Joel Richardson Profile picture
author / teacher / preacher / craftsman / artist #Maranatha 💀⚡️🌹🐻🐢🪿🇮🇱🇸🇦
Aug 24, 2024 11 tweets 3 min read
1/ Genesis 3:15 is unarguably one of the most foundational passages in the Bible. Not only is it the first Messianic prophecy, but it also predicts a conflict between the righteous seed-line of Eve and the unrighteous seed-line of Satan that would unfold throughout history. 2/ The story of this conflict unfolds throughout the Bible. At first, it is reckoned through Abel. After the flood, it is reckoned through Shem. At times, individuals such as Ham are singled out for their sins and reckoned as part of the serpent's seed-line.
Jul 17, 2024 18 tweets 4 min read
Folks are asking me to comment on this. Its a mixture of facts and questionable claims. Yes, Darby did first invent and develop what we now call the Pretribulational rapture, but then they veer off into unsubstantiated claims about foreign policy bordering on conspiracy theory. There is no question that biblical beliefs in general have affected American foreign policy over the years. Reagan thought for example that Russia was Gog Magog. I would strongly challenge the claim however, that the doctrine of the pretribulational rapture specifically has.
Mar 28, 2024 12 tweets 4 min read
1/ Yesterday I made some strong theological statements. Yes, the Bible teaches that when Jesus returns, He will restore the throne of His father David in Jerusalem. The royal Jewish monarchy will be restored, and a Jewish King will rule the entire world. I wanted to follow up with some Biblical support.

We begin with God's covenant-promise to King David. He promised that David's seed would rule on David's throne from Jerusalem, forever. This promise is integrally connected to Israel living securely in the promised land: Image
Mar 26, 2024 9 tweets 3 min read
@stevebward @foxes_on_fire 1/ Bro, I'm having a simple conversation with you. No need to be rude. the Bible commands us to be Bereans. Come let us reason together. Paul wrote Thessalonians around 50 AD. Peter died probably 14-18 years later around 64-68 AD. @stevebward @foxes_on_fire Before I move forward, do you agree?
Feb 14, 2024 19 tweets 3 min read
1/ There has been a significant trend within the theological community the past decade plus toward preterism, the view that nearly all biblical prophecy is already fulfilled, most often in the events that surrounded AD 70. 2/ What is called "partial-preterism" affirms this, but holds that the return of Jesus remains future. Once one believes that Jesus has already returned, they deviate into actual heresy—a rejection of the various historical orthodox creeds and confessions of the Church.
Feb 13, 2024 19 tweets 3 min read
Okay, ready for a quick Bible study? 1/ I have friends who are friends with this brother. Obviously, he was born without arms or legs. He is the kind of person the Gospel is "for." Jesus preached the Gospel to "the poor." It's a broad term that extends far beyond mere economic poverty.
Feb 9, 2024 5 tweets 1 min read
1/ The past several months of ministry scandals has broken my heart beyond repair. It's been an absolute awakening for me to the corruption and systemic dangers of the free-wheeling independent ministry world. Everything in me wants out. 2/ On the other hand, I truly love teaching the Bible and I sincerely care about people. Although I've personally made some big failures along the way, I believe the Lord wants me to keep writing and teaching and preaching the good news, the quintessential message of hope.
Dec 28, 2023 13 tweets 2 min read
As someone who is often referred to as an end times teacher, the great damage these scandals will cause absolutely breaks my heart. The beautiful message of Christ's return and the renewal of all things has always been the focal point of all biblical hope. 2/ Does the Bible call us to die to ourselves and even embrace martyrdom if necessary? 100%. Will persecution drastically increase against the faithful in the last days? Yep. Things like the tribulation and the mark of the beast however, these are not the focus of the Gospel.
Nov 2, 2023 7 tweets 1 min read
(1) Regarding the IHOP scandal, how these type of things tend to unfold is a pattern as old as mankind. The first effort will be to discredit all of the men and women who have come forward as whistleblowers and their advocates. (2) Mike will likely make an official mea culpa statement in which he takes responsibility for some issues, but not nearly all of the things for which he is actually guilty. This will be enough however, to elicit tremendous sympathy and support.
Apr 29, 2023 5 tweets 1 min read
Among all of the alleged Pretrib statements in the early Church, the following from Pseudo-Ephraim has by far been championed by our pretrib brethren the most. Unfortunately it has absolutely nothing to do with the rapture. See my comments below: First, the title of the Sermon this is found in is: "The Separation of the Soul and Body."

