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Black Citizens of America

December 11, 2021July 16, 2025 by Laura Lee

by Ray Daly (Lincoln, North Dakota)
“Their Past History” The following information comes from a number of sources, but for those that would like to have an overview of what I am reporting, they can look up a book written by J.N. Andrews, and L.R. Conrad. Titled: “Early Christianity in Africa”. Consider this one quote from their writing. “Africa received the light of the Gospel in the first century of the Christian Church.” Other sources show that this “light” came as a result of the Levite Barnabas and his nephew Mark taking the Gospel message to Ethiopia, just after Paul and Barnabas had parted company for a while. We have an Old Testament witness of a close relationship of the Ethiopians with the Jewish religion. This was when the “Ethiopians” helped Jeremiah, when the latter had been thrown into an empty water pit. As well, we have a New Testament witness that shows Philip going with the Gospel message to an “Ethiopian Eunuch”, whom was on his way home after attending Jewish services in Jerusalem. Notice the influence this Ethiopian Eunuch had in Ethiopia. “A man of Ethiopia. An eunuch of great authority under Candace…Who had charge of her treasure and had come to Jerusalem to worship.” Acts 8:26+ Another report states that at the end of the first century AD, the Ethiopians (now Christians) received the new Canon directly from the hands of “Mark”. Known also as John. It would have been this John Mark that wrote the book of John, and the three letters of John. This Canon was exactly the same as the New Testament books we have today. With the exception of the book of Revelation, which was not a part of said Canon. I won’t cover it here, but it is Scripturally and historically supported that it was John the Baptist that wrote Revelation. But back to the story line. Christianity in Black Africa. It seems that the Ethiopian Church carried the Gospel message to the rest of Black Africa. Which ran all the way through central Africa. Not only were they Christians per se, but they were Sabbath observing Christians. And, like the early Pilgrims in America, they were “deists”. Keep this “deist” comment in mind for later in this report. The above was the way Africa was up until the c.1100’s AD. This was the time when the militant minded Islamists came from Arabia. When we read “militant minded Islamists”, think Amalekites. Or today’s terrorists and their forced converted allies. These Islamists began to force the black Christians to either choose Islam or choose death. It seems that most of the Christian blacks chose death. Though some changed to Islam, and today are the terrorists of Africa. However, there came a time that said Islamists needed money to continue to function. So, they began to set aside the most likely blacks, and “sold them as slaves” to the eastern countries. Arabia, India, and further east. There is some evidence that pockets of these “Sabbath” observers still exist in some areas of south Asia. The warfare against black Christians continued westward. Then came the time when European interests began to settle in the islands of the Caribbean. Their purpose was to grow food for their European peoples. But they needed labor. So, they began to buy black servants from the Islamist forces that needed the money. In a sense, by purchasing said blacks from Africa, many blacks were saved alive. Had they not been sold, they would likely have been killed, or forced to become terrorists themselves. Actually, said blacks likely would have been much better off if there wasn’t a major problem. One which is likely, how the “servant blacks” became known of as “slaves”. Said major problem being the following. The blacks were, as mentioned earlier, “Sabbath observing Christians, and deists”. However, their owners from Europe were “Sunday observing Christians, and trists”. In conclusion. It would seem obvious that most of the problems that came about in the US, was not so much one of differing colors, but rather of differing “days of worship”, the Sabbath or Sunday, and the number of those that were worshipped. Two or three.

by Ray Daly (Lincoln, North Dakota)

“Their Past History”
            The following information comes from a number of sources, but for those that would like to have an overview of what I am reporting, they can look up a book written by J.N. Andrews, and L.R. Conrad. Titled: “Early Christianity in Africa”.
            Consider this one quote from their writing. “Africa received the light of the Gospel in the first century of the Christian Church.” Other sources show that this “light” came as a result of the Levite Barnabas and his nephew Mark taking the Gospel message to Ethiopia, just after Paul and Barnabas had parted company for a while.
            We have an Old Testament witness of a close relationship of the Ethiopians with the Jewish religion. This was when the “Ethiopians” helped Jeremiah, when the latter had been thrown into an empty water pit. As well, we have a New Testament witness that shows Philip going with the Gospel message to an “Ethiopian Eunuch”, whom was on his way home after attending Jewish services in Jerusalem. Notice the influence this Ethiopian Eunuch had in Ethiopia. “A man of Ethiopia. An eunuch of great authority under Candace…Who had charge of her treasure and had come to Jerusalem to worship.” Acts 8:26+
            Another report states that at the end of the first century AD, the Ethiopians (now Christians) received the new Canon directly from the hands of “Mark”. Known also as John. It would have been this John Mark that wrote the book of John, and the three letters of John. This Canon was exactly the same as the New Testament books we have today. With the exception of the book of Revelation, which was not a part of said Canon. I won’t cover it here, but it is Scripturally and historically supported that it was John the Baptist that wrote Revelation.
            But back to the story line. Christianity in Black Africa. It seems that the Ethiopian Church carried the Gospel message to the rest of Black Africa. Which ran all the way through central Africa. Not only were they Christians per se, but they were Sabbath observing Christians. And, like the early Pilgrims in America, they were “deists”. Keep this “deist” comment in mind for later in this report.
            The above was the way Africa was up until the c.1100’s AD. This was the time when the militant minded Islamists came from Arabia. When we read “militant minded Islamists”, think Amalekites. Or today’s terrorists and their forced converted allies. These Islamists began to force the black Christians to either choose Islam or choose death. It seems that most of the Christian blacks chose death. Though some changed to Islam, and today are the terrorists of Africa.
            However, there came a time that said Islamists needed money to continue to function. So, they began to set aside the most likely blacks, and “sold them as slaves” to the eastern countries. Arabia, India, and further east. There is some evidence that pockets of these “Sabbath” observers still exist in some areas of south Asia.
            The warfare against black Christians continued westward. Then came the time when European interests began to settle in the islands of the Caribbean. Their purpose was to grow food for their European peoples. But they needed labor. So, they began to buy black servants from the Islamist forces that needed the money. In a sense, by purchasing said blacks from Africa, many blacks were saved alive. Had they not been sold, they would likely have been killed, or forced to become terrorists themselves.
            Actually, said blacks likely would have been much better off if there wasn’t a major problem. One which is likely, how the “servant blacks” became known of as “slaves”. Said major problem being the following.
            The blacks were, as mentioned earlier, “Sabbath observing Christians, and deists”. However, their owners from Europe were “Sunday observing Christians, and trists”.
            In conclusion. It would seem obvious that most of the problems that came about in the US, was not so much one of differing colors, but rather of differing “days of worship”, the Sabbath or Sunday, and the number of those that were worshipped. Two or three.

Iron Sharpening Iron In regard to: Black Citizens of America Article by Ray Daly Comments by RH (Unknown)
I was reading this article by Ray Daly and was wondering if he has any information on the quote below about John the Baptist being the one who wrote the book of Revelation being scriptural. It’s pretty clear this John was executed early in the ministry of Jesus/Yeshua and that “the other John” was exiled on the island of Patmos for preaching the Christian gospel message when he received the Revelation from Yeshua. Ray also states that Mark, also known as John Mark, wrote the Book of John and his 3 letters of the New Testament. What evidence is there to support this idea? I’m very curious to look into these statements or claims. I don’t think I’ve ever run across these ideas. Black Citizens of America by Ray Daly (Lincoln, North Dakota) https://church-of-god-bismarck.org/newsletter/black-citizens-of-america-ezp-558?chapter=903 This is a quote from Ray Daly’s article: “….. Another report states that at the end of the first century AD, the Ethiopians (now Christians) received the new Canon directly from the hands of “Mark”. Known also as John. It would have been this John Mark that wrote the book of John, and the three letters of John. This Canon was exactly the same as the New Testament books we have today. With the exception of the book of Revelation, which was not a part of said Canon. I won’t cover it here, but it is Scripturally and historically supported that it was John the Baptist that wrote Revelation.”

Iron Sharpening Iron
In regard to: Black Citizens of America
Article by Ray Daly
Comments by RH (Unknown)

I was reading this article by Ray Daly and was wondering if he has any information on the quote below about John the Baptist being the one who wrote the book of Revelation being scriptural. It’s pretty clear this John was executed early in the ministry of Jesus/Yeshua and that “the other John” was exiled on the island of Patmos for preaching the Christian gospel message when he received the Revelation from Yeshua.

