Bøger af J Mike Byrd

The Pretribulation Rapture Theory and Dispensationalism Revisited reviews and critiques a confusing array of popular theories that address the return of Jesus Christ and the rapture of the church. It addresses the various methods of interpretation which account for the various positions, views and scenarios with respect to interpretation of end times prophecy. It primarily defines and evaluates Dispensationalism and the dispensational presuppositions that give rise to the Pretribulation Rapture Theory, in light of actual scripture. In so doing it exposes the practice of letting doctrinal presuppositions drive the interpretation of key passages of scripture, instead of letting scripture interpret scripture, applying known rules of interpretation (Hermeneutics) and exegesis. It examines carefully what scripture actually teaches about "the day of the Lord", "the day of the Lords wrath", "the thief in the night" warning, the doctrine of imminence, the rapture and resurrection versus the second coming - letting scripture interpret scripture and speak for itself.Drawing upon thousands of hours and many years of studying all the scripture on the subject, and researching virtually all of the various theories and their arguments, J. Mike Byrd presents objective analysis and a related proposal that avoids conformity to popular or mainstream views and teaching. Such popular misinterpretations of scripture may "tickle the ears" of the hearers, but are very deceptive with unintended and undesirable consequences already now, and only more so as we see the day approaching.If you really want to know the truth of what Scripture clearly teaches about the end of this world as we know it, the nature and timing of Christ's return to ultimately save His followers and judge and destroy His enemies, and to set up His perfect kingdom on this earth (which we are definitely not in now), The Pretribulation Rapture Theory ad Dispensationalism Revisited offers scripturally based answers that avoid the many exegetical and logical errors of the more popular and palatable escapist teachings of our time.

The subject of this book is one of if not the most controversial subjects in Christendom, with respect to Theology and Christian doctrine. The various views on the meaning of the Sovereignty of God, Divine Election, Predestination, Free Will, Salvation, Eternal Security, and related issues, have divided the church for much of the two millennia of her existence. The real underlying issues behind the divisions over these doctrinal issues, is the difference in approaches to interpretation of scripture in general, and the presuppositions of those doing the interpreting. These are identified and dealt with in the book. The biblical text that is most central to the teachings on these subjects is the 9th to 11th chapters of Paul's epistle to the Romans. The following is an excerpt from a complete verse-by-verse commentary on Romans. This author's primary commitment and objective is to let the Word of God speak - as in speak for itself. The approach taken in this study of Romans is to consciously put aside personal biases, and presuppositions, including those related to previous indoctrination (teachings since early childhood through Bible College). This approach is based on claiming the promises of John 14:26 and 1 John 2:27, to depend upon the Holy Spirit to be the teacher and give discernment.

This is an in depth verse by verse study of the Paul's letter to the Galatians. It begins with a thorough examination of what is actually written there, including studying the key words in the original Greek. Emphasis is placed on keeping every word and every verse in context, both the immediate context and the broader context of all the rest of scripture. That involves a study of cross-references for every subject addressed, in the interest of letting scripture interpret scripture. It involves a painstaking effort to examine this author's own presuppositions and biases, coming largely from previous indoctrination. It also begins with the assumption (presuppositions) that what is written in the original Greek text is verbally inspired by God, and is supernaturally revealed infallible truth. That means that what we find there must be allowed to speak for itself, taken literally in the most natural sense - the assumption being that God was fully capable of choosing the exact words that best convey what He was trying to communicate, and He did so perfectly. The works of men, including renown and highly respected Theologians and Bible scholars, are examined critically - especially when they resort to very unnatural, often forced interpretations, even changing the literal wording of scripture, or manipulating the meaning of words to conform to their doctrinal presuppositions.However, accurate understanding and appropriate application of these truth articulated therein, does involve the disciplined application of objective rules of interpretation (Hermeneutics), exegesis, and logic. Insights into not only the meaning of some truths articulated in this letter, but also the essential significance of those truth, is facilitated by an understanding of psychology - that based on objective observation of human traits and behavior (not secular theories which abound). Theologians tend to develop interpretations of scripture to fit their templates and models, which reflect their virtual ignorance of the psychological power of some of the supernatural truths revealed in this amazing treatise. Truths which have to be taken by faith that goes beyond our understanding, are often reduced to fit the limited understanding of such men. This is one of the problems with relying on such men, their commentaries and teachings, to determine what God is saying. A very central element in the approach taken in this study is to rely only on the Holy Spirit to guide and enlighten, depending solely on scripture as the source, letting God's Word speak for itself, and letting scripture interpret scripture. The reader needs to take the same approach, with dependence upon the Holy Spirit in critically evaluating this author's interpretations and understandings - let God speak!

