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Alpha, as Predicted.. Some years ago, when we first wrote against the Alpha course, we predicted a number of things that would happen. So far, what we have predicted has come true, and now it is about time that we again summarised why we oppose this famed course that is taking the world by storm. Before we do so, it should be pointed out for new readers that the reason The Beacon is critical, is that this is what the publication is all about! It sets out to oppose error, especially within the confessing Church of Jesus Christ. Another part of the work is to teach sound doctrine – which we do in other publications. So, please, new readers – don’t write to us complaining about our ‘critical spirit’! It is rather like telling-off the Consumer Association for being critical of the goods it examines, when that is why it exits in the first place! Now, back to Alpha... We have had some very daunting and instant replies to our Alpha critiques, especially since they were put on our Internet site. Every one of them tells us we have got it wrong, and accuses us of having a critical spirit, attacking the brethren, etc. As time progresses, I have noted how these replies are fitting a pattern...the same pattern of replies I used to get from advocates of the Toronto Blessing (TB)! This does not surprise me one little bit, for Alpha sprang to real life on the back of the TB and is very much a part of the movement, which is NOT dead – like Rome, it has merely changed its appearance and name and can be found in any charismatic movement anywhere in the world. To make things easier, the summary will be enumerated: 1. The Alpha course was written by Nicky Gumbel. This is significant, for he, along with others at Holy Trinity church, Brompton, introduced the Toronto Blessing to the UK. (By the way, at BTM we insist on using the original name for the movement. Others called it the ‘Toronto Experience’, but we felt that this detracted from the truth – those who loved this Satanic ploy assumed that the movement was from God, and so thought of it as a ‘blessing’. We continue to call it that, because it highlights how badly wrong people can get false movements). 2. Thus, the Alpha movement (it is not just a course) has its foundation in the vilest of deceptions, a movement that swept the world, and still does, crushing and violating Christians and churches everywhere. Do you think that Alpha will desert its true mother, the charismatic church at Brompton, and its father, the devil, who was a liar from the beginning? Of course not! 3. Much of the course content is good – we openly say that. But, it is the part about the Gospel and the final session which draws people in to the charismatic net, that causes the concern. The ‘Gospel’ preached by Alpha is NOT the authentic Gospel of Jesus Christ. It is, rather, a substitute. If you don’t believe us, then read the report of a very recent Alpha meeting attended by Cecil Andrews, a Belfast pastor. This meeting was led by Nicky Gumbel himself and so it was a very accurate portrayal of Alpha’s true philosophy. In our own detailed description of Alpha’s principles and teachings, we have shown it to be Arminian in theology and does not give the true Biblical account of salvation. Yes, it recognises all the usual Christian ‘must have’ statements of belief – but it ruins these by being Arminian, which is heresy. The ‘Holy Spirit’ part of the course is not just heresy – it is occult by nature. It holds to a spiritual gift idea not found in scripture, but which is the same as that taught by many occult groups. 4. The course praises itself, as do others. The emphasis is only on how wonderful Alpha is and how Alpha is responsible for many saved souls. This is clearly cultic. 5. Alpha is accepted by Roman Catholicism – something it would not do unless it was Arminian and in agreement with its own heresies. It is also ecumenical, joining many cultic and sectarian groupings, from charismatic/Pentecostal, to Anglican and Romanist. And it is likely to spread beyond the traditional ‘Christian’ groups, possibly to such cults as Mormonism, in which tongues are already a feature. 6. Alpha, teaching heresies, cannot ‘make Christians’, it can only make souls in its own image – still dead in sin but sporting the tag ‘Christian’ just because they have finished the course and have emotionally and intellectually imbibed the contents and aims. 7. Alpha is the ‘theological arm’ of charismaticism. Its aim is to ‘charismaticise’ people, who think they have become Christians. Once they have been urged to accept Alpha, they will eagerly accept anything else that comes from its source, Brompton and charismaticism. Thus charismatic error will become the major feature of church life throughout the world. Along the way, this will get rid of the AV Bible, because it is the most accurate version we have. In its place will go countless modern (and unreliable, erroneous) versions that charismatics, ecumenists and Romanists can accept. This leads toward the awaited one-world religion of Satan, which will mimic the true Church and take its place. Alpha is preparing many other courses to build upon the original one. Our critics tell us that ‘Alpha is not like that’. Friends, we took material direct from Alpha books and teachings, and from Nicky Gumbel’s own mouth! Our first 34 page critique details a huge catalogue of heresies contained in the basic book of Alpha. So, Alpha IS ‘like that’! We are told that ‘much depends on who is leading the course’. This is bunkum, for to be allowed to use Alpha the leaders must use it as it is written! Yes, some leaders might alter some contents so that it becomes more evangelical and Biblical... But that is not the problem. The problem is that any ‘leader’ who uses the course has no discernment and has not been called by God to teach it. How do we know? Because of its Satanic roots and origin, and its non-authentic Gospel message. Any evangelist or teacher called of God will always be given gifts and the mind to preach the Gospel in a way that reaches the folk it is supposed to reach. This is without