Ray also states that Mark, also known as John Mark, wrote the Book of John and his 3 letters of the New Testament. What evidence is there to support this idea?

I’m very curious to look into these statements or claims. I don’t think I’ve ever run across these ideas.

Black Citizens of America
by Ray Daly (Lincoln, North Dakota)

https://church-of-god-bismarck.org/newsletter/black-citizens-of-america-ezp-558?chapter=903

This is a quote from Ray Daly’s article:
“….. Another report states that at the end of the first century AD, the Ethiopians (now Christians) received the new Canon directly from the hands of “Mark”. Known also as John. It would have been this John Mark that wrote the book of John, and the three letters of John. This Canon was exactly the same as the New Testament books we have today. With the exception of the book of Revelation, which was not a part of said Canon. I won’t cover it here, but it is Scripturally and historically supported that it was John the Baptist that wrote Revelation.”

Iron Sharpening Iron In regard to: Black Citizens of America Article by Ray Daly Comments by Ray Daly (Lincoln, North Dakota)
Let’s take it one at a time. Starting with who wrote the book of Revelation. First, Jesus said of John the Baptist the following. Luke 16:16. “The law and the prophets were until John [speaking of the Baptist], since then the kingdom of God has been preached.” Revelation is almost totally a book of prophecies. Thus, it basically had to be written by John the Baptist, or Jesus made a mistake. The individual can do as many have, they can check out the material offered to them on the net or in books like so many others, including myself, have done. But I’ll present only one point, that being the book of Revelation, and who wrote it. First, Jesus said this about John the Baptist Luke 16:16. “The law and the PROPHETS were until John, since then the kingdom of God has been preached”. Now the book of Revelation is almost all prophecy. Thus, was Jesus mistaken when he said the words above? Secondly, the individual can search this out also. But history shows, especially the early Roman history, shows that the book of Revelation did not become a part of the New Testament until the latter 300′ AD. Their reasoning was that it “had no apostolic support”. They were basically forced to add it by Augustine, bishop of Hippo in Africa. He wanted it added for the words of Rev. 22:18. He was having problems with a number of his “ministers” adding other non-Scriptural writings to the Canon. And the words of the above gave him power over what they taught. Another historical point came about in the 1600’s when a fellow from England went to Ethiopia, and while searching out their church records he found one where it said that the Ethiopian church (they were of Christ) received the New Testament Canon at the end of the first century directly “from the hands of Mark”. And, it did not have Revelation. Again, Rome did not use “Mark”, but used his second name “John”, in order to make it look like the “apostle” had written it. Even Martin Luther did not put Revelation in when he wrote his own version of the New Testament. But later he was apparently forced to add it. Lastly, each of the twelve apostles went to their own nation and did not involve themselves with any Gentile nations. Though they would have reached the Gentiles amongst the Israelite population. One last thing has to do with both Christ’s and John the Baptist’s Ministry’s. Acts 15:14 supports God Almighty, through his son, “went first to the Gentiles”. It says Jesus began his ministry at age 30, Scripture supports his already being in his 40’s when he came to Judea. For example, the Pharisees knew exactly how old Jesus was, yet when they talked of him, they mentioned his “not being 50 years old”. Why on earth would they say “50”, if he was only in his 30’s at that time? If the individual has historical evidence, supported with Scripture showing the above to be wrong, then please let him present it. In a second, if necessary, account, I will point out something regarding John the Baptist’s ministry, which very much supports his being the one that was in prison on the island off of the coast of Ephesus.

Iron Sharpening Iron
In regard to: Black Citizens of America
Article by Ray Daly
Comments by Ray Daly (Lincoln, North Dakota)

Let’s take it one at a time. Starting with who wrote the book of Revelation.

First, Jesus said of John the Baptist the following. Luke 16:16. “The law and the prophets were until John [speaking of the Baptist], since then the kingdom of God has been preached.” Revelation is almost totally a book of prophecies. Thus, it basically had to be written by John the Baptist, or Jesus made a mistake.

The individual can do as many have, they can check out the material offered to them on the net or in books like so many others, including myself, have done. But I’ll present only one point, that being the book of Revelation, and who wrote it.

First, Jesus said this about John the Baptist Luke 16:16. “The law and the PROPHETS were until John, since then the kingdom of God has been preached”. Now the book of Revelation is almost all prophecy. Thus, was Jesus mistaken when he said the words above?

Secondly, the individual can search this out also. But history shows, especially the early Roman history, shows that the book of Revelation did not become a part of the New Testament until the latter 300′ AD. Their reasoning was that it “had no apostolic support”. They were basically forced to add it by Augustine, bishop of Hippo in Africa. He wanted it added for the words of Rev. 22:18. He was having problems with a number of his “ministers” adding other non-Scriptural writings to the Canon. And the words of the above gave him power over what they taught.

Another historical point came about in the 1600’s when a fellow from England went to Ethiopia, and while searching out their church records he found one where it said that the Ethiopian church (they were of Christ) received the New Testament Canon at the end of the first century directly “from the hands of Mark”. And, it did not have Revelation. Again, Rome did not use “Mark”, but used his second name “John”, in order to make it look like the “apostle” had written it.

Even Martin Luther did not put Revelation in when he wrote his own version of the New Testament. But later he was apparently forced to add it.

Lastly, each of the twelve apostles went to their own nation and did not involve themselves with any Gentile nations. Though they would have reached the Gentiles amongst the Israelite population.

One last thing has to do with both Christ’s and John the Baptist’s Ministry’s. Acts 15:14 supports God Almighty, through his son, “went first to the Gentiles”. It says Jesus began his ministry at age 30, Scripture supports his already being in his 40’s when he came to Judea. For example, the Pharisees knew exactly how old Jesus was, yet when they talked of him, they mentioned his “not being 50 years old”. Why on earth would they say “50”, if he was only in his 30’s at that time?

If the individual has historical evidence, supported with Scripture showing the above to be wrong, then please let him present it.

In a second, if necessary, account, I will point out something regarding John the Baptist’s ministry, which very much supports his being the one that was in prison on the island off of the coast of Ephesus.

Iron Sharpening Iron In regard to: Black Citizens of America Article by Ray Daly Comments by Laura Lee (Bismarck, North Dakota)
I did contact Ray Daly in an attempt to get his proof for things he said in this article. I did receive an answer from Ray, but he did not provide any proof for what he said in this article. He provided three scriptures, no books, authors, or internet pages for what he said in this article. The three scriptures he gave are as follows: Luk 16:16 The law and the prophets were until John: since that time the kingdom of God is preached, and every man presseth into it. (KJV) Rev 22:18 For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book: (KJV) Act 15:14 Simeon hath declared how God at the first did visit the Gentiles, to take out of them a people for his name. (KJV) None of the above scriptures give us any proof or evidence as far as who wrote the book of Revelation, nor do they tell us that a Mark John instead of John the Apostle wrote the four books of John. Then he also added to his answer another untruth stating the following: “It says Jesus began his ministry at age 30, Scripture supports his already being in his 40’s when he came to Judea. For example, the Pharisees knew exactly how old Jesus was, yet when they talked of him, they mentioned his “not being 50 years old”. Why on earth would they say “50”, if he was only in his 30’s at that time?” Again, we are given no scriptural support for what he has just said about Christ’s age. Christ was crucified for our sins at about the age of 33 and a half years old as most people agree. He didn’t start his ministry until he was 30 years old, and his ministry ended approximately 3 years or so later with His crucifixion. It is very likely that the author of the book of John, John 1, John 2, John 3, and Revelation were all written by John the Apostle. Author: Tradition has long held that John the apostle, whom we have seen penned the Fourth Gospel and the three letters attributed to him, wrote the last book of Scripture. If so, John penned much of the New Testament, with only Paul and Luke writing more than him. While there were skeptics, even early on, about the authorship of the text (most likely due to the apocalyptic nature of the book), the general consensus was that John the apostle was the author. Four reasons exist as to why one should accept Johannine authorship of Revelation. From the following website: https://crossexamined.org/wrote-book-revelation/ This particular website also goes on to give reasons why these books are most likely written by John the Apostle. If anyone else has anything in regard to this subject, let us know.

