Daily Devotional, Year 4, December 20 (How a Joke Killed, Part 5: “Vernon McGee: Teacher of Babylon?”)
By admin On September 10th, 2024.
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Daily Devotional, Year 4 – December 20
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How a Joke Killed!
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Part 5:
“Vernon McGee: Teacher of Babylon?”
To go to Part 1, click here… ” JANUARY 10th (How a Joke Killed!)”
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“Eph 5:2 And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us…
Eph 5:3 But fornication, and all uncleanness…let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints;
Eph 5:4 Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks. ”
Jeremiah 15:17
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Since the 1970’s, much of the Christian community has depended on the daily Bible studies conducted by John Vernon McGee. Five days a week for about 25-minutes, McGee took us through the Bible, Chapter-by-Chapter, from Genesis to Revelation in a 5-year period.
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McGee’s thick southern accent and downhome wit captivated millions over the decades.
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This devotional does not make the determination as to whether or not McGee was a true or false teacher, but merely to point out some falsehoods which this highly revered Bible teacher unknowingly held to and taught.
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While Vernon McGee may have truly been a genuine Believer, he nevertheless held to some very damnable heresies.
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The fact is, having been seminary trained, McGee got a great amount of his beliefs from various theologians of his day.
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Unfortunately, one of those theologians was a heretic of the first-degree by the name, Cyrus I. Scofield. And Vernon became infected by those poisonous doctrines, such as “Pre-Adamic Creation”. Another was the Darby-Scofield heresy of “The Pre-Tribulation Rapture Theory”. Still another was the Scofield heresy known as “Dispensationalism”. And of course, McGee also bought into all the Catholic holidays, probably including the Sunday Sabbath.
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McGee also was deceived into the heresy of Eternal Torment, as well as other Catholic traditions.
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McGee also called himself a Calvinist, although it’s doubtful he believed in limited atonement. Maybe he was a 4-point Calvinist.
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But today’s devotional is dedicated to one heresy in particular, which is perhaps the most beloved heresy of the entire Christian community.
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J. Vernon McGee loved jesting! And so did his audience! This is one of the primary ingredients to wildly successful daily broadcast!
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His plain, simple talk, southern drawl, and folksy witticisms made his daily podcasts so interesting and captivating. Not to mention that a great percentage of his theology was very correct!
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Nevertheless, even though God’s people had not yet been called to flee out of spiritual Babylon, McGee unknowingly taught a compromised Gospel, mingling much truth with the aforementioned heresies.
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And while “Thru the Bible in 5-Years” may (or may not) have been a legitimate Bible study, it has unknowingly misled millions in the aforementioned heresies!
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And while this five-year study may (or may not) have been a great discipline for his followers to systematically go chapter-by-chapter through the Bible, yet it has led many astray on those various heresies.
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God is now calling His people to “Come out of her My people” Revelation 18:4
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And to leave the many comforts which churches and denominations have provided is understandably a very difficult thing to do! Especially for those who do not fully grasp this End-time Exodus of coming out of Babylon.
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The Good News is that God will provide all the necessary information for all those who are “Noble Bereans”, willing to accept new truth, prayerfully and carefully. And God will provide all the living bread and waters of grace, much more than we can even imagine as we flee to the mountains in these last hours of history!
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On the morning of that fearful day, when God destroyed Sodom and its surrounding cities, the main player in that true historical account, Lot, tried to warn his sons-in-law to flee from the wrath to come!
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But his sons-in-law didn’t believe him! They thought he was just joking!
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Listen… “And Lot went out, and spake unto his sons in law, which married his daughters, and said, Up, get you out of this place; for the LORD will destroy this city. But he seemed as one that mocked unto his sons in law.” Genesis 19:14
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Perhaps Lot’s sons-in-law were accustomed to hearing Lot make such mocking jests, previous to this fateful morning!
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Yes, maybe Lot had a reputation of being somewhat of a joker. Maybe Lot was the type who enjoyed a good gag, previous to this solemn moment! Maybe Lot was the type who enjoyed a good laugh!
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After all, why else would his sons-in-law conclude his was merely joking?
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Well, we’ll just have to ask Lot, when we meet up with him someday, what exactly did happen on that frightful morning.
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Picture – Lot Escapes Sodom – www.thebiblerevival.com offers free Bible clipart – Public Domain.
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FOOLISH TALK & JESTING
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Now, the Bible does not promote being a joker nor a jester! Quite the opposite!
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Listen… “But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints; Neither filthiness, NOR FOOLISH TALKING, NOR JESTING, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks…Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience.” Ephesians 5:3, 4, 6
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Combine this above passage with the following passage from the same epistle… “Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:” Ephesians 2:2
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Can we see the common thread between these two above passages? The common thread is that both passages are speaking of “children of disobedience”! Yes, those jesters in Ephesians 5:3, 4, 6 are the same group which are indwelt by the “prince of the power of the air…that spirit that now works in the children of disobedience”, found in Ephesians 2:2
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Now that bit of information should make us think twice about imitating this joking and jesting world!
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GOD’S WRATH UPON MOCKERS
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“I sat not in the assembly of the mockers, nor rejoiced; I sat alone because of Thy hand: for Thou hast filled me with indignation.” Jeremiah 15:17
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There is so much mocking going on in today’s assemblies, that this above verse from Jeremiah seems to be more relevant today, than when he penned it! Other churches or “cults”, or apostate pastors should be treated with the utmost respect, since they are in darkness, and in need of a Helping Hand!
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And so, the child of God should stay so far away from mocking others, if for no other reason, than for fear of the fierce wrath of God over such foolery!
