Author: Pilgrim

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Quotes (102)

yahannan.jpg Many things broke my heart, especially the condition of American Christians. What had happened to the zeal for missions and outreach that made this nation so great? . . . Here were people of great privilege–a nation more able, more affluent and more free to act on the Great Commission than any other in all of history. Yet my audiences did not seem to comprehend this. . . . While much of the world is concerned mainly about where its next meal is coming from, affluent North Americans spend most of their wages and waking moments planning unnecessary purchases.

– K.P. Yohannan

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John Piper’s “The Innkeeper.”

What if Jesus had returned to Bethlehem and visited the Innkeeper who provided Mary and Joseph the stable? And what if this Innkeeper lost his own son to Herod’s soldiers when they killed all the baby boys two and under? John Piper explores this scenario in his short story entitled The Innkeeper. It’s an instant Christmas classic.

If you wish to download the audio version (which includes a brief explanation of the origin of the story), click here.

Click on the link to listen streaming, or right click on the link and click “Save As” (Internet Explorer) or “Save Link As” (Mozilla) to save to your computer. From there you can burn this to a CD or upload it to your MP3 player.

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Recognizing the 202nd birthday of Joseph Smith by posting some of his false prophecies.

It all started with a rock in a hat

To recognize the 202nd birthday of Mormon Prophet Joseph Smith (December 23, 1805), Reformation Nation has decided to post some of his prophecies; because surely, a true prophet of God would not utter false prophecies.

The Return of Christ in Smith’s Generation

Among the number, my father presented himself, but before I washed his feet, I asked of him a father’s blessing, which he granted by laying his hands upon my head, in the name of Jesus Christ, and declaring that I should continue in the Priest’s office until Christ comes. Joseph Smith, History of the Church, Volume 1, Page 323, January 23, 1833

I prophesy in the name of the Lord God, and let it be written—the Son of Man will not come in the clouds of heaven till I am eighty five years old. Joseph Smith, History of the Church, Volume 5, Page 336, February 14, 1835

President Smith then stated that the meeting had been called, because God had commanded it; and it was made known to him by vision and by the Holy Spirit. . . . Go forth to prune the vineyard for the last time, or the coming of the Lord, which was nigh—even fifty-six years should wind up the scene. Joseph Smith, History of the Church, Volume 2, Page 182, February 14, 1835

On the 14th of Feb.1835, Joseph Smith said that God had revealed to him that the coming of Christ would be within 56 years, which added to 1835 shows that before 1891 and the 14th of Feb. the Savior of the world would make his appearance again upon the earth and the winding up scene take place. Oliver B. Huntington, Journal of Oliver B. Huntington, Volume 2, Pages 128-129

The Spirit of the Lord fell upon Joseph in the usual manner . . . . After he had prophesied he laid his hands upon Lyman Wight and ordained him to the High Priesthood [i.e. ordained him a High Priest ], after the holy order of God. And the Spirit fell on upon Lyman, and he prophesied concerning the coming of Christ. He said that there were some in the congregation that should live until the Savior should descend from heaven with a shout, with all the holy angels with Him. John Witmer, History of the Church, Volume 1, Page 176, June 1831

Smith’s Perceived Invincibility

I prophesy and bear record this morning that all the combined powers of earth and hell shall not and cannot ever overthrow or overcome this boy, for I have a promise from the eternal God. Joseph Smith, History of the Church, Volume 5, Page 554, August 27, 1843 (Joseph Smith was killed less than a year later on June 27, 1844).

I defy all the world to destroy the work of God; and I prophesy they never will have power to kill me till my work is accomplished, and I am ready to die. Joseph Smith, History of the Church, Volume 6, Page 58, October 15, 1843 (Joseph Smith was killed less than a year later on June 27, 1844).

