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Mt St. Helens and Murray's Prediction That Russia Will Attack America Through Alaska

Question/Comment: 

----- Original Message -----
From: Name Withheld
To: Paul Stringini
Sent: Tuesday, March 04, 2014 1:02 PM
Subject: Shepard's Chapel
Greetings,
First ,I have been studying God's Word, on my own since the mid 1960's. I belong to no church or religious organization. All my life I have been a "oddity" compared to others. I don't play church, nor do I know or use any of the latest Christian catch phrases, or "code words" found on so many Forums.
For the past few months I have been watching Shepard's Chapel. I enjoy watching a person sitting and reading directly from the King James Bible. I wish more on television would do that instead of producing religious entertainment. My eyes are failing, so I find some benefit in watching them.
However,  I do not accept many of Shepard Chapel's Teaching like the Serpent Seed and others. I am also somewhat concerned with the many statements which they make, which go beyond scripture. Also, the endless head bashing with the Rapture Doctrine gets real old.
Anyway, I looked over your site. I don't agree with all your assumptions. But, maybe you can help me find a few answers to some SC questions I have.
I live in Alaska. Where is Shepard's Chapel getting the belief that Russia will attack America down through Alaska?  I have heard the statement many times, yet no documentation, and no explanation. We are told to accept such a premise on faith. Do you have any history on this belief? 
Also, what is this secret knowledge they seem to hint about the May 18th Eruption of Mt. Saint Helens????   At the time of the eruptions, I live just north of the mountain and witnessed it. Anyway, Shepard's Chapel believes something about that eruption, and they will not openly give information about it.
Thanks for your input....

Name Withheld

Locations Withheld

My First Response:

----- Original Message -----
From: Paul Stringini
To: Name Withheld
Sent: Tuesday, March 04, 2014 6:35 PM
Subject: Re: Shepard's Chapel
Hi Name Withheld,
 
Thanks for visiting my site and for writing. 
 
To understand why Murray believes that Russia will attack the US you have to first know that, to Murray, the U.S. is Israel. That is the big primary assumption behind this, from there you go to Ezekiel chapter 38.  The term "chief prince," in verse 2 there, is thought by many to mean "The Prince of Rosh," and that is supposed to mean Russia, but the word is used something like 36 times in the book of Ezekiel and it seems like an odd time to change the word that means "head" to a name for a tribe just to connect it to Russia.  I'm not sure it is a very valid interpretation to say that refers to modern Russia. Anyway, in Ezekiel 38 Gog and Magog are supposed to come "out of the north"  and attack the land of Israel (And to Murray that means the US via Alaska, why Alaska?  Basically because Murray says so, and I guess because it is in the North). 
 
The Mount St. Helens eruption.  Murray is very fond of clouds and things seen in clouds.  I have some of his old tapes where he talks about things he saw in clouds as being visions from God affirming his ministry and predictions.  This is another one of those. 
 
Basically, Murray says that this is the face of the prophet Elijah.  He mostly likes to speak mysteriously about it, as he does many other things.  It was supposed to be another sign that we were living in the end times.  It is not really a very good face.  You could see the same thing any given day by looking up at the clouds.  
 
Anyway, I hope that answers your questions.  I do line by line bible studies too, which you may find edifying.  They are all free on  my website. 
 
If you have any other questions, I am at your service,
 
Sincerely,
Paul Stringini

Emailer's First Reply:

 
----- Original Message -----
From: Name Withheld
To: Paul Stringini
Sent: Tuesday, March 04, 2014 8:22 PM
Subject: Re: Shepard's Chapel
Thanks for the info.  
Lot's of people believe Ezekiel 38 Gog and Magog is Russia. If so, it's a nice straight line south to Israel.  Murray somehow ties the May 18th event at Mt. Helen's to some historic event in his ministry. There are many mysteries in the Word of God, but if we are not given the full weight of the scripture to interpret them, it's best not too. Far too many people and preachers out there are adding to the Word of God. Mystery Babylon (confusion) is always rearing up it's ugly head..

