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Welcome To Keys 2 the Kingdom International Covenant Communion's Discussion Forum. The Pardigm shifting(or should I say have shifted)in the Body of Christ, wich is necessary for the return of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Come on in and Join this apostolic gathering.
http://k2kicc.info
THE NATURE OF AN OVERCOMING PEOPLE -- Don Atkin, 10:51:23 08/09/06 Wed




Paul Galligan



The current revelation that the Lord is opening up to us which came late in the International School, when I was teaching on Spiritual Warfare, is to do with the corporate nature of the church which the Lord has given to us in the understanding and practice of apostolic company. In the days of Noah the ark of salvation was a boat, but in these last days the ark of salvation is the church of Jesus Christ. Of course this demands a full and deep understanding of the true church as revealed in the New Testament.



The understanding of apostolic company comes firstly from the example of the 120 disciples including the apostles and their leadership, who continued in the upper room in obedience to Jesus in Acts 1. These brethren continued in prayer and supplication and were “in one accord”. The main task given to Peter by the Holy Spirit was to set the twelfth apostle in place so that the foundations upon which the church was to be built, would be complete. Later in the Book of Acts we find reference to “companions” Acts 4:23, 21:8 and “company” Acts 15:22.



In mid 2001 the Lord instructed us to form an apostolic company and over the years He has enlightened us as to the understanding and practice of apostolic company. The apostolic company is raised up by the Lord to become a “pattern” people. Paul refers to this in Phil.3:15-17 where he speaks of those who “are mature” as having the “same mind” and walking “by [WINDOWS-1252?]the same rule”.



Earlier in 1 Cor.2:6-16, Paul refers to the “wisdom of God in a mystery” which is for the mature to receive and this wisdom “God [WINDOWS-1252?]ordained before the ages for our glory”. God has always intended for the church to come to maturity and it is essential for the church to come to maturity to be able to receive the revelation of the mystery and begin to experience and walk in the glory of the Lord. In these last days the concept of [WINDOWS-1252?]‘church’ has become very confused with many referring to a building as the church. Therefore God is specifically raising apostolic companies to model New Testament church. Notice that Paul says “we have the mind of Christ” v16! It is a plural reality! No one member of the body will ever have “the [WINDOWS-1252?]mind of Christ” on their own but it is a corporate reality.



By the Blood of the Lamb...

In teaching from Rev.12:11, it dawned on us that the victory over Satan, the accuser of the brethren, is only possible as a corporate [plural] body of believers, properly joined together, overcome him. The Scripture says 'they overcame him'. It is as the saints are joined together in apostolic company - a pattern people - who are committed to walking in maturity, that "the blood of the Lamb" works to give the saints the victory.



How does the blood of the Lamb work? 1Jn.1:7 tells us, "if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin." Brethren, it is essential that we walk together in the light of Jesus Christ, being led by His Spirit in the light of His word, being in open, respectful and loving fellowship and submitting to one another in the fear of Christ. According to Eph.5:18-21 a submitted life to the brethren in the fear of God, is a sign of a Spirit filled life.



Therefore whenever difficulties, disagreements, misunderstandings or any other problem arise between brethren, we must keep very short accounts and be reconciled quickly to one another in the fear of Christ. This is how the “blood of Jesus Christ” works in the body: whenever a problem [sin] arises it is to be dealt with immediately by repentance and confession, allowing the blood of Christ to cleanse. Thus the relationships in the body are restored in the short term, allowing true fellowship and enabling the saints to walk in the light together. While there is vital need for each individual saint to walk in the light of Jesus Christ, it is the corporate experience and expression that God is [WINDOWS-1252?]looking for – the church walking in maturity – and it is the corporate expression that will overcome the accuser of the brethren, providing for all the members in the fellowship to be walking in victory.



Colossians 3:12-17 is a powerful and commanding guide to life together in the body of Christ. God expects the body to function in this way, "bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another, even as Christ forgave you, so you also." We can too easily overlook the clear teaching and guidance of God through the Scripture in which He is instructing us as to how we should walk and conduct ourselves in relationships in the body. The apostolic company is referred to as [WINDOWS-1252?]‘the elect of God’ [WINDOWS-1252?]and “the elect” [WINDOWS-1252?]are to “put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness and long [WINDOWS-1252?]suffering.” All of these are relationship words, governing our attitudes and our actions in relationship to other members of the body. Then the Scripture says [WINDOWS-1252?]“put on love … and let the peace of God rule in your [WINDOWS-1252?]hearts.” This is all in the context of the body.



By the Word of Their Testimony

Secondly they overcame the accuser of the brethren "by the word of their testimony". Notice again it is a corporate confession, 'their testimony'. This takes us again to Phil.3:15-17 "as many as are mature, have this mind ... Let us walk by the same rule, let us be of the same mind." Let us "be a pattern people"!



In the Spirit Filled Life Bible the Kingdom Dynamics underneath Rom.10:8 comments on the word 'confess' Greek 'Homologeo': it has the connotation of 'a binding public declaration by which a legal relation is contractually established'. Literally this word means 'to speak the same word'. Remember we have talked about Heb.3:1 and the confession of Jesus our Apostle [this confession has been missing from the church for 1800 years].



The word of their testimony is the apostolic confession of "the faith once and for all delivered to the saints" Jude 3. This is the testimony: the knowledge of the mystery; the fellowship of the mystery (Eph.3:2-11); the reality of adoption as sons (Eph.1:5). It is to the company, the church corporate, that God gives "the mind of Christ" 1 Cor.2:16.



So the word of our testimony is our understanding and confession of who we are: the body of Christ, the elect of God, the saints, and the high calling [attaining to the resurrection of the dead, Phil 3:11] and purpose of God which He has already accomplished in Christ Jesus (Eph.3:11) and is now bringing to pass in the last days church.



This testimony includes the knowledge [WINDOWS-1252?]of the mystery, “the fellowship of the [WINDOWS-1252?]mystery” Eph.3:9, whereby God now intends “that the manifold wisdom of God might be made known by the church to the principalities and powers in the [WINDOWS-1252?]heavenlies.” v10 Can you now see how the corporate church walks in victory, overcoming the accuser of the brethren?



Loving not their own Lives to the Death

Thirdly they overcame him "loving not their own lives to the death". This is the outworking of 1 Jn 3:16 "by this we know love, because He laid down His life for us. And we also ought to lay down our lives for the brethren." Loving not our lives to the death speaks of our commitment to the fellowship, to the apostolic company and our appreciation of our placement in the body of Christ, "we were bought with a price." The ultimate price is martyrdom, and martyrdom is not only 'dying for the faith' but it is also laying our lives down for our friends. In [WINDOWS-1252?]recent times the Lord has made it clear to us that He wants us ‘to give our [WINDOWS-1252?]heart to Him and to one another’. This is the nature of apostolic company. I have given my heart to my brethren. My brethren have given their hearts. As the [WINDOWS-1252?]reality of ‘loving not our own lives to the death’ becomes known to us, the committed relationships that we enjoy become a powerful bulwark against the [WINDOWS-1252?]enemy’s attack, which mostly comes through accusations.



When we begin to walk in this revelation of apostolic company, of true Christian fellowship and community, we will experience corporately enormous victory over the evil one and the glory of Christ will be more and more manifest in and through the saints.

Paul Galligan. 09.08.06







BUILDING WITH THE PROPHETIC

Apostle Curtis Forbes
Founder and President of:
Proton Ministries International
www.protonministries.com
www.protonministries.org
www.protonministries.net

You cannot build with teaching; you can only build upon teaching. You must build with the prophetic, which is directly [WINDOWS-1252?]connected to the revelatory realm, or better known as “the spirit of [WINDOWS-1252?]wisdom and revelation” as stated in Eph 1:17

“That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him”…

The overall purpose of the prophetic is to “discern” the Lord Himself, the very likeness, nature, and essence of who He is, in direct relation to His entire creation. Take into consideration the awesome example of all the apostles who wrote the New Testament, especially the Apostle Paul as he [WINDOWS-1252?]stated in Eph 3:3, “How [WINDOWS-1252?]that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery” … the Apostle Paul uses the term by revelation and similar terms several times.

The Greek word here is apokalupsis #602 in the Greek N.T. which denotes a very direct, intimate, intense, relationship between the person being revealed, which is Jesus, and the person to whom He is being revealed; which in this case it is the Apostle Paul. The word apokalupsis [WINDOWS-1252?]or “revelation” is not just an unveiling, disclosure, uncovering, or revealing, it also includes the interpretation of the same, the instant impartation of understanding. Very rarely is this a complete understanding, but it is always at least a functional knowledge and understanding.

When Paul used the word “revelation” I do not think he was just talking about either Logos alone or Rhema. Alone, (Logos: #3056 in N.T. Greek: a larger, more encompassing intelligible discourse, as in the entire word of God as a whole, Rhema: # 4487 in N.T. Greek: a word spoken or uttered, denoting more of an operative or all powerful word or command of God,)

They are both written, and they are both spoken! apokalupsis [WINDOWS-1252?]or “Revelation” is a simultaneous release and impartation of understanding involving both Logos and Rhema!! Hallelujah!!! In the New Testament the Apostle Paul was without a doubt the most prolific biblical teacher and writer, responsible for one third of the New Testament and even though his teachings were very revolutionary, they were all based upon previous revelatory truths in the Old Testament meanwhile he was hearing and receiving a new divine understanding and a new application after Jesus fulfilled the law, incorporating both Logos and Rhema building a powerful progression and a solid foundation of truth.

True “didaskō” 1 Cor. 12:28) teaching should be the fruit or result of the prophetic, even with N.T. apostles. True teaching should always provide an awesome foundation of steady progression after being forged by the prophetic. True, solid, teaching always builds revelation upon revelation creating a powerful, organic or natural progression; this is the pattern all the way through the word of God.

