ReAsOn 4 Hip Hop Ministries
"Teaching God's Message of the coming Kingdom, Salvation for ALL through the name of Jesus Christ, and Restoration of the Apostle's Doctrine--the NEW SPIRITUAL Covenant, through Rhymes And Production!" (Col. 3:16-17, RAPV).
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REASON'S TOP 10 MOST HATED FALSE DOCTRINES OF THE CHURCH
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REASON'S TOP 10 MOST HATED DOCTRINES OF THE CHURCH
[The Greatest Depths (or deep secrets) of Satan Exposed]
GOD'S ARMOR HIP HOP MINISTRY© MISSION STATEMENT:
My purpose with this message is to GLORIFY GOD in music by EQUIPPING the local hip hop culture, record labels, production companies, and ministries worldwide to multiply talented artists and to enable them to minister the Word of God through FRIENDSHIP, EVANGELISM, DISCIPLESHIP, AND HEALTHY GROWTH. (Matthew 10:1-42, 28:19-20; Mark 16:15; Luke 24:45-49; John 21:15-17; Acts 1:7-8; Ephesians 4:11-16; 2nd Timothy 1:2-6).
As a follower in Christ I am to tell the world that God is not mad at them and the reason why is because God has DONE IT ALL. First He changed US from enemies into His friends through sending Christ to die in their place. And then He gave US the job of making others His friends also. And we MUST tell them that God IS MAKING EVERYBODY IN THE WHOLE WORLD HIS FRIENDS BY WHAT CHRIST DID, AND THAT HE ISN'T COUNTING THEIR SINS AGAINST THEM ANY LONGER. And He has given US the message which tells people that GOD HAS MADE THEM HIS FRIENDS so that they all will be adopted as children of God. (2nd Corinthians 5:18-19 New Testament Everyday English Paraphrased).
I am also to declare to Christ's Spiritual Church (THE FEW CHOSEN) that we are of His body and that those (Carnal Church, THE MANY CALLED) who are put up dividing walls in the church that separate us--racial, denominational, doctrinal differences, etc.--are not true members of His body. And we must come out of that (carnal) church so we can get our job done as HIS ONE church, the body of Christ, THE CHURCH OF THE LIVING GOD. (Jeremiah 16:14-18; 2nd Corinthians 6:14-18; Genesis 19:13-16 & 23-28; Revelation 18:4-10; Genesis 15:13-14; Ezra 6:19-22; Galatians 4:21-31; Matthew 7:13-27; Revelation 2:7; 2:11; 2:17; 2:26; 3:5; 3:12; 3:21).
The giant difference between the physically called of God and the spiritually Chosen of God is that the first are immature babes, and the second are spiritually mature sons?having the mind of Christ. If you believe in Jesus Christ, you are in the Church. But if you are in Christ Jesus, then you are no longer in the physical carnal church, but in God?s spiritual Church?the very Body of Christ. Let me assure you on the authority of all the Sacred Scriptures that carnal (enmity filled, deep-seated hatred) minded Christians are not members of the spiritual body of Christ. Jesus Christ is preparing a "bride"?a VIRGIN (pure in TRUTH) bride (Revelation 21:9-10; Matthew 16:18; 1st Timothy 3:15; Hebrews 12:22-23; & Galatians 4:26). Our Lord will not marry a WHORE (corrupt in DOCTRINES) or prostitute?Mystery Babylon (Revelation 17:1-3 & 8; Matthew 18:17; Acts 7:38; 1st Corinthians 6:15-16; & Galatians 4:25).
"For MANY [THE 'MAJORITY' IN THE CHURCH] are called [Gk: 'invited'] but FEW [THE 'MINORITY' IN THE CHURCH] are chosen [Gk: 'selected, elected, chosen out; by implication: favorite']" (Matt. 22:14).
Few realize that there is a "church WITHIN the church." When God chooses us FROM AMONG the called, we become separate from their doctrines and sins. We are still "The Church of the Living God," but we are a peculiar people that no longer follows the wisdom of the world and the traditions of men, which the many called who are building the house upon the sand continue to follow. The Bible refers to the "called" as "the Synagogue of Satan" and to the "chosen" as "the Body of Christ." But Jesus Christ calls both groups in the book of Revelation:
"The mystery [Gk: 'to shut the mouth, a secret or "mystery" (through the idea of silence imposed by initiation into religious rites)'] of the ... seven golden candlesticks ... the seven candlesticks which thou sawest are the seven churches [Seven (God?s number of completeness) represent the WHOLE CHURCH OF GOD down through centuries to our very day FROM PENTACOST UNTIL HIS COMING]." (Revelation 1:20).
THE 7 CHURCHES ARE GOD?S CHURCHES
Make no mistake, the seven churches in Revelation 2 and 3 are the churches of the Living God! They are not pagan churches, neither are they Satan?s churches, but they are GOD?S churches! It is none other than Jesus Christ Himself Who,
"...walks in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks [which are the seven churches]" (Rev. 2:1).
"He that has [been given by God] an [spiritual] ear, let him [spiritually] hear what the Spirit [of GOD] says [is saying] unto the churches" (Rev. 1:7, 11, 17, 29, 2:6, 13, 22).
SEVEN MEANS COMPLETE
The Sabbath or "seventh day" COMPLETES the week. Daniel?s famous prophecy was
"SEVENTY weeks are determined upon thy people and upon thy holy city, to finish [complete] the transgression, and to make an end [complete] of sins?" (Dan. 9:24).
Seven seals, seven trumpets, and seven plagues complete God?s wrath on mankind. Seven is used over six hundred times in Scriptures. Check if you wish, to see how many times seven shows completeness.
Therefore, how many churches complete THE WHOLE CHURCH OF GOD?
"?write in a book and send it unto the SEVEN churches which are in Asia?" (Rev. 1:11).
Were there not churches (congregations) also in Judea as well? Even in Rome? Why only the seven churches "in ASIA?" Because these seven congregations completed all that Jesus had to say to all congregations, everywhere. This is a COMPLETE revelation for ALL CHURCHES. These seven congregations had within them all of the sins, weaknesses, and shortcomings of all congregations everywhere during ALL TIME. I will make this abundantly and Scripturally clear. But on the positive side, all of the churches had at least a "few names" that were not spiritually defiled, and who will be in the first resurrection as Sons and Daughters of God to bring the rest of the harvest, the great fall harvest into the Kingdom.
These churches that personify in symbol all of God?s church for the past two thousand years, are in fact, the training ground and the proving ground for the elect. Coming out of this carnal system puts one among the called and the chosen and the VERY elect. Paul called it "the HIGH CALLING." (Philippians 3:14).
When you go through the messages to the seven churches, you will see a reiteration of the same problems in all the congregations.
It would take me twenty pages (for more information on that ask me for the paper titled "What Happened to the Church Jesus Built") to reiterate all the similarities of both sins and rewards found in all seven church congregations, which represent the whole church of God throughout all generations. This is not a dissected church divided up into particular or separate dispensations, ages, or eras.
My goal in ministry is to present GOOD NEWS OF THE KINGDOM OF GOD first to the church, to show them that the times have changed. The biggest influence on our children is what they see on TV and hear on the radio.
I will do this by, holding firmly to the truth of the Good News of the Kingdom of God as Christ has taught me, that I may be able by SOUND and WHOLESOME DOCTRINE to:
[1] Encourage Christians who are PERSECUTED to continue in the truth of God's Word.
[2] Attempt to present the UNADULTERATED Truth of God?s Word.
[3] And to CONVICT, CORRECT, and OPPOSE those WHOSE TEACHINGS CONTRADICT the Word of God. (Titus 1:9, Concordant Literal New Testament).
For there are many unruly, smooth talkers, and deceivers, especially those who claim to be Christian: whose mouths must be stopped, who overthrow whole houses, teaching things which they should never teach, for the purpose of making a profit. (Titus 1:10-11, Concordant Literal New Testament).
THE DEPTH OF SATAN
10. The "Rapture" Theory
9. NO ONE is saved (in the past tense) in this life
8. If you are not suffering persecution you clearly are not living godly in Christ Jesus
7. The Greek Word 'aionios,' never means eternal, forever, or everlasting
6. The King James Version: An Error-Free Bible Translation?
5. The Doctrine on "Christian Tithing"
4. The "Lucifer" Hoax
3. The Concept of the "holy trinity"
2. The Illusion of "Free Will"
1. The Doctrine of "Eternal Torment"
And I will remember always as I attempt to enlighten those whom God is calling, that we are NO BETTER than those whose doctrines we condemn. God loves and DIED for these heretics of the modern Church. They are precious to God?and they had better be PRECIOUS TO US, or we too will receive a great condemnation for feeling anything but LOVE TOWARD THEM! They may be, in fact, our enemies, but Christ instructs us to: "?LOVE YOUR ENEMIES"!! (2nd Samuel 2:6, Matthew 5:44, Luke 6:27 & 35).
Many Are Ignorant
Thirty years ago, a newspaper reporter exposed Christians? ignorance of the Bible. Since then, such ignorance has greatly worsened.
The account begins, ?Some months ago, a Protestant pastor administered a Bible quiz to the members of his congregation. The questions were very simple. Anyone with a general knowledge of the Bible should have been able to answer all of them easily.
?The results staggered the pastor.
?Only five percent of his flock made a commendable grade on the test. Fifteen percent failed to give a single correct answer. Sixty percent were unable to name the four Gospels. Seventy-five percent could not identify Calvary (Golgotha) as the place where Jesus was crucified.
?Some congregations might do better than that,? continued the reporter, ?but not many. The vast majority of Americans today are Bible illiterates. They simply have never read the book which they profess to regard as the ?Word of God.??
The reporter concluded, ?A great many people have turned away from the Bible because when they do try to read it, they find they cannot understand it? To the modern reader, it has a remote and antiquarian flavor. It is likely to leave him with the impression the Bible is an ancient history book that has no real relevance to his life here and now? (Louis Cassels, UPI Special Correspondent on religious affairs).
Another quote sheds light on how society considers Biblical knowledge irrelevant. J.B. Phillips, author of the Phillips translation (The New Testament in Modern English), reported in his booklet, The Young Church in Action, ?It is one of the curious phenomena of modern times that it is considered perfectly respectable to be abysmally ignorant of the Christian faith. Men and women who would be deeply ashamed of having their ignorance exposed in matters of poetry, music, or painting, for example, are not in the least perturbed to be found ignorant of the New Testament? (p. 6).
A true Christian should?and would?always seek to solidify his basic understanding of the Bible. Rather than smugly comparing himself with people of the world, he should either ?study to show himself approved? (2 Tim. 2:16) or consider his own need to ??strengthen the things which remain? (Rev. 3:2).
No one should feel secure at their level of understanding?neither could anyone justify such a position in this struggle to grow and overcome. All who sincerely seek God need to examine themselves and make their Bible study more productive?more edifying.
I have received countless emails over the months in which my detractors inform me that the Scriptures are easy to understand: all one has to do is read them.
That?s not true. Billions of "Christians" "read" the Scriptures, but have not a clue as to what they mean. And one of the biggest problems in not understanding what they have read is that they do not believe the Scriptures. And why don?t they believe? Because their shepherds have deceived them into believing that "Christian" doctrines take precedent over the Scriptures.
I know of not one "Christian" doctrine (LITERALLY) that is completely Scriptural. Not one. And that includes, Seventh Day Adventists, Mormons, Jehovah?s Witnesses, Christian Science, and every other institutionalized church and denomination of manmade creeds. These truths that I am presenting here are "creed busters." They destroy the doctrines of men. They make the wisdom of religion look incredibly stupid. God?s truths are like treasures hidden in a field. We must buy the field and then diligently search out the treasure. The following truths of Scripture could make you every spiritually wealthy. You might call me a heresimach (a person engaged in combating heresy and heretics)!
(I surely hope none will be offended at my criticisms. They are not to be taken personally. I, likewise, am ready and willing to be corrected about any of my writings. I openly invite it. If I am wrong on even a minor point, I want to know about it. Let?s face it; no one single person has all the truth on any subject. But praise God, He does keep on increasing those truths He has already graciously given to us!)
PERSONAL OBSERVATIONS
A few personal thoughts before I really get into these subjects. Through the years God has revealed a bit of wisdom to me, and it goes something like this: If something is false (actually, factually, and literally false), then all honest scholarship and study done on that particular subject will only further verify its falsehood. If, however, something really is true (actually, factually, and literally true), then all honest scholarship and study done on that particular subject will, likewise, only further verify its truthfulness.
No amount of research will eventually prove that evolution is the explanation of our existence on this Earth. That?s because the theory is false! And this principle, I believe, applies to the study of any subject. So we have nothing to fear.
I remember well the teaching of Mr. Herbert W. Armstrong on the subject of the final destiny of those thrown into the lake of fire. His study went something like this: "All have sinned (scripture, scripture, scripture), but Christ came to die for sinners (scripture, scripture), but those who reject Christ?s sacrifice will be thrown into the lake of fire (scripture), from which there will be no salvation [NO scripture!]" I learned a lot from that study.
When it comes to matters regarding the salvation of all mankind theologians have found it necessary to distort many verses of Scripture to force a compliance with their pagan teaching on the subject. I will try to clear up all of the difficulties and contradictions associated with sheol/hades because of the pagan Christian teaching of an eternal hell. Strong?s Concordance, Dictionaries of Hebrew and Greek, and the Bible, is all we need to make sense of it all.
10. The "Rapture" Theory
RAPTURE DOCTRINE CAUSES DIVISION
I believe there is more at stake with regards to the teaching of the rapture than a mere difference of opinion on a theological doctrine. Even among those who accept and believe in the reconciliation, justification, glorification, and salvation of all, it is a divisive doctrine.
