Visions of Jesus Weeping | Salvation By Grace

I recently received an email from Singapore that read:

Hi Pastor Jim,

How are you? I hope all is well and good with you by the grace of GOD … truly I am so blessed by your ministry and I want to thank GOD for it. Many people may not like the things you say from the bible, which is the truth. All I want to say is, carry on your good work, pastor Jim! It’s really liberating when we hear you preaching the word with truth and courage. Okay, let me come to the point. I received an email which I have forwarded to you. One thing for sure, the content of the email is not biblical. Worse, it says GOD is weeping, moaning, and crying … ? Yet, this is what my (Pentecostal) church believes. I would appreciate if you can comment on (this article) for my understanding. Thanks Pastor Jim.
________________________________________________________________

A dream: Jesus weeps!

Edward Damas/Job Anbalagan
Jan 18, 2006

I find myself standing on a mountain top. I am with a small group of people, I recognize some of them as I have met them before, others I do not regonize, but I know them by their spirit. The Lord is standing, not afar off on the side. He is looking out from the mountain to the ground below. The ground is covered thick with people, they are wearing black, carousing with each other, boasting, making merry. Among the people, there are some who are wearing pure white. We all watch expectedly. The Lord speaks to us saying “Behold, what I am about to reveal.” Our hearts are filled with the fear of the Lord. As we look we see the people in black start dancing around the “pure white” people, spotting their garments changing their color, from white to grey, to black.

As we watch what is happening, we see the Lord’s eyes well up with tears. He is now weeping, moaning, and crying bitterly for the world below. We rush to His side, to comfort Him, and to help Him from crumbling to the ground. Through His tears He speaks to us and says “I thank my Father in heaven for you, my ‘true remnant’, for you have truly kept My laws and commandments written upon your heart, and have chosen to come out of Babylon lest you be destroyed with her”

As He continues to speak to us, we cannot help but share His tears.

“But where are the Lord’s pastors, teachers, evangelists and prophets? Why do they not come out of the church of the Pharisees and speak the whole truth and nothing but the truth for Him? Nay, they do not speak at all, lest they should be scorned, mocked, denied, and crucified, the very things I have told them they will endure. The Lord has sent them into the world to preach the gospel, yet the world consumes them all, their voices are never heard.

End of dream.

Our Comments (Edward Damas/Job Anbalagan)

We find that the people in black dresses dance around the people in white dresses and spot the garments of the latter from white to grey and then to black. It is a very dangerous sign for us. The false teachers are influencing the people of God in white dresses through false doctrines with the result that their white dresses turn into grey and into black. The false teachers first allow the people of God to accept a little leaven through a diluted gospel – a gospel that focuses on grace and love and not on His judgment and righteousness. These false teachers give a twist to the words of Jesus and ask the people of God not to obey His words. The white dresses slowly change into grey. This means that the people of God will condone sin in their lives due to such false doctrines. Ultimately, the white dresses of the people of God change into black. This means that they will finally live in sin.

Even the true ones of Christ who do speak gentle words, unknowingly condemn those who the Lord has sent into the world to breathe fire and brimstone, denying their Father which art in heaven has a word of caution for them. They speak against what the Lord does declare through His prophets.

If we do not preach the full, glorious gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ, then what is it that we are preaching? Are we allowing men to step into the hellfire because our hearts speak not a word of warning unto them, only love?….

WOE to the Christian preachers who speak a half truth, for they do speak a lie! WOE to the Christian preachers who speak only kind words, for they beguile men into believing that sin is acceptable! WOE to the evangelists who preach not damnation and hellfire to an unsaved world. WOE to the prophets who preach not judgment and righteousness to the people of God! WOE to the Christians who follow not a warning with words of encouragement!

Do not think that the people of God who declare a warning do so in order to accuse the people! They do their Father’s business! They do not speak the Word to kill and destroy, but to cut the heart and reveal what is inside, so it may be dealt with.

