Hi to all my Forum Friends,
In the discussion begun by Beter and titled "Words Of Joseph Smith And" -- Deep shares a few thoughts on Pastor Chuck Smith. So, I will take a moment to respond to Deep's criticisms.
Deep, you declare, "All prophets are false.
Not true, my Friend.
You say, "No one has a pipeline to some ephemeral essence of the Universe."
Normally speaking, that would be true. However, in the Old Testament times, before God gave us the Bible as His Written Word to guide believers to salvation and in their Christian lives -- He gave the people living testaments of His Word for mankind, the prophets. In other words, in those day, God spoke to the people through these chosen spokesmen. So, yes, the Old Testament prophets did have a spiritual pipeline to the knowledge of God.
You tell us, "None of the ancient 'prophets' had any idea what a galaxy was."
They may not have known about galaxies -- but, they certainly understood that God had created a universe. We read in the Bible that the earth is round: Job 26:10, Prov 8:27, Isaiah 40:22, Amos 9:6.
We read of the Hydrologic Water Cycle in Eccl 1:6-7; 11:3; Job 26:8; Amos 9:6. In Job 36:27-28, "For He draws up drops of water, which distill as rain from the mist, which the clouds drop down and pour abundantly on man."
Yes, all the way back to Job, understood to be the first book of the Bible to be written -- prophets had an understanding of God's universe. It was not as detailed as we have today -- but, still they did have an understanding.
You tell us, "Chuck Smith is a modern day prophet. He's a joke."
First, Pastor Chuck Smith has NEVER said he is a prophet. As a matter of fact, he believes as I do that the last prophet was John the Baptist. Once Jesus Christ came as the Incarnate God, He brought in the Dispensation of Grace and He established His church on earth -- the body of believers. Also, the Holy Spirit inspired chosen men to write the Word of God and to give us the Written Word of God in lieu of living prophets. In so doing, His Word can be spread around the world for all to read.
So, no, Chuck Smith is not a prophet, nor has he ever claimed to be one. For about sixty years he has taught the Word of God from the pulpit. And, since 1965, he has taught the Word of God expositionally, i.e., teaching from Genesis 1:1 all the way to Revelation 22:21 -- without skipping or avoiding a single verse. In teaching the Bible in this manner -- he has developed a fuller understanding of what God teaches us in His Written Word.
And, from this understanding, Pastor Chuck has come to believe that the Bible teaches a PreTribulation Rapture of the church, the body of Christ, from the earth -- and the Bible teaches a PreMillennial Return of Christ at the end of the seven year Tribulation. This is clearly taught in the Bible; and, through expositionally teaching the bible for for 45 years, he can tell us in sermons, in conference messages, and in written books -- why he believes Jesus Christ will take His church of of this world BEFORE the Tribulation. And why he believes that Jesus Christ will return at the end of the Tribulation and establish His Millennial Kingdom on earth.
It does not take a prophet to teach this -- only a person with a spiritual relationship with God, and a strong knowledge of God's Written Word, the Bible.
Finally, you say, "The Prophetry (sic) is a good gig, however. Money to be made there. See Smith, Smith, Hubbard, and Robertson, to name a few."
Yes, teaching the Word of God is a GREAT gig! And, for his faithful teaching for 60 years -- I have no doubt that one day Pastor Chuck will stand before Jesus Christ and hear, "Well done, good and faithful servant. Come and stand at My right hand."
You mention two Smiths. Were you stuttering -- or is this a moment of dementia? While I have never been a member of any church where Chuck Smith pastors -- I have listened to him on the radio, heard him in conferences, and read his books. When I look at the worldwide population of Calvary Chapel churches God has built since 1965, using Pastor Chuck Smith -- I am amazed. And, I praise God for Calvary Chapel and for Pastor Chuck Smith.
As I told you before, Deep -- before you condemn the man on hearsay and gossip from forums -- why don't you drive down to Costa Mesa and hear him for yourself? Or, if that is too frightening for you -- try listening on KWVE Christian Radio (107.9 FM in Southern California). This could make an eternal difference in your life -- your eternal life!
God bless, have a wonderful, blessed day,
Bill
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