THE LAODICEAN ERA

After the death of Mr. Herbert Armstrong, the Philadelphian Age came to a close and then ushered in the Laodicean Era. The latter is a 'blind era' (Revelation 3:17) because many were and still are being deceived by imposters and false teachers. Sadly, most of the congregation have little or no idea that they have fallen into the trap of Satan, who is the father of lies and deceptions (Revelation 12:9) The Apostle Paul also warned in 1 Corinthians 11: 18-19 of factions and divisions, but the people will eventually recognized those who are approved; that is, those who understands and practised the truth.

As lukewarmness and apostasy that were prophesised gather momentum in this last era of the church age, the awfulness of God's people began to surface. Christ rebuked the Laodicean for their 'independent spirit' for they are wealthy and have need of nothing materially, but they are wretched, miserable , poor, blind and naked spiritually ' (Revelation 3:17). They resort to 'do their own things' and interpret the Scriptures that best fit their lifestyle. The warning is grim - the Lord will 'vomit them out of His mouth' - meaning to say, they will have to undergo the Great Tribulation with no means of escape! Tragically, many will lose their physical lives but those who repented during the Great Tribulation will be saved spiritually to inherit the Kingdom of God! This is shown in the following verse 18 where they have to 'buy from the Lord gold refined in the fire (Great Tribulation) so that they can be rich spiritually to anoint their eyes and see the folly of their waywayness; then they will eventually be clothed in white garments (righteousness of Christ) to be in the First Resurrection to enter His Kingdom!

Part of God's Work of the Ezekiel Warning (Ezekiel chapters 3 & 33) in these last days is to warn the Laodiceans to turn from their ways, starting with the leaders, for He is 'standing at the door and knock' , awaiting for response from those who will while there is still time (Rev 3:20). Those who accept Christ's invitation to repent will become overcomers to rule and reign with Him in His coming Kingdom (Rev 3:21). What glorious truth and grace extended out to the Laodiceans!

The Laodicean church loves to embrace social gospel and watered-down doctrines. This in part, helps to explain the proliferation of different churches with different doctrinal interpretation and practices that cause further confusion and division. One thing often leads to another, and soon some of the teachings and practices are even contrary to what the Bible teaches. Soon Satan begins to deceive them that all the laws and commandments of God were kept for them by Christ and 'nailed to the cross'. Both the Apostles Peter and Paul warned in their epistles about false teachers and deceptions (2 Peter 2;1-3; Acts 20:28-30) at the beginning of the church age. As prophecy is usually dual and history very often repeats itself, it had happened in the first century shortly after all the Apostles died, it is happening again at the close of the church age we are currently living in!

After the death of Herbert Armstrong, the true church did indeed 'fall away' as was prophesised in Scriptures (2 Thess 2:3,10) Just like 2 Peter 2:22 reads, 'the dog has returned to his own vomit, and the sow having washed, to wallowing in the mire'. Many of the splinters have been formed and they returned to teaching truths mingled with errors, similar to eating from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.

In Revelation 3:10, Christ promised the Philadelphians to persevere and He will keep them from the 'hour of trial' which shall come upon the whole world - meaning they will be shielded from the coming Great Tribulation and the Day of the Lord (last one year). There are Philadelphians remnant in the last Laodicean Era, and they will be protected, much like the Nazarenes (the minority) during the Smyrna Era.

The word Laodicea means 'the people rule, judge or decide'. Therefore, inside the Laodicean church it is based on people's rule instead of Christ's rule. There is NO GOD'S GOVERNMENT ruling in the Laodicean church! The Lord Christ is OUTSIDE the organization. Hence the leaders and congregation decide on doctrines, practices and the kind of agenda for their church. Christ is calling His sheep to follow Him (John 10:3-5) and it is up to them to listen to His voice and obey. Those who do will be greatly blessed for they will escape the cataclysmal events (Luke 21:36) that will be unleashed upon planet earth!

THE TIME OF PHILADELPHIA

The sixth era of Christ's true Church belongs to those of Philadelphia. This era was prophesied to be very different from the one preceding it and also the one that follows -the Laodicean era.
The Philadelphian Era begins with one man Herbert W. Armstrong who restored God's truth to the Church. It began in 1933 shortly after he was ordained as a minister of the Church of God located in Eugene, Oregon, USA.

Through diligent study of the Bible, Mr Armstrong came to realise that Christ's true Church bears The Heavenly Father's name (John 17:12), and that the term Church of God was listed 12 times in the Bible. There is also Christ's promise in Matthew 16:18 that His true Church would never die out. His evangelistic efforts through teaming up with ministers of the Sardis Era produced no fruits. However, when he began to work alone God blessed his efforts and spiritual fruits were evident.

As the Sardis ministers rejected what Mr Armstrong had to teach from the unadulterated Word of God, he began to disassociate himself from them. With a small congregation of 19 members led by Herbert Armstrong, they became the pioneers of the Philadelphian Era. The Lord began to open doors (Revelation 3:8) for Herbert Armstrong to begin the Philadelphian phase of His Work, first by radio and later through the printing press since 1934. Within a period of 19 years till 1953, the radio broadcast reached almost the whole of North America.

When God starts something on the divine level, it is hugh and incredibly amazing, like the creation of the universe, the earth and man. But when He starts something through man, it is usually small like a grain of mustard seed, and sets to grow as the spiritual character of man develops. The radio broadcast brought to listeners a greater depth of understanding of what the Bible really teaches as compared to what man would like to hear from their preachers through the pulpits.

The Plain Truth magazine, the radio and television broadcast reach out to an estimated 250 million people around the world. It is truly an amazing Work of God that bear much spiritual fruits. Perhaps no other human preacher or evangelist has ever reached a fraction of that number in the history of God's Church!

Mr Armstrong saw the significance of the Ezekiel warning (Ezekiel 33:1-19). One aspect of the Work of God in these last days is to watch international events unfolding in accordance to bible prophecies and to warn the House of Israel (mainly the present day descendants of the people in America , UK, Canada, Australia and New Zealand) and the House of Judah (nation of Israel), and also the Laodiceans of the Laodicean church of this present time. Ezekiel never carried out the role as the Watchman warning his people of his days as they were already migrated out of the mother land when he wrote the book that bears his name. God used Ezekiel to write the prophetic warning meant for the last days - the time we are currently living in!

The Church of God did recognise the role of Herbert W. Armstrong fulfilling the role of the final Elijah who would come to prepare the way for the Second Coming of Christ (Matthew 17:11). He did come to restore all truths that had been lost since the first century Church founded by Christ's Apostles. The ' first Elijah' that came to prepare the way for Christ first advent was John the Baptist, but he did not come to restore all things (Matthew 17:11-13; Malachi 3:1-5). Herbert Armstrong did come to restore the biblical truths that were lost throughout the Church Age until the twentieth century when he started the Philadelphian Era. Which means to say that many doctrines that were taught and preached in churches in the preceding eras were on the wrong track! Sad to say, but it is true.

Those of the Philadelphian spirit understands the true gospel of the Kingdom of God for which a door will be opened for the Philadelphians to 'preach it in all the world as a witness to all the nations and then the end will come' (Matthew 24:14). One after another, Herbert Armstrong restored doctrines that had been adulterated by liberals and watered down by social preachers pampered to congregations with 'itching ears', wanting to hear what they wish to hear.

Christ's words in Revelations 3:10 is unequivocally clear that the Philadelphians will be counted worthy to escape (Luke 21:36) the Great Tribulation and the Day of the Lord ('I also will keep you from the hour of trial') which will come upon the earth with unprecedented sufferings and destruction. In His mercy God will keep it short for the elect's sake (Matthew 24:22). Herbert Armstrong had indeed turned the hearts of the fathers to the children and the hearts of the children to their fathers (Malachi 4:6). This represents the close knit family relationship restoring the headship role of the fathers just like God's people restoring the honor due to God the Father as the Head of the God Family which will soon be established to rule and reign on earth!

Herbert Armstrong did preached the gospel of the Kingdom of God (the coming God's Government ruled by Christ and His Bride - the sons of God who will be resurrected to become God-beings in God's Family) to many kings and heads of states as a witness. He led the Worldwide Church of God he founded from 1934 until his death in 1986. Throughout the years of his ministry, he faced major attacks against his teachings and uncompromising stand on the truth of God's Word. Many rejected his teachings and rebel against God's Word. However, the warning from the Lord is to 'hold fast what you have (the truth), that no one may take your crown' (Rev 3:11).

Out of the seven Church eras, only the time of Smyrna and the Philadelphian Era had the Lord Jesus Christ as the Head of their Church Government. The other five 'lost their head' and instituted man's systems of church governance. The result was, and still is, catastrophic as divisions and confusions prevailed. The church leaders have caused many to 'stumble at the law of God' (Malachi 2:8). Different denominations and independent churches have sprung up all over the world teaching different doctrines and practices, many of them contrary to what the Holy Scriptures say should be the real truth. Such corruption of the Word of God will intensify as The Lord Christ warned in Matthew 24, and later the Apostle Paul and others too that would happen after they had passed on. History always repeat itself, and the only lesson man learn from history is that they never learn from history! It seems that only those disciples with the Philadelphian spirit, attitude and understanding of the real truth will be given the privilege to spread the message that Christ came to preach as given by God the Father, whom Jesus Christ came to reveal and honor.

THE SARDIS ERA

The time of Sardis is the fifth era of God's church. The period of 1,260 years, in which the true church of God took flight from persecution of the Roman Church, starts from AD 325, at the time of the Nicean Council till about AD 1585. Subsequently, in 1586-1587, England became free from the yoke of Catholicism with the execution of Mary, Queen of Scots. Other Catholic monarchs appeared in later years, but they were unable to restore Catholic power in England.

In Revelation 3:4, we find Christ's commendation, 'You have a few names even in Sardis who have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with Me in white, for they are worthy.' An ex-Catholic priest, Francis David led a small flock that held on to the truth. He was imprisoned and died in AD 1579. Following on his work was a Hungarian nobleman named Andreas Eossi. He studied the Bible diligently, and led his group faithfully to live and practise the whole Bible - both the teachings of the Old as well as the New Testaments. They understood the Sabbath to be the seventh day of the week, typifying the seventh thousand years (since the creation of Adam and Eve) when they will rule and reign with Christ when He returns to set up His Government on earth.