Paul instructs us:
"Now I am entreating you, brethren, through the name of our Lord Jesus Christ [sounds to me like he is about to say something rather important], that all may be saying the same thing, and there may be no schisms among you, but you may be attuned to the same mind and to the same opinion" (1 Cor. 1:10).
And again:
"... that there may be no schism in the body ..." (I Cor. 12:25).
This also includes,
"... endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit with the tie [bond] of peace ..." (Eph. 4:3).
We will see that the rapture theory is in direct conflict with these Scriptures.
Not only is there a line drawn between the Jewish (circumcision) saints and the Gentile (uncircumcision) saints, but now it has even caused a division between individual members of the uncircumcision saints. Do the Scriptures actually teach two separate second comings of our Lord to vivify His saints, or is the rapture an unwarranted deduction based on human reasoning?
It IS possible to know, one way or the other. This is not a hazy topic in the Scriptures. You will be amazed just how easy it is to understand God?s Word regarding Christ?s return to His saints--ALL OF HIS SAINTS.
The mere idea of two separate and distinct comings might not be harmful in itself. However, when we examine many of the reasons given for why there should be separate resurrections at two separate comings of our Lord, then I believe the harm becomes more apparent. And the teaching that the uncircumcision resurrection, under Paul?s administration, is far superior to that of Israel?s is not substantiated by Scripture. Peter and Israel are then relegated to an inferior calling, expectation, etc. The Scriptures do not teach such a theory.
It is inferred that the saints of Israel will not only have to go through the great tribulation, but possibly God?s indignation as well, while the saints of the Gentiles are supposedly raptured away long before these horrors manifest themselves on the earth. Do the Scriptures really support the idea that compared to the Gentile saints; Israel has been given an inferior calling, an inferior expectation, an inferior resurrection with inferior bodies, and a position of inferior rulership with Christ on an inferior terrestrial setting?
It makes me sad to see sincere believers buy into a divisive theory of "who?s the greatest." Peter was a spiritual giant, just as Paul. There was mutual love and respect for each other, not competition, as they worked together sharing knowledge for the benefit of the saints in their care.
HOW THIS STUDY GOT STARTED
Ten years ago a friend probed me about my views on the secret rapture. I outlined in a letter to him what I believe the Scriptures teach regarding this long-debated topic. For this letter, I was virtually disfellowshipped and anathematized. He wrote a stinging letter to a Bible publisher condemning my supposed heresy. Unfortunately, I have never heard from this man again. I learned that not all brethren take kindly to those who oppose their views.
Recently more and more truth seekers have requested information regarding the rapture. I didn?t realize how much interest there is in this subject. Since this paper has been presented, it is somewhat enlarged from my notes of ten years ago.
WHAT IS THE RAPTURE?
Rapturists believe that 1st Thessalonians 4:13-18 describes a resurrection which includes both the living and the dead uncircumcision saints only, long before the saints of Israel are resurrected at Christ?s second coming. That there will be such a resurrection as outlined in 1st Thessalonians 4:13-18, there is no debate among believers. The debate that has raged in religious circles for over a century has to do with the "who and when" of its prophetic fulfillment. Here are the two scenarios:
1. Who will be in this secret rapture (resurrection)? Some say only the Body of Christ which they claim is composed of Gentiles and a remnant of Jewish believers only. The Apostles and saints of Israel will supposedly be in a resurrection that occurs much later at a different coming or presence of our Lord Jesus Christ. Others believe the Scriptures show that ALL the saints (dead and alive, Jews and Gentiles), are vivified together at Christ?s one and only second coming.
2. When will this secret rapture take place in prophetic chronology? There are three popular teachings regarding when Christ returns. Many believe that the final seven years of Daniel?s 70th week prophecy are separated by thousands of years from the first 69 weeks, and that the last seven years of this prophecy are to be fulfilled beginning seven years before Christ?s second coming. This then, apparently, is to be seven years of trouble and tribulation. The last three and one-half years is regarded by many as the "Great Tribulation" (Mat. 24:21, Rev. 2:22; 7:14).
One camp teaches that the rapture will occur before the Great Tribulation and; therefore, are known as pre-tribulationists.
A second camp teaches that the rapture occurs in the middle of the seven-year week of Daniel are known as mid-tribulationists.
And a third camp teaches that the rapture occurs at the end of the Great Tribulation. They are known as post-tribulationists.
Sometimes we hear just the term "rapture," and other times we hear of the "secret rapture."
The word "rapture" is not found in the Bible. Rapture is said to be taken from the Latin word rapio which means, to seize, to take by force, and is supposedly the root of the English word, "rape." The Greek word, harpazo, is translated "caught up" in the Authorized Version and "snatched away" in the Concordant Version. As "rapture" is in popular usage with reference to "caught up" and "snatched away" in 1st Thessalonians 4, we will continue to use the word in this paper.
We will consider the main arguments used in favor of the rapture theory by those who use accurate translations and have a good understanding of other Scriptural truths, such as the sovereignty of God and the salvation of all. I will avoid answering all of the Christian Fundamentalist views of the rapture as their arguments in favor of a rapture add very little.
Let it be abundantly clear that as I go through the material and research of other expositors on this subject of the rapture, and comment on their statements and views, that it is only their teaching that I am taking exception to, and certainly not the sincere and fine people who are presenting their views.
Below is a chart of six Scriptural references showing six categories of events with regards to Christ?s return. It is the second and fourth references that rapturists claim are descriptions of a secret rapture, while the first, third, fifth and sixth are supposedly a later and different event. Irrespective of similarities, we are told that it is "The differences that make them different." But we have shown conclusively that these differences do no constitute contradictions--only additions or omissions of information.
If we study the chart for a few minutes we are struck with the similarity of events described. Although the second and fourth references are claimed to be the secret rapture, there is really no apparent reason to select these two references as being the same event but definitely different from the others.
None of the references are exactly alike, but seriously, can?t we see that the second reference (1st Thessalonians 4) has more categories in common with the first reference (Mat. 24) and the third reference (1st Thessalonians 1) than it does with the fourth reference (1st Cor. 15). Yet, rapturists reject Matthew 24 and 1st Thessalonians 1 as being the same even as 1st Thessalonians 4 and 1st Corinthians 15.
There are, of course, dozens of other Scriptures that also speak of Christ?s return to this earth to set up His kingdom, but most of them do not have as many detailed events mentioned as do these six references.
I think it should becoming clear by now that not only is there no evidence in the letter to support a secret rapture prior to Christ?s return to His saints, but there is also no evidence to support a Scriptural division among the saints that would call for such a rapture either.
As for me, I am most content to be a member of ONE body consisting of ALL the saints.
CORRELATION OF SIX PROPHECIES ON RETURN OF CHRIST
Ref: Matt. 24:29-31
Christ Returns: Son of Man comes
Heavenly setting: Heaven shaken, Sign of Son of Man in heaven
Resurrection Judging/rewards Wind & Fire: Assembles His chosen
Trumpets: Loud sounding trumpet
Messengers: His messengers
Clouds: On clouds The four winds [air]
Ref: 1st Thessalonians 4:13-18
Christ Returns: Presence of the Lord
Heavenly setting: From heaven With a shout
Resurrection Judging/rewards Wind & Fire: Dead in Christ, and we snatched away together
Trumpets: Trumpet of God
Messengers: Chief Messenger
Clouds: In clouds In the air
Ref: 2nd Thessalonians1:5-10
Christ Returns: Unveiling of the Lord Jesus Christ, Whenever He may be coming
Heavenly setting: From heaven
Resurrection Judging/rewards Wind & Fire: Ease [rest] with us [Paul] Dealing out vengeance, Eonian extermination, Glorified in His saints, All who believe
Trumpets: N/A
Messengers: With His powerful messengers
Clouds: Flaming fire
Ref: 1st Cor 15:22-23 & 50-52
Christ Returns: In His presence
Heavenly setting: N/A
Resurrection Judging/rewards Wind & Fire: Resurrection of dead, All changed, Dead roused incorrupt., Living changed, Mortal to immortality
Trumpets: At the last trump
Messengers: N/A
Clouds: N/A
Ref: Rev. 11:15-18
Christ Returns: Christ reigns
Heavenly setting: Voice in Heaven
Resurrection Judging/rewards Wind & Fire: Judging the dead (era) Wages to: slaves, saints, prophets, those fearing, small and great
Trumpets: Seventh trumpet [the last trump], Trumpets
Messengers: Messenger
Clouds: N/A
Ref: Rev. 19:11-16
Christ Returns: Faithful & True
Heavenly setting: Heaven opened [Christ] Rides White horse
Resurrection Judging/rewards Wind & Fire: Judges and battles in righteousness Blade in His mouth, Smiting nations, Rod of iron
Trumpets: N/A
Messengers: Armies of heaven
Clouds: Eyes are a flame of fire
So what is the bottom line of all this? I think it is quite simple. I have already shown that the four writers of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John did not put the exact same information in their accounts of our Lord?s Crucifixion. But, that does by no means prove that their accounts are,
(1) False,
(2) Contradictory, or
(3) Four different accounts of FOUR DIFFERENT CRUCIFIXIONS!
The chart above is likewise, not six accounts of SIX DIFFERENT COMINGS OF OUR LORD! Nor five, nor four, nor three, nor TWO! Jesus Christ returns a second time to rule with ALL His saints--ONCE!
The above chart should show us how well all the Scriptures correlate when we don?t try to make them say things they don?t say. Furthermore, there is a very profound principle that God Himself gives to us for the express purpose of being able to put Scriptures together. Here?s what God?s word tells us about different information found in different parts of His Word:
"Whom shall He teach knowledge? And whom shall He make to understand DOCTRINE? Them that are weaned from the milk, and drawn from the breasts [ready for solid foods as Paul would say]. For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon LINE; HERE a little, and THERE a little" (Isaiah 28:9-10).
So what real, Scriptural, justification is there for teaching that God has TWO different groups of saints?, who were taught TWO different gospels?, who are saved by TWO different methods (works and grace)?, who are looking for TWO different comings of our Lord?, who will be resurrected at TWO different times?, at TWO different places?, with TWO different bodies (terrestrial and celestial)?, for TWO different callings and expectations?, always being with Christ at TWO different locations?, and having TWO different rewards (one "UNUTTERABLY HIGHER" THAN THE OTHER)?, when the facts of God?s Word tells us otherwise?
There is much that could be said regarding how Christ actually comes and what He will do after He arrives. Will He literally ride out of Heaven on a flying white horse with fire shooting out of His eyes and a long sword coming out of His mouth followed by literal armies ready to do battle against the few remaining and helpless humans on earth, and all this happening while the lightning is flashing and silver trumpets are blasting? Probably NOT. But, just like the rest of Revelation, the things that these symbols, metaphors, and figurative language represent will certainly be GLORIOUS, but that?s a subject for another paper. Remember that we have God?s promise that "the wise shall understand." We all need to pray for wisdom, that?s for sure.
Paul spoke of only one resurrection of saints at one presence of our Lord. There is no secret rapture of highly privileged saints followed by a resurrection of underprivileged saints. Thank God we are all one in Christ Jesus:
"For whoever are baptized into Christ, put on Christ, in Whom there is NO Jew NOR yet Greek, there is NO slave NOR yet free, there is NO male and female, for you ALL ARE ONE IN CHRIST JESUS. Now if you are Christ?s, consequently you are of Abraham?s seed, enjoyers of the allotment [singular--not two different allotments] according to the promise [singular]" (Rom. 3:27-29)! This includes Peter and Paul, Jews and Gentles, and ALL THOSE WHO LOVE HIS APPEARING!
May God bless all those who were graced with the patience and a love for the truth to read this lengthy paper!
"Amen! Come, Lord Jesus!" The grace of the Lord Jesus be with all the saints! Amen!" (Rev. 22:20-21).
9. NO ONE is saved (in the past tense) in this life
"To him that OVERCOMES; To him that OVERCOMES; To him that OVERCOMES; To him that OVERCOMES; To him that OVERCOMES; To him that OVERCOMES; To him that OVERCOMES" (Rev. 2:7; 2:11; 2:17; 2:26; 3:5; 3:12; 3:21).
"Overcomes" WHAT?
Overcomes the sins of the FLESH, the sins of the CHURCH, and the sins of the whole WORLD. We must overcome just "AS" Jesus overcame:
"To him that overcomes will I grant to sit with Me in My throne, even AS I also overcame, and am set down with My Father in His throne" (Rev. 3:21).
Jesus Christ overcame His own FLESH:
"For we have not an high priest [Jesus] which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, YET WITHOUT SIN." (Heb. 4:15),
And Jesus overcame the sins of the whole WORLD:
"These things I have spoke unto you, that in Me [Jesus] ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer: I have OVERCOME THE WORLD" (John 16:33).
We must all overcome as Jesus overcame, and we must all live as Jesus lived, and anything less is a shame and heresy.
And just how long must we be put up with all this persecution and trials of the cross? Again, let Jesus answer:
"And ye [Gk: ?all of you?] shall be hated of all men for My Name?s sake [Does that include ALL Believers? ?YEA, and ALL that will live godly in Christ Jesus, SHALL suffer persecution? (2nd Tim. 3:12)]: but he that endures [Gk: 'remain, under go, bear trials, have fortitude, persevere, suffer?] TO THE END shall be saved" (Matt. 10:22).
Are we to foolishly conclude that "he that endures NOT to the end," and "he that does NOT overcome," and "he that does NOT suffer persecution," and "he that does NOT take up his cross," and "he that is NOT baptized into Christ?s death," and "he that does NOT live godly and righteously," shall ALSO be saved just as long as he speaks a twenty-second sinner?s prayer? Nonsense. There are HUNDREDS of Scriptures which tell us the many, many things that God will do IN and THROUGH us before He actually "SAVES us."
