The Man of Sin, Part 2

Continued from last...

CALCULATING HIS NAME
In Revelation 13:18, it says, “Here is wisdom. Let him who has understanding calculate the number of the beast, for the number is that of a man; and his number is six hundred and sixty-six.” In the second century, Irenaeus, the disciple of Polycarp, who was the disciple of the apostle John, calculated three possibilities, but never committed to any of them. Remember, John wrote for his contemporaries. He did not write over their heads, leaving them with a book that was utterly useless, which only applied for us today. Only two of Irenaeus’ calculations carry any weight, and so it is those that we shall look at.
The only languages at that time (and perhaps still) whose letters were also numbers were Hebrew, Greek, and Latin. The language at the time was Greek. The book of Revelation was written in Greek. Jesus is called the alpha and omega, the first and last letters of the Greek alphabet. Therefore, we are to calculate his number using Greek—nothing else! God has no interest in the mystical art of gematria. The only number in Scripture we are told to figure out its meaning for is 666. Individuals throughout history have calculated Nero’s name to 666 using Hebrew, but this presents a problem since it is not using the language that the command was written with. Concerning this calculation, Philip Schaff has said, “It seems incredible that such an easy solution of the problem should have remained unknown for eighteen centuries and been reserved for the wits of half a dozen rival rationalists in Germany.”¹ Many names in the ancient languages can be found with the numerical value of 666. A name with this value is only part of the solution to the problem, for whatever name is found must fit into all the other circumstances predicted in Daniel 7, 2 Thessalonians 2 and Revelation13 and 17.
The first name calculated in Greek by Irenaeus to be 666 is Titus (Τειταν), who destroyed Jerusalem in 70 A.D. This is the numerical value of Titus’ name in Greek: Τ = 300 + ε = 5 + ι = 10 + τ = 300 + α = 1 + ν = 50 = total 666. There are those individuals who say that the internal evidence of the book of Revelation supports an early date of writing, around 68 A.D., which would make Titus a perfect fulfillment of the prophecy. I would like to be persuaded by this evidence, but there is one problem with it that keeps me from accepting it. In Revelation 1:9, John says he was on the island of Patmos when he received the vision. According to Foxe’s Book of Martyrs, John was exiled there during the reign of Domitian. According to history, Domitian's reign was from 81-96 A.D. John gives us the reason for his exile: "because of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus" (Rev. 1:9). Not only that, but Irenaeus vies for the date of about 95-96 A.D. for its writing. So an early date of writing is not supported by the internal or external evidence. The argument that the book of Revelation does not mention the destruction of Jerusalem and the temple and must therefore have been written before 70 A.D. is a weak argument. Making assumptions does not make one's case. John was shown a specific vision and told to write it down. Why would John add something that had no relevance to what he was told to write? He wrote what the Spirit inspired him to write. Nothing more.
The second name calculated in Greek by Irenaeus to be 666 is Lateinos (Λατεινος—perhaps ancient Greek for “Latin man”), the Latin or Roman Empire. This is the numerical value in Greek: Λ = 30 + α = 1 + τ = 300 + ε = 5 + ι = 10 + ν = 50 + ο = 70 + ς = 200 = total 666. Irenaeus writes, “Then also Lateinos (ΛΑΤΕΙΝΟΣ) has the number six hundred and sixty-six; and it is a very probable [solution], this being the name of the last kingdom [of the four seen by Daniel]. For the Latins are they who at present bear rule: I will not, however, make any boast over this [coincidence].”² “J. E. Clark shows that η Λατινη Βασιλεια, ‘the Latin Empire,’ likewise gives the number 666.”³ Is this merely coincidence? Of the two calculations, this is the most sensible, and for several reasons. Remember, brothers and sisters, the Bible needs to be its own best interpreter. In the Bible, the symbol “beast” is never a kingdom or empire apart from a man (Dan. 7:17, 23). Revelation 13:16-18 says, “he causes all, the small and the great, and the rich and the poor, and the free men and the slaves, to be given a mark on their right hand, or on their forehead, and he provides that no one should be able to buy or to sell, except the one who has the mark, either the name of the beast or the number of his name. Here is wisdom. Let him who has understanding calculate the number of the beast, for the number is that of a man; and his number is six hundred and sixty-six” (emphasis supplied). The “mark” is the name of the beast and the number of the man’s name, which is also the number of the beast. In verse 17, the Greek αυτου can be translated as either “of his” or “of its.” The former would refer forward to “the number is that of a man,” while the later would refer back to “the name of the beast.” Both equate to the same thing considering the number of the beast, which is a kingdom, is the number of a man. With the above information, the pieces of the puzzle start connecting to form a clear picture.
You have the Latin Empire, the Latin Church, and Latin “Christianity.” Rome’s language, civil and ecclesiastical, has always been Latin. This is too great a “coincidence” for us to simply ignore. Throughout this blog series you are going to see some great “coincidences” that need answering.

IDENTIFYING CHARACTERISTICS
In this section we shall examine the qualifying characteristics laid out for us in the various passages of Scripture. By the end of this section, you should be able to identify who they are speaking of. You may not understand all of the qualifying characteristics listed, unless you are extremely familiar with history, but there should be enough of them that stand out and arrest your attention.