The Lord always releases His word prophetically, but then we still must see, hear, discern from the Lord how to administer, distribute, or teach that word. Prime example: Moses received the law [WINDOWS-1252?]prophetically, then he still distributed or “taught” the word of the Lord to the children of Israel directly after the “pattern [WINDOWS-1252?]which he saw in heaven”, this was not just another method of teaching … [WINDOWS-1252?]it was directly after the pattern! Now we are talking about “principle” not just [WINDOWS-1252?]a “method”

If teaching does not first come from the prophetic it [WINDOWS-1252?]will always end up “methodical” or based upon “methods” and not the very essence of the Lord Himself ...over emphasis on methods will absolutely circumvent and choke out the prophetic, which is exactly what the spirit of religion wants. Again, another prime example; in the span of time from when the law was given - until Jesus Christ, the law became literally thousands of rules and regulations that had nothing whatsoever to do with the nature or likeness of God and they had almost completely lost the precious experiential knowledge of the very essence of God.

This snare and entrapment of methods are some of the very best friends of tradition and religion; you must understand that the spirit of religion is the absolute antecedent of the spirit of revelation mentioned in Eph 1:17. We must understand that the character of God, the person of God, [WINDOWS-1252?]the word of God, and the motives of God never change … but His methods always change.

This is very evident all the way through the word of God. The scene in the Garden of Eden changed, and then there was a span of time before the law, of course that changed when the Lord gave the law, then obviously that changed when His Son Jesus came and fulfilled the law then died for us on the cross! These are just the major and most obvious changes. We could very possibly look at dozens and dozens of different examples concerning this principle.

God has always used various methods, but they always change, this is why we cannot build with teaching or get locked into one particular method or another. The spirit of revelation can protect us from this trap. If the enemy could keep the Church hung up on methods, (which he has done a great job so far) then he can always keep the church, the body of Christ in a perpetual state of confusion, strife, envy, and division. In [WINDOWS-1252?]James 3:16 it says: “for where envying and strife is, [WINDOWS-1252?]there is confusion and every evil work”.

This [WINDOWS-1252?]seems to be the “method” of the enemy - to get us locked into and focused on one particular method or another when the methods of God are ever changing, then we [WINDOWS-1252?]fight against each other because “your methods (or teachings) are different than [WINDOWS-1252?]my methods”. This trickery of the enemy reminds me of the doctrine of Balaam who taught Balac to cast a stumbling block of sin before the children of Israel so they would defile themselves and ultimately cause a blockage to the blessing and favor of God.

This is a brutally vicious, repetitious cycle that can only be broken and corrected by the spirit of revelation. Not to be redundant, but methods are not [WINDOWS-1252?]always bad, God has always used different methods, but we must understand – they [WINDOWS-1252?]always change – We will see how this word “method” is used as a trap and snare in a couple of different scriptures

Eph. 6:11 Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the ‘wiles” (#3180 [WINDOWS-1252?]“methodia” method, snare, trap, trickery, deceit…) of the devil. Also in Eph 4:14 That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive (# 3180 methodia) the actual translation here is :

“whereby they lie in wait for the circumvention of [WINDOWS-1252?]deception”

This becomes a major problem if we are bent toward or focused on teaching instead of the prophetic, or the spirit of revelation, where by His grace we are able to discern “The Revelation of [WINDOWS-1252?]Jesus Christ” which is only the first step, in a 5 – fold progression of revelation. (1) The revelation of Jesus Christ, which leads us into: (2) the revelation of Gods purpose for man, which leads us into: (3) the revelation of the kingdom of God, which leads us into: (4) the revelation of the Church, which leads us into: (5) the revelation of Gods purpose for the nations.

In the New Testament, if we do not receive our [WINDOWS-1252?]teachings after our pattern - which is Jesus Christ – you will not have a true progression of revelation, you will only find a vacillation (1.to sway from one side to the other; to oscillate. 2. to swing indecisively from one course of action or opinion to another; to waver; to be irresolute); which ultimately leads to a double minded man who is unstable in all his ways - James 1:8.

All truth – [WINDOWS-1252?]revelation – always builds a steady natural, organic, progression. The further [WINDOWS-1252?]teaching gets away from truth – revelation – it will result in a synthetic, fabricated, manufactured, process of manipulation and control which will always inevitably produce vacillation, instability, and major frustration, not being able to receive anything from the Lord. The foul spirit of Religion absolutely loves this scenario, robbing God of the good pleasures of His goodness in blessing man, also robbing man of the very promises of God like [WINDOWS-1252?]this one found in John 15:15 … but I have called you friends; for all things that I
have heard of my Father I have made known unto you.
As well as John 14:21 : He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest (show, reveal) myself to him.

The very heartbeat of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit is to communicate and reveal truth into the very deepest regions of our heart eradicating bondage and [WINDOWS-1252?]darkness within seconds … things which took the enemy a lifetime of twisting and perverting to accomplish. Truth and revelation are without a doubt the very deadliest of enemies to satan and all the hoards of hell.

Karl [WINDOWS-1252?]Marx, the German philosopher and co-writer of “The Communist [WINDOWS-1252?]Manifesto” made a very radical statement in the 1800’s that “religion [WINDOWS-1252?]is the very opiate of the people” wow! Was he ever right!!! In other words, having a religious mindset is a lot like sitting around smoking dope all day, it does nothing more than stupefy and totally corrupt the human mind, but The Revelation of Jesus Christ will absolutely galvanize you, protecting you from corruption, from the spirit of religion, which is nothing but a deadly cancer to the body of Christ.

Hopefully now you see a little better and are able to understand why the enemy does not want anyone to be filled with the Holy Spirit, pray in tongues, to actively communicate with the Lord and receive revelation from Him and understand the word of God! To progress organically and naturally, building revelation upon revelation, in direct relationship with Jesus Christ. Producing fruit and then reproducing even more fruit. Not synthetic or manufactured methods which causes people to become sterile, unproductive, fragmented and unstable...Curtis Forbes

SOWING SEEDS WHO ARE SONS

Don Atkin

KINGDOMQUEST International Ministries

http://www.donatkin.com http://www.kingdomquest.net

The field is the world, the good seeds are the sons of the kingdom. - Matthew 13:38


Jesus, the firstborn Son of God and prototype and firstborn of many sons, referring to Himself, said: Most assuredly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it produces much grain (Matthew 12:24).

He went on to explain, He who loves his life will lose it, and he who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. If anyone serves Me, let him follow Me; and where I am, there My servant will be also. If anyone serves Me, him My Father will honor (verses 25-26).

We are to see ourselves as good seeds, sons of the kingdom, hating our lives in this world, willingly falling into the ground (the field of the world that God so loves), and dying daily as we follow Jesus Christ in pursuit of His kingdom.


SUFFERING SONS

The suffering we embrace is not to take us by surprise (I Peter 4:12-19). We are to count it all joy when we fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of our faith produces patience, that we may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing (James 1:2-4).

Our Father, in bringing many sons to glory, made the captain of our salvation perfect through sufferings (Hebrews 2:10). He also predestined (us) to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren (Romans 8:29).

A right attitude is important, and it is usually developed over a period of time. Learning to "land softly" in "good soil," and trusting God to give the increase, requires a process of growing. Joy comes in the morning as light dawns upon our situation, and we see His strength being made perfect in our weakness. First the root, then the shoot, then the fruit! Joyful suffering eventually produces joyful sons.

[WINDOWS-1252?]
God’s eternal plan and purpose will come to fruition as we fall into the ground and die. If we fail to do so, we remain alone. If we do so, we will bring forth abundant and abiding fruit - 30, 60, even 100 fold!


DISCIPLING SONS

Sons are not produced merely through proclamation. Jesus spoke to multitudes, but poured out His life, every fiber of His being, into twelve men who would be the first fruits of His fathering ministry. His priority and methodology can be found by studying the gospels.

(My book, "Like Father, Like Son," is based [WINDOWS-1252?]upon Jesus’ priority and methodology, and is subtitled,

"Discipling Sons For God." It is available online, at www.DonAtkin.com.)

Our commission is not merely to preach. It is to disciple the nations! Biblical preaching was primarily to the unsaved people in the world, who need demonstration at least as much as proclamation. We are to preach the gospel of the kingdom to them, and then disciple those who respond.

Jesus devoted most of His three and one-half year ministry to discipling twelve men who were then sent to change their world. Mentoring seems to be a preferred term in our day. It seems a little softer. Maybe that is part of the problem - less dying involved!

We have been commissioned to disciple sons for God, training them how to gracefully die to self daily in pouring out their lives to others.

It takes time to gather baggage. It takes time to get rid of baggage. We all come into the kingdom with history. We are largely the products of our environment. Not only does our environment need to change so that we are living in the atmosphere and spirit of heaven, but we need to be purged of baggage. This often requires deliverance, inner healing, and release from the effects of generational curses.

Many never get free enough to die to self. They go through life self-consumed because they cannot make themselves vulnerable enough to receive the help and training, healing and equipping, they need. They never come into fruition because they are never equipped for the work of the ministry which God ordained for them to walk in. (See Ephesians 2:10; 4:11-24.)

Discipleship is a Bible term, used by Jesus to describe a very necessary process:

A disciple is not above his teacher, nor a servant above his master. It is enough for a disciple that he be like his teacher, and a servant like his master. - Matthew 10:24-25

Such a process requires authority, submission and accountability. Jesus commended a centurion for his great faith because he understood these principles. (See Matthew 8:5-10.)

MATURING SONS

Now I say that the heir, as long as he is a child, does not differ at all from a slave, though he is master of all, but is under guardians and stewards until the time appointed by the father. - Galatians 4:1-2

The perfecting (maturing) process requires that the son posture himself as a slave, submitting himself to the delegated authority of the God-appointed guardian/steward in his life.

"God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble." Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. Draw near to God and He will draw near to you." - James 4:6-8

Likewise you younger people, submit yourselves to your elders. Yes, all of you be submissive to one another, and be clothed with humility, for "God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble." Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you. - I Peter 5:5-7

Get it? He cares for you! He wants you to properly posture yourself that He may exalt you when you are ready - perfected, matured.

The posture of the appointed teacher/guardian/steward is also very important. We who are privileged to obey the Great Commission by discipling nations are to be postured as servant sons who wash the feet of our disciples, bringing refreshment and life to them in [WINDOWS-1252?]love. We are to father them with Father’s love and wisdom, always pointing them to the Lord Jesus and to our Father who is in heaven. They might have ten thousand instructors in Christ, yet not many fathers whose example they may imitate. (See I Corinthians 4:14-16.)