Most of the nearly 50 New Testament verses regarding spiritual "salvation" in the King James are in the Greek aorist tense (equating to the ?indefinite? in English). Most of these 50 verses are translated correctly in the King James. The following are found many times in our Bibles:
"BE saved," "TO BE saved," "SHALL BE saved," "SHOULD BE saved," "MUST BE saved," "MAY BE saved," [and] "MIGHT BE saved."
Where you find "saved" or "HAS saved," it usually has reference to someone whom Jesus healed, rather than spiritual salvation into the Kingdom of God. A few times we find the phrase: "ARE saved." This, however, is not telling us WHEN we are saved, but rather HOW we "ARE saved." (Scripturally we "are saved" by hope, grace, and the gospel).
Although Eph. 2:8 tells us that, "By grace ARE ye saved through faith?" This is a statement of HOW we get saved?by grace, those in the past "are saved," those living now "are saved" by grace WHEN they get saved, and those in the future also "are saved" by grace (as opposed to some other means). A very few King James renderings such as 1st Cor. 1:18 & 2nd Cor. 2:15 should also read, "are BEING saved" (as it is in the Greek), whereas 2nd Tim. 1:9 & Titus 3:5 should read, "SAVES us [an ongoing process]."
REBIRTH/BORN AGAIN:
"...that which is conceived [Gk: gennao] in her is of the Holy Spirit... Now when Jesus was born [Gk: gennao] in Bethlehem..." (Matt. 1:20 & 2:1).
Notice that words "conceived" and "born" are both translated from the same one Greek word gennao.
Strong?s #1080, gennao, to procreate (properly of the father, but by extension of the mother), figuratively to regenerate, bear, beget, be born, bring forth, conceived, be delivered of, gender, make, spring.
So what are we to do with this verse:
"Except a man be born [Gk: gennao] again he cannot see the kingdom of God" (John 3:3).
Should this verse read: "born again," or "begotten anew?" I once believed this verse should be "begotten" rather than "born," seeing that no one is literally "born" again in this life, but I now believe that context forbids this translation. But how can Believers be literally born again in this life based on the context of Jesus' statement:
"That which is born of the flesh [that's all of us] IS FLESH [that too is all of us] and that which is born of the Spirit [are we now born of the Spirit? NO, and here's why...] ...that which is born of the Spirit IS SPIRIT" (John 3:6).
Is anyone human flesh and at the same time SPIRIT? No, I think not. Jesus adds more proof of what it is like to be "born of the Spirit" -
"The wind [Gk: pneuma-'spirit'] blows where it wishes, and you hear the sound thereof, but can not tell whence it comes, or whether it goes: so is everyone that is BORN of the Spirit" (Verse 8).
Right there are three reasons why no one except Jesus has been born of the Spirit:
[1] We are not composed of spirit,
[2] We are not powerful like the wind,
[3] Neither are we invisible like the wind.
And so, we as Believers as "conceived" by the Spirit of God and have the "earnest [Gk: 'down payment']" of His Spirit (Eph. 1:14), but we will not be born again (or anew) until we are resurrected with "incorruptible, glorified, powerful, SPIRITUAL bodies" - like the WIND (1 Cor. 15:42-44).
And so the Scriptural truth of this matter is, no one is saved (in the past tense) in this life without "enduring unto the END." Else it would make no sense at all for Paul to state:
"But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be A CASTAWAY [Gk: ?disqualified]" (1 Cor. 9:27) if he were ALREADY SAVED (past tense) at the time he made the statement.
As long as Paul still lived in the flesh, it was still possible for him not to be qualified and miss the mark for the "high calling of God in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 3:14).
The Scriptures are loaded with this principle:
"Therefore I endure [presently he ?endures?] all things for the elect?s sakes, that they may also obtain [future] the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory" (2 Tim. 2:10).
Jesus taught that the seed that fell on the stony ground did ?endure for a time,? but since it had not deep root, the cares of this world caused it to ?wither away.? Is it not clear that we must 'endure unto the END? to be saved?
And Paul absolutely proves beyond a shadow of a doubt, that NO ONE is saved (in the past tense) IN THIS LIFE. Here is why:
"For we are saved BY HOPE: [also by "grace," and "the gospel,"] but hope that is seen [seen as a fact, as in, ?I am already saved?] is NOT HOPE: for what a man sees, why does he YET HOPE FOR [it]? But if we hope for that we see not [is not a fulfilled fact as yet] then do we with PATIENCE [perseverance] WAIT FOR IT" (Rom. 8:24-25).
It should be obvious to all that there is no need whatsoever to "patiently WAIT" for something that we already have. What a horrible lie and heresy the Church teaches on this most important subject, by deceiving billions into thinking they can be saved by mouthing a 20 second prayer!
It is absolutely useless to call Jesus, "LORD, LORD?" in a 20 second sinner?s prayer or in any other way, unless you are ready to follow the rest of our Lord?s admonition, "?and do not THE THINGS WHICH JESUS SAYS" (Luke 6:46).
FROM GLORY TO GLORY
There is a progression in the rewards promised to the conquering overcomers in the Churches that is vital for us to see and understand. If one is "saved" (past tense, finished, completed, with absolutely no possibility of losing that salvation at any time before we die), then there are indeed some Scriptural contradictions to such a theory.
We need to get very serious for a moment. Salvation culminates for the believer in the First Resurrection to spiritual life and immortality. However, before that time, during the life of each believer, there are warnings in the Scriptures about ways that one can become disqualified from being in the first resurrection. Let?s notice just a few of them:
"Wherefore let him that thinks he stands take heed LEST HE FALL" (I Cor. 11:4).
"If they should FALL AWAY, to renew them again unto repentance?" (Heb. 6:6), and
"For if we sin willfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remains no more sacrifice for sins. But a certain fearful looking for of JUDGMENT and fiery indignation [the lake of fire] which shall devour the adversaries" (Heb. 10:26-27).
"Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; you are FALLEN FROM GRACE" (Gal. 5:4).
"Looking diligently lest any man FAIL OF THE GRACE of God?" (Heb. 12:15).
"They on the rock are they, which, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no root, which for a while believe, and in time of temptation FALL AWAY" (Luke 8:13).
"Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a FALLING AWAY first?" (II The. 2:3).
"But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be A CASTAWAY [Gk: disqualified]" (I Cor. 9:27).
"Now the Spirit speaks expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron" (I Tim. 4:1).
"For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the LATTER END IS WORSE WITH THEM THAN THE BEGINNING [before they were converted]. For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, TO TURN FROM the holy commandment delivered unto them" (II Peter 2:20-21).
"And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough [having begun to follow Christ] and looking back [desiring his old sinful life again] IS FIT FOR THE KINGDOM OF GOD" (Luke 9:62).
THERE MUST COME A ?FALLING AWAY? FIRST
I have shown you that John, Paul, Peter, ALL of the apostles, the whole church in Asia, the Seven Churches of Revelation, the entire flock of God?s called, all built their houses upon spiritual sand?in other words EVERYONE ever called by God, falls, falls down, falls away.
The Proverb tells us that, "For a just man falls seven times?" That?s a COMPLETE fall. But strange as it may seem, this is necessary in God?s plan. What happens to a just man after he falls seven times? "?and RISES UP AGAIN" (Proverbs 24:16). When he completely falls, he falls from grace. But for those whom God is both calling AND choosing, they will RISE UP AGAIN, for
"Who are you that judges another man?s servant? To his own master he stands or falls. Yes, he shall be holden up [made to stand up]: for God is able to MAKE HIM STAND" (Rom. 14:4).
We will ALL FALL! But afterwards, God "raises us UP AGAIN," and "makes us STAND." And from that time onward we have this sure promise of which we read before, but I want to read again:
"Now unto Him that is able to KEEP YOU FROM FALLING, and to present you FAULTLESS before the presence of His glory with EXCEEDING JOY, To the Only Wise God Our Saviour, be glory and majesty, and dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen" (Jude 1:24-25)!
When John?s spiritual house built upon the sand fell down, he was left, standing on the sand of the sea by himself alone with God, and it is then and only then, that he is able to see the wild beast that came up out of the sea.
This wild beast is further identified in Rev. 13:14 when we are told this
"?beast, which had the wound [deadly wound, Ver. 3] by the sword, and DID LIVE."
He was wounded to death, but the wound was healed and he again lived. He also has a mark, and a name, and a number. What is this mysterious number that has baffled scholars, theologians, and saints for centuries? I will not give you the complete answer to this at this time, but will only show you that it is the number of mankind?humanity.
EXCEPT THERE COME A FALLING AWAY FIRST
What an astonishing truth it is, that God CAUSES all those destined from the foundation of the world, to be chosen in Christ, that they should "fall away" from the Truth and "leave their first love" before they can be truly spiritually converted. Yet this is the plain declaration of Scripture.
Peter fell away:
"Jesus said unto him [Peter], Verily I say unto thee, That this night, before the cock crow, you shall deny me thrice [three times]" (Matt. 26:34).
All the apostles fell away:
"Then said Jesus unto them, ALL YE shall be offended because of Me this night: for it is written, I will smite the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock shall be scattered abroad" (Matt. 26:31).
"And they ALL forsook Him, and fled." (Mark 14:50).
Paul fell away:
"As for Saul [renamed Paul], he made havoc of the church?" (Acts 8:3) [while at the very same time he was "blameless" in keeping the Law of Moses] (Phil. 3:6).
ALL the Churches in Asia fell away after being in full support of Paul?s ministry. First:
"The churches of Asia salute [greet] you?" (I Cor. 16:19).
Later near the end of Paul?s ministry:
"This you know, that ALL they which are in Asia be TURNED AWAY FROM ME?" (II Tim. 2:15).
Paul warned the Ephesian Elders about the "flock?church" falling away:
"For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock [the whole flock]." (Acts 20:29).
Jesus prophesied that all who will become overcomers will have first fallen away temporarily by leaving their first love:
"Nevertheless I have somewhat against you, because you [the seven-in-one golden candlestick church of God that is, was, and will be] have LEFT YOUR FIRST LOVE" (Rev. 2:4).
Jesus Himself calls this leaving of our first love, a falling away:
"Remember therefore from whence you ARE FALLEN, and REPENT?" (Rev. 2:5).
Whenever we "fall," we leave our "first love." For spiritual falling IS, LEAVING LOVE. Jesus said that when we leave our first love we are to ?remember from whence we are FALLEN?? Love itself has not failed us, but we have failed love, for true love is not capable of failure or falling:
"Charity [Old English for ?love?] never fails?" (I Cor. 13:8).
Jesus reprimands us for "falling" from love in Rev. 2:5. Interestingly, the word translated "fails" in I Cor. 13:8 is the very same word translated "fallen" in Rev. 2:5. And so, "love never FALLS," but before we are saved, we will fall.
Why is it that this Scriptural truth is not taught in the Church? Simple: Most in the church have not as yet experienced "leaving their first love." Therefore, they are still deceived, and CANNOT see the beast within. They are still in the process of constructing their spiritual house upon the sand. Most will never see the beast in this lifetime.
THE NUMBER 666
"Here is wisdom. Let him that has understanding count the NUMBER OF THE BEAST: for it is the NUMBER OF A MAN; and his number is Six hundred threescore and six [666]" (Rev. 13:18).
Is this indeed what the Greek manuscripts of Rev. 13:18 state? No, it is not.
The Greek word used when only man is meant (always excluding woman), is aner. But the Greek word translated "man" in Rev. 13:18 is not aner, but rather the word anthropos, which means "a human being, male or female." Strong?s Concordant.
Furthermore, it is not the number of "a" anything. It is just the number of human or of mankind! Even the Revised Standard Version translators saw this and therefore, states, "It?s number is six hundred sixty-six." The number of the wild beast is not the number of "a" man, but rather the number of "man" or "mankind."
With this in mind let?s read II Thessalonians 2:3:
"Let no man [?let not any person,? RSV, ?Let no ONE??] deceive you by any means: for that day [the Day of the Lord's Coming] shall not come, except there come a FALLING AWAY first, and that man of sin [Gk: the lawless one] be revealed, the son of perdition [Gk: the one destined for destruction]. Who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God [a god], or that is worshipped; so that he as God sits in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God [a god]."
Whenever man builds his spiritual house upon the spiritual sand, his spiritual house will fall. And it is then that God reveals to him the wild beast that comes out of the sea. What does Paul tell us happens when there comes a ?FALLING AWAY? first? What follows? When our house on sand falls, what is then revealed? Why "the LAWLESS one" is "REVEALED." When the falling away occurs, then the man of sin, ?the lawless one? ?the one destined for destruction? is REVEALED.
And what a revelation it is! What a blast of the trumpet it is! What a shock to all humanity when at long last this wild beast is revealed to EVERYONE! Trust me when I tell you that it is a hard pill to swallow. It will shake you to your sandy foundation.
As I am now at the end of this Part XIII, I don?t want to close without revealing just who it is that constitutes the wild beast of Revelation 13 and the lawless one of II Thessalonians 2. I did title this Installment: Who is the Beast? And so I will tell you.
"So okay Reason, enough, TELL US WHO THE BEAST IS. Who? Tell us WHO?"
The "beast" is you!
ALL SCRIPTURE IS FOR OUR ADMONITION
Why should the Scriptures preserve for us the falling away of Peter, Paul, all of the disciples, all of Asia, and all of the church (Rev. 2:4), if none of these things pertain to us or none of these things will ever happen to us?
"Now ALL these things happened unto them for examples: and they are written for OUR ADMONITION [to reprove, caution, warn, remind of obligation or duty, etc.], upon whom the ends of the world [?eons?ages?] are come" (I Corinthians 10:11).