Are you of the small remnant? Do not get your garments spotted by the false teachers who permit the people of God to commit abominable sins!

O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not! Matthew 23:37

Wherefore, behold, I send unto you prophets, and wise men, and scribes: and some of them ye shall kill and crucify; and some of them shall ye scourge in your synagogues, and persecute them from city to city: Mt 23:34

Therefore also said the wisdom of God, I will send them prophets and apostles, and some of them they shall slay and persecute: Lu 11:49

That the blood of all the prophets, which was shed from the foundation of the world, may be required of this generation; Lu 11:50

There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth, when ye shall see Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, and all the prophets, in the kingdom of God, and you yourselves thrust out. Lu 13:28

(Yea, a sword shall pierce through thy own soul also,) that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed. Luke 2:35

Jim – Hello R,

As concerns the article you sent, I agree with you that it is not only disturbing, but thoroughly unbiblical. There is nothing in the Bible to substantiate the claims made by the authors of this article. It is a misrepresentation of God and His character. And it is indicative of a growing problem within the Pentecostal community: the failure to emphasize biblical teaching while favoring private dreams, visions, and Gnostic revelations.

Let’s go through it, piece-by-piece. The title of the article reads:

A dream: Jesus weeps!

Edward Damas/Job Anbalagan
Jan 18, 2006

The first thing that struck me odd was that the “dream” portion of this article is written in the “first person.” In other words, it uses the terms “I” and “me,” as if this is a vision given to one, single person. Yet, this article has two authors. So, who had the vision? Was it Edward, or was it Job?

I did a bit of Internet snooping to see what I could learn about these men. I found this information concerning Job: www.gloryofhiscross.org/aboutus.html

He claims to have a “prophetic ministry” in New Delhi, where he works in a Christian school and is a “vigilance inspector” for the Indian government. Meanwhile, Edward Damas resides in Las Vegas, where he is the U.S. “group manager” for Glory of His Cross Prophetic Ministries. On their website, they have a entire listing of dreams, visions and interpretations. They quote Peter’s words on Pentecost to validate this approach to God “…. this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel: And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams: And on my servants and on my handmaidens I will pour out in those days of my Spirit: and they shall prophesy….” (Acts: 2:17-18)

Of course, they neglect to include the balance of Peter’s words, which go on to say, “I will show wonders in the heaven above and signs on the earth below, blood and fire and billows of smoke. The sun will be turned to darkness and the moon to blood before the coming of the great and glorious day of the Lord.” (Acts 2:19-20)

It is no accident that they do not mention the whole of Peter’s sermon because they cannot claim that the signs in the Heavens have actually occurred. Joel’s prophecy, quoted by Peter, is one, complete, whole vision. When the sun is darkened and the moon is turned to blood, just prior to the great and glorious day of the Lord, that’s when the Spirit of God will be poured out, with its ensuing dreams, visions, and prophecies. And by the way, contextually that promise is made to Israel — the people concerning whom Joel was prophesying in the first place — as Peter spoke to the Jews gathered in Jerusalem for the Feast of Weeks. It is a basic exegetical error to pull those promises from their historic context and apply them to people God never intended as the recipients.

But really, that’s the least of the problems with this article.

The vision begins –

I find myself standing on a mountain top. I am with a small group of people, I recognize some of them as I have met them before, others I do not regonize [sic], but I know them by their spirit. The Lord is standing, not afar off on the side. He is looking out from the mountain to the ground below. The ground is covered thick with people, they are wearing black, carousing with each other, boasting, making merry. Among the people, there are some who are wearing pure white. We all watch expectedly. The Lord speaks to us saying “Behold, what I am about to reveal.” Our hearts are filled with the fear of the Lord. As we look we see the people in black start dancing around the “pure white” people, spotting their garments changing their color, from white to grey, to black.

