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Expose' against Joey Faust's Kingdom Exclusion
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Will Believers be excluded from the Millennial Kingdom of Heaven?
Introduction:
First let me thank you for asking me to critique THE JUDGMENT SEAT OF CHRIST by D.M. Panton. Reading this book has helped me to thoroughly understand the errors of what some call "Kingdom Exclusion" and associated doctrines. Especially it has opened my eyes to what Joey Faust is doing in relation to said doctrines in his writings and his book WILL GOD SPARE THE ROD?
It is my hope that it is not necessary for me to give a critique that is literally line for line, and word for word, although that is my favorite method of critiquing books. Usually, I just make notations all over the pages as I go through a book, then have interested parties read my copy with my notes scribbled throughout to understand my position. Since there is a chance that there is a rising tide of interest in this subject it is my hope to critique Panton's book without needing to match all 80 of his pages! The method of critique I hope to use is the same as the counterfeit spotters mentioned above. First, we will consider what sound Biblical doctrine is, and then we will analyze the counterfeit.
At this point I must add that when I first heard Joey Faust had written a book of some 500 pages on the "Judgment seat of Christ" I immediately knew, in that instant, that the book had to contain much "filler" as there are not so many verses on the subject throughout the whole 66 books of the Bible. If God is not able to communicate all He wishes us to know about the Judgment Seat in the Bible, and instead we need some 500 additional pages, then we are in danger of "adding" (Rev. 22:18) too much to His word. I assure you God's Word is sufficient without the addition! Of course, I now realize that since these Kingdom Exclusionists were men that frequently used "the Greek" and often anything but a King James Bible, Joey quickly realized the possibility of reviving this dusty old, "new light," from the 19th century, by rewriting their works, but sticking to the King James text. Also, their old practice of quoting any person from any commentary that sounded as if the writer might hold a similar view, to that of the Exclusionists, was not lost on Joey as well. That's why his book is so large!
It is my hope that this critique will be received in the spirit of love that my late pastor Dr. G. B. Vick extended to you and me. It is because he considered you his friend that I will always consider you my friend, as I know we have all loved the old AV 1611 as the true words of God. I dedicate this work to his memory as the great defender of the faith that he was.
Now, let me ask, do you know how the experts are trained to spot counterfeit currency? One would naturally assume that such experts are put into long and tedious classes of all the divergent, and miscellaneous, attempts and methods of counterfeiters of the past, however this is incorrect. Instead, the experts are simply thoroughly taught and trained in understanding the real genuine article, then, quite naturally when a counterfeit is examined it is quickly identified. This same truth can be applied to what the Bible calls "sound doctrine." If one is truly a lover of God's word, and a thorough reader and student of it, to be "rightly dividing the word of truth," unsound doctrines really will become quite obvious. (It goes without saying that the reverse must also be true. That for one to easily be deceived by a counterfeit he either: has not spent enough time and energy with the truth or is blinded to the truth by a seducing spirit.)
Sound Doctrine
Let us begin with the common established body of teaching long taught and believed by Bible believing fundamental Baptist Preachers and teachers throughout history and around the world.
First: The Lord Jesus Christ made full and complete payment for all sin and sins when He died upon Calvary's cross. His sacrifice was accepted by God the Father.
(Isaiah 53:4-12) 4 ¶ Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. 5 But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. 6 All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all. 7 He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth. 8 He was taken from prison and from judgment: and who shall declare his generation? for he was cut off out of the land of the living: for the transgression of my people was he stricken. 9 And he made his grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death; because he had done no violence, neither was any deceit in his mouth.10 ¶ Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise him; he hath put him to grief: when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see his seed, he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of the LORD shall prosper in his hand. 11 He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied: by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for he shall bear their iniquities. 12 Therefore will I divide him a portion with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong; because he hath poured out his soul unto death: and he was numbered with the transgressors; and he bare the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.
Second: The moment one believes on the Lord Jesus Christ he receives God's righteousness. This righteousness is imputed to the believer. At that moment he is fully, completely and totally justified. This justification and imputed righteousness is never removed.
(Romans 3:24-28, 4:1-8) 24 Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: 25 Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God; 26 To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus. 27 Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? of works? Nay: but by the law of faith. 28 Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law.
