I JUST HAPPENED TO REDISCOVER some old Questions/Comments and Answers (“Q & A”) papers as I was flicking through some files from earlier days in a clean-up, and it came home to me how much things have changed in the last 25 years. In those days, I never had to send out requests to obtain questions for a “Q & A” paper. I was simply hugely inundated with comments and questions the whole time. Every day I could receive dozens of communications with comments and questions. I never had to ask. It was a question of choosing the best ones from the pile and I was creating “Q & A” papers often, not just very occasionally.
When I write a piece now, it is rather like posting into a vacuum or void. There is virtually no interaction or response. Yet I am still writing on similar themes in similar ways. I have been wondering why this is, what is the difference between then and now. I still have not worked it out. But I have come to believe that with the huge development of social media and the whole internet thing, real communication has diminished and airtime has been given to thousands of false and wacky teachers and “digital creators”. (Fakebook has even called me a “digital creator”! 😊). That is the only conclusion to which I can come: That increasingly, the rotten, corrupting power of what is largely now a satanic social media, has been removing the joy from the idea of study, taking away the productive exhilaration of being challenged, and dumbing-down minds so that they become inert, unimaginative and unresponsive.
I just came upon a “Q & A” paper I sent out not long after the incident on September 11th, 2001, known as “9/11”. This is nearly 25 years ago! It contains a number of unsolicited questions and comments from readers, which I would like to share with you below as they are of timeless relevance, while demonstrating the lively, enquiring mentality which was so prevalent in those pre-social-media times, but which seems to be almost non-existent now.
So below the dotted line is the introduction that I wrote back in 2001 along with just five of the questions and comments I received, many of which are extremely detailed. Bear in mind that any internet links given 25 years ago will not be extant today (although, amazingly, one or two do still work!). Also please bear in mind that when I used the word “Illuminati” back then, I was speaking of what I now prefer to call the “power-elite”.
After these four questions/comments from 2001, I will then return with a few words and then share with you 23 interesting questions/comments from December 2008, almost 18 years ago! Even though these questions/comments are from so long ago, they still contain much relevance for today, as you will see, if you are brave enough to explore them. Okay, here we go…
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QUESTIONS AND COMMENTS FROM LATE 2001
I HAVE BEEN ABSOLUTELY INUNDATED with e-mails in the wake of the September 11th massacre. I am now getting an average of 100 e-mails a day. Subscriptions to the list have gone up massively and the website is now getting about 300+ hits per day. Such has been the gargantuan effect of this event. Many of the mails I am receiving involve people needing help to get through their lives. Others involve numerous questions about aspects peripheral to September 11th. Most of my time at the moment is taken up with providing counsel and responding to questions. I can barely cope with the workload, but at least it shows that people are thinking and responding and refusing to be mere pawns in the game.
Being alive today is like standing on a patch of earth under which there is a seething seismic cauldron of instability. As a result many people need reassurance (not the phoney type ‘unctioned’ out from so many pulpits and psychiatrist’s couches today). They also need tender loving care and the knowledge that they are not alone in their anguish of soul. Once one sees the truth which lies behind the events of the world today, it is like wearing X-ray spectacles which reveal a searing light which cuts through to the heart.
Here follows extracts from just a few of the many mails I’ve been receiving lately, with my responses:
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CORRESPONDENT #1:
I read your recent article “The Illuminati Versus the True Light”. How do you connect your overarching NWO plot to the specifics of the Sept. 11 events? Were there really 19 Middle Eastern “terrorists” on the planes? If so, how were they induced to sacrifice themselves for an “Illuminati” objective? The gist of my question is, where is the intersection of disgruntled Arabs and malevolent Illuminist conspirators? Or is the latter merely working opportunistically with the material they are given by the Bin Ladens and Saddams who themselves are being manipulated?
A.M. REPLIES:
Thank you for your mail. Obviously I cannot see into all the machinations of the Illuminati. But we can come to some interesting conclusions based on what we see happening. I cannot accept that the security services of the USA were taken by surprise by the events of September 11th. Something as big as that does not take such a hyper-armed and defended nation as the USA by surprise, with its many fail-safe practices. Therefore there are at least two possible scenarios:
Scenario 1: The powers knew in advance about the attack and simply allowed it to go ahead, and even encouraged it, probably playing agent provocateur, in the full knowledge of what it would do, as it conformed to their purpose and would further it in an extraordinary manner. There is considerable evidence that the highest levels of the U.S. government, together with its security and intelligence services (e.g. CIA & FBI) knew very well that there was going to be a serious attack on a big target in the U.S.A. [See, for example, http://msn.thisislondon.co.uk/dynamic/news/top_story.html?in_review_id=456973 . See also the following link, http://www.proparanoid.com/priorknowledge.htm , which shows how the war against the Taliban was planned months in advance. See also the article “Evidence of Criminal Insider Trading Before WTC ATTACKS Leads Directly into the Highest Levels of the CIA” by Mike Ruppert on http://www.copvcia.com/ . His other articles are very revealing too. See also http://www.apfn.org/apfn/knowledge.htm for an interview with David Schippers, top Clinton impeachment lawyer, who says that the highest levels of Government had prior knowledge of the September 11th attacks].
OR
Scenario 2: Some people were set-up as mind-control subjects and used for the hijack and plane suicides, allowed to do so in the full knowledge of what that would involve. Knowing how mind-control works, and its insidious nature, this is not at all beyond the bounds of possibility (even the film “Conspiracy Theory”, starring Mel Gibson — a conspiracy theory believer himself — and Julia Roberts, charts this phenomenon adequately).
There doesn’t have to be a direct link between the people who carry out Illuminati-based tasks and the people who lie behind the whole conspiracy. In fact, there never is a direct link. In a multi-national corporation, the little guy who opens the letters and makes the coffee may never meet the Chairman of the Board or know what the company’s long-term goals involve. But he still does what the Chairman has decreed and conforms to the long-term goals of the company. Furthermore, the Illuminati are experts at getting people to accomplish the goals of the Illuminati when those people think that they are accomplishing their own goals. An action carried out in the name of Allah by a fanatical Muslim becomes a jewel in the crown of the Illuminati. They are therefore what Lenin called “Useful Idiots”; and there is no shortage of those in the world today!
Whichever scenario was involved in the September 11th massacre, it was enacted on the basis that it would enable the Illuminati a) to gather a global military consensus to invade the Middle-East (the whole thing building towards a world government; b) to encourage a quantum leap in interfaithism and a religious cult of collective liberalism (the reason for which I will disclose in a mail following this one, entitled “The Unifying Factor of World Religion”); c) to control the population through fear (a classic “1984” style tactic); d) to escalate the stakes — as I have said before, via the backlash of serious “terrorist” attacks — and thereby be enabled to bring in more draconian “security measures” in the interests of “democracy”. And I am sure there is much more than my limited brain can understand!
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CORRESPONDENT #2:
Many thanks for your fascinating piece on emotional and political correctness. May I, in the spirit of friendly discussion, raise the following point? You wrote: “I have spoken before of the need for a courageous Resistance Movement against the Illuminati and their New World Order which goes way beyond anything which most modern churches appear willing to take on board”. I am somewhat puzzled by the terms ‘illuminati’ and ‘shadow governmental power’ (used previously), both of which (if I understand correctly) have connotations of ‘behind the scenes’, of ‘working secretly’, and of ‘things not being as they appear on the surface’. Is it not the case that there is no need whatsoever for the forces of political correctness and globalisation to work in the shadows? Is this not now the most upfront and blatant philosophical movement that the world has ever seen? Does not the movement now parade itself as being mainstream, quite simply because it IS mainstream? Is it not the case that since the 1960s the political correctness of the liberal establishment has so successfully chipped away at our Protestant Christian inheritance, that it can well and truly be said to have won the day (I speak in worldly terms : He that sitteth in the heavens continues to laugh). So my point is, Should not “our courageous resistance movement” be, not against the shadowy illuminati and their new world order, but quite simply against ‘the world’ (in the theological sense), which is there, plain as a pikestaff, openly parading its utter supremacy over the minds of the masses, particularly in the post-Christian West. I ask this question very respectfully and humbly, in brotherly love, and thanking you for all your helpful insights.
A.M. REPLIES:
Many thanks for your mail. I agree with what you say. When I speak of resistance against the Illuminati, I am obviously speaking of resisting those manifestations of it which are visible and resistible. The political correctness which began in the West in the 1960s has all been part of the work of the Illuminati, whose shadow operations have been going on for many centuries. You say: “Should not ‘our courageous resistance movement’ be, not against the shadowy Illuminati and their new world order, but quite simply against ‘the world’ (in the theological sense)”. But the fact is that “the world” (in the theological sense) of today has actually been manufactured by the Illuminati. The world of lies and disinformation, the world of rampant occultism, the world of corrupt governmental and religious power, the world of deceitful financial institutions, and so on, are all part of the Illuminati in action. But by resisting and exposing them, apologetically and intellectually, we are waging war against the Illuminati. One cannot see the wind, but one can see its effects on the trees. Similarly, one cannot see the Illuminati, but one can see their effects in every area of culture today.
The problem is that most of the churches in the world have actually bought into political correctness (and emotional correctness) hook, line and sinker. While they may speak out against evil, they have actually become part of the Illuminati-empowered system which begets it! And they don’t even realise it.
I believe that it is important — while resisting and exposing “the world” (in the theological sense) — to show that these developments have not arisen in a vacuum as random works of the powers of darkness under the leadership of Satan, but that they are part of a systematic plan enacted by his human agents in the world (Illuminati) who have a very definite aim in mind which is both political and religious, and involving the most profound deception. Once one sees these things in terms of a clearly definable agenda, they become a great deal easier to identify and thereby also to resist.
Thanks for your thoughts, my friend. I don’t think that there is really any great discrepancy between your question and what I wrote. It is great to know that pastors such as yourself are grappling with these things, and I couldn’t take your questions in any other way than the respectful and humble manner in which you meant them. You are so obviously a gentleman! One of a dying breed, I am sad to say!
CORRESPONDENT #3:
The hostility I have encountered since starting to question events surrounding September 11 is quite amazing. But that is not why I wrote. I wrote because I am utterly bewildered by the sheer quantity of conspiracy stuff on the internet. My question is this. How do I discern what is useful and what isn’t? In that case, it is clear and easy to see, but often such truth and lies lie alongside each other in articles. What I suppose I want to ask is this – how did <you> first begin to sift things? What criteria did you apply?
A.M. REPLIES:
Many thanks for your mail. You ask important questions. I am not in the least bit surprised that you have encountered so much hostility because you have questioned the events of September 11th. The reason for this is beautifully summed up in a quote which someone sent to me today which goes like this:
“A truth’s initial commotion is directly proportional to how deeply the lie was believed. It wasn’t the world being round that agitated people, but that the world wasn’t flat. When a well-packaged web of lies has been sold gradually to the masses over generations, the truth will seem utterly preposterous and its speaker a raving lunatic” (Dresden James).
So please do not be thrown by the response of the sheeple to the Truth. You saw what the Pharisees did to Christ. Don’t expect not to be crucified (figuratively speaking)!
Regarding one’s reaction to conspiracies, I think that one has to be careful not to become obsessed with them. It is easy to become obsessed, as they are often very sensational and startling, rather like a blockbuster novel. The real conspiracies are often no less startling than the false ones. But there are two equal and opposite traps into which one can fall: 1) Believing that all reported conspiracies are false or not worth thinking about and therefore to be scoffed at; OR 2) Believing that all reported conspiracies are true or dynamically necessary to know about every waking moment of one’s day (and even in one’s dreams too!) and are therefore to be studied continuously. Neither of these positions is valuable to one’s mind or soul. But I do believe that any student of the Bible and its prophecies will be interested in the movements of history and will be desirous of placing those prophecies in a stable historical context. Therefore, between those two extremes lies the sane perspective of a mind which chooses not to remain in ignorance but also not to be seduced by sensationalism. Once on that pathway, one tends to remain on it and not be distracted by trifles.
