Webb Jeffreys

<body topmargin=0 leftmargin=0 marginheight=0 marginwidth=0> <table cellpadding=0 cellspacing=0 border=0 height="100%"><tr> <td valign="top" width=200 BGCOLOR="#003399" TEXT="#080000" background="040c8c00erkjxk.jpg"> <div> <B><U>Gerry W. Webb</U></B></div> <div> <B>lives in Delta, British Columbia. This article was written in April, 1996.</B></div> </td> <td valign="top" BGCOLOR="#FFFFFF" TEXT="#080000"> <div> <FONT SIZE="7" COLOR="#000099" FACE="Brush Script MT" ><B>Restoration Ministries</B></FONT><FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#FFFF99" FACE="Arial" > </FONT><FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" > </FONT><FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#CC0000" FACE="Arial" > </FONT> <FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#CC0033" FACE="Arial" > | </FONT>    <A HREF="index.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Restoration Ministries"><U>home</U></A></div> <div>                                                   </div> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <IMG SRC="1141c900.jpg" border=0 width="540" height="144" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> <div> <B>by Gerry Webb</B></div> <div> <B>_____________________________________________________</B></div> <bR> <div> As an evangelical Christian, author, and prophecy conference speaker, Grant R. Jeffrey is promoted by the following: Peter and Paul Lalonde, Rev. Bernice Gerard, John Wesley White, David Mainse of "100 Huntley Street", the Southwest Radio Church, Jack Van Impe, and Hal Lindsey. In fact, he is seen by some as the "Hal Lindsey of Canada."  </div> <bR> <div> Not only are many of his teachings new and sensational, but they are also anti- biblical.  Just because a man is popular and can likely draw a crowd, it is not a valid reason to allow him to propagate his radical views from our evangelical pulpits in North America.</div> <bR> <div> Mr. Jeffrey falsely sets dates about the end of the world, unknowingly denigrates the completed work of Christ, and his teaching virtually invalidates the book of Hebrews. He mis-interprets Scripture out of its historical context, and also disregards New Testament verses which show the fulfillment of many Old Testament texts. </div> <bR> <div> Sensationalist authors like Grant Jeffrey and Hal Lindsey emphasize <B>Israel</B> as the "key" or "spirit of prophecy" <B>instead of Jesus</B>, (contrast Luke 24:25-27,44-48; John 1:45; 5:45-47; Heb. 1:1-3; Rev. 19:10). Further, "Prophetic teachers often mistakenly tie current nations or world events into their end-time schemes."<B>[1]</B>  </div> <bR> <div> I will briefly deal with only two of his teachings which demonstrate this:</div> <bR> <div> 1. The importance of 1997 and 2000 A.D. in prophecy.</div> <div> 2. The Ark of the Covenant.</div> <bR> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <B><U>The Importance of 1997 and 2000 A.D. in Prophecy</U></B></div> <bR> <div> In his book <U>Doomsday</U>, Russell Chandler writes:</div> <bR> <div> “Jeffrey's message: The Bible evidence is clear; our day of reckoning is near. In <B><U>Armageddon</U></B> he writes that his research into Bible prophecy suggests that the year 2000 "is a probable termination date for the `last days'". (Notice how prophecy teachers nowadays--perhaps learning from prophets of yesteryear like William Miller--use hedge words such as <B>suggest, could</B><I>,</I> and <B>probable</B> and place question marks after apparent declarative predictions?)...” <B>[2]</B></div> <bR> <div> In his book <B><U>99 Reasons Why No One Knows When Christ Will Return</U></B>, B. J. Oropeza writes:</div> <bR> <div> “Psalm 94 <B>might</B> secretly predict events in 1994, according to J. R. Church; the Second Coming <B>might</B> occur in A.D. 2000, according to Grant Jeffrey...</div> <bR> <div> “We should reject date-suggesting for at least three reasons:</div> <bR> <div> “<B>First, date-suggesting encourages others to set dates and lends credibility to their arguments</B>. The Hyoo-go or Rapture movement in Korea, for instance, reprinted on its tracts a suggestion by Jack Van Impe that 1992 could be the year of the rapture...</div> <bR> <div> “<B>Second, date-suggesting flirts with being disobedient to Scripture</B><I>. </I>No one knows the time of the end, but we can certainly play a lot of guessing games...