Instruct and demonstrate for them how to rightly relate to God and men. Caution them to not love the best places at feasts, the best seats in the synagogues, greetings in the marketplaces, and to be called by men, "Rabbi, Rabbi."

But you, do not be called "Rabbi"; for One is your Teacher, the Christ, and you are all brethren. Do not call anyone on earth your father; for One is your Father, He who is in heaven. And do not be called teachers; for One is your Teacher, the Christ. But he who is greatest among you shall be your servant. And whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted. - Matthew 23:6-12


RELEASING SONS

Some sons are to stay. Most are to be sent. One hindrance to kingdom expansion is the failure of some leaders to raise up, and then release sons. Another hindrance is our failure to make room for those who are raised up. We sometimes "disciple them to death." Or, we keep them at our side at the expense of their own destiny, because we perceive that they are integral to our personal success. We never send them forth to be sown in the soil of the world as seeds - sons of the kingdom. Our sons are really His sons, sons of the kingdom, to be sown as seeds among the nations as directed by the Holy Spirit!

We need to have a strategy for releasing maturing sons into the harvest.

Jesus, devoted a short time of very few years to the twelve who would become the apostles of the Lamb. They were still very young when He met with them and said,

You are My friends if you do whatever I command you. No longer do I call you servants, for a servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I heard from My Father I have made known to you.

You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask the Father in My name He may give you. These things I command you, that you love one another.- John 15:14-17

We are to choose disciples who have the right attitude of submissive obedience and accountability, who are willing to unselfishly serve to the point of dying daily, and will follow our example of humility. We need to impart unto them all that the Father gives us. Then we must appoint them to go - go and bear fruit, relating directly to the Father as sons being revealed to their worlds as lights in dark places.

We are to enjoy their continuing friendship, as we are all brothers. I am a blessed man today, enjoying the friendship of many brothers in many nations whom I have been privileged to father, steward, guard - as sons of the kingdom. It is my joy to pray for them, encourage them, counsel them, affirm them, and support them in any way that I can.

They are multiplying the very Seed that will release all of creation from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God (Romans 8:21).


[ Edit | View ]

Progressive Revelation -- P R Smith, 00:18:46 08/06/06 Sun

The Law of God as found in the pages of the Old Testament was intended for Adam, then Noah, then Abraham and finally for the nation of Israel at the time of the Exodus. Its application lasted until the death of Christ on the tree of crucifixion. That Law was holy, just, and good (Romans 7:12). But the apostle Paul said that the Law in the Old Testament was intended by God for people who were spiritual infants, mere children in the faith. It was not to be used for determining righteousness once Christ Jesus died for the sins of the world.

Christ introduced a new concept of religious practice which Paul called “the Law of ChristE(Galatians 6:2). This new Law of Christ is not an outwardly written law to be read on tables of stone, but is written upon the hearts of Christians and manifested by their observance of the nine fruits of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22E3). This was the Law for Christians that Paul established in his letters to the Romans, Corinthians, and Galatians. It replaced the written Law of the Old Testament Ewith the Ten Commandments and subsidiary Laws given to given Israel.

Can the Old Law Be Changed?
Some people feel the Law can never be changed, even to the crossing of a “tEor the dotting of an “i.EThose who believe this will be shocked at what the Bible says. The Law of God can be changed and parts abolished if God so desires. This is Progressive Revelation in action.

To show that the Law of God can be changed, or even abolished, it is necessary to see how historically the Law of God started, developed, and finally became the Old Covenant. We need to see how the Law was changed and altered from time to time from Adam to Noah. It later changed:

from Noah to Abraham, again

from Abraham to Moses, and

from Moses to Samuel, then

from Samuel to Ezekiel the prophet, and

from Ezekiel to John the Baptist, and finally

to Christ before His crucifixion.
The former Law of God changed quite often, with additions and/or deletions, throughout the various periods associated with the men just mentioned.

Some people, however, have the mistaken notion that the Law of God can never change in any way. That belief is sheer nonsense and has not the slightest validity in the biblical revelation. Why, God can change and alter His Law any time He pleases. He can change whole sections, or He can revise small and minor points. God is not restricted in matters dealing with His Law and assumes all authority to add to, or eliminate precepts from His Law at any time.

The Law of God in the Old Testament was a very flexible piece of legislation that changed dramatically when God saw the need for such alterations. The Law of God is not the universally consistent piece of legislation (with an eternal permanence associated with it) that a few “law-keepingEChristians have erroneously taught. The Law of God changed dramatically, and often, from Adam to Christ.

The Law of God Starts in Genesis
To understand this matter clearly, we need to be reminded that when the apostle Paul talked about the Law of God, he plainly stated that Christians were no longer “under the law.EHe then gave an illustration from that Law, of Sarah and Hagar recorded in Genesis (Galatians 4:21E1). This reference of Paul to the Law was long before Moses established the Old Covenant at Mount Sinai. The Book of Genesis itself was reckoned by Jews and by biblical authorities as the first book of the Law. The Law of God, commands of God given to man, begins with the first chapters of Genesis, not with the twentieth chapter of the Book of Exodus where the Ten Commandments and subsidiary laws were given for the nation of Israel.

What is the very first Law of God found in Holy Scriptures? The first Law is found in Genesis 2:16E7, with both a positive and a negative command. It is,

“And the Lord God commanded the man, saying, ‘Of every tree of the garden you may freely eat: But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil [bad], you shall not eat of it: for in the day that you eat thereof you shall surely die.’”

Genesis 2:16E7

God also recorded a judgment upon man if he would ever disobey God’s command and eat of the forbidden tree. That was “For in the day that you eat thereof you shall surely die.EPaul said that mankind found that this Law (indeed, any Law of God) was impossible to keep or to save a person. Before long, Adam and Eve were eating of the forbidden fruit and the Law, meant to keep them alive, espoused death for them. Spiritually that “deathEof Adam spread to embrace the whole human race (Romans 5:12E1). This doctrinal fact is a prime teaching of the apostle Paul.

In the period from Adam to Noah, there were a few other laws of God recorded in the Holy Scriptures. There were laws against

murder (Genesis 4:15, 23; 9:6),
immodesty (Genesis 9:23),
wrong marriages (Genesis 6:1E), and
wickedness in general (Genesis 6:5).
Jewish theologians put these early laws into one package, with a few other laws and called them the “Laws of Noah.EThese laws, mentioned especially around the time of Noah, were the only ones that Jews in Christ’s time (and even today) felt that all Gentile nations were specifically required to observe for a right relationship with God. In the time of Noah, no other laws were mentioned in the Scriptures as necessary to be kept. For example, the Sabbath was not a requirement during the first 2,500 years of man’s existence. There was no command in Genesis 2 that said that humans were required to observe the Sabbath day as God did on the seventh day of creation. 1

From the records found in the Bible, there were very few requirements in the worship of God until the time of Abraham, and even then it was only when Abraham was given the circumcision covenant at 99 years of age that real physical ritual became a necessity. However, the selection of Abraham and his family as a special group demanded that distinct laws regulate their lives before God.

Thus Abraham and his family (along with his later descendants) came into a unique relationship with the creator. No longer could Abraham or his seed act like their neighbors around them. They were set apart and sanctified as special people in the eyes of God. This meant that the simple laws revealed before the time of Abraham which allowed mankind to be in a proper relationship with God were no longer sufficient to please God as far as Abraham and his family were concerned. This is a clear example of God changing His mind about His Laws. The Law of God began to take on new proportions with extra and different commands and laws from the time of Abraham to Moses. The differences are very great.

With the introduction of the covenant of circumcision between God and man (specifically with Abraham and his seed), religious requirements became more ritualistic and distinctive. Later, when Moses was commissioned by God to give the Israelites His Old Covenant revelation, elaborate ceremonialism became even more pronounced with a vast amount of new laws coming into existence.

Let us look at the dissimilarities and see how God altered His laws many times. So, when you ask about the need to keep God’s Law, you first must determine what period of Law (and what laws) you mean. In no way are “laws of GodEeternal or for application at all periods of time or for all people. One must be careful and not make such erroneous evaluations. Note some major differences.

The Vast Differences between the Patriarchal and Mosaic Legal Systems
Under the Abrahamic covenant, God allowed his people to offer sacrifices anywhere they pleased (Genesis 12:7, 35:1; Job 1:5). Moses changed this law by commanding only the family of Aaron to attend to the sacred rites (Exodus 40:1E6) and those sacrifices could only be offered on the altar in the Sanctuary (Deuteronomy 12:13E4).

Abraham planted a grove (or sacred tree) in Beersheba (Genesis 21:33), but under Moses the use of groves became prohibited (Exodus 34:14; 2 Chronicles 14:3; Isaiah 17:8).

Jacob set up a pillar (Genesis 28:18), but this was later forbidden by Moses (Deuteronomy 16:22, margin).

God said in the time of Noah: “Every moving thing [i.e., all animals] that lives shall be meat for you; even as the green herb have I given you all thingsE(Genesis 9:3), but with Moses only the beasts mentioned in Leviticus chapter 11 were allowed or disallowed.

There were no official feast days commanded in the time of Abraham, but with Moses, ordained festivals became required periods for attendance by all Israelite males (Leviticus 23).

There was no commanded Tithing at first. Tithing was not a law in the patriarchal period. 2

None of the patriarchs wore phylacteries (at least we have no record of such), but with Moses their use was commanded (Numbers 15:37E1).

The land did not have to rest every 7th year under the patriarchs (Genesis 41:34E5), but with Moses, the land rest was commanded (Leviticus 25:1E).

Abraham married his half-sister with God’s full approval (Genesis 20:12), but this became illegal in the time of Moses (Leviticus 20:17).

Abraham was confederate with his Canaanite neighbors (Genesis 14:13), but no leagues with the Canaanites were allowed in the dispensation of Moses. Indeed, the Canaanites were to be exterminated (Deuteronomy 20:17E8).