I cannot lie down until all my work is finished. Joseph Smith, Journal of Discourses, Volume 6, Page 11, 1844

America

And now I am prepared to say by the authority of Jesus Christ, that not many years shall pass away before the United States shall present such a scene of bloodshed as has not a parallel in the history of our nation; pestilence, hail, famine, and earthquake will sweep the wicked of this generation from off the face of the land, to open and prepare the way for the return of the lost tribes of Israel from the north country. . . . Therefore I declare unto you the warning which the Lord has commanded to declare unto this generation, remembering that the eyes of my Maker are upon me, and that to him I am accountable for every word I say. Joseph Smith, History of the Church, Volume 1, Page 315, January 4, 1833

I prophesy in the name of the Lord God of Israel, anguish and wrath and tribulation and the withdrawing of the Spirit of God from the earth await this generation, until they are visited with utter desolation. Joseph Smith, History of the Church, Volume 6, Page 58, October 15, 1843

I prophesy in the name of the Lord God of Israel, unless the United States redress the wrongs committed upon the Saints in the state of Missouri and punish the crimes committed by her officers that in a few years the government will be utterly overthrown and wasted, and there will not be so much as a potsherd left . . . Joseph Smith, History of the Church, Volume 5, Page 394, May 18, 1843

Missouri Temple

Verily this is the word of the Lord, that the city of New Jerusalem shall be built by the gathering of the saints, beginning at this place, even the place of the temple, which temple shall be reared in this generation. For verily this generation shall not all pass away until an house shall be built unto the Lord, and a cloud shall rest upon it, which cloud shall be even the glory of the Lord, which shall fill the house. Joseph Smith, Doctrine and Covenants 84:4-5, September 1832

To be in readiness to move into Jackson county in two years from the eleventh of September next, which is the appointed time for the redemption of Zion. Joseph Smith, History of the Church, Volume 2, Page 145, August 16, 1834

Miscellaneous

Verily thus saith the Lord: It is wisdom in my servant David W. Patten, that he settle up all his business as soon as he possibly can, and make a disposition of his merchandise, that he may perform a mission unto me next spring, in the company with others, even twelve including himself, to testify of my name and bear glad tidings unto all the world. Joseph Smith, Doctrine and Covenants 114:1, April 17, 1838 (David W. Patten died well before “next spring.” He was killed only six months after this prophecy was made. He died on October, 25, 1838 in the Battle of Crooked River).

And again, I say unto you, I remember my servant Oliver Granger; behold, verily I say unto him that his name shall be had in sacred remembrance from generation to generation, forever and ever, saith the Lord. Joseph Smith, Doctrine and Covenants 117:12, July 8, 1838. (Oliver who?)

DefCon will now take this opportunity to be a good Berean and see what the Scriptures say about a prophet who speaks falsely. For it is written:

But the prophet who speaks a word presumptuously in My name which I have not commanded him to speak, or which he speaks in the name of other gods, that prophet shall die. You may say in your heart, “How will we know the word which the LORD has not spoken?” When a prophet speaks in the name of the LORD, if the thing does not come about or come true, that is the thing which the LORD has not spoken. The prophet has spoken it presumptuously; you shall not be afraid of him.

Deuteronomy 18:20-22

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Quotes (101)

tozer.jpg This is not a mere metaphor, but an accurate analysis of our real spiritual trouble. There is within the human heart a tough fibrous root of fallen life whose nature is to possess, always to possess. It covets “things” with a deep and fierce passion. The pronouns “my” and “mine” look innocent enough in print, but their constant and universal use is significant. They express the real nature of the old Adamic man better than a thousand volumes of theology could do. They are verbal symptoms of our deep disease. The roots of our hearts have grown down into things, and we dare not pull up one rootlet lest we die. Things have become necessary to us, a development never originally intended. God’s gifts now take the place of God, and the whole course of nature is upset by the monstrous substitution.

– A.W. Tozer

1897 – 1963

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Quotes (100)

ryle.jpg    Shall we say that we have done our duty to God? Shall we say that we have done our duty to our neighbor? Shall we bring forward our prayers?—our regularity?—our amendments?—our churchgoing?—Shall we ask to be accepted because of any of these? Which of these things will stand the searching inspection of God’s eye? Which of them will actually justify us? Which of them will carry us clear through judgment, and land us safe in glory?

None, none, none! Take any commandment of the ten, and let us examine ourselves by it. We have broken it repeatedly. We cannot answer God one of a thousand. Take any of us and look narrowly into our ways—and we are nothing but sinners. There is but one verdict: we are all guilty—all deserve hell—all ought to die. Where-with can we come before God?

