Article 1: Joseph Prince’s prophecy teaching that Ezekiel 38 refers to Russia is debunked by Michael Brown – By Rev George Ong (Dated 3 Nov 2022)
Article 2: Joseph Prince’s ‘As He is, so are we in this world’, is refuted by Martyn Lloyd-Jones & John Stott – By Rev George Ong (Dated 3 Nov 2022)
If you have missed reading my 2 testimonies about how God healed me of a stroke, and from bleeding in the brain, blood clots, and double and blurred vision, you can read them under Article 2.
But for your convenience, I have also made them available here; please click on the link below to view my 2 testimonies;
The audio version of these 2 testimonies is also available by clicking on the link below;
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1yFg1diWB1uoliK6k3g3FcnPVCsKvBtYv/view
Joseph Prince’s prophecy teaching that Ezekiel 38 refers to Russia is debunked by Michael Brown – By Rev George Ong
(This article was also sent to Rev Dr Ngoei Foong Nghian, General Secretary, National Council of Churches of Singapore (NCCS) office, and for the attention of the Executive Committee Members.)
In a weekly Sunday sermon aired on YouTube on 30 Oct 2022, 4 days ago, Joseph Prince said;
Please click here to view the one-and-a-half-minute video:
“Prophet Ezekiel prophesied all the way beyond our time, even to the future, that there’s going to be a war where Russia will come down to attack Israel.
Look at this, Ezekiel 38,
“Now the word of the LORD came to me, saying, “Son of man, set your face against Gog, of the land of Magog.”
Now the word Gog is not just mountain. You study the etymology of it, Gog means expansion. “… and the land of Magog.” All this, the land of Russia, using their tribal name. Where you find it? Tribal names, in the Book of Genesis. And you study where they are at, you will find that they are all in the location of Russia today.
Gog means expansion. Magog means extension. Isn’t that like behaviour? Now, they want to expand, extend, expand. ‘The prince of Rosh’. ‘The prince of Rosh.’ God is talking. “The word of the LORD came to me, saying, “Son of man, set your face against the prince of Rosh.”
God is talking to the leader of ‘Roshsia’, ‘Roshsia’ is Russia. Meshech and Tubal. Meshech is the old name, you look at the Meshech; where it’s at? It’s now today, Moscow. And Tubal, where Tubal is today? The place of Tubal? God used the old original names in the Bible. Tubal is Tubos in Russia. God says, “… and prophesy against him, and say, ‘Thus says the Lord God ‘behold, I am against you, O Gog, the prince of Rosh, Meshech and, Tubal.”
The view of Joseph Prince that ‘Rosh’ in Ezekiel 38 refers to Russia is resoundingly refuted by Michael Brown.
You must not miss this broadcast of Michael Brown, titled, “Did Ezekiel Prophesy About Russia’s Invasion of Ukraine?” by clicking on this link below;
Did Ezekiel Prophesy About Russia’s Invasion of Ukraine?
https://www.truthnetwork.com/show/line-of-fire-dr-michael-brown/38267/
Only the first one-third of this broadcast is relevant.
Michael Brown’s view is also captured in Charismanews as follows:
According to Pat Robertson, Vladimir Putin is being “compelled by God” to invade Ukraine. Indeed, “He went into the Ukraine, but that wasn’t his goal. His goal was to move against Israel, ultimately.” And, according to Robertson, this was all prophesied by Ezekiel, who lived more than 2,500 years ago. Is this true?
Over on the Bible Prophecy News website, Dr. Bob Thiel asks:
“On February 24, 2022, Russia’s President Vladimir Putin announced a ‘special military operation’ into Ukraine. Are Jewish sources correct that Russia’s invasion of Ukraine is the start of the Gog and Magog war of Ezekiel 38? Are Protestant sources, and people like Trumpet editor Gerald Flurry right that Vladimir Putin is the ‘prince of Rosh/Rush’? Does Ezekiel 38 include Russia? What are some of the other nations involved in Ezekiel 38? Does this battle happen BEFORE or well AFTER Jesus returns? Can you know the answer from the actual passages in Ezekiel 38?”
A Christian Zionist website makes this claim (note that this was posted on December 10, 2021, so more than two months before the Russian invasion):
Based on Ezekiel 38-39, the armies that will one day invade Israel “include Russia and Turkey from the north, Sudan/Libya (possibly including Algeria and Tunisia) from the south and west, and Iran from the east. Consequently, sometime in the future, an enormous military force surrounds Israel, which is far beyond their capacity to defeat. God alone can deliver them from annihilation, which Ezekiel reveals He does (38:17–23; 39:1–6).”
In stark contrast, Old Testament and Semitic scholar Michael S. Heiser tweeted,
“The idea that Ezekiel 38 and 39 is about Russia or a Russian invasion has literally no merit in terms of exegesis.” (Exegesis refers to accurate interpretation of the Scriptures.)
Who is right here?
Dr. Heiser, without a doubt.
Allow me to explain.
First, Ezekiel 38 says nothing about Russia, directly or indirectly, despite some translations which read,
“Son of man [which is how the Lord referred to Ezekiel], set thy face toward Gog, of the land of Magog, the prince of Rosh, Meshech, and Tubal, and prophesy against him” (ASV, my emphasis; see also the Septuagint, the Greek translation of the Old Testament which dates to approximately two hundred years before Jesus).
The correct translation, as recognized by the vast majority of translations and commentaries, is this:
“Son of man, set your face toward Gog, of the land of Magog, the chief prince of Meshech and Tubal, and prophesy against him” (ESV).
The Hebrew here reads n’si rosh, which could potentially mean “the prince of Rosh” (as if rosh was a place name) but it is better translated as “chief prince” (with rosh carrying its normal meaning of “head, chief”).
Yet even if a case could be made for the Hebrew text meaning, “prince of Rosh,” Ezekiel scholar Daniel Block points out the problems. (This will be a little technical for some readers, but just watch for his conclusions.) He writes:
“The popular identification of Rosh with Russia is impossibly anachronistic and based on a faulty etymology, the assonantal similarities between Russia and Rosh being purely accidental. In the 19th century some scholars associated Rosh with Rûs, a Scythian tribe inhabiting the northern Taurus Mountains, according to Byzantine and Arabic writings. Recent attempts to equate Rosh with Râshu/ Rêshu/Arashi in neo-Assyrian annals are more credible, except that the place so named was located far to the east on the border between Babylon and Elam, and would have had nothing to do with Meshech and Tubal. This interpretation is also difficult (though not impossible) from a grammatical point of view. If Rosh is to be read as the first in a series of names, the conjunction should precede ‘Meshech.’ rōʾš is therefore best understood as a common noun, appositional to and offering a closer definition of nāśı̂ʾ. Accordingly, the prince, chief of Meshech and Tubal, combines Ezekiel’s preferred title for kings with a hierarchical designation, the addition serving to clarify the preceding archaic term. Ezekiel’s point is that Gog is not just one of many Anatolian princely figures, but the leader among princes and over several tribal/national groups.” (New International Commentary on the Old Testament, Ezekiel 25-48, 434-435).
Second, Meshech and Tubal referred to nations that were located in what is Turkey today, hence also unrelated to the current war.
Of course, the argument is that the war will expand, involving many other nations, some of which are mentioned in Ezekiel 38:5-6. And I personally believe that the Bible does predict a final war against Israel, one in which the Lord will fight for His ancient people and ultimately destroy the invaders. This is most clearly addressed in Zechariah 12 and 14, as well as in Ezekiel 38-39.
I believe that this will literally happen, just as I believe that the Bible prophesied that God would scatter the Jewish people around the world (I write this as a Jesus-believing Jewish person myself) and then regather us back to our ancient homeland. As it was written, so has it happened.
And Ezekiel’s language is very clear, saying to these nations, “After a long time you shall be summoned; in the distant future you shall march against the land [of a people] restored from the sword, gathered from the midst of many peoples – against the mountains of Israel, which have long lain desolate – [a people] liberated from the nations, and now all dwelling secure” (NJPS Version). This is quite a striking prophecy!
But there is no evidence that Russia’s current invasion is related to these words, nor is there any evidence that Russia is mentioned or alluded to in these chapters.
What about a Jewish tradition that purportedly states:
“When you hear that the Russians have captured the city of Crimea, you should know that the times of the Messiah have started, that his steps are being heard. And when you hear that the Russians have reached the city of Constantinople (today’s Istanbul), you should put on your Shabbat [Sabbath] clothes and don’t take them off because it means that the Messiah is about to come any minute.”
It is just that: a tradition, without scriptural support or divine authority. Plus, the Russians have not yet reached Istanbul. Not even faintly, remotely close.
Could it be that, in the years to come, we will see a coalition of nations coming against Israel, with Russia leading the way (or, at least, participating). That’s possible. And could it be that, when that day arrives, we will look back to Ezekiel 38-39, at least as a broad-brushed description of what is taking place? Perhaps.
But right now, there is absolutely no scriptural or factual evidence that connects Ezekiel 38 to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. And with hundreds (or thousands) of mistaken date-setting interpretations of the Bible littering our recent past,
it’s best to toss this latest one in the dustbin right now.
Joseph Prince said ‘Rosh’ is Russia which is mentioned in Ezekiel 38, but Michael Brown wrote that there is no evidence that Russia is alluded to in Ezekiel 38.
Who do you trust?
Joseph Prince, the Serial Liar, Serial Double-Talker & Serial Hypocrite – all these allegations I’ve made against him are proven – see my website,
or
Michael Brown, a credible Bible Scholar, who can read biblical Hebrew, and have been studying Hebrew seriously since 1973, earning a BA in Hebrew and an MA and PhD in Near Eastern languages and literatures.
Let me surface again what Michael Brown has written:
But right now, there is absolutely no scriptural or factual evidence that connects Ezekiel 38 to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. And with hundreds (or thousands) of mistaken date-setting interpretations of the Bible littering our recent past,
IT’S BEST TO TOSS THIS LATEST ONE IN THE DUSTBIN RIGHT NOW.
Please do the same to what Joseph Prince has said in his sermon on 30 Oct 2022, last Sunday on Ezekiel 38 by throwing it in the rubbish bin.
You should also throw away what Prince is going to say in his next few Sunday sermons on Genesis 26:1-3, in which he nonsensically said in his sermon on 30 Oct 2022 that Russia is also referred to in Genesis 26:1.
Joseph Prince’s ‘As He is, so are we in this world’, is refuted by Martyn Lloyd-Jones & John Stott – By Rev George Ong
(This article was also sent to Rev Dr Ngoei Foong Nghian, General Secretary, National Council of Churches of Singapore (NCCS) office, and for the attention of the Executive Committee Members.)
1 John 4:17 NKJV
17 Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world.
In a weekly Sunday sermon aired on YouTube on 30 Oct 2022, 4 days ago, Joseph Prince said;
Please click here to view the 10-second video;
“Like I’ve taught before, ‘As He is so am I in this world.’ Does Jesus have this disease? Does Jesus have that disease now? No. So as He is, so am I in this world.”
In “Eat Your Way to Life and Health,” Pages 107 and 114, Joseph Prince wrote;
“Whatever condition you might have, whether it is irritable bowel syndrome, an ulcerated stomach, cirrhosis, chronic lower respiratory disease, or pneumonia, see Jesus on the cross smitten with your disease and receive His perfect health in these areas.”
“This means that as Jesus is without any disease, and as He is in complete divine health, so are we in this world.”
I have conclusively refuted Joseph Prince’s teaching that believers can claim perfect healing based on 1 John 4:17 in a previous article.
I would strongly advise that you to read this previous article, if you haven’t, or have forgotten about its content:
“As He is, so are we in this world”, Teaching of Joseph Prince is Debunked – by Rev George Ong (Dated 16 Oct 2021)
by clicking below;
Most of the points of rebuttal against Joseph Prince’s perfect health teaching are covered in the above article, so I won’t repeat them in this article, except for one point about my healing testimonies.
If you don’t read the previous article about my rebuttal against the perfect healing doctrine as advocated by Joseph Prince, you would have a truncated view of this issue.
Yes, indeed, God still heals today. Any evangelical Pastor or believer would have no issue with that.
I’ve shared my own personal experience about how God healed me of a stroke, and from bleeding in the brain, blood clots, and double and blurred vision.
For those who haven’t read them, please click on the link below to view my 2 testimonies:
The audio version of these 2 testimonies is also available by clicking on the link below:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1yFg1diWB1uoliK6k3g3FcnPVCsKvBtYv/view
Though many of us have experienced God’s healing power, none of us, as Joseph Prince falsely teaches, can live in perfect health – that God is expected to heal everyone from every disease and every time.
This is because we are still living in a fallen world, a world where diseases abound.
Joseph Prince is kind of cocky as he gives the impression that he is the only one who knows about healing and who has a healing ministry.
There are many out there who move in the same area of healing, but they don’t speak so irritatingly loud as Joseph Prince does.
If you listen to the healing testimonies that are presented in New Creation Church – you will always hear either at the beginning, or in the middle, or at the end of the testimony – I thank Pastor Joseph Prince for this or that – as if he is the only one God uses to heal people.
Why can’t Joseph Prince present such testimonies without having his name always being mentioned?
Pride is the main issue as he wants his big name, ‘Joseph Prince’ to be told every time and everywhere!
Besides me and the majority of Pastors, both Martyn Lloyd-Jones and John Stott, have never taught in this area of perfect healing, and based on 1 John 4:17.
In ‘Life in Christ, Volume 4, The Love of God, Studies in 1 John’ and commenting on 1 John 4:16-17, Martyn Lloyd-Jones said;
“‘Let this mind be in you,’ says Paul. ‘Yes,’ says John, ‘as he is, so are we’; we are like that because He is in us. If we are truly His in this world, we are ready to come down and humble ourselves, to be misunderstood, to be laughed at and treated with scorn and derision, in a sense to be crucified – certainly in spirit, perhaps even in body – anything that may help, being always ready to do good, ready to please, not always on the defensive, not always demanding our rights and justice, but coming right down as He came down. ‘As he is …’”
“This, it seems to me, is the right way of viewing our sanctification. Sanctification must always be viewed positively and not negatively. There is nothing I know that is so tragic and unscriptural as the way in which people persist in thinking of sanctification as the mere absence of certain sins. Because they are not guilty of certain sins, they say, ‘We are sanctified.’ But the biblical way to test your sanctification is to ask, ‘Am I like Christ?’ Can I say, ‘As He is, so am I in this world’? It is a positive, upward view.”
“That in its essence is the teaching of the Bible with regard to this great subject of the Day of Judgment. What John would have us see is that if we want to think of that Day of Judgment without fear, if we want to be able to face it with boldness now, and if we want to stand with boldness and not be ashamed at that great morning, we must give added diligence to loving the brethren. For if I dwell in love, then I know before I face Him on His judgment throne that I may look at Him with boldness at the Day of Judgment, because ‘as he is, so are we in this world.’ If I know that I have His nature in me here and now, I shall be able to face Him with boldness when I stand before Him.”
Did you realise that Martyn Lloyd-Jones never talked about the area of healing in his exposition of 1 John 4:17?
What Martyn Lloyd-Jones said, ‘as he is, so are we in this world,’ is about being like Christ and taking upon the character of Christ, as that is the sure factor that we can confidently stand before God on the day of judgement.
If you know the thorough, detailed and ‘leaving no stone unturned’ expository style of Lloyd-Jones, and if this verse is talking about healing, he would have mentioned it.
The fact that he didn’t, shows that healing, much less perfect healing, is never the context nor the content of 1 John 4:17.
In ‘Tyndale New Testament Commentaries, The Letters of John’, and commenting on 1 John 4:17, John Stott wrote;
“It is grounded upon the fact that in this world we are like him (sc. Christ). To be sure, we are not yet like him in our character or in our bodies (3:2), although to some extent we do resemble him in our conduct (2:6; 3:3)…”
John Stott by stating that
“… we are not yet like him… in our bodies…”
is a clear refutation of Joseph Prince’s teaching – that just because Christ has a perfect body without disease, we, too, can experience perfect healing in this world.
Who do you trust?
Joseph Prince, the Serial Liar, Serial Double-Talker & Serial Hypocrite – all these allegations I’ve made against him are proven – see my website, or
Martyn Lloyd-Jones & John Stott who are both giants in expository preaching and highly respected in the Christian world for their Biblical teaching?
Rev George Ong