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Perry F Rockwood has a radio ministry called "The People's Gospel Hour" based in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada (www.tpgh.org/contact.html) that boasts of "millions of worldwide listeners" (www.tpgh.org). He is a preacher of the more "fundamental" sort (http://fundamental.org/fundamental/ministry/) and is one who follows the KJV only folly (www.kjv1611.org/kjvdefnd/kjvdefnd/others/other4.htm. For a Biblical view on this issue, see www.atruechurch.info/kjv.html). Rockwood is a false teacher (2 Peter 2:1-3) who teaches a false gospel (Galatians 1:8-9), and adds to the word of God (Proverbs 30:5-6).

I. A False Gospel

Within the heart of the gospel of God (Romans 1:16-11:36) is Paul's teaching on the predestination of mankind (Romans 8:29-30; 9:6-23; Ephesians 1:3-5, 11; 2 Timothy 1:9). Rockwood rejects this good news and propagates a gospel of works. In Rockwood's booklet, Election And Free Will, immediately after quoting Romans 8:29 he writes,

Does God predestinate some people to be saved and go to Heaven and others to be lost and go to Hell so that they have no free choice? The answer is no! A person is predestinated to be saved only as he chooses by his own free will to repent of sin and receive Christ as personal Saviour. (www.tpgh.org/archive/books/52.htm, hard copies of all documentation on file)

This is a false gospel of works. The true gospel teaches that salvation is "according to the election of God, not of works," (Romans 9:11) and the "works" being spoken of includes the work of the will (Romans 9:16). As it is written,

So then it is not of him who wills, nor of him who runs, but of God who shows mercy. (Romans 9:16; see also John 1:12-13; Ephesians 2:1-10, and www.atruechurch.info/calvinarmin.html)

In this same article Rockwood argues,

There is nothing taught in the Bible about man being predestined to eternal damnation. (ibid.)

This is a lie. Please note the following verses:

The Lord has made all for Himself, yes, even the wicked for the day of doom. (Proverbs 16:4)

O Lord, how great are Your works! Your thoughts are very deep. A senseless man does not know, nor does a fool understand this. When the wicked spring up like grass, and when all the workers of iniquity flourish, it is that they may be destroyed forever. (Psalm 92:6-7)

Does not the potter have power over the clay, from the same lump to make one vessel for honor and another for dishonor? What if God, wanting to show His wrath and to make His power known, endured with much longsuffering the vessels of wrath prepared for destruction . . . (Romans 9:21-22)

They stumble, being disobedient to the word, to which they also were appointed. But you are a chosen generation . . . (1 Peter 2:8)

Certain men have crept in unnoticed, who long ago were marked out for this condemnation . . (Jude 4)

All who dwell on the earth will worship him, whose names have not been written in the Book of Life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world. (Revelation 13:8)

Those who dwell on the earth will marvel, whose names are not written in the Book of Life from the foundation of the world. (Revelation 17:8)

Anyone not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire. (Revelation 20:15)

In his rejection of predestination Rockwood denies the gospel of God found in His Holy Word.

In this same booklet Rockwood states,

Hyper-Calvinism is a philosophy based on human reasoning rather than Divine revelation. They use terms such as "Then it must logically follow that ..." They tell us that if God foreknew what would occur, then He must have ordered it. If He knew sin would come, then He must have planned the sin. The Bible does not teach this at all.

No doubt, Hyper-Calvinism is not in the truth, but it is a lie to say God did not plan sin. God planned everything (Lamentation 3:37; Isaiah 46:8-10; Psalm 33:11; Romans 11:36; Hebrews 2:10), even sin (Ephesians 1:4; 2 Timothy 1:9; Revelation 13:8). In the very heart of the gospel (Romans 1:16-11:36), Paul declares,

By one man's disobedience many were made sinners. (Romans 5:19)

Who made them sinners? The Lord did.

God has committed them all to disobedience. (Romans 11:32)

Scripture has confined all under sin. (Galatians 3:22)

The Lord has made all for Himself, yes, even the wicked. (Proverbs 16:4)

No matter what it is, salvation (Ephesians 2:8-10), condemnation (Jude 4), or sin (Isaiah 45:7 KJV; 63:17), it is all of God (Romans 11:36), orchestrated (e.g. 2 Chronicles 18:18-22; Isaiah 19:14), controlled (Job 1 & 2), commanded (Lamentations 3:37), and planned by Him (Isaiah 46:8-10; Revelation 1:8; 22:13).

Furthermore, it is evident from Rockwood's booklet Election And Free Will that he is ecumenical. In this book he speaks strongly against Calvinism (TULIP), yet in hypocrisy he favorably quotes C. H. Spurgeon who was a staunch Calvinist (see www.atruechurch.info/spurgeon.html).

More evidence of Rockwood's false gospel can be found in his booklet The Unsaved After Death where he writes,

Will A God of Love Send People to Hell?

