Category Cults

Another Presentation of Zechariah 2:1-13 – Who is YHWH?

Zech 2:1-13:    “…another angel …said unto [the first angel that spoke to Z] run, speak to [Z] saying Jerusalem shall be inhabited as towns without walls…” “For thus says the LORD (YHWH) of hosts, “After the glory has he sent me to the nations who spoiled you, for he who touches you touches the apple of His eye. For behold, I will shake mine hand upon them and they shall be a spoil to their servants, and you shall know that the LORD of hosts has sent me. Sing and rejoice O daughter of Zion, for lo, I come and I will dwell in the midst of you,” says the LORD …and many nations shall be joined to the LORD in that day, and shall be my people, and I will dwell in the midst of you and you shall know that the LORD of hosts has sent me to you...

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Did John the Baptist Believe that Jesus was God?

Yes, John the Baptist believed and knew that Jesus Christ was almighty God.

In the beginning of his ministry, John declared, “Repent for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!” Matthew confirmed that John was “he of whom Isaiah the prophet spoke saying, ‘The voice of one crying in the wilderness, “Prepare the way of YHWH; make His paths straight!”‘” John quoted God’s words through Isaiah the prophet that the One whose way was to be prepared, was YHWH, the almighty God.

Indeed, John told the crowds, including the religious hypocrites who came comparably to those God described to Ezekiel in 33:32, that He Who was coming after John, was mightier, that He would judge and punish, and that John as God’s prophet was unworthy to carry His shoes...

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Further Thoughts on “Mark and Avoid”

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 – The Stone of Stumbling and Rock of Offense

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: ‘...

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Mormons – Summary of History and Key Teachings

Called 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...

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Jehovah’s Witnesses – Summary of History and Key Teachings

SUMMARY 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...

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Psalm 45 – Christ as God, the Eternal King

Psalm 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         ...

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Isaiah 50 – YHWH Who Created, Who is sent, Who is Christ

Isaiah 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...

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Reconciling Pagan Practices with Christianity

Or 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...

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Who Is Jesus?

Isaiah 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...

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