fail. So, why use a charismatic course with such a dubious and heretical background? If you are teaching it, remember that you are preparing your listeners for further contamination by charismaticism and so you will be blamed by God for your own actions. Alpha supporters all make the same claims, using the same words and terminology. It took us at BTM several years to unravel what was going on, during the time of the initial Toronto wave. We discovered that charismatics used the same Biblical terms and words but used different meanings. Often, the changes were very subtle. Thus many stumbled and were caught in the net of deceit. Alpha does exactly the same thing, thereby filling churches with unsaved folk who think they are saved. We can expect very subtle changes in the future, mingled with standard Biblical terminology. The changes will come thick and fast as charismatic/ecumenical forces gain ground. Alpha is gaining many adherents that the Toronto movement did not touch. The TB set out to win the churches, but Alpha sets out to win the unsaved who were outside the churches. All of the above were predicted by us and have come true. Now, read on for the future from today... Once in the Alpha environment, an unsaved person will be subjected to charismaticism and, if he or she lasts the course, will join a charismatic/ecumenical church. In this way the ’church’ (the counterfeit one, that is) will be filled with the unsaved who think they are saved. These will stand against the Truth of scripture and will oppose real Christians. The TB hit Christians on the head with a huge club, but Alpha does it with cups of tea and a cake, with the promise of spiritual power and ‘happiness’. Stand firm, friends, for the worst is yet to come. Once Alpha has gained enough momentum and supporters, the persecution will arise. Charismatics already scorn and attack those of us who will not accept their godless religion, because they are in the ascendancy. Soon will come the mind and physical controls of the whole population, not just true Christians. The population is coming to regard Alpha as the Gospel. It will not take too long before they then accept the opposite (true Christian faith) to be false and they will inevitably accuse real Christians of being unloving! In such an environment the true Gospel will be hidden and attacked. Charismatics are already very open in their disregard for election and God’s grace. The above will come true, and soon. Also Predicted...’Next Wave’ Readers who were with us when the Toronto Blessing struck will remember that we predicted yet another wave will come, very soon. Well, the Toronto Airport church has now confirmed this. We said at the time that the Toronto Blessing was NOT A FAD, as so many reformed Christians thought in their naiveté. We said it was a movement to sift the churches, to soften them up in readiness for an even worse wave of demonic activity. This has proven to be a correct prediction. Larry Randolph, on the Toronto web site dated 9th January, says that the next wave will be with us very soon indeed. It will consist of multiple sightings not just of angels, but also of Jesus Christ. They will simply walk in to churches worldwide and ‘disrupt their programmes and agendas’! And, actual miracles of all kinds will be executed, in such vast numbers as to startle even charismatics. Charismatics everywhere are getting prepared for these supernatural events. So, we urge all Christians everywhere to beware and to stand firm. Another part of our prediction was that when this next wave comes thousands of Christians, who previously stood firm, will be swept away by the deception. We continue in this belief, especially as, since the first ‘wave’ of the Toronto blessing, reformed men have simply forgotten about it, feeling safe. This feeling is itself a deception, friends! Because they did not stand against the Toronto Blessing, they will be buffeted as never before, when these demonic apparitions appear! They will not be able to stand against Satan, because they refused to stand against him before. Thus, they will be targeted and will fall. All our predictions concerning the Toronto Blessing came to pass. So did the predictions concerning the Alpha course. The present predictions, now made by us, WILL COME TO PASS. It does not matter whether or not reformed folk like us – we have been watchmen and have watched, night and day. The warnings have been given. Will people finally listen, before it is too late? The Alpha course, yet another ‘fad’ according to misguided reformed men, was part and parcel of the notorious Toronto Blessing, and still is. It is helping to prepare folk for the next charismatic wave of deception. Hence our avid opposition to it. But then will come the wave of apparitions and supposedly ‘real’ miracles. We warn all true churches to discern the spirits and to gird themselves against what is to come. In our own Publications List and on our web site, we have publications that clearly define the errors of charismaticism, its Satanic origin in Asuza Street and the Pentecostal movement, and how it affects people. Pray, read them all, and be strengthened! Read the warnings made by other watchmen, too. And, above all, read scripture and see what God has said about these things. An update article will soon be made available, giving more detail. We are receiving daily rebukes from charismatics around the world, because of our criticism of Alpha on the web site. Well, we will continue, for their rebuke is proof of the need to expose the falsity of Alpha and its real aim, which is tied in with the aim of the Toronto Blessing – which is to maim and kill the true Church of Jesus Christ, so that Satan can build his own fake church alongside. These are not merely the ramblings of Barry Napier – they are stern and urgent warnings, made to a people who will not listen. The situation we speak of is very real and is imminent. Do not be caught unawares this time – for if you are, you will be mown down by the enemy of your souls. More on this matter as events unfold. The Fight Costs Dearly Fighting for the truth of Jesus Christ can cost