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People of The Living God |
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May 2019
WATCHMEN ON THE WALLS
THE GOD OF THIS WORLD
Tom Kidd
In Revelation chapter 13 we read of the Mark of the Beast. Throughout the New Testament we are warned about the world and the things of man's system which are ordered by none other than Satan. Christ and the Apostles taught men how to live a godly life and live separately from the world. Jesus tells us that we are in the world but after the new birth, we are no longer a part of the world. In the Revelation we are warned concerning the number 666 and that this is the number of a man, (a clue). For many decades man has tried by his own intellect to unlock the signs, symbols and metaphors contained in prophecies of scripture. Deuteronomy 29:29 warns us that the "secret things belong unto the Lord our God, but those things which are revealed belong unto us and to our children that we may do all the words of this law.”
Something to seriously think about is where this book of dark speech says the mark will be applied, the forehead and the hand. The forehead is the place of reasoning, man's intellect. Those who reject God and His word do so willing because man has been given free will. Proverbs 4:23 informs us that from the heart come the issues of life, and choices are made in the heart. However, man has been given intelligence to understand right and wrong. He is able to perceive good and evil with his mind and make his choice in his heart as to which path he will walk.
The hand of man is used in ways that no other creature which God has created is capable. It’s marvelous the inventions he has been able to make with his hands, coupled with the intelligence with which God created him. But most of man's inventions have been for himself, used for greed and earthly pleasures. Mankind for most of a century has had the ability to wipe out hunger and poverty, but he by his sinful nature has, for the most part, rejected God's way in preference of his own way and his fleshly desires. Material wealth drives mankind. The same sins that brought about the flood in Noah's day are present today, and are propelling us towards the last day, when Jesus will come with fiery indignation. This fire will burn up the earth and the things therein. This fire will consume all things which man has made for his carnal desires and pleasures.
The prophet Isaiah informs us of the reason Jesus will come in judgment. "The earth also is defiled under the inhabitants thereof; because they have transgressed the laws, changed the ORDINANCE, broken the everlasting Covenant.” (There's only one ordinance in the Ten Commandments and that's the 4th). “Therefore hath the curse devoured the earth, and they that dwell therein are desolate: therefore the inhabitants of the earth are burned and few men left” (Isa. 24:5-6).
I am convinced that one of the greatest sins in the time just prior to the flood was sexual sins. God looked down upon the world and He stated that because of man's sin, all flesh was corrupted. The same sins of Noah’s day are taking place all across the earth. It is most evident what people are interested in, men and women going from one conquest to another, men with men, women with women practicing the abomination of Sodom and Gomorrah. Sexual permissiveness brings an individual into bondage, they become slaves of their own sexual drives, and ignorantly our modern society condones it. Our news and our movies are filled with sexual transgression and promote all types of sexual behavior. Sodomy is now considered normal and even encouraged by our society. This is why the New Testament speaks of the necessity to be separate from the world. God's people have no business whatsoever indulging in these abominations which brings death. These are abominable and an affront to our Holy Creator God.
The people of God must awake or perish as His wrath is poured out upon the wickedness of Satan and man. God's word and His Commandments instruct us to have our minds renewed by the new birth. Many professors of Christianity have been lulled to sleep by the watered down version of the gospel. We are admonished to have our minds and hearts upon the things of our Creator, to use our hands to work in those things which please our God. All my life I have heard that a physical mark would be placed on the hand or on the forehead of all who reject God. But in my studies I have come to realize that it's not that simple. The Antichrist will be a most subtle and crafty person. It is also my opinion that many people have already taken "the mark" by their rejection of God's word and His Salvation.
Modern education teaches that there's no right or wrong, then when young people go to their schools and kill their classmates, everything but the TRUTH is talked about afterwards. When some poor soul suggests that the abandoning of the teachings of Christ has brought about these terrible things, they are ridiculed and mocked. Mankind has by their own wills chosen the pleasures and material things of this world and are reaping that which they have sown. Modern education is Antichrist in teaching that man is only a higher form of animal. The evolution lie has deceived millions and turned them down the broad road to destruction. Since this hellish teaching came into our schools all manner of wickedness has taken place, and school shootings are one evil brought about by the teaching of Secular Humanism. When people begin to accept this ungodly philosophy they begin to act as animals and succumb to the “survival of the fittest”.
To many, nothing is holy or morally right. From the schools come Atheists, who arrogantly mock any who speak of God's Word. They continually ask for scientific proof yet reject any scientific proof that would exonerate God and His creation. The Antichrist system has done everything possible to erase anything concerning Jesus Christ.
The world system has brought in many other false ideas, which are antithetical to true Christianity. The hellish religion of Islam is being portrayed as a religion of peace and many professing Christians have come to accept the lie that Allah is God also. The Sectarian system called the body of CHRIST has followed Satan in his lies, bringing worldly music, worldly entertainment, and false teachings into what is supposed to be a place of worship of the true and Living God. The houses of worship(?) across our land have defiled themselves grossly as they continue the spiritual sleep spoken of by our Lord in His parable of the ten virgins (Matt. 25:2-13). Many of the sheep are malnourished and near death because those who should be God-sent pastors and teachers feed themselves at the expense of the sheep, teaching lies in hypocrisy. Hypocrisy is at an all-time high among the professors of Christianity. God will require their blood because they, the pastors, have neglected the TRUTH and drifted off into a deep spiritual sleep, from which many will not be able to survive. The watchmen have laid down their trumpets and forsaken the walls where their vigilant watch was supposed to take place night and day. Pray, dear friends, that His messengers can reach some as the darkness becomes gross darkness. There are none so blind as those having eyes, see not; and which have ears, and hear not (Jer. 5:21).
Jesus warns us that Satan is a liar and the father of lies. By him sin and rebellion entered into the universe through Adam and Eve in the garden. Satan’s lie to Eve was the catalyst that brought spiritual death upon the human race. Satan’s lie was partially true, for they would know good and evil, however the lie was that they would not die. For many years Satan has used half-truths to turn people away from God's Salvation, promising them life without conditions.
While Adam and Eve did not immediately die physically, they died spiritually and became separated from the source of all life at the moment they disobeyed God's command! 1 John 2:15-20, tells us that the love of the world and love for our Creator cannot be mixed together, as Jesus teaches us; "Ye cannot serve (love) God and mammon” (the world and the things in it). Either we love Him and turn from the world or we hang on to the world and perish! There is no such thing as worldly Christians, but those who practice worldly ways will perish unless repentance takes place. Verse 20 says this : "But ye have an unction (helper) from the Holy One, and ye know all things." Paul said that believers have the mind of Christ and know all things." This leaves us without excuse. God the Father, by sending His only Begotten Son into the world, made the only way to be reconciled to Him. For decades false teachers have watered down God’s requirements and deceived millions by turning the Grace of God into loose lustful living. Multitudes have been turned down the broad road of destruction as they teach that the Commandments have been done away through the crucifixion. Jesus said that at the judgment, "Many will say to Me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I NEVER KNEW YOU: depart from Me, ye that work iniquity (lawlessness) [emphasis mine] (Matt. 7:22-23). These people took the mark of the beast. Being deceived they chose the pleasures of sin for a season and walked contrary to God's Commandments, all the while thinking they were still doing His will. They chose the mark of man's system.