1 What shall we say then that Abraham our father, as pertaining to the flesh, hath found? 2 For if Abraham were justified by works, he hath whereof to glory; but not before God. 3 For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness. 4 Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt. 5 But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness. 6 Even as David also describeth the blessedness of the man, unto whom God imputeth righteousness without works, 7 Saying, Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered. 8 Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin.
If you believe on Jesus
1. Your iniquities are forgiven
2. Your sins are covered
3. The Lord will not impute sin to you
(Hebrews 10:10, 14) 10 By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. 14 For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified.
My initial sanctification is guaranteed to last for all eternity. (Philippians 1:6 & 1 Cor. 1:6, 8) 6 Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ: 6 Even as the testimony of Christ was confirmed in you: 8 Who shall also confirm you unto the end, that ye may be blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Third: The New Testament makes clear that all chastening of the believer by God is restricted to the afflictions of the flesh in their lifetime (1 Cor. 11:30-32; Hebrews 12:3-13), not a punishing of the soul following death or the rapture. First, because the new man, the inner man cannot sin, thus, would never have any reason to be punished. "Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God. (1John 3:9). Second, the body of sin and death that is guilty of transgression (Romans 7:17) had been left behind, and the believer stands at the judgment seat glorified, (Philippians 3:21), free from the body of this death, (Romans 7:24), and is presented to the Father by Jesus, without spot or blemish (Ephesians 5:27). The one who sinned is gone. The one who could not sin, now stands before his redeemer in a glorified body.
Fourth: There is no scriptural ground upon which God could judicially punish a believer in Jesus Christ when he stands before Him.
+ They are justified by the righteousness of Jesus Christ
+ They are sanctified by the offering of Jesus Christ as their substitute
+ They are spotless through the love of Jesus Christ.
Fifth: This is why the passages on the judgment seat [1 Cor. 3 & 2 Cor. 5] clearly tell of its purpose, which is to determine the extent of the believer’s reward, never to determine the nature or extent of a punishment.
Sixth: The believer receives a reward and inheritance that will match in accordance with his service. While many will reign as kings and priests, some may reign over as little as the Road Apple Street Sweepers union of a given city, but he will reign!
Seventh: Paul's conclusion in explaining the mechanics of New Testament salvation in Romans chapters 3-8 is:
8:29 The believer is predestinated to be conformed to the image of Jesus Christ.
8:30 The believer's justification guarantees glorification.
8:30 In fact, the glorification is spoken of as already having been accomplished.
8:32 The requirement for being given all things is receipt of the death of the Son of God.
8:33 A man who is justified cannot have anything laid to his charge.
8:34 The intercession of the risen Christ assures that I will never know any condemnation.
8:35-39 As a Believer nothing shall separated me from the love of God, not for a moment, the "Bema," the rod, not even a 1,000-year Millenium!
Wellllll, All Glory to God!
These seven clearly understood doctrines and associated verses are now to be overthrown and befuddled by the recombining of a few verses from gospel parables; or completely new definitions given to words and phrases so that the reader will abandon sound doctrine: making new complications for themselves because now these clear truths must not mean what we thought they did!?
Critique Begins:
Let us now begin at the first page where we see a photograph of Mr. Panton taken of him when he was 83 years of age and we read: DAVID MORRIESON PANTON, B.A., Founder and Editor of Dawn, 1924-1955, (Known as THE WATCHTOWER MAGAZINE today; Born 9th April 1870. Fell asleep in Jesus, 20th May 1955. "With Christ... very far better" -(Phil. 1:23 R.V.)
