Kingdom Tidings Fall Update

On 31st October 1517, Martin Luther, a monk of the Augustinian Order, nailed his "95 Theses" to the Church door in Wittenberg protesting against the abuses and heresies of the Roman Church - The Reformation had begun. It was to be the greatest spiritual awakening and Revival since Pentecost. It saw the nations of North West Europe (the scattered seed of Israel) break free from the tyranny of the Papal Church. Luther and the other Reformers made two key discoveries:

That Salvation was by Grace through faith alone - not of works or sacraments.

That the Roman Church was the Spiritual Babylon of prophecy and its whole dynasty of Popes was Anti-Christ.

JOHN WYCLIFFE - THE MORNING STAR OF THE REFORMATION	This great saint of God who gave us the Bible in the English tongue branded the Pope of Rome as the Anti-Christ.
MARTIN LUTHER	In his treatise on "The Babylonian Captivity of the Church" also branded the Papacy as the "Kingdom of Babylon and Anti- Christ". Replying to the Papal Bull in 1520 he entitled his answer "Martin Luther against the Bull of Anti-Christ."
MIELANCHTON	Luther's friend and colleague stated: "The Roman Pontiff with his whole order and Kingdom is the very Anti-Christ."
JOHN KNOX	The great Scottish Reformer stated: "The Pope is the Head of the Kirk of Anti-Christ ... the Roman Church is the Synagogue of Satan and the head thereof called the Pope the Man of Sin of whom the Apostle speaketh."
THOMAS CRANMER	The first Protestant Archbishop of Canterbury declared: "As for the Pope, I refuse him as Christ's enemy and Anti-Christ with all his false doctrines."
BISHOP RIDLEY	The great English Reformer burned at the stake said: "The Seat of Rome is the Seat of Satan ... and the Bishop thereof is Anti-Christ himself indeed."
JOHN CALVIN	Speaking of the Roman Pontiff this great Reformer declared: "I deny him to be the Vicar of Christ who ... demonstrates by his conduct that he is Anti-Christ."
WILLIAM TYNDALE	The saintly and martyred translator of our English Bible said of the Popes of Rome that: "They be right Anti-Christs for they … deprive the Son of all the power and glory the Father gave Him."
JOHN WESLEY	The founder of Methodism in his Comments on the New Testament clearly stated: "The Pope is the Beast" and "The whole succession of Popes from Gregory VII are undoubtedly Anti-Christ."

There is a conceited and deliberate attempt in our land today to frighten Bible believing Protestants into silence, and to make them ashamed of their glorious Reformation Heritage, by calling them "BIGOTS", whenever they dare to speak out against the betrayal of their faith. The Ecumenists, Charismatics, Modernists and Liberals, want to use "BIGOT" as a term of abuse, but when you understand the true meaning, you will gladly wear the name-tag with pride.

They were paraded through the streets and made to wear yellow robes, and pointed hats with flames and devils painted on them; these were the "garments of shame". When they were chained to the stake, and the faggots (firewood) piled around them, they were given one last chance to recant (give up their faith). The priests and monks of Rome would hold up the Host Wafer and Crucifix, and demand that the Protestants worship these idols. "Turn or Burn" was the option. The Reformers bravely replied:

"By God's grace we will stand for Jesus, contend for the faith and never give in to the Pope of Rome".

The Papists started to call them "BI-GODITES" as a term of abuse and over the years it became shortened to "BIGOTS".

When your enemies call you faithful Protestants "BIGOTS" today, do not be embarrassed or shamed into silence. "BIGOT" IS A BADGE OF HONOUR NOT OF SHAME - if it was good enough for the Protestant Martyrs who were burned alive rather than give in to Popery it is good enough for us their descendants today.

SINISTER STATEMENTS ON THE NEW WORLD ORDER

It was Pius XII who claimed in his Christmas message of 1944 that world peace could only come through an organisation which "will be vested ... with supreme authority and power to smother ... aggression."

It was Pius XII who declared in a pontifical exhortation on February 10, 1952 that "the whole world must be rebuilt from its foundations!"

1950, one-world insider James P. Warburg (CFR) would testify before the Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee, claiming:

"We shall have world government, whether or not we like it. The question is only whether world government will be achieved by consent or by conquest."

Foundations of the World Republic by Professor Borgese in 1953: WORLD GOVERNMENT, asserts Mr. Borgese, is inevitable. It will be born in one of two ways. It may come as a World Empire, with mass enslavement imposed by the victor of World War III; or it may take the form of a World Federal Republic, established by gradual integration of the United Nations.