Satan's system includes false prophets who teach evil doctrines, thereby lulling many into a deep spiritual sleep. At the LAST DAY judgment, when Jesus sits upon His throne of judgment, He will expose all who thought that they could walk with one foot in the world and one foot in His Kingdom. They will stand before the Great Judge as naked spirits, while the righteous stand clothed upon with robes of righteousness. The righteous will receive eternal life but the wicked will be cast into the lake of fire. Jesus stated in Matthew 13:30 that the evil and wicked will be dealt with first. I have heard this preached backwards all my life. Here it is it in plain words from the Redeemer's lips. Beginning at verse 40, "As therefore the tares are gathered and burned in the fire, so shall it be at THE END OF THIS WORLD. The Son of man shall send forth His angels, and they shall gather out of His kingdom all things that offend, and them which do iniquity (lawlessness); And shall cast them into a furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth. Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. WHO HATH EARS TO HEAR, LET HIM HEAR” (emphasis mine). Most of the time when these words of truth are presented they are rejected, choosing rather to follow the damnable notes of men such as Mr. C. I. Schofield and accepting lies in preference to TRUTH. I would exhort all to read these words over and over and allow the washing of the water by the word to wash these false teachings out of the heart and mind. Finding truth is necessary for the preparation to meet Him when He comes in the clouds, at the soon to come judgment of all people who have ever lived.
In these last days as the tribulation comes upon us God is raising up those who will publish His truth in the face of much mockery and persecution. These messengers will be chosen from among the outcasts of this world, from among those who receive His Truth with joy. These servants will love not their own lives even unto death. BEWARE! The Antichrist is near, the signs of the times show this every day. Evil grows more and more evil, the wicked are becoming more and more wicked. Many people have fallen into man's system and have no clue about how to loose themselves. This grieves my spirit. As the time of the Great Tribulation nears, God's Holy Spirit will begin drawing those who are prepared, to His place of safety here on this earth. “COME MY PEOPLE, ENTER THOU INTO THY CHAMBERS, AND SHUT THY DOORS ABOUT THEE: HIDE THYSELF AS IT WERE FOR A LITTLE MOMENT, UNTIL THE INDIGNATION BE OVERPAST. For, behold, the Lord cometh out of His place to punish the inhabitants of the earth for their iniquity (lawlessness): the earth also shall disclose her blood, and shall no more cover her slain.” (Isaiah 26:20-21).
Here Isaiah speaks of the resurrection as Jesus comes suddenly while the world is preoccupied with their pleasures and greed. As it was in the days of Noah and as it was in the days when Lot was lead out of Sodom, Jesus said; "So shall also the coming of the Son of man be." The people of God will not be taken unaware as they follow Him. "But of the times and the season, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you. For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night. For when they (the men of this world) shall say, Peace and safety; sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child: and they shall not escape. But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief." (2nd Thess. 5:1-4). Do not be deceived, Salvation is conditional. Those who are in bondage to the world system will perish, and yes I am speaking of some of the people of God, those who prepared not and awake without oil for their lamps, those who lingered too long among the ungodly as His wrath falls suddenly. The false prophets have declared that His Kingdom has been postponed to some future time, but His Kingdom is at hand, (within reach) and a spiritual new birth is the only way to enter or see it.
The mercy of God will end when the day of Salvation ends. We have been warned over and over. Are you working diligently to loose yourself from worldly things? Are you seeking God in deep consecrated prayer? "Watch ye therefore for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come. But know this that if the goodman of the house had known in what watch the thief would come, he would have watched, and would not have suffered his house to be broken up. Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh (Matt. 24:42,43,44). For as a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth. Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man (Luke 35,36; Mark 13:33; Matt. 25:14). Wake up! Wake up! The mark of the beast is the mark of a man, man's system, Babylon! Those held in their self-inflicted bondage will perish should they ignore the midnight cry; "GO YE OUT TO MEET HIM." Darkness is covering the earth and gross darkness the people (Isaiah 60:2). Listen to these word's: "Here is wisdom, Let him that hath understanding count the number of the beast: for it is the number of a man; and the number is Six hundred three score and six. (666)”. This number is way substandard compared with God's number of 777: 666 is the symbol of everything that man does by his intellect and everything he puts his hands to, to produce his ways, to create pleasures for his fleshly desires, as well as ways to bring others under their control by his works. Dear ones, think much upon this clue written in the dark speech, think of man's ways, his system. The old saying, "can't see the forest for the trees" is an eye opener. Paul expounded upon this; "Let no MAN deceive you by any means; for that day (coming of CHRIST) shall not come, except there come a FALLING AWAY first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition” (destruction). We who have eyes and ears to see and hear have witnessed this falling away. Dear friends, this is a most serious warning and absolutely must be taken as such because those who follow the desires from their fleshly hearts, will not inherit eternal life. “Behold, now is the accepted time, behold, now is the DAY OF SALVATION” (II Corinthians 6:2). Be not afraid to refer to our King as His Majesty, because He is now seated upon His throne!
In His Majesty's service...........
I AM CONCERNED
Faye McCoy
I am deeply disturbed by the conditions in the World as reported by the media each day. I am over 100 years old and would like the privilege of expressing what the Bible tells me about the answer.
To me, the Bible is the greatest love story ever told, and it is also the most intriguing mystery ever solved. It is a spiritual guide and, also, the physical history of man. It includes all types of literature: prose, poetry and song, and uses parables, allegory, signs and symbols and cannot always be translated literally. We must look for the spiritual message.
The Bible tells us that “God is a spirit and they that worship Him must worship Him in spirit and in truth.” He is the Eternal Creative Spirit in and through all His creation. He made the first man for His pleasure, allowing him freedom of choice, and placed him in a perfect place with a perfect relationship with God. He gave him a wife; they chose to rebel against God and make a grab for knowledge and power, thus causing dissension, violence, and death to come into the world. Eden disappeared. But God is love and He had a plan to save us.
The Old Testament tells how. God works through people using people like Noah, Abraham, Moses, Isaac, Jacob, and David to show us the way, but nations rose and fell according to sins they committed. He told Moses that “I Am Who I Am” and that my name would be “I Am” forever, and He gives us a way out.
God’s time is not our time. He is eternal.
The New Testament tells us that God knows that we live by our physical senses so, because He loves us, He sent us a Savior. “God, the Word became flesh and dwelt among us” as Savior. Someone we could see and believe. His name was Jesus. He came as a Way Shower, Love personified. He revealed the nature of God, what God is like in reality. He uplifted the laws that uphold our moral universe.