This group also observed the annual Sabbaths or Holy Days. The Seven annual festivals were given to Old Testament Israel and were ordained forever. Their true meaning had long remained a hidden mystery. They pictured God's plan of redemption - the divine plan by which God is reproducing Himself! This is God's vision for mankind but tragically most within the church still don't get it. No wonder Proverbs 29:18 warns, 'Where there is no vision (of God's Family Government in the Kingdom of God), the people perish (some are eternally lost because of such ignorance); but he that keepeth the law (God's law for righteousness), happy is he (because they will be amply rewarded for eternity).' (KJV).

The Passover pictures the death of Christ in payment for the penalty of human sin repented of (overcome the penalty of sin - death). The seven days of the Festival of Unleavened Bread picture the Church coming out of sin (called out), even as Israel came out of Egypt (Exodus to the Promise Land). The Day of Pentecost, originally called Feast of Firstfruits, pictures the Church as the first to be begotten and born as children of God during the Church age (Firstfruits harvest called out of this evil world presently ruled by Satan). The Feast of Trumpets pictures the Second Coming of Christ to take over the earth's throne (currently held by Queen Elizabeth II of England) and to rule all nations (The Good News when Satan will be dethroned and Christ enthroned). The Day of Atonement pictures the putting away of Satan (bound for one thousand years). The Feast of Tabernacles pictures the thousand-year reign under the rule of Christ and the born children of God (born again resurrected saints who will inherit the Kingdom of God). The Final Great Day pictured the final judgment of all mankind who had ever lived (The Great White Throne).

These faithful followers understood that the pagan holidays such as Christmas and Easter were purely the inventions of popes! The Prophet Daniel in Daniel 7:25 rightly prophesied that the kings of the fourth kingdom (The Roman Empire, later known as the Holy Roman Empire because of the influence of the Roman Church), 'shall persecute the saints of the Most High and shall intend to change the times and law (God's law)'. History had proven these prophecies to be right on target. As there is often a duality in Bible prophecy, the worst persecutions for the people of God lie ahead, unless they repent of their unrighteousness before the time of the coming Great Tribulation!

God's Work was sometimes continued through certain families. One such family was the Stennett family who provided four generations of ministers to the Church of God in England. Then came the Bampfield brothers - Francis and Thomas - who wrote and published books on the Sabbath, creation and laws of God in AD 1675. Unfortunately, in spite of the preaching from the faithful men of God, the Sardis group compromised by 'showing love' for differing views and doctrines. Such practice eventually led the Sardis era spiritually dead.

The Church in England, eventually slipped from the truth of God and diminished in the late 1600s. Many wary Christians fled to the New World, to escape the persecution. Some of the remnants of the Church of God migrated to America by the late 1600s. The first record of these was a group led by Steven Mumford who began to preach among the Baptists in Newport, Rhode Island.

Around the time of 1818, most of the Sabbath-keeping congregations in the United States agreed to merge under the banner of the Seventh Day Baptist General Conference. Around this time in 1844, the defunct Adventist movement began to gather momentum and shown interest in the Sabbath. The majority began to follow a woman named Ellen G. White, whom most deemed to be their prophetess. By 1860, they chose to change their name to be called 'Seventh Day Adventists'. However, they are by no means the true Church of God.

There were political infighting among members of the Church of God leading to the split in 1933. Nonetheless, many European Christians enjoyed for over a hundred years of religious freedom in America granted by the charter of William Penn, which later extended to other colonies. As they continued to depend upon the laws of man rather the the laws of God, many drifted away from the truth they were once taught. God had to close the Sardis era to usher in another era that will transform the Church of God like never before.

THE AGE OF THYATIRA

The Age of Thyatira is revealed to us in Revelation 2:18-29. The period and area in this era is rich in history, concerning its ties with the apostolic church. The original apostles of Peter, John and Paul had evangelized the southern part of France, and so was Lazarus and others who spent the remainder part of their lives serving in these areas.

Some of the truths spreading in these areas were handed down by the Bogomils or Paulicians. Inspite of severe persecutions from the Church of Rome, the teachings of the true Church of God continued to thrive. The Vaudois, or Waldenses formed the main group in this era and they fled across the Alps and many settled in the valleys to find safety in Germany, England, France, Italy and other countries. The name 'Vaudois' means 'Valley Dwellers', and they practised the true faith as taught to them in the Bible such as the observance of the Sabbath on the seventh day of the week, immersion for baptism and kept the Passover, or the Lord's Supper.

These thirteen -century 'Valley Dwellers' had fled the papal church's wrath, but were protected by God in the Waldensian wilderness. The Waldenses were among the first Europeans to obtain, before the Reformation, the complete Bible in the Manuscript of their own tongue. Because they had the unadulterated truth, they became the objects of hatred and persecution. For about a thousand years, the Waldenses maintained the truth of God faithfully by passing them on from father to son.

Two great disciples of Christ - Peter de Bruys and his disciple Henry of Lausanne - became great evangelists in winning many Catholics (including some officials) over to the true Church of God. They made no apologies in denouncing the practices that are contrary to the Word of God.
Unfortunately, both were martyred. Peter was burned to death in 1125 and Henry died in prison in 1149.

The man Christ appointed to succeed Him in this period of time was a wealthy merchant named Peter Waldo. He invested much time and money to study the Word of God and had the Scriptures translated into the vernacular. He also gave much of his wealth to the poor, following the teaching of Matthew 19:21. Revelation 2:19 gives a brief description of what transpired in this era during the leadership of Peter Waldo, 'I know your works, love, service, faith and your patience; and as for your works, the last are more than the first.'

Peter Waldo brought his skills as a successful businessman to the organization and Work of God. Many saw his faith and dedication began to rally behind him to fulfill the Work of God in this Thyatira Era. Peter Waldo began preaching in AD 1161 with much success. His work continued in northern France and then moved on to Flanders and Holland.

The Waldenses were well known for their knowledge of the Bible. Ministers committed to memory the gospels of Matthew to John, all the letters of Paul, and the Psalms and Proverbs. Youths were also taught to commit to memory entire chapters and later, even the entire bible. This was seen as a precaution against the Catholics who sought to destroy their bibles by fire.

Sadly, when Pope Innocent III came on the scene, he set up the infamous Inquisition to complete the job of eliminating religious objections. Torture and death were the order of the day and thousands of true believers died for failure to compromise or recant of their beliefs. Waldo and his co-workers moved into Germany and Bohemia to evangelize inspite of the intense persecution. Between 1161-1180, Waldo's work was centred around Lyons and much of southern France. For the next nineteen years from 1180-1199, his work expanded to virtually every region of Europe with great success.

After the death of Waldo in 1218 and the split of the Waldenses, the ministry suffered. In 1229, the Council of Toulouse ruled against the reading of the Bible - and the Inquisition enforced it by torture and fire! In 1242, the ban to read the Bible was even extended to include the clergy of the Roman Catholic Church! Some of the Waldenses, in their weakness, compromised with the 'Jezebel' of the Middle Ages - the Roman Catholic Church. Hence, the verse in Revelation 2:20, 'Nevertheless, I have a few things against you, because you allow that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess, to teach and seduce My servants to commit sexual immortality and eat things sacrificed to idols.'

However, there were many martyrs who would rather choose death than recant their beliefs and renounce their way of life. Choosing instead to die and obtain a better resurrection. Pope Innocent III targeted the Waldenses, and authorized the monks to frame the court process to deliver the supposed heretics to torture and death. The beginning of the thirteenth century saw thousands of innocent Christians hanged and burned to death, whose sole crime was putting their faith and trust in the Lord Jesus Christ to renounce all form of idolatry, superstitution and self-righteousness!

The major labor of love during the Thyatira Era was the translation and copying of the Scriptures. Most of the manuscripts that the Catholic Church had confiscated and stored in the monasteries and the cathedrals were ultimately traceable to the work of the Church of God.
In the Netherlands the Waldenses were known as the Lollards, headed by Walter the Lollard and his brother Raymond. They brought the gospel to England with much success. The development of the Gutenberg Bible, one of the first books printed, was a breakthrough that quickly spread to Holland, England and all over Europe. The New Testamant version with the greatest demand was none other than the one first developed by the Waldenses in the vernacular version. The Thyatira Era was remembered as the period that started the impulse to spread the Word of God to all who would listen and embrace the truth.

The 1,260 years of the Church in the wilderness came to a close in the late 1500s. Intense persecution finally took a toll on the Waldenses. Together with the Lollards and the Church of God, they completed a great work which Christ readily approved (Revelation 2:25-26).

THE TIME OF PERGAMOS

The message to Pergamos starts in Revelation 2:13, 'I know your works, and where you dwell, where Satan's throne is. And you hold fast to My name, and did not deny my faith even in the days in which Antipas was My faithful martyr, who was killed amony you, where Satan dwells.' The Church in the Eastern Roman Empire migrated to the regions in and around Armenia. This was close to Constantinople, the capital of the Eastern Roman Empire, also known as the Byzantine Empire.

The phrase in verse 13 - 'where Satan's throne is' - implies that the Church was located at the seat of Satan's government. The city of Pergamos, representing this era, was the centre of the Babylon Mysteries Religion in Asia Minor. Anciently, this region had been the northern areas of Nimrod's Kingdom, and also the homeland of Balaam, one of the many priests of this mystery religion.

Antipas the faithful martyr was probably Constantine of Mananali, the first leader of the Paulicians - a group of faithful followers devoted to the writings and character of the Apostle Paul. Many followers of false creeds and religions were either converted to the truth or were 'sympathizers to the cause' of the Paulicians. Constantine was stoned to death by a traitor named Justus at the order of a Roman officer named Simeon, despatched by the Byzantine Emperor to squash the Paulicians. Simeon was so moved by the reality of the faith of Constantine and his followers that he was converted to become a faithful believer of the truth, much like the Apostle Paul. After having continued the work of Constantine for about three years, Simeon was betrayed by Justus before Emperor Justinian II and burned at the stake.

In the decades and centuries that followed, the Paulicians flourished under able and dedicated leaders such as Paul, Genesius and Joseph. However, many of the original writings of the Paulicians were destroyed and burnt. Only the Key of Truth, hidden for centuries was preserved. Sadly, they were mistranslated centuries later by Gnostic and Catholic writers that negatively corrupted some of the writings of the orthodox fathers from which many Protestant literatures were influenced. For example, the Paulicians rightly believed the the devil is the ruler of this world (2 Corinthians 4:4; Rev 12:9), and that human nature is dominant on earth. Unfortunately, either through ignorance or duplicity, many of the orthodox fathers like Origen, Eusebius and Athanasius (student of Origen) and Jerome wrote that the 'god of this world' to mean the 'God of heaven'.

