Global Warming and the End of the World
Global Warming and the End of the World
C. W. Fincher
While watching one of my favorite science programs (Nova) on my local Public Broadcasting Stations (PBS), I began to wonder as the program progressed about the end of the world as told to us in the pages of the Holy Scriptures. Who do we believe, science or the Bible?
This particular episode of Nova was entitled, Warnings from the Ice [1] and dealt with questions about the Antarctic ice caps and ice shelves and if they would melt entirely due to the effects of global warming.
As I sat there listening to them give us all sort of facts and figures, dates past and future and the possible outcome of things caused by the actions of mankind upon our environment, I had to laugh at them!
Not mockingly, but in a humorous manner because my question to these educated, well meaning people who have devoted their lives to this cause is this, “Have you read the one book that holds all of the answers to your questions, the Bible?”
I make no claim to know their spiritual relationship with Jesus Christ and Him being the only true way to get to Heaven. Maybe if they had read the Bible, and believed it, they might have not spent so much effort into chasing their tail, the reality is that we do not have tails, as some would propose our (their) ancestors did!
Allow me to offer you two suppositions and their sub-components as I move on with my thoughts.
1. The literal interpretation of scripture
a. 24 hour day as recorded in the book of Genesis
2. Young Earth Theory
a. Definition of the word “generation”
b. Why the genealogies of Christ can be used to help date the Earth
Many of you who have read a few of my other manuscripts [2] that have dealt with the manner in which I interpret scripture will know that I stand fast on my convictions.
The Bible makes it clear that all scripture is to be interpreted in the literal, historical and grammatical manner, any time that an allegory is used, it clearly lets the reader know before the passage is given.
Mr. Charles C. Ryrie in his book, Basic Theology, goes into great detail about matters of biblical interpretation. [3] I highly encourage you find a copy of this book; he offers many helpful insights to things we often take for granted.
J. Dwight Pentecost in his book Things to Come [4]was required reading while I was in Bible College. I can honestly say that at the time I did not like reading his material! I felt that he was to long winded, why could he not keep his thoughts short?
Little did I know that it wasn’t long after I had finished the class where he was the required reading, I found out that he was not long winded, but there was just much to say, and that it took that many words to get it said!
The first four chapters get the reader off to a running start 1)methods of interpretation,2) history of interpretation, 3)general consideration in interpretation and 4)interpretation of prophecy) before he goes into the weightier subjects of the covenants of God and eschatology, (the study of last things).[5]
Okay, we have established the correct method of scriptural interpretation; let’s move on to the first baseball game, Genesis 1:1 “In the big inning. . .”
Whoa! Wrong topic!
Does the creation account as found in Genesis 1:5-31 compose a twenty-four hour day or does it compose long periods of time, thus making a way to blend science with theology?
Are the millions and billions of years the scientific community speaks of a mere outward sign that they have rejected the one true authority on all matters, past, present and future?
While I enjoy science, I have a low tolerance for their systems of measuring the past!
I use Eliyah.com [**]frequently when studying; it is a faster way of searching for words, then I use my hard cover Hebrew-Greek Study Bible to learn the parts of speech and other things that I need to form a conclusion. They have a lexicon as part of their site that has proven itself most valuable during my studies.
In their site, the word for day is “yowm” pronounced yome number 3117 in the Strong’s Lexicon; I will quote the definition of the word day,
“3117 yowm yome from an unused root meaning to be hot; a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an associated term), (often used adverb):--age, + always, + chronicles, continually(-ance), daily, ((birth-), each, to) day, (now a, two) days (agone), + elder, X end, + evening, + (for) ever(-lasting, -more), X full, life, as (so) long as (... live), (even) now, + old, + outlived, + perpetually, presently, + remaineth, X required, season, X since, space, then, (process of) time, + as at other times, + in trouble, weather, (as) when, (a, the, within a) while (that), X whole (+ age), (full) year(-ly), + younger.” [6]
Nowhere in this definition does it mention that a day is more than the worldwide held view that a day has twenty-four hours, (while there might be a variation of a few microseconds when one uses advanced computers and atomic clocks to measure time,) the average person living on earth knows this principal to be true.
I took just a moment to look up the origins of Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance; here are the key points.
Written by James Strong, (1822-1894) and about one hundred other contributors, first published in 1890, the compilers left room in the numbering system to allow room for the possibly that other word forms may be found or that they may have missed something.
These points are important because for the last one hundred and twenty one years, untold amounts of people have used this book to research the Hebrew and Greek languages, most that have used it are not native speakers of these two languages, yet they did so with confidence in the scholarship of the team employed by Mr. Strong!
Now that we have established what is meant by the word “day” as found in Genesis, which opens up in my mind the next thought about the age of the earth, how old is the earth?
Since none of us were there, how can we be certain of its age?
I am a strong believer that the earth is young, about six thousand years old, not billions, as some want you to believe.
Because the earth was created in six, twenty-four hour time periods, to figure the age of the earth is now a mathematical problem! Given a little help, the average elementary school student can come to the same conclusion that I will come to here in just a bit.
First, we must define the word “generation” as used to describe the time period between when an adult has children.
Generation as defined by Encarta Diction: English (North America) as found installed in Microsoft Office Home and Student 2007 program is:
“1) group of contemporaries: all of the people who were born at approximately the same time, considered as a group, and especially when considered as having shared interests and attitudes; 2) stage in descent: a single stage in the descent of a family or a group of people, animals, or plants, or the individual members of that stage; 3) time to produce a new generation: the period of time that it takes for people, animals, or plants to grow up and produce their own offspring, in humans held to be between 30 and 35 years; 4) particular generation in sequence: a particular numbered stage in the sequence of generations of a person being identified with a particular characteristic”
Okay, I have used a lot of words, now what?
Depending on what web site you go to for information, I have found that the average length of a generation was anywhere from 22–25 years on the low end of the scale, to as high as 30-35 years with 33 years being an average. In the case of my own family, 34 is correct because I was 34 when my daughter was born.
The next component of the mathematical equation can be found in the Gospels of Matthew and Luke, the dreaded genealogy chapters! (Insert your own ghoulish mad man laugh here.)
We have before us (as I type this, I am hearing in my head the voice of Rod Serling as he introduces the Twilight Zone Television program) some of the hardest reading within the pages of the Bible for most people.
It’s not that it is hard to read, maybe it is because our English speaking tongues find it hard to pronounce those strange names, or that we do not understand the importance of knowing about these long departed people?
Knowing these names doesn’t help me come to a saving knowledge of Jesus, or help me to walk the Christian life or comfort me when my soul is troubled. For me they are a source of wonder as I attempt to measure the age of the earth!
Matthew begins his book with these words, “The book of the generation of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham.” Mt. 1:1
There is no doubt about what we are about to read! It is as if a scroll has been opened up and the kings herald is about to make an important announcement! In this case, it is about the ancestors of the King of Glory, Jesus Christ who is about to be born to earthly parents, Joseph and Mary, sinners by the sin of our father and mother, Adam and Eve!
As you come to verse 17, pay attention, you will find the piece of the equation we are building that will help us find the age of the earth.
Mt. 1:17 “So all the generations from Abraham to David [are] fourteen {14} generations; and from David until the carrying away into Babylon [are] fourteen {14} generations; and from the carrying away into Babylon unto Christ [are] fourteen {14} generations.”
In this account, we have a total of 42 generations from Abraham to the birth of Christ.
In Luke, we have recorded for us the priestly ancestry of Jesus from Mary’s side of the family.
Lk 3:23, 38, “And Jesus himself began to be about thirty years of age, being (as was supposed) the son of Joseph, which was [the son] of Heli. . . Which was [the son] of Enos, which was [the son] of Seth, which was [the son] of Adam, which was [the son] of God.”
If you count the names listed in this record you will find 76 names, starting with Joseph going backwards in time to God.
I have been trying to construct a mathematical equation to come up with the answer to my belief that the earth is about six thousand years old. I have failed! When I input the numbers into the equation, I end up about four thousand years short of what other scholars have concluded.
The material presented is worth the consideration, though I feel I may have wasted your time reading it if it cannot be used to make my point. I will leave it intact because it does fit into the theme of this paper, just do not use my math skills to evaluate my writing skills!
I write for the “common man”, using simple tools to reach my conclusions, by common I mean the average believer who has not gone to Bible college or seminary, but has faithfully followed God through the reading of the Bible, and sat under the teachings of many great men and women of God.
I will now have to rely on these scholars to assist me in making my point about a young earth. I know very little about these men, only that their material seems to be correct, as I understand the subject.
The Northwest Creation Network, located in Lynnwood, Washington offers many helpful resources. I have found their web site most useful in this study.[7]
On their web site I found a link to an article entitled, It's a Young World After All!! [8] The article goes into great detail about the age of the earth as based upon scripture. For those of you who learn best with pictures and charts (myself included), this site is for you!
I challenge you to draw your own conclusions with regard to this topic, I have become bogged down trying to make my point and I need to move on to the meat of the matter, what is global warming and what does scripture say about our future?
First, what is global warming? As defined by Dictionary.com, it is; “an increase in the earth's average atmospheric temperature that causes corresponding changes in climate and that may result from the greenhouse effect.” [9]
Okay, that is rather straightforward concept that we all can grasp. Let us look now at a brief history taken from a book written by Spencer R. Weart, entitled, The Discovery of Global Warming. [10]
Let me use the web sits own words to describe what the book is about.
“The Discovery of Global Warming, the book, is a compact 200-page summary of what I learned from my research for this Website, woven into a single narrative. It begins as a sort of detective story, describing how a few scientists got obsessed with the mysteries of climate change. By the end it has become an epic tale where entire governments, national publics, and communities of scientists press upon one another.” [11]
I will provide just a few examples taken from Mr. Weart’s book.
“Timeline (Milestones)
Here are gathered in chronological sequence the most important events in the history of climate change science.
1800-1870
Level of carbon dioxide gas (CO2) in the atmosphere, as later measured in ancient ice, is about 290 ppm (parts per million).
Mean global temperature (1850-1870) is about 13.6°C. [56.48°]
First Industrial Revolution. Coal, railroads, and land clearing speed up greenhouse gas emission, while better agriculture and sanitation speed up population growth.
1870-1910
Second Industrial Revolution. Fertilizers and other chemicals, electricity, and public health further accelerate growth.
1930s
Global warming trend since late 19th century reported.
Milankovitch proposes orbital changes as the cause of ice ages.
1958
Telescope studies show a greenhouse effect raises temperature of the atmosphere of Venus far above the boiling point of water.
1970
First Earth Day. Environmental movement attains strong influence, spreads concern about global degradation.
Creation of US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the world's leading funder of climate research.
Aerosols from human activity are shown to be increasing swiftly. Bryson claims they counteract global warming and may bring serious cooling.
1991
Mt. Pinatubo explodes; Hansen predicts cooling pattern, verifying (by 1995) computer models of aerosol effects.
Global warming skeptics claim that 20th-century temperature changes followed from solar influences. (The solar-climate correlation would fail in the following decade.)
2003
Numerous observations raise concern that collapse of ice sheets (West Antarctica, Greenland) can raise sea levels faster than most had believed.
Deadly summer heat wave in Europe accelerates divergence between European and US public opinion.
2009
Many experts warn that global warming is arriving at a faster and more dangerous pace than anticipated just a few years earlier.
Excerpts from stolen e-mails of climate scientists fuel public skepticism.
Copenhagen conference fails to negotiate binding agreements: end of hopes of avoiding dangerous future climate change.
Level of CO2 in the atmosphere reaches 385 ppm (parts per million).
Mean global temperature (five-year average) is 14.5°C, [58.1°] the warmest in hundreds, and probably thousands of years.” [12]
From reading this, it is hard for me to believe that we as “ants” upon the surface of such a large planet can have such an effect upon our environment that would cause a rise in the air temperature, thereby melting the ice in remote locations!
Yet as I watch the various nature and science programs on PBS, I see that the ice and snow of the different glaciers is indeed melting at an apparently accelerated rate, but how do we know the difference between “normal” and “accelerated”?
Because we believe that God created the heavens and the earth as told in the narrative of Genesis 1, could He not have designed the temperature to rise at this time in history in preparation for what we as created beings call “the end of world”?
Living along the spine of central Florida, I do not fear a rise in sea level, maybe my now land locked house and its low value will increase once it becomes ocean front property!
For those of us who have studied the book of Revelation, the subject of global warming and the judgments of God go hand in hand.
That time period will be a time of great natural disaster, just this week as I am writing this paper the United States has seen four earthquakes, (two on either coast), Hurricane Irene getting ready to hit the eastern seaboard in a few days.
The various judgments upon unrepentant mankind can be found starting in Revelation 6, 8, 9, 10:13-11:19 and 15-16:21.
The one judgment that came to my mind when watching the Nova program can be found in Rev. 16:8, 9. “And the fourth angel poured out his vial upon the sun; and power was given unto him to scorch men with fire. And men were scorched with great heat, and blasphemed the name of God, which hath power over these plagues: and they repented not to give him glory.”
This indicates a rapid rise in temperature that will surely melt the ice, no matter where it is! This will cause an immediate rise in sea level, killing untold numbers of people!
Other passages that can be found within this book that indicate a rise in air temperature can be found at Rev. 8:7, “The first angel sounded, and there followed hail and fire mingled with blood, and they were cast upon the earth: and the third part of trees was burnt up, and all green grass was burnt up.”
One third of all plant life was burned. Since the plants filter out the carbon dioxide, the air quality will suffer greatly.
Rev. 8:12, “And the fourth angel sounded, and the third part of the sun was smitten, and the third part of the moon, and the third part of the stars ; so as the third part of them was darkened, and the day shone not for a third part of it, and the night likewise.”
The sun and moon will be darkened! There is no escape from the heat and foul air, only an eerie twilight!
This period of time will be like no other before it! Wars, manmade and natural disasters, a decline of personal and collective morality, a time of spiritual oppression from the forces of Satan, now add to this mix the righteous judgments of God! Who is able to escape such a day as this?
The redeemed of the Lord, through His Son Jesus Christ! Hallelujah!
In trying to bring this to a close, what can we learn from this study?
I have three things I want you to come away with:
1. Know for sure that you are a child of God and that you have asked Christ to be your Savior, that way you will not have to go through the judgments of God as mentioned in the book of Revelation!
2. When you hear the secular scientists mention their millions and billions of years for this or that, relax, we know the truth! We follow a God who tells us the truth and left nothing to chance when He designed the earth and all of its intricate systems, including global warming! Don’t panic!
And lastly.
3. Enjoy life! Our time here is short when compared to eternity. The later chapters in the book of Revelation give us just a glimpse of our future home. Go look at the ocean waves, walk up a mountain or stroll hand in hand with your sweetheart through a forest canopy! Live!
Notes
* All scripture is taken from the King James Bible
** http://www.eliyah.com/lexicon.html
1. http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/warnings
2. Capt. C. W. Fincher; Why I am a Classic Dispensationalist; The Sine Qua Non of Dispensationalism; http://captainsquill.weebly.com
3. Charles C. Ryrie, Basic Theology, Chapter 12, 16
4. J. Dwight Pentecost, Things to Come, Chapters 1-4
5. Ibid
6.http://www.eliyah.com/cgi-bin/strongs.cgi?file=hebrewlexicon&isindex=3117
7. Nothwest Creation Network;www.nwcreation.net
8. http://www.reformation.org./young.html
9. http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/global+warming
10. http://www.aip.org/history/climate/reviews.htm
11. Ibid
12.http://www.aip.org/history/climate/timeline.htm
C. W. Fincher
While watching one of my favorite science programs (Nova) on my local Public Broadcasting Stations (PBS), I began to wonder as the program progressed about the end of the world as told to us in the pages of the Holy Scriptures. Who do we believe, science or the Bible?
This particular episode of Nova was entitled, Warnings from the Ice [1] and dealt with questions about the Antarctic ice caps and ice shelves and if they would melt entirely due to the effects of global warming.
As I sat there listening to them give us all sort of facts and figures, dates past and future and the possible outcome of things caused by the actions of mankind upon our environment, I had to laugh at them!
Not mockingly, but in a humorous manner because my question to these educated, well meaning people who have devoted their lives to this cause is this, “Have you read the one book that holds all of the answers to your questions, the Bible?”
I make no claim to know their spiritual relationship with Jesus Christ and Him being the only true way to get to Heaven. Maybe if they had read the Bible, and believed it, they might have not spent so much effort into chasing their tail, the reality is that we do not have tails, as some would propose our (their) ancestors did!
Allow me to offer you two suppositions and their sub-components as I move on with my thoughts.
1. The literal interpretation of scripture
a. 24 hour day as recorded in the book of Genesis
2. Young Earth Theory
a. Definition of the word “generation”
b. Why the genealogies of Christ can be used to help date the Earth
Many of you who have read a few of my other manuscripts [2] that have dealt with the manner in which I interpret scripture will know that I stand fast on my convictions.
The Bible makes it clear that all scripture is to be interpreted in the literal, historical and grammatical manner, any time that an allegory is used, it clearly lets the reader know before the passage is given.
Mr. Charles C. Ryrie in his book, Basic Theology, goes into great detail about matters of biblical interpretation. [3] I highly encourage you find a copy of this book; he offers many helpful insights to things we often take for granted.
J. Dwight Pentecost in his book Things to Come [4]was required reading while I was in Bible College. I can honestly say that at the time I did not like reading his material! I felt that he was to long winded, why could he not keep his thoughts short?
Little did I know that it wasn’t long after I had finished the class where he was the required reading, I found out that he was not long winded, but there was just much to say, and that it took that many words to get it said!
The first four chapters get the reader off to a running start 1)methods of interpretation,2) history of interpretation, 3)general consideration in interpretation and 4)interpretation of prophecy) before he goes into the weightier subjects of the covenants of God and eschatology, (the study of last things).[5]
Okay, we have established the correct method of scriptural interpretation; let’s move on to the first baseball game, Genesis 1:1 “In the big inning. . .”
Whoa! Wrong topic!
Does the creation account as found in Genesis 1:5-31 compose a twenty-four hour day or does it compose long periods of time, thus making a way to blend science with theology?
Are the millions and billions of years the scientific community speaks of a mere outward sign that they have rejected the one true authority on all matters, past, present and future?
While I enjoy science, I have a low tolerance for their systems of measuring the past!
I use Eliyah.com [**]frequently when studying; it is a faster way of searching for words, then I use my hard cover Hebrew-Greek Study Bible to learn the parts of speech and other things that I need to form a conclusion. They have a lexicon as part of their site that has proven itself most valuable during my studies.
In their site, the word for day is “yowm” pronounced yome number 3117 in the Strong’s Lexicon; I will quote the definition of the word day,
“3117 yowm yome from an unused root meaning to be hot; a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an associated term), (often used adverb):--age, + always, + chronicles, continually(-ance), daily, ((birth-), each, to) day, (now a, two) days (agone), + elder, X end, + evening, + (for) ever(-lasting, -more), X full, life, as (so) long as (... live), (even) now, + old, + outlived, + perpetually, presently, + remaineth, X required, season, X since, space, then, (process of) time, + as at other times, + in trouble, weather, (as) when, (a, the, within a) while (that), X whole (+ age), (full) year(-ly), + younger.” [6]
Nowhere in this definition does it mention that a day is more than the worldwide held view that a day has twenty-four hours, (while there might be a variation of a few microseconds when one uses advanced computers and atomic clocks to measure time,) the average person living on earth knows this principal to be true.
I took just a moment to look up the origins of Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance; here are the key points.
Written by James Strong, (1822-1894) and about one hundred other contributors, first published in 1890, the compilers left room in the numbering system to allow room for the possibly that other word forms may be found or that they may have missed something.
These points are important because for the last one hundred and twenty one years, untold amounts of people have used this book to research the Hebrew and Greek languages, most that have used it are not native speakers of these two languages, yet they did so with confidence in the scholarship of the team employed by Mr. Strong!
Now that we have established what is meant by the word “day” as found in Genesis, which opens up in my mind the next thought about the age of the earth, how old is the earth?
Since none of us were there, how can we be certain of its age?
I am a strong believer that the earth is young, about six thousand years old, not billions, as some want you to believe.
Because the earth was created in six, twenty-four hour time periods, to figure the age of the earth is now a mathematical problem! Given a little help, the average elementary school student can come to the same conclusion that I will come to here in just a bit.
First, we must define the word “generation” as used to describe the time period between when an adult has children.
