COGR – Under-Apostles and Under-Priests
January 23, 2024
Good day! I am writing a series of short reviews of abbreviated COGR video clips. I am looking for input and comments. If it makes it easier, I will be glad to supply a Word document so comments can be put in the document, and we can communicate directly. My email address is lattema@icloud.com. I hope you find these reviews helpful.
“Hebrews, chapter number three, it says, “Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, now listen to this. Consider the apostle and high priest of our profession, Christ Jesus.” Jesus Christ is the apostle, and Jesus Christ is the high priest, and delivered unto us gifts.
And because He is the apostle and because He is the high priest, He has left to Himself a witness on the earth, others. I’m going to say, “under apostles.” I’m borrowing that term from under shepherds. There are under apostles and under high priests.
But wait a minute, preacher, there’s only one high priest. I say, “Yeah, just one: Jesus Christ.” And what we’re reading about and what we’re dealing with is a Revelation of Jesus Christ. So what we’re going to see is witnesses; we’re going to see Jesus Christ throughout the different dispensations of time in church history.”
Commentary:
Here is an example of a clear pattern that keeps repeating. Combine three parts of COGR mythology with one part of Bible truth, and you get the message. The goal is to elevate the apostles and control the congregation. Here, COGR is guilty of inserting its own apostles between Jesus and the congregation.
Ray has come up with the terms “under-apostles” and “under-high priests” to set up a system for controlling people. The under-apostles are like kings, directing the flock and representing a distant Jesus. They help us feel God’s presence. The under-high priests also stand in for Jesus. Interestingly, the end-time apostles identify themselves as both kings and priests.
Elsewhere Ray has provided an example of how this works out. Ray speaks of the need for physical intermediaries because God wants his people to surrender all they have, and without a physical priest, they cannot surrender their possessions. Ray resolves this problem by introducing physical intermediaries who can receive them. This way, congregants can surrender everything to the holy apostles, laying it at their feet.
In the transcript, there are Biblical issues to consider. Scripture doesn’t mention leaving a witness. We don’t need under-apostles or under-priests. Jesus provided the Holy Spirit to lead and guide us. Next, neither Scripture nor history talks about under-apostles and under-prophets, so they are a late creation. Finally, Ray places these under-apostles and under-priests between the people and Jesus, teaching that end-time apostles represent Jesus on earth, they are priests and kings. This, of course, creates a layer between Jesus and believers that is filled by Ray and his fellow apostles who will speak for Jesus.
Contrary to this, three verses in Hebrews support the idea that Jesus is our apostle and high priest, and there’s no need for intermediaries.
Hebrews 3:1-2 (NIV):
“Therefore, holy brothers and sisters, who share in the heavenly calling, fix your thoughts on Jesus, whom we acknowledge as our apostle and high priest. He was faithful to the one who appointed him, just as Moses was faithful in all God’s house.”
Hebrews 4:14-16 (NIV):
“Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has ascended into heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin. Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.”
Hebrews 6:19-20 (NIV):
“We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain, where our forerunner, Jesus, has entered on our behalf. He has become a high priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek.”
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