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Listen… “Now therefore be ye not mockers, lest your bands be made strong: for I have heard from the Lord GOD of hosts a consumption, even determined upon the whole earth.” Isaiah 28:22
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Yes, as this above verse reveals, many of us are prisoners of our sins, not realizing that our mockery of others has caused the wrath of God to come down upon our heads! Read this important verse once again!
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THE GOOD NEWS
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Well, if we have fallen into this miry pit, there is still Good News! This is still the day of repentance! Yes, we can still call out to God for forgiveness and deliverance! And we can determine in our hearts to cease from ever making another stupid comment about others, no matter how much we think they deserve it!
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Listen… “O LORD, rebuke me not in Thy wrath: neither chasten me in Thy hot displeasure. For Thine arrows stick fast in me, and Thy hand presseth me sore. There is no soundness in my flesh because of Thine anger; neither is there any rest in my bones because of my sin.” Psalm 38:1-3
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In this above passage, David is mourning for the results of his foolishness!
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And likewise, let’s not imagine for even a moment, that we can mock others with impunity!
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But if I have, and God’s chastening Hand is strong upon me, I can still plead for God’s mercy!
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And finally one day, I may also say, along with the Psalmist… “A Psalm of David. I waited patiently for the LORD; and He inclined unto me, and heard my cry. He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings. And He hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God: many shall see it, and fear, and shall trust in the LORD” Psalm 40:1-3
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David’s sorrow – Wikigallery – Public Domain
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“But in mine adversity they rejoiced,
and gathered themselves together:
yea, the abjects gathered themselves together against me,
and I knew it not; they did tear me, and ceased not:
With hypocritical mockers in feasts,
they gnashed upon me with their teeth.
Lord, how long wilt thou look on?
rescue my soul from their destructions,
my darling from the lions…
Let them be ashamed and brought to confusion
together that rejoice at mine hurt:
let them be clothed with shame and dishonour
that magnify themselves against me.
Let them shout for joy, and be glad,
that favour my righteous cause:
yea, let them say continually,
Let the LORD be magnified,
which hath pleasure in the prosperity of his servant”
Psalm 25:15-17, 26, 27
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TODAY’S PRAYER…
“Dear Lord, Help me to get control and complete victory over my tongue! Open my eyes to Your Holy Word, that I might understand just what it says. Give me the joy that is sure to come when I finally do get that victory…
Pray for Our Nation sign – Wikimedia – Share-alike-lic.
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READ MORE…
To explore deeper into this subject, please read… February 20th (“Picture of a Very Grave Man, Part 1″), or you can also read… January 22nd (“He That Keepeth His Mouth…”)
Question book magnify svg – Wikimedia – GNU license
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THE END
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TODAY’S FEATURED HEAVENLY SIGN
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THE SEEKER (THE SADDUCEE)
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(LOCATING THIS 3RD FACE)
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The 3rd face of the Moon is a bit more difficult to locate, because it is mostly upside down. But this photo and this sketch are how this face would appear if it was turned right side up. (In the southern hemisphere, however, this is how the Moon would appear.)
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The third face is the most difficult to see northern hemisphere, but once you do, it then becomes easy. This face is like a furry creature of the field. Maybe a rabbit. Maybe a squirrel. Perhaps a chipmunk. Probably a mouse. All “seekers”; all foragers or scavengers. And while this picture shows this little “beast of the field” right side up, this 3rd face is always pretty much in an upside down position. The other two faces appear right-side-up, and are easier to locate. This photo and this sketch are both turned around to help you see this 3rd face easily. This enhanced sketch to the above right is merely to help you to see this face more easily. (As already stated, this 3rd face is right side up in the southern hemisphere.)
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ABOVE PICTURE: moon – 3rd face – Sadducee Seeker
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LOCATING 3rd FACE AT BEGINNING OF NIGHT
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But this sketch here to the right is how this 3rd face actually appears when the Full Moon is in the east, at the beginning of night, in the northern hemisphere. But all you can readily see is the 1st face.
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What you must do to see the 3rd face is to tilt your head to the right, 90 degrees.
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Do you see it? (You may find it easier if you just turn your screen on its left side, if you are using a laptop. But please don’t do anything to put your computer in jeopardy!)
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The easiest time of the month to actually see this face is when the Full Moon is in the east, just after dark. It then can be seen by tilting your head 90 degrees to the right. But as night progresses, the Moon rotates clockwise, until this face is completely upside down, as the Moon works its way to the west.
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READ MORE…
To explore deeper into this subject, please read… “Moon into Blood Trilogy: 3rd Face: The Sadducee Seeker”
Question book magnify svg – Wikimedia – GNU license
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TOMORROW…
February 6 (Noble Bereans, Part 50: “Liberty of Conscience Now Threatened!”)
Duct Tape Mouth – Wikimedia – Share-alike license
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THE GREAT CONTROVERSY BY ELLEN G. 
WHITE
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Dear Noble Berean, This 44 chapter audio book is a brief history of the Church, from the Cross of Christ forward to the Return of Christ.
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Chapter 34 – Can Our Dead Speak To Us
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Martin Luther – 95 Theses – Wikipedia – US Public Domain
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EXCERPTS FROM THE OPEN FORUM 
QUESTION/ANSWER RADIO TALK-SHOW…
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To all Truth-Seekers, this is a small 30 minute sampling of the late Harold Camping’s nearly 50 year series of 90 minute nightly talk shows…This is Open Forum Show #86
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ABOVE PICTURE: Holy bible – cropped image – Wikimedia – Creative Commons lic.