WHAT THEY SAID WOULD HAPPEN CHRISTADELPHIAN PREDICTIONS REVIEWED. By John Hutchinson FAILED PREDICTIONS Cover-up! Omit! Reprint! * 1905 - Millennium to commence? * Queen Victoria ... Latter-day Queen of Sheba? * Restored Israel enriched - commerce with India? * “Christendom Astray” - Chapter 16 deleted? * 1910 Christ’s Return? * ?Animal sacrifices to be resumed * Gods once men-like animals? “Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing . . . , Ye shall know them by their fruits . . .” (Matt. 7:15-16) KJV For 150 years now, the Christadelphian sect has sensationally predicted future events — supposedly based on the Bible — and has consistently been wrong. In the early 1970’s for example, they declared that Britain would not enter the E.E.C. Christadelphian neighbours of ours said, ‘You wait and see. Britain will stay out of Europe; Bible prophecy says so.’ This prediction was based on books by John Thomas (1805-1871) Writing of a unification of Europe, he listed the “toe-kingdoms” as Belgium, France, Spain, Portugal, Naples, Sardinia, Greece, Hungary, Lombardy and Bavaria. He commented, ‘I have not named Britain although the island was a part of the Roman Dominion. It is however, no more imperative that she should be included in the ten than Egypt, which is also on Roman territory. Existing theories require Britain to be counted in, but I have nothing to do with them. I propose to show a more consistent interpretation that shall harmonise with other important and interesting parts of the prophetic word’. (Elpis Israel. p. 326) “It is impossible for Britain to be a toe”. (Exposition of Daniel p.99, 1921 edition). In defiance of dogmatic Christadelphian prediction, Britain became a member nation of the E.E.C. Should Britain surrender the pound for the Euro, then we may well assume the total demise of Christadelphian prophecy. People are curious about the future, particularly in times of crisis, which makes them vulnerable to exclusive religious groups who claim to know what’s ahead. Testing predictions It is all very well for Christadelphians and others to sensationally state what lies ahead. The accuracy of their predictions however, will be revealed by a ruthless referee — Time! The Bible has its own “timely” warning: ‘If what a prophet proclaims in the name of the Lord does not take place or come true, that is a message the Lord has not spoken.” (Deut.18:22). God viewed false prophecy so seriously it was to be punished by death. (Deut.18:20). Dr John Thomas London born, Dr Thomas emigrated to the USA in 1832. He joined a sect called Cambellites and at age 33 he left the sect and founded his own, which in the 1860’s, he named Christadelphian. Meanwhile he played at being a prophet. Writing in A.D. 1849 Dr Thomas, the group’s founder, made this sensational announcement: “The eleventh chapter of Daniel is therefore fulfilled as far as the first colon of the fortieth verse. The things that remain to be accomplished in the time of the end are briefly outlined in the remaining part of the chapter. The king of Egypt, having pushed at the Little Horn, as we have seen, the next event of the prophecy is an attack upon him by the king of the north, as it is written, ‘ And the king of the north shall come against him like a whirlwind, with chariots, and with horsemen, and with many ships’; that is, the Russo-Assyrian autocrat shall attack Constantinople by sea and land, and with such whirlwind impetuosity hat the Sultan’s dominion shall be swept away. The Russian fleet of forty ships in the Black Sea is in preparation for this event. The whirlwind nature of the attack implies, I think, not only its overwhelming character, but that when it is made, the allies of the Sultan will be off their guard; that is, by the autocrat’s assurances of peace and moderation, for they will give him credit, Constantinople will be left unprotected, and it will fall into his hands before they can come to the rescue. To “push at him” and to “come against him,” are phrases which imply more than simple invasion; they indicate likewise the direction that invasion is to take. In the case of the king of the south, when `he pushed at him’, he directed his course toward Constantinople but he did not ‘come against him’, because he was stopped by “the powers”. The king of the north, however, is to do more than push, he is actually to ‘come against’ the Sultan, which can only be done by sitting down before Constantinople. Now between the pushing of the king of the south, in 1839, and the coming of the king of the north, there has, as yet, been an interval of ten years. It is not to be supposed that the Autocrat would attack the Porte without some provocation, real or pretended. It is, therefore, the mission of the Frogs, as we have seen in a former chapter, to bring about such a state of things as will involve the Autocrat and the Sultan in war. This situation has been created, and