Man killed Him, but the resurrection came and His Holy Spirit lives on to guide us.
The rebellion still goes on for power. Man wants to do things his way, but only when God’s name is glorified will there be peace and joy in the world.
“How Great Thou Art
Oh God;
How Great Thou Art”
Which way, America? Must everyone be millionaires? Are we lusting for power and drowning in pollution as the media reveals? Has greed become our god?
DANGEROUS DOGMATISM
Randall Walton
It is necessary for us periodically to “cry aloud and spare not” concerning some of the errors which abound in the religious world and which have a profound effect upon the spiritual state of the people of God. We approach such subjects without malice to the proponents of said errors; neither do we hold them in contempt nor ridicule, for we understand that mankind has suffered from the famine in the land of “hearing the words of the Lord” (Amos 8:11).
Many false doctrines are innocuous insofar as their influence upon man is concerned. While it is true that there is a possibility “that they should believe a lie: That they all might be damned who believed not the truth” (II Thess. 2:11,12), it is equally true that no one knows ALL truth. It is factual, then, that all mankind believes some things which are erroneous, but which are not necessarily damning nor destructive.
The Comforter is guiding the people of God into all truth (John 16:13), but in honesty we admit that we have not yet been led that far. In our journeys and through our contacts, we have not found any others who show evidence of having been led into ALL truth.
We do not intend to give the impression that doctrine is unimportant; we merely want to make it plain that not all doctrines are equal in importance nor affectivity and, of those which have the potential of influencing people’s lives, there exists a wide range of possibilities: for good or evil, for salvation or judgment, for edification or condemnation, for power or impotency.
The doctrine which we consider today is one which falls into the last category, i.e., having the potential of creating impotency in those who follow its course. This one teaching alone and unassisted has had the most profound debilitating effect upon the church of all false doctrines known among Christian believers. The most obvious result of its influence is seen in unvictorious lives, spiritually oppressed and depressed Christians, believers who are driven and swayed by evil spirits. In cases where this doctrine is seriously taken hold of, the end result could be the eternal damnation of the soul! It actually encourages apathy, luke-warmness, half-hearted devotion to Jesus Christ and the gospel.
This doctrine of which we speak strips Jesus of His Kingship, negates the power and authority of the believer over Satan and his hosts, voids the importance of the sayings of Jesus, grants a second chance of life for the sinning believer, attempts to make the eternal kingdom of God and heaven a temporary, earthly affair, and does great violence to the integrity of the plain words of Jesus Christ and the apostles.
What Is It?
This doctrine has several titles: the reign of Christ, the millennial reign, the millennium, the second chance, the wonderful world of tomorrow, the utopia, the thousand years, the day of the Lord, etc., and though it has many varied forms, it is based upon the false assumption that there will be a future period of 1,000 years duration during which the people of God will enjoy untold bliss and happiness, either upon earth (the most popular version), or in heaven (the S.D.A. version). (According to Charles Russell, this period began in 1914!)
The most amazing fact surrounding this teaching is that it is accepted almost universally while there exists not ONE verse of Scripture in the entire Bible which supports such a view! The arguments which are used in defense of this teaching are based solely upon INFERENCE and not upon any direct statements or proofs. By using the device of inference for establishing doctrinal beliefs, it is possible to produce myriads of different theories and allegations, but theories and allegations can be very dangerous, as is the case of the millennial myth.
Dangers
Before we say more about disproving the millennium, we should explain our claim as to why we consider this doctrine to be dangerous. We listed six reasons above, although we are sure there must be more than this; for the sake of brevity, we will explicate only these six.
1. It strips Jesus of His Kingship.
Although very few futurist teachers admit this fact openly, it nevertheless is the only possible conclusion one can draw when the premise is put forward that Jesus will return to reign as King. The assumption is made that since He came unto His own to set up His kingdom, but His own received Him not, He was forced to postpone His kingdom, His reign, and His kingship. Instead of the kingdom, we now have the church, of which He is the Head, but not king.
This postponement idea seems to rest upon the false notion that if the Jews had accepted Jesus as their Messiah and King, He would have overthrown the Roman administrators and set up the Davidic kingdom in Jerusalem. But this idea is not based upon fact, for at least once, the people tried to make Him a king, but He would have no part of it (John 6:15). This was not the purpose for His first advent. He came to sacrifice Himself as the Lamb of God, a mission that was planned from the foundation of the world. Setting up an earthly kingdom was not included in the plan, nor is it in God’s plan for the future. Paul states emphatically that flesh and blood cannot inherit the Kingdom of God (I Cor. 15:50).
That Jesus came to die is no Biblical secret. His passion was foretold by many of the prophets of old. However, He died as the rejected King of the house of Israel, a rejection which had its genesis centuries before. The word of the Lord to Samuel when Israel had demanded a king “like all the nations,” was, “they have rejected me, that I should not reign over them” (I Sam. 8:4-8).
Jesus, as the “spiritual Rock” which went with ancient Israel, was their ruler and King whom they despised. No one could ever accuse Israel of being a spiritual people; and because they weren’t spiritual they didn’t want a spiritual King (or Rock). They were little different from modern Israel, that body which Peter so effusively describes as “a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices,” a profound description of the church as it ought to be (I Peter 2:4-10); in reality, there is little more (if any) spirituality in the present church than was among ancient Israel, hence, the great desire to set Jesus upon an earthly, material throne!
Consider the following Scriptures from the Old Testament in regard to the kingship of Jesus:
“Hearken unto the voice of my cry, my King, and my God: for unto thee will I pray” (Psalm 5:2).
“The Lord is King forever and ever” (Psalm 10:16).
“the King of glory shall come in. Who is this King of glory? The Lord of hosts, he is the King of glory” (Psalm 24:9,10).
“Thou art my King, O God” (Psalm 44:4).
“Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: the sceptre of thy kingdom is a right sceptre” (Psalm 45:6).
“For God is my King of old, working salvation in the midst of the earth” (Psalm 74:12).
“he is a great King over all the earth” (Psalm 47:2).
“For God is the King of all the earth” (Psalm 47:7).
“I am the Lord, your Holy One, the creator of Israel, your King” (Isa. 43:15).
“behold, thy King cometh unto thee: he is just, and having salvation; lowly and riding upon an ass, and upon a colt the foal of an ass” (Zech. 9:9).
Yes, Jesus came as King, not to be crowned King, for He was already the King. But that is not all!
Let it be remembered that Jesus Christ was and is God! During His 33½ years of incarnation in the flesh, He divested Himself of His God position, but He was still “God manifest in the flesh” (I Tim. 3:16); thus, He could boldly declare before Pilate, “My kingdom is not of this world” (John 18:36). His kingdom is, always has been, and always will be the God kingdom (or kingdom of God), which is plainly set forth in the Scriptures as an eternal, everlasting, spiritual kingdom!