Daniel 7

1. It is a little kingdom (v.8).
2. It comes up among them, among the ten nations of the divided Roman Empire (v.8).
3. It comes up after them (v.24).
4. It plucks up three kingdoms by their roots (v.8, 24), leaving no trace of their bloodlines behind.
5. It is different from the other kingdoms (v.24), being a religious and political kingdom. Do you know of any such kingdom?
6. It has a man at the head of it (v.8, 20, 24-26). What religious, political kingdom do you know that has a man at its head?
7. It speaks blasphemy (v.8, 20, 25). How do the Scriptures define blasphemy? Do any of these sound familiar?
1. Blasphemy is the claim to have power to forgive sins (Mark 2:7).
2. Blasphemy is a man making himself to be God (John 10:33).
3. Blasphemy is persecuting the church in the name of God (1 Tim. 1:12-13).
8. It is a persecuting power (v.21, 25). Who do you know that has persecuted the saints of the Most High?
9. It seeks to change times and laws (v.25).
10. It reigns sovereignly for 1260 prophetic days (v.25).

2 Thessalonians 2

1. The apostasy must come first (v.3). You cannot be an apostate unless you once held to a claim of the true faith and have abandoned it, or you hold to a perverted form of that faith—keeping parts, omitting parts, and changing parts.
2. The man of sin is revealed through apostasy (v.3). This man would come out of the midst of the apostasy, claiming either to have been a “Christian” or to be a “Christian.”
3. The man of sin exalts himself against every god (v.3).
4. The man of sin sits in the temple of God—the church (v.3). Who do you know of that sits in the church as its ruler?
5. The man of sin proclaims himself to be God (v.3).

Revelation 13

1. The beast is given great power and authority (v.2).
2. The beast received a mortal wound that would be healed (v.3).
3. Those who dwell upon the Earth worship the beast because of this healing of the wound (v.4).
4. The beast is given 42 prophetic months to exercise its authority (v.5).
5. The beast is allowed to persecute the saints (v.6). Who do you know that has severely persecuted the saints for many centuries?
6. The beast is given authority over multitudes (v.6). Who do you know that has great authority over multitudes of people?

Revelation 17

1. The kings of the Earth are involved with this illicit infidelity (v.2).
2. Those who dwell upon the Earth are greatly affected by it (v.2).
3. This city rests upon or is built upon the foundations of a previous kingdom or empire (v.3). What city do you know of that has this sort of foundation?
4. This city’s colours are purple and scarlet, and she is rich with gold and jewels that she displays without shame (v.4). Catholic clerics wear purple and scarlet.
5. Through a “cup,” this city fornicates with political powers (v.4). Whom do you know who dispenses salvation via the means of a cup?
6. This city represents ancient Babylon at heart (v.5).
7. This city is responsible for the deaths of the saints and martyrs (v.6). What city do you know of that has killed hundreds of thousands of Christians from the first century to present day?
8. Two things may be said: the very sight of this city results in great admiration, but moreover John marveled at her because she put to death the saints and martyrs of Jesus (v.6).
9. This city sits on seven hills (v.9). What city do you know of that is called “The City on Seven Hills”?
10. This city holds sway over the bodies and souls of many peoples, multitudes, nations, and languages (v.15). What city do you know of that has this kind of influence?
11. This city reigned over the kings of the Earth (v.18).

Revelation 18

1. This city is a source of demonic presence and powers (v.2).
2. This city is responsible for the economic riches of certain individuals associated with her (v.3).
3. God calls His elect children out from under this city’s abominable influence (v. 4).
4. In contrast with God’s people, whose sins He has forgotten, God has remembered this city’s sins (v.5).
5. This city claims to be the seat of a “Queen” (v.7). What city do you know of that has a “queen” as part of its religion?
6. This city has always been a great foe against God’s people, from the day she became an empire until modern day (v. 20).
7. Splendid music and craftsmanship have been a spectacle from this city, but will eventually be no more (v.22).
8. This city is guilty of deceiving the nations (v.23).
9. This city was found guilty of the blood of God’s children (v. 24).

Remember, we said that calculating the number of the beast, which is a number of a man, solves only part of the problem. All the other details of prophecy must fit with that name. Once we have all of that, then we have found our answer. What one city do you know of that, throughout all of church history, has fit and currently fits all of these descriptive details? There is, of course, only one—the Roman Church State, Vatican City! Who is the one person who fits these descriptive details? The pope! Let us see how.

To be continued...

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¹Philip Schaff, History of the Christian Church, 1:847.
²Irenaeus, Against Heresies, 5.30.3, posted on <http://www.ccel.org/fathers.html>.
³Philip Schaff, History of the Christian Church, 1:844.

The Man of Sin, Part 1

THE ANTICHRIST
The term “antichrist” appears only four times in Scripture, and all four times are in John’s epistles (1 John 2:18, 22; 4:3; 2 John 1:7). Not once is there mention of anyone called “The Antichrist.” In John’s time, he said there were many antichrists (1 John 2:18); he said that those who deny the Father and the Son are antichrists (2:22); he said that every spirit that does not confess Jesus is antichrist (4:3); and he said that those who do not confess the coming of Jesus in the flesh are antichrist (2 John 1:7). No other New Testament author uses this term. Not even the apostle Paul. Biblically, there is no man called “The Antichrist.” Could the “man of lawlessness” be antichrist? You can bet your life on it! Anything that is against God or against Jesus Christ is antichrist. Anything that denies His eternality, His deity, His humanity, His redemption, His lordship, or anything else summed up by John’s applications, is antichrist. The spirit of antichrist is within each of us and all around us. If we do not have the Spirit of God, we have the spirit of antichrist. If we are not living and walking by the Spirit of God, we are living and walking by the spirit of antichrist. The spirit of antichrist is in the occult and in the cults, but it also visits the Christian churches every Sunday.

