Foreword to: No One Will Be “Left Behind” …But You Will Be Separated!
2 Corinthians 4:2
“But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God.”
Well might they have great sorrow of heart! So much love, so much sorrow, when the object of love is withdrawn. Judge, my Brethren, the joy which the bodily Presence of Christ would give to us this morning, and then you can tell how precious it must be. Have we not, some of us, been looking for years for the personal advent of Christ? We have lifted up our eyes in the morning and we have said, “Perhaps He will come this day.” And when the day has closed we have continued our watching in our sleepless hours and renewed our hopes with the rising of the sun. We longingly expect Him according to His promise. And like men who watch for their Lord, we stand with loins girt about waiting for His appearing.
We are looking for and hastening unto the Day of the Lord. This is the bright hope which cheers the Christian, the hope that the Savior shall descend to reign among His people gloriously. Suppose Him to appear suddenly on this platform now—how would you clap your hands! Why, the lame among you would, at the joy of His appearance, leap like a hart and even the dumb might sing for joy! The Presence of the Master! What rapture! Come quickly! Come quickly, Lord Jesus!” (Source: C. H. Spurgeon, #574 The Superlative Excellence Of The Holy Spirit No. 574, Delivered On Sunday Morning, June 12, 1864, at The Metropolitan Tabernacle, Newington.)
Dear Reader, the link at the end of this introduction will connect you to a commentary written by my wife. She spent many an hour praying and searching the scriptures for understanding and where there was question, she came to me for clarification and assistance in editing. It was a study we both grew in excitement as each question was answered. I fully support and agree with everything contained herein and believe we are both edified by having a deeper, and more importantly, clearer understanding on this topic.
There are other sources linked within the commentary which we highly suggest you take advantage of reading concerning this subject. It addresses how some have played games with God’s Word – for more than a century! Like all of the other work in discernment given to me, I have taken this one with the utmost seriousness and graveness of heart. In recent days there has been an increase of discussion from several mediums surrounding eschatology. Each one seems to claim to have all the answers but the ones standing out the most have been those pointing to an imminent rapture of the saints who escape a coming seven-year tribulation. While Independent Fundamental Baptists have a great deal right, what we have learned throws a stick in the spokes of the wheel and that cannot be ignored. As my readers are aware – I have not ignored sin in the camp of Independent Fundamental Baptists (or ones so-called). Some who claim to be IFB are/were comparable to the emerging church with its liars, false teachers and false prophets, so we started on a trek to learn and question what we believe and why. Following the path of scripture, its timeline, being very conscious to avoid cherry picking verses, and paying closer attention to the beginnings of where and when doctrines were taught, we came to the conclusion spelled out in the commentary.
Called the prince of Preachers, Charles Haddon Spurgeon has 53 different references of his using the word “rapture” or a form of it in all sermons I can find from him online. I quote Pastor Spurgeon (1834-92), because I know he was a man of great recognition in conservative and fundamental circles of Christianity who lived (Bio here). The point? Words do mean something, in not one of the references in Spurgeon’s published sermons is there a hint of “rapture” meaning some sort of escape from persecution and trials. If the rapture was such an important and popular doctrine why is there not one reference to it from Spurgeon? (More on Spurgeon’s eschatology) And why does Spurgeon if anything warn us about one of the key men who promoted that doctrine? My studies and my wife’s, required us to step back from what we have been taught, putting it under the same scrutiny of scripture we have put other doctrines we are told are Biblical. What we discovered was a shocking number of impurities, like the dross removed from gold, but oh how it shines clear now! We realize what we share here may not go over well with many who we call friend and brother/sister in Christ. Reader, are you willing to face the refiner’s fire? If you are one who believes the doctrine of the pretribulational rapture, please approach it with the attitude that the truth never fears examination!
The word rapture used to be an everyday word uttered to describe an emotion of excitement, pleasure, great joy, etc. Over time it has been equated to mean caught up. You may ask what difference it makes whether the word(s) rapture or caught up is used when referring to Jesus’ return? It makes a great deal of difference because the word rapture does not appear in the Bible directly or indirectly and the proof is in the definition for those who would argue that this word is synonymous with caught up. My question is, why is it necessary to replace simple wording needing no clarification to understand with something else? (Kathy Beardsley, No One Will Be “Left Behind” …But You Will Be Separated! Don’t ‘Get Caught Up’ In The Rapture)
Words do mean something and the source of just over a century popularizing this redefinition of rapture we believe comes out of duplicity and deceit. It primarily originates from two men most Bible believing Christians should reject – due to their aberrant teachings and backgrounds! What disturbs us is these two men in particular have been given a pass for far too long in Christian fundamental, evangelical and conservative circles. Click on the links in the commentary to access the documented public record exposing them for who they really were.
