to me? Well, getting back to the initial comment on Kirk’s page which went something along these lines, not verbatim as the original one was deleted:

Christian, please read your Holy Bible and you will find out that Yeshua, our Lord Jesus Christ, was born on 15 Tishri (September/October) at the Feast of Tabernacles (Sukkot) and He was born in a Sukkot (Booth) and not a stable/cave. If you know what to look for start reading: Luke 1 and 2; 1 Chronicles 24:10; Leviticus 23:33-44; Deuteronomy 16:16; and many other Scriptures.

To help with the Scriptures quoted here-above please view the afore-stated Birth of Christ Chart together with the following powerpoint presentation: The Nativity of Yeshua HaMeshiach.

Ray Comfort and Kirk Cameron receive literally thousands upon thousands of “hits/likes/shares/comments” on their Facebook accounts and it is mostly by idolising Christian folk. If a message is being proclaimed please make sure it is without error. In the past I too fell into the trap of “idolising” men such as Comfort and MacArthur, and I had to REPENT before God for being so caught up in men’s ministries in idolatry instead of listening to the leading Holy Spirit and walking with God. Don’t say it will never happen to you. For many of you it has already happened and you can’t see the woods for the trees!

The only conclusion I can arrive at is that the literal Biblical Historical Truth that I presented showed up the errors in Kirk Cameron’s “Saving Christmas.” My plea to ALL reading this is: Stop trying to put the Lord Jesus Christ into something He was never in to start off with! Do you think the “Christmas” practices that are undertaken every year were at His birth? Was there a Xmas tree and all the tinsel and trappings in the sukkot Yeshua, our Lord Jesus Christ was born in? Or do you think there is a Xmas tree in heaven before the throne of God Almighty every year to celebrate His Son’s birth? Obviously the first century believers never celebrated this way so why should you/we do so now? YES – certainly preach the Gospel at every opportunity including on December 25, but don’t be pagan like the rest of the heathen world. You can do so separated from the worldly system (see James 4:4). You are to be in the world, but not of the world, as it is written:

15  I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil.
16  They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.
17  Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth. ~ John 17:15-17

We are commanded to have unity in the Christian faith. Unfortunately we don’t see unity, but rather divisions. As it is written:

9  God is faithful, by whom ye were called unto the fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord.
10  Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment.
11  For it hath been declared unto me of you, my brethren, by them which are of the house of Chloe, that there are contentions among you.
12  Now this I say, that every one of you saith, I am of Paul; and I of Apollos; and I of Cephas; and I of Christ.
13  Is Christ divided? was Paul crucified for you? or were ye baptized in the name of Paul? ~ 1 Corinthians 1:9-13

3  Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
4  There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling;
5  One Lord, one faith, one baptism,
6  One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all. ~ Ephesians 4:3-6

14  That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;
15  But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: ~ Ephesians 4:14,15

Christ Jesus made it abundantly clear how we are to remember Him. It is recorded what we are to do in remembrance of Him until He returns for His spotless, unified Bride:

23  For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, That the Lord Jesus the same night in which he was betrayed took bread:
24  And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me.
25  After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me.
26  For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord’s death till he come. ~ 1 Corinthians 11:23-26; read with Matthew 26:26-29; Mark 14:22-25; Luke 22:19,20. [my emphasis]

Maybe Chris Williams, movie reviewer for the Advisor and Source in Michigan has it right. At the second Christian News Network report above, quote: “Williams said that in the end, “Kirk Cameron hasn’t made a movie for Christians. He’s made a movie for Kirk Cameron.””  I would have thought Kirk would contend for the faith and would have told the literal Biblical Historical Truth and stood as a light in this dark wicked world, and “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven” (Matthew 5:16). We read further in Romans 13:12  “The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light.” “And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them” (Ephesians 5:11). The “Saving Christmas” film is not reproving the unfruitful works of darkness, but encouraging them. If this is so, then brother Kirk Cameron in sincere love I call you to repentance.

SOLI DEO GLORIA!

_______________

P.S. This blog posting will be placed on my Facebook wall and Ray Comfort and Kirk Cameron will be tagged accordingly.

Preaching On A Band Stand

Preached yesterday (15 November 2014) at the cross-roads of Church Street, Bank Street and Timber Lane on an old band stand. The portion of Scripture was from "A certain rich man and Lazarus a beggar" (Luke 16:19-31).

Pray for many who heard the Gospel of our Great God and King, our Lord Jesus Christ. — at Pietermaritzburg – Central Town.

19  There was a certain rich man, which was clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day:
20  And there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, which was laid at his gate, full of sores,
21  And desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man’s table: moreover the dogs came and licked his sores.
22  And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham’s bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried;
23  And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom.
24  And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame.
25  But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented.
26  And beside all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed: so that they which would pass from hence to you cannot; neither can they pass to us, that would come from thence.
27  Then he said, I pray thee therefore, father, that thou wouldest send him to my father’s house:
28  For I have five brethren; that he may testify unto them, lest they also come into this place of torment.
29  Abraham saith unto him, They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them.
30  And he said, Nay, father Abraham: but if one went unto them from the dead, they will repent.
31  And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead. ~ Luke 16:19-31

Soli Deo Gloria!

