http://www.biblestudents.net/blog/index.php Copyright 2008, RR RR en-US SPHPBLOG 0.5.1 http://www.biblestudents.net/blog/index.php?entry=entry080415-211839
Our Lord prophesied, "Many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many." Within our own day, how many false prophets have risen; and oh, how many are the deceived! Paul predicted, "I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them. Therefore watch." My own observation is that these "grievous wolves," alone and in packs, are not sparing even the most favored flocks. Elders in these "perilous times" will do well to note the apostle's warning: "Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the holy Spirit hath made you overseers." It is as important in these days as in Paul's-in fact, it is increasingly important-to expose the many types of false teaching that, on every hand, abound more and more.

We are called upon to "contend earnestly for the faith once for all delivered to the saints," while we hold the truth in love. The faith means the whole body of revealed truth, and to contend for all of God's truth necessitates some negative teaching. The choice is not left with us. Jude said he preferred a different, a pleasanter theme-"Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints. For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ" (Jude 3, 4). Paul likewise admonishes us to "have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them" (Eph. 5:11).

This does not imply harsh treatment of those entrapped by error-quite the opposite. If it be objected that exposure to error necessitates unkind reflection upon others who do not see as we do, our answer is: it has always been the duty of every loyal servant of Christ to warn against any teaching that would make Him less precious or cast reflection upon His finished redemptive work and the all-sufficiency of His present service as our great High Priest and Advocate.

Every system of teaching can be judged by what it sets forth as to these fundamental truths of the faith. "What think ye of Christ?" is still the true test of every creed. The Christ of the Bible is certainly not the Christ of any false "-ism." Each of the cults has its hideous caricature of our lovely Lord.

Let us who have been redeemed at the cost of His precious blood be "good soldiers of Jesus Christ." As the battle against the forces of evil waxes ever more hot, we have need for God-given valour.

There is constant temptation to compromise. "Let us go forth therefore unto Him without the camp, bearing His reproach." It is always right to stand firmly for what God has revealed concerning His blessed Son's person and work. The "father of lies" deals in half-truths and specializes in most subtle fallacies concerning the Lord Jesus, our sole and sufficient Savior.

Error is like leaven of which we read, "A little leaven leaveneth the whole lump." Truth mixed with error is equivalent to all error, except that it is more innocent looking and, therefore, more dangerous. God hates such a mixture! Any error, or any truth-and-error mixture, calls for definite exposure and repudiation. To condone such is to be unfaithful to God and His Word and treacherous to imperiled souls for whom Christ died.

Exposing error is most unpopular work. But from every true standpoint it is worthwhile work. To our Savior, it means that He receives from us, His blood-bought ones, the loyalty that is His due. To ourselves, if we consider "the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures of Egypt," it ensures future reward, a thousand-fold. And to those "caught in the snare of the fowler"-how many of them God only knows-it may mean light and life, abundant and everlasting.

]]> http://www.biblestudents.net/blog/index.php?entry=entry080415-211839 RR Wed, 16 Apr 2008 04:18:39 GMT http://www.biblestudents.net/blog/comments.php?y=08&m=04&entry=entry080415-211839 http://www.biblestudents.net/blog/index.php?entry=entry080323-223305 It is a faithful saying, that if a man desireth the eldership, he desireth a good work." (1 Ti 3:1 - Murdock) It's not quite clear, whether Paul believed this to be a "faithful saying" or whether this was a “faithful saying” in general among the brethren. Regardless, it is a "good work". The first word "desireth" is Strong's 3713, which means "reach out after (long for), covet after, desire." The second word "desireth" is Strong's 1937, which is defined as "to set the heart upon, that is, long for, covet, desire, lust after."

Elders (or Bishop, Overseer) is a position sanctioned by the Scriptures. We shouldn’t take the word “desire” and lust after” too literally. Before I was elected an elder, being an elder was not on my agenda. I loved the Lord, the Truth and the brethren. I wanted to serve them all in whatever way I could. But I did not go about politicking for the office. [Not that we should] I knew enough of the Scriptures that this was not an office to toy with. There were lessons to prepare, talks to present, Truths to defend. Hebrews 13:17 tells us that elders will have to “render an account” to the Lord for all they do, in regards to teaching and shepherding.

After all, Elders are the shepherds, the servants of the ecclesia. They look after the spiritual welfare of the flock. 1 Peter 5:2-3 tells us: “Tend the flock of God which is among you, exercising the oversight, not of constraint, but willingly, according to the will of God; nor yet for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind; neither as lording it over the charge allotted to you, but making yourselves ensamples to the flock.”