Generation as defined by Encarta Diction: English (North America) as found installed in Microsoft Office Home and Student 2007 program is:
“1) group of contemporaries: all of the people who were born at approximately the same time, considered as a group, and especially when considered as having shared interests and attitudes; 2) stage in descent: a single stage in the descent of a family or a group of people, animals, or plants, or the individual members of that stage; 3) time to produce a new generation: the period of time that it takes for people, animals, or plants to grow up and produce their own offspring, in humans held to be between 30 and 35 years; 4) particular generation in sequence: a particular numbered stage in the sequence of generations of a person being identified with a particular characteristic”
Okay, I have used a lot of words, now what?
Depending on what web site you go to for information, I have found that the average length of a generation was anywhere from 22–25 years on the low end of the scale, to as high as 30-35 years with 33 years being an average. In the case of my own family, 34 is correct because I was 34 when my daughter was born.
The next component of the mathematical equation can be found in the Gospels of Matthew and Luke, the dreaded genealogy chapters! (Insert your own ghoulish mad man laugh here.)
We have before us (as I type this, I am hearing in my head the voice of Rod Serling as he introduces the Twilight Zone Television program) some of the hardest reading within the pages of the Bible for most people.
It’s not that it is hard to read, maybe it is because our English speaking tongues find it hard to pronounce those strange names, or that we do not understand the importance of knowing about these long departed people?
Knowing these names doesn’t help me come to a saving knowledge of Jesus, or help me to walk the Christian life or comfort me when my soul is troubled. For me they are a source of wonder as I attempt to measure the age of the earth!
Matthew begins his book with these words, “The book of the generation of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham.” Mt. 1:1
There is no doubt about what we are about to read! It is as if a scroll has been opened up and the kings herald is about to make an important announcement! In this case, it is about the ancestors of the King of Glory, Jesus Christ who is about to be born to earthly parents, Joseph and Mary, sinners by the sin of our father and mother, Adam and Eve!
As you come to verse 17, pay attention, you will find the piece of the equation we are building that will help us find the age of the earth.
Mt. 1:17 “So all the generations from Abraham to David [are] fourteen {14} generations; and from David until the carrying away into Babylon [are] fourteen {14} generations; and from the carrying away into Babylon unto Christ [are] fourteen {14} generations.”
In this account, we have a total of 42 generations from Abraham to the birth of Christ.
In Luke, we have recorded for us the priestly ancestry of Jesus from Mary’s side of the family.
Lk 3:23, 38, “And Jesus himself began to be about thirty years of age, being (as was supposed) the son of Joseph, which was [the son] of Heli. . . Which was [the son] of Enos, which was [the son] of Seth, which was [the son] of Adam, which was [the son] of God.”
If you count the names listed in this record you will find 76 names, starting with Joseph going backwards in time to God.
I have been trying to construct a mathematical equation to come up with the answer to my belief that the earth is about six thousand years old. I have failed! When I input the numbers into the equation, I end up about four thousand years short of what other scholars have concluded.
The material presented is worth the consideration, though I feel I may have wasted your time reading it if it cannot be used to make my point. I will leave it intact because it does fit into the theme of this paper, just do not use my math skills to evaluate my writing skills!
I write for the “common man”, using simple tools to reach my conclusions, by common I mean the average believer who has not gone to Bible college or seminary, but has faithfully followed God through the reading of the Bible, and sat under the teachings of many great men and women of God.
I will now have to rely on these scholars to assist me in making my point about a young earth. I know very little about these men, only that their material seems to be correct, as I understand the subject.
The Northwest Creation Network, located in Lynnwood, Washington offers many helpful resources. I have found their web site most useful in this study.[7]
On their web site I found a link to an article entitled, It's a Young World After All!! [8] The article goes into great detail about the age of the earth as based upon scripture. For those of you who learn best with pictures and charts (myself included), this site is for you!
I challenge you to draw your own conclusions with regard to this topic, I have become bogged down trying to make my point and I need to move on to the meat of the matter, what is global warming and what does scripture say about our future?
First, what is global warming? As defined by Dictionary.com, it is; “an increase in the earth's average atmospheric temperature that causes corresponding changes in climate and that may result from the greenhouse effect.” [9]
Okay, that is rather straightforward concept that we all can grasp. Let us look now at a brief history taken from a book written by Spencer R. Weart, entitled, The Discovery of Global Warming. [10]
Let me use the web sits own words to describe what the book is about.
“The Discovery of Global Warming, the book, is a compact 200-page summary of what I learned from my research for this Website, woven into a single narrative. It begins as a sort of detective story, describing how a few scientists got obsessed with the mysteries of climate change. By the end it has become an epic tale where entire governments, national publics, and communities of scientists press upon one another.” [11]
I will provide just a few examples taken from Mr. Weart’s book.
“Timeline (Milestones)
Here are gathered in chronological sequence the most important events in the history of climate change science.
1800-1870
Level of carbon dioxide gas (CO2) in the atmosphere, as later measured in ancient ice, is about 290 ppm (parts per million).
Mean global temperature (1850-1870) is about 13.6°C. [56.48°]
First Industrial Revolution. Coal, railroads, and land clearing speed up greenhouse gas emission, while better agriculture and sanitation speed up population growth.
1870-1910
Second Industrial Revolution. Fertilizers and other chemicals, electricity, and public health further accelerate growth.
1930s
Global warming trend since late 19th century reported.
Milankovitch proposes orbital changes as the cause of ice ages.
1958
Telescope studies show a greenhouse effect raises temperature of the atmosphere of Venus far above the boiling point of water.
1970
First Earth Day. Environmental movement attains strong influence, spreads concern about global degradation.
Creation of US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the world's leading funder of climate research.
Aerosols from human activity are shown to be increasing swiftly. Bryson claims they counteract global warming and may bring serious cooling.
1991
Mt. Pinatubo explodes; Hansen predicts cooling pattern, verifying (by 1995) computer models of aerosol effects.
Global warming skeptics claim that 20th-century temperature changes followed from solar influences. (The solar-climate correlation would fail in the following decade.)
2003
Numerous observations raise concern that collapse of ice sheets (West Antarctica, Greenland) can raise sea levels faster than most had believed.
Deadly summer heat wave in Europe accelerates divergence between European and US public opinion.
2009
Many experts warn that global warming is arriving at a faster and more dangerous pace than anticipated just a few years earlier.
Excerpts from stolen e-mails of climate scientists fuel public skepticism.
Copenhagen conference fails to negotiate binding agreements: end of hopes of avoiding dangerous future climate change.
Level of CO2 in the atmosphere reaches 385 ppm (parts per million).
Mean global temperature (five-year average) is 14.5°C, [58.1°] the warmest in hundreds, and probably thousands of years.” [12]
From reading this, it is hard for me to believe that we as “ants” upon the surface of such a large planet can have such an effect upon our environment that would cause a rise in the air temperature, thereby melting the ice in remote locations!
Yet as I watch the various nature and science programs on PBS, I see that the ice and snow of the different glaciers is indeed melting at an apparently accelerated rate, but how do we know the difference between “normal” and “accelerated”?
Because we believe that God created the heavens and the earth as told in the narrative of Genesis 1, could He not have designed the temperature to rise at this time in history in preparation for what we as created beings call “the end of world”?
Living along the spine of central Florida, I do not fear a rise in sea level, maybe my now land locked house and its low value will increase once it becomes ocean front property!
For those of us who have studied the book of Revelation, the subject of global warming and the judgments of God go hand in hand.
That time period will be a time of great natural disaster, just this week as I am writing this paper the United States has seen four earthquakes, (two on either coast), Hurricane Irene getting ready to hit the eastern seaboard in a few days.
The various judgments upon unrepentant mankind can be found starting in Revelation 6, 8, 9, 10:13-11:19 and 15-16:21.
The one judgment that came to my mind when watching the Nova program can be found in Rev. 16:8, 9. “And the fourth angel poured out his vial upon the sun; and power was given unto him to scorch men with fire. And men were scorched with great heat, and blasphemed the name of God, which hath power over these plagues: and they repented not to give him glory.”
This indicates a rapid rise in temperature that will surely melt the ice, no matter where it is! This will cause an immediate rise in sea level, killing untold numbers of people!
Other passages that can be found within this book that indicate a rise in air temperature can be found at Rev. 8:7, “The first angel sounded, and there followed hail and fire mingled with blood, and they were cast upon the earth: and the third part of trees was burnt up, and all green grass was burnt up.”
One third of all plant life was burned. Since the plants filter out the carbon dioxide, the air quality will suffer greatly.
Rev. 8:12, “And the fourth angel sounded, and the third part of the sun was smitten, and the third part of the moon, and the third part of the stars ; so as the third part of them was darkened, and the day shone not for a third part of it, and the night likewise.”
The sun and moon will be darkened! There is no escape from the heat and foul air, only an eerie twilight!
This period of time will be like no other before it! Wars, manmade and natural disasters, a decline of personal and collective morality, a time of spiritual oppression from the forces of Satan, now add to this mix the righteous judgments of God! Who is able to escape such a day as this?
The redeemed of the Lord, through His Son Jesus Christ! Hallelujah!
In trying to bring this to a close, what can we learn from this study?
I have three things I want you to come away with:
1. Know for sure that you are a child of God and that you have asked Christ to be your Savior, that way you will not have to go through the judgments of God as mentioned in the book of Revelation!
2. When you hear the secular scientists mention their millions and billions of years for this or that, relax, we know the truth! We follow a God who tells us the truth and left nothing to chance when He designed the earth and all of its intricate systems, including global warming! Don’t panic!
And lastly.
3. Enjoy life! Our time here is short when compared to eternity. The later chapters in the book of Revelation give us just a glimpse of our future home. Go look at the ocean waves, walk up a mountain or stroll hand in hand with your sweetheart through a forest canopy! Live!
Notes
* All scripture is taken from the King James Bible
** http://www.eliyah.com/lexicon.html
1. http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/warnings
2. Capt. C. W. Fincher; Why I am a Classic Dispensationalist; The Sine Qua Non of Dispensationalism; http://captainsquill.weebly.com
3. Charles C. Ryrie, Basic Theology, Chapter 12, 16
4. J. Dwight Pentecost, Things to Come, Chapters 1-4
5. Ibid
6.http://www.eliyah.com/cgi-bin/strongs.cgi?file=hebrewlexicon&isindex=3117
7. Nothwest Creation Network;www.nwcreation.net
8. http://www.reformation.org./young.html
9. http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/global+warming
10. http://www.aip.org/history/climate/reviews.htm
11. Ibid
12.http://www.aip.org/history/climate/timeline.htm
Why I am a Classic Dispensationalist.
Why I am a Classic Dispensationalist.
By Charles Fincher
October 2, 2006
Biblical Interpretation 1
Let me take you on a visit to the auditorium of Religious Thought. They are holding an open house for all new converts and recent arrivals to the College of Life.
All who live on planet Earth must make a decision as to which of the following groups he or she will follow. Their eternal life and destiny depends upon that one decision!
Let’s have some fun now, talk of theology, dispensations and hermeneutics to name just a few, well, it can tend to be a bit much for the beginning student of scriptural studies. Let’s pretend that the opposing views are college fraternities vying for our membership.
In this corner of the auditorium we have the Amiltenniatists. Their area is decorated in the glitzy attire of the Hollywood crowd, all sparkle and fashion, but no substance.
They claim to be different from the world, yet when pressed as to their stance on the scriptural issues of interpretation and dispensations, they use vague, often contradicting statements!
Talk of the Church and Israel being somehow connected don’t make sense! They spiritualize the scriptures in ways that it seems like we should be standing on a cloud with our halos and harps!
When pressed further for more substance, thoughts about the millennial kingdom come to mind.
As I inquire of this Line of thinking, they start to get agitated by my insistence for more information.
The answers come back, hollow, empty. They have no millennial kingdom to come; Jesus is already on His throne in heaven, ruling His kingdom. So they say this is as good as it gets!
With that, I am depressed (I wasn’t when I first came in) by their answers to just a few questions. If there is no future to look forward to, give me a gun, I’ll get it over with now and save the wait!
Then my ears catch the sound from across the room, it’s the Progressive Dispensationalists.
There are high powered search Lights roaming over the ceiling in a crisscross pattern, Loud exciting music going, Let’s not forget the scantily clad dancers on stage! Everywhere can be seen the words, “NEW and IMPROVED!"
As the song and dance show comes to an end, I find a place down front and a person who I can talk with about their position on some key issues.
They claim to be a new and improved version of the normal dispensationalists, yet their words are as empty as the other group I have talked with today.
“We were once part of the “Normal’s”, much like yourself, but NOW we have a new way of Looking at things, there is no need for the old rigid ways anymore!” they tell me.
God moves in progressive ways to make known to man the ways of salvation. As before, Christ is seated on the throne of David in heaven! They somehow have merged New Testament hermeneutics to add and change Old Testament revelations. The overall purpose of God is Christology! No Longer is the purpose of God to glorify Himself, but Christ!
That shoots this one in the foot for me! Let me out of here! I make a hasty retreat.
The only other group that is Left to see is the Ultra dispensationalists; I can’t seem to find where they’re located at. I ask someone I see and find out that they’re at the end of a Long, dark service hallway.
As I get closer, I don’t hear any music or see any flashy Lights, just the dim Light coming from a Low watt light bulb overhead in the hallway. I meet a man coming out of their Location and I stop him so I can ask some questions.
All he wants to do is tell me a joke about the group of people taking a tour of heaven. They see all of the sights in heaven except for the one fenced off area. The tour guide told the people to all to be quiet. When asked by one of the people why, he told them that this was the Baptist area, they think they’re the only ones up here!
That may be stretching the truth a bit, I’ll admit to that! Their belief that the church started “after” Pentecost instead of “on” Pentecost has been a problem for many.
There is also the issue that has not been addressed, that of what happens to us when we die. They believe that our soul sleeps or in some cases is annihilated, hence the term, “soul sleep”.
Let’s not forget their views about the Lord’s Supper and water baptism! Nix those two from the list!
After hearing these things, I made an extremely quick retreat out of their area and back to the main auditorium!
I have examined all three fraternities and not been encouraged by any of them! Quite the opposite is true, I felt more discouraged by their lack of hope in any future time or help in our own age.
Our time to select is over, what was your choice? I have failed to leave out the group that I have personally chosen to follow, the Literalists.
As an author, I write very plainly. The words I use are literal; I use descriptive words to bring my message across. I try not to spiritualize things.
I want the reader, from whatever part of the world they’re at to be able to understand my words.
If I, writing earthly, non-spiritual words use the literal method, why should God, who has a far more important message to deliver, not use plain words?
His words are of life, they are as important now as when they were first penned!
He reveals Himself differently throughout time as His plan changes for man. With sin being the governing factor in mankind, God could not use the same method to deal with man throughout all of the ages.
Adam was shown only a small part of Gods plan and as each age progressed, more of knowledge about God was entrusted to man.
With the increased knowledge of God, He added more responsibility on man. It became harder and harder to please God.
Then when it seemed that there was no end in sight to the law, the Father sent Jesus, “born of a woman, born under the law.” Gal. 4:4.
Jesus, at the moment of His death, was the fulfillment of the law!
Instead of having to follow the law, we by faith accept Jesus as our only hope for eternal life. He paid our sin debt so that we wouldn’t.
Now as we wait for the culmination of this present age (grace/church), we can only look forward to the next age (millennial) when we wilt have complete, uninterrupted fellowship with God, our eternal Father and His Son, Jesus!
Any method of theology that does not use the literal method of interpreting the scriptures, and thereby accepting the “fact” that God does deal with man differently in each time period, should be singled out, marked and the masses should be warned of their faults.
This is my personal viewpoint that I live by. Any of my own writings can be examined at any time for any error in my personal theology.
To summarize the matter at hand, the right method of interpretation brings about the proper conclusions about God and His dealing with mankind.
If we base our belief on our own ideas and thoughts, being flawed from the beginning because of our sin nature, then we produce a flawed theology.
This becomes more of a problem when we share our flawed beliefs with others, now they are led astray!
Fact, God cares for His creation mankind and wants us to know Him intimately. He reveals Himself through His word, the Bible. He makes His words to be understood by all of mankind.
* * *
Note
This was my first research paper, up to that point I had never written one! I did not include any of the usual features, foot notes, and bibliography, the professor made me aware of my errors and I corrected them on my next paper written for him! We still laugh about this paper that is why I left it in tact as it was originally written.
Photo credits
Lakeland Center, Lakeland, Florida
By Charles Fincher
October 2, 2006
Biblical Interpretation 1
Let me take you on a visit to the auditorium of Religious Thought. They are holding an open house for all new converts and recent arrivals to the College of Life.
All who live on planet Earth must make a decision as to which of the following groups he or she will follow. Their eternal life and destiny depends upon that one decision!
Let’s have some fun now, talk of theology, dispensations and hermeneutics to name just a few, well, it can tend to be a bit much for the beginning student of scriptural studies. Let’s pretend that the opposing views are college fraternities vying for our membership.
In this corner of the auditorium we have the Amiltenniatists. Their area is decorated in the glitzy attire of the Hollywood crowd, all sparkle and fashion, but no substance.
They claim to be different from the world, yet when pressed as to their stance on the scriptural issues of interpretation and dispensations, they use vague, often contradicting statements!
Talk of the Church and Israel being somehow connected don’t make sense! They spiritualize the scriptures in ways that it seems like we should be standing on a cloud with our halos and harps!
When pressed further for more substance, thoughts about the millennial kingdom come to mind.
As I inquire of this Line of thinking, they start to get agitated by my insistence for more information.
The answers come back, hollow, empty. They have no millennial kingdom to come; Jesus is already on His throne in heaven, ruling His kingdom. So they say this is as good as it gets!
With that, I am depressed (I wasn’t when I first came in) by their answers to just a few questions. If there is no future to look forward to, give me a gun, I’ll get it over with now and save the wait!
Then my ears catch the sound from across the room, it’s the Progressive Dispensationalists.
There are high powered search Lights roaming over the ceiling in a crisscross pattern, Loud exciting music going, Let’s not forget the scantily clad dancers on stage! Everywhere can be seen the words, “NEW and IMPROVED!"
As the song and dance show comes to an end, I find a place down front and a person who I can talk with about their position on some key issues.
They claim to be a new and improved version of the normal dispensationalists, yet their words are as empty as the other group I have talked with today.
“We were once part of the “Normal’s”, much like yourself, but NOW we have a new way of Looking at things, there is no need for the old rigid ways anymore!” they tell me.
God moves in progressive ways to make known to man the ways of salvation. As before, Christ is seated on the throne of David in heaven! They somehow have merged New Testament hermeneutics to add and change Old Testament revelations. The overall purpose of God is Christology! No Longer is the purpose of God to glorify Himself, but Christ!
That shoots this one in the foot for me! Let me out of here! I make a hasty retreat.
The only other group that is Left to see is the Ultra dispensationalists; I can’t seem to find where they’re located at. I ask someone I see and find out that they’re at the end of a Long, dark service hallway.
As I get closer, I don’t hear any music or see any flashy Lights, just the dim Light coming from a Low watt light bulb overhead in the hallway. I meet a man coming out of their Location and I stop him so I can ask some questions.
All he wants to do is tell me a joke about the group of people taking a tour of heaven. They see all of the sights in heaven except for the one fenced off area. The tour guide told the people to all to be quiet. When asked by one of the people why, he told them that this was the Baptist area, they think they’re the only ones up here!
That may be stretching the truth a bit, I’ll admit to that! Their belief that the church started “after” Pentecost instead of “on” Pentecost has been a problem for many.
There is also the issue that has not been addressed, that of what happens to us when we die. They believe that our soul sleeps or in some cases is annihilated, hence the term, “soul sleep”.
Let’s not forget their views about the Lord’s Supper and water baptism! Nix those two from the list!
After hearing these things, I made an extremely quick retreat out of their area and back to the main auditorium!
I have examined all three fraternities and not been encouraged by any of them! Quite the opposite is true, I felt more discouraged by their lack of hope in any future time or help in our own age.
Our time to select is over, what was your choice? I have failed to leave out the group that I have personally chosen to follow, the Literalists.
As an author, I write very plainly. The words I use are literal; I use descriptive words to bring my message across. I try not to spiritualize things.
I want the reader, from whatever part of the world they’re at to be able to understand my words.
If I, writing earthly, non-spiritual words use the literal method, why should God, who has a far more important message to deliver, not use plain words?
His words are of life, they are as important now as when they were first penned!
He reveals Himself differently throughout time as His plan changes for man. With sin being the governing factor in mankind, God could not use the same method to deal with man throughout all of the ages.
Adam was shown only a small part of Gods plan and as each age progressed, more of knowledge about God was entrusted to man.