Jim – This is most disturbing. The idea that the dark people can influence the “pure white” people by dancing around them implies that righteousness is found within an individual. The Christian teaching has always been that our righteousness and justification is found in Christ’s finished atoning work. If that’s the case, then our purity cannot be changed simply by intermingling with people who do not have that imputation of righteousness. If it were indeed necessary for Christians to avoid interaction with unsaved people, we’d have to quit our jobs, avoid our families, and lock ourselves in the basement. In a moment, however, we’re going to learn that these merry, carousing people are actually false teachers.

I genuinely dislike proclamations like “Behold, what I am about to reveal,” as if we are to just accept the notion that Jesus actually said these things. There is no authority whatsoever behind these words. And, as we’ll see, they run so completely contrary to everything we know about the historic Christian faith, they simply cannot be the words of Christ Himself. Of course, if it’s true that these cannot be the words of Christ, this vision is either a fabrication, a lie, or the work of evil influences.

From a theological perspective, if people can indeed go from being spiritually pure to grey, to black, then one of two things is true. Either we are saved by our personal merit, which we are responsible to maintain; or, the justification we receive from Christ is not permanent, but can be made worse by our dealings with other humans. Either conclusion is Biblically untenable.

In other words, the opening paragraph of this supposed vision is pure gibberish and contains nothing remotely resembling Biblical theology.

The vision continues –

As we watch what is happening, we see the Lord’s eyes well up with tears. He is now weeping, moaning, and crying bitterly for the world below. We rush to His side, to comfort Him, and to help Him from crumbling to the ground. Through His tears He speaks to us and says “I thank my Father in heaven for you, my ‘true remnant,’ for you have truly kept My laws and commandments written upon your heart, and have chosen to come out of Babylon lest you be destroyed with her.”

Jim – Aside from the bad grammar and the inexplicable use of Old English terms like “lest you be,” the image of Jesus weeping, moaning and crying for the world has no biblical precedent. The only place in the Bible that speaks of Jesus weeping is when He empathized with Mary and Martha’s family over the death of Lazarus (John 11:35). In that instance, Jesus wept out of compassion for their mourning. Of course, He then turned and raised Lazarus from the tomb (John 11:43).

From the context of the supposed “vision” of Edward and Job, Jesus appears to be weeping because the people in white garments were turning darker. This completely obliterates any notion of Christ’s power to sustain His own people, it utterly undermines the whole concept of substitutionary atonement, and it has Jesus weeping over the very thing He has supreme power over: the salvation of His elect. It’s very confused.

Edward/Job envision a Jesus who is “weeping, moaning, and crying bitterly” over the apparent loss of once-saved people. Yet, the apostle John records Jesus stating that He has supreme authority in the matter of salvation:

“These words spake Jesus, and lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said, Father, the hour is come; glorify thy Son, that thy Son also may glorify thee: As thou hast given him power over all flesh, that he should give eternal life to as many as thou hast given him.” (John 17:1-2)

Jesus saw Himself as the determining factor in every man’s eternity. He never gave any impression that He could not save anyone He determined to save. God gave Him power over all flesh, all humanity, so that He would give eternal life to all the people the Father gave Him. Consequently, the vision of Jesus weeping and crying over those He appears to be losing is simply unbiblical, lacking any historic veracity, and a complete aberration where the power of the Son of God is concerned.

Next, the idea that Jesus would crumble to the ground if human beings did not hold Him up is simply blasphemous. We humans would be powerless before God were it not for Christ. He said, “I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.” (John 15:5) Yet, this vision would have us believe that just the opposite is true — without human aid, Jesus would not be able to stand up. This is terribly twisted thinking that undermines the Bible and does damage to the authority, power, and supremacy of Christ in all things.

“For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: And he is before all things, and by him all things consist. And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.” (Col. 1:16-18)

It’s just very hard for me to imagine the creator of all things needing to lean on some fragile humans to keep Himself from collapsing in a heap. Remember this vital principle: It is God’s intention that Christ have the preeminence is absolutely everything. Therefore, He needs no help to accomplish what He intends to do.

