From Dr. Steven Lawson's Foundations of Grace, chapter 9 titled The Greatest Expositor of Grace - The Lord Jesus Christ: Matthew, Mark, and Luke (pg. 244):
(red emphasis added)
Jesus Christ clearly affirmed His absolute sovereignty in all realms of His creation. This supreme authority is seen especially in matters dealing with the salvation of men. Christ is sovereign over His workers and their circumstances, for which reason the gospel advances victoriously. Moreover, He is endowed with authority over fallen men, so that He is able to bring the elect to faith in Himself. Christ brings to pass all that is necessary for the accomplishment of the Great Commission. By His authority, the gospel will triumph:
And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” - Matthew 28:18-20
As our Lord issued His Great Commission, He claimed the absolute sovereignty and universal dominion to undergird and ensure the success of the worldwide enterprise of the gospel. The authority of Christ guarantees that the preaching of God's Word will bear fruit in the hearts of men. He has the authority to send the Holy Spirit to convict of sin, righteousness, and judgment. He has the authority to overcome all obstacles and to open hearts. He has the authority to grant repentance and saving faith. He has authority to covert His enemies and to build up His church. As a result, His servants will be raised up and disciples will be made. Let there be no uncertainty: Jesus has unlimited authority, especially in the execution of the Great Commission for the saving of the elect.
Affirming this divine annunciation, [James Montgomery] Boice writes, "The declaration of Christ's authority on earth means that he has authority over those who are not yet believers. That is, his authority extends to the people to whom he sends us with the gospel. It follows, on the one hand, that Christianity is to be a world religion. No one is outside the sphere of his authority or es exempt from his call. On the other hand, this is also a statement of Jesus' ability to bring fruit from our efforts, for it is through the exercise of his authority that men and women actually come to believe and follow him."
But we ought always to give thanks to God for you, brothers beloved by the Lord, because God chose you as the firstfruits to be saved, through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth. To this he called you through our gospel, so that you may obtain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. - 2 Thessalonians 2:13-14
A brother recently shared with me the following sermon by Pastor John Weaver, which is part 2 of 6 in his series titled, The Doctrine of Election. Packed full of Scripture testifying to the sovereign election of God, this message is a must-listen for those embracing the biblical doctrine of election or those eager to learn the truth behind it.
I encourage you to check any preconceived notions about election at the door and dig deep to ask yourself one question -
Dr. James White of Alpha and Omega Ministries has just posted an open letter calling for the repentance of false teacher Harold Camping of Family Radio, who as expected failed in his prediction of judgment day on May 21, 2011. If you were deceived by Camping's cult through Family Radio, wecanknow.com, or through any other means, please know today is also the day for you to repent. I encourage you to begin with the following link: Eternal Life
Do not take for granted that you already know how to go to heaven, for if you were deceived by Harold Camping, there's a good chance you are deceived into believing a false gospel and remain under the wrath of God. Please do post a comment or contact me privately if you need someone to speak with regarding your salvation.
Dr. White begins his rebuke with the following:
Dear Mr. Camping:
In July of 2009 you and I engaged in a debate on the Iron Sharpens Iron radio program concerning your teaching that the church age had ended and that Christ would return on May 21, 2011. I trust you recall our exchange. I am also aware that you have at least seen my book, Dangerous Airwaves: Harold Camping Refuted and Christ's Church Defended. I have been seeking to warn people about your teachings, sir, for about a decade. I know others have been warning the church about you longer than I.
Mr. Camping I am writing to seek your repentance and the most God-glorifying outcome of the debacle of your failed May 21, 2011 prophecy/teaching. I am not writing to engage in debate with you. The time for debate ended on May 22, 2011. It is now time for you to repent and seek to undo the massive damage you have done, first and foremost, to the cause of Christ.
Let me first list the items you need to repent of, openly and publicly (for you are a public person, and your teachings were disseminated all around the world).
Thanks to Trisha Ramos from Fish with Trish for posting this yesterday. It pretty much sums up the consequences of Harold Camping's false prophecy as a cult leader, which will ultimately tarnish the truth of the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ. We certainly have our work cut out for us - let us begin and stay on our knees.
A couple of weeks ago I was thinking about the blessed opportunity of a local brother who is able to open-air preach in Uptown Charlotte every Friday on his lunch break. Uptown is a very busy, pedestrian-friendly city center populated with corporate businesses, shops, and restaurants, thus giving this brother potentially hundreds of people to hear the proclamation of the Gospel each week. As I thought about his personal ministry, I began to wish I was able to do such a thing – and then it hit me after a few moments – I DO have such an opportunity to engage the lost during my lunch break! I immediately rejoiced and thanked God for revealing to me another avenue for which I can share the Gospel with a dying world.
My workplace happens to be along a busy bus route that services local public health, social services, and a chemical dependency center. Any time I pass these bus stops, there’s anywhere from a handful to 1 or 2 dozen of people, so there’s usually always someone there to engage. Since last week, I’ve been able to get out there 4 or 5 times, spending anywhere from 10 to 35 minutes during my lunch break.