As far as sifting things is concerned, stick with the basic developments. There are certain identifiable basics when it comes to studying conspiracy and the Illuminati. Find a basic book which introduces the essential elements and then build on that. There really are certain identifiable basics which can be substantiated from factual evidence if one is prepared to look (which most people aren’t!). A good starter would be A. Ralph Epperson’s “The Unseen Hand: An Introduction to the Conspiratorial View of History”. This is available from Amazon. “None Dare Call it Conspiracy” by Gary Allen (ISBN: 0899666612). “Global Tyranny…Step by Step : The United Nations and the Emerging New World Order” by William F. Jasper (ISBN: 0882791354). “The Shadows of Power : The Council on Foreign Relations and the American Decline” by James Perloff (ISBN: 0882791346). “Who’s Who of the Elite : Members of the Bilderbergs, Council on Foreign Relations, & Trilateral Commission” by Robert Gaylon Ross Sr. (2000 edition, ISBN: 0964988801). Nesta Webster’s books on secret societies and global socialist conspiracy cannot be ignored. Neither can “Proofs of a Conspiracy” by Dr John Robison.
There are a number of elements which come into play when one is attempting to discern the difference between truth and falsehood. Every Christian has (or, rather, SHOULD have) a sanctified “instinct”. The things that obviously smell “iffy” usually ARE iffy. If something cannot be fitted to any aspect of biblical truth, then it is obviously unacceptable. If something smells iffy leave it alone. It is true that some things which initially smell iffy may be appreciated as truth further down the line. Some things are so shocking that one cannot immediately accept them, and they thus smell iffy. But that is not a bad thing. If it is real it will be made apparent to you eventually. So avoid iffy-seeming things, at least until they become very obviously real.
Another important thing is to ensure that one doesn’t get lost in the plethora of conspiratorial minutiae. Always try to retain the Big Picture — especially where it relates in an obvious manner to Bible prophecy. Many people who profess Christianity will tell you that conspiracy of any sort — Big Picture or small — is utterly irrelevant to one’s Christian life and totally unedifying in any sense. Such people are to be ignored. They are both ignorant and peddling ignorance. Personally, I find it very edifying to observe the way that Bible prophecy has been unfolding in ancient and modern history. Personally, I find it extremely faith-enhancing (and awesome) to know that the awful things which are unfolding at the present time have long been forecast by the Creator of the universe. Personally, I feel very privileged to be alive at such a time as this. It is for these reasons that I believe it is important for people to acquaint themselves with the movements which underlie the ebb and flow of history.
It is also important to know WHY one is interested in pursuing information about conspiracies. What are our motives? If our motive is to accumulate information to impress people, this is a wrong motive. If our motive is to titillate our minds with weird and sensational events, then this too is a wrong motive. If our motive is to ascertain the extent of prophetic fulfilment — if our motive is to see the Bible vindicated — if our motive is to be forewarned and thus forearmed against the deceptive movements of history — if our motive is to prevent ourselves from being ignorant of Satan’s devices — if our motive is to understand truth in action, then these are right motives.
I hope that answers something of your question. I do believe that a diligent Christian and Bible student would not ordinarily get waylaid by any mad conspiracies. We need to be just as vigilant and discerning to avoid false conspiracies as we should be to avoid false teachings. You obviously are, which is why you wrote as you did. Rule of thumb:- if something seems totally off the wall, and cannot be conformed to what you know from the prophecies of Bible, then it is probably a Red Herring. Even if it isn’t, it is best avoided until it becomes clearly genuine. Truth has a way of surfacing in the end.
On that note, keep in touch, my friend…
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CORRESPONDENT #4:
I am filled with fear and dread for the future. I believe in God and Jesus, and I do pray every day. But I cannot help feeling fearful and nervous when I see what is going on. How can I keep myself sane in a world such as ours? And how can I stop myself from feeling so alone?
A.M. REPLIES:
You are obviously a very sensitive person. Don’t lose your sensitivity but try and transform it. I wish I could give you a mantra saying: “Day after day, in every way, the world is getting better and better” (as Emil Coué’s positive thinking epigram states). But what a con-artist I would be if I was to do that!
If you want to stay sane today, try the following (as well as your usual devotions):
1) Maintain a sense of humour. This is vital. Do not become obsessive about doom and disaster. Avoid becoming a morosely serious conspiracy fanatic! That’s almost as bad as being an anorak-wearing 24-hour trainspotter or computer nerd!
2) Develop an absorbing, even mundane, hobby or two (e.g. I listen to wonderful and inspiring music a great deal and play table tennis in a local club for leisure and even at competition level).
3) Marry someone who is your best friend. Or, if you can’t marry them, cultivate their friendship.
4) Always expect the unexpected and refuse to be shocked by ANYTHING! The other day, for no other reason than the fact that there must be a bug in Outlook Express, my Inbox shrank from nearly 30,000 e-mails to 7,513. I perceived that I had lost every mail I’d received since December 1998. And there wasn’t a thing I could do about it. Gone for ever! My most recent back-up was in March this year. So I have in reality lost the last 6 month’s incoming mails. C’est la vie. Always expect the unexpected! Be ‘fazed’ by nothing.
5) Be accommodating to people’s temporary ignorance but never compromise the Truth. Don’t blast people who don’t know. But at the same time don’t be shy to inform in a calm and helpful manner.
6) Know when to back off. If someone is shocked or disturbed by what you are saying, respect that and back off for the time being. Don’t bombard people with what you have discovered or they may turn against you to protect themselves.
7) If possible, go and live somewhere which is good for your soul, where the beauty of nature creation can replenish your aching heart.
8) Find others of like mind who will understand you and relate to you. If you cannot find that in a church (which is sadly often the case) then find others in your position. For those who really ARE alone, find a conference to attend where you can strike up fellowship with like-minded souls. [Incidentally, I hope — in conjunction with others — to organise such a conference next year].
9) Make your peace with God and ensure that you are on the right spiritual side.
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Well those are a few samples of the many mails I’ve been receiving lately post-9/11. Please don’t hesitate to get in touch if you want to share something with me. That’s what I’m here for. I’m no oracle and I don’t pretend to have all the answers. But I do care about the folks who communicate with me. Thank you for letting me into your life. Let’s support one another, inform one another and uplift one another in these strange but predictable times.
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Now this is me back again in 2026! Above were just a few of the questions and comments I received shortly after 9/11 in 2001, almost 25 years ago. There now follow questions and comments I received in December 2008, nearly 18 years ago! Please bear in mind as you read all the remainder of this paper that you are reading words written 18 years ago. Many of these words could have been written today!
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QUESTIONS AND COMMENTS FROM DECEMBER 2008
CORRESPONDENT #1:
Alan, I have read your two-part paper on “The Restoration of All Things”. It was outstanding! You have done a masterful job — it has stimulated my thinking. Would you mind answering some questions I had when reading? In your Phase 1 paper you mention that the fire that proceeds from the mouth of the Two Witnesses is the Word of God. What do the other things that the Two Witness do — power to shut heaven, power to turn water into blood, strike the earth with all plagues — represent? In your Phase 2 paper you talk about the tree of life had leaves for healing. If the Restoration of All Things has occurred and no sin exists — why is there a need for healing? Hasn’t everything been healed already? Again, I thought your paper was excellent and very well written. Looking forward to hearing from you. Thanks for your time!
A.M. RESPONDS:
Many thanks indeed for your comments and two questions. Here are my two responses:
1) You said: “In your Phase 1 paper you mention the fire that proceeds from the mouth of the Two Witnesses is figurative of the Word of God, the Gospel, from the Church. What do the other things that the Two Witness do — power to shut heaven, power to turn water into blood, strike the earth with all plagues — represent?”
The other actions of the Two Witnesses continue to speak about the power of the Church Militant in the Gospel Age. Again, just as the fire that proceeds from their mouths is not to be taken absolutely literally (i.e. that actual physical flames emit from the mouths of two individuals) but, rather, refers to the judgemental power of the Church’s Gospel preaching, so the other powers in that verse (Rev.11:6) are also symbolic of the witnessing muscle of the Church. It isn’t very difficult to interpret this if one exercises common sense and contextually-prudent Bible hermeneutics. The two verses in question read like this:
“And if anyone wants to harm them, fire proceeds from their mouth and devours their enemies. And if anyone wants to harm them, he must be killed in this manner. These have power to shut heaven, so that no rain falls in the days of their prophecy; and they have power over waters to turn them to blood, and to strike the earth with all plagues, as often as they desire” (Rev.11:5-6).
I said in my paper that the Two Witnesses in the eleventh chapter of the Book of Revelation could not possibly be the actual personages of Moses and Elijah, as is popularly believed by many today, but that they symbolize the witnessing Church Militant throughout the Gospel Age (which is symbolically represented in the Book of Revelation as three and a half years, 1260 days or “time, times and half a time”. Please read both papers to see all this in its context, with Bible references, etc.). I also said in that paper that we mostly fail to realize the power which is in the words of truth which we preach when we tell people about the nature of the kingdom and the Gospel, etc. And it is that power which is being referred to in Rev.11:5-6. So when John says that “fire proceeds” from the mouths of the two witnesses and “devours their enemies”, he is referring to the power of the word of God to alter people’s destiny in terms of the judgement which will befall them as a result of their response to those words. (I showed in my paper how the word of God is symbolized as fire in the Old Testament). There is a remarkable parallel text in Scripture by which Rev.11:5 can be understood:
“For we are to God the fragrance of Christ among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing. To the one we are the aroma of death leading to death, and to the other the aroma of life leading to life” (2 Cor.2:15-16).
Yes, indeed, “fire” proceeds from the mouth of the witnessing church and devours its enemies, in the sense that whoever refuses that witness will be devoured by the “fiery” judgement of God. Fire is THE symbol of divine judgement in Scripture. That’s what the fire of hell is all about (Mk.9:43-48). That’s what “the lake of fire” is all about (Rev.19:20; 20:10,14,15; 21:8). To the enemy of God who refuses to receive the word of God, we are “the aroma of death leading to death”; whereas to the one who receives our testimony, we are “the aroma of life leading to life”. The word is that powerful. The witness of the Church Militant is that powerful, if it exercises it in truth. “And if anyone wants to harm them [i.e. the two witnesses], fire proceeds from their mouth and devours their enemies”. The enemies of the Church are the enemies of God. This is the essence of Rev.11:5. The Church is so identified with her Lord that those who make themselves the enemy of the Church will — sooner or later — be devoured by divine judgement. To them, “we are the aroma of death leading to death” — not a recipe for popularity, which, of course, is why the “Two Witnesses” are said to be killed a few verses later in the chapter. Although such warfare has carried on throughout the age to a greater or lesser degree, this will particularly be the case as the end of the age draws near, especially sharply after the witness of the Gospel has been brought to a close by the Lord (Rev.11:7).
The same power of the Church (and divine assistance from the Lord) is the subject of Rev.11:6 also. Maybe we don’t realize it but judgement will (and already does) fall on the unbelieving world as a result of our prayers (which is the other side of the witnessing church). Take a look at Rev.8:1-6:
“When He opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven for about half an hour. And I saw the seven angels who stand before God, and to them were given seven trumpets. Then another angel, having a golden censer, came and stood at the altar. He was given much incense that he should offer it with the prayers of all the saints upon the golden altar which was before the throne. And the smoke of the incense, with the prayers of the saints, ascended before God from the angel’s hand. Then the angel took the censer, filled it with fire from the altar, and threw it to the earth. And there were noises, thunderings, lightnings, and an earthquake. So the seven angels who had the seven trumpets prepared themselves to sound”.