The acceptance of these two men and the doctrines they popularized, among other false teachings came at the expense of what is sound.
“Why, the lame among you would, at the joy of His appearance, leap like a hart and even the dumb might sing for joy! The Presence of the Master! What rapture! Come quickly! Come quickly, Lord Jesus!” (Spurgeon, 1864)
“To be embraced by those Divine arms—rapture begins at the very mention of it!”
(Spurgeon, 1859)
These quotes and others are what the word ‘rapture’ means to my wife and I! May you find the joy and peace of mind we have found through the simplicity of God’s Word without all the confusing and complex teachings of prophecy taught today! Continue to:
No One Will Be “Left Behind”
…But You Will Be Separated!
1 Peter 1:7
That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:
John A. Beardsley III
2 Cor 10:5 / 1 Pe 1:22
A Universe By Chance Or Design?
Feeling big? Consider Him who made the Universe! This picture will redefine a starry night, each light a galaxy with billions of stars. If this does not leave you in awe of God, it is one more reason you will be without excuse come judgment day.
For more on Creation versus Evolution here is another timely article from Apprising Ministries as well:
Dr. John Morris: Creation Happened Not Long Ago
And something from me I hope is a blessing:
Hello!? Is Anybody Out There?
Genesis 15:5
“And he brought him forth abroad, and said, Look now toward heaven, and tell the stars, if thou be able to number them: and he said unto him, So shall thy seed be.”
Here are some deep thoughts: Is the universe bigger then what we can see? Are we short-sighted? Yes! Our eyes and telescopes are too weak to see how big the universe is. Do you believe God created what we call the universe? Or do you think these galaxies just exploded into existence from nothing? Or is the universe much smaller than we know and God much greater than we understand? Are there only three dimensions or do realms exist beyond human comprehension?
Could our lack of vision of all creation, only allow us to see a small part of what’s “out there?” These questions and many more go through the minds of some in this day that science fails to explain how vast the known universe is.
So many look at themselves as the center of the universe, truly an example of how empty humans are when looking into the vastness of space, — demonstrating the feeble human condition on the intellectual level!
So many are willing to believe and even conclude that there IS alien life “out there” not acknowledging the distances you must travel that must defy all understanding of time and space to reach them or for them to reach us, — otherwise it would take thousands of years!
Back to reality from the “world” of science fiction, to date there is still no proof AT ALL of life “out there” yet in spite of that science fiction movies abound to fill that gap in our hearts and minds. The fact is without God, you must make a giant leap of faith —Science fiction is putting faith where there is no hope. But don’t tell the “UFO-ologists” that! (Those are the real kooks chasing Unidentified Flying Objects for a reason for life)
If there is any truth to UFOs this verse gives you the source, Satan!
Ephesians 2:2
“Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:”
This shouldn’t surprise you if you read your Bible what better way to deceive the masses!!!
2 Thessalonians 2:9
“Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders,”
Today’s science fiction is more a false religion and fantasy revealing a truth of the human condition, — without God in the picture of the universe, visible and invisible the universe is indeed a very, very large empty place! The day has come reader, I have to tell you, the force is NOT with you! I realize I just dashed to bits another childhood dream but better learning it here then learning the truth before God!
Romans 1:20-22
“For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools,”
How desperately we seek to find something to hope in, something to have faith in, instead of seeking the face of God who made the universe!
The size of the universe should boggle the mind of any rationale human being. From the smallest particles to the biggest objects visible in the cosmos. On Earth, from the simplest life form, to the human being. Frankly, I am aghast that any human can really believe that it is all “by chance.” Or other ridiculous notions that we were “planted” here by some alien race! Where’s the proof? It doesn’t exist except in vain and foolish minds, who seek to deny the existence of God. We have indeed become fools if we deny there was even a creator “God.”
Psalms 53:1
The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. Corrupt are they, and have done abominable iniquity: there is none that doeth good.
