Category Cults
What is wrong with a generalized instruction to "mark and avoid" those who teach differently from or challenge teachings of a particular leader or group? If we refuse to listen to and test the words of those who disagree with what we have been told is true, we insulate ourselves from the possibility of being shown why our beliefs do not conform to Holy Scripture and finding our way to understanding God's Word more properly.Read More
ISAIAH 8:11-15
11 For YHWH spoke thus to me with a strong hand, and instructed me that I should not walk in the way of this people, saying,
12 ‘Say ye not, “A confederacy,” to all them to whom this people shall say, “A confederacy”; neither fear ye their fear, nor be afraid.
13 Sanctify YHWH of hosts Himself; and let Him be your fear, and let Him be your dread.
14 And He shall be for a sanctuary; but for a stone of stumbling and for a rock of offence to both the houses of Israel, for a gin and for a snare to the inhabitants of Jerusalem.
15 And many among them shall stumble, and fall, and be broken, and be snared, and be taken.
For the YHWH spoke thus to me with a strong hand, and instructed me from going in the way of this people, to say: ‘...
Read MoreCalled the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Members are called Mormons.
Founded by Joseph Smith Jr. early 1800’s in Palmyra, NY.
1820 Joseph claimed to have first vision – the story changed several times as to whom he saw and what was said:
Jesus Christ appeared to Joseph
God the Father and Jesus appeared to Joseph
One “personage” appeared to Joseph
Two “personages” appeared to Joseph, neither of whom were the Son of God. These were accompanied by ‘many angels.
The “official” version: God the Father and God the Son appeared to JS, telling him to join no church because all were false, and that God would bring the truth church through Joseph Smith.
1823 Second claimed vision: angel Moroni told him there was a sacred history of the ancient Hebrews, engraved...
Read MoreSUMMARY OF JEHOVAH’S WITNESS HISTORY:
“International Bible Students” – started by Charles Taze Russell, 1872, ~ age 20 in Pennsylvania
He was attracted to the Adventist movement, which developed from the Millerite movement. Russell studied Pyramidology, disavowed eternal hell-fire, the trinity, the deity of Christ, and the personality of the Holy Spirit.
He [ublished a magazine that he ultimately named the Watchtower Announcing Jehovah’s Kingdom; founded Zion’s Watch Tower Tract Society., now headquartered in Brooklyn, NY. The publishing house produces about over 100,000 booklets per year. (The Watchtower, Awake!)
Russell published many articles, ultimately naming the compilation Studies in the Scriptures.
Predicted Christ’s “invisible” return in 1874
Russell and his succes...
Read MorePsalm 45 Christ as God, the Eternal King
1-2 … I speak of the things .… concerning the king .… You are fairer than the children of men. Grace is poured into your lips, therefore God (Elohyim) has blessed you forever.
3 Gird your sword upon your thigh, o mighty (gibbowr) with your glory and your majesty.
4 In your majesty ride … and your right hand shall teach you terrible things…
5 Your arrows are sharp in the hear of the king’s enemies…
6 Your throne, o God, is forever and ever, the sceptre of your kingdom is a right sceptre.
7 You love righteousness and hate wickedness, therefore God*, your God*, has anointed you with oil of gladness above your fellows….
11 ...
Read MoreIsaiah 50 – YHWH
1 Thus says YHWH, ‘Where is the bill of your mother’s divorcing, whom I sent away? Or to which of My creditors have I sold you? Behold, for your iniquities you were sold, and for your transgressions your mother was sent away.
2 For what reason, (when) I came, was there no man; I called, and no one answered? Is My hand truly short from redemption, or is no power in Me to deliver? Behold, at My rebuke I shall drain a sea, I make rivers a wilderness; their fish stink because there is no water, and die for thirst.
3 I clothe the heavens with blackness, and sackcloth I place (as) their covering.
4 My most sovereign YHWH gives Me the tongue of the learned, to know to speak a timely word to the faint...
Read MoreOr Can we “Sanctify” Acts or Ideas belonging to False Religious Systems to Make Them Suitable for Worship of the Lord God or a Part of Christian Life Practice?
Throughout Scripture, God commands His people to be ‘holy’, separate from the world and sin. False teachings and false practices have plagued the church since the beginning, evidenced in the letters from Paul, Peter, John, and Jude, so it is not unique to today. The Holy Spirit ensured we would have no reason to question what response might be appropriate to the inclusion of pagan practices or philosophies in Christian life and worship. God admonished the Israelites frequently that they were to absolutely reject everything originating from pagan practice, incorporating none of it in their lives or the worship of Almighty God...
Read MoreIsaiah 44:6 “Thus says YHWH the King of Israel 1, and 2 His Redeemer, YHWH of Hosts 3, “I am the first and I am the last 4, and beside me there is no Elohyim.” 5
1. The “King of Israel” or the “King of the Jews”:
Mt 2:2 “He who is born king of the Jews” = Jesus
Mt 21:5 “… thy King comes to you, meek and sitting on a donkey…” regarding Jesus fulfilling the prophecy of Zechariah 9:9: “Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; shout, O daughter of Jerusalem . Behold your king comes to you, He is just and having salvation, lowly and riding upon an ass, and upon a colt, the foal of an ass.”
Mt 25:31-46 “The Son of Man shall come in His glory, and all the holy angels with Him, and He shall sit upon the thr...
Read MoreAnytime an individual or group sets themselves up as the authority over other men’s knowledge and understanding of God or the Bible, or imposes his authority over how others believe or live their lives in regards to spiritual or religious matters, he is establishing himself as a Cult leader. When a leader or group of leaders declares themselves to be the sole or key human agent through whom God reveals His Truth, the only ones to whom knowledge or understanding of the Scriptures has been given, or to whom men must submit and obey in order to ‘follow’ God or be acceptable to or received by God, he or they have set themselves up as leaders of a Cult.
Any group of people which is established around the leadership of an individual or small group who dictates all religious teaching, spiritual...
Read More“… upon this Rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.” Matt 16:18b
Jesus speaking to Peter is recorded as saying that the gates of Hell should not prevail against the church of Jesus Christ. He did not say that the armies of hell shall not be able to destroy the church, but that the gates of hell shall not prevail against – or withstand – the church of Christ. This is battle language with the church on the offensive.
The church of Christ is called to storm the gates of hell. Hell is the prison of every man and woman who has not faith in Christ. Every cult member, and every person without Christ is presently consigned to hell.
Jesus was not telling Peter to dig in and hold ground until He returns...
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