Do you see what is happening there? Read it again. Terrible judgements fall upon the scoffing world as a direct result of the prayers of the saints. “The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much” (James 5:16). Much more than we realize. So when we read that the Two Witnesses “have power to shut heaven, so that no rain falls in the days of their prophecy; and they have power over waters to turn them to blood, and to strike the earth with all plagues”, we have to see that in the context of what the saints can do through the power of Christ. Those who refuse the words of witness of the Church will indeed have heaven shut to them. Christ will make sure of that. “He who does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him” (John 3:36). Thus, we actually have the power to shut heaven up to people! One day, when all hell breaks loose on this planet, that mayhem will have come about in part directly as a result of the prayers of the saints. One day, we will have the boldness and wisdom to utter imprecatory prayer on the enemies of God. It is not always appropriate to do so but when it is we will know how to say, “How long, O Lord, holy and true, until You judge and avenge our blood on those who dwell on the earth?” (Rev.6:10). The imprecatory prayers of the saints will be answered with the judgement of God on the nations. That’s what Rev.8:1-6 is all about. “Then the angel took the censer [which contained the prayers of the saints], filled it with fire from the altar, and threw it to the earth. And there were noises, thunderings, lightnings, and an earthquake” (Rev.8:5). The prayers of the saints will have made that happen. How we underestimate the power we have in Christ!
This, I believe, is the way to understand Rev.11:5-6.
2) You said: “In your Phase 2 paper you talk about the tree of life had leaves for healing. If the Restoration of All Things has occurred and no sin exists – why is there a need for healing? Hasn’t everything been healed already?”
The Bible text to which I was referring is this: “In the middle of its street, and on either side of the river, was the tree of life, which bore twelve fruits, each tree yielding its fruit every month. The leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations” (Rev.22:2). We have to realize that Rev.22 gives a highly symbolic representation of the reinstatement of paradise for the Church Triumphant in the new heavens and new earth. Paradise regained. Twelve is the number of the people of God down the ages (i.e. the twelve tribes and twelve apostles, as I noted in my paper). This demonstrates the perfected church in the new heavens and new earth. The fact that the tree provides fruit throughout the whole year shows the continuous nature of life for the Church Triumphant in glory. When the text says that “the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations”, it cannot possibly mean that there will still be an ongoing need for healing from disease, sin or anything else in the new heavens and new earth, for — as the text says — “there is no more curse” there (Rev.22:3). All things will have been made new. It is simply a symbolic way of saying that all those things which had afflicted the nations in the old order will no longer exist in the new… and never will. Healing for all eternity will have taken place. “The Restoration of All Things” is a once-for-all-time healing.
The Restoration of All Things involves the healing of all things forever. The decree that excluded man from the tree of life (Gen.3:22) will have been completely annulled as a result of the victory of Christ, which gives life to all who believe — a condition which is only fully realized in all senses in the inhabitants of the New Jerusalem (Rev.2:7), the new heavens and new earth. I agree wholeheartedly with C.H. Spurgeon who rightly said in his sermon on Rev.22:2, entitled “Christ the Tree of Life”: “We do not understand that tree to be literal. We believe our Lord Jesus Christ to be none other than that tree of life, whose leaves are for the healing of the nations”. In the new heavens and new earth, Christ is the centre of life for His people. He is their river of water, their tree and their everything. His very presence is their guarantee of the eternal healing of all which had existed unhealed in the previous age.
I hope this answers your questions. Thank you for asking.
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CORRESPONDENT #2:
Greetings from Australia, Alan. I am always pleased to receive your articles — so thoughtful, courteous and scholarly. Accordingly, it makes me furious to learn of these vile attacks on you. Perhaps these people and the legions of ‘Christian?’ Zionists would do well to read “A Threat from Within: A Century of Jewish Opposition to Zionism”, Yakov M. Rabkin, Zed books. Amongst other issues, the work shows that those opposed define a Jew by his fidelity to the Torah and not by race. They see Zionism as a Jewish heresy along with Christianity. Sadly such people, your attackers and other snakes in the grass, do not engage in a scholarly way and the discourtesy and abuse are not the graces of the Holy Spirit. You may be interested to know that I have distributed about 30 copies of the issue of the “Spiritual Counterfeits Project Journal” which contained your article “The Two Jerusalems” and not one person has referred to it again. I know it is answerable only by personal abuse — so, my friend, closed minds are all around.
A.M. RESPONDS:
You are absolutely right! But then the Truth is always like that. In fact, that’s almost a litmus test of whether something actually contains Truth! If an author writes a serious piece of work and it generates abuse, slander and defamation of the author but no gentlemanly debate, then you can virtually guarantee that it contains so much Truth that the slanderers cannot handle it and thus have to resort to their slanders in order to put the author in the worst light possible so as to deny him a hearing. Look at the reaction everywhere of the Christian Zionists and neo-judaisers. Their responses to those who deconstruct their teachings are simply riddled with very personal abuse and slander of the nastiest kind. Fortunately, we’re in good company:
“John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, ‘He has a demon’. The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Look, a glutton and a winebibber, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’ But wisdom is justified by her children” (Matt.11:18-19).
Exactly. Wisdom is indeed justified by her children. The Truth is proven by results. Just look at the fruit. If people do not engage in helpful, polite and scholarly debate but simply resort to name-calling, point-scoring, defamation and slander, then one has to come to certain inevitable conclusions.
There are two ideas competing in the Christian scene today. The first idea is that the only genuine restoration for any Jewish person lies in responding positively to the Gospel. Nothing else. There is no other salvation than in believing the Gospel of Christ. The second idea is that they can somehow be restored to God just through being in “the Land” and then later bowing down to some future worldly leader they will believe to be the Messiah. But this is a complete illusion not to mention spiritual suicide. The first idea is Bible Truth. The second idea is Satan’s lie. But not only is the lie itself satanic but so is the reaction of the Christian Zionists to those who teach the first idea. That kind of personal withering scathing excoriation of those with whom one may disagree is completely in the realm of Satan.
I wonder if you’ve ever read the material available at this link: [Link given here]It is a classic example of the kind of slanderous behaviour to which you are referring. They’re always looking to dig up some dirt on those who don’t agree with their Israel First philosophy. Instead of interacting in a civilised and scholarly way with the theological issues, they never miss the opportunity to smear those they see as their opponents or make a snide remark in some way. You would think, from reading that piece, that ****** ****** is some crazed, gospel-denying, neo-Nazi monster. He isn’t. I’ve worked with him, eaten with him, laughed and sighed with him, and I consider myself to be a good judge of character. That piece is riddled with blatant misrepresentations and distortions — not to mention appalling defamations. As you rightly say, “their discourtesy and abuse are not the graces of the Holy Spirit”.
In another page on that same website [which you can find at the following link [link given here], the MGN South African conference at which ****** ***** and I spoke is described as “a Calvinist event in South Africa hosted by a fringe group that billed itself ‘messianic’, where ****** ***** partnered with the conspiracy theorist Alan Morrison”. The conference was not “Calvinist” in any way and the hosting organisation, Messianic Good News, is decidedly NOT Calvinist. (In fact, I can assure you that those who run MGN would be horrified to learn that it had been described as such!). Messianic Good News is also referred to as a “fringe group” — a clever bit of attempted marginalisation. (Actually, if the truth be known, the church should really be a “fringe group” in any society. Once it becomes part of the establishment its witness dies. But that is not what the writer meant by “fringe group”. He meant that it is outside of any Christian norms and can thus be dismissed as insignificant). Messianic Good News is no more or less of a “fringe group” than the slanderer’s. But this is how the mud-slinging is done. They know very well that if enough mud is slung then some of it will stick. Incidentally, the Zionists detest the idea of “conspiracy theory” and apply it as an insult to their enemies — e.g. “conspiracy theorist Morrison” — because their beloved Israel and its ally, the USA, are the butt of most of such theories today, which are not theories at all but conspiracy fact! ;o).
Thus, I am referred to in the first link above as “a hideous kook animated by a conspiratorial spirit of absurdity” and “a deranged and delusional lunatic”, while a plethora of lies and distortions about my background are presented. This is what is known as bearing false witness and circulating a false report (Ex.20:16; Mt.19:18; Ex.23:1). The fact is that “he who says he is in the light, and hates his brother, is in darkness” (1 Jn.2:9). This is the way of the gutter press and it should never be entertained in a Christian context. Once one is reduced to engaging in such calumny and straw-man creation a line has been crossed which takes one into degrading territory which is not at all fitting for the believer in Jesus Christ.
This is why I say that any debate or even civilized discussion with these chaps is fruitless, for they are only out to destroy their opponents rather than genuinely dialogue. They do not want reconciliation but retribution. They want to avenge the fact that you have criticised their beloved Israel. Thus, any information received by them is turned into fodder for their ad hominem slander campaign. There simply comes a time when one has to dust off one’s sandals and move on. For this reason, while I was at the conference in South Africa, I wholeheartedly counselled ******* ***** never to become involved in debates with them. They seem to be filled with such vitriol towards those who publicly disagree with their position that they will twist your words and lives and use them against you at every opportunity.
The same thing happens on so many blogs today, even professing Christian ones — an example of which is that Seismic Shock blog site which I told you about recently. (This is the main reason that I will not have a blog myself as they seem to attract many comments from serially-abusive people). This aggressive action even has its own name: Flaming. To “flame” someone means to cover them in as much abuse as you can muster. It is very upsetting when one first encounters such an aggressive practice. Initially, I was thoroughly taken aback by it, having never experienced such vehemence even in the secular world. I never imagined that a professing Christian person could speak about another like that. Although I have become used to it now, it never fails to shock me, as it should any sensitive person.
Thus, I can pledge to you now that I will never attempt to dig up any dirt on the Christian Zionists, no matter how disagreeable they may become (and it will get worse). I will never hurl insults at them or about them. I will never relate lies or distort the facts about their personal lives and backgrounds. I will never attempt to do anything other than present what I sincerely believe to be the truth about the contentious issues which are at stake here. If others who profess Christ choose to do otherwise then they will have to answer for their actions sooner or later — not to me or any other victims of their defamations but to the One whom they profess to follow. “Whoever spreads slander is a fool” (Prov.10:18). “A false witness will not go unpunished, and he who speaks lies will not escape” (Prov.19:5).
No one has any right to ostracise someone or treat them with contempt if they have convictions about Israel with which they do not agree. Israel is not the Gospel — although the way that some people behave you would think that it was. It is one thing to disagree vigorously with someone or to present an alternative point of view in a civilised manner; but expressions of contempt and outrageous ad hominem attacks are about as un-Christian as it gets. Here’s an example of the kind of mail I regularly receive. It’s a conflation of two mails received shortly after I returned from South Africa in November from an individual who used what was clearly a (somewhat ribald) pseudonym, “Martina Faherty-Bottom”:
“When are you going to give us the rest of the articles from Diakrisis? Some of us have been waiting with bated breath since 4 September 2006. Come on… that inner David Icke of yours is raring to go… Diakrisis was a website run by you, Alan Morrison, former pastor, and full of shit. As for who for I am, well… I’m someone who loves the truth. Which means, amongst other things, that I don’t think much of conspiracy theories, homophobia, and daft sad little… Can’t be bothered to go on. And don’t think that the fact that I’ve got a little bit angry about you means that you’ve got some sort of hold over me (“listen to the music…”). By the way, your history of western classical music betrays a severely limited intellect. And the fact that you used Bach on the Diakrisis website intro page does not reveal that you’re clever… or deep. It reveals that you’ve no real respect for J.S. Bach… Still living in France? Why not get a real job?