A seven headed ten horned red Dragon, with a seductive Harlot called Babylon riding on its back; stars falling from the sky with the earth being destroyed; a world ruler setting up a global economy and demanding that the whole world worship him as god; Jesus returning to the earth to destroy this world leader (the "Antichrist"), and all his followers, as well as the world as we know it; really? Really? Does it make any sense? Is it scientifically believable? And if we think it is believable, which of the hundreds of interpretations and scenarios are we supposed to believe? Revelation Revisited is the product of over 10 years and thousands of hours of analysis and evaluation, and research on the subject. This admittedly involved some disillusionment with a host of interpretations and theories and scenarios. It represents an attempt to implement and adhere to certain rules of interpretation and exegesis and logic. It required an intentional attempt to put aside personal biases and doctrinal presuppositions in order to let the text speak for itself. It also is what emerges from applying two other principles which are unique to biblical exegesis and interpretation. The first is to let scripture interpret scripture. The amazing and little recognized reality is that even the very cryptic passages and somewhat bizarre symbology are actually interpreted and often explained elsewhere in scripture. For example, the various beasts featured in Revelation are actually interpreted and explained in the Old Testament prophetic book of Daniel (and vice versa). Attempts to understand and explain Revelation, or Daniel, without a familiarity with, understanding of, and reference to the rest of both Old and New Testament prophetic scripture, are doomed to fail to produce accurate interpretations - as has historically been the case. The findings and interpretations and scenarios articulated in this commentary have areas of commonality and agreement with many other mainstream works (inasmuch as they are all futurists and to varying degrees literalists). But there are also significant and consequential differences with each of them. The implicit message of many of these more famous authors and their works, is that the revelations and frightening descriptions found in the book are actually not very relevant to the Church today, because she won't even be here when they all will be occurring. Thus the most important messages of the book are mostly missed and almost negated with respect to their intended impact, that we need to live differently in light of these things, especially as we see them happening in our world today. A more accurate and realistic interpretation of the book tells us that we need to see what is happening today in light of what was predicted in scripture, and live our lives accordingly. Moreover, we need to be passing on to the next generation the truths about what to expect in our future and theirs. While we are promised deliverance from the wrath of God to be poured out on Satan and his followers, we are not promised deliverance from what God describes as a time of testing and tribulation for His church. Those who choose to believe the more palatable and comfortable teaching that Christ will come to take out His church before the Antichrist appears, may very well fail to recognize the Antichrist when he does appear, and scriptures warns many will be deceived by him. People today need to hear this truth proclaimed. This is book 2 of 4 volumes.

This is a layman's understanding of what God was communicating through Paul to the church at Colossae, and by extension to the church at large including that of our time. The approach taken is to attempt to let the Word of God speak for itself, letting scripture interpret scripture. That means being intentional about relying upon the Spirit of God to enlighten the understanding, as opposed to dependence upon men. It means challenging presuppositions and previous indoctrination, including more mainstream (whatever that may mean) interpretations. Rather than looking to Commentaries by other men to find out what a passage means, this author looks to other passages of scripture to provide the necessary commentary to explain a passage. This explains the virtual absence of references to other works of men, and the extensive use of scripture quotations. Of course, the reader needs to take the same approach, with dependence upon the Holy Spirit in critically evaluating this author's interpretations and understandings - let God speak!