A summary of the Paulicians' doctrines, found in the Key of Truth, can be summarized here as follows:

1. They baptized only adults, citing Christ's example. He was 30 years old when baptized.

2. They did not baptize in a font, but by immersion.

3. They believed that Christ, although crucified for man, did not command adoration of the cross.

4. They did no believe in the perpetual virginity of Mary, the mother of jesus, nor did they consider that she was a mediatrix.

5. They were characterized by their obedience to the Ten Commandments and believed that a Christian knows Christ and keeps God's Law.

6. They rejected the Catholic mass, communion and confession.

7. They believed that the Church was not a building, but a body of believers.

8. They believed that true repentance was a prerequisite for baptism.

Christ's warning to the church in the Pergamos era went on in Revelation 2:14-15, 'But I have a few things against you, because you have there those who hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balak to put a stumbling block before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed to idols, and to commit sexual immorality. Thus you also have those who hold the doctrine of the Nicolatians, which thing I hate.' The 'prophet Balaam' was used to practise things that are in defiance of God - to the extent that he thought he could get away with. The doctrine of the Nicolaitians was that of unrestrained indulgence. Practices like attending mass and other Catholic rituals eventually cause them to let their guards down and soon many would revert to the values and practices of this world. The doctrine of the Nicolaitanes went even further where the practices of Balaam had let off - even to extent of wholesale abandonment of God's law!

Another significant group that constitute the true church of God within the 1,260 years of the Church in the wilderness (Rev 12:6) is the Bogomils. They are located in the Balkans, and Bulgaria in particular. They opposed Mary worship, infant baptism and all the Catholic rituals. Like the Paulicians, they strongly opposed the doctrines of the trinity and transubstantiation - the Catholic belief that the bread and wine of the communion became the real flesh and blood of Christ. They believed that Christ came to overcome Satan and hence qualified to rule the world after His Second Coming to set up the Millennial Kingdom. Intense persecution was a daily occurrence as it was for those brethren who had gone on before them.

One of the great leaders of the Bogomils was Basil. Together with his twelve ministers, they had great success in evangelizing the region of the Balkans. So successful were they that Emperor Alexius Comnenus from Constantinople felt threatened that he plotted to entrap Basil and his ministers. Eventually, Basil and many of his faithful disciples were burned alive for refusing to renounce their beliefs and way of life. Subsequently, their remnants became known as the Paterines who continued the work of the true Church of God.

For the next few centuries, the work of the Church of God was focused in the south and western part of France, northern Italy and Switzerland which would then usher in the Thyatira Era.

THE SMYRNA ERA

The Bible is about one-third prophecies, and of these almost ninety percent of the prophecies are for these last days. This is because of the principle of duality in biblical prophecy where one aspect of a particular prophecy had been fulfilled and another aspect has yet to be fulfilled until the end times of which we are currently in now. This dual principle is clearly seen in 1 John 2:19, 'They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would have continued with us; but they went out that they might be made manifest, that none of them were of us.' Not only were defections and heresies prevalent in the early centuries following the death of the first apostles, they are equally prevalent now in these days just before the return of the Lord Jesus Christ.

After the death of John at the close of the first century AD, his faithful disciple Polycarp succeeded him in preserving the truth of God handed down from the Apostles. Polycarp turned many from heresy to the true church of God. He presided over the Church for over fifty years and was finally martyred by being burnt at the stake at Smyrna in AD 155.

Polycarp's successor, Polycrates, carried on the work of the true church of God with zeal and courage inspite of mounting opposition from detractors loyal to the Bishop of Rome in observing the Passover according to Scriptural manner.

During the Smyrna Era, the term Ebionites - meaning paupers - came into existence. These are the poor and destitutes who constitute the true and faithful disciples of the Lord. Christ commended them in Revelation 2:9, 'I know your works, tribulation, and poverty (but you are rich); and I know the blasphemy of those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan.' This false church, started by the Samaritans, grew so strong that it was able to influence, and later dominate the Roman government.

The prophetic proclaimation of tribulation for 'ten days' (Rev 2:10) was actually a ten year period (based on the principle of using the day-for-a-year principle of Numbers 14:34) inflicted from 303-313 AD under the rule of the Roman Emperor Diocletian. It was during this period of the beginning of the Dark Ages that the pastors and deacons of the church turned to worldliness and compromises on the truth taught by the early apostles. According to church historians, some ten thousand died as martyrs in Britain - many tragically after much torture.

According to church history, there were three splinters during this period. The first group accepted the original apostolic teachings to the letter, including the Nazarenes of the Pella area, later named as Ebionites. The second splinter was somewhat Pharisaical, rejecting the teachings and writings of the Apostle Paul. The third splinter group adopted the Gnostic doctrine, and became the liberals.
The Gnostic liberals were skilled at twisting the meaning of Scriptures in their preachings to justify their action or inaction through the use of allegory. The warnings in Matthew 24:4, 11 & 24 about deceptions and false prophets/teachings were meant not just for the Smyrna church, but also for the Laodicean church of these last days. The duality of biblical prophecy shows that these liberals are upon us again - coming full circle at the close of this present age. It is simply amazing that after all these centuries, their spirtual descendants are still around!

The growth of sects and false doctrines like the doctrine of the trinity were spreading indirectly under the patronage of the Roman Caesar, Constantine. Before his victory at the Battle of Mulvian Bridge outside Rome, Constantine was said to have a vision of the first two letters of the name of 'Christ' (in Greek are "X' and "P") and heard a voice telling him that he would conquer with this sign. Despite being a sun worshipper (sunday as holiday), Constantine issued the Edict of Toleration which gave Christianity legality in the Roman Empire. This ended the ten years of severe persecution against the true church and gave rise to false Christianity which ultimately enshrined in Roman Catholicism.

In AD 325, Constantine convened the ecumenical council of Nicea to resolve doctrinal differences between the various Christian denominations. As sun worshipper, he decreed that Sunday as a public holiday be kept throughout the Roman Empire instead of Saturday which is the actual Sabbath. Such 'mariage of convenience' between the Church at Rome and the state (Roman Empire) was initiated by Constantine and decreed as state religion for political reason - unification of the empire. Hence, anyone who objected were persecuted and forced into exile.

Faced with such decree, the true church of God had no choice but to flee. Revelation 12:6 prophesied, 'Then the woman (church) fled into the wilderness, where she has a place prepared by God, that they should feed her there one thousand two hundred and sixty days.' According to the biblical principle of prophecy of the day-for-a-year principle, the Church was to be in the wilderness for 1,260 years from AD 325 until AD 1585. The rest of the Smyrna Era saw many true disciples migrated to the north and east into Armenia and Cappadocia. Some even went to the west, far and away from the influence of the authority in Rome. The end of which ushers the church into the Pergamos Era.

HISTORY OF GOD'S TRUE CHURCH

Some two thousand years ago, Jesus Christ declared, 'I will build My church and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it.' (Matthew 16:18). His true Church was prophesied to never die out. No matter how intense the persecution throughout the centuries from the the time it was first founded in AD 31 to the present, there was always a small group of faithful followers, empowered by God's Holy Spirit, to keep the faith alive!

The word "church" , derived from the Greek word ecclesia means to be "called out". This means that the true Church of God is one which has come out of the world because though the true church is in the world, it is not of the world (John 15:19). That explains why the true church was, still is, and will remain the minority till the end of this church age.

Since the birth of the Church from Pentecost to the present, the Church has undergone seven separate and successive eras. These seven eras are Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamos, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea. Geographically, these were seven cities located in Asia Minor (now western Turkey) on a mail route in biblical times. The messages in Revelation chapters 2 and 3 on these seven cities/eras are spiritual pattern that span the history of Christs' Church over the two millennia - from AD 31 until the Second Coming of Christ.

Before going into the history of each of these seven church eras, it is appropriate to take a glimpse of what happened immediately after the apostolic era of the church. Perhaps the most influential and most destructive of all false teachers is Simon Magus - the word 'magus' means sorcerer or magician. He is probably one of the first founders of the first century heretical movement that mixed truth with falsehood. Christian writers of the second and subsequent centuries were influenced by his false teachings, including well-known Christian writers like Ignatius, Tertullian and Origen.

Simon Magus - the high priest of the Babylonian religion - was especially attracted to the philosophy of Gnosticism. The Gnostic school of philosophy teaches that all reality could only be understood by those well trained in philosophical reasoning. Extending such logic to biblical interpretation, these Gnostics concluded that all events and commandments recorded in the Bible were mere allegories and metaphors never to be taken literally. Simon Magus used the tricks of Gnosticism to deceive and confuse many of his fellow Samaritans for his own purposes. His infamous name was so well-known that the Encyclopedia Britannica referred to him as the 'Samaritan Messiah' and the 'father of all heresy'.

His work of heresy was set to expand as he travelled from city to city to propagate his own counterfeit brand of Christianity. He propounded the doctrine of grace as the licence to disobey God's law. Hence, in the early formative years of the growth of the true Church of God was this counterfeit movement. Many like Simon Magus claimed to be apostles, but are not. Revelation 2:2 was recorded as a warning to the church in the Ephesus era, 'I know your works, your labor, your patience, and that you cannot bear those who are evil. And you have tested those who say they are apostles and are not, and have found them liars.'

At this juncture, let's look at the ministries of Christ appointed twelve apostles. It is worthy to note that Christ instructed His twelve to minister to the lost sheep of the house of Israel (Matthew 10:5-6). Again, He reiterated this same statement in Matthew 15:24, 'I was not sent except to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.' Because when he comes in His glory, the twelve disciples shall sit upon the twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel (Matt 19:28).

Christ chosen twelve apostles were sent to the lost tribes of Israel after ministering in Jerusalem and Judea in the formative years of the church. The rest of the book of Acts records primarily the works of the Apostle Paul and his missions to the Greek and the Romans areas. Since most of the records of the book of Acts were mainly focused in the eastern Mediterranean area from Judea in the east to Rome in the west, much of the work by the other apostles to the lost tribes were left unrecorded. Some bible scholars conjectured that it could be God's purpose to leave the identity of the lost tribes hidden throughout the ages, perhaps until the time of the end.

When the northern kingdom of Israel fell to the invading Assyrian army, they were taken captives and many of them relocated to the areas in and around Assyria and Media. Their place of abode include places like Parthia, Scythia and Armenia. In a period of a few centuries, many had already migrated to the northwest - the present area of Western Europe. James, the brother of the Lord Jesus Christ, in his epistle acknowledged the twelve tribes scattered abroad. The Apostle Peter addressed his opening espistle in 1 Peter 1:1 to the pilgrims scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia and Bithynia. All these areas are in the northern part of Asia Minor.