Martina
Now that sure is an interesting e-mail communication. Listening to the music behind the words (a favourite expression of mine to which that writer actually alludes at the end of the third paragraph), one can detect envy, bitterness, cowardice, contempt and a kind of suppressed rage. Would you agree that it seems extraordinary to go to the trouble to write to someone in that vein, while hiding behind a pseudonym and proxy e-mail address? I don’t think for one moment that it is a woman writing those words. It has the fingerprints of a nasty man all over it. I even think I know which man it might be… well, one of a few possibilities.
The Christian scene is riddled with embittered people such as this, who imagine that they love the truth but who are prepared to communicate like that to a Christian writer with whom they happen to disagree on some things that are not the Gospel. It is surely a sign of the times that one should be just as much of an object of hatred from professing Christians as from dyed-in-the-wool, God-hating atheists!
There I will leave this matter. I find it all very distasteful. No doubt, even my words above will be twisted and used against me when the moles on this list have forwarded them to various parties (that is not paranoia, by the way, but fact). I hope I haven’t depressed you too much with this. It is a huge wart on the face of the Church. I only write about it here because you and a few others lately have been writing to me about it. Thank you for your support and understanding.
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CORRESPONDENT #3:
Dear Alan, Looks like an interesting Conference that you are speaking at in South Africa — and clearly saying the right things! I guess I still have two unresolved problems. The first is the meaning of the passage about all Israel being saved at the end of Romans 11. And the second is why there is so much hatred of the Jews? Did Satan stir up Hitler against the Jews because they yet have a part to play in God’s future plan?
A.M. RESPONDS:
You ask, “Did Satan stir up Hitler against the Jews because they yet have a part to play in God’s future plan?” That is a common enough idea but not really one which can be sustained. You may as well say “Did Satan stir up Stalin against Ukrainian peasants because they yet have a part to play in God’s future plan?” or “Did Satan stir up Saddam Hussein against the Shias because they yet have a part to play in God’s future plan?” or, even more to the point, “Did Satan stir up Hitler against the Gypsies, homosexuals and the handicapped because they yet have a part to play in God’s future plan?” Many different peoples across this world have been terribly persecuted but it doesn’t mean that it is because they have a part to play in God’s plan in the future. Stalin murdered at least 20,000,000 of his own people (20 million!) but that doesn’t mean that his victims had a part to play in some future plan of God. You also ask, “why there is so much hatred of the Jews?” Again, there doesn’t necessarily have to be a supernatural reason for that. Arabs and Turks are hated by many in European countries but that doesn’t mean that they are necessarily eschatologically significant. Some would claim that Jewish peoples have made enemies everywhere they went in Europe by setting themselves up as the chief usurers and then closing in on their hapless victims when they couldn’t pay back. There is some historical truth to that. One could also say that it is because of the breaking of the covenant that curses come upon Israel (as laid out very explicitly in Deut.28). But those curses were already fulfilled some time ago in various points in history.
For example, this judgement fell upon the rebellious nation of Israel under their idolatrous (but later repentant) king, Manasseh (2 Chr.33:10-13). The prophet Isaiah predicted this with the words: “For with unintelligible speech and another tongue He will speak to this people… yet they would not hear” (Isa.28:11,13). That was the ‘sign’ of God’s judgement: An invading Gentile nation (in that case, the Assyrians) speaking in a foreign language. The same incident is referred to by Isaiah elsewhere, when he describes these Assyrians as “a fierce people, a people of obscure speech, beyond perception, of unintelligible speech that you cannot understand” (Isa.33:19). The prophet Jeremiah also shows that same covenantal curse on rebellious Israel as being fulfilled in the fact that the Babylonians would destroy Jerusalem and carry away its people: “Behold, I will bring a nation against you from afar, O house of Israel, says the Lord. It is a mighty nation, it is an ancient nation, a nation whose language you do not know, nor can you understand what they say” (Jer.5:15). That curse found its ultimate fulfilment in AD70 when Titus and his army ransacked Jerusalem and the Temple after laying it to siege for six months. More than a million inhabitants were killed during the siege and all the predictions in the original Deut.28 curse were fulfilled there. That marked the end of Israel as God’s nation of people. A new and better covenant had been made (Heb.8:6). A new people had been created, a spiritual nation (1 Pet.2:9-10; Rom.9:23-26; Eph.2:11-22).
So I do not — indeed, cannot — believe that Satan stirred up Hitler against the Jews “because they yet have a part to play in God’s future plan”, for the Scriptures show that they are finished as God’s chosen nation (which is proven from all angles in my paper on Israel). However, although it is not because “they yet have a part to play in God’s future plan”, the reality is that they have been scattered around the world as a diaspora because of their rejection of their Messiah, which is a much more likely reason for their persecution than because of any “future part to play in God’s plan”.
Regarding your first question (about the end of Romans 11), I wrote about this extensively in my article “Abraham our Father: Jerusalem our Mother”. You should have it as I sent it out to you a while back. If not, you can find it near the top of the articles page of the website. However, if you haven’t read it before then maybe its length is off-putting for you. (I think it stands at more than 30,000 words now). So here I will reproduce the relevant extract concerning the text which says that “all Israel will be saved”. What does that mean? I dealt with this under “Claim No.3” in my article.
Claim No.3: “The Establishment of the Israeli state in 1948 is the Beginning of a Process that will Culminate in a Global Conversion of Living Jews after all the Gentiles have been Saved”
We have already dealt with the founding of the Israeli state in 1948, which, for the reasons given in that section, we do not believe can be the result of specific Bible prophecies about the restoration of Israel. The notion that the founding of the Israeli state will lead to a global conversion of Jews has, in the main, been grounded on the words of the Apostle Paul in the eleventh chapter of his letter to the Romans. However, this entire section of Paul’s writings needs to be understood correctly. Many seem to regard Rom.11 as a kind of coded prophetic message for the end times — the prevailing idea being that Israel as a corporate theocratic nation, which has been out of God’s favour since AD 70, will be restored to its former glory with a total global conversion and in-gathering of all Jews alive, once the parenthetic (as they see it) “times of the Gentiles” is over. However, we do not believe that such a doctrine can be supported from the eleventh chapter of Romans, as we will now show.
The whole section in Romans 9 – 11 is primarily about the mystery of Divine election and the sovereign work of God in salvation. The fact of election in relation to Israel and the Jews is mentioned, both explicitly and implicitly, at least ten times. These chapters are not man-centred or even nation-centred but God-centred. It is because of a widespread wilful failure to accept the Bible’s teaching on election that Romans 11 has been so awfully misinterpreted. Let us look at this section of Scripture in more detail, for herein lies the key to all our thinking about national Israel.
Having dealt with the issue of righteousness, how to obtain it (justification) and its effects in the life of the believer (sanctification) in the first eight chapters of his letter to the Romans, Paul begins to speak about how the Jews fit into the Divine plan of salvation in the wake of the Cross. The key to this whole section lies in Rom.9:6-7: “But it is not that the Word of God has taken no effect. For they are not all Israel who are of Israel, nor are they all children because they are the seed of Abraham”. Unless one understands the pivotal significance of this verse, one will fail to grasp Paul’s (and the Holy Spirit’s) intent throughout the three chapters 9 – 11 and, in particular, in the peroration of Rom.11:25-36. For Paul is showing that in order to understand Israel’s situation in the scheme of the Divine plan, one must understand God’s purposes in election. So when we look at Israel, we must realise that “those who are the children of the flesh, these are not the children of God; but the children of the promise are counted as the seed”. (Rom.9:8).
Paul first demonstrates this with a historical example in Jacob and Esau (Rom.9:9-13). Both of them are “children of the flesh”, that is, offspring of Abraham genetically speaking. But only Jacob is one of the elect children of God by adoption (cf. Heb.12:17; Jn.1:12-13). Then, in Rom.9:14-24, Paul develops an argument supporting the doctrine of election against those who would say that God is unjust: “O man, who are you to reply against God?” Here he is still preparing his readers for the climax of his argument. The awesome doctrine of reprobation is then set forth in Rom.9:21-22, in which it is seen that the glory of God through His elective will is always the objective (Rom.9:23-26).
Then, in Rom.9:27-29, we are introduced to a most important parallel concept to that of election in this passage, namely, “the remnant”, which Paul confirms in Rom.11:5 as being “according to the election of grace”. And this “remnant theology” runs right the way through the Old Testament too. Israel, according to the flesh, according to its bloodlines, does not consist wholly of saved people, even though they were certainly greatly favoured as a corporate body. However, salvation is a Divine act of grace in a person. “It is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast. For we are His workmanship…” (Eph.2:8-10). Therefore, in terms of salvation, only those Israelites who were elected by the mercy and grace of God are saved: “Therefore He has mercy on whom He wills, and whom He wills He hardens” (Rom.9:18).
Only a very small number of Israelites were saved, and that on the basis of faith, which is the burden of Paul’s argument in Rom.4. This small number constitutes “the remnant according to the election of grace” (Rom.11:5). But the major problem with Israel, from start to finish, was that “they did not seek [righteousness] by faith, but as it were, by the works of the law” (Rom.9:32). They sought “to establish their own righteousness”, instead of taking hold of the imputed righteousness provided by God through the Lord Jesus Christ (Rom.10:3-4; cf. 1:17).
Paul then shows that salvation comes to the Jews by the same means as it does to the Gentiles (Rom.10:9-16), through hearing the Word of God, and exercising faith. Then he quotes Deut.32:21 and Isa.65:1-2, concluding the chapter with the words: “All day long I have stretched out My hands To a disobedient and contrary people” (Rom.10:21). Because at this point one may well conclude that the disobedience of the Jews has rendered them beyond salvation, Paul then begins Rom.11 with that begging question: “I say then, has God cast away His people?” The answer is straightway given: “Certainly not!” But he doesn’t just leave it at that. This is where so many have come unstuck on the subject of Israel. For the assumption is here made that Paul is saying that Israel as a theocratic nation has not been cast away — that there is yet a purpose for the Jews as a physical nation in the plan of God. But Paul qualifies what he means by his exclamatory “Certainly not!” He cites himself as an example of the fact (Rom.11:1), as if he is saying: “Look, I’ve been saved, so God cannot have cast away his people”. But Paul is not using himself as a representative of the theocratic nation as a nation — merely as a member of the elect Jewish remnant: “What then? Israel has not obtained what it seeks; but the elect have obtained it, and the rest were blinded” (Rom.11:7). Israel as a theocratic nation has not obtained righteousness, but the elect children of God have done so. The vast majority of the theocratic nation of Israel thought that they could become righteous solely through keeping the law by the letter. They failed to perceive that the purpose of the law was to drive them to realise that they could never keep it in the spirit and therefore they could only throw themselves on the mercy of God and trust in the Saviour whom God would send.
All the Old Testament saints who obtained righteousness obtained it on that basis (e.g. Abraham, Jn.8:56). Right in the middle of the giving of the Old Testament law, their Saviour was plainly shown to them (Deut.18:15-19). The entire purpose of the law was to point to Christ the Saviour as the only way to obtain righteousness (Gal.3:19-25). This is what he means when he says that “God has not cast away His people whom He foreknew” (Rom.11:2). He has finished with Israel as a theocratic nation (which has not obtained what it sought, because it sought to obtain righteousness in the law, which was precisely the sin of the Pharisees), but He has not finished with those out of that nation whom He foreknew according to election — for that is the meaning of the word “foreknew”, as we can see from Rom.8:29: “For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son”. Peter uses this word in relation to the elect Jewish remnant: “To the pilgrims of the Dispersion in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, in sanctification of the Spirit, for obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ” (1 Pet.1:1-2).
So, in answer to the question “Has God cast away His people”, the answer is “No”, so long as you understand that it refers to the individual people whom God “foreknew” — the elect, the believers, the remnant. From this we see how important it is to see these three chapters as a grand lesson in the process of election in redemption. A problem is that many of those who so avidly make belief in Israel into a virtual article of faith are virulently opposed to the doctrine of election. Their opposition to that biblical doctrine is one of the key points which has blinded them to understanding the true position of Israel in relation to the church today and the flow of history.