From a Scriptural standpoint, there has never existed the question of whether or when Jesus is to reign and show His power. He has always reigned over His creation and His enemies; He has always been in control of the universe and His eternal purpose and plan. These truths are demonstrated in both the Old and the New Testaments.
“The Lord hath prepared his throne in the heavens; and his kingdom ruleth over all” (Psalm 103:19).
“The Lord said unto my Lord, Sit thou at my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool. The Lord shall send the rod of thy strength out of Zion: rule thou in the midst of thine enemies” (Psalm 110:1,2).
In the synoptic gospels we have the graphic accounts of the glorification of Jesus on the mount of transfiguration. Each of these accounts is preceded with a prophetic utterance by Jesus concerning this most wonderful event:
Matthew states: “There be some standing here, which shall not taste of death, till they see the Son of man coming in his kingdom” (Matt. 16:27).
Mark says: “There be some of them that stand here, which shall not taste of death, till they have seen the kingdom of God come with power” (Mark 9:1).
Luke states: “There be some standing here, which shall not taste of death, till they see the kingdom of God” (Luke 9:27).
Each of these gospel writers follows this statement with a vivid description of the transfiguration. Years later, Peter wrote of this experience and declared, “For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of his majesty. For he received from God the Father honour and glory, when there came such a voice to him from the excellent glory, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. And this voice which came from heaven we heard, when we were with him in the holy mount” (II Peter 1:16-18).
Majesty, of course, is only ascribed unto royalty, and Peter makes it very plain that Jesus Christ was KING! He did not occupy the material throne of David, but that was not consequent to His rulership. Any material or earthly throne and kingdom would, of necessity, be of short duration, but the kingdom over which Jesus rules is forever and ever. “Of his kingdom there shall be no end” (Luke 1:31-33).
The literal throne of David was, therefore, only symbolic of the throne of God. A thorough study of the Old Testament prophecies given through Samuel and Nathan makes this fact very plain. The restoration of the material throne of David in Jerusalem for Jesus to sit upon has no substantiation in the Word of God. In Revelation 3:21 Jesus states: “To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne.” If this is to be taken literally, may we ask how large this throne is? Will it accommodate several million people at the same time? Or are we correct in concluding that this is figurative language and speaks of a position of authority and power – rulership?
For further proof of the premise we have presented, read the following: Acts 2:29-32; John 18:37; I Cor. 15:25,26; Eph. 1:20-22; Rev. 1:5; 4:8-11; 17:14; Col. 1:14-19).
2. It negates the power and authority of the believer over Satan and his hosts.
Futurism places emphasis on the hypothesis that in the so-called millennium Satan will be bound thus creating a condition where there will be no more temptation, testing, nor trials. In the meantime, we are told, Satan can do more or less as he pleases, and has freedom to go wherever he desires, and to overcome whomever he wishes.
Such a view as this reveals a lack of understanding of the accomplishments of Jesus through His death and resurrection. If we are serious in our approach of the Word of God, we are compelled to admit that Jesus did far more for mankind than dispensationism recognizes.
In order to grasp the significance of His death, it is necessary to understand a few facts concerning the realm and state of the dead. Many religious schools of thought teach that hell is nothing more than the grave or a tomb. While it is true that the word hell (or hades) is used to denote the grave or place of burial of a dead body, this usage is by no means conclusive. Strong’s Concordance describes hades as, “properly unseen, i.e. “Hades” or the place (state) of departed souls,” and it is used in the Scriptures as either grave or hell (number 86).
According to the words of Jesus in Luke 16:19-31 there is consciousness and awareness in hell. Furthermore, He warned, “fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy BOTH SOUL AND BODY in hell” (Matt. 10:28).
It is interesting to note that there are two other Greek words which are translated hell in the New Testament: 1. gehenna, a valley of Jerusalem, used (figuratively) as a name for the place (or state) of everlasting punishment (1067); 2. tartaros (the deepest abyss of Hades); to incarcerate in eternal torment: cast down to hell (5020).
It is evident from these passages that there are various stages or degrees in the unseen realm of the dead. It is also set forth in the Scriptures, that there is activity in that place (or state). Peter stated that the angels who sinned were cast into hell (tartaros, the abyss) (II Peter 2:4), and Jude confirms the fact (Jude 6). Paul declared, “Now that he ascended, what is it but that he also descended first into the lower parts of the earth?”
On the day of Pentecost, Peter quoted from the 16th Psalm concerning Jesus’ death and resurrection: “He seeing this before spake of the resurrection of Christ, that his soul was not left in hell, neither his flesh did see corruption.” We, then, have absolute proof that, while Jesus’ flesh lay in the tomb for three days and three nights, His soul was in hell (Hades), or the lower parts of the earth. We do not attempt to locate this place – state geographically. We only quote the Book which we know is true and accurate, and it describes hades as a realm where unclean spirits are held awaiting the day of judgment.
(See our note at the end of this article, re: the state of the dead.)
In fact, Peter said that Jesus “went and preached unto the SPIRITS in prison” (I Peter 3:19). We do not know what His message was, but we do know that Jesus declared to John that He has the “keys of hell (hades) and of death” (Rev. 1:18). Furthermore, “having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it” (Col. 2:15).
There was a clear purpose in His descending into hell. He spoiled, or plundered, the strongholds of the powers of darkness and, according to His own testimony, He BOUND the devil (the strong man of Matt. 12:28,29). Therefore, we have been delivered “from the power of darkness” and have been translated “into the kingdom of God’s son” (Col. 1:13). As such, we are now heirs of God and joint-heirs with Christ (Rom. 8:17), and have been given power over all the power of the enemy (Luke 10:18,19).
Jesus Christ, the King of glory, overcame the great archenemy, Satan, as well as the hosts of hell. The victory which He won, He passed on to His followers, who are now more than conquerors through Him (Rom. 8:37). And, also, because of His great triumph, we have victory over sickness and disease, for by His stripes we are healed (I Peter 2:24).
“But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ” (I Cor. 15:57).
Read: Heb. 2:14,15; Rev. 12:7-11; I Peter 3:22; James 4:7; Eph. 6:10-12; I Peter 5:8,9; Eph. 4:27.
3. Voids the importance of the sayings of Jesus.
The reasoning of many millennialists is that the ministry of Jesus was directed solely to the Jewish nation and consisted of what they term “kingdom teachings.” On their assumption that the kingdom has been postponed to a future era, the claim is made that those “kingdom teachings” are not in force today but will be reinstituted during the millennium. Thus, with their own tradition they make void the words of Jesus Christ.
This blasphemous lie is responsible for much of the confusion, disobedience, and ungodliness in the ranks of Christendom at the present hour.