The statement in question is simply expressing that all of the saints who have died are now gathered to the Lord and will thus not see the tribulation. That's it.
Apr 28, 2023 13 tweets 4 min read
(1) A thread for my pretrib brothers & sisters. In recent years some pretribbers claim to have "discovered" pretrib statements in the early Church. Foremost among these teachers is brother @soothkeep who claims there are several pretrib comments in the writings of Pseudo-Ephraim. (2) Here is one such statement that he has been sharing in various sermons, videos, and Christian programs:
Jan 12, 2023 5 tweets 1 min read
(1) Christians who espouse Postmillennialism or "Victorious Eschatology" claim that the current moral and spiritual challenges faced by humanity are no different than at other cycles throughout history. (2) This is the absolute height of denial. Never before in human history has mankind collectively had free access to graphic pornography. Never have we had such widespread sexual perversity and transgender chaos.
Nov 26, 2022 15 tweets 3 min read
(1) One of the worst fraudulent claims coming from Pretribulationists is the notion that if anyone expresses an eager expectation for the soon coming return of Jesus, they are therefore pre-trib. (2) Yes, both the Bible and many early Church writers repeatedly express an eager expectation and hope for the imminent return of Jesus. But this does not mean that they expected Him to return without any preceding signs or events? Such a suggestion is actually absurd.
Nov 15, 2022 18 tweets 3 min read
The Bible doesn’t actually teach that there will be a “One World Religion.” When many Christians hear this, they will object that Rev 13 seems to suggest otherwise:

“[The Beast] was given authority over every tribe, people, language, and nation. All those who live on the earth will worship it”… (Rev 13:7-8)
Nov 10, 2021 12 tweets 2 min read
The Olivet Discourse reference to the Coming of the Son of Man being like "lightening" flashing "from the east to the west" is actually a poor translation. Jesus is speaking of the light of the morning sun. Lightening doesn't shoot in any particular direction. The sunrise does. The Coming of God shining like the morning sun is actually a very clear and common theme found throughout the Old Testament.
Apr 26, 2021 8 tweets 2 min read
(1) Christians with sudden long term illness or injury face a doubly difficult dynamic. On one hand, accepting one's circumstances is a critical step in healthy processing. In fact, refusal to accept horrible circumstances often exacerbates and prolongs the emotional pain. (2) Living out the lyrics: "Whatever my lot, Thou hast taught me to say, 'It is well, it is well with my soul'" or as Job said, “Though He slay me, I will trust Him" (13:15) is a sign of genuine Christian maturity.
Mar 7, 2021 4 tweets 1 min read
(1) Black Hebrew Israelites and other anti-Semites commonly claim that the Jews who presently live in Israel are "fake Jews" not real "Israel" at all. I sometimes hear similar comments from theologically confused Christians. Here's a very simple way to refute this nonsense: (2) Speaking of the Antichrist's invasion and attack of Israel and Jerusalem in the last days, through the prophet Joel, the Lord says this:
Jan 27, 2021 14 tweets 2 min read
The New Testament teaching that Jesus will return in “glory” is rooted in several Old Testament texts that prophesy YHVH’s coming from heaven and shining forth like the dawn, as the rays of the morning sun radiating over the mountains to the southeast of Jerusalem. “The Lord came from Sinai and appeared to them from Seir; he shone on them from Mount Paran and came with ten thousand holy ones, with lightning from his right hand for them.” (Deuteronomy 33:2)
Dec 14, 2020 14 tweets 2 min read
(1) On one hand, it's really easy right now to look at any number of ideas and attitudes that are widespread within the church, and scoff. For example: I've been told by numerous commentators on my Youtube channel recently that the fact that I don't believe (for a second) that the Covid vaccination is the actual Mark of the Beast that I obviously work for Bill Gates and I am not even a Christian.
Dec 13, 2020 5 tweets 1 min read
I understand that it's very fashionable for Christian leaders to criticize some of the excesses that we're witnessing in the Church as it relates to political activism.

Be careful of broad-brushing and over-reacting, however. Is there a measure of idolatry present within the Church? Absolutely. Is everyone or even most who are engaged or passionate about politics committing the sin of idolatry? Of course not.
Oct 23, 2020 7 tweets 2 min read
I love @JohnPiper but abortion is not merely one of many equally relevant factors in this coming election. To equate @POTUS' sins with the societally acceptable wholesale slaughter of the single most innocent little lambs that this world has to offer is straight up bull. Addressing @JohnPiper article, the notion that all sins are equal is simply not biblical. Within God's laws, some sins called for banishment, others called for death (cf. Num 35:16 v Dt 19:18-19). Jesus Himself specifically spoke of the WEIGHTIER matters of God's law (Mat 23:23).