Thus, in answer to the claim that there will be a global conversion of living Jews after all the Gentiles have been saved, it is vital that we grasp the context of the elect remnant in Rom.11. Yes, the nation is finished as a corporate theocratic nation, but God is still saving people out of those who may physically have their roots in that nation. God has not cast away those whom He foreknew, the elect remnant. They will continue, unabated, to come into the church of God. If any Jews after the flesh “do not continue in unbelief, [they] will be grafted in, for God is able to graft them in again” (Rom.11:23). If they believe, they will be brought back into the Covenant people of God, which today is the body of Christ made up of both Jews and Gentiles (Eph.2:14-18).
It is here that Paul comes to the climax of his argument — the “mystery” concerning the salvation of the Jews. Just as there is a “mystery” concerning the salvation of the Gentiles, “that the Gentiles should be fellow heirs [with the Jews], of the same body, and partakers of His promise in Christ through the gospel” (Eph.3:6), so there is also a “mystery” concerning the Jews. And the mystery is this: That the divinely appointed judicial blindness on Israel is set to last until the very last number of the elect Gentiles — “the fullness of the Gentiles” — has been brought into the people of God, which will herald the end of the age and the return of the Lord Jesus Christ. But that does not mean that there is no salvation for Israel. There is always a remnant according to the election of grace. Israel as an earthly nation has not obtained what it seeks. But they are not all Israel who are of Israel. At the end of the age, when all the elect Gentiles have been saved, all Israel will indeed have been saved — because “all Israel” here means all the remnants put together, all elect Jews from the beginning to the end of time. So God has not cast away His people whom He foreknew. Regardless of any confusion about Israel now, at the end of the age it will be shown that all Israel, all elect Jews, all those who are Jews inwardly (for they are the real Israel) will have been saved.
Many have stumbled into a false understanding of the “all Israel” in Rom.11:26 because they read the phrase as “Then all Israel will be saved”, whereas the text actually says “And so”. The Greek words translated here as “and so” are kai houtos, which means “and thus” or “and in this manner” (as shown in, e.g., such basic language helps as Strong’s Enhanced Lexicon). Paul is saying, “and in this manner all Israel will be saved”. It is “in this way” that all Israel will be saved. Which manner? Which way? How will “all Israel” be saved? In the manner in which he has been demonstrating throughout the whole of the three chapters, 9-11, in his letter to the Romans — through the process of the Divine election of a remnant, a Divine election in which most professing Christian do not even believe, which is why they so willingly fall for all this judaising nonsense!
This is why we say that this section of Romans cannot be understood outside of the context of election and that if one does not accept God’s election of people to salvation then one will miss the point of what Paul is saying and flounder on the phrase “all Israel will be saved”. Remember: “They are not all Israel who are of Israel”. But those who are of spiritual Israel — the elect remnants — are the “all Israel” who will be saved. What a mystery! Paul immediately follows up his statement that all Israel will be saved by saying “as it is written” and giving a proof in Isa.59:20: “The Deliverer will come out of Zion, and He will turn away ungodliness from Jacob; for this is My covenant with them, when I take away their sins”. This is a prophecy of the coming of the Messiah who enters into a sin-bearing New Covenant in His blood personally with all those who have faith — Jew and Gentile — throughout this Gospel age. This has nothing to do with any end-time restoration of national Israel — “all Israel” simply means the sum total of all believing Jews who will be saved through faith in Christ, the deliver who comes out of Zion, the only hope of Israel, the only Consolation of Israel. It is in the believing remnant of Israel that the promises are realised, not in an unbelieving earthly nation settling down in a land in the Middle-East to build an earthly kingdom and awaiting an earthly leader. The unbelieving mass of Israel always saw things in political/national land-based terms. Whereas the believing remnant was always looking for something better, something beyond the land, something which really would be “forever” (Heb.11:16).
Just as blindness in part will happen to Israel “until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in” (Rom.11:25), so the earthly city of Jerusalem will be “trampled by Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled” (Lk.21:24), and then the end will come. The “times of the Gentiles” refers to the Gospel Age, the present age which has so far been in force for some two thousand years, and which will one day be brought to a conclusion with the Last Judgement when Christ returns to enact that judgement, bring the history of this universe to a close and bring in the new heavens and new earth.
The common assumption that there is something beyond the times of the Gentiles on the earth as it is presently constituted is a false one. The word “until” does not imply, “then something else afterwards”. The Scripture also says that Jesus must remain in heaven “until the times of the restoration of all things” (Acts 3:21); but there is nothing after that on the earth as it is presently constituted!
We do not close the door on the possibility that as the end draws near, there will be a mighty quickening of Jewish converts to Christ — indeed, we would dearly love to see such a thing — but we do not believe that Scripture gives any credence whatsoever to the idea of a future glory for Israel as an earthly nation. We are aware that many say that God cannot be glorified unless His ancient covenant people are seen to be restored as a nation. However, God Himself says “Though Israel be not gathered, yet shall I be glorious” (Isa.49:5). His glory is in the Church of Jesus Christ comprised of converted Jews and Gentiles. It is “in His saints” of all nations that He is glorified (2 Thess.1:10; Jn.17:10; Eph.3:21).
I hope that helps!
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CORRESPONDENT #4:
Hello Alan! I have just read “From Servitude to Sonship: The Law of God and the Covenant”. I have never received a teaching like this before in any church. When I read the letters in the New Testament for myself I have seen a little bit of sonship. I think I have to stay in this teaching and be established in this. All the churches here in Sweden lives in the old covenant, charismatic mess or in liberal theology. But this sonship is the real thing! Thank you Alan! Thanks also for the articles “The Restoration of all Things”. They are very good: a good help for this time. Sorry, I read a little English, but I can’t express in English how much your writing have changed my thinking.
A.M. RESPONDS:
Thank you so much for your kind comments. I think that “From Servitude to Sonship” is probably (alongside my paper about Israel) the most important piece I have ever written (if I may be permitted to say such a thing — although God knows I do not say it in a vain sense). Not many people in this world will ever read the things I’ve written, but I’m glad that you have and I’m especially glad that it has found a home in your heart.
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CORRESPONDENT #5:
I have been re-reading your article “From Servitude to Sonship” to try and get my head around the issues and am finding it absolutely fascinating. It helps to answer many questions on this subject that I have never got answers to. I ask myself, “Why is this not being proclaimed from the pulpit?” It would certainly revolutionize modern-day Christianity and remove many dead-end excursions. Keep up the good work.
A.M. RESPONDS:
If that is not just a rhetorical question, may I be permitted to respond to it for I believe that it is important. “Why is this not being proclaimed from the pulpit?” you ask yourself. There are a number of reasons: 1) Because people are afraid of the freedom we have in Christ; 2) Because many would rather be men-pleasers than God-pleasers; 3) Because to take a stand for any position — no matter how firmly held by the preacher — will cause controversy and many pastors like a quiet life; 4) Because they will lose friends and even relatives (I actually know of two brothers who wouldn’t speak to one another because they held different views on this subject); 5) Because wilful ignorance is rife in churches and pulpits today.
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CORRESPONDENT #6:
Your writings continue to challenge and inspire me! Forced me to start ‘thinking’ on a regular basis once again, instead of ‘accepting’ the diluted fare of so many of the ‘brethren’ generally! I must pay tribute to your inimitable brand of writing/preaching — so very refreshing! I must also acknowledge your bravery, strength and fortitude — quite remarkable. On a much smaller scale, I too have received harsh criticism from fellow ‘believers’ on certain of the subjects you so ably cover. Wish I had your eloquence and vocabulary!
A.M. RESPONDS:
Thank you for your comments. I am so sorry that you have received “harsh criticism” from fellow so-called “believers” just for sharing your heartfelt beliefs about these subjects. So many professing Christians specialize in harsh criticism of anything which threatens their currently-held beliefs. They seem unable to discuss anything with grace or intellectual integrity. This was one of the first things that I noticed when I initially entered the Christian scene. Ultimately this whole scenario has made me wonder if the visible church is being controlled by Satan. I have not encountered anything to dissuade me of that concept.
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CORRESPONDENT #7:
Thank you. Your two papers on “The Restoration of All Things” were a very clear presentation of “Amillennialism”. You made it make Biblical sense. And the fact that you are obviously not a “liberal theologian” made it even more impressive! 🙂
I read your Two Jerusalem article a few years ago — though I had to order the magazine which was not easy to do from here! I remember at the time feeling confused as to why you were taking so much symbolically. (I guess with all the Rick Joyner types around these days perhaps I’d gotten rather allergic to allegorical interpretations, etc.)
But this article was better presented, maybe because of the big picture presentation. And I’ve also read through the Bible a few more times since then. There were some things I thought were better explained by your view. For example, I did always wonder why the millennium of perfection was only 1000 years and then there’d have to be rebellion and wars all over again. Sigh! And of course it’s kind of hard to reconcile current Israeli government and society with godliness, etc. It’s hard to imagine what purpose would be served by setting up a temple again (was not Christ’s sacrifice sufficient for all for all time?). In general I would agree that the general flow of redemptive history is towards renewal. I have also wondered how all the saints would be able to live in earthly Jerusalem — it’s kind of crowded now! I was also happy to see that maybe everything being flattened and no sea might also be figurative — I think I would miss mountains and the sea!
A.M. RESPONDS:
Thank you so much for sharing that (and for your humour, which I always appreciate). You have correctly identified some of the holes of illogic in the whole Israel debacle. But logic is not a marketable commodity these days, especially in the visible church!
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CORRESPONDENT #8:
Brother,
I don’t usually comment or ask many questions because of the volume of mail I know you receive but your articles/sermons are always challenging, eye opening, and very often confirmation to anyone who thinks for themselves. But the most important thing about your articles to me is that they are thoroughly Biblical. You seem to be willing to just let the Scriptures mean what they mean, say what they say, etc. When I was in the whole Pre-trib rapture dispensationalism deal I was always disappointed at the answers I got to my questions about all of it. I finally chalked it up to my youngness in the faith and figured as I grew I’d see what they saw. But the opposite was true. The more I grew I was less and less satisfied with the whole scheme.
Due largely to the internet I was able to check out some other views and the hows and whys of them and the journey began. I was often scared that I was just falling into error and backsliding. Boy did they have me for a while. I believe now, and I think you’d probably agree, that that whole scheme’s roots are charismatic / Pentecostal, probably beginning with a sincere but sincerely wrong Edward Irving.
As funny (not ha-ha) as it may be I originally ran across your old website while chasing links at Phil Johnson’s bookmarks! Haven’t been back there much since he slandered you there. I have a ton of MacArthur’s stuff and he played a very important role in my early faith. I still like him but know where to “cut him loose” on some things. I fear he probably thinks the godless war on Iraq is/was necessary.
Anyway this is getting long, I know you are busy, but I wanted to drop you an encouraging note. I am so sorry for the negative nasty things that people say to/about you. All I can say is that you and I both know that there will be a day of reckoning for the unrepentant. I named my youngest son Stephen after the first martyr of the church. May God grant you and I the grace to say with Stephen “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.”
Hang in there Brother. I believe you are tending to and feeding the lambs and sheep.
A.M. RESPONDS:
Many thanks for your kind comments. Yes, Phil Johnson did me a great favour when he demoted me from “Good Theology” to “Bad Theology” after I had the temerity to say that I didn’t buy the official 9/11 ‘conspiracy theory’ (that a bunch of freedom-hating Muslims did it unaided)! When people read Phil’s remarks they were so intrigued that they then sought me out. So his remarks backfired somewhat! Way to go!