According to highly acclaimed historians of that period, Joseph of Arimathea, Simon Zelotes and Aristobulus planted the true church in Britain. It seems that Joseph of Arimathea played a significant part in the work of the church in Britain. So was Aristobulus, a disciple of the Apostle Paul (Romans 16:10), who became the first bishop of Britain.

As was the case throughout the history of God's true church, when there was persecution, the church grew and spread to many regions where it was first preached. One account relates how the Roman Emperor Domitian (AD 81-96) summoned the Apostle John to Rome and questioned him about the teachings that Christ was to reign as King and would abolish all human installed governments. John's reply: "You shall reign for many years given you by God, and after you very many others; and when the times of things upon the earth have been fulfilled, out of heaven shall come a King, eternal, true Judge of the living and the dead, to whom every nation and tribe shall conform, through whom every earthly power and dominion shall be brought to nothing, and every mouth speaking great things shall be shut." (Acts of the Holy Apostle and Evangelist John the Theologian", page 560-562).

Not too long thereafter, John was banished to the Isle of Patmos, in the Aegean Sea. It was there that he received the vision from the Lord Christ to record the prophecies of Revelation. Upon his release, John resided in Ephesus for the remaining years of his life. He was the only apostle to die of old age, the rest were martyred.

John's death around AD 100 ended the apostolic era - the most part constituted the Ephesus Era. Polycarp succeeded him and it was then that the Smyrna Era commenced.

MEANING OF TRUE CONVERSION

I have come across several Christian leaders and even pastors who had 'fallen away' from the faith they once held dearly. What actually happened? Could it be that they were never truly converted in the first place? While I can never know for sure, it behooves us to learn and understand what a true conversion really is.
The world defines a Christian as one who 'attends church', 'knows Christ', 'professes Christ' or 'having been baptized'. But Romans 8:14 makes it very clear that a true Christian is one who has the Holy Spirit leading him/her. Otherwise, he/she is none of His (Christ). All those who are truly converted have the Holy Spirit in them, not just with them.

But how does one receives the Spirit of God? Receiving God's Spirit comes upon real repentance and a correct baptism through immersion. The Apostle Peter proclaimed in Acts 2:38, 'Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission (forgiveness) of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit' . But is 'salvation now finished' in the baptized believer? There is more...much more as conversion is a gradual process of learning, growing and overcoming.

Chapter 13 of the Gospel of Matthew contains seven parables about the Kingdom of God. The first is the 'Sower and the Seed'. Sowing some seed in different locations and types of soil will yield different results. In one case, some seed fell on the wayside and the birds (devil) came and devoured them. Some fell on stony ground, did not take root and withered away. Others fell among thorns and got choked by the cares of this world. Those that fell on good ground yielded good character growth of some thirty, sixty and a hundred fold.

The next parable is the 'Wheat and Tares'. This signifies the 'fruit' of Christian growth and maturity prior to the Lord gathering them into his Kingdom (barn).
The third parable typifies the Kingdom starting off as a 'grain of mustard seed' that grows into a huge tree. This is followed by the parable of leaven, showing God's Kingdom as a leaven spreading until it encompasses all the nations of the earth (dough) . The fifth compares the Kingdom to 'hidden treasures' found in the field. It is so precious that the finder sells all that he has to buy the field.

The parable of the 'pearl of great price' depicts a person sells all that he has in order to raise funds to buy it. The final parable in this chapter describes the Kingdom of God as a 'net' gathering all kinds of fish - both good and bad. The 'good fish' are those who will enter the Kingdom of God while the'bad fish' are those who will be destroyed in the lake of fire.

The message for each of these parable is the same - there is a price to be paid for being a true disciple of Jesus Christ with the ultimate goal of entering the Kingdom of God and be a member of the God Family, ruling and reigning with Him (Rev 3:21). Others like the Parable of the Talent (Matthew 25:14-30), Parable of the Minas (Luke 19:11-27), Parable of the Wedding Feast (Matt 22:2-14), Parable of the Ten Virgin (Matt 25:1-13), Parable of the Fig Tree (Luke 13: 6-9) and many more besides - all depict a Christian entering the coming Kingdom of God into the God Family at Christ's Second Coming.

The Lord Jesus in Matthew 6:33 admonishes all His called disciples to 'Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness'. The first priority of a true believer is seeking the Kingdom of God. However, he/she must develop God's righteousness, which is the divine character. The Sermon on the Mount goes on to emphasise on character building through obedience to God's law.

John 14:2-3 has been one of the most misunderstood passages of the New Testament gospels as eulogies have often being given at Christian memorial services based on this text - albeit with wrong analogy! "In My Father's house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also." (John 14:2-3).

The literal meaning of these two verses is simply this: there are many offices (positions) in God's Kingdom. Christ is going to heaven to prepare these positions for His disciples before He comes back again (Luke 19:12-27). That is where He will be - on earth (after His Second Coming), not in heaven. And this (earth) will be where His disciples be also. One chapter later in John 15, Christ tells His disciples to bear fruits...and much fruits. He identifies His true disciples by whether they bear fruits in this life so as to qualify them for inheritances (rewards) into the Kingdom of God.

Likewise, the prophet Daniel wrote, 'But the saints (resurrected spirit-beings) of the Most High shall receive the kingdom, and possess the kingdom forever, even forever and ever.' (Daniel 7:18). This reward is again reiterated in verses 22 and 27 of the same chapter. Revelations 3:21, 5:10 and 20:4-6 make it unequivocally clear that the resurrected saints of the first resurrection shall become 'kings and priests' who will reign and rule with Christ on earth for a thousand years! The converted true believers are to be trained to prepare for such 'high positions' in the coming Kingdom of God. Proper understanding of the Word of God, coupled with 'trials and tribulations' are part and parcel of the 'training regimen'. No wonder the Apostle Paul warned, 'We must through many tribulations ENTER the kingdom of God.' (Acts 14:22b). And in the early centuries of the history of the true church, thousands of true believers were martyred for their belief in the kingdom of God with no compromise. Some were burned at the stakes, others were thrown to feed hungry wild beasts and many were immersed in boiling oil. Little wonder the Lord Jesus Christ warned in Matthew 11:12, 'And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven (God) suffers violence, and the violent take it by force.'

A truly converted Christian keeps God's law, for sin is the transgression of the laws of God (1 John 3:4). Hence, God will only give His Spirit to those who obey Him (Acts 5:32). Those who don't understand God thinks that His laws and commandments are cumbersome. But God's law is necessary for our own good; and if we have the love of God in us, we will manifest it in our heart and mind in all aspects of our life (Romans 5:5). The repentant mind, under the guidance of God's Spirit, will turn from the 'get' way of life to the 'give' way of life. His/her entire thinking and value system will be transformed to the new way - God's way instead of Satan's way who is the god of this world (2 Corinthians 4:4).

The converted Christian can grow in truth and grace through abiding in Christ (John 15:5). This involves regular bible study and prayer. It is important to ask God for a greater anointing of His Spirit on a regular basis to help in overcoming one's 'trials and tribulations'. However, I must add that this must be done God's way and not those 'Holy Ghost' meetings where 'gibberish tongue' and 'people being slain by the Spirit' are a common occurrence. This is partly due to a mistranslation of 1 Corinthians 12:13. The preposition in the original Greek means 'IN' and not 'by' (Derek Prince - Baptism in the Holy Spirit, page 12). Hence, it should be translated as, 'For IN one Spirit we were all baptized into one body'. All true converts are to be baptized by Jesus Christ (Matthew 3:11). The Holy Spirit is the MEANS through which Jesus Christ baptizes them for the Holy Spirit cannot baptize anyone. There was no record in the history of the true church of such practices for ' getting converts to speak in tongues' - other than those recorded in 1 Corinthians which many failed to understand the reasons why they happened and is not meant to be a precedent for the church!

All these are important because the believer is called out of this world's 'value systems and way of life' to be different and to fight and resist 'Satan's value systems and way of life'. Ephesians chapter 6 provides us the 'spiritual tools ' to do so, 'Put on the whole armor of God that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.' (verse 11). It is a warning to us that we are not fighting against 'flesh and blood', but aginst the 'wicked spirits in high places'.

Basically, the converted believer has to 'wage spiritual war' on three fronts. First, Satan wants to defeat every potential son of God who will become a member of God Family if he overcomes. Satan is like a 'roaring lion seeking whom he may devour' (1 Peter 5:8). But we can 'resist him and be steadfast in faith' (verse 9). We must always check our mindset, attitude and intention to resist such attack from the devil and his demons. Second, the glitter and glamour of SOCIETY is indeed the temptations and rewards that cause the downfall of many great people - both within and outside the church. Always remember that this world in this age is still Satan's world and we have to tread very cautiously not to 'fall into his world'. Third, the SELF is oftentimes the greatest 'culprit' of one's own undoing. The lust of the flesh and the pride of life often come in the way of pursuits that are right, honoring and pleasing to the Heavenly Father. Because they that are 'in the flesh cannot please God' (Romans 8:8).

The building of God's divine character is the main reason why you and I were born into this world. For there is no other way to learn and develop divine character than in real life's experiences. The converted true disciple of Christ is to 'put on' the character of God and Christ and to 'put off' the fleshly pulls of human nature (Colossians 3:8-13). I know it is never easy, but for those who overcome the reward is 'way out of this world'. This verse in 1 Corinthains 2:9 rings loud and clear of God's eternal plan for those who love Him, 'Eye has not seen, nor ear heard. Nor have entered into the heart of man, the things which God has prepared for those who love Him.' For indeed, He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him (Hebrews 11:6).

THE GOD FAMILY VISION (3)

In this blog, I will attempt to walk the readers through the plan of God since the first creation of man in the Garden of Eden. Satan deceived Eve to partake of the wrong tree but Adam was not deceived (1 Timothy 2:14). Instead, he disobeyed God and sinned deliberately. Such disobedience cut him off from God and opened his mind (and all children born after him) receptive to the lies, perversions and deceptions of Satan. It is God's mercy to seal off the Tree of Life (symbolic of eternal life) after the Fall (Genesis 3:24); or else, sinful man partaking of it will live for all eternity with all the sufferings and pain sins would bring. That would be the mother of all tragedy!

By partaking of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, Adam relied wholly on himself rather than on God. Such self reliance for knowledge and power for performance is like deciding for himself what is good and what is evil, giving rise to self-righteousness. The crafty Satan got Adam through his wife Eve, much like what his strategy is today by deceiving the church through the Laodicean ministers who would rely on their own talents and eloquence to push through any agenda, often under cover as the Work of God!