There was also no commanded Sabbath law in the patriarchal period. However, in the time of Moses the Sabbath was first introduced as a law for Israelites to obey (Exodus 20:8; Nehemiah 9:14; Ezekiel 20:12) with stringent requirements that changed the very character of the 7th day of the week. Moses had now emerged on the scene and a profound change in religious essentials had come into existence for Israel.
The differences between the religious system of the patriarchs and that of Moses were dramatic. If a religious Israelite after the time of Moses could have been transported back to Abraham’s time and witnessed Abraham (not knowing who he was) performing his religious duties, he would have called him an unconverted heathen. And though it is made clear in the Scriptures that God knew Abraham “obeyed my voice and kept my charge, my commandments, my statutes, and my lawsE(Genesis 26:5), those laws (the Law of God in Abraham’s time) were very different from those later laws commanded to Moses and to the Israelites at Mount Sinai.

Indeed, for Abraham’s first 99 years of life he was not circumcised, later

he built altars anywhere he pleased,
he raised up groves,
he offered no lamb at Passover,
he kept no weekly Sabbath,
he attended no holy feasts,
he wore no phylacteries,
he married his half-sister,
kept no land sabbath [that is, no Sabbatical Years], and of all things
he was allied with the Canaanites.
What God did in the time of Moses was to rescind the religious requirements of the Patriarchal period in favor of stricter laws ordained in the time of Moses. The two religious systems were so completely different that if one were to mix the teachings together, utter contradiction and confusion would result. There is no compatibility at all between the two systems.

However, some people today are so conservative in their views that they will not allow God to establish new religious systems different from previous ones. They cannot believe God would ever change ritualistic or ceremonial teachings that He once gave to His people. In no way is this true biblical teaching. Certainly God does not change His mind in overall philosophical matters that dominate His character and personality (Malachi 3:6), but He most decidedly changed His own religious systems in the past when He saw fit.

God uses the principle of Progressive Revelation throughout the Bible. God has introduced new and progressively more mature systems of worship adding and deleting them as He pleases. This is seen when we distinguish the essential differences between the Patriarchal System of religious requirements and the Mosaic System, two patterns of conduct dissimilar and utterly distinct.

The other prime example of such vast changes in God’s laws, commandments, and teachings is God’s change from the Mosaic System to the advanced Christian System which depends not on Mosaic Law, but on the merits of grace. Diversities between the Mosaic and the Christian Systems are so pronounced that the two cannot be compared in a systematic sense. There is as much difference between the teachings of Christianity and Moses as there is between the Mosaic and the Patriarchal Systems.

People should recognize this biblical teaching of Progressive Revelation and apply the newer teachings if they ever hope to understand what God now requires of them.


[ Edit | View ]

What is Revelation from God? -- Lambert Dolphin, 00:09:04 08/06/06 Sun

Arguments for the existence of God are very restricted; some of them are more restricted and limited than others. They do not prove beyond all question the existence of the God of the Bible. Furthermore, it must be remembered that man's mind, his thinking process, has been affected by his fall into sin. This means that there are definite limitations to God's revelation in nature. The problem is not in the revelation but in the receiver of the revelation.


God as Self-Revealing
If a superior intelligent Being is in fact responsible for our existence, then such a god has it in his power, in his ability, to remain unknown and unknowable should he so choose. Without revelation initiated by God we would know nothing about the nature of this Being.

The Bible, however, declares that the Creator has in fact made Himself known, and has given us a very large body of knowledge about His nature, character, attributes, and activities. The Biblical record, unfolding as it does over the space of hundreds of years, indicates to us that the self-disclosure of God is progressive in history. It was Jesus who said that "all the hidden things of darkness will be brought to light," and "there is nothing secret that will not be made known."

Furthermore the God of the Bible is a Personal God who enters into personal, intimate relationships with individuals and with groups of individuals.




General Revelation and Special Revelation
Theologians ordinarily consider revelation about God as falling into two categories, "general" revelation and "special revelation." The former is concerned with God's witness to Himself in history, in nature and in the human conscience. The following examples from Scripture are indicative of general revelation:


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"The heavens are telling the glory of God; and the firmament proclaims his handiwork. Day to day pours forth speech, and night to night declares knowledge. There is no speech, nor are there words; their voice is not heard; yet their voice goes out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world. In them he has set a tent for the sun, which comes forth like a bridegroom leaving his chamber, and like a strong man runs its course with joy. Its rising is from the end of the heavens, and its circuit to the end of them; and there is nothing hid from its heat. The law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul; the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple; the precepts of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes; the fear of the LORD is clean, enduring for ever; the ordinances of the LORD are true, and righteous altogether. More to be desired are they than gold, even much fine gold; sweeter also than honey and drippings of the honeycomb. Moreover by them is thy servant warned; in keeping them there is great reward. But who can discern his errors? Clear thou me from hidden faults. Keep back thy servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me! Then I shall be blameless, and innocent of great transgression. Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my rock and my redeemer." (Psalm 19)


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"Now at Lystra there was a man sitting, who could not use his feet; he was a cripple from birth, who had never walked. He listened to Paul speaking; and Paul, looking intently at him and seeing that he had faith to be made well, said in a loud voice, 'Stand upright on your feet.' And he sprang up and walked. And when the crowds saw what Paul had done, they lifted up their voices, saying in Lycaonian, 'The gods have come down to us in the likeness of men!' Barnabas they called Zeus, and Paul, because he was the chief speaker, they called Hermes. And the priest of Zeus, whose temple was in front of the city, brought oxen and garlands to the gates and wanted to offer sacrifice with the people. But when the apostles Barnabas and Paul heard of it, they tore their garments and rushed out among the multitude, crying, 'Men, why are you doing this? We also are men, of like nature with you, and bring you good news, that you should turn from these vain things to a living God who made the heaven and the earth and the sea and all that is in them. In past generations he allowed all the nations to walk in their own ways; yet he did not leave himself without witness, for he did good and gave you from heaven rains and fruitful seasons, satisfying your hearts with food and gladness.' With these words they scarcely restrained the people from offering sacrifice to them." (Acts 14:8-18)


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"For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and wickedness of men who by their wickedness suppress the truth. 'For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. Ever since the creation of the world his invisible nature, namely, his eternal power and deity, has been clearly perceived in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse; for although they knew God they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking and their senseless minds were darkened. Claiming to be wise, they became fools, and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling mortal man or birds or animals or reptiles. Therefore God gave them up in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, to the dishonoring of their bodies among themselves, because they exchanged the truth about God for a lie and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed for ever! Amen.
"For this reason God gave them up to dishonorable passions. Their women exchanged natural relations for unnatural, and the men likewise gave up natural relations with women and were consumed with passion for one another, men committing shameless acts with men and receiving in their own persons the due penalty for their error. And since they did not see fit to acknowledge God, God gave them up to a base mind and to improper conduct. They were filled with all manner of wickedness, evil, covetousness, malice. Full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, malignity, they are gossips, slanderers, haters of God, insolent, haughty, boastful, inventors of evil, disobedient to parents, foolish, faithless, heartless, ruthless. Though they know God's decree that those who do such things deserve to die, they not only do them but approve those who practice them." (Romans 1:18-32)



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"All who have sinned without the law will also perish without the law, and all who have sinned under the law will be judged by the law. For it is not the hearers of the law who are righteous before God, but the doers of the law who will be justified. When Gentiles who have not the law do by nature what the law requires, they are a law to themselves, even though they do not have the law. They show that what the law requires is written on their hearts, while their conscience also bears witness and their conflicting thoughts accuse or perhaps excuse them on that day when, according to my gospel, God judges the secrets of men by Christ Jesus." (Romans 2:12-16)


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Special revelation is more full and complete in that God has recorded in detail his dealings with a number of individuals, with Israel, and with the church in the Bible. Special revelation has to do with salvation history---the incarnation of the Son of God into human history as a man, Jesus Christ's substitutionary sacrifice for sins, His elevation to Lordship over all of the universe, the promise of His return to earth, and so on.
The whole idea that the Bible is an inspired book does not mean that the writers were merely visionary or full of unusual enthusiasm about the subject matter. Scripture says of itself that it is the very Word of God written by specially chosen men consecrated for the purpose of setting down a totally self-consistent body of revealed truth that would withstand all possible scrutiny and prove reliable in detail for all time. The Hebrew Kabbalists love to study even the numerical and mathematical models of the Tanach (the Old Testament) because a numerical value can be assigned to every letter of the Hebrew alphabet, and this allows one to do wondrous things with the text itself that are mathematical, and geometrical. It does appear to be true that the Bible is full of numerical, geometrical, mathematical and symbolic truth in addition to the clear meaning of the text.

[See Miscellaneous Information about the Bible, for quotes taken from the Bible itself claiming inspiration, realiability and internal consistency of the Scriptures. Also, promises concerning the Messiah and the use of numbers, symbols and types in the Bible.]

Whenever the Bible mentions matters of science, it is always consistent with the universe as we know it today from modern science. For example, the fact that the earth is a sphere suspended in space is mentioned in the oldest book of the Hebrew Bible, the Book of Job. But as many have noted, the Bible is not preoccupied with science. However as the narrative unfolds, we are given a great deal of peripheral evidence that is scientifically valid if we will but take the time and trouble to search it out. God is a God who is involved in history and therefore Biblical revelation can be confirmed by historical and archaeological records, and scientific discoveries must be found consistent in the long run with the Bible properly understood.

The Old Testament is often poetic in its imagery, but that does not mean that profound scientific truth is not tucked away there. In many ways the Bible is an Oriental book so this may be the reason we yearn for more knowledge from the Eastern side of things showing up on every side in the West today. Our insistence that all truth be rational, analytic, dissectible and ordered, and verifiable in the laboratory misses the Biblical view to a large degree. Nor does the Bible teach on a given subject all in one chapter or book. Instead, bits and pieces are given here and there, ("here a little, there a little...line upon line, precept upon precept"). The only way to grasp a subject clearly is to read (and re-read) the Bible from Genesis to Revelation day after day and year after year. King Solomon said in Proverbs, "It is the glory of God to conceal things, but it is the glory of kings to seek them out." (Proverbs 25:2)

However, the Bible is meant to be understood even by children, for the truth about very difficult subjects is approached by scripture in terms anyone can understand. This fact about Biblical truth, therefore, does support the scientist's wish to have a universe that can be understood in simple terms rather than complex, (i.e., Occam's Razor). The Bible describes the universe as a UNIverse, a unified whole entity; therefore, if we understand things on a small and local scale, we can likewise understand the large scale and the very small and the invisible and the remotest corners of space. We can know ourselves and we can know our Creator---because God has graciously chosen to reveal himself to the seeking heart, and to answer many of our questions about the nature of things.