The True English Bible is the King James Bible (1611/AV)

Proverb 18:13 He that answereth a matter before he heareth it, it is folly and shame unto him.

pervert v. /per-vert/ 1 alter from an original meaning or state to a distortion of what was first intended. 2 lead away from what is right, natural, or acceptable.

© South African Pocket Oxford Dictionary, 3rd Edition 2002

Following on from the recent five part series titled “Pervert Translations and Publishers” which can be found here (please do read each part first if you have not already done so) – Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, Part 5 – as well as The Nestle-Aland Greek New Testament Text blog posting; hereunder is a video that lines up with what has been recorded by writer under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. Scripture tells us to test all things, as we are to be as the Bereans “… in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.” (see Acts 17:11).

After viewing this video (or before, depending on your preference) there is some exposing of the modern pervert bibles to be done, which impacts on what they teach, how doctrine is twisted and the blatant contradictions that ultimately will affect what you believe, your faith and your studying of the Holy Scriptures.

As you will see from what follows, I do believe what will be revealed here is under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. Please understand, and do pray for discernment for our LORD God to open your eyes and do ask for wisdom and understanding. Also know this that if there is any contradictions between Bibles the Holy Spirit will not teach and guide you in all truth in both Bibles as there can only be one Truth! Our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ said:

John 16:13a  Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: … [my emphasis]

John 17:17  Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.

We will first start off by saying that before the 1611 Authorized King James Bible there were other English translations that preceded the KJB. These were:

• John Wycliffe New Testament ca.1380 A.D.
• William Tyndale New Testament ca.1526 A.D.
• Myles Coverdale Bible 1535 A.D.
• Matthew Bible 1537 A.D.
• Great Bible 1539 A.D.
• Geneva Bible 1560 A.D.
• Bishops Bible 1568 A.D.

The 1611 Authorized King James Bible in English is the result of the preceding pioneers who stood against the papacy of the Roman Catholic church, and now for 403 years (1611-2014) the KJB has stood the test of time. We will be comparing the King James Bible against – “Today, the better English translations of the Hebrew and Greek Scriptures” according to Dr. John MacArthur at page xxi under subheading Transmission in The MacArthur Study Bible Updated Edition, which he lists as follows:

1. New American Standard Bible (NASB);
2. English Standard Version (ESV); and
3. New King James Version (NKJV).

These translations as completed bibles have been in circulation for less than half a century from the year of their first printing: NASB 43 years (1971-2014), ESV 13 years (2001-2014) and NKJV 32 years (1982-2014).

Please also bear in mind that the three aforementioned translations that are being used, have also used modernised Greek Texts that have the influence of the two Cambridge professors Westcott and Hort – who not only hated the Textus Receptus calling it vile, but was involved with many heretic beliefs and practices including being members of spiritual clubs. You can also read “Chapter 8: Westcott and Hort” from “Gipp’s Understandable History of the Bible” © 1987 by Samuel C. Gipp). Here is also a short quote from Riplinger:

The Men Who Made Themselves Judges

Westcott and Hort were spiritualists. They sought out contact with the spiritual world (talking with the dead, etc.). Riplinger speaks much on this subject and also aligns them with the New Age movement. They started the “Ghostly Guild” in 1851 and before that the “Hermes Club” in 1845. Riplinger links the spiritualist teachings of Westcott and Hort to the occult teachings of Madame Helena P. Blavatsky who wrote the Lucifer magazine. Westcott, Hort, and Blavatsky are all forerunners of the modern day New Age movement which aims at one world religion.

The NASB uses the Greek Text, quote from page xxxi in the Foreword to The MacArthur Study Bible Updated Edition: “Consideration was given to the latest available manuscripts with a view to determining the best Greek text. In most instances the 26th edition of Eberhard Nestle’s NOVUM TESTAMENTUM GRAECE was followed.”

The ESV, as quoted from page x in the Preface under Textual Basis and Resources, reads with regards to the Greek text used: “… and on the Greek text in the 1993 editions of the Greek New Testament (4th corrected ed.), published by the United Bible Societies (UBS), and Novum Testamentum Graece (27th ed.), edited by Nestle and Aland. … Similarly, in a few difficult cases in the New Testament, the ESV has followed a Greek text different from the text given preference in the UBS/Nestle-Aland 27th Edition …”

In respect of the NKJV, besides the “much speech” in the Preface at pages v and vi explaining The New Testament Text, writer will quote the following: “There is more manuscript support for the New Testament than for any other body of ancient literature. Over five thousand Greek, eight thousand Latin, and many more manuscripts in other languages attest the integrity of the New Testament. There is only one basic New Testament used by Protestants, Roman Catholics, and Orthodox, by conservatives and liberals. Minor variations in hand copying have appeared through the centuries, before mechanical printing began about A.D. 1450. … In light of these facts, and also because the New King James Version is the fifth revision of a historic document translated from specific Greek texts, the editors decided to retain the traditional text in the body of the New Testament and to indicate major Critical and Majority Text variant readings in the center-column notes of the present edition. It is most important to emphasize that fully eighty-five percent of the New Testament text is the same in the Textus Receptus, the Alexandrian Text, and the Majority Text.” [Writer: This is not a faithful record that the NKJV editors want you to believe. This is the type of marketing hype men will stoop to to sell their product.] You can read more at this link: The Nestle-Aland Greek New Testament Text blog posting.