The ecclesia has been entrusted to the care of the elders. With eldership comes certain responsibilities, certain duties. Their sole responsibility is to the flock that have been entrusted to them. Namely the ecclesia. When I was elected as an elder, I was NOT chosen to shepherd any other ecclesia, but the ecclesia that appointed me to that office. There are of course secondary duties that come our way. For example, speaking at conventions or large gatherings of brethren.

I admit, it’s a bit of a high, when you see your name on a convention program for the first time. But then you wake up. Some elders NEVER wake up, and want to see their names on as many programs as possible. Let me ask. WHO suffers as a result?

One elder spoke his heart when he said; “why bless a handful in my class, when I can bless hundreds at a convention?” I guess we know where this brothers priorities are.

If I as an elder spend too much time on speaking engagements, what happens? I now have to prepare outlines. That is time consuming and will eventually take away from more pressing matters, that of taking care of the flock entrusted to me, those within our own ecclesia. Preparing for ecclesia meetings. There is nothing worse than coming UNPREPARED for Bible Study.

It happens. Why? It’s obvious, we don’t set aside time, we may have more “pressing” matters. Those of us who are not elders or deacons, may have other responsibilities within the ecclesia, (e.g. secretary, treasurer, perhaps we’re active on certain committees.)

We come to the meetings and rely on our memories from past studies. We may have notes in the margins from a similar study ten years ago, but can’t make heads or tails as to what they mean.

We let our guard down and what happens? The individuals mentioned by Paul and Jude creep in and wreak havoc.

Don’t get me wrong, there is nothing wrong with serving at conventions. It’s an honor and a privilege. They serve a purpose. A lot of hard work goes into their preparation. That being said, if we as elders, find ourselves serving others, as oppose to those in our own ecclesia, we may find ourselves ATTENDING meetings and conventions instead of SERVING at meetings and conventions.

Recently I heard a brother from a convention platform mention how he was voted out as an elder. He said in part:

“You know why they voted me out? Because I travel too much! I went around to the various conventions serving. They didn't want that. They wanted their elder here!”

To that I ask, and what is wrong with that? Were you elected as a missionary to the world or a local elder to shepherd the flock? He also stated: “"It is known that I was voted out of my class. … a class I started, a class I fostered for over 58 years.” His class??? I wonder what came first, his appointed as elder or the class that appointed him? Did he start the class and then profess himself elder? Or did the class after it was formed elect him as elder? It just seems presumptuous on this brother’s part to claim that he is entitled to be an elder because he “started” the class and “fostered” it “for over 58 years.”

He apparently felt he had been divinely appointed as a missionary to the world, for he later said; “I don't feel that my mission is for my class only. My mission is for all the classes!” Who says? Did the class he “fostered” for 58 years, elect him as apostle. Giving him their blessing to forsake his duties to them and serve “all the classes”. I wasn’t aware that being an elder gave one such power and authority. Apparently it didn’t, because the brethren of this class saw the abuse, and withheld their hand.

And now this poor brother had to go and make phone calls, because he “had already about six commitments to serve conventions.” And so he had to call up everybody and tell them he was no longer an elder.

Ah, but have no fear … the Lord will fix it all. As the brother recounts; “someone called me up” and said “we started a new class and we have invited you to serve as an elder."

Hmmm …. I thought one had to belong to a class in order to be elected as an elder. Shouldn’t they have called the brother up first, invite him to be a part of the class and then elect him as elder? So nice of them to call and tell him, “Oh, by the way, we started a new class and we made you elder.”

Now this brother feels empowered, he tells the audience; “the Lord says "no way are you going to stop what you're doing!" And the new class say ".... you want to go anywhere you want to go … go ahead!"" I guess he forgot to tell the audience that this new class was actually a split from the class he fostered for 58 years.

So there you have it …. Self proclaimed elders, brethren who will do anything to be an elder, to be prominent. To forsake those who appointed him, for the sake of travelling and making a name for oneself. And when the class sets him straight, he goes elsewhere, keeps his titles and his appointments. Perhaps they take the Apostle Paul’s word literally, “if a man desireth the eldership, he desireth a good work” that is of course to “long for, covet, desire, lust after." What better way to describe such individuals?

I knew of another elder, who travelled a lot, the class told him, “brother, you travel too much, we need you here.” Did he tell them, “No! I am appointed of the Lord, to travel to all the classes”? NO, he said “okay” and declined all invitations. He listened to the voice of the Lord through the ecclesia.

Others do not … they do what they feel is important. They want to belong. Yep, I served as elder for a number of years, sat on committees, travelled, served conventions and ecclesias. But I knew my obligations were to those who elected me. My local ecclesia.

