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.
Sunday, September 28, 2008
Monday, September 15, 2008
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.'
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).
Wednesday, September 3, 2008
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!
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!
Sunday, August 24, 2008
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!
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!
Friday, August 8, 2008
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.
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.
Sunday, July 20, 2008
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!
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!
Tuesday, July 1, 2008
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)!
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)!
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