Wow! 'Right out of the shoot' (as they say at the Rodeo), we know a lot about this author. Obviously, he lived during the change of a century where there was much interest and speculation concerning the Return of Christ. He lived during the sweeping revivals of Unitarianism, Mormonism, and the Millerites, that would become the Russelites. But the most disturbing and glaring insight is the truth that Mr. Panton bought into the great lie that the English Revised Standard Version of the Bible was the Word of God! Now to properly critique this work one has two jobs of firstly critiquing the content of his message then secondly critiquing the use of the word changes of this version of the Bible. The obvious changes to so many passages removing the Trinity, deity and blood of Christ soon caused this bible to be nick-named "The red bible" as American's soon likened it to something written by the red dragon, and obvious Soviet Red Communists! The verse reads: "...with Christ, which is far better:" and has no need of the addition of "very" far as there is nothing in the chapter that is being discussed as far, very far, not too far or far enough! Is that fair? Of course, it is because, even as Christian writers today pick and choose from a great variety of versions their choices are used because the subtle changes are all very slight variations so that when we finally arrive at the conclusion, we are very far indeed from the truth relayed to us by the King James Bible. No doubt this truth is why Tischendorf found the Siniaticus in the garbage can at St Catherines. It had been abandoned as a useful, meaningful, copy of the scriptures and was scheduled to be burned, but it was discovered by him in 1880 and quickly dusted off and hailed as a treasure! And so, once again a "new light" of a forgotten era was discovered and could be reintroduced to a new generation of readers with just the right translator. And now, Joey Faust is the great discoverer of the lost doctrines of an ancient truth. Never mind, the fact that it makes little sense that God would abandon his churches to heretical teachings until this late hour just before his return, but now, the church has finally gotten the truth? Why did Mr. Patton prefer the R.V.? Paul wrote that wrong practices are the result of wrong thinking "...I hear there be divisions among you; and I partly believe it. For there must be also heresies among you, that they which are approved maybe made manifest among you." (1 Cor. 11:18-19)
The first page of his text is on page three where he gives lip service that salvation is by grace alone through faith alone, though all the verses are from the R.V. On page 4 he begins his incremental counterfeiting with a section dealing with "Reward." He concludes his third sentence with "that God is, and that He is a Rewarder" (Heb xi.6). [Here he begins the typical taking of a text out of its context so that it becomes a pretext for error. The complete text says, 'He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him!" but this might be harmful to the gentle brainwashing to reach the conclusion he has chosen for us]. The next sentence is a quote from a “Dr. A.T. Pierson,” and begins "With many disciples [No, buddy, I'm more than a disciple, I'm a son! But this language will be useful later in convincing the reader that Christians are mere servants as God addresses all the Old Testament saints before Jesus Christ death on the cross.] the eyes are yet blinded to this mystery of rewards..." [There it is already. All cults challenge the initiate to study to become a disciple who will be in the know of all the esoteric mysteries. Isn't it amazing the Bible does say we are to be "stewards of the mysteries" and of the 14 taught in the scriptures this is not one of them. This guy is now making up a new one and suggesting it is Bible when it is not. But the pastor before Panton, Robert Govett believed it, so he must teach it to or find a new place to pastor]. The next sentence begins "Calvin, [the murderer of Anabaptists] though seeing this truth but dimly, has packed into a sentence the Scripture doctrine of reward:" [Surely you will accept what Panton is saying is the "Scripture doctrine of Reward?"]
He begins a new paragraph, and his second sentence is supposedly a quote from Revelation xxii. 12 "Behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to render [No, give! Render is what you do to pig fat to make it lard!] to each (disciple) according as his work is"[oops! He just can't leave it alone, can he? The real text says, "to give every man according as his work shall be." Why can’t he just leave God's word alone? And people honestly think this guy has something intelligent to say? I thought 'a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump!'] "To whom is this said?" [He continues] "I Jesus, have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things for the churches." [Yes, the seven churches mentioned in the first chapter, but no, Panton wants the reader to strive and maintain the good works that these tribulation saints are cautioned to maintain in Re. 12:17 and 14:12. Remember, to him all church age Christians are nothing more than before the cross disciples!]
A footnote on the bottom of page 5 reads: "space forbids the quotation of all scriptures in full; nor is to be regretted if the reader is (in a sense) compelled to verify and study both text and context for himself. He will find that abbreviations are not mutilations." {Oh, quite the contrary! I have only turned over two pages of the book and look at all we have found already!]
In the hopes of trying to be brief let me note some general observations. In his hopes of convincing us of his truths Panton once again quotes Calvin on page 13, and on page 47, thus showing how Panton is trying to convince the Protestant readers that his conclusions are right. Then, 3 sentences away he writes "in the beautiful words of Augustine" and quotes the Catholic Bible burner and murdered of Anabaptists. the next sentence he concludes "...in that all-reconciling world where Luther and Zwingli are well agreed." as if these daughters of the great whore knew enough Bible to not murder Anabaptist for rejecting infant baptism! Can one honestly expect Bible consistency from Govett and Panton that had been brought up in the Anglican church? But I have saved the best for last for on page 42 he twice quotes our beloved Mariolater Westcott twice to show us we must too embrace this doctrine! [He has defeated his purpose with me! He might have had some hope to convince me if he could have simply stuck with the Bible alone, or even quoted some truly great Godly men, but as I have shown he has no Bible and quotes knaves as great Christian minds! How greatly the mantel must feel like on Joey Faust's shoulders.]