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CORRESPONDENT #9:
Dear Alan,
How are things going financially, your family? (I was wondering if you get my emails). Can you do an article on tithing? Or maybe you have one available? Reason: Many Pentecostal fellow Christians / believers have come to question / resisted the antics of the church scene which you have been highlighting over the years. You know what happens at tithing fellowships when the leadership feels tithing is being neglected – i.e. sending the congregation on a guilt trip with the Word. And of course, if one reviews and maybe adjusts one’s tithing and something bad happens subsequently, you can imagine the questions (is God punishing me for not tithing as before?). Alan, I think that this is something that really needs addressing again as this aspect is so entrenched and accepted that the (wrongful) practice of it is not questioned (never mind resisted) easily. I do find that Scripture gets distorted and taken out of context when it comes to tithing. I will appreciate your input.
What is happening in the world’s financial system and how it has impact economies globally – people lamenting what started in the US with ramifications worldwide. How does this resonate with Revelations 17 & 18? Your take?
Thank you for being there and standing firmly in the Truth.
A.M. RESPONDS:
To answer your questions:
First, financially we just about keep our heads above water. It never ceases to amaze me because technically, on paper, we should have gone under years ago. The actual number of regular sponsors is so small that it doesn’t really support a family of six. But by the end of the year it becomes clear that the occasional givers (such as your good self) make it up so that the wolf just about keeps from the door and we keep food on the table. Every little bit really does help. So thank you to you all!
Secondly, if you mark your e-mail to receive a delivery report, you will see the read receipt when it comes back. If you specifically ask me to respond, I will do so immediately. If you’ve been expecting a response and didn’t get one then you should mail me and ask.
Thirdly, you ask about tithing. Tithing was not instituted for the first time in the Mosaic law (Gen.14:17-20) and it is very difficult to create a clear picture of how it worked because it was understood and practiced differently at different times and places throughout the entire Biblical period. However, I do not believe that under the new covenant in Christ there is an onus on each of us to give exactly one-tenth of our income to the church on a compulsory basis. I believe that the spirit of the new covenant is that we should give in accordance with our hearts. We are “to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith… He who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness” (Rom.12:3,8).
This is the key, again highlighted by Paul, when he says:
“He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver” (2 Cor.9:6-7).
It couldn’t be clearer. In the new covenant in Christ, we are not to give because we are forced to do so or because there is an obligation on us to do so, with all the guilt-trips that such a system entails. We are to give from the heart. The Children of Israel were a mainly unbelieving nation with only a small remnant of believers at any one time. A system of giving had to be enforced because the majority did not have a heart for God. But under the new covenant in Christ, the body of Christ is a believing body of people who have a heart for Him — who have the indwelling Spirit of inspiration to generosity and giving.
Tithing has become a minefield to be exploited by unscrupulous pastors and teachers — of which there are hordes today. More than a decade ago, I was invited by a minister of the Orthodox Church to give a talk in Bridlington, Yorkshire, entitled “Cults & Strange Phenomena” (which was particularly referenced to the “Toronto Blessing” but also linking it in with the history of weird sects and cults). I gave seven reasons why people are attracted to cults and false religions and fourteen hallmarks of cults. The thirteenth hallmark of a cult which I gave was financial extortion. Cults always exert pressure on members to donate vast sums of money to the organisation, often to furnish the cult leader with a lavish lifestyle. In contrast to this, I said, the Christian is to be “a cheerful giver” through “free-will offerings” from his or her own heart. Frankly, I believe that if anyone is proffering any system of giving through compulsion then that ministry is suspect and is not in the spirit of Christ.
Obviously, if a group of people meet together and decide to start a church and voluntarily consent to donate a certain agreed proportion of their income each month in order to support a pastor-teacher then that is a different matter altogether. However, to bind all in a fellowship to a compulsive form of giving of a certain inflexible quantity is always going to lead to problems. People’s circumstances change. Church needs change.
New Testament principles for giving abound. The foundation of giving for the believer is the conscience, according to the circumstances of our income (1 Cor.16:2). We are to minister material things to those from whose ministry we have benefitted in spiritual things (Rom.15:27). We know in our hearts when we have been generous or when we have been niggardly and denying. If we are true children of God, any selfishness or lack of generosity on our parts will gnaw away at us until we can stand it no more. Many of you will be nodding even as I say this, recalling instances when we have not given as we should. That is a hallmark of a saved soul. We have all been there.
The key to it all is this: believers are by nature cheerful givers. If one isn’t a cheerful giver then one has to wonder what kind of believer one is. “Whoever has this world’s goods, and sees his brother in need, and shuts up his heart from him, how does the love of God abide in him?” (1 Jn.3:17). After that, giving should follow on naturally as night follows day. Never by compulsion but always on the side of generosity rather than penny-pinching. No one really needs to tell us this, if we are true believers — and certainly not in an overbearing manner. But, because of the frailty of the flesh, sometimes we need to be reminded of it!
I hope that answers your questions about tithing. It isn’t an article but it is a few of my thoughts on the matter. I hope it will suffice.
Finally, you ask: “What is happening in the world’s financial system and how it has impact on economies globally – people lamenting what started in the US with ramifications worldwide. How does this resonate with Revelation 17 & 18? Your take?”
Well, obviously the “Babylon the great” of those chapters of the Book of Revelation is in a major way caught up with the corrupt financial system of this world (as much as it is with the corrupt political and religious systems of the world). It is plain that the corrupt financial system will one day collapse (as will the political and religious ones) — all of which is envisaged in those chapters. But big upheavals such as the one we are seeing now have happened before. So I do not believe that this is the end. But I see the present crisis as another aspect of manipulation.
There are a few ways that rulers can intimidate the people and thus manipulate them more easily. The first way is through making the people fearful, which can be done through permitting or even organizing (false-flag style, as I have spoken about before) widespread terror attacks which make people give their governments vast powers of authority. The second way is to create a general feeling of chaos and disorder so that people become so traumatized that they are easily manipulated mentally by the powers that be (just watching the news these days could give you Post Traumatic Shock Syndrome!). The third way is to make people feel so financially insecure and anxious that they will agree to any fiscal package which is proposed by their governments. When all three of these influences are being brought to pass, it is easy for a totalitarian government to take the reins of power.
One day, it will be just as it is in chapters 17 and 18 of the Book of Revelation and it will be a global totalitarian government. Those chapters clearly lay out the terrifying culmination of this evil age. Meanwhile, we can witness all the little stages which lead up to it, as you are doing now, which is why you asked me this question. One thing is sure: No matter how wobbly the economies become during these preparatory phases of the end of the age, “the merchants of the earth [will continue to] become rich through the abundance of [the] luxury” afforded by the world system over which Satan presides (Rev.18:3). One day, the corporations and money marketeers will discover that their penny-power is just as much of an illusion as the political and “spiritual” power of governments and religions.
We watch and wait.
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CORRESPONDENT #10:
Hi Alan,
Thanks for the two documents about “The Restoration of All Things”. I have enjoyed reading them and especially enjoyed the clear structure and development based on the Bible. For most people who received your email, I imagine that they already understand the issue and already take a position which you have mostly reinforced, myself included. However, what I think I am lacking is a clear picture of what difference it really makes. Let me try to explain with some examples:
1) The interpretation of Old Testament prophecy is different. OT Prophecy which was spoken for the future church is interpreted only for national Israel and is therefore lost, or of no real use to the church. Perhaps this is just a matter of missing the blessings and not more.
2) The preparation of believers to escape the tribulation by a secret rapture provides a false sense of security, but does it matter?
3) The temporary “millennium” is an idea that makes me feel sad for those who believe it (I used to), and it must imply a confused idea of who God is and why He sent Jesus. In the end, the true believers are saved by Gods grace, so if they have these false beliefs does it really matter?
4) Seeing the Jews as “not needing the gospel” seems contradictory to scripture, but it seems that many Christians think that it is correct. The implication here seems clear enough but how can believers get to this point?
As I have said before, I have not read all the articles you have sent so perhaps you have already dealt with this aspect of the issue. If not, perhaps this is a missing piece of the puzzle because it is one thing for a believer to change his eschatology, but it is another to know how this effects anything or demands anything else from us.
A.M. RESPONDS:
Many thanks for your questions and comments. Here are my responses to each of your four points above:
1) Our growth as Christians is partly aided by our augmented understanding of Scripture. We are not supposed to remain as children or in some kind of darkness. If we only understand Old Testament prophecy in an Old Covenant context we will fail to understand so much of the New Testament (especially the Book of Revelation). The richness of our understanding of Scripture is directly related to our growth in grace as New Covenant believers. If you doubt this, then just look at the attitude and mindset of a great many of those (especially the leaders) who remain stuck in an Israel First, Old Covenant perspective (as I showed via links earlier). They are rude, verbally abusive, slanderous, dishonest in the way they represent their opponents and make Israel more important than the Gospel (in that they are willing to make Israel a point on which to divide with and then ostracise those who differ as “heretics”).
It is true that our mere understanding of Scripture (apart from the Gospel) has no effect on our salvation. But to remain in darkness on covenantal issues and, worse, to make those issues a touchstone of faith is not fitting for the genuine believer. Furthermore, if our beliefs about Israel are likely to have us mistaking the Antichrist for the true Christ then it could have disastrous consequences.
It is always possible to say that what we believe on a non-essential issue is not that important; but if our beliefs on an issue are going to cause problems of faith then what we believe about them becomes significant. In any case, why settle for anything less than the Truth? Two opposing beliefs cannot both be right. Therefore the onus is on us to discover which, if any of them, are accurate.
2) You say: “The preparation of believers to escape the tribulation by a secret rapture provides a false sense of security, but does it matter?” The same is true concerning the so-called Rapture as in the previous point. What we believe about the Rapture does not affect our salvation; but I have noticed that very often one’s belief about the Rapture (especially if it is the Pre-Tribulational variety) can become an obsession with Endtimes phenomena and can then lead to all sorts of other bizarre beliefs about eschatological matters. Furthermore, it can encourage people to indulge in escapist fantasies about the Church avoiding terrible persecution, which has significant pastoral implications. So, in those senses, what we believe about it is important.
3) You write: “The temporary “millennium” is an idea that makes me feel sad for those who believe it (I used to), and it must imply a confused idea of who God is and why He sent Jesus. In the end, the true believers are saved by God’s grace, so if they have these false beliefs does it really matter?”
I think that from your own words you have provided the answer. You yourself say that the temporary millennium “must imply a confused idea of who God is and why He sent Jesus”. Then you ask, “If they have these false beliefs does it really matter?” Well if professing believers have “a confused idea of who God is and why He sent Jesus”, then surely it must matter! For who God is and why He sent Jesus represent the nuts and bolts of the Gospel: the very foundations of the faith — the milk of the word. People who have “a confused idea of who God is and why He sent Jesus” will be wide open to being preyed upon by false teachers and other unscrupulous leaders, which is, in fact, the case with so many today — especially in the world of Dispensationalism and Israel First Christian Zionism. I was amazed at the ignorance of so many on even basic Gospel matters when I spoke at that conference in South Africa. I met so many whom I would categorise as “children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting” (Eph.4:14). Often I was on the brink of tears as I spoke to them in the intervals and I just wanted to sweep them all up into my arms and protect them from ignorance and the mad world of ideas which threatens to cloud their minds and lives. Paul tells us to be “no longer” in that easily-influenced state of mind. Therefore it must matter what we believe in such circumstances.
This is the business of the teacher. Teachers in the church naturally want to clear up confusion about who God is and why He sent Jesus. The last thing we want is a pile of professing believers running around spreading confusion about such things — which, in fact, is how it is today in so many cases. Therefore they ought to be set straight and helped on their way. Would you not agree? The teacher in me always wants to sort all this out. That’s why I have openly taught about these things. To hold such false beliefs matters. To hold any false beliefs matters. Why settle for anything less than the Truth?