</div> <bR> <div> “<B>Third, many people do not make a distinction between date-suggesting and date-setting.</B> Unfortunately, these people sometimes respond by doing things that they regret later, after the prediction doesn't come to pass...Date-suggesting could easily cast a stumbling block before weak or younger Christians...</div> <bR> <div> “No one can discern the date, because Christ clearly taught that no one could know the time of his return (Matthew 24:36; Acts 1:7).” <B>[3] </B></div> <bR> <div> Mr. Jeffrey seems to agree with nuclear and political scientists from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Harvard University who concluded in 1975 that "a thermonuclear war would certainly occur before the year 2000." <B>[4]</B></div> <bR> <div> Oropeza comments:</div> <bR> <div> “Even Hal Lindsey, back in the 1970's, had us believing that our generation would not pass away until all the end-time signs were fulfilled (Matthew 24:32-34). In his estimation, forty years was the length of a generation -- so the Lord <B>might</B> return by 1988. "The decade of the 1980's," Lindsey suggested, "could very well be the last decade of history as we know it. " Mere speculation?  Some would think so.”<B> [5]</B></div> <bR> <div> Concerning the year 1997 A.D., Oropeza writes:</div> <bR> <div> “Extremes of mathematic madness crop up even in the ‘reputable’ evangelical fold. Grant Jeffrey resurrects an old argument by Charles Taze Russell and the Watchtower (the Jehovah's Witnesses) when he speculates that ‘the times of the Gentiles,’ allegedly beginning in 606 B.C., lasted 2,520 years and ended in A.D. 1914 . . . However, according to Jeffrey, God gave the people 120 years to repent in the days of Noah (compare Genesis 6). So Jeffrey then calculates that 120 ‘biblical’ years amount to 118.3 calendar years; he adds this number to 1878 to make A.D. 1997 the official end of ‘the times of the Gentiles.’” <B>[6]</B></div> <bR> <div> As I see it, any church that allows Mr. Jeffrey to speak from its pulpit is also responsible for promoting the above false prophecies that are similar to the false prophecies of the Jehovah's Witnesses about 100 years ago.  In fact, on page 184 of his book<B> </B><B><U>Armageddon: Appointment with Destiny</U></B>, Mr. Jeffrey indirectly refers to the Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society as "many students of prophecy."  On page 183 he makes the following absurd and false statement about the "seven periods of time" of Nebuchadnezzar's insanity which the historical context could only mean seven literal seasons or years (Daniel 4:1-37): </div> <bR> <div> “... During this period of 2,520 days (7x360 days), he displayed a violent madness which symbolized the terrible wars and insane turbulence of nations which was to last for some twenty five centuries...”</div> <bR> <div> Let us now compare this with what the Jehovah's Witnesses said in their book,<B> </B><B><U>The Time is at Hand</U></B>, which was published in 1908:</div> <bR> <div> “The Bible evidence is clear and strong that the ‘Times of the Gentiles’ is a period of 2520 years, from the year B.C. 606 to and including A.D. 1914...and ‘seven times’ represent twenty-five hundred and twenty (7x360=2520) symbolic days, or 2520 literal years.</div> <bR> <div> “In view of this strong Bible evidence concerning the Times of the Gentiles, we consider it an established truth that the final end of the kingdoms of this world, and the full establishment of the Kingdom of God, will be accomplished at the end of A.D. 1914...</div> <bR> <div> ‘Be not surprised, then, when in subsequent chapters we present proofs that the setting up of the Kingdom of God is already begun, that it is pointed out in prophecy as due to begin the exercise of power in A.D. 1878, and that the "battle of the great day of God Almighty" (Revelation 16:14), which will end in A.D. 1914 with the complete overthrow of earth's present rulership, is already commenced . . .” <B>[7]</B></div> <bR> <div> Further, by the title of his latest book, Mr. Jeffrey has the audacity to imply that he is the one who is giving the "Final Warning" to the last generation on earth before the so-called "secret rapture."  This reminds me of a book written in 1982 entitled <B><U>The Last Word on the Middle East</U></B>. (I wonder how many books on Bible prophecy have been written since!)