Are we foolish enough to blindly leap in faith that there is some benevolent alien being out there watching over Earth affairs that’s keeping us from destroying it?
Do we grasp and live by the concept that the universe is just part of some greater “circle of life” expanding and contracting over and over — and has always been in existence?
Dr. Stan Swinney, (a real) retired NASA scientist (designer of the space shuttle cockpit, the laser technology in guided smart bombs, and many other things), describes this amazing number as follows:
“If a man could count 20 numbers per second, it would take 100 million billion years to count the known stars.”
Psalm 147:4-5
“He telleth the number of the stars; he calleth them all by their names. Great is our Lord, and of great power: his understanding is infinite.”
Even the atheist and humanist cannot fully grasp the size of the universe and neither can this writer. So how can we be so arrogant to deny the possibility that there is a God who created everything? —This is the same argument used by those who put stock in the alien theories! Couldn’t it be that all we see was created to point to a God of infinite wisdom and power?! Can we honestly say we know enough to deny the existence of God? — How much knowledge is enough? Our science only can grasp the most basic items of the world, yet we pretend we have the answers to life?! Science changes almost daily on topics like evolution, even those who believe evolution cannot agree on all pertinent aspects! How absurd to demand people believe evolution is true then!
II Peter 3: 3-13
“Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts, And saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation. For this they willingly are ignorant of, that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of the water and in the water: Whereby the world that then was, being overflowed with water, perished: But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men. But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up. Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness, Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat? Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.”
Matthew 24:29
“Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken:”
Here’s a thought for these science fiction followers to chew on. Put verses like the ones above into the mix and imagine what could, make the “elements shall melt with fervent heat,” “And the stars shall fall from heaven.” Could it be what we are witnessing in the “cosmos” is our future destruction? Could the phenomena of “Black Holes” be the hand of God holding back the destruction foretold in scriptures? Or some other thing in space? Perhaps. The world seems to love a good horror movie and one day its going to get horror in full color as it happens to them!
Consider this: Is it easier to believe that there is a God out there who created all things OR that everything is “by chance?” What are you going to put your faith in? Now using logic, if you believe there is a God out there didn’t He go to a lot of trouble to create everything? Is it not sound reasoning to think that He may have provided some form of communication with us? — This isn’t too far fetched compared to those supposed “alien” contacts our scientists search for!!! Test what the Bible teaches, search its truth for yourself and see what a great God has done! When you do, you find Him to be true! Many great men and women have made this discovery when they sought to challenge the scriptures but instead of revealing a lie, they found a Creator and Savior! Don’t let your finite mind deceive you into thinking there is no God, pray that your eyes would be opened to the truth today!
Hebrews 8:1
“Now of the things which we have spoken this is the sum: We have such an high priest, who is set on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens;”
— He made the universe, is there any task too small or too great for Him? My “universe” got a whole lot bigger and brighter the day Jesus Christ became my Savior, my Lord and my God! I am empty no more!
Revised 7/17/99
Dr. Gerry Breshears Endorses Evangelical Polytheist Pastor John Mark Comer
I am aghast of what I watched and listened to thanks to a link on Apprising Ministries alerting to a church, a large one, promoting polytheism – that there is more than one God!I listened to each video, this guy I believe is way off base! The implosion of what is called Evangelical Christianity continues as a church called Solid Rock sinks onto the shifting sand of the world.
Comer, “Gods have power…” Plural!? NO! There is NO OTHER GOD! “Pastor” John Mark Comer and Dr. Gerry Breshears, repent or give up calling yourself Christian! There is but ONE GOD! Don’t forget another name for Him – JEALOUS! Exodus 34:14 For thou shalt worship no other god: for the LORD, whose name [is] Jealous, [is] a jealous God:
It does not take a degree in theology to see how wrong this is. If this is the direction of one church representing 7,000!? if I read right, that is really bad! I hope that number drops dramatically with what has been shown and people start to read their Bibles and come out from among teachers such as these. Polytheistic Christians indeed!
John Beardsley
Part 2 – Is The Harbinger a Dangerous Fiction or In Essence Non-Fiction for America’s Future!?