We must come in the name of Jesus, standing on no other ground, pleading no other plea than this: “Christ died on the cross for the ungodly, and I trust in Him. Christ died for me, and I believe on Him.”

-J.C. Ryle

1816 – 1900

 

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Quotes (99)

john-macarthur.jpg An overpowering surge of ardent pragmatism is sweeping through evangelicalism. Traditional methodology–most notably preaching–is being discarded or downplayed in favor of newer means, such as drama, dance, comedy, variety, side-show histrionics, pop-psychology, and other entertainment forms. The new methods supposedly are more “effective”–that is, they draw a bigger crowd. And since for many the chief criterion for gauging the success of a church has become attendance figures, whatever pulls in the most people is accepted without critical analysis as good.

– John MacArthur

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Your (Christmas) sermon of the week.

tullianpic.jpg Pastor Tullian Tchividjian of New City Presbyterian Church in Florida delivers this great Christmas message entitled No Other Stream. In this 28 minute sermon he boldly addresses those who only attend church at Christmas time.

Click on the link to listen streaming, or right click on the link and click “Save As” (Internet Explorer) or “Save Link As” (Mozilla) to save to your computer. From there you can burn this to a CD or upload it to your MP3 player.

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Quotes (98)

yahannan.jpg Despite the solemn message of death, suffering and need I was presenting, people still left the meetings with laughter and gossip on their lips. I was offended at the spirit of jocularity in the churches: It wounded me. So many times we went out to eat after I had just shared the tragedy of the thousands who starve to death daily or the millions of homeless people living on the streets of Asia.

– K.P. Yohannan

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Come to church . . . win a TV!

Are you a pastor struggling to boost your church attendance so you can brag about it at your next pastors convention?

Tried all the other means of growing your church like watering down the gospel, and still haven’t been invited on Larry King Live?

Well try this approach: Seattle Baptist Church recently offered two great incentives to get the “unchurched” into church.

1). Come hear a Christian millionaire speak. (Like they can’t do that from home watching TBN).

2). Offer them a chance to win one of two Panasonic 52″ LCD flat screen televisions.

seattle-baptist-church.jpg

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The Jesus of Mormonism was not born in Bethlehem.

If someone prophesied my birthplace as being New Jersey but I was actually born in New York, would they have been wrong?

If someone prophesied my birthplace as being Ft. Lauderdale but I was actually born in Miami, would they have been in error?

If someone prophesied my birthplace as being San Francisco, but I was actually born in Oakland, would that be a false prophecy?

Any reasonable person using any degree of logic (and, if necessary, a map) would say, “Of course, you’re wrong on all three occasions.”

What if someone prophesied Jesus was to be born in Jerusalem, only for Him to be born in Bethlehem? This is exactly what Mormonism has done. Mormons follow a Jesus so foreign to the Bible–so different from the real Jesus Christ–that their Jesus wasn’t even born in the same place.

And behold, he shall be born of Mary, at Jerusalem which is the land of our forefathers, she being a virgin, a precious and chosen vessel, who shall be overshadowed and conceived by the power of the Holy Ghost, and bring forth a son, yea, even the Son of God. Alma 7:10 Book of Mormon

To be intellectually honest, you would have to apply the same standard, reasonableness, and critical thinking to this Book of Mormon error as you did the examples I cited above.

Dare I suggest that Salt Lake correct Alma 7:10, making this change number 3,914 to the Book of Mormon?

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Quotes (97)

ryle.jpg   There are two ways of coming down from the top of a ladder; one is to jump down, and the other is to come down by the steps: but both will lead you to the bottom. So also there are two ways of going to Hell; one is to walk into it with your eyes open–few people do that; the other is to go down by the steps of little sins–and that way, I fear, is only too common. Put up with a few little sins, and you will soon want a few more. . . . Jeremy Taylor very clearly described the progress of sin in a man: “First it startles him, then it becomes pleasing, then easy, then delightful, then frequent, then habitual, then a way of life! Then the man feels no guilt, then obstinate, then resolves never to repent, and then he is damned.”

-J.C. Ryle

1816 – 1900