Since the first Adam failed in his opportunity to unseat the throne of Satan and restore the government of God on earth, Jesus Christ as the second Adam, will return to earth at His Second Coming (after qualifying to rule by overcoming Satan, society and self on His first advent) in supreme power and glory to unseat Satan and rule all the nations of the earth with His saints as the King of kings and Lord of lords (Rev 11:15; 19:16). His reward for the true disciples will be to rule the nations of the earth as their inheritance (Psalms 2:8) in accordance to their works (Luke 19: 12-19; Rev 22:12).

God's vision is to reproduce Himself in humans into His family as the royal SUPERGOVERNMENT IN THE KINGDOM OF GOD. Only true believer who has the Holy Spirit living inside his/her mind to write the living truth for understanding and obedience will be born again into spirit being in the First Resurrection to enter the Kingdom of God. These resurrected saints - though relatively small in numbers ('little flock' - Luke 12:32; 'little strength' - Rev 3:8) - will rule in the world to come, and after the new heaven and new earth were formed, to rule the whole universe throughout the age of eternity. Make no mistake, God's SuperGovernment of His whole creation is a Family business! But how is God going to accomplish His Masterplan since the world is presently ruled by Satan (2 Corinthians 4:4) until the Second Coming of Christ? This is a mystery I will attempt to unfold.

By sealing off the Tree of Life, God is cutting off salvation to all of mankind EXCEPT those He has called (John 6:44). These were the prophets and some small group of righteous men and women in the Old Testament days plus the true church of God who are called and chosen (Matthew 20:16, 22:14 - those who respond to His truth in obedience to His laws and commandments). These are the firstfruits of the harvest represented by the priest waving the sheaf before the Lord (Leviticus 23:10).

At this juncture, I need to emphasise that throughout the history of the true church, all true disciples believe that Jesus Christ is the Messiah and His GOSPEL (Good News) from God the Father of the coming Kingdom of God reigning over the earth after His return. His opening verses on the sermon on the mount in Matthew 5:3 & 5 affirms that: 'Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the Kingdom of heaven(God)' and 'Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth'. That is why Jesus' disciples asked Him when will the Kingdom be restored just before His ascent to heaven (Acts: 1:3, 6). Sadly, many ministers are preaching that the Kingdom of God is right 'where you are working, living and playing'. This was precisely what the Apostle Paul warned the church in Galatia in Galatians 1:8-9 against the preaching of 'any other gospel' - that which is not from Christ!

The true church of God is His plan to call out the firstfruits to be His priests and kings to teach and govern during the Millenial Age all the flesh and blood humans who survived the Great Tribulation. Subsequently, at the end of the Millennial Age, all of mankind will be resurrected (Second Resurrection) to learn the truth from the saints in the Kingdom of God and given the opportunity to repent and be saved. It is God's heart that 'none should perish but that ALL should come to repentance' (2 Peter 3:9) and God's plan cannot be thwarted. In this church age, only the church is called and judged (1 Peter 4:17) to qualify for the 'high calling and prize' (Philippians 3:14). Subsequently, those who have yet to be saved will be in the Second Resurrection standing at the Great White Throne Judgement (Rev20:11-13). All the humans who had ever lived will be shown the truth of God and given an opportunity to repent and accept God's laws, commandments and way of life without Satan's influence. Probably, many of them will be saved and be resurrected to spirit beings and be given some form of responsibility in the Government of God (Isaiah 9:7 - 'Of the increase of His government and peace there will be no end').

Many think that Satan is winning the fight as the church is still the minority on earth. But they failed to realise the time order of God's Masterplan - 'there is a season and time for every purpose under heaven' (Eccl 3:1). However, there is one main reason why God put man on earth to go through all the ordeals of sufferings and pain (diseases, war, hatred, strife and death etc). That is to allow man to develop the character of Christ through the 'school of hard knocks' - in order to qualify them as sons and daughters - the yet to be born again spirit-beings in God's Family that the whole creation is awaiting for its revelation (Romans 8:19). Even the Almighty God cannot clone Christ character into man, it has to be trained and developed through hard work. That is why Paul admonishes all believers to 'work out your own salvation with fear and trembling' (Philippians 2:12). The true church is mandated the task to train and 'shepherd the flock of God' (1 Peter 5:2-4). Peter had to be reminded three times by the Lord 'to feed/tend My lambs/sheep' (John 21: 15-17).

God loves us too much to allow any repeat of what Satan (formerly known as Lucifer) had done. Lucifer was created perfect without the benefit of birth, sufferings and death to experience and learn the awfulness of sin. God now wants man to be given the freedom of choice as a free moral agent to choose wisely in order to develop the character of Christ - the mature and righteous disciple that will qualify him/her the reward of inheritance to rule and reign with Christ in the Kingdom of God.

After the Government of God has been restored to the Kingdom of God, the Tree of Life will once again be opened to man. For the earth will be full of the knowledge of the Lord as the waters cover the sea (Isaiah 11:9b). It will be available for all to partake of it as the Holy Spirit will be poured out on ALL flesh (Joel 2:28b). As Satan will then be bound, it will be easier for man to receive the truth and ways of God without demonic interference. Meanwhile, in this present evil age, God's people are being destroyed because of ignorance (Isaiah 5:13; Hosea 4:6) and the Laodicean ministers are contributing to the problem.

The role of an Ezekiel Watchman is to proclaim and warn by sounding the trumpet ( see Ezekiel chapter 33). Whatever action you decide to take or not to take is up to you. But remember, a day will dawn when there will be a famine of God's word (Amos 8:11-12) and it will be too late for the 'unbelieving believer' for the door will be shut (Matthew 25:10) and his/her destiny sealed!

THE GOD FAMILY VISION (2)

My last blog was unequivocal in stating the fact from John 1 that there are only TWO GOD BEINGS right from the beginning, chronologically, even before Genesis 1:1. They are God (now known as God the Father) and the Word (after His reincarnation as the Son of God became known as Jesus Christ). There is no other being. Colossians 2:2-3 confirms the Father and Son theme. John 17:5 & 21-23 states that they are one in unity, purpose and perfect love - two separate Supreme Beings but ONE GOD. John 15:26 further states that the Holy Spirit is the 'Spirit of truth that PROCEEDS from the Father' - the Almighty God is able to project His Spirit, probably that makes Him omnipotent, omnipresent and omniscient. Moreover, 1 John 3:9 tells us that the Spirit of God is His (God) Seed - the same root word in Greek that refers to the human sperm!

But some ask why then a true believer must be baptised in the name of the Father, the Son and of the Holy Spirit? This is simply because if the Holy Spirit does not dwell in the mind of Christ's true disciple to give him/her spiritual understanding and discernment, he/she is not a child of God (Romans 8:6-11) and will not be in the First Resurrection (the firstfruits) which is a requirement to enter and inherit the Kingdom of God (1 Cor 15: 22-24, 50-54).

One major problem noted in all of mankind's history is government. This is more so in these last days as corruption, deception and abuse of power are prevalent at the governmental level. When man practise the 'get' philosophy of rulership, they are following Satan's system of governance. But only when our Lord Jesus Christ returns to restore all things (Acts 3:21) with the establishment of the 'give' way of government at the Kingdom of God, genuine peace and prosperity are only fallacies.

Luke 22:24-27 bears out this truth that God's government exist to serve others. But when leaders selfishly serve themselves first before all else, they are breaking God's law of love (Matt 22:37-40). The more they know and higher up in positions, the greater will be their judgements for breaking this commandment. God's leaders are like father and mother in a physical family who would watch over their children with love. Similarly, in a church setting, the pastors and leaders are held accountable for their charges in God's family. Since, one does not 'hire and fire' a family member, it is wrong to do so in a church context. However, that does not mean there is no discipline, but it has to be done in accordance with God's way (see 1 Timothy 5) and not according to man's whims and fancy.

Amos' warning to the children of Israel in Amos 3:1 can be applied to the spiritual family of God - the church. This warning of punishment (verse 2) is particularly relevant to our current Laodicean era church that has rebelled against God's government. This is prophesied in Revelation 3:14-20. Malachi 2:7-10 refers to the sin of God's leaders for causing disunity and His people to stumble. Clearly, the leaders of the Laodicean church have departed from the ways of God (verses 8-9) by having the truth watered down - mostly falling prey to the deceptions of Satan - fiddling with 'spiritual toys' and failure to observe the commandments of God. The result is disunity, confusion and deceptions that weaken the body of Christ and become easy prey for Satan to do his bidding through many splinters and slivers. The Lord Jesus Christ is standing at the doorway of individual Laodiceans ready to forgive if they repent (Rev 3:20) - while there is still time. The parable of the Ten Virgins in Matthew 25:1-12 shows some 50% of the Laodicean church could face a 'bleak' eternal destiny!


Those rebellious ministers (Malachi 3:3 -'sons of Levi') who refused to submit to God's government will have to undergo God's refinement process - probably to undergo the coming cataclysmic Great Tribulation, if they are still living then!
God's true church is the bride of Christ (Rev 19:7). The true church must learn to submit to Christ now before she can qualify to reign with Him in the coming Kingdom of God. That means the true church must learn to understand God's Family Government and submit to God's laws. That is why she must have the 'righteous acts of the saints' (Rev 19:8). Failing which, there is no reward and no inheritance in the Kingdom of God (Rev 3:21). As Christ submit to the Father's government, so we must also follow His example (1 Peter 2:21-23). I plead with you to heed the Apostle Peter's advice to 'be even more diligent to make your call and election sure' (2 Peter 1:10) so as to obtain a 'better resurrection' (Hebrews 11:35 - First Resurrection) in order to enter the everlasting Kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ (2 Peter 1:11).

The book of Colossians is addressed to the Colossians and the Laodiceans. While the Colossians took to the advice of Paul to submit to God's government, the Laodiceans failed to heed and became lukewarm. Christ is the Head of the Church (Col 1:18). Out the seven church eras, five lost their Head. Sadly, the last Laodicean era is one of them. Losing one's head is a sure recipe for death. Hence, spiritually, the Laodicean (the word means 'the people rule') church is cut off from the source - the Lord Jesus Christ! The Laodicean church will do their own thing, each independent church with their own agenda - whatever that means- except the Work of God! They are kept busy going round in circles, always learning but never come to the knowledge of the truth. Unless they repent - while there is still time to respond to the Lord's knocking on the door of their hearts - they have no hope of getting out of the trap of deception. Time is ticking by quickly as the 'Day of Reckoning draws near'.