A seven headed ten horned red Dragon, with a seductive Harlot called Babylon riding on its back; stars falling from the sky with the earth being destroyed; a world ruler setting up a global economy and demanding that the whole world worship him as god; Jesus returning to the earth to destroy this world leader (the "Antichrist"), and all his followers, as well as the world as we know it; really? Really? Does it make any sense? Is it scientifically believable? And if we think it is believable, which of the hundreds of interpretations and scenarios are we supposed to believe? Revelation Revisited is the product of over 10 years and thousands of hours of analysis and evaluation, and research on the subject. This admittedly involved some disillusionment with a host of interpretations and theories and scenarios. It represents an attempt to implement and adhere to certain rules of interpretation and exegesis and logic. It required an intentional attempt to put aside personal biases and doctrinal presuppositions in order to let the text speak for itself. It also is what emerges from applying two other principles which are unique to biblical exegesis and interpretation. The first is to let scripture interpret scripture. The amazing and little recognized reality is that even the very cryptic passages and somewhat bizarre symbology are actually interpreted and often explained elsewhere in scripture. For example, the various beasts featured in Revelation are actually interpreted and explained in the Old Testament prophetic book of Daniel (and vice versa). Attempts to understand and explain Revelation, or Daniel, without a familiarity with, understanding of, and reference to the rest of both Old and New Testament prophetic scripture, are doomed to fail to produce accurate interpretations - as has historically been the case. The findings and interpretations and scenarios articulated in this commentary have areas of commonality and agreement with many other mainstream works (inasmuch as they are all futurists and to varying degrees literalists). But there are also significant and consequential differences with each of them. The implicit message of many of these more famous authors and their works, is that the revelations and frightening descriptions found in the book are actually not very relevant to the Church today, because she won't even be here when they all will be occurring. Thus the most important messages of the book are mostly missed and almost negated with respect to their intended impact, that we need to live differently in light of these things, especially as we see them happening in our world today. A more accurate and realistic interpretation of the book tells us that we need to see what is happening today in light of what was predicted in scripture, and live our lives accordingly. Moreover, we need to be passing on to the next generation the truths about what to expect in our future and theirs. While we are promised deliverance from the wrath of God to be poured out on Satan and his followers, we are not promised deliverance from what God describes as a time of testing and tribulation for His church. Those who choose to believe the more palatable and comfortable teaching that Christ will come to take out His church before the Antichrist appears, may very well fail to recognize the Antichrist when he does appear, and scriptures warns many will be deceived by him. People today need to hear this truth proclaimed. This is book 3 of 4 volumes.

This is an in depth verse by verse study of the first Epistle of Peter. It begins with a thorough examination of what is actually written there, including studying the key words in the original Greek. Emphasis is placed on keeping every word and every verse in context, both the immediate context and the broader context of all the rest of scripture. That involves a fairly exhaustive study of cross-references for every subject addressed, in the interest of letting scripture interpret scripture. It involves a painstaking effort to examine this author's own presuppositions and biases, coming largely from previous indoctrination. It also begins with the assumption (presuppositions) that what is written in the original Greek text is verbally inspired by God, and is supernaturally revealed infallible truth. That means that what we find there must be allowed to speak for itself, taken literally in the most natural sense - the assumption being that God was fully capable of choosing the exact words that best convey what He was trying to communicate, and He did so perfectly. While the use of figurative and symbolic language and analogies and metaphors are not uncommon, their interpretations are either obvious, or explained either in the text itself, or elsewhere in scripture. This means that the works of men, including renown and highly respected Theologians and Bible scholars, are examined critically - especially when they resort to very unnatural, often forced interpretations, even changing the literal wording of scripture, or manipulating the meaning of words to conform to their doctrinal presuppositions.However, accurate understanding and appropriate application of these truth articulated therein, does involve the disciplined application of objective rules of interpretation (Hermeneutics), exegesis, and logic.. Insights into not only the meaning of some truths articulated in this letter, but also the essential significance of those truth, is facilitated by an understanding of psychology - that based on objective observation of human traits and behavior (not secular theories which abound). Theologians tend to develop interpretations of scripture to fit their templates and models, which reflect their virtual ignorance of the psychological power of some of the supernatural truths revealed in this amazing treatise. Truths which have to be taken by faith that goes beyond our understanding, are often reduced to fit the limited understanding of such men. This is one of the problems with relying on such men, their commentaries and teachings, to determine what God is saying. A very central element in the approach taken in this study is to rely only on the Holy Spirit to guide and enlighten, depending solely on scripture as the source, letting God's Word speak for itself, and letting scripture interpret scripture. The reader needs to take the same approach, with dependence upon the Holy Spirit in critically evaluating this author's interpretations and understandings - let God speak!