some folk very dearly. Michael Marcavage was a student at Temple University, Philadelphia, USA. Recently, he opposed the staging of a play in the university theatre. It was Corpus Christi, that depicts Jesus as a homosexual who had sexual relations with his disciples, and who was crucified as the ‘king of queers’! Marcavage tried to protest about it but found himself manhandled in to the Vice President’s office, held in a chair and forced to the floor, then to be handcuffed, before being admitted to the local psychiatric hospital involuntarily, for being supposedly ‘severely mentally disabled’ and a threat to himself and to others! All he did was to protest about an evil play, homosexual propaganda! This is the scenario for all who protest and who oppose evil. Such blatant persecution will increase throughout the world. Web Site News Out, but not down! Suddenly, on 10th January, the company who had our site on its books, folded, leaving its clients high and dry. Thus, the site ‘went off the air’ without warning. Though the content of the entire site was lost, James Waddell had wisely kept a full back-up copy of everything. So, though very disappointed after such hard work over the past 15 months, he found another provider within a week and busily set up another site...with a repeat of all the financial costs, which are in the hundreds. We believe that this is the work of Satan – the site was quickly building up its readers and responses were coming in daily. Many articles were being copied. In January we had an average of nearly 200 – 300 hits every day, which is a good start to this new venture! Responses from web site readers have been mixed with some of them highly critical, but unable to give us scriptural reasons for their distaste, and some who sent much encouragement. Included in the ‘hits’ have been a significant number of visits by the U.S. Government. Just like our own government security services, such as MI6 and MI5, the US monitors all web sites when prompted by key words, such as ‘war’, ‘Muslim’, and so on. Hopefully, as they continue to read (no doubt, they will read this newsletter, too), the staff who do so will come to learn something of God and His grace! If you do, friends – just contact us and we’ll chat! So – prayers will be appreciated for this vital ministry, which can potentially reach thousands upon thousands with the word of God. Because of the e-mail responses we are getting, I now spend a lot of my time answering them. As the site becomes better known, I anticipate spending even longer at the computer. This is making me a (wiling) ‘victim’ of the web site’s success, for I also work full time and I spend all my free time on BTM work anyway. Now, I am running out of 25 hour days!! Clearly, full time work for BTM is the answer, but for that I will require an income. James is also finding his time taken up in support of BTM. I know that some of you pray eagerly for the work, so I ask if you might pray specifically for an opening in to full time ministry. If this is what God desires, He will provide! Great News One reader of the web site, Natasha Thomas, has graciously offered her services to BTM. A Curriculum Development Officer, this young lady works with academic staff to develop interactive Internet Courses to support flexible learning. Natasha will, hopefully, ‘translate’ our own Bible courses in to Internet and computer material, so students can, in future, (God willing) have our courses either via the Internet, or on CD Rom. Watch for news on this front. And More! Apart from this exciting news, James Waddell, who has already done a huge amount of work setting up the current web site, and continues to offer valuable spiritual support to myself, is to study something called ‘broad band’ technology (high speed Internet connections). James hopes that BTM can then offer interactive Bible studies and meetings for those who cannot find a sound church, or who are unable to attend one, using video and audio facilities. This seems a good idea, as more and more folk are without proper teaching or church and I am already acting as a ‘surrogate pastor’ to some anyway. We thank God for the way He is making BTM’s work available world wide! Prayers are invited. Supermassive Myth, or Reality? Now and again we report on a science subject, not because most folk understand scientific chatter, but because the subject has some bearing on doctrine. On this occasion we are looking at an article in New Scientist (April 2000), ‘Masters of the Universe’. The article talks about the ‘supermassive’ cosmic phenomena known as ‘Black Holes’. Now, the thing is, there is no actual proof that these ‘Black Holes’ really exist. On the other hand, there is no proof that they do not! So, with all the sureness of uncertainty, let’s carry on... Basically, the article relates what scientists think Black Holes are.... stars that imploded (like an explosion that goes inwards) ‘shrank’ from being huge lumps of starry stuff to tiny lumps of ‘supermassive’ solids. Like squeezing the world in to a one pint container! As the lump got smaller, so it gained in mass and became heavier than anything known on earth. Imagine, for example, something the size of a marble weighing more than the earth, and you’ve got the idea! Anyway, they now think that every galaxy has its own Black Hole. Each of these Black Holes supposedly draws everything in to itself - because the mass is so great, it creates a huge gravitational pull. And so it swallows heavenly bodies for breakfast, leaving even bigger ‘holes’ in space! This might, or might not, be true, but their theory includes the formation of the universe. Scientists believe that these Black Holes existed before anything else, and by dragging everything in to their irresistible domains, they force planets and all else to move about at colossal speeds. This, they claim, might have been how the universe was made. (They forget to say how the Black Holes were made!!). So, we have yet another problem with this branch of science. As is often the case, the observations are okay – but the interpretations are, well, lousy! No matter how good the whole