I have said many times in this series that there are "the called" and there are the "called AND chosen." We see it in every example: Jesus called Peter
"And Jesus, walking by the sea of Galilee, saw two brethren, Simon called Peter? and He said unto them, Follow Me?" (Matt. 4:18-19),
and so Peter followed Jesus
"And they straightway left their nets, and FOLLOWED Him." (Ver. 20)
And so Peter followed Jesus for three and one-half years. But Peter was not converted:
"And the Lord said, Simon [Peter], Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat: But I have prayed for you, that your faith fail not: and WHEN YOU ARE CONVERTED, strengthen your brethren" (Luke 22:31-32).
And later Peter denied Jesus three times in the same night!
The question presents itself: "If we truly had "love" why should we have to "fall" from it or "leave it" in the first place?" Ah, herein lies one of the grandest Truths found in all Scripture!
From our first parents onward, God has always allowed men to believe that they are able of and by themselves (by their supposed phantom "free" will) to love God and be obedient to His laws. Despite God?s overabundance of testimonies to the contrary, theologians and philosophers alike have taught mankind that they are indeed ABLE TO CHOOSE and, ABLE TO DO and to carry out that choice, because they have the "free will" within them to do so. What they have within them is a "beast" that is no more able to choose and obey God than any literal beast of the field.
TURNING OUR IDOLS OF THE HEART INTO POWDER
In Ezekiel 14:7 we read:
"For every one of the house of Israel [WE {Gentiles} are now the circumcision of God, Phil. 3:3. WE {Gentile believers} are the true Jew, Romans 2:28-29. WE {Gentiles & a remnant of racial Israel} are the spiritual Israel of God, Gal. 6:16] or of the stranger that sojourns in Israel, which separates himself from Me, and sets up HIS IDOLS IN HIS HEART?"
We all have "idols of the heart." Whenever we disobey God, we are giving allegiance to and manifesting idols in our heart.
When ancient Israel turned from God, they too manifested the idols in their hearts by building a literal golden calf idol with which to worship. And what did God do through Moses?
"And he [Moses] took the calf which they had made, and burnt it in the fire [don?t forget I Cor. 3:15 which says, 'IF ANY MAN'S WORK shall be BURNED, he shall suffer loss: BUT HE himself SHALL BE SAVED; yet so as BY FIRE.'], and GROUND IT TO POWDER, and scattered it upon the water, and made the children of Israel drink of it" (Exodus 32:20).
How many understand our Lord?s statements in Luke 20:17-18?
"And He beheld them, and said, What is this then that is written, The Stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the Head of the corner? Whomsoever shall fall upon that stone shall be broken; but on whomsoever It shall fall, It will GRIND HIM TO POWDER."
When we fall on the Stone (Jesus), we are broken. Or as John tells us in Revelation,
"And I saw one of his heads as it were WOUNDED TO DEATH?" (Rev. 13:3).
Yes, when we fall on Christ we are broken, we are wounded (by the "sword" of God? 'And (the false prophet) deceiveth them that dwell on the earth by the means of those miracles which he had power to do in the sight of the beast; saying to them that dwell on the earth, that they should make an image to the beast, WHICH HAD THE WOUND BY A SWORD, AND DID LIVE.' Rev. 13:14 vs. 'For the Word of God is quick (living), and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.' Heb. 4:12). This is our human attempt at salvation. But then we fall, and our "deadly wound [which we received by the Word of God] was healed" (Rev. 13:3), we went back into the world, back into Babylon, thus leaving our first love. When the wound of the Sword of God?s Word that had slain us, is healed, we fall from the love of God, and we again turn our love to the world from which we came.
But here?s the good news concerning this stone. If we are among the chosen that overcome, then the Stone falls ON US, and our spiritual house built upon the sand comes crashing down. And when Jesus falls on us, He GRINDS US [along with all of our idols of the heart] TO POWDER!
Remember we are but "clay" in the hands of the Master Potter, and clay consists of particles of sedimentary silicates of aluminum less than two-thousandth of a millimeter in diameter?in other words, very fine powder. In Ancient Israel, the sin offering, the peace offering, the meat offering, and thank offering all had to be made with fine flour. All of the universe is composed of very fine things.
All of the instructions on what was to be offered to God in the service of the Tabernacle in the wilderness, who was to offer it, and how it was to be offered is not just quaint little stories of history:
"Now ALL THESE THINGS HAPPENED unto them for ensamples: and they are written FOR OUR ADMONITION, upon whom the ends of the world [ages] are come." (I Cor. 10:11).
Christ is representative of all and every one of these sacrifices. And
"Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment; because as He [Jesus Christ] IS, SO ARE WE in this world" (I John 4:17).
So, when we read of the fine flour, oil, salt, and frankincense in the Old Testament offerings, we must understand that WE TOO are to be like fine flour?spiritually humbled and ground fine like powder, oil?having the Spirit of God in us, salt?we are to BE the "salt of the earth," and frankincense?our very lives becoming a sweet smelling incense to our God.
Some of the things we must go through seem bad on the surface. But as in all of God?s dealings, what appears at first to be something horribly bad, is in reality, only a necessary stage in the process of overcoming sin and self so as to be qualified to reign with Christ in bringing the rest of humanity into a knowledge of the Truth, redemption, salvation, and finally, glory.
GOD?S WORD SAYS THAT MAN IS A BEAST
"Nevertheless man being in honor abides not [does not endure]: he is LIKE THE BEASTS that perish" and "Man that is in honor, and understandeth not, is LIKE THE BEASTS that perish: (Ps. 49:12, 20).
"One of themselves, even a prophet of their own, said, The Cretians are always liars, EVIL BEASTS, slow bellies [lazy gluttons]. This witness is true" (Titus 1:12-13).
"But these, as NATURAL BRUTE BEASTS, made to be taken and destroyed, speak evil of the things that they understand not; and shall utterly perish in their own corruption" (II Pet. 2:12).
"Wherefore [For what reason] are WE [mankind, humanity] COUNTED [considered] AS BEASTS, and reputed vile in Your [God's] sight?" (Job 18:3).
"So foolish was I, and ignorant: I was as A BEAST before thee" (Psalm 73:22).
"But these speak evil of those things which they know not: but what they know naturally, AS BRUTE BEASTS, in those things they corrupt themselves" (Jude 10).
"I said in mine heart concerning the estate of the sons of men, that God might manifest them, and that they might see that they themselves ARE BEASTS" (Ecclesiastes 3:18).
THE BEAST WITHIN / THE MAN OF SIN / THE SON OF PERDITION
I showed from the Scriptures in our last installment that we only become aware of the beast when we are standing on the "sand of the sea." AFTER our spiritual house built upon spiritual sand FALLS DOWN, and WE fall down. And this is precisely why Paul tells us that the
"?day of Christ? shall not come [to US] except there come a FALLING AWAY FIRST?" (II Thessalonians 2:1-2).
This "fall" by the way is not a little slip or a little stumble. It is a complete and total SPIRITUAL FALL! We all come to Christ with a simple childlike innocence. But ? BUT, once we are in "the church of our choice," we start to get educated in the ways of Christendom. We learn of many rules based on the unscriptural traditions of men. We delight in many of these rules and traditions (sometimes not all of them), and before we know it, our new religion sooner or later TAKES US RIGHT BACK INTO THE WORLD that we thought we came out of.
IF YE BE CIRCUMCISED, CHRIST SHALL PROFIT YOU NOTHING
To me it is a thing of overwhelming amazement that what most Christians around the world aspire to BE and ACCOMPLISH in their spiritual walk with God, is the very thing that our Apostle Paul called: "DUNG"!
Christians claim that their bondage to physical commandments and traditions of men, are really spiritual.
· Some make an idol of the heart out of keeping the Saturday Sabbath;
· others make an idol of the heart out of claiming they are "tithing" when they give money to the church;
· others make an idol of the heart out of physical circumcision;
· others make an idol of the heart out of being baptized in the name of Jesus ONLY;
· others make an idol of the heart out of believing in the unscriptural teaching of a trinity or rapture,
· others make an idol of the heart out of demonic gibberish and tongues speaking;
· others make an idol of the heart out of drinking poison and handling poisonous snakes;
· others make an idol of the heart out of Christian Politics;
· others make an idol of the heart out of their own church affiliation or pastor or choir or a overabundance of church activities;
· others (many) make an idol of the heart out of some pet, little-understood and little-believed Bible prophecy, which only they understand;
· others make an idol of the heart out of much speaking using spiritually-sounding words and phrases (of which they understand little or nothing);
· others make an idol of the heart out of joyfully condemning all those who do not subscribe to their brand of Christianity, to an eternal torture in hell fire (I am the brunt of a lot of these);
· and others just flat out worship themselves.
What does Paul have to teach us regarding these many barriers to truly understanding the excellency of Jesus Christ?
"Circumcised the eight day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, an Hebrew of the Hebrews; as touching the law, a Pharisee; Concerning zeal, persecuting the church [Paul counted persecuting the true believers as something of which to be proud because he was 'joyfully condemning all those who do not subscribe to their brand of Christianity']; touching the righteousness which is in the law, BLAMELESS [irreproachable, faultless].
But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ.
Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for Whom I have suffered loss of all things, and do count them but DUNG, that I might win Christ. (Phil. 3:5-8).
Now then, notice what Paul also says in Gal. 5:1-4:
"Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ has made us free, and be not entangled gain with the yoked of bondage. Behold, I Paul say unto you, [sounds important?] that if ye be circumcised [or make an 'idol of the heart' of some of the things mentioned above and other non-sense like it], Christ shall profit you NOTHING. For I testify again to every man that is circumcised, that he is a debtor to do THE WHOLE LAW [Abraham was circumcised, but Moses taught it AS A LAW that HAD to be obeyed]. Christ is become of NO EFFECT unto you, whosoever of you are [Gk: ?are? should be ?attempt to be?] justified by LAW; ye [?ALL of you?] are FALLEN FROM GRACE."
We learned that leaving one?s first love is falling from love. But there?s more. Whatever one puts in place of true worship not only displaces us from our first love, but it also causes us to FALL FROM GRACE!
Listen, as long as we obey the beast within, we are not aware of just how evil this beast really is. As long as we obey our carnal mind, we are not aware of just how evil our carnal mind is. MOST Christians are carnal. And how can I say that with certainty seeing that I cannot read the hearts of most men? Because the Bible tells me so: "MANY are called, but FEW are chosen." The carnal minded are called, but the carnal-minded are not as yet chosen:
"And I [Paul], brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ.
"For ye ARE yet CARNAL: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not CARNAL, and walk as men [Gk: ?according to man?]?
"For while one says, I am of Paul; and another, I am of Apollos [and another, I am Church of Christ, I am a follower of Billy Graham, or John Hagee, or Benny Hinn, or Paul Crouch, or T.D. Jakes, or Joyce Myers, etc.]; are ye [ALL] not CARNAL?"
Through the years I have had many people say to me that they are followers of this or that religious personality, or that so and so, is "My Man." Well let me inform you that you cannot fight a spiritual warfare by standing behind a carnal man.
"For we wrestle not against flesh and blood [carnal enemies], but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places" (Eph. 6:12).
Can we fight these spiritual enemies with carnal weapons or the teachings of carnal men?
"For the weapons of our warfare are not CARNAL, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds" (II Cor. 10:4).
JUST WHAT IS CARNALITY
What then is it to be carnal or carnally minded? It?s not good, I can tell you that. It?s a monster?IT?S A BEAST:
"for to be carnally minded is DEATH?"
And just why is that?
"Because the carnal mind is enmity [DEEP-SEATED HATRED] against God: for it is NOT SUBJECT to the [spiritual] law of God, neither indeed CAN BE [Gk: ?is ABLE?]. So then they that are in the flesh [carnal-minded] CANNOT please God" (Rom. 8:6- 8).
· Have YOU ever seen yourself as the man of sin?
· Do you believe that YOU were once the son of perdition?
· Have YOU ever been carnally-minded in your walk with God?
· Have YOU ever left your first love?
· Have YOU ever put your hand to the plough and looked back?
· Has the spiritual house YOU built upon the sand fallen yet?
· Have you fallen from grace since first believing?
No? You say, "NO?NEVER"! Then the chances are great that "ye are YET carnal."
WHEN WILL I SEE THE BEAST WITHIN?
Paul wasn?t telling the unbelieving world that "ye are yet carnal." Nor was Jesus telling the world that they had "left the first love." No, Paul and Jesus are both telling THE CHURCH that they are "yet carnal and have left their first love"! In other words, AFTER coming into a church, AFTER they have accepted Christ, AFTER they have pursued their walk with God, AFTER they have built a spiritual house upon the sand, AFTER they have become indoctrinated with the commandments of men and the traditions of men, can one fall away and be in a position to actually spiritually SEE THE BEAST WITHIN! SEE the man of sin and the son of perdition. See your carnal-minded, God hating, SINS. You and I and all who have be enlightened by God?s word and our own failures in life, can surely see that we are all spiritually, WILD BEASTS.
If you insist that: "Reason! I don?t see myself as a spiritual BEAST, or a man of SIN, or the son of PERDITION [destruction]." Well, all I can to say is to parrot Paul: "YE ARE YET CARNAL."
AFTER WE FALL AWAY
And what does Paul tell us will be revealed AFTER we fall away?
"Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come except there come a falling away first, and that MAN OF SIN BE REVEALED, THE SON OF PERDITION" (II Thessalonians 2:3).
The beast, the man of sin, and the son of perdition are all one and the same:
"BEASTS": We have seen from God?s word that God calls mankind "beasts"?
"Nevertheless man being in honor abides not [does not endure]: he is LIKE THE BEASTS that perish" and "?he is LIKE THE BEASTS that perish: (Ps. 49:12, 20).