THE RESTRAINING FORCE
Paul says in 2 Thessalonians 2:5-6, “Do you not remember that while I was still with you, I was telling you these things? And you know what restrains him now, so that in his time he may be revealed.” Paul’s readers knew precisely what he was talking about. However, we are left without a clue because the Spirit did not inspire Paul to write it down for us. In order for us to figure it out, we need to look to early Christian history and work forward—not backward from our time as Dispensationalists do. What did the early Christians teach in regard to this? They knew what was restraining. They knew what to look for. So we need to follow them. What did the early Christians of the second, third, and fourth centuries write in regard to this? Let us observe with the following brief excerpts.
Irenaeus (130-202 A.D.): Irenaeus was born about 30 years after the apostle John died. In his extensive work, Against Heresies, Irenaeus devoted several chapters to Daniel 7, Revelation 13, and 2 Thessalonians 2. Typical of believers in all ages, he understood that the three prophecies are related. He wrote, “Daniel too, looking forward to the end of the last kingdom, i.e., the ten last kings, amongst whom the kingdom of those men shall be partitioned, and upon whom the son of perdition shall come, declares that ten horns shall spring from the beast, and that another littler horn shall arise in the midst of them.”¹ He continues, “In a still clearer light has John, in the Apocalypse, indicated to the Lord’s disciples what shall happen in the last times, and concerning the ten kings who shall then arise, among whom the empire which now rules shall be partitioned.” ² That empire was the Roman Empire.
Before it ever happened permanently in 395 A.D., Irenaeus knew that the then Empire, Rome, must be divided according to Daniel’s interpretation of Nebuchadnezzar’s dream. He also knew that the Roman Empire was the restrainer.
Tertullian (145-220 A.D.): A few years later, blending the “man of sin” prophecy with the prophecies of the ten-horned beast, Tertullian wrote the following concerning 2 Thessalonians 2: “Again, in the second epistle [Paul] addresses them with even greater earnestness: ‘For that day shall not come, unless indeed there first come a falling away,’ he means indeed of this present empire, ‘and that man of sin be revealed,’ that is to say, Antichrist, ‘the son of perdition, who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God…And now ye know what detaineth, that he might be revealed in his time. For the mystery of iniquity doth already work; and he who now hinders must hinder until he be taken out of the way.’ What obstacle is there but the Roman state, the falling away of which, by being scattered into ten kingdoms, shall introduce Antichrist upon (its own ruins)?”³
Hippolytus (170-236 A.D.): Hippolytus, discussing Daniel 2 and 7, wrote, “The golden head of the image and the lioness denoted the Babylonians; the shoulders and arms of silver, and the bear, represented the Persians and Medes; the belly and thighs of brass, and the leopard, meant the Greeks, who held the sovereignty from Alexander’s time; the legs of iron, and the beast dreadful and terrible, expressed the Romans, who hold the sovereignty at present; the toes of the feet which were part clay and part iron, and the ten horns, were emblems of the kingdoms that are yet to rise; the other little horn that grows up among them meant the Antichrist in their midst.”⁴
Cyril of Jerusalem (315-386 A.D.): Cyril, quoting 2 Thessalonians 2, said, “Thus wrote Paul, and now is the ‘falling away’…now the Church is filled with heretics in disguise. For men have fallen away from the truth, and ‘have itching ears’… This therefore is ‘the falling away,’ and the enemy is soon to be looked for…”⁵ He continues, “but this aforesaid Antichrist is to come when the times of the Roman empire shall have been fulfilled, and the end of the world is now drawing near. There shall rise up together ten kings of the Romans, reigning in different parts perhaps, but all about the same time; and after these an eleventh, the Antichrist, who by his magical craft shall seize upon the Roman power…”⁶ He continues yet further, “‘So that he seateth himself in the temple of God.’ What temple then? He means, the Temple of the Jews which has been destroyed. For God forbid that it should be the one in which we are!”⁷
Although Cyril preferred to think that the “temple of God” meant the temple of the Jews, nevertheless the way he expresses himself demonstrates that he understood precisely what the “temple of God” referred to—the church. He recoiled from this idea—the “man of sin” sitting in the church—but nevertheless understood it. Regrettably, many today miss this important point and turn to futuristic fictionalized fables.
Jerome (340-420 A.D.): The following two letters were written by Jerome at a time when the Roman Empire was already in deep trouble from the barbarians. In 396 A.D., Jerome wrote: “I shudder when I think of the catastrophes of our time… The Roman world is falling: yet we hold up our heads instead of bowing them…”⁸ He continues, “Rome’s army, once victor and Lord of the world, now trembles with terror at the sight of the foe.”⁹
In 409 A.D., he wrote: “But what am I doing? Whilst I talk about the cargo, the vessel itself founders. He that [restrains] is taken out of the way, and yet we do not realize that Antichrist is near. Yes, Antichrist is near whom the Lord Jesus Christ ‘shall consume with the spirit of his mouth’…”¹⁰ He continues, “For thirty years the barbarians burst the barrier of the Danube and fought in the heart of the Roman Empire… Rome has to fight within her own borders not for glory but for bare life.”¹¹
Augustine (345-430 A.D.): In Augustine’s famous City of God, he wrote, “I can on no account omit what the Apostle Paul says, in writing to the Thessalonians, ‘We beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ,’ etc. … No one can doubt that he wrote this of Antichrist and of the day of judgment, which he here calls the day of the Lord, nor that he declared that this day should not come unless he first came who is called the apostate… Then as for the words, ‘And now ye know what withholdeth,’ i.e., ye know what hindrance or cause of delay there is, ‘that he might be revealed in his own time;’ they show that he was unwilling to make an explicit statement, because he said that they knew… I frankly confess I do not know what he means. I will nevertheless mention such conjectures as I have heard or read. … Some think that the Apostle Paul referred to the Roman empire, and that he was unwilling to use language more explicit, lest he should incur the calumnious charge of wishing ill to the empire which it was hoped would be eternal… But others think that the words, ‘Ye know what withholdeth,’ and ‘The mystery of iniquity worketh,’ refer only to the wicked and the hypocrites who are in the Church, until they reach a number so great as to furnish Antichrist with a great people, and that this is the mystery of iniquity.”¹²
Chrysostom (347-407 A.D.): Chrysostom had written multitudes of homilies based on Scripture texts in the latter of the fourth centrury. In the only homily he had on 2 Thessalonians 2:6-9, he writes, “What then is it that withholdeth, that is, hindereth him from being revealed? Some indeed say, the grace of the Spirit, but other the Roman empire, to whom I most of all accede. Wherefore? Because if he meant to say the Spirit, he would not have spoken so obscurely, but plainly… But because he said this of the Roman empire, he naturally glanced at it, and speaks covertly and darkly. For he did not wish to bring upon himself superfluous enmities, and useless dangers…”¹³ He continues, “’Only there is one that restraineth now, until he be taken out of the way,’ that is, when the Roman empire is taken out of the way, then he shall come. And naturally. For as long as the fear of this empire lasts, no one will willingly exit himself, but when that is dissolved, he will attack the anarchy, and endeavor to seize upon the government both of man and of God.”¹⁴