With the increased knowledge of God, He added more responsibility on man. It became harder and harder to please God.
Then when it seemed that there was no end in sight to the law, the Father sent Jesus, “born of a woman, born under the law.” Gal. 4:4.
Jesus, at the moment of His death, was the fulfillment of the law!
Instead of having to follow the law, we by faith accept Jesus as our only hope for eternal life. He paid our sin debt so that we wouldn’t.
Now as we wait for the culmination of this present age (grace/church), we can only look forward to the next age (millennial) when we wilt have complete, uninterrupted fellowship with God, our eternal Father and His Son, Jesus!
Any method of theology that does not use the literal method of interpreting the scriptures, and thereby accepting the “fact” that God does deal with man differently in each time period, should be singled out, marked and the masses should be warned of their faults.
This is my personal viewpoint that I live by. Any of my own writings can be examined at any time for any error in my personal theology.
To summarize the matter at hand, the right method of interpretation brings about the proper conclusions about God and His dealing with mankind.
If we base our belief on our own ideas and thoughts, being flawed from the beginning because of our sin nature, then we produce a flawed theology.
This becomes more of a problem when we share our flawed beliefs with others, now they are led astray!
Fact, God cares for His creation mankind and wants us to know Him intimately. He reveals Himself through His word, the Bible. He makes His words to be understood by all of mankind.
* * *
Note
This was my first research paper, up to that point I had never written one! I did not include any of the usual features, foot notes, and bibliography, the professor made me aware of my errors and I corrected them on my next paper written for him! We still laugh about this paper that is why I left it in tact as it was originally written.
Photo credits
Lakeland Center, Lakeland, Florida
SINE QUA NON
The Sine Qua Non of Dispensationalism
September 2008
Welcome to the first of part of this collection of my writings done while in college. Before we move on into the main body of work, I need to lay down a foundation that I will use to build upon for the rest of the work that follows.
These ideas are not mine, Mr. Charles C. Ryrie in his book, Dispensationalism, pages 38-41 gives us some valuable insight on how to interpret scriptures.
Before I read these ideas, I was not aware that such a system of interpretation even existed! In my own simple way of seeing things, if the Bible said something, you simply did what it said! You read the words, understand the words and acted upon the meaning of those words!
Up until the time I started Bible College, I had no idea that there were others who did not interpret scriptures like I did!
The words and concepts of “allegory, spiritualize, covenant theology, amillennialism” and other such concepts were foreign to my mind!
God said it in His Word, you either believe the words and acted accordingly or you don’t act and answer to Him at the Bema seat judgment or the Great White throne judgment!
What do I base my interpretation of scriptures upon? What system do I use on a regular basis?
The following is what I have gleaned from the study of the afore mentioned author and pages. These thoughts are not my own, the application of these principles is and how they are applied to my heart and mind.
I have considered the points Mr. Ryrie makes at length, I have tried to apply them to alt areas of the scriptures. At the time of the writing of this paper, two years have gone by and not once have these principles failed me!
I highly encourage you to get a copy of the book for yourself so you can read it at length, and then see if what I am saying is true for you!
What is the “Sine Qua Non”?
Let’s start out with the meaning of the Latin words.
Sine/Without
Qua/By which route
Non/Not
Okay, we have the meaning of the words, now what does it mean to me? Using my own understanding of the Latin, I make no claim to be a Latin scholar, I am still getting used to English!
“Without using the correct method (route), we cannot come to the true and proper meaning of scripture.”
Let’s start by first listing the three points, then expounding upon them later.
1. A dispensationalist keeps Israel and the church distinct.
2. A dispensationalist uses Literal interpretation of scriptures.
3. The purpose of the Bible is to bring glory to God.
Now let’s dig into these ideas and see where it takes us!
The first area we will look into deals with Israel and the church.
The covenants made by God to His chosen people (nation) Israel do not apply to the church (bride of Christ).
The covenants made with Israel; by God include the Abrahamic, Palestinian, Davidic and New covenant. Briefly we will see what each one is.
Abrahamic covenant: there would be a people (seed) though the tine of Abraham.
Palestinian covenant: the nation would possess the Land given them by God.
Davidic covenant: Messiah would come from the line and ancestry of King David.
New covenant: at the return of Christ at the end of the Great Tribulation, the hearts of the nation Israel will once again turn to their Messiah and will enter into the millennial kingdom.
At no point does the church fit any of these covenants. We are the spiritual seed of Abraham; we are not his physical seed as the Jewish nation is!
The apostle Paul in Romans 11:13-25 warns the gentile believers and later in the chapter in verses 26-28 affirms that Israel will be saved!
When reading the Old Testament, we cannot take the promises given to the church and add them to those of the Old Testament, likewise, the Old Testament promises cannot be added to those of the New Testament!
They must be kept separate at all costs for the sake of correct Biblical interpretation.
Now Let’s Look at point two, how to interpret scripture.
I alluded to it earlier in this paper. As an earthly author, I write to convey a message or story using plain, hopefully easy to understand words! I want my message to be understood by all who read it!
My words can lead one to life eternal by pointing them to Christ or they can lead many astray from the truth of God!
Yet many men wrote as inspired by the Holy Spirit, each one writing in their unique style, yet the message was “God breathed”, thereby making their words and thoughts those of God!
To interpret the scriptures any way but the historical-grammatical, literal method would risk being guilty of changing scripture, thereby having Revelation 22:19 applied to them!
Lastly, point three. The purpose of the Bible is to bring glory to God.
This point takes some time to sink into ones’ heart and mind, it did mine. I found myself asking about different instances within scriptures, then once plugged into the principle, the outcome was always the same, give God the glory due Him!
Let’s start by looking at some ideas that I first thought when this subject was first introduced to me.
The purpose of the Bible is to bring us to Christ! WRONG! Yes, knowing Christ is important, but it is not the purpose of the Bible.
The purpose of the Bible is to tell us of the folly of man and show us our depravity! WRONG again! Through the Bible we see our need for God because of our fallen nature!
The purpose of the Bible is to tell us of our home in heaven! WRONG once again! Yes, we will be in heaven with Christ at the appointed time, but that is not the main reason for it!
All of these are important elements of scripture; let’s look at some more examples that tend to be on the negative side of things. They make us wonder how God can be glorified in them.
Consider for a moment the judgment of God upon mankind during the time of Noah? The entire population of earth was killed, only the family of Noah was saved! Why did God kill so many people?
The destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah? What was the purpose of that event? How is God glorified in this?
What about the people that the children of Israel were told to annihilate during their time in the wilderness and during the conquest of the Promised Land? Read 1 & 2 Samuel and the life of David! Do a study of the numbers of people he killed! Yet he was called by God “a man after Gods own heart”!
Lastly, what about the conquest of Israel by foreign powers because of her sins, what purpose does all of this have?
TO GLORIFY GOD!
Yes! The only purpose of the Bible is to bring glory to our God! We can see it throughout the entire book!
The thread starts with Genesis 1:1. We are in awe of God the creator and glorify Him for His acts of Creation!
In Genesis 3:15 we are given the first promise of our redeemer Christ, after the fall of man into sin! We glory in the fact that God will allow us to come to Him through Christ!
The tower of Babel, Noah and the flood! The covenants of God with Israel! The provisions of God can be seen in these events!
In the battles of the Israelites with the enemies of God we see more of His care for His chosen ones. In the hard times of the exiles, God had men and a remnant who would glorify Him, no matter the cost! Daniel, Jeremiah, Isaiah, Malachi and others to numerous to mention here come to mind!
Now we enter the New Testament times, our own Lord Jesus Christ brought glory to His Father God! Should we not follow His example?
The disciples, Peter, James, John and Matthew, men such as Paul and Luke tell of Christ and each one in their own way glorifying God!
My favorite of the examples is of the aged apostle John in the writing of the book of Revelation, throughout the book he brings into our view the glory that we will bestow to our God and to His Son by each of us who are called by the name of Christ!
This is the short version of what is so very essential to understand as the central purpose of the Bible. I have only used a few examples to make my point.
My challenge to you the reader is to read the Bible with this principle in mind and see if God can be glorified in your reading.
In closing, I highly encourage you to look into these principles for yourself and see for yourself what I have put into practice for myself.
The practical side of this is when you see and hear someone telling you that this is what the Bible says, you can decide for yourself if that person is correct in their interpretation and is worth listening to.
As an example, I recently heard a TV preacher/teacher talking about end times prophecies, he mixed promises given to Israel and said that they applied to the church. He was wrong about the area he was speaking about. He violated the first principle of the Sine Qua Non!
I as a result of studying these principles have become more cautious of those whose teachings I am not familiar with! I use these principles as a filter.
Where I have the most “fun” is in reading the Old Testament and New Testament prophecies using these principles! Try it for yourself; see where it takes you in your understanding of scriptures!
Thank you for sticking with me, now as you read on, you can see how interpret scriptures and what I build my beliefs on.
September 2008
Welcome to the first of part of this collection of my writings done while in college. Before we move on into the main body of work, I need to lay down a foundation that I will use to build upon for the rest of the work that follows.
These ideas are not mine, Mr. Charles C. Ryrie in his book, Dispensationalism, pages 38-41 gives us some valuable insight on how to interpret scriptures.
Before I read these ideas, I was not aware that such a system of interpretation even existed! In my own simple way of seeing things, if the Bible said something, you simply did what it said! You read the words, understand the words and acted upon the meaning of those words!
Up until the time I started Bible College, I had no idea that there were others who did not interpret scriptures like I did!
The words and concepts of “allegory, spiritualize, covenant theology, amillennialism” and other such concepts were foreign to my mind!
God said it in His Word, you either believe the words and acted accordingly or you don’t act and answer to Him at the Bema seat judgment or the Great White throne judgment!
What do I base my interpretation of scriptures upon? What system do I use on a regular basis?
The following is what I have gleaned from the study of the afore mentioned author and pages. These thoughts are not my own, the application of these principles is and how they are applied to my heart and mind.
I have considered the points Mr. Ryrie makes at length, I have tried to apply them to alt areas of the scriptures. At the time of the writing of this paper, two years have gone by and not once have these principles failed me!
I highly encourage you to get a copy of the book for yourself so you can read it at length, and then see if what I am saying is true for you!
What is the “Sine Qua Non”?
Let’s start out with the meaning of the Latin words.
Sine/Without
Qua/By which route
Non/Not
Okay, we have the meaning of the words, now what does it mean to me? Using my own understanding of the Latin, I make no claim to be a Latin scholar, I am still getting used to English!
“Without using the correct method (route), we cannot come to the true and proper meaning of scripture.”
Let’s start by first listing the three points, then expounding upon them later.
1. A dispensationalist keeps Israel and the church distinct.
2. A dispensationalist uses Literal interpretation of scriptures.
3. The purpose of the Bible is to bring glory to God.
Now let’s dig into these ideas and see where it takes us!
The first area we will look into deals with Israel and the church.
The covenants made by God to His chosen people (nation) Israel do not apply to the church (bride of Christ).
The covenants made with Israel; by God include the Abrahamic, Palestinian, Davidic and New covenant. Briefly we will see what each one is.
Abrahamic covenant: there would be a people (seed) though the tine of Abraham.
Palestinian covenant: the nation would possess the Land given them by God.
Davidic covenant: Messiah would come from the line and ancestry of King David.
New covenant: at the return of Christ at the end of the Great Tribulation, the hearts of the nation Israel will once again turn to their Messiah and will enter into the millennial kingdom.
At no point does the church fit any of these covenants. We are the spiritual seed of Abraham; we are not his physical seed as the Jewish nation is!
The apostle Paul in Romans 11:13-25 warns the gentile believers and later in the chapter in verses 26-28 affirms that Israel will be saved!
When reading the Old Testament, we cannot take the promises given to the church and add them to those of the Old Testament, likewise, the Old Testament promises cannot be added to those of the New Testament!
They must be kept separate at all costs for the sake of correct Biblical interpretation.
Now Let’s Look at point two, how to interpret scripture.
I alluded to it earlier in this paper. As an earthly author, I write to convey a message or story using plain, hopefully easy to understand words! I want my message to be understood by all who read it!
My words can lead one to life eternal by pointing them to Christ or they can lead many astray from the truth of God!
Yet many men wrote as inspired by the Holy Spirit, each one writing in their unique style, yet the message was “God breathed”, thereby making their words and thoughts those of God!
To interpret the scriptures any way but the historical-grammatical, literal method would risk being guilty of changing scripture, thereby having Revelation 22:19 applied to them!
Lastly, point three. The purpose of the Bible is to bring glory to God.
This point takes some time to sink into ones’ heart and mind, it did mine. I found myself asking about different instances within scriptures, then once plugged into the principle, the outcome was always the same, give God the glory due Him!
Let’s start by looking at some ideas that I first thought when this subject was first introduced to me.
The purpose of the Bible is to bring us to Christ! WRONG! Yes, knowing Christ is important, but it is not the purpose of the Bible.
The purpose of the Bible is to tell us of the folly of man and show us our depravity! WRONG again! Through the Bible we see our need for God because of our fallen nature!
The purpose of the Bible is to tell us of our home in heaven! WRONG once again! Yes, we will be in heaven with Christ at the appointed time, but that is not the main reason for it!
All of these are important elements of scripture; let’s look at some more examples that tend to be on the negative side of things. They make us wonder how God can be glorified in them.
Consider for a moment the judgment of God upon mankind during the time of Noah? The entire population of earth was killed, only the family of Noah was saved! Why did God kill so many people?
The destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah? What was the purpose of that event? How is God glorified in this?
What about the people that the children of Israel were told to annihilate during their time in the wilderness and during the conquest of the Promised Land? Read 1 & 2 Samuel and the life of David! Do a study of the numbers of people he killed! Yet he was called by God “a man after Gods own heart”!
Lastly, what about the conquest of Israel by foreign powers because of her sins, what purpose does all of this have?
TO GLORIFY GOD!
Yes! The only purpose of the Bible is to bring glory to our God! We can see it throughout the entire book!
The thread starts with Genesis 1:1. We are in awe of God the creator and glorify Him for His acts of Creation!
In Genesis 3:15 we are given the first promise of our redeemer Christ, after the fall of man into sin! We glory in the fact that God will allow us to come to Him through Christ!
The tower of Babel, Noah and the flood! The covenants of God with Israel! The provisions of God can be seen in these events!
In the battles of the Israelites with the enemies of God we see more of His care for His chosen ones. In the hard times of the exiles, God had men and a remnant who would glorify Him, no matter the cost! Daniel, Jeremiah, Isaiah, Malachi and others to numerous to mention here come to mind!
Now we enter the New Testament times, our own Lord Jesus Christ brought glory to His Father God! Should we not follow His example?
The disciples, Peter, James, John and Matthew, men such as Paul and Luke tell of Christ and each one in their own way glorifying God!
My favorite of the examples is of the aged apostle John in the writing of the book of Revelation, throughout the book he brings into our view the glory that we will bestow to our God and to His Son by each of us who are called by the name of Christ!
This is the short version of what is so very essential to understand as the central purpose of the Bible. I have only used a few examples to make my point.
My challenge to you the reader is to read the Bible with this principle in mind and see if God can be glorified in your reading.
In closing, I highly encourage you to look into these principles for yourself and see for yourself what I have put into practice for myself.
The practical side of this is when you see and hear someone telling you that this is what the Bible says, you can decide for yourself if that person is correct in their interpretation and is worth listening to.
As an example, I recently heard a TV preacher/teacher talking about end times prophecies, he mixed promises given to Israel and said that they applied to the church. He was wrong about the area he was speaking about. He violated the first principle of the Sine Qua Non!
I as a result of studying these principles have become more cautious of those whose teachings I am not familiar with! I use these principles as a filter.
Where I have the most “fun” is in reading the Old Testament and New Testament prophecies using these principles! Try it for yourself; see where it takes you in your understanding of scriptures!
Thank you for sticking with me, now as you read on, you can see how interpret scriptures and what I build my beliefs on.
What are the Seventy Weeks of Daniel?
What are the Seventy Weeks of Daniel?
Fincher, Charles
Mr. Welborn
Daniel & Revelation BN 302
May 25, 2007
Introduction
What are the seventy weeks of Daniel? Why is this so important to us today?
I have approached this subject as would an archaeologist using the many tools of the trade to see what lays buried beneath the surface. Then after bringing to light the treasure that was buried, try to see what connection can be made from the time when the treasure was buried until, the time of its discovery by me.
From my digging into the matter, the more I dug, the more confused I became! “What was I thinking when I let my pastor pick out my research topic for this class?” It’s a good thing I trust him, I muse as I shake my head!
I attacked the topic by first reading the book of Daniel from the New King James version of the Bible. I found this version made it much easier to read than the regular KJV. I was able to get an overview of the topic before going in with the small shovels and hand trowels and brushes.
Then as I sought to know more, I grabbed Mr. J. Dwight Pentecost, my first text book from Biblical Interpretation I class, Things to Come. On more than one occasion I have found this book most helpful in matters of the correct interpretation of the scripture.
Then I added to the tools I had planned on using, Mr. John F. Walvoords’ book, Daniel, The Key to Prophetic Revelation. His insight has been most helpful.
Next I had close at hand a copy of a book by Mr. Paul N. Benware, Understanding End Times Prophecy. I found his charts of great value in helping to visualize the events surrounding the prophecy of Daniel.
I also grabbed my copy of Mr. Norman L. Geisler, A Popular Survey of the Old Testament. I was able to glean some helpful information from his writings.
The final tool I used in my archeological expedition of this topic was the Internet. Many sites came up as a result of the search for the seventy weeks of Daniel, but the problems posed by this tool are, that because of the lack of my experience in knowing what is and is not sound doctrine, I found it difficult to know what was the correct information to use and trust!
I have a general feel for what the truth is supposed to feel and look Like, but for the sake of this expedition and the resulting paper of my findings, I have chosen to use the afore mentioned authors and sources. They have proven themselves trustworthy over many decades.
The more I read on the subject, the more confused I became, but after letting the information get sifted through the sifting screen of the Holy Spirit and that of sound academic principles and the correct method of Biblical interpretation, I was able to after many days start to form an opinion based upon the factors at hand using the various tools within my tool bag.
The following is the result of my excavation of Gods prophecy given to Daniel in chapter nine of the book that bears his name.
Overview of the seventy weeks
According to Walvoord, this is the best definition of what the Seventy weeks of Daniel are.
“The seventy weeks of Daniel, properly interpreted, demonstrate the “distinct place of the Christian church and Israel in the purposes of God. The seventy weeks of Daniel are totally in reference to Israel and her relation to Gentile powers and the rejection of Israel’s Messiah. The peculiar purpose of God in calling out a people from every nation to form the church and the program of the present age are nowhere in view in this prophecy.” [1]
This is what I understand what Mr. Walvoord to mean by his statement. He has over the years been able to shorten his definition; I still have to use many words with my Limited understanding of the subject! Besides, anyone who knows me knows that I am a story teller!
In the grand plan for the ages, God has chosen a people for Himself, the Jews. Upon their rejection of His son, Jesus as their Messiah, He then turned to the Gentile nations and called out a new people, the “church”.
Upon the church being taken to heaven at the start of the Tribulation, He then returns to the Jews to fulfill His covenants with them.
In Daniel’s prophecy, the Jews and the church must be kept separate at all times as per the Sine Qua Non principals.
In matters regarding the numbers used within this prophecy, I can make no claim at having grasped their importance; I can only repeat what others have concluded from their studies of the topic.
A formula has been established to help understand this. One way to think of this is to rename the prophecy, the “Seventy - Sevens” of Daniel, not the seventy weeks of Daniel.
We as Americans understand that a week is seven days long, but in this instance, we assume incorrectly. There are problems with the translation of the Hebrew and Aramaic languages into English.
The Jews were in trouble with God for not keeping the Sabbath and the Sabbatical year, every seventh years was a time of restoration and of leaving the land fallow. (Ezekiel 20: 16, 18-20) [6]
Since they had failed to obey God, He chose to punish them. For each of the seven years they had failed to obey Him, He would in turn put to their charge one year. So for each Sabbath not observed, God now made a year of Sabbaths, (1 day = 1 year) as their punishment.
The land was to lay desolate during that time. The prophet Jeremiah foretold of the events that took place. (Jeremiah 25:11) [6]
Mr. Walvoord has this to say on the subject of the desolation to come.
“Jeremiah had prophesied, “This whole land shall be a desolation, an astonishment; and these nations shall serve the king of Babylon seventy years.” [2]
Using the chart on page 286 of Mr. Geisler [3] we see clearly that in the first part of Daniels prophecy starting at 606 B. C., we have the start of the Babylonian captivity.