And because I wasn’t a “team player” I was no longer elder, and I was relieved. I accepted year after year, because I felt this was what the Lord wanted of me. But I was burnt out, tired … tired of the cliques, the politics. I was frustrated. I didn’t belong, I never belonged. Did I enjoy it? So far as I was doing the Lord’s will, yes. But doing the Lord’s will is a thankless job, especially when you feel in your heart that you must tell your brethren, “wake up! Just because we live in the Laodicean age, doesn’t mean we have to live as Laodiceans.”

Look at the prophets of old, vagabonds, few listened to them, it was a thankless job, but they did it. Gave an unpopular message, a warning, fleshly Israel didn’t listen. And so today, stuck in their own world, spiritual Israel doesn’t listen.

My name came up for elder recently, and before it could be written down I declined. Thanks, but no thanks. If I can’t be the elder that the scriptures tell me I am suppose to be, shepherding the flock, protecting them, teaching them, warning them, then I’m sorry, but I can’t accept. You can't give me a title, and then strip me of its responsibilities, by tying my hands. There’s more to eldership then travelling and giving fluff talks, because you don’t want to offend.

Nah, I rather be like John the Baptist, “a voice crying out in the wilderness.” Or like my Lord, and brethren can question me all they want, as to “by what authority I speak.”

Just remember … it was this same lukewarm spirit, of appointing men, year after year, without testing them, requiring of them an accounting that gave rise to the hierarchy that we know as Babylon the Great. So today, we have a Little Babylon, we have wolves in sheep’s clothing, false brethren, and deceivers in our midst …. strong delusions, itching ears due to every wind of doctrine.

These men didn’t appoint themselves …. You did!

]]> http://www.biblestudents.net/blog/index.php?entry=entry080323-223305 RR Mon, 24 Mar 2008 05:33:05 GMT http://www.biblestudents.net/blog/comments.php?y=08&m=03&entry=entry080323-223305 http://www.biblestudents.net/blog/index.php?entry=entry080313-201051 Love Covers a Multitude of Sins
1 Peter 4:18
In his first epistle Peter tells us; “above all things being fervent in your love among yourselves; for love covereth a multitude of sins.” The question we must ask ourselves is if it is true whether “love covers a multitude of sins”? This is of course not speaking in regards sins against God, but those sins against one
another as foot step followers of Christ.

Through my Christian walk, I have come across many within my fellowship, who, were it not for my steadfast faith would have stumbled me. Knowing that we are ALL imperfect creatures, who fall short of God’s righteous standards, I of course forgive and forget. That is of course what the Scriptures tell us to do as Christians.

That being said, what I and others have experienced at the hands of those who profess to be brethren is not only beyond unchristian, but is on par with the works of the devil. Strong words? Yes, these are strong words, and I do weigh my words very carefully.There are those who constantly tell me, showing me from the Scriptures how we are to love one another, how we are to speak loving of the brethren.

Honestly, I love all my brethren regardless of what they teach and believe. In fact I have been questioned by some as to my association with certain ones. I refer to some as brethren that others would not give the light of day. While I am very conservative in my beliefs, I am very liberal in my association. So there is no problem with my loving the brethren.

Ah, but where is the forgiveness? They ask. I too have forgiven my brethren, as I pray they have forgiven me my faults. As imperfect as we are, we need to excuse each other’s idiosyncrasies. We make mistakes, we say things in anger and hurt. We are a family, however dysfunctional we may be.

Now … the question we need to ask ourselves is …. “who are my brethren?”

Yes, I am well aware of what the Lord and His Apostles had to say. I am also aware as to what Pastor Russell had to say about the subject of love and forgiveness, (since the brethren seem fit to remind me by way of Reprint articles). That being said, I am also aware of what both the Scriptures and Harvest Message have to say in regards to those who are not my brethren.

In my dealings with so-called brethren, I’ve come to the conclusion that people who smile while shaking your hand in the name of Christ, then go about speaking “all manner of evil against you” (Matthew 5:11) afterwards are not brethren. In fact Pastor Russell who had a similar experience referred to evil speaking as murder. He said: “… we esteem that to kill the character and influence of a man is a baser murder than to kill his body merely, and that the murder of the character of one the least of God’s children is worse in the sight of God than the physical murder of a worldly man.” And while he referred to them as “brethren” he stated that he did so as “in deference.” (HG3, A Conspiracy Exposed).

