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RESPONSES FROM READERS Harry Bethel "Have I become your enemy by telling you the truth?" (Gal. 4:16). Note: We have received many thousands of letters since going online in 1999. Below is a small sampling of the nice ones and the not-so-nice ones. We are very thankful for all of them---the good ones and the bad ones---and praise the Lord for hundreds of thousands of visitors. "You do realize that every single article you write is solely based on the Bible and nothing else. You base so much blind faith and ultimate devotion on this one book, when all it really is is just a big book of old philosophy that is blatantly hypocritical and too vague. So, in conclusion, you're a moron. A huge moron, unlike any morons I've ever had the misfortune to come across, ever. Have fun condemning people to eternal hell, moron." __________ "Your website is much too extreme. Does your wife agree with all of your stands? I have attended some "odd" churches in my time, and met some "hardcore" Christians, but you take the cake." NOTE: The above critic sent the following email after sending the one above:
"Well I enjoy your articles. I'm familiar with all of the concepts
because I used to live at a mission that was as extreme as you are as far
as being separated and taking the Bible literally. _________ [Response from a Jew after reading the article on the Holocaust] "MAY YOU BURN IN YOUR HELL." __________ [After reading the article on the Holocaust]: "All this hate mail you have been getting, are you wondering where it's coming from? Not all from me, this is my first, but my friends and I are doing it." __________ "After reading this article [on the Holocaust], I had the expected reaction for someone who is, herself, Jewish. I was outraged!...So, in general I would have to say that this article filled me with so much rage that I wanted to hunt down and strangle the author." __________ [From a woman after reading several articles] "You are the most bigoted, sexist, hypocritical, pretentious, ignorant, self-obsessed person that I have ever had the misfortune to come across." __________ "I know that you are a coward who does not know anything about their faith...I think you are just some stupid bastard that thinks he is the greatest. You are probably a Neo-Nazi or in the Clan or something like that." __________ "I went to your website and I was very offended about what was said about the Roman Catholic church...The Catholic church was made by God...I challenge you to go see a Catholic priest and have a debate with him over your beliefs." __________ "You are a fool. That is all that needs to be said. You are among the most hypocritical, close-minded, ignorant persons I have ever seen. It is people like you who ruin the Christian religion and give them all a bad name...Well guess what: [profanity]. It's views like that that destroy Christianity. Your "holy book" the Bible is filled to the brim with hypocrisy and opinion, but not a [profanity] thing that can be considered fact...Nothing said in that book has any bearing on whether or not I will be persecuted or blessed after I die, because it is a bunch of [profanity]. The only fundamentalist religion on the face of this earth that makes any sense whatsoever is Islam, which takes all the [profanity] in your Bible and eliminates the hypocrisy and [profanity] and gets rid of it, leaving us with a piece of work that makes sense on many levels. Unlike the text that you have so blindly devoted your pathetic life to." __________ "I believe that the Jews are God's chosen people who have been blessed with intelligence, wit, and compassion....I feel as though God has given me the task of caring for His Chosen people. It is because of this that I will pray for the destruction of this website..." __________ "I like most of your writings and agree with most of your work. But I disagree with your work on the rapture. I would appreciate it if you would get back with me on this subject. You are missing out on the hope that is in me." __________ "How could you possibly say the Ten Commandments are not for Christians!" __________ "I just finished reading your article, It's Time To Come Out of The Churches, and I have to say WOW! Your comments made me feel 'normal.' ________ "I just came upon your site this afternoon and have been reading almost all of your articles. I am blessed by them and even been convicted unto repentance of some things that I have seen that were sinful and not pleasing to the Father. Many of the articles have confirmed my own beliefs and things that I have found in my studies of God's word, although many friends do not agree, especially when it comes to not finding a scriptural basis for the pre-trib rapture. (It's a lonely walk)." _________ "I just wanted to thank you for sharing what the Lord has shared with you in your labors. I have read a majority of your articles and pretty much everything you have shared has been what the Lord has taught me over the years. He has never allowed me to be involved in the denominational system from the first day He drew me in and saved me. I, too, have only a select few in my community who desire true fellowship and communion time with one another and the Lord. So, it has been refreshing to have stumbled upon your website (I know I didn't stumble upon it, I was directed). Some of the truths you have shared are difficult to swallow, but I do respect you for not watering down what you believe, as I am this way too and don't have too many friends because of it.. Anyway, I Praise the Lord for a brother such as yourself who is willing to share with all of us out here, from your intense, laborious studies. By the way, I was