Iron Sharpening Iron
In regard to: Black Citizens of America
Article by Ray Daly
Comments by Laura Lee (Bismarck, North Dakota)

I did contact Ray Daly in an attempt to get his proof for things he said in this article. I did receive an answer from Ray, but he did not provide any proof for what he said in this article. He provided three scriptures, no books, authors, or internet pages for what he said in this article.

The three scriptures he gave are as follows:
Luk 16:16 The law and the prophets were until John: since that time the kingdom of God is preached, and every man presseth into it. (KJV)

Rev 22:18 For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book: (KJV)

Act 15:14 Simeon hath declared how God at the first did visit the Gentiles, to take out of them a people for his name. (KJV)

None of the above scriptures give us any proof or evidence as far as who wrote the book of Revelation, nor do they tell us that a Mark John instead of John the Apostle wrote the four books of John.

Then he also added to his answer another untruth stating the following:
“It says Jesus began his ministry at age 30, Scripture supports his already being in his 40’s when he came to Judea. For example, the Pharisees knew exactly how old Jesus was, yet when they talked of him, they mentioned his “not being 50 years old”. Why on earth would they say “50”, if he was only in his 30’s at that time?”

Again, we are given no scriptural support for what he has just said about Christ’s age. Christ was crucified for our sins at about the age of 33 and a half years old as most people agree. He didn’t start his ministry until he was 30 years old, and his ministry ended approximately 3 years or so later with His crucifixion.

It is very likely that the author of the book of John, John 1, John 2, John 3, and Revelation were all written by John the Apostle.

Author: Tradition has long held that John the apostle, whom we have seen penned the Fourth Gospel and the three letters attributed to him, wrote the last book of Scripture. If so, John penned much of the New Testament, with only Paul and Luke writing more than him. While there were skeptics, even early on, about the authorship of the text (most likely due to the apocalyptic nature of the book), the general consensus was that John the apostle was the author. Four reasons exist as to why one should accept Johannine authorship of Revelation.

From the following website: https://crossexamined.org/wrote-book-revelation/

This particular website also goes on to give reasons why these books are most likely written by John the Apostle.

If anyone else has anything in regard to this subject, let us know.

Iron Sharpening Iron In regard to: Black Citizens of America Article by Ray Daly Comments by Ray Daly (Lincoln, North Dakota)
Continuing the points, the fellow brought up, to whom I sent the previous material on who wrote the book of Revelation. He also felt that the apostle John was the individual that met with the Gentiles at Ephesus and baptized there. And the John that was put in prison on an island off the coast of Ephesus. Again, he claims it was the apostle John, which he likely learned from the teachings of WCG, or a related church. I’ll go from point to point with what Scripture offers on the topic. 1) Acts 15:14. “Simeon [surnamed Cephas] has declared how God [through His son Jesus] at the first did visit the Gentiles.” Historical records say that Jesus spent some time in India and to the north of India [where the half tribe of Benjamin, Reuben, and Gad had been settled by the Assyrians.]. And those same records tell of his spending as much as two years on Easter Island and other islands in the area. He is said to have sailed from there to northwest South America, spent time in Central America, and also into todays “United States”. Even the Cree Indians of Canada have memories of his meeting with them. Though they may have migrated there in later times. After his witnessing in these areas, it says he got on a ship in Central America and “sailed east”. If this is so, and why ought it not to be, using the words of Acts 15:14. Thus, if he did sail “east” from Central America, does this not support his being “in his 40’s” when he began his ministry to Israelites? Sorry for the length. 2) As to Jesus being “in his 40’s” when he began his ministry to Israelites. John 8:57. “Then said the Jews to [Jesus]. ‘You are not yet FIFTY years old, and you have seen Abraham?” In this reference to Abraham, keep in mind the time when Melchizedek came to Abraham and gave him “bread and wine”. The same symbols that Jesus gave his disciples. But going on with the Jews response to Jesus above. The Pharisees knew exactly when Jesus was born, and when he was circumcised. Thus, if he was only 30-33+ old then, why would they say “fifty”? The above is what Scripture tells us. 3) Now on to the John that was at Ephesus. Mat: 3:11. John the Baptist speaking. “I indeed baptize [total immersion] you with water unto repentance. But he [Jesus] that comes after me, shall baptize you with the Holy Spirit.” Keep in mind the underlined words which John was speaking to the “Israelites”. 4) Acts 19:1. Paul comes to Ephesus, one of the seven Gentile churches of the time. And “He finds certain [Gentile] disciples”. V.2. Paul asks them. “Have you received the Holy Spirit since you believed? They said to him. We have not so much heard whether there be any Holy Spirit. V.3 [Paul} said to them. Unto what then were you baptized? They said to him. ‘Unto John’s baptism.” 5) Which John above was it? The Baptist, or the Apostle? Well, keeping in mind that these were Gentiles that this John was teaching, then consider what Jesus told the apostles (including John). Mat. 10:5. “GO NOT into the way of the Gentiles”. In other words, they were being told “Not to go to the Gentiles”. Which this John of Ephesis fame did do. 6) A final point. Jesus began his ministry at age 30. And it is pointed out above that he was apparently already into his 40’s when he began his “Israelite” ministry. But not also the ministry of John the “Levite”. Note that the Levites began their works at the age of 20. Thus, leaving John the Baptist being able to begin his ministry 10 years earlier than Jesus. Where do you think he went? Why not to the tribes of Israel in the east, and also to the Gentiles that were a part of the Jewish religion. Which would have included almost all Gentiles in the east. Or another way to put it, “Almost all Gentiles that were in the former Persian’s 127 provinces”. Please, if you respond to the above, would you please use “Scriptures” to disprove the above?

Iron Sharpening Iron
In regard to: Black Citizens of America
Article by Ray Daly
Comments by Ray Daly (Lincoln, North Dakota)

Continuing the points, the fellow brought up, to whom I sent the previous material on who wrote the book of Revelation. He also felt that the apostle John was the individual that met with the Gentiles at Ephesus and baptized there. And the John that was put in prison on an island off the coast of Ephesus. Again, he claims it was the apostle John, which he likely learned from the teachings of WCG, or a related church. I’ll go from point to point with what Scripture offers on the topic.

1) Acts 15:14. “Simeon [surnamed Cephas] has declared how God [through His son Jesus] at the first did visit the Gentiles.” Historical records say that Jesus spent some time in India and to the north of India [where the half tribe of Benjamin, Reuben, and Gad had been settled by the Assyrians.]. And those same records tell of his spending as much as two years on Easter Island and other islands in the area. He is said to have sailed from there to northwest South America, spent time in Central America, and also into todays “United States”. Even the Cree Indians of Canada have memories of his meeting with them. Though they may have migrated there in later times. After his witnessing in these areas, it says he got on a ship in Central America and “sailed east”. If this is so, and why ought it not to be, using the words of Acts 15:14. Thus, if he did sail “east” from Central America, does this not support his being “in his 40’s” when he began his ministry to Israelites? Sorry for the length.

2) As to Jesus being “in his 40’s” when he began his ministry to Israelites. John 8:57. “Then said the Jews to [Jesus]. ‘You are not yet FIFTY years old, and you have seen Abraham?” In this reference to Abraham, keep in mind the time when Melchizedek came to Abraham and gave him “bread and wine”. The same symbols that Jesus gave his disciples. But going on with the Jews response to Jesus above. The Pharisees knew exactly when Jesus was born, and when he was circumcised. Thus, if he was only 30-33+ old then, why would they say “fifty”? The above is what Scripture tells us.

3) Now on to the John that was at Ephesus. Mat: 3:11. John the Baptist speaking. “I indeed baptize [total immersion] you with water unto repentance. But he [Jesus] that comes after me, shall baptize you with the Holy Spirit.” Keep in mind the underlined words which John was speaking to the “Israelites”.

4) Acts 19:1. Paul comes to Ephesus, one of the seven Gentile churches of the time. And “He finds certain [Gentile] disciples”. V.2. Paul asks them. “Have you received the Holy Spirit since you believed? They said to him. We have not so much heard whether there be any Holy Spirit. V.3 [Paul} said to them. Unto what then were you baptized? They said to him. ‘Unto John’s baptism.”

5) Which John above was it? The Baptist, or the Apostle? Well, keeping in mind that these were Gentiles that this John was teaching, then consider what Jesus told the apostles (including John). Mat. 10:5. “GO NOT into the way of the Gentiles”. In other words, they were being told “Not to go to the Gentiles”. Which this John of Ephesis fame did do.