Third, in this vision, Edward/Job have put words into Jesus’ mouth that He never actually spoke. This is a very dangerous precedent. And the words that they claim Jesus said are a mixture of Old Testament/Old Covenant ideas that cumulatively add up to nothing at all. Apparently, the Jesus that Edward/Job met was not as theologically consistent as we might hope. The Biblical Jesus never spoke in such a random mix-and-match fashion. And the vague, undefined allusion to Babylon may make this supposed proclamation sound more “spiritual” to the undiscerning reader, but it’s really just a senseless jumble of words and semi-Biblical-sounding phrases.

Lastly, the whole tone of this pronouncement is very Arminian, raising the “will” of the creature above the decrees of the Almighty. Rather than stating that God delivers His people, Jesus supposedly admires the people who “have chosen” to come out of Babylon. But, it is clear that in Heaven, the Father and Son will get all the praise and glory. And that glory will not be shared with the creature. So, this pronouncement is as anti-Biblical as it is heretical.

The vision goes on –

As He continues to speak to us, we cannot help but share His tears. “But where are the Lord’s pastors, teachers, evangelists and prophets? Why do they not come out of the church of the Pharisees and speak the whole truth and nothing but the truth for Him? Nay, they do not speak at all, lest they should be scorned, mocked, denied, and crucified, the very things I have told them they will endure. The Lord has sent them into the world to preach the gospel, yet the world consumes them all, their voices are never heard.

Jim – Gosh. How sweet. Edward/Job shared Jesus’ tears. (Pardon my sarcasm.)

This image of people holding Jesus up, crying with Him, giving Him the empathy He needs to carry on, is just repugnant. It reduces Jesus to a simpering child who desperately needs our help to accomplish anything.

But, read the words that they claim Jesus said. He doesn’t seem to know where His own pastors, teachers, etc. are! He asks these men, “Where are they?” Did Jesus haphazardly misplace His shepherds? And why doesn’t He know the answer to these questions? Perhaps these were rhetorical questions. But, when Jesus does speak of “the Lord’s” servants in the word, He claims that they don’t speak at all. Why? I mean, if they don’t speak His word, why would He persist in calling them “the Lord’s”? Very odd.

Also, the phrase “church of the Pharisees” is a perfect example of the foolishness of this article. While I think I understand what Edward/Job are trying to say, when we discuss Biblical/Christian ideas we need to use Biblical language. That phrase — church of the Pharisees — is never found in the Bible and nothing like it ever existed in history. The Pharisees were never part of the Church. They served in the temple and advocated the Law of Moses. They were responsible, in large part, for the crucifixion of Christ. But they were never part of the Church, nor did a “church of the Pharisees” exist in any form whatsoever. The Church, which was a New Covenant gathering of elect saints, was built by Jesus (Mat. 16:18) and “added to” by God (Acts 2:47). To mix such terminology as “Pharisees” and “church” is to create new paradigms that the Bible never admitted.

Also, as an interesting aside, it’s always fascinating to me that when people claim to have this type of vision, Jesus inexplicably speaks Old English, utilizing words like “nay.” It’s similar to the way Catholic mystics claim to hear angels speaking Latin, as if that’s the official language of Heaven. The influence of the King James Bible leaves people with the impression that God prefers Old English language and syntax. Often, when people pray, they use terms like “thee” and “thou.” There’s nothing inherently wrong with that if it adds to a person’s sense of reverence toward God. But, let’s be clear: Jesus neither prefers nor speaks in The King’s English. Historically, He spoke Hebrew and Greek. But, I am confident that if He spoke to any person, He would speak their language and dialect in order to be clear in His communication. Still, in order to make their vision seem more “King James-ish,” Edward/Job decided that Jesus would use anachronistic Old English terminology — which proves that they are lying and never actually heard Jesus speak. It’s a common error, and a trap that plenty of “visionaries” fall into; but it’s also a very telling detail.