"One of themselves, even a prophet of their own, said, The Cretians are always liars, EVIL BEASTS, slow bellies [lazy gluttons]. This witness is true" (Titus 1:12-13).
"But these, as NATURAL BRUTE BEASTS, made to be taken and destroyed, speak evil of the things that they understand not; and sha
[The Greatest Depths (or deep secrets) of Satan Exposed]
GOD'S ARMOR HIP HOP MINISTRY© MISSION STATEMENT:
My purpose with this message is to GLORIFY GOD in music by EQUIPPING the local hip hop culture, record labels, production companies, and ministries worldwide to multiply talented artists and to enable them to minister the Word of God through FRIENDSHIP, EVANGELISM, DISCIPLESHIP, AND HEALTHY GROWTH. (Matthew 10:1-42, 28:19-20; Mark 16:15; Luke 24:45-49; John 21:15-17; Acts 1:7-8; Ephesians 4:11-16; 2nd Timothy 1:2-6).
As a follower in Christ I am to tell the world that God is not mad at them and the reason why is because God has DONE IT ALL. First He changed US from enemies into His friends through sending Christ to die in their place. And then He gave US the job of making others His friends also. And we MUST tell them that God IS MAKING EVERYBODY IN THE WHOLE WORLD HIS FRIENDS BY WHAT CHRIST DID, AND THAT HE ISN'T COUNTING THEIR SINS AGAINST THEM ANY LONGER. And He has given US the message which tells people that GOD HAS MADE THEM HIS FRIENDS so that they all will be adopted as children of God. (2nd Corinthians 5:18-19 New Testament Everyday English Paraphrased).
I am also to declare to Christ's Spiritual Church (THE FEW CHOSEN) that we are of His body and that those (Carnal Church, THE MANY CALLED) who are put up dividing walls in the church that separate us--racial, denominational, doctrinal differences, etc.--are not true members of His body. And we must come out of that (carnal) church so we can get our job done as HIS ONE church, the body of Christ, THE CHURCH OF THE LIVING GOD. (Jeremiah 16:14-18; 2nd Corinthians 6:14-18; Genesis 19:13-16 & 23-28; Revelation 18:4-10; Genesis 15:13-14; Ezra 6:19-22; Galatians 4:21-31; Matthew 7:13-27; Revelation 2:7; 2:11; 2:17; 2:26; 3:5; 3:12; 3:21).
The giant difference between the physically called of God and the spiritually Chosen of God is that the first are immature babes, and the second are spiritually mature sons?having the mind of Christ. If you believe in Jesus Christ, you are in the Church. But if you are in Christ Jesus, then you are no longer in the physical carnal church, but in God?s spiritual Church?the very Body of Christ. Let me assure you on the authority of all the Sacred Scriptures that carnal (enmity filled, deep-seated hatred) minded Christians are not members of the spiritual body of Christ. Jesus Christ is preparing a "bride"?a VIRGIN (pure in TRUTH) bride (Revelation 21:9-10; Matthew 16:18; 1st Timothy 3:15; Hebrews 12:22-23; & Galatians 4:26). Our Lord will not marry a WHORE (corrupt in DOCTRINES) or prostitute?Mystery Babylon (Revelation 17:1-3 & 8; Matthew 18:17; Acts 7:38; 1st Corinthians 6:15-16; & Galatians 4:25).
"For MANY [THE 'MAJORITY' IN THE CHURCH] are called [Gk: 'invited'] but FEW [THE 'MINORITY' IN THE CHURCH] are chosen [Gk: 'selected, elected, chosen out; by implication: favorite']" (Matt. 22:14).
Few realize that there is a "church WITHIN the church." When God chooses us FROM AMONG the called, we become separate from their doctrines and sins. We are still "The Church of the Living God," but we are a peculiar people that no longer follows the wisdom of the world and the traditions of men, which the many called who are building the house upon the sand continue to follow. The Bible refers to the "called" as "the Synagogue of Satan" and to the "chosen" as "the Body of Christ." But Jesus Christ calls both groups in the book of Revelation:
"The mystery [Gk: 'to shut the mouth, a secret or "mystery" (through the idea of silence imposed by initiation into religious rites)'] of the ... seven golden candlesticks ... the seven candlesticks which thou sawest are the seven churches [Seven (God?s number of completeness) represent the WHOLE CHURCH OF GOD down through centuries to our very day FROM PENTACOST UNTIL HIS COMING]." (Revelation 1:20).
THE 7 CHURCHES ARE GOD?S CHURCHES
Make no mistake, the seven churches in Revelation 2 and 3 are the churches of the Living God! They are not pagan churches, neither are they Satan?s churches, but they are GOD?S churches! It is none other than Jesus Christ Himself Who,
"...walks in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks [which are the seven churches]" (Rev. 2:1).
"He that has [been given by God] an [spiritual] ear, let him [spiritually] hear what the Spirit [of GOD] says [is saying] unto the churches" (Rev. 1:7, 11, 17, 29, 2:6, 13, 22).
SEVEN MEANS COMPLETE
The Sabbath or "seventh day" COMPLETES the week. Daniel?s famous prophecy was
"SEVENTY weeks are determined upon thy people and upon thy holy city, to finish [complete] the transgression, and to make an end [complete] of sins?" (Dan. 9:24).
Seven seals, seven trumpets, and seven plagues complete God?s wrath on mankind. Seven is used over six hundred times in Scriptures. Check if you wish, to see how many times seven shows completeness.
Therefore, how many churches complete THE WHOLE CHURCH OF GOD?
"?write in a book and send it unto the SEVEN churches which are in Asia?" (Rev. 1:11).
Were there not churches (congregations) also in Judea as well? Even in Rome? Why only the seven churches "in ASIA?" Because these seven congregations completed all that Jesus had to say to all congregations, everywhere. This is a COMPLETE revelation for ALL CHURCHES. These seven congregations had within them all of the sins, weaknesses, and shortcomings of all congregations everywhere during ALL TIME. I will make this abundantly and Scripturally clear. But on the positive side, all of the churches had at least a "few names" that were not spiritually defiled, and who will be in the first resurrection as Sons and Daughters of God to bring the rest of the harvest, the great fall harvest into the Kingdom.
These churches that personify in symbol all of God?s church for the past two thousand years, are in fact, the training ground and the proving ground for the elect. Coming out of this carnal system puts one among the called and the chosen and the VERY elect. Paul called it "the HIGH CALLING." (Philippians 3:14).
When you go through the messages to the seven churches, you will see a reiteration of the same problems in all the congregations.
It would take me twenty pages (for more information on that ask me for the paper titled "What Happened to the Church Jesus Built") to reiterate all the similarities of both sins and rewards found in all seven church congregations, which represent the whole church of God throughout all generations. This is not a dissected church divided up into particular or separate dispensations, ages, or eras.
My goal in ministry is to present GOOD NEWS OF THE KINGDOM OF GOD first to the church, to show them that the times have changed. The biggest influence on our children is what they see on TV and hear on the radio.
I will do this by, holding firmly to the truth of the Good News of the Kingdom of God as Christ has taught me, that I may be able by SOUND and WHOLESOME DOCTRINE to:
[1] Encourage Christians who are PERSECUTED to continue in the truth of God's Word.
[2] Attempt to present the UNADULTERATED Truth of God?s Word.
[3] And to CONVICT, CORRECT, and OPPOSE those WHOSE TEACHINGS CONTRADICT the Word of God. (Titus 1:9, Concordant Literal New Testament).
For there are many unruly, smooth talkers, and deceivers, especially those who claim to be Christian: whose mouths must be stopped, who overthrow whole houses, teaching things which they should never teach, for the purpose of making a profit. (Titus 1:10-11, Concordant Literal New Testament).
THE DEPTH OF SATAN
10. The "Rapture" Theory
9. NO ONE is saved (in the past tense) in this life
8. If you are not suffering persecution you clearly are not living godly in Christ Jesus
7. The Greek Word 'aionios,' never means eternal, forever, or everlasting
6. The King James Version: An Error-Free Bible Translation?
5. The Doctrine on "Christian Tithing"
4. The "Lucifer" Hoax
3. The Concept of the "holy trinity"
2. The Illusion of "Free Will"
1. The Doctrine of "Eternal Torment"
And I will remember always as I attempt to enlighten those whom God is calling, that we are NO BETTER than those whose doctrines we condemn. God loves and DIED for these heretics of the modern Church. They are precious to God?and they had better be PRECIOUS TO US, or we too will receive a great condemnation for feeling anything but LOVE TOWARD THEM! They may be, in fact, our enemies, but Christ instructs us to: "?LOVE YOUR ENEMIES"!! (2nd Samuel 2:6, Matthew 5:44, Luke 6:27 & 35).
Many Are Ignorant
Thirty years ago, a newspaper reporter exposed Christians? ignorance of the Bible. Since then, such ignorance has greatly worsened.
The account begins, ?Some months ago, a Protestant pastor administered a Bible quiz to the members of his congregation. The questions were very simple. Anyone with a general knowledge of the Bible should have been able to answer all of them easily.
?The results staggered the pastor.
?Only five percent of his flock made a commendable grade on the test. Fifteen percent failed to give a single correct answer. Sixty percent were unable to name the four Gospels. Seventy-five percent could not identify Calvary (Golgotha) as the place where Jesus was crucified.
?Some congregations might do better than that,? continued the reporter, ?but not many. The vast majority of Americans today are Bible illiterates. They simply have never read the book which they profess to regard as the ?Word of God.??
The reporter concluded, ?A great many people have turned away from the Bible because when they do try to read it, they find they cannot understand it? To the modern reader, it has a remote and antiquarian flavor. It is likely to leave him with the impression the Bible is an ancient history book that has no real relevance to his life here and now? (Louis Cassels, UPI Special Correspondent on religious affairs).
Another quote sheds light on how society considers Biblical knowledge irrelevant. J.B. Phillips, author of the Phillips translation (The New Testament in Modern English), reported in his booklet, The Young Church in Action, ?It is one of the curious phenomena of modern times that it is considered perfectly respectable to be abysmally ignorant of the Christian faith. Men and women who would be deeply ashamed of having their ignorance exposed in matters of poetry, music, or painting, for example, are not in the least perturbed to be found ignorant of the New Testament? (p. 6).
A true Christian should?and would?always seek to solidify his basic understanding of the Bible. Rather than smugly comparing himself with people of the world, he should either ?study to show himself approved? (2 Tim. 2:16) or consider his own need to ??strengthen the things which remain? (Rev. 3:2).
No one should feel secure at their level of understanding?neither could anyone justify such a position in this struggle to grow and overcome. All who sincerely seek God need to examine themselves and make their Bible study more productive?more edifying.
I have received countless emails over the months in which my detractors inform me that the Scriptures are easy to understand: all one has to do is read them.
That?s not true. Billions of "Christians" "read" the Scriptures, but have not a clue as to what they mean. And one of the biggest problems in not understanding what they have read is that they do not believe the Scriptures. And why don?t they believe? Because their shepherds have deceived them into believing that "Christian" doctrines take precedent over the Scriptures.
I know of not one "Christian" doctrine (LITERALLY) that is completely Scriptural. Not one. And that includes, Seventh Day Adventists, Mormons, Jehovah?s Witnesses, Christian Science, and every other institutionalized church and denomination of manmade creeds. These truths that I am presenting here are "creed busters." They destroy the doctrines of men. They make the wisdom of religion look incredibly stupid. God?s truths are like treasures hidden in a field. We must buy the field and then diligently search out the treasure. The following truths of Scripture could make you every spiritually wealthy. You might call me a heresimach (a person engaged in combating heresy and heretics)!
(I surely hope none will be offended at my criticisms. They are not to be taken personally. I, likewise, am ready and willing to be corrected about any of my writings. I openly invite it. If I am wrong on even a minor point, I want to know about it. Let?s face it; no one single person has all the truth on any subject. But praise God, He does keep on increasing those truths He has already graciously given to us!)
PERSONAL OBSERVATIONS
A few personal thoughts before I really get into these subjects. Through the years God has revealed a bit of wisdom to me, and it goes something like this: If something is false (actually, factually, and literally false), then all honest scholarship and study done on that particular subject will only further verify its falsehood. If, however, something really is true (actually, factually, and literally true), then all honest scholarship and study done on that particular subject will, likewise, only further verify its truthfulness.
No amount of research will eventually prove that evolution is the explanation of our existence on this Earth. That?s because the theory is false! And this principle, I believe, applies to the study of any subject. So we have nothing to fear.
I remember well the teaching of Mr. Herbert W. Armstrong on the subject of the final destiny of those thrown into the lake of fire. His study went something like this: "All have sinned (scripture, scripture, scripture), but Christ came to die for sinners (scripture, scripture), but those who reject Christ?s sacrifice will be thrown into the lake of fire (scripture), from which there will be no salvation [NO scripture!]" I learned a lot from that study.
When it comes to matters regarding the salvation of all mankind theologians have found it necessary to distort many verses of Scripture to force a compliance with their pagan teaching on the subject. I will try to clear up all of the difficulties and contradictions associated with sheol/hades because of the pagan Christian teaching of an eternal hell. Strong?s Concordance, Dictionaries of Hebrew and Greek, and the Bible, is all we need to make sense of it all.
10. The "Rapture" Theory
RAPTURE DOCTRINE CAUSES DIVISION
I believe there is more at stake with regards to the teaching of the rapture than a mere difference of opinion on a theological doctrine. Even among those who accept and believe in the reconciliation, justification, glorification, and salvation of all, it is a divisive doctrine.
Paul instructs us:
"Now I am entreating you, brethren, through the name of our Lord Jesus Christ [sounds to me like he is about to say something rather important], that all may be saying the same thing, and there may be no schisms among you, but you may be attuned to the same mind and to the same opinion" (1 Cor. 1:10).