Jesus Himself taught that His message was applicable to all people. In His Sermon on the Mount, He placed special emphasis upon the importance of obeying His “sayings:” the parable of the wise and foolish men, both of whom heard His words. The wise man obeyed Him and his house was secure. The foolish man disregarded His words and his house was utterly destroyed!
Jesus also declared that His words will judge men at the last day (John 12:48).
Paul taught that anyone who does not consent to the words of Jesus is proud (or a fool), knows nothing, and is destitute of the truth (I Tim. 6:3-5).
And John said that anyone who does not abide in the doctrine of Christ does not have God (II John 9,10).
These, as well as other scriptures, affirm that the words of Jesus are in force for the people of God today, and they will be the basis or standard by which man will be measured in the day of judgment.
4. Grants a second chance of life for the sinning believer.
Of all the misconceptions surrounding the millennial myth, this has probably done more to promote lukewarmness among Christians than any other. The notion is extant that the millennium will be a second day of salvation in which all the Christians who have lived prior to that time will be resurrected and will be given opportunities to walk with God which they didn’t have during their former lives. It sounds good, but this notion is not promoted by the Bible! It can be found in many popular religious magazines and books, but the most important Book of all is silent on the subject.
“But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin” (Heb. 3:13).
“(For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.)” (II Cor. 6:2). “It is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment” (Heb. 9:27). Not a second chance, not 1,000 years of ‘forced’ happiness, but judgment. An examination of the Scriptures which deal with the Second Advent of Jesus reveals the same phenomenon: the judgment, the resurrection of all the dead, and the Second Coming are tied together at the same time: there is not a 1,000 year separation of these major events! Neither is there any such thing as a current investigative judgment mentioned in the Book of the Lord.
We offer the following references as substantiation for these statements: John 5:28,29; Matt. 16:27; Matt. 24:29-31; John 12:48; John 6:39,40,44,54; I Cor. 15:51,52; Matt. 25:31-33; II Tim. 4:1; Rev. 1:7; II Thess. 1:7-10; II Cor. 5:10).
We urge you to study these Scriptures carefully so that you may grasp the importance of the truth that only in this life, now, do men have the opportunity to make their calling and election sure. This is the day of salvation; there won’t be another!
5. Attempts to make the eternal kingdom of God and heaven a temporary, earthly affair.
Since the major premise of millennialism is the establishment of a 1,000 year kingdom on earth, it is quite obvious that the premise is not only wrong but is self-defeating and contradictory, for every reference in the Bible about the kingdom of God upholds its eternal and everlasting quality; not once does the Word even slightly suggest that God’s kingdom will ever become earthly or material. If it were to become earthly, it would not be eternal, for this earth shall pass away, and even the heavenly bodies (planets, moon, stars, etc.) will be consumed! (II Peter 3:10-12)
God’s kingdom always has been the kingdom of the heavens, or a heavenly (spiritual) kingdom, for God Himself is SPIRIT (John 4:24). Our finite minds have difficulty understanding the spirit realm for the simple fact that we tend to identify ourselves with our habitat and natural surroundings, yet Jesus stated frankly that the “true worshippers must worship the Father in spirit and in truth” (John 4:23,24).
A simple example of the might and power of the “unseen realm” (II Cor. 4:18) is illustrated in the account of Elisha the prophet and his servant who were surrounded by an enemy host in the city of Dothan. The servant beheld the great host of horses and chariots and was filled with fear, but Elisha spoke to him, “Fear not: for they that be with us are more than they that be with them. And Elisha prayed, and said, Lord, I pray thee, open his eyes, that he may see. And the Lord opened the eyes of the young man; and he saw: and, behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire round about Elisha” (II Kings 6:13-17).
How superior are the forces of those “that be with us” to those of this physical realm! Eternity exists there in that sphere of the Spirit, and that is the kingdom of the Living God.
“his kingdom ruleth over all” (Psalm 103:19).
“the Lord’s throne is in heaven” (Psalm 11:4).
“Heaven is my throne, and earth is my footstool” (Acts 7:49).
“Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever” (Heb. 1:8).
“we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal” (II Cor. 4:18).
“And when he was demanded of the Pharisees, when the kingdom of God should come, he answered them and said, “The kingdom of God cometh not with observation: Neither shall they say, Lo here! Or, lo there! For, behold the kingdom of God is within you” (Luke 17:20,21).
6. Does great violence to the integrity of the plain words of Jesus Christ and the apostles.
The entire foundation (?) for the millennial teaching is found in Revelation 20:1-6, deep in the heart of a book of signs (1:1), symbols, and allegories. Very little in this marvelous apocalypse can be taken literally. Interpretation is of utmost necessity, yet few Bible teachers or scholars will admit this truth.
It is remarkable that nowhere else in the entire Bible is there the slightest mention of a 1,000 year period of time, and this fact alone should cause us to be cautious in our approaching the Book of Revelation, for if our interpretation is wrong, our conclusions will also be wrong.
Since none of the Old or New Testament writers from Genesis through Jude mention the millennium, it is logical that any interpretation which establishes a future 1,000 year utopia is in direct contradiction with all the rest of the Bible. This is why we stress the importance of comparing all prophecy with the plain words of Jesus and the apostles, those portions of Scripture which require no interpretation in order to be understood. Those plain statements say what they mean, and mean what they say, and they make an excellent foundation upon which to build one’s house. There are many interpretations which spring from the imaginations of man in regard to what God means, and, of course, the sand of human reasoning is a poor place to build a house (or a doctrine).
In the love and grace of God, we urge you to examine the Word of God and compare your beliefs with the plain words of Jesus and the apostles. Do not try to interpret any part of the Word. If you find passages which seem to be symbolic, or representative, set those aside for the time being and pursue as many of the plain words of Jesus and the apostles as possible. When you have a clear picture of the plan of God, then, and only then, you may consider the “dark speeches” to compare with your known truths.
We are confident that, in your approaching the Word of God in this manner, you will arrive at the same conclusion that we have:
1. God’s kingdom is, has always been, and always will be a spiritual kingdom.
2. Jesus Christ is now both Lord, and Christ, and King and has all power in heaven and earth, and possesses the keys of hell and death.
3. This is the ONLY day of salvation – “today, if ye will…harden not your heart.”
4. When Jesus returns in the clouds, that will mean the end of the world (and the beginning of eternity for the saints), the resurrection of both the just and the unjust, the judgment, the giving of rewards for the just and unjust, the translation and immortalization of the saints, and the condemnation of the wicked into the lake of fire along with the devil and his angels.
These truths can have a profound, beneficial effect upon your walk with God, for “you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free” (John 8:32).
The State Of The Dead
There are two main schools of thought regarding this topic:
1. Soul sleeping, that is, that the dead “know not anything” until the resurrection. Thus, the account of Lazarus and the rich man in Luke 16 is, to them, a parable and hell is nothing more than the grave or a tomb.
