“He is the Rock, His work is perfect; for all His ways are judgment: a God of truth and without iniquity, just and right is He” (Deuteronomy 32:4).
We received the following responses to What Happened to Kyle Lake (pastor electrocuted in baptistery):
I don’t know how you got e-mail address, but I wish to NEVER receive e-mails from you again. I am a member of UBC and am very offended by your “advice” and views on what happened to our beloved pastor. I cannot believe you would send such an offensive, ignorant, rude, arrogant, and prideful e-mail to a community who is still mourning. Fortunately, “true members of the body of Christ” have reached out to us, and continue to do so. However, I request that you PLEASE take me off your mailing list and that you would examine your own heart instead of just reciting things you have been taught.
And:
Upon further consideration, I would like to know how you got my e-mail address.
Thank you,
Debra
Our reply:
Debra, Paul here.
Your address came to us from the University Baptist forum.
Victor has replied to your letter as follows, which I hope you will read and consider for your good.
Debra, you are supposed to be taking evil graciously, as did the Lord Jesus Christ, if you are a true Christian:
“For what glory is it if you patiently endure while sinning and being buffeted? But if you suffer while doing good, and patiently endure, this is a grace from God. For were you not called to this? For Christ also suffered on our behalf, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps, He Who did no sin, nor was guile found in His mouth, Who when He was reviled did not revile in return. When He suffered, He did not threaten, but gave Himself up to Him Who judges righteously” (1 Peter 2:20-23).
This is assuming we are doing you evil, which we are not. Nor are we doing anyone else evil. Therefore, by this letter, you fall abysmally short of true Christian conduct. Who are you then to judge who are “true members of the Body of Christ”? It is the truth that makes free, not opinions, speculations, theories, theology, nor yet lies, false doctrines or evil surmisings. We are not giving you advice or opinion. That is the kind of thing that slew Kyle and will slay you all, unless you repent. We are speaking the Truth, something with which you are quite unfamiliar.
You rebuke us for “reciting things we have been taught.” Does that not depend upon who has taught us? If man has taught us, then we would do well to take your advice and reconsider, but if God has taught us, then can you fault us for “shouting from the housetops that which He has whispered in our ears”? Shall we declare that which He has commanded us, or should we listen to someone who has followed a “beloved pastor,” who has taught lies and has thus been judged before his entire congregation by God, slain no less? Why do you think that happened? An accident? Even if accidental, where is God to save and protect? Have you no idea whatsoever of what the Scriptures testify? Read:
“I have been young, and am old; yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken, or his seed begging bread” (Psalms 37:25).
And what of Elisha, when surrounded by alien armies sent to seek his life? He said to his servant:
“Do not fear, for those with us are more than those with them. And Elisha prayed and said, I pray You, Jehovah, open his eyes so that he may see. And Jehovah opened the eyes of the young man, and he saw. And behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire round about Elisha” (2 Kings 6:16-17).
Whether external or internal, the Lord is alive, fully present and capable of protecting and keeping the one committed to His charge:
“And he said, If you will carefully listen to the voice of Jehovah your God, and will do that which is right in His sight, and will give ear to His commandments, and keep all His Laws, I will put none of these diseases upon you, which I have brought upon the Egyptians; for I am Jehovah Who heals you” (Exodus 15:26).
What good is there in a promise of prevention of disease when you are electrocuted? Think about it, Debra. You are altogether wrong, you and all those who think as do you. You simply do not believe.
To those who were commenting on the destruction of others, Jesus gave warning that unless they repented, they would likewise perish. Be warned.
You, Debra, are the one reciting that which you would do well to re-examine, in fact, repent of. We know our God; you know another. If you knew the Lord (which is the Biblical definition of a true believer in Christ), you would not dare say the things you say to us. You would not be able to do so. Your pastor, as nice a fellow as he may have been, preached another Jesus, and as Christ’s true ambassadors, it is our solemn obligation and privilege to do as Enoch prophesied would come:
“Enoch, the seventh after Adam, prophesied of them: ‘Look! The Master comes with thousands of holy angels to bring judgment against them all, convicting each person of every defiling act of shameless sacrilege, of every dirty word they have spewed of their pious filth'” (Jude 1:14-15 The Message).
“Surprise me, God”? That is blasphemy, Debra. Where do you find any such conduct in Scripture recorded as an example or testimony of pious living and faith before God? Be thankful that you did not perish that day. Be thankful for the warning. He is finished winking at your insults and those of false teachers and prophets misrepresenting Him in all their ways. Let the calamity that befell Kyle, as it did on Nadab and Abihu, be a fruitful warning, and not a wasted event for silly speculations:
“That same day Nadab and Abihu, Aaron’s sons, took their censers, put hot coals and incense in them, and offered ‘strange’ fire to GOD–something GOD had not commanded. Fire blazed out from GOD and consumed them–they died in God’s presence” (Leviticus 10:1-2 The Message).
Their father, Aaron, was not even permitted to mourn for his own sons in this matter. Are you indeed mourning for Kyle? Are you sure you are not offending? You are not sure of anything, are you Debra? You grope in darkness, you and all your church. That is why you cannot see your iniquities for looking, even when judgment befalls you. Meanwhile, you embrace the solaces of those who sympathize with you instead of repenting of your wickedness. And when we come speaking truth for all your sakes, you revile us as you do here. Read:
“You can trust a friend who corrects you, but kisses from an enemy are nothing but lies” (Proverbs 27:6 CEV).
“The kind of thing with Nadab and Abihu only happens in the Old Testament,” you say? Read Acts 5, concerning the holy record of Ananias and his wife Sapphira, and how God dealt with them. There are many testimonies in Scripture to rebuke your attitude and stance against us and more gravely, against God, Whom you address in this letter without knowledge or knowing what you are doing.
We are not speaking in vain, as the religious idiots you make us out to be, found everywhere in the world. We are speaking to religious idiots. You need to repent, big time. You are taking upon yourself His Name in vain. He will and does not hold you guiltless for that. Better to be an atheistic prostitute, who does not confess His Name. “I would that you were hot or cold…” (Revelation 3:15).
Try reading Our Testimonies concerning the examination of our hearts, as you suggest; The True Marks of a Cult and So You Want to Walk with Jesus concerning the examination of your own heart.
Unless you engage us, we will not be writing to you again, Lord willing.
Contending earnestly for the faith once delivered to the saints (Jude 3),
Victor Hafichuk