To understand Panton's mindset let me quote form his Dawn august 1955 issue, printed shortly after Panton's death. George H. Ramsey wrote "a brief Memoir of the late Editor." Here are his excerpts:
D.M. Panton...believed that God gave Dawn into his hands as an instrument for the making known and maintaining of doctrines which, though clearly enunciated in the Word of God, have become all but dead letter to the majority of Christians.
There was a time when the great foundation doctrine of Justification by Faith had been all but obliterated from the minds of Christians, [my, my, what had this guy been smoking? Catholics and State churchmen maybe, but Erasmus himself is proof that this guy was a blooming idiot when it comes to church history!] till Luther was raised up and commissioned by God to disinter and make it known [true of Luther only at the beginning. Luther would go back to his Catholic leanings before he died.] and to make it known and to expound and defend it with his life.
Similarly, the doctrine of Responsibility and Accountability of every redeemed soul to his Redeemer, naturally arising out of his redemption, has passed from the knowledge of the church [obviously he believes in a universal or Catholic church]
Does the Bible teach Kingdom Exclusion?
Absolutely, yes! (Matt. 8:11 & 12) "And I say unto you, that many shall come from the east and the west, and shall sit down with Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, in the kingdom of heaven. But the children of the kingdom shall be cast out into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth."
It definitely is NOT what Pantone or Joey Faust think it is!
All scripture (2 Timothy 3:16) has four (#1. Doctrine, Doctrinal, #2. Reproof, Historical, #3. Correction, Dispensational, #4. Instruction in Righteousness, Devotional,) valid applications! You can not take a devotional application of a passage and overturn the clear teaching of its Bible doctrine!
Prepared for Dr Dixon June 1, 2005, by Pastor Daniel Hardin
Introduction:
First let me thank you for asking me to critique THE JUDGMENT SEAT OF CHRIST by D.M. Panton. Reading this book has helped me to thoroughly understand the errors of what some call "Kingdom Exclusion" and associated doctrines. Especially it has opened my eyes to what Joey Faust is doing in relation to said doctrines in his writings and his book WILL GOD SPARE THE ROD?
It is my hope that it is not necessary for me to give a critique that is literally line for line, and word for word, although that is my favorite method of critiquing books. Usually, I just make notations all over the pages as I go through a book, then have interested parties read my copy with my notes scribbled throughout to understand my position. Since there is a chance that there is a rising tide of interest in this subject it is my hope to critique Panton's book without needing to match all 80 of his pages! The method of critique I hope to use is the same as the counterfeit spotters mentioned above. First, we will consider what sound Biblical doctrine is, and then we will analyze the counterfeit.
At this point I must add that when I first heard Joey Faust had written a book of some 500 pages on the "Judgment seat of Christ" I immediately knew, in that instant, that the book had to contain much "filler" as there are not so many verses on the subject throughout the whole 66 books of the Bible. If God is not able to communicate all He wishes us to know about the Judgment Seat in the Bible, and instead we need some 500 additional pages, then we are in danger of "adding" (Rev. 22:18) too much to His word. I assure you God's Word is sufficient without the addition! Of course, I now realize that since these Kingdom Exclusionists were men that frequently used "the Greek" and often anything but a King James Bible, Joey quickly realized the possibility of reviving this dusty old, "new light," from the 19th century, by rewriting their works, but sticking to the King James text. Also, their old practice of quoting any person from any commentary that sounded as if the writer might hold a similar view, to that of the Exclusionists, was not lost on Joey as well. That's why his book is so large!
It is my hope that this critique will be received in the spirit of love that my late pastor Dr. G. B. Vick extended to you and me. It is because he considered you his friend that I will always consider you my friend, as I know we have all loved the old AV 1611 as the true words of God. I dedicate this work to his memory as the great defender of the faith that he was.