</div> <bR> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <B><U>The Ark of the Covenant</U></B></div> <bR> <div> On pages 108 to 127 of his book <B><U>Armageddon: Appointment with Destiny</U></B>, Mr. Jeffrey relays a "Ripley's Believe It or Not" kind of story about the Old Testament Ark of the Covenant, yet without physical evidence.  B. J. Oropeza partly explains Jeffrey's view by saying:</div> <bR> <div> “. . . To this day the ark remains hidden in an ancient church in Aksum-Aduwa, Ethiopia. Once the ark is publicly revealed, it will supposedly be transported to the Jewish temple, which is currently being rebuilt. The Jews will then resume temple sacrifices--a sign of the final countdown to the end.”<B> [8]</B></div> <bR> <div> After commenting about three insurmountable problems with Jeffrey's report, Oropeza states:</div> <bR> <div> “Fourth, the original ark was still in Jerusalem during the reign of Josiah, hundreds of years after Solomon (2 Chronicles 35:3). Finally, if the ark is hidden in an Ethiopian church, why has no one seen it? This would indeed be the greatest archaeological find of the twentieth century, perhaps of all time.” <B>[9]</B></div> <bR> <bR> <div> It is interesting to note that Colin H. Deal had the same view about where the Ark is supposedly hidden, and it was published in 1979 in a book entitled <B><U>Christ Returns By 1988: 101 Reasons Why</U></B>, pages 62-63.  Mr. Deal is clearly a false prophet according to Deuteronomy 18:20-22. </div> <div> Mr. Jeffrey incorrectly tries to associate the Hebrew word<B> </B><I><B>NES</B></I> (ensign, banner, standard) with the Ark of the Covenant.<B>[10]</B>  His false interpretation is clearly seen when he refers to Isaiah 11:11-12.  The word obviously refers to "he", or the person who is from "the root of Jesse", not the Ark. Jeffrey does not seem to be aware that the Apostle Paul quotes from Isaiah 11:10 as being fulfilled when the Gentiles were coming to faith in Christ (compare Isaiah 11:1-5,10-12 with Matthew 12:14-21; Romans 15:8-12 and Revelation 5:5).</div> <bR> <div> Concerning the real physical Ark of the Covenant, Jeremiah 3:16 declares: "...it shall not come to mind, nor shall they remember it, nor shall they miss it, <B>nor shall it be made again</B> (<U>NASB</U>)." By saying the Ark will not be made again, both the <U>NASB</U> and <U>NIV</U> translations indicate it was likely destroyed at the beginning of the Babylonian persecutions of Jerusalem.11  Suffice it to say that except for Hebrews 9:4 and Revelation 11:19, the New Testament is completely silent about it.</div> <bR> <div> In fact, according to Revelation 11:19, some kind of "ark of His covenant" is in the heavenly "temple of God". The earthly Ark was a symbol of the Divine Presence, but since the New Covenant was fulfilled at Pentecost, it is not needed because God now dwells in the hearts of His people by His Spirit. <B>[12]</B></div> <bR> <div> In his chapter on "The Ark of the Covenant and the Rebuilding of the Temple", Jeffrey refers to two other important things upon which I would like to comment:</div> <bR> <div> a) The tabernacle or booth of David (Amos 9:11).<B>[13]</B>  Mr. Jeffrey does not seem to be aware that according to Acts 15:15-17, James quoted this verse concerning its ultimate fulfillment when the Gentiles were coming to faith (compare Acts 15:1-29; Ephesians 2:11-22).</div> <bR> <div> b) Mr. Jeffrey believes that biblical prophecies teach a Third Temple will be rebuilt in Jerusalem, and Levitical sacrifices will be re-instituted.<B>[14]</B>  From my understanding of the New Testament, it would be blasphemy against the completed work of Christ for a Christian to support such a thing (cf. Colossians 2:11-17). We may as well throw out the book of Hebrews.  Doesn't Mr. Jeffrey understand that God "does not dwell in temples made with hands" (Acts 17:24)?  It is the living Church, the "Body of Christ", which is the eternal anti-type temple of God. <B>[15]</B>  The Apostle Paul warned against the Judaizers. <B>[16]</B></div> <bR> <div> Instead of its restoration, Jesus and Paul spoke of the end and destruction of the temple and the Jewish system (compare Matthew 21:33-45; 23:1-38; Luke 21:5-24; I Thessalonians 2:14-16 etc.). Through the risen Lord and His Spirit Who was outpoured at Pentecost, the Gospel had already spread throughout the then known world before 70 A.D. (compare Matthew 28:18-20; Acts 1:7-8; Romans 1:8; 1 Corinthians 10:1-11).