Lastly, where this section is concerned, it sounds compelling to claim that the pastors and teachers of Christ “do not speak at all,” and “the world consumes them all, there voices are never heard.” If that were actually true (and remember, this is supposedly Jesus speaking), then there would be no one anywhere preaching the truth of the gospel. Yet, in reality, the teaching of Scripture and the gospel of God’s grace continues to ring out around the world. It’s on the airwaves, the Internet, in written form. There’s simply no truth to the words they claim Jesus spoke. If this vision were an accurate rendering of Jesus’ words, then there is no gospel truth to be had anywhere and the church is terrible trouble because there is absolutely no one teaching the genuine Word of God. So, according to Edward/Job, Jesus is completely out of touch and unaware of current conditions on Earth.

But, more to the point, the Jesus of the Bible said that He is responsible for building His church. And God adds to, and protects, the people He has promised to His Son. If you truly believe that there is no one on the planet preaching the gospel that genuinely saves, then you are claiming that God is utterly powerless.

Fortunately for all of us, the “dream” ended there. I think it’s more of a nightmare. It is full of inaccuracies. It presents a weak image of Christ that runs contrary to the Biblical record. It undermines His power and His character. And it leaves the Church of Jesus Christ in utter despair since it cannot ever know the truth. All in all, this is reprehensible garbage.

But, true to form, Edward/Job were not finished. They moved on to their interpretation of the dream. They called it “Our Comments.”

The comments read –

Jim –The irony is thick. Here you have two guys claiming that their utterly unbiblical “vision” is valid, all the while decrying “false teachers” and “false doctrine.” This is a classic case of the pot calling the kettle black. Then, of course, they identify “grace and love” as the diluted, false gospel, while bemoaning the lack of “judgment and righteousness.” In my opinion, these fellows had better hope that God is gracious and not exclusively the righteous judge, because they have a great deal to answer for. In the height of hypocrisy, they have put words in Jesus’ mouth that He never spoke, yet they decry those that “give a twist to the words of Jesus.”

I have a question … well, several questions. Where in this vision is the work of the Holy Spirit? How is it that the people of God so willingly accept this “diluted gospel” and then turn from white to black? Where is the Spirit that leads to all truth? Where the Spirit of God that sustains the faith of the saints and seals them until the day of redemption? What sort of God is this that willingly lets false teachers steal His people away? Where is the power of God to justify, teach, and sustain His people? How is it that the people of God can be so easily influenced that they “will finally live in sin”? Has God abandoned them? Have they lost the Spirit of God that led to their conversion in the first place?

If I understand them, the authors of this supposed vision are claiming that the gospel of God’s love and grace will lead to a life of sin. But apparently, the preaching of the Law and judgment will lead to eternal life. This not only the exact opposite of everything the Apostle Paul taught, it is terribly confused, confusing, and heretical. In Paul’s paradigm, the works of the flesh, directed by the Law, could never justify a person before God. Yet, that is exactly what these men are advocating. They’re clearly on the wrong side of this debate.

By the way, I would really love to know what the process of interpretation of dreams consists of. I mean, do they just sit around reading the vision and thinking about what it might mean until they come up with something suitably spiritual-sounding? What standard or proof do they use to judge the validity of the dream or the interpretation? They’re clearly not using the Bible. So, what plumline to they utilize to guide their thinking? Or, is this just the product of active imaginations?

The comments continue –
Even the true ones of Christ who do speak gentle words, unknowingly condemn those who the Lord has sent into the world to breathe fire and brimstone, denying their Father which art in heaven has a word of caution for them. They speak against what the Lord does declare through His prophets.

Jim – This is just silly. And it is full of the sort of “spiritual sounding” jargon I mentioned above. Phrases like “their Father which art in heaven” are meant to give the whole thing a legitimate air. But, it’s just a mish-mash of phraseology.

So, there are “true ones of Christ” who do speak “gentle words,” but in so doing they condemn the people who are preaching judgment and damnation? And, by being kind, they are actually denying God? What a mess.