Now let us look at a few errors (of thousands) that appear in the modern pervert bibles against the inspired and preserved, inerrant and infallible Word of God as contained in the 403 year old King James Bible.

Jehovah

In the modern translations of the Bible we see that the proper Name of God has been removed from the text. In some instances only a shortened version is recorded and most times only His titles are used. The most common name which is rendered God comes from the Hebrew word Elohiym. One of the titles for God is Lord, which is translated from the Hebrew word Adonay. While the Hebrew proper Name of God is known by the four letters YHVH, also known as the Tetragrammaton [from Greek τετραγράμματον, meaning “(consisting of) four letters”] is the Hebrew theonym יהוה (r to l Yodh Hē Vav Hē)(from classical Greek theos “god” and –onym “name”). This is one of the names of the national God of Israel used in the Hebrew Bible. While “Yahweh” is favoured by most Hebrew scholars and is widely accepted as the pronunciation of the Tetragrammaton, Jehovah is the English translation of the Hebrew Name for God, which while it starts with the letter “J”, and many scholars may say there is no “J” in Hebrew, this is where they err. The English translation of the Hebrew word Yᵉhôvâh which starts with a “Y” is translated Jehovah which starts with a “J” in English. Being an English translation you have the English spelling not the Hebrew spelling, for example, like Israel in English and Yisrael in Hebrew. Further, out of reverence the Jews would not take YHVH’s sacred and holy Name upon their lips out of fear of breaking the Third Commandment of taking His Name in vain:

Exodus 20:7  Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy God in vain; for the LORD will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain.

Therefore, when Jews read the Torah they use the word Adonay (“Lord”). As a result, God’s Holy Name also is rendered in the English Bibles as LORD. Whilst the modern pervert bibles do explain in their prefaces why the word “LORD” appears, there is also the contention that “Bibles” do not have the proper Name of God in them. This is untrue. The King James Bible has God’s Name recorded as follows:

Exodus 6:3  And I appeared unto Abraham, unto Isaac, and unto Jacob, by the name of God Almighty, but by my name JEHOVAH was I not known to them.

Psalm 83:18  That men may know that thou, whose name alone is JEHOVAH, art the most high over all the earth.

Isaiah 12:2  Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and not be afraid: for the LORD JEHOVAH is my strength and my song; he also is become my salvation.

Isaiah 26:4  Trust ye in the LORD for ever: for in the LORD JEHOVAH is everlasting strength:

In The Strong’s Complete Word Study Concordance Expanded Edition, 2004, JEHOVAH is translated from the Hebrew word:

3068 יהוה , Yᵉhôvâh, yeh-ho-vaw’; from 1961; (the) self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish national name of God: – Jehovah, the Lord. Compare 3050, 3069.

A noun meaning God. The word refers to the proper name of the God of Israel, particularly the name by which He revealed Himself to Moses (Ex 6:2,3). The divine name has traditionally not been pronounced, primarily out of respect for its sacredness (cf. Ex 20:7; Dt28:58). Until the Renaissance, it was written without vowels in the Hebrew text of the OT, being rendered as YHWH. However, since that time, the vowels of another word ‘ădônây (136), have been supplied in hopes of reconstructing the pronunciation. Although the exact derivation of the name is uncertain, most scholars agree that its primary meaning should be understood in the context of God’s existence, namely that He is the “I AM THAT I AM” (Ex 3:14), the One who was, who is, and who always will be (cf. Rev 11:17). …

Now let us look at the NASB, ESV and NKJV et al compared to the King James Bible:

KJB – Exodus 6:3 And I appeared unto Abraham, unto Isaac, and unto Jacob, by the name of God Almighty, but by my name JEHOVAH was I not known to them.

NASB – Exodus 6:3 and I appeared to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, as God Almighty, but by My name, ²LORD, I did not make Myself known to them.

ESV – Exodus 6:3 I appeared to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, as God Almighty,² but by my name the LORD I did not make myself known to them.

NKJV – Exodus 6:3 “I appeared to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, as God Almighty, but by My name LORD¹ I was not known to them.

Whilst each of the above translations exclude the Name of God YEHOVAH from the main body of text, the NASB has a column note “²Heb YHWH, usually rendered LORD.” So why does the NASB rather record a title, for that is what the word LORD or Lord is just that, a title? Therefore, God is named a title, and at the same time doubt is created in the readers’ minds. In the ESV the only footnote on this portion of Scripture is not for LORD, but for God Almighty which reads: “²Hebrew El Shaddai.” It is also noted in the 1982 NKJV by a footnote: “¹Hebrew YHWH, traditionally Jehovah.” So why don’t they say it in the main body of text? So therefore the King James Bible has always been correct for the past 403 years! The ESV just uses a title in this verse.