idea sounds, it is just a theory, without substance. They don’t even know for sure if Black Holes really exist. What this shows is that men are more than willing to develop their own myths to replace what they think is also a ‘myth’ – the creation account given to us by God. But, dressing up their fantasy in scientific terms does not make it any the more real. Black Holes, then, might exist...but don’t bother to listen if scientists try to tell you they created the universe, because they cannot ever prove it. Nor does it make sense. Better to listen to God’s word which, in gloriously regal language, tells us the simple fact – that everything was created by God. Maybe He set up the ‘Black Holes’ (if they exist) to do a particular job. One thing we do know – they did not ‘create’ anything! The Steamroller On the evening of 23rd January I watched a House of Commons debate, which, though very important, was badly attended. The debate was about the way the government simply pushed its demands on to us like a steamroller, crushing all argument under its legally acquired authority. It was rightly concluded that the government will not wish to debate matters that might lessen its chances of getting re-elected. Thus, the number of opportunities to present Private Member’s Bills (proposals to change laws) will be drastically reduced. As we have said before, government is becoming more and more draconian and dictatorial, and this does not give much hope for the future. Couple this with the UK’s headlong suicidal rush in to E.C. impositions and legal restraints, and the surrendering of sovereignty, and you have a mess that will cause much grief. Recently, the EC took a small-time butcher to court for selling meat in English pounds and ounces rather than in metric weights! That is a sign of things to come. A central international (EC) government will soon monitor every aspect of our lives, demanding complete obedience. This is about foreign countries ruling us from a central system that is humanistic, Romanistic and godless. It will denounce and control true Christian faith, practice and freedoms. Such control is already happening. Good Reading – Sound Doctrine May we recommend reading our series on 1 Samuel? ( Soon to also be published on our web site) With over thirty articles in the series, it collects to give a comprehensive view of this marvellous Book. Each article goes through a chapter at a time, verse by verse, explaining meanings in their historical setting, complete with applications for today. 2 Samuel is also well on its way, with about 15 chapters already published. Other new titles include: O-00108 Being Saved: The three main Biblical definitions of being saved. O-00109 Is Belief In God Rational? Yes, it is, because our beliefs are rooted in actual, historical, facts! A-00144 The Jesuit Oath & The Cardinal’s Oath, Combines the Jesuits Oath, the oath taken by cardinals, and examples of Romish symbols with meanings. A-00145 Another Jesus, Another Spirit, Another Gospel. This is a summary of why we oppose any form of charismaticism, whether it is ‘excessive’ or not. A-00146 Amateurs Let Loose! If you have Christians ‘training’ to be counsellors, or you already have formal counsellors, then read this – there ought to be no such persons in our churches! A-00147 Untempered Morter, the case against charismaticism, as found in Ezekiel 13. A-00088 Is There a Special Rapture? I cannot find it in scripture – can you? Another Note on Mental Illness Readers are now more than aware of my views – that mental illness as such does not exist. However, I bear in mind that certain cases that present as mental illness appear to be ‘genuine’. In particular I remember observing urgently admitted cases of drug-taking that went wrong -–for example, taking LSD with subsequent horrifying delusions, hallucinations and weird behaviour. These looked very similar to some cases of schizophrenia, so I deduced from this that some cases of schizophrenia might have a genuine physical cause, such as a disturbance of naturally-produced chemicals in the brain. That would make the cause physical (neurological) and the ‘mental illness’ (though wrongly named) a genuine illness. However, after saying that, the symptoms themselves are not the only criteria. One also has to take in to account the person’s history, thoughts, beliefs and actions. The above deduction, then, only applies to a very small number of cases. The rest are, to my mind, ‘medical frauds’ because they are not mental or physical, but are merely fantasies and human excesses. Thus, most mental illnesses are social blunders, where men and women are excused their bad behaviour. The very small number that have a physical cause are, then, not mental illnesses at all, but are physical illnesses, requiring medical intervention. Sadly, too many ‘mental illness’ sufferers are excused by social theories that support their behaviour, to the detriment of themselves and to others – including the massive financial and moral costs to the nation. The Schizophrenia Association of Great Britain (SAGB) recently placed an advertisement in The Times, opposing certain governmental reform of the mental health system. A specific annoyance is that those deemed to be ‘dangerous severe personality disordered’ (DSPD) would be placed in prison, sometimes, even, if they have not yet committed a criminal act. The SAGB say that this is against The Human Rights Act, and say that those at greatest risk of imprisonment are schizophrenics. Now, if mental illness existed, they would have a point. But the matter requires some down to earth thinking. Let me suggest some avenues to explore... The majority of people said to have ‘schizophrenia’ are harmless folk. I might not agree that they are mentally ill, but I can acknowledge that they present no danger to society, even if they cost a lot of money by not working or by being ‘ill’. However, there are some whose imbalance does present a danger to society, as I know from experience. As a psychiatric nurse I can relate accounts of ‘schizophrenics’ and ‘psychopaths’ that would make your hair stand on end! Some accounts are