And again:
"... that there may be no schism in the body ..." (I Cor. 12:25).
This also includes,
"... endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit with the tie [bond] of peace ..." (Eph. 4:3).
We will see that the rapture theory is in direct conflict with these Scriptures.
Not only is there a line drawn between the Jewish (circumcision) saints and the Gentile (uncircumcision) saints, but now it has even caused a division between individual members of the uncircumcision saints. Do the Scriptures actually teach two separate second comings of our Lord to vivify His saints, or is the rapture an unwarranted deduction based on human reasoning?
It IS possible to know, one way or the other. This is not a hazy topic in the Scriptures. You will be amazed just how easy it is to understand God?s Word regarding Christ?s return to His saints--ALL OF HIS SAINTS.
The mere idea of two separate and distinct comings might not be harmful in itself. However, when we examine many of the reasons given for why there should be separate resurrections at two separate comings of our Lord, then I believe the harm becomes more apparent. And the teaching that the uncircumcision resurrection, under Paul?s administration, is far superior to that of Israel?s is not substantiated by Scripture. Peter and Israel are then relegated to an inferior calling, expectation, etc. The Scriptures do not teach such a theory.
It is inferred that the saints of Israel will not only have to go through the great tribulation, but possibly God?s indignation as well, while the saints of the Gentiles are supposedly raptured away long before these horrors manifest themselves on the earth. Do the Scriptures really support the idea that compared to the Gentile saints; Israel has been given an inferior calling, an inferior expectation, an inferior resurrection with inferior bodies, and a position of inferior rulership with Christ on an inferior terrestrial setting?
It makes me sad to see sincere believers buy into a divisive theory of "who?s the greatest." Peter was a spiritual giant, just as Paul. There was mutual love and respect for each other, not competition, as they worked together sharing knowledge for the benefit of the saints in their care.
HOW THIS STUDY GOT STARTED
Ten years ago a friend probed me about my views on the secret rapture. I outlined in a letter to him what I believe the Scriptures teach regarding this long-debated topic. For this letter, I was virtually disfellowshipped and anathematized. He wrote a stinging letter to a Bible publisher condemning my supposed heresy. Unfortunately, I have never heard from this man again. I learned that not all brethren take kindly to those who oppose their views.
Recently more and more truth seekers have requested information regarding the rapture. I didn?t realize how much interest there is in this subject. Since this paper has been presented, it is somewhat enlarged from my notes of ten years ago.
WHAT IS THE RAPTURE?
Rapturists believe that 1st Thessalonians 4:13-18 describes a resurrection which includes both the living and the dead uncircumcision saints only, long before the saints of Israel are resurrected at Christ?s second coming. That there will be such a resurrection as outlined in 1st Thessalonians 4:13-18, there is no debate among believers. The debate that has raged in religious circles for over a century has to do with the "who and when" of its prophetic fulfillment. Here are the two scenarios:
1. Who will be in this secret rapture (resurrection)? Some say only the Body of Christ which they claim is composed of Gentiles and a remnant of Jewish believers only. The Apostles and saints of Israel will supposedly be in a resurrection that occurs much later at a different coming or presence of our Lord Jesus Christ. Others believe the Scriptures show that ALL the saints (dead and alive, Jews and Gentiles), are vivified together at Christ?s one and only second coming.
2. When will this secret rapture take place in prophetic chronology? There are three popular teachings regarding when Christ returns. Many believe that the final seven years of Daniel?s 70th week prophecy are separated by thousands of years from the first 69 weeks, and that the last seven years of this prophecy are to be fulfilled beginning seven years before Christ?s second coming. This then, apparently, is to be seven years of trouble and tribulation. The last three and one-half years is regarded by many as the "Great Tribulation" (Mat. 24:21, Rev. 2:22; 7:14).
One camp teaches that the rapture will occur before the Great Tribulation and; therefore, are known as pre-tribulationists.
A second camp teaches that the rapture occurs in the middle of the seven-year week of Daniel are known as mid-tribulationists.
And a third camp teaches that the rapture occurs at the end of the Great Tribulation. They are known as post-tribulationists.
Sometimes we hear just the term "rapture," and other times we hear of the "secret rapture."
The word "rapture" is not found in the Bible. Rapture is said to be taken from the Latin word rapio which means, to seize, to take by force, and is supposedly the root of the English word, "rape." The Greek word, harpazo, is translated "caught up" in the Authorized Version and "snatched away" in the Concordant Version. As "rapture" is in popular usage with reference to "caught up" and "snatched away" in 1st Thessalonians 4, we will continue to use the word in this paper.
We will consider the main arguments used in favor of the rapture theory by those who use accurate translations and have a good understanding of other Scriptural truths, such as the sovereignty of God and the salvation of all. I will avoid answering all of the Christian Fundamentalist views of the rapture as their arguments in favor of a rapture add very little.
Let it be abundantly clear that as I go through the material and research of other expositors on this subject of the rapture, and comment on their statements and views, that it is only their teaching that I am taking exception to, and certainly not the sincere and fine people who are presenting their views.
Below is a chart of six Scriptural references showing six categories of events with regards to Christ?s return. It is the second and fourth references that rapturists claim are descriptions of a secret rapture, while the first, third, fifth and sixth are supposedly a later and different event. Irrespective of similarities, we are told that it is "The differences that make them different." But we have shown conclusively that these differences do no constitute contradictions--only additions or omissions of information.
If we study the chart for a few minutes we are struck with the similarity of events described. Although the second and fourth references are claimed to be the secret rapture, there is really no apparent reason to select these two references as being the same event but definitely different from the others.
None of the references are exactly alike, but seriously, can?t we see that the second reference (1st Thessalonians 4) has more categories in common with the first reference (Mat. 24) and the third reference (1st Thessalonians 1) than it does with the fourth reference (1st Cor. 15). Yet, rapturists reject Matthew 24 and 1st Thessalonians 1 as being the same even as 1st Thessalonians 4 and 1st Corinthians 15.
There are, of course, dozens of other Scriptures that also speak of Christ?s return to this earth to set up His kingdom, but most of them do not have as many detailed events mentioned as do these six references.
I think it should becoming clear by now that not only is there no evidence in the letter to support a secret rapture prior to Christ?s return to His saints, but there is also no evidence to support a Scriptural division among the saints that would call for such a rapture either.
As for me, I am most content to be a member of ONE body consisting of ALL the saints.
CORRELATION OF SIX PROPHECIES ON RETURN OF CHRIST
Ref: Matt. 24:29-31
Christ Returns: Son of Man comes
Heavenly setting: Heaven shaken, Sign of Son of Man in heaven
Resurrection Judging/rewards Wind & Fire: Assembles His chosen
Trumpets: Loud sounding trumpet
Messengers: His messengers
Clouds: On clouds The four winds [air]
Ref: 1st Thessalonians 4:13-18
Christ Returns: Presence of the Lord
Heavenly setting: From heaven With a shout
Resurrection Judging/rewards Wind & Fire: Dead in Christ, and we snatched away together
Trumpets: Trumpet of God
Messengers: Chief Messenger
Clouds: In clouds In the air
Ref: 2nd Thessalonians1:5-10
Christ Returns: Unveiling of the Lord Jesus Christ, Whenever He may be coming
Heavenly setting: From heaven
Resurrection Judging/rewards Wind & Fire: Ease [rest] with us [Paul] Dealing out vengeance, Eonian extermination, Glorified in His saints, All who believe
Trumpets: N/A
Messengers: With His powerful messengers
Clouds: Flaming fire
Ref: 1st Cor 15:22-23 & 50-52
Christ Returns: In His presence
Heavenly setting: N/A
Resurrection Judging/rewards Wind & Fire: Resurrection of dead, All changed, Dead roused incorrupt., Living changed, Mortal to immortality
Trumpets: At the last trump
Messengers: N/A
Clouds: N/A
Ref: Rev. 11:15-18
Christ Returns: Christ reigns
Heavenly setting: Voice in Heaven
Resurrection Judging/rewards Wind & Fire: Judging the dead (era) Wages to: slaves, saints, prophets, those fearing, small and great
Trumpets: Seventh trumpet [the last trump], Trumpets
Messengers: Messenger
Clouds: N/A
Ref: Rev. 19:11-16
Christ Returns: Faithful & True
Heavenly setting: Heaven opened [Christ] Rides White horse
Resurrection Judging/rewards Wind & Fire: Judges and battles in righteousness Blade in His mouth, Smiting nations, Rod of iron
Trumpets: N/A
Messengers: Armies of heaven
Clouds: Eyes are a flame of fire
So what is the bottom line of all this? I think it is quite simple. I have already shown that the four writers of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John did not put the exact same information in their accounts of our Lord?s Crucifixion. But, that does by no means prove that their accounts are,
(1) False,
(2) Contradictory, or
(3) Four different accounts of FOUR DIFFERENT CRUCIFIXIONS!
The chart above is likewise, not six accounts of SIX DIFFERENT COMINGS OF OUR LORD! Nor five, nor four, nor three, nor TWO! Jesus Christ returns a second time to rule with ALL His saints--ONCE!
The above chart should show us how well all the Scriptures correlate when we don?t try to make them say things they don?t say. Furthermore, there is a very profound principle that God Himself gives to us for the express purpose of being able to put Scriptures together. Here?s what God?s word tells us about different information found in different parts of His Word:
"Whom shall He teach knowledge? And whom shall He make to understand DOCTRINE? Them that are weaned from the milk, and drawn from the breasts [ready for solid foods as Paul would say]. For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon LINE; HERE a little, and THERE a little" (Isaiah 28:9-10).
So what real, Scriptural, justification is there for teaching that God has TWO different groups of saints?, who were taught TWO different gospels?, who are saved by TWO different methods (works and grace)?, who are looking for TWO different comings of our Lord?, who will be resurrected at TWO different times?, at TWO different places?, with TWO different bodies (terrestrial and celestial)?, for TWO different callings and expectations?, always being with Christ at TWO different locations?, and having TWO different rewards (one "UNUTTERABLY HIGHER" THAN THE OTHER)?, when the facts of God?s Word tells us otherwise?
There is much that could be said regarding how Christ actually comes and what He will do after He arrives. Will He literally ride out of Heaven on a flying white horse with fire shooting out of His eyes and a long sword coming out of His mouth followed by literal armies ready to do battle against the few remaining and helpless humans on earth, and all this happening while the lightning is flashing and silver trumpets are blasting? Probably NOT. But, just like the rest of Revelation, the things that these symbols, metaphors, and figurative language represent will certainly be GLORIOUS, but that?s a subject for another paper. Remember that we have God?s promise that "the wise shall understand." We all need to pray for wisdom, that?s for sure.
Paul spoke of only one resurrection of saints at one presence of our Lord. There is no secret rapture of highly privileged saints followed by a resurrection of underprivileged saints. Thank God we are all one in Christ Jesus:
"For whoever are baptized into Christ, put on Christ, in Whom there is NO Jew NOR yet Greek, there is NO slave NOR yet free, there is NO male and female, for you ALL ARE ONE IN CHRIST JESUS. Now if you are Christ?s, consequently you are of Abraham?s seed, enjoyers of the allotment [singular--not two different allotments] according to the promise [singular]" (Rom. 3:27-29)! This includes Peter and Paul, Jews and Gentles, and ALL THOSE WHO LOVE HIS APPEARING!
May God bless all those who were graced with the patience and a love for the truth to read this lengthy paper!
"Amen! Come, Lord Jesus!" The grace of the Lord Jesus be with all the saints! Amen!" (Rev. 22:20-21).
9. NO ONE is saved (in the past tense) in this life
"To him that OVERCOMES; To him that OVERCOMES; To him that OVERCOMES; To him that OVERCOMES; To him that OVERCOMES; To him that OVERCOMES; To him that OVERCOMES" (Rev. 2:7; 2:11; 2:17; 2:26; 3:5; 3:12; 3:21).
"Overcomes" WHAT?
Overcomes the sins of the FLESH, the sins of the CHURCH, and the sins of the whole WORLD. We must overcome just "AS" Jesus overcame:
"To him that overcomes will I grant to sit with Me in My throne, even AS I also overcame, and am set down with My Father in His throne" (Rev. 3:21).
Jesus Christ overcame His own FLESH:
"For we have not an high priest [Jesus] which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, YET WITHOUT SIN." (Heb. 4:15),
And Jesus overcame the sins of the whole WORLD:
"These things I have spoke unto you, that in Me [Jesus] ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer: I have OVERCOME THE WORLD" (John 16:33).
We must all overcome as Jesus overcame, and we must all live as Jesus lived, and anything less is a shame and heresy.
And just how long must we be put up with all this persecution and trials of the cross? Again, let Jesus answer:
"And ye [Gk: ?all of you?] shall be hated of all men for My Name?s sake [Does that include ALL Believers? ?YEA, and ALL that will live godly in Christ Jesus, SHALL suffer persecution? (2nd Tim. 3:12)]: but he that endures [Gk: 'remain, under go, bear trials, have fortitude, persevere, suffer?] TO THE END shall be saved" (Matt. 10:22).
Are we to foolishly conclude that "he that endures NOT to the end," and "he that does NOT overcome," and "he that does NOT suffer persecution," and "he that does NOT take up his cross," and "he that is NOT baptized into Christ?s death," and "he that does NOT live godly and righteously," shall ALSO be saved just as long as he speaks a twenty-second sinner?s prayer? Nonsense. There are HUNDREDS of Scriptures which tell us the many, many things that God will do IN and THROUGH us before He actually "SAVES us."
Most of the nearly 50 New Testament verses regarding spiritual "salvation" in the King James are in the Greek aorist tense (equating to the ?indefinite? in English). Most of these 50 verses are translated correctly in the King James. The following are found many times in our Bibles:
"BE saved," "TO BE saved," "SHALL BE saved," "SHOULD BE saved," "MUST BE saved," "MAY BE saved," [and] "MIGHT BE saved."