As Brussels Commissioner for Economic Affairs Yves Thibault de Gilguy recently declared in a speech delivered in London, "For the first time since the fall of the Roman Empire, Europe will have a single currency."

Former UN Assistant Secretary-General Robert Muller (now chancellor of the University of Peace in Costa Rica) is quoted: "If Christ came back to earth, his first visit would be to the United Nations to see if his dream of human oneness and brotherhood had come true."

Muller advised the United Religions:

"Peace will be impossible without the taming of fundamentalism through a United Religions that professes faithfulness only to the global spirituality and to the health of the planet."

Vatican insider Malachi Martin recalls the words of Pope Pius XII, who stated, "Europe ... had its eras of greatness when a common faith had animated the hearts of its peoples" and that Europe "could have its geopolitical greatness again ... if it could create a new heart by reinvigorating its former common faith" (Windswept House, 1996, p.2).

Author Hilton observes that the Vatican normally thinks in centuries. "And in John Paul II we have the most political Pope of modern times. It is in the movement towards federalism of the Common Market, with the coming members of Eastern European countries, as well as in the turmoil in the Soviet Union, that the Pope may see the greatest possibility for an increase in Catholic political power since the fall of Napoleon, or since the Counter-Reformation."

Pope John Paul II said: "By the end of this decade (2000 AD) we will live under the first One World Government that has ever existed in the society of nations ... a government with absolute authority to decide the basic issues of human survival. One world government is inevitable." (Quoted by Malachi Martin in the book The Keys of This Blood.)

"He (The Lord God of Israel) striketh them as wicked men in the open sight of others; Because they turned back from Him, and would not consider any of His ways: So that they cause the cry of the poor to come unto Him, and He heareth the cry of the afflicted. When He giveth quietness, who then can make trouble? And when He hideth His face, who then can behold Him? Whether it be done against a nation, or against a man only: THAT THE HYPOCRITE REIGN NOT, LEST THE PEOPLE BE ENSNARED. Surely it is meet to be said unto God, I have borne chastisement, I will not offend any more:" - (JOB 34:26-31)

Revelation 11:1-2, "And there was given me a reed like unto a rod: and the angel stood, saying, Rise, and measure the temple of God, and the altar, and them that worship therein. But the court which is without the temple leave out, and measure it not; for it is given unto the Gentiles: and the holy city shall they tread under foot forty [and] two months."

Revelation 11:3-4, "And I will give [power] unto my two witnesses, and they shall prophesy a thousand two hundred [and] threescore days, clothed in sackcloth. These are the two olive trees, and the two candlesticks standing before the God of the earth."

From verse 2 to verse 12, we read of another series of prophecies this time concerning a faithful remnant Christians who would witness to the truth throughout the Middle Ages. In the second half of verse 2, John had been told that the Gentiles in the outer court, that is the Latin Roman nations, would "tread under foot the holy city, forty and two months." (1260 "days.") The "holy city" or "New Jerusalem" always symbolises in the NEW TESTAMENT the true church of Christ, and so we see there a prophecy that the Papal church would oppress all true Christians for 1260 years. Verse 3 then foretells how that during that time Christ would especially empower "two witnesses" to maintain the truth of the gospel even though "clothed in sackcloth," that is, under conditions of persecution. True to these prophecies the pages of church history clearly reveal such a line of persecuted witnesses.

We notice that John was told that the truth of Christ would be maintained by "TWO witnesses", which number suggests another witness besides that of faithful Christians. In the Mosaic Law two witnesses were always required to establish a conclusive testimony. Verses 4 to 6 enumerate various characteristics of the two witnesses by which we can not only identify them, but also distinguish one from another. In verse 4, one witness is likened to "two candlesticks," and the other to "two olive trees." This metaphor is repeated from Zechariah 4:11-14 where the prophet visualised two olive trees, one on each side of a candlestick into which they fed oil for burning. Now Christ told John in Revelation 1:20

"The mystery of the seven stars which thou sawest in my right hand, and the seven golden candlesticks. The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches: and the seven candlesticks, which thou sawest are the seven churches."

that a candlestick symbolised a church. Therefore Zechariah saw symbolised in his vision the Old Testament Israel church, while John saw "TWO candlesticks" representing the New Testament church as well. Hence we conclude that one of the witnesses is the true church. This identity is further confirmed in Acts 1:8,

"But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth."