horrific. Let me say categorically – some ‘diagnosed’ as ‘mentally ill’ SHOULD be locked up. And, though it will be deemed ‘politically incorrect’, I would say that some of them should be locked up for the duration of their lives. Having been at the ‘sharp end’ dealing with these dangerous individuals, I can tell you that their danger to the public can be extreme. I make no apology for saying that. No doubt some will be incarcerated wrongly – people make mistakes. And, also, as in Russia, no doubt some will be imprisoned because it is ‘convenient’. Even so, the general principle must be properly assessed. Some ‘schizophrenics’, ‘psychopaths’( ‘sociopaths’), and even some with ‘bi-polar’ conditions (Manic-Depressives), should be locked up indefinitely. Why? Because they are unstable and can erupt in to unprovoked and sickening violence, without warning. That it might be caused by ‘illness’ or not is irrelevant. I have worked with these folk and they are highly dangerous. Only yesterday I was reminiscing with another ex-hospital psychiatric nurse. We recalled the daily routine of violent fights and constantly volatile disturbance when working with dangerous patients. We received many injuries and always went home with churning stomachs, after a full shift of continuous high tension and inward fear. The people we were trying to ‘treat’ did not care less if they injured us, or anyone else – they just wanted to vent their fury or have their own way. To do that they would do whatever came into their heads. Most of them, too, enjoyed inflicting injury. So it was that they would use chair legs, smashed glass, knives – anything to injure. To these people a nurse was a ‘screw’ – akin to a prison warder – because we would not let them loose on the public, but kept the doors locked. We were nice to them and afforded them every courtesy, even if they injured us. But, this courtesy was never reciprocated - we were regularly attacked and injured, in sickening fashion. Very often, they were observed to plan and enjoy their havoc. So, I have no qualms whatever about this new legislation. We can deal with any miscarriages later! Only a very small number of people will be affected by it, so the opposition by SAGB does not really carry much weight. Far better to lock someone up than to let them maim and kill because they feel like it, or because they pretend to be ‘ill’. Obviously, the whole of my argument rests on the view that mental illness does not exist. The SAGB believes it does exist – hence their opposition. What of those who have not yet committed a criminal act? I can only say, after being in close contact with many dangerous schizophrenics, psycho/sociopaths, etc., that they generate intense, overwhelming tension and fear, and they are very intimidating. Why should ordinary folk put up with this day in, day out? Why should they live in absolute fear and heart-stopping tension, just because some individual wishes to do whatever he wants without come-backs? I have said it before...give me any ‘mentally ill’ person with his full history and I can show you where his ‘illness’ was self-manufactured to hide something else. It is just a ‘bad habit’ used to cover a personality or other flaw, and a refusal to face reality and its consequences. Or, it is an excuse to act excessively or to get away with murder – sometimes literally. It is not an illness; it is outright sin. We must watch for those cases that can be attributed to physical causes – but even this must not detract from the duty to protect the general public from violent men and women. I would prefer to see such cases initially imprisoned, monitored and tested. Then, if appropriate, they can be transferred to hospital. But, violence is violence, whatever causes it. At least the initial imprisonment would stop a death or injury to the public. Would you take the chance? The public put up with this nonsense because ‘experts’ tell them mental illness exists, without any proof at all. Sorry, SAGB, but I’m with the government on this one! There is no excuse for violence, even if there are ‘reasons’. To treat violent men and women medically is to provide them with approval for what they do. So, they do it again and again. That is simply not acceptable. Could I be wrong in my opinion? Yes, of course I can be wrong! I am neither perfect or infallible! But, thus far, no-one has even come close to convincing me of the existence of mental illness, or of the need to have a psychiatric service. Surrogate Pastors Okay, or Not? Every so often I am told by well-meaning folk that ceasing fellowship is ‘not an option’. This perplexes me, for nowhere in scripture do we find an injunction to continue ‘fellowship’ with those who are in error. That’s because one cannot have ‘fellowship’ with those who reject God’s word as it is written. (Yes, we must try to find good fellowship). During the time the Toronto Blessing was first sweeping the UK, I was used as a kind of ‘surrogate pastor’ by tens of thousands of Christians. The figure is not an exaggeration. If these bewildered folk could not contact me and stay in touch, receiving solid scriptural teaching, they would have had no-one to turn to. Thankfully, they later found true churches, or they set up small fellowships of their own. We are in new times, with new challenges. It has been confirmed by other ministries that people around the world are unable to find churches teaching true doctrine. So, what are they to do? Stick with their churches even though they teach falsity? I do not believe this is the way to go!! My view is based on what I see and hear, and on what God’s word tells us. He tells us to come out of a false situation. He does not tell us to stay with it! That is why I honestly believe that our recent venture in to the world of the Internet is valid and very pro-active. There are Christians out there, throughout the world, who are unable to find a sound church, let alone proper teaching! Are they to join a false church just so as to convince others of their genuineness? I do not think so! They are to find true teaching and real fellowship. Now, with the advent of the Internet, they