John,
I just finished the Iron Kingdom introduction again. I think I could read that forward 10 times, and not tire of it.
I believe that intro is among the best writing you have ever done. It held my attention throughout some very complex history there, and I found myself in tears about 2/3 the way through it this afternoon. That God would have me here, in this time, in this hour, with this understanding. It was more than I could take.
I felt so thankful to be here taking in the marvelous things God has revealed to you. We are among the most blessed. Everyone needs to hear this truth.
Gary
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Hey John,
I finished reading the Iron Kingdom Introduction, and I can hardly believe that you wrote this over ten years ago. How wonderful and up-to-date it is! I especially loved the “Foreward”, which I have read over and over again. It is the “who” that needs to be understood here, then, the learning follows. God help us and God’s children everywhere so that when this history, their history, is revealed, they will love it and obey it. They need much prayer and we need much to continue. This is the best history of Christianity and the Roman Empire anywhere, and not only history, but truth! I am thankful to be a part of the work God has given us to do. I am not sure when it will all take place, or if we will even be here when it does, but just to know that “the Lie” (and the “liar” who is behind it all) that is killing our brothers and sisters will be exposed by this book, gives me much to look forward to!
What a day that will be!
Amy
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Hi John,
I have read the forward and the Iron Kingdom introduction several times, and I love what I feel each time I read it. This morning I was reading it again and thinking about why I love it so much when I realized that you are telling who I am and what I believe! We are the body and are connected with you, and when you said, “I believe the Bible… Jesus has filled me with his Spirit and taught me, I am his servant” and “Christianity is an abomination…the saints must come out of Christianity…I am by the grace of God, a follower of Jesus, I am…not a Christian and not a part of the Church”, you were describing who we are and what we believe. This has been so good that I searched and found all of the Iron Kingdom emails that I had kept, and the Martin Luther email from a few years back, and I re-read them.
Like Amy, I hope I live long enough to read this book, and if not, there is a satisfaction in knowing it will expose Satan and his work, Christianity.
Randell
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Hi Pastor John,
I read the forward from Iron Kingdom…………wow! I never knew that Satan was cast out of heaven when Jesus ascended to heaven. I was at awe after I read it. It made Jesus even more precious. He was the sacrifice for everyone. My heart feels like its gonna burst with emotions. Love for Jesus, humility for what He has done. Disgust for the lie that Satan has been filling everyone and for how long this has been going on. Also blessed that my eyes and ears have heard the truth and my heart believes it. Thank you, I can’t wait for the rest!
God Bless,
Michelle
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Dear John,
I finally found the time to sit quietly , without numerous interruptions that plagued me for weeks, and read your IK Intro.
The Forward was very honest and touching. Sincere. Simple. I liked that.
The body of the Introduction was a masterpiece— not only of scholarship, but of brevity; in a detailed, articulate compilation of the history leading up to the establishment of the Iron Kingdom. The element that shone most brightly for me was your “conviction”. . . . and the “authority” by which that conviction is expressed. There is a fascinating intensity in what you’re describing, especially in the final paragraphs, which was chilling, and provoked anticipation for what is yet to come in the subsequent chapters. It is indeed a courageous work, and I am proud of you.
I feel the holy Spirit’s voice speaking boldly in your writing (yet with a courteous, scholarly tone), although many will not discern that, and will criticize the piece for its audacity, no doubt. (Yay! Bring it on!)
I have a question: Why did you use the word “Church” in the section on “Satan”?
(. . .”The apostles later would teach the Church. . . ” and “Jesus is the hero of everyone’s story, whether the story of the Church on earth. . “)
Sincerely,
Brad
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Hi Brad.
The reason the word “church” was still in there is that the Introduction was written maybe 12-15 years ago. I remembered writing it, and feeling bad if THAT was the Intro I would need if and when I ever did actually get the book written. But so much time passed that I lost it! I didn’t know where that Introduction was. Not knowing that I had lost it, Amy happened to find it on her computer one day and sent it to me. That made me very happy! I did not have the time, until two days ago, to read it again for myself, though so many ppl told me how it affected them that I decided to share with you all without proof-reading it first. Since I have now read it, and marked portions of it for improvement, certain places will be changed, including the parts you mentioned.
It was my feeling, before Amy rediscovered that Introduction, that with it, I had done my best, as far as introducing the subject matter and explaining my reasons for writing the book. I am more convinced of that now. When and if the book is ever published, that will be the Introduction that you will see in it.
Pray for us, that we can get this book done. This past week, I was able to read 7 more books and prepare them to be typed, so that we can start gathering the necessary material together. One of those books, Vigilantius and His Times (written by an Englishman in 1832), is a book that I wish everyone in the body of Christ could read. It is very well written and it paints a sobering picture of the abomination of Christianity in the decades after Constantine imposed his version of the faith of Jesus on the world. It’s main focus is a young man, Vigilantius, who after years of watching and learning from them, spoke out against the practices of some of the “greatest” Christian rulers of his time, such as the veneration of relics, self-abuse and the mind-set of monks and hermits, and praying to dead saints. His most vicious critic was “Saint” Jerome, a man who is called by Catholics a “doctor” of the Church, and a man who had enormous influence in the civilized world of that time.
John David found tonight that Vigilantius and His Times can be found and read for free at Google Books. I have not gone to Google books yet, but some of you may want to, just to see if you find this book as interesting as I did (even though it is almost 500 pages!)
Thanks for your thoughts. Please continue to pray for us.
jdc