Tragically, many will not receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved (2 Thess 2:10). They are following a man without the Head, which is Christ. Let us be mindful what the Lord tells us that there are those who only have the Spirit of truth dwelling WITH them, though not necessarily IN them (John 14:17). For without the Spirit of truth residing in them, there is no full understanding of the whole truth and no hope of being a son of God to qualify in the First Resurrection (Romans 8:9 & 11). Depending solely on one's own strength and wisdom is sure recipe for unfruitfulness (John 15:5) and will soon fall prey to deception (Rev 12:9).

The Apostle Paul in Colossians 2:8 warns the Laodiceans not 'to follow the vain philosophy and tradition of men which are not in accordance with the truth that Christ taught the church'. Unfortunately, the rebellious leaders and parishioners of this Laodiceans era are just too proud to learn and abide to the truth. Instead, they follow their own agenda to do their own thing in their own way without regard to the laws and commandments God laid down for His family government. Little wonder that Paul had to warn the elders in Ephesus 'for three years, every night and day with tears', for he knew that after his departure 'savage wolves will come to ravage the flock' for which the elders were overseers (Acts 20:27-31). Paul knew that if the Head is not held up - the government of God is demolished - the people of God will be disunited and confused and become fair game for Satan's deception. He warned the Laodiceans in the first century, and he is also warning the Laodiceans in this last era before the Lord returns!

The book of Ezekiel is also sounding out warnings for our time - for the House of Israel, the House of Judah and also the end-time Laodicean church.
In Ezekiel 7:22, God states that 'My secret place' has been defiled. This is in reference to the Holy of Holies - equivalent to the pulpit in the church where God's ministers preach the Word. They have replaced God's laws and work with the teachings, traditions and agenda of men.

Lucifer, before he became Satan, wanted to rule earth his way instead of submitting to God's family government and laws. The first human family failed and looks like the last era Laodicean church will follow in the same footstep. But for the first 50% of the Laodicean church who will repent, my advice is to do so while there is still time. Hebrews 6:4-6 clearly warns, 'For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted the heavenly gift, and have become partakers of the Holy Spirit, and have tasted the good word of God and the powers of the age to come, if they fall away, to renew them again to repentance, since they crucify again for themselves the Son of God, and put Him to an open shame'. What this means is that for those who knows or ought to know -leaders of the Laodicean church - there is no second chance if they choose to fall away from the truth as revealed in God's holy scriptures. They have become 'rich, wealthy and have need of nothing'. But they do not know that they are wretched, miserable, poor, blind and naked (Rev 3:17). These will be their own undoing - for not only will they lose their rewards and inheritances, even their spiritual salvation is hanging by the skin of their teeth!

THE GOD FAMILY VISION (1)

I have heard many preachers preached about the subject of 'The Word' in John 1:1-5. Frankly, I never get to fully understand what they were talking about then, but now I do. Before Jesus Christ became the only Begotten Son of God in the flesh, He was the Word. Which means to say, God the Father and the Word (Jesus Christ) were the two God Beings (Elohim) ruling the vast universe. The Word was the Spokesman (Messenger who brought the Gospel from the Father to mankind) for God the Father, and all things in heavens and earth were created by God the Father through the Word (John 1:3).

The Gospel Jesus proclaimed (The Kingdom of God) revolves around The God Family Vision as God's supreme plan is to expand His ruling Family with man as His sons. Satan is not happy with this plan as he and his angels were never offered this privilege and thus inspire the trinity doctrine which is not in the bible. In fact, the idea came from the worship of Nimrod and his family ( Nimrod, his wife and son). The Holy Spirit is God's power and agent to get the Work of God accomplished on earth, and not a separate God Being like Jesus Christ. That is why in the prayer of Jesus Christ to God the Father in John 17, there is no mention of the Holy Spirit. In the opening epistles of the Apostle Paul, he greets both God the Father and the Son Jesus Christ but not the Holy Spirit. In our prayers, we pray to God the Father through Jesus Christ, and no mention of the Holy Spirit. In Psalm 51:11 David asked the Lord not to take away His Holy Spirit away from him instead of pleading with the Spirit of God directly as he would if the Holy Spirit is a separate God Being. At this juncture, I would like to clarify that the Holy Spirit is from God (Spirit of God) but that the Spirit is NOT A SEPARATE GOD BEING. Just like the spirit of Adrian is one and the same person being with me. When Simon the sorcerer tried to use money to buy the power of God's Spirit, Peter rejected it (Acts 8:18-20). The Holy Spirit is always represented as water, oil, wind and dove - a kind of power and agent of the Living God. That is why man is created in the image of God - male and female - two separate beings representing two separate God Beings. If the Holy Spirit is a a member of the God Head and lives in us, all Christians would die physically the moment they sin, period. The Trinitarians failed to understand the person of God and destroyed God's Vision of an open and expanding Family!

When Adam and Eve fell, God activated plan B to beget the Word who became flesh and dwelt among us (John 1:14). Jesus Christ divested Himself of His glory He shared with God to be begotten as a Man. After Jesus Christ's begettal, God became His Father. The God Family Vision was born! All true disciples can become members of the household of God (Ephesians 2:19). Marriage becomes the channel through which God can accomplish His Vision. If we can fully grasp this Vision, all marriage problems can be easily resolved. Chapter 5 of Ephesians makes this relationships clear.

The Hebrew word for 'God' is Elohim - a plural word which can mean 'Family, Church'. The word 'son' is used over 420 times and the word 'Father' over 350 times in the New Testament. Jesus Christ was crucified and resurrected from the dead to become the Son of God (Romans 1:4) and indeed,' the firstborn (Son) among many brethren' (Rom 8:29; Colossians 1:15). Christ was first and many brethren will follow after Him. All true disciples of Jesus Christ who are overcomers like the Philadelphians (Rev 3:7-12) will be resurrected as spirit beings to become sons in the Family of God to rule in the Kingdom of God, beginning with the earth in the Millennial Age and then the universe into eternity!

Genesis 1:25 tells us that God made animals after their kind, then He made man in His image - basically the God-kind. We are like 'God', for 1 John 3:2 says when Christ is revealed (Second Coming), 'we shall be like Him'. Since the Lord Jesus told Philip that 'He who has seen Me has seen the Father' (John 14:9), we look like God, waiting to be born into His Family (overcomers who passed the tests of trials and tribulations) at the time of resurrection. In this life, the Holy Spirit is God's Seed in us as a deposit for our inheritance until redemption (Ephesians 1:13-14).

Paul in Ephesians 2:19-22 writes about the God Family (household of God) which is built on the 'foundation of the apostles and the prophets'. He went on to write about ' Jesus as the chief cornerstone and the whole building grows into a holy temple in the Lord' (verse 20-21). This is consistent with Ezekiel's temple vision in chapter 40-48 (more about that in later blogs) and John's vision in Rev 11:1-2. Going on in Ephesians chapter 3, Paul reveals this mystery which was hidden from the beginning of the ages before it was made known to him (obviously by the Lord Jesus Christ) of 'whom the WHOLE FAMILY in heaven and earth is named ' (3:15). As Paul had to undergo great trials to preach this message, all the true disciples of Jesus Christ who obey His commission to do likewise can expect the same.

The question is, 'Are you willing to pay the price to complete the Work of God in these last days?' Do not let Satan deceive you of the truth and keep you in limbo. I can say with confidence from the bottom of my heart, 'I am willing'. For when you truly grasp God's Family Vision for mankind in general and for you in particular, nothing else matters. Amen.

YOUR ETERNAL DESTINY (3)

Salvation through the life, death and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ is central to the gospel message. The primary reason why He came to die, to be buried and resurrected is to save us from condemnation for breaking God's laws and commandments so that we could inherit everlasting life in the Kingdom of God (John 3:16). Without the privilege of ENTERING the Kingdom of God, there is NO SALVATION! That is why the Lord Jesus commanded us to 'seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness' (Matt 6:33) above all else in this life.

The Apostle Paul reveals that ALL (of mankind) will be made alive (1 Cor 15:22). But each one in his own order (verse 23) - meaning to say such resurrection will occur in stages. This is confirmed in Acts 24:15 when it records that there will be a resurrection of the just and the unjust (unbelievers). Christ is the firstfruits, to be followed by all those who are His true followers. This will happen in the FIRST RESURRECTION at His Second Coming for all the saints who are sleeping (dead) and also those who are alive at His Return (1 Cor 15:51; 1 Thess 4:13-17). They will be transformed into immortal spirit beings as sons and daughters of God's ruling family in the Kingdom of God (John 3:5-8). Their reign with Christ will commence from His Second Coming in His Millennial Kingdom and into eternity (Matt 13:43; 1 Cor 15:24-26). All of mankind who had ever lived since the the time of Adam and Eve but who failed to qualify for the First Resurrection will be resurrected as flesh and blood physical bodies (Matt 12:41-42; Acts 24:15; Ezekiel 37) in the Second Resurrection to occur at the end of the Millennial Age (Rev 20:4-6).

The immortal life in the Kingdom of God is made possible through our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ ' who has abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel (2 Timothy 1:10). Such revelation is confirmed in Hebrews 2:10-12 for it is Christ 'who brings many sons to glory' and those who are made holy are of the same family of God, whom Christ is not ashamed to call them brethren (brothers), for whom He will declare God's name to His brethren. The Apostle Peter shares that those who enter the Kingdom of God (2 Peter 1:11) will even share God's divine nature (2 Peter 1:4). Such is the awesome future to be part of God's family whom He has predestined for all those who would believe and obey Him. Romans 8:19 tells us that 'the creation eagerly waits for the revealing of the sons of God' - which will happen at the First Resurrection upon the Second Coming of Christ. Then the kingdoms of this world - which are currently ruled or influenced by Satan - will become the Kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ, and He shall reign forever and ever (Rev 11:15; 2 Tim 2:12). All the saints who are overcomers will sit with Christ on His throne (Rev 3:21). That incredible future is what Christ's message of the Kingdom of God is all about!

