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Reverend Jim Comments

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Reverend Jim

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  • Reverend Jim
    Reverend Jim in "Is the Secret Rapture a Hoax?"
    The two grinding at the mill have nothing to do with a rapture. ONE taken and ONE left is the "Judgment of Nations - AKA the 'separation of the sheep and goats'. That judgment is the one that answers the pre-trib question, "who would be left to populate the millennium?"
  • Reverend Jim
    Reverend Jim in "Christmas: Is It Really “Glory to the Newborn King”?"

    I agree with you Steve. My feeling is the sooner Christians stop demonizing the other over celebrating Christmas, the sooner we won't be perceived as a bunch of hypocrites to an unbelieving world. Nobody is worshipping a Christmas tree. It doesn't speak, doesn't move, and nobody worships it.

    Paganism can be attached to just about everything in life. Paganism can be attached to planes, trains, and automobiles. Things we use daily are pagan. Attributing paganism to Christmas just shows how a divided mess Christianity has become. Everybody thinks that that they should push their convictions on others. If in a person's heart they believe they should NOT celebrate Christmas then they shouldn't celebrate it. I'm non-trinitarian and this issue is one main reason why I would never become a UCG member. It drives people away.

  • Reverend Jim
    Reverend Jim in "Why Are So Many Abandoning Christianity?"

    I tend to believe that morality has little to do with it. It has more to do with the internet and television exposing Christianity's judgmentalism and hypocrisy, as well as the horrific things that occurred in Catholicism. Your programs are excellent though I may disagree at time.

    It's the Calvinist, the Trinitarians who condemn others, the SDA National Sunday Law, and people like John MacArthur, Benny Hinn, Mike Murdock , Joyce Meyer, the Cerulo's, Ken Copeland, Peter Popoff, Marcus and Joni Lamb, and like so many others who are in it for the money that have destroyed Christianity. I could go on but I think you see my point. God bless your ministry.

  • Reverend Jim
    Reverend Jim in "New World Order"
    I have read that page and replied to it but it was never posted. I completely disagree that Daniel 2 and 7 are 'repeat' prophecies and adamantly disagree that the arms of silver represent the Medo-Persian empire. The word 'mixed' that describes the 'iron and clay' is the word ARAB and that word can only describe Arabia or an Arabian....NOT Rome! There's not one verse in bible prophecy that identifies Rome or Catholicism as any of these beast. Every verse of prophecy points to Islamic countries - NOT Rome or the EU. The Medo-Persian empire was NOT inferior to Babylon. Rome did NOT change the Sabbath to Sunday. The apostles did.
  • Reverend Jim
    Reverend Jim in "New World Order"
    My confusion about the Revelation 13 beast is 'worship'. It just doesn't add up to me that this NWO beast would demand worship. If this beast is a NWO and its leader is worshipped - would that not mean this beast is a religious institution? I just don't see how the NWO leader would be worshipped and NOT be religious in some way.
  • Reverend Jim
    Reverend Jim in "Counterfeit Christianity"
    Very good presentation. These are issues I've never made my mind up on. I have a few questions. "What did Jesus mean when he said to the penitent thief, "today you will be with me in paradise." How do you explain Luke 16 and the rich man and Lazarus and 'Abraham's Bosom?" My understanding is that when the body dies so does the soul. My question... What about the spirit of man and Ecclesiastes 12:7 and Romans 8:10? "And the dust returns to the earth as it was, and the spirit returns to God who gave it." "But if Christ is in you, although the body is dead because of sin, the Spirit is life because of righteousness." It sounds like the soul and spirit are two different things... Hebrews 4:12 "For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart." Ecclesiastes 3:21... "Who knows whether the spirit of man goes upward and the spirit of the beast goes down into the earth?"
  • Reverend Jim
    Reverend Jim in "A God-Centered Universe"

    There's a man on youtube - last name Barnett, - Dr. Barnett I believe, who teaches that the earth is the center of the universe and when the elements burn with fervent heat God is going to destroy the universe. It amazes me that so many people believe him.

  • Reverend Jim
    Reverend Jim in "The Rapture Versus the Bible"
    Steve, I think you're omitting one crucial part in 1 Thes. 4. "we which are ALIVE AND REMAIN unto the coming (Parousia) of the Lord shall not prevent (PRECEDE) them which are asleep....and the dead in Christ shall rise FIRST - THEN - (afterwards) we which are ALIVE AND REMAIN shall be caught up TOGETHER WITH THEM (THE DECEASED ELECT/ RESURRECTED BELIEVERS) in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. This occurs at the Parousia, the consummation of the age - at the end of Tribulation because the Parousia is mentioned in verse 15 and the Harpazo is mentioned in verse 17- same time-frame. So what is the purpose of removing Christians just prior to the Lord's return? When the Lord returns during the big battle - Armageddon, He does battle with the evil forces of the earth - especially ISLAM/Muslims! He removes His elect/believers to prevent 'friendly fire'! I can agree that pre-trib is an abomination, but, there is no greater abomination than Preterism.
  • Reverend Jim
    Reverend Jim in "The Fallacy of the Immortal Soul"
    A few other verses I have questions about are... Eph. 4:8-10. Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men. Now that he ascended, what is it but that he also descended first into the lower parts of the earth? He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things. 1Pe 4:5-6 Who shall give account to him that is ready to judge the quick and the dead. For this cause was the gospel preached also to them that are dead, that they might be judged according to men in the flesh, but live according to God in the spirit. There was a resurrection when Christ resurrected. The people who Christ preached to had to be conscious, correct? Were they not resurrected? Mat 27:52 And the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints which slept arose,...
  • Reverend Jim
    Reverend Jim in "The Fallacy of the Immortal Soul"
    This is a one sided study. You covered the scriptures that support annihilationism, and 'no conscientiousness' between death and the resurrection, but didn't confront any of the scriptures that others use to support the intermediate state of conscientiousness, and there are many. Why do the souls beneath the altar ask for vengeance in Rev 6? Why did Jesus say I go prepare a place for you? What about the rich man in Hades being in torment-Luke 16? What about leading the captivity captive and Christ gave gifts to men? What about the many verses that mention eternal punishment? What about, "And these will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life." What about, "Death and Hades giving up the dead who were in them?" To name a few. What about scientists who say people are aware they're dead because their consciousness continues to work after the body has stopped showing signs of life? If after we die and the 'spirit' returns to God then SOMETHING returns to God, correct?
  • Reverend Jim
    Reverend Jim in "Why Celebrating Christmas Is Futile"

    It's your assessment that I don't believe in the Word of the Bible. I'm not one who lets others interpret it for me. I do my own homework and I'm not to subject to any one church or any one set of beliefs. I determine my beliefs. It's clear to me that if you feel it's wrong to celebrate Christmas or Easter, then don't do it.
    I was going to attend a UCG but was told I wouldn't fit in. The pastor thought I was going there to push my eschatological beliefs which wasn't true. I'm non-trinitarian and that's why I wanted to go as I was soon to get into a debate on the trinity with someone and wanted to get some insight on it. God has already called me. I have in sorts a ministry of my own. Though I disagree with the UCG in several areas, I appreciate the UCG very much and would never discourage anyone from going there. I would discourage people going to a trinitarian, fundamentalist church. This is a free forum and there's a great bunch of people here. They know that I'm a horse of a different color. God bless all of you. I bet I cause them to think and wonder about some things I say about the last days, though I doubt I'll change any of their minds.

  • Reverend Jim
    Reverend Jim in "Why Celebrating Christmas Is Futile"

    It's not a doctrine and it's not a commandment. Christmas is one of the most blessed times of the year for me and millions of others. I'll be playing two beautiful Christmas songs at our SUNDAY service, and one at a concert Sunday afternoon where I sing one, "Come, Jesus, Holy Son of God" by Handel....and two more times at two Monday services. It's the most beautiful season of the year. We celebrate the birth of our Lord. If you don't that's OK. I respect your decision. I celebrate Christmas and you need to respect my decision to do so.

  • Reverend Jim
    Reverend Jim in "Why Celebrating Christmas Is Futile"

    Kathy you said,
    "Jim, It is clear your intention is to use our forum to advance your incorrect interpretation of one scripture."
    That's not true. I'm not here to advance the 'incorrect interpretation' of anything. I pose quite a challenge to people, especially with contentious issues like Trinity, Pre-trib, and ROME which is NOT found in one verse of end-time prophecy. I'm showing you and others the other side of the issue. You say I'm misinterpreting but look,
    You quote Mathew 15:9
    “But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men” (Matthew 15:9).
    Then you say,
    "You can worship Jesus and do it in vain? Jesus said you could!"
    You're taking a verse that comes from Isaiah that Jesus directed to the Pharisees because they give the appearance of drawing near to God with lip service but their heart is far from Him, to say we shouldn't celebrate Christmas!
    I'm playing "Mary did you Know and Oh Holy Night" at two Christmas services and one Christmas concert. In doing so I will NOT be worshipping heathen gods but will be worshipping God the Father for giving us His son Jesus Christ our Savior and will bring tears to peoples eyes as I play it.

  • Reverend Jim
    Reverend Jim in "Why Celebrating Christmas Is Futile"

    We have to agree to disagree. The law was an observance between God and Israel. An Israelite could not leave their home, build a fire, or cause anyone to work. If you did any of those things you were to be put to death. You are mistaking if you think that applies to NT Christians. There's no obligation for New Testament believers to observe a Saturday or Sunday Sabbath. “One man considers one day more sacred than another; another man considers every day alike. Each one should be fully convinced in his own mind. He who regards one day as special, does so to the Lord” Paul said, "For if righteousness comes through the law, then Christ died in vain." He also said, "For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes." Paul again, "Therefore do not let anyone judge you by what you eat or drink, or with regard to a religious festival, a New Moon celebration or a Sabbath day. KJV Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days: People who go to church on Sunday or celebrate Christmas are doing the right thing. "Reverend" is a nick I picked up while working in the NH state prison.

  • Reverend Jim
    Reverend Jim in "What Did the Apostle Paul Mean by a "Falling Away" in the End Times?"

    Jay, It amazes me that nearly all Christians attribute apostasy to themselves when there's not one reason to believe so. Apostasy is an end-time rebellious EVENT that takes place just before the man of sin appears because it's what brings him on. Notice how other religions define apostasy and how they are similar. It's only the Christian definition that's different. This is the web definition of apostasy.
    Apostasy - (noun) 1The act of abandoning a party or cause.
    2. The state of having rejected your religious beliefs, political party, cause or sports team in favor of opposing beliefs, causes or teams.
    3 A defection, renunciation, disaffiliation, abandonment or revolt from a previous association.
    4 (Islamic definition) Rejection in word or deed of one's former religion.
    5 (Christian definition) To fall away from the truth.
    The only one that's incorrect is the Christian one! Look at my reply above about the words "BUT WE" in verse 13. That proves the apostasy is all about the followers of the man of sin. Why would go send strong delusion upon Christians? Apostasy is a rebellion and abandonment of a previous affiliation. It's not heresy or a lack of devotion.