"Seek the LORD while he may be found, call upon him while he is near; let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; let him return to the LORD, that he may have mercy on him, and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon. For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, says the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts. 'For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and return not thither but water the earth, making it bring forth and sprout, giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater, so shall my word be that goes forth from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and prosper in the thing for which I sent it. 'For you shall go out in joy, and be led forth in peace; the mountains and the hills before you shall break forth into singing, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands. Instead of the thorn shall come up the cypress; instead of the brier shall come up the myrtle; and it shall be to the LORD for a memorial, for an everlasting sign which shall not be cut off.'" (Isaiah 55:6-13)



Progressive Revelation and the "Mysteries"
The usual Greek word translated "revelation" is apokalupsis, which means "unveiling." A related New Testament word is "mystery" (musterion). There are approximately seven "mysteries" categorized in the New Testament. A mystery in the Bible is a body of truth that was hidden in a previous age but later explained and made known by additional revelation. The mysteries disclosed in the New Testament are deep bodies of truth---but they can presently be understood clearly if one takes the time to examine them. To cite one example, the relationship between man and wife in marriage is likened to the relationship between Christ the Bridegroom and His Bride the true church; this is said to be "a great mystery". Mysteries in the Bible are complex bodies of truth capable of being understood, though multifaceted and even full of paradoxes. The concept of "mysteries" in the Bible suggests clearly that our universe is indeed so complex it cannot be fully understood by any one discipline or field of knowledge. The biblical notion of "revelation" assumes that man is largely in the dark about himself and his universe (as a result of the fall) and needs much outside help and enlightenment.

The coming into existence of the church was not revealed in the Old Testament, but is new revelation given to the Apostles,


"For this reason I, Paul, a prisoner for Christ Jesus on behalf of you Gentiles---assuming that you have heard of the stewardship of God's grace that was given to me for you, how the mystery was made known to me by revelation, as I have written briefly. When you read this you can perceive my insight into the mystery of Christ, which was not made known to the sons of men in other generations as it has now been revealed to his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit; that is, how the Gentiles are fellow heirs, members of the same body, and partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel." (Ephesians 3:1-6)
Another mystery of truth revealed in the New Testament which is not referenced in the Old, is the divine indwelling of Christ in the believer in our present age,


"...I became a minister according to the divine office which was given to me for you, to make the word of God fully known, the mystery hidden for ages and generations but now made manifest to his saints. To them God chose to make known how great among the Gentiles are the riches of the glory of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. Him we proclaim, warning every man and teaching every man in all wisdom, that we may present every man mature in Christ." (Colossians 1:25-28)
A third example of new information in the New Testament concerns the "mystery of lawlessness" which will find its final expression in a world-ruler of incarnate evil,


"For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work; only he who now restrains it will do so until he is out of the way. And then the lawless one will be revealed, and the Lord Jesus will slay him with the breath of his mouth and destroy him by his appearing and his coming. The coming of the lawless one by the activity of Satan will be with all power and with pretended signs and wonders, and with all wicked deception for those who are to perish, because they refused to love the truth and so be saved. Therefore God sends upon them a strong delusion, to make them believe what is false, so that all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness." (2 Thessalonians 2:7-12)



The Anthropic Principle
Central to Biblical revelation is the notion that man, made in the image and likeness of God, was placed into the center of creation to understand it and to rule it. For example, when Adam was given the task of naming the animals God brought before him, it was to be a training session to help Adam understand what God had made, so that he, Adam, could govern wisely as the representative and steward of God over creation.

Biblical revelation tells us that societies prosper and increase in knowledge and understanding because of the grace of God---not because of human merit or effort. Likewise, so-called primitive societies are examples of groups of people who have ignored God's grace and thus fallen into degradation and ignorance. The Bible also teaches that "progress" as understood by modern man is largely an illusion! Sometimes God blesses a nation to honor previous generations of godly men and women. Sometimes He raises up a great nation such as Ancient Egypt as an object lesson, or to demonstrate His displeasure at the behavior of His chosen people. The fall of man was downward into total depravity; civilization is the thin veneer that hides the savage beast. "Science" is not building a better world for our children, but God continues to bestow many good gifts on those who believe in Him and much "common grace" upon those who do not. These are but a few examples of truth given to mankind by means of revelation.




The Foolishness and Weakness Of God
Because the universe is so complex (as seen by the Bible), it is often necessary to consider "both/and" rather than "either/or." Thus, it should be no surprise that truth is found on both sides of a marriage dispute, in a case before a court of law, or in a creation/evolution argument. In the familiar picture of the elephant as described by four blind men, one man described the elephant as being like a rope; the second, like the trunk of a tree; the third, like a wall, and the man who encountered an ear, thought an elephant was like a big tree leaf. All four men were partially correct, but that the elephant was much more than even the sum total of the four pieces of evidence presented by these blind "scientists."

Not only is our data base incomplete, but the actual world we live in is full of active evil, of erroneous reasonings, of grand deceptions. And the best of us, as persons, is highly flawed.


"Science is the only self-correcting human institution, but it is also a process that progresses only by showing itself to be wrong."---Astronomer Allan Sandage.
The Apostle Paul writes of human ignorance and the ease with which most of mankind is deceived in every generation-beginning with our leaders: scientists, political leaders, and barons of industry:


"Where is the wise man? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? For since, in the wisdom of God, the world did not know God through wisdom, it pleased God through the folly of what we preach to save those who believe. For Jews demands signs and Greeks seek wisdom, but we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and folly to Gentiles, but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. For the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men...And I was with you in weakness and in much fear and trembling, and my speech and my message were not in plausible words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and power, that your faith might not rest in the wisdom of men but in the power of God.
"Yet among the mature we do impart wisdom, although it is not a wisdom of this age or of the rulers (leaders) of this age, who are doomed to pass away. But we impart a secret and hidden wisdom of God, which God decreed before the ages for our glorification. None of the rulers of this age understood this; for if they had they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. But as it is written, 'What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man conceived, what God has prepared for those who love him,' God has revealed to us through the Spirit. For the Spirit searches everything, even the depths of God. For what person knows a man's thoughts except the spirit of the man which is in him? So also no one comprehends the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. Now we have received not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit which is from God, that we might understand the gifts bestowed on us by God. And we impart this in words not taught by human wisdom but taught by the Spirit, interpreting spiritual truths to those who possess the Spirit. The natural man (man in his natural condition before spiritual rebirth) does not receive the gifts of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them for they are spiritually discerned." (1 Corinthians 1:20-25; 2:3-14)

This remarkable passage of God's Word helps us to understand man's arrogance and self-deception---especially in areas concerned with knowledge, power, and influence. It is not, however, knowledge alone that gets us in trouble, it's the application thereof. It is wisdom we lack, and the experienced insight we need to run our lives, and to understand things properly, can only come to us from God---and then only when we are willing to be enlightened and instructed by Him. Science itself is morally neutral, and one can readily say from the Bible that God is not opposed to science or the increase of knowledge. Quite the opposite. He is the very God of all knowledge and understanding!

Our estrangement from God and continuing rebellion against His guidance in our affairs inevitably means things will go towards the worst possible outcomes-nuclear warfare and ecological disasters can be included in the list. In fact, rejection of revealed truth, common in our land today, causes God to give us over to what is called in the Bible the lie. This is a deep belief in one's own self-sufficiency, in the truth of prevailing science and philosophy (even when they are out of tune with Scripture), and the notion that man is his own god and master of his own destiny. Hearing truth and rejecting it leaves us worse off than remaining ignorant of truth, though neither state of affairs excuses man from accountability to his Creator.

A personal relationship with Jesus as Lord is what all of us needs above all else in life. That step of faith and commitment to God brings us into a relationship with Him so that we can perceive reality---the way things really are, in our hearts and minds and lives. Thereafter we can begin to participate in what God is now doing in the universe, which is to build a new creation and a new race while the old creation fades away and comes to an end.

What Jesus said about truth is that He Himself is the truth---truth is a Person not an abstract collection of mere knowledge.


""I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father, but by me. If you had known me, you would have known my Father also; henceforth you know him and have seen him." (John 14:6)
The Apostle Paul adds, "In Christ are hidden all of the treasures of wisdom and knowledge." (Colossians 2:3) Were it not for scripture, men would think all truth was relative; and we would be unaware of error, false teaching, and the widespread, deceptive nature of false philosophies everywhere on our planet. We all tend to fall into the trap of believing that truth is contained only in doctrinal, philosophical, or scientific statements about the nature of reality. That absolute truth is contained in a Person assigns a fundamentally different meaning to the Greek word logos than was found in Greek philosophy prior to the writing of the New Testament. Logos is one of the titles assigned to Jesus as the Creator in the well-known preamble to John's gospel:

"In the beginning was the Word (logos) and the Word was with God and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God; all things were made through him and without him was not anything made that was made. In him was life, and the life was the light of men." (John 1:1-4)
A key passage regarding God's self-disclosure is that Jesus Christ is God's final word to mankind. This is made clear by the opening four verses of the New Testament epistle to the Hebrews.

"In many and various ways God spoke of old to our fathers by the prophets; but in these last days he has spoken to us by a Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world. He reflects the glory of God and bears the very stamp of his nature, upholding the universe by his word of power. When he had made purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, having become as much superior to angels as the name he has obtained is more excellent than theirs."



