To Arnold Murray and the Followers of Shepherd’s Chapel

Concerning Spiritual Faithfulness and the Misuse of Christ’s Words

Grace and peace to you in the name of Jesus Christ, the true Bridegroom, who alone secures the faithfulness of His church. I write to address the blatant twisting of Scripture in your interpretation of Mark 13:17, where you claim Christ’s words refer to being “spiritually impregnated” with Satan’s lies. This misuse of the text is misleading, unfounded, and contrary to historical and biblical understanding.

On “Woe to Them Who Are with Child” (Mark 13:17)

You claim that Christ’s warning, “Woe to them that are with child in those days!” refers to spiritual pregnancy or deception by Satan. This interpretation is entirely false and ignores the clear historical and biblical context.

To understand the meaning of “woe” in the Bible, it is essential to recognize that “woe” signifies deep sorrow, lamentation, or divine judgment. In Mark 13:17, Christ’s use of “woe” reflects His compassion for the intense suffering that pregnant women and nursing mothers would endure during the tribulations He prophesied.

Christ’s words are not about spiritual deception but a compassionate acknowledgment of physical hardships. Historical accounts, particularly those of Josephus, describe the horrors of AD 70 when Jerusalem fell under siege. Famine and destruction led to unimaginable suffering, including parents being forced to make unthinkable decisions to survive. Josephus writes:

“Women snatched the food out of their own infants’ mouths. Some were so maddened by hunger that they resorted to eating their own flesh and blood.”

In this context, “Woe to you who destroys a man’s livelihood” applies to those who caused these devastations—rebellious leaders, corrupt rulers, and those who abandoned faithfulness to God’s commands. Their actions led to the destruction of the temple and the suffering Christ foresaw.

The subtle deceptions in the church today, such as your misrepresentation of Christ’s words, mimic the same tactics: distorting Scripture and misleading believers. This false interpretation diverts attention from the historical and prophetic realities of Christ’s warning and focuses on baseless allegories that create fear rather than understanding.

The Misleading Nature of Allegorical Interpretations

Your teaching introduces confusion by turning Christ’s clear words into a fanciful allegory. Nowhere in Scripture is pregnancy associated with spiritual deception or the mark of Satan. Instead, childbearing is celebrated as a blessing:

“Behold, children are a heritage from the LORD, the fruit of the womb a reward” (Psalm 127:3).

To claim that Christ’s warning in Mark 13:17 refers to “spiritual impregnation” by Satan is an affront to biblical truth. This false interpretation feeds into the subtle deceptions in the church today—teachings that distort Scripture for personal agendas or speculative doctrines.

Christ’s lament in Mark 13:17 is not symbolic of spiritual unfaithfulness but a literal acknowledgment of the suffering and vulnerability of mothers and children during the tribulations He described. To misuse this passage is to ignore its true meaning and exploit fear to control and mislead others.

The True Context of Christ’s Warning

The tribulations Christ described were both immediate and prophetic. They encompassed the horrors of His crucifixion, the destruction of the temple, and the suffering that followed. The events of AD 70, as documented by Josephus, demonstrate the fulfillment of these words in stark reality.

The phrase “woe to you who destroys a man’s livelihood” can be applied to the broader implications of rebellion and judgment. Leaders who rejected Christ and led the people astray destroyed not only livelihoods but lives. Their rebellion brought judgment upon themselves and their nation, as Christ warned.

Christ’s use of “woe” reminds us of the seriousness of sin and the depth of His compassion for those who suffer under its consequences. It is not about Satanic deception or symbolic pregnancy but about the physical and spiritual devastation faced by those who rejected Him.

Conclusion

Arnold Murray, your interpretation of Mark 13:17 is not only misleading but harmful. By distorting the meaning of “woe” in the Bible, you shift the focus from Christ’s compassion and prophetic warning to a baseless teaching that fuels fear and confusion. This is one of the many subtle deceptions in the church today that distract believers from the truth of God’s Word.

Repent of this error and return to a faithful study of Scripture, which speaks plainly to those who seek its truth. Christ’s words call for understanding, not distortion. “Woe to you who destroys a man’s livelihood” can just as easily apply to spiritual leaders who mislead the flock and place unnecessary burdens on them.

May the Lord guide you into sound doctrine and protect your followers from such harmful teachings.

In Christ’s Service,
Solomon Trueman