6) A final point. Jesus began his ministry at age 30. And it is pointed out above that he was apparently already into his 40’s when he began his “Israelite” ministry. But not also the ministry of John the “Levite”. Note that the Levites began their works at the age of 20. Thus, leaving John the Baptist being able to begin his ministry 10 years earlier than Jesus. Where do you think he went? Why not to the tribes of Israel in the east, and also to the Gentiles that were a part of the Jewish religion. Which would have included almost all Gentiles in the east. Or another way to put it, “Almost all Gentiles that were in the former Persian’s 127 provinces”.

Please, if you respond to the above, would you please use “Scriptures” to disprove the above?

Iron Sharpening Iron In regard to: Black Citizens of America Article by Ray Daly Comments by Darwin & Laura Lee (Bismarck, North Dakota)
Ray’s Iron Sharpening Iron: Continuing the points, the fellow brought up, to whom I sent the previous material on who wrote the book of Revelation. He also felt that the apostle John was the individual that met with the Gentiles at Ephesus and baptized there. And the John that was put in prison on an island off the coast of Ephesus. Again, he claims it was the apostle John, which he likely learned from the teachings of WCG, or a related church. I’ll go from point to point with what Scripture offers on the topic. Laura writes: I believe RH was asking you for evidence of what you said in an article that you wrote. I will let him defend himself if he/she needs to do that. Ray’s Iron Sharpening Iron: 1) Acts 15:14. “Simeon [surnamed Cephas] has declared how God [through His son Jesus] at the first did visit the Gentiles.” Historical records say that Jesus spent some time in India and to the north of India [where the half tribe of Benjamin, Reuben, and Gad had been settled by the Assyrians.]. And those same records tell of his spending as much as two years on Easter Island and other islands in the area. He is said to have sailed from there to northwest South America, spent time in Central America, and also into todays “United States”. Even the Cree Indians of Canada have memories of his meeting with them. Though they may have migrated there in later times. After his witnessing in these areas, it says he got on a ship in Central America and “sailed east”. If this is so, and why ought it not to be, using the words of Acts 15:14. Thus, if he did sail “east” from Central America, does this not support his being “in his 40’s” when he began his ministry to Israelites? Sorry for the length. Laura writes: RH was not asking you to prove how old Jesus was or where he traveled to. He/She asked you for evidence in regard to what you wrote in an article you wrote. Christ was crucified in His early 30’s and he never traveled to all those countries you are claiming he traveled to. Act 15:14 Simeon hath declared how God at the first did visit the Gentiles, to take out of them a people for his name. Acts 15:14 does not prove that Christ traveled to all the places you say, and it does not tell us who wrote the book of Revelation or any of the books of John. According to the Gospels, Jesus was born in Bethlehem, grew up in Nazareth, engaged in itinerant ministry throughout Galilee, Judea, and places between them, and was executed in Judea just outside Jerusalem. Except for a brief stay in Egypt with his parents as a baby (Matt. 2:12-15, 19-23), all of Jesus’ mortal life appears to have taken place within a radius of roughly a hundred miles of the place of his birth. The Holy Land where Jesus lived from the mountains north of the Sea of Galilee to the desert south of Jerusalem is such a tiny region that it could fit within the bounds of Lake Michigan with room to spare. From: Did Jesus Visit Other Parts of the World? The Bottom-Line Guide to Jesus, Part 3 \| Biblical Christianity (irr.org) Ray’s Iron Sharpening Iron: 2) As to Jesus being “in his 40’s” when he began his ministry to Israelites. John 8:57. “Then said the Jews to [Jesus]. ‘You are not yet FIFTY years old, and you have seen Abraham?” In this reference to Abraham, keep in mind the time when Melchizedek came to Abraham and gave him “bread and wine”. The same symbols that Jesus gave his disciples. But going on with the Jews response to Jesus above. The Pharisees knew exactly when Jesus was born, and when he was circumcised. Thus, if he was only 30-33+ old then, why would they say “fifty”? The above is what Scripture tells us. Laura writes: Joh 8:57 Then said the Jews unto him, Thou art not yet fifty years old, and hast thou seen Abraham? In this scripture the Jews are mocking Christ because they don’t believe he is God and that He saw Abraham personally. Abraham lived long before this incident and part of their mocking is because Christ is not even 50 years old so how could he know or see Abraham who lived long before this. And again, no one asked you about this and it is not evidence for anything that you were asked about. Ray’s Iron Sharpening Iron: 3) Now on to the John that was at Ephesus. Mat: 3:11. John the Baptist speaking. “I indeed baptize [total immersion] you with water unto repentance. But he [Jesus] that comes after me, shall baptize you with the Holy Spirit.” Keep in mind the underlined words which John was speaking to the “Israelites”. Laura writes: Mat 3:11 I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire: And still there is no evidence in this verse as to who wrote Revelation and the four books of John. Ray’s Iron Sharpening Iron: 4) Acts 19:1. Paul comes to Ephesus, one of the seven Gentile churches of the time. And “He finds certain [Gentile] disciples”. V.2. Paul asks them. “Have you received the Holy Spirit since you believed? They said to him. We have not so much heard whether there be any Holy Spirit. V.3 [Paul} said to them. Unto what then were you baptized? They said to him. ‘Unto John’s baptism.” Laura writes: Act 19:1 And it came to pass, that, while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul having passed through the upper coasts came to Ephesus: and finding certain disciples, Act 19:2 He said unto them, Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed? And they said unto him, We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost. Act 19:3 And he said unto them, Unto what then were ye baptized? And they said, Unto John’s baptism. And still there is no evidence in this verse as to who wrote Revelation and the four books of John. Ray’s Iron Sharpening Iron: 5) Which John above was it? The Baptist, or the Apostle? Well, keeping in mind that these were Gentiles that this John was teaching, then consider what Jesus told the apostles (including John). Mat. 10:5. “GO NOT into the way of the Gentiles”. In other words, they were being told “Not to go to the Gentiles”. Which this John of Ephesus fame did do. Laura writes: When it says, “Unto John’s baptism.” It is talking about John the Baptist. Mat 10:5 These twelve Jesus sent forth, and commanded them, saying, Go not into the way of the Gentiles, and into any city of the Samaritans enter ye not: John the Apostle was an old man when he was exiled to Patmos where he wrote the book of Revelation. So, this event took place long after Christ was crucified. Orders not to go to the gentiles to preach more than likely changed over time. And still there is no evidence in this verse as to who wrote Revelation and the four books of John. Ray’s Iron Sharpening Iron: 6) A final point. Jesus began his ministry at age 30. And it is pointed out above that he was apparently already into his 40’s when he began his “Israelite” ministry. But not also the ministry of John the “Levite”. Note that the Levites began their works at the age of 20. Thus, leaving John the Baptist being able to begin his ministry 10 years earlier than Jesus. Where do you think he went? Why not to the tribes of Israel in the east, and also to the Gentiles that were a part of the Jewish religion. Which would have included almost all Gentiles in the east. Or another way to put it, “Almost all Gentiles that were in the former Persian’s 127 provinces”. Laura writes: Most of what you have said in this “Iron Sharpening Iron” is not true and none of it is scriptural proof as to who wrote the book of Revelation and the four books of John. Ray’s Iron Sharpening Iron: Please, if you respond to the above, would you please use “Scriptures” to disprove the above? Laura writes: Ray, I emailed you and asked you to send proof of what you said here: This is a quote from Ray Daly’s article: “….. Another report states that at the end of the first century AD, the Ethiopians (now Christians) received the new Canon directly from the hands of “Mark”. Known also as John. It would have been this John Mark that wrote the book of John, and the three letters of John. This Canon was exactly the same as the New Testament books we have today. With the exception of the book of Revelation, which was not a part of said Canon. I won’t cover it here, but it is Scripturally and historically supported that it was John the Baptist that wrote Revelation.” You told us that “…it is Scripturally and historically supported that it was John the Baptist that wrote Revelation.” But did not send any scriptural proof or any historical proof of such a claim. Most accounts outside of the Bible tell us that John the Apostle is the one who wrote Revelation and the four books of John. As far as scripture goes, right now, the only clue I know of is in Revelation 1:9-11: Rev 1:9 I John, who also am your brother, and companion in tribulation, and in the kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, was in the isle that is called Patmos, for the word of God, and for the testimony of Jesus Christ. Rev 1:10 I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s day, and heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet, Rev 1:11 Saying, I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last: and, What thou seest, write in a book, and send it unto the seven churches which are in Asia; unto Ephesus, and unto Smyrna, and unto Pergamos, and unto Thyatira, and unto Sardis, and unto Philadelphia, and unto Laodicea. The isle of Patmos (Greece) was like a prison island but by the time John the Apostle was exiled there he was too old to work as the other prisoners did and according to scripture that is where he wrote the book of Revelation. John the Baptist was long dead by this time. John the Baptist died right around the time that Christ was crucified. John the Apostle was exiled to the Isle of Patmos by Emperor Domitian around 94 AD. This would be 60 or more years after both John the Baptist and Christ had died. Darwin writes: John the Baptist Beheaded – Online Wikipedia: “None of the sources gives an exact date, which was probably in the years 28–29 AD (Matthew 14:1–12; Mark 6:14–27; Luke 9:9) after imprisoning John the Baptist in 27 AD (Matthew 4:12; Mark 1:14) at the behest of Herodias his brother’s wife whom he took as his mistress. (Matthew 14:3–5; Mark 6:17–20);^[3] According to Josephus, the death took place at the fortress of Machaerus. The following comparison table is primarily based on the New International Version (NIV) English translation of the New Testament.^[4] The account of Flavius Josephus in Antiquities of the Jews was translated by William Whiston”^[5]” That would make it about two years before Jesus’s crucifixion. Mt 14:1 ¶ At that time Herod the tetrarch heard of the fame of Jesus, (who was this Herod?) Barn’s commentary: Verse 1. Herod the tetrarch. See also Mr 6:14-16; Lu 9:7-9. This was a son of Herod the Great. Herod the Great died probably in the first year after the birth of Christ, and left his kingdom to his three sons, of whom this Herod Antipas was one. He ruled over Galilee and Perea. Cmt. on Mt 2:16. The title tetrarch literally denotes one who rules over a fourth part of any country. In a remote signification, it means one who rules over a third, or even a half of a nation. Mt 14:2 And said unto his servants, This is John the Baptist; he is risen from the dead; and therefore mighty works do shew forth themselves in him. Mt 14:3 For Herod had laid hold on John, and bound him, and put him in prison for Herodias’ sake, his brother Philip’s wife. Mt 14:4 For John said unto him, It is not lawful for thee to have her. Mt 14:5 And when he would have put him to death, he feared the multitude, because they counted him as a prophet. Mt 14:6 But when Herod’s birthday was kept, the daughter of Herodias danced before them, and pleased Herod. Mt 14:7 Whereupon he promised with an oath to give her whatsoever she would ask. Mt 14:8 And she, being before instructed of her mother, said, Give me here John Baptist’s head in a charger. Mt 14:9 And the king was sorry: nevertheless for the oath’s sake, and them which sat with him at meat, he commanded it to be given her. Mt 14:10 And he sent, and beheaded John in the prison. Mt 14:11 And his head was brought in a charger and given to the damsel: and she brought it to her mother. Mt 14:12 And his disciples came, and took up the body, and buried it, and went and told Jesus. That happened before Jesus died and long before AD 90 at the isle of Patmos where John had a revelation, and it wasn’t John the Baptist as per Mat. 14:1-12. Laura writes: Then you want people to send you proof for when they disagree with your false claims. You were the one who was asked to prove what you said. Where is that proof? If you cannot provide people with proof for what you have written, then maybe you should not write articles. All proof for what you say should actually be included within the article itself. Some people include too many scriptures, but you provide very few and when you do, they do not seem to back up your opinions. Historical proof would be to quote from a book or from the internet and include the name of the book or the link to the web page and I don’t know that you have ever provided us with any of that.