This ended when the Jews were allowed to return back to Jerusalem to rebuild the temple under the leadership of Nehemiah with the sanction of the Medo-Persian kings, 536-444 B.C.
The stories of Nehemiah and Ezra come instantly to mind when I think of the Jews returning to their ancestral home. Even though the Jews were allowed to return to the land, they were still subjects of the gentile nations.
Following their return to Palestine, they were allowed free control of themselves as long as the Grecian kings approved of what they did.
It was also during this time, near the end of the Grecian rule, which you start hearing of Antiochus Epiphanes, a cruel and ruthless ruler. He desecrated the temple by sacrificing a pig on the alter! Do the words “Abomination of Desolation “come to mind?
There was much widespread persecution of the Jews, Antiochus demanded the Jews to forsake their God and worship him as god.
Now we have the Maccabees who took charge and revolted against Antiochus and his government. They won after many years and the temple was rebuilt and temple worship was resumed. It was at that time that the Jewish holiday of Hanukkah came into being.
This tasted for four hundred and eighty three years, by which time the Roman Empire had crushed the Greeks and made Palestine a province of Rome.
Now enter the Jewish Messiah! God chose to send His only Son, Jesus into history at this very time. The best figures have Jesus being born in 3-2 B.C.
Jesus came to the Jews, lived in their midst for thirty three years. Still they could not see that He was their long awaited Messiah!
Then on the Passover of His thirty third year, the Jewish leaders had Jesus put to death, the nation chose Caesar as their king and rejected Christ.
It was after this rejection; Jesus chose to allow the gentiles who believe in Him entrance into His kingdom.
He during His earthly ministry was calling out a bride for Himself. The “church and the Jews” are two different entities, each one with specific responsibilities and privileges.
From the time of the Babylonian captivity until the time that the Jews rejected their Messiah, sixty nine of Daniels seventy weeks have elapsed. Once the church was born in Acts 2, the countdown to week seventy was put on hold for an unknown amount of time.
It has been during this temporary halt to the countdown of weeks that has allowed the body of Christ to grow and flourish. We as the body of Christ are now in the fifth dispensation “grace”. [4]
During this time, the Jews have been dispersed from the land and persecuted for just being Jews! Hitler, Stalin, the Caesars of the Roman empire, the Roman Catholic church and countless other groups have sought to destroy Gods chosen people!
The dispensation of grace has been going on for over two thousand years! How much longer will it continue before Christ comes back for His bride?
The countdown and its resuming of the final week of Daniels prophecy will begin when the church is removed from the scene at the beginning of the Tribulation.
Mr. Benware on page 316 of his book, Understanding End Times Prophecy, gives an outline of the seventieth week of Daniel as a chart. [5]
Preface: The church is raptured.
1. Israel is protected. The Jews return to the land, temple worship is reinstated. This lasts for three and one half years.
2. Mid point of the Tribulation, the Antichrist requires the Jews to worship him as god. The Abomination of Desolation takes place.
3. The Jews are now openly persecuted because of their failure to worship the Antichrist. This lasts the remaining three and one half years of the Tribulation and is now called the Great Tribulation because of the severity of the suffering of unbelieving mankind.
Finale: (chose of word mine) Week seventy ends with the bodily return of Christ at the Battle of Armageddon. Then forty five days later, the Millennial kingdom is established where Christ will sit on the throne of David in Jerusalem and rule earth for one thousand years. (Daniel 12: 11, 12) [6]
Concluding Thoughts
While this prophecy does not apply directly to us as the body of Christ, it is important to know what will happen to the vine or olive tree that we are grafted into. The apostle Paul warns the Roman believers of this very thing in Romans 11: 13- 25. [6]
As world events and advances in technologies that can be used to bring about the control of the human race by the Antichrist, it should delight our hearts that the end of the church age is drawing to a close!
The next, immediate effect of this knowledge should cause us to fall on our face before a Holy God because of our own sin and that of not warning others of Gods impending wrath!
Upon our departure from earth, a great innumerable host will go into a Christless eternity! Have we warned them?
In this prophecy, we see, looking backwards in time, the providence of God. He has always had a people to call His own, starting with Adam and Eve, Noah and others of their time. The patriarchs, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob helped start and enlarge the nation of Israel.
The nation of Israel turned their backs on His ways and as a loving father corrects his children, He punished them out of love and not spite, always giving them a way to return to Him.
He at long last, once they had rejected His Son, called out a new people, the gentiles!
The joy of the matter is this, in the kingdom to come, there will be no Jew or Gentile, we will be one body, all worshiping our Creator God and His Son, Jesus Christ!
Bibliography and Footnotes
1. Pentecost, J. Dwight, Things to Come, page 240, quoting Walvoord, bc. cit.
2. Walvoord, John F., Daniel, The Key to Prophetic Revelation, page 202, par. 2
3. Geisler, Norman L., A Popular Survey of the Old Testament, page 286, a
chart of the Times of the Gentiles
4. Scofield, C. I., Note 2 on Genesis 3:23, KJV study Bible.
5. Benware, Paul N., Understanding End Times Prophecy, page 316, chart,
Events of the Tribulation period.
6. King James Bible, Scofield Reference Bible, 1917 edition
Fincher, Charles
Mr. Welborn
Daniel & Revelation BN 302
May 25, 2007
Introduction
What are the seventy weeks of Daniel? Why is this so important to us today?
I have approached this subject as would an archaeologist using the many tools of the trade to see what lays buried beneath the surface. Then after bringing to light the treasure that was buried, try to see what connection can be made from the time when the treasure was buried until, the time of its discovery by me.
From my digging into the matter, the more I dug, the more confused I became! “What was I thinking when I let my pastor pick out my research topic for this class?” It’s a good thing I trust him, I muse as I shake my head!
I attacked the topic by first reading the book of Daniel from the New King James version of the Bible. I found this version made it much easier to read than the regular KJV. I was able to get an overview of the topic before going in with the small shovels and hand trowels and brushes.
Then as I sought to know more, I grabbed Mr. J. Dwight Pentecost, my first text book from Biblical Interpretation I class, Things to Come. On more than one occasion I have found this book most helpful in matters of the correct interpretation of the scripture.
Then I added to the tools I had planned on using, Mr. John F. Walvoords’ book, Daniel, The Key to Prophetic Revelation. His insight has been most helpful.
Next I had close at hand a copy of a book by Mr. Paul N. Benware, Understanding End Times Prophecy. I found his charts of great value in helping to visualize the events surrounding the prophecy of Daniel.
I also grabbed my copy of Mr. Norman L. Geisler, A Popular Survey of the Old Testament. I was able to glean some helpful information from his writings.
The final tool I used in my archeological expedition of this topic was the Internet. Many sites came up as a result of the search for the seventy weeks of Daniel, but the problems posed by this tool are, that because of the lack of my experience in knowing what is and is not sound doctrine, I found it difficult to know what was the correct information to use and trust!
I have a general feel for what the truth is supposed to feel and look Like, but for the sake of this expedition and the resulting paper of my findings, I have chosen to use the afore mentioned authors and sources. They have proven themselves trustworthy over many decades.
The more I read on the subject, the more confused I became, but after letting the information get sifted through the sifting screen of the Holy Spirit and that of sound academic principles and the correct method of Biblical interpretation, I was able to after many days start to form an opinion based upon the factors at hand using the various tools within my tool bag.
The following is the result of my excavation of Gods prophecy given to Daniel in chapter nine of the book that bears his name.
Overview of the seventy weeks
According to Walvoord, this is the best definition of what the Seventy weeks of Daniel are.
“The seventy weeks of Daniel, properly interpreted, demonstrate the “distinct place of the Christian church and Israel in the purposes of God. The seventy weeks of Daniel are totally in reference to Israel and her relation to Gentile powers and the rejection of Israel’s Messiah. The peculiar purpose of God in calling out a people from every nation to form the church and the program of the present age are nowhere in view in this prophecy.” [1]
This is what I understand what Mr. Walvoord to mean by his statement. He has over the years been able to shorten his definition; I still have to use many words with my Limited understanding of the subject! Besides, anyone who knows me knows that I am a story teller!
In the grand plan for the ages, God has chosen a people for Himself, the Jews. Upon their rejection of His son, Jesus as their Messiah, He then turned to the Gentile nations and called out a new people, the “church”.
Upon the church being taken to heaven at the start of the Tribulation, He then returns to the Jews to fulfill His covenants with them.
In Daniel’s prophecy, the Jews and the church must be kept separate at all times as per the Sine Qua Non principals.
In matters regarding the numbers used within this prophecy, I can make no claim at having grasped their importance; I can only repeat what others have concluded from their studies of the topic.
A formula has been established to help understand this. One way to think of this is to rename the prophecy, the “Seventy - Sevens” of Daniel, not the seventy weeks of Daniel.
We as Americans understand that a week is seven days long, but in this instance, we assume incorrectly. There are problems with the translation of the Hebrew and Aramaic languages into English.
The Jews were in trouble with God for not keeping the Sabbath and the Sabbatical year, every seventh years was a time of restoration and of leaving the land fallow. (Ezekiel 20: 16, 18-20) [6]
Since they had failed to obey God, He chose to punish them. For each of the seven years they had failed to obey Him, He would in turn put to their charge one year. So for each Sabbath not observed, God now made a year of Sabbaths, (1 day = 1 year) as their punishment.
The land was to lay desolate during that time. The prophet Jeremiah foretold of the events that took place. (Jeremiah 25:11) [6]
Mr. Walvoord has this to say on the subject of the desolation to come.
“Jeremiah had prophesied, “This whole land shall be a desolation, an astonishment; and these nations shall serve the king of Babylon seventy years.” [2]
Using the chart on page 286 of Mr. Geisler [3] we see clearly that in the first part of Daniels prophecy starting at 606 B. C., we have the start of the Babylonian captivity.
This ended when the Jews were allowed to return back to Jerusalem to rebuild the temple under the leadership of Nehemiah with the sanction of the Medo-Persian kings, 536-444 B.C.
The stories of Nehemiah and Ezra come instantly to mind when I think of the Jews returning to their ancestral home. Even though the Jews were allowed to return to the land, they were still subjects of the gentile nations.
Following their return to Palestine, they were allowed free control of themselves as long as the Grecian kings approved of what they did.
It was also during this time, near the end of the Grecian rule, which you start hearing of Antiochus Epiphanes, a cruel and ruthless ruler. He desecrated the temple by sacrificing a pig on the alter! Do the words “Abomination of Desolation “come to mind?
There was much widespread persecution of the Jews, Antiochus demanded the Jews to forsake their God and worship him as god.
Now we have the Maccabees who took charge and revolted against Antiochus and his government. They won after many years and the temple was rebuilt and temple worship was resumed. It was at that time that the Jewish holiday of Hanukkah came into being.
This tasted for four hundred and eighty three years, by which time the Roman Empire had crushed the Greeks and made Palestine a province of Rome.
Now enter the Jewish Messiah! God chose to send His only Son, Jesus into history at this very time. The best figures have Jesus being born in 3-2 B.C.
Jesus came to the Jews, lived in their midst for thirty three years. Still they could not see that He was their long awaited Messiah!
Then on the Passover of His thirty third year, the Jewish leaders had Jesus put to death, the nation chose Caesar as their king and rejected Christ.
It was after this rejection; Jesus chose to allow the gentiles who believe in Him entrance into His kingdom.
He during His earthly ministry was calling out a bride for Himself. The “church and the Jews” are two different entities, each one with specific responsibilities and privileges.
From the time of the Babylonian captivity until the time that the Jews rejected their Messiah, sixty nine of Daniels seventy weeks have elapsed. Once the church was born in Acts 2, the countdown to week seventy was put on hold for an unknown amount of time.
It has been during this temporary halt to the countdown of weeks that has allowed the body of Christ to grow and flourish. We as the body of Christ are now in the fifth dispensation “grace”. [4]
During this time, the Jews have been dispersed from the land and persecuted for just being Jews! Hitler, Stalin, the Caesars of the Roman empire, the Roman Catholic church and countless other groups have sought to destroy Gods chosen people!
The dispensation of grace has been going on for over two thousand years! How much longer will it continue before Christ comes back for His bride?
The countdown and its resuming of the final week of Daniels prophecy will begin when the church is removed from the scene at the beginning of the Tribulation.
Mr. Benware on page 316 of his book, Understanding End Times Prophecy, gives an outline of the seventieth week of Daniel as a chart. [5]
Preface: The church is raptured.
1. Israel is protected. The Jews return to the land, temple worship is reinstated. This lasts for three and one half years.
2. Mid point of the Tribulation, the Antichrist requires the Jews to worship him as god. The Abomination of Desolation takes place.
3. The Jews are now openly persecuted because of their failure to worship the Antichrist. This lasts the remaining three and one half years of the Tribulation and is now called the Great Tribulation because of the severity of the suffering of unbelieving mankind.
Finale: (chose of word mine) Week seventy ends with the bodily return of Christ at the Battle of Armageddon. Then forty five days later, the Millennial kingdom is established where Christ will sit on the throne of David in Jerusalem and rule earth for one thousand years. (Daniel 12: 11, 12) [6]
Concluding Thoughts
While this prophecy does not apply directly to us as the body of Christ, it is important to know what will happen to the vine or olive tree that we are grafted into. The apostle Paul warns the Roman believers of this very thing in Romans 11: 13- 25. [6]
As world events and advances in technologies that can be used to bring about the control of the human race by the Antichrist, it should delight our hearts that the end of the church age is drawing to a close!
The next, immediate effect of this knowledge should cause us to fall on our face before a Holy God because of our own sin and that of not warning others of Gods impending wrath!
Upon our departure from earth, a great innumerable host will go into a Christless eternity! Have we warned them?
In this prophecy, we see, looking backwards in time, the providence of God. He has always had a people to call His own, starting with Adam and Eve, Noah and others of their time. The patriarchs, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob helped start and enlarge the nation of Israel.
The nation of Israel turned their backs on His ways and as a loving father corrects his children, He punished them out of love and not spite, always giving them a way to return to Him.
He at long last, once they had rejected His Son, called out a new people, the gentiles!
The joy of the matter is this, in the kingdom to come, there will be no Jew or Gentile, we will be one body, all worshiping our Creator God and His Son, Jesus Christ!
Bibliography and Footnotes
1. Pentecost, J. Dwight, Things to Come, page 240, quoting Walvoord, bc. cit.
2. Walvoord, John F., Daniel, The Key to Prophetic Revelation, page 202, par. 2
3. Geisler, Norman L., A Popular Survey of the Old Testament, page 286, a
chart of the Times of the Gentiles
4. Scofield, C. I., Note 2 on Genesis 3:23, KJV study Bible.
5. Benware, Paul N., Understanding End Times Prophecy, page 316, chart,
Events of the Tribulation period.
6. King James Bible, Scofield Reference Bible, 1917 edition
The Debate
The Debate
Once Save, Always Saved?
Dr. White
Systematic Theology III BT 403
January 3, 2007
This is the fictitious account of a debate between a follower of the normalist view of scripture interpretation and a follower of James Arminius.
The time is 1888, the place, central Florida, in a small town called Havens. The location is Fort Desire; a camp ground used by the local militia, at the camp is a large open shed looking building, large enough to hold several hundred people.
Its roof is covered with tin, painted white, the roof supports and poles can be plainly seen for some distance away. The shed is very sparse on the inside, on this occasion there are many rows of seats set up close together. On one end of the room is a large raised platform with a small table and chair in the middle of the platform. On either side of the table is an average sized wooden podium, slightly angled towards the center of the platform.
The flag of the United States and of the state of Florida are in their place on the outside of the platform. The lamps are set in their places, this may be a long debate, the speakers have come from quite a distance to be here, and they also are not the best of friends either, so this could get rather heated!
All is set for the debate; those attending tonight have arrived and taken their places. Men in their finest coats and ties and hats, the women are in the best gowns, one can see their fans are in hand should it get to hot due to the lack of a cool breeze. The children can be seen playing around the outside of the building.
Let’s go inside and take our place, the debate is about to start, we don’t want to miss the introductions!
“Tonight we have for you two of the finest speakers our generation has produced, Mr. Doc Greggs of the Battle Creek, Michigan Theological Society, and Mr. N. W. Ozz, senior pastor of Tabernacle by the Lake Church, here in Havens!” says the host of the gathering.
The host goes on, “Our debate moderator tonight will be Capt. C. W. McKinsy, Chaplin for the Local militia.”
“Let’s give these men a round of applause!”
Since you can’t see the men, let me describe them to you!
Mr. Greggs is the oldest one up there. Solid silver grey hair! A huge deep voice when he speaks and a smile that warms your heart when he draws you into his confidence, yet his face can let you know you have erred in your ways just by a look!
Mr. Ozz is the younger of the two and is slightly taller and thinner. His hair has turned a handsome silver gray, mostly grey! He wears a small set of spectacles when he goes to read, often tossing them around on the podium to make a point! Of the two, he is the more emotional and hot tempered one! Mr. Greggs is mellow, yet can get fired up about his convictions!
They’re going on!
The host continues on, “Both men have agreed to the terms and rules of tonight’s debate before hand.” “Now I turn it over to Capt. McKinsy”
Capt. McKinsy takes over now, “Before we begin, let us pray. . .”
“Gentlemen, let’s start each of you giving a brief opening statement of your belief on the topic of tonight, “Can one Loose their salvation once they are saved?”
“Mr. Greggs has won the coin toss before the proceedings started, he’ll go first.”
Mr. Greggs, big booming voice is about to erupt! His face and lips contort to form the words that are building up from deep within his heart and soul, his hands are on either side of the podium and he is leaning slightly forward as if to get a little closer to his audience. Then he begins!
“It is my deepest heartfelt belief that once a person is saved, nothing they can ever do can ever undo what Christ has done for them. Since we have only to believe on the finished work of the very Son of God, who lived a sinless life, died in our place on that Roman cross, to impute His righteous to our account, then on that third day, bodily arose out of the grave, forever alive. We can do nothing to nullify those facts!”
With that Last word, he takes his hand, palm down and slams it to the podium in emphasis to his last statement!
The crowd responds with cheers and applause! Some rise to their feet, amen’s and hallelujahs can be heard throughout the gathering!
Mr. Ozz during all of this is still seated, shaking his head, with a took on his face of one in total disbelief of what this man has just said! His hands making motions to some unheard thoughts, does he know how stupid he sounds, spurting out that line of garbage?
After the crowd quiets down, Capt. McKinsy goes on, “Thank you Mr. Greggs, now for your opening remarks Mr. Ozz.”
“Thank you ladies and gentlemen, my esteemed Mr. Greggs has filled your ears with all sorts of things you want to hear! He is good at that, after all that’s why he was chosen to be the spokesman for his organization!” he says mockingly!
He continues, “What. . you. . need. . to. . hear. .is. .the. . . .truth!” He bangs his fist on the podium in time with his words, a slight pause is heard as he draws it out on the Last word, then he unleashes his open hand, palm down for maximum sound effects!
“Yes the way to salvation is through the shed blood of the Lord Jesus Christ, but once you’re saved, you can lose it! I’ll tell you more later on!”
Even before he had finished speaking, the crowd was on their feet! People are shaking their fists at him; cat calls can be heard above the roar of the group! Those who agree with him are silent in their seats, not daring to bring any attention to themselves in the face of so many in opposition to their champion!
The moderator and host are calling for order in the room! Some of the militia have moved into place just in case the crowd turns ugly!
Once order has been restored, Capt. McKinsy goes on, “Both of you have seen the reaction to you statements, that is a first for this type of gathering!” “Now for your first question. . “
“What method do you use to interpret the scriptures?”
“Mr. Ozz, please take this question first.”
“Thank you Capt. McKinsy, as we all know, the Bible is a good book to read! Maybe that’s why it’s been called the good book. It is the collection of the thoughts of God and of those who have followed him throughout their Lives.
Men such as Abraham, Adam (prior to the fall), Noah and Moses to name just a few. Then we have the stories about Jesus in the gospels. Yes I believe this book is the word and mind of God, a spiritual book, yet you ask how do I interpret this book.
I take allegorical, approach to interpreting the Bible, which is that the literary text regards the literal sense as the vehicle for a secondary, more spiritual and more profound sense.” [1]
Mr. Greggs interrupts and says, “You read one what is written and if you don’t like it, you change it!”
There are snickers heard around the room as the group interacts with the speakers tonight.
Mr. Ozz is at a loss for words at the comment of his opponent! His eyes flash with fire as he spins around to look at him; his spectacles are off and on the podium in a heartbeat!