We now ask who is the second witness symbolised by the "two olive trees" which supplied the candlesticks with oil for their light? Zechariah 4:14 tells us they are "the two anointed ones that stand before the Lord" i.e. the prophets and apostles of the Old and New Testaments, whose writings we now call the Bible. It has always been the Scriptures from Moses to John, which have supplied the "oil" by which the church has been a light in the world's spiritual darkness. Thus the second witness of Christ is the Bible, and this is amply borne out by its own admission. In John 5:39, Christ said

Revelation 11:5-6, "And if any man will hurt them, fire proceedeth out of their mouth, and devoureth their enemies: and if any man will hurt them, he must in this manner be killed (by fire). These have power to shut heaven, that it rain not in the days of their prophecy: and have power over waters to turn them to blood, and to smite the earth with all plagues, as often as they will."

Revelation 11:7 "And when they shall have finished their testimony, (or rather completed) the beast that ascendeth out of the bottomless pit shall make war against them, and shall overcome them, and kill them."

Revelation 11:8-10, "And their dead bodies [shall lie] in the street (literally the meeting place) of the great city, which spiritually is called (by the witnesses) Sodom and Egypt, where also our Lord was crucified. And they (the representatives) of the people and kindreds and tongues and nations shall see their dead bodies three days and an half, (i.e. for 31/2 years there would be no life from the witnesses) and shall not suffer their dead bodies to be put in graves. And they that dwell upon the earth shall rejoice over them, and make merry, and shall send gifts one to another; because these two prophets tormented them that dwelt on the earth."

Revelation 11:11-12, "And after three days and an half the Spirit of life from God entered into them, (the two witnesses) and they stood upon their feet; and great fear fell upon them which saw them. And they heard a great voice from heaven saying unto them, Come up hither. And they ascended up to heaven in a cloud; and their enemies beheld them."

“The Druids, an order of priests in ancient Gaul and Britain, believed that on Halloween, ghosts, spirits, fairies, witches, and elves came out to harm people. They thought the cat was sacred and believed that cats had once been human beings but were changed as a punishment for evil deeds. From these Druidic beliefs come the present-day use of witches, ghosts and cats in Halloween festivities.” (World Book Encyclopedia, 1959 ed. pp.3245-6).

Halloween: “...was the night for the universal walking about of all sorts of spirits, fairies, and ghosts, all of whom had liberty on that night.” (Highland Superstitions, by Alexander MacGregor, page 44).

The pagans believed that on one night of the year the souls of the dead returned to their original homes.

“There was a prevailing belief among all nations that at death the souls of good men were taken possession of by good spirits and cariied to paradise, but the souls of wicked men were left to wander in the space between the earth and moon, or consigned to the unseen world. These wandering spirits were in the habit of haunting the living... But there were means by which these ghosts might be exorcised.” (Folklore, by James Napier, page 11).

To exorcise these ghosts, that is, to free yourself from their supposed evil sway, you would have to set out food-give the demons a treat-and provide shelter for them during the night. If they were satisfied with your treat, it was believed they would leave you in peace. If food and shelter were not provided, or if they were not satisfied, these spirits, it was believed, would “trick” you by casting an evil spell on you and causing havoc.

“The modern custom of ‘Trick-or-Treat’ began in Ireland several hundred years ago. When a group of farmers would go from house to house begging food for the village Halloween festivities in the name of their ancient gods. Good luck was promised to generous donors, and treats were made against those who would not give.” (Holidays of Legend, by Mildred Arthur, p. 87).

Thus these ancient pagan traditions continue today as youngsters, masquerading as ghosts, skeletons and demons go “trick-or-treating” - begging in a sense for food while promising to retrain from evil deeds.

“It was the Celts who chose the date of October 31 as their New Year’s Eve and originally intended it as a celebration of everything wicked; evil and dead. Also during their celebration they would gather around a community bonfire and offer as sacrifices their animals, their crops, and sometimes themselves. And wearing costumes made from the heads and skins of other animals, they would also tell one another’s fortunes for the coming year” (World Book Encyclopedia quoted in the Atlanta Journal and Constitution. Associated Press October 16, 1977).

“The celebration remained much the same after the Romans conquered the Celts around 43 A.D. The Romans did, however add a ceremony honouring their goddess of fruit and trees and thus the association with apples and the custom of bobbing for them.” (ibid)

“The apparently harmless lighted pumpkin face or: “Jack-O’-Lanterns were named for a man called Jack, who could not enter heaven or hell. As a result, he was doomed to wander in darkness with his lantern until Judgement Day.” (World Book Encyclopedia, 1977 ed., Vol. 9, pages 24-25).