Those who cannot follow the simple, yes simple counsel found in Matthew 18:15-17 are not brethren. It is a simple set of rules, wouldn’t you agree? Talk to your brother, if he listens, fine, if he doesn’t, bring a non-partisan mediator, if that doesn’t work, take it to the brethren. Those are the rules, in that order. Yes, I am aware we have a tendency as imperfect creatures to confide in someone first, and that is fine, perhaps you will be encouraged to do one of two things. Overlook the matter, or speak to the person in private with a Matthew 18.

However those who skip steps 1 and 2 and go straight to step 3 are not only in violation of Matthew 18, they are in violation of Titus 3:2 and James 4:11 in regards to speaking evil and in violation of Ephesians 4:31 in regards to slander.

Now, some may say that I am evil speaking and slandering with what I write and publish on the Bible Students website, blog and forum. Truth is, I have spoken evil of no one. I have however criticized a system, which is my God given right to do. There is not a Bible Student publication out there that hasn’t criticized the systems, be it Papacy or her many daughters. Is that unloving? Unchristian? Are they guilty of evil speaking and slander? I don’t think so. So why is it when that system being criticized is operated by brethren that it is taboo?

Did not our Lord and His Apostles set the standard? Our Lord asked “who are my brethren?” His response was “those who do the will of my Father who sent me.” Those who speak evil and slander me and would “mark” those who befriend and support me are not doing the will of the Father, at least not the Father above.

This issue isn’t about “poor Br. Rolando” This is about so-called brethren, abusing their positions, their status and authority to squash and silence anyone who should speak up against what they feel is a violation of God’s Word.

When a certain elder devised and promoted a new chronology and was criticized in print and from the platform, did he threaten a lawsuit against them? Did he begin a smear campaign against his accusers? Did he use his prominence; his position to muscle his way into other ecclesia’s and get the brethren to withhold their hand? Did he send life threatening e-mails? No, he did not, he simply did what he felt he should do, go about his business, serving the Lord.

I am in the same boat. I have no agenda, except to preach Christ and promote the Harvest Message. In promoting the Truth, we have to criticize, (lovingly I should add) those who would promote error, be it papacy and her daughters in regards to such God dishonoring doctrines as the trinity, hellfire and the immortal soul, etc. or even those who mix Truth with error such as the Jehovah’s Witnesses and others, especially I might add even those from among our fellowship be they Dawn, PBI, LHMM or New Covenant, it matters not.

The Apostle Paul encouraged all in his day “be ye followers of me, as I am of Christ” (1 Cor. 4:16; 11:1; Php. 3:17) He certainly did not shrink back from promoting the Truth, exposing errors and encouraging the brethren. He called “a spade a spade”, naming certain ones by name, professing certain ones as “false brethren”, if he refers to them as “brethren” be they true or false, it is because they are within our fellowship, “wolves in sheep clothing.” (Matthew 7:15)

No, I am not unloving, unforgiving towards my brethren. I am however intolerant against those who would “turn my world upside down” because they took my criticism of what they published or spoke from the platform not as a critique of what was being promoted, but as a PERSONAL attack against them, and then use the systems they are a part of to attack me and my family.

I do not stumble very easily. In fact, if I were to be stumbled by what brethren did, I would have left long ago. It would be too lengthy to list the many times I was insulted by what brethren have said to me or my wife. I honestly don’t think brethren think before they open their mouths. It most certainly has to do with their upbringing, and not having been exposed to certain nationalities. No I don’t stumble easily, and I don’t hold grudges, so that it “eats at me”. I treat everyone and everything with a grain of salt.

While these brethren were planning my demise in back rooms and upper chambers, I was oblivious to it all because I was simply witnessing and defending the Truth. I sat with them at conventions, had lunch with them, volunteered in their ministries, distributed their literature, and never once did they take me aside to talk.

These brethren apparently saw me as a threat to their cause. Truth is no one paid any mind to this website and forum until they began to make a big stink about it. In fact they contributed to much of the fanfare that appeared. They advertised it.

I find it interesting how everyone sees what Brother Rolando is saying and writing …. And yet no one bothers to find out WHY? What prompted it? It’s as if one day I woke up and decided to “beat [my] fellow servants.” (Matthew 24:49) ‘See the ranting and raving of a madman’ they seem to say. They cut and paste and print what is said and pass them around to others, but no one bothers to question the motives of these so called brethren.

What business do they have to print out my thoughts and distribute them to others? Who is the one causing discord by doing so? If I’m delusional as some make me out to be, leave me to my delusions.

One brother e-mailed me and asked “is it true you said….” I said “no it’s not true.” And asked him to tell me who it was that told him, so I could Matthew 18 him. He said “none of your business” and began to sentence me to second death.