Iron Sharpening Iron
In regard to: Black Citizens of America
Article by Ray Daly
Comments by Darwin & Laura Lee (Bismarck, North Dakota)

Ray’s Iron Sharpening Iron:
Continuing the points, the fellow brought up, to whom I sent the previous material on who wrote the book of Revelation. He also felt that the apostle John was the individual that met with the Gentiles at Ephesus and baptized there. And the John that was put in prison on an island off the coast of Ephesus. Again, he claims it was the apostle John, which he likely learned from the teachings of WCG, or a related church. I’ll go from point to point with what Scripture offers on the topic.

Laura writes:
I believe RH was asking you for evidence of what you said in an article that you wrote. I will let him defend himself if he/she needs to do that.

Ray’s Iron Sharpening Iron:
1) Acts 15:14. “Simeon [surnamed Cephas] has declared how God [through His son Jesus] at the first did visit the Gentiles.” Historical records say that Jesus spent some time in India and to the north of India [where the half tribe of Benjamin, Reuben, and Gad had been settled by the Assyrians.]. And those same records tell of his spending as much as two years on Easter Island and other islands in the area. He is said to have sailed from there to northwest South America, spent time in Central America, and also into todays “United States”. Even the Cree Indians of Canada have memories of his meeting with them. Though they may have migrated there in later times. After his witnessing in these areas, it says he got on a ship in Central America and “sailed east”. If this is so, and why ought it not to be, using the words of Acts 15:14. Thus, if he did sail “east” from Central America, does this not support his being “in his 40’s” when he began his ministry to Israelites? Sorry for the length.

Laura writes:
RH was not asking you to prove how old Jesus was or where he traveled to. He/She asked you for evidence in regard to what you wrote in an article you wrote. Christ was crucified in His early 30’s and he never traveled to all those countries you are claiming he traveled to.

Act 15:14 Simeon hath declared how God at the first did visit the Gentiles, to take out of them a people for his name.

Acts 15:14 does not prove that Christ traveled to all the places you say, and it does not tell us who wrote the book of Revelation or any of the books of John.

According to the Gospels, Jesus was born in Bethlehem, grew up in Nazareth, engaged in itinerant ministry throughout Galilee, Judea, and places between them, and was executed in Judea just outside Jerusalem. Except for a brief stay in Egypt with his parents as a baby (Matt. 2:12-15, 19-23), all of Jesus’ mortal life appears to have taken place within a radius of roughly a hundred miles of the place of his birth. The Holy Land where Jesus lived from the mountains north of the Sea of Galilee to the desert south of Jerusalem is such a tiny region that it could fit within the bounds of Lake Michigan with room to spare. From: Did Jesus Visit Other Parts of the World? The Bottom-Line Guide to Jesus, Part 3 | Biblical Christianity (irr.org)

Ray’s Iron Sharpening Iron:
2) As to Jesus being “in his 40’s” when he began his ministry to Israelites. John 8:57. “Then said the Jews to [Jesus]. ‘You are not yet FIFTY years old, and you have seen Abraham?” In this reference to Abraham, keep in mind the time when Melchizedek came to Abraham and gave him “bread and wine”. The same symbols that Jesus gave his disciples. But going on with the Jews response to Jesus above. The Pharisees knew exactly when Jesus was born, and when he was circumcised. Thus, if he was only 30-33+ old then, why would they say “fifty”? The above is what Scripture tells us.

Laura writes:
Joh 8:57 Then said the Jews unto him, Thou art not yet fifty years old, and hast thou seen Abraham?

In this scripture the Jews are mocking Christ because they don’t believe he is God and that He saw Abraham personally. Abraham lived long before this incident and part of their mocking is because Christ is not even 50 years old so how could he know or see Abraham who lived long before this.

And again, no one asked you about this and it is not evidence for anything that you were asked about.

Ray’s Iron Sharpening Iron:
3) Now on to the John that was at Ephesus. Mat: 3:11. John the Baptist speaking. “I indeed baptize [total immersion] you with water unto repentance. But he [Jesus] that comes after me, shall baptize you with the Holy Spirit.” Keep in mind the underlined words which John was speaking to the “Israelites”.

Laura writes:
Mat 3:11 I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire:

And still there is no evidence in this verse as to who wrote Revelation and the four books of John.

Ray’s Iron Sharpening Iron:
4) Acts 19:1. Paul comes to Ephesus, one of the seven Gentile churches of the time. And “He finds certain [Gentile] disciples”. V.2. Paul asks them. “Have you received the Holy Spirit since you believed? They said to him. We have not so much heard whether there be any Holy Spirit. V.3 [Paul} said to them. Unto what then were you baptized? They said to him. ‘Unto John’s baptism.”