Is The Harbinger a Dangerous Fiction or In Essence Non-Fiction for America’s Future!? Part 2
My growing opinion regarding the book, The Harbinger part 1 is here and now for part 2. It is not unlike other dangerous fictions such as The Shack, Left Behind series, and This Present Darkness. It appears if you publish a book in Christian circles, “poof!” you are now an expert in eschatology, or spiritual warfare or… you name it! No recantation here, strengthening the argument and warning against it. The Harbinger by inferring and implying the prophecies of Isaiah 9:10-11 crosses the lines of false prophecies I have objected to here at Truth with Snares blog in the past.
The author Jonathan Cahn cleverly rides the fence with a fictional-nonfiction, and after reading his objections to criticism that they have it all wrong about The Harbinger on a variety of points (some discussed later), and that his associations with Charisma magazine and others are misplaced or misguided attempts to attack his person. How did that old commercial go? Sorry Charlie, that’s not good tasting tuna!
The indisputable arguments Cahn cannot answer is calling what he has presented as “real” meaning the prophecies and their judgments are for America today but at the same time fiction that they can apply to both or any, Israel then America and then fill in the blank. While at the same time placing such an emphasis on Israel and America being the only countries in a covenant with God — or America not being in covenant, Cahn hazes that over pretty well in my opinion – I will explain later please continue reading.
Much like we witness with the emergent crowd, Cahn muddles the fiction and nonfiction but here is the rub, he goes to the crowd of TBN and 700 Club among others to present the message. These groups love his message! Why!? Because they live and breathe for dreams, visions signs and wonders! The oft use material that is extrabiblical! Maybe if Cahn was only using his friends at the Rapture Ready site (a pretribulational/discernment site that openly endorses The Harbinger) to post his defenses and promote his material would his arguments have a smidgen of plausibility, not the case he uses whatever medium is available. Ok, perhaps there are some offers Cahn has turned down he mentions the offers to make a movie.
As for Rapture Ready and their posts recommending The Harbinger? I pray they wake up to what they have said and done, it is foolhardy at best. If there are other endorsers of The Harbinger as Cahn alleges of conservative Biblical backgrounds and scholarly notoriety, oh please post the list! Let us see who is chosen your line and reeled it in hook, line and sinker!!
Next point, I will clear the muddied waters, if you watch Sid Roth with his show, It’s Supernatural!, as he introduces Jonathan Cahn comparing him to the “prophet” David Wilkerson who for years had been prophesying judgment against America but now that God has raised up Cahn as “standing on the prophet David Wilkerson’s shoulders” with the same prophetic word! And the same results,
Roth emphasizes “this is the word” the SAME WORDS as from Wilkerson but commends Cahn for saying the SAME things with clarity,
“…you have brought clarity to it that anyone can understand”
Then at 2:45 minutes into part 1 of this interview, Cahn follows Roth’s introduction without correcting him that he is not a “prophet” and I quote:
“Yeah, the amazing thing is he said it the week after 9/11 and it wasn’t because he was seeing these things it just came to him from the Lord, and he said this is the word. I also at that time I prayed it, I got it, and didn’t realize what it meant, and then it started unfolding and with precision exactly so, from 9/11 to now, the stages of judgment and it begins with, and here’s the pattern also with ancient Israel we’re following the same pattern…”
So this is the SAME PROPHETIC WORD, this is not saying it is fiction, Cahn aligned this to America and 9/11 and it is the book The Harbinger being used as a literary device and connected by Cahn’s own words. Others such as Jerry Falwell and Pat Robertson did so publicly, and later to their shame backed away from their statements. So now it is ok? The 2012 book The Harbinger whether or not it says it outright, Cahn did so in at least this interview that we (America) are following the same pattern of judgment starting with 9/11 the World Trade Center attacks!
This is not only saying it is a pattern – but a PROPHETIC WORD anyone seeing that?
At this point, this is speaking for God and no man has the right to do so UNLESS it is God directing him and that is how Cahn appears to me. Based on the introduction by Sid Roth alone on his show It’s Supernatural! in September 2011, lauding Cahn with the praise as a prophet that God has raised up, and praise of the clarity Cahn has brought to the SAME PROPHETIC WORD as Wilkerson. – that is not implying, inferring, or ‘in essence’ saying something but a statement of belief. If Cahn wants to deny The Harbinger is real, he did not say it, he accepted the introduction as being a prophet of God, he speaks as being a prophet of God, and proclaims it as being real.