Of course no one hears of these sad commentaries. Grown men, professing consecration, serving as elders and who sit on editorial committees, and serve as trustees and directors, calling me a “terrorist” and tell me they will report me to the FBI as one who is teaching young people how to make bombs. Yes no one hears about them, because unlike my accusers, I don’t go around saying “look what so-and-so said to me.”

Now, some may point to this post and say; “you’re doing it now.” But that is only to prove my point.

No, I don’t stumble easily, and I do love ALL my brethren, but these individuals are not my brethren. Truth is, when I asked my accusers what it is that I have done that warrants such persecution, when I asked them to show me where and what I said was erroneous, they sat silent. If I said something untrue, not factual …. show me …. And yet nothing.

My life is an open book, my words, thoughts and beliefs are online. People know what I believe and feel. They know where I stand. The same cannot be said about my accusers, and those that support them.
So you need to ask, not “why am I unloving?” (which I am not) but why am I such a threat to these individuals? I’ve asked and still their only response is not a sit down but slander, gossip, evil speaking and threats.

No, these are not my brethren. Brethren do not act and do what these individuals have done and continue to do.

They are not satisfied with me no longer being an elder (which I declined), they are not satisfied with me no longer being invited to speak or travelling to conventions. They’re not even satisfied with me no longer belonging to an ecclesia. They will not stop until my website is down, my forum and blog discontinued. As one “brother” told me in person, they want me “homeless and naked in the streets.”
I am often asked, “can this not be fixed, rectified?” To that I reply; that’s like nailing jello to the wall. The damage is done. It cannot be reversed. Apologies will not fix this. This goes beyond love and forgiveness, because these individuals neither love nor forgive, they hate and destroy everything that stands in their way. They wish to make an example of me to all who would oppose them, and I will not afford them that luxury.

The saddest part isn’t so much what these individuals have done, no, the saddest part are those who see the injustice, and sit idly by refusing to do anything about it.
]]> http://www.biblestudents.net/blog/index.php?entry=entry080313-201051 RR Fri, 14 Mar 2008 03:10:51 GMT http://www.biblestudents.net/blog/comments.php?y=08&m=03&entry=entry080313-201051 http://www.biblestudents.net/blog/index.php?entry=entry080114-140201 “a man‘s enemies are the men of his own house.” - Mic 7:6

How true the above words are. My experiences at the hands of those who profess to be my brethren are similar to those of Job. No, not that I have lost children, home and livelihood, but as Job’s experiences and persecutions came gradually, bolder with each attack, to break him and his integrity, so my adversaries have tried everything short of killing me, to break me.

As each attack failed in their producing any fruitful results in my surrendering to their demands. They, with each attack ante up the persecution, by way of evil speaking.

This ministry has always been about Truth, not political correctness. I have never shrunk back from telling the Truth. The Truth hurts, and certain brethren were offended by my criticism of what appeared in their literature, they took it personally and instead of talking to me in a Christlike and civil manner as per Matthew 18, like the adversary, they attacked.

First, they threatened a lawsuit for slander. When that failed, and it came back to haunt them, as to why they would sue a brother-in-Christ, they denied such a claim, stating it was an unfounded rumor. Yet a few weeks later, they attempted a second phase of Matthew 18, with witnesses. Claiming the first phase was the very dialogue they claim was an unfounded rumor.

I accepted their offer for a meeting. I gathered up my witnesses, and prepared documentation to back up my so called slanderous claims, right out of the pages from their own journals and publications. That was more than 3 years ago and I have not heard one word from them since.

They have succeeded in politicking the brethren to withhold their hand, so as to remove me as elder. Still my integrity was intact, and I continued my walk with the Lord.

Because certain brethren were more interested in hearing the Truth, despite my not being an elder, I was still invited to speak. My enemies put pressure on those ecclesias and individuals to uninvited me, causing divisions among the brethren. My invitations ceased, still I kept my integrity and continued my walk with the Lord.

They slandered my name and evil spoke about me throughout the USA, Canada and abroad. Reports reached me as to the “evil and unchristian” things I was said to have done.

When an attempt was made by myself to gather up witnesses for a Matthew 18 in regards to their evil speaking and slander, these same individuals had caught a case of “selective amnesia” and could not recall such slander. Fear is a terrible thing. And yet through it all, I kept my integrity.

My enemies even attempted to have me disfellowshipped but that too failed, although they were successful in having me treated as a leper, and I felt the sting at my own ecclesia’s convention. My enemies not realizing that I am a self-admitted anti-social, to not be spoken too or looked at, was more of a blessing than the curse they attempted to inflict. My true brethren, supported me, and extended the right hand of fellowship.