The challenging part about this type of witnessing is that you have a limited amount of time to share the Gospel with the buses coming every 20 minutes. I’ve realized I need to sharpen my delivery of the Gospel as I ran out of time on a couple of occasions, so this is going to bless me in that regard. When time allows, it’s wonderful to be able to share deeper truths with people, but oftentimes we must be concise and keep the focus on the essentials of the Gospel.
After meeting a professing Christian and encouraging her for about 10 minutes yesterday, the bus arrived and I was able to hand out 10 or so more tracts to those waiting to get on the bus. I proceeded across the street on the way back to my truck when I saw 3 men waiting for the outbound bus. I looked at my watch and saw that I had a few minutes left before I had to get back to work. I handed a tract to each one and told them the back of the tract contained the “trillion dollar question.” Anthony began reading the tract on the spot, reading it intensely in fact. I really didn’t know what to say as he was concentrating, then all of a sudden he cracked a slight smile and said, “man, I think I was fine until I got there” – he was referring to adultery in the heart, the sin of lust.
As God would have it, for the next 20 minutes I was able to share the best news that Anthony had ever heard. We talked about the Law of God and the fact we have all sinned against Him, and we all deserve the just punishment in hell. When I explained to Him the sacrifice of Christ and the beauty of the Savior to redeem a people for Himself, he was taken aback as he had never heard it explained like that before. It was apparent Anthony could feel the weight of his sin and the bloody price paid for sinners as he wiped tears from his eyes several times during our conversation.
I pleaded with Anthony that if he hears the voice of the Son of God speaking through me and the Word of God, if God had given him ears to hear the voice of the Good Shepherd to repent and follow Him, then don’t wait any longer. Today is the day of salvation, and the Lord of glory is worthy to be served, loved, obeyed, worshiped, and praised with all of our heart, mind, soul, and strength. This Jesus who is coming back in flaming fire to take vengeance upon those who disobey the Gospel of Christ, who will show no mercy to those who refuse to bow down to Him today, is offering mercy to sinners now! I told Anthony if he believed everything I was saying as truth, and he wants to be set free from the bondage of his sin, putting on the yoke of Christ to learn from Him, then just cry out to Him calling upon the name of the Lord to save him from his sins. I told him he doesn’t need to repeat a prayer or go to the alter of a church, he just needs to get alone with God and be reconciled to him.
Then Anthony said,
I think I just did that.
I said,
what do you mean?
He responded,
I didn’t cry out loud, I just cried out inside – in my heart.
“Hallelujah” burst from my lips in near unbelief, it was incredible.
To see the sovereign work of God in a man is indescribable if what had just happened was genuine. As the bus came over the hill, I gave Anthony my card and explained to him the resources found on airō. I told him I’d love to get up with him and talk more about this, and he was eager to send me his email address. Anthony explained to me he knew everything in his past had driven him to this point in time to speak with me, and I told him I expected to hear from him. I gave him a Gospel of John and also pointed him to 1st John, and he was on his way.
As you might imagine, I rejoiced the whole way back to work. I was so thrilled by this Divine appointment that I got out of my truck with the keys still in the ignition and the engine running. I can’t say in absolute terms that Anthony was born again yesterday, but if what I witnessed was indeed the manifestation of sovereign grace, I trust God will finish the work He started in Anthony regardless of whether he follows up with me.
This is just one amazing story of Grace working through me to touch the life of another potential sheep of the Good Shepherd. By taking a few minutes out of my day to reach out to others, God has blessed me richly through the proclamation of the Gospel during my day. I want to ask you to consider how you might be able to do the same during your day.
What kind of opportunities might you have throughout the day that you’ve never considered before? Are you also along a transit route? Are you near a shopping center or other type of pedestrian-friendly area? Can you take half of your lunch break to go out and hand a few tracts to people? Who is just right outside your door that you’ve never engaged? If you have this opportunity, won’t you consider getting out of your comfort zone, stepping out on faith to see what God will do?
"If you allow the impartation of Jesus Christ to overtake you, suddenly it all works. Because it's Him imitating Himself, and He's very good at being God."
Incredible video on the strength we find in Christ to do HIS work:
The hype of Harold Camping's false prophecy will continue to get louder as we approach this Saturday, May 21, 2011. In the audio and brief article below, Christian apologist Dr. James White of Alpha and Omega Ministries addresses some of the issues regarding the fallout from Camping's failed prophecy. What can Christians do in response to the certain scoffing (2 Peter 3:3-4) that will follow on May 22 and beyond? What should our response be to those who have been so deceived by Camping and the wecanknow.com cult? How do we protect our churches from their heresies and influence within the Body of Christ?
These questions and more are answered by Dr. James White:
Can you imagine what it will be like for Campingites around the world a week from today? Listening to the news, waiting to hear about earthquakes at 6pm all around the world? Maybe saying goodbye to loved ones? Giving away personal items, all the time, wondering….
I listened to two NPR reports on Camping's prophecy today, and it was truly disheartening to listen to these folks. One lady had been about to enroll in medical college, but did not, so that she could warn people about "Judgment Day." Another man had left wife and children behind, as they did not "believe." A couple, the woman expecting their second child in June, were interviewed. They had given up everything, and had just enough money to make it till May 21. After that…well, they will be destitute. The New York Post just reported on a man who squandered his $140,000 life's savings to buy advertisements in the New York area promoting the May 21 prophecy. Can you imagine the chuckles of all those going to work on Monday the 23rd as they pass those advertisements? Thanks, Mr. Camping.
Well, are you ready? Even those living in a pretty sheltered world are starting to hear about May 21 now. The date is met with chuckles and smiles by most. Another end times prophet, more reason to question those nutty Christians. Atheists are planning Rapture Parties. Documentaries will be made about what happens on May 22nd. Disappointed followers will be looked at closely. Concerns, quite valid concerns, exist about some choosing to depart this world forcibly should they live to see May 22nd. Some of Camping's callers have been calling to ask about euthanizing their pets before May 21, and an atheist group has set up a pet rescue program where, for only $135, they will come get your dog or cat after you are raptured (the offer is good for ten years!).
I have thought a good deal about the whole thing lately, being one of those who have sought to expose Camping over the past decade. One thing is for sure, no one will be able to accuse me of having ignored the issue. It has never been a prime focus, it has never been a top priority, but there are few major ministries who have been "on target" with Camping's false teachings any longer than we have. My debate with him left no questions in the minds of any who were willing to listen, but, of course, that's the problem. Campingites are an odd bunch.
Now, I firmly believe Jesus is coming again. He could come today, He could even come on the 21st---no one on earth, even a false prophet, can keep Jesus from coming back for His bride. But He is not coming back only for Campingites (and they have surely added belief in May 21 as part of what one must believe to be saved). Every time some maverick like Camping decides to go off the reservation and promote a prophecy like this, scorn is brought on all of us who believe Jesus is coming again. The mockery factor will be quite high come Monday the 23rd.
I do not know what Camping is going to do on Monday the 23rd. He has closed every door on his options. He has said the Bible guarantees it. There is no plan B. This is it, plain and simple, no question marks after May 21, 2011? or the like to fall back on. I have thought he might spiritualize it, like Miller did back in 1844 or so, but he has really not left that option open either. He could always claim a blown calculation (we provided him with examples of errors in his numbers last year, in fact), but that would leave him without much credibility as a number-cruncher, and his system is nothing if it isn't based on number-crunching. Will he even show up on Open Forum on Monday? I mean, at 89 years of age, you'd think retirement would all of a sudden become a very viable option.
I can't imagine what a Monday, May 23rd, 2011 Open Forum broadcast would be like, however. Can you imagine the calls? Not only the mockery from unbelievers, but the anger from his own followers? It would probably be the highest rated program ever, to be sure. Their servers would melt down on the Internet side. But that would be temporary, and one can surely predict the collapse of Family Radio as a result of Camping's second major prophetic failure. One would hope, at least, that finally he would be removed and taken off the air so as to deceive no more. But, you would have thought that would have happened back in 1994. It didn't. There is always an audience for false prophets.
And of course there is the issue of what Campingites will do in the future. Let's be brutally honest: Campingites are, in the main, very odd people. As a whole they reject authority. They tend to be loners who do not like being around others. That's why they bought his attack on the church so easily. Many will not want to repent of their following a false prophet, embracing false doctrine, and attacking Christ's church. And I should emphasize this, that is exactly what must be demanded of any and every follower of Harold Camping after the May 21 date passes---repentance. If they show up at your church, be warned! They have engaged in sinful slander of Christ's church and the gospel, and they should be exhorted to repent and confess their errors before being given, over a period of time, access to the fellowship of believers once again. They should be watched carefully by elders to see if they have truly repented or whether they are just putting on a show so that they can once again bring their odd views and beliefs into the church.
At the same time, some of these folks will be absolutely positively devastated when their clock shows them it is May 22nd and the sun will rise in a matter of hours. They will have nothing left, and, given that Camping lied to them and said "the Bible guarantees it," many, many will abandon all belief in the Bible as Scripture. Atheist groups will be touting former Campingites who "saw the light" in the coming months. Remember that in the years after the failed 1975 prophecy of Jehovah's Witnesses, about a million people left the Watchtower. But, they did not join any other religious organization. They became the religiously abused, the burned out, the "don't talk to me about that stuff" crowd. And while I doubt Camping has that many followers, there will still be a large number who will throw it all away, saying the Bible is not worthy to be believed, all because Camping twisted it and distorted it and lied to his followers. He will have much to answer for on the real judgment day, which, at age 89, is very close at hand for him.
So once again, many thanks, Harold Camping. You will once again make the Bible, the Gospel, and the cross, a mockery, all because of your insatiable pride and arrogance. This time, the Lord allowed you to fall into more rank heresy in the process, but still, you say enough "right things" to bring mockery and disrepute upon all who hold the Bible to be the Word of God. Your followers will stand to condemn you on judgment day, to be sure, but more importantly, God well knows how many of us have tried to reason with you, tried to show you the error of your ways. You refused, and now the time is coming for judgment indeed. May 21st is judgment day after all: for Harold Camping, for Family Radio, and for all who have followed Camping into heresy and error.
