CHAPLAIN’S PAGE: THE THREE RED HERRINGS
England
What do herrings, especially red ones, have to do with the serious business of proclaiming our Christian faith? Answer, EVERYTHING! The dictionary says ‘An irrelevant diversion’ or ‘to put one off the scent.’ The majority of Christians have been put off the scent of Bible truth by the theologians and pastors on three major issues, 1) The identity of the bride, 2) that the church will be taken up before Christ sets up His Kingdom on earth and 3) the true meaning of the ‘Jews’ setting up the Israeli State in 1948.
These three subjects have been touched on by other authors in The Ensign Message from time to time. To go deeply into them all in one article is clearly not possible. It is recommended that the reader makes their own personal study. As we draw closer to our Lord’s glorious return it is essential that fundamental issues are rightly discerned.
Red Herring No. 1 – Who is the Bride of Christ?
Christians do not question what they are told from the pulpit, that the church is the Bride. This is not in accord with Bible symbolism which remains constant throughout. There is no excuse for misinterpretation. Paul in Ephesians 4 informs us And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; for the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ (vii and xii.) The church is the body of Christ and is therefore male. Paul continues in chapter 5 and verse 23, For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body. The head of the church is Christ, male, the body of the church is Christ, male, yet Christians insist that the church is the bride, female! Lady Bishops today are insisting that God is not male but female, and so the deception continues apace. So who is the bride? Let the Scriptures answer for themselves.
And I saw, when for all the causes whereby backsliding Israel committed adultery I had put her away, and given her a bill of divorce; yet her treacherous sister Judah feared not, but went and played the harlot also.
And it came to pass through the lightness of her whoredom, that she defiled the land, and committed adultery with stones and with stocks.
And yet for all this her treacherous sister Judah hath not turned unto me with her whole heart, but feignedly, saith the LORD.
And the LORD said unto me, The backsliding Israel hath justfied herself more than treacherous Judah.
Go and proclaim these words toward the north, and say, Return, thou backsliding Israel, saith the LORD; and I will not cause mine anger to fall upon you: for I am merciful, saith the LORD, and I will not keep anger for ever.
Only acknowledge thine iniquity, that thou hast transgressed against the LORD thy God, and hast scattered thy ways to the strangers under every green tree, and ye have not obeyed my voice, saith the LORD.
Turn, O backsliding children, saith the LORD; for I am married unto you: and I will take you one of a city, and two of a family, and will bring you to Zion: (Jeremiah 3:8-14)
Nothing could be plainer, what more proof do Christians want to be convinced that God was married to the nation Israel and she therefore is the bride? Although there was a subsequent divorce with the Northern Kingdom, He is still the husband to Judah, and there will be a re-marriage to the Northern Kingdom at the Lord’s return. As we saw above, although Judah was ‘treacherous’ He did not divorce her. The reason being that the Lord Jesus Christ was of the tribe of Judah and could not be a part of a divorced kingdom. Furthermore, subsequent kings and queens would rule over the nation and would also need to be married by covenant relationship to God.
Red Herring No. 2 – The Pre-Tribulation Rapture
Christians are taught that the church will be taken into heaven before Christ’s Second Advent. This is known as Pre-Tribulation Rapture, and has no foundation in Scripture. It is a dangerous deception in as much that it dulls Christians into a false sense of security. ‘Why should we be concerned with the world situation, we will be taken out of it before the going gets tough, and be having a wonderful time in heaven.’
It is essential that the church remains on the earth with its feet firmly on the ground.Who else but true believers will be able to bring help and succour to those on the earth at that time? Our wonderful Saviour could have been taken up before His agony, but chose to stay and bear the weight of the world’s sins on His shoulders. Likewise, the church will remain unto the end to minister to a world in turmoil.
Jesus told His disciples about things that would come upon the earth in the last days, and made a profound statement recorded in Matthew 24 verse 13.
But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.
If the believers have already been taken into heaven, how can they endure unto the end? Instead of waiting to be taken out of turmoil we should be preparing for bad times ahead. We should use every minute that we can to study God’s Word, and put our house in order for the day when, Men’s hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken. And then shall they see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. (Luke 21: 26-27)
Red Herring No. 3 – The Return of the Jews to Palestine
This was the greatest confidence trick of the 20th Century. It has fooled not only Christians, but the entire world, for it is believed that the return of the ‘so called’ Jews to Palestine in 1948 was an essential part of God’s plan. There are two key points which are ignored, especially by Christians.
Point No. 1: To fulfil the criteria of Scripture, those who returned must be of one stock. The vast majority of those who reside there represent many races and cannot claim any Israelitish blood. They are claiming that to which they are not entitled. Revelation chapter 2 and verse 9 states:
I know thy works, and tribulation, and poverty, (but thou art rich) and I know the blasphemy of them which say they are Jews, and are not, but are the synagogue of Satan.
This great deception will eventually be exposed for the fraud that it is. The Rabbis know that they are not a race as such, but are merely linked by a common religion. They are hardly likely to make this public for it suits their purpose to fool the world . Many churches support them with large amounts of cash, and their prayers, so they are hardly likely to complain!
Point No. 2: There is yet another reason why the Lord cannot bless the Israeli State, for those calling themselves Jews have entered the land as Christ haters. How can the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob bless them? Of course He cannot! The time will come when true Israelites of both the Northern and the Southern Kingdoms will return in belief. Our God will bless that day mightily, may it come soon.
These points which have only been touched on briefly, serve to show that Christians do not check out for themselves what they are taught by their Pastors. (See Hebrews 5 verses 11-14.) Time is short; we must be prepared for the day when perplexed Christians will want the truth. If the true church is no longer here, who will be able to give them the truth?