To be continued...

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¹Irenaeus, Against Heresies, 5.25.3, posted on <http://www.ccel.org/fathers.html>.
²Ibid, 5.26.1.
³Tertullian, Of the Resurrection of the Flesh, chapter 24, posted on <http://www.ccel.org/fathers.html>.
⁴Hippolytus, A Treatise on Christ and Antichrist, paragraph 28, posted on <http://www.ccel.org/fathers.html>.
⁵Cyril of Jerusalem, Lecture 15, paragraph 9, posted on <http://www.ccel.org/fathers.html>.
⁶Ibid, paragraph 12.
⁷Ibid, paragraph 15.
⁸Jerome, Letter #60 to Heliodorus, paragraph 16, posted on <http://www.ccel.org/fathers.html>.
⁹Ibid, paragraph. 17.
¹⁰Jerome, Letter #123 to Ageruchia, paragraph 16, posted on <http://www.ccel.org/fathers.html>.
¹¹Ibid, paragraph 17.
¹²Augustine, City of God, 20.19.1-3, posted on <http://www.ccel.org/fathers.html>.
¹³Chrysostom, Homily on 2 Thessalonians 2:6-9, paragraph 1, posted on <http://www.ccel.org/fathers.html>.
¹⁴Ibid, paragraph 2.

Mormonism and Hell

The Book of Mormon teaches that hell is forever. However, the late Mormon Apostle, Bruce R. McConkie, states in his book, Mormon Doctrine, that this is not so. So, without further ado, let's see how the Book of Mormon contradicts the Mormon's own teachings with regard to hell.

"And that great pit, which hath been digged for them by that great abominable church, which was founded by the devil and his children, that he might lead away the souls of men down to hell—yea, that great pit which hath been digged for the destruction of men shall be filled by those who digged it, unto their utter destruction, saith the Lamb of God; not the destruction of the soul, save it be the casting of it into that hell which hath no end." 1 Nephi 14:3 (Italics—see Matt. 25:41.)

"And there is a place prepared, yea, even that awful hell of which I have spoken, and the devil is the preparator of it; wherefore the final state of the souls of men is to dwell in the kingdom of God, or to be cast out because of that justice of which I have spoken." 1 Nephi 15:35

"For the kingdom of the devil must shake, and they which belong to it must needs be stirred up unto repentance, or the devil will grasp them with his everlasting chains, and they be stirred up to anger, and perish." 2 Nephi 28:19

"And behold, others he flattereth away, and telleth them there is no hell; and he saith unto them: I am no devil, for there is none—and thus he whispereth in their ears, until he grasps them with his awful chains, from whence there is no deliverance. Yea, they are grasped with death, and hell; and death, and hell, and the devil, and all that have been seized therewith must stand before the throne of God, and be judged according to their works, from whence they must go into the place prepared for them, even a lake of fire and brimstone, which is endless torment." 2 Nephi 28:22-23

"And he spake plainly unto them, that he had been deceived by the power of the devil. And he spake of hell, and of eternity, and of eternal punishment." Jacob 7:18

"Oh then, why did he not consign us to an awful destruction, yea, why did he not let the sword of his justice fall upon us, and doom us to eternal despair? Oh, my soul, almost as it were, fleeth at the thought. Behold, he did not exercise his justice upon us, but in his great mercy hath brought us over that everlasting gulf of death and misery, even to the salvation of our souls." Alma 26:19-20

"Yea, who shall be consigned to a state of endless misery, fulfilling the words which say: They that have done good shall have everlasting life; and they that have done evil shall have everlasting damnation. And thus it is. Amen." Helaman 12:26

"But if it be not built upon my gospel, and is built upon the works of men, or upon the works of the devil, verily I say unto you they have joy in their works for a season, and by and by the end cometh, and they are hewn down and cast into the fire, from whence there is no return.