Also, pay attention to the phrase “what the Lord does declare through His prophets.” It’s true that the Old Testament prophets oftentimes preached a message of judgment. But, with the advent of the New Covenant, the message of the gospel is one of grace and reconciliation. Christ’s death was sufficient to pay our sin debt and justify us eternally in the courts of Heaven.

“And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation. Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God. For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.” (2 Cor. 5:18-21)

Basic Pauline theology states that we are justified (made righteous) by the vicarious sacrifice and atoning work of Christ. There is no New Testament/New Covenant apostle or author who preached a “fire and brimstone” message among the elect of God. Rather, it was always a message of sovereign grace and mercy, and the utter supremacy of Christ in all things.

Edward/Job will certainly counter that they are not saying the message of judgment should be preached to the Church, but to the world. And that’s exactly the question that is answered in the encounter between James and John (the “sons of thunder”) and Jesus when they wanted to call fire down from Heaven on those who opposed Christ:

“And they did not receive him, because his face was as though he would go to Jerusalem. And when his disciples James and John saw this, they said, Lord, wilt thou that we command fire to come down from heaven, and consume them, even as Elias did? But he turned, and rebuked them, and said, Ye know not what manner of spirit ye are of. For the Son of man is not come to destroy men’s lives, but to save them. And they went to another village.” (Luke 9:53-56)

In other words, James and John wanted to act like the Old Testament prophets and bring “fire and brimstone” down on worldly people, just as Edward/Job are advocating. But, Jesus did not allow it. He rebuked them and told them that they did not understand the manner of spirit that led His ministry. It is impossible to believe that, when talking to James and John, Jesus rebuked their “fire and brimstone” approach. But, when appearing in a dream to Edward/Job, He took the exact opposite stance.

So, what’s behind this type of vision? If it is not Biblical, then of what value is it? If it does not serve God’s ends and purposes, then what purpose does it serve? In my opinion (and having witnessed this sort of “spiritual one-up-man-ship” my whole Christian life), Edward and Job are trying hard to give legitimacy to their message so that they can assume power over the conscience of their readers or listeners. But, no one has the right to impose their own human authority over the Church that was purchased with the blood of Christ. These are typical, but dangerous, assertions these men are making. And the end result of their writing is the lifting up of men and their egos, at the cost of denying the grace and love that drew salvation’s plan.

The comments continue –

Jim – The full, glorious gospel is the gospel of free and sovereign grace. Edward and Job are attempting to add works of the flesh (which Paul said can never justify any man before God) to the finished work of Christ. And, we are not “allowing men to step into hellfire” when we preach the only gospel the Bible presents. Only God has the power to condemn, just as He has the power to save. And yes, the love of God is the only catalyst in salvation.

“We are of God: he that knoweth God heareth us; he that is not of God heareth not us. Hereby know we the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error. Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God. He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love. In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him. Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another.” (1 John 4:6-11)

Compare the words of Edward/Job with the words of the apostle John. They are diametrically opposed to each other. They cannot both be true. One or the other of them is wrong. Either the Biblical author, the apostle “whom Jesus loved,” is wrong, or the authors of this silly article are wrong. I think you know which way I lean.

The apostle preached reconciliation and words of comfort to those whom God loved. That is the only message of salvation, the gospel of which Paul was “not ashamed.” It is the only pathway to salvation. Fire and brimstone cannot do what the words of the gospel of Christ can.

The comments continue –

Jim – Note to Edward Damas and Job Anbalagan:

Ummm …. you dudes don’t actually have any power or authority to start pronouncing “woe” on people. You’re just a couple of deluded, confused guys with an over-developed sense of importance. I mean, when exactly did you become the arbiters and “final word” on what constitutes truth? It seems to me that you need to start by proving that your supposed dream/vision has any accuracy or legitimacy before you start condemning people.