They solicited the help of the brethren to talk sense to me. One brother was made a member of their club and in return he was told to keep me in check and pull in the reigns as if I were his property. So sad and desperate an attempt.

They joined the Bible Students Forum in an attempt to find more “slanderous” remarks that they would cut-and-paste and pass along to the brethren, near and far. Most of the comments were taken out of context. But they soon ran off and now are “lurkers” monitoring the website.

What else could they do? They created an online “persona” and began sending me e-mails, calling me “self-righteous”, “evil”, “a deceiver” condemning me to second death.

All that failed, and in the end, not being able to take my life (and believe me, if they could, they would) they threatened my livelihood and that of my family, by concocting a false story they would send to the FBI, namely that I am a terrorist, and teaching young people how to make explosive devices. In addition they would “honor” me with a website dedicated to me.

www.thetruthaboutrolando.com accordingly will expose me as a “fraud”. The only fraud is the one who sends these e-mails anonymously, using a pseudonym, because he is too afraid to confront me face to face. A coward. I am honored that I will be among a great crowd of witnesses who suffered for nothing more than standing up for the Truth and exposing “false doctrine” and “false brethren”.

Yes, “false brethren”, how else could one describe them? Someone who professes to be a follower of Christ, fully consecrated to the service of the Lord, would never stoop to such devious and satanic plan as my enemies have devised. They have violated every scriptural principle to stop me. Not only that, they have violated federal laws.

No, such ones do not serve or represent the most high God Jehovah and His Son, Jesus, but serve the “God of this age” the “father of lies”, because they have lied and spoken half truths.

Satan wears many hats and sits on many thrones to deceive, as he and his minions continue to transform themselves to “angels of light.” He sat on the throne in Rome and corrupted the early Church. When the Church was regathered under Present Truth, under the ministry of “That Servant” he sat on the throne in Brooklyn and corrupted the church, scattering them. The brethren not learning from the past wanting organization, structure and stability reorganized, and now he sits in East Rutherford, New Jersey .

Strong words, but like Job … I have nothing more to lose, as I have lost it all except my integrity, my faithfulness to the Lord and the Truth. The damage is done, never to be restored.

Like John the Baptist I am now a “voice crying out in the wilderness” and if any hear … WAKE UP! And do not be deceived.

Some of my brethren may view this as "airing dirty laundry" that will do more harm than good to the 'cause'. To them I refer the words of the great civil rights leaders Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr:

"In the end, we will remember not the words of our enemies, but the silence of our friends."

RR

]]> http://www.biblestudents.net/blog/index.php?entry=entry080114-140201 RR Mon, 14 Jan 2008 21:02:01 GMT http://www.biblestudents.net/blog/comments.php?y=08&m=01&entry=entry080114-140201 http://www.biblestudents.net/blog/index.php?entry=entry071205-184119 “Unto the angel of the church of Ephesus write; These things saith he that holdeth the seven stars in his right hand, who walketh in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks; I know thy works, and thy labour, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them which are evil: and thou hast tried them which say they are apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars” (Revelation 2:1-2).

It would seem absurd to think that these men claimed to have been the apostles selected by our Lord. The only solution would seem to be that their claims were either, that they had been called to that office after the Lord ascended, as Paul was; or, that they claimed the honor due to this name or office, in virtue of some election to it; or, that they claimed to be the successors of the apostles, and to possess and transmit their authority.

In either case there are but two types of apostles spoken of in the Scriptures, the twelve apostles who were sent out by our Lord to spread the Gospel and those apostles sent out by the Church, as the word apostles simply means “messenger, ambassador.” – See Acts 14:14

In our text, there were those who were claiming to be apostles when they were not. The Lord praised the Church at Ephesus for detecting their false claims. While today many denominations claim to have apostles, these men were not apostles of any other Church or association, for the Lord would not have praised them for detecting false apostles of the world. No! These false apostles were in God’s Church!

While today we do not have apostles, we do have congregational elders, who not only serve their local ecclesias, but who from time to time are invited to serve other ecclesias and conventions. These elders can and do sit on committees and publish Bible studies by way of journals, newsletters, books, etc. Their qualifications as elders are highlighted in 1 Tim. 3:1-7. They are to shepherd the flock that has been entrusted to them, by teaching them, encouraging them and preparing them for what the Lord describe as “wolves in sheep’s clothing.” – Mark 7:15

In our Revelation text, the Lord said, “thou hast tried them.” According to Thayer’s Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament, the word “tried” is defined as: “to try, make trial of, test: for the purpose of ascertaining his quality.” Does that sound like we should just go along with what the elders say and teach? The Lord says you can either easily put them to the test or you can easily be deceived.