And he that endureth not unto the end, the same is he that is also hewn down and cast into the fire, from whence they can no more return, because of the justice of the Father." 3 Nephi 27:11, 17

"And thus we see that the Lord did visit them in the fulness of his wrath, and their wickedness and abominations had prepared a way for their everlasting destruction." Ether 14:25

Mormonism and One God

We are continuing on with our Witnessing to a Mormon from the Book of Mormon series. In this blog entry, we will be using their own book to prove that there is one God—not many, and that He existed from all eternity and was not once a man like we are, which is a heresy.

The Book of Mormon teaches monotheism (one God), as well as modalism (no distinction of persons). The Book of Commandments—now the Doctrine and Covenants—and the Lectures of Faith taught two gods. These lectures have been deleted as today the LDS teach polytheism (many gods).

On the title page of the Book of Mormon, it reads "...Jesus is the Christ, the Eternal God..." On the The Testimony of Three Witnesses page, the last line reads "And the honor be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost, which is one God. Amen."

The following verses can be used to show the Mormon from their own book how there is but one eternal God.

"For if there be no Christ there be no God; and if there be no God we are not, for there could have been no creation. But there is a God, and he is Christ, and he cometh in the fulness of his own time." 2 Nephi 11:7

"For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder; and his name shall be called, Wonderful, Counselor, The Mighty God, The Everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace." 2 Nephi 19:6 (2 Nephi 12 to 24 are plagiarized word-for-word directly out of the King James Version, including the italicized words.)

"And I spake concerning the convincing of the Jews, that Jesus is the very Christ, it must needs be that the Gentiles be convinced also that Jesus is the Christ, the Eternal God;" 2 Nephi 26:12 (Negates the LDS three-gods theory.)

"And now, behold, my beloved brethren, this is the way; and there is none other way nor name given under heaven whereby man can be saved in the kingdom of God. And now, behold, this is the doctrine of Christ, and the only and true doctrine of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, which is one God, without end. Amen." 2 Nephi 31:21 (Ask a Mormon to read this and tell you what he/she thinks it means. Compare with Acts 4:12.)

"I am the Lord thy God, who hath brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage. Thou shalt have no other God before me." Mosiah 12:34-35 (Compare verses 34-36 to Ex. 20:2-4.)

"And now Abinadi said unto them: I would that ye should understand that God himself shall come down among the children of men, and shall redeem his people. And because he dwelleth in flesh he shall be called the Son of God, and having subjected the flesh to the will of the Father, being the Father and the Son— The Father, because he was conceived by the power of God; and the Son, because of the flesh; thus becoming the Father and Son— And they are one God, yea, the very Eternal Father of heaven and of earth. And thus the flesh becoming subject to the Spirit, or the Son to the Father, being one God, suffereth temptation, and yieldeth not to the temptation, but suffereth himself to be mocked, and scourged, and cast out, and disowned by his people." Mosiah 15:1-5 (Where does this teach that God was once a man? Verse 2 teaches modalism, which is false.)

"Teach them that redemption cometh through Christ the Lord, who is the very Eternal Father. Amen." Mosiah 16:15

"And Zeezrom said unto him: Thou sayest there is a true and living God? And Amulek said: Yea, there is a true and living God. Now Zeezrom said: Is there more than one God? And he answered, No. Now Zeezrom said unto him again: How knowest thou these things? And he said: An angel hath made them known unto me. And Zeezrom said again: Who is he that shall come Is it the Son of God? And he said unto him, Yea. And Zeezrom said again: Shall he save his people in their sins? And Amulek answered and said unto him: I say unto you he shall not, for it is impossible for him to deny his word. Now Zeezrom said unto the people: See that ye remember these things; for he said there is but one God; yet he saith that the Son of God shall come, but the shall not save his people—as though he had authority to command God.

Now Zeezrom saith again unto him: Is the Son of God the very Eternal Father? And Amulek said unto him: Yea, he is the very Eternal Father of heaven and of earth, and all things which in them are; he is the beginning and end, the first and the last; And he shall come into the world to redeem his people; and he shall take upon him the transgressions of those who believe on his name; and these are they that shall have eternal life, and salvation cometh to none else.

Now, this restoration shall come to all, both old and young, both bond and free, both male and female, both the wicked and the righteous; and even there shall not so much as a hair of their heads be lost; but everything shall be restored to its perfect frame, as it is now, or in the body, and shall be brought and be arraigned before the bar of Christ the Son, and God the Father, and the Holy Spirit, which is one Eternal God, to be judged according to their works, whether they be good or whether they be evil." Alma 11:26-35, 38-40, 44 (Italics—Mormonism does not teach this; however, it is affirmed here.)

"And Ammon began to speak unto him with boldness, and said unto him: Believest thou that there is a God? And he answered and said unto him: I do not know what that meaneth. And then Ammon said: Believest thou that there is a Great Spirit? And he said, Yea. And Ammon said: This is God. And Ammon said unto him again: Believest thou that this Great Spirit, who is God, created all things which are in heaven and in the earth?" Alma 18:24-28 (Italics—God is not a physical man! See John 4:24.)

"Having authority given me of Jesus Christ,I baptize you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.

And after this manner shall ye baptize in my name; for behold, verily I say unto you, that the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Ghost are one and I am in the Father, and the Father in me, and the Father and I are one.

And thus will the Father bear record of me, and the Holy Ghost will bear record unto him of the Father and me; for the Father and I, and the Holy Ghost are one." 3 Nephi 11:25, 27, 36 (Italics—Verse 25, name is singular indicating one God. Verse 27, see John 14:11 and 10:30. Verse 36, the three gods myth is dispelled.)

"Behold, I am he who was prepared from the foundation of the world to redeem my people. Behold, I am Jesus Christ. I am the Father and the Son. In me shall all mankind have life, and that eternally, even they who shall believe on my name; and they shall become my sons and my daughters." Ether 3:14 (Italics—Modalism is not true!)