Cahn cannot have it both ways, and I state based on this he has violated scriptures in more than one way. The Harbinger is fiction but paired together with Cahn’s statements, forms a pattern of false prophecy because its “prophet” in the book is the author (Cahn) talking to himself using that literary device to propagate his prophetic word. It is hard not to be redundant (because they are in the interview) in stating this and it is needed to untangle and untwist what is going on here. I believe it is deception, whether or not it is deliberate I leave to God in prayer!
I believe Cahn explicitly ignores the Bible, God’s warning regarding the dangers and deceitfulness of dreams and visions (Jer. 23:25-32; 27:9-10). And that no prophecy is of private interpretation 2 Peter 1:20 says, “Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation.”
Next, comparing the popular use of 2 Chronicles 7:14, as being directed to America as a Christian nation (or in Cahn’s own words “founded and dedicated to God from its inception”) to Cahn’s use of Isaiah 9:10-11:
“If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.” 2 Chronicles 7:14
Many pointing to this verse are equating Israel and America not merely saying this is a verse in principle that we as a nation need to repent of wickedness, but like Pat Robertson (700 Club) among others mean it as a reconstructionists and dominionists. Cahn can deny it all day long but the 700 Club is one of the more notable stages used for selling his book, and Robertson is well-known as a reconstructionist that Bible believing Christians should avoid and repudiate as a teacher of error. So was and is our country a Christian nation? Is it the new Israel as it was founded? Cahn also likes to remind his readers and listeners of that as well in order to use a host of Old Testament scriptures to prop up his prophetic word. Frankly, his use of Isaiah 9:10-11 is far more abstract and removed from the thinking he goes to such great lengths to use then simply using 2 Chronicles but I believe he is saying “in essence” the same thing. What follows is from the site I maintain that addresses this directly and more reasons why it is so very wrong to follow Cahn’s leading and believe his strong objection to criticism here is why:
(I keep this in context as best possible giving as complete a quote of Cahn possible) From: The Harbinger: Jonathan Cahn Responds To T.A McMahon, Central Confusion #1: What The Harbinger Does and Does Not Say
“…The Harbinger never declares that America is in covenant with God It does note that America’s founders did believe this, did consecrate it to God, and did establish the nation after the pattern of ancient Israel. This becomes of note in view of America’s following in the same pattern of Israel’s apostasy and, now, in the appearing of the signs and warnings of its judgment as revealed in The Harbinger – Thus God can use that pattern to speak to such a nation. But even if The Harbinger had asserted the idea as fact, which it does not, none of the mysteries or revelations within the book are dependent on any such premise. Thus this central charge is groundless.”
“…The Harbinger never says that Isaiah was prophesying of America, or that the Shemitah was for America, etc. etc. What it does say is very different – namely that this ancient pattern of judgment is now recurring in America, and in a stunningly precise way – and that God is able to use such patterns and signs to warn America, a nation in rapid moral spiritual apostasy and in danger of judgment.”
So because Cahn believes that America’s founders did consecrate the nation to God that we are under a set of Biblical rules just like Israel as some sort of Christian nation? Yes, God can use whatever pattern he wishes but there is not a precedence of Biblical support for this nor is what Cahn says about the nation’s founders accurate. Cahn slices this both ways, on one hand saying the The Harbinger doesn’t say America is in a covenant with God but on the speaking circuit, just listen to the Sid Roth video mentioned earlier – go listen and decide for yourself but what is presented is presented as a real a prophetic word. Even if the book doesn’t say it, through means of alleged prophecy Cahn is saying it! I can give the benefit of a doubt to Cahn up to a point but Cahn doesn’t get it, and appears blind that his critics have demonstrated fundamental flaws in his defense and misapplication of scriptures.
As for history showing America as a Christian nation:
When the Continental Congress drafted the Declaration of Independence and later, the Congress formed under the Articles of Confederation drafted the Constitution of the United States of America, no mention was made of Jesus Christ. Rather, the only references to deity in the Declaration of Independence were to “God”; none are in the Constitution. In fact, many of the framers of these documents were anti-Christian, being comprised of Masons and deists of many persuasions.
God does not enter into covenants that do not invoke the name of His Son, so there exists no covenant between the Father and the federal government of the United States, or with any state government. Had the constitutions of all these governments, including the federal government, named faith in Jesus Christ as the principle criterion for holding any elective or appointed office, this would have had to be done in the name of Jesus Christ with full understanding of the true Biblical character of His role as Savior and Lord. This the founders of this nation of sovereign states failed to do.