Our focus should always be on the Christ who is in our midst. Revelation 1:12-13 reads, “And I turned to see the voice that spake with me. And being turned, I saw seven golden candlesticks; And in the midst of the seven candlesticks one like unto the Son of man, clothed with a garment down to the foot, and girt about the paps with a golden girdle.” The emphasis is not on the seven candlesticks—the emphasis is on Christ who is in the midst of the seven candlesticks—Christ is right in the middle. But He will allow His followers to go astray.

Let’s continue the description of Christ: “His head and his hairs were white like wool, as white as snow; and his eyes were as a flame of fire; And his feet like unto fine brass, as if they burned in a furnace; and his voice as the sound of many waters. And he had in his right hand seven stars: and out of his mouth went a sharp two-edged sword: and his countenance was as the sun shineth in his strength” (verses 14-16). This great Being is described to introduce the seven eras of Revelation 2 and 3. If we let Christ and His work slide from the middle of the picture, all we have left are deceived churches. So the emphasis is not on being “in the Church,” but following the Lord! When John saw Christ in this vision, he “fell at his feet as dead” (verse 17).

Unless this same Christ leads the Church, we are in serious trouble; and if Christ isn’t leading the Church, we should not follow! If the Ephesus Church members, in a right attitude, tried those who said they were apostles, shouldn’t you? This was the same Ephesus Church which was discussed in 3 John 9-10. Was Diotrephes one of those false apostles? How did he get all those people to follow him while casting John’s followers out of the Church? How much authority did he have? It’s difficult to say. John’s followers, who stood by John and Christ, were “cast out.” The point is, John discerned Diotrephes’ evil motives and rebuked him. We need to do the same.

Paul said, “Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ” (1 Corinthians 11:1). Paul said the leader is to follow Christ. Follow a man only as he follows Christ. We can’t do that unless we are testing and proving all things. It’s very biblical to do so.

“Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world” (1 John 4:1). John pleaded with God’s beloved people to “try the spirits.” Why? Because there are “many” false prophets and false leaders. Often these deceivers were among God’s people. We must always test our leaders with God’s Word.

We must prove all things! Individuals go astray. Ecclesias go astray. Christ never goes astray! A man is not the trunk of the tree. An organization is not the trunk of the tree. God’s Word is the trunk of the tree. And what Christ established through Pastor Russell for some 40 years is a big part of the tree trunk. Anyone who has been among the Lord’s people for any period of time is use to change. But not all change is good.

“These [Bereans] were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so” (Acts 17:11). Do you realize brethren, that your approach to Bible study helps reveal to God how noble you are? Do you search the Scriptures daily “with all readiness of mind,” eager to see what the Bible says, so you can follow Christ more perfectly? God’s elect are very noble people when it comes to their Bible study.

Thayer’s Lexicon says the word “searched” is often used as the verb “judge” in the Bible. The Bereans approached their Bible study by investigating and examining the evidence. That includes examining our elders and those who take the lead, as long as it is done with a Berean attitude. God knows if an attitude is right. It is good to have “righteous indignation” when the direction is wrong among the Lord’s people. God certainly does!

Luke said these people had greater nobility because of this attitude. That means a higher reward in God’s Kingdom. The very elect have fallen in love with God’s truth. They love God so much they will stand alone or even die for Him. They are not deceived by “hugs and kisses” without real substance. And they are not deceived by endless talk of “love”! They know what the true love of God is. They judge by “fruits” (Matthew 7:16), not outward appearance.

“And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie” (2 Thessalonians 2:10-11). God will personally send strong delusion! But why? Why would God send strong
delusion to His own people? Does He want us to fail? Of course not. This is God’s way of testing who “received not the love of the truth” (verse 10). God wants to know how much you love Him and His Word. It’s not possible to deceive God’s very elect (Matthew 24:24).

Paul is not talking about normal delusion being sent to God’s people—this is “strong delusion.” We’re going to see thousands of people deceived because they are “blind” to their own spiritual condition (Revelation 3:17). They assume there is safety in numbers, and they assume they are God’s very elect who cannot be deceived. If they are not careful, these assumptions will lead them into the Great Tribulation and possibly the lake of fire!

We all think we love God. God requires that we have the depth of love necessary to withstand strong delusion. God sends “strong delusion” to His people to determine who will be His very elect. God wants to know who loves the truth—and who just has it. With a wrong attitude, some are going to lose out big time! (2 Thessalonians 2:10). God is dead serious about our calling. The Lord’s people have been flooded with the present truth. Now God is going to see if we just talk about faith—or really live by faith—by His Word. Do we remember what we were taught and do we live by it?