Truth From Revelation not Accessible to Science
The Bible tells us we are surrounded by myriads of angelic beings, a statement that no reputable scientist has put forth nor attempted to prove (or disprove) scientifically. Furthermore we learn from the Bible that the angels are given the responsibility by God for governing the forces of nature and for guiding the course of nations! Were it not for scripture, we would think of the spiritual realm as ghostlike or "imaginary" rather than permanent, substantial, and enduring. Scripture tells us that man is not just a physical being, but also a spiritual being, and that man is, above all else, a spirit. Though human evil is everywhere evident to anyone who is honest about himself and the world, this fact is constantly denied in the halls of science, in schools, and in political campaigns---denied almost everywhere by men, but not by the Bible.

The Bible confirms that the universe is an orderly, composite structure but goes further by making clear our Creator's goals and purposes in both creation and redemption. Scripture tells us clearly where history is heading and how things will end. Secular science and secular history see none of this accurately. Rather than man's being incidental to creation, the Bible places him squarely in the center as the highest of created beings, intended by God to exercise dominion over the earth, and later over the new creation God is now building. It is the Bible that explains us to ourselves and provides the remedy for human evil so that healing and restoration can begin within us. Where else but in Holy Writ can we learn about the causes of war, the reasons for upset ecologies, the purposes of government, and the "Four Last Things" (Death, Judgment, Heaven and Hell) that no man can avoid discovering in experience in the end?

Finally, Christians hold that truth, properly perceived as revelation from God, is absolute truth and can be depended upon fully to guide a person in this life and in the next. Scientific truth may or may not hold up under the tests of time and comparison with absolute truth. Unless it does, scientific truth has limited value and limited scope.

See The Limitations of Science.




Christ the Wisdom of God; Christ God's Final Word to Man
It is interesting that Jesus Christ in addition to being called "the truth" is also said to be the "Wisdom of God" in the New Testament. Wisdom in the Old Testament book of Proverbs is personified by a woman. When one speaks of wholeness for "mankind" as an ideal or a goal. The creation of man in the image and likeness of God was the creation not of Adam, the man, but of Adam/Eve together. The Biblical revelation that both God and His creation can only be understood by combining a masculine and a feminine point of view, of course, is an idea foreign to most fields of western science. Imbalance in science is a result of leaving out such alternate (and complementary) ways of looking at reality. Of all the many problems the evolutionist faces, one of the greatest is how to explain the existence of sexuality in creation at all. It is only when we turn to the Bible that we gain light on this subject.

The often quoted saying, "now we see through a glass dimly, but then face to face," comes from the great chapter on love found in 1 Corinthians 13 and is a reminder that of all that God has told us about Himself, He assures us that love is of central importance. We are loved by our Creator and He has paid the highest possible price by giving His Son, our Lord Jesus to make it possible for us to inhabit His universe forever. Science does not tell us this, but revelation does. To make science a religion in place of the reverence, worship, and devotion to a God of Love, who is at the same time Truth itself, is to be deceived and enslaved by a terrible idolatry indeed.

In some ways modern science may be compared to ancient gnosticism. The Gnostics specialized in gnosis or knowledge, but the Apostle Paul in Colossians speaks of epignosis, or full knowledge. This is what Jesus Christ brings to all who seek Him and place their trust in Him. This is how we enter into the full dimensional understanding He intends for us. As scripture says,


"The God who made the world and everything in it, being Lord of heaven and earth, does not live in shrines made by man, nor is he served by human hands, as though he needed anything, since he himself gives to all men life and breath and everything. And he made from one (man, i.e., Adam) every nation of men to live on all the face of the earth, having determined allotted periods and the boundaries of their habitation, that they should seek God, in the hope that they might feel after him and find him. Yet he is not far from each one of us, for `In him we live and move and have our being'; as even some of your poets have said, `For we are indeed his offspring.' Being then God's offspring, we ought not to think that the Deity is like gold, or silver, or stone, a representation by the art and imagination of man. The times of ignorance God overlooked, but now he commands all men everywhere to repent, because he has fixed a day on which he will judge the world in righteousness by a man whom he has appointed, and of this he has given assurance to all men by raising him from the dead." (Acts 17:24-31)
That Christ is God's final and most complete word to the human race is the opening theme of the Epistle to the Hebrews in the New Testament. Hebrews opens with these words,


In many and various ways God spoke of old to our fathers by the prophets; but in these last days he has spoken to us by a Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world. He reflects the glory of God and bears the very stamp of his nature, upholding the universe by his word of power. When he had made purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, having become as much superior to angels as the name he has obtained is more excellent than theirs. (Hebrews 1:1-4)



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Grace vs. The Law -- Unknown, 04:51:50 07/30/06 Sun


Acts 17:25 (NIV) "And he [God] is not served by human hands, as if he needed anything, because he himself gives all men life and breath and everything else."

Approaching God

Grace is getting what we don't deserve, or more formally "unmerited favor".
1 Pet 1:2c,9-10 (NIV) Grace and peace be yours in abundance... For you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls. Concerning this salvation, the prophets, who spoke of the grace that was to come to you, searched intently and with the greatest care.


God has revealed His salvation for mankind through Jesus Christ, who gave Himself to die in our place so that we might be at peace with God. It is by grace we are put right with God, such cannot be earned or "merited" in any way. Peace with God is a gift from Him, not something we can ever achieve in our own resources. We must, then, forever approach God by way of the loving sacrifice of Jesus Christ, and not with the idea that we can present our own fruit as Cain attempted.
Gen 4:4-5 (NRS) In the course of time Cain brought to the Lord an offering of the fruit of the ground, and Abel for his part brought of the firstlings of his flock... And the Lord had regard for Abel and his offering, but for Cain and his offering he had no regard. So Cain was very angry...

Gen 4:6-7 (NIV) Then the Lord said to Cain, "Why are you angry? Why is your face downcast? If you do what is right, will you not be accepted? But if you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at your door; it desires to have you, but you must master it."


Abel brought a blood sacrifice, foreshadowing "the grace that was to come". God accepted Abel's sacrifice, but not Cain's. Cain might have learned from this, as he had clearly seen the right approach from his brother's example. But rather than accept this, he grew surly and eventually killed Abel. Consider that Cain was trying to please God--was he not?--even though he came before the Lord in error. From this mistake in approach, when Cain refused to receive corrective instruction he indeed found "sin crouching at his door" of an unimaginable sort, just as he had been warned. For if we are not of the grace of God, then we are on our own and sin "desires to have us" in ways that will lead to various sorts of death. This is the ultimate drama of history, and the choice before us all. It is grace or the law; God's promise or our efforts; life or death.

Grace Versus The Law
Gal 4:23-29 (NIV) For it is written that Abraham had two sons, one by the slave woman and the other by the free woman. His son by the slave woman was born in the ordinary way; but his son by the free woman was born as the result of a promise. These things may be taken figuratively, for the women represent two covenants... At that time the son born in the ordinary way persecuted the son born by the power of the Spirit. It is the same now.


This focus on error of approach--of thinking we can earn God's approval by what we do--might seem like a fine distinction, but Scripture could not be more clear or strident. We cannot earn salvation, no one will have bragging rights in heaven, nor will God accept any "works" or "fruit" that come from self-generated do-good intentions. Human religious energy is NOT something God has any interest in. In fact, since He has made provisions for us to access His very life and power, to choose to live in our own human resources is to reject His grace. His life, received by grace, will result in good works--to be sure. But how we approach God is critically important. Are we hoping in the grace and power of Christ Jesus, or are we hoping to impress God or earn His favor on our own merits? The difference is as wide as heaven and hell.
Gal 5:4 (NRS) You who want to be justified by the law have cut yourselves off from Christ; you have fallen away from grace.

Gal 3:10-11 (NIV) All who rely on observing the law are under a curse, for it is written: "Cursed is everyone who does not continue to do everything written in the Book of the Law." Clearly no-one is justified before God by the law, because, "The righteous will live by faith."

Eph 2:8-9 (Phi) For it is by grace that you are saved, through faith. This does not depend on anything you have achieved, it is the free gift of God; and because it is not earned no man can boast about it.


Under The Law?
Rom 3:21-28 (Phi) But now we are seeing the righteousness of God declared quite apart from the Law (though amply testified to by both Law and Prophets)--it is a right relationship given to, and operating in, all who have faith in Jesus Christ. For there is no distinction to be made anywhere: everyone has sinned, everyone falls short of the glory of God's plan. A man who has faith is now freely acquitted in the eyes of God by his generous dealing in the redemptive act of Christ Jesus... What happens now to human pride of achievement? There is no more room for it... the whole matter is now on a different plane--believing instead of achieving. We see now that a man is justified before God by the fact of his faith in God's appointed Saviour and not by what he has managed to achieve under the Law.

Gal 5:18 (NAS) But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the Law.

Rom 7:4-6 (Phi) So, my brothers, the death of Christ on the cross has made you "dead" to the claims of the Law, and you are free to give yourselves in marriage, so to speak, to another, the one who was raised from the dead, that we may be productive for God. While we were "in the flesh" the Law stimulated our sinful passions and so worked in our nature that we became productive--for death! But now that we stand clear of the Law, the claims of which existed are dissolved by our "death", and we are free to serve God not in the old obedience to the letter of the Law, but in a new way, in the Spirit.


The Symbiosis of The Law And Sin
1 Cor 15:56 (Wey) Now sin is the sting of death, and sin derives its power from the Law.


The law puts forth what God wants done--it is the definition of "good works". But the law cannot produce these good works in us; it's just the standard. In fact, the law's very presence tends to make sin more appealing, and this is a very serious problem indeed. For if we choose to be "under the law", then we will find "sin crouching at our door", just like Cain did. The law is not at fault; it is our sin nature that is the problem.
Rom 7:7-13 (Phi) It now begins to look as if sin and the Law were the same thing--can this be a fact? Of course it cannot. But it must be admitted that I should never have had sin brought home to me but for the Law. For example, I should never have felt guilty of the sin of coveting if I had not heard the Law saying "Thou shalt not covet". But the sin in me, finding in the commandment an opportunity to express itself, stimulated all my desires. For sin, in the absence of the Law, has no life of its own... But when the commandment arrived, sin sprang to life and I "died". The commandment, which was meant to be a direction to life, I found was a sentence to death. The commandment gave sin its opportunity, and without my realizing what it was doing, it "killed" me. It can scarcely be doubted that the Law itself is holy, and the commandment is holy, fair and good. Can it be that something that is intrinsically good could mean death for me? No, what happened is this. Sin, at the touch of the Law, was forced to show itself as sin, and that meant death for me. The contact of the Law showed the utterly sinful nature of sin.



