Taken Out of Context…
Could Lead You To HELL
Pastor J. R. Wilhite, author
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This study is long overdue. The reason for its long delay was my concern over it being construed as my being judgmental. Judging is something I will not tolerate from myself. No matter what you may think, I am not judging; just stating facts compiled from thousands of emails received over an 8-year period. Before you start, I ask that you relax and pray; so that you are prepared for this study. This must be carefully studied in the proper setting; or it can be taken as an offense. I am going to use two different concepts that are misleading; there are many, many more examples. The primary idea is to show you what to look for in misleading concepts; not to focus on all there is that can mislead you. That would require volumes. Often, I encounter people, who will read a verse and wrongly build a concept on that verse. If they had read further, they would have realized the concept they built was wrong. In many cases, these flawed concepts result from their seeking ways to justify their lifestyle. They do not want to live a life as they think they should to God. Here is a current example: 2 Peter 3:9-10 (KJV) 9. The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance. {A person posted in our "Question & Answer" area a coment, not a question, based on II Peter 3:9. Unfortunately, I was forced to delete it instead of posting it. This was due to the way the coment was stated, and the person left no email address. I did this because this verse, by itself, can be difficult to comprehend. Add to it the coment that the person posted, it could confuse someone; and that cannot be allowed. The idea of the coment was that we are all saved, and no matter what no one will go to Hell; this was all based on the above verse. This would lead some to believe they could live a life of the world and flesh, and still be saved. This is somewhat like the "once saved…always saved" idea but taken a step further. That further step is: we do not even have to do anything at all; it is all done for us. However, if they read the next verse, they would have a problem proving their concept.} 10. But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up. Problem with the concept above: The Lord would not have to come as a thief in the night, if this false concept was true. In addition, Revelations 3:20-22 would have to be removed for this concept to work. Revelation 3:20-22 (KJV) 20. Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me. 21. To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne. 22. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches Then there are those, and this is one of the largest groups, that believe predestination means: that God, in the beginning, set one group aside to be saved and another to be sent to eternal damnation. Moreover, no matter what we do will not change it, it is preset. In this instance, Revelations 3:20-22 would have to be removed for this concept to work. This group uses the next five verses to prove their point. Afterwards, I will show what it says when all is read; not just what one wants it to say by taking it out of context. Romans 8 (KJV) 29. For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. 30. Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified. Romans 9 (KJV) 21. Hath not the potter power over the clay, of the same lump to make one vessel unto honour, and another unto dishonour? Ephesians 1 (KJV) 5. Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, 11. In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will: {If you diligently read Romans in its entirety, not just a chapter or two, not just a verse or two, you will learn the truth.} Romans 10 (KJV) 9. That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. 10. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. 11. For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. In verse 11 it states "whosoever", not who was predestined, or the elect, but whosoever. In verses 9 and 10, we are told that we must confess with our mouths the Lord Jesus; and believe in our hearts that God raised Him from the dead. Then, we are saved. If we are predestined, or if it is all done for us; then Romans 10:9-10 should not exist. However, these verses do exist, and they follow the other verses in Romans 8 and 9. One thing people either do not know, or forget, is the Bible is one long sentence. The periods, comas, etc. were added for us. All of the chapter and verse numbers, as well as breaks, were also added for us…they were not originally written that way. You cannot read a verse here and there; then say, "Ok, I understand now". One must read Genesis 1:1 to Revelation 22:21 to understand; even then your understanding is limited. The only way to truly understand, and know the truth, is to have God teach you…not man. John 14 (KJV) 26. But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you. {In John 14:26, it stated the Holy Ghost (which is God; God is a Spirit. Ghost and Spirit are the same) shall teach all things; not just things of God, but ALL THINGS. John is a little more specific in I John 2:27. He says that we should not be taught by man. The anointing as referred to in I John 2:27 is the Holy Spirit. "Christ" is a Greek word, which in English means anoint. And in Luke 4:18, we discover that the anointing is the Holy Spirit.} 1 John 2 (KJV) 27. But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him. Luke 4 (KJV) 18. The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, Even those who rose with Jesus on the day of resurrection some 2000 years ago had to go and profess Jesus to those in the city for their salvation. Matthew 27 (KJV) 52. And the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints which slept arose, 53. And came out of the graves after his resurrection, and went into the holy city, and appeared unto many. If you are sitting there thinking, "I never noticed that before", let me help you. Do not be shocked. I did not notice that either; until I asked God to take me through His word. Here are a few other examples of verses that were read without noticing one or two words; and by doing so read wrongly. Genesis 3 (KJV) 3. But of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God hath said, Ye shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it, lest ye die. Go ahead, look it up. Eve added that she could not touch or she would die. God said do not eat; He never said anything about touching. In addition, notice in Genesis 2, that God only comanded Adam not to eat; not Adam and wife or Adam and decedents, etc. Here is another verse many people miss: Genesis 2 (KJV) 17. But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die. {The word most missed is "knowledge". If you ask many, "Of what tree did Adam and Eve eat?" most times they will say tree of good and evil.} Now, here is one of my favorites. Although most people read it, they never connect the dots. 1 Corinthians 1 (KJV) 11. For it hath been declared unto me of you, my brethren, by them which are of the house of Chloe, that there are contentions among you. 12. Now this I say, that every one of you saith, I am of Paul; and I of Apollos; and I of Cephas; and I of Christ. 13. Is Christ divided? was Paul crucified for you? or were ye baptized in the name of Paul? {Now that you read it as it is written in the Bible, lets re-read it if it were written today.} 1 Corinthians 1 (KJV) 11. For it hath been declared unto me of you, my brethren, by them which are of the house of Chloe, that there are contentions among you. 12. Now this I say, that every one of you saith, I am of Baptist; and I of Catholic; and I of Methodist; and I of Christ. 13. Is Christ divided? was Paul crucified for you? or were ye baptized in the name of Paul? Before you go thinking that this is wrong, for Paul was writing to Corinthians almost 2000 years ago; you are right. However, what he was writing about is just as true today as it was then. Do not loose sight of the truth, just because it may touch a little to close to home. Moreover, if you are not sure about anything written or stated…GREAT! You should question all you read and hear. However, do not question man, question God. He will answer you directly. At first, it may take some time; but He will answer you. If we are not to hear from Him, then why did John give us a question to verify who we are hearing from, God or Satan? 1 John 4 (KJV) 1. Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world. 2. Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God: 3. And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world. No, you cannot save yourself; but you can reject your salvation.
2-25-04 H.O.M.E.