2. The second main teaching holds that upon death, the wicked go directly to hell to experience great torment, while the righteous proceed straight to heaven where they are awarded the blessings and joys which accompany such a blessed state.
A Third Opinion
We hold to neither of these two views, but base our belief upon the words of Jesus to the repentant thief, which are found in Luke 22:43, “Today shalt thou be with me in paradise.”
Paradise is not heaven or the abode of God the Father. In II Cor. 12:1-4, Paul states that he was caught up to the “third heaven” and also to paradise. According to Revelation 2:7 the tree of life is in paradise, and in Genesis 2:8-10 we read that the tree of life was in the garden of Eden. When Adam and Eve were driven out of the garden of Eden, the Lord placed there “Cherubims, and a flaming sword which turned every way, to keep the way of the tree of life” (Gen. 3:24).
There is much evidence in the Old Testament that at one time those who died knew not anything, and that very day their thoughts perished.
However, there is also much evidence that at the time of Jesus’ crucifixion, a change was made in the realm of the dead, and that paradise, the garden of Eden, was opened for the souls of the saints while they await the resurrection to receive their reward of immortality and incorruptibility (I Cor. 15:51,52).
Their bodies, of course, are entombed or gasified, but their souls (their true consciousness) are enjoying the bliss of paradise.
Just as Jesus descended into the “lower parts of the earth,” He also ascended into paradise, for He promised the thief on the cross that they would both be in paradise that day.
Let us remember that Jesus, as God, is omnipresent. He said that “where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them” (Matt. 18:20), and yet He is at the right hand of the Father, and is also in Paradise.
Paul very strongly verified this in II Corinthians 5:6-8 where he said, “Therefore we are always confident, knowing that, whilst we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord: (For we walk by faith, not by sight) We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.” He affirmed further that, “I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ, which is far better: Nevertheless to abide in the flesh is more needful for you” (Phil. 1:23,24).
Remember, Paul was not referring to heaven, but to paradise, that realm of glory which he had experienced when he could not tell whether “he was in the body, or out of the body.” One thing he knew for certain, however, was that “to live is Christ, and to die is gain” (Phil. 1:21).
This heavenly place or state, then, is that which Jesus called “Abraham’s bosom” in Luke 16:22 to which, He said, the beggar, Lazarus, was carried by angels upon his death.
Nothing is said about Lazarus receiving immortality at that time. This final reward will be granted to all of God’s people at the resurrection at the last day when the last trumpet sounds (I Cor. 15:51,52). Paul stated it in another way in II Tim. 4:8: “Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and NOT TO ME ONLY, but unto all them also that love his appearing.”
Wherefore, beloved brethren, “Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours; and their works do follow them” (Rev. 14:13).
THE BREAD LINE
Dennis Davis
Hear A Parable
The New Testament is like unto a bread line formed by a young man who spoke with such authority that no one had ever heard a man speak like this man. The young man’s cousin had prepared a way for this bread line by stating that there were two stations to be visited. The first one would bring forgiveness of sins, the second station promised power and a special position with the young man’s father. His father owned everything and partaking of the bread of the second station would bring an inheritance similar to that of his son.
The first station would serve only an appetizer size piece of bread, but the second station in line would serve a full portion.
Now to enter the line, it required that the young man’s father draw or call a person in. Many that were called just ignored the invitation because they did not believe the promises or were too lazy to stand in line.
Those that did reach the first station and partook of the appetizer seemed to be filled with joy, love and excitement. Bystanders heard them speaking but said there were several things spoken that they could not understand. As it turned out some at this station were actually given the full portion of this special bread.
The second station in line was not all that easy to reach for the majority. In fact, a large number were asked to leave the line and not return until they had better manners.
Also, another large number did not believe that station two even existed and were absolutely content to stay with the results of station one. There were plenty of others around to convince them that there was no reason to go on, and some even said it could be against the law. The general opinion was that they had made the correct decision.
However, a relative few continued on toward station number two even though, at times, it was very hard and they had to swallow their pride. But, upon reaching the goal and being filled with the bread, they were even more ecstatic and filled with more love and joy than before. They seemed to love everyone in the group and the bystanders. This time the bystanders were sure they heard languages they did not understand – and actually, those speaking did not understand, except for a few that were speaking of future events.
And wouldn’t you know! The enemy of the young man spread a false word around that there was, in fact, a third station. He claimed, as a partaker of this station, there would be no difficulties, and those taking his bread would be given the rule over others on earth for a long time. As it turns out, the enemy’s bread was marked and tainted, so no one really knew what would happen to those that fell into the trap – but it does not bode well.
The Parable Declared
It is easy to understand that Jesus is the young man, John the Baptist is the cousin, and the young man’s Father is God. Jesus is the bread of life (John 6:51).
John the Baptist made the two all-important preparation statements about Jesus, announcing that He would take away sins and would baptize in the Holy Ghost/Holy Spirit (John 1:29; Matt. 3:11).
The people removed from the line because of bad manners were considered reprobate or unacceptable because of hindering habits such as horoscopes, Ouija boards, witchcraft, voodoo, etc., and problems shown in I Cor. 6:9. Before receiving the Holy Ghost and, thereby entering the Kingdom of God, these blockages needed to be disposed of.
Those not seeking the truth were being misled and duped into believing that the Kingdom would exist at some future earthly event. A very real danger of this error is the serious problem of taking the mark of the Beast (Rev. 20:4).
It is frustrating to know that the Kingdom of God is established in a person (Luke 17:20,21) by the infilling of the Holy Spirit, and disturbing that most Christians do not understand or care. They therefore ignore the critical truth of the New Testament. How can a person be led by the Spirit of God (Rom. 8:14) and follow the stipulation to worship the Father in the Spirit (John 4:23,24) if they do not have the Holy Ghost in them?
Furthermore, please answer the question as to just how people knew that Barnabas, Stephen and the seven were full of the Holy Ghost (Acts 11:24; 6:5; 6:3) if they did not hear them speak in tongues or give prophecy or heal someone? Just being a good person with belief in Jesus does not merit the remark “they were full of the Holy Ghost.”
The receiving of the Holy Ghost Baptism and becoming part of the Kingdom of God is aptly described by Peter. “Ye also, as lively stones are built up a spiritual house, a holy priest hood (I Peter 2:5).
Those making up the Spiritual House or Kingdom will be delivered up to the Father by Jesus in the end (I Cor. 15:24; Luke 19:12).
Those receiving the prayer and worship language of “tongues” or unknown language are not being smug, but desire others to have this living water and they say – Come in, the water is fine! It is the Father’s good pleasure to give it (Luke 12:32).
Apostle Paul makes it absolutely clear that praying and worshipping the Father in tongues or an unknown language is worshiping in the Spirit (I Cor. 14:14,15).
What did brother Jude say in the last book before the book of Revelations? “Building up yourselves on your most Holy Faith, praying in the Holy Ghost” (Jude 20).