Not at all! God has provided a way of escape through His Son the Lord Jesus Christ who came into the world to save sinners. Full provision has been made for salvation, but those who refuse this salvation determine their own destiny and choose Hell instead of Heaven. (www.tpgh.org/archive/books/6.htm, bold added)

This may sound nice to the humanistic ear, but it is a lie to say that God does not send people to hell. In fact, the reason God sends people to hell is because He is a God of love. God is a God of justice (Isaiah 30:18), and He will have mercy on the righteous and destroy the wicked forever in hell (for more on this, please see www.atruechurch.info/howcanagodoflovesendpeopletohell.html).

II. Additions (Proverbs 30:5-6)

1. Alcohol

In addition to his false gospel, Rockwood follows the doctrine of man (Matthew 15:8-9) and adds to the word of God. For example, he teaches,

The Devil is in every bottle of liquor. (www.tpgh.org/archive/books/76.htm)
The Devil is in every bottle of booze. (at least twice, ibid.)

The Bible does not teach this. Please see our article, Drinking Alcohol.

2. Revelation

Furthermore, Rockwood adds to the word (Proverbs 30:5-6) by his faulty prophetic interpretation of the churches in Revelation. He teaches,

1. Ephesus (2:1-7) represents the church at the end of the apostolic age.
2. Smyrna (2:8-11) represents the persecuted church.
3. Pergamos (2:12-17) represents the church united with the world up to about 316 A.D.
4. Thyatira (2:18-29) represents the church of the Dark Ages, the Roman Catholic Church.
5. Sardis (3:1-6) represents the church of the Protestant Reformation. (bold added, www.tpgh.org/archive/books/53.htm)

Scripture teaches no such time tables. For more on this, see our tape 3-10-96 - PROPHETIC HISTORY? REVELATION 2 & 3.

3. Gap Theory, Animals, and Fig Leaves

Another example of adding to the word of God and teaching the doctrines of man can be found in the booklet From Creation To Re-Creation where Rockwood writes,

between Genesis 1:1 and Genesis 1:2 there is a great space of time which goes back as far as the age of earth.

This is a lie. Exodus 20:11 says the Lord made the heavens and the earth in six days. Rockwood adds "a great space of time" between Genesis 1:1 & 1:2 that is not there. He also teaches that "the original creation fell" (referring to the physical world, ibid.) which Scripture does not teach.

Also, in this same article, Rockwood adds to the word by saying,

(3) "Man became a living soul." God created man distinct from the animal world and man has a spirit and a soul that makes him unique among all creation (see 1 Thess.5:23). With the spirit man became God-conscious, and this makes him different from all other kinds of animals. (bold added)

Scripture teaches no such thing. In fact, the Hebrew words for "living soul" in regards to man in Genesis 2:7 are the same Hebrew words used for creatures in Genesis 1:20-21; 24, 30; 2:19; 9:10, 12, 15-16; and Leviticus 11:10 & 46. Plus, Ecclesiastes 3:21 speaks of the spirit of the animal.

Who knows the spirit of the sons of men, which goes upward, and the spirit of the animal, which goes down to the earth?

In this same article, speaking of Adam, Rockwood states,

He tried to restore his lost fellowship with God through a righteousness which was based on works not on grace. Adam and Eve sewed fig leaves together to make a covering for their sin. Yet God says, "All our righteousnesses are as filthy rags" (Isa. 64:6).

Rockwood believes sewing fig leaves equals "righteousness which was based on works." Scripture teaches no such thing. This is his idea, not the Word's (Proverbs 30:5-6; Hebrews 4:12-13).

4. Nimrod

More adding to the word of God (Proverbs 30:5-6) can be found in the booklet entitled Rebuilding the Tower of Babel where he writes,

In Genesis 10:9 we read that Nimrod "was a mighty hunter before the Lord: wherefore it is said, Even as Nimrod the mighty hunter before the Lord." Here is the beginning of human dictatorship and organized rebellion against God. He was a hunter of souls, a hunter of men to join together against the Lord. (www.tpgh.org/archive/books/29.htm, bold added)

Scripture says no such thing. Rockwood just makes this up (or believes it from some other deceiver).

Likewise, in this same book he writes,

Nimrod's great ambition was to establish a world-empire.

Says who? Scripture teaches no such presumption. For more on this kind of fable about Nimrod, see Babylon Religion.

5. Currency

In his booklet, The Coming C-R-A-S-H of C-A-S-H, Rockwood clearly goes beyond what is written (1 Corinthians 4:6) and claims,

The Bible teaches clearly that the day is coming when the dollar will have no value whatever. After the rapture of the church there will arise a world dictator, Mr. 666, whose mark must be upon every person or they will not be able to buy or sell. (www.tpgh.org/archive/books/31.htm, bold added)

It's amazing something can be so clear and it not even be found in holy writ. Indeed, a ruler is coming who will require a mark on all, and such a mark will be mandated in order for anyone to buy or sell (Revelation 13:16-17). But, this does not equal "the dollar will have no value whatever." The dollar, or any other currency, may or may not be used. It doesn't say. All it says is,

no one may buy or sell except the one who has the mark or the name of the beast, or the number of his name. (Revelation 13:17).