“Okay . . . “he says, “Tell us what you think and how you do it, as if we don’t already know!” As he is saying this, he is turning his back to Mr. Greggs and putting his left hand near his mouth as if to try and hide what he is saying.
Now your turn Mr. Greggs.
“Thank you Capt. McKinsy. What I said to Mr. Ozz is true; those who use the allegorical method to interpret the Holy Scriptures run the risk of coming to wrong conclusions.
I use the literal, historical-grammatical method of interpreting. [2] By using this method, I Look at the literal meanings of the words, their place within the sentence structure and their place in a historical setting, giving consideration to the culture and customs of the time period.”
“God wants us to understand His message, so why not use plain language to do it? Or why else should He hold us accountable for it if we can’t understand it?”
There is not much response from the group as Mr. Greggs is speaking; most are taking in his every word.
“Question number two, gentlemen, what is your view on the depravity of man?
“Which of you men would like to take this one first?” Mr. Ozz is up on his feet first! Mr. Greggs backs away from his podium and returns to his seat.
“Mr. Greggs has been filling your heads with all sorts of old, outdated notions of the way things were long ago! I’m here to tell you like it really is now!
Jacobus Arminius, the originator of what I believe had this to say about the depravity of man. “In this (fallen) state, the free will of man towards the true good is not only wounded, infirm, bent, and weakened; but it is also imprisoned, destroyed, and lost. And its powers are not only debilitated and useless unless they are assisted by grace, but it has no powers whatever except such as are excited by Divine grace.” [3]
The condition of the fallen man is that he cannot do anything that can be considered good without first aided by grace to perform that act of goodness.”
“More mumbo jumbo” Says Mr. Greggs! “You don’t have an original thought inside that head of yours!” “To wish to God, that my hair color was not so close to yours!”
“By not sticking closely to the literal method of scriptural interpretation, you leave room for your own ideas, and we know they can be swayed by outside forces!
Romans 3:10, 11 says, “As it is written, there is none righteous, no not one; there is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God.”
Romans 7: 15-21 tells us that within us there is a war between our fleshly nature and the new man born of Christ on the day we truly believed.
It is because of Christ that we have the power of do good.”
Next question gentlemen. “Is Christ atonement for all people or some people?”
Mr. Greggs, you go first please.
“Thank you. Christ died for all men, not some, but all! The elect as well as well as those who make the decision not to accept Christ. Romans 5: 8 says, “But God commended his Love towards us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”
John 3: 16 says, “For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”
This verse does not say that God sent his Son to only those who might believe in him! Never mind sending him to those who won’t believe in him, they’re on their own!
Again, read the words on the page, nothing more!”
Mr. Ozz is keeping quiet for now, waiting for his turn to open up on Mr. Greggs!
“Mr. Greggs,” he begins, “I agree with you on this point. We do not differ on this matter! Arminius says that atonement is intended for all: Jesus’ death was for all people, Jesus draws all people to himself, and all people have an opportunity for salvation through faith.” [4]
“This is first for the evening!” says Capt. McKinsy.
Your next question is this, “Did Christ’s death, satisfy God’s justice?”
“What we have no takers on this one?” “Mr. Ozz, please start us out on this one.”
Mr. Ozz gets up reluctantly and goes to his podium and slowly begins, “Yes, Christ’s death did satisfy God. We all have heard of the word, “Justification”. The act of God when He imputes the righteousness of Christ to our Life. But it takes faith on our part to receive that justification.
Let me quote Stephen Ashby as he clarifies something for us, “Arminius allowed for only two possible ways in which the sinner might be justified: (1) by our absolute and perfect adherence to the law, or (2) purely by God’s imputation of Christ’s righteousness.” [5]
And before you go and say anything Mr. Greggs”, Mr. Ozz is spinning around to face his opponent, pointing his finger at him, “It is NOT a works based concept!”
Mr. Greggs sounds off now, his eye brows raised, ready to strike at a dangerous foe.
“Based upon your last statement, it sure sound like Mr. Ashby doesn’t know what to believe! He has two ways of being justified, works and grace! It sounds like he was trying to cater to both sides of the issue!
Which one is the correct one? There can be only one, and that is that we are justified by God through faith in Christ. It is all of God and not of man.
Romans 3: 22-24, says that the righteousness was of God and not man. It is acquired by faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe! We are justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ.
This is not of man, just Like the Abrahamic covenant, God made with Abraham in Genesis 15, God entered into it alone, without Abraham, yet he was the recipient of that covenant.”
“We have reached the half way point in our proceedings tonight.” Capt. McKinsy goes on, “For those who need it, there are refreshments in the camp mess hall.”
The next question will be, “Can the grace of God be resisted?”
“Mr. Greggs, I’ll let you go first on this one.”
“Thank you Capt. McKinsy, in a word NO! Long before anything ever existed, during the great design session for the ages to come in heaven, the omniscience of God, knew that some would accept His Son Jesus as their Savior and some would not!
The sacrifice of His son, was realized on Calvary when the weight of mans sin was upon Christ and the Father turned His face on the one who throughout all of eternity had been together with, now for the first time, they were apart!
Grace can be defined as unmerited favor; we have no grace because of our own works, because we have no merit for God to find favor with! Isaiah 64:6 says it best, “But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousness is as filthy rags;”
Romans 4: 7, 8 says it best, “Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered. Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin.”
Alright, Mr. Ozz, how do you respond to that?”
Mr. Ozz begins, “You have said well, our righteousness is as dirty rags, but it is God who took the initiative in the salvation process, and his grace came to all people that day on Calvary! Yes, we must first believe in Christ to receive that grace. How and when does that grace first appear?
Have you ever heard of the word, “prevenient” or pre-regenerating grace? This grace acts on all people to convict them of the gospel, drawing them strongly towards salvation, and enabling the possibility of sincere faith.
Picirilli states, “Indeed this grace is so close to regeneration that it inevitably leads to regeneration unless finally resisted.” [6]
Okay gentlemen, your next question, “Does man have a free will?”
Mr. Ozz, “Man has limited free wilt. Free wilt is limited by God’s sovereignty, but God sovereignty allows all men the choice to accept the Gospel of Jesus through faith, simultaneously allowing all men to resist. [7]
“Your turn Mr. Greggs.”
“Man does have free wilt, a will to choose between good and evil. The earliest example is found in Genesis 3:1-7. We all know the story of Adam and Eve and how they sinned! At the offset of humanity, we chose the wrong thing! God had to many eons later send Christ to redeem us!
Romans 7: 15-24 tells of the dilemma of man as expressed by Paul! We only have victory when we yield our wills to that of the Holy Spirit. God does not force His wilt on us! We are free to make up our own minds.”
Capt. McKinsy, “Only three more questions left before we have our
closing statements.”
“Is the election of man to God, conditional or unconditional?”
“Mr. Ozz, your response to this question?”
“Election? Sorry, my mind was someplace else for a moment! Oh yes, Arminius defines election as “the decree of God by which, of Himself, from eternity, He decrees to justify in Christ, believers, and to accept them unto eternal life.” [8]
God also has determined who will be saved and who will not! God regards no man in Christ unless they are engrafted in him by faith.”
“But doesn’t God want all men to come to Him?” chimes in Mr. Greggs.
“All who do not come to faith in Christ might as well be as Judas the betrayer! They are doomed even before they are born! That is not how loving God operates!”
By now Mr. Ozz has had it with Mr. Greggs and his sharp words, he quickly responds back, “Then if you think you know so much, then pray tell, do tell us how God operates!”
As he is saying this, he has both arms stretched out, palms up, pointing towards Mr. Greggs with his head turned to look at the audience.
“Gods election is unconditional.” Mr. Greggs begins, He sent Christ to us, we did not ascend into heaven, but Christ came to us!
We all know what John 3:16 - 18 says! Ephesians 1:4-5, tells us that God chose us before the forming of the earth! He pre-decided that we would be a part of His family, by being adopted in Christ! He chose all men to come to Him, not all though do, that is not His fault! When the Master says come, shouldn’t we obey?”
“Mr. Greggs, you’re getting ahead of the questions!” says Capt. McKinsy.
The next question is about your take on predestination. “Mr. Ozz, this is yours, we already know what Mr. Greggs thinks about it!”
“Yes, all are to be saved, but being predestined does not mean that all men will be of the elect of God. God gives us a choice in the matter.
Here is what has been said about predestination by David Pawson, “Predestination is not the predetermination of who will believe, but rather the predetermination of the believer’s future inheritance. The elect are therefore predestined to sonship through adoption, glorification, and eternal life.” [9]
Now the last question of the evening gentlemen! The audience applauds this statement!
“What is your belief about eternal security? Are we as the statement says, “Once saved, always saved?”
“Mr. Ozz, please take this final question first.”
“Our eternal security is conditional!” he starts out saying. “In the process of living our lives, we need to work out our salvation. Picirilli says that, “All believers have full assurance of salvation with the condition that they remain in Christ. Salvation is conditioned on faith, therefore perseverance is also conditioned.” [10]
“Once we stop doing what God wants us to do or go into apostasy, we have to start all over again. Confess our sin, believe, and so forth. This has to happen when ever we sin! Our Lives are a work in progress.”
Mr. Greggs, has been waiting for his turn, you can see him twisting in his seat, eager to have his say!
“What Mr. Ozz has told you is partly correct, but any error in this belief is still an error! Because it was Gods idea to redeem mankind, would it then, not be logical to believe that once He saves us, He can keep us by His saving power?
The answer should be a resounding yes! Amen and hallelujah! When we do turn our backs on Christ and go our own way, He does not forsake us, just like the story in the gospels of t he prodigal son.
When we do come to our senses, we confess our sins, accept His forgiveness and move on with our life. As we sin daily, we repeat this process.
John 10: 28, 29 say it best! “And I give unto you eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father’s hand.”
Romans 8: 35-39 offer more insight as to this matter! We cannot jump out of the hand of Christ or His Father! There is no force in heaven or earth that can separate us from the Love of God!”
Shouts of Amen’s, praise the Lord and other shouts of approval are heard coming from the audience!
“Now men, let’s hear your closing statement before we bring this meeting to a close.”
“Mr. Greggs, since you are the elder of the two, please go first” says Capt. McKinsy.
Once again, the distinguished Looking man grabs the sides of the podium with both hands and leans slightly forwards towards the audience before he begins his statement.
“I want you to keep in mind a few simple things, they will help you as you search out the truths found in the holy scriptures, always look at the context, interpret it literally within known cultural and historical background. Then rely on the indwelling Holy Spirit to guide you into the truth contained within the passage! That is hard is it gets!
When you become aware of your sin, repent of it quickly, seek Christ’s forgiveness! Don’t build up a large sin account! There can be no peace with God that way!
Now lastly, treat others as you would want to be treated, by doing so, you show forth the spirit of Christ that lives within you to a watching world around you. Always keep in the forefront of your mind that you belong to Christ! We are Christ to a watching world! “
Thank you for coming tonight, now I turn it over to Mr. Ozz.”
“Mr. Greggs has filled your heads with all sorts of scripture references tonight, he is good at that! The Bible is a spiritual book and must be interpreted as such! Not literally, or else passages like 1 Peter 3:8 would take on a vastly different meaning!
“But beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years is as one day.”
As times change so does the meaning of God’s Word! It changes to meet the needs of the man who is reading it!
We are to work out our own salvation and do what we must to keep it! Whether by confessing our sins and accepting the justification of Christ for our lives or by trying to live a perfect life in accordance to the law set down countless eons ago!
Those who adhere to a strict form of doctrine are being extremely narrow minded and are out of the mainstream of religious thought of our day! Listen to them at your own risk, the risk of your immortal soul!”
With this the evening’s proceedings are over, there has been no clear winner to this debate. Each man has their own group of followers; both camps of thought remained unchanged in their beliefs. It can be said that the truth of God was presented by Mr. Greggs with as much conviction as he could. Many heard this truth for the first time tonight.
Footnotes
All scripture was taken from the 1917 edition of the Scofield reference Bible, KJV, Oxford University Press
1 Things to Come, J. Dwight Pentecost, page 4, par. 3.
2 Dispensationalism, Charles C. Ryrie, page 40.
3 Arminius, James the writings of James Arminius, tr. James Nichols and W. R.
Bagnall (Grand Rapids: Baker, 1956)
4Arminius 1:316
5 Ash by Four Views, 140
6 Piciritli, Robert, Grace, Faith, Free Will: Contrasting Views of Salvation:
Calvinism and Arminianism (Nashville: Randall House Publications, 2002) 154ff
7 http://www.answers.com/topic/arminianism Page 5
8 Arminius Writings, LII: 311
9 Pawsom, David, Once Saved, Always Saved? A Study in Perseverance and
Inheritance (London: Hodder & Staughton, 1996), 109ff
10 Piciritti, Grace, Faith, Free Will, 203
Disclaimer
Any physical resemblance to any person or persons or locations is intended. I used my pastor, Nathan 0. Osborne III and Dr. Dick Gregory, his mentor as models for the mannerisms and temperaments of the two men within this paper. The town of Havens and Fort Desire are purely fictitious.
Of theological note, neither men subscribe to nor teaches Arminianism in any way, shape or form.
Once Save, Always Saved?
Dr. White
Systematic Theology III BT 403
January 3, 2007
This is the fictitious account of a debate between a follower of the normalist view of scripture interpretation and a follower of James Arminius.
The time is 1888, the place, central Florida, in a small town called Havens. The location is Fort Desire; a camp ground used by the local militia, at the camp is a large open shed looking building, large enough to hold several hundred people.
Its roof is covered with tin, painted white, the roof supports and poles can be plainly seen for some distance away. The shed is very sparse on the inside, on this occasion there are many rows of seats set up close together. On one end of the room is a large raised platform with a small table and chair in the middle of the platform. On either side of the table is an average sized wooden podium, slightly angled towards the center of the platform.
The flag of the United States and of the state of Florida are in their place on the outside of the platform. The lamps are set in their places, this may be a long debate, the speakers have come from quite a distance to be here, and they also are not the best of friends either, so this could get rather heated!
All is set for the debate; those attending tonight have arrived and taken their places. Men in their finest coats and ties and hats, the women are in the best gowns, one can see their fans are in hand should it get to hot due to the lack of a cool breeze. The children can be seen playing around the outside of the building.
Let’s go inside and take our place, the debate is about to start, we don’t want to miss the introductions!
“Tonight we have for you two of the finest speakers our generation has produced, Mr. Doc Greggs of the Battle Creek, Michigan Theological Society, and Mr. N. W. Ozz, senior pastor of Tabernacle by the Lake Church, here in Havens!” says the host of the gathering.
The host goes on, “Our debate moderator tonight will be Capt. C. W. McKinsy, Chaplin for the Local militia.”
“Let’s give these men a round of applause!”
Since you can’t see the men, let me describe them to you!
Mr. Greggs is the oldest one up there. Solid silver grey hair! A huge deep voice when he speaks and a smile that warms your heart when he draws you into his confidence, yet his face can let you know you have erred in your ways just by a look!
Mr. Ozz is the younger of the two and is slightly taller and thinner. His hair has turned a handsome silver gray, mostly grey! He wears a small set of spectacles when he goes to read, often tossing them around on the podium to make a point! Of the two, he is the more emotional and hot tempered one! Mr. Greggs is mellow, yet can get fired up about his convictions!
They’re going on!
The host continues on, “Both men have agreed to the terms and rules of tonight’s debate before hand.” “Now I turn it over to Capt. McKinsy”
Capt. McKinsy takes over now, “Before we begin, let us pray. . .”
“Gentlemen, let’s start each of you giving a brief opening statement of your belief on the topic of tonight, “Can one Loose their salvation once they are saved?”
“Mr. Greggs has won the coin toss before the proceedings started, he’ll go first.”
Mr. Greggs, big booming voice is about to erupt! His face and lips contort to form the words that are building up from deep within his heart and soul, his hands are on either side of the podium and he is leaning slightly forward as if to get a little closer to his audience. Then he begins!
“It is my deepest heartfelt belief that once a person is saved, nothing they can ever do can ever undo what Christ has done for them. Since we have only to believe on the finished work of the very Son of God, who lived a sinless life, died in our place on that Roman cross, to impute His righteous to our account, then on that third day, bodily arose out of the grave, forever alive. We can do nothing to nullify those facts!”
With that Last word, he takes his hand, palm down and slams it to the podium in emphasis to his last statement!
The crowd responds with cheers and applause! Some rise to their feet, amen’s and hallelujahs can be heard throughout the gathering!
Mr. Ozz during all of this is still seated, shaking his head, with a took on his face of one in total disbelief of what this man has just said! His hands making motions to some unheard thoughts, does he know how stupid he sounds, spurting out that line of garbage?
After the crowd quiets down, Capt. McKinsy goes on, “Thank you Mr. Greggs, now for your opening remarks Mr. Ozz.”
“Thank you ladies and gentlemen, my esteemed Mr. Greggs has filled your ears with all sorts of things you want to hear! He is good at that, after all that’s why he was chosen to be the spokesman for his organization!” he says mockingly!
He continues, “What. . you. . need. . to. . hear. .is. .the. . . .truth!” He bangs his fist on the podium in time with his words, a slight pause is heard as he draws it out on the Last word, then he unleashes his open hand, palm down for maximum sound effects!
“Yes the way to salvation is through the shed blood of the Lord Jesus Christ, but once you’re saved, you can lose it! I’ll tell you more later on!”
Even before he had finished speaking, the crowd was on their feet! People are shaking their fists at him; cat calls can be heard above the roar of the group! Those who agree with him are silent in their seats, not daring to bring any attention to themselves in the face of so many in opposition to their champion!
The moderator and host are calling for order in the room! Some of the militia have moved into place just in case the crowd turns ugly!
Once order has been restored, Capt. McKinsy goes on, “Both of you have seen the reaction to you statements, that is a first for this type of gathering!” “Now for your first question. . “
“What method do you use to interpret the scriptures?”
“Mr. Ozz, please take this question first.”
“Thank you Capt. McKinsy, as we all know, the Bible is a good book to read! Maybe that’s why it’s been called the good book. It is the collection of the thoughts of God and of those who have followed him throughout their Lives.
Men such as Abraham, Adam (prior to the fall), Noah and Moses to name just a few. Then we have the stories about Jesus in the gospels. Yes I believe this book is the word and mind of God, a spiritual book, yet you ask how do I interpret this book.
I take allegorical, approach to interpreting the Bible, which is that the literary text regards the literal sense as the vehicle for a secondary, more spiritual and more profound sense.” [1]
Mr. Greggs interrupts and says, “You read one what is written and if you don’t like it, you change it!”
There are snickers heard around the room as the group interacts with the speakers tonight.
Mr. Ozz is at a loss for words at the comment of his opponent! His eyes flash with fire as he spins around to look at him; his spectacles are off and on the podium in a heartbeat!
“Okay . . . “he says, “Tell us what you think and how you do it, as if we don’t already know!” As he is saying this, he is turning his back to Mr. Greggs and putting his left hand near his mouth as if to try and hide what he is saying.
Now your turn Mr. Greggs.
“Thank you Capt. McKinsy. What I said to Mr. Ozz is true; those who use the allegorical method to interpret the Holy Scriptures run the risk of coming to wrong conclusions.
I use the literal, historical-grammatical method of interpreting. [2] By using this method, I Look at the literal meanings of the words, their place within the sentence structure and their place in a historical setting, giving consideration to the culture and customs of the time period.”
“God wants us to understand His message, so why not use plain language to do it? Or why else should He hold us accountable for it if we can’t understand it?”
There is not much response from the group as Mr. Greggs is speaking; most are taking in his every word.
“Question number two, gentlemen, what is your view on the depravity of man?
“Which of you men would like to take this one first?” Mr. Ozz is up on his feet first! Mr. Greggs backs away from his podium and returns to his seat.
“Mr. Greggs has been filling your heads with all sorts of old, outdated notions of the way things were long ago! I’m here to tell you like it really is now!
Jacobus Arminius, the originator of what I believe had this to say about the depravity of man. “In this (fallen) state, the free will of man towards the true good is not only wounded, infirm, bent, and weakened; but it is also imprisoned, destroyed, and lost. And its powers are not only debilitated and useless unless they are assisted by grace, but it has no powers whatever except such as are excited by Divine grace.” [3]
The condition of the fallen man is that he cannot do anything that can be considered good without first aided by grace to perform that act of goodness.”
“More mumbo jumbo” Says Mr. Greggs! “You don’t have an original thought inside that head of yours!” “To wish to God, that my hair color was not so close to yours!”