What is also of great significance is that the punctuation differs greatly from one translation to another, which can alter the manner in which the verses are conveyed. What must also be borne in mind is that whilst the more recent translations have adopted the practice of capitalising the subject, the object, and the possessive pronouns, when referring to God and His Son, it does not make the text more spiritual by this application. It does not appear that there was a hard and fast rule of practice in 17th century English to capitalise subject, object, and possessive pronouns, nouns, or the like, or use quotation marks for speech. However, capital letters are used when referring to Deity of the Godhead – Father, Son and Holy Spirit, and the subject, object, and possessive pronouns can be understood in the context of the verses as read with the whole chapter and specific book of the Bible. The Holy Spirit brings understanding and it is made clear by studying the Scriptures.

Let us now look at the second set of Scriptures:

KJB – Psalm 83:18 That men may know that thou, whose name alone is JEHOVAH, art the most high over all the earth.

NASB – Psalm 83:18 That they may know that You alone, whose name is the LORD, Are the Most High over all the earth.

ESV – Psalm 83:18 that they may know that you alone, whose name is the LORD, are the Most High over all the earth.

NKJV – Psalm 83:18 That they may know that You, whose name alone is the LORD, Are the Most High over all the earth.

No column or footnotes in the pervert translations to quantify or qualify the title LORD. God’s known Name is removed from the Holy Scriptures in the modern versions of this verse. In this particular verse God Almighty is emphatically stating His Name.

In the third set of Scripture:

KJB – Isaiah 12:2 Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and not be afraid: for the LORD JEHOVAH is my strength and my song; he also is become my salvation.

NASB – Isaiah 12:2 “Behold, God is my salvation, I will trust and not be afraid; For the LORD GOD is my strength and song, And He has become my salvation.”

ESV – Isaiah 12:2 “Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and will not be afraid; for the LORD GOD⁵ is my strength and song, and he has become my salvation.”

NKJV – Isaiah 12:2 Behold, God is my salvation. I will trust and not be afraid; ‘For YAH the LORD, is my strength and song; He also has become my salvation.’”

In the aforementioned translations relating to Isaiah 12:2, the following is evident. The NASB once again has titles with no column notes, but Dr MacArthur attempts to explain LORD GOD in his commentary at page 954 of The MacArthur Study Bible Updated Edition: “The doubling of the personal name of God serves to emphasize His role as the covenant-keeping One.” This is not a faithful interpretation of the verse. The verse is speaking of trust in the One who gives salvation, but more importantly it is referring to the proper Name of God the LORD JEHOVAH (YHVH). The ESV has a footnote: “⁵Hebrew for Yah, the LORD.” The NKJV includes the abbreviated proper Name of YEHOVAH as YAH, which was previously referred to under the Hebrew word 3068 יהוה , Yᵉhôvâh and is the contracted version being the Hebrew word:

3050 יה , Yah, yaw’, contraction for 3068, and meaning the same, Jah, the sacred name – Jah, the Lord, most vehement. Cp. names in “-iah,” “-jah.”

A neuter pronoun of God, a shortened form of Yahweh, often translated “LORD.” This abbreviated noun for Yahweh is used in poetry especially in the Psalms. …

In closing this section, we will look at the fourth portion of Scripture comparisons hereunder:

KJB – Isaiah 26:4 Trust ye in the LORD for ever: for in the LORD JEHOVAH is everlasting strength:

NASB – Isaiah 26:4 Trust in the LORD forever, For in ¹GOD the LORD, we have an everlasting Rock.

ESV – Isaiah 26:4 Trust in the LORD forever, for the LORD GOD is an everlasting rock.

NKJV – Isaiah 26:4 Trust in the LORD forever, For in YAH, the LORD, is ¹everlasting strength.

Here the NASB and NKJV are attempting to quantify and qualify who the LORD is, whilst they do not appear to be sure how to record God’s proper Name. The NASB uses GOD and has a margin note: “¹Heb. YAH, usually rendered LORD.” And the NKJV uses YAH and has a footnote in reference to everlasting strength: “¹Or Rock of Ages.”

It is evident that the NASB, ESV, NKJV, et al have removed God’s proper Name from the main body of text. These versions might have column and footnote references, but ultimately they cause more dissension by creating doubt, division and mistrust as to what is in the Word of God or what is not! The root causes of this is two fold – firstly the deceptive work of Satan the devil and secondly the love of filthy lucre.

Who Killed Goliath?

According to most first graders attending Sunday School, David killed Goliath the Philistine of Gath – and that is what the Authorised King James Bible says, too (see 1 Samuel 17:49,50).

However, according to 2 Samuel 21:19 in the modern pervert translations Elhanan killed Goliath. From the comparisons of the various Scripture translations one can see that the King James Bible has it correct.

KJB – 2 Samuel 21:19  And there was again a battle in Gob with the Philistines, where Elhanan the son of Jaareoregim, a Bethlehemite, slew the brother of Goliath the Gittite, the staff of whose spear was like a weaver’s beam.

NASB – 2 Samuel 21:19 There was war with the Philistines again at Gob, and Elhanan the son of Jaare-oregim, the Bethlehemite, ¹killed ²Goliath the Gittite, the shaft of whose spear was like a weaver’s beam.

ESV – 2 Samuel 21:19 And there was again war with the Philistines at Gob, and Elhanan the son of Jaare-oregim the Bethlehemite killed Goliath the Gittite, the shaft of whose spear was like a weaver’s beam.²

NKJV – 2 Samuel 21:19 Again there was war at Gob with the Philistines, where Elhanan the son of ¹Jaare-Oregim the Bethlehemite killed the brother of Goliath the Gittite, the shaft of whose spear was like a weaver’s beam.

