In part one Mr. Chavez was shown to be publicly displaying slander, defamation, and bearing false witness against several Christian brothers. In part two we will explore more concerns with Mr. Chavez's apparent public vendetta against the Body of Christ by examining his public ungracious and unloving manner as it compares to the Word of God; as well as his wrong application of Scripture.
Concerns, Part Two
B. Demonstrating an Ungracious and Unloving Manner
Mr. Chavez's demeaning, slanderous, defamatory, and condemnatory behavior has been adequately documented in section A above; and documented to such an extent that it removes all doubt as to his guilt in this. The vitriol, the name calling, the verbal violence is extremely disconcerting and contrary to numerous commands to love others. In fact, Jesus Himself stated that the two greatest commands (which sum up all of God's laws) are to “love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind” and to “love your neighbor as yourself.” (Matthew 22:36-40). And these are not applicable only amongst Christians, but to every single person on the face of the earth.
This is a subject that is addressed over and over again throughout the Scriptures: “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another” (John 13:34); “This is My commandment, that you love one another, just as I have loved you” (John 15:12); and please see: John 15:17; Ephesians 4:16; Romans 12:10; 1 Thessalonians 4:9-10; 1 Thessalonians 5:13; 1 Peter 1:22; 1 Peter 4:8; 2 Peter 1:7; Hebrews 13:1; 1 John 3:11; 1 John 3:23; 1 John 4:7; 1 John 4:11; 1 John 4:21; 2 John 1:5.
It is so vitally important to exhibit love because, “By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another” (John 13:35). Again, we are admonished and exhorted repeatedly to love not just one another, but all people regardless of whether or not they are believers in Christ. For example, “make my joy complete by being of the same mind, maintaining the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose” (Philippians 2:2); “For you were called to freedom, brethren; only do not turn your freedom into an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another” (Galatians 5:13); “with all humility and gentleness, with patience, showing tolerance for one another in love” (Ephesians 4:2); “but speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspects into Him who is the head, even Christ” (Ephesians 4:15); “Honor all people, love the brotherhood, fear God, honor the king” (1 Peter 2:17); “To sum up, all of you be harmonious, sympathetic, brotherly, kindhearted, and humble in spirit” (1 Peter 3:8 ); “Owe no one anything, except to love each other, for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law. For the commandments, 'You shall not commit adultery, You shall not murder, You shall not steal, You shall not covet,' and any other commandment, are summed up in this word: 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.' Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfilling of the law” (Romans 13:8-10). In fact, an entire chapter in 1 Corinthians is devoted to this issue (see 1 Corinthians 13).
Slander is something that belongs to the unregenerate, not to the Christian. In fact, we are specifically told to not slander others (Colossians 3:7-10). When it comes to slandering others in the Body of Christ, Paul's admonition applies equally, if not more so. Bearing false witness is, plainly and simply put, lying (Proverbs 14:5), and it is something that is not an average run-of-the-mill sin (if there is such a thing); but rather, it is something our Lord has specifically stated that He hates. Note Proverbs 6:16-19, “16 There are six things that the Lord hates, seven that are an abomination to him: 17 haughty eyes, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, 18 a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that make haste to run to evil, 19 a false witness who breathes out lies, and one who sows discord among brothers.” And note specifically verse 19. The Lord “hates” “a false witness who breathes out lies, and one who sows discord among brothers.” That is what Mr. Chavez is doing.
C. Wrongly Applying and Ignoring The Word of God
1. In your video, “Justin Peters Exposed (Phone Call)”[1], Mr. Chavez states, “Justin has remained deafeningly silent. Deafeningly silent while his friends in the ministry prostitute themselves, commit spiritual fornication. John MacArthur at this point is a spiritual whore, and yes the terminology is deliberate. Every time somebody in the Old Testament, when the children of Israel are playing with other gods, playing with people they shouldn't be playing with, God likens it to harlotry, to adultery, it's sexually explicit. Why? Because you're mingling with them. You're mingling. Their spiritually transmitted diseases now become yours. That's what's happening. You're witnessing spiritual whoredom take place, and nobody seems to care.”