Witnessing to a Mormon, Part 6

aka Witnessing to a Mormon from the Book of Mormon

VI. NOW IS THE DAY OF SALVATION

"For the Spirit of the Lord will not always strive with man. And when the Spirit ceaseth to strive with man then cometh speedy destruction, and this grieveth my soul." 2 Nephi 26:11

"Behold, are ye stripped of pride? I say unto you, if ye are not ye are not prepared to meet God. Behold ye must prepare quickly; for the kingdom of heaven is soon at hand, and such an one hath not eternal life." Alma 5:28

"Wo unto such an one, for he is not prepared, and the time is at hand that he must repent or he cannot be saved!" Alma 5:31

"Behold, he sendeth an invitation unto all men, for the arms of mercy are extended towards them, and he saith: Repent, and I will receive you." Alma 5:33

"Yea, I would that ye would come forth and harden not your hearts any longer; for behold, now is the time and the day of your salvation; and therefore, if ye will repent and harden not your hearts, immediately shall the great plan of redemption be brought about unto you. For behold, this life is the time for men to prepare to meet God; yea, behold the day of this life is the day for men to perform their labors. And now, as I said unto you before, as ye have had so many witnesses, therefore, I beseech of you that ye do not procrastinate the day of your repentance until the end; for after this day of life, which is given us to prepare for eternity, behold, if we do not improve our time while in this life, then cometh the night of darkness wherein there can be no labor performed. Ye cannot say, when ye are brought to that awful crisis, that I will repent, that I will return to my God. Nay, ye cannot say this; for that same spirit which doth possess your bodies at the time that ye go out of this life, that same spirit will have power to possess your body in that eternal world. For behold, if ye have procrastinated the day of your repentance even until death, behold, ye have become subjected to the spirit of the devil, and he doth seal you his; therefore, the Spirit of the Lord hath withdrawn from you, and hath no place in you, and the devil hath all power over you; and this is the final state of the wicked." Alma 34: 31-35 (Italics—Disparage works for the dead.)

Witnessing to a Mormon, Part 5

aka Witnessing to a Mormon from the Book of Mormon

V. YOU MUST BE BORN AGAIN

"And now, because of the covenant which ye have made ye shall be called the children of Christ, his sons, and his daughters; for behold, this day he hath spiritually begotten you; for ye say that your hearts are changed through faith on his name; therefore, ye are born of him and have become his sons and his daughters." Mosiah 5:7

"For, said he, I have repented of my sins, and have been redeemed of the Lord; behold I am born of the Spirit." Mosiah 27:24

"And the Lord said unto me: Marvel not that all mankind, yea, men and women, all nations, kindreds, tongues and people, must be born again; yea, born of God, changed from their carnal and fallen state, to a state of righteousness, being redeemed of God, becoming his sons and daughters; And thus they become new creatures; and unless they do this, they can in nowise inherit the kingdom of God.

Nevertheless, after wading through much tribulation, repenting nigh unto death, the Lord in mercy hath seen fit to snatch me out of an everlasting burning, and I am born of God." Mosiah 27:25-26, 28

"And now behold, I ask of you, my brethren of the church, have ye spiritually been born of God? Have ye received his image in your countenances? Have ye experienced this mighty change in your hearts?" Alma 5:14

"Not I say unto you that ye must repent, and be born again; for the Spirit saith if ye are not born again ye cannot inherit the kingdom of heaven; therefore come and be baptized unto repentance, that ye may be washed from your sins, that ye may have faith on the Lamb of God who taketh away the sins of the world, who is mighty to save and to cleanse from all unrighteousness." Alma 7:14

"And as many as have received me, to them have I given to become the sons of God; and even so will I to as many as shall believe on my name, for behold, by me redemption cometh, and in me is the law of Moses fulfilled." 3 Nephi 9:17

Witnessing to a Mormon, Part 4

aka Witnessing to a Mormon from the Book of Mormon

IV. SALVATION COMES BY JESUS CHRIST

"And now, behold, my beloved brethren, this is the way; and there is none other way nor name given under heaven whereby man can be saved in the kingdom of God. And now, behold, this is the doctrine of Christ, and the only and true doctrine of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, which is one God, without end. Amen." 2 Nephi 31:21 (Ask a Mormon to read this and tell you what he/she thinks it means. Compare with Acts 4:12.)

"But wo, wo unto him who knoweth that he rebelleth against God! For salvation cometh to none such except it be through repentance and faith on the Lord Jesus Christ." Mosiah 3:12

"And the Lord God hath sent his holy prophets among all the children of men, to declare these things to every kindred, nation, and tongue, that thereby whosoever should believe that Christ should come, the same might receive remission of their sins, and rejoice with exceeding great joy, even as though he had already come among them." Mosiah 3:13 (Italics—See Rev. 14:6.)

"And even if it were possible that little children could sin they could not be saved; but I say unto you they are blessed; for behold, as in Adam, or by nature, they fall, even so the blood of Christ atoneth for their sins. And moreover, I say unto you, that there shall be no other name given nor any other way nor means whereby salvation can come unto the children of men, only in and though the name of Christ, the Lord Omnipotent. For behold he judgeth, and his judgment is just; and the infant perisheth not that dieth in his infancy; but men drink damnation to their own souls except they humble themselves and become as little children, and believe that salvation was, and is, and is to come, in and through the atoning blood of Christ, the Lord Omnipotent. For the natural man is an enemy to God, and has been from the fall of Adam, and will be, forever and ever, unless he yields to the enticings of the Holy Spirit, and putteth off the natural man and becometh a saint through the atonement of Christ the Lord, and becometh as a child, submissive, meek, humble, patient, full of love, willing to submit to all things which the Lord seeth fit to inflict upon him, even as a child doth submit to his father." Mosiah 3:16-19 (Italics—See Acts 4:12, 1 Cor. 11:29, and 1 Cor. 2:14.)