can at least have surrogate pastoral help until and if they find a true church. I believe we can supply that need. Anyway, I have been assisting people like this for many years, so to use the internet as an extension of this work is an obvious step. If the only way they can have sound teaching - or, at times, fellowship - is via the Internet, then so be it. I don’t pretend to be like a local pastor in such circumstances, but if I am all they have got, I will not turn them away! Whenever I act as a ‘surrogate pastor’ I always advise people to continue to find a true fellowship. Or, if none is found, to start their own church. This is Biblical advice. I can not, in all conscience, advise folk to join a church merely for the sake of it, or to seem acceptable to others! So, friends, if led to do so, please pray for our ministry and its added responsibilities that have emerged since starting our web site. Thousands, if not millions, are without church fellowship, and if we can help them in any way, then we will do so. Those who cannot understand what it is like to be without fellowship, have no real input in to this and they ought not criticise those who supply much needed teaching or fellowship, even if it is ‘virtual’ and not face to face.... without it, many would have no teaching at all and no fellowship. Rome’s News and Errors * Rome does a roaring trade in gullibility. Take Mary’s House. That is, the house where Mary lived. In 1881 a French priest claimed to know where Mary spent her life. He ‘knew’ after a German nun and a mystic had ‘visions’. The house they pinpointed is now one of Rome’s most sacred places. Over 2 million people visit this ‘authentic’ place every year! It shows just how easy to please Roman Catholics are. Just look at the sad, wretched, procession of hopefuls who go to Lourdes. * The present pope celebrated the 50th anniversary of the founding of the Missionaries of Charity, in October 2000. Its famous founder, Mother Teresa, was blessed by the pope, in glowing terms. He said that she had produced ‘abundant fruit’ because of the number of nuns and priests she has spawned....’of all beliefs and none’. She died in 1997 and the pope hurried along the route to her beatification and canonisation. The papers necessary to begin this process will be ready early this year. In his speech the pope said that Teresa was motivated ‘by Jesus’ love for all people’ who ‘thirst for Him who thirsts for you’. He then gave thanks for Teresa’s ‘dedication to the Lord’s call and for the abundant spiritual harvest which has come to the church through the Missionaries of Charity’. Significantly, those who paid tribute to Teresa at her tomb in Calcutta, were leaders of the Bahais, Buddhists, Christians (Catholics?), Hindus, Jains, Jews, Muslims, Sikhs and Zoroastrians! I have heard many Christians praise Teresa and uphold her as a great example of Christian love and virtue. She was nothing of the sort, but was the enemy of Jesus Christ and His Gospel! Her work cared nothing for the Gospel and only brought people in to the Catholic fold. Do not venerate her or her work. Instead look at those who attended her ‘prayer service’ in October – cult leaders who have been totally untouched by the Gospel. Even if they had stood up to declare their hatred for her, for spreading God’s word, it would have been better. Teresa is now facing hell, as her good works are counted as nothing by God. * Interestingly, after a year long study, a committee of Jewish and Catholic scholars have concluded that many important papers from the period of the Second World War are missing! So, they are unable to come to a firm conclusion about the war-time pope and his part in the destruction of Jews and Catholics alike, in the death camps. Oh what a surprise! Even now, Rome is trying to hide its shameful face! Some time ago we reported on certain documents showing that the pope gave his thumbs up to Hitler, allowing him to kill millions, with his papal blessing. Just remember – Rome is as murderous as ever. * And what about this bit of double talk from Rome...the pope was speaking at a Jubilee liturgy to celebrate (its version of) ‘evangelism’. He had the gall to say: “We should never lose the hope of helping create a more fraternal world. Unregulated competition, the desire for domination over others at any cost, discrimination brought by those who consider themselves superior to others, and the unbridled pursuit of wealth are the roots of injustices, violence and wars.” Well said! Who competes more than Rome? Who desires to dominate more than Rome? Who did so by using the Inquisitors? Who but Rome thinks it is superior morally, spiritually and theologically? Who is richer than Rome in this world today? And who prefers to keep its wealth to itself more than Rome? Rome has been at the forefront of injustice, violence and war...so, well said, Mr pope...you have identified and acknowledged your own sins! * The new patron saint of politicians is Thomas More, the Romish ‘martyr’ who died under Henry 8th. It might be true that the mode of his death was wrong – but Rome says nothing of its many attempts throughout the centuries, to undermine Britain and assassinate its monarchs through its secret and murderous envoys....even up to the ‘Irish troubles’ of this century. Rome’s pious talk of peace is rubbish in the light of its claims to ‘own’ Britain ‘for Mary’ and its continuously violent nature! * Then, we have the Queen visiting the pope in October last year, in defiance of her own constitution. She again wore black with a veil, indicating subservience to the pope as her ruler, and spoke of her hope for ‘European unity’. In ‘real’ talk that means Roman Catholic domination of the British people, via slavish European laws made by ardent Romanists and a handing-over of sovereignty. Constantly, Rome says that ‘Christians’ must ‘follow Jesus’ by being involved with the poor, suffering and those in distress. No mention of the Gospel. The Queen agreed. So, without digging once in to their own pockets, the hugely rich Queen and the mega-rich Rome have decided, on behalf of their peoples, to spend the people’s money on projects decided by Rome!! The pope said that the ‘sad years of division’ (!!) between the Vatican and Britain ‘have ended’ and that ‘more must be done to move toward Christian unity.’ Again, in reality-speke that means ‘coming under Roman domination’! The pope wished for a return to the ‘harmony of earlier times’ and to ‘our common spiritual roots’! Friends – never be drawn in to thinking that Rome has similar roots to our own! From about the third century, the church at Rome withdrew from the true Christian churches, after they had, to a man, censured Rome for its heretical beliefs, teachings and practices. From that time on, Rome built its own ‘church’ with its own theology and its own version of the scriptures. Thus the Roman Catholic ‘church’ is a cult, not a part of the Christian Church at all. There are NO ‘common roots’! For the pope to say that the previous fight is over, he must be pretty sure of his ground. Truly, the fight against this evil cult is indeed almost over, as people dive headlong and willingly in to the spiritual cess-pit that is Rome. Outrageously, the Queen unwisely said “we are grateful for your help and support in this process (of peace in Northern Ireland)”!! Anyone who knows a little bit about the ‘troubles’ is very aware that they are rooted in Rome’s continuous efforts against Christian truth. Rome does not ‘help’ a peace process – it creates the violence. Rome is still a fraudulent liar! * And after her chat with the pope she visited the Anglican Centre, where Anglican’s have their permanent representative at the Vatican. This is rather like Rome having a pet dog in a kennel in its grounds...it used to kick the dog mercilessly, but the dog remained faithful to its master! Significantly, the Queen met a Roman cardinal at the Centre, who is in charge of the ‘Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian unity’. Maybe the Anglican fellow at the Centre who eats the crumbs from the Vatican’s table really believes he represents the true Christian faith. But, he is merely a lap dog who enjoys being kicked. * In Rome they celebrated the 50th anniversary of the announcement by a former pope that Mary ascended to heaven just like Jesus where, like ‘Santa’s little helper’ she supposedly assists God in dispensing all sorts of divine edicts and plans. She supposedly also mediates between men and God. At least that’s the myth devised by Rome – and it is very big business today. Maybe the allusion to Santa Claus offends? It ought not offend, for Rome helped to ‘deify’ Santa, too, with its whole ethos of ‘Christmas’. “We praise the Lord for having glorified his mother, associating her with his victory over sin and death.” Said the deluded pope. ‘Mary should be properly acknowledged as the one who bore the Son of God in her womb, having been specially chosen for the task’. No doubt Mary was a good mother, loved by Jesus. But that was the sum total of her ‘involvement’. She was certainly not involved in the weighty, and completely divine, plan of salvation! We know this because there is nothing at all about it in God’s word. Yet, Catholics have been brainwashed in to thinking that Mary is the “most holy among creatures” and the “model of holiness for having put her life at the disposition of the most High.” Jesus never once made Mary higher in status or spiritual goodness. She has never been said to be the ‘most holy’ of all God’s creatures, except by Rome. And she certainly did not ‘put her life at the disposition’ of God. She was given no choice! God simply told her what He was going to do. Mary did not choose to have Jesus and, at first, she was afraid because she was unmarried, though she inwardly accepted the privilege and honour! Rome is such a good twister of truth! Help!! Computers are odd creatures! They sometimes get rid of files without my knowledge. Either that, or my fingers inadvertently touch the wrong keys! Anyway, nearly all of Article A-00124 (never published on the web site) is missing from my files – if any reader has this Article, would it be possible to send me a photocopy, so that I can re-type it back in to the files? Many thanks!! Look, here is Christ... Jesus warned his disciples that when the end of Jerusalem was come, they were to ignore anyone who said that Christ was here or there, returned from heaven. It will be a lie, He said solemnly, because I will not return until it is time to wrap up the universe. Even so, false Christs continue to pop out of the wood-work. Or, in this case in to the woodwork! In December two lumberjacks in Equatorial New Guinea found what they claimed was the imprint of a three-feet long human footprint, on a tree!! The national TV station solemnly declared that this was another sign of Jesus’ imminent return. They added that it was only one of several mysterious signs already received. So, even the state was duped. In a report above I quoted the church that kindly gave the world the Toronto Blessing, who said that, soon, Jesus and angels would be seen in meetings around the world. It is not just Romanist peasants who believe in a lie! Wave That Paper Again! Those of you old enough will remember the sad day British Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain returned to the UK after visiting Germany just before the Second World War, waving a piece of paper. It was, he said, Hitler’s promise of peace. What a fatal mistake! Rather than learn from this blunder of believing the word of a genocidal monster, the West repeated its naiveté when it stopped chasing Saddam Hussein. Now, an Iraqi defector claims that the dictator has built himself two atomic bombs, and is going to build many more! (Sunday Times .28th Jan 2001).I never understood the logic of stopping short of capturing Hussein. I wandered, as did many, if the West was simply scared of a wider Muslim uprising. So, they kicked up dust for a while, lobbed some bombs that did very little damage to Hussein, and gave our own soldiers nasty diseases by using untested chemical weaponry. Anyone with an ounce of sense could see that, given his freedom, Hussein would come back again with worse. I remember at the