Rockwood adds to the word when he maintains,

God revealed to John on the Isle of Patmos that the day is coming when the crash of cash will be a reality. The dollar will be no more! All money, bonds, debentures and investments will be totally cancelled. Only those who have the mark of the beast will be able to buy and sell. (ibid., bold added)

And,

Earth will see an end to the dollar, the lira, the pound, the mark, the franc, and the yen. (ibid.)

6. Gambling

Something else Scripture does not teach, but Rockwood does, is that gambling is evil. In his booklet, Gambling - The Winner is the Devil, he speaks of the "damnable sin of gambling," and maintains,

Gambling is a sin against God because it is mammon worship. (www.tpgh.org/archive/books/11.htm)

No doubt, many who gamble worship mammon (Romans 1:29; Ephesians 5:5; Colossians 3:5; 2 Timothy 3:2), and that may be why they gamble; because they are evil and greedy (Proverbs 27:20). But, gambling, in and of itself, is not evil. A godly person could gamble and not sin. Yet, Rockwood goes so far as to say,

The only real Christian attitude towards gambling of all kinds is one of nonparticipation in what has grown to be a great social evil. Every Christian should let his bank manager know that he opposes the banks selling gambling tickets. He should inform his pharmacist, supermarket manager and other business men that he is against gambling and will not patronize his business until the practice is stopped. (bold added)

So, Rockwood claims "gambling of all kinds" is "a great social evil." Rockwood fails to note:

All things are lawful for me, but all things are not helpful. All things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any. (1 Corinthians 6:12)

All things are lawful for me, but not all things are helpful; all things are lawful for me, but not all things edify. (1 Corinthians 10:23)

Four times Paul says, "all things are lawful." It is lawful to gamble, but it may not be profitable (1 Corinthians 6:12; 10:23, NAS). In fact, for a majority of people who gamble it is not profitable. The rich casinos in Las Vegas, Nevada, exemplify that fact. Moreover, gambling is lawful, but it may not edify (1 Corinthians 10:23). Actually, it will not edify a brother who, in his own conscience, doubts about it being ok (Romans 14:16, 21-15:1).

Furthermore, gambling can certainly be, and typically is, the squandering of riches by the foolish (Proverbs 21:20). People foolishly hasten after riches (Proverbs 28:20) and it is typically frivolity (Proverbs 12:11); and the following Proverbs no doubt are fulfilled.

A man with an evil eye hastens after riches, and does not consider that poverty will come upon him. (Proverbs 28:22; see also Proverbs 21:5)

He who tills his land will have plenty of bread, but he who follows frivolity will have poverty enough! (Proverbs 28:19)

Our use of unrighteous mammon is a serious matter before God, and it is not to be taken lightly (Luke 16:10-13). Yet, the wicked are frivolous in their ways (Romans 3:18) and squander their riches (Proverbs 21:20), some via gambling.

But, gambling, in and of itself, is not evil. All things are lawful (1 Corinthians 6:12; 10:23). What makes it evil, when there is evil, is the desire for riches and the love of money (1 Timothy 6:9-10), which is covetousness (Hebrews 13:5), which is idolatry (Ephesians 5:5; Colossians 3:5). So, the gambling itself is not the sin. It is the motive of people's hearts, why they are gambling, and, perhaps, in what way they are gambling (squandering their riches), which makes for a sinful event.

7. The Rapture

Finally, in his booklet entitled, The Rapture, Rockwood teaches the opposite of 2 Thessalonians 2:1-3.

The Church will not pass through the great tribulation because the Church must be removed before Antichrist is revealed. (www.tpgh.org/archive/books/7.htm, bold added)

Rockwood says, "the Church must be removed before Antichrist is revealed." 2 Thessalonians 2 says just the opposite.

Now, brethren, concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our gathering together to Him, we ask you, not to be soon shaken in mind or troubled, either by spirit or by word or by letter, as if from us, as though the day of Christ had come. Let no one deceive you by any means; for that Day will not come unless the falling away comes first, and the man of sin is revealed, the son of perdition. (2 Thessalonians 2:1-3)

"The coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our gathering together to Him" equals "the Rapture" (1 Thessalonians 4:15-5:3), and here Paul says this will not happen until "the man of sin is revealed." The "man of sin" is a reference to the Antichrist (1 John 2:18). Rockwood says "the Church must be removed before the Antichrist is revealed," but Scripture says the Church will not be removed until after the Antichrist is revealed.

III. Conclusion

These are just a few matters we've noted. It is evident from the preachers he esteems (e.g. Spurgeon), he is on the broad way (Matthew 7:13-14). May the Lord deliver you "from the man who speaks perverse things" (Proverbs 2:1-12).

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