God sends strong delusion to see if His people are Faithful. The Lord wants to know who will qualify for His Kingdom. That is the whole purpose for our existence. There are probably more warnings in the New Testament about false teachers than any other subject. If God saw fit to put these warnings in His Word, then we brethren, should take it seriously.

RR]]> http://www.biblestudents.net/blog/index.php?entry=entry071205-184119 RR Thu, 06 Dec 2007 01:41:19 GMT http://www.biblestudents.net/blog/comments.php?y=07&m=12&entry=entry071205-184119 http://www.biblestudents.net/blog/index.php?entry=entry071117-212507
Saint Paul said that apostles, prophets, evangelist, pastors and teachers were provided by the Lord, “for the edifying of the body of Christ: Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive.” Eph. 4:11-14. He says to Timothy, “ But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being
deceived. But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them.” 2 Timothy 3:13, 14

We are admonished to be “steadfast, immoveable”; to be “established in the faith”; and told that “we are made partakers with Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast unto the end.” Any teaching that is so changeable that its followers cannot be established in it, is manifestly wrong. We read in james 1:16, 17, “Do not err, my beloved brethren. Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variableness, neither shadows of turning.”

We call attention to the many changes made by those who have been in control of the watch Tower Bible and Tract society since Brother Russell’s death, and ask, how can they harmonize their many “delusive” changes with the words of the Apostle above quoted?

What is the result to those who have become so completely deluded as to “believe a lie”? Brother Russell says of such, “They become irreconcilable to the Truth, so that neither Scripture, nor reason, nor the example of the faithful can restore them.” What a sad condition for “those who were once enlightened.”

Brother Russell fully realized that his earnest warning would avail nothing to many of the deluded ones, but to those whose love for the message which the Lord has sent us through his faithful ministry has not been entirely quenched, may his words of warning be indeed “a savor of life unto life.”
]]> http://www.biblestudents.net/blog/index.php?entry=entry071117-212507 RR Sun, 18 Nov 2007 04:25:07 GMT http://www.biblestudents.net/blog/comments.php?y=07&m=11&entry=entry071117-212507 http://www.biblestudents.net/blog/index.php?entry=entry071108-222213
It should be noted that we as True Christians never strive to attack. We strive for the Truth rather than against people—and there lies the big difference. I and others here have determined to actively resist and teach against any false doctrines that are deceiving those among the Lord's people.

Doing so presents us with a unique problem. When a person (specifically elders or study leaders) teaches a false concept or doctrine, it rarely has anything to do with himself. Generally, the heresy can be clearly singled out and countered without having to necessarily address the brother who teaches it. For instance, if someone denies the "ransom for 'ALL'" or teaches that the Lord is not present, or reject the restoration of Israel or even Pastor Russell as that Servant, it's easy to counter such claims with the Truth, without attacking the particular men teaching these errors. But consider! What if the heresy is inseparable from who and what a brother says that he is?

What if the matter is also at the core of who a Christian worships? Do we say, ‘I can't dispel this kind of false teaching because if I do I would also attack its author’? The reasoning might continue, ‘I know that this brother is deceiving thousands, but I can't address his error, or try to help those he is deceiving, because I would also be attacking him, not just his heresy.’ The problem could go further. If a brother claimed to be special servant of God, must we give him a ‘free pass’ because, in dispelling such an outrageous idea, we would also appear to be attacking the brother making the claim? What if someone stated that God had revealed to him that he was a special messenger? Can we not question—prove—him? What if he asserted himself to be Christ? The question looms even larger. You see the point?

Consider when Elijah mocked the prophets of Baal, did he attack them? No! God inspired Isaiah to ‘Cry aloud and spare not!…Show My people their sins!’ (58:1). We are doing that—and it will soon be evident that one of the greatest sins the brethren are committing lies at the heart of watering down the Harvest Message.

I am under no illusion. This website and forum, will and is evoking a ferocious attack against me personally. However, as a faithful Christian always striving to lay down his life for the Truth. Believe me, I am not a masochist, and I do not enjoy persecution anymore than you. But my job and YOUR JOB, is to help the brethren and other Truth-seekers. If we can help even one, even at some personal expense, it is well worth it!

RR
]]> http://www.biblestudents.net/blog/index.php?entry=entry071108-222213 RR Fri, 09 Nov 2007 05:22:13 GMT http://www.biblestudents.net/blog/comments.php?y=07&m=11&entry=entry071108-222213