4) You write: “Seeing the Jews as ‘not needing the gospel’ seems contradictory to scripture, but it seems that many Christians think that it is correct. The implication here seems clear enough but how can believers get to this point?”
They get to this point because of the things which you mention in your question #1. This is why it does make a difference what we believe about these things. For what we believe about one thing has a knock-on effect on what we subsequently believe. Our beliefs on various issues are like building blocks. One can only put one block in our tower of learning when we have put in place the one which goes before it. Each is built on the other. That’s why certain things don’t make sense to us at one point in our spiritual journey but yet they do later down the line. If one block isn’t there, then we can’t put the next one in. This is why so many get stuck — especially do they get stuck in these Zionistic and eschatological beliefs. The foundational building blocks are misplaced or simply non-existent.
Finally, I believe that many get to this point because of wilful ignorance. There are three kinds of ignorance in this life:
a) Happy ignorance. This is an ignorance which is profitable for us. There are unspeakable things in this world which it is better for us never to know anything about. The agonized screams of a raped child. The chaotic debacle of mortal combat in battle. The harrowing hideousness of hell. It is better that we remain happily ignorant of them. I’m not speaking about escapism or hiding our heads in the sand; for that is something different. I simply mean not being exposed to that which sensitive souls have no need to experience on a continuous basis.
b) Simple ignorance. We don’t really understand what binds particles of matter together. It’s a simple ignorance. It doesn’t affect me whether I know it or not. I can choose, though, to try and understand it. Simple ignorance is a desirable condition if the one afflicted by it is willing to learn! Simple ignorance is a great opportunity for us to do so. Apollos was an example of this in Acts 18:24-26. He willingly learned from instruction (see the fruits of that learning in Acts 18:27-28). An empty vessel is no bad thing because it can always be filled and, indeed, should be. Such is simple ignorance.
c) Wilful ignorance. This is a great sign of religious apostasy, in which a person is so opposed to true knowledge that he or she is actually prepared to resist it. Peter spoke of such people in 2 Pet.3:16, when he said that there are some things in Paul’s writings which are “hard to understand, which untaught and unstable people twist to their own destruction, as they do also the rest of the Scriptures”. When Christ said to the Sadducees: “You are mistaken, not knowing the Scriptures or the power of God” (Matt.22.29), He was addressing willful ignorance. The willfully ignorant “speak evil of whatever they do not know” (Jude 10). As soon as they hear views different from their own, they do not weigh them against the Scriptures to see if they are correct but begin to slander those who have those views and then set out to destroy them.
Wilful ignorance is always inexcusable and it is what lies at the heart of so many wayward ideas in the Church today. You can tell the difference between wilful and natural ignorance. Natural ignorance (like Apollos) rejoices when it hears the true word of God explained more adequately. Whereas the one who is wilfully ignorant becomes puffed up with pride, refuses to accept instruction and even wrongly accuses his teachers!
It is said that ‘the road to hell is paved with good intentions’ — but it is much more paved with wilful ignorance! Wilful ignorance entails the deliberate eschewing of necessary knowledge. Wilful ignorance is how professing believers get to the point that you speak about in your fourth question.
I hope all that helps.
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CORRESPONDENT #11:
Dear Alan,
You sure have been busy in recent times! Your “Remembrance Day” article is a real classic. I have never heard anyone speak out about this topic from the pulpit or anywhere else. I did not wear a poppy this year and your article puts into words why not. I have often thought about people standing around a cenotaph, many of which are obelisks, totally unaware of the symbolism.
I have quickly read through your Restoration paper No 1. I sometimes find it hard to agree with all you write, but often find it harder to disagree, as you write so clearly and methodically. Things do start to make sense when viewed from this angle. Most teachers just do not go into these subjects at all, or do not shed the same level of light that your writings do.
Many thanks for all your hard work and insights which are a real blessing to me.
A.M. RESPONDS:
I am deeply grateful for your words. They not only encourage me but also show that you have a truly converted heart because of your willingness to entertain ideas with which you may not initially agree. That is a rare thing, and you are just the kind of soul for whom I write. Yes, I am aware that “most teachers do not go into these subjects at all”, which is precisely why I go into them! Thank you again.
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CORRESPONDENT #12:
Dear Alan,
Thank you so much for your most recent articles “The Restoration of All Things, Part 1 & 2”, they have been most timely. You may recall we settled into a church near where we are living. The saints here are most lovely; in fact they are probably the loveliest Christians we have met to date. However, we have observed over time that they have a most unhealthy obsession with the state of Israel. It’s almost as if Israelis and their state can do no wrong and that they must protect their interests at all cost. I have to confess this is the first time I have come across this in Christian circles to this degree. Because of my background, I am accustomed to hearing about the restoration of Israel at a future time in history etc., but not to the extent that Christians here take it.
Last week our church put on a prophecy conference (I thought to myself here we go again!!). However, I had hoped that I would hear something fresh, something new but sadly it was the same old dogma being taught. Interestingly it served to reinforce my opposition to this type of teaching. For years I have grappled with this subject; I think of the godly men who had such an influence on my life in my earlier years. But for years now I have been trying to search for the truth because in my heart I know that this teaching is wrong. I could never understand or accept that there would be a time when young children would never grow old and that in this perfect society under the control of the Lord children born would still be born into sin. This made no sense to me whatsoever. Of course these were just two aspects of this subject that confused me. There were many more.
Over the years, Alan, your dedication to searching out the truth in the light of scripture has made such an impact on my life. The time and effort you put into everything you write is beyond the capability of the average person. You really have a wonderful gift, Praise God. These latest articles are an absolute inspiration, so clearly laid out and easy to understand I really want to thank you for helping me to see clearly what the scriptures teach on this subject. One last thing Alan, something I can’t get out of my mind on this subject is a question that is always tabled in defence of these false teachings, that is, if the Jewish nation of today is not going to be restored why have they been so persecuted in recent history? Your thoughts would be appreciated. May God bless you and your family. I trust you are all well.
A.M. RESPONDS:
Thank you for your kind comments. You are one of the reasons I am here, doing this at all! I think you will find the answer to your question at the end of your letter in my response to Correspondent #3 above. Thanks again, my friend.
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CORRESPONDENT #13:
Dear Alan,
I am looking for a wonderful article of yours I once read (and thought I saved–alas, in a crashed computer)–on a Christian view of aesthetics. I don’t seem to have found it on your website yet with a quick scroll-through. Do you have that available anywhere, somehow? I wanted to share it with my music-professor daughter. Thanks. Trust you are well.
A.M. RESPONDS:
I think I know the article you mean. I sent it out recently. It’s called “Living for Righteousness”. You should have it now. That’s the only one I can recall which specifically speaks about Christian aesthetics. If it isn’t, please let me know.
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CORRESPONDENT #14:
Hey Alan,
I loved your “Remembrance Day” article. I am glad to hear that you did not receive a lot of hate mail after emailing this out. I had to look up the definition of 12 words in the article. I am very embarrassed to admit it. If you could consider us “dumbed down” Americans while writing your fantastic articles, I would greatly appreciate it. Words used for which I needed to look up the definitions: Dichotomy, cenotaphs, parapet, jingoistic, priggish, opprobrium, lithe, catharsis, hegemony, ameliorations, bellicose, paean.
A.M. RESPONDS:
I’m touched by your humility. Not many guys (especially guys!) would admit to that. But I’m sorry to say that I really cannot “dumb down” my articles to pander to the masses. I’m a great believer in didactics. My attitude is this: A word unknown is a word to learn. Just as you did, in fact. You looked them up. I’m always pleased to discover words I don’t know. It gives me an excuse to look in the dictionary. For a single-volume I use Chambers Dictionary, which I believe to be the best. (My kids just got me the latest edition for Christmas!). For a multi-volume I use a microprint-sized Oxford English Dictionary (ten volumes, condensed into two — includes a magnifying glass!). One of my favourite books is the dictionary. Every time I look in it I get sidetracked and wind up learning a whole pile of words that I never knew before.
There is a serious side to this dumbed-down business. The richness of language is part of what defines the richness of culture and the breadth of the mind. This was known only too well by George Orwell, who devised an outstanding idea about the link between the dumbing-down of language and the rise of dictatorial political power. He called it Newspeak and it lay at the heart of his book “1984”. In 1946, just three years before “1984” was published (and also three years before he died), Orwell had written a superb essay, entitled “Politics and the English Language”. (You can find this essay and all his other written works at the following website: http://www.george-orwell.org/Politics_and_the_English_Language/0.html ). We often underestimate the importance of the richness of language and the part it plays in the life of humanity today.
Three books that I can recommend about the way the language has been diminished and/or used in manipulative ways are 1) Neil Postman, “Amusing Ourselves to Death”, Penguin, 2006, 184pp. 2) Andras Szanto (ed.), “What Orwell Didn’t Know: Propaganda & the New Face of American Politics”, Public Affairs Reports, 2007, 236pp. 3) Stuart Ewen, “PR: A Social History of Spin”, Basic Books, 1996, 480pp.
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CORRESPONDENT #15:
Hi Alan,
It is a great joy to read part 1 of your talk on the Restoration of all things. There is even a real sense of fellowship in reading such great truths, with their clear meaning, and seeing the hand of God throughout history working out his plan, but not leaving us ignorant or without any understanding.
I found that I could not understand one line of your document. Not sure if it is me or you. See page 14, section 4, The Mystery of God has involved the protection of his people….In the first line after the title it speaks about an Antidote to the fall of Satan – I don’t follow this.
Part 2 is waiting to be read as soon as I can get around to it, and I look forward to it very much.
Regardless of how much I may like it and agree with it, it still doesn’t make sense that anyone would invite you to speak about it when they already hold to Messianic or Dispensational views. I never heard of such a thing.
A.M. RESPONDS:
Ah, but “Messianic Good News” is no ordinary “Messianic” organisation! The directors used to hold to dispensationalist teachings but only until about eight years ago. They no longer believe in them. They call themselves “Messianic” because their ministry is to the Jews. But they are probably the only “Messianic” organisation which does not hold to Dispensationalist, Premillennial, Pre-Tribulational Rapture views. It is very refreshing indeed! You should get in touch with them directly and speak to them about their work.
Secondly, when I spoke of “the coming of Christ as the antidote to the fall of Satan” in part 1 of my Restoration of All Things papers, it was in the context of Rev.12, where we read about the fall of Satan and his angels (then becoming demons) in verse 4 and then the incarnation of Christ and His ascension almost immediately after that in verses 4 and 5:
“The dragon stood before the woman who was ready to give birth, to devour her Child as soon as it was born. She bore a male Child who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron. And her Child was caught up to God and His throne”.
That is the “antidote”. Nothing too deep. Does this make it clearer now? I certainly hope so.
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CORRESPONDENT #16:
Dear Alan,
I just finished reading “The Restoration of All Things”, Part I. You wrote in it: “I’ll be happy if you hear me out and go on your way with some warmth in your heart and a fresh breeze in your soul”. Your prayer has been answered! I need to study this further, but after the first reading, this was my thought: No wonder I never understood the Book of Revelation, nor accepted the teachings offered to me in more than 50 years. Thank you from my warm heart and the refreshing in my soul!
A.M. RESPONDS:
Oh, you have no idea how much your words means to me and enthuse me to continue. This is why I write at all. Thank you from the bottom of my heart too.