"For behold, when that time cometh, none shall be found blameless before God, except it be little children, only through repentance and faith on the name of the Lord God Omnipotent." Mosiah 3:21

"I say, that this is the man who receiveth salvation, through the atonement which was prepared from the foundation of the world for all mankind, which ever were since the fall of Adam, or who are, or who ever shall be, even unto the end of the world. And this is the means whereby salvation cometh. And there is non other salvation save this which hath been spoken of; neither are there any conditions whereby man can be saved except the conditions which I have told you." Mosiah 4:7-8

"And thus God breaketh the bands of death, having gained the victory over death; giving the Son power to make intercession for the children of men— Having ascended into heaven, having the bowels of mercy; being filled with compassion towards the children of men; standing betwixt them and justice; having broken the bands of death, taken upon himself their iniquity and their transgressions, having redeemed them, and satisfied the demands of justice." Mosiah 15:8-9

"And now, ought ye not to tremble and repent of your sins, and remember that only in and through Christ ye can be saved? Therefore, if ye teach the law o Moses, also teach that it is a shadow of those things which are to come— Teach them that redemption cometh through Christ the Lord, who is the very Eternal God. Amen." Mosiah 16:13-15

"Yea, even he commanded them that they should preach nothing save it were repentance and faith on the Lord, who had redeemed his people." Mosiah 18:20

"Now the Spirit knoweth all things; nevertheless the Son of God suffereth according to the flesh that he might take upon him the sins of his people, that he might blot out their transgressions according to the power of his deliverance; and now behold, this is the testimony which is in me. Now I say unto you that ye must repent, and be born again; for the Spirit saith if ye are not born again ye cannot inherit the kingdom of heaven; therefore come and be baptized unto repentance, that ye may be washed from your sins, that ye may have faith on the Lamb of God, who taketh away the sins of the world, who is mighty to save and to cleanse from all unrighteousness." Alma 7:13-14

"Now Aaron began to open the scriptures unto them concerning the coming of Christ, and also concerning the resurrection of the dead, and that there could be no redemption for mankind save it were through the death and sufferings of Christ, and the atonement of his blood." Alma 21:9

"O remember, remember, my sons, the words which king Benjamin spake unto his people; yea, remember that there is no other way nor means whereby man can be saved, only through the atoning blood of Jesus Christ, who shall come; yea, remember that he cometh to redeem the world. And remember also the words which Amulek spake unto Zeezrom, in the city of Ammonihah; for he said unto him that the Lord surely should come to redeem his people, but that he should not come to redeem them in their sins, but to redeem them from their sins. And he hath power given unto him from the Father to redeem them from their sins because of repentance; therefore he hath sent his angels to declare the tidings of the conditions of repentance, which bringeth unto the power of the Redeemer, unto the salvation of their souls. And now, my sons, remember, remember that it is upon the rock of our Redeemer, who is Christ, the Son of God, that ye must build your foundation; that when the devil shall send forth his mighty winds, yea, his shafts in the whirlwind, yea, when all his hail and his mighty storm shall beat upon you, it shall have no power over you to drag you down to the gulf of misery and endless wo, because of the rock upon which ye are built, which is a sure foundation, a foundation whereon if men build they cannot fall." Helaman 5:9-12

Witnessing to a Mormon, Part 3

aka Witnessing to a Mormon from the Book of Mormon

III. WORKS DO NOT SAVE; IT IS A GIFT

"And thou hast beheld in thy youth his glory; wherefore, thou art blessed even as they unto whom he shall minister in the flesh; for the Spirit is the same, yesterday, today, and forever. And the way is prepared from the fall of man, and salvation is free." 2 Nephi 2:4

"He doeth not anything save it be for the benefit of the world; for he loveth the world, even that he layeth down his own life that he may draw all men unto him. Wherefore, he commandeth none that they shall not partake of his salvation. Behold, doth he cry unto any, saying: Depart from me? Behold, I say unto you, Nay; but he saith: Come unto me all ye ends of the earth, buy milk and honey, without money and without price.

Hath he commanded any that they should not partake of his salvation? Behold I say unto you, Nay; but he hath given it free for all men; and he hath commanded his people that they should persuade all men to repentance." 2 Nephi 26:24-25, 27

"But because of the faith of men he has shown himself unto the world, and glorified the name of the Father, and prepared a way that thereby others might be partakers of the heavenly gift, that they might hope for those things which they have not seen.

And again, I remember that thou hast said that thou hast loved the world, even unto the laying down of they life for the world, that thou mightest take it again to prepare a place for the children of men." Ether 12:8, 33 (An excellent place to go from here is John 6:28-29, which leads to the next section.)