“By not sticking closely to the literal method of scriptural interpretation, you leave room for your own ideas, and we know they can be swayed by outside forces!
Romans 3:10, 11 says, “As it is written, there is none righteous, no not one; there is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God.”
Romans 7: 15-21 tells us that within us there is a war between our fleshly nature and the new man born of Christ on the day we truly believed.
It is because of Christ that we have the power of do good.”
Next question gentlemen. “Is Christ atonement for all people or some people?”
Mr. Greggs, you go first please.
“Thank you. Christ died for all men, not some, but all! The elect as well as well as those who make the decision not to accept Christ. Romans 5: 8 says, “But God commended his Love towards us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”
John 3: 16 says, “For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”
This verse does not say that God sent his Son to only those who might believe in him! Never mind sending him to those who won’t believe in him, they’re on their own!
Again, read the words on the page, nothing more!”
Mr. Ozz is keeping quiet for now, waiting for his turn to open up on Mr. Greggs!
“Mr. Greggs,” he begins, “I agree with you on this point. We do not differ on this matter! Arminius says that atonement is intended for all: Jesus’ death was for all people, Jesus draws all people to himself, and all people have an opportunity for salvation through faith.” [4]
“This is first for the evening!” says Capt. McKinsy.
Your next question is this, “Did Christ’s death, satisfy God’s justice?”
“What we have no takers on this one?” “Mr. Ozz, please start us out on this one.”
Mr. Ozz gets up reluctantly and goes to his podium and slowly begins, “Yes, Christ’s death did satisfy God. We all have heard of the word, “Justification”. The act of God when He imputes the righteousness of Christ to our Life. But it takes faith on our part to receive that justification.
Let me quote Stephen Ashby as he clarifies something for us, “Arminius allowed for only two possible ways in which the sinner might be justified: (1) by our absolute and perfect adherence to the law, or (2) purely by God’s imputation of Christ’s righteousness.” [5]
And before you go and say anything Mr. Greggs”, Mr. Ozz is spinning around to face his opponent, pointing his finger at him, “It is NOT a works based concept!”
Mr. Greggs sounds off now, his eye brows raised, ready to strike at a dangerous foe.
“Based upon your last statement, it sure sound like Mr. Ashby doesn’t know what to believe! He has two ways of being justified, works and grace! It sounds like he was trying to cater to both sides of the issue!
Which one is the correct one? There can be only one, and that is that we are justified by God through faith in Christ. It is all of God and not of man.
Romans 3: 22-24, says that the righteousness was of God and not man. It is acquired by faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe! We are justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ.
This is not of man, just Like the Abrahamic covenant, God made with Abraham in Genesis 15, God entered into it alone, without Abraham, yet he was the recipient of that covenant.”
“We have reached the half way point in our proceedings tonight.” Capt. McKinsy goes on, “For those who need it, there are refreshments in the camp mess hall.”
The next question will be, “Can the grace of God be resisted?”
“Mr. Greggs, I’ll let you go first on this one.”
“Thank you Capt. McKinsy, in a word NO! Long before anything ever existed, during the great design session for the ages to come in heaven, the omniscience of God, knew that some would accept His Son Jesus as their Savior and some would not!
The sacrifice of His son, was realized on Calvary when the weight of mans sin was upon Christ and the Father turned His face on the one who throughout all of eternity had been together with, now for the first time, they were apart!
Grace can be defined as unmerited favor; we have no grace because of our own works, because we have no merit for God to find favor with! Isaiah 64:6 says it best, “But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousness is as filthy rags;”
Romans 4: 7, 8 says it best, “Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered. Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin.”
Alright, Mr. Ozz, how do you respond to that?”
Mr. Ozz begins, “You have said well, our righteousness is as dirty rags, but it is God who took the initiative in the salvation process, and his grace came to all people that day on Calvary! Yes, we must first believe in Christ to receive that grace. How and when does that grace first appear?
Have you ever heard of the word, “prevenient” or pre-regenerating grace? This grace acts on all people to convict them of the gospel, drawing them strongly towards salvation, and enabling the possibility of sincere faith.
Picirilli states, “Indeed this grace is so close to regeneration that it inevitably leads to regeneration unless finally resisted.” [6]
Okay gentlemen, your next question, “Does man have a free will?”
Mr. Ozz, “Man has limited free wilt. Free wilt is limited by God’s sovereignty, but God sovereignty allows all men the choice to accept the Gospel of Jesus through faith, simultaneously allowing all men to resist. [7]
“Your turn Mr. Greggs.”
“Man does have free wilt, a will to choose between good and evil. The earliest example is found in Genesis 3:1-7. We all know the story of Adam and Eve and how they sinned! At the offset of humanity, we chose the wrong thing! God had to many eons later send Christ to redeem us!
Romans 7: 15-24 tells of the dilemma of man as expressed by Paul! We only have victory when we yield our wills to that of the Holy Spirit. God does not force His wilt on us! We are free to make up our own minds.”
Capt. McKinsy, “Only three more questions left before we have our
closing statements.”
“Is the election of man to God, conditional or unconditional?”
“Mr. Ozz, your response to this question?”
“Election? Sorry, my mind was someplace else for a moment! Oh yes, Arminius defines election as “the decree of God by which, of Himself, from eternity, He decrees to justify in Christ, believers, and to accept them unto eternal life.” [8]
God also has determined who will be saved and who will not! God regards no man in Christ unless they are engrafted in him by faith.”
“But doesn’t God want all men to come to Him?” chimes in Mr. Greggs.
“All who do not come to faith in Christ might as well be as Judas the betrayer! They are doomed even before they are born! That is not how loving God operates!”
By now Mr. Ozz has had it with Mr. Greggs and his sharp words, he quickly responds back, “Then if you think you know so much, then pray tell, do tell us how God operates!”
As he is saying this, he has both arms stretched out, palms up, pointing towards Mr. Greggs with his head turned to look at the audience.
“Gods election is unconditional.” Mr. Greggs begins, He sent Christ to us, we did not ascend into heaven, but Christ came to us!
We all know what John 3:16 - 18 says! Ephesians 1:4-5, tells us that God chose us before the forming of the earth! He pre-decided that we would be a part of His family, by being adopted in Christ! He chose all men to come to Him, not all though do, that is not His fault! When the Master says come, shouldn’t we obey?”
“Mr. Greggs, you’re getting ahead of the questions!” says Capt. McKinsy.
The next question is about your take on predestination. “Mr. Ozz, this is yours, we already know what Mr. Greggs thinks about it!”
“Yes, all are to be saved, but being predestined does not mean that all men will be of the elect of God. God gives us a choice in the matter.
Here is what has been said about predestination by David Pawson, “Predestination is not the predetermination of who will believe, but rather the predetermination of the believer’s future inheritance. The elect are therefore predestined to sonship through adoption, glorification, and eternal life.” [9]
Now the last question of the evening gentlemen! The audience applauds this statement!
“What is your belief about eternal security? Are we as the statement says, “Once saved, always saved?”
“Mr. Ozz, please take this final question first.”
“Our eternal security is conditional!” he starts out saying. “In the process of living our lives, we need to work out our salvation. Picirilli says that, “All believers have full assurance of salvation with the condition that they remain in Christ. Salvation is conditioned on faith, therefore perseverance is also conditioned.” [10]
“Once we stop doing what God wants us to do or go into apostasy, we have to start all over again. Confess our sin, believe, and so forth. This has to happen when ever we sin! Our Lives are a work in progress.”
Mr. Greggs, has been waiting for his turn, you can see him twisting in his seat, eager to have his say!
“What Mr. Ozz has told you is partly correct, but any error in this belief is still an error! Because it was Gods idea to redeem mankind, would it then, not be logical to believe that once He saves us, He can keep us by His saving power?
The answer should be a resounding yes! Amen and hallelujah! When we do turn our backs on Christ and go our own way, He does not forsake us, just like the story in the gospels of t he prodigal son.
When we do come to our senses, we confess our sins, accept His forgiveness and move on with our life. As we sin daily, we repeat this process.
John 10: 28, 29 say it best! “And I give unto you eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father’s hand.”
Romans 8: 35-39 offer more insight as to this matter! We cannot jump out of the hand of Christ or His Father! There is no force in heaven or earth that can separate us from the Love of God!”
Shouts of Amen’s, praise the Lord and other shouts of approval are heard coming from the audience!
“Now men, let’s hear your closing statement before we bring this meeting to a close.”
“Mr. Greggs, since you are the elder of the two, please go first” says Capt. McKinsy.
Once again, the distinguished Looking man grabs the sides of the podium with both hands and leans slightly forwards towards the audience before he begins his statement.
“I want you to keep in mind a few simple things, they will help you as you search out the truths found in the holy scriptures, always look at the context, interpret it literally within known cultural and historical background. Then rely on the indwelling Holy Spirit to guide you into the truth contained within the passage! That is hard is it gets!
When you become aware of your sin, repent of it quickly, seek Christ’s forgiveness! Don’t build up a large sin account! There can be no peace with God that way!
Now lastly, treat others as you would want to be treated, by doing so, you show forth the spirit of Christ that lives within you to a watching world around you. Always keep in the forefront of your mind that you belong to Christ! We are Christ to a watching world! “
Thank you for coming tonight, now I turn it over to Mr. Ozz.”
“Mr. Greggs has filled your heads with all sorts of scripture references tonight, he is good at that! The Bible is a spiritual book and must be interpreted as such! Not literally, or else passages like 1 Peter 3:8 would take on a vastly different meaning!
“But beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years is as one day.”
As times change so does the meaning of God’s Word! It changes to meet the needs of the man who is reading it!
We are to work out our own salvation and do what we must to keep it! Whether by confessing our sins and accepting the justification of Christ for our lives or by trying to live a perfect life in accordance to the law set down countless eons ago!
Those who adhere to a strict form of doctrine are being extremely narrow minded and are out of the mainstream of religious thought of our day! Listen to them at your own risk, the risk of your immortal soul!”
With this the evening’s proceedings are over, there has been no clear winner to this debate. Each man has their own group of followers; both camps of thought remained unchanged in their beliefs. It can be said that the truth of God was presented by Mr. Greggs with as much conviction as he could. Many heard this truth for the first time tonight.
Footnotes
All scripture was taken from the 1917 edition of the Scofield reference Bible, KJV, Oxford University Press
1 Things to Come, J. Dwight Pentecost, page 4, par. 3.
2 Dispensationalism, Charles C. Ryrie, page 40.
3 Arminius, James the writings of James Arminius, tr. James Nichols and W. R.
Bagnall (Grand Rapids: Baker, 1956)
4Arminius 1:316
5 Ash by Four Views, 140
6 Piciritli, Robert, Grace, Faith, Free Will: Contrasting Views of Salvation:
Calvinism and Arminianism (Nashville: Randall House Publications, 2002) 154ff
7 http://www.answers.com/topic/arminianism Page 5
8 Arminius Writings, LII: 311
9 Pawsom, David, Once Saved, Always Saved? A Study in Perseverance and
Inheritance (London: Hodder & Staughton, 1996), 109ff
10 Piciritti, Grace, Faith, Free Will, 203
Disclaimer
Any physical resemblance to any person or persons or locations is intended. I used my pastor, Nathan 0. Osborne III and Dr. Dick Gregory, his mentor as models for the mannerisms and temperaments of the two men within this paper. The town of Havens and Fort Desire are purely fictitious.
Of theological note, neither men subscribe to nor teaches Arminianism in any way, shape or form.
Idios Para phraseïn
Idios Para phraseïn
A Personal Interpretation of 1, 2 & 3 John
C. W. Fincher
April 2011
Recently while reading during my morning Bible study time, the idea of taking my writing to the next level of scholarship came to the forefront of my mind and has stayed there. I have been to Bible College and received a certificate in Biblical Studies, I have also gone to medical college and received a certificate in medical administration and have been actively writing a blend of theological and medical research papers as well as pure theological research papers, but could I write a paraphrase of the Bible as based upon the way that I read and translate the King James English?
The premise of this paper is that the government has outlawed all open meetings of true Christians. All of the churches that faithfully proclaim Christ have been closed and the congregations dispersed. You do not have a bookshelf full of Bible study books to draw upon, how then would you go about studying the Bible? You the believer, are left with only one or two copies of the Bible and these two principals to guide you in your study of scripture.
The sine qua non consist of three principles that need to be followed consistently when dealing with scriptural interpretation, they are as follows:
1. A dispensationalist keeps Israel and the church distinct.
2. A dispensationalist uses Literal interpretation of scriptures.
3. The purpose of the Bible is to bring glory to God.
The next principle that I use concerns itself with the matter of whether or not I interpret scripture literally or allegorically.
In order to consistently interpret scripture correctly, one needs to look at the words on the page in light of their historical-grammatical context. Only then can they be seen and understood as the original author intended.
I make no claims to being a Hebrew or Greek scholar, but I do have a grasp of the English language, I write in such a way that my readers will clearly understand my message. If I were to write in such a way as to hide my message, that for me defeats the purpose of writing!
The message that God reveals to us within the pages of scripture is to be taken literally, the destiny of our eternal soul rests upon that fact. A simple verse like John 3:16 takes on a new flair if not taken literally! “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish but have everlasting life.”
You will go to hell and be eternally separated from God and Christ is you fail to act upon its message and accept Christ into your life, any small child knows this!
With these two tools to aide you the believer, you should be able to read and understand any passage in the Bible without the help of a trained leader.
It is my desire that you the reader will find this helpful in your study of Gods Holy Word. As I write this, I am using only the notes at the top of my Bible that accompanies the introduction of each book and the principles mentioned above. You will not find any Greek or Hebrew references, I do not know these languages.
In the simplicity of this paper, I hope that it teaches you to dig in for yourself, just like it has for me, the author. I do not want to be guilty of leading anyone astray by my writing and thereby being guilty of the punishment of Revelation 22:19 “And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and [from] the things which are written in this book”.
I am using for this paper a Hebrew - Greek Key Study Bible, King James Version, published by World Bible Publishers, Inc., Iowa Falls, Iowa. Portions of the introduction to the books covered are taken from my Scofield Reference Bible, King James Version, 1917 edition, published by Oxford Press, Inc introductory notes. All other scriptural interpretations are mine and are based upon my interpretation of the underlined words as found in the Hebrew-Greek study Bible.
First John
Writer. Apostle John, as unbroken tradition affirms, and as internal evidence and comparison with the gospel of John prove.
Date. Probably A. D. 90.
Theme. First John is a family letter from the Father to Hiss “little children” who are in the world. . . The sin of a believer is treated as child’s offence against his Father, and is dealt with as a family matter. (1.9; 2.1). . . A tender word is used for “children,” teknia, “born ones,” or “bairns.” Paul is occupied with our public position as sons; John with our nearness as born- ones of the Father.
Version Key
KJV, King James Version
IPP, Idios para phraseïn, “my own private (idios) + paraphrase (para phraseïn),”
Chapter 1
1. That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the Word of life;
IPP When Jesus was with us, we heard with our ears, we have seen Him with our eyes, He who we have gazed upon and we have touched, He is the Word of life made flesh;
2. (For the life was manifested, and we have seen it, and bear witness, and show unto you that eternal life, which was with the Father, and was manifested unto us;)
IPP (Jesus was made known to us, and we have seen Him and now tell you as true witnesses of Him, and declare to you that Jesus was with the Father and He is now made known to us;)
3. That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ.
IPP He which we have seen and heard we declare to you, that you also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with His Son Jesus Christ.
4. And these things write we unto you, that your joy may be full.
IPP And these things we write to you that your heart in gladness may be crammed full to overflowing.
5. This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.
IPP This is then the announcement that we have heard from Him and tell to you now, that God is luminescence, and in Him can be found no dimness at all.
6. If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth:
IPP If we say that we have fellowship with Him and we live in error, we lie and do not live out the truth:
7. But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.
IPP But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son purifies us from all offences.
8. If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.
IPP If we say that we have no offences, we are only deceiving ourselves, and the truth is not in us.
9. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
IPP If we acknowledge our sins, He is trustworthy and equitable to put aside our sins, and to purify us from all iniquity.
10. If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.
IPP If we were to say that we have not missed the mark, we make God a liar, and His thoughts are not in us.
Chapter 2
1. My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous:
IPP My darlings, these things I am describing to you, so that you do not miss the mark. And if any man or woman were to miss the mark, we have an intercessor with the Father, Jesus Christ the holy one:
2. And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.
IPP And He is the atonement for our offence: and not for ours only, but also for the offences of mankind.
3. And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments.
IPP And by this it is made know that we know Him, if we keep our eye upon His precepts.
4. He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.
IPP He that says, I have known Him, and does not continually to do His precepts, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.
5. But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him.
IPP But whoever continues to keep His thoughts, in Him truly is the affection of God being manifested: by this we know that we are in Him.
6. He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked.
IPP He that says he abides in Him ought himself also to be walking as He walked.
7. Brethren, I write no new commandment unto you, but an old commandment which ye had from the beginning. The old commandment is the word which ye have heard from the beginning.
IPP Brothers, I write no fresh commandment for you, but an old commandment for you to remember which you have had from the beginning. The old commandment are the precepts which you have heard from the beginning.
8. Again, a new commandment I write unto you, which thing is true in him and in you: because the darkness is past, and the true light now shineth.
IPP Once more, I tell you, a new commandment, which thing is true in Him and in you: because the obscurity is past, and the true rays now appear.
9. He that saith he is in the light, and hateth his brother, is in darkness even until now.
IPP He that says he is in the light, and continues to hate his brother, has darkness in his heart, even now.
10. He that loveth his brother abideth in the light, and there is none occasion of stumbling in him.
IPP He that continues to love his brother lives, and there is no occasion given to find offence in him.
11. But he that hateth his brother is in darkness, and walketh in darkness, and knoweth not whither he goeth, because that darkness hath blinded his eyes.
IPP But he that continues to hate his brother is already in darkness, and lives in darkness, and does not know where he is going, because the darkness had blinded the eyes of his heart.
12. I write unto you, little children, because your sins are forgiven you for his name's sake.
IPP I write to you, new born ones, because your offences have been put away by His authority sake.
13. I write unto you, fathers, because ye have known him that is from the beginning. I write unto you, young men, because ye have overcome the wicked one. I write unto you, little children, because ye have known the Father.
IPP I write to you, those who are mature in the faith, because you can speak of Him who is from the beginning. I write to you, young men, because you have overcome and even now continue to resist the evil one. I write to you, new born ones, because you have known and are even now known of the Father.
14. I have written unto you, fathers, because ye have known him that is from the beginning. I have written unto you, young men, because ye are strong, and the word of God abideth in you, and ye have overcome the wicked one.
IPP I write to you, who are mature in the faith, because you can speak of Him who is from the beginning. I write to you, young men, because you are strong, and the thoughts of God reside in you, and, because you have overcome and even now continue to resist the evil one.
15. Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.
IPP Have no affection for the world system, neither the things that are of that system. If any man have affection towards that system, the benevolent affection of the Father is not in him.
16. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.
IPP For all that is in the world system, the lust of our human nature, and the lust of the eyes, and the boasting of live, is not of the Father, but is of the world system.
17. And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.
IPP And the world system passes away, and the desires for it: but he that continues to do the desires of God remain with you to the end.
18. Little children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time.
IPP Little ones, it is the final season: and as you have heard that the opponents of the Messiah shall appear, even now there are many antichrists; this is how we know it is the final season.
19. They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us.
IPP They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they no doubt would have continued with us: but they went out, that it might be made apparent that they were not a part of us.
20. But ye have an unction from the Holy One, and ye know all things.
IPP But you have an anointing of the Holy Spirit, and you understand all things.
21. I have not written unto you because ye know not the truth, but because ye know it, and that no lie is of the truth.
IPP I have not written to you because you do not know the truth, but because you do know it, and that no lie is of the truth.
22. Who is a liar but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist, that denieth the Father and the Son.
IPP Who is a liar, he that rejects that Jesus is the Messiah? He is then become as an antichrist, who rejects the Father and the Son.
23. Whosoever denieth the Son, the same hath not the Father: but he that acknowledgeth the Son hath the Father also.
IPP Whoever rejects the Son; the same person does not have the Father: but he that acknowledges the Son has the Father also.
24. Let that therefore abide in you, which ye have heard from the beginning. If that which ye have heard from the beginning shall remain in you, ye also shall continue in the Son, and in the Father.
IPP Let this abide in you, which you have heard from the beginning. If that which you have heard from the beginning will remain in you, you also will continue in the Son and in the Father.