This is the result of an intense study of the Epistle to the Ephesians, with the emphasis on letting scripture interpret scripture, seeking the guidance and enlightenment of the Holy Spirit.

This is a verse by verse commentary on the last three chapters of the book of Revelation. These last three chapters are dealing with the Millennial reign of Christ on earth, the Post-millennial period including the Gog/Magog rebellion and the Great White Throne judgment, and the Eternal State, Heaven and Hell.Revelation Revisited is the product of over 10 years and thousands of hours of analysis and evaluation, and research on the subject. This admittedly involved some disillusionment with a host of interpretations and theories and scenarios. It represents an attempt to implement and adhere to certain rules of interpretation and exegesis and logic. It required an intentional attempt to put aside personal biases and doctrinal presuppositions in order to let the text speak for itself. It also is what emerges from applying two other principles which are unique to biblical exegesis and interpretation. The first is to let scripture interpret scripture. The amazing and little recognized reality is that even the very cryptic passages and somewhat bizarre symbology are actually interpreted and often explained elsewhere in scripture. For example, the various beasts featured in Revelation are actually interpreted and explained in the Old Testament prophetic book of Daniel (and vice versa). Attempts to understand and explain Revelation, or Daniel, without a familiarity with, understanding of, and reference to the rest of both Old and New Testament prophetic scripture, are doomed to fail to produce accurate interpretations - as has historically been the case. The findings and interpretations and scenarios articulated in this commentary have areas of commonality and agreement with many other mainstream works (inasmuch as they are all futurists and to varying degrees literalists). But there are also significant and consequential differences with each of them. The implicit message of many of these more famous authors and their works, is that the revelations and frightening descriptions found in the book are actually not very relevant to the Church today, because she won't even be here when they all will be occurring. Thus the most important messages of the book are mostly missed and almost negated with respect to their intended impact, that we need to live differently in light of these things, especially as we see them happening in our world today. A more accurate and realistic interpretation of the book tells us that we need to see what is happening today in light of what was predicted in scripture, and live our lives accordingly. Moreover, we need to be passing on to the next generation the truths about what to expect in our future and theirs. While we are promised deliverance from the wrath of God to be poured out on Satan and his followers, we are not promised deliverance from what God describes as a time of testing and tribulation for His church. Those who choose to believe the more palatable and comfortable teaching that Christ will come to take out His church before the Antichrist appears, may very well fail to recognize the Antichrist when he does appear, and scriptures warns many will be deceived by him. People today need to hear this truth proclaimed.