Laura writes:
Act 19:1 And it came to pass, that, while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul having passed through the upper coasts came to Ephesus: and finding certain disciples, Act 19:2 He said unto them, Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed? And they said unto him, We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost. Act 19:3 And he said unto them, Unto what then were ye baptized? And they said, Unto John’s baptism.

And still there is no evidence in this verse as to who wrote Revelation and the four books of John.

Ray’s Iron Sharpening Iron:
5) Which John above was it? The Baptist, or the Apostle? Well, keeping in mind that these were Gentiles that this John was teaching, then consider what Jesus told the apostles (including John). Mat. 10:5. “GO NOT into the way of the Gentiles”. In other words, they were being told “Not to go to the Gentiles”. Which this John of Ephesus fame did do.

Laura writes:
When it says, “Unto John’s baptism.” It is talking about John the Baptist.

Mat 10:5 These twelve Jesus sent forth, and commanded them, saying, Go not into the way of the Gentiles, and into any city of the Samaritans enter ye not:

John the Apostle was an old man when he was exiled to Patmos where he wrote the book of Revelation. So, this event took place long after Christ was crucified. Orders not to go to the gentiles to preach more than likely changed over time.

And still there is no evidence in this verse as to who wrote Revelation and the four books of John.

Ray’s Iron Sharpening Iron:
6) A final point. Jesus began his ministry at age 30. And it is pointed out above that he was apparently already into his 40’s when he began his “Israelite” ministry. But not also the ministry of John the “Levite”. Note that the Levites began their works at the age of 20. Thus, leaving John the Baptist being able to begin his ministry 10 years earlier than Jesus. Where do you think he went? Why not to the tribes of Israel in the east, and also to the Gentiles that were a part of the Jewish religion. Which would have included almost all Gentiles in the east. Or another way to put it, “Almost all Gentiles that were in the former Persian’s 127 provinces”.

Laura writes:
Most of what you have said in this “Iron Sharpening Iron” is not true and none of it is scriptural proof as to who wrote the book of Revelation and the four books of John.

Ray’s Iron Sharpening Iron:
Please, if you respond to the above, would you please use “Scriptures” to disprove the above?

Laura writes:
Ray, I emailed you and asked you to send proof of what you said here:

This is a quote from Ray Daly’s article:
“….. Another report states that at the end of the first century AD, the Ethiopians (now Christians) received the new Canon directly from the hands of “Mark”. Known also as John. It would have been this John Mark that wrote the book of John, and the three letters of John. This Canon was exactly the same as the New Testament books we have today. With the exception of the book of Revelation, which was not a part of said Canon. I won’t cover it here, but it is Scripturally and historically supported that it was John the Baptist that wrote Revelation.”

You told us that “…it is Scripturally and historically supported that it was John the Baptist that wrote Revelation.” But did not send any scriptural proof or any historical proof of such a claim. Most accounts outside of the Bible tell us that John the Apostle is the one who wrote Revelation and the four books of John. As far as scripture goes, right now, the only clue I know of is in Revelation 1:9-11:

Rev 1:9 I John, who also am your brother, and companion in tribulation, and in the kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, was in the isle that is called Patmos, for the word of God, and for the testimony of Jesus Christ. Rev 1:10 I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s day, and heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet, Rev 1:11 Saying, I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last: and, What thou seest, write in a book, and send it unto the seven churches which are in Asia; unto Ephesus, and unto Smyrna, and unto Pergamos, and unto Thyatira, and unto Sardis, and unto Philadelphia, and unto Laodicea.

The isle of Patmos (Greece) was like a prison island but by the time John the Apostle was exiled there he was too old to work as the other prisoners did and according to scripture that is where he wrote the book of Revelation. John the Baptist was long dead by this time. John the Baptist died right around the time that Christ was crucified. John the Apostle was exiled to the Isle of Patmos by Emperor Domitian around 94 AD. This would be 60 or more years after both John the Baptist and Christ had died.

Darwin writes:
John the Baptist Beheaded – Online Wikipedia: “None of the sources gives an exact date, which was probably in the years 28–29 AD (Matthew 14:1–12; Mark 6:14–27; Luke 9:9) after imprisoning John the Baptist in 27 AD (Matthew 4:12; Mark 1:14) at the behest of Herodias his brother’s wife whom he took as his mistress. (Matthew 14:3–5; Mark 6:17–20);^[3] According to Josephus, the death took place at the fortress of Machaerus. The following comparison table is primarily based on the New International Version (NIV) English translation of the New Testament.^[4] The account of Flavius Josephus in Antiquities of the Jews was translated by William Whiston”^[5]”

That would make it about two years before Jesus’s crucifixion.

Mt 14:1 ¶ At that time Herod the tetrarch heard of the fame of Jesus, (who was this Herod?) Barn’s commentary: Verse 1. Herod the tetrarch. See also Mr 6:14-16; Lu 9:7-9. This was a son of Herod the Great. Herod the Great died probably in the first year after the birth of Christ, and left his kingdom to his three sons, of whom this Herod Antipas was one. He ruled over Galilee and Perea. Cmt. on Mt 2:16. The title tetrarch literally denotes one who rules over a fourth part of any country. In a remote signification, it means one who rules over a third, or even a half of a nation. Mt 14:2 And said unto his servants, This is John the Baptist; he is risen from the dead; and therefore mighty works do shew forth themselves in him. Mt 14:3 For Herod had laid hold on John, and bound him, and put him in prison for Herodias’ sake, his brother Philip’s wife. Mt 14:4 For John said unto him, It is not lawful for thee to have her. Mt 14:5 And when he would have put him to death, he feared the multitude, because they counted him as a prophet. Mt 14:6 But when Herod’s birthday was kept, the daughter of Herodias danced before them, and pleased Herod. Mt 14:7 Whereupon he promised with an oath to give her whatsoever she would ask. Mt 14:8 And she, being before instructed of her mother, said, Give me here John Baptist’s head in a charger. Mt 14:9 And the king was sorry: nevertheless for the oath’s sake, and them which sat with him at meat, he commanded it to be given her. Mt 14:10 And he sent, and beheaded John in the prison. Mt 14:11 And his head was brought in a charger and given to the damsel: and she brought it to her mother. Mt 14:12 And his disciples came, and took up the body, and buried it, and went and told Jesus.

That happened before Jesus died and long before AD 90 at the isle of Patmos where John had a revelation, and it wasn’t John the Baptist as per Mat. 14:1-12.

Laura writes:
Then you want people to send you proof for when they disagree with your false claims. You were the one who was asked to prove what you said. Where is that proof? If you cannot provide people with proof for what you have written, then maybe you should not write articles. All proof for what you say should actually be included within the article itself. Some people include too many scriptures, but you provide very few and when you do, they do not seem to back up your opinions. Historical proof would be to quote from a book or from the internet and include the name of the book or the link to the web page and I don’t know that you have ever provided us with any of that.

Iron Sharpening Iron In regard to: Black Citizens of America Article by Ray Daly Comments by Ray Daly (Lincoln, North Dakota)
I offered Scripture. You responded without Scripture proving my references wrong. I used history that any can search out if they went on the net. You did not go to the net. What more do you want. Are you afraid of the Truth or something????

Iron Sharpening Iron In regard to: Black Citizens of America Article by Ray Daly Comments by Laura Lee (Bismarck, North Dakota)
I offered Scripture. You responded without Scripture proving my references wrong. I used history that any can search out if they went on the net. You did not go to the net. What more do you want. Are you afraid of the Truth or something???? Ray Daly The scriptures you were using did not prove that John the Baptist wrote the book of Revelation. If you believe the three scriptures you provided in your Iron Sharpening Iron in Issue #99 prove this then, I and Darwin are just not seeing the connection. Perhaps you need to use scriptures that are clearer. If you used history to prove your points as you are telling me, then where were your references to books and/or internet pages? If you write an article and you get your history from a book then you need to list the book, author and even the page number. If your history came from a web page, then you need to provide the link to that web page so people can go there and look at the item you are referring to. Of course, people can go to the internet and look things up on their own, but do you have any idea how many different web pages are out there? Chances of anyone reading your article and then landing on the exact web page you got your information off of are nil to none. That is why it is the authors/writer’s responsibility to provide any information as far as books and web links that he has used to write his or her article. And I did go to the internet and found a web page which did not say what you said in Issue #99. It said the opposite of what you said, and not only did I copy and paste part of what the website said, but I also provided a web link to the site so people could go look if they wanted to. You said of me: “You did not go to the net.” That is an outright lie. It can be proven that you lied by going here: https://church-of-god-bismarck.org/newsletter/black-citizens-of-america-ezp-558?chapter=903 and here: https://www.church-of-god-bismarck.org/linked/12-24-2022-issue-0099.pdf and reading page 13 and 14. What more do we want? When you openly lie once, you have probably done it numerous times. You have an inability to understand scripture let alone put it together in a truthful way. In my opinion you should not be teaching. If you do continue to write articles, they should contain your sources, for example, names of books, authors, and web pages, you are getting your information from. We are definitely not afraid of the truth here and so therefore we try very hard to provide all people including yourself with correct information when we feel we are being handed a line of blarney as you have done here. I am sorry Ray, but most everything you submit for print is filled with inaccuracies that we cannot ignore. And when people ask questions in regard to what you have written you absolutely need to be able to provide specific answers for what they are asking and not bring in a multitude of subjects that do not pertain.