Now, let me ask, do you know how the experts are trained to spot counterfeit currency? One would naturally assume that such experts are put into long and tedious classes of all the divergent, and miscellaneous, attempts and methods of counterfeiters of the past, however this is incorrect. Instead, the experts are simply thoroughly taught and trained in understanding the real genuine article, then, quite naturally when a counterfeit is examined it is quickly identified. This same truth can be applied to what the Bible calls "sound doctrine." If one is truly a lover of God's word, and a thorough reader and student of it, to be "rightly dividing the word of truth," unsound doctrines really will become quite obvious. (It goes without saying that the reverse must also be true. That for one to easily be deceived by a counterfeit he either: has not spent enough time and energy with the truth or is blinded to the truth by a seducing spirit.)
Sound Doctrine
Let us begin with the common established body of teaching long taught and believed by Bible believing fundamental Baptist Preachers and teachers throughout history and around the world.
First: The Lord Jesus Christ made full and complete payment for all sin and sins when He died upon Calvary's cross. His sacrifice was accepted by God the Father.
(Isaiah 53:4-12) 4 ¶ Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. 5 But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. 6 All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all. 7 He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth. 8 He was taken from prison and from judgment: and who shall declare his generation? for he was cut off out of the land of the living: for the transgression of my people was he stricken. 9 And he made his grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death; because he had done no violence, neither was any deceit in his mouth.10 ¶ Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise him; he hath put him to grief: when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see his seed, he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of the LORD shall prosper in his hand. 11 He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied: by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for he shall bear their iniquities. 12 Therefore will I divide him a portion with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong; because he hath poured out his soul unto death: and he was numbered with the transgressors; and he bare the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.
Second: The moment one believes on the Lord Jesus Christ he receives God's righteousness. This righteousness is imputed to the believer. At that moment he is fully, completely and totally justified. This justification and imputed righteousness is never removed.
(Romans 3:24-28, 4:1-8) 24 Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: 25 Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God; 26 To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus. 27 Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? of works? Nay: but by the law of faith. 28 Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law.
1 What shall we say then that Abraham our father, as pertaining to the flesh, hath found? 2 For if Abraham were justified by works, he hath whereof to glory; but not before God. 3 For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness. 4 Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt. 5 But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness. 6 Even as David also describeth the blessedness of the man, unto whom God imputeth righteousness without works, 7 Saying, Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered. 8 Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin.
If you believe on Jesus
1. Your iniquities are forgiven
2. Your sins are covered
3. The Lord will not impute sin to you
(Hebrews 10:10, 14) 10 By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. 14 For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified.
My initial sanctification is guaranteed to last for all eternity. (Philippians 1:6 & 1 Cor. 1:6, 8) 6 Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ: 6 Even as the testimony of Christ was confirmed in you: 8 Who shall also confirm you unto the end, that ye may be blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Third: The New Testament makes clear that all chastening of the believer by God is restricted to the afflictions of the flesh in their lifetime (1 Cor. 11:30-32; Hebrews 12:3-13), not a punishing of the soul following death or the rapture. First, because the new man, the inner man cannot sin, thus, would never have any reason to be punished. "Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God. (1John 3:9). Second, the body of sin and death that is guilty of transgression (Romans 7:17) had been left behind, and the believer stands at the judgment seat glorified, (Philippians 3:21), free from the body of this death, (Romans 7:24), and is presented to the Father by Jesus, without spot or blemish (Ephesians 5:27). The one who sinned is gone. The one who could not sin, now stands before his redeemer in a glorified body.
Fourth: There is no scriptural ground upon which God could judicially punish a believer in Jesus Christ when he stands before Him.
+ They are justified by the righteousness of Jesus Christ
+ They are sanctified by the offering of Jesus Christ as their substitute
+ They are spotless through the love of Jesus Christ.
Fifth: This is why the passages on the judgment seat [1 Cor. 3 & 2 Cor. 5] clearly tell of its purpose, which is to determine the extent of the believer’s reward, never to determine the nature or extent of a punishment.
Sixth: The believer receives a reward and inheritance that will match in accordance with his service. While many will reign as kings and priests, some may reign over as little as the Road Apple Street Sweepers union of a given city, but he will reign!
