Reproving Dr. Andrew Woods - a case study in how modern day Bible Scholars pour Leaven into the Manna
OCT
1
Reproving Dr. Andrew Woods - a case study in how modern day Bible Scholars pour Leaven into the Manna
Dear Dr. Woods,
Lest Satan should get an advantage of us; for we are not ignorant of his devices. 2 Corinthians 2:11 KJV
Matthew 18:3-4 King James Version (KJV)
3 And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.
4 Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven.
Asking that you humble yourself as a little child to receive the truth of the absolute truth of the word of God. Amen!
First and foremost I want to thank you for writing “The Coming Kingdom.” Your work really opened my eyes to a deeper understanding of “The Coming Kingdom”. My favorite was your compiled work in Chapter 10, The Kingdom Mysteries (Parables of the Kingdom) Matthew 13 and gaining a deeper appreciation and understanding of how modern Evangelical heresy through deception and misunderstanding of the coming kingdom is actually preparing the way for the antichrist.
I agree with your assessment and conclusion that there are two types of Kingdom. The eternal (spiritual), “universal” (as you and other scholars state) of God’s sovereign power over all creation for all eternity. I’m saddened however that you and most scholars of today don’t and can’t see that the eternal kingdom is actually the Kingdom of God and truly is spiritual. This becomes a major point later in this letter, centered primarily around Luke 17:20-21.
The other is the actual physical kingdom also termed as The Theocratic Kingdom. This complete Theocratic Kingdom is a physical kingdom and is definitely a “future event”. No doubt. Dr. Woods you’ve done a marvelous job presenting this entire spectrum in an easy to understand and clear manner. Thank you very much sir. I have a deeper appreciation of how this physical kingdom was offered to the Jews in and by Jesus Christ’s first advent in the “Gospel of the Kingdom”. But by Israel’s rejection of her Messiah the Kingdom offer was withdrawn in Matthew 12, and is now withheld until the future Millenium.
Matthew 13 clearly shows us not to accept the “good news - things are going to improve, make America great again, get back to work Christians, we are going to evangelize the world and bring in the kingdom, etc”... In all these points I agree with you wholeheartedly sir and really appreciate the way you laid this all out in your book. Especially grateful you called out all these heretics of today misusing the kingdom message to bring in their own programs and empire.Note to prove the perfect truth of the first 4 Matthew 13 Kingdom Parables : Vivid proof of Matthew 13 Kingdom parables:
In his book House Church Manual William Tenny-Brittian insists “the institutional church is in trouble in the United States. According to Tom Clegg, the Western culture is the only culture in which Christianity is an endangered species.” He goes on to point out that, according to Clegg, the church is “losing more than three million people each year” with three times more churches closing than opening. He reports that Thom Rainer’s research indicates that “it takes the combined efforts of eighty-five Christians over the period of one year to produce one convert to the faith. And get this. “Worse yet, according to the World Christian Encyclopedia, the institutional church spends $1,551,466 for each new convert” (William Tenny-Brittian, House Church Manual,St. Louis,Missouri, 2004 p. 2
This future physical kingdom will of course happen after the Rapture of the Church (true believers, body of Christ - not all people who may attend a church building) , 7 year Tribulation period, and the Second Advent of Jesus Christ along with the saints.
I’m so sickened by all the terminology these days, but I believe this is called PreTriest and a Premillennial. Also, as far as the Bible terms Kingdom of Heaven is often - if not mostly - referring to the physical kingdom, and the Kingdom of God often - if not mostly - referring to spiritual. These two terms can be and in some instances are the same, based on linguistic terms. Context and by rightly dividing the word of truth is what determines the difference.
I strongly disagree with you regarding our current state here in this church age of this dispensation of the age of grace. You state that the futuristic physical kingdom is currently absent and in a state of abeyance. This is true, REGARDING THE PHYSICAL KINGDOM, but you neglect the spiritual kingdom, quote: on page 103 and summarize again on page 169 that “...Israel’s rejection of the kingdom offer (Matt. 12:24) led to the kingdom’s postponement. Consequently, Christ began to explain the spiritual conditions that would now prevail during the kingdom’s absence. This interim program includes His revelation of the kingdom mysteries (Matt 13) and the church ( Matt. 16:18).”
I agree regarding the actual physical theocratic kingdom ruled by Jesus Christ is certainly not here, but is in abeyance until the 2nd Advent and the Millennial Rule. However, I disagree with you leaving out the word kingdom when defining this current dispensation - spiritually speaking and the kingdom of the antichrist. You merely suggest an interim program of kingdom mysteries and the church. I contend that there is now currently existing in this world a kingdom for sure. A physical kingdom that is a perverted kingdom pretending to be the Kingdom of Heaven and of God. Satan's counterfeit. A physical kingdom that has been corrupted completely and defiled with her fornication and drunk on the blood of the Saints is in existence during this church age and it is known as Christendom.
Revelation 17…identifies this harlot. I'm NOT suggesting we are in the Tribulation period now. But The Vatican Beast system - The Pope is now in full power and after the Rapture of the Body of Christ will exist as the platform of Antichrist and the 1 world religion. All early church Fathers firmly stood on this belief.
This is literally the pagan harlot Catholic Church of Rome, The Vatican and all of her ecumenical apostate harlot sisters which is the existing protestant church buildings. A clear warning not heeded in these last days (Colossians 2:8). All the other religions of the world are mere copies of Christendom with their own cultural flavor and added folklore. Each of man seeking their god in their own vain imagination because of their heart telling them of Romans 1:18-20
But what stands apart from the kingdom of Christendom and other False Religion even including Atheism in this age is True Christianity., the Body of Christ (parable of the pearl of great price Matthew 13:45-46) and the soon coming Remnant of God’s chosen children of Israel that will come out of the Tribulation (parable of the treasure Matthew 13:44).
Yes sir, it is the body of Christ, not a building, which is separate and is NOT part of this perverted Christendom that is full of leaven, tares, etc. exactly as spoken of by Jesus Christ in the first 4 of the 8 parables of Matthew 13.
To make my point, Why does Christ use the word kingdom in all of the parables of Matthew 13? If all aspects of the kingdom were completely removed, or set aside in abeyance as you teach, then there would be no word kingdom in Matthew 13 or Luke 13:20,21.
The Righteous physical Theocratic Kingdom, Millennial Kingdom ruled By Jesus Christ is future, but the spiritual Kingdom of God is alive and well right now, living as the Holy Spirit within the spirit permeating through the soul and body of every single human being born and actually even conceived on this planet.
Scripture proves beyond doubt that all mankind possesses a Body, Soul, and a Spirit. And it is within the spirit of man that the Holy Spirit through conscience makes it known that God is the Supreme Ruler of the Universe and to know between what is right and what is wrong. The Holy Spirit also makes it clear to all mankind through their spiritual function of intuition that judges what is just and unjust in this world and that only the supreme absolute Kingdom of God is perfect. Mankind is born with a spirit like God: Genesis 1:26, 27; 2:7: Mankind knows clearly God and His sovereignty Romans 1:18-20; Mankind is created with a spirit: Psalms 51:10; Luke 17:20,21; John 13:21 ;Acts 17:16; Romans 8:16; 2 Timothy 1:7; Mark 2:8, 8:12; John 11:33, Acts 18:5, 20:22; 1 Corinthians 2:11.
Note: It is most revealing and beyond the scope of irony to reveal Dr. Woods’ complete understanding of the theocratic physical kingdom of heaven yet to completely fail in his comprehension and teaching the Spiritual existence and function of Kingdom of God in the of this current to understand Luke 17:20-21 which is the true nature of the kingdom of God is found right here in Genesis 1:26, 27, Genesis 2:7; Luke 17:20,21; Romans 1:18-20; and in regenerated man’s transition from knowing who God is to actually fellowship and relationship found in Colossians 1:12-20.
The following is a four (number 4 in the Bible means “creation”) scripture comparison showing how man has/possesses the Kingdom of God living within him through the Holy Spirit working in the function of man’s conscience and intuition (knowing and judging).The only difference between a lost person and a saved person is the COMMUNION OF THE SPIRIT Meaning the saved person LIVES IN GOD THE FATHER and JESUS CHRIST and has full communion and is ALIVE for eternity. A lost person is eternally spiritually dead and apart spiritually NOT Residing in God or Jesus Christ. To prove this, let's examine what Jesus said about the Pharisees in Matthew 8:12: But the children of the kingdom shall be cast out into outer darkness. there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
Genesis 1:26-27 King James Version (KJV)
26 And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.
27 So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.
Note: The Godhead is God is 3 parts or manifestations of the one sovereign God. God is not 3 separate persons as the pagan Vatican teaches in trinity. Trinity makes the Bible polytheism. Godhead is in several places in the King James Bible:
God is speaking here in Genesis 1:26 as “our” 1st person plural. Man was created in 3 parts. We possess a body, soul (will, emotion, personality, desire, mind, etc.) and a spirit (his eternal part) eternal faculty that knows God (conscience and intuition) and if choice brings him to salvation he then communicates with God and receives the blessings (gifts and fruit).
Romans 1:18-20 King James Version (KJV)18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness;
19 Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them.
20 For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:
Luke 17:20-21 King James Version (KJV)
20 And when he was demanded of the Pharisees, when the kingdom of God should come, he answered them and said, The kingdom of God cometh not with observation:
21 Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you.
This all begins with Genesis: In that God created man in His own image Body, Soul, Spirit (The Godhead embodied in the fullness of Jesus Christ. Colossians 2:9 says, “For in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily.”
Compare Colossians 1:12-20 with Luke 17:20,21
Colossians 1:12-20 King James Version (KJV)
12 Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light:
13 Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son:
14 In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:
15 Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature:
16 For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:
17 And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.
18 And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.
19 For it pleased the Father that in him should all fullness dwell;
20 And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven.
Later when that man knowing his condition chooses by choice to come to the cross of Jesus Christ - to repent and receive salvation by God’s divine grace through faith in Jesus Christ that person is translated (carried over) into a regenerated new life (an eternal life with God) that is in full fellowship with God.
Through my research I ‘ve found all of the old Bible Scholars have held strong and true to the King James and translate and interpret Luke 17:20,21 To mean what it clearly says: YOU CAN’T SEE THE KINGDOM OF GOD BECAUSE IT IS INSIDE YOU. “YOU” BEING YOU ALL PLURAL… ALL OF YOU CREATED IN GOD’S IMAGE… of course we know the Pharisees although knowing the truth had by choice rejected the truth and were destined to eternal damnation
Here are commentary that are truth and completely opposite of the garbage of today. Please note that all of these men are writing their commentary over nearly and over 100 years ago. Note especially the commentary from
Barnes, Albert. "Commentary on Luke 17:21". "Barnes' Notes on the New Testament". https:https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/bnb/luke-17.html. 1870.
Luke 17:21 The Kingdom of God is
within you - This is capable of two interpretations.
1. The reign of God is “in the heart.” It does not come with pomp and splendor, like the reign of temporal kings, merely to control the external “actions” and strike the senses of people with awe, but it reigns in the heart by the law of God; it sets up its dominion over the passions, and brings every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ.
2. It may mean the new dispensation is “even now among you.” The Messiah has come. John has ushered in the kingdom of God, and you are not to expect the appearance of the Messiah with great pomp and splendor, for he is now among you. Most critics at present incline to this latter interpretation. The ancient versions chiefly follow the former.
Dr. Olshausen 1860
Bible Research > Interpretation > Luke 17:20-21
“The Kingdom of God Is Within You”
Readers of the King James Version will be familiar with the saying, “the kingdom of God is within you,” a literal rendering of the words ἡ βασιλεία τοῦ θεοῦ ἐντὸς ὑμῶν ἐστιν spoken by Christ in Luke 17:21. Several modern versions have instead “the kingdom of God is in the midst of you,” for theological reasons. The new rendering is used only because the translators think it is theologically impossible that Jesus would say that the Kingdom of God is “within” people. But there is no clear attestation for such a meaning as “among” or “in the midst” for the adverb ἐντὸς in any ancient Greek source. It is indisputable that “within” is the ordinary meaning, and the immediate context here also seems to favor this meaning. Here Christ is obviously contrasting the outward appearance (μετὰ παρατηρήσεως “with observation,” v. 20) with the inner spiritual reality of God’s rule. It was understood thus by the translators of all the ancient versions, and by all the Church fathers. Moreover, as S.C. Carpenter explains, “For ‘among’ S. Luke would have said ἐν μέσῳ, which occurs seven times in his Gospel (see especially xxii. 27) and four times in Acts.” (Christianity according to S. Luke [London: S.P.C.K., 1919], p. 103.) See also the more recent discussion in Nigel Turner, Grammatical Insights into the New Testament (Edinburgh: T & T Clark, 1965), pp. 61-3. A thorough review of the linguistic evidence is given in an article published online: Ilaria Ramelli, “Luke 17:21: ‘The Kingdom of God is inside you.’ The Ancient Syriac Versions in Support of the Correct Translation,” Hugoye: Journal of Syriac Studies 12/2 (Summer 2009), pp. 259-286. The circumstance that in Luke’s narrative these words are addressed to unbelieving Jews does not make any difference, because as Olshausen says, “The expression ἐντὸς ὑμῶν does not make the Pharisees members of the kingdom of God, but only sets before them the possibility of their being received into it, inasmuch as an internal and spiritual manifestation is made its universal criterion.”
After reviewing all the linguistic evidence presented by Ramelli, and weighing the arguments of commentators, I must agree with the translators of the KJV and with Olshausen, whose comments I reproduce below. The “in the midst” rendering does not accurately represent what Luke wrote here; it represents an interpretation of the phrase, which belongs not in the text but in the margin. If Luke had meant to convey this interpretation of the dominical saying, he would not have used the word ἐντὸς.
Michael Marlowe
November 2011
Olshausen on Luke 17:20-21.
Excerpt from Biblical Commentary on the New Testament by Dr. Hermann Olshausen … Translated from the German for Clark’s Foreign and Theological Library. First American Edition. Revised after the Fourth German Edition, by A.C. Kendrick. Vol. 2 (New York: Sheldon & Co., 1860), pp. 88-9.
Ver. 20, 21.—Without particularly explaining the occasion, the Evangelist opens his narrative with a remark that the Pharisees had enquired of Jesus as to the time (πότε, when), of the coming of the kingdom. (Whether it was in the village itself, ver. 12, or in what other place, is not said.) The Saviour first deals with the curious and proud enquirers, and then subjoins (at ver. 22) instructions addressed to the disciples. Hence the brevity of Christ’s remark (as Schleiermacher rightly says, loc. cit.) has here its genuine significancy. For the question “When cometh the kingdom of God?” (πότε ἔρχεται ἡ βασιλεία τοῦ θεοῦ), obviously expresses not merely the superficial views of the Pharisees, but their self-complacent ignorance (xviii. 9). Themselves they regarded as sufficiently, by birth and theocratic position, constituted the legitimate subjects of the expected kingdom. And it therefore merely concerned them to ascertain the opinion of Jesus as to the time of its appearance. In opposition therefore to these materialistic views and hopes of the Pharisees, was to be brought forward the spiritual aspect of the kingdom of God. This our Lord does by annihilating, in the first place, their expectations of a splendid manifestation. All of outward glory which the Pharisees had conceived as combined in the rearing of an earthly Messianic kingdom, is comprehensively expressed by the term παρατήρησις, observation. (The expression is in the New Testament found only here; it denotes literally the act of perceiving, of observing; and then, secondarily, every thing that excites observation. At Exod. xii. 42, Aquila has rendered שמרים by παρατηρήσεις.) In the second place, the Saviour withdraws the kingdom of God wholly from the local and phenomenal world,—οὐδὲ ἐροῦσιν, ἰδοὺ ὧδε, ἰδοὺ ἐκεῖ, nor shall they say, lo here, lo there, and transfers it, finally, to the world of spirit (ἐντὸς ὑμῶν ἐστιν, is within you.) The expression ἐντὸς ὑμῶν does not make the Pharisees members of the kingdom of God, but only sets before them the possibility of their being received into it, inasmuch as an internal and spiritual manifestation is made its universal criterion. The explanation of ἐντὸς ὑμῶν by “among you,” which has been adopted not only by [Heinrich Eberhard Gottlob] Paulus, [Ferdinand Florens] Fleck, [Friedrich Wilhelm Bernhard] Bornemann, but also by [Wilhelm Martin Leberecht] De Wette, must be utterly rejected for this reason, that the clause so understood forms no contrast to the antecedent “lo here.” The ἐστι, is, is no farther significant, than as indicating that the kingdom was at that moment existing in some of them. It may seem, however, that this ideal view of the kingdom of God is in contradiction to the following discourse (addressed to the disciples), in which the “day of the Son of Man,” is referred to in such terms as represent it as an outward fact producing outward effects. These effects, it is true, in so far as they wear an aspect of terror, form a counterpart to the “observation” anticipated by the Pharisees, and the coming of the Son of Man is represented as an instantaneous and overwhelming phenomenon, in contrast to the ὧδε, here, and ἐκεῖ, there (ver. 21). Still, however, it remains true that the kingdom is here represented as external, while at ver. 21 it is styled within you. (Still more definitely do Matth. xxiv. and Luke xxi. represent the appearance of the kingdom as an external one.) Yet this twofold conception and portraiture of the manifested kingdom of God (see on Matth. iii. 2), present it under those two aspects which mutually complete each other. The kingdom of God shews itself as purely spiritual in its origin, and also external in its perfection. It appeared in its spiritual form, while Christ was present in his humiliation. And for this reason does the Saviour bring before the Pharisees that aspect of it, in regard to which they were wholly mistaken. In its external manifestation shall the kingdom of God reveal itself, when Christ comes in his glory, and in this form does the Saviour particularly set it forth at Matth. xxiv. and Luke xxi. Here he brings forward the future revelation of the kingdom only in connexion with the fact, that periods of suffering must precede it, and that the appearance of the Son of God himself will bring dismay upon a world entangled in the sensual pursuits of life. By this means would the disciples, on the one hand, be comforted amidst their approaching struggles, and aroused to watchfulness, that they might encounter them in faith; while, on the other side, the Pharisees would be impressed with the conviction that the manifestation of the kingdom did not necessarily carry with it any thing of a joyful nature to them; but, on the contrary, would bring upon them destruction (as happened to those living in the time of Noah and Lot), unless they were enabled to acknowledge and embrace the kingdom of God in its spiritual and internal revelation, as it presented itself in the appearance of the suffering Son of Man.
Bible Research > Interpretation > Luke 17:20-21
http://www.bible-researcher.com/luke17.21.html
LUKE 17:20 Commentary The kingdom of God is within you. Some have thought it strange than Jesus should say "within you" when addressing the Pharisees, but the word "you" is used generally and indefinitely.” J.W.McGarvey and Philip Y Pendleton 1914.
Luke 17:21: Commentary: Within you; the true reign of Christ is in the hearts of men, and it had already begun among them. Justin Edwards 1851
Luke 27:21 Commentary: “Is within you—Is not an external and political one, but is a power and a realm within the soul. By using the second person plural, Jesus did not mean to concede that that kingdom was now actually within their hearts. He spoke to them generally as men. Some render the passage, the kingdom of God is among you. The Greek preposition well admits that meaning, but the context scarcely does. What our Lord appears to assert is, that his kingdom is not external but internal; that is, it is not a thing of observation and localities, but of consciousness, and within.” Daniel Weldon Commentary 1874-1909.
Luke 17:21. οὐδὲ ἐροῦσι, nor will they say; there will be nothing to give occasion for saying: non erit quod dicatur, Grotius.— ὧδε, ἐκεῖ, here, there, implying a visible object that can be located.— ἐντὸς ὑμῶν, within you, in your spirit. This rendering best corresponds with the non-visibility of the kingdom. The thought would be a very appropriate one in discourse to disciples. Not so in discourse to Pharisees. To them it would be most natural to say “among you” = look around and see my works: devils cast out (Luke 11:20), and learn that the kingdom is already here ( ἔφθασεν ἐφʼ ὑμᾶς). Kindred to this rendering is that of Tertullian (c. Marcionem, L. iv., 35): in your power, accessible to you: in manu, in potestate vestra. The idea “among you” would be more clearly expressed by ἤδη ἐν μέσῳ ὑμῶν. Cf. John 1:6. μέσος ὑ. στήκει, etc., one stands among you whom ye know not—cited by Euthy. to illustrate the meaning of our passage. Field (Ot. Nor.) contends that there is no clear instance of ἐντὸς in the sense of “among,” and cites as an example of its use in the sense of “within” Psalms 103:1, πάντα τὰ ἐντός μου.” Nicol, W. Robertson, M.A., L.L.D. "Commentary on Luke 17:21". The Expositor's Greek Testament. https:https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/egt/luke-17.html. 1897-1910.
Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you.
Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! - shut up within this or that sharply defined or visible limit, geographical or ecclesiastical.
For the kingdom of God is within you - [ entos (Greek #1787) humoon (Greek #5216)]. This may either mean, 'inside of you;' meaning, that it is of an internal and spiritual character, as opposed to their outside views of it: so the best expositors among the Fathers understood it; and so, of the moderns, Luther, Erasmus, Calvin, Campbell, Olshausen. Or, it may mean 'in the midst of you,' or 'among you'-as already set up in its beginnings, if they had but eyes to discern it: so Beza, Grotius, Bengel, Meyer, de Wette, Alford, Webster and Wilkinson. It seems a weak argument against the former sense, though urged by nearly all who adopt the latter, that the kingdom of God could not be said to be within or in the hearts of the Pharisees, to whom our Lord was addressing himself. For, all that the phrase, in that sense, implies is, that it is 'within men,' as its general character. The question must be decided by the whole scope of the statement; and though others judge this to be in favour of the second sense, we incline, on this ground, to the first. Compare Deuteronomy 30:11-14; Romans 14:17.
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Bibliography
Jamieson, Robert, D.D.; Fausset, A. R.; Brown, David. "Commentary on Luke 17:21". "Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Unabridged". https:https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/jfu/luke-17.html. 1871
“(Luke: 17:21) The kingdom of God is within you.—The marginal reading, “among you.” has been adopted, somewhat hastily, by most commentators. So taken. the words emphatically assert the actual presence of the Kingdom. It was already in the midst of them at the very time when they were asking when it would appear. The use of the Greek preposition is, however, all but decisive against this interpretation. It is employed for that which is “within,” as contrasted with that which is “without,” as in Matthew 23:26, and in the LXX. version for the “inward parts,” or spiritual nature of man, as contrasted with the outward, as in Psalms 103:1; Psalms 109:22; Isaiah 16:11. It was in that region, in the life which must be born again (John 3:3), that men were to look for the kingdom; and there, whether they accepted it or rejected it, they would find sufficient tokens of its power”
Ellicott, Charles John. "Commentary on Luke 17:21". "Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers". https:https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/ebc/luke-17.html. 1905.
Dr. Woods, what you say about the creation of the church in Matthew 16:18 is absolutely true. So what is the church? The church is the body of Christ, each and every single individual true blood bought, born again child of God existing in this current dispensation of this age of grace. The church age began on Pentecost Acts Chapter 2. The indwelling of the Holy Spirit upon the new church began at Pentecost and upon our salvation the Holy Spirit we receive is Regeneration and the Communion making us complete in Christ and empowered to full fellowship. Acts 1:6,7-8. We receive the Holy Spirit when we are saved in the sense we are regenerated, born again.
Now, not only does the Born Again Christian posses the faculties of the Holy Spirit of Conscience and Intuition, we are regenerated and receive full communion with God through fellowship and full blessings, including teaching, knowledge, understanding, full spiritual discernment and the gifts of the spirit spoken of that fellowship. Acts 2:38; 1 Corinthians Chapter 12. And the fruit of the Spirit will also begin full development as we mature as Christians, Galatians 5:22. Luke 1:47; John 4:23; Romans 1:9; Romans 7:6, 8:15, 16; 1 Corinthians 6:17; 1 Corinthians 14:16; Revelation 21:10
Genesis 1:26, 27; 2:7; The True Church is the Body of Christ established in present dispensation is residing inside of the spirit of each true believer and follower of Jesus Christ (Matthew 16:18; Acts 1:6,7,8, Acts 2:38) The Kingdom of God dwells within them in the complete Regeneration power of the Holy Spirit with all faculties of the Holy Spirit including Communion.
To summarize The interim earthly kingdom program you speak of is actually the Kingdom of God which is absolutely in this case SPIRITUAL, not the physical kingdom of God. We are currently in this dispensation of the church age, experiencing the Kingdom of God in our hearts (spiritual hearts, our spirit).
All mankind is born with a spirit created in the image of God. Even the most degenerate soul alive has a conscience and intuition within him - albeit after time becomes so seared and blackened that it is virtually dead. Dead is spiritual death which the ungenerated man without salvation is spiritually dead, meaning although he has a spirit that knows God, there is no Spiritual Regeneration and Communion. The saved person on the other hand, not only possesses the Kingdom of God in their spiritual heart, by the Holy Spirit, they have full regeneration and communion with The Holy Spirit.
The finished work of the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ - bringing lost mankind into salvation is the founding of the true Church- The Body of Christ - not a religion in a building existence (Matthew 16:18) .
This is true Christianity and exists in the spiritual realm residing in the regenerated Christian and the lost unregenerate as the Kingdom of God. Please see my comments to your false teaching of Luke 17:20-21. Yes, even the lost, unrepentant Pharisees possessed a spirit with the full faculties of conscience and intuition that knew the truth but rejected it. Read Romans 1:28-21 if you disagree with what I'm talking about here.
This interim earthly Kingdom of God resides in the hearts of all men, but because God made man with a sovereign will to choose, only those who choose to come to the cross of Jesus Christ to believe in the gospel of Jesus Christ, 1 Corinthians 15:1-4: That we are saved by belief only that Jesus Came, Died, was Buried and Rose on the 3rd day for our sins.
Taking into account the full word of God, Salvation requires belief which causes repentance. Before a man can come to Jesus and ask to be saved, man must be convicted of his sin and then seek a remedy. That remedy can only be found through Salvation through Jesus Christ. For a complete salvation study here:
WHAT IS TRUE SALVATION
https://www.thethirdheaventraveler.com/2021/07/reprint-of-salvation-message-believe.html
Those who reject salvation are lost and have no communion (fellowship and a renewed spirit after rebirth) with the Holy Spirit. The founding of the church in Matthew 16:18, is ironically what the Catholic church believes Jesus is appointing Peter as the first Pope and establishing the church on Peter (Petros= stone) when reality Jesus Christ is the Rock (Petra) that is the foundation on which the true Church is built upon, amen! This false church is the actual physical manifestation of the false Kingdom of Heaven that the Vatican holds. There is no coincidence here that the Ecumenical movement, bringing the Protestant church back to Rome.
I invite you to read our Blog: Why Brick and Mortar Buildings called Churches run by charlatan Jesuit trained CEO’s called Pastors are not biblical:
Why Brick and Mortar Buildings are not Biblical
and
Today’s churches are building the kingdom of the Antichrist, My 50 year testimony of attending church buildings.
Today's churches are building the kingdom of the Antichrist My 50 year Testimony of attending church
The physical Theocratic Kingdom that most if not all controversy arises comes through opinions regarding the Kingdom of God - Kingdom of Heaven. And as with opinions which stem from mankind creating a god in their own imagine, there are several scary philosophies coming theocratic Kingdom of God on earth. Amen! Which is namely DOMINION THEOLOGY aka KINGDOM NOW THEOLOGY which ultimately is a Dr. Larkin said, is ultimately building the Kingdom of the Antichrist, not The Kingdom of Heaven. But there is just as much misinformation and confusion regarding the aspects of the Kingdom of God, The Spiritual Kingdom in existence now.
The great irony here is - as you have rightly called out the wolves and false teachers - you’ve added good amounts of your own leaven. Tragically, your Leaven is most hidden as you are not as blatant as the wolves you rightly expose like MacArthur, Gill, Piper, and Rick Warren, etc, but more cunning and deceptive by its subtle nature.
The greatest irony is your leaven is found most hidden in places like you discussing the Parable of Leaven discussed in Matthew 13:33 which I discuss below. Once you sprinkle in your leaven, you pour in a barrel of leaven into scripture of Jesus Christ describing what is the Kingdom in Luke 17:20,21 and pound in that square peg into the round hole to make Luke 17:20,21 appear as the kingdom is in your midst.
The other major flaw that is disturbing is your use and obvious belief in the Vatican pagan doctrine of The Trinity as you use in page 9 and 10. The Godhead is Biblical found in the King James Version Bible. On page 9 for example you write, “He will one day govern the world through the Last Adam or God the Son” This is a Lie Sir! Nowhere in Scripture KJV is Jesus Christ referred to as God the son. This is Pagan God is 3 persons. The Biblical KJV Godhead described in numerous scriptures is GOD THE FATHER, (SOUL OF GOD) THE SON OF GOD (JESUS CHRIST - THE IMAGE OF GOD), and THE HOLY SPIRIT (SPIRIT OF GOD). I have a wealth of reference material if you need it. Please ask. Please repent from this pagan belief. You further divulge your misunderstanding of the Godhead vs Trinity on page 292.
Biblical Godhead vs the Vatican Pagan concept of Trinity
https://www.thethirdheaventraveler.com/2018/11/trinity-and-modalism-are-heretical.html
This stirs my spirit Dr. Woods. Hence, these points of your false teaching need to be reproved in accordance with Titus 1:11,13, 2:15, 2 Timothy 2:15, 4:2-4. King James Version. This email is written in hopes and prayer that Dr. Woods repents from his errant ways.
You must look at the foundation which is your source document - the New American Standard Bible (NASB). I have a wealth of information on the true written word and it is found in the King James Bible 1611.
As was your mentor and teacher Dr. Stanley Toussaint writes from the New American Standard Bible, and even more tragically Dr. Dwight Pentecost in his 1995 Publication of “Thy Kingdom Come” had fallen victim to the NASB. Note that Dwight Pentecost had been using the King James version back when he wrote his most noteworthy work, “Things to Come” published in 1958.
Oddly enough, or better yet, to be more exact, “amazing”, to quote you on page 126 describing Dr. John Gill’s “horror show” (my quote) exegesis of Matthew 13 - the parable of the treasure. Where you no doubt were as shocked as I am to see your credentials in theology, wondered out loud how Dr. Gill, such an exegete of scriptures, so deeply taught of God, could wander so far astray. I am amazed you would use a perverted Bible translation to support the truth by exposing yourself to open shame as I will point out below.
Considering this thought, I will answer your rhetorical question about Dr. Gill the fake false teacher with a question. How did you get so far astray by teaching truth exposing the Beast System of Dominion Theology by planting weeds and leaven with your Trinity Doctrine and NASB Bible?
Yes, your foundational source is the Word of God, the Bible. But what word of God are you using? You are using a perverted translation. I’m sure at this point you or your students assigned to read this letter for you will stop and sign me off as one of those King James Only nuts. I pray not, but rather for your spiritual health, eternally, I pray you seriously humble yourself to what I’m saying.
Your use of the perverted NASB is a very serious issue. You may not think so but it is . Verses in the Bible like those found in Proverbs 13: 13 refer to people who change the word of God and changing the King James Version is in fact what perverted Bible translations do. You and other educated theologians today are wallowing in heretical doctrine and you are blind to see it. If you want please open your corrupted NASB and read Isaiah 14:12.
Tell me why your NASB version blocks out Satan as truly addressed here in this scripture which is properly written in the King James as follows: How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning!...” and worse why your NASB and other corrupted modern translations like NIV, ESV, etc all pervert and switch Satan with Jesus Christ.
Don’t believe me? Read for yourself that only Jesus Christ is called, “bright morning star” Revelation 22:16 refers. Other glaring dangerous issues of major doctrine include but are not limited to: The Divinity of Jesus Christ Matthew 6:13, 6:33, 8:29, 9:18, etc. Following reference provides more examples:
http://hissheep.org/kjv/a_comparison_of_the_kjv_nasb.html
Also here's a good study on the corrupted Greek Manuscripts used from Alexandria that the Vatican used in promoting all new Bible versions, example Textus Vaticanus, Septuagint, Latin Vulgate, to produce the NIV, ESV, NASB, NKJV etc. The King James Bible of 1611 was produced from the Textus Receptus Antioch Manuscripts
here's the Links:
Aside from the dangerous of you standing before Galatians 1:9, you stand as a very foolish man when you use the NASB in your teaching and in your writing here’s a perfect example one of many:
Analysis of your use of Matthew 13:33 and Luke 17:20,21 (Although there are several other incidents. I will limit my remarks to these two).
On pages 118 - 124 of your book, “The Coming Kingdom” you correctly interpret this parable of the leaven Matthew 13:33 New American Standard Bible (NASB) as a teaching of the progress of evil in this current age. “ He spoke another parable to them, “The kingdom of heaven is like leaven, which a woman took and hid in three [a]pecks of flour until it was all leavened.”
You correctly call out the reprobate John MacArthur for his demonic teaching that Leaven is a “good thing”. But then, here you come along and teach truth about Leaven actually being a bad thing and then you sprinkle in your own leaven by using your corrupted NASB text to tell the reader that the Kingdom of Heaven is like Leaven. (like used here as a preposition means similar to - This is a lie!
The subliminal message to the reader is: The Kingdom of Heaven is Leaven. Another sprinkle of Leaven hid in the Word of God.
The true meaning of what is written in Matthew 13:33 is as follows:
The Kingdom of Heaven is not like leaven. But rather, the truth is the Kingdom of heaven is like unto leaven. As shown in the KJV. What's the difference in meaning of the one little word, UNTO? It's huge. LIKE UNTO LEAVEN = The kingdom of heaven is (because of) leaven the woman added to three measures of meal (flour that has been fermented by yeast) is now completely corrupted. Or, Because of leaven the woman added, the kingdom of heaven is completely corrupted.
Matthew 13:33 KJV “Another parable spake he unto them; The kingdom of heaven is like unto leaven, (unto = to ( used as in indirect object) notice that parable of mustard seed is (heaven is like to a grain of…(indirect object) ) which a woman took, and hid in three measures of meal, till the whole was leavened.”
obsolete) As a. As = meaning… because (conjunction) translated as: because o
The corrupted NASB version reads like this: The Kingdom of Heaven is the same as or similar to leaven that the woman took and added it to 3 pecks of flour until it was all leavened.
Meal vs Flour in the King James Bible
Dr. Woods I have no idea how you're going to defend your corrupt NASB here in this instance regarding NASB FLOUR vs the KJV MEAL. Also, your NASB is proven here as a major contradiction.
First: The NASB and other versions have no idea of how the ancient Hebrews made their leavened bread. Leaven is never added to the measure of flour. but rather to a portion of meal known as starter from the last batch already leavened. Here's the process:
After the flour was ready, it was combined with water and kneaded inside a large trough. With dough made out of wheat flour, starter (seor , hebrew for yeast - leaven ) was added. The starter was made by setting aside a tiny amount of dough (Meal) from the last batch to soak up the yeasts in the air and contribute to leavening the current dough. (Also known as mildewed dough) MEAL.
https://amazingbibletimeline.com/blog/how-did-the-ancient-israelites-make-bread
Matthew 13:33 The kingdom of heaven is like leaven, which a woman took and hid in three [a]pecks of flour until it was all leavened.”
Your NASB claims the woman hid in leaven directly into the flour. This not only violates sacred scripture of God's witness of scripture confirming scripture it is a blatant lie as authentic document of Hebrew customs.
The King James Version correctly states that the woman Matthew 13:33 KJV 33 Another parable spake he unto them; The kingdom of heaven is like unto leaven, which a woman took, and hid in three measures of meal, till the whole was leavened.
note: * three measures of meal was the amount used by Sarah to bake bread when she and Abram were visited by Melchizedek and the angels. (Melchizedek was both Priest and King, a type and foreshadow of Jesus Christ - the significance of 3 measures of meal here, as in 3 measures in the temple, and here in Matthew 13:33 is profound.
And Abraham hastened into the tent unto Sarah, and said, Make ready quickly three measures of fine meal, knead it, and make cakes upon the hearth. Genesis 18:6.
It is also the amount used in baking the shewbread for the Temple of the Lord in Israel.
Here we find proof that flour is not the same as meal. Sadly for Dr. Woods, his own NASB proves the KJV correct and his NASB A LIE.
1 Kings 4:22 | And Solomon's provision for one day was thirty measures of fine flour, and threescore measures of meal, 1 Kings 4:22 KJV
1 Kings 4:22 NASB “2 Solomon’s provision for one day was thirty kors of fine flour and sixty kors of meal,
As for Quantity used. Dr. Woods’ translation tells us the woman is making more than three times than the king James Bible. Proving again the NASB was translated from the perverted Greek Alexandrian manuscripts used by the Vatican instead of the Textus Receptus from Antioch used to translate the King James.
The insanity of your use of the NASB comes into fuller view here:
Matthew 13:33 New American Standard Bible (NASB)
“ He spoke another parable to them, “The kingdom of heaven is like leaven, which a woman took and hid in three [a]pecks of flour until it was all leavened.” The kingdom of heaven is NOT like Leaven as the NASB teaches. The Kingdom of Heaven is like unto leaven ( which had been added to flour) Please see the meaning and importance of a small seemingly insignificant word “unto” once again show the absurdity of the NASB translation flour that has been compromised, tainted by added leaven is not flour, it is now a meal. The word meal is properly translated in context to mean mildew mildewed grain agent, an enzyme (leaven) that is assimilated into grounded grain known as flour. See source: Meal meaning https://www.etymonline.com/word/mildew#etymonline_v_16149
LUKE 17:20,21
Dr Woods, not surprising, your teaching of Luke 17:20,21 - Specifically 21 is in keeping with modern corrupted Bible teaching.
If you used and believed in the KJV, it correctly interprets this as Throughout The New Testament, within the proper context as I discussed above, kingdom of God consistently refers to the created spiritual hearts of men. See my aforementioned comments on the kingdom of God instilled into all men and the difference between regenerated and unregenerate man.
Luke 17:20-21 King James Version (KJV)
20 And when he was demanded of the Pharisees, when the kingdom of God should come, he answered them and said, The kingdom of God cometh not with observation:
21 Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you.
Amen!
DR. Woods what are you going to do with Luke 17:20 KJV. which reads: The Kingdom of Heaven comes not with observation?
Even your perverted NASB reads that the Kingdom of Heaven does not come with visual interpretation. However, once again we see here that the meaning of Luke 17:20,21 is seriously perverted. An elementary school student knows that the word observation means to “see something” “Something is visual and can be seen and perceived with the eye in a physical sense. If it can’t be seen it has to be spiritual. Period. This should be sufficient to shut this case right here.
Below we see that “The kingdom of God is not coming with signs to be observed.”
The King James Version clearly displays this in the present tense. Not a future time.
Luke 17:20-21 New American Standard Bible (NASB)
20 Now having been questioned by the Pharisees as to when the kingdom of God was coming, He answered them and said, “The kingdom of God is not coming with [a]signs to be observed; 21 nor will they say, ‘Look, here it is!’ or, ‘There it is!’ For behold, the kingdom of God is [b]in your midst. A. Literally Observation. B or within you.
Addressing Specifically Dr. Woods’ teaching regarding The Kingdom of Heaven is in your Midst. Luke 17:20,21 pages 215-226. I've taken the liberty to quote your work and comment in red as necessary.
Why ALL Modern Bible Translations are satanic and the KING JAMES BIBLE is the FINAL AUTHORITY
BEGIN QUOTE FROM DR. WOODS’ THE COMING KINGDOM pages 215-216 (Luke 17:29,21)
The Kingdom Is Within You? First, it is appropriate to dispute the all too common rendering that says,
Appropriate to dispute? No Sir! This would be the same as saying it is lawful to find fault and contend. fight. argue. against the word of God.
“the kingdom of God is within you.” The New International Version, for example, translates Luke 17:20–21 as follows: Once, having been asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, Jesus replied, “The kingdom of God does not come with your careful observation, nor will people say, ‘Here it is,’ or ‘There it is,’ because the kingdom of God is within you” (italics added).
??? What? No! The NIV is a corrupted version like your NASB it translates Luke 17:29,21 as follows: 20 Once, on being asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, Jesus replied, “The coming of the kingdom of God is not something that can be observed, 21 nor will people say, ‘Here it is,’ or ‘There it is,’ because the kingdom of God is in your midst.”
NIV Holman Bible Publishers 2015.
Using an online version of the NIV there is a small remote footnote a. that reads at the bottom: or is within you.
The online version is even more grevious and frankly quite sickening. Think about this Sir. You as a young Bible student are taught that Jesus said, “the Kingdom of God is in your midst", but look down at that footnote and told ALSO: “within you". In you and hanging out around you are two very different meanings. What terrible confusion this causes. Ever wonder why our seminaries use the perverted text? Please read my blog post above as to why Brick and Mortar 501c3 buildings run by Charlatan CEOs trained in Jesuit seminary are not Biblical.
Why didn't you use the your NASB version to show the option of “within you"? Go online and look for yourself.
This rendering could not be correct since in context Christ was addressing the Pharisees (Luke 17:20). How could the kingdom be within the satanically empowered Pharisees (John 8:44)?
All mankind is born with a spirit created in the image of God. Even the most degenerate soul alive has a conscience and intuition within him - albeit after time becomes so seared and blackened that it is virtually dead.
Genesis 1:26,27; Romans 1:18-20.
Dead means spiritual death which the ungenerated man without salvation is spiritually dead, meaning although he has a spirit that knows God, there is no Spiritual Regeneration and Communion. The saved person on the other hand, not only possesses the Kingdom of God in their spiritual heart, by the Holy Spirit, they have full regeneration and communion with The Holy Spirit. Also, the Plural General form of “you" is used (please see scholar commentary above) . In other words mankind, even you filthy reprobates have the innate Spirit of God living in you (conscience and intuition, but not the communion and fellowship with God. and certainly not a rebirth of your spirit, regeneration.This would be like you addressing a class at your Bible school and say “You (you all) have the same opportunity to be successful. Some will take it. some will not.
These unbelieving Pharisees were the very individuals plotting to murder Christ at the very time that these words were uttered. Thus Craven observes, “The supposition that He indicated an existing Basileia . . . implies that it was set up in (or among) the Pharisees.”
No Sir! Basileia means either a Kingdom of a physical or spiritual figurative nature. Of course Jesus wasn't saying the physical kingdom was in them. Your meaning is completely out of context is not present in cannon 1611 King James Bible translation.
βασιλεία
Transliteration: basileia
Phonetic: bas-il-i'-ah
Thayer Definition:
royal power, kingship, dominion, rule
not to be confused with an actual kingdom but rather the right or authority to rule over a kingdom
of the royal power of Jesus as the triumphant Messiah
of the royal power and dignity conferred on Christians in the Messiah's kingdom
a kingdom, the territory subject to the rule of a king
used in the N.T. to refer to the reign of the Messiah
Origin: from G935
TDNT entry: 10:40,0
Part(s) of speech: Noun Feminine
Strong's Definition: From G935; properly royalty, that is, (abstractly) rule, or (concretely) a realm (literally or figuratively): - kingdom, + reign.
Furthermore, Christ’s kingdom could not be within them since the Scripture always portrays people entering the kingdom (Matt. 5:20; 23:13; John 3:5) rather than the kingdom entering people.
Always? Not true. Not in spiritual matters. These scriptures clearly refer to the kingdom entering
Psalms 51:10; Luke 17:20,21; John 13:21 ;Acts 17:16; Romans 8:16; 2 Timothy 1:7; Mark 2:8, 8:12; John 11:33, Acts 18:5, 20:22; 1 Corinthians 2:11.
Please pray and carefully read this thorough scripture based study By Dr. Olshausen, 1860.
http://www.bible-researcher.com/luke17.21.html
Besides, regarding this notion of the kingdom being inside God’s people, we might ask, does Christ perfectly reign in the hearts of the believer today? If so, why are there consistent commands given in the New Testament epistles against grieving (Eph. 4:30) and quenching the Holy Spirit (1 Thess. 5:19)? The mere existence of these prohibitions implies that believers today have the capacity to commit these sins and consequently inhibit the reigning influence of Christ in their hearts. Believers must have some sort of capacity to allow sin to reign within them or else why would Paul exhort the Christian, “Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its lusts” (Rom. 6:12)?
A very weak argument from both the perspective of the unregenerate man born with the spirit that possesses the kingdom of God in its spiritual sense as I've exhausted in detail above and from the perspective of the Saint because of the spiritual reality of the life process called Sanctification. Once saved, the Saint lives a life of improving their spiritual lives through Sanctification.1 Thessalonians 5:23 King James Version (KJV)
23 And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. Additional scriptures 2 Timothy 2:21; plus lease note there are over 100 scriptures on Sanctification.
It is not until we are in our glorified bodies will our struggle with sin finally end. Scripture is abundant proving the Saint is an earthen vessel possessing a priceless treasure. 2 Corinthians 4:7-11
Would you venture into a discussion that Paul who admitted being the chiefest of sinners 1 Timothy 1:15 was not full of the Holy Spirit of God Almighty?
How do you handle this scripture? quote: “ And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.” 2 Corinthians 12:9.
In addition, this frequent rendering of “the kingdom of God is within you” converts the kingdom into a spiritual reality only. However, as has been demonstrated in prior chapters, a terrestrial, geopolitical element is always included in the Old Testament’s presentation of the kingdom. Such an abrupt change from understanding the kingdom as encompassing this physical reality to solely a spiritual reality is tantamount to hermeneutically changing horses in midstream. Why would Christ, or any of the New Testament writers for that matter, introduce such a radical transition without any in-depth commentary explaining that such a transition was underway?
Perhaps your question can best be answered with another question. Why can’t you realize that the Kingdom of God is the Spiritual Kingdom - the Universal eternal (spiritual), “universal” (as you and other scholars state) of God’s sovereign power over all creation for all eternity? I’m saddened however that you and most scholars of today don’t and can’t see that the eternal kingdom is actually the Kingdom of God and truly is spiritual. Yes, there are linguist issues where the Kingdom of God and Kingdom of Heaven are referring to the same, only context can tell.
As far as why Jesus would hermeneutically change horses in midstream and introduce such a radical transition without any in-depth commentary explaining that such a transition was underway, please look carefully at your brilliant commentary in your book. I quote: “The late Dr. Harold Hoehner of Dallas Theological Seminary used to terrify doctoral students during oral exams by asking them how they would defend the notion of a future earthly kingdom from the Scriptures. Nervous students would usually start with Revelation 20:1-10, which speaks of the future on-thousand year reign of Christ. Hoehner would then ask the student to find an earlier biblical reference to the coming kingdom. Students then typically went first to Paul, the Christ, then the prophets, and finally the covenants (defined later) to find scriptural support for the coming kingdom. When Hoehner again asked for something earlier in Scripture, the student was forced to go back to Genesis 1. The learned professor was simply seeking to get his students to understand that the theme of a future, earthly kingdom begins on Bible’s very first page.” End Quote. Jesus did not change horses in midstream. This was from the very foundation of the world. “God created man in his own image.”
Additional Notes WITHIN YOU does NOT MEAN In your midst:
AMONG OR IN THE MIDST OF THEM...This is precisely the major contention I had with Dr. Woods. He maintained that the NASB was a better translation because it uses the word AMONG in the MIDST OF THEM - whereas the KING JAMES uses the word WITHIN them. I will quote precisely what I quoted to Dr. Woods in the Link I sent you. Let me make a short paraphrase here: The Word WITHIN is not within and or among. The etymology of the word WITHIN literally means: AGAINST THE INSIDE of which literally means AMONG THE INSIDE OF in other words mixed inside of THE PERSON'S SOUL-MIND. KNOWLEDGE.See the Dr. Woods study where I go into great detail of the functions and faculties of the SPIRIT SOUL AND BODY. How even an unregenerate (lost soul) still possesses a spirit albeit unregenerated. But the unregenerated spirit still has the full faculty of CONSCIENCE (RIGHT/WRONG) and INTUITION (a 6th sense sensing the spiritual things of this world. Sadly a lost soul does not have the 3rd faculty of the spirit which is COMMUNION - communication with the Holy Spirit. The lost soul only has communion with the forces of darkness and highly evolved lost souls can communicate with high ranking demonic entities - witches, sorcerers. etc. So how could the Pharisees know there's a Kingdom of God that RULES the WORLD UNIVERSE and will REIGN. The answer PROOF IS FOUND IN ROMANS 1:18 KJV:
Romans 1:18
“For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness;”
King James Version (KJV)
Romans 1:19
“Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them.”
King James Version (KJV)
Romans 1:20
“For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:”
King James Version (KJV)
within (adv., prep.)
Old English wiðinnan "within, from within," literally "against the inside," see with + in.
King James Version
32 And they said one to another, Did not our heart burn within us, while he talked with us by the way, and while he opened to us the scriptures? (heart in this context refers to SOUL responding to the SPIRIT's CONSCIENCE) What is amazing is Luke 24:32 is listed in the OXFORD English Hardcopy dictionary on PAGE 3802 for the definition of WITHIN.
- Luke 4:30chapter context similar me
aning copy save - But he passing through the midst G3319 of them went his way,
- Matthew 18:20chapter context similar m
eaning copy save - For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst G3319 of them.
2 Peter 2:8
“(For that righteous man dwelling among them, in seeing and hearing, vexed his righteous soul from day to day with their unlawful deeds;)”
King James Version (KJV)
Let's look at John 12:35
36 While ye have light, believe in the light, that ye may be the children of light. These things spake Jesus, and departed, and did hide himself from them.
Luke 18:18-27King James Version
18 And a certain ruler asked him, saying, Good Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?
4 And when Jesus saw that he was very sorrowful, he said, How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God!
25 For it is easier for a camel to go through a needle's eye, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.
26 And they that heard it said, Who then can be saved?
Also, if Luke 17:20–21 evidences the fact that Jesus set up a present, spiritual form of the kingdom during His First Advent, then why is His earthly ministry subsequent to these verses characterized by perpetual promises of a future, earthly kingdom? For example, in Matthew 19:28, Christ promised His disciples, “Truly I say to you, that you who have followed Me, in the regeneration when the Son of Man will sit on His glorious throne, you also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.” In Matthew 26:29, He similarly told His disciples, “But I say to you, I will not drink of this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it new with you in My Father’s kingdom.” Even Christ’s closest companions understood His teaching as conveying a future, earthly kingdom. Not only did the disciples believe that Christ was going to restore the kingdom to Israel (Acts 1:6), but the mother of James and John also requested that her sons be given places of prominence with the earthly kingdom’s establishment (Matt. 20:20–21). Because the request in Matthew 20 and the inquiry of Acts 1 both transpired late in Christ’s ministry, it is unlikely that the disciples had a mistaken understanding of the kingdom at this point. Also, the penitent thief on the cross obviously saw the kingdom as a future reality when he exclaimed, “Jesus, remember me when You come in Your kingdom!” (Luke 23:42). Joseph of Arimathea, a wealthy disciple of Christ in whose tomb Christ was eventually buried, also understood Christ as teaching a future kingdom. Mark 15:43 says, “Joseph of Arimathea came, a prominent member of the Council, who himself was waiting for the kingdom of God; and he gathered up courage and went in before Pilate, and asked for the body of Jesus” (italics added). In sum, rather than translate Luke 17:21 as “the kingdom of God is within you,” it seems better to follow the translation of the New American Standard Bible, which translates verses 20–21 as follows: Now having been questioned by the Pharisees as to when the kingdom of God was coming, He answered them and said, “The kingdom of God is not coming with signs to be observed; nor will they say, ‘Look, here it is!’ or, ‘There it is!’ For behold, the kingdom of God is in your midst” (italics added). Numerous other modern English translations interpret Luke 17:20–21 in the same manner, including the HSCB and ESV. Offer of the Kingdom Second, “kingdom now” theologians rely upon the present tense expression “is in your midst” (Luke 17:21) to argue for a present form of the Messianic kingdom. However, this verse need not teach “kingdom now” theology. To the Jewish mind king and kingdom went together like horse and carriage. It was unfathomable for them to have a king without the presence of the kingdom. Note the following passages from the Old Testament that link king and kingdom. Isaiah 9:6–7 says: For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the LORD ALMIGHTY will accomplish this. Daniel 7:13–14 similarly explains: In my vision at night I looked, and there before me was one like a son of man, coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient of Days and was led into his presence. He was given authority, glory and sovereign power; all nations and peoples of every language worshiped him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and his kingdom is one that will never be destroyed. Note also how this connection between the king and the kingdom is made early on in the New Testament. Luke 1:26–27, 32 says, In the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. . . . He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David. E. R. Craven further explains this king and kingdom connection to the Jewish mind: Now, remembering the close connection in the Jewish mind between the establishment of the Basileia, and the glorious coming of the Son of Man—a connection established by the prophecy of Daniel (7:13, 14), and not previously rebuked but approved by Jesus (Luke 9:26, 27)—let anyone hypothesize as the meaning of . . . with the signs of a gradual approach, and of . . . in the midst of, and read the entire passage, vers. 20–30.41 All of this to say, that the kingdom was very much in the midst of the nation (Luke 17:21) at Christ’s First Advent since the king was present.
All of this you’ve said to prove beyond a shadow of doubt that the coming kingdom of Heaven, the physical theocratic kingdom will also be completely fused in with the Spiritual Kingdom of God and this will happen during the Millenium. I’ve addressed exhaustively above on when God created man in His own image the spirit of God (The Holy Spirit) of the Godhead was imparted to Mankind’s eternal spirit in the way of knowing God and having conscience and intuition to judge the justice and supremacy of God almighty. Romans 1:18-22 is absolutely clear on this point. No matter how much you dislike the fact that mankind has a spirit and even in an unregenerate state he still knows it’s wrong to steal his neighbor’s bike from his garage. 2 Corinthians 3:3 King James Version (KJV)
3 Forasmuch as ye are manifestly declared to be the epistle of Christ ministered by us, written not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God; not in tables of stone, but in fleshy tables of the heart.”
Mankind is born with a spirit like God: Genesis 1:26, 27; 2:7: Mankind knows clearly God and His sovereignty Romans 1:18-20; Mankind is created with a spirit: Psalms 51:10; Luke 17:20,21; John 13:21 ;Acts 17:16; Romans 8:16; 2 Timothy 1:7; Mark 2:8, 8:12; John 11:33, Acts 18:5, 20:22; 1 Corinthians 2:11.
Luke 1:47; John 4:23; Romans 1:9; Romans 7:6, 8:15, 16; 1 Corinthians 6:17; 1 Corinthians 14:16; Revelation 21:10
This reality explains why Christ in verse 20 noted, “The kingdom of God is not coming with signs to be observed.”
Please be warned, this is absolute heresy. God did not explain that the kingdom of God “is not coming”... The Bible does not state this. This is a future tense grammar structure. The King James rightfully puts this scripture in the present tense. As follows: KJV Verse 20: “The kingdom of God cometh not with observation.” This means the Kingdom of God does not come with observation in other words: The Kingdom of God can not be visually observed with your eyes (because it is spiritual).
In other words, because the kingdom through the presence of the king stood in their very midst, the kingdom, in this sense, was indeed already a present reality and was not preceded by various signs. However, the offer of the kingdom framework, which has been discussed in prior chapters,42 is sufficient for handling these verses in the same way it is capable of handling Matthew 12:28. Christ’s presence manifested kingdom realities that could also have become tangible for the nation had they fulfilled their obligation of enthroning their king (Deut. 17:15). In other words, the presence of the kingdom in Christ could not become a reality for all because of the nation’s rejection of the kingdom offer. Grammarian Max Zerwick notes how this interpretation represents an acceptable rendering of the present tense expression “is in your midst”: In view of the fact that Christ was addressing the Pharisees modern exegetes generally prefer to translate “among” but this meaning is elsewhere unknown. Secular and patristic evidence has been adduced (by C. H. Roberts) for an extension of the meaning “within”, viz. in your hands (ref. that for which one is responsible), in your power of choice (cf. “it lies with you”), i.e., from the human side the K[ingdom] is yours if you choose it, if you will it.43 Walter Elwell similarly states: “Another example is that in koine Greek, the expression entos humon (literally, ‘inside of you’) often meant ‘within reach.’ Thus, Jesus’ statement in Luke 17:21 could mean, ‘the kingdom is within reach.’”44 In other words, with the king present in the person of Jesus the kingdom for the nation of Israel, and consequently the world, was in an imminent, or any moment, state of expectancy. By responding affirmatively to the offer of the kingdom, the kingdom could come. Yet, the kingdom never became a reality for the nation and the world. Why? The rest of the story as unfolded in the Gospels explains how the leadership of first-century Israel tragically rejected the offer of the kingdom. Despite their unique opportunity to accept both the king and the kingdom, the nation turned down the offer. Just a couple of chapters later in Luke’s Gospel we read how the nation’s leadership rejected the Messiahship of Christ during His triumphal entry in the events surrounding Palm Sunday (Luke 19:28–44). Thus, Christ here explained to Israel, “If you had known in this day, even you, the things which make for peace! But now they have been hidden from your eyes . . . because you did not recognize the time of your visitation” (Luke 19:42, 44). Consequently, Luke’s Gospel then begins to disclose an interim age that will exist while the kingdom remains in a state of postponement (Luke 19:11–27). Yet, a future generation of Jews, subsequent to the Church Age and during the events surrounding the Great Tribulation period, will receive the offer of the kingdom. Thus, when describing the Tribulation period, Luke reveals how the kingdom will be preceded by various signs. Luke 21:31 says, “So you also, when you see these things happening, recognize that the kingdom of God is near.” Why is the kingdom not preceded by signs in Luke 17:20–21 and yet it is preceded by signs in Luke 21:31? This offer of the kingdom framework helps to answer this fundamental question. The kingdom through the presence of the king was present in Luke 17:20–21. Thus, the kingdom at that point was immediately present without being preceded by signs. However, the nation tragically rejected this offer resulting in the kingdom’s postponement. The opportunity to receive the kingdom therefore awaits a future generation of Jews who will receive the offer of the kingdom during the future Tribulation period. This latter offer will be preceded by the signs of the Tribulation period. Toussaint and Quine summarize as follows: If the kingdom had already come, why did Jesus prophesy the future Tribulation in Luke 21:31 and say in connection with that series of events, “When you see these things happening, recognize that the kingdom of God is near”? The implication is clear: This kingdom is not near now. It was near (in the sense that Jesus personally offered it to Israel), but then it ceased being near. Then in the future Tribulation the millennial kingdom will again be near. . . . In 10:9, 11 the seventy were told to preach that the kingdom of God had drawn near. But in 19:11 the disciples thought the kingdom was close at hand, but it was no longer near. This contrasts with 10:9, 11. Again Israel’s rejection of the Lord is seen in the words of the citizenry, “We do not want this man to reign over us” (19:14). But this parable teaches more than Jewish rejection; it also affirms that the Lord’s followers have responsibilities to fulfill in the interim while He is gone. Because Israel had rejected the King, the kingdom was postponed; it was no longer “at hand.”45 All of this to say, it is a mistake for interpreters to hastily conclude based upon Luke 17:20–21 that the kingdom became a spiritual reality through Christ’s ministry back in the first century, and therefore it remains a spiritual reality today. To do so would be to gravitate toward a single passage in the Book of Luke and simultaneously ignore what the rest of Luke’s Gospel presents on the subject of the kingdom. In other words, in order to derive its true meaning, Luke 17:20–21 must also be studied alongside Luke 19:11–27 and Luke 21:31. Yet, let’s explore another option for interpreting Luke 17:20–21. The Kingdom Is a Futuristic Reality Third, when we look at the larger context of Luke 17:20–21 found in Luke 17:20–37, it becomes apparent that Christ was speaking primarily of a future, rather than a present, manifestation of the kingdom. By the time Christ uttered the words found in Luke 17:20–21, it is apparent that first-century Israel was not going to accept the offer of the kingdom since the nation was in the process of rejecting her king. In Luke 17:22, 25, Christ noted, “The days will come when you will long to see one of the days of the Son of Man, and you will not see it. . . . But first He must suffer many things and be rejected by this generation.” Consequently, in this section, Christ began to outline how the future kingdom will one day come to the earth. The future establishment of the kingdom will be an instantaneous event rather than a prolonged, gradual process (Dan. 2:35, 44). This instantaneous establishment of the future kingdom explains why Christ said, “The kingdom of God is not coming with signs to be observed.” Observation of signs is only pertinent if an event is gradual rather than something instantaneous. Thus, once the kingdom comes people will not say, “‘Look, here it is!’ or, ‘There it is!’ For behold, the kingdom of God is in your midst’” (Luke 17:20–21). This instantaneous, futuristic arrival of the kingdom is corroborated by the surrounding context, which analogizes Christ’s Second Coming to sudden flashing of lightning (Luke 17:23–24), and to the flood waters that rapidly came upon the world in Noah’s day (Luke 17:20–28), as well as to the fire and brimstone that came suddenly upon Sodom and Gomorrah in the days of Lot (Luke 17:29–33). Thus, unbelievers will be caught off guard by these events as they are then ushered into immediate judgment (Luke 17:34–36). This overall futuristic context is most likely why the future tense of the verb is employed in Christ’s statement, “nor will they say, ‘Look’” (Luke 17:21; italics added). Here, the word translated “will they say” is the future tense verb of the Greek word legō. Thus, after examining the futuristic context in Luke 17:20–37, Craven appropriately asks the following question concerning the announcement of the kingdom given in Luke 17:20–21: “Does it not become manifest that this passage, so far from teaching the doctrine of a present establishment of the Basileia, must be numbered amongst those that connect the establishment with the Second Advent?”46 If the arrival of the kingdom is indeed a future reality, then why did Christ in Luke 17:21 appear to speak of the kingdom as a present realty when He used the present tense of the verb eimi to proclaim “For behold, the kingdom of God is in your midst” (italics added)? At least two reasons can be offered to explain Christ’s use of the present tense here. First, because the Pharisees asked the initial question in the present tense, it stands to reason that Christ would also answer their question in the present tense. The opening question in Luke 17:20 says, “Now having been questioned by the Pharisees as to when the kingdom of God was coming” (italics added). Here, the word translated “was coming” is the present tense form of the verb erchomai. Thus, the Pharisees’ present tense question sets the proper foundation for Christ’s present tense answer. Craven well explains this congruity: In the E. V. there is a difference in tense between the question of the Pharisees and the answer of Jesus—they asking, when the Basileia should come, and He answering, it cometh not with observation, it is within you—which necessarily implies a declaration of then existing establishment. This difference is altogether unauthorized—both the question and the answer are in the present; the question of the Pharisees should be translated “when cometh (erchetai) the kingdom of God?” The question was asked in the vivid, dramatic present; it manifestly had reference to the future; it would be in defiance of every conceivable law of language to suppose that our Lord, in following the lead of His questioners, intended to indicate a different tense. The question and the answer are but illustrations of that law proper to all languages, but pre-eminently to the Greek.47 Second, biblical language often describes future events with the present tense in order to indicate their ultimate certainty. Because God is infinite and therefore not bound by time the way finite man is (Ps. 90:4; 2 Peter 3:8), to Him, the future is the present. In other words, His infinitude allows Him to express future events as though they were present realties because He sees them as such. For example, Romans 8:29–30 says, “For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the first-born among many brethren; and these whom He predestined, He also called; and these whom He called, He also justified; and these whom He justified, He also glorified” (italics mine). Here Paul lays out the various phases of the believer’s salvation. Notice that our future glorification is depicted in the same past tense as our past predestination, calling, and justification. In other words, the believer’s future glory is just as certain as anything God has done in the believer’s past. After all, He is not bound by time and therefore sees this future as though it were a present reality. For this same reason, God promised Joshua victory over Jericho before any battle had actually been fought (Josh. 6:2). Consequently, God, who can see the future clearly since He is not bound by time, already saw Joshua’s ultimate victory. In the same way, in Luke 17:21, Christ uses the present tense to describe the kingdom, not to depict its present, spiritual arrival but rather to articulate its futuristic certainty. Craven explains: [P]re-eminently to the Greek, by which a certain future may be represented by a verb in the present; illustrations may be found, Matt. 26:2 (after two days is the feast of the Passover, and the Son of Man is betrayed, etc.); 1 Cor. 15:42–44 (it is sown in corruption, it is [in the future resurrection] raised in incorruption). . . . To the conclusion that the language of our Lord must be understood as having reference to the future, it may also be remarked, we are shut up by the following considerations: The supposition . . . disconnects His words from the immediately-following address to the disciples, whilst the contrary supposition brings them into manifest and beautiful connection therewith, and with His other utterances. . . . In this connection may be considered that class of passages which are regarded as teaching the doctrine of a present Basileia from their use of present verb when mentioning it. (Reference is not now had to those in which there is taught in the context that apparently requires the hypothesis of a present kingdom—each of these receives an independent consideration). These passages are: all those parables which thus refer to the Basileia, Matt. 13:31, 38, 44, 45, 47, etc.; also Matt. 11:11; Rom. 14:17. These, it is admitted, are all consistent with the hypothesis of a present kingdom; but, under the rule set forth under the preceding head, they are all grammatically consistent with that of a certain future establishment.48 In sum, to the kingdom now use of Luke 17:20–21, three responses can be given. First, these verses do not teach that “the kingdom is within you” as Jesus now reigns within the hearts of His people. Second, the offer of the kingdom framework is sufficient for interpreting these verses as the kingdom through the king was present at that moment, thereby giving first-century Israel a unique and unprecedented opportunity to receive both. Third, the larger context of these verses speaks primarily of a future kingdom rather than a present one. Although the offer of the kingdom framework seems more probable to me rather than seeing Christ’s presentation of the kingdom as something completely future, they are both to be preferred in comparison to the idea that Luke 17:20–21 is teaching a present and spiritual form of the kingdom that was established at Christ’s First Advent. Due to the legitimacy of these three interpretive options, despite the fact that kingdom now theology is primarily built upon these verses, Luke 17:20–21 does not authoritatively teach the present existence of a spiritual form of the kingdom.
Liar! No Sir! This is a lie.
Yes, Luke 17:20-21 does in fact authoritatively teach the present existence of a spiritual form of a kingdom that exists in the spirit of mankind to know that God almighty reigns supreme. Your commentary of trying to force the words of Jesus into a future tense is frankly absurd. I have given all scripture and commentary above over and over again that dispute this. The words of Luke 17:20,21 KJV stand on their own. This is closed.
In conclusion:
Yes we agree that the future physical kingdom is coming. But this has nothing whatsoever to do with the Spiritual Kingdom of God. In your book you even write there is a Spiritual Kingdom, but fail to realize it is present today in all mankind. I address this at length above.
Sir you’re rehashing and recycling the same idea that you’ve hammered into your book over 1,000 times. You're taking a stick of chewing gum, putting it into your mouth and chewing and chewing on it until there is no flavor left. You've taken the precious fruit of the word of God and put it into your mouth like a mother bird , you swallow and regurgitate it and try to shove the vomit down the throat of the babes in Christ.
Ultimately, this Reproof will stand as a case study on how modern day bible scholars are pouring leaven into the manna.
Sir God strictly warns of curse on anyone who changes the word of God please read Revelation 22:18,19 and Proverbs 13:13; Proverbs 30:6; Psalms 119:60;Jeremiah 23:26, 32; 2 Corinthians 2:12; 1 Timothy 6:3, 2 Timothy 2:5; Deuteronomy 4:2; 12:32; Galatians 1:9;
I ask you in the name of Jesus Christ to read this letter carefully and prayerfully. I ask that you repent and stop using corrupted bible translations. I ask you to stop promoting the pagan Vatican Trinity. You are a gifted man and have much to give. Please choose wisely.
Amen!
Maranatha!
Submitted by Andrew Sheets an Ambassador of Jesus Christ on this
1st Day of October 2018.
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