especially blessed by your article on "Divorce and Remarriage" as it definitely confirmed what the Lord taught me last year. May God Bless and Keep you Brother Harry!!!" _________ "Sir, your teachings are so profound, so spirit led, and so scriptural that I almost weep at reading them, knowing that the church has fallen from the truth of God's Word, as you have shared." _________ "Harry: Really enjoying many of your writings...Oh mannnnnnnnnnnnn ... I'm being stretched! But like I said earlier in my first email, Prophets have ALWAYS been known to stretch EVERYONE. And, so much of what you write needs to be said. It truly does." ________ "Dear Harry, ________ "Sir, My reply: Thank you very much for the email. I did not say that there are no seminaries or Bible colleges teaching the truth. Rather, what I said was "the Lord made it clear to him the astonishing truth that what Christians needed to learn in these last days of apostasy is not taught in any Bible college or seminary." This is true. I said there are no scripturally organized local churches or God-sent pastors. This is true. All you have to do is show me just one of each and that will refute my claim. I never said that the only people saved are those who think and believe in lockstep with me. There are millions of Christians today who would go to heaven if they died today. I am not deceived by my own teachings, they are all true, given to me by the Holy Spirit of Jesus Christ. You have made several bold accusations, for which you will have to account to Jesus on the Day of Judgment, but you have not refuted one single thing I have written. Your attack is typical of the very state of the vast majority of Christians today, about whom I write. Have a nice evening. In Christ Jesus, Harry Bethel "Thank you for your uncompromising biblical teaching...I have gleaned much scriptural truth from your website that has not only enhanced, but revolutionized my walk with the Lord Jesus Christ." __________ "I am so excited about your articles. I feel the same way. I can count on my hand the number of men and women who go for the truth, the deeper life." _________ "I was one of those who responded with favor to all your articles. I really love all of them and agree with all of them. I was wondering when you are going to write more. I am so looking forward to reading them." _________ "I was just doing a Google
search for pretrib rapture, false doctrine, when I found your site.
I will definitely save it on my favorites list. I quickly read
several articles and I have to agree with most everything you have
written. Most all of the church is deceived and only a small remnant
see the truth. We left "church" many years ago.... _________ "I ran across your website and want to commend you for the straight, no-nonsense, Bible-based counsel and wisdom. I pray the Lord will continue to bless this important ministry, that Christians would be edified by it and that the lost would be convicted for their sins and brought to a saving faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. God's richest blessings on you" _________ "I am a born-again Christian, and have always had struggles with pornography and television addiction. That still small voice (Holy Spirit) has been trying to get my attention regarding these sins, so yesterday I gave my month's notice to cancel internet at home. Then this morning, I felt led to do a search for "Christians Television", and came to your website. Your article on should Christians watch TV has confirmed to me that I should get rid of it. I have compromised for too long, and it's time to return to Jesus, and prepare for the days ahead. Thank you for your website." _________ "I just want to let you know I appreciate your work a lot. You just tell it like it is, no compromise. It is so good to find such a website among the ever increasing online religious junk. I read so far about five articles and I am planning to read all of them this weekend. Keep up the good work brother and do not let those many venomous mails you receive discourage you. I am sure there are still many who appreciate truthful teaching." __________ "I found your site recently and I really enjoy it! If you preached your sermons to churches today, you'd start a revolt! That is if the congregants actually paid attention. You are not fluff and feathers - you're the real deal and we need more people like you who are not afraid to boldly proclaim Christ! May the Lord bless you and your ministry." ____________ "I'm wonderfully surprised and grateful to Almighty GOD and Jesus Christ that you have the boldness in Christ to tell the whole Truth of GOD'S Word, rather than the popular, watered down and perverted words that is taught in the majority of apostate churches today. Our Heavenly Father must be appalled and disappointed at morally decayed professing Christians. I Thank GOD that when I diligently sought His Truth, that He opened my eyes and heart spiritually. I'm eager to obey and follow His Way even if it costs me so-called friends and family. The Holy Spirit brings to me, that Christ said that our family are the people that do the will of GOD. It is so few of us today that truly follow Christ's Way, because we don't want to Deny Self, and take up our cross daily." __________ "Your website has literally blown me away. I don't know where to start or what to do next...I will keep reading what you have written, and hope to find a direction." __________ "Mr. Bethel----Thank you for your absolutely beautiful response to my letter about wives in submission and its abuse. I was thoroughly overwhelmed by your intelligence and eloquence. You have definitely gained some respect here. Thank you for even answering my