Seventh: Paul's conclusion in explaining the mechanics of New Testament salvation in Romans chapters 3-8 is:
8:29 The believer is predestinated to be conformed to the image of Jesus Christ.
8:30 The believer's justification guarantees glorification.
8:30 In fact, the glorification is spoken of as already having been accomplished.
8:32 The requirement for being given all things is receipt of the death of the Son of God.
8:33 A man who is justified cannot have anything laid to his charge.
8:34 The intercession of the risen Christ assures that I will never know any condemnation.
8:35-39 As a Believer nothing shall separated me from the love of God, not for a moment, the "Bema," the rod, not even a 1,000-year Millenium!
Wellllll, All Glory to God!
These seven clearly understood doctrines and associated verses are now to be overthrown and befuddled by the recombining of a few verses from gospel parables; or completely new definitions given to words and phrases so that the reader will abandon sound doctrine: making new complications for themselves because now these clear truths must not mean what we thought they did!?
Critique Begins:
Let us now begin at the first page where we see a photograph of Mr. Panton taken of him when he was 83 years of age and we read: DAVID MORRIESON PANTON, B.A., Founder and Editor of Dawn, 1924-1955, (Known as THE WATCHTOWER MAGAZINE today; Born 9th April 1870. Fell asleep in Jesus, 20th May 1955. "With Christ... very far better" -(Phil. 1:23 R.V.)
Wow! 'Right out of the shoot' (as they say at the Rodeo), we know a lot about this author. Obviously, he lived during the change of a century where there was much interest and speculation concerning the Return of Christ. He lived during the sweeping revivals of Unitarianism, Mormonism, and the Millerites, that would become the Russelites. But the most disturbing and glaring insight is the truth that Mr. Panton bought into the great lie that the English Revised Standard Version of the Bible was the Word of God! Now to properly critique this work one has two jobs of firstly critiquing the content of his message then secondly critiquing the use of the word changes of this version of the Bible. The obvious changes to so many passages removing the Trinity, deity and blood of Christ soon caused this bible to be nick-named "The red bible" as American's soon likened it to something written by the red dragon, and obvious Soviet Red Communists! The verse reads: "...with Christ, which is far better:" and has no need of the addition of "very" far as there is nothing in the chapter that is being discussed as far, very far, not too far or far enough! Is that fair? Of course, it is because, even as Christian writers today pick and choose from a great variety of versions their choices are used because the subtle changes are all very slight variations so that when we finally arrive at the conclusion, we are very far indeed from the truth relayed to us by the King James Bible. No doubt this truth is why Tischendorf found the Siniaticus in the garbage can at St Catherines. It had been abandoned as a useful, meaningful, copy of the scriptures and was scheduled to be burned, but it was discovered by him in 1880 and quickly dusted off and hailed as a treasure! And so, once again a "new light" of a forgotten era was discovered and could be reintroduced to a new generation of readers with just the right translator. And now, Joey Faust is the great discoverer of the lost doctrines of an ancient truth. Never mind, the fact that it makes little sense that God would abandon his churches to heretical teachings until this late hour just before his return, but now, the church has finally gotten the truth? Why did Mr. Patton prefer the R.V.? Paul wrote that wrong practices are the result of wrong thinking "...I hear there be divisions among you; and I partly believe it. For there must be also heresies among you, that they which are approved maybe made manifest among you." (1 Cor. 11:18-19)
The first page of his text is on page three where he gives lip service that salvation is by grace alone through faith alone, though all the verses are from the R.V. On page 4 he begins his incremental counterfeiting with a section dealing with "Reward." He concludes his third sentence with "that God is, and that He is a Rewarder" (Heb xi.6). [Here he begins the typical taking of a text out of its context so that it becomes a pretext for error. The complete text says, 'He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him!" but this might be harmful to the gentle brainwashing to reach the conclusion he has chosen for us]. The next sentence is a quote from a “Dr. A.T. Pierson,” and begins "With many disciples [No, buddy, I'm more than a disciple, I'm a son! But this language will be useful later in convincing the reader that Christians are mere servants as God addresses all the Old Testament saints before Jesus Christ death on the cross.] the eyes are yet blinded to this mystery of rewards..." [There it is already. All cults challenge the initiate to study to become a disciple who will be in the know of all the esoteric mysteries. Isn't it amazing the Bible does say we are to be "stewards of the mysteries" and of the 14 taught in the scriptures this is not one of them. This guy is now making up a new one and suggesting it is Bible when it is not. But the pastor before Panton, Robert Govett believed it, so he must teach it to or find a new place to pastor]. The next sentence begins "Calvin, [the murderer of Anabaptists] though seeing this truth but dimly, has packed into a sentence the Scripture doctrine of reward:" [Surely you will accept what Panton is saying is the "Scripture doctrine of Reward?"]
