So leading up to my Question, I need to layout some principles:
Now, with the aforementioned principles in place, the question still cannot be asked without some additional history that may trouble some Christians (try to have the mindset of the Berean Church as you read this!):
NOTE 1: The book of Ezekiel was one of the five books that almost didn't make it into the Old Testament. Many ancient Jewish Scholars once believed that it was not inspired canon. The story of how it finally was accepted as canon due to one Rabbi is a strange one, and may leave you unconvinced of its inspiration if you look into it. Some ancient believers stated it was a dark book that left them lacking, lost, or worse off for reading. It has sections that do not align well with any other parts of the Bible... except for the Book of Revelation.
NOTE 2: The book of Revelation was the last book to be accepted as Canon, almost 1500 years after it was written. This was accepted as cannon by the Catholic Church, but not by Martin Luther. He presented many arguments against The Apocalypse of John being inspired canon. It was mentioned in the early Church that the personal nemesis of John the Baptist, Cerinthus the Gnostic, wrote Revelation and forged John's name to it. Studies into the author's style show that it does not match any of Johns writings. Renowned scribes and translators such as R.H. Charles found many mistakes, and inconsistencies in the book. It fails to meet any of II Timothy's Checklists Criteria for Inspired Scripture (try it yourself). It has Christ stating, "behold, I come soon/quickly/shortly" (refer to Greek for your own verification), when Jesus stated in the Gospels that he doesn't know when he is coming! It uses a common practice of fake/forged scripture from that era for declaring curses against those who altered their text, and blessings for those who read it (notice that not one jot or one tittle of God's word can fail, and so therefore no inspired book requires this warning to keep its words from being altered). Like Ezekiel, this book is a book of confusion and darkness (God is not the author of confusion and in him is no darkness at all). Its confusion has caused more schisms, divisions, and denominational breakups amongst Christians than any other source.
If I still have your attention and you are willing to believe the Truth no matter where it may lead, just so long as it does not contradict against Faith in Jesus Christ for Salvation (if it did contradict Believing in Jesus, then it would not be truth anyway)... I'd like to ask a question!
QUESTION: WHAT DO YOU BELIEVE ENDTIMES PROPHECY LOOKS LIKE IF YOU WERE TO DISREGARD ALL OF EZEKIAL AND REVELATION BUT KEEP THE REST OF THE BIBLE?
- In II Timothy 3, there is a simple formula to determine which books are scripture and which books are not. It has a simple God given checklist of five blocks:
- able to make wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus
- profitable for teaching
- profitable for conviction
- profitable for correction
- profitable for instruction in righteousness
- I John states: Beloved, believe not every spirit, but prove the spirits, whether they are of God.
- Galatians states: But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed
- Final Point: Just because something is Tradition and hasn't changed for ages, doesn't mean it is from God. See Any of Jesus' discourses with the Pharisees. (Or, similarly, Protestants may refer to Martin Luther's discourses against the thousand-plus years of the Roman Catholic Church's Doctrine)
NOTE 1: The book of Ezekiel was one of the five books that almost didn't make it into the Old Testament. Many ancient Jewish Scholars once believed that it was not inspired canon. The story of how it finally was accepted as canon due to one Rabbi is a strange one, and may leave you unconvinced of its inspiration if you look into it. Some ancient believers stated it was a dark book that left them lacking, lost, or worse off for reading. It has sections that do not align well with any other parts of the Bible... except for the Book of Revelation.
NOTE 2: The book of Revelation was the last book to be accepted as Canon, almost 1500 years after it was written. This was accepted as cannon by the Catholic Church, but not by Martin Luther. He presented many arguments against The Apocalypse of John being inspired canon. It was mentioned in the early Church that the personal nemesis of John the Baptist, Cerinthus the Gnostic, wrote Revelation and forged John's name to it. Studies into the author's style show that it does not match any of Johns writings. Renowned scribes and translators such as R.H. Charles found many mistakes, and inconsistencies in the book. It fails to meet any of II Timothy's Checklists Criteria for Inspired Scripture (try it yourself). It has Christ stating, "behold, I come soon/quickly/shortly" (refer to Greek for your own verification), when Jesus stated in the Gospels that he doesn't know when he is coming! It uses a common practice of fake/forged scripture from that era for declaring curses against those who altered their text, and blessings for those who read it (notice that not one jot or one tittle of God's word can fail, and so therefore no inspired book requires this warning to keep its words from being altered). Like Ezekiel, this book is a book of confusion and darkness (God is not the author of confusion and in him is no darkness at all). Its confusion has caused more schisms, divisions, and denominational breakups amongst Christians than any other source.
If I still have your attention and you are willing to believe the Truth no matter where it may lead, just so long as it does not contradict against Faith in Jesus Christ for Salvation (if it did contradict Believing in Jesus, then it would not be truth anyway)... I'd like to ask a question!
QUESTION: WHAT DO YOU BELIEVE ENDTIMES PROPHECY LOOKS LIKE IF YOU WERE TO DISREGARD ALL OF EZEKIAL AND REVELATION BUT KEEP THE REST OF THE BIBLE?