letter at all. Your insight and profound language were icing on the cake!!! I am sincerely touched by your intellect and eloquence." __________ "I left my church two months ago. I started feeling very uneasy when they became a purpose-driven church. I started doing research on Rick Warren and it really opened my eyes. I'm staying in the Word more than ever. Now everyone keeps pressing me to find a church. I started to feel guilty until I found your website. Thank you so much for making me know that I made the right decision. God bless you..." __________ "The Holy Spirit leads me to send my Christian Greetings to you and to send my support to you for your web site in these last and desperate days of apostasy and depravity and decadence in this world. As Jesus warned us "as it was in the days of Noah...." So we can already see this world has become again. It is amazing how the Lord is leading so many of His true believing men throughout the world to this point of realisation and declaration that almost the whole of the formal Christian church is now deliriously apostate, and that those who truly believe must come out of it. There is also a great impetus in this movement of the Holy Spirit to research and reconsider with an open unbiased mind what the whole of Holy Scripture really teaches, and that much of what the formal church has been teaching just is not what is actually in The Scriptures. I have been led to produce web sites myself as a true elder of the Church, which I currently have under construction, and which are proclaiming many of the similar things to yours. So may the blessings and strength of the Lord be upon you, and may He continue to use you mightily, my brother." __________ "I was hoping that anytime that you are speaking in Virginia that you could...tell me about it. I am interested in hearing you speak. I would appreciate it. Thank you!" __________ "I would like to congratulate you on a task well done. I read your list of articles and you seem to be right on in your view of things. In my 27 years as a believer you are the first person I have encountered who seems so completely to agree with what the Lord has been teaching me." __________ "Well done!!!! Finally someone who is listening to God, and not to the teachings of man." __________ "My name is ____ and I've been reading your articles all summer. First of all I want to say thanks because your articles are real eye openers." __________ "I recently found out about your website. And I spent the last two days reading your articles. It was an unexpected pleasure to find a serious treatment of various topics and explained within brief, no-nonsense, no-fluff writings. Your articles have given me much to think about, and for that, I thank you. Please keep me updated on any new materials added to this site..." __________ "I have been reading the articles over and over for the past few months and have been both touched immensely by the power of God and convicted of the many things that are not right in my heart and actions. Thank you for the work you have done in publishing these articles so that believers like me can learn to seek God in a deeper way. I am a South African living in the UK and for a few years now I have been trying to find a 'church' that I can begin fellowshipping with that steers away from teaching a watered-down version of the Gospel and truly seeks to discover what is right in God. (Even Christian TV and the so-called 'God Channel' seem frightfully satisfied with being lukewarm.) Perhaps I haven't been looking hard enough, but I have been unable to find any Christian gathering that satisfies the aforementioned criteria. So, this is probably a long shot, but do you have any contacts in England that may be worth getting in contact with?" __________ "You are a dynamic individual. You have been chosen to preach a tough and true message. As a result, I doubt many get to know you as you truly are. I suppose there have been, and will be, people that are afraid of you when they meet you in person. I see this as a result of the Spirit upon you and what it may represent for their future." __________ "Thank you for your site. The abortion pictures confirmed something I have believed all along. I could never grasp the idea that there is no suffering to the child aborted. The pictures on your site shown publicly in news broadcasts, schools and hospitals would have a far bigger impact than we might ever know. I have believed in the words of Psalm 139 in their entirety. I was not aborted, I was adopted at birth---that choice was not mine to make, neither was it the choice of those created and destroyed. There is no way for me to express the emotion that bowled me over and I thank you for taking the time to be honest and truthful." __________ "My name is ______ and I just read your page. I just watched the Anne Frank story on NBC and I came online to read about the Holocaust. I think your page is incredible...Only now am I realizing how awesome God is and what the majority of the world is missing out on. Your page stresses the importance of the Bible perspective on many things like abortion and the Holocaust, things that are so crucial, and I thank you for that. I feel like a lot of times things in the world are done to satisfy the person's wants, not what is right or ethical, or what the Bible truly says about things. The abortion article was so amazing and just proved to me once again that what's best for the baby is not always what the mother or father has in mind. Thank you for putting a page on the Internet that is more than pornography or useless things. This page is a gift from God and has the potential to touch many lives. God is so awesome and I thank Him