“Fearful of spooks.....folks began hollowing out turnips and pumpkins and placing lighted candles inside to scare spirits from the house.” (The Book of Festival Holidays, by Marqueite Ickis, pages 125-126).

Since Halloween is unmistakably pagan in its origin and practice, how did the professing church come to accept such a day? History provides the answer. Ever since the time of Constantine - who made Catholicism the State Religion - the Roman emperors realised how essential it was to have a unified empire, where as many as possible would be of one mind. The civil and religious leaders saw how important it was for the sake of unity to allow only one religion within the Roman domain.

A stringent state policy was implemented to force non-Christians to accept the state religion. The condition for “conversion” of course, made it easy for the pagan population of Rome and elsewhere to “accept” Christianity.

Since “acceptance” of Christianity was made simple, refusal was made difficult. This plan resulted in large numbers of the heathen population within the empire flocking into the membership of the church. These people brought with them many pagan practices and celebrations, Halloween merely being one ot them How could the church deal with this problem? The church realised that to excommunicate these pagans would only reduce the membership of the church. This they were unwilling to do. The church had also learned in past times it was not possible to force the people into discarding all their heathen practices and adopting Roman ones. So there remained only one other way.

It was reasoned that if a pagan practice of festival could not be forbidden, let it be “Christianised.” Let the recently converted pagans keep certain of their heathen festivals, such as Halloween or All Souls’ Day but give these “Christian” labels. Of course they were asked not to pray to their ancient pagan gods on this day. They would now use this day to commemorate the death of “saints.”

“In the A.D. 800’s the [Catholic] church established All Saints’ Day on Novembcr 1 so that people could continue a festival they had celebrated before becoming Christians. The mass that was said on this day was called Allhallowmas. The evening before became known as All Hallow e’en or Halloween...It means hallowed or holy evening.” (World Book Encyclopedia).

“The celebration of Halloween is a survival of ancient pagan beliefs. When the early [Catholic] church was unable to stop pagan practices, it accepted them and gave them a religious tune.” (Holidays of Legend, page 87).

Most of the ancient symbols and traditions of Halloween still exist today. Youngsters still dress in costume and go trick-or-treating: begging in a sense, for food while promising to refrain from evil deeds [tricks]. And, too, they still light their candles, although much smaller than a torch, and place them inside their pumpkins.

“... It is the one night of the year in which a child experiences the emotion of fear, fantasy and mystery” (Holidays of Legend, page 87).

In advising on what to do on Halloween, The Good Housekeeping Book of Entertainment says: “Orange, black and red, the devil's colours, are the colours associated with Halloween, and this scheme should be carried out as far as possible...Have paper streamers and lanterns hanging from the ceiling or if you would like to have something less usual, you could make a giant spider web with black and orange strings, or in narrow strips of crepe paper coming from the four corners of the room, complete with a large spider - one of the devil’s followers.” (p. 168).

Bible-believing Christians cringe and shudder at the thought of Satan worship and occult rites. But how many of these same people will dress their children as witches, ghosts, skeletons, or devils and send them out to trick-or-treat?” How many smile approvingly at the church or Sunday School and youth organisations that have Halloween parties and sponsor “haunted house” activities?

Can any Christian give any scriptural - or even logical - reason for participation in, or approval of, that which is unmistakably associated with paganism, devil-worship, and witchcraft? The 18th chapter of the Book of Deuteronomy, (vv. 10-11) very explicitly forbids Christians to have anything to do with witchcraft, spiritualism or the demonic. In verse 10-11 of that chapter we read:

“ There shall not be found among you anyone that maketh his son or his daughter to pass through the fire [This has reference to the worship of the pagan god Moloch which was state worship], or that useth divination [A false and pagan counterpart of prophecy; the art or act of foretelling secret knowledge, especial!y of the future], or an observer of times [Astrology], or an enchanter [To cast under a spell; charm; enrapture; to chant magic words], or a witch [Divinations in connection with the worship of idolatrous and demoniacal powers], or a charmer [A fabricator of material charms or amulets to be worn especially around the neck, as a charm against evil or injury], or a consulter with familiar spirits [An inquirer by a familiar spirit or in other words to talk or attempt to talk to the dead], or a wizard [A false prophet, especially a conjurer One who summons a devil by oath, incantation or magic spell], or a necromancer [One who in one form or another seeks to find information by consulting the dead].”