The NASB has the following column notes: “¹Lit smote ²In 1Ch 20:5, Lahmi, the brother of Goliath”. The MacArthur Study Bible Updated Edition at page 452 also records under the commentary the following: “21:19 Elhanan . . . killed Goliath. The minor scribal omission of “the brother of” (in the Heb.) belongs in the verse, based on 1Ch 20:5 which includes them, and because clearly the Scripture says that David killed Goliath as recorded in 1Sa 17:50. There has probably been a scribal error in the text which should read, “Elhanan . . . killed the brother of Goliath.” A second possible solution is that Elhanan and David may be different names for the same person, just as Solomon had another name (cf. 12:24,25). A third solution is that there were two giants named Goliath.” I would agree with MacArthur on the first part of his commentary that the words “the brother of” in italics confirms who was being slew, i.e. Lahmi, but the “second possible solution” cannot be correct. MacArthur is misleading in his suggestion as he is attempting to explain away the incorrect rendering of 1 Samuel 21:19 that has no Biblical foundation. There were two separate events, one where the Philistines were “gathered together at Shochoh, which belongeth to Judah, and pitched between Shochoh and Azekah, in Ephesdammim.” (See 1 Samuel 17:1) In the second account in 2 Samuel 21:19 it reads: “And there was again a battle in Gob with the Philistines …” (my emphasis). This “second battle” in Gob was without David as in 2 Samuel 21:17b it reads: “… Then the men of David sware unto him, saying, Thou shalt go no more out with us to battle, that thou quench not the light of Israel.” The reason? Because “David waxed faint” (see 2 Samuel 21:15). This event preceded the battle at Gob. Also, Elhanan could not be David as Elhanan was the son of Jaare-oregim (Jair) whereas David was the son of Jesse (see 1 Samuel 17:12). Elhanan was one of David’s servants when you read this portion of Scripture in context. MacArthur’s “third possible solution” is also incorrect saying “that there were two giants named Goliath” because when one cross-references 1 Chronicles 20:5 it clearly states that the Philistine slew by Elhanan was named Lahmi the brother of Goliath:

1 Chronicles 20:5 And there was war again with the Philistines; and Elhanan the son of Jair slew Lahmi the brother of Goliath the Gittite, whose spear staff was like a weaver’s beam.

Further, the ESV has a footnote: “²Contrast 1 Chronicles 20:5, which may preserve the original reading.” If it “may preserve the original reading” then which is it? Then why does 2 Samuel 21:19 not read the same as 1 Chronicles 20:5 in the ESV for it creates doubt, for if one reads the 2 Samuel 21:9 account it says Elhanan killed Goliath. The NKJV has a footnote: “¹Jair, 1 Chr. 20:5”. Although the NKJV is the translation that is closest to the King James Bible on this particular issue, it lacks credibility in many other verses. It can be clearly seen that column and footnotes together with commentary notes can be misleading and deceptive.

>> No “New Testament” in the New Testament

Whilst we would agree that the Old Testament in the Bible primarily refers to a covenant between God and Israel and therefore referred to as an Old Covenant, our Lord Jesus Christ established a New Testament in His blood through death, as we read in Hebrews 9:15, as it is written:

Heb 9:15  And for this cause he is the mediator of the new testament, that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first testament, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance.

We will compare the Scriptures in the Lord’s Supper and those found in the Book of Hebrews, hereunder. We do note that the modern versions refer to a covenant, but there is no agreement as to whether it is a “covenant” or a “new covenant.”

SCRIPTURE VERSE	KJB (1611/AV)	NASB	ESV	NKJV
Matthew 26:28	new testament	covenant	² covenant	¹new covenant
Mark 14:24	new testament	covenant	¹ covenant	¹new covenant
Luke 22:20	new testament	new covenant	new covenant	new covenant
1 Corinthians 11:25	new testament	new covenant	new covenant	new covenant
2 Corinthians 3:6	new testament	new covenant	new covenant	new covenant
Hebrews 7:22	better testament	better covenant	better covenant	better covenant
Hebrews 9:15	new testament	new covenant	new covenant	new covenant
Hebrews 9:15	first testament	first covenant	first covenant	first covenant
Hebrews 9:16	testament	¹covenant	will	testament
Hebrews 9:17	testament	¹covenant	will	testament
Hebrews 9:18	first testament	first covenant	first covenant	first covenant

References in column and footnotes –

NASB – ¹testament

ESV – ² Some manuscripts insert new; ¹ Some manuscripts insert new

NKJV – ¹NU omits new

The problem arises with the use of “covenant” when Hebrews 9:16,17 comes around for it reads as follows in the King James Bible:

Heb 9:16  For where a testament is, there must also of necessity be the death of the testator.
Heb 9:17  For a testament is of force after men are dead: otherwise it is of no strength at all while the testator liveth.