How then can we attain the goal of entering the Kingdom of God? First and foremost, we must repent of our sins for violating God's law and commandments (1 John 3:4). Then we must believe the good news of the Kingdom (Mark 1:14-15). The Lord warned of several obstacles that can prevent our entrance into the Kingdom of God. Self-righteousness (Matt 5:20), riches (Matt 19:23-26), greed and lust (Mark 9:47), pride (Luke 18:17), disobedience to the leading of the Holy Spirit (John 3:5) among many others. Simply put, to enter the Kingdom of God one has to be humble, teachable, adopt a childlike attitude with real repentance, baptism and receiving of God's Holy Spirit (Acts 2:38). The Lord reminded us to keep the Kingdom of God in focus (Matt 6:33) and pray (Matt 6:10) in order to overcome these difficulties. When we do so, our outlook in life will be like those of the patriarchs of old as recorded in Hebrews 11. Their lives are centred on the coming Kingdom and not on their present physical well-being as they considered themselves as 'strangers and pilgrims' in the brevity of their mortal lives. Though they all 'died in faith', not having received their promises (of eternal lives) as yet till the First Resurrection (Hebrews 11:13, 39). For the patriarchs were dead and still 'sleeping' in their graves (Acts 2:29-30;2:34; 13:36) which God will reward them abundantly (Hebrews 11:6) in due time.

The Lord Jesus told us that the 'gospel of the Kingdom of God will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come' (Matt 24:14). God's festivals and Holy Days are special observances (Leviticus 23: 2,4) for His people to help us understand Christ's part in the plan of salvation and the eventual establishment of the Kingdom of God on earth. Those who fail to do so are in clear and present danger of losing the inheritance of the Kingdom which God is glad to give it to those who will believe and obey the message of the Kingdom whom Christ was sent to preach (Luke 12:32; 4:43). For one must be diligent to enter that rest (Hebrews 4:11) - meaning that the seventh millennium (The Millennial Kingdom) is God's plan for mankind to reclaim all that was lost to Satan (Acts 3:21) who will be bound for one thousand years (Rev 20:2-3)during the reign of Christ, but one must work to enter it (Acts 14:22b). The choice is yours - but my advice is to be diligent to bear fruits (John 15:8-9) to be among the chosen and enter the Kingdom of God. For there is no other higher purpose and goal for man in the whole of the universe!

YOUR ETERNAL DESTINY (2)

Throughout the centuries, man has devised all kinds of nuances on the gospel about Jesus Christ. Instead of focusing on the gospel of Christ (the message of the good news of the Kingdom of God) which He was sent by the Heavenly Father to preach to mortal man, beginning with the Israelites (Mark 1:14; Luke 4:43), many believers including well-intentioned bible scholars have mistakenly interpreted the Kingdom of God to be the church, or some kind of spiritual experience that is 'in your heart', 'in your soul' or 'in your mind'. But my previous blogs have already explained that this just do not square with the Holy Scriptures! The Person of Jesus Christ and the Kingdom of God are two separate matters, albeit they are related, because the Lord Jesus Christ will return at His Second Coming to rule and reign the earth in a physical,corporeal Kingdom for one thousand years as the King of kings and Lord of lords. That is why we (Christians) are told to pray 'Thy Kingdom come' (Matt 6:10).

The Kingdom of God is a ruling body of God Beings (the firstfruits of the resurrected believers to be sons and daughters of God) who will consist of true disciples of Jesus Christ awaken in the first resurrection at the last trumpet call - or if they are still alive at His Return, transformed into spirit beings. These are the chosen and predestined ones who will rule and reign with Christ come the Millennial Age.

Let us look briefly at why Jesus came to earth some 2,000 years ago. While it is true that He came to save mankind from their sins so that they can be reconciled back to God the Father, there are more. Jesus Christ came as the 'second Adam' to qualify to rule in the coming Millennial Age where the 'first Adam' had failed due to disobedience and deception from Satan. That was why He was tested three times in the desert by the evil one. We all know that He passed the test with flying colours (Matt 4:1-11), hence making Him qualify to rule in the coming Kingdom. Following that he preached, "Repent, for the Kingdom of Heaven (God) is at hand" (Matt 4:17). He came to announce the 'good news' of the coming Kingdom of God and establish the church to train disciples to rule with Him in the SuperGovernment of God. Jesus did not come to dethrone Satan's world who was, and still is the ruler of this age (2 Cor 4:4). He will come again to save the whole world with His saints who have qualified (overcomers) to rule and reign with Him as He did at His first advent. That is why the church is currently being 'judged' to be so qualified (1 Peter 4:17). Meanwhile, the world will continue with its problems while Satan is still on the throne. But the good news is this - it will not be much longer. This is the hope and future of all mankind which will materialise in the soon coming Millennial Age with the Lord Jesus Christ on the throne!

During the time of the Roman Empire when Jesus walked the earth, the Jews and Pharisees were looking for the Messiah to rescue them from the oppression of their pagan masters - the Roman Government. Many of the Pharisees, including Nicodemus knew who Jesus was (John 3:1-2). However, they were civil servants of the Roman Government called to do their master's bidding. They were afraid that Jesus would be installed King of the Jews and threaten their positions, power and prestige. But they failed to understand that Jesus was not coming as King of kings and Lords of lord then, but probably two millennia later. They thought He was a subversive out to set up a kingdom by the use of force, and they be found guilty of subversion. Though they understood the message of the Kingdom, they misunderstood the nature and timing of it, just like modern theologians. That is why even right up to the time of His ascent to heaven, some of His disciples are still asking Him, "Lord, will You at this time restore the Kingdom to Israel?" (Acts 1:6). His reply - "It is not for you to know the times or seasons which the Father has put in His own authority". For if the Kingdom of God is the church, then this statement is superfluous as the church will be born at Pentecost ten days hence!

The Pharisees knew Jesus was the Messiah, but they failed to understand that there are TWO Messianic appearances - the second to appear some two millennia later. That was why Jesus told Nicodemius that the Kingdom of God will only come after the spiritual rebirth upon resurrection. That was why Jesus made plain to Nicodemius in John 3:5-6, "That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit". Sadly, many theologians spiritualised away as 'that which is in your spirit, in your soul, in your mind' kind of explanation. The Pharisees were familiar with water baptism as they had used it to baptise gentile proselytes converted to Judaism. Continuing from there, Jesus went on to explain about the wind, meaning to say that those born again in the Spirit into the Kingdom of God are invisible and immortal spirit beings (1 Cor 15:53-54). That is why flesh and blood cannot inherit the Kingdom of God (1 Cor 15:50), only spirit beings (born again of God's Spirit) can. And this will only occur to the true disciples in the first resurrection (firstfruits), which is yet in the future (Rev 3:20-21). Hence, the teaching that the church is the Kingdom of God cannot be true.

Folks, do not be deceived by false teachings orchestrated by Satan himself (Rev 12:9). For he does not want you to know the truth or else you be set free (John 8:32)...free from his influence and control over your lives. It is absolutely important to get the truth right from Scriptures firsthand as your eternity destiny and crown (reward) are in clear and present danger (2 John 8)!

YOUR ETERNAL DESTINY (1)

Do you ever wonder why you were born into this world or why you exist in the first place? What is the main purpose of you being here on planet earth, or what is the ultimate goal of your life? I certainly have had my fair share of pondering, wondering what on earth am I here for? While most people are busy carving out a career, making a living or lots of money, others are striving to leave behind some legacies for mankind. Whatever it is and no matter how noble the aspirations, there is still a void that no goals can truly fill. However, all our aspirations of our whole being can only be fully consummated when we know who we are and where we are going... the be all and in all of our being... our ultimate eternal destiny!

All the answers for mankind are found in the Bible, yet the world had been deceived (by the devil) for millennia with the teachings and traditions of man, disguised as the truth. "For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work" (2 Thess 2:7) - even more intensely in these last days! The Lord Jesus came to earth to preach the gospel of the Kingdom of God (Mark 1:14) which came from the Father in heaven, but man twisted the message into something else. Only a small flock of Christs' true disciples will understand this (Luke 12:32) while the rest of the world remains blinded to the truth (though some are spiritually blind by choice!). Satan does not want human beings to enjoy what is forever denied to him - membership in the Family of God.

God's plan for mankind is far greater than what man can conceived or imagined. The greatest goal for a disciple of Jesus Christ is to BE BORN INTO THE KINGDOM OF GOD! And that is to be into God's family as sons and daughters of the living God, with a spirit body that is immortal, invisible, indestructible, that can perform miracles and the supernatural and being holy besides. That is your ultimate eternal destiny! But there is a proviso, and that is to be an overcomer by being obedient to the leading of God's Holy Spirit (Roms 8:9-19).

That is precisely what Jesus Christ came to preach (Luke 4:43; Acts 1:3) and so was the Apostle Paul (Acts 14:19-22; 19:6-8; 20:24-25; 28:23; 28:31). Strangely, many Christians professed to love the Lord Jesus, yet refused to believe His words - for they will receive judgement just as the Lord had warned, "He who rejects Me, and does not receive My words, has that which judges him - the word that I have spoken will judge him in the last day" (John 12:48).

Jesus came as a Messenger bringing God's message to the world of the coming Kingdom of God - a super-government that will rule the world upon His Second Coming. In order to qualify one has to first believe that He is the Saviour - the Lamb of God - that will wash away his or her sins. Thereafter, the believer is to learn and understand the truth about this coming Kingdom that was prophesied long before His first advent. Abraham was the first to hear of this Good News - God said to Abraham - 'And in you ALL the families of the earth shall be blessed" (Genesis 12:3). How could all the families of the earth be blessed unless Christ would have established his government on earth?

Moses prophesied that the Messiah (The Lord Jesus Christ) will come (Deut 18:15) to preach to the whole world at His Second Coming, "The Lord your God will raise up for you a Prophet like me from your brethren. Him you shall hear in ALL THINGS, whatever He says to you. And it shall be that every soul who will not hear that Prophet SHALL BE UTTERLY DESTROYED from among the people. Yes, and ALL the prophets, from Samuel and those who follow, and as many as have spoken, have also foretold these days" (Acts 3: 22-24). Most theologians and bible teachers wrongly presume that these verses refer to Christ first advent. But a careful reading of Acts 3 from verses 19 to 26 will reveal clearly this cannot be. How can every soul be destroyed if they failed to obey the Lord, all families of the earth be blessed and turning away every one from their iniquities during this church age? Clearly this had never been and will never be the case until Christ return to set up His government on earth at His Second Coming. All the resurrected saints of the first resurrection from all ages, together with those true disciples living at His return, will rule and reign with Him (Revelation 5:10; 2 Timothy 2:12; Daniel 7:18,22).

David knew of the coming Kingdom of God. He preached it in Psalm 22:28, "For the kingdom is the Lord's, and He rules over the nations". Similarly, in Psalm 67:4, he wrote thus, "Oh, let the nations be glad and sing for joy! For You shall judge the people righteously, and govern the nations on earth". In Psalm 37, he preached that those who wait on the Lord (those who persevered through trials and tribulations) shall inherit the earth (the Millennial Kingdom) penning down this truth FIVE times - verses 9, 11, 22, 29 & 34. Little wonder he is known as the man after God's own heart (1 Samuel 13:14).