it is probable that when spring arrives the Sultan will be attacked, and that 1850 will see the end of the Ottoman dominion. The reader will perceive, then, that the operation of Frog-power comes in between the attacks of the king of Egypt and the Russo-Assyrians upon the Porte. The policy they originate is to involve the whole habitable in war the more immediate effect of which will be, that the ‘king of the north shall enter the countries, and shall overflow and pass over’ indicates conquest. The result of the conquest will be that ‘many countries shall be overthrown’. The war will have made terrible havoc with the Horn kingdoms and the Austro-Papal Empire; the former will have lost their independence, and the latter will have been destroyed unto the end.” [Elpis Israel pp.375-6 (1849)] Sentences underlined are omitted from later editions of Elpis Israel without explanation. See page 418. Was it because the outcome of the Crimean war was entirely opposite to what Dr Thomas dogmatically laid down? Russia was soundly defeated by the allied forces and destroyed her own ships in the Black Sea to prevent their seizure by the victors! . . . What do they do with failed predictions? They are a bit like nuclear waste — difficult to dispose of. Cover up, omit and reprint. — This seems to be the ploy of Christadelphians (and other ‘prophecy’ groups) as the above example illustrates. They have reprinted numerous books and deleted the failed forecasts — sometimes with an apology that the author’s announcements proved “premature”. Herbert Armstrong’s (Founder of the Worldwide Church of God) sensational announcement that God’s kingdom would be on earth within 15 years from 1968 was simply deleted from later editions of his booklet, ‘The Wonderful World of Tomorrow - What will it be like?’ Yet in the original he said, ‘This advance news is as certain as the rising of tomorrow’s sun.’ Christadelphians have a lot of failed predictions to account for. The forecasts of Thomas, however, were not all original. He plagiarized other men’s writings and claimed them as his own original work. Yet, he still blundered badly. He said that Queen Victoria was the latter day Queen of Sheba who would come and lay her crown at the feet of Christ upon his return to Jerusalem. ‘Victoria may therefore be said to be the Queen of Sheba and may possibly live (for she is young enough) to abdicate her throne and to lay her crown and treasures at the feet of the “greater than Solomon” who will dispose of her and her affairs according to his will.’ [Exposition of Daniel (1921 edition) pp.96-7]. Predictions of Ireland, India and Britain failed. Thomas said that a restored Israel would become rich through commerce with India [Elpis Israel (1949) p. 441]. When has India made a restored Israel rich? I’ve noticed that some booklets that quote Thomas’s prediction of Israel omit the reference to India. He said that Christ’s reign on earth (the millennium) would commence in 1905 AD. and conclude in 2905. Robert Roberts. Robert Roberts, successor to Dr Thomas, picked up the prophetic microphone, and castigated those before him who predicted and failed. (Strangely, Dr Thomas was overlooked!) He writes . . . “No devout mind, receiving the word of God in all sincerity, as the manifestation of His mind — will be content to accept the fooleries of the past as a disproof of what God has made known; but under the conviction that underneath the misunderstood enigmas of his word, there lie important facts which He would have us understand, will anxiously endeavour to penetrate the obscurity which has baffled others, and get at the mind of God in a matter so important in its bearings on our mental relation to the purposes of God.” [Christendom Astray p 245, (1940)]. ‘Christ to return in 1910 . . .’ Unfortunately Roberts didn’t live to witness the extent of his own ‘fooleries’. He died a notorious and misleading false prophet. He dogmatically laid down the year 1910 AD. as the year that Christ would return and commence a reign on the earth. (C.A.) Note some of his fanciful deductions: “In proof that the victorious invading power described in this testimony as ‘the king of the north’, is Russia, let it be observed that it comes against another power, that is in occupation of the Holy Land. That power is Turkey”. (Christendom Astray p.272). Note: Britain drove out the Turks — not Russia! . . . . . Russia to control European Nations? ‘By establishing a Jewish colony in Palestine, the British Government will secure her communications with India — always vital to her safety. The motive of this Northern Caesar in his advance upon the mountains of Israel is apparent. In the attempt to sever British communications, he goes forth.’ (Christendom Astray p.274). ‘The attitude of Russia points to an early probable attainment to the position assigned to her by the prophets in the time of the end. Her recovery from the disaster of the Crimean war is notorious to all the world’. (C.A. p.275). (But Thomas had predicted the certain triumph of Russia in the Crimean war!) ‘In the scramble for he spoil, Russia will come in for the lion’s share; Britain will doubtless lay her hand on Syria, to protect the highway to her Eastern possessions’. (C.A. p.275). What Eastern possessions? Writing of Russia he says: ‘She is to vanquish many countries, and hold a protectorate over them. Those countries include all the nations of the continent’. (C.A. p.273.) What European nations does Russia control today? Russia has lost the hold that she held over most of the continental countries! . . whole chapter deleted! In the Preface to the 1958 edition of ‘Christendom Astray’ we note the following: The whole of Chapter 16, on the “Evidence that the End is Near”, has been deleted. As it was desired that the book should be left as the work of Robert Roberts, the only alternative was to delete the whole chapter, while referring readers to more recent Christadelphian publications for information on the evidence that the coming of Christ is near. Why not let Roberts’ forecasts stand? After all, he guaranteed the certainty of their outcome and mocked those who had failed before him! As advised, we turn to more recent Christadelphian publications ‘on the evidence that the coming of Christ is near’. C.P. Wauchope Charles P. Wauchope of Adelaide, South Australia, was a leading Christadelphian lecturer who guaranteed and boasted of certain fulfilment of his predictions. Wauchope’s opening statement to his lectures on Armageddon should be recalled. “We want to build a house, as it were, and need to inspect all the material of which the house is comprised. Nothing should go into that building that will not bear the closest scrutiny. Let us be sure that when completed it will stand the test that all buildings should stand; and in laying the foundation tonight of that building, I make this request for you to take the utmost liberty of bringing your most critical minds to bear upon everything that may be said in the course of these addresses. I make this request, not in the spirit of boastfulness, but in the spirit of enquiry, because if the deductions I make are wrong, they are useless alike to you and to my self. Being the foundations of belief, unless they can stand the test — the severest test — of criticism, it is not the kind of belief that is well pleasing to the Author of religious truth. — Armageddon in 1934 Again, I ask that you will be good enough, in your interests and mine, to put these foundations of religious belief to the strictest examination that you can, and, having done so should then find that I am in disagreement with the Bible, you will be good enough to let me know. If, on the other hand, it should be found that your religious belief has been in disagreement with the Bible, it is for you to say what course you will pursue, although it may be permitted me to advise that you take a wiser course’. (Four Lectures on Armageddon pages 5-6). A summary of Wauchope’s predictions were presented to the Federal Parliament of Australia by Mr Walter Marks MHR, and recorded in Hansard (1921). Mark’s speech was applauded and published by the Christadelphians. Walter Marks stated that Armageddon would occur in the year 1934 and said that three nations would attack the British Empire (Russia, Germany and France). He said that Christ would return the same year dressed in the tattered robe of a beggar and thief. That means he will come quietly and silently into the British headquarters. The King of England will come in his ship and on bended knees offer his crown to Christ. Christ will direct British ships to proceed to the ends of the earth to collect his chosen people — the Jews — and bring them back to Palestine. The Kingdom for which we pray will be here in 1934. Great numbers of Chinese and Japanese on Christ’s return are to go to Palestine with Christ and the Jews. Marks assured Parliament that there would be no war in the Pacific. Copies of his speech are available. Wauchope said, ‘The purpose of God needs that the bands of the British Empire shall be strengthened so as to be well nigh unbreakable, and that what we see today proves that this Empire corresponds to the appellation given by Ezekiel.’ (The Troubled Nations. p.52, written in 1915). Wauchope stated that the ‘young lions of Tarshish’ comprise of Canada, Africa, India and Australia. He commented thus: “The young lions will rally at the time of the end when Britain goes to the Armageddon of Nations for her ‘last of fights’. (p.61). He said, ‘Britain stands related to Israel as her friend. What Britain has long been, what she is today and what she will be more in the future, is the especial friend of God’s people.’ Ask the Jews what they thought of Britain’s friendliness at the end of the Second World War! 1934 was given as the date of Christ’s return. (p.84). All of Wauchope’s predictions failed! Every prediction of Wauchope failed. Thousands were deceived! It may, then, be permitted for us (recalling Wauchope’s advice) to advise that C. P. Wauchope and his followers take a wiser course! More recently . . . It amazes one that a group can blunder so often and then continue with sensational forecasts. We will glance at some more. Israel Many of the announcements have focussed on Israel. The establishment of Israel as a nation and the return of the Jews to Palestine is often cited as fulfilment of Dr Thomas’s predictions. Logos leaflet No 14 which advertised, “A Booklet You Must Obtain” (40 Years with Israel. The front cover title read, “Israel 1948—1988, 40 years of Destiny”. In large print lower on the front cover was the text: ‘This Generation shall not pass away till all be fulfilled’. Note the bold prediction: “Behold, the shooting forth of the “fig tree” (a symbol representing Israel). Commencing in 1948, this generation (40 year period) “shall not pass away till all be fulfilled.” The advertised booklet says, ‘Israel’s 40th anniversary as a modern nation in 1988, concludes the end of a special time cycle in God’s purpose.’ (p.4) ‘Israel now stands upon the thresh-hold of a new cycle of time and opportunity that will usher in their King and Saviour: the Lord Jesus Christ.’ (p.7) ‘Israel’s 40 years of restoration to their land, and the liberation of Jerusalem, proves that this wonderful blessing is about to become a fact. Christ’s return is near. Friends, it is now 2002! [Ed.] Israel’s Grand Destiny . . . So much is said about ‘Israel’s Grand Destiny’ — but what kind of destiny do Christadelphians propose for Israel? They say that Russia will invade Israel with an ‘immense confederated northern army’ — ‘a confederacy of European and Eastern nations.’ This is depicted as a punishment for their sins and as a humbling of the Jews to prepare them for the Messiah’s coming. Two thirds of the Jews will be killed. (What sort of destiny is that?) The Jews are to be restored to their land. But unlike the Christadelphians, who expect to be immortalized (made omnipotent), and to reign over the world, Jews will have to be content with mortal existence — but their life span will be extended a few years. They will be ruled over by immortal Christadelphians and will be their servants. How could a Jew be excited about that even if he should survive the Russian holocaust? Is this ‘The Hope of Israel’? Russia The rise of Russia to prominence since World War ll has excited Christadelphians. Little is said, however, about Russia’s decline. In May, 1985 H.P. Mansfield sensationalised the elevation of Mikhail Gorbachev. He begins: ‘The elevation of Mikhail Gorbachev to supreme power in Russia presents exciting possibilities. Is he Gog?’ ‘. . . the present head of the Soviet has sufficient youth on his side to make an exciting possibility that he is the man of destiny predicted by Ezekiel’. ‘At 53 years of age, Gorbachev is young enough to fill the role of Gog. Bearing that in mind, the various heads of state of the major powers present interesting comparisons; exactly those one would expect of Bible prophecy.’ ‘Whether or not Gorbachev will prove to be Gog, the future alone can tell. But the indications, the straws in the wind, suggest a most exciting possibility.’ ‘He comes to power at a most significant period. For this year will witness the 40th anniversary (a Bible generation) of the conclusion of World War ll, the emergence of the Soviet Russia as a world power, and the revival of the State of Israel. We recall that Christ, enigmatically declared: “This generation shall not pass away until . . . ” ‘With a new ruler in Russia, a policy of détente by the major powers, and the intention of UNO to promote 1986 as the Year of Peace and Security, we have much to excite us.’ In November of 1968 H.P. Mansfield stated that, ‘Present day developments in Israel, Russia and all nations can be aligned with Bible prophecy, and indicate that the world lives in the very shadow of Christ’s second coming.’ (Key to the Understanding of the Scriptures. p.129). In the same publication Mansfield forecast the emergence of the nations represented in Nebuchadnezzar’s image which will confederate under Russian influence. He said, ‘When the time is ripe, Russia will emerge from it’s iron curtain, and having confederated other European nations under it’s control will invade the Middle East.’ ‘The world will appear to be on the eve of becoming completely communised.’ (Key to the Understanding of the Scriptures. p.141) How are present developments in Russia conforming to Mansfield’s forecasts? Is Russia uniting the nations as he said? Is it confederating other European nations? What’s happened to it’s own unity? Mr Mansfield said in 1968 that we were ‘living in the very shadow of Christ’s return.’ C.P. Wauchope said the same thing prior to 1920! In “Herald of The Coming Age”, Vol 32, No. 6, page 5, Mansfield said, ‘The growth of Russian power is a notable sign of the times indicating that the world is on the eve of the most dramatic event of all history’. On page 6 he says that the coinciding of Israel and Russian growth is a witness to the ‘imminent return of Christ.’ On page 8 we are told, ‘It is of the utmost significance that today, Russia occupies East Germany’. We may well ask: ‘What about the liberation of East Germany — has that violated Bible prophecy’? He continues: ‘The prophecy requires an Eurasian confederacy of nations headed by Russia to invade the Middle East.’ (Ibid p. 8-9) Roger Stokes. We now hear from Roger Stokes, who wrote in 1987: ‘Russia and her Soviet empire and satellites, in their policies of conquest, domination, terror, anti- Semitism, and God-denying teachings mixed with Orthodox Church patronage, are almost prepared for the final major role they will play in the greatest conflict of all ages.’ (The Jews, Rome and Armageddon. p.323) . . . Tomorrows Headlines! Christadelphians were bold enough to suggest tomorrow’s newspaper headlines. ??“RUSSIA INVADES TURKEY: RED ARMY MASSING ON ISRAELI BORDER” ??“WESTERN FORCES EVACUATE BESIEGED JERUSALEM”! ??“AMAZING JEWISH LEADER CLAIMS TO BE JESUS CHRIST.’ ??“ISRAEL ACCEPTS NEW LEADER AS JESUS CHRIST: JEWS ADMIT PAST GUILT.” ??“NEW ISRAELI GOVERNMENT ORDERS DESTRUCTION OF CHURCHES, MOSQUES, SYNAGOGUES” ??“CLERGY FORBIDDEN TO PRACTISE WITHIN REALM OF ISRAEL’S NEW KING.” ??“POPE PROCLAIMS HOLY CRUSADE AGAINST ANTICHRIST IN JERUSALEM.” ??“ISRAEL’S ULTIMATUM: AGGRESSIVE DEMANDS BY ITS LEADER.” ??“AMAZING JEWISH EXODUS BACK TO ISRAEL.” ??“ISRAELI GOVERNMENT WARNS AGAINST ATTEMPT TO RESTRAIN JEWS” ??“BRITISH GOVERNMENT ACCEPTS ULTIMATUM FROM ISRAEL.” ??“THE QUEEN ACKNOWLEDGES JEWISH KING AS JESUS CHRIST.” (‘The Queen’ — is this Elizabeth ll?!) The preceding quotations are taken from a booklet entitled, ‘Tomorrows News Today.’ The booklet forecasts a victory for Christ at Armageddon to be followed by other confrontations. It states, ‘The war will be long and arduous — but the end will be glorious -— it will see the “kingdoms of this world become the kingdoms of our Lord and His Christ, and He shall reign for ever and ever’.” One must ask as to what happens to make these kingdoms to rise against Christ yet again? See later heading — “A Contradiction.” At the conclusion of ‘Tomorrows News Today’, it says, ‘We need such a hope as that to sustain us.’ Predictions and the Bible. The sad part is that such irresponsibility reflects on the Bible. Claiming to predict from its pages and then to see the predictions falsified by the progress of time discredits God’s Holy Word in the eyes of the uninformed. Christadelphian Anticipations We have examined some of the many failed forecasts but what are the followers of Dr Thomas anticipating from this point on? Christadelphians anticipate a massive coming together of nations against Israel which will devastate the Jews — only 1 in 3 will survive. ‘The remainder of the people in the land, finally to be reduced to only one-third of the previous population. (The Jews, Rome and Armageddon. p.376). Removal of Christadelphians During the holocaust (Armageddon), Christ will remove Christadelphians to a deep valley in Israel where they will be judged. Those considered unworthy will be banished ‘to share in the judgements which will descend upon the apocalyptic “beast and his armies”. (Christendom Astray p. 224). Those deemed ‘worthy’ will be made ‘immortal’ (omnipotent) and will emerge from the valley with Christ to confront the Russian Confederacy. Roberts writes: “The saints will be removed at a particular juncture of affairs without previous intimation . . . all that the world in general will know of it will be that a few obscure individuals holding fanatical doctrines will have disappeared.’ (Christendom Astray p.225) Ex Christadelphian, Branson Hopkins writes: . . . ‘Many years later I met a young Christadelphian man who was terrorized by the thought of being left alone by himself. Attending lectures at a young age with his parents, he had become possessed of the concept that Jesus could come at any time, take away his parents and leave him behind. As a child he used to run with all his might home from school each day to make sure his parents had not been taken by the Lord.’ (From Christadelphianism to Christ. p. 17) —Young children damned The Doctrines of Dr Thomas precluded a child from eternity since it does not hold in memory, the beliefs of THE HOPE. Premature death — finished all. There was no hope unless you were baptised.’ (p.6) (Note. Didn’t Jesus say, ‘Suffer the little children to come unto me, for of such is the kingdom of heaven’?) The Resurrection. According to Christadelphian teaching, the ‘responsible’ of ages past, will be raised from the dead at this point for judgement. The worthy ones will be immortalized — the unworthy banished. Two things need to be said about this: 1. The dead are raised mortal. If found worthy, at a later point will be made immortal. This is a direct denial of what the Bible says. Consider 1 Cor 15:42-44, ‘So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown in corruption; it is raised in incorruption: It is sown in dishonour; it is raised in glory; it is sown in weakness; it is raised in power: It is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body.’ 2. Why did John Thomas postulate a mortal resurrection? To fit his scheme of “probation”. He denied the Bible teaching about the free gift of salvation and substituted a system whereby one must earn his right to approval. Hence immortality must be deferred. The Bible says, ‘For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: not of works lest any man boast.’ Eph 2:8-9 Only a few raised. Thomas and Roberts postulated a ‘restricted’ resurrection and judgement — confined to what is called ‘the responsible class’ — to those who have sufficiently understood Christadelphian doctrine. The Bible, however says: ‘And it is appointed unto men (all men) once to die, but after this the judgement.’ Heb 9:27. ‘And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt.’ Daniel 12:2. ‘Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice, and shall come forth.’ John 5:28-29 Destruction of Russia They say that an unprecedented storm will annihilate the Russian hordes then at a later stage the European bloc will attack Christ and be destroyed. The remaining Jews will acknowledge Christ and be made a favoured nation but will have to serve the immortal Christadelphians. According to Roberts the mortal Jews will be disciplined and renovated as a nation, by trial in the wilderness a second time.’ Christendom Astray p 148 The Slaughter Roberts says: ‘The vengeance in relation to mankind as a whole will be destruction to the majority, and discipline to the remnant. Multitudes will perish by war and pestilence; multitudes more will fall victims to the fire that will descend.’ (Christendom Astray p.221) ‘The earth’s population will be greatly thinned — leaving a residue composed of the meek and submissive and well disposed of mankind.’ (C. A. p.221) ‘The saints (immortalized Christadelphians), will be associated with the Lord Jesus in destroying the political, ecclesiastical, and social systems. This is a work of devastation. It will involve much destruction of life -- bloody and scathing the judgements ministered at the hands of Jesus and the saints‘. (p.223) The Millennium. (The 1,000 year reign of Christ on the earth). Christadelphians advertise a glorious time of peace for the earth. However, is their conceived millennium to be so glorious? Dr Thomas says: ‘There is sin, and generation, and death; and because of the existence of sin, and flesh and blood, and death; there are mediatorship, and priesthood, and ruling with an iron rod.’ (Eureka vol. 5, p.337) ‘. . sin will still exist in the flesh, and in some instances reveal itself in overt acts of disobedience. “This spirit of insubordination will, however, smoulder among the nations until at the end of the thousand years the “enmity” against the Woman’s seed bursts forth again into a flame.’ (Elpis Israel p 455) Some new demon, who would rather reign as Satan than serve in heaven, will arise among the nations and unfurl the old satanic standard of the Dragon empire . . . . A giant will this rebel be in presumption and crime, and surpassing in hardihood the pre-millennial Autocrat.’ (Elpis Israel p. 455) Thomas postulates 2 Gogs and Magogs! Listen now to the incredible statement of Roger Stokes: ‘Seven thousand years of enmity and warfare will at last have brought to fruition the injunction; “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness”’. Christadelphians believe in a seven day thousand years per day time schedule. The seventh day is the millennial reign of Christ. Notice how Stokes includes it in the time of enmity and warfare! Note. Robert Roberts said, ‘The earth’s population would be greatly thinned; its reprobate elements expurgated, leaving a residue composed of the meek and submissive and well disposed of mankind — the willing subjects of Messiah’s kingdom — which shall go up “to the house of the God of Jacob” at Jerusalem, to learn of His ways, walking no more after the imagination of their evil hearts.’ (Christendom Astray p.221) The question is: From whence, then, arises this giant rebel — ‘surpassing in hardihood the pre-millennial autocrat’? A Contradiction In ‘Tomorrows News Today’ we read: ‘Thus, sweeping from climax to climax, the kingdom of God will slowly extend until all nations are under the control of Christ. It will see the “kingdoms of this world become the kingdoms of our Lord and His Christ, and He shall reign for ever and ever”. The glorious reign of Christ will reach an epoch of peace and happiness such as men have never thought possible. Earth’s troubles will be over. The grand work of Divine reconstruction will begin. The desert will blossom as the rose. The hungry will be fed. The oppressed will be delivered. Praise to God will echo round the earth, and peace will flow like a river. We need such a vision as that to sustain us in the days that are before us.’ From the booklet ‘Russia, Israel and Armageddon’ we read: ’A frightening storm will break over the Holy Land; heaven’s artillery will thunder forth; lightning and hail of unprecedented extent will beat down upon the enemy, a terrible earthquake will shake the ground. The heterogeneous forces of the Russian invader will be seized with fear and panic. In superstitious dread, they will turn their weapons on one another, in a terrible mutual slaughter’. Gog’s defeat will be complete and final.’ p.14 If Gog’s defeat is ‘complete and final’ how is it that this great force arises again in greater manifestation of power? How gullible are we supposed to be? Rebuilding the Temple . . . Animal sacrifice! Resumption of Animal Sacrifices. Roberts says, ‘. . . a system of universal compulsory religion, which will require the presence of every man once a year at the centre of divine government and worship, and which, for every offence against the laws, will exact the token of penitence afforded in the sacrifice of an animal of his property.’ (Christendom Astray p. 210) The suggestion that animal sacrifices will be re-instituted is a denial of the gospel, and insults the perfect sacrifice of Christ and contradicts scripture. Listen to the book of Hebrews: ‘And every priest standeth daily ministering and offering oftentimes the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins: But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins forever, sat down on the right hand of God.’ Heb.10:11-12. ‘In burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin thou hast had no pleasure.’ Heb.10:6 . . . . Where did Christadelphians go wrong? Why have the Christadelphians blundered so consistently in their forecasts? ‘The Jews, Rome and Armageddon,’ page 7, leaks a clue. In reference to ‘Elpis Israel’ it says, ‘Towards its author, John Thomas, the present publishers feel a deep sense of gratitude.’ And from Christadelphian Standards: ‘If such works as “Elpis Israel” and “Eureka” are neglected, an essential foundation for individual research and investigation is lacking.’ (p. 104) ‘Let us also treat with scorn any suggestion to hide or shelve the works of Bro. Thomas and Bro. Roberts.’ (p. 52) Christadelphianism follows the dictates of John Thomas — the religion of a misguided man. Thomas was not only discredited by his failed predictions but also by his putrid denunciations of others — so vile that even Robert Roberts wrote to him about it. However, Roberts himself, later used terminology against others, unfitting for one who claimed to hold the truth. Thomas was a plagiarist who stole the writings of others and claimed them as his own original work. False Prophets — a sign of the times! Those who have predicted so consistently and falsely may themselves be a fulfilment of prophecy. For Jesus said: ‘For false Christs and false prophets will arise and show great signs and wonders, so as to deceive, if possible, even the elect . . . Therefore if they say to you, “Look, He is in the desert!” do not go out; or “Look, He is in the inner rooms!” do not believe it.’ (Mat. 24:26-27) Christianity — a ‘Now’ religion. When the apostles inquired of the risen Christ about future events he said, “It is not for you to know times or seasons which the Father has put in His own Authority.’ Acts 1:7 * ??‘Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.’ 2 Cor 6:2 * ??‘Beloved, now are we children of God.’ 1 John 3:2 * ??‘. . . being now justified by his blood.’ Rom 5:9 * ??‘. . . we have now received the atonement.’ Rom 5:11 * ??‘There is therefore now no condemnation to them that are in Christ Jesus.’ Rom 8:1 * ??‘. . . but are now the people of God.’ 1 Pet 3: 10 ‘If any man is in Christ Jesus he is a new creation; old things have passed away, Behold, all things have become new.’ 2 Cor 5:17 Prophecy and love ‘And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries . . ., and have not love, I am nothing.’ 