What really bothers me about Shepard's Chapel is that there is no mechanism for challenging some of their teachings and beliefs. Your given a tape or a pamphlet. There is no back and forth teaching communication at all. They have a very take it or leave it attitude. Somewhat secretive.
I agree with about 75% of their teaching, but some of their idea's just don't have the weight of scripture to support. They also like to add things to scripture from thin air.
I have been receiving a Monthly Newsletter for about 6 months. Out of curiosity,  I asked for it. Any way, I know Arnold Murray passed away around Feb 15th.  I have received 2 Newsletters since that date. Both written by Dennis Murray. So far there has been no mention of Arnold Murray's passing. Which is not only odd, but unprofessional. Another red flag.
Dennis Murray is a much better teacher than his father was. From what I have seen of some of the older tapes/TV reruns, Arnold had a "pride" problem. Maybe Dennis will move back to Orthodox teachings.
I visited the Season Forum. There are people on their who follow Murray like he's  Moses or something. That scares me.
Too bad. Shepard's Chapel has a excellent ministry. A great delivery system to deliver the Gospel. Too bad they couldn't stick with Orthodox Christianity.  But, at this time many Churches/Ministries are not.......
Name Withheld
Location Withheld

My Second Response:

----- Original Message -----
From: Paul Stringini
To: Name Withheld
Sent: Tuesday, March 04, 2014 9:56 PM
Subject: Re: Shepard's Chapel
I actually knew a former Muslim who converted to Christianity who was convinced that Gog and Magog referred to the Muslim countries that used to be part of the Soviet Union, also to the north (and west) (Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan etc.  In the Prophets Assyria was also described as being from the North).  Just a thought there. I think the problem with Dennis is that he does not have Arnold's broadcasting talent.  That actually works in his favor as a teacher, because it makes him focus on the teaching aspect and less on the grandstanding, but this is a television ministry.  I think overall it will mean that the ministry will decline, Arnold's bluster and charisma is not admired by all, but it certainly appeals to many.  I do wonder if Dennis might try to reform things now that his father is gone.  It will be interesting. 
 

Emailer's Second Reply:

----- Original Message -----
From: Name Withheld
To: Paul Stringini
Sent: Tuesday, March 04, 2014 10:47 PM
Subject: Re: Shepard's Chapel
We have the Dish Network.  Shepard's Chapel is on almost 24/7 now. There's only a few hours on Saturday/Sunday that has a few hours of alternate programming.  There is usually one new show each day followed by 5 older re-runs. The group of six programs, alternates 4 times a day on a 24 hour cycle.  They must have thousands of hours of old programming going back to 1990's.  Arnold's bluster and charisma will be with us for some time. They have never announced his passing on any of the newer shows.

To me  the Murray's teachings seem to be copying Bullinger's Teachings.  The Murray's don't seem to understand that many teachings and prophecy have dual meanings. A Spiritual meaning and a physical meaning, Sure, something strange happened in the Garden. But, the seduction for me was a spiritual one. The Son's of Cain are spiritual sons of Cain for me. The tares are spiritual seed, not physical. If I ever had a chance to met the Murray's, the first thing I would ask them is to show me a DNA sequence and family portrait of Kenites.

One odd note.  The British Royals believe and promote that they are the direct decedents of King David.  At least that is what is on some of their web sites. Funny, the House of Windsor is not English, it's German.  Anyway, since the 1960's I have been 75/25 on British Israelism.

I believe I am suppose to share this with you.
From 1980's through 1990's I always taught and spoke out against Tongues. Then in the 90's GOD pulled a fast one on me and gave me the gift.  I got down and prayed one day and told GOD, that if the gift of tongues existed, then give it to me. Booom, it happened. I don't use the gift in public, and only a few people know I have it. Not even my wife!  I can not control it.  When it dwells up inside me, I can not stop it from happening. I can't make it happen, nor can I stop it until the Holy Spirit is finished. . Usually happens during heavy prayer.

Name Withheld

My Third Response:

----- Original Message -----
From: Paul Stringini
To: Name Withheld
Sent: Wednesday, March 05, 2014 1:09 AM
Subject: Re: Shepard's Chapel
I agree with you about the Garden and the serpent seed. I have often used 1 John 3 to make the point that if Satan's seed is a literal carnal seed, then what about God's seed?  And if being the sons of the devil makes them evil, what is our excuse? 
 
Basically, a similar thing happened to me with tongues.  I had been dead against it.  But I had also felt like I was missing something.  How was I supposed to know if I had God's Spirit when absolutely nothing ever happened to me?  I asked for the spirit many times, and when I was a teen I even asked for tongues, and got nothing.  But in 2005 I visited a church where they believed in tongues, (I was invited there because of my music ministry).  I was not impressed with their tongues at all, what really impressed me was the preaching of righteousness.  I had some big sins in my life which I just could not shake.  I really wanted to be free, like Jesus said, "free indeed." Not just theoretically free.  Even so, I did not ask them to pray for me when I was visiting.  I wanted to read over their doctrine before I let them lay their hands on me.  I read it and agreed with most of it, or at least I thought it was agreeable enough and not filled with things I objected to.  I drove 100 miles to go back the following day and after telling them about my problems (of my own accord) and I asked them to lay hands on me that I could recieve the Holy Spirit.  I flat out told them that I did not believe in tongues and that God would have to force me to do it if that was what he wanted.
 
I remember standing there, the three men where praying over me, the church was otherwise empty.  After about half a minute, within myself, I said, "I'm going to stand here all day like an idiot and nothing is going to happen." Then I chided myself saying, "Come on Paul, you've gotta have a little faith."  So I sighed and whispered, "Lord Jesus grant me my heart's desire." And immediately this weird sensation came over my hands, and I said out loud, "What is happening to my hands?"  I remember the pastor said something like "Never mind, Keep praying."  But I was really wowed by the sensation on my hands,  it was like high frequency vibrations, it just felt like a power was on them.  I tried to experiment with it by touching things. The feeling also came one my feet and on my ears and finally on my lips, and when it came on my lips they were practically dancing on my face, I tried to talk and could not speak normally.  It never happened to me agian like that.  I spoke with "tongues" but it has always been in imitation, so I don't really do it much except, as you said, when deep in prayer.  From that day forward drugs and alcohol lost their power over me, and I was a changed man in many respects.
 
So it does not surprise me that you would feel led to tell me about your experience.  And I really thank you for it, not long ago this guy was writing me and putting me to the test with questions.  When he asked me if I had ever spoken with tongues I told him "yes."  From that point he did not cease to insult me, calling me a "wack job"  repeatedly, and saying I was a son of the devil, filled with devils and that what I experienced was actually demons entering into me. The funny part was that I had "passed" most of his other tests.  I was shocked at that line of talk, because even when I rejected tongues I was careful not to attribute it to demons.  I usually would say it was fake or that they were worked up into a sort of psychological frenzy.
 
When I got the holy spirit with the evidence of speaking in tongues, it was a sore trial for my wife.  She had been praying for me and my problems for years.  Now suddenly she felt like the one who was missing something.  It was another 3 years before God answered her prayers and gave her the same gift.  That was very tough on her, but all the tough things the Lord has showed me taught me to be patient with people and to trust him. 
 
That's why the focus of my bible studies is not stuff like Anglo-Israel, which I think is basically irrelevant (even if true). In my studies, my focus is on helping people obtain the good things which God has promised us in Christ.  That we may be partakers of the divine nature.  That our walk might be closer and closer with him.  I look for progress in myself and I teach patient endurance to the obtaining of every good gift in Christ.  There are many gifts in Christ which we may possess because they are given to us by these great and precious promises.  I think a lot of modern Christianity is focused on materialistic blessings and on building bigger churches.  My teaching ministry is based around the idea of building bigger Christians.  That we might grow up into him.
 
If you get a chance you might give my Revelation study a listen, I would definitely be interested in your opinion.
 
 
Sincerely,
Paul Stringini
 

Emailer's Third Reply:

----- Original Message -----
From: Name Withheld
To: Paul Stringini
Sent: Wednesday, March 05, 2014 8:42 AM
Subject: Re: Shepard's Chapel
I'll check your study out. I don't read well, and have problems writing. Always did. It takes mean hour to write a email like this.

 I have always been a Christian odd ball, and looking back, I have had little control over much of my life. Including a Job experience back in early 80's, where like Job, I lost everything. Like Job, I had a little self righteous religious pride problem.
Tongues is one of the most abused gifts. I think that is why I was always against it. So many people faking it, and far to many people abusing it through self righteousness or manipulation. That is why I keep the gift to myself. Until I' am told to do otherwise.
God's people are spread out in all the denominations. The Lord knows where they are at. I even believe their are true Christians attending Latter Day Saint, Catholic, Adventist, and even JW Churches. When it's time, the Lord will call them out.

My wife and I have not belonged to a organized Church in over 20 years. There are many of us who have been "called out". You will be surprised when you find out how many Christians no longer are affiliated with organized Churches.   Over the years we have seen so many false teachings and phony so called "moves of the Lord". So don't worry if you can not find a "church home" or feel comfortable in church environments.
The hardest thing to do is, sit, be quiet, and wait on the LORD.......
Name Withheld

My Fourth Response:

----- Original Message -----
From: Paul Stringini
To: Name Withheld
Sent: Wednesday, March 05, 2014 2:56 PM
Subject: Re: Shepard's Chapel
 I agree with what you say. I trust that God will reveal all his will to us in his time. The Lord knows those that are his.  My bible studies are audio recordings.  So that may be something you enjoy.
 
Sincerely,
Paul Stringini

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