A seven headed ten horned red Dragon, with a seductive Harlot called Babylon riding on its back; stars falling from the sky with the earth being destroyed; a world ruler setting up a global economy and demanding that the whole world worship him as god; Jesus returning to the earth to destroy this world leader (the "Antichrist"), and all his followers, as well as the world as we know it; really? Really? Does it make any sense? Is it scientifically believable? And if we think it is believable, which of the hundreds of interpretations and scenarios are we supposed to believe?Revelation Revisited is the product of over 10 years and thousands of hours of analysis and evaluation, and research on the subject. This admittedly involved some disillusionment with a host of interpretations and theories and scenarios. It represents an attempt to implement and adhere to certain rules of interpretation and exegesis and logic. It required an intentional attempt to put aside personal biases and doctrinal presuppositions in order to let the text speak for itself. It also is what emerges from applying two other principles which are unique to biblical exegesis and interpretation. The first is to let scripture interpret scripture. The amazing and little recognized reality is that even the very cryptic passages and somewhat bizarre symbology are actually interpreted and often explained elsewhere in scripture. For example, the various beasts featured in Revelation are actually interpreted and explained in the Old Testament prophetic book of Daniel (and vice versa). Attempts to understand and explain Revelation, or Daniel, without a familiarity with, understanding of, and reference to the rest of both Old and New Testament prophetic scripture, are doomed to fail to produce accurate interpretations - as has historically been the case.The findings and interpretations and scenarios articulated in this commentary have areas of commonality and agreement with many other mainstream works (inasmuch as they are all futurists and to varying degrees literalists). But there are also significant and consequential differences with each of them. The implicit message of many of these more famous authors and their works, is that the revelations and frightening descriptions found in the book are actually not very relevant to the Church today, because she won't even be here when they all will be occurring. Thus the most important messages of the book are mostly missed and almost negated with respect to their intended impact, that we need to live differently in light of these things, especially as we see them happening in our world today. A more accurate and realistic interpretation of the book tells us that we need to see what is happening today in light of what was predicted in scripture, and live our lives accordingly. Moreover, we need to be passing on to the next generation the truths about what to expect in our future and theirs. While we are promised deliverance from the wrath of God to be poured out on Satan and his followers, we are not promised deliverance from what God describes as a time of testing and tribulation for His church. Those who choose to believe the more palatable and comfortable teaching that Christ will come to take out His church before the Antichrist appears, may very well fail to recognize the Antichrist when he does appear, and scriptures warns many will be deceived by him. People today need to hear this truth proclaimed. This is book 1 of 4 volumes of verse by verse commentary on the book of Revelation chapters 1-3.

This is a layman's understanding of what God was communicating through Paul to the church at Philippi, and by extension to the church at large including that of our time. The approach taken is to attempt to let the Word of God speak for itself, letting scripture interpret scripture. That means being intentional about relying upon the Spirit of God to enlighten the understanding, as opposed to dependence upon men. It means challenging presuppositions and previous indoctrination, including more mainstream (whatever that may mean) interpretations. Rather than looking to Commentaries buy other men to find out what a passage means, this author looks to other passages of scripture to provide the necessary commentary to explain a passage. This explains the virtual absence of references to other works of men, and the extensive use of scripture quotations. Of course, the reader needs to take the same approach, with dependence upon the Holy Spirit in critically evaluating this author's interpretations and understandings - let God speak!As is typical of Paul's epistles, Philippians is full of instruction in both doctrine and practice of the Christian faith. The emphasis in this work is on how what he wrote then applies to us today in our 21st century church, and in our every day lives.

Some of the most popular end-time prophecy theories and scenarios have Ezekiel's Gog/Magog prophecy either beginning to be fulfilled in our own time, or in the near future, or at least some time during the Tribulation Period. This book addresses this subject, evaluating several of the mainstream views with respect to a close examination of what scripture has to say about it. An alternative understanding is proposed, based on the assumption that if we let scripture speak for itself, taking the literal approach to interpretation, letting scripture interpret scripture, the answers are actually quite clear and uncomplicated. Furthermore the scenario that emerges from such an approach is logically consistent and believable, unlike those that are currently more widely accepted - which are fraught with contradictions both scripturally and logically. This work is an attempt to address the following questions:1. If we apply the commonly accepted rules of exegesis and hermeneutics (i.e. interpretation of scripture) with intellectual integrity (applying the same rules to our own interpretation as we do to the interpretations of our opponents), does scripture really teach that Gog and his army will appear on the scene in the near future, or during the Tribulation Period, along with the Antichrist?2. Are there really sound biblical reasons to believe that there will be two huge battles led by two different characters referred to in scripture as "Gog" associated with "Magog," both with the same objective (destroy Israel) and the same outcome (obliteration by divine intervention)? 3. Did John overlook such a key and major global conflagration as Ezekiel's Gog invasion such that he doesn't even mention it in his most complete and detailed book of Revelation, which is specifically about that very period? Is then the Gog he does tell us about another Gog which is to come over a thousand years later? Is it really sound and intellectually honest exegesis of scripture which indicates that the Gog of Ezekiel is not the same as the Gog of Revelation, or is it the result of theoretical presuppositions and circular reasoning?