It is apparent that the Western European influences that shaped America were part of what had become known as “Christendom.” But a culture based on the idea of “Christendom” does not of itself constitute a culture based on Scripture or an inviolable covenant with God. The history of Christendom is an ugly history fraught with tyranny and the enslavement of those who are less “enlightened.” If God gave the knowledge and means to subdue the earth and take dominion in the name of Jesus Christ, then that privilege has been terribly abused. If, on the other hand, Satan gave that knowledge and means, his purposes have certainly been accomplished. The fruit of Western Civilization, in spite of its enlightened accomplishments, demonstrates that no attempt to institute the Kingdom of God on earth before Jesus returns can succeed. So the idea of a covenant between America and God is pure fantasy.
Nevertheless, the “Christian America” myth lives on. We again return to the previous question: If America was truly founded as an explicitly Christian nation (as is continually proclaimed by “Christian” activists such as James Dobson, Pat Robertson, D. James Kennedy, Chuck Colson, Tim and Beverly LaHaye, Jerry Falwell, Bill Gothard, etc.), then why do we find no mention whatsoever of Jesus Christ in America’s founding documents? — not in the Declaration of Independence nor in the Constitution of the United States! In fact, the Constitution does not even make a single reference to God! (When Alexander Hamilton was asked why the Constitution fails to mention God, he allegedly replied, “We forgot.”) And the reference to God in the Declaration of Independence is merely “Nature’s God,” a God that is vague and subordinated to natural laws that everyone should know through common sense, i.e., “self-evident” truths. Moreover, the Bible is never mentioned nor alluded to in either document! Nor is God or Jesus Christ mentioned in the hundreds of pages of the Federalist Papers (the “working documents” of the founding fathers). In fact, the United States was the first Western Nation to omit explicitly Christian symbolism, such as the cross, from its flag and other national symbols.
Further incidental evidence of the founders’ own views is the statement from a treaty with the Islamic nation of Tripoli in 1797. This treaty was negotiated under Washington, ratified by the Senate, and signed by President John Adams. The telling part is a description of religion in America:
“As the government of the United States of America is not in any sense founded on the Christian Religion — as it has in itself no character of enmity against the laws, religion or tranquility of Musselmen [i.e., Muslims] …, it is declared by the parties that no pretext arising from religious opinions shall ever produce an interruption of the harmony existing between the two countries” (The Search for Christian America, p. 131).
Strange stuff for a nation that some like to say was founded as a “Christian” nation! Strange stuff, indeed! But myths die hard, if ever. (Source: Biblical Discernment Ministries)
In closing, we do not need The Harbinger to tell us what is wrong and that we are ALL deserving of judgment but in Christ Jesus there is a Savior by His grace and mercy! As for harbingers, the Apostle Paul said, in 2 Timothy 3:13, But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived. This has not changed! Cahn’s special interpretation is a distraction with endless analogies with the bombing of the World Trade Center and finding some message from God in it, it is ridiculous to speculate in that matter what was done was evil and evil continues to grow on this Earth. I find it hard to resist at this point saying this, Cahn. ‘cannot see the forest because of the trees,’ his Biblical connections/analogies with the harbingers and trees to me were laughable – if he were not serious! Those parts were more than a stretch and are blown away by closer examination I read by David James The Harbinger: Fact or Fiction?
Consider this instead, my observation of people who call themselves Christian today are constantly grabbing onto whatever comes along like the list of books I mentioned in my opening. So many Christians are reaching to extrabiblical resources, not relying on the sufficiency of scriptures but instead supplanting it with whatever book comes out, whatever some popular leader says and especially if someone is talking about prophecy. Do we need a harbinger? Here is one that doesn’t need a special interpretation or prophetic word,
1 Peter 4:17 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?
Judge yourselves now if you are indeed in Christ Jesus! If you are one who is carried away by every wind that blows, every fad, and host of other things people tag as being Christian and compare them to the Bible. If you are like that by definition you are an unstable Christian! Time for introspection in the mirror holding your beliefs to what the Bible says versus what you feel to be true. Since we are talking about some Old Testament verses and prophets consider Elijah in 1Kings 18:21, “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.” Give that a New Testament Christian application, are you relying on men or God? You can draw endless analogies, prophetic ideologies (like The Harbinger) and beat yourself senseless trying to figure it all out or just rely on the unadulterated pure and Holy Word of God, trust the Bible not men or women! Learn what it means to rightly divide the Word of God but you have to do it by faith in Christ the gift of God.