25. And this is the promise that he hath promised us, even eternal life.
IPP And this is the pledge that He has pledged to us, even everlasting life.
26. These things have I written unto you concerning them that seduce you.
IPP These things I have written to you concerning them that have and continue to seduce you.
27. But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him.
IPP But the consecration that you have received of Him that resides in you, and you need not that any man instruct you: but as the same anointing instructs you of all things, and is truth, and is not a lie, and even as it has taught you, you will reside in Him.
28. And now, little children, abide in him; that, when he shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before him at his coming.
IPP And now, little darlings, continue to reside in Him; that when He does show Himself, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before Him in His presence.
29. If ye know that he is righteous, ye know that every one that doeth righteousness is born of him.
IPP If you know that He is righteous, you then know that everyone that continues in righteousness is begotten of Him.
Chapter 3
1. Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not
IPP Behold, what manner of affection the Father continues to have toward us, that we should continue to be called the children of God: for this reason, mankind understands us not because it understood Him not.
2. Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.
IPP Beloved, now are we the children of God, and it is not yet apparent what we will be: but we know that when He does appear, we will be like Him; for we will see His as He is.
3. And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.
IPP And every man that continues in this anticipation, makes himself clean, even as He is clean.
4. Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law.
IPP Whoever continues to commit an offence does so against the law: for the offence is a deviation against the established standard.
5. And ye know that he was manifested to take away our sins; and in him is no sin.
IPP And we understand that He was made apparent to us to bear up our offences, and in Him who no offence was found.
6. Whosoever abideth in him sinneth not: whosoever sinneth hath not seen him, neither known him.
IPP Whoever continues to reside in Him does not continually practice offences: who ever continues to practice offences has not seen Him, neither has known Him.
7. Little children, let no man deceive you: he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous.
IPP Little darlings, let no man continue to deceive you: he that continues to do justly is just, even as He is just.
8. He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil.
IPP He that repeatedly commits an offence is of Satan; for Satan committed offences from the beginning. For this reason the Son of God was made apparent to us, that He might break up the deeds of Satan.
9. Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God.
IPP Who ever is begotten of God does not repeatedly sin; for His nature remains in him: and he cannot repeatedly sin because he is begotten of God.
10. In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil: whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loveth not his brother.
IPP In this the begotten of God are made apparent, and the begotten of Satan likewise: who ever repeatedly does not right is not of God, neither is he that does not love his brother.
11. For this is the message that ye heard from the beginning, that we should love one another.
IPP For this is the announcement that you have heard from the beginning, that we should continue to love one another.
12. Not as Cain, who was of that wicked one, and slew his brother. And wherefore slew he him? Because his own works were evil, and his brother's righteous.
IPP Not as Cain, who was of that malicious one, killed his brother. And why did he kill him? Because his own works were malicious, and his brother’s just.
13. Marvel not, my brethren, if the world hate you.
IPP Do not be amazed, my brothers, if the world system hates you.
14. We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not his brother abideth in death.
IPP We now know that we have passed from death to life, because we love the brothers. He that does not love his brother resides in death.
15. Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer: and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him.
IPP Whoever continues to hate his brother is a murderer: and you know that no murderer has everlasting life residing him.
16. Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.
IPP By this we understand the love of God, because He laid down His life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers.
17. But whoso hath this world's good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him?
IPP But whoever has this world’s manner of livelihood, and sees his brother in need and continues to close up his heart of compassion for him, how does the love of God live in him?
18. My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth.
IPP My little darlings, let us not love with our reasoning, neither with our speech, but with our actions and in truth.
19. And hereby we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before him.
IPP And by this we understand that we are of the truth, and will have confidence in our hearts before Him.
20. For if our heart condemn us, God is greater than our heart, and knoweth all things.
IPP For if our mind finds fault in us, God is greater than our mind, and knows all things.
21. Beloved, if our heart condemn us not, then have we confidence toward God.
IPP Loved ones, if our mind does not find fault in us, then we have boldness toward God.
22. And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight.
IPP And whatever we ask for repeatedly, we receive of Him, because we hold fast to His precepts, and do these things that are agreeable in His sight.
23. And this is his commandment, That we should believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, as he gave us commandment.
IPP And this is His commandment, That we should put our trust in the authority of His Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, as He has given us commandment.
24. And he that keepeth his commandments dwelleth in him, and he in him. And hereby we know that he abideth in us, by the Spirit which he hath given us.
IPP And he that continues in His precepts resides in Him, and He in him. And by this we know that He resides in us, by the Holy Spirit which He has given to us.
Chapter 4
1. Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.
IPP Beloved, have not faith in every doctrine, but try that doctrine to see whether they are of God: because many false teachers have gone into the earth.
2. Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God:
IPP By this you know the Holy Spirit of God: Every doctrine that acknowledges that Jesus the Christ is come in the flesh is of God:
3. And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world.
IPP And every doctrine that does not acknowledge that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is not of God: and this is the doctrine of those who are opposed to Christ, this you have heard that it should come; and even now already it is in the world system.
4. Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.
IPP You are of God, little darlings, and have overcome them: because greater is He that resides in you, than he that resides in this worlds system.
5. They are of the world: therefore speak they of the world, and the world heareth them.
IPP They are of the world system: for that reason, they speak of that system, and mankind listens to them.
6. We are of God: he that knoweth God heareth us; he that is not of God heareth not us. Hereby know we the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error.
IPP We are God: he that understands God listens to us; he that is not of God does not listen to us. By this we know the doctrine of the truth, and the doctrine of deceit.
7. Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God.
IPP Beloved, let us continue to love one another: because love is of God; and everyone that continues in love has been begotten of God.
8. He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.
IPP He that has not loved knows not God, because God is love.
9. In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him.
IPP By this which was made apparent that the love of God is shown to us, because that God has sent His only born Son into humanity, that we might continue to live through Him.
10. Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.
IPP Here is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us, and sent to us His Son to be the atonement for our offences.
11. Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another.
IPP Beloved, if God loved us, we should also continue to love one another.
12. No man hath seen God at any time. If we love one another, God dwelleth in us, and his love is perfected in us.
IPP No man has look upon God at any time. If we continue to love one another, God abides in us, and His love is accomplished in us.
13. Hereby know we that we dwell in him, and he in us, because he hath given us of his Spirit.
IPP By this we know that we reside in Him, and He in us, because He has given us the Holy Spirit.
14. And we have seen and do testify that the Father sent the Son to be the Saviour of the world.
IPP And we have seen and do report to you that the Father has sent the Son to be the Deliverer of mankind.
15. Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwelleth in him, and he in God.
IPP Whoever will acknowledge that Jesus is the Son of God, God resides in him and he in God.
16. And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him.
IPP And we have known and have believed the love that God has toward us. God is love; and he that resides in love resides in God, and God in him.
17. Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world.
IPP By this is our love fulfilled, that we may continue to have boldness in the time of accusation: because as He is, so we are in this world.
18. There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.
IPP There is no terror in love, but complete love casts out fear: because terror has torment. He that repeatedly is afraid is not fulfilled in love.
19. We love him, because he first loved us.
IPP We love him, because he first loved us. (No change needed.)
20. If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen?
IPP If any man says, I love God, and hates his brother, he is a liar: because he that has not loved his brother who he has seen, how then can he love God who he has not seen?
21. And this commandment have we from him, That he who loveth God love his brother also.
IPP And this precept we have from Him, That he who loves God should love also his brother.
Chapter 5
1. Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God: and every one that loveth him that begat loveth him also that is begotten of him.
IPP Whoever continues to have faith that Jesus is begotten of God: and everyone that continues to love Him that begat Him, also loves that which is born of Him.
2. By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep his commandments.
IPP By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and hold fast to His precepts.
3. For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous.
IPP In this is the love of God, that we should hold fast to His precepts: and His precepts are not grievous.
4. For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.
IPP For whatever has been begotten of God overcomes the world system: and this is the victory that continues to overcome the world system, even our belief.
5. Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?
IPP Who is he that overcomes the world system, but he that believes that Jesus is the Son of God?
6. This is he that came by water and blood, even Jesus Christ; not by water only, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit that beareth witness, because the Spirit is truth.
IPP It is He that came by water and blood, even Jesus Christ, not by water only, but by water and blood. And it is the Holy Spirit that continues to bear witness, because the Holy Spirit is truth.
7. For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one.
IPP For there are three persons that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Logos, and the Holy Spirit: and these three are one.
8. And there are three that bear witness in earth, the Spirit, and the water, and the blood: and these three agree in one.
IPP And these three that bear witness in the inhabited earth, the Holy Spirit, and the water and the blood: and these three all agree.
9. If we receive the witness of men, the witness of God is greater: for this is the witness of God which he hath testified of his Son.
IPP If we receive the testimony of men, the testimony of God is greater: for this is the testimony of God which He has declared to us of His Son.
10. He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself: he that believeth not God hath made him a liar; because he believeth not the record that God gave of his Son.
IPP He that continues to believe on the Son of God has the witness in himself: he that does not believe in God has made himself a liar; because he that does not believe the evidence given that God gave of His Son.
11. And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.
IPP And this is the record, that God has given to us everlasting life, and this life is in His Son.
12. He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life.
IPP He that has the Son has life; and he that does not have the Son of God does not have life.
13. These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.
IPP These things I have written to you that have believed on the authority of the Son of God; that you may know that you have everlasting life, and that you may believe on the name of the Son of God.
14. And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us:
IPP And this is the assurance that we have in Him, that if we repeatedly ask anything according to His will, He listens to us:
15. And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him.
IPP And if we know that He listens to us, whatever we desire, we know that we have the request granted that we have asked of Him.
16. If any man see his brother sin a sin which is not unto death, he shall ask, and he shall give him life for them that sin not unto death. There is a sin unto death: I do not say that he shall pray for it.
IPP If any man see his brother commit a sin that is not a sin worthy of death, he shall ask, and he will give him life for them that did not sin unto death. There is a sin which leads to death: I do say that he should not pray for it.
17. All unrighteousness is sin: and there is a sin not unto death.
IPP All iniquity is sin: and there is a sin not unto death.
18. We know that whosoever is born of God sinneth not; but he that is begotten of God keepeth himself, and that wicked one toucheth him not.
IPP We know that whoever has been begotten of God does not continually sin; but he that is born of God keeps himself, and that evil one is not allowed to attach himself to him.
19. And we know that we are of God, and the whole world lieth in wickedness.
IPP And we know that we are of God, and the entire world system lies in maliciousness.
20. And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life.
IPP And we know the Son of God has come, and has given us a mind, that we may continue to perceive Him that is true; and we are in Him that is true, even in His Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and everlasting life.
21. Little children, keep yourselves from idols. Amen.
IPP Little darlings, guard yourselves against heathen gods. So be it.
* * *
Second John
Writer. Apostle John.
Date. Probably A. D. 90.
Theme. Second John gives the essentials of the personal walk of the believer in a day when “many deceivers are entered into the world”.
1. The elder unto the elect lady and her children, whom I love in the truth; and not I only, but also all they that have known the truth;
IPP The presbyter to the chosen lady and her offspring, who I love in the truth; and not only I, but also all they that have known the truth.
2. For the truth's sake, which dwelleth in us, and shall be with us forever.
IPP For the truths sake, which resides in us, and will be with us without end.
3. Grace be with you, mercy, and peace, from God the Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of the Father, in truth and love.
IPP Grace be with you, compassion and quietness, from God the Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ the Son of the Father, in truth and love.
4. I rejoiced greatly that I found of thy children walking in truth, as we have received a commandment from the Father.
IPP I greatly rejoiced when I found that your children are walking in the truth, as we have received a precept from the Father.
5. And now I beseech thee, lady, not as though I wrote a new commandment unto thee, but that which we had from the beginning, that we love one another.
IPP And now I beg of you, dear lady, not as though I had written a new precept to you, but that which we had from the beginning, that we continue to love one another.
6. And this is love, that we walk after his commandments. This is the commandment, That, as ye have heard from the beginning, ye should walk in it.
IPP And this is love, that we continue to walk in His commandments. This is the precept, That, as you have heard from the beginning, you should continue to do it.
7. For many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist.
IPP For many deceivers have entered into mankind, who do not acknowledge that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an opponent of Christ.
8. Look to yourselves, that we lose not those things which we have wrought, but that we receive a full reward.
IPP Look carefully at yourselves, that we do not lose those things that we labor for, but that we may take a full wage.
9. Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son.
IPP Whoever continues to violate a commandment, and does not practice the instructions of Christ, does not have God. He that remains in the instructions of Christ, he has both the Father and the Son.
10. If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed:
IPP If there join to you any, and does not have this doctrine, do not receive him into your house, neither say to him, farewell, safe journey:
11. For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds.
IPP For he that says to him, farewell, safe journey is a companion of his vile works.
12. Having many things to write unto you, I would not write with paper and ink: but I trust to come unto you, and speak face to face, that our joy may be full.
IPP Having many things to write to you, I cannot write them all with paper and ink: I hope to come to you, and speak face to face, that your hearts may be full.
13. The children of thy elect sister greet thee. Amen.
IPP The offspring of your elect sister send their greetings. So be it.
* * *
Third John
Writer. Apostle John.
Date. Probably A. D. 90.
Theme. The aged Apostle had written to a church which allowed one Diotrephes to exercise an authority common enough in later ages, but wholly new in the primitive churches. Diotrephes had rejected the apostolic letters and authority. Historically, this letter marks the beginning of that clerical and priestly assumption over the churches in which the primitive church order disappeared.
1. The elder unto the wellbeloved Gaius, whom I love in the truth.
IPP The presbyter to dear Gaius, who I love in the truth.
2. Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.
IPP Beloved, I wish above all things that you may continue to prosper and be in continued good health, even as your soul prospers.
3. For I rejoiced greatly, when the brethren came and testified of the truth that is in thee, even as thou walkest in the truth.
IPP For I was exceedingly glad, when the brothers came and reported to me of the truth that is in you, even as you live in the truth.
4. I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.
IPP I have no greater delight, than to hear that my born ones continue to live in truth.
5. Beloved, thou doest faithfully whatsoever thou doest to the brethren, and to strangers;
IPP Beloved, you have continued in a trustworthy manner whatever you have engaged in for the brothers and strangers;
6. Which have borne witness of thy charity before the church: whom if thou bring forward on their journey after a godly sort, thou shalt do well:
IPP Which have shown as a witness of your love before the saints: who if you send them out on their journey after a rest, you will do well:
7. Because that for his name's sake they went forth, taking nothing of the Gentiles.
IPP Because that in His authority’s sake they went out, taking nothing of the heathens.
8. We therefore ought to receive such, that we might be fellow helpers to the truth.
IPP We now ought to continue to receive such, that we might be fellow helpers to the truth.
9. I wrote unto the church: but Diotrephes, who loveth to have the preeminence among them, receiveth us not.
IPP I wrote to the church: but Diotrophes, who loves to be the overseer among them, he would not receive us.
10. Wherefore, if I come, I will remember his deeds which he doeth, prating against us with malicious words: and not content therewith, neither doth he himself receive the brethren, and forbiddeth them that would, and casteth them out of the church.
IPP Now, if I come, I will remember his actions which he does, babbling against us with hurtful words: and not content with this, neither does he himself receive the brothers, and forbids them that would do so, and casts them out of the church.
11. Beloved, follow not that which is evil, but that which is good. He that doeth good is of God: but he that doeth evil hath not seen God.
IPP Beloved, follow not that which is evil, but that which is good. He that does good is of God: he that does evil has not seen God.
12. Demetrius hath good report of all men, and of the truth itself: yea, and we also bear record; and ye know that our record is true.
IPP Demetrius has a good testimony of all men, and of the truth itself: you, and we also bear record; and you understand that our testimony is true.
13. I had many things to write, but I will not with ink and pen write unto thee:
IPP I had many things to write, but I will not do so with pen and ink write to you:
14. But I trust I shall shortly see thee, and we shall speak face to face. Peace be to thee. Our friends salute thee. Greet the friends by name.
IPP But I hope I will shortly see you, and we will speak face to face. Peace be to you. Our friends send their greetings to you. Great our friends by name.
A Personal Interpretation of 1, 2 & 3 John
C. W. Fincher
April 2011
Recently while reading during my morning Bible study time, the idea of taking my writing to the next level of scholarship came to the forefront of my mind and has stayed there. I have been to Bible College and received a certificate in Biblical Studies, I have also gone to medical college and received a certificate in medical administration and have been actively writing a blend of theological and medical research papers as well as pure theological research papers, but could I write a paraphrase of the Bible as based upon the way that I read and translate the King James English?
The premise of this paper is that the government has outlawed all open meetings of true Christians. All of the churches that faithfully proclaim Christ have been closed and the congregations dispersed. You do not have a bookshelf full of Bible study books to draw upon, how then would you go about studying the Bible? You the believer, are left with only one or two copies of the Bible and these two principals to guide you in your study of scripture.
The sine qua non consist of three principles that need to be followed consistently when dealing with scriptural interpretation, they are as follows:
1. A dispensationalist keeps Israel and the church distinct.
2. A dispensationalist uses Literal interpretation of scriptures.
3. The purpose of the Bible is to bring glory to God.
The next principle that I use concerns itself with the matter of whether or not I interpret scripture literally or allegorically.
In order to consistently interpret scripture correctly, one needs to look at the words on the page in light of their historical-grammatical context. Only then can they be seen and understood as the original author intended.
I make no claims to being a Hebrew or Greek scholar, but I do have a grasp of the English language, I write in such a way that my readers will clearly understand my message. If I were to write in such a way as to hide my message, that for me defeats the purpose of writing!
The message that God reveals to us within the pages of scripture is to be taken literally, the destiny of our eternal soul rests upon that fact. A simple verse like John 3:16 takes on a new flair if not taken literally! “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish but have everlasting life.”
You will go to hell and be eternally separated from God and Christ is you fail to act upon its message and accept Christ into your life, any small child knows this!
With these two tools to aide you the believer, you should be able to read and understand any passage in the Bible without the help of a trained leader.
It is my desire that you the reader will find this helpful in your study of Gods Holy Word. As I write this, I am using only the notes at the top of my Bible that accompanies the introduction of each book and the principles mentioned above. You will not find any Greek or Hebrew references, I do not know these languages.
In the simplicity of this paper, I hope that it teaches you to dig in for yourself, just like it has for me, the author. I do not want to be guilty of leading anyone astray by my writing and thereby being guilty of the punishment of Revelation 22:19 “And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and [from] the things which are written in this book”.
I am using for this paper a Hebrew - Greek Key Study Bible, King James Version, published by World Bible Publishers, Inc., Iowa Falls, Iowa. Portions of the introduction to the books covered are taken from my Scofield Reference Bible, King James Version, 1917 edition, published by Oxford Press, Inc introductory notes. All other scriptural interpretations are mine and are based upon my interpretation of the underlined words as found in the Hebrew-Greek study Bible.
First John
Writer. Apostle John, as unbroken tradition affirms, and as internal evidence and comparison with the gospel of John prove.
Date. Probably A. D. 90.
Theme. First John is a family letter from the Father to Hiss “little children” who are in the world. . . The sin of a believer is treated as child’s offence against his Father, and is dealt with as a family matter. (1.9; 2.1). . . A tender word is used for “children,” teknia, “born ones,” or “bairns.” Paul is occupied with our public position as sons; John with our nearness as born- ones of the Father.
Version Key
KJV, King James Version
IPP, Idios para phraseïn, “my own private (idios) + paraphrase (para phraseïn),”
Chapter 1
1. That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the Word of life;
IPP When Jesus was with us, we heard with our ears, we have seen Him with our eyes, He who we have gazed upon and we have touched, He is the Word of life made flesh;
2. (For the life was manifested, and we have seen it, and bear witness, and show unto you that eternal life, which was with the Father, and was manifested unto us;)
IPP (Jesus was made known to us, and we have seen Him and now tell you as true witnesses of Him, and declare to you that Jesus was with the Father and He is now made known to us;)
3. That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ.
IPP He which we have seen and heard we declare to you, that you also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with His Son Jesus Christ.
4. And these things write we unto you, that your joy may be full.
IPP And these things we write to you that your heart in gladness may be crammed full to overflowing.
5. This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.
IPP This is then the announcement that we have heard from Him and tell to you now, that God is luminescence, and in Him can be found no dimness at all.
6. If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth:
IPP If we say that we have fellowship with Him and we live in error, we lie and do not live out the truth:
7. But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.
IPP But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son purifies us from all offences.
8. If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.
IPP If we say that we have no offences, we are only deceiving ourselves, and the truth is not in us.
9. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
IPP If we acknowledge our sins, He is trustworthy and equitable to put aside our sins, and to purify us from all iniquity.
10. If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.
IPP If we were to say that we have not missed the mark, we make God a liar, and His thoughts are not in us.
Chapter 2
1. My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous:
IPP My darlings, these things I am describing to you, so that you do not miss the mark. And if any man or woman were to miss the mark, we have an intercessor with the Father, Jesus Christ the holy one:
2. And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.
IPP And He is the atonement for our offence: and not for ours only, but also for the offences of mankind.
3. And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments.
IPP And by this it is made know that we know Him, if we keep our eye upon His precepts.
4. He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.
IPP He that says, I have known Him, and does not continually to do His precepts, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.
5. But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him.
IPP But whoever continues to keep His thoughts, in Him truly is the affection of God being manifested: by this we know that we are in Him.
6. He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked.
IPP He that says he abides in Him ought himself also to be walking as He walked.
7. Brethren, I write no new commandment unto you, but an old commandment which ye had from the beginning. The old commandment is the word which ye have heard from the beginning.
IPP Brothers, I write no fresh commandment for you, but an old commandment for you to remember which you have had from the beginning. The old commandment are the precepts which you have heard from the beginning.
8. Again, a new commandment I write unto you, which thing is true in him and in you: because the darkness is past, and the true light now shineth.
IPP Once more, I tell you, a new commandment, which thing is true in Him and in you: because the obscurity is past, and the true rays now appear.
9. He that saith he is in the light, and hateth his brother, is in darkness even until now.
IPP He that says he is in the light, and continues to hate his brother, has darkness in his heart, even now.
10. He that loveth his brother abideth in the light, and there is none occasion of stumbling in him.
IPP He that continues to love his brother lives, and there is no occasion given to find offence in him.
11. But he that hateth his brother is in darkness, and walketh in darkness, and knoweth not whither he goeth, because that darkness hath blinded his eyes.
IPP But he that continues to hate his brother is already in darkness, and lives in darkness, and does not know where he is going, because the darkness had blinded the eyes of his heart.
12. I write unto you, little children, because your sins are forgiven you for his name's sake.
IPP I write to you, new born ones, because your offences have been put away by His authority sake.
13. I write unto you, fathers, because ye have known him that is from the beginning. I write unto you, young men, because ye have overcome the wicked one. I write unto you, little children, because ye have known the Father.
IPP I write to you, those who are mature in the faith, because you can speak of Him who is from the beginning. I write to you, young men, because you have overcome and even now continue to resist the evil one. I write to you, new born ones, because you have known and are even now known of the Father.
14. I have written unto you, fathers, because ye have known him that is from the beginning. I have written unto you, young men, because ye are strong, and the word of God abideth in you, and ye have overcome the wicked one.
IPP I write to you, who are mature in the faith, because you can speak of Him who is from the beginning. I write to you, young men, because you are strong, and the thoughts of God reside in you, and, because you have overcome and even now continue to resist the evil one.
15. Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.
IPP Have no affection for the world system, neither the things that are of that system. If any man have affection towards that system, the benevolent affection of the Father is not in him.
16. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.
IPP For all that is in the world system, the lust of our human nature, and the lust of the eyes, and the boasting of live, is not of the Father, but is of the world system.
17. And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.
IPP And the world system passes away, and the desires for it: but he that continues to do the desires of God remain with you to the end.
18. Little children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time.
IPP Little ones, it is the final season: and as you have heard that the opponents of the Messiah shall appear, even now there are many antichrists; this is how we know it is the final season.
19. They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us.
IPP They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they no doubt would have continued with us: but they went out, that it might be made apparent that they were not a part of us.
20. But ye have an unction from the Holy One, and ye know all things.
IPP But you have an anointing of the Holy Spirit, and you understand all things.
21. I have not written unto you because ye know not the truth, but because ye know it, and that no lie is of the truth.
IPP I have not written to you because you do not know the truth, but because you do know it, and that no lie is of the truth.
22. Who is a liar but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist, that denieth the Father and the Son.
IPP Who is a liar, he that rejects that Jesus is the Messiah? He is then become as an antichrist, who rejects the Father and the Son.
23. Whosoever denieth the Son, the same hath not the Father: but he that acknowledgeth the Son hath the Father also.
IPP Whoever rejects the Son; the same person does not have the Father: but he that acknowledges the Son has the Father also.
24. Let that therefore abide in you, which ye have heard from the beginning. If that which ye have heard from the beginning shall remain in you, ye also shall continue in the Son, and in the Father.
IPP Let this abide in you, which you have heard from the beginning. If that which you have heard from the beginning will remain in you, you also will continue in the Son and in the Father.
25. And this is the promise that he hath promised us, even eternal life.
IPP And this is the pledge that He has pledged to us, even everlasting life.
26. These things have I written unto you concerning them that seduce you.
IPP These things I have written to you concerning them that have and continue to seduce you.
27. But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him.
IPP But the consecration that you have received of Him that resides in you, and you need not that any man instruct you: but as the same anointing instructs you of all things, and is truth, and is not a lie, and even as it has taught you, you will reside in Him.
28. And now, little children, abide in him; that, when he shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before him at his coming.
IPP And now, little darlings, continue to reside in Him; that when He does show Himself, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before Him in His presence.
29. If ye know that he is righteous, ye know that every one that doeth righteousness is born of him.
IPP If you know that He is righteous, you then know that everyone that continues in righteousness is begotten of Him.
Chapter 3
1. Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not
IPP Behold, what manner of affection the Father continues to have toward us, that we should continue to be called the children of God: for this reason, mankind understands us not because it understood Him not.
2. Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.
IPP Beloved, now are we the children of God, and it is not yet apparent what we will be: but we know that when He does appear, we will be like Him; for we will see His as He is.
3. And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.
IPP And every man that continues in this anticipation, makes himself clean, even as He is clean.
4. Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law.
IPP Whoever continues to commit an offence does so against the law: for the offence is a deviation against the established standard.
5. And ye know that he was manifested to take away our sins; and in him is no sin.
IPP And we understand that He was made apparent to us to bear up our offences, and in Him who no offence was found.
6. Whosoever abideth in him sinneth not: whosoever sinneth hath not seen him, neither known him.
IPP Whoever continues to reside in Him does not continually practice offences: who ever continues to practice offences has not seen Him, neither has known Him.
7. Little children, let no man deceive you: he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous.
IPP Little darlings, let no man continue to deceive you: he that continues to do justly is just, even as He is just.
8. He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil.
IPP He that repeatedly commits an offence is of Satan; for Satan committed offences from the beginning. For this reason the Son of God was made apparent to us, that He might break up the deeds of Satan.
9. Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God.
IPP Who ever is begotten of God does not repeatedly sin; for His nature remains in him: and he cannot repeatedly sin because he is begotten of God.
10. In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil: whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loveth not his brother.
IPP In this the begotten of God are made apparent, and the begotten of Satan likewise: who ever repeatedly does not right is not of God, neither is he that does not love his brother.
11. For this is the message that ye heard from the beginning, that we should love one another.
IPP For this is the announcement that you have heard from the beginning, that we should continue to love one another.
12. Not as Cain, who was of that wicked one, and slew his brother. And wherefore slew he him? Because his own works were evil, and his brother's righteous.
IPP Not as Cain, who was of that malicious one, killed his brother. And why did he kill him? Because his own works were malicious, and his brother’s just.
13. Marvel not, my brethren, if the world hate you.
IPP Do not be amazed, my brothers, if the world system hates you.
14. We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not his brother abideth in death.
IPP We now know that we have passed from death to life, because we love the brothers. He that does not love his brother resides in death.
15. Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer: and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him.
IPP Whoever continues to hate his brother is a murderer: and you know that no murderer has everlasting life residing him.
16. Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.
IPP By this we understand the love of God, because He laid down His life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers.
17. But whoso hath this world's good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him?
IPP But whoever has this world’s manner of livelihood, and sees his brother in need and continues to close up his heart of compassion for him, how does the love of God live in him?
18. My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth.
IPP My little darlings, let us not love with our reasoning, neither with our speech, but with our actions and in truth.
19. And hereby we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before him.
IPP And by this we understand that we are of the truth, and will have confidence in our hearts before Him.
20. For if our heart condemn us, God is greater than our heart, and knoweth all things.
IPP For if our mind finds fault in us, God is greater than our mind, and knows all things.
21. Beloved, if our heart condemn us not, then have we confidence toward God.
IPP Loved ones, if our mind does not find fault in us, then we have boldness toward God.
22. And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight.
IPP And whatever we ask for repeatedly, we receive of Him, because we hold fast to His precepts, and do these things that are agreeable in His sight.
23. And this is his commandment, That we should believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, as he gave us commandment.
IPP And this is His commandment, That we should put our trust in the authority of His Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, as He has given us commandment.
24. And he that keepeth his commandments dwelleth in him, and he in him. And hereby we know that he abideth in us, by the Spirit which he hath given us.
IPP And he that continues in His precepts resides in Him, and He in him. And by this we know that He resides in us, by the Holy Spirit which He has given to us.
Chapter 4
1. Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.
IPP Beloved, have not faith in every doctrine, but try that doctrine to see whether they are of God: because many false teachers have gone into the earth.
2. Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God:
IPP By this you know the Holy Spirit of God: Every doctrine that acknowledges that Jesus the Christ is come in the flesh is of God:
3. And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world.
IPP And every doctrine that does not acknowledge that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is not of God: and this is the doctrine of those who are opposed to Christ, this you have heard that it should come; and even now already it is in the world system.
4. Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.
IPP You are of God, little darlings, and have overcome them: because greater is He that resides in you, than he that resides in this worlds system.
5. They are of the world: therefore speak they of the world, and the world heareth them.
IPP They are of the world system: for that reason, they speak of that system, and mankind listens to them.
6. We are of God: he that knoweth God heareth us; he that is not of God heareth not us. Hereby know we the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error.
IPP We are God: he that understands God listens to us; he that is not of God does not listen to us. By this we know the doctrine of the truth, and the doctrine of deceit.
7. Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God.
IPP Beloved, let us continue to love one another: because love is of God; and everyone that continues in love has been begotten of God.
8. He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.
IPP He that has not loved knows not God, because God is love.
9. In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him.
IPP By this which was made apparent that the love of God is shown to us, because that God has sent His only born Son into humanity, that we might continue to live through Him.
10. Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.
IPP Here is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us, and sent to us His Son to be the atonement for our offences.
11. Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another.
IPP Beloved, if God loved us, we should also continue to love one another.
12. No man hath seen God at any time. If we love one another, God dwelleth in us, and his love is perfected in us.
IPP No man has look upon God at any time. If we continue to love one another, God abides in us, and His love is accomplished in us.
13. Hereby know we that we dwell in him, and he in us, because he hath given us of his Spirit.
IPP By this we know that we reside in Him, and He in us, because He has given us the Holy Spirit.
14. And we have seen and do testify that the Father sent the Son to be the Saviour of the world.
IPP And we have seen and do report to you that the Father has sent the Son to be the Deliverer of mankind.
15. Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwelleth in him, and he in God.
IPP Whoever will acknowledge that Jesus is the Son of God, God resides in him and he in God.
16. And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him.
IPP And we have known and have believed the love that God has toward us. God is love; and he that resides in love resides in God, and God in him.
17. Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world.
IPP By this is our love fulfilled, that we may continue to have boldness in the time of accusation: because as He is, so we are in this world.
18. There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.
IPP There is no terror in love, but complete love casts out fear: because terror has torment. He that repeatedly is afraid is not fulfilled in love.
19. We love him, because he first loved us.
IPP We love him, because he first loved us. (No change needed.)
20. If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen?
IPP If any man says, I love God, and hates his brother, he is a liar: because he that has not loved his brother who he has seen, how then can he love God who he has not seen?
21. And this commandment have we from him, That he who loveth God love his brother also.
IPP And this precept we have from Him, That he who loves God should love also his brother.
Chapter 5
1. Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God: and every one that loveth him that begat loveth him also that is begotten of him.
IPP Whoever continues to have faith that Jesus is begotten of God: and everyone that continues to love Him that begat Him, also loves that which is born of Him.
2. By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep his commandments.
IPP By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and hold fast to His precepts.
3. For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous.
IPP In this is the love of God, that we should hold fast to His precepts: and His precepts are not grievous.
4. For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.
IPP For whatever has been begotten of God overcomes the world system: and this is the victory that continues to overcome the world system, even our belief.
5. Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?
IPP Who is he that overcomes the world system, but he that believes that Jesus is the Son of God?
6. This is he that came by water and blood, even Jesus Christ; not by water only, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit that beareth witness, because the Spirit is truth.
IPP It is He that came by water and blood, even Jesus Christ, not by water only, but by water and blood. And it is the Holy Spirit that continues to bear witness, because the Holy Spirit is truth.
7. For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one.
IPP For there are three persons that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Logos, and the Holy Spirit: and these three are one.
8. And there are three that bear witness in earth, the Spirit, and the water, and the blood: and these three agree in one.
IPP And these three that bear witness in the inhabited earth, the Holy Spirit, and the water and the blood: and these three all agree.
9. If we receive the witness of men, the witness of God is greater: for this is the witness of God which he hath testified of his Son.
IPP If we receive the testimony of men, the testimony of God is greater: for this is the testimony of God which He has declared to us of His Son.
10. He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself: he that believeth not God hath made him a liar; because he believeth not the record that God gave of his Son.
IPP He that continues to believe on the Son of God has the witness in himself: he that does not believe in God has made himself a liar; because he that does not believe the evidence given that God gave of His Son.
11. And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.
IPP And this is the record, that God has given to us everlasting life, and this life is in His Son.
12. He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life.
IPP He that has the Son has life; and he that does not have the Son of God does not have life.
13. These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.
IPP These things I have written to you that have believed on the authority of the Son of God; that you may know that you have everlasting life, and that you may believe on the name of the Son of God.
14. And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us:
IPP And this is the assurance that we have in Him, that if we repeatedly ask anything according to His will, He listens to us:
15. And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him.
IPP And if we know that He listens to us, whatever we desire, we know that we have the request granted that we have asked of Him.
16. If any man see his brother sin a sin which is not unto death, he shall ask, and he shall give him life for them that sin not unto death. There is a sin unto death: I do not say that he shall pray for it.
IPP If any man see his brother commit a sin that is not a sin worthy of death, he shall ask, and he will give him life for them that did not sin unto death. There is a sin which leads to death: I do say that he should not pray for it.
17. All unrighteousness is sin: and there is a sin not unto death.
IPP All iniquity is sin: and there is a sin not unto death.
18. We know that whosoever is born of God sinneth not; but he that is begotten of God keepeth himself, and that wicked one toucheth him not.
IPP We know that whoever has been begotten of God does not continually sin; but he that is born of God keeps himself, and that evil one is not allowed to attach himself to him.
19. And we know that we are of God, and the whole world lieth in wickedness.
IPP And we know that we are of God, and the entire world system lies in maliciousness.
20. And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life.
IPP And we know the Son of God has come, and has given us a mind, that we may continue to perceive Him that is true; and we are in Him that is true, even in His Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and everlasting life.
21. Little children, keep yourselves from idols. Amen.
IPP Little darlings, guard yourselves against heathen gods. So be it.
* * *
Second John
Writer. Apostle John.
Date. Probably A. D. 90.
Theme. Second John gives the essentials of the personal walk of the believer in a day when “many deceivers are entered into the world”.
1. The elder unto the elect lady and her children, whom I love in the truth; and not I only, but also all they that have known the truth;
IPP The presbyter to the chosen lady and her offspring, who I love in the truth; and not only I, but also all they that have known the truth.
2. For the truth's sake, which dwelleth in us, and shall be with us forever.
IPP For the truths sake, which resides in us, and will be with us without end.
3. Grace be with you, mercy, and peace, from God the Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of the Father, in truth and love.
IPP Grace be with you, compassion and quietness, from God the Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ the Son of the Father, in truth and love.
4. I rejoiced greatly that I found of thy children walking in truth, as we have received a commandment from the Father.
IPP I greatly rejoiced when I found that your children are walking in the truth, as we have received a precept from the Father.
5. And now I beseech thee, lady, not as though I wrote a new commandment unto thee, but that which we had from the beginning, that we love one another.
IPP And now I beg of you, dear lady, not as though I had written a new precept to you, but that which we had from the beginning, that we continue to love one another.
6. And this is love, that we walk after his commandments. This is the commandment, That, as ye have heard from the beginning, ye should walk in it.
IPP And this is love, that we continue to walk in His commandments. This is the precept, That, as you have heard from the beginning, you should continue to do it.
7. For many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist.
IPP For many deceivers have entered into mankind, who do not acknowledge that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an opponent of Christ.
8. Look to yourselves, that we lose not those things which we have wrought, but that we receive a full reward.
IPP Look carefully at yourselves, that we do not lose those things that we labor for, but that we may take a full wage.
9. Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son.
IPP Whoever continues to violate a commandment, and does not practice the instructions of Christ, does not have God. He that remains in the instructions of Christ, he has both the Father and the Son.
10. If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed:
IPP If there join to you any, and does not have this doctrine, do not receive him into your house, neither say to him, farewell, safe journey:
11. For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds.
IPP For he that says to him, farewell, safe journey is a companion of his vile works.
12. Having many things to write unto you, I would not write with paper and ink: but I trust to come unto you, and speak face to face, that our joy may be full.
IPP Having many things to write to you, I cannot write them all with paper and ink: I hope to come to you, and speak face to face, that your hearts may be full.
13. The children of thy elect sister greet thee. Amen.
IPP The offspring of your elect sister send their greetings. So be it.
* * *
Third John
Writer. Apostle John.
Date. Probably A. D. 90.
Theme. The aged Apostle had written to a church which allowed one Diotrephes to exercise an authority common enough in later ages, but wholly new in the primitive churches. Diotrephes had rejected the apostolic letters and authority. Historically, this letter marks the beginning of that clerical and priestly assumption over the churches in which the primitive church order disappeared.
1. The elder unto the wellbeloved Gaius, whom I love in the truth.
IPP The presbyter to dear Gaius, who I love in the truth.
2. Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.
IPP Beloved, I wish above all things that you may continue to prosper and be in continued good health, even as your soul prospers.
3. For I rejoiced greatly, when the brethren came and testified of the truth that is in thee, even as thou walkest in the truth.
IPP For I was exceedingly glad, when the brothers came and reported to me of the truth that is in you, even as you live in the truth.
4. I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.
IPP I have no greater delight, than to hear that my born ones continue to live in truth.
5. Beloved, thou doest faithfully whatsoever thou doest to the brethren, and to strangers;
IPP Beloved, you have continued in a trustworthy manner whatever you have engaged in for the brothers and strangers;
6. Which have borne witness of thy charity before the church: whom if thou bring forward on their journey after a godly sort, thou shalt do well:
IPP Which have shown as a witness of your love before the saints: who if you send them out on their journey after a rest, you will do well:
7. Because that for his name's sake they went forth, taking nothing of the Gentiles.
IPP Because that in His authority’s sake they went out, taking nothing of the heathens.
8. We therefore ought to receive such, that we might be fellow helpers to the truth.
IPP We now ought to continue to receive such, that we might be fellow helpers to the truth.
9. I wrote unto the church: but Diotrephes, who loveth to have the preeminence among them, receiveth us not.
IPP I wrote to the church: but Diotrophes, who loves to be the overseer among them, he would not receive us.
10. Wherefore, if I come, I will remember his deeds which he doeth, prating against us with malicious words: and not content therewith, neither doth he himself receive the brethren, and forbiddeth them that would, and casteth them out of the church.
IPP Now, if I come, I will remember his actions which he does, babbling against us with hurtful words: and not content with this, neither does he himself receive the brothers, and forbids them that would do so, and casts them out of the church.
11. Beloved, follow not that which is evil, but that which is good. He that doeth good is of God: but he that doeth evil hath not seen God.
IPP Beloved, follow not that which is evil, but that which is good. He that does good is of God: he that does evil has not seen God.
12. Demetrius hath good report of all men, and of the truth itself: yea, and we also bear record; and ye know that our record is true.
IPP Demetrius has a good testimony of all men, and of the truth itself: you, and we also bear record; and you understand that our testimony is true.
13. I had many things to write, but I will not with ink and pen write unto thee:
IPP I had many things to write, but I will not do so with pen and ink write to you:
14. But I trust I shall shortly see thee, and we shall speak face to face. Peace be to thee. Our friends salute thee. Greet the friends by name.
IPP But I hope I will shortly see you, and we will speak face to face. Peace be to you. Our friends send their greetings to you. Great our friends by name.