1 Cor 13:2 Dr Thomas’s writings rankle with hatred. Predictions and doctrine. False predictions are often accompanied by false doctrine. This is particularly true of Christadelphian doctrine. John Thomas postulated a concept of God and creation that seems to have affinities with Platonism and Mormonism. . . . . ‘gods once animal like men’ Thomas denied the scriptural teaching of a direct creation by God and substituted an idea of creation by ‘gods’. ‘These gods’, he suggested ‘were once animal like men of other spheres who aspired to Godhood’. Akin to that, he taught that humans would become ‘gods’ and framers of new worlds. (See Elpis Israel p. 187) — The Bible Test. Deuteronomy lays down a strict requirement for all would be predictors — total accuracy. See Deut 18: 20-22. God’s view of false prophecy is so serious that in the Old Testament they were to be put to death. Deut 18:20. We are commanded in the Bible to withdraw from anyone who utters false prediction. ‘A Wiser Way’ . . . I return to the admonition of C.P. Wauchope who said that if one’s belief isn’t in accord with the Bible that he be permitted to suggest that we seek a wiser way. Under the shade of his prophetic blunders, one can truly suggest a wiser way. Where do we find it? Jesus said: ‘I am the Way, the Truth and the Life; no man cometh to the Father but by me.’ (John 14:6) Copy of a letter sent to the Christadelphians -—-no reply received to date. 31-12-98 To the Christadelphians, P.O. Box 220, Findon S.A. 5023. Dear Sirs, I have a copy of your advertised free booklet, ‘Israel, Russia Christ’s Coming and Armageddon.’ Would you mind explaining the following: (a) On page 8 it says, ‘It is of the utmost significance that today, Russia occupies East Germany.’ Russia doesn’t occupy East Germany today. Could you please explain. (b) Page 10 says that Russia has become more and more involved in the Middle East. Where is Russia’s involvement in the Middle East today? (c) The descriptions of Russia on pages 12-13 don’t match up with the Russia of today. * ?Where is the ‘Iron Curtain’ now? * ?Who are its satellite nations? * ?Who are the other European nations to be confederated? * ?What about the Eastern European nations who have been liberated from Russian control? What about the present demise of Russia? (d) Page 14 says that ‘Gog’s defeat will be complete and final.’ In other Christadelphian literature it says that at the end of the Millennium Gog’s hordes will be as numberless as the sand of the sea and come against Christ. Isn’t this a contradiction? If Gog’s defeat is complete and final how can he raise such forces at a later time? Will look forward to your reply. Yours sincerely, John Hutchinson To the reader: The exposing of extensive failed prediction may be a shock for some. However, the Bible says that we are to ‘prove all things and hold fast to that which is good.’ (1 Thess. 5:21) Withdraw from those who falsely predict, and seek a “wiser way”. There’s too much at stake. This may be hard, as some exclusive groups reject their dissidents with scorn. Religion can bind and blind the mind like nothing else. — Where do we turn? The apostle Paul was fanatical about his religion — convinced he had the truth. He persecuted others for their faith in Jesus, but one day he was set free from it all and discovered who Jesus really was. He said concerning his religious past and association: ‘ . . . I count all things but loss for the excellency of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things . . .’ (Philippians 3:8-9). Jesus can set us free from feelings of guilt and sin and liberate us from oppressive religion. Jesus said, If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.’ (John 8:36) True Christianity is simply a personal relationship with the living Lord Jesus Christ who died for our sins and rose for our justification and now possesses all authority in heaven and earth. The Holy Spirit comes into our lives and makes us a new creation in Christ Jesus. See 2 Cor. 5:17. ‘Come unto me,’ said Jesus, ‘All ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.’ (Matt. 11:28-30). Are you labouring for a distant and uncertain reward — weighed down with anxiety and oppression? Come to Jesus and discover His peace. He is meek and lowly and understands our deepest fear. Experience the joy of salvation now, and anticipate the glory of His grace in ages to come. (Ephesians 2:7) Please feel free to contact me. (see end of document) John Hutchinson 2002. References “Elpis Israel” (1849) by Dr John Thomas. Quoted from David King’s book, The History and Mystery of Christadelphianism. “Elpis Israel” (1959) by Dr John Thomas. Published by The Christadelphian, Birmingham. “Exposition of Daniel” (1921) by Dr John Thomas. Published by CC Walker, Birmingham. “The Jews, Rome and Armageddon” (1987) by Roger Stokes. Published by Adelaide Hills Christadelphian Ecclesia. ISBN 0 73161116 0 “Christendom Astray” (1958) by Robert Roberts. Published by The Christadelphian, Birmingham. “The Wonderful World of Tomorrow” (1968) by Herbert W. Armstrong. Published by Ambassador College Press. “Four Lectures on Armageddon” by CP Wauchope. Published by Commercial Printing House, Adelaide. “Key to the Understanding of the Scriptures” by HP Mansfield, Logos Publications. Published by Clyde Press, Thornbury, Victoria 3071. The author of this booklet may be contacted by writing to: John Hutchinson, P.O. Box 1053, Victor Harbor. South Australia 5211. (Email: johnhutc@iinet.net.au)