God was not kidding about the law; it is just that by focusing on it we get nowhere. Only by grace and by the power of the Holy Spirit can we do what God requires. And we get grace NOT by looking to the law, but by believing through faith in Christ.

The Law Cannot Save Us
Rom 3:20 (NIV) Therefore no-one will be declared righteous in his sight by observing the law; rather, through the law we become conscious of sin.

Rom 3:28 (Wey) For we maintain that it is as the result of faith that a man is held to be righteous, apart from actions done in obedience to law.

Gal 2:16 (Wey) ...It is not through obedience to Law that a man can be declared free from guilt, but only through faith in Jesus Christ. We have therefore believed in Christ Jesus, for the purpose of being declared free from guilt, through faith in Christ and not through obedience to Law. For through obedience to Law no human being shall be declared free from guilt.


Why, Then, Was The Law Given?
Rom 3:20b (Phi) ...it is the straight-edge of the Law that shows us how crooked we are.

1 Tim 1:8 (Wey) Now we know that the Law is good, if a man uses it in the way it should be used.

1 Tim 1:8 (NIV) We know that the law is good if one uses it properly.


The principle purpose of the law is to condemn us. It is to show us plainly that we CANNOT do good works in our own resources, so that we might give up our lives and gain true life in Christ. The law, therefore, has a valid and useful role which is called the "ministry of condemnation" in Scripture. It leads us to the condemnation of the cross, and the Spirit--by grace--resurrects us to new life in Christ.
2 Cor 3:9 (NAS) For if the ministry of condemnation has glory, much more does the ministry of righteousness abound in glory.

John 1:17 (NAS) For the Law was given through Moses; grace and truth were realized through Jesus Christ.

Rom 5:20-21 (Phi) Now we find that the Law keeps slipping into the picture to point the vast extent of sin. Yet, though sin is shown to be wide and deep, thank God his grace is wider and deeper still! The whole outlook changes--sin used to be the master of men and in the end handed them over to death; now grace is the ruling factor, with its purpose making men right with God and its end the bringing of them to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.


The New Covenant: Death To Self Vs. Self Righteousness

Conceptually, in Scripture, law and grace are pitted against each other as irreconcilable approaches to being put right (justified) with God. The law seeks to restrain, in the main, the passions of the carnal nature. "Don't do this and that", etc. The gospel of grace seeks to put to death all that is carnal in us, so that a new and eternal life can be born in us. What the law could never do, the Holy Spirit by resurrection grace can.
Gal 2:21 (NAS) I do not nullify the grace of God; for if righteousness [comes] through the law, then Christ died needlessly.

Rom 7:5-6 (NIV) For when we were controlled by the sinful nature, the sinful passions aroused by the law were at work in our bodies, so that we bore fruit for death. But now, by dying to what once bound us, we have been released from the law so that we serve in the new way of the Spirit, and not in the old way of the written code.


The New Way of The Spirit
Titus 3:4-7 (NAS) But when the kindness of God our Savior and [His] love for mankind appeared, He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out upon us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, that being justified by His grace we might be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.

Rom 8:2 (NIV) Through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death.

Rom 8:3-4 (Phi) The Law never succeeded in producing righteousness--the failure was always the weakness of human nature. But God... condemned that sinful nature. Therefore we are able to meet the Law's requirements, for we are living no longer by the dictates of our sinful nature, but in obedience to the promptings of the Spirit.

Rom 8:9-14 (NIV) You... are controlled not by the sinful nature but by the Spirit, if the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Christ. But if Christ is in you, your body is dead because of sin, yet your spirit is alive because of [His] righteousness. And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit, who lives in you. Therefore, brothers, we have an obligation--but it is not to the sinful nature, to live according to it. For if you live according to the sinful nature, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live, because those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God.

2 Cor 3:6 (Wey) It is He also who has made us competent to serve Him in... a new Covenant, which is not a written code but a Spirit; for the written code inflicts death, but the Spirit gives Life.

John 6:63 (NIV) "The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing."

Heb 13:20-21 (NIV) May the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, equip you with everything good for doing his will, and may he work in us what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.


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Doctrine of the Intermediate State -- Ronald Hanko, 02:48:03 07/28/06 Fri

In theology the doctrine of the intermediate state describes the state of the soul between death and the resurrection and answers the question, "What happens to me then?" What Scripture teaches is, therefore, of vital interest to believers - that after death the believer enters heavenly glory and is conscious of that glory and of his being with Christ. So, too, the unbelieving and unrepentant enter, even before the resurrection of the body, into conscious suffering for their sin in hell.

There are many who deny this. Some teach soul-sleep, that the souls of those who are in heaven or hell are sleeping and not aware of what is happening to them. Similarly, Stephen Perks, a so-called "Christian Reconstructionist," and others with him, teach that the soul passes out of existence at death, to be re-created, we suppose, at the time of the resurrection of the body. This kind of teaching, as Calvin pointed out long ago, is perverse, and "not to be borne" by God's people. It destroys their hope in Christ, renews the terrors of death, and leaves them comfortless in the face of the last of all enemies.

Our hope of glory with Christ is based on Jesus' words to the dying thief, "Today thou shalt be with me in Paradise." Does anyone really believe that Jesus meant, "You will be there but will not know it?" or, "Your Paradise will be that you pass out of existence until many thousands of years have passed and the end finally comes?"

Concerning Phil. 1:23, another passage, Calvin says, "Do they think he wishes to fall asleep so as no longer to feel any desire of Christ? Was this all he was longing for when he said he knew he had a building of God, an house not made with hands, as soon as the earthly house of his tabernacle should be dissolved? (II Cor. 5:1). Where were the benefits of being with Christ were he to cease to live the life of Christ? What! Are they not overawed by the words of the Lord when, calling himself the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, he says, he is 'not the God of the dead but of the living?' (Matt. 22:32). Is He, then, neither to be to them a God, nor are they to be to him a people? (Mk. 12:27)."

But what about those passages that describe the death of believers as sleep (Matt. 27:52; Acts 13:36; I Cor. 11:30; 15:20, 51; Eph. 5:14; I Thess. 4:14)? In light of the passages already mentioned, they cannot mean that there is such a thing as soul sleep. They must refer to the death and dissolution of the body and to the fact that the death of believers, for whom death is conquered, is no more difficult than a "falling on sleep." Nor is it strange that the death of believers should be described as sleep, for it is through death they rest from their labors (Rev. 14:13; Is. 57:1).

Indeed, Scripture suggests that the interval between death and the resurrection, God makes some special provision, that the soul without the body may have the glory He has promised. "If our earthly house of this tabernacle be dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens (II Cor. 5:1). For this reason to be absent from the body is to be present (lit.: "at home") with the Lord (vs. 8), and we are willing to be absent from the body. Rev. Ronald Hanko


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Making Our Calling and Election Sure

Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall" (II Peter 2:10).

One of our readers asked how it is possible to make our calling and election sure. This is a good question, and worthy of our consideration.

It is a good question, first of all, because it has had some erroneous interpretations, which have resulted in a denial of certain cardinal doctrines of the Reformed faith.

One of these interpretations is that election must be conditional, because the verse implies that we can lose our election. God elects us, but we must make it sure by what we do. The decisiveness of our election rests upon our faith in Christ and our perseverance in the way of obedience. If we fail to do our part, we will lose our election and be consigned to the eternal judgment of hell.

This is bad exegesis of this verse, even from the point of view of the other parts of Scripture which speak of the certainty of our election. When a man has been chosen by God from all eternity as one of God's elect, there is nothing at all which the man needs to do to guarantee or seal that election. There is, therefore, no power on earth, in heaven, or in hell, which can possibly rob him of his election. Nor can anything he does be the cause of the loss of his election.

The verse does not say anything like that, and it is gross error to teach it. Indeed, a doctrine such as this really robs the believer of his comfort. If my election depended in any way on me, I would lose it every moment of my life, for I constantly sin in everything I do, and those sins are so great in God's sight that they would necessarily be a forfeit on my election.

Rather, the text means to say that we must diligently strive to live in the assurance of our calling and election. We make our calling and our election sure when we are assured of both.

Let us make this clear.

In God's work of salvation, election always precedes calling: the order is election, then calling. "For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate…. And whom he did predestinate, them he also called…(Rom. 8:29-30).

The reference in the text is to the efficacious call of the gospel which sovereignly and irresistibly calls out of the darkness of sin into the light of God's grace. Only the elect are called, and election precedes the call.

Here, in the text the order is reversed. We must not make our election and calling sure; but we must make our calling and election sure.

Why this reversal of the order?

The answer is that we can make our election sure only when first we make our calling sure. The calling is first.

The calling is first because when God sovereignly calls us through the preaching of the gospel, He works faith in our hearts so that we lay hold on Christ set forth in the gospel. And when we lay hold on Him, we know also that we are called, for Christ's sheep hear His voice, and they follow Him (John 10:2,3). After all, as the text expresses it, Christ calls His sheep "name by name" (vs. 3 - where the idea is that He calls His own name by name, i.e., each one by his name). If He calls our name, we are sure of our calling, for we hear Him call us.

Election follows upon calling in the assurance of the child of God. The child of God hears the voice of the good Shepherd, follows Him, and knows that he is called. But, once knowing that he is called by the good Shepherd, he comes to know that Christ calls His own ("He called his own sheep by name…, John 10:3). And so we come to be assured of our election, i.e., that we are elect in Christ and belong to Him. Election is the deepest reason for our call.

How do we make our calling and election sure?

The answer lies in the context of vss. 5-7: "Add to our faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; and to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; and to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness charity."

In short, we are to make our calling and election sure by laying hold on Christ through faith and finding in Him our full and complete salvation, and to trust in Him as our Savior.

And, as Peter makes so graphically clear, we are to walk in sanctification. Part of our calling is to walk in obedience to our Lord and Savior. Then we make our calling sure. And, making our calling sure, we make our election sure.