He begins a new paragraph, and his second sentence is supposedly a quote from Revelation xxii. 12 "Behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to render [No, give! Render is what you do to pig fat to make it lard!] to each (disciple) according as his work is"[oops! He just can't leave it alone, can he? The real text says, "to give every man according as his work shall be." Why can’t he just leave God's word alone? And people honestly think this guy has something intelligent to say? I thought 'a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump!'] "To whom is this said?" [He continues] "I Jesus, have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things for the churches." [Yes, the seven churches mentioned in the first chapter, but no, Panton wants the reader to strive and maintain the good works that these tribulation saints are cautioned to maintain in Re. 12:17 and 14:12. Remember, to him all church age Christians are nothing more than before the cross disciples!]
A footnote on the bottom of page 5 reads: "space forbids the quotation of all scriptures in full; nor is to be regretted if the reader is (in a sense) compelled to verify and study both text and context for himself. He will find that abbreviations are not mutilations." {Oh, quite the contrary! I have only turned over two pages of the book and look at all we have found already!]
In the hopes of trying to be brief let me note some general observations. In his hopes of convincing us of his truths Panton once again quotes Calvin on page 13, and on page 47, thus showing how Panton is trying to convince the Protestant readers that his conclusions are right. Then, 3 sentences away he writes "in the beautiful words of Augustine" and quotes the Catholic Bible burner and murdered of Anabaptists. the next sentence he concludes "...in that all-reconciling world where Luther and Zwingli are well agreed." as if these daughters of the great whore knew enough Bible to not murder Anabaptist for rejecting infant baptism! Can one honestly expect Bible consistency from Govett and Panton that had been brought up in the Anglican church? But I have saved the best for last for on page 42 he twice quotes our beloved Mariolater Westcott twice to show us we must too embrace this doctrine! [He has defeated his purpose with me! He might have had some hope to convince me if he could have simply stuck with the Bible alone, or even quoted some truly great Godly men, but as I have shown he has no Bible and quotes knaves as great Christian minds! How greatly the mantel must feel like on Joey Faust's shoulders.]
To understand Panton's mindset let me quote form his Dawn august 1955 issue, printed shortly after Panton's death. George H. Ramsey wrote "a brief Memoir of the late Editor." Here are his excerpts:
D.M. Panton...believed that God gave Dawn into his hands as an instrument for the making known and maintaining of doctrines which, though clearly enunciated in the Word of God, have become all but dead letter to the majority of Christians.
There was a time when the great foundation doctrine of Justification by Faith had been all but obliterated from the minds of Christians, [my, my, what had this guy been smoking? Catholics and State churchmen maybe, but Erasmus himself is proof that this guy was a blooming idiot when it comes to church history!] till Luther was raised up and commissioned by God to disinter and make it known [true of Luther only at the beginning. Luther would go back to his Catholic leanings before he died.] and to make it known and to expound and defend it with his life.
Similarly, the doctrine of Responsibility and Accountability of every redeemed soul to his Redeemer, naturally arising out of his redemption, has passed from the knowledge of the church [obviously he believes in a universal or Catholic church]
Does the Bible teach Kingdom Exclusion?
Absolutely, yes! (Matt. 8:11 & 12) "And I say unto you, that many shall come from the east and the west, and shall sit down with Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, in the kingdom of heaven. But the children of the kingdom shall be cast out into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth."
It definitely is NOT what Pantone or Joey Faust think it is!
All scripture (2 Timothy 3:16) has four (#1. Doctrine, Doctrinal, #2. Reproof, Historical, #3. Correction, Dispensational, #4. Instruction in Righteousness, Devotional,) valid applications! You can not take a devotional application of a passage and overturn the clear teaching of its Bible doctrine!
Prepared for Dr Dixon June 1, 2005, by Pastor Daniel Hardin