Where you find "saved" or "HAS saved," it usually has reference to someone whom Jesus healed, rather than spiritual salvation into the Kingdom of God. A few times we find the phrase: "ARE saved." This, however, is not telling us WHEN we are saved, but rather HOW we "ARE saved." (Scripturally we "are saved" by hope, grace, and the gospel).
Although Eph. 2:8 tells us that, "By grace ARE ye saved through faith?" This is a statement of HOW we get saved?by grace, those in the past "are saved," those living now "are saved" by grace WHEN they get saved, and those in the future also "are saved" by grace (as opposed to some other means). A very few King James renderings such as 1st Cor. 1:18 & 2nd Cor. 2:15 should also read, "are BEING saved" (as it is in the Greek), whereas 2nd Tim. 1:9 & Titus 3:5 should read, "SAVES us [an ongoing process]."
REBIRTH/BORN AGAIN:
"...that which is conceived [Gk: gennao] in her is of the Holy Spirit... Now when Jesus was born [Gk: gennao] in Bethlehem..." (Matt. 1:20 & 2:1).
Notice that words "conceived" and "born" are both translated from the same one Greek word gennao.
Strong?s #1080, gennao, to procreate (properly of the father, but by extension of the mother), figuratively to regenerate, bear, beget, be born, bring forth, conceived, be delivered of, gender, make, spring.
So what are we to do with this verse:
"Except a man be born [Gk: gennao] again he cannot see the kingdom of God" (John 3:3).
Should this verse read: "born again," or "begotten anew?" I once believed this verse should be "begotten" rather than "born," seeing that no one is literally "born" again in this life, but I now believe that context forbids this translation. But how can Believers be literally born again in this life based on the context of Jesus' statement:
"That which is born of the flesh [that's all of us] IS FLESH [that too is all of us] and that which is born of the Spirit [are we now born of the Spirit? NO, and here's why...] ...that which is born of the Spirit IS SPIRIT" (John 3:6).
Is anyone human flesh and at the same time SPIRIT? No, I think not. Jesus adds more proof of what it is like to be "born of the Spirit" -
"The wind [Gk: pneuma-'spirit'] blows where it wishes, and you hear the sound thereof, but can not tell whence it comes, or whether it goes: so is everyone that is BORN of the Spirit" (Verse 8).
Right there are three reasons why no one except Jesus has been born of the Spirit:
[1] We are not composed of spirit,
[2] We are not powerful like the wind,
[3] Neither are we invisible like the wind.
And so, we as Believers as "conceived" by the Spirit of God and have the "earnest [Gk: 'down payment']" of His Spirit (Eph. 1:14), but we will not be born again (or anew) until we are resurrected with "incorruptible, glorified, powerful, SPIRITUAL bodies" - like the WIND (1 Cor. 15:42-44).
And so the Scriptural truth of this matter is, no one is saved (in the past tense) in this life without "enduring unto the END." Else it would make no sense at all for Paul to state:
"But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be A CASTAWAY [Gk: ?disqualified]" (1 Cor. 9:27) if he were ALREADY SAVED (past tense) at the time he made the statement.
As long as Paul still lived in the flesh, it was still possible for him not to be qualified and miss the mark for the "high calling of God in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 3:14).
The Scriptures are loaded with this principle:
"Therefore I endure [presently he ?endures?] all things for the elect?s sakes, that they may also obtain [future] the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory" (2 Tim. 2:10).
Jesus taught that the seed that fell on the stony ground did ?endure for a time,? but since it had not deep root, the cares of this world caused it to ?wither away.? Is it not clear that we must 'endure unto the END? to be saved?
And Paul absolutely proves beyond a shadow of a doubt, that NO ONE is saved (in the past tense) IN THIS LIFE. Here is why:
"For we are saved BY HOPE: [also by "grace," and "the gospel,"] but hope that is seen [seen as a fact, as in, ?I am already saved?] is NOT HOPE: for what a man sees, why does he YET HOPE FOR [it]? But if we hope for that we see not [is not a fulfilled fact as yet] then do we with PATIENCE [perseverance] WAIT FOR IT" (Rom. 8:24-25).
It should be obvious to all that there is no need whatsoever to "patiently WAIT" for something that we already have. What a horrible lie and heresy the Church teaches on this most important subject, by deceiving billions into thinking they can be saved by mouthing a 20 second prayer!
It is absolutely useless to call Jesus, "LORD, LORD?" in a 20 second sinner?s prayer or in any other way, unless you are ready to follow the rest of our Lord?s admonition, "?and do not THE THINGS WHICH JESUS SAYS" (Luke 6:46).
FROM GLORY TO GLORY
There is a progression in the rewards promised to the conquering overcomers in the Churches that is vital for us to see and understand. If one is "saved" (past tense, finished, completed, with absolutely no possibility of losing that salvation at any time before we die), then there are indeed some Scriptural contradictions to such a theory.
We need to get very serious for a moment. Salvation culminates for the believer in the First Resurrection to spiritual life and immortality. However, before that time, during the life of each believer, there are warnings in the Scriptures about ways that one can become disqualified from being in the first resurrection. Let?s notice just a few of them:
"Wherefore let him that thinks he stands take heed LEST HE FALL" (I Cor. 11:4).
"If they should FALL AWAY, to renew them again unto repentance?" (Heb. 6:6), and
"For if we sin willfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remains no more sacrifice for sins. But a certain fearful looking for of JUDGMENT and fiery indignation [the lake of fire] which shall devour the adversaries" (Heb. 10:26-27).
"Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; you are FALLEN FROM GRACE" (Gal. 5:4).
"Looking diligently lest any man FAIL OF THE GRACE of God?" (Heb. 12:15).
"They on the rock are they, which, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no root, which for a while believe, and in time of temptation FALL AWAY" (Luke 8:13).
"Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a FALLING AWAY first?" (II The. 2:3).
"But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be A CASTAWAY [Gk: disqualified]" (I Cor. 9:27).
"Now the Spirit speaks expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron" (I Tim. 4:1).
"For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the LATTER END IS WORSE WITH THEM THAN THE BEGINNING [before they were converted]. For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, TO TURN FROM the holy commandment delivered unto them" (II Peter 2:20-21).
"And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough [having begun to follow Christ] and looking back [desiring his old sinful life again] IS FIT FOR THE KINGDOM OF GOD" (Luke 9:62).
THERE MUST COME A ?FALLING AWAY? FIRST
I have shown you that John, Paul, Peter, ALL of the apostles, the whole church in Asia, the Seven Churches of Revelation, the entire flock of God?s called, all built their houses upon spiritual sand?in other words EVERYONE ever called by God, falls, falls down, falls away.
The Proverb tells us that, "For a just man falls seven times?" That?s a COMPLETE fall. But strange as it may seem, this is necessary in God?s plan. What happens to a just man after he falls seven times? "?and RISES UP AGAIN" (Proverbs 24:16). When he completely falls, he falls from grace. But for those whom God is both calling AND choosing, they will RISE UP AGAIN, for
"Who are you that judges another man?s servant? To his own master he stands or falls. Yes, he shall be holden up [made to stand up]: for God is able to MAKE HIM STAND" (Rom. 14:4).
We will ALL FALL! But afterwards, God "raises us UP AGAIN," and "makes us STAND." And from that time onward we have this sure promise of which we read before, but I want to read again:
"Now unto Him that is able to KEEP YOU FROM FALLING, and to present you FAULTLESS before the presence of His glory with EXCEEDING JOY, To the Only Wise God Our Saviour, be glory and majesty, and dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen" (Jude 1:24-25)!
When John?s spiritual house built upon the sand fell down, he was left, standing on the sand of the sea by himself alone with God, and it is then and only then, that he is able to see the wild beast that came up out of the sea.
This wild beast is further identified in Rev. 13:14 when we are told this
"?beast, which had the wound [deadly wound, Ver. 3] by the sword, and DID LIVE."
He was wounded to death, but the wound was healed and he again lived. He also has a mark, and a name, and a number. What is this mysterious number that has baffled scholars, theologians, and saints for centuries? I will not give you the complete answer to this at this time, but will only show you that it is the number of mankind?humanity.
EXCEPT THERE COME A FALLING AWAY FIRST
What an astonishing truth it is, that God CAUSES all those destined from the foundation of the world, to be chosen in Christ, that they should "fall away" from the Truth and "leave their first love" before they can be truly spiritually converted. Yet this is the plain declaration of Scripture.
Peter fell away:
"Jesus said unto him [Peter], Verily I say unto thee, That this night, before the cock crow, you shall deny me thrice [three times]" (Matt. 26:34).
All the apostles fell away:
"Then said Jesus unto them, ALL YE shall be offended because of Me this night: for it is written, I will smite the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock shall be scattered abroad" (Matt. 26:31).
"And they ALL forsook Him, and fled." (Mark 14:50).
Paul fell away:
"As for Saul [renamed Paul], he made havoc of the church?" (Acts 8:3) [while at the very same time he was "blameless" in keeping the Law of Moses] (Phil. 3:6).
ALL the Churches in Asia fell away after being in full support of Paul?s ministry. First:
"The churches of Asia salute [greet] you?" (I Cor. 16:19).
Later near the end of Paul?s ministry:
"This you know, that ALL they which are in Asia be TURNED AWAY FROM ME?" (II Tim. 2:15).
Paul warned the Ephesian Elders about the "flock?church" falling away:
"For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock [the whole flock]." (Acts 20:29).
Jesus prophesied that all who will become overcomers will have first fallen away temporarily by leaving their first love:
"Nevertheless I have somewhat against you, because you [the seven-in-one golden candlestick church of God that is, was, and will be] have LEFT YOUR FIRST LOVE" (Rev. 2:4).
Jesus Himself calls this leaving of our first love, a falling away:
"Remember therefore from whence you ARE FALLEN, and REPENT?" (Rev. 2:5).
Whenever we "fall," we leave our "first love." For spiritual falling IS, LEAVING LOVE. Jesus said that when we leave our first love we are to ?remember from whence we are FALLEN?? Love itself has not failed us, but we have failed love, for true love is not capable of failure or falling:
"Charity [Old English for ?love?] never fails?" (I Cor. 13:8).
Jesus reprimands us for "falling" from love in Rev. 2:5. Interestingly, the word translated "fails" in I Cor. 13:8 is the very same word translated "fallen" in Rev. 2:5. And so, "love never FALLS," but before we are saved, we will fall.
Why is it that this Scriptural truth is not taught in the Church? Simple: Most in the church have not as yet experienced "leaving their first love." Therefore, they are still deceived, and CANNOT see the beast within. They are still in the process of constructing their spiritual house upon the sand. Most will never see the beast in this lifetime.
THE NUMBER 666
"Here is wisdom. Let him that has understanding count the NUMBER OF THE BEAST: for it is the NUMBER OF A MAN; and his number is Six hundred threescore and six [666]" (Rev. 13:18).
Is this indeed what the Greek manuscripts of Rev. 13:18 state? No, it is not.
The Greek word used when only man is meant (always excluding woman), is aner. But the Greek word translated "man" in Rev. 13:18 is not aner, but rather the word anthropos, which means "a human being, male or female." Strong?s Concordant.
Furthermore, it is not the number of "a" anything. It is just the number of human or of mankind! Even the Revised Standard Version translators saw this and therefore, states, "It?s number is six hundred sixty-six." The number of the wild beast is not the number of "a" man, but rather the number of "man" or "mankind."
With this in mind let?s read II Thessalonians 2:3:
"Let no man [?let not any person,? RSV, ?Let no ONE??] deceive you by any means: for that day [the Day of the Lord's Coming] shall not come, except there come a FALLING AWAY first, and that man of sin [Gk: the lawless one] be revealed, the son of perdition [Gk: the one destined for destruction]. Who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God [a god], or that is worshipped; so that he as God sits in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God [a god]."
Whenever man builds his spiritual house upon the spiritual sand, his spiritual house will fall. And it is then that God reveals to him the wild beast that comes out of the sea. What does Paul tell us happens when there comes a ?FALLING AWAY? first? What follows? When our house on sand falls, what is then revealed? Why "the LAWLESS one" is "REVEALED." When the falling away occurs, then the man of sin, ?the lawless one? ?the one destined for destruction? is REVEALED.
And what a revelation it is! What a blast of the trumpet it is! What a shock to all humanity when at long last this wild beast is revealed to EVERYONE! Trust me when I tell you that it is a hard pill to swallow. It will shake you to your sandy foundation.
As I am now at the end of this Part XIII, I don?t want to close without revealing just who it is that constitutes the wild beast of Revelation 13 and the lawless one of II Thessalonians 2. I did title this Installment: Who is the Beast? And so I will tell you.
"So okay Reason, enough, TELL US WHO THE BEAST IS. Who? Tell us WHO?"
The "beast" is you!
ALL SCRIPTURE IS FOR OUR ADMONITION
Why should the Scriptures preserve for us the falling away of Peter, Paul, all of the disciples, all of Asia, and all of the church (Rev. 2:4), if none of these things pertain to us or none of these things will ever happen to us?
"Now ALL these things happened unto them for examples: and they are written for OUR ADMONITION [to reprove, caution, warn, remind of obligation or duty, etc.], upon whom the ends of the world [?eons?ages?] are come" (I Corinthians 10:11).