It is not just for “those days” but for all days! You cannot pray in the Holy Ghost without having the Holy Ghost in you – think about it seriously. Mark 16:17: “They will speak with new tongues.” Who said this? – Jesus! Doubt Him and you travel at your own risk!
THE CULTS OF EGOCENTRISM
Harry R. Miller
“Woe to the crown of pride” (Isa. 28:1); here is one crown that is not desired by any saint. As a matter of fact, those who have the spirit of Christ have a natural revulsion to pride in any form. “God resisteth the proud” (James 4:6); this statement manifests God’s attitude toward those who indulge in this sin of the soul.
Pride is an expression of the self-love of the soul, and when these acts are indulged in to any great extent, the moral disease of egocentrism warps human character to the point of the ridiculous.
When any person becomes so self-centered that he regards everything in relation to himself, he is fast becoming egocentric. Take note of this prophetic statement: “This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come, for (because) men shall be lovers of their own selves” (II Tim. 3:1,2). The times of peril are upon us – the self-lovers are among us. Make no mistake about this: Self-love is a dangerous thing – dangerous to all of us.
One of the plainest teachings of the New Testament is the doctrine of death to self. The “cross” that every Christian is obligated to “take up” is not the old rugged cross upon which our Saviour died. Our “cross” consists of personal circumstances and conditions that arise as we conform our lives to the commands of Christ. A general description of the saint’s cross is impossible; each one of us has our own unique pattern of life to work out with fear and trembling. That which would be a terrible cross to one individual might be no cross at all to another. The obedience of the soul is attained through suffering.
The commands of Christ are not a lot of fancy recommendations for the belief of the pious – they are orders. And these “orders” have been specifically designed to put to death the ego.
He who seeks soul medicine can find it in the words of Jesus, “the law of the Lord is perfect converting the soul.” Let no man think that “soul medicine” is sweet: “as soon as I had eaten it, my belly was bitter” (Rev. 10:10). A self lover has no use for “the law of the Lord.” As a matter of fact, the foundation doctrines of all of the cults of egocentrism are void of any references to being obedient to the commandments of God. One might call these cults antinomianistic (anti-against, Nomos-law) schools of philosophy.
It is wise to beware of any school of religious thought that despises the commandments of God. He who uses the commandments, as a rule by which he measures the doctrines of men, will not go far wrong.
The cults of egocentrism might be divided into two distinct schools: the intellectual faddists and the yogis. The highbrows of egocentrism are egotistic people who have made a religion of self-love, and they themselves are their own god. Some of these cults are very old and are found in the warp of numerous ancient pagan religions. The newer, or more modern, versions of this philosophy are found among many intellectuals who make no claims of Christianity: “The Universal Life Church;” “the great I AM movement;” and (of all people!) certain lesser lights of the Pentecostal movement.
For many ages, it has been a common thing for men of egotistic tendencies to think of themselves as gods. This sort of doctrine has been explored from every conceivable angle.
Lucifer said, “I will be like the most High” (Isa. 14:14); certainly, an objective like this is most commendable if sought legally. Lucifer was rejected, for God told him, “Thou shalt be brought down to hell.” Let us clearly understand this: God desires that “whosoever will” might be conformed to His image; the very purpose of His creation is to bring forth images of His Son.
The God state is that of immortality; or, as it is also called, “eternal life.” Now the Father promised His creatures before the world was, that He would make this God state (divine nature) possible to His creatures. So, Lucifer was not rejected as a subject for the divine nature because he desired to attain unto it; he was refused the heavenly nature because he sought it not according to law. He boasted, “I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne…I will sit…I will ascend above the heights of the clouds” (Isa. 14:13). This fellow had the right end in view, but he failed to seek God for the proper means for its attainment. In his self-assurance, self-importance, and self-confidence there was no place for his ear to hear divine instruction.
Many “thieves and robbers” are trying to get into the fold by a way other than the door. Jesus Christ made it plain that He is the “door” (John 10:9). And, again, He said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me” (John 14:6). Here is a very fundamental truth: Christianity is based wholly upon Christ.
To reject the teaching of Jesus is to refuse to accept His way, His life, His truth. He who would benefit from the Christian faith is he who fully accepts the teachings of Jesus. It is completely ridiculous to claim to believe in Christ and refuse to obey His orders. How foolish can humanity get?
Egocentrism is a satanic trap designed to capture those who show a desire to become a manifest son of God. The Devil is unable to entice many saints with the common sins of the flesh; so, he brings forth a substitute form of worship that is causing many to lose their way with God.
In order to more fully explain this attack, it would be well to consider the imported Far Eastern form of egocentrism that was planted on the West Coast about eighty years ago: Self Realization Fellowship, Inc. This religious group was founded by a very devout and pious man by the name of Paramahansa Yogananda. His religion consists of a mixture of spiritism, yoga and egocentrism. This man and his followers have used the Bible where it was convenient, but have completely rejected the commandments of Christ. This attitude toward the Word of God is a mark of the beast; it is anti-christ.
The words “self realization” should stand out as a warning to all saints. “Self” is our worst enemy. “Self” is the fellow that must die the death of crucifixion. By the teachings of this pagan religion, “self” is enthroned in the human heart, and the individual is made to believe that he is god. Don’t think that this religion is gained without great struggle. Sacrifice and privation mark the road to yogaism. Its rewards are great: sensual delights in the extreme. The person who attains this ecstatic state practically swoons with spirit joy.
By bringing every appetite into subjection to the will, the yogi becomes a master of his body. Common appetites, such as the desire for food and drink, are no more master of the devotees of this Eastern religion. Sex is also put out of the life of the ascetic. The life of sacrifice becomes a way of life for those who attain to this place in the spirit realm. Communion with the spirit world becomes almost constant. Man in this state has very few physical needs, and his mind is so preoccupied with the grandeur of his hallucinations and delusions that, in thought, he lives out of this world of reality. One might call this condition a blissful state of madness.
Bear in mind that we are considering a religion, and a religion involves worship, and worship is devotion of the soul. The highest expression of the soul is worship. Such devotion belongs only to the Creator. Think of what an abomination it is for the creature to turn this expression of the soul upon himself: self-love. Waves of smug self-satisfaction sweep reason aside as the soul gleefully revels in the aura of its own self-esteem.
The quintessence of sensual delight is found in the worship of self; this makes the subject of this religion a complete slave almost beyond the place of redemption. His sensual satisfaction is so extreme that he sees no need for any change. It is practically impossible to convict such a person of sin.
The religion that the yogi introduced in America is but a forerunner of the amalgamation of paganism and apostate Christianity: yogaism and emotionalism. The radicals and fanatics among these people are dedicated to sensual delights: “Lovers of pleasures” (Marginal translation – sensual delights). Such people worship thrills. They practice religion for the “kicks.” Very often among these people, one finds sensual gluttons; such characters love religious excitement and emotional extravaganzas. They are suckers for signs and wonders. Such are the washed pigs that feed on the swill delivered from the warped buckets of the latest cowboy preacher, reformed gangster, or con artist.