All the pervert modern versions now correct the errors that they have translated as “covenant”. The NASB uses column notes to refer to “testament”; whilst the ESV uses the word “will”; whilst the unfaithful NKJV uses “testament.” The reason why writer has termed the NKJV “unfaithful” is as a result of the translators who had “set out to only correct the so-called archaic words, initially”, ended up performing a translation where whole words, sentence construction and even doctrines have been changed. Interchanging between “new covenant / covenant / testament” is not a faithful translation when reading the verses in context. Has our Lord Jesus Christ established a New Testament? or Covenant? The NKJV is a totally new translation piggy-backing on the name of the King James Bible, copyrighting a new and different bible for filthy lucre’s sake.

For many years, since 1985, writer was employed at the Master of the Supreme Court (now High Court) offices, at Trust Companies and Attorney Firms as an Estate Controller and Paralegal, and he has dealt extensively with deceased estates that include Last Will and Testaments. In all his years (and even to present date as he does some freelance work to support the ministry by the grace of God providing), writer has never come across a covenant that has been written up by a testator / testatrix. It has always been known as a testament. I have also never heard of lawyers reading out the covenant of the deceased to the heirs. It has always been the Will or Testament. You see a Testator is the author of his Testament. Our Lord Jesus Christ is the Author of His Old and New Testaments.

Here are further documents that you should read to get the full picture:

>> Fables And Facts About The King James Bible

Over the past few decades, new Bible translations have been popping up like popcorn. Many strong Christians have stood their ground and continued to believe, read, and study only the Authorized King James Bible. Many others, however, have forsaken the Book that God has used for centuries. Such people have fallen for smooth advertising schemes and have actually started believing that the modern versions are superior to the King James Bible. It’s very sad that most Christians today have not taken time to study the subject thoroughly enough to see what is really happening. [Read more Here]

>> Why Jesus Cannot Use the New King James Version

This is chapter 8 from Which Bible Would Jesus Use? by Jack McElroy, copyright 2013, used with permission. More information about this book can be found on Jack’s website.

Why can’t the Lord choose the ©1982 New King James Version?

If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself. (John 7:17) [Read more Here]

>> The Truth About The English SUBStandard Version

THE FRUIT OF THE ESV

The beginning of the ESV was May 1997 with a meeting headed by James Dobson. Dobson was deeply troubled with the gender-inclusive issues within the NIV and TNIV. The results of the meeting was the “proposed” creation of a new version without the new-age, homosexual, gender-inclusive agenda. Surprisingly, the “troubled” group united around the liberal and apostate Revised Standard Version (RSV) of the Bible. Thus the dubious birth of the ESV was conceived. In September 1998, Trinity Evangelical Divinity School professor Wayne Grudem and Crossway President Lane Dennis received the blessing of the ecumenical National Council of Churches to build the ESV upon their 1971 revision of the Revised Standard Version. And thus the ESV came to life. . . [Read more Here]

>> The Attack on the Bible

by Terry Watkins

God has placed a lot of importance upon His words.

Matthew 24:35 reads, “Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my WORDS shall not pass away.”
Psalms 138:2 says, “. . . for thou hast magnified thy WORD above all thy name.”
Psalms 119:89 says, “For ever, O LORD, thy WORD is settled in heaven.”

The spiritual life-blood of the human race is the word of God.

• It brings salvation: “Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God. . .” (1 Peter 1:23)
• It produces faith: “. . . faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God” (Romans 10:17).
• It produces spiritual growth: “. . .desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:” (1 Peter 2:2) [Read more Here]

>> Was the KJV inspired or preserved?

Related articles: Inspiration and Translation; Two Lies, The

The following is from Sam Gipp’s The Answer Book.

QUESTION: Is the King James Bible inspired or preserved?

ANSWER: The original autographs were inspired. The King James Bible is those same autographs preserved up to today.

EXPLANATION: The best way to simply describe inspiration and preservation of the Bible is as follows:

Inspiration is when God takes a blank piece of paper (papyrus, vellum, etc.) and uses men to write His words. Preservation is when God takes those words already written and uses men to preserve them to today. Both of these actions are DIVINE and are assured by God as recorded in Psalm 12:6,7.

6 “The words of the LORD are pure words: as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times.

7 Thou shalt keep them, O LORD, thou shalt preserve them from this generation for ever.”

In Psalm 12:6 God assures us that His originals are perfect. Even though penned by fallible men with the heinous sins of: murder (Moses and David), adultery (David), idolatry (Solomon), and denial of the Lord (Peter). God’s words are untainted by the sins of the penmen.

That the originals were inspired perfect in their entirety is an undisputed belief among fundamentalists today. [Read more Here]

We conclude with the following statement –

“I must under God denounce every attachment to the New American Standard Version. I’m afraid I’m in trouble with the Lord … We laid the groundwork; I wrote the format; I helped interview some of the translators; I sat with the translator; I wrote the preface. When you see the preface to the New American Standard, those are my words … it’s wrong, it’s terribly wrong; it’s frightfully wrong … I’m in trouble; … I can no longer ignore these criticisms I am hearing and I can’t refute them. The deletions are absolutely frightening … there are so many. The finest leaders that we have today haven’t gone into it [new versions of Wescott and Hort’s corrupted Greek text] just as I hadn’t gone into it … that’s how easily one can be deceived … Are we so naive that we do not suspect Satanic deception in all of this?”