Witnessing to a Mormon, Part 2

aka Witnessing to a Mormon from the Book of Mormon

II. THE LAW DOES NOT SAVE

"And men are instructed sufficiently that they know good from evil. And the law is given unto men. And by the law no flesh is justified; or, by the law men are cut off. Yea, by the temporal law they were cut off; and also, by the spiritual law they perish from that which is good, and become miserable forever." 2 Nephi 2:5

"Behold, he offereth himself a sacrifice for sin, to answer the ends of the law, unto all those who have a broken heart and a contrite spirit; and unto none else can the ends of the law be answered." 2 Nephi 2:7

"For, for this end was the law given; wherefore the law hath become dead unto us, and we are made alive in Christ because of our faith; yet we keep the law because of the commandments." 2 Nephi 25:25

"Wherefore, we speak concerning the law that out children may know the deadness of the law; and they, by knowing the deadness of the law, may look forward unto that life which is in Christ, and know for what end the law was given. And after the law is fulfilled in Christ, that they need not harden their hearts against him when the law ought to be done away." 2 Nephi 25:27

"And many signs, and wonders, and types, and shadows showed he unto them, concerning his coming; and also holy prophets spake unto them concerning his coming; and yet they hardened their hears, and understood not that the law of Moses availeth nothing except it were through the atonement of his blood." Mosiah 3:15

"And moreover, I say unto you, that salvation doth not come by the law alone; and were it not for the atonement, which God himself shall make for the sins and iniquities of his people, that they must unavoidably perish, notwithstanding the law of Moses." Mosiah 13:28

"Therefore, it is expedient that there should be a great and last sacrifice, and then shall there be, or it is expedient there should be, a stop to the shedding of blood; then shall the law of Moses be fulfilled; yea, it shall be all fulfilled, every not and tittle, and none shall have passed away. And behold, this is the whole meaning of the law, every whit pointing to that great and last sacrifice; and that great and last sacrifice will be the Son of God, yea, infinite and eternal." Alma 34:13-14

Witnessing to a Mormon, Part 1

aka Witnessing to a Mormon from the Book of Mormon

It was Mark Twain who said, "The Book of Mormon is chloroform in print." This is true. It numbs your brain from being able to think clearly. The Book of Mormon is unreliable for several reasons:

1. The Mormon church has made more than 4,000 changes to the original edition of the Book of Mormon. It should not have required any changes because Joseph Smith allegedly used magic seer stones (guided by God) that infallibly translated one letter at a time for him.
2. The book is undermined by its many plagiarisms from the KJV (some 27,000 words). The Book of Mormon was allegedly penned between 600 B.C. and 421 A.D., so how could it contain word-for-word quotations from the 1611 KJV?
3. Virtually no archeological support exists for the cities mentioned in the Book of Mormon.

Despite the vast amount of nonsensical and inaccurate information contained in the Book of Mormon, due to its plagiarism from the KJV Bible (both directly and indirectly), the Book of Mormon can be used against a Mormon in order to witness to him/her. Especially with regard to the fact that modern-day Mormonism teaches things the Book of Mormon contradicts. In the next several blog entries, I am going to show you how to use the Book of Mormon to witness to a Mormon. The first six entries are known as "The Plan of Salvation". After sharing each section of verses with your Mormon friend, feel free to use verses from the Bible that say the same thing and back up the position you are making. Then, continue on to the next section of verses.

I. MAN IS A SINNER AND SEPARATED FROM GOD.

"And the days of the children of men were prolonged, according to the will of God, that they might repent while in the flesh; wherefore, their state became a state of probation, and their time was lengthened, according to the commandments which the Lord God gave unto the children of men. For he gave commandment that all men must repent; for he showed unto all men that they were lost, because of the transgression of their parents." 2 Nephi 2:21

"For the natural man is an enemy of God, and has been from the fall of Adam, and will be, forever and ever, unless he yields to the enticings of the Holy Spirit, and putteth off the natural man and becometh a saint through the atonement of Christ the Lord, and becometh as a child, submissive, meek, humble, patient, full of love, willing to submit to all things which the Lord seeth fit to inflict upon him, even as a child doth commit to his father." Mosiah 3:19 (Italics—see 1 Cor. 2:14.)

"For behold, if the knowledge of the goodness of God at this time has awakened you to a sense of your nothingness, and our worthless and fallen state—" Mosiah 4:5

"All we, like sheep, have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the Lord hath laid on him the iniquities of us all." Mosiah 14:6 (This verse is identical to Isaiah 53:6.)

"Behold, he changed their hearts; yea, he awakened them out of a deep sleep, and they awoke unto God. Behold, they were in the midst of darkness; nevertheless, their souls were illuminated by the light of the everlasting word; yeah, they were encircled about by the bands of death, and the chains of hell, and an everlasting destruction did await them." Alma 5:7

"And now, my beloved brethren, for ye are my brethren, and ye ought to be beloved, and ye ought to bring forth words which are meet for repentance, seeking that your hearts have been grossly hardened against the word of God, and seeing that ye are a lost and a fallen people." Alma 9:30 (Italics—see Matt. 3:8.)

"Not Alma said unto him: This is the thing which I was about to explain. Now we see that Adam did fall by the partaking of the forbidden fruit, according to the word of God; and thus we see, that by his fall, all mankind became a lost and fallen people." Alma 12:22

"Who could have supposed that our God would have been so merciful as to have snatched us from our awful, sinful, and polluted state?" Alma 26:17

"For it is expedient that an atonement should be made; for according to the great plan of the Eternal God there must be an atonement made, or else all mankind must unavoidably perish yea, all are hardened; yea, all are fallen and are lost, and must perish except it be through the atonement which it is expedient should be made." Alma 34:9

"And thus we see that all mankind were fallen, and they were in the grasp of justice; yea, the justice of God, which consigned them forever to be cut off from his presence." Alma 42:14

"And wo be unto the children of men if this be the case; for there shall be none that doeth good among you, no not one. For if there be one among you that doeth good, he shall work by the power and gifts of God." Moroni 10:25 (From here, you can go to Romans 3:23, etc.)