Notice what prophet Isaiah wrote about God's Kingdom and government in Isaiah 9:6-7 , "For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given; and the GOVERNMENT will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of His GOVERNMENT and peace there will be no end. Upon the throne of David and over His KINGDOM'. This is also in fulfilment of the Davidic covenant God promised the patriarch (2 Samuel 7: 8-17; 1 Chronicle 17:11-14; Psalm 89:3). It will be a time of peace and righteousness where 'nations shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn of war anymore' (Isaiah 2:4). During the Millennial Age, even the nature of the animal kingdom will be transformed, 'where the cow and the bear shall graze, their young ones shall lie down together. The lion shall eat straw like the ox. The nursing child shall play by the cobra's hole, and the weaned child shall put his hand in the viper's den. They shall not be hurt nor destroy in all My holy mountain, For the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord as the waters cover the sea' (Isaiah 11:7-9).

Prophets like Jeremiah (23:5-6), Ezekiel (36:24-30) and Daniel (2:44) all preached of the coming Kingdom of God. And so do the minor prophets of old - Micah 4:1-8; Zephaniah 3: 14-20; Zechariah 14:1-3, 8-9; Malachi 3:1-3. The Apostle Peter preached in Acts 3:21 that God's message of the Kingdom of God was 'spoken through the mouth of all His holy prophets since the world began'.
As a true disciple of Jesus Christ, to do the work of the Heavenly Father, shall one not do likewise? Besides, doing the true work of God will determine your eternal destiny!

Heaven and Hell (5)

In order to fully understand the concept of 'hell', we need to study the meaning of the root word used in scriptures. From the Authorized Version of the English Bible, there are three Greek terms and one Hebrew term translated 'hell' : 1) sheol from the Hebrew and hades from the Greek - both of these terms mean 'the grave'; 2) tartaros from the Greek - it means 'a place of restraint', used in 2 Peter 2:4 referring to fallen angels being held in such dungeon prison awaiting judgment; 3) gehenna which refers to the 'Valley of Hinnom' in Greek - just outside of Jerusalem - could mean 'hell' or 'hell fire'. In the Old testament, the Hebrew term sheol is used and in the New Testament, the term hades is used. Both refer to the same meaning as ' the grave, the pit or the world of the dead'. In a sense, all people who died goes to 'hell', since it is nothing more than the grave!

The Lord Jesus made it plain and simple in John 5:28-29 'Do not marvel at this; for the hour is coming in which ALL who are in the graves will hear His voice and come forth - those who have done good, to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil, to the resurrection of condemnation'. He did not say 'some' but 'ALL' will resurrect to life - it is only a question of which resurrection (there are three resurrections) one is awaiting. All people will either be resurrected to eternal life or to judgment. David understood that the resurrection was an awakening (Psalm 17:15) - just like coming back to life from the dead!

1 Corinthians 15:54 clearly states : 'So when this corruptible (body of death) has put on incorruption (spirit body) and this mortal (natural life) has put on immortality (eternal life), then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written: Death is swallowed up in victory.' If man has an immortal soul that transcends death - residing in either 'heaven' or 'hell', then all the scripture verses make no sense. It is high time we either believe in the eternal word of God or choose to be blinded by deceptions from the 'teachings and traditions of man'.

Some passages in scriptures seem to point to 'eternal hell fire', like what Jesus spoke of in Mark 9:43-48: ' If your hand causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life maimed, rather than having two hands, to go to hell, into the fire that shall never be quenched - where their worm does not die, and the fire is not quenched. And if your foot causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life lame, rather than having two feet, to be cast into hell, into the fire that shall never be quenched - where their worm does not die, and the fire is not quenched. And if your eye causes you to sin, pluck it out. It is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye, rather than having two eyes, to be cast into hell fire - where their worm does not die, and the fire is not quenched'.

Such terms as 'hell' and 'hell fire' are translated from the Greek word gehenna which represents 'the Valley of Hinnom' (Nehemiah 11:30; 2 Kings 23:10; Jeremiah 19:6). That is a place of refuse burning of all things unclean including dead corpses, in a deep narrow gorge in the vicinity of Jerusalem. Just to keep out the foul stench, the fire has to be kept burning to consume all the trash thrown into it. The fires there burn continuously, hence the phrase - 'the fire is not quenched'.

Those corpses that were thrown into the valley that got hung up in the branches and trees that grew on the ledges did not get burn up because they got stuck on the ledges. Instead, such bodies got decomposed through the work of maggots which later became flies - hence the term, 'their worm does not die'.

In Matthew 5:22, Christ warned of those who could be in danger of hell fire; and in 10:28 His warnings to 'fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell'. Both of these instances are translated from the Greek word gehenna to mean hell or hell fire. Such term is used to represent a place of final punishment. The hell fire is in reference to 'the lake of fire' (Revelation 20:14-15). All those who ended up there face the second death - as they suffer complete destruction which will end up as stubble, leaving behind neither root nor branch (Malachi 4:1), and to be ashes under the sole of your feet (Malachi 4:3). Just like the warning in Jeremiah 17:27 about keeping the Sabbath day, failing which the palaces of Jerusalem shall be burnt with fire that will not be quenched, we know that the fire is never everlasting as it had long burnt out.

Another passage in Matthew 25:41 is also not proof of an ever-burning hell. It reads, "Then He will also say to those on the left hand, 'Depart from Me, you cursed, into the everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels'.'' The Greek word aionios means 'age-lasting'. Such an event will occur during the Millennium Age when Christ will have returned to set up His Kingdom on earth to rule and reign with His saints. During Christ's 1,000 years rule, Satan and his demons will be bound in the bottomless pit (Rev 20:2-3). The beast and the false prophet were cast into the lake of fire at the beginning of the millennium (Rev 19:20) while Satan and his demons were cast into it at the end of the millennium (Rev 20:10). Even for the lake of fire, it is only age-lasting. For when the new heaven and new earth have been purified by fire and the New Jerusalem descend down from heaven (Rev 21:1-2), everything will have faded away into history!

Heaven and Hell (4)

Just as in my previous blogs about heaven, many people - including evangelical preachers - have misconceptions about hell. They think that 'eternal death' is 'eternal life in hell', the lost and wicked will forever be 'burning and suffering but the fire will never be quenched'. But think for a moment, is this what the Bible teaches about the person and character of God? Many wrongly assumed that because God is both a loving Father and one who punishes sin and the wicked, He is one who will send the lost and wicked to 'roast in hell forever'. Is our God one Who burns people for all eternity without ever burning them up? To me, that is a serious misreprecentation of the Person and character of God. Let us explore scriptures to find out the truth.

Most people are ignorant that the concept of an ever-burning hell originates primarily from pagan authors and poets, particularly Dante Alighieri's (1265-1321) famous work on Divine Comedy. This famous poet depicts life in paradise, purgatory and hell which in many aspects run counter to the teachings of the Bible. His view was a carry forward of the famous Greek philospher Plato about the concept of the immortality of the soul, which again is unbiblical.

If hell is a place of eternal suffering, then those who go there must also have eternal life! But the scripture from Romans 6:23 is clear, "For the wages of sin is DEATH, but the gift of God is ETERNAL LIFE in Christ Jesus our Lord". Similarly, John 3:16 says ' that whoever believes in Jesus should not perish but have eternal life'. It does not say, 'Should not suffer eternal life in hell or torment'. Let truth be told, the punishment of the wicked is death, not eternal life in a place of suffering or torment! But what then is 'death' ? Simply put, it means the absence of life, period.

Such confusion arises because many wrongly believe in the immortality of the human soul. But the Bible teaches that only God has an immortal soul (1 Timothy 6:15-16). Genesis 2:7 (King James) tells us 'that God formed man of the dust of the ground ... and man became a living soul'. In other words, men are souls as our forebear, Adam became a soul - he was not given a soul. The prophet Ezekiel understood this well, "The soul who sins shall die" (Ezek 18:4,20). Solomon in Ecclesiastes penned thus, "For the living know that they will die; but the dead know nothing" (Eccl 9:5). Hence, death is like sleeping (more like in comatose) with no consciousness of the passage of time and events (Psalm 146:4). So death is the CESSATION of LIFE, not leaving this life for a life in another place, at least not yet!

Consider the words of our Lord Jesus in Matthew 10:28, "And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear Him (God) who is able to destroy both SOUL and body in hell'. Physical bodies can die and be destroyed in various ways, but souls are destroyed by God in hell!

Job knew this full well when he wrote under the inspiration of God's Spirit, "If a man dies, shall he live again? All the days of my hard service I will wait, till my change comes" (Job 14:14). He answered his own questions in Job 19:25-27, "For I know that my Redeemer lives, And He shall stand at last on the earth; And after my skin is destroyed, this I know, That in my flesh I shall see God, Whom I shall see for myself, And my eyes shall behold, and not another. How my heart yearns within me". Job knew that after death, he shall wait (sleeping/comatose) for his resurrection and then be born again into a new creation of spirit body (Job 14:14 ...till my CHANGE comes... see 1Corinthinas 15:51 & 52) to be forever with the Lord Jesus Christ ('my Redeemer' in Job 19:25) in the Kingdom of God on earth ('And He shall stand at last on the earth' Job 19:25) at His (Jesus Christ) call and I (Job) will answer (Job 14:15... see 1 Cor 15:52 -last trumpet). Similarly, in Daniel 12:13, the Angel Gabriel told prophet Daniel, "But you, go your way till the end ('end times' we are in right now), for you shall rest (sleep/comatose), and will arise (resurrect) to your inheritance (reward in the Kingdom of God - Super Government of God) at the end of the days (end of the church age).

We can also find such evidences in Psalm 6:5, "For in death there is No rememberance of You (God); In the grave who will give You thanks'. In Psalm 17:15 David wrote, 'as for me, I will see Your face in righteousness (only in the Kingdom of God is there righteousness - Romans 14:17); I shall be satisfied when I awake (resurrecttion) in Your likeness (born again new creation of spirit body that will live forever like our Lord Jesus Christ ... see 1 John 3:2). This is also echoed in Psalm 115:17, "The dead do not praise the Lord. Nor any one who go down into silence (death)". Such biblical evidences point to the truth contrary to popular misconceptions that the dead are either wailing or screaming in hell or praising God in heaven, as such scenarios cannot be considered as 'silence', these are absolutely false!