What Mr. Chavez have failed to recognize is that, when the children of Israel prostituted themselves with idolatrous tribes such as the Caananites, they adopted the pagan worship practices of those tribes, including the worship of false gods (idols). Mr. Chavez is wrongly applying these Scriptures to Justin Peters, John MacArthur and others. They have not adopted any pagan worship practices. They have not begun worshiping false gods. Mr. Chavez is taking God's Word, and wrongly applying it in order to support what appears to be a personal vendetta against these men, these Christian brothers.
2. Mr. Chavez repeatedly appeal to 2 John 11 as Scriptural authority for him to call out John MacArthur, Justin Peters, Paul Washer, Phil Johnson, etc. However, when 2 John 11 is read in its proper context, it is clear that he is wrongly applying this Scripture. 2 John 7-11 reads, “7 For many deceivers have gone out into the world, those who do not confess the coming of Jesus Christ in the flesh. Such a one is the deceiver and the antichrist. 8 Watch yourselves, so that you may not lose what we have worked for, but may win a full reward. 9 Everyone who goes on ahead and does not abide in the teaching of Christ, does not have God. Whoever abides in the teaching has both the Father and the Son. 10 If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not receive him into your house or give him any greeting, 11 for whoever greets him takes part in his wicked works.”
The passage is referring to known deceivers. These deceivers do not confess the coming of Jesus Christ in the flesh. They do not abide in the teaching of Christ, and therefore do not know God. Mr. Chavez applies this Scripture to these men, while never once, not one single time in any video or tweet or article or Facebook post has heu ever demonstrated that any of these men reject the coming of Jesus Christ in the flesh. Mr. Chavez has never demonstrated that any of these men do not abide in the teaching of Christ. Not once. In other words, Mr. Chavez has never demonstrated that any of them are deceivers. Again, he are wrongly applying this verse (2 John 11) by taking it out of context, and twisting it to support what appears to be a personal vendetta against these Christian brothers.
3. In Mr. Chavez's video, “John MacArthur Condemned By Friends & Himself”[2], Mr. Chavez plays a clip of John MacArthur being asked a question, and then his response. The question was, can a person who takes the mark of the beast still be saved, and his response was yes. Mr. Chavez then turns to Scripture and promptly begins to eisegete it. He turns first to Revelation 20:4, reading, “And I saw thrones, and they sat on them, and judgment was committed to them. Then I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for their witness to Jesus and for the word of God, who had not worshiped the beast or his image, and had not received his mark on their foreheads or on their hands. And they lived and reigned with Christ for a thousand years.” [words emphasized were emphasized by Mr. Chavez in his video.]
He then comments eisegetically on this passage by saying, “they had not worshiped the beast or his image, nor taken the mark. Well, why are these the only people he sees? Well, because over here in Revelation chapter 14 we read,”
“9 Then a third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, “If anyone – if anyone – worships the beast and his image, and receives his mark on his forehead or on his hand, 10 he himself shall – shall – also drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out full strength into the cup of His indignation. He shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels and in the presence of the Lamb. 11 And the smoke of their torment ascends forever and ever; and they have no rest day or night, who worship the beast and his image, and who? whoever receives the mark of his name.” [added words and emphasized words were added and emphasized by Mr. Chavez in his video.]
Mr. Chavez then continues his eisegesis by commenting, “Whoever receives this mark will be tormented forever and ever. Same words used to describe your salvation, forever and ever. They shall, they shall also drink of the wrath of God. They shall be tormented. They shall have no rest day or night. … That's what the word of God says. That those who take this mark on their forehead or their hands shall be tormented day and night, the smoke of their torment shall ascend forever and ever. It shall happen, whether or not its possible for it not happen is irrelevant, what we know is it shall be the case.” [again, those words noted as emphasized, are emphasized by Mr. Chavez in his video.]
The problem with Mr. Chavez's interpretation of this passage is that, as is the case with most eisegetical interpretations, it isn't true. It is not, as he claims, “what the word of God says.” He wrongly employs manipulation by emphasizing certain words and phrases (to set them firmly in his viewers minds) and then incorrectly tells his viewers what they mean; that anyone who takes the mark shall be tormented, shall face God's wrath, it shall happen, it shall be the case. Again, however, that simply isn't true.
A proper reading of Revelation 14:9-11 reveals the word “and.” This word, used in this passage, is a qualifying connective, also known as a qualifying conjunction. In other words, these are conditional sentences. The events connected by the word “and” are dependent upon one another. Thus:
“9 Then a third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, If anyone worships the beast and his image, and receives his mark on his forehead or on his hand,” This is a conditional statement. The person must worship the beast, AND worship his image, AND receive his mark. The person must do all three of these things, not one or the other. The verse does not read, worship the beast OR his image OR receive his mark. It goes on,
“10 he himself shall also drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out full strength into the cup of His indignation. He shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels and in the presence of the Lamb. 11 And the smoke of their torment ascends forever and ever; and they have no rest day or night,” Again, this is a conditional statement, describing what will happen to those who meet all three of the qualifiers in verse 9. They will drink of the wine of the wrath of God. What does this wrath consist of? There are several aspects of God's wrath described here. They are:
1. Tormented with fire,
2. Tormented with brimstone,
3. Tormented in the presence of the holy angels,
4. Tormented in the presence of the Lamb,
5. The smoke of their torment will ascend forever and ever,
6. They will have no rest day or night.
The passage then reiterates who will face this wrath, they are those, “who worship the beast and his image, and whoever receives the mark of his name.” Again, all three qualifiers must be present. Yet Mr. Chavez (presumably intentionally) eisegetes these verses in order to support what appears to be his personal vendetta against these brothers in Christ.
This is no better than what Mr. Jacob Prasch – a close friend of Mr. Chavez, and director of Moriel ministries – does when he unashamedly lies about MacArthur's statement by claiming MacArthur said those who meet all three specific qualifiers can still be saved, which, of course, MacArthur never said. What's worse is that Prasch actually features the YouTube clip which proves MacArthur never said that, and thus proves Prasch knowingly lied about it.
4. In your video, “How Christians Are Deceived”[3], Mr. Chavez states that pastors have “arbitrary authority,” and “perceived authority” over the sheep in their care. He then goes on to make his case by appealing to Micah 3, Malachi 2, the Lord rebuking the prophets and priest in Jeremiah, and even our Lord's rebukes of the Pharisees, Sadducees, and Scribes. This eschewing of pastors is no doubt due to his participation in the House Church Movement, however, it is completely contrary to Scripture, which not only instructs churches to have not just pastors, but ruling (or senior) pastors as well; and also that Christians are to be subject to them and obedient to them. For example:
“And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ,” (Ephesians 4:11-13)
“So I exhort the elders among you, as a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, as well as a partaker in the glory that is going to be revealed: shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight, not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you; not for shameful gain, but eagerly; not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock. And when the chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory. Likewise, you who are younger, be subject to the elders. Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for 'God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.'” (1 Peter 5:1-5)
“Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you.” (Hebrews 13:17)
“Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God, which he obtained with his own blood.” (Acts 20:28)
“We ask you, brothers, to respect those who labor among you and are over you in the Lord and admonish you, and to esteem them very highly in love because of their work. Be at peace among yourselves.” (1 Thessalonians 5:12-13)
“Let the elders who rule well be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in preaching and teaching.” (1 Timothy 5:17)
In fact, Scripture even provides qualifications for pastors:
“This is why I left you in Crete, so that you might put what remained into order, and appoint elders in every town as I directed you— if anyone is above reproach, the husband of one wife, and his children are believers and not open to the charge of debauchery or insubordination. For an overseer, as God's steward, must be above reproach. He must not be arrogant or quick-tempered or a drunkard or violent or greedy for gain, but hospitable, a lover of good, self-controlled, upright, holy, and disciplined. He must hold firm to the trustworthy word as taught, so that he may be able to give instruction in sound doctrine and also to rebuke those who contradict it.” (Titus 1:5-9)
“1 The saying is trustworthy: If anyone aspires to the office of overseer, he desires a noble task. 2 Therefore an overseer must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, sober-minded, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, 3 not a drunkard, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. 4 He must manage his own household well, with all dignity keeping his children submissive, 5 for if someone does not know how to manage his own household, how will he care for God's church? 6 He must not be a recent convert, or he may become puffed up with conceit and fall into the condemnation of the devil. 7 Moreover, he must be well thought of by outsiders, so that he may not fall into disgrace, into a snare of the devil.” (1 Timothy 3)
5. Throughout his videos, articles, tweets, etc.; Mr. Chavez claims that these men (MacArthur, Washer, Johnson, Peters, Friel, etc) are “false teachers.” Scripture provides a very clear description of what a false teacher is. They “secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them” (2 Peter 2:1-3); they do not produce good fruit, but rather they produce bad fruit (Matthew 7:15-20); they teach a “different doctrine” and do not “agree with the sound words of our Lord Jesus Christ,” have an “unhealthy craving for controversy and for quarrels about words” (1 Timothy 6:3-5); they “cause divisions and create obstacles contrary to the doctrine” brought through the apostles and Scripture (Romans 16:17-18); they twist the Scriptures (Acts 20:29-30); they teach a different gospel (Galatians 1:6-9); they do not confess that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh from God (1 John 4:1-6); they do not confess the coming of Jesus and they do not abide in the teaching of Scripture (2 John 1:7-11).
Although Mr. Chavez continually states these people are false teachers, he has yet to explain which of their teachings is contrary to Scripture, and therefore false. Furthermore, not once has he ever demonstrated that any of these men are false teachers in any way by comparing them to Scripture. Instead, he has simply thrown out his (very serious) accusations against them without once providing any scriptural evidence that they actually are false teachers as Scripture describes false teachers. Again, he is wrongly applying Scripture to support what appears to be his personal vendetta – his baseless vendetta, against these men.
Sources:
[1] Video: Justin Peters Exposed (Phone Call), created by Joshua Chavez, Uploaded to YouTube by Joshua Chavez on July 15, 2018, accessed 10 August 2018, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CgFqVs1b9DM
[2] Video: John MacArthur Condemned By Friends & Himself, created by Joshua Chavez, Uploaded to YouTube by Joshua Chavez on August 5, 2018, accessed 10 August 2018, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uY9fmUgkRLk
[3] Video: How Christians Are Deceived, created by Joshua Chavez, Uploaded to YouTube by Joshua Chavez on May 18, 2018, accessed 10 August 2018, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sheBpWQAo98
Concerns, Part Two
B. Demonstrating an Ungracious and Unloving Manner
Mr. Chavez's demeaning, slanderous, defamatory, and condemnatory behavior has been adequately documented in section A above; and documented to such an extent that it removes all doubt as to his guilt in this. The vitriol, the name calling, the verbal violence is extremely disconcerting and contrary to numerous commands to love others. In fact, Jesus Himself stated that the two greatest commands (which sum up all of God's laws) are to “love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind” and to “love your neighbor as yourself.” (Matthew 22:36-40). And these are not applicable only amongst Christians, but to every single person on the face of the earth.
This is a subject that is addressed over and over again throughout the Scriptures: “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another” (John 13:34); “This is My commandment, that you love one another, just as I have loved you” (John 15:12); and please see: John 15:17; Ephesians 4:16; Romans 12:10; 1 Thessalonians 4:9-10; 1 Thessalonians 5:13; 1 Peter 1:22; 1 Peter 4:8; 2 Peter 1:7; Hebrews 13:1; 1 John 3:11; 1 John 3:23; 1 John 4:7; 1 John 4:11; 1 John 4:21; 2 John 1:5.
It is so vitally important to exhibit love because, “By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another” (John 13:35). Again, we are admonished and exhorted repeatedly to love not just one another, but all people regardless of whether or not they are believers in Christ. For example, “make my joy complete by being of the same mind, maintaining the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose” (Philippians 2:2); “For you were called to freedom, brethren; only do not turn your freedom into an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another” (Galatians 5:13); “with all humility and gentleness, with patience, showing tolerance for one another in love” (Ephesians 4:2); “but speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspects into Him who is the head, even Christ” (Ephesians 4:15); “Honor all people, love the brotherhood, fear God, honor the king” (1 Peter 2:17); “To sum up, all of you be harmonious, sympathetic, brotherly, kindhearted, and humble in spirit” (1 Peter 3:8 ); “Owe no one anything, except to love each other, for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law. For the commandments, 'You shall not commit adultery, You shall not murder, You shall not steal, You shall not covet,' and any other commandment, are summed up in this word: 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.' Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfilling of the law” (Romans 13:8-10). In fact, an entire chapter in 1 Corinthians is devoted to this issue (see 1 Corinthians 13).
Slander is something that belongs to the unregenerate, not to the Christian. In fact, we are specifically told to not slander others (Colossians 3:7-10). When it comes to slandering others in the Body of Christ, Paul's admonition applies equally, if not more so. Bearing false witness is, plainly and simply put, lying (Proverbs 14:5), and it is something that is not an average run-of-the-mill sin (if there is such a thing); but rather, it is something our Lord has specifically stated that He hates. Note Proverbs 6:16-19, “16 There are six things that the Lord hates, seven that are an abomination to him: 17 haughty eyes, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, 18 a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that make haste to run to evil, 19 a false witness who breathes out lies, and one who sows discord among brothers.” And note specifically verse 19. The Lord “hates” “a false witness who breathes out lies, and one who sows discord among brothers.” That is what Mr. Chavez is doing.
C. Wrongly Applying and Ignoring The Word of God
1. In your video, “Justin Peters Exposed (Phone Call)”[1], Mr. Chavez states, “Justin has remained deafeningly silent. Deafeningly silent while his friends in the ministry prostitute themselves, commit spiritual fornication. John MacArthur at this point is a spiritual whore, and yes the terminology is deliberate. Every time somebody in the Old Testament, when the children of Israel are playing with other gods, playing with people they shouldn't be playing with, God likens it to harlotry, to adultery, it's sexually explicit. Why? Because you're mingling with them. You're mingling. Their spiritually transmitted diseases now become yours. That's what's happening. You're witnessing spiritual whoredom take place, and nobody seems to care.”
What Mr. Chavez have failed to recognize is that, when the children of Israel prostituted themselves with idolatrous tribes such as the Caananites, they adopted the pagan worship practices of those tribes, including the worship of false gods (idols). Mr. Chavez is wrongly applying these Scriptures to Justin Peters, John MacArthur and others. They have not adopted any pagan worship practices. They have not begun worshiping false gods. Mr. Chavez is taking God's Word, and wrongly applying it in order to support what appears to be a personal vendetta against these men, these Christian brothers.
2. Mr. Chavez repeatedly appeal to 2 John 11 as Scriptural authority for him to call out John MacArthur, Justin Peters, Paul Washer, Phil Johnson, etc. However, when 2 John 11 is read in its proper context, it is clear that he is wrongly applying this Scripture. 2 John 7-11 reads, “7 For many deceivers have gone out into the world, those who do not confess the coming of Jesus Christ in the flesh. Such a one is the deceiver and the antichrist. 8 Watch yourselves, so that you may not lose what we have worked for, but may win a full reward. 9 Everyone who goes on ahead and does not abide in the teaching of Christ, does not have God. Whoever abides in the teaching has both the Father and the Son. 10 If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not receive him into your house or give him any greeting, 11 for whoever greets him takes part in his wicked works.”
The passage is referring to known deceivers. These deceivers do not confess the coming of Jesus Christ in the flesh. They do not abide in the teaching of Christ, and therefore do not know God. Mr. Chavez applies this Scripture to these men, while never once, not one single time in any video or tweet or article or Facebook post has heu ever demonstrated that any of these men reject the coming of Jesus Christ in the flesh. Mr. Chavez has never demonstrated that any of these men do not abide in the teaching of Christ. Not once. In other words, Mr. Chavez has never demonstrated that any of them are deceivers. Again, he are wrongly applying this verse (2 John 11) by taking it out of context, and twisting it to support what appears to be a personal vendetta against these Christian brothers.
3. In Mr. Chavez's video, “John MacArthur Condemned By Friends & Himself”[2], Mr. Chavez plays a clip of John MacArthur being asked a question, and then his response. The question was, can a person who takes the mark of the beast still be saved, and his response was yes. Mr. Chavez then turns to Scripture and promptly begins to eisegete it. He turns first to Revelation 20:4, reading, “And I saw thrones, and they sat on them, and judgment was committed to them. Then I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for their witness to Jesus and for the word of God, who had not worshiped the beast or his image, and had not received his mark on their foreheads or on their hands. And they lived and reigned with Christ for a thousand years.” [words emphasized were emphasized by Mr. Chavez in his video.]
He then comments eisegetically on this passage by saying, “they had not worshiped the beast or his image, nor taken the mark. Well, why are these the only people he sees? Well, because over here in Revelation chapter 14 we read,”
“9 Then a third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, “If anyone – if anyone – worships the beast and his image, and receives his mark on his forehead or on his hand, 10 he himself shall – shall – also drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out full strength into the cup of His indignation. He shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels and in the presence of the Lamb. 11 And the smoke of their torment ascends forever and ever; and they have no rest day or night, who worship the beast and his image, and who? whoever receives the mark of his name.” [added words and emphasized words were added and emphasized by Mr. Chavez in his video.]
Mr. Chavez then continues his eisegesis by commenting, “Whoever receives this mark will be tormented forever and ever. Same words used to describe your salvation, forever and ever. They shall, they shall also drink of the wrath of God. They shall be tormented. They shall have no rest day or night. … That's what the word of God says. That those who take this mark on their forehead or their hands shall be tormented day and night, the smoke of their torment shall ascend forever and ever. It shall happen, whether or not its possible for it not happen is irrelevant, what we know is it shall be the case.” [again, those words noted as emphasized, are emphasized by Mr. Chavez in his video.]
The problem with Mr. Chavez's interpretation of this passage is that, as is the case with most eisegetical interpretations, it isn't true. It is not, as he claims, “what the word of God says.” He wrongly employs manipulation by emphasizing certain words and phrases (to set them firmly in his viewers minds) and then incorrectly tells his viewers what they mean; that anyone who takes the mark shall be tormented, shall face God's wrath, it shall happen, it shall be the case. Again, however, that simply isn't true.
A proper reading of Revelation 14:9-11 reveals the word “and.” This word, used in this passage, is a qualifying connective, also known as a qualifying conjunction. In other words, these are conditional sentences. The events connected by the word “and” are dependent upon one another. Thus:
“9 Then a third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, If anyone worships the beast and his image, and receives his mark on his forehead or on his hand,” This is a conditional statement. The person must worship the beast, AND worship his image, AND receive his mark. The person must do all three of these things, not one or the other. The verse does not read, worship the beast OR his image OR receive his mark. It goes on,
“10 he himself shall also drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out full strength into the cup of His indignation. He shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels and in the presence of the Lamb. 11 And the smoke of their torment ascends forever and ever; and they have no rest day or night,” Again, this is a conditional statement, describing what will happen to those who meet all three of the qualifiers in verse 9. They will drink of the wine of the wrath of God. What does this wrath consist of? There are several aspects of God's wrath described here. They are:
1. Tormented with fire,
2. Tormented with brimstone,
3. Tormented in the presence of the holy angels,
4. Tormented in the presence of the Lamb,
5. The smoke of their torment will ascend forever and ever,
6. They will have no rest day or night.
The passage then reiterates who will face this wrath, they are those, “who worship the beast and his image, and whoever receives the mark of his name.” Again, all three qualifiers must be present. Yet Mr. Chavez (presumably intentionally) eisegetes these verses in order to support what appears to be his personal vendetta against these brothers in Christ.
This is no better than what Mr. Jacob Prasch – a close friend of Mr. Chavez, and director of Moriel ministries – does when he unashamedly lies about MacArthur's statement by claiming MacArthur said those who meet all three specific qualifiers can still be saved, which, of course, MacArthur never said. What's worse is that Prasch actually features the YouTube clip which proves MacArthur never said that, and thus proves Prasch knowingly lied about it.
4. In your video, “How Christians Are Deceived”[3], Mr. Chavez states that pastors have “arbitrary authority,” and “perceived authority” over the sheep in their care. He then goes on to make his case by appealing to Micah 3, Malachi 2, the Lord rebuking the prophets and priest in Jeremiah, and even our Lord's rebukes of the Pharisees, Sadducees, and Scribes. This eschewing of pastors is no doubt due to his participation in the House Church Movement, however, it is completely contrary to Scripture, which not only instructs churches to have not just pastors, but ruling (or senior) pastors as well; and also that Christians are to be subject to them and obedient to them. For example:
“And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ,” (Ephesians 4:11-13)
“So I exhort the elders among you, as a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, as well as a partaker in the glory that is going to be revealed: shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight, not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you; not for shameful gain, but eagerly; not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock. And when the chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory. Likewise, you who are younger, be subject to the elders. Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for 'God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.'” (1 Peter 5:1-5)
“Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you.” (Hebrews 13:17)
“Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God, which he obtained with his own blood.” (Acts 20:28)
“We ask you, brothers, to respect those who labor among you and are over you in the Lord and admonish you, and to esteem them very highly in love because of their work. Be at peace among yourselves.” (1 Thessalonians 5:12-13)
“Let the elders who rule well be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in preaching and teaching.” (1 Timothy 5:17)
In fact, Scripture even provides qualifications for pastors:
“This is why I left you in Crete, so that you might put what remained into order, and appoint elders in every town as I directed you— if anyone is above reproach, the husband of one wife, and his children are believers and not open to the charge of debauchery or insubordination. For an overseer, as God's steward, must be above reproach. He must not be arrogant or quick-tempered or a drunkard or violent or greedy for gain, but hospitable, a lover of good, self-controlled, upright, holy, and disciplined. He must hold firm to the trustworthy word as taught, so that he may be able to give instruction in sound doctrine and also to rebuke those who contradict it.” (Titus 1:5-9)
“1 The saying is trustworthy: If anyone aspires to the office of overseer, he desires a noble task. 2 Therefore an overseer must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, sober-minded, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, 3 not a drunkard, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. 4 He must manage his own household well, with all dignity keeping his children submissive, 5 for if someone does not know how to manage his own household, how will he care for God's church? 6 He must not be a recent convert, or he may become puffed up with conceit and fall into the condemnation of the devil. 7 Moreover, he must be well thought of by outsiders, so that he may not fall into disgrace, into a snare of the devil.” (1 Timothy 3)
5. Throughout his videos, articles, tweets, etc.; Mr. Chavez claims that these men (MacArthur, Washer, Johnson, Peters, Friel, etc) are “false teachers.” Scripture provides a very clear description of what a false teacher is. They “secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them” (2 Peter 2:1-3); they do not produce good fruit, but rather they produce bad fruit (Matthew 7:15-20); they teach a “different doctrine” and do not “agree with the sound words of our Lord Jesus Christ,” have an “unhealthy craving for controversy and for quarrels about words” (1 Timothy 6:3-5); they “cause divisions and create obstacles contrary to the doctrine” brought through the apostles and Scripture (Romans 16:17-18); they twist the Scriptures (Acts 20:29-30); they teach a different gospel (Galatians 1:6-9); they do not confess that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh from God (1 John 4:1-6); they do not confess the coming of Jesus and they do not abide in the teaching of Scripture (2 John 1:7-11).
Although Mr. Chavez continually states these people are false teachers, he has yet to explain which of their teachings is contrary to Scripture, and therefore false. Furthermore, not once has he ever demonstrated that any of these men are false teachers in any way by comparing them to Scripture. Instead, he has simply thrown out his (very serious) accusations against them without once providing any scriptural evidence that they actually are false teachers as Scripture describes false teachers. Again, he is wrongly applying Scripture to support what appears to be his personal vendetta – his baseless vendetta, against these men.
Sources:
[1] Video: Justin Peters Exposed (Phone Call), created by Joshua Chavez, Uploaded to YouTube by Joshua Chavez on July 15, 2018, accessed 10 August 2018, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CgFqVs1b9DM
[2] Video: John MacArthur Condemned By Friends & Himself, created by Joshua Chavez, Uploaded to YouTube by Joshua Chavez on August 5, 2018, accessed 10 August 2018, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uY9fmUgkRLk
[3] Video: How Christians Are Deceived, created by Joshua Chavez, Uploaded to YouTube by Joshua Chavez on May 18, 2018, accessed 10 August 2018, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sheBpWQAo98
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