time saying incredulously to my wife (and in The Beacon) that the West would live to regret such a ridiculous error. Now, it seems this is coming true. Iraq with the atom bomb is like a child with a clean drawing book, who scribbles all over it just because the pages are clean! Iraq has built the bombs for a reason, not for fun. I would not believe the bombs have not been built – not after watching the Gulf War closely, and knowing about Saddam’s delightfully murderous mind. He successfully made sport of the hapless inspectors sent in by the West. Yet, the West let it all drop, for fear of reprisals. As I have said before, from my days dealing with violent men personally, the one thing you never admit to is your fear. Any good soldier or policeman will say the same thing. Show fear and you’ll be dead. The West, especially Britain, lacks the sheer courage of its forefathers, who would rather have died than give in to intimidation and threats. Once you give in, the threat becomes reality as the boundaries of decency and law get pushed farther and farther back. (The principle applies to spiritual, moral and emotional issues, too). If Saddam has these bombs, the whole world is now under threat, thanks to those weak men who allowed fear of attack to deter them from doing what was right. Saddam has 64 factories working full time on the project. Does this not remind us of the way Hitler built thousands of war planes whilst assuring his future victim countries that he was doing nothing of the sort? It was not long after that bit of paper and the assurances, that Germany tore in to Europe with the ferocity of a wild bear! Nuclear shelters are being built around the area where the bombs are being manufactured. Security experts admit that because a certain General is involved, it is proof that everything is complete. Meanwhile the same agency that sent (and brought back) the inspectors, says it will ‘investigate’!! Investigate what? A sausage factory? Officially, the White House says it ‘expects Saddam to live up to his promises to get rid of weapons of mass destruction’. What a sad and frightening little gem! If Saddam kills off his own people, he will have no qualms about throwing an atom bomb or two around the world. He need not send it by ‘plane – a tanker or even a large lorry would do it. Unofficially, there are more convincing minds who know rhetoric will not stop such a ruthless killer with desires for global domination. They say that only a ‘radical approach’ will work. But, it seems that we must wait for another bit of paper to be waved. Well, at least we know that soon after that, somebody will glean the benefits of being burned to a crisp! Some will say I am being alarmist. Hm. There’s that bit of paper again!! The Real Cause? The Indian continent has been stricken by a huge earthquake. I know that this Beacon will be read by people in that country, but I must raise a question. Yes, the earthquake caused massive damage and looks like it has killed hundreds of thousands. But what is the cause of the earthquake itself? Is it coincidental that this mighty earthquake has come during a time when India holds a spectacular religious event involving millions of people venerating the River Ganges and the washing away of their sins? Can we imagine the wrath this kindles in God? I ask these questions not from a basis of racism, but from what I know of God in His word. He is a jealous God Who cannot and will not tolerate false gods before Him. Has He now judged India and sent His wrath upon them? Or, do we prefer to think of ‘coincidences’ and ‘bad luck’? Why ask these questions? Because it is useful to remind ourselves of God’s will and purity. None of us lives as we ought. Though awful for those caught in the earthquake, let the incident urge us to renew our motives and lives. Too Much? In a front page story in Evangelicals Now (Nov.2000), a sub-heading read ‘More than half the country’s evangelical ministers have considered leaving the ministry at some point because the pressure gets so great’.‘Clergy’ are also included in this category. Such as a vicar I know who contemplated suicide because of the pressure he was under. I also know of independent ministers who have left the ministry. Stress has been identified as the major cause for concern...but refers to the ‘lack of training’ in dealing with depression, debt counselling, etc. For myself, I have come under intense and prolonged stress at times. Each Christian forgets that a pastor is pastor to everyone in the local church, not just to one individual. They forget that with every personal plea for counsel comes another burden on the pastor, who has to bear the problem with, or on behalf of, the fellow Christian seeking help. This can sometimes be crushing. However, the answer is not to be found in being ‘trained’ to deal with this or that problem (though some knowledge is helpful). The answer is in pastors teaching congregations what their scriptural and personal limits are, and in congregations learning that a pastor is only a man with very limited resources and time. The same applies to those with other ministries. During the time of the Toronto Blessing I worked night and day for three-four years without a break, writing, counselling, speaking, and being attacked from all sides. Yet, surprisingly, though I felt great stress on occasions, overall God sustained me and I was neither tired or broken! When God calls a man to ministry, he also gives the strength, attitude, resources, and any help needed. A pastor is there to guide the flock in spiritual matters. That is mainly it! All the rest is piled upon him by folk who think they own him because they pay his ‘stipend’. A pastor needs time to think, contemplate, even go for long walks, as part of his local church tasks. Maybe members can reflect on this and give him some
space...and remember he is but a man, no matter how capable and gifted
he is in the church.
Bible Theology Ministries © February 2001 PO Box 415, SWANSEA SA5 8YH Wales United Kingdom Make a Donation to support the work of Bible Theology Ministries |
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