Friends of the kingdom of God, don’t be fooled by those who would tell you that the god in you is to be reverenced and worshipped. This is a corrupt trick of the enemy to get you to begin to love self. Now, it is true that Christ is within all who are His, but nowhere are we told that any man is to worship that which is within him. Again, we point, friends, to THE BOOK (Thank God for this infallible testing rod). The men of Lystra were about to worship Paul and Barnabas, but “they rent their clothes, and ran in among the people, crying out, and Saying, Sirs, why do ye such things? We are men of like passions with you” (Acts 14:15). These New Testament men of God knew that Christ was in them, yet they also knew that He was not to be worshipped in them.
Don’t be fooled by the character that would tell you that he does not worship the individual but that he honors the god in the person; this is a lot of nonsense. The Devil would like to have every saint worshipping the Christ in every professing Christian. Let us take another example from the Book: “I John saw these things, and heard them. And when I had heard and seen, I fell down to worship before the feet of the angel which shewed me these things. Then said he unto me, See thou do it not: For I am thy fellowservant, and of thy brethren the prophets, and of them which keep the sayings of this book: worship God” (Rev. 22:8,9). Surely, if God was ever in a person, He must have been in this heavenly messenger who brought the revelation to John. This wonderful being identified himself as a saint: he kept the sayings of the Book; he was a “fellowservant.” But he refused to accept worship.
“Little children keep yourselves from idols” (I John 5:21).
QUESTION FROM A READER
Dear Sirs,
I am having a problem with a statement in an article published in “The Testimony of Truth” March 2019 #663, “Shibboleths”. The statement is, “The written word is not the light – it only points to the light.” John 1:14 clearly states the word was made flesh … Please, explain further. Thank you B. M.
Dear B. M.
We appreciate the question you have asked, desiring to understand the position People of the Living God takes in regard to what has been published in “The Testimony or Truth”. We always welcome comments and questions from our readers and attempt to clarify what has been published in our monthly magazine.
The article to which you refer, was dealing with the sectism, which exists in our Christian world today. Christians are divided and in that division, the church becomes weak and ineffective. Most of this division centers around differing doctrinal positions. When the world looks at the church, they see disputings, and antagonism among those who claim to serve the same God, and on and on the list goes, which discredits the Gospel, the scriptures, and God Himself. It is important to keep the purpose of the article in mind as we consider the statement made concerning “the Word”.
The scripture to which you refer in John 1:14, “The Word was made flesh and dwelt among us” is clearly speaking of Jesus. We must make a distinction between Jesus Christ, who is God and the scriptures which are God’s word to mankind. The written word reveals many things to us about God and tells us how we can come to know God. However, the written word is not God nor is it Jesus Christ. Jesus is called “The Word” because He was, when He walked in Galilee, the personification of the written word. In other words, Jesus lived a perfect life and that life was according to the written word. Jesus was the Example of perfect adherence to the word, of perfect obedience. He observed and kept every jot and title of the word but that did not make the scriptures (the written word), God. When Harry Miller wrote, “the word was not the light” he was referring to the written word, and when he wrote, “ it only points to the light”, he was saying that the written word reveals Christ to mankind. The written word is very often used to promote not only truth but also to support error. Peter writes in II Pet. 3:16 that there are some who wrest the scriptures to their own destruction. James Strong defines wrest as: “to wrench, to torture, to pervert”.
There are teachings today that promote homosexuality, lesbianism, and even transgenderism using the scriptures to support their position. It is amazing how these wresters of scripture can make the word of God say exactly the opposite of what of what it actually says. A few years ago as the gay movement was becoming more acceptable and was gaining entrance into various denominations, I wondered how a pastor who supported this movement, would present Romans 1:20-32. I went online and found a gay church in Nashville and found where the pastor presented these verses in a sermon or teaching. I was astounded at how clever he was in his seduction and deception as he twisted those words of the Apostle Paul and forced them to support homosexuality. And any who had a proclivity to this type of lifestyle would eat it up like pigs at the slop trough.
Dear B. M., the issue of integration and segregation in Christianity is one of the greatest difficulties and dangers we as Christians, face. Jesus clearly told us that He came not to send peace upon the earth but a sword. We are warned over and over in scripture to beware of false teachers, false prophets, and false christs. We are cautioned of the dangers of false doctrines, of both legalism and liberalism. We are alerted concerning incorporating the laws of Moses into the New Covenant as well as turning the grace of God into lasciviousness (living loosely). Finding the “strait gate” and the “narrow way” that leads to life is only found as we allow the word of God to bring us into an intimate relationship with The Word, Jesus Christ.
In Galatians 3, Paul teaches how the law of Moses was a school master to bring us to Christ (verse 24). All the ceremonies and ordinances performed by the priests in the temple (and tabernacle) were shadows or types in the physical, of that which Jesus would accomplish in the spiritual. Likewise, the written word is given to lead us to Christ, therefore the written word is not The Light but leads us to The Light, which is Jesus Christ. In John 5:39-40, Jesus told the Pharisees and religious leaders of His day, “Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me. And ye will not come to me, that ye might have life.” The scriptures cannot give life, but they do point us to Christ, in Whom we find eternal life. Sadly, the religious leaders of Jesus’ day knew the scriptures but never found eternal life.
I hope this helps some but I feel so much more could be said. I will consider writing an article on this topic in the near future but let me assure you that I do not have all the answers. However, I know Who does. May God give us discernment and understanding as we wade through this valley of decisions.
Sincerely, the Editor
FEW ARE CHOSEN
Herbert W. Otwell
Few are chosen, because few will submit,
To the will of God and give their lives unto Him.
A few will seek Him daily, and carry their cross,
They will seek only their LORD, and count all else but loss.
This few will walk where Jesus doth lead,
Him they rely on, to Him will they cleave.
His will is their meat, each moment, each day,
His Word is the Light which shows them the Way.
Through hardship and peril they learn faith and trust,
In the fires of God’s furnace they will be thrust.
The world persecutes them because of His name,
They are tormented, mocked and suffer much pain.
They fast, and they pray, and tremble at His word,
They are strangers and pilgrims in this dark evil world.
They look for a city, fashioned and built by God,
The heavenly Jerusalem, the city of our LORD.
Jesus is now their light and their life,
His blood has cleansed them from sin and strife.
He is their Saviour, their King and their Priest,
As children they come to His table to feast.
And when He returns, Him shall they see,
For as their LORD is now, they surely shall be.
Holy and spotless, without blemish or sin,
A remnant rejoicing, perfect in Him.
His voice they shall hear so soft and sweet,
When He calls each by name: each He shall greet.
To the few He will say, thou art my sheep,
Enter into the Kingdom prepared for thee