Mark and avoid the snares! There are a lot of them the Bible warns us repeatedly of false prophets and teachers here in closing through the Apostle Peter as well,
2 Peter 2:1-3 “But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction. And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of. And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not.”
Is the The Harbinger another book fitting this category? I do not claim to know Cahn’s heart but believe him to be a false prophet and teacher when weighing what he emphatically teaches not only through his fictional-nonfiction but listening and comparing what he is saying to scriptures.
I hope this continues to help some of my readers and awakens others that because a book is popular does not mean it is good for a Christian!
John Beardsley – Truth With Snares
2Co 10:5 Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;
1Pe 1:22 Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, [see that ye] love one another with a pure heart fervently:
Links to more warnings:
The Harbinger-A Matter of Critical Discernment
Is The Harbinger Fact or Fiction?
Not a reference to my other articles on The Harbinger but another tidbit in the news I expect to see some general kooky superstition injected into with all the talk of prophecy in Christian circles.
The arrival later this year of the Comet Ison that was recently discovered, at a point later this year they said it could be as bright as the full moon as it burns up in our sun. Should be interesting!
Here is the report on Space.com:
Dazzling Comet of 2013 May Be Among Brightest Ever Seen
Is The Harbinger a Dangerous Fiction or In Essence Non-Fiction for America’s Future!?
Is The Harbinger a Dangerous Fiction or In Essence Non-Fiction for America’s Future!?
My opinion, The Harbinger not unlike other dangerous fictions such as The Shack, Left Behind series, and others such as This Present Darkness book reviews linked here. It appears if you publish a book in Christian circles, “poof!” you are now an expert in eschatology, or spiritual warfare or… you name it! I believe The Harbinger by Jonathan Cahn is just another in the pile of dung being heaped on Christians making merchandise of them soothing those itching ears rather than adhering to the Word of God.
Cahn argues that the verses in Isaiah 9:10-11 set a pattern for what America is seeing today even if it is, it does not justify the publication of this book along with its study book and DVD. Like Peretti’s This Present Darkness, Cahn blends in enough truth (90% according to him) into his work and to show in essence this is what we are seeing in America today.
Cahn says this among other things,
“The Harbinger reveals that this is not just a feeling but a precise biblical phenomenon that lies behind everything from 9/11 to the collapse of the American economy, taking place literally before our eyes and holding the secret to our nation’s future.” (Cahn, p4 Harbinger Study Guide)
I must disagree in the strongest terms with Cahn what I see is his private interpretation supplanting and using scripture to sell his fiction or should we call it his ‘fictional nonfiction.’ This is part of why I see The Harbinger not only as dangerous but also heretical. There is much more to say but to any Bible believing Christian – beware! I do not recommend this book but I condemn it for the confusion it has caused and continues to cause. I also condemn the actions being taken legally against other Christians that have objectively sought to warn others of the dangerous teachings compared to the light of scriptures.
The Harbinger, going beyond what I see as badly twisting scriptures to make a buck off of believers, appears as just another tool of the kookier side of things promoting mysticism (blending dreams with reality). Seeing Cahn’s associations with Charisma Magazine (together with he is threatening the author David James with a lawsuit), his being welcomed by the TBN crowd including Benny Hinn, and others… you can tell a lot with the birds he is flying! Need more!?
If you want to know more details warning against the use of The Harbinger in matters of what the Bible teaches, I offer you several links below:
The Harbinger-A Matter of Critical Discernment http://www.thebereancall.org/content/harbinger-matter-critical-discernment
Is The Harbinger Fact or Fiction? http://apprising.org/2012/07/15/is-the-harbinger-fact-or-fiction/
The Harbinger A Review and Commentary http://herescope.blogspot.com/2012/06/harbinger.html
What’s Wrong with The Harbinger‘s “Ancient Mystery”? http://www.crossroad.to/articles2/2012/harbinger.htm
I hope this helps some of my readers and awakens others that because a book is popular does not mean it is good for a Christian!
John Beardsley – Truth With Snares
2Co 10:5 Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;
1Pe 1:22 Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, [see that ye] love one another with a pure heart fervently:
