Testing spirits of Teachers & Prophets (53 views) Subscribe   
  From:  David (DavidABrown)    4/1/2003 6:35 pm  
To:  ALL   (1 of 14)  
 
  574.1  
 
 The World and worldly people, claim to have vast knowledge and to know so much but how much do they really know. Following is a simple test to help us Christians stay on track during the tremendous dust storms that the world of ungodly opinion blows at us. 
Testing to determine if someone is a true prophet  a teacher of God or a false prophet of man.

People claim to have glorious information even Divine insight into how we should live and conduct our lives. But is their information really good and useful? Even though some of it sounds good and does have a certain worldly appeal, what standard should we use in determining if their directions are legitimate and are going to have Everlasting Value for us or is it just a part of a fad of the moment that sounds good but is really of little use in cultivating a lasting relationship with Jesus.

Here is a good start - does the information draw us closer to the Holy, Living, Loving, Caring, God, then good, but if the information gives credit to mankind while neglecting to give Honor and Glory to God then that information needs to be carefully considered and even rejected as harmful and unhelpful in helping to direct and guide our lives.


Here is good test to determine if someone is a prophet of God or a false prophet. 

Jeremiah 23:21-23 I have not sent these prophets, yet they ran: I have not spoken to them, yet they prophesied. But if they had stood in My counsel, and had caused My people to hear My words, then they should have turned them from their evil way, and from the evil of their doings. Am I a God at hand, saith the Lord, and not a God afar off?
Also God is reminding us that He is close to us and that when we need Him we should call on Him ourselves and not always look to others to call on God for us or to prophesy for us.


Keep in mind that False - worldly teachings are often passed off as Christian in nature yet are far from Christian/Biblical.

2 Peter 2:1-9 But there were False Prophets also among the people, even as there shall be False Teachers among you, who privily (in secret) shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction. And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the Way of Truth shall be evil spoken of .. (remember) The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the Day of Judgment to be punished:
An Exciting part of being a Christian is in thinking through our thoughts and our actions to determine if it will have a good consequences towards God or a bad consequence for us and this includes thinking through what others are trying to get us to say and do. Sometimes Saying "No" is necessary and it is also powerful as saying no to the ways of this world is generally part of the first step of saying "Yes" to God.

God Bless you,
David A. Brown



David A. Brown
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  From:  NimrodCush   4/1/2003 8:41 pm  
To:  David (DavidABrown)    (2 of 14)  
 
  574.2 in reply to 574.1  
 
In my opinion, the greatest false (visual) teaching is the European characters we see in Bibles and in movies (except the Prince of Egypt). The Bibles gave us various clues that most of the main characters are light to dark Asiatic or Afrocentric people. 

For example, in ch. 9 in the book of Amos, it explain how the children of Israel lost its original relationship with God, their coming punishments, and how God restored peace in Israel. In verse 7, it tells that the original children of Israel are Ethiopians (Are ye not as children of the Ethiopians unto me, O children of Israel? saith the LORD. Have not I brought up Israel out of the land of Egypt?... [lead by Moses]). Isaiah ch 11: 10-12 also verify the identification of the Ethiopian Jews (Cush is a hebrew word for Ethiopia or black face). 
Another point that need to be know. Genesis Ch. 10 breaks down Noah's sons and the three main races in the world. If you look in any biblical dictionary, it will mention that Japheth is the forefather of Europeans; Shem is the forefather of southwest Asian people; Ham is the forefather of African people. Now if you study Matthew ch. 1 ( genealogy of Jesus), you will find out that you will not find Jatheth bloodline anywhere, only Shem and Ham. You do the math. 

Now lets get back to false teaching. In ch. 20:7-10 in the book of Revelation, it explain how Satan, Gog, and Magog will go out and deceive the nation and then be cast into the lake of fire and brimstone. Who is Gog and Magog? If you look up these two words in any biblical dictionary or Genesis Ch. 10 verse 2, it will explain that Gog and Magog are people from southeast Europe. In fact, in the past 500 years there has been a lot of horrible events that took place in this world: slavery, wars, lynchings, racism, corporate corruption, distortions of historical facts, imperialism, etc. 

I would like to hear comments if you think that these words are untrue. 

 
  
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  From:  David (DavidABrown)    4/1/2003 10:02 pm  
To:  NimrodCush   (3 of 14)  
 
  574.3 in reply to 574.2  
 
Hi ,

Unfortunately your information is an exact fit for False Teaching.

Your teaching focuses on humans, how they look, where they live, what they have done.

And worst of all it doesnt unite people to God.

I would avoid it, and continue to read the Bible where I can be built up and edified in the Love of Christ Jesus.

God Bless you,
David



David A. Brown
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  From:  NimrodCush   4/2/2003 4:51 pm  
To:  David (DavidABrown)    (4 of 14)  
 
  574.4 in reply to 574.3  
 
Hi David 
Thank you for responding to my post. Before I restate my point, I would like to let you and the readers know that I just don't focus on demographics. Jesus died for our sins, and we should thank our lucky stars for that. We all have our shares of downfalls and triumphs. Thats why we seek HIS name. Jesus is love. 

Now back to false teaching. I thought that you message was right on point. I was just saying that using the word of God along with the false images we see in our Bibles and churches is another form of false teaching. Most people are visual learners, and they will associate the word of God with an images painted by Michaelangelo and Raphael. The problem is also false images, and I was just trying to prove that according to the words in the Bible. I'm not trying to divide; I'm just trying to enlighten somes minds. GOD BLESS 

Nimrod Cush 
 
  
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  From:  David (DavidABrown)    4/2/2003 6:16 pm  
To:  NimrodCush   (5 of 14)  
 
  574.5 in reply to 574.4  
 
Hi nimrodcush,

Thanks for not giving up on posting.

I agree that the visuals of the Bible are second.

This includes the image on the shroud of Turin and also the new Totally silly computer painting by Time Magazine or whoever invented the new "bewildered, 52" Jesus.

It is really what the people did that are examples for us.

There is a period of European art that has many of the Bible Favorites weighing about 250+ lbs. because at that time in Europe nobility tended to be a little on the plump side.

I love seeing the paintings of an older obese King David and King Salomon and they may be accurate.

The important thing to know is that God uses "Ordinary People" because that is all that exists is "Ordinary People."

James 5:17 Elias (Elijah the Prophet) was a man subject to like passions as we are 

God Bless you,
David



David A. Brown
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  From:  NimrodCush   4/4/2003 12:24 am  
To:  David (DavidABrown)    (6 of 14)  
 
  574.6 in reply to 574.5  
 
What up Dave, 
God did used ordinary people. Jesus's diciples were ordinary people: Peter the fisherman, Paul the Roman citizen, and Matthew the tax collector to name a few. 

History was never my favorite subject in high school or college, but a few historical and archeolgical insights has caught my eyes. Scientist and paleoanthropologist will tell you that hunamkind started somewhere in east and central Africa. The Bible mention that Ethiopia is part of the Garden of Eden (Gen 2:10-14). Another piece of info i wasn't aware were images of black Madonna and Jesus in prominent European (I think in France) cathedrals. An ancient gold Roman coin with a picture of a Black Jesus (located in a British Museum) is another fact I learned a few years ago. Images of brown and black biblical images were also found in Rome's catacombs. I would love to see these artifacts in person because these are probably the only images that is close to what the original people look like. Why didn't I learn this in my history class? Hmmmmmmm. In the New York Times 3-2-84 editorial, it mentioned about the Falasha (Ethiopian) Jews are one of the original children of Israel.(Amos 9:7) 

Proverbs 2:6 For the Lord giveth wisdom: out of his mouth cometh knowledge and undestanding. 
 
  
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  From:  David (DavidABrown)    4/4/2003 8:05 am  
To:  NimrodCush   (7 of 14)  
 
  574.7 in reply to 574.6  
 
Hi nimrodcush,

Thanks for posting.

If you have some links or aditional resources to document your findings it would be helpful.

I always Caution the Readers on this forum to Disregard Info that is not documented and currently that would include your information, so please help us out and post the documentation.

God Bless you,
David



David A. Brown
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  From:  NimrodCush   4/5/2003 2:24 pm  
To:  David (DavidABrown)    (8 of 14)  
 
  574.8 in reply to 574.7  
 
What up Dave, 
Thank you for your concern and interest on my thoughts. 
Let me provide some info references that you might be of interest. 

Links: 
christiananswers.net - This website is a biblical reference/encyclopedia website 

zulunation.com - This website is about hip-hop and afrocentric reference. Click on the HISTORY, MYSTERY, OUR STORY link. 

Books: 

Read any bibliography of the ancient Greek historian Herodotus. He was one of the few Greeks that saw how ancient Egypt and Cush(Ethiopia) looked like and wrote reports about them. In my opinion, the changing of biblical images started during Alexander the Great's conquest of N. Africa (Hellenize). The word Christianity is derived from the Greek word "Christo", which menas anointed. The Hebrew word anointed is translated as "messiah". Keep in mind that the original Bible was written in Hebrew, not old English (they, O, ye, and so forth) 

Blinds: Distortions of Historical Facts by Shannon Jolly 

Historical Christianity African Centered by James C. Anyike 

The African Cultural Heritagen (King James Version) A Topical Reference (Barnes and Nobles has them) 

I also want to add one documentary TV show that was shown on the Discovery Channel 3 yrs. ago. It is called Jesus the Complete Story. 
This documentray is a chronolgical story about Jesus which shows archeologists digging and find artifacts. The last 15 minutes of the show will prove my point of false images. 

In addition, I would like the readers to use the internet/search engine to study the falasha jews and you might understand that they are one of the children of Israel. 

I hope that readers do take the time to study the damaging effect these false images caused around the world. Don't take my word for it. Research the references along with the Bible, and do the math. 

Hollywood went from The Ten Commandments (European characters) to the animated Prince of Egypt (Afrocentric characters) one must ask the question why?? Is it the hierglyphics in ancient Egypt that gave it away. Like I said, you do the math. 

Romans 15:14 And I myself also am persuaded of you, my brethren, that ye also are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge, able to ASMONISH one another. 

God Bless. 

Nimord H. Cush 


 
  
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  From:  David (DavidABrown)    4/5/2003 5:06 pm  
To:  NimrodCush   (9 of 14)  
 
  574.9 in reply to 574.8  
 
Hi,

Your Post is still "Pointless" it is irrelevant as to what people looked like in the Bible or now, except that it is to Gods credit and Glory that He physically makes us the way that we are.

In actuality the Bible goes to great lengths to avoid giving physical descriptions, this is especially irrelevant in the case of Jesus, as there is no physical description given of Jesus, so that All People can relate to Jesus.

As far as the Bible figures go you have Just as many early references to Bible figures being non-ethnic i.e. Merriam the sister of Moses gets upset with Moses because he marries a black woman, and God Himself corrects Merriam, also King David is referred to as Ruddy, a redhead, the Bible makes few references to physical characteristics and when it does it de-emphasizes them, as God is concerned with the inside, the soul of a person, and not the physical differences that we apply so much significance to.

Also you want to put so much emphasis on the physical yet you post under an assumed name so really your posting is kind of self defeating.

God Bless you,
David



David A. Brown
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  From:  NimrodCush   4/6/2003 4:46 pm  
To:  David (DavidABrown)    (10 of 14)  
 
  574.10 in reply to 574.9  
 
What Dave and fellow readers, 
This will probably be my last post. Dave, I want to thank you for allowing me to share my opinions on false teaching. I believe that we learned a few things from each other. And yes, I am a Christian because of what Jesus did, not what he looks like. 

You mention that the Bible has very little focus on images. I agree, but nevertheless, the Bible does have some verses that does describe some biblical figures (see my previous posts). There are verses that does describe some characteristic of Jesus. Rev. 1:14,15 & 2:18 mention that Jesus has white hair like wool and feet like fine brass. 

My whole agruement was about false images, another form of false teaching. You mention that 'it is irrelevant as to what people looked like in the Bible', and I agree with you 100% 

Let me end my post with these questions though: If images are irrelevant, why do we see European images in 90 to 95% of all churches in this country? Why do sunday school teachers use European images toward children to teach the word of God? And why do people like to see paintings of European image of Jesus, King Davis and King Salomon??? In fact, why have any images at all? Just get ride of them and focus on the word. 

My water is boiling. I'm making tea you know?! Anyways, until next time. Be safe and God Bless. 

Jermaine L. Williams a/k/a Nimrod Cush 
 
  
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  From:  David (DavidABrown)    4/6/2003 5:26 pm  
To:  NimrodCush   (11 of 14)  
 
  574.11 in reply to 574.10  
 
Hi Jermaine,

Thanks for posting and for bringing up a good point.

I totally agree that Every Culture should incorporate Jesus into their view.

I remember the first time I saw a painting of a Chinese Jesus, I was taken back for a moment, but then I realized That is Right, that is exactly how it is and should be.

And this is why:

People are creations of God, the created cannot be greater, or outside, of the creator. To use the math adage the sum of the parts cannot equal more than the whole.

If I had six oranges then I could do a few things I could make 3 glasses of juice or a pie or a cake or whatever I could do it can not be more than the six oranges can produce, I cant make 60 gallons of pure juice when the oranges I have equal 3 cups. Or for example if I had one pound of metal I could make something with one pond of metal I couldnt make a fleet of metal busses but I could make one small model metal bus that is not larger than my material.

Likewise, Jesus is darker than the darkest person, He is also lighter than the lightest albino person because neither person is outside of what God can produce.

Every person and every ethnicity is based from what God can, wants to and is capable enough to do so therefore God encompasses the Physical characteristics of people as it is to Gods Glory to make a diverse group of people and there is nothing wrong with being any color.

The Soul and Sin are different than the Physical God doesnt get the blame for our sins, we do that on our own, but He does get the Glory for our Physical differences, we are each a similar and also a unique individual creation of God. Quite an accomplishment of God that He has hand crafted Billions and Billions of people but not even two are exactly alike.

I liked that you used Revelation to give a description of God, here is another description from Revelation that you dont see hanging on Church walls either and we should.

Revelation 5:6 And I beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts (spirit beings), and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven (complete) Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth.

Thanks again,
God Bless you,
David



David A. Brown
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  From:  inhiskingdom   5/2/2003 12:48 pm  
To:  David (DavidABrown)    (12 of 14)  
 
  574.12 in reply to 574.1  
 
Hi. 
1st John 4 1-3 tells us how to "try" the spirits. That is the only way I know of knowing for sure who is a true spirit of God. What spirit is from the Holy Spirit and what spirit is from the evil one. 

In His Love 
Norb
 
  
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  From:  David (DavidABrown)    5/2/2003 3:54 pm  
To:  inhiskingdom   (13 of 14)  
 
  574.13 in reply to 574.12  
 
Hi inhiskingdom,

Thanks for the valuable insight.

If you ever debated any false prophets or cult groups 1 John 4:1-3 is the First verses that they will use in their defense and they will demand that their version of Jesus is correct and fits the 1 John 4:1-3 criteria while our "version" is of the devil.

I originally posted an additional verse to equip people to use multiple verses of the Bible in conjunction with one another since so many cults and other false teachers have become so adapt at misrepresenting one "Stand Alone" verse.

Also your posted prompted the thought that 1 John is almost the last verse written in the entire Bible so obviously many people for many years relied on other verses to direct their knowledge of God both in daily living and in the Assembling of the Scriptures both Old and New Testaments. I think it is up to us to look through the Bible especially the O.T. and re-discover some of the many good discernment verses that God has placed in there for our protection and use.

Thank you,

God Bless you,
David



David A. Brown
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   From:  inhiskingdom   5/3/2003 5:26 am  
To:  David (DavidABrown)    (14 of 14)  
 
  574.14 in reply to 574.13  
 
Hi. 
1st John 4 1-3 is not for debating. It is given to us to find out, if we can hear the voice of our Father, if the spirit that spoke from a person is from the Holy Spirit or from the evil one. (which way we were guided) 

When the promise of the Father is received, when we can hear the voice of our Shepherd. The signs are available to us also. When a cult group needs to debate, the signs that will follow a believer will also be there that cannot be denied. The promise is the power that is behind the truth of the verses of Mark 16 17-20. 

I use it all the time. In fact every post I make I check to see if it is truth what I gave or if the evil one was taking me in the wrong direction in explaining a scripture. 

Love you bro. 

In His Love 
Norb
 
  
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