LSM Double Standard
It seems to me that there is a double standard at work here. Without doing extensive research here are two examples. I am sure there are more.
Example 1.
Bro Dong Yu Lan
In his International Conference at Estancia Árvore da Vida in February 2005, Brother Dong said that when Matthew, Mark, and Luke wrote their Gospels, they were not in the Spirit. (Pg 4 of coworkers' letter)
Bro Lee's speaking
James’ epistle is “surely not the words of God.”
W. Lee, Life-study of James, p. 131
Concerning many things, “James’ word…may be godly, but it is not God’s word.”
W. Lee, Life-study of James, Message 14, p. 131
The words may be different but I understand both to say that this is man's word, not God's. That is, a double standard is being applied by the authors of this letter.
Example 2
Bro Dong Yu Lan
Brother Dong claims to have received a vision of Revelation 12 based on the shape of the continents on a world map. This vision has been widely promoted by Brother Dong and his co-workers. Its effect is to exalt the role of Brother Dong s work. For example, Brother Dong's interpretation of Revelation 12 gives South America a central role in God s move both now and in the end times. He teaches that South America will be the wilderness where God's people will find refuge during the great tribulation. Based on the world map, Brother Dong teaches that the shape of the combined continents of Europe and Asia resemble a dragon and that the outline of Africa resembles a fetus, which he claims indicates that Africa has a particular relationship to the producing of the man-child in Revelation 12. Based on this he claims that South America has a special commission to spread Brother Dong's teaching and work to Africa. On maps created to depict this teaching, South America is portrayed as a cluster of grapes, the emblem of Brother Dong's publishing enterprise, indicating that his ministry will be the source of food for the entire earth.
(Pg 6 of coworkers' letter)
Bro Lee's speaking
I clearly remember bro Lee teaching that the American eagle is an indication that the US continent may well be the wilderness during the Great Tribulation based on the reference of flying on eagles wings (Rev 12:14). If memory serves me correctly there was the further implication that the local churches need to be raised up so that they can nourish the ones that flee to the wilderness.
(Sorry I have no time right now to locate the exact quote.)
While I do prefer the second speculation, both are just that, speculation. It seems to me that a blatant double standard is in play when one is rebuked for his speculation and its implications while the other's speculation are regarded as the Oracle of God's speaking.
Steve
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