</div> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <B><U>Conclusion</U></B></div> <bR> <div> Although Grant Jeffrey is an evangelical Christian, he has made millions of dollars from gullible Christians by selling fear and sensationalism. Whether his system stems from Dispensationalism or the cults like the Jehovah's Witnesses, Jeffrey's writings reveal a faulty hermeneutic.  By misinterpreting Scripture out of its historical context, he falsely sets dates in the tradition of William Miller, Charles Taze Russell, and Colin H. Deal.</div> <bR> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <B><U>Addendum (January, 1997).</U></B></div> <bR> <div> Refer also to the article written by Dr. Walter Unger in the January 24, 1997 issue of the <B><U>Mennonite Brethren Herald</U></B> magazine: <B>"The legacy of failed prophecy"</B>, pp.29,31.</div> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <B><U>Addendum, November, 1997.</U></B></div> <bR> <div> In July of 1997, Grant Jeffrey revised and enlarged his first book entitled, <B><U>Armageddon: Appointment with Destiny</U></B>.  Please note that he conveniently left out his false date-setting prophecies concerning 1997 and 2000 A.D.  To my knowledge, Grant Jeffrey has not admitted his error.  Either his interpretations were wrong, or the Bible is wrong.  Mr. Jeffrey is now trying to prove some kind of Bible inspiration by promoting esoteric Bible "codes" in his two recent books entitled, <B><U>The Signature of God</U></B> (1996), and <B><U>The Handwriting of God</U></B> (1997).</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <B><U>Endnotes</U></B></div> <bR> <bR> <div> <B>[1]</B>  B. J. Oropeza, <B><U>99 Reasons Why No One Knows When Christ Will Return</U></B>, Forward by Hank Hanegraff, Downers Grove, Ill.: InterVarsity Press, 1994, p.87.</div> <bR> <div> <B>[2]</B>  Russell Chandler, <B><U>Doomsday: The End of the World -- A View through Time</U></B>, Ann Arbor, Mich.: Servant Publications, 1993, p.253. [Refer to Grant R. Jeffrey's book, <B><U>Armageddon: Appointment with Destiny</U></B>, Toronto: Frontier Research Publications, 1988, p.193.]</div> <bR> <div> <B>[3]</B>  B. J. Oropeza, <U>op. cit.</U>, pp.34-35.</div> <bR> <div> <B>[4]</B>  B. J. Oropeza, <U>Ibid.</U>, p. 75. See also Grant Jeffrey's book, <B><U>Armageddon: Appointment with Destiny</U></B>, p.202. Many of Jeffrey's soon to be revealed false prognostications are mentioned on pages 145, and 171 to 195 of his book.</div> <bR> <div> <B>[5]</B>  B. J. Oropeza, <U>Ibid.</U>, p. 33.</div> <bR> <div> <B>[6]</B>  B. J. Oropeza, <U>Ibid.</U>, pp. 61-62. See also <B><U>Armageddon: Appointment with Destiny</U></B>, by Grant Jeffrey, pages 183-185.</div> <bR> <div> <B>[7]</B>  Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society, <B><U>The Time is at Hand</U></B>, Studies in the Scriptures, Series II, Allegheny, Pa., 1889, 1908, pp. 79,89,99,101.</div> <bR> <div> <B>[8]</B>  B. J. Oropeza, <U>Ibid.</U>, p. 86.</div> <div> <B>[9]</B>  B. J. Oropeza, <U>Ibid.</U>, pp.86-87.</div> <bR> <div> <B>[10]</B>  Grant R. Jeffrey, <U>op, cit.</U>, pp.118-122.</div> <bR> <div> <B>[11]</B>  Refer also to 1 Kings 14:25-26; 2 Kings 25:13; 2 Chronicles 35:1-3; 36:5-21; 2 Maccabees. 2:1-7; Jer.27:21-22; 52:17; Ezra 1:7-11.</div> <bR> <div> <B>[12]</B>  Compare Jeremiah 31;31-34; Acts 2; Hebrews 4:14-16; 8:6-10:22 etc.</div> <bR> <div> <B>[13]</B>  Grant R. Jeffrey, <U>Ibid.</U>, p.108.</div> <bR> <div> <B>[14]</B>  Grant R. Jeffrey, <U>Ibid.</U>, pp.108-110.</div> <bR> <div> <B>[15]</B>  Compare John 4:19-24; 14:17; I Cor. 3:16; 6:19; 2 Corinthians 6:14-18; Ephesians 2:11-22; 1 Timothy 3:15; Hebrews 3:6.</div> <bR> <div> <B>[16]</B> Compare Galatians 1:6-10; 5:1-12; 6:13-15; Philippians 3:2-3.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> For further study in this area, I would refer the reader to the following articles written by David Ewert in the <B><U>Mennonite Brethren Herald</U></B> magazine:</div> <bR> <div> a) "The Signs of the Times", Jan. 7, 1977, pages 2-5;</div> <bR> <div> b) "Israel and the end times", Sept. 16, 1977, pages 2-5;</div> <bR> <div> c) "Christ's final triumph", Feb. 3, 1978, pages 26-27.</div> <bR> <div> d) "Waiting For His Second Coming", Apr. 5, 1996, pages 6-7.</div> <bR> <bR> </td> </tr></table></body>