I have said many times in this series that there are "the called" and there are the "called AND chosen." We see it in every example: Jesus called Peter
"And Jesus, walking by the sea of Galilee, saw two brethren, Simon called Peter? and He said unto them, Follow Me?" (Matt. 4:18-19),
and so Peter followed Jesus
"And they straightway left their nets, and FOLLOWED Him." (Ver. 20)
And so Peter followed Jesus for three and one-half years. But Peter was not converted:
"And the Lord said, Simon [Peter], Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat: But I have prayed for you, that your faith fail not: and WHEN YOU ARE CONVERTED, strengthen your brethren" (Luke 22:31-32).
And later Peter denied Jesus three times in the same night!
The question presents itself: "If we truly had "love" why should we have to "fall" from it or "leave it" in the first place?" Ah, herein lies one of the grandest Truths found in all Scripture!
From our first parents onward, God has always allowed men to believe that they are able of and by themselves (by their supposed phantom "free" will) to love God and be obedient to His laws. Despite God?s overabundance of testimonies to the contrary, theologians and philosophers alike have taught mankind that they are indeed ABLE TO CHOOSE and, ABLE TO DO and to carry out that choice, because they have the "free will" within them to do so. What they have within them is a "beast" that is no more able to choose and obey God than any literal beast of the field.
TURNING OUR IDOLS OF THE HEART INTO POWDER
In Ezekiel 14:7 we read:
"For every one of the house of Israel [WE {Gentiles} are now the circumcision of God, Phil. 3:3. WE {Gentile believers} are the true Jew, Romans 2:28-29. WE {Gentiles & a remnant of racial Israel} are the spiritual Israel of God, Gal. 6:16] or of the stranger that sojourns in Israel, which separates himself from Me, and sets up HIS IDOLS IN HIS HEART?"
We all have "idols of the heart." Whenever we disobey God, we are giving allegiance to and manifesting idols in our heart.
When ancient Israel turned from God, they too manifested the idols in their hearts by building a literal golden calf idol with which to worship. And what did God do through Moses?
"And he [Moses] took the calf which they had made, and burnt it in the fire [don?t forget I Cor. 3:15 which says, 'IF ANY MAN'S WORK shall be BURNED, he shall suffer loss: BUT HE himself SHALL BE SAVED; yet so as BY FIRE.'], and GROUND IT TO POWDER, and scattered it upon the water, and made the children of Israel drink of it" (Exodus 32:20).
How many understand our Lord?s statements in Luke 20:17-18?
"And He beheld them, and said, What is this then that is written, The Stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the Head of the corner? Whomsoever shall fall upon that stone shall be broken; but on whomsoever It shall fall, It will GRIND HIM TO POWDER."
When we fall on the Stone (Jesus), we are broken. Or as John tells us in Revelation,
"And I saw one of his heads as it were WOUNDED TO DEATH?" (Rev. 13:3).
Yes, when we fall on Christ we are broken, we are wounded (by the "sword" of God? 'And (the false prophet) deceiveth them that dwell on the earth by the means of those miracles which he had power to do in the sight of the beast; saying to them that dwell on the earth, that they should make an image to the beast, WHICH HAD THE WOUND BY A SWORD, AND DID LIVE.' Rev. 13:14 vs. 'For the Word of God is quick (living), and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.' Heb. 4:12). This is our human attempt at salvation. But then we fall, and our "deadly wound [which we received by the Word of God] was healed" (Rev. 13:3), we went back into the world, back into Babylon, thus leaving our first love. When the wound of the Sword of God?s Word that had slain us, is healed, we fall from the love of God, and we again turn our love to the world from which we came.
But here?s the good news concerning this stone. If we are among the chosen that overcome, then the Stone falls ON US, and our spiritual house built upon the sand comes crashing down. And when Jesus falls on us, He GRINDS US [along with all of our idols of the heart] TO POWDER!
Remember we are but "clay" in the hands of the Master Potter, and clay consists of particles of sedimentary silicates of aluminum less than two-thousandth of a millimeter in diameter?in other words, very fine powder. In Ancient Israel, the sin offering, the peace offering, the meat offering, and thank offering all had to be made with fine flour. All of the universe is composed of very fine things.
All of the instructions on what was to be offered to God in the service of the Tabernacle in the wilderness, who was to offer it, and how it was to be offered is not just quaint little stories of history:
"Now ALL THESE THINGS HAPPENED unto them for ensamples: and they are written FOR OUR ADMONITION, upon whom the ends of the world [ages] are come." (I Cor. 10:11).
Christ is representative of all and every one of these sacrifices. And
"Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment; because as He [Jesus Christ] IS, SO ARE WE in this world" (I John 4:17).
So, when we read of the fine flour, oil, salt, and frankincense in the Old Testament offerings, we must understand that WE TOO are to be like fine flour?spiritually humbled and ground fine like powder, oil?having the Spirit of God in us, salt?we are to BE the "salt of the earth," and frankincense?our very lives becoming a sweet smelling incense to our God.
Some of the things we must go through seem bad on the surface. But as in all of God?s dealings, what appears at first to be something horribly bad, is in reality, only a necessary stage in the process of overcoming sin and self so as to be qualified to reign with Christ in bringing the rest of humanity into a knowledge of the Truth, redemption, salvation, and finally, glory.
GOD?S WORD SAYS THAT MAN IS A BEAST
"Nevertheless man being in honor abides not [does not endure]: he is LIKE THE BEASTS that perish" and "Man that is in honor, and understandeth not, is LIKE THE BEASTS that perish: (Ps. 49:12, 20).
"One of themselves, even a prophet of their own, said, The Cretians are always liars, EVIL BEASTS, slow bellies [lazy gluttons]. This witness is true" (Titus 1:12-13).
"But these, as NATURAL BRUTE BEASTS, made to be taken and destroyed, speak evil of the things that they understand not; and shall utterly perish in their own corruption" (II Pet. 2:12).
"Wherefore [For what reason] are WE [mankind, humanity] COUNTED [considered] AS BEASTS, and reputed vile in Your [God's] sight?" (Job 18:3).
"So foolish was I, and ignorant: I was as A BEAST before thee" (Psalm 73:22).
"But these speak evil of those things which they know not: but what they know naturally, AS BRUTE BEASTS, in those things they corrupt themselves" (Jude 10).
"I said in mine heart concerning the estate of the sons of men, that God might manifest them, and that they might see that they themselves ARE BEASTS" (Ecclesiastes 3:18).
THE BEAST WITHIN / THE MAN OF SIN / THE SON OF PERDITION
I showed from the Scriptures in our last installment that we only become aware of the beast when we are standing on the "sand of the sea." AFTER our spiritual house built upon spiritual sand FALLS DOWN, and WE fall down. And this is precisely why Paul tells us that the
"?day of Christ? shall not come [to US] except there come a FALLING AWAY FIRST?" (II Thessalonians 2:1-2).
This "fall" by the way is not a little slip or a little stumble. It is a complete and total SPIRITUAL FALL! We all come to Christ with a simple childlike innocence. But ? BUT, once we are in "the church of our choice," we start to get educated in the ways of Christendom. We learn of many rules based on the unscriptural traditions of men. We delight in many of these rules and traditions (sometimes not all of them), and before we know it, our new religion sooner or later TAKES US RIGHT BACK INTO THE WORLD that we thought we came out of.
IF YE BE CIRCUMCISED, CHRIST SHALL PROFIT YOU NOTHING
To me it is a thing of overwhelming amazement that what most Christians around the world aspire to BE and ACCOMPLISH in their spiritual walk with God, is the very thing that our Apostle Paul called: "DUNG"!
Christians claim that their bondage to physical commandments and traditions of men, are really spiritual.
· Some make an idol of the heart out of keeping the Saturday Sabbath;
· others make an idol of the heart out of claiming they are "tithing" when they give money to the church;
· others make an idol of the heart out of physical circumcision;
· others make an idol of the heart out of being baptized in the name of Jesus ONLY;
· others make an idol of the heart out of believing in the unscriptural teaching of a trinity or rapture,
· others make an idol of the heart out of demonic gibberish and tongues speaking;
· others make an idol of the heart out of drinking poison and handling poisonous snakes;
· others make an idol of the heart out of Christian Politics;
· others make an idol of the heart out of their own church affiliation or pastor or choir or a overabundance of church activities;
· others (many) make an idol of the heart out of some pet, little-understood and little-believed Bible prophecy, which only they understand;
· others make an idol of the heart out of much speaking using spiritually-sounding words and phrases (of which they understand little or nothing);
· others make an idol of the heart out of joyfully condemning all those who do not subscribe to their brand of Christianity, to an eternal torture in hell fire (I am the brunt of a lot of these);
· and others just flat out worship themselves.
What does Paul have to teach us regarding these many barriers to truly understanding the excellency of Jesus Christ?
"Circumcised the eight day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, an Hebrew of the Hebrews; as touching the law, a Pharisee; Concerning zeal, persecuting the church [Paul counted persecuting the true believers as something of which to be proud because he was 'joyfully condemning all those who do not subscribe to their brand of Christianity']; touching the righteousness which is in the law, BLAMELESS [irreproachable, faultless].
But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ.
Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for Whom I have suffered loss of all things, and do count them but DUNG, that I might win Christ. (Phil. 3:5-8).
Now then, notice what Paul also says in Gal. 5:1-4:
"Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ has made us free, and be not entangled gain with the yoked of bondage. Behold, I Paul say unto you, [sounds important?] that if ye be circumcised [or make an 'idol of the heart' of some of the things mentioned above and other non-sense like it], Christ shall profit you NOTHING. For I testify again to every man that is circumcised, that he is a debtor to do THE WHOLE LAW [Abraham was circumcised, but Moses taught it AS A LAW that HAD to be obeyed]. Christ is become of NO EFFECT unto you, whosoever of you are [Gk: ?are? should be ?attempt to be?] justified by LAW; ye [?ALL of you?] are FALLEN FROM GRACE."
We learned that leaving one?s first love is falling from love. But there?s more. Whatever one puts in place of true worship not only displaces us from our first love, but it also causes us to FALL FROM GRACE!
Listen, as long as we obey the beast within, we are not aware of just how evil this beast really is. As long as we obey our carnal mind, we are not aware of just how evil our carnal mind is. MOST Christians are carnal. And how can I say that with certainty seeing that I cannot read the hearts of most men? Because the Bible tells me so: "MANY are called, but FEW are chosen." The carnal minded are called, but the carnal-minded are not as yet chosen:
"And I [Paul], brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ.
"For ye ARE yet CARNAL: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not CARNAL, and walk as men [Gk: ?according to man?]?
"For while one says, I am of Paul; and another, I am of Apollos [and another, I am Church of Christ, I am a follower of Billy Graham, or John Hagee, or Benny Hinn, or Paul Crouch, or T.D. Jakes, or Joyce Myers, etc.]; are ye [ALL] not CARNAL?"
Through the years I have had many people say to me that they are followers of this or that religious personality, or that so and so, is "My Man." Well let me inform you that you cannot fight a spiritual warfare by standing behind a carnal man.
"For we wrestle not against flesh and blood [carnal enemies], but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places" (Eph. 6:12).
Can we fight these spiritual enemies with carnal weapons or the teachings of carnal men?
"For the weapons of our warfare are not CARNAL, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds" (II Cor. 10:4).
JUST WHAT IS CARNALITY
What then is it to be carnal or carnally minded? It?s not good, I can tell you that. It?s a monster?IT?S A BEAST:
"for to be carnally minded is DEATH?"
And just why is that?
"Because the carnal mind is enmity [DEEP-SEATED HATRED] against God: for it is NOT SUBJECT to the [spiritual] law of God, neither indeed CAN BE [Gk: ?is ABLE?]. So then they that are in the flesh [carnal-minded] CANNOT please God" (Rom. 8:6- 8).
· Have YOU ever seen yourself as the man of sin?
· Do you believe that YOU were once the son of perdition?
· Have YOU ever been carnally-minded in your walk with God?
· Have YOU ever left your first love?
· Have YOU ever put your hand to the plough and looked back?
· Has the spiritual house YOU built upon the sand fallen yet?
· Have you fallen from grace since first believing?
No? You say, "NO?NEVER"! Then the chances are great that "ye are YET carnal."
WHEN WILL I SEE THE BEAST WITHIN?
Paul wasn?t telling the unbelieving world that "ye are yet carnal." Nor was Jesus telling the world that they had "left the first love." No, Paul and Jesus are both telling THE CHURCH that they are "yet carnal and have left their first love"! In other words, AFTER coming into a church, AFTER they have accepted Christ, AFTER they have pursued their walk with God, AFTER they have built a spiritual house upon the sand, AFTER they have become indoctrinated with the commandments of men and the traditions of men, can one fall away and be in a position to actually spiritually SEE THE BEAST WITHIN! SEE the man of sin and the son of perdition. See your carnal-minded, God hating, SINS. You and I and all who have be enlightened by God?s word and our own failures in life, can surely see that we are all spiritually, WILD BEASTS.
If you insist that: "Reason! I don?t see myself as a spiritual BEAST, or a man of SIN, or the son of PERDITION [destruction]." Well, all I can to say is to parrot Paul: "YE ARE YET CARNAL."
AFTER WE FALL AWAY
And what does Paul tell us will be revealed AFTER we fall away?
"Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come except there come a falling away first, and that MAN OF SIN BE REVEALED, THE SON OF PERDITION" (II Thessalonians 2:3).
The beast, the man of sin, and the son of perdition are all one and the same:
"BEASTS": We have seen from God?s word that God calls mankind "beasts"?
"Nevertheless man being in honor abides not [does not endure]: he is LIKE THE BEASTS that perish" and "?he is LIKE THE BEASTS that perish: (Ps. 49:12, 20).
"One of themselves, even a prophet of their own, said, The Cretians are always liars, EVIL BEASTS, slow bellies [lazy gluttons]. This witness is true" (Titus 1:12-13).
"But these, as NATURAL BRUTE BEASTS, made to be taken and destroyed, speak evil of the things that they understand not; and sha
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