Iron Sharpening Iron
In regard to: Black Citizens of America
Article by Ray Daly
Comments by Laura Lee (Bismarck, North Dakota)

I offered Scripture. You responded without Scripture proving my references wrong. I used history that any can search out if they went on the net. You did not go to the net.

What more do you want. Are you afraid of the Truth or something???? Ray Daly

The scriptures you were using did not prove that John the Baptist wrote the book of Revelation. If you believe the three scriptures you provided in your Iron Sharpening Iron in Issue #99 prove this then, I and Darwin are just not seeing the connection. Perhaps you need to use scriptures that are clearer.

If you used history to prove your points as you are telling me, then where were your references to books and/or internet pages? If you write an article and you get your history from a book then you need to list the book, author and even the page number. If your history came from a web page, then you need to provide the link to that web page so people can go there and look at the item you are referring to.

Of course, people can go to the internet and look things up on their own, but do you have any idea how many different web pages are out there? Chances of anyone reading your article and then landing on the exact web page you got your information off of are nil to none. That is why it is the authors/writer’s responsibility to provide any information as far as books and web links that he has used to write his or her article.

And I did go to the internet and found a web page which did not say what you said in Issue #99. It said the opposite of what you said, and not only did I copy and paste part of what the website said, but I also provided a web link to the site so people could go look if they wanted to.

You said of me: “You did not go to the net.” That is an outright lie. It can be proven that you lied by going here: https://church-of-god-bismarck.org/newsletter/black-citizens-of-america-ezp-558?chapter=903 and here: https://www.church-of-god-bismarck.org/linked/12-24-2022-issue-0099.pdf and reading page 13 and 14.

What more do we want? When you openly lie once, you have probably done it numerous times. You have an inability to understand scripture let alone put it together in a truthful way. In my opinion you should not be teaching. If you do continue to write articles, they should contain your sources, for example, names of books, authors, and web pages, you are getting your information from.

We are definitely not afraid of the truth here and so therefore we try very hard to provide all people including yourself with correct information when we feel we are being handed a line of blarney as you have done here.

I am sorry Ray, but most everything you submit for print is filled with inaccuracies that we cannot ignore. And when people ask questions in regard to what you have written you absolutely need to be able to provide specific answers for what they are asking and not bring in a multitude of subjects that do not pertain.

Iron Sharpening Iron In regard to: Black Citizens of America Article by Ray Daly Comments by Ray Daly (Lincoln, North Dakota) and Laura Lee (Bismarck, North Dakota)
Ray writes: I see you are checking up on the subject of “Lemuria” by Childress. He has a dozen or more books on various “ancient” topics. But what follows is about a book that is every bit as much interesting as Childress’ book and follows the story of Jesus (by other names) coming to Easter Island. The following is a continuation of said events of Childress’ report. He Walked the Americas By: L. Taylor Hansen “About 2000 years ago, a mysterious white man walked from tribe to tribe among the American Nations. He came to Peru from the Pacific. He traveled through South and central America among the Mayans [Mine: Egyptians], into Mexico and all of North America, and then back to ancient Tula [Mine: on the east shore of Mexico], from whence he departed across the Atlantic to the land of his origin. Who was this white Prophet who spoke a thousand languages, healed the sick, raised the dead, who taught in the same words as Jesus himself. These are true Indian legends, gathered during 25 years of research by L. Taylor Hansen, archaeologist, and writer. And from many different tribes all over the Americas….A man who came to the Americas with the help of a Phoenician fleet [the same ships as mentioned by Childress].” Please note that the Cree Indians of Manitoba in Canada have the same stories in their history. Only their origins were from the East. Coming to America from the area of the British Isles sometime after the early 300’s AD. They are identified by their “eagle feathers and painted bodies” (in the past). They likely did not come this far west until the 10-1100’s when the Indians identified by their “buffalo heads” arrived in eastern Canada. As a sidelight, the “Aztecs” of Mexico (mostly living in southwest US now) were of the “mixed multitudes”. As to the above book, “He Walked the Americas”. It can be purchased from the following address. World Explorers Club 403 Kemp St. Kempton, IL 60946 Order: Code: HWTA $18.95 E-mail: [email protected] Laura writes: From: David Hatcher Childress – Wikipedia Patrick D. Nunn, a professor of geography at the University of the Sunshine Coast has noted that Childress is a proponent of pseudoscientific claims such as the lost continent Mu and megaliths on the Pacific islands built by levitation. Nunn has written that “the disappearance of Mu is very convenient because it means that theorists like Childress can say what they like and appear convincing to people who are comparatively uninformed, as many naturally are, of the huge body of scientific information on Pacific geology and cultures.”^[4] Historical archaeologist Charles E. Orser (editor of International Journal of Historical Archaeology) has criticized Childress’s writings: Pseudo-archaeologists continue to perpetuate the idea that Atlantis was a racialized place. David Hatcher Childress, one of the most flagrant violators of basic archaeological reasoning, has provided perhaps the most outrageous racialized vision of Atlantis. In discussing Tiahuanaco in Bolivia—as a palace built long before any Native South Americans were present—Childress proposes that the majestic site could only have been constructed by the “Atlantean League.” The league was composed of mythic seafarers who “sailed the world spreading a megalithic culture and wore red turbans over their blond hair” (Childress 1986: 139, emphasis added). Nowhere did Plato, the only actual source on Atlantis, mention the blond hair of the Atlanteans. Plato did mention that the men and women of Atlantis, being semi-divine, were inherently good . . . The correlation between goodness and whiteness is thus obvious in Childress’s formulation and in much else that has been written about Atlantis. — Charles E. Orser, Race and Practice in Archaeological Interpretation^[5] From: L. Taylor Hansen – Wikipedia Lucile Taylor Hansen (November 30, 1897 – May 1976) was an American writer of science fiction and popular science articles and books who used a male writing persona for the early part of her career. She is the author of eight short stories, nearly sixty nonfiction articles popularizing anthropology and geology, and three nonfiction books. At Amazon under this link and in the one-star reviews it seems this author L. Taylor Hansen has lied a lot. Read the lower reviews of this book. He Walked the Americas: Hansen, L. Taylor: 9780964499706: Amazon.com: Books I do understand that people want to believe these kinds of sci-fi legends but if they aren’t true and there is plenty of reason to believe these aren’t true then you should not pass them on to others as truth. These two authors are story tellers who try to pass some of their stories off as truth because there is actually no other record of what they say. According to the reviews on Amazon many times both authors quote other people that may or may not be telling the truth and then they put it in a book and pass it off as truth because it is in another book and not necessarily because they researched it themselves. Neither of these authors have degrees in the field of archaeology or anthropology. Not that you would necessarily need a degree, but it does not seem that either ever did the work that goes into archaeological digs or into anthropology. Hansen apparently claims to have gone to Stanford University and gotten a degree, but she apparently did not and Wikipedia backs up the one-star reviews on Amazon in that regard. If you are going to read these kinds of books believing they are true, please check into the background of the author at least a little. If you want to find truth, open your Bible and read that book because it is the source of all truth, and the answer is in there some place you just have to look for it. Ray writes: I forgot to add Acts 15:14. “God [via his son Jesus] first did visit the Gentiles.” Which the book brings out, “before” he sailed east across the Atlantic to his homeland. Jesus began his ministry at age 30 by going “first to the Gentiles”, then sailed to Judea, where he began his ministry to Israelites. This is why the Jewish leaders said to him “You are not yet fifty years old”. He was then in his 40’s. Laura writes: Joh 8:57 Then said the Jews unto him, Thou art not yet fifty years old, and hast thou seen Abraham? Read John 8:57 in context. They are laughing at Christ here. They are saying you are not yet fifty years old and you have seen Abraham. In other words, how could he have seen Abraham if he is only fifty years old. Abraham was long dead by the time the Jews said this to Christ. This verse has nothing to do with the age of Christ. According to the context of what is being talked about. Act 15:14 Simeon hath declared how God at the first did visit the Gentiles, to take out of them a people for his name. As far as Acts 15:14 goes, Christ was already dead when the book of Acts was written. This verse is not saying that God (Christ) visited the gentiles in person as part of His ministry on earth. This section of scripture is talking about how Paul and Barnabas went to Cyprus and Asia Minor sharing many miracles the Holy Spirit empowered them to do and how the Gentiles received salvation through Jesus. In other words, the apostles not Jesus went to other places to preach about Christ to the Gentiles. If you read the entire chapter of Acts 15 you will see that it was the Apostles traveling to the gentiles and not Christ in person as part of His ministry. I personally do not have time to read books such as the ones you have mentioned here and that is the only reason I asked for research help in that regard. I thought that if someone else was familiar with the book and the author that perhaps they could just write something up in regard to it, that could be shared with everyone.