[Oh, and in the interest of accuracy, which part of the dream are you interpreting when you start pronouncing these woes? I didn’t read any “woes” in the dream itself. So, is this something you guys just felt like adding to give your message more weight?]

These guys are pronouncing anathemas like they are the new Protestant popes. But, the truth of the matter is that there is no judgment awaiting the elect of God. There is no condemnation (Rom. 8:1). There is no fear (2 Tim. 1:7). So, on what basis do these guys have the authority to condemn those “who preach not judgment”?

Let’s look at what the apostle Paul had to say on the subject:

“And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified. What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us? He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things? Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God’s elect? It is God that justifieth. Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.” (Rom. 8:28-34)

Paul wrote repeatedly of God’s sovereignty, grace, love, and mercy in saving people. And, inasmuch as that salvation was total and complete, there is no charge that can be successfully leveled against God’s people. Yet, Edward/Job — completely on the wrong side of this whole thing — are out there pronouncing woes they have no actual authority to pronounce against the very people who are aligning their message with the historic, Pauline, Christian message.

Not content with that, they continue their rant –

Jim – It HAS been dealt with! It was dealt with in the body of Christ on Calvary. It was dealt with when the Father poured His wrath for sin on the body of His Son. It was dealt with when Christ died for our iniquities and was raised for our justification (Rom. 4:25). To say that there is still a payment to be rendered is to say that Jesus did not actually accomplish the very thing He came to Earth to finish — the salvation of His people.

They continue –
Are you of the small remnant? Do not get your garments spotted by the false teachers who permit the people of God to commit abominable sins!

Jim – I have never liked this sort of grandiose, pompous, self-important pronouncement. The fact is, Christ has cleansed us from our sins; past, present and future. Grace is not a license to sin, however. The sealing of the Holy Spirit makes a Christian conscious of their sinful tendencies and guides them in the paths of righteousness. Personal righteousness cannot be achieved by fleshly effort. Our continuing righteousness and justification is imputed to us as the result of Christ’s mediation and intercession.

“Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.” (Heb. 7:25)

To wrap up, Edward/Job included some out-of-context verses that they seem to think bolster their point-

Therefore also said the wisdom of God, I will send them prophets and apostles, and some of them they shall slay and persecute: Lu 11:49

That the blood of all the prophets, which was shed from the foundation of the world, may be required of this generation; Lu 11:50

There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth, when ye shall see Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, and all the prophets, in the kingdom of God, and you yourselves thrust out. Lu 13:28

(Yea, a sword shall pierce through thy own soul also,) that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed. Luke 2:35

Jim – Each of the these quotes from Jesus was directed at Pharisees who used the Law dishonestly and whom Jesus called “a brood of vipers.” To impose these words on the conscience of blood-bought, redeemed, justified, “perfected for ever” saints of God (Heb. 10:14), is a horrible abuse of the Scripture that displays not only a fierce ignorance of proper biblical exegesis, but a spirit of condemnation that belies the supposed message from Christ.

It is a shame that people will not adhere to the words of the biblical authors and prefer private dreams and visions which simply are not in line with the tone and tenor of the gospel of Christ. I adjure and admonish you, my friend, to take no stock at all in the empty words of Edward/Job. They are designed to lift themselves up, take authority to themselves, and garner a level of fear among the saints. All in all, they are teaching in exact contradistinction to the historic Christian faith.

I suppose that I cannot say it any better than the Apostle Paul himself, when he wrote:

“If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness; He is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings, perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself.” (1 Tim. 6:3-5)

Q – Thanks for your crystal clear exegesis and also taking time to reply in the midst of your busy schdule. We brothers in Singapore really appreciate your passion for the kingdom of GOD. Take care, Pastor.

Remembering your family and your ministry in our prayers.

Jim – As always, it’s my pleasure and honor to be in touch with saints on the other side of the planet. Thanks for writing and for your continued prayers for GCA. They are greatly appreciated!

Yours for His sake,
Jim Mc.