Let us then be very clear on this. If we walk in sin, we have no assurance of our calling and election. How could we? If we disobey God, trust in ourselves, walk as the world walks, deny our calling, we can have no assurance of that calling. And having no assurance of that calling, we have no assurance of our election.

But when we forsake sin, flee to the cross for forgiveness and strength to walk as God's people, strive to live in obedience to Christ our King, then we know and are assured of our calling; and then the blessed and joyful conviction that our names are written in the Book of Life is ours. Prof. Herman Hanko


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When Will the Promises Be Fulfilled?

One of our readers has asked: "Jesus is to be the seed of Abraham, God promises to give the throne of David to Jesus, and promises, 'all the land you see, north, south, east, and west, will I give you.' At what point will these promises be fulfilled?" This question raises the difficult but important matter of the interpretation of prophecy, both OT and NT.

The tendency in interpreting prophecy is always, it seems, to interpret it as fulfilled in the past, or as yet to be fulfilled in the future. Some would tend to interpret it almost exclusively in one of these two ways. Others would, without much rhyme or reason, mix the two, interpreting some prophecies as past, some future and some present.

All these approaches to prophecy seem to us to be inadequate. Our chief objection is, that if a prophecy or prophecies are interpreted with reference to only one single time frame, past, present or future, they are (even though they are part of the Word of God) made unprofitable to those of God's people who live at other times in history, since they have no fulfillment and little relevance in those of other ages (cf. II Tim. 3:16).

For example, if Matt. 24:1-35 was, as some suggest, fulfilled completely at the destruction of Jerusalem, then it is difficult to see that it has any meaning or relevance for us today. Likewise, if Rev. 4-22 is exclusively concerned with the future (after a supposed secret rapture of the church), the same objection holds.

We believe, therefore, that most, if not all prophecy has an on-going fulfillment. Usually there was a fulfillment around the time the prophecy was given (in the OT, a typical and earthly fulfillment), another partial or incomplete fulfillment throughout history, and a final and complete fulfillment in the events of the last days and the glories of the heavenly kingdom of Christ.

It must be so, it seems to us, if all Scripture, including all prophecies, are profitable for us today and will continue to be profitable for succeeding generations. They cannot be just matters of curiosity that have no relevance to the world in which God has put us, to the history of our own times, and to our lives in the world and in history.

We believe, then, that Matt. 24:1-35, though it had an immediate fulfillment in the destruction of Jerusalem (cf. vs. 34), nevertheless was not completely fulfilled in those days and will not be completely fulfilled until the man of sin himself is revealed and Christ comes again to end history. There are verses that seem to refer primarily to the destruction of Jerusalem (vss. 15-19). There are also verses which seem as we read them to refer to events connected with the end of the world (vss. 14, 29-31). The chapter refers to both - to the destruction of Jerusalem as a foreshadowing of all that transpires until the end.

So too, we believe that the book of Revelation gives us not just a view of the end times, but of all of history and of the principles that govern and control all of history as God accomplishes his purpose, and good pleasure in history. It shows us that the great conflict between the church and world, between Christ and the dragon, that is the central motif in history and the reason for all things.

All this has to do with the very nature of prophecy. Prophecy is not the mere prediction of the future (only about 5% of prophecy explicitly concerns the future), but is the light of revelation shed upon all of history, past, present and future, a light which shows that there is nothing new under the sun except for God's sovereign grace.


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The Work of an Evangelist -- Evangelist the World, 05:28:00 07/27/06 Thu

"Then I saw another angel flying in midheaven, with an eternal gospel to proclaim to those who dwell on earth to every nation and tribe and tongue and people; and he said with a loud voice, 'Fear God and give him glory, for the hour of his judgment has come; and worship him who made heaven and earth, the sea and the fountains of water'" (Revelation 14:6,7).

This angelic message, "the glorious gospel of the blessed God" has been entrusted to man (1 Timothy 1:11). "We have this treasure in earthen vessels" (2 Corinthians 4:7). Before his ascension Christ told his followers: "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, to the close of the age" (Matthew 28:18-20). "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to the whole creation. He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned" (Mark 16:15,16).

After conquering death and ascending to the Father, Christ provided for the preaching of the gospel and the edification of the church: "When he ascended on high he led a host of captives, and he gave gifts to men. ... And his gifts were that some should be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some pastors and teachers, for the equipment of the saints, for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ" (Ephesians 4:8,11-13).

Christ who is himself the Cornerstone gave apostles and prophets as a foundation for the church (Ephesians 2:20). For the equipment of the saints, for the work of ministry and for building up the body he also gave evangelists, pastors and teachers.

In this lesson we are discussing the work of these evangelists whom Christ has given to His church. After defining their function and briefly discussing the message with which they have been entrusted, we will examine their responsiblity to the world and to the church.

What is an evangelist?

The word 'evangelist' is found three times in the N.T. It is an anglicized form of a Greek word which has the same root as the word translated 'gospel' or 'good news.' Thus, an evangelist is 'one who tells good news' or 'a proclaimer of the gospel.'

The verb form of the same word is used 53 times in the N.T. and is usually translated as the equivalent of the separate Greek phrase 'preach the gospel' which is found 11 times. A comparison of the two lists shows that Luke and Paul preferred the word 'evangelize' whereas Matthew and Mark gave preference to the phrase 'preach the gospel.'

A careful examination of these passages reveals that an evangelist and a preacher of the Gospel, Biblically speaking, is exactly the same thing.

Whereas the word 'evangelize' emphasizes the joyous nature of the message, the word 'preach' refers to the public nature of the proclamation. An evangelist is one who publicly proclaims the gospel.

In most passages containing 'preach' or 'evangelize' the message is directed to those who are not yet followers of Christ. Although an evangelist has important responsibilities to the church, his most distinctive work is to preach the gospel to non-Christians.

Evangelists are fishers of men (Matthew 4:19; Luke 5:10). As the slave-girl at Philippi said about Paul and his fellow-workers: "These men are servants of the Most High God, who proclaim to you the way of salvation" (Acts 16:17). Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. "But how are men to call upon him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without a preacher?" (Romans 10:14).

An evangelist is a soldier of Christ

Paul admonished Timothy: "Take your share of suffering as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. No soldier on service gets entangled in civilian pursuits, since his aim is to satisfy the one who enlisted him" (2 Timothy 2:3,4). A soldier expects to endure hardship. About his own service Paul said: "We put no obstacle in any one's way, so that no fault may be found with our ministry, but as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: through great endurance, in afflictions, hardships, calamities, beatings, imprisonments, tumults, labours, watching, hunger" (2 Corinthians 6:3-5). [See also 2 Corinthians 11:23-28.] Paul's words were backed by his own example when he wrote to Timothy: "Do not be ashamed then of testifying to our Lord ... but take your share of suffering for the gospel in the power of God" (2 Timothy 1:8).

As a soldier in the service of the King, an evangelist has a right to be supported. "It is the hard-working farmer who ought to have the first share of the crops" (2 Timothy 2:6). Some people think support makes one an evangelist. Biblically speaking, however, it is the other way around. If a man is an evangelist, he ought to be supported. Being an evangelist does not depend on support. Paul was an evangelist even while earning his own living making tents.

Some Christians support evangelists as though they were giving alms to the poor. This is wrong. Brethren are OBLIGATED to support a man who is doing the work of an evangelist. If they refuse they are falling down in their responsibility. As Paul said: "Do we not have the right to our food and drink? ... Or is it only Barnabas and I who have no right to refrain from working for a living? Who serves as a soldier at his own expense? Who plants a vineyard without eating any of its fruit? Who tends a flock without getting some of the milk?" (1 Corinthians 9:4,6,7). Although Paul chose not to use this right in certain circumstances, he defends it: "Do I say this on human authority? Does not the law say the same? For it is written in the law of Moses, 'You shall not muzzle an ox when it is treading out the grain.' Is it for oxen that God is concerned? Does he not speak entirely for our sake? It was written for our sake, because the ploughman should plough in hope and the thresher thresh in hope of a share in the crop. If we have sown spiritual good among you, is it too much if we reap your material benefits? ... Do you not know that those who are employed in the temple-service get their food from the temple, and those who serve at the altar share in the sacrificial offerings? In the same way, the Lord commanded that those who proclaim the gospel should get their living by the gospel" (1 Corinthians 9:8-11,13,14).

John gives a similar admonition: "Beloved, it is a loyal thing you do when you render any service to the brethren, especially to strangers, who have testified to your love before the church. You will do well to send them on their journey as befits God's service. For they have set out for his sake and have accepted nothing from the heathen. So we ought to support such men, that we may be fellow workers in the truth" (3 John 5-8).

An evangelist is a man whose foremost goal is to preach the gospel of Christ. He preaches the Word "in season and out of season" (2 Timothy 4:2). As we read of the apostles: "Every day in the temple and at home they did not cease teaching and preaching Jesus as the Christ" (Acts 5:42). Of Paul we read: "So he argued in the synagogue with the Jews and the devout persons, and in the market place every day with those who chanced to be there" (Acts 17:17). "He ... argued daily in the hall of Tyrannus. This continued for two years, so that all the residents of Asia heard the word of the Lord, both Jews and Greeks" (Acts 19:9,10). Paul reviewed his work at Ephesus for the elders as follows: "You yourselves know how I lived among you all the time from the first day that I set foot in Asia, serving the Lord with all humility and with tears and with trials which befell me through the plots of the Jews; how I did not shrink from declaring to you anything that was profitable, and teaching you in public and from house to house, testifying both to Jews and to Greeks of repentance to God and of faith in our Lord Jesus Christ. ... Therefore I testify to you this day that I am innocent of the blood of all of you, for I did not shrink from declaring to you the whole counsel of God. ... Therefore be alert, remembering that for three years I did not cease night and day to admonish every one with tears" (Acts 20:18-21,26,27,31).

Evangelists are stewards.

"This is how one should regard us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God. Moreover it is required of stewards that they be found trustworthy" (1 Corinthians 4:1,2). Evangelists have been entrusted with God's message of reconciliation: "All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; that is, God was in Christ reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. So we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We beseech you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God" (2 Corinthians 5:18-20). "For our appeal does not spring from error or uncleanness, nor is it