Iron Sharpening Iron
In regard to: Black Citizens of America
Article by Ray Daly
Comments by Ray Daly (Lincoln, North Dakota) and Laura Lee (Bismarck, North Dakota)

Ray writes:
I see you are checking up on the subject of “Lemuria” by Childress. He has a dozen or more books on various “ancient” topics. But what follows is about a book that is every bit as much interesting as Childress’ book and follows the story of Jesus (by other names) coming to Easter Island. The following is a continuation of said events of Childress’ report.

He Walked the Americas
By: L. Taylor Hansen

“About 2000 years ago, a mysterious white man walked from tribe to tribe among the American Nations. He came to Peru from the Pacific. He traveled through South and central America among the Mayans [Mine: Egyptians], into Mexico and all of North America, and then back to ancient Tula [Mine: on the east shore of Mexico], from whence he departed across the Atlantic to the land of his origin. Who was this white Prophet who spoke a thousand languages, healed the sick, raised the dead, who taught in the same words as Jesus himself. These are true Indian legends, gathered during 25 years of research by L. Taylor Hansen, archaeologist, and writer. And from many different tribes all over the Americas….A man who came to the Americas with the help of a Phoenician fleet [the same ships as mentioned by Childress].”

Please note that the Cree Indians of Manitoba in Canada have the same stories in their history. Only their origins were from the East. Coming to America from the area of the British Isles sometime after the early 300’s AD. They are identified by their “eagle feathers and painted bodies” (in the past). They likely did not come this far west until the 10-1100’s when the Indians identified by their “buffalo heads” arrived in eastern Canada.

As a sidelight, the “Aztecs” of Mexico (mostly living in southwest US now) were of the “mixed multitudes”.

As to the above book, “He Walked the Americas”. It can be purchased from the following address.

World Explorers Club
403 Kemp St.
Kempton, IL 60946

Order: Code: HWTA $18.95
E-mail: [email protected]

Laura writes:
From: David Hatcher Childress – Wikipedia
Patrick D. Nunn, a professor of geography at the University of the Sunshine Coast has noted that Childress is a proponent of pseudoscientific claims such as the lost continent Mu and megaliths on the Pacific islands built by levitation. Nunn has written that “the disappearance of Mu is very convenient because it means that theorists like Childress can say what they like and appear convincing to people who are comparatively uninformed, as many naturally are, of the huge body of scientific information on Pacific geology and cultures.”^[4]

Historical archaeologist Charles E. Orser (editor of International Journal of Historical Archaeology) has criticized Childress’s writings:

Pseudo-archaeologists continue to perpetuate the idea that Atlantis was a racialized place. David Hatcher Childress, one of the most flagrant violators of basic archaeological reasoning, has provided perhaps the most outrageous racialized vision of Atlantis. In discussing Tiahuanaco in Bolivia—as a palace built long before any Native South Americans were present—Childress proposes that the majestic site could only have been constructed by the “Atlantean League.” The league was composed of mythic seafarers who “sailed the world spreading a megalithic culture and wore red turbans over their blond hair” (Childress 1986: 139, emphasis added). Nowhere did Plato, the only actual source on Atlantis, mention the blond hair of the Atlanteans. Plato did mention that the men and women of Atlantis, being semi-divine, were inherently good . . . The correlation between goodness and whiteness is thus obvious in Childress’s formulation and in much else that has been written about Atlantis.
— Charles E. Orser, Race and Practice in Archaeological Interpretation^[5]

From: L. Taylor Hansen – Wikipedia
Lucile Taylor Hansen (November 30, 1897 – May 1976) was an American writer of science fiction and popular science articles and books who used a male writing persona for the early part of her career. She is the author of eight short stories, nearly sixty nonfiction articles popularizing anthropology and geology, and three nonfiction books.

At Amazon under this link and in the one-star reviews it seems this author L. Taylor Hansen has lied a lot. Read the lower reviews of this book. He Walked the Americas: Hansen, L. Taylor: 9780964499706: Amazon.com: Books

I do understand that people want to believe these kinds of sci-fi legends but if they aren’t true and there is plenty of reason to believe these aren’t true then you should not pass them on to others as truth. These two authors are story tellers who try to pass some of their stories off as truth because there is actually no other record of what they say. According to the reviews on Amazon many times both authors quote other people that may or may not be telling the truth and then they put it in a book and pass it off as truth because it is in another book and not necessarily because they researched it themselves. Neither of these authors have degrees in the field of archaeology or anthropology. Not that you would necessarily need a degree, but it does not seem that either ever did the work that goes into archaeological digs or into anthropology. Hansen apparently claims to have gone to Stanford University and gotten a degree, but she apparently did not and Wikipedia backs up the one-star reviews on Amazon in that regard.

If you are going to read these kinds of books believing they are true, please check into the background of the author at least a little. If you want to find truth, open your Bible and read that book because it is the source of all truth, and the answer is in there some place you just have to look for it.

Ray writes:
I forgot to add Acts 15:14. “God [via his son Jesus] first did visit the Gentiles.” Which the book brings out, “before” he sailed east across the Atlantic to his homeland. Jesus began his ministry at age 30 by going “first to the Gentiles”, then sailed to Judea, where he began his ministry to Israelites. This is why the Jewish leaders said to him “You are not yet fifty years old”. He was then in his 40’s.

Laura writes:
Joh 8:57 Then said the Jews unto him, Thou art not yet fifty years old, and hast thou seen Abraham?

Read John 8:57 in context. They are laughing at Christ here. They are saying you are not yet fifty years old and you have seen Abraham. In other words, how could he have seen Abraham if he is only fifty years old. Abraham was long dead by the time the Jews said this to Christ. This verse has nothing to do with the age of Christ. According to the context of what is being talked about.

Act 15:14 Simeon hath declared how God at the first did visit the Gentiles, to take out of them a people for his name.

As far as Acts 15:14 goes, Christ was already dead when the book of Acts was written. This verse is not saying that God (Christ) visited the gentiles in person as part of His ministry on earth.

This section of scripture is talking about how Paul and Barnabas went to Cyprus and Asia Minor sharing many miracles the Holy Spirit empowered them to do and how the Gentiles received salvation through Jesus. In other words, the apostles not Jesus went to other places to preach about Christ to the Gentiles. If you read the entire chapter of Acts 15 you will see that it was the Apostles traveling to the gentiles and not Christ in person as part of His ministry.

I personally do not have time to read books such as the ones you have mentioned here and that is the only reason I asked for research help in that regard. I thought that if someone else was familiar with the book and the author that perhaps they could just write something up in regard to it, that could be shared with everyone.

Holy Days 2026
Passover (Observed at Sunset the Evening Before.)	April 2, 2026
Passover/Unleavened Bread	April 2-8, 2026
Pentecost	May 22, 2026
Trumpets	September 12, 2026
Atonement	September 21, 2026
Tabernacles	September 26 to October 2, 2026
Last Great Day	October 3, 2026

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