everyday for the things He has done in people's lives through things like the Holocaust and abortion [articles]. God bless you in all your endeavors to come and many blessings in the future." __________ "I greatly enjoy your website. I'm studying the Bible to confirm that your teachings are truly from God and so far have not found anything contrary to the Word." __________ "I just want to send you a note to say, I appreciate the Lord for sending Bethel Ministries in such a time as this. I have been re-assured of so many things I have always known in my heart and yet never heard preached or taught completely or were just completely twisted. Now when I study, the Holy Spirit is ministering to me so much more freely and my love for the Lord and His Word has been revived, set free from the heaps of teachings all over the place that were like a prison suffocating my inner man. Sometimes it felt like I was all alone in what the Holy Spirit was showing me until He led me to the window called Bethel. Over the last seven years I have put off many things that I thought were the truth and found it amazing how we can see in Scripture something that is really not there but we have been taught by men to believe it is there. He rewards those who diligently seek Him. I thank God for you." __________ "Hi Harry, Just want you to know that you still got good stuff! :) and that I had included your URL a few years ago on one of my pages...keep on preachin' it!" ___________ "Finding your site has given such clarity and witness to what the Spirit has tried to tell me for years. Like a fool, I ran to the "pastors" asking about the meaning of scripture, for I did not trust what the Spirit told me...I found your website and shared it with [my husband]. I told him that I have searched the Scriptures and that the Spirit testifies through the Word that you are correct; to check it out himself...I've learned that everything we do with amusements and such are a diversion to get our attention off our Lord. I'm sick of polluting my mind with it all. God bless you." __________ "As an associate pastor in a new ministry I have been moved by what I have read! I am totally overwhelmed by what I have always been taught as "right and doctrinal"!...you are a blessing from above. May the Lord continually bless you and yours!" __________ "I believe that your message is a message of Truth in these last days, a Truth that makes all the difference between life and death in eternity. I cannot even begin to express my gratitude to you for being obedient to the Lord and persevering/overcoming in Him...It was very difficult for me to accept a number of those Truths which I believe God inspired you to write about, but I did." __________ "I have been reading several articles on your website. I sent a few of them to myself for more in-depth reading. Your article on abortion tears the heart right out of my chest. How horrific. The Lord has blessed my dear husband and I with 4 boys thus far. I cherish them all the more after reading that article. Children are truly a gift from God." __________ "Your article on Bible versions is fantastic. I have been researching this for a couple of years. You stated what needed to be said in a clear, concise manner, which would take another volumes to explain." __________ "I have been reading your articles for over two hours. WOW!...I have been challenged (to say the least) by your articles, and plan to read the rest as soon as possible. Thank you." __________ "You are truly a blessing unto the people of God. It has many times been said that the truly great ones aren't known. I believe this when it comes to you. If more people knew who you were, then they would be blessed!" __________ "I hardly know where to begin; your messages are so persuasive and clear, and timely, in the sense of fitting into the prophetic calendar, as it pertains to the preparation of God's people for the Second Coming of the Lord...What can I do but comply?...The balance you ascertain that exits between the Charismatic and Dispensational Fundamentalist extremes is just the thing we need." __________ "I prayerful read [your articles]. For me this is 100% scriptural. I believe this is the only message to bring man back to God...I pray God also that you would love to come personally [to the Philippines] to help me with the work to minister to us through public crusade or seminar." __________ "Congratulations on a REALLY GREAT web site! TO THE POINT! You are now #2 on my recommended website list (#2 so you don't get a "swelled head"). Blessings on you." __________ "The Lord has given you some excellent insights to go with the teaching gift He has given you. From my brief perusal of your website I saw a lot of spirit-inspired thoughts that the Church needs to take to heart." __________ "I just read your article on Divorce and Remarriage. WOW." __________ "Indeed it is "strong meat" as you say, but isn't that what we need to grow into? (Heb. 5:12). Those who refuse must 'again [be taught]...the oracles of God.' While you are straight forward and concise, I did not sense this "holier than thou" attitude that so often accompanies "radical" teachings. You expressed the principles precisely, yet lovingly; you have been used to convict without condemning; you have been anointed to point out error, yet also to provide practical, scriptural application of truth. The Holy Spirit "revealed" the truths you have published, to you in a very succinct way. It was new revelation of timeless truth already expressed in God's Word, but "hidden" by the blindness of our flesh." __________ "Thank You! I have been searching a long time to find another conservative who believes the Bible still means what it