Dr. Frank Logsdon
Co-founder, New American Standard Version

>> Logsdon’s Pro KJV Anti NASV – Download MP3

“Frank Logsdon was a major player in the development of the New American Standard Bible (NASB). He was a friend of Dewey Lockman, and was involved in a feasibility study involving purchasing the copyright of the American Standard Version (ASV) with Lockman that lead to the eventual production of the NASB. He interviewed some of the translators for the job, and even wrote the preface to the translation.

“Slowly, he became aware that there was something wrong with the NASB. He eventually rejected it, and promoted the KJV. This was a major defection for the modern version crowd.

“Below is his speech, in it’s entirety, rejecting the NASB, and endorsing the Textus Receptus and the KJV. (The complete transcript is available here)” ~ quoted from the website www. defendproclaimthefaith.org

If you do not believe that God has inspired and preserved His Word in an English Bible then that leaves you as a bible agnostic!

SOLI DEO GLORIA!

Death of Senzo Meyiwa

Senzo Robert Meyiwa (24 September 1987 – 26 October 2014), aged 27 years was gunned down in what appears to be a botched robbery at the home of his girlfriend Kelly Khumalo in Vosloorus, South Africa. He was a professional footballer with the Premier Soccer League Soweto giants Orlando Pirates and was the Bafana Bafana South African goalkeeper and recent captain, representing the national team on six occasions between 2013-2014 and keeping clean sheets in his last four CAF AFCON international appearances.

Writer came to hear of Senzo’s death this morning whilst at the petrol garage and speaking to the attendant named Sphelele – who said his name means “The Last One.” I had queried Sphelele whether he was born-again and he said that there were no others that were born after him, that is why he is “The Last One.” In his “innocence” of not quite understanding where the conversation was headed, I asked him what would happen to him if he had to die? As the conversation unfolded, it was then that Sphelele informed me that Senzo Meyiwa was tragically killed last night (on Sunday evening October 26, 2014). On Saturday the 25th instant Senzo had just played for Orlando Pirates in a 4-1 win over Ajax Cape Town in the quarterfinals of the Telkom Cup. This opened up the conversation even further with the Day of Judgment and the conversation leading to: What if Sphelele found himself in Senzo’s position? Well he had work to attend to, so I left him with a booklet titled: “Your Life ~ God’s Solution to Your Religion” and a “WARNING ~ The Back of This Card May Offend You.”

During the course of this morning and into the early evening I attempted at various times to glean as much information as possible from various news sites and social media without speculating as to what took place and the parties concerned. What was evident upfront that caught my attention and was a concern was that the relationship that existed between Senzo Meyiwa and Kelly Khumalo has been termed as “lovers”, “girlfriend” and “companions.” The first thing that came to mind was that these two parties were involved in a fornicating relationship. I did pray and ask Almighty God to protect my heart as I thought upon this situation. As the reports were scanned further, it has now become quite evident that they were not only in a fornication relationship where they have a child out of wedlock, but it has surfaced that he is a married man that in April 2014 it was reported that he had left his wife Mandisa Meyiwa (nee Mhkize) for Kelly Khumalo.

What is sad and shows the ignorance of the South African and international public at large, even including political ministers, is that their heartfelt messages are holding the deceased Senzo as an icon, an idol, someone to be hero worshipped and that he could do no wrong. However there are a small minority of comments made in the social media circulating in cyberspace where the spiritual application of the souls in question need to be addressed. Whilst many have commented “Senzo RIP” or “Our prayers for you, RIP” or something along those lines of thought, the question is: Is Senzo’s soul resting in peace?

The Holy Word of the One and Only True and Living GOD ~ YHVH says the following:

Exodus 20:14  Thou shalt not commit adultery.

Matthew 5:27  Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not commit adultery:
Matthew 5:28  But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.
Matthew 5:29  And if thy right eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell.
Matthew 5:30  And if thy right hand offend thee, cut it off, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell.

Galatians 5:19  Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,
Galatians 5:20  Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,
Galatians 5:21  Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.

This blog post is not just about Senzo Meyiwa and where he will spend all of eternity, for the Holy Scripture warns:

Hebrews 9:27  And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:

This blog is about Kelly Khumalo, his estranged wife Mandisa Meyiwa, his children, the three murderers, politicians, police officers, professional footballers and athletes, YOU – in short every person living and dead. We all have an appointment with the Judge of the Universe, the Lord Jesus Christ the Righteous. All will have their day in court. There are no exceptions!

Look at the stern warning given in Holy Scripture, the very Word of God that this evil, wicked and reprobate world does not want to adhere to; it reads for it is written:

Proverb 5:1  My son, attend unto my wisdom, and bow thine ear to my understanding:
Proverb 5:2  That thou mayest regard discretion, and that thy lips may keep knowledge.
Proverb 5:3  For the lips of a strange woman drop as an honeycomb, and her mouth is smoother than oil:
Proverb 5:4  But her end is bitter as wormwood, sharp as a twoedged sword.
Proverb 5:5  Her feet go down to death; her steps take hold on hell.
Proverb 5:6  Lest thou shouldest ponder the path of life, her ways are moveable, that thou canst not know them.
Proverb 5:7  Hear me now therefore, O ye children, and depart not from the words of my mouth.
Proverb 5:8  Remove thy way far from her, and come not nigh the door of her house:
Proverb 5:9  Lest thou give thine honour unto others, and thy years unto the cruel:
Proverb 5:10  Lest strangers be filled with thy wealth; and thy labours be in the house of a stranger;
Proverb 5:11  And thou mourn at the last, when thy flesh and thy body are consumed,
Proverb 5:12  And say, How have I hated instruction, and my heart despised reproof;
Proverb 5:13  And have not obeyed the voice of my teachers, nor inclined mine ear to them that instructed me!
Proverb 5:14  I was almost in all evil in the midst of the congregation and assembly.
Proverb 5:15  Drink waters out of thine own cistern, and running waters out of thine own well.
Proverb 5:16  Let thy fountains be dispersed abroad, and rivers of waters in the streets.
Proverb 5:17  Let them be only thine own, and not strangers’ with thee.
Proverb 5:18  Let thy fountain be blessed: and rejoice with the wife of thy youth.
Proverb 5:19  Let her be as the loving hind and pleasant roe; let her breasts satisfy thee at all times; and be thou ravished always with her love.
Proverb 5:20  And why wilt thou, my son, be ravished with a strange woman, and embrace the bosom of a stranger?
Proverb 5:21  For the ways of man are before the eyes of the LORD, and he pondereth all his goings.
Proverb 5:22  His own iniquities shall take the wicked himself, and he shall be holden with the cords of his sins.
Proverb 5:23  He shall die without instruction; and in the greatness of his folly he shall go astray.

Adultery is not the only concern, neither fornication, be it heterosexual or homosexual sex. You might judge this wicked love-triangle, but consider your own sin. Have you committed adultery? Looked with lust? Are you a fornicator? Or maybe you have broken God’s ninth commandment by lying? Do you tell lies and think that the Creator God will not send liars to Hell? Or maybe you never pulled the trigger, but have you committed murder of the heart by despising and hating someone? Or do you break the second commandment which is part of God’s perfect Law:

Exodus 20:4  Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth:
Exodus 20:5  Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the LORD thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me;
Exodus 20:6  And shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and keep my commandments.

It’s not only in a religious sense as with Hinduism and Buddhism, but this also applies to idol worshipping soccer players and singers / actors, or maybe it is money and possessions, fame and fortune.

We are warned by God:

Matthew 16:26  For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?

We are further warned:

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

Hebrews 12:29  For our God is a consuming fire.

Judgment Day is approaching. We see the world’s communities are becoming more and more evil and wicked, for it reveals the depraved humanity that are living for their father the devil. Things are not going to get any better – look at the Middle East which is a cesspool of iniquity and lawlessness. In fact the world over reveals the lawlessness of men and their depraved hearts! And many think they are “good” – far from it; reprobate yes, but not good!

This is the Revelation of the Day of Judgment:

Rev 20:10  And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever.
Rev 20:11  And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them.
Rev 20:12  And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.
Rev 20:13  And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works.
Rev 20:14  And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.
Rev 20:15  And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.

If you are honest before God and listening to your conscience, you would be guilty before the Judge of the Universe and guilty persons will be sent to Hell for eternity. The only way to receive peace with God is to be reconciled back to God through His only begotten Son, the Saviour who gave Himself as the perfect sacrifice who took the sins of the world into His body and condemned the sin in His flesh. We read of His Divinity and Humanity in being the Saviour for reprobate sinners who will call on Him to be saved:

Philippians 2:5  Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:
Philippians 2:6  Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:
Philippians 2:7  But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:
Philippians 2:8  And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.
Philippians 2:9  Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name:
Philippians 2:10  That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;
Philippians 2:11  And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Repent today – Ukupenduka – for today is the day of salvation. You are not guaranteed another day on this earth. Ask Senzo or any other approximately 150 000 people who have died in the last 24 hours and been ushered into eternity.

Our Lord Jesus Christ said:

Luke 13:3  I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.

John 3:3  Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.

Luke 9:23  And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.
Luke 9:24  For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it.
Luke 9:25  For what is a man advantaged, if he gain the whole world, and lose himself, or be cast away?

SOLI DEO GLORIA!

YOU Condemn Yourself

18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.
19 And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.
20 For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved.
21 But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God. ~ John 3:18-21

I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins: for if ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins. ~ John 8:24

1 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.
3 For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh:
4 That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
5 For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit.
6 For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. ~ Romans 8:1-6

Few Will Enter, Exposing OSAS

Thank you brother Marc Roy. A timely Word in these end days for we are told to "… work out your own salvation with fear and trembling." (See Philippians 2:12)

He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him. ~ John 14:21

16 They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.
17 Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth. ~ John 17:16,17

Blessed are ye in Christ Jesus

Good morning my dearly beloved brothers and sisters in Christ Jesus the world over on this glorious Lord’s Day. May His Name be exalted and lifted high this day and forever as you worship YHVH and make a stand for Truth!

3 Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
4 Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.
5 Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.
6 Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.
7 Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.
8 Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.
9 Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.
10 Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
11 Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake.
12 Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.
13 Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.
14 Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.
15 Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.
16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. ~ Matthew 5:3-16

Love and peace!