Dear brothers and sisters;
Last week I received an invite to attend a ZOOM seminar on the 1st and 2nd Coming of Christ. The speaker proudly announced that their church just celebrated 103,746 graduates online around the world with their version of seminary. Then he went on to speak;
In Matthew 23 the speaker claims this chapter was the 1st coming of Jesus.
In my learning of the 1st coming is when Jesus was born and missioned the earth for 33 years till he died on the cross. In Matthew 23 Jesus was rebuking and loving the Pharisees while calling out the 7 Woes, condemning the religious leaders.
Isaiah 7:14, 14 Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.
Matthew 2:1-2, Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem, 2 saying, “Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.”
In Matthew 24 The speaker claims this chapter was the 2nd coming.
In my learning how can this be the 2nd coming when He was still in the 1st coming and only God the Father knows when the 2nd coming will occur?!?
In Matthew 24 Jesus tells of the future, the signs of the end of the age. He does refer to His return by teaching those who stand firm to the end will be saved.
Acts 9:9-11, 9 And when he had said these things, as they were looking on, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight. 10 And while they were gazing into heaven as he went, behold, two men stood by them in white robes, 11 and said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.”
Revelation 22:12, 12 “Behold, I am coming soon, bringing my recompense with me, to repay each one for what he has done.
Revelation 22:18-20, 18 I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: if anyone adds to them, God will add to him the plagues described in this book, 19 and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God will take away his share in the tree of life and in the holy city, which are described in this book. 20 He who testifies to these things says, “Surely I am coming soon.” Amen. Come, Lord Jesus!
The speaker made a proclamation of being the "Promised Pastor" that only he can reveal Revelation 1-22 given to him by Jesus. He then challenged us that if we disagree only he appointed by Jesus can reveal all these things in Revelation 1-22.
I find it can be dangerous when a lay person or minister proclaims their calling "directly from Jesus" to a wide audience, especially when I haven't heard of him/her before.
One attendee, a pastor, raised his hand and disagreed with the speaker. He got angry and said that we can agree to disagree. At times we can dismiss a Biblical conversation with, "we can agree to disagree" but when we merely react and apply that statement just to put a truce on a Biblical conversation, I find that the two parties divide and walk away without settling what the true Word of God is telling us.
I utilized the chat tool in this seminar, pm'd the host about the speaker and said I didn't agree with the speaker's doctrine on this subject but I couldn't speak directly to the speaker because though the ZOOM attendees were present, the speaker was a recording. lol! So I gave the host my email should this speaker decide to email me.
My point in this thread is Satan can use our disagreements to divide, hate and break down the bond and fellowship of believers, eventually hindering our personal Christian maturity.
Instead, test all who speak Scripturally, Biblically and check what people present in their teachings of the Word. Discuss it! Take notes, re-read the Scriptures and pray what God says and then ask Him to guide you in your continued discipleship and discussion. One way or another, God always reveals His Truth. The benefit here is God's Truth helps us grow as more effective disciples.
Psalm 26:2, 2 Prove me, O Lord, and try me; test my heart and my mind.
1 John 4:1, Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world.
1 Thessalonians 5:20-22, 20 Do not despise prophecies, 21 but test everything; hold fast what is good. 22 Abstain from every form of evil.
What are your thoughts?
God bless you all and your families.
Last week I received an invite to attend a ZOOM seminar on the 1st and 2nd Coming of Christ. The speaker proudly announced that their church just celebrated 103,746 graduates online around the world with their version of seminary. Then he went on to speak;
In Matthew 23 the speaker claims this chapter was the 1st coming of Jesus.
In my learning of the 1st coming is when Jesus was born and missioned the earth for 33 years till he died on the cross. In Matthew 23 Jesus was rebuking and loving the Pharisees while calling out the 7 Woes, condemning the religious leaders.
Isaiah 7:14, 14 Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.
Matthew 2:1-2, Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem, 2 saying, “Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.”
In Matthew 24 The speaker claims this chapter was the 2nd coming.
In my learning how can this be the 2nd coming when He was still in the 1st coming and only God the Father knows when the 2nd coming will occur?!?
In Matthew 24 Jesus tells of the future, the signs of the end of the age. He does refer to His return by teaching those who stand firm to the end will be saved.
Acts 9:9-11, 9 And when he had said these things, as they were looking on, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight. 10 And while they were gazing into heaven as he went, behold, two men stood by them in white robes, 11 and said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.”
Revelation 22:12, 12 “Behold, I am coming soon, bringing my recompense with me, to repay each one for what he has done.
Revelation 22:18-20, 18 I warn everyone who hears the words of the prophecy of this book: if anyone adds to them, God will add to him the plagues described in this book, 19 and if anyone takes away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God will take away his share in the tree of life and in the holy city, which are described in this book. 20 He who testifies to these things says, “Surely I am coming soon.” Amen. Come, Lord Jesus!
The speaker made a proclamation of being the "Promised Pastor" that only he can reveal Revelation 1-22 given to him by Jesus. He then challenged us that if we disagree only he appointed by Jesus can reveal all these things in Revelation 1-22.
I find it can be dangerous when a lay person or minister proclaims their calling "directly from Jesus" to a wide audience, especially when I haven't heard of him/her before.
One attendee, a pastor, raised his hand and disagreed with the speaker. He got angry and said that we can agree to disagree. At times we can dismiss a Biblical conversation with, "we can agree to disagree" but when we merely react and apply that statement just to put a truce on a Biblical conversation, I find that the two parties divide and walk away without settling what the true Word of God is telling us.
I utilized the chat tool in this seminar, pm'd the host about the speaker and said I didn't agree with the speaker's doctrine on this subject but I couldn't speak directly to the speaker because though the ZOOM attendees were present, the speaker was a recording. lol! So I gave the host my email should this speaker decide to email me.
My point in this thread is Satan can use our disagreements to divide, hate and break down the bond and fellowship of believers, eventually hindering our personal Christian maturity.
Instead, test all who speak Scripturally, Biblically and check what people present in their teachings of the Word. Discuss it! Take notes, re-read the Scriptures and pray what God says and then ask Him to guide you in your continued discipleship and discussion. One way or another, God always reveals His Truth. The benefit here is God's Truth helps us grow as more effective disciples.
Psalm 26:2, 2 Prove me, O Lord, and try me; test my heart and my mind.
1 John 4:1, Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world.
1 Thessalonians 5:20-22, 20 Do not despise prophecies, 21 but test everything; hold fast what is good. 22 Abstain from every form of evil.
What are your thoughts?
God bless you all and your families.