“Regard not them that have familiar spirits, neither seek after wizards, to be defiled by them: I am the Lord your God.”- (Leviticus 19:31).

“For all that do these things are an abomination unto the Lord.” - (Deuteronomy 18:12).

It is obvious that the elements, symbols, and traditions of the Halloween observance with its emphasis upon goblins and demons, witches and skeletons, ghosts and apparitions rising from cemeteries constitute a dabbling with the very things which Scripture forbids to God’s People and are an open invitation to demonic activity. And are a direct slap in the face of God Almighty and the Lord Jesus Christ!

It is at this point that many will say, “But we don’t worship demons on Halloween. It doesn’t mean the same thing today as it did in the past. It's now just a harmless innocent time of fun for the children and the young people.”

Yet history clearly shows that Halloween is unmistakably a “religious” [pagan and Roman] holiday. Religion is the adoration, obedience, and service rendered to the object of one’s worship. It presupposes profession, practice, or observance of whatever belief and practice - in this case Halloween - as required by some superior authority. It is indisputably clear that Halloween is not commanded or sanctioned by God or by Jesus Christ - the true Christian's Superior, Authority - in the Scriptures.

“And many that believed came and confessed, and shewed their deeds. Many of them also which used curious arts brought their books together, and burned them before all men.” - (Acts 19:18-19).

“Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.” - (1 Corinthians 10:31).

In November our American friends will be celebrating “Thanksgiving”. The safe arrival of the Pilgrim Fathers on American soil after perils on the sea did not mean an end of their problems. Many died during the winter that followed and the Pilgrims faced the problem of impending starvation. It was at this very point they met an Indian called 'Squanto' whom Bradford described as “a special instrument of God sent for their good”. He it was who taught them to plant corn in the native way, fertilising it with fish, to refine the maple syrup and discern which herbs were good for medicine. The result was an abundant harvest and in gratitude to God, Governor Bradford declared a day of Public Thanksgiving, which Americans have been celebrating ever since.

In the New King James version of the Bible, in II Thessalonians where Paul talks about - ‘he who letteth’, the word ‘he’ has been capitalised (‘He’). A very minor change unless you know as we do that the great controversy over Bible Prophecy hinges on whether this pronoun refers to the Roman Emperors or to the Holy Spirit. A capitalised 'He' would demand that it be the latter to the satisfaction of the Futurist/Catholic/Ecumenical Camp.

Once again Pastor Campbell had the privilege of ministering to Israel groups across the United States during the summer months. This was the Pastor’s 16th North American tour and during it he held some 15 meetings in four States. Arriving in Atlanta on 31st July he travelled on to meet with encouraging groups not only in Georgia but also in Tulsa, Oklahoma City, Dennison, Texas, and concluding at the five-day Conference of Promised Land Ministries at Falls Creek, Washington.

As our Newsletter goes to press we were saddened to hear of the death of Bob English of Dallas, Texas after a long illness, patiently endured. Bob was a first class Bible teacher and will be sadly missed by all the folks at First Covenant Church, Irving. Bob was of Ulster Scots descent, and just a few years ago we had the pleasure of his ministry at Cregagh whilst he was tracing his ancestors back to Randalstown. He was a talented musician and before taking ill had helped organise Pastor Campbell’s U.S. tours.

We extend our sympathy to his wife, family, and all his friends at First Covenant.

Wednesday 30th September marked the 20th Anniversarv of Pastor Campbell’s ministry in the Cregagh district of East Belfast. Pastor Campbell outlined our tiny beginnings in the old Bethel Temple at Redcar Street in 1978 up to the present day, when be ministers on average to 200 people each month at our various centres around the province. He outlined the development of our literature and cassette tape outreaches world-wide and spoke on the challenge that lies ahead. Special musical items were rendered and at the conclusion of the evening, supper was served to a large number who had come to celebrate and pay tribute to the work of Open-Bible Ministries. Pastor Campbell was presented with a gold watch and cufflinks on behalf of the Fellowship.

EBENEZER - HITHERTO HAS THE LORD HELPED US - AND BY HIS GRACE WE MEAN TO GO ON

“IN THE BEGINNING OF A CHANGE, THE PATRIOT IS A SCARCE MAN, BRAVE, HATED AND SCORNED. WHEN HIS CAUSE SUCCEEDS, HOWEVER, THE TIMID JOIN H1M, FOR THEN IT COSTS NOTHING TO BE A PATRIOT”