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CORRESPONDENT #17:
A young(er) friend of mine has recently written 31,000 words on the Todd Bentley farce. He is only 17 but ex-Pentecostal and now reformed. Among his thoughts was the very piquant observation you made recently: if they fall for Bentley, they’ll fall for antichrist. I genuinely believe that most charismatics will. Note how no-one would condemn Bentley — not even the moderate to mild charismatics like John Piper or Mahaney — or in the UK, Terry Virgo (the Fellowship of Independent Evangelical Churches is bending over backwards to ingratiate itself to him). Anyway, I reckon that even our ‘reformed’ charismatic friends (for friends they are) will in the majority fall for deception because discernment — when it comes to the precise subject of spiritual gifts — is lacking. It only now begins to dawn on me precisely WHAT charismatic theology leaves the door open to. How few and visionary were the men who would speak out against these things in the 60s, 70s, and even 80s. However discerning these men may be in doctrine (welcome recent stands for penal substitution for example), I CANNOT see them speaking up against an antichrist (using the “Gamaliel principle”) until it was far, far too late. See now Charisma magazine has mauled Bentley et al in its editorial. Face saving, egg-wiping.
Anyway, I’m just going to get on with preaching the word and hoping that Jesus comes back quickly — even though I am rather convinced that he is not coming back tomorrow because we have not seen THE antichrist yet. You know what it’s like — lonely and depressing. So does Satan, he keeps reminding me. I am being “ordained” as Pastor soon in our ordinary Sunday service at which I am preaching.
Enough waffle from me.
AM RESPONDS:
Thank you so much for sharing all that. You are very observant. How vigilant we have to continue to be. Every day. All the time.
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CORRESPONDENT #18:
In Genesis 3, God told Satan that there would be enmity between his seed and that of the woman. The woman’s seed is Jesus, right? Who/what is Satan’s seed?
AM RESPONDS:
Okay, let’s try and answer this. The relevant Bible text is “And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your seed and her Seed; He shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise His heel” (Gen.3:15).
We should carefully examine these words. Not only are they multi-layered in meaning but they have supreme significance for an understanding of all subsequent developments in the course of world history. The phrase “enmity between…your seed and her Seed” is a prefiguration of the spiritual battle which lies at the heart of the biblical message. On a general level this battle is between, on the one hand, every regenerated human being from the Old and New Covenant eras (the seed of the woman, Eve), and on the other hand, Satan’s fallen angelic accomplices, together with those influenced by them on earth (Satan’s seed — compare Jn.8:44, “You are of your father the devil”, Mt.3:7; 12:34; 23:33). Theologians refer to this as the ‘Antithesis’ — a spiritual battle of cosmic proportions which was set to last until the return of the Lord Jesus Christ at the Last Day. The Bible is the revelation both of this spiritual battle and the God-given antidote to the evil engendered by the Fall.
It is in this last respect that there is yet another dimension to this Gen.3:15 passage, in that “the seed of the woman” refers to Jesus Christ Himself (who was descended, via Abraham and David, from Eve, cf. Lk.3:23-38) and was also, literally, born of a woman (the Virgin Mary) rather than both man and woman (Gal.4:4). This verse has been called the “Protevangelium”, the first glimmering proclamation of the Gospel and announcement of the coming of Christ. Indeed, the Incarnation of Christ certainly dealt a death-blow to Satan, as foretold in the phrase “He shall bruise your head”. There is a sense also in which the New Testament Church actually participates in this crushing of Satan (Rom.16:20a) as “joint heirs with Christ” and co-conquerors (Rom.8:17, 37), through ‘the word of their testimony’ and the yielding of their will to God (Rev.12:11; cf. Lk.14:26). The Lord’s prediction that Satan would bruise the heel of the woman’s seed refers to both the general oppression of the Lord’s people by Satan, as well as the more particular affliction of Christ at His crucifixion — a fact which finds a significant echo in the Book of Isaiah in his prophecy of the coming Christ: “He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities” (Isa.53:5).
I hope that this goes some way towards answering your question. Do let me know.
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CORRESPONDENT #19:
Dear Alan,
You wrote: “It is high time that all you US patriots realised that your government and military are totally corrupt and guilty of an evil which far surpasses the lengths of the regimes of Adolf Hitler and Josef Stalin. At least those dictators didn’t hide their genocides behind a smokescreen of ‘democracy’ and ‘freedom’ in a phoney war on terrorism”. AMEN to your words! I could not agree more. Not just the “patriot”, but the Christians, for crying out loud! As you know, we celebrate our “Independence Day” on July 4th, and as usual I go into a season of depression around this time. It wouldn’t bother me quite so much if it weren’t for all the talk about “our liberties”, “our freedoms”, “how God has so richly blessed us in this country”, all during the worship service!
I wanted to share with you something my brother sent me after he had been to see “The Dark Knight” in the theater:
“[The Dark Knight] What a complex and depressing movie. The Joker was seriously disturbing. Even more disturbing was the laughter in the audience at some of his behavior. Even more disturbing is the fact that many young people want to dress up like him. Oh, and to top it off, the theater started the previews/commercials with a commercial for a new mini-series on ABC Family called “Girl Samuria”, which didn’t look terribly family-friendly. Then they showed an “R-rated” music video called “Disturbia”, which was VERY disturbing. As if we all wanted to see that. Then a dirty commercial for another new show on ABC called “Dirty, Sexy Money”. Then the sultry preview to “The Spirit” and another for “The Watchmen”. All in all, quite disturbing. Needless to say, I’m tired of this world”.
I couldn’t agree more with those last words, “I’m tired of this world”. I guess one good thing to come from all the evil exposing itself, in this world, is it makes sincere Christians long for Heaven.
Keep up the work. Political or theological, don’t stop what you’re writing.
A.M. RESPONDS:
Thank you so much for sharing that. I can just picture that whole set-up in the cinema. The corruption is relentless. Yes, that Joker character is truly demonic. Hideous! I cannot understand why anyone would want to subject themselves to that unless they share that demonic character. I, too, am tired of this world — well, the evil nature of the humans in it, but not the beauties of creation, in which we must immerse ourselves as an antidote to the filth. Take courage! (Jn.16:33).
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CORRESPONDENT #20:
No need to explain why you write what you write; those who want devotional articles can read their ET, EN, BoT, etc. Tragically, they’ll sign up to the Beast movement because their privatised pietism cannot feed their souls in a manner which will equip them to fight the fight for truth in the public arena. The “Deutschchristen” were very pious…!
So keep up the struggle to teach Christians discernment in every sphere. And know that there are many whose eyes have had their scales removed as a result of your labours.
God bless you, brother.
A.M. RESPONDS:
Thank you. Yes, the German Christians were very pious indeed (I got your irony!). There is a story about a church which stood directly beside a railway line used for deportation trains heading toward the Auschwitz concentration camp. Because of the cries and screams of Jewish prisoners inside the passing carriages, the congregation would sing the hymns as loudly as possible so as to drown them out. This was no doubt the practice in many German churches of the time — turning a blind eye and deaf ear to the pogrom.
As you say, many professing Christians will sign up to the Beast-system, having been bamboozled by the siren tones of the Antichrist, as I documented in my book, “The Serpent and the Cross”.
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CORRESPONDENT #21:
As far as I am concerned you can keep sending the “Political” information. I’m amazed at many of the political things you mention in your mailings. I thought I kept a fairly close eye on events in this world, but you leave me standing. So thank you for doing what you do so well.
A.M. RESPONDS:
Thank you and my pleasure. I love research and spend a lot of time on it. I do it and share it so that everyone else doesn’t have to.
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CORRESPONDENT #22:
I believe you have chosen the right method of instruction by interweaving political realities with theological principles. Please do not let the nay-sayers cause you to veer left or right. So many today simply refuse to face the facts of government corruption and turn a deaf ear to any attempted revelation of it. But, as you correctly state, we must have both sides of the issues of life today to make the correct moral and righteous judgements and take a stand for Truth. One cannot know the whole Truth without all sides of the issue, which you present very well.
We live in times of the greatest deception as the Evil one prepares his last stand, and such exposure makes it necessary for us to be watchful.
May God bless your labors for his Kingdom and guide you to His ordained goal, for His glory.
A.M. RESPONDS
Thanks so much. And thank you for the encouragement. It’s good to know that you are out there so I know that my words are landing on fertile ground.
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CORRESPONDENT #23:
It is always good to receive the articles you send out, and “The Shape of Things to Come” was no exception. It is sometimes very lonely out here on the plains of South Dakota surrounded by a Christianity that I no longer recognize. It changes with the winds of opinion from day to day, so there is always something new and exciting (which turns out not to be new at all). I was thrilled years ago when I discovered your website. Your articles then (and now) are thought-provoking and encouraging, despite a few doctrinal differences appearing occasionally from those I hold. I expect that though and can live with them–but, I still have a couple questions and/or comments, although last day events are in an area where I do agree with almost everything you have said in this article.
On pages 40 and 41 you mention that those believers alive at the time will be wiped out and the remnant presence of the church on earth will be destroyed. Who among true believers will be left alive when Christ returns? Anyone? Since Paul speaks of those alive being caught up to meet Christ in the air, it seems a few are protected just as Noah and his family were saved. I realize there will be no need of a Christian witness, because there is no one left in the world to heed the Gospel message.
Also on p15 and again on p21 you speak of evil being eradicated from the universe, which I believe is totally correct. I have not been able to get my mind around an eternally burning hell, which in my thinking would be a remnant of left-over evil or certainly a reminder of it. The results of hell fire are eternal, but the fires themselves (in my thinking) are not. God’s mercy destroys sin once and for all from the universe and creates a new heaven and a new earth. Am I really way out of line? I shouldn’t ask as I’ve already been told I am out of line, but not by you!
I’ve looked up just about every Bible text, read the complete text and footnotes in your article. It is a superb piece of writing. Thank you again for your work that you are doing. I for one appreciate what you are trying to do. You are still the only one acting as a pastor that we have here, and we do not mind one whit your warnings about the world we live in. It is a huge help to know that there is at least one other person in the world that sees these days in the same light that we do.
A.M. RESPONDS
Thank you for your kind comments. Regarding your first question about believers being on the earth when Christ returns, yes of course there will be some left on earth at the time, as Jesus says that He will cut the great tribulation short for the sake of the elect (Matt.24:21-22) and, as you say, there will be those “who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air” (1 Th.4:17). The vast majority, though, will surely be exterminated, and the “the power of the holy people”, the Church, will be “shattered”, as is indicated in a number of key Scriptures (Daniel 7:25; 12:7; Matt.24:9; Rev.11:7; 13:7).
Regarding your second question about hell, the fire which is connected to the image of hell is plainly symbolic of the scourging, searing judgement of God. It is not to be taken literally. As to hell itself and its existence in relation to the new heavens and new earth, it is not currently within our mental grasp to comprehend this properly. We would be entering the realms of science fiction to begin to think about it. But if you bring to mind the images of a “Black Hole” or parallel universe, then you can see that hell is perfectly plausible alongside a sinless reconstituted universe. Just some thoughts which I hope are helpful.
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Well, this is me back now in 2026. The above 23 questions/comments were just a few of those received in December 2008, almost 18 years ago. As you can see, people then were generally communicative, chatty, serious, reflective, self-effacing, and not sat on some hobby-horse giving forth. They were smart, perceptive, and above all had teachable hearts and minds. I’m wondering what has happened to all that. I can only think it is, as I said at the top of this paper,
“the rotten, corrupting power of what is largely now a satanic social media, removing the joy from the idea of study, taking away the productive exhilaration of being challenged, and dumbing-down minds so that they become inert, unimaginative and unresponsive”.
Obviously, it is predominantly the secular world that has been so infected; but it does seem that this infection has spread well into the visible church, to its detriment, and it saddens me. But then it is surely just another sign of the times…
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© Copyright, Alan Morrison, 2026
[The copyright on my works is merely to protect them from any wanton plagiarism which could result in undesirable changes (as has actually happened!). Readers are free to reproduce my work, so long as it is in the same format and with the exact same content and its origin is acknowledged]
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Diakrisis Project 