says." __________ "Thank you so much!!! Magnificent site!!! You have answered questions that I have had for a long time...You are the first to be able to explain [doctrine] to me, USING THE BIBLE to back up your claims...Loved it all so far, I have to go back. I totally agree with you. It is wonderful to find someone using Scriptural Truths to back up their statements, rather than church traditions and accepted norms, or misinterpretations. Keep up the good work, and God bless!!!" __________ "I have appreciated many of your writings over the years...it is refreshing to continue to read material that is borne out of deep conviction and biblical study...I continue to look forward to what you have to share with the Body of Christ. Keep up the good work!" __________ "I think your site is just great! Everything I've read so far lines up with the Scriptures, and that is what we need in this world today! More true blue Christians!...May your good work be the means of opening the eyes of many wayward pastors and teachers. And may the Lord God continually bless and keep you steadfast in His work for Him!!!!" __________ "Well, I will say that you mince NO words and get to the point quite succinctly. Hallelujah...I thought Glory, do I know some people who need to read this...I'm surely going to ask the Holy Spirit to search my heart...Thank you!!" __________ "I cannot express with words the encouragement and joy I received when I read [your articles]...[They] spoke specifically of the very changes that I have been trying to make and always felt like I was being too fanatical." __________ "Some of the things in your articles were things that I had been led by God to understand but I have never found anyone else who understood...Much of what you wrote could be learned from books but the depth of some of the understanding displayed...was not learned directly from books. I believe it had to have been revealed to you...[They] don't have the ring of Catholic, Baptist, Methodist, Church of God, Mennonite, Amish, or any of the many other "churches" I have studied." __________ "I have been following your site and am very impressed with your heart and teachings." __________ "Praise God for your ministry, I just came across it on 1/12/01. I was looking for some material on the false teaching on the rapture and I thank God for this ministry teaching the pure truth. I have been teaching exactly what you say for the past 5 years, that's when I realized what the Word of God was saying about our gathering together to Him (2 Thess. 2:1-12). I do hope and pray that many others who are teaching the false doctrine read your website. May God continue to bless your ministry." __________ "Your articles are informative and eye opening. By reading it has caused me to seek to read my Bible and to have a more meaningful relationship with God. May God bless you." __________ "I have checked out the web site. What a blessing. Loved the truths set down for my divorced friends that previously seemed without hope. Keep up the good work in Jesus. Can't find much truth in Church any longer. I'm still blessed to be leading folks to the Lord, but I don't attend Church but have come out of the Harlot Church of Babylon." __________ "I trust and pray that your wonderful website is touching thousands with the much needed truth in the current apostasy so prevalent in today's body of believers." __________ "My heart and spirit already knew what you had in print; I just needed a bold confirmation to take proper action to the few remaining besetting weights...I've got Christian friends scattered all over who need to read these." __________ "...I have found them to be very thought provoking...Some of the things you wrote were a real challenge to my thinking...Your challenge to be truly pilgrims and strangers...has been a reminder of how easy it is to take an easy road and let our minds think around problems to avoid making hard decisions that would truly show our willingness to trust God completely." __________ "I'm just thankful you print a truthful word and that God is preparing hearts to receive them. In this time of such uncertainty it is refreshing to know the Truth is yet still available through the dedicated believers of Jesus Christ." __________ "I checked out several of your articles (divorce/remarriage, and pre-trib rapture). I am sure that you have also found if you mention "doctrine of demons" concerning pre-trib, it really riles people up..." __________ "I think the articles and web pages are great, keep up the good work. I am a youth minister at..." __________ "Your web site is tremendous. You did a great job. You are a blessing to this generation. Thanks a million!!!!" __________ "After reading several of your articles I was encouraged and forwarded your site to several people....It was such a blessing to know that I'm not the only one who feels the way I do in some of these areas!...Praise Jesus!" __________ "Found your site interesting and apparently accurate in the materials presented---accurate 'cuz we agree!" __________ "Hello! I was wondering if there is a specific reason why there isn't any info on who you are or your affiliation? These are interesting articles and I wanted to learn about who wrote them. Any particular reason why this info is omitted? Thanks and God bless you!" [Note: I added "About The Author" a few weeks after receiving this email] __________ "...I have been giving your address to all those that I know will benefit from its [the site's] wonderful essays and reports." __________ "I, as God-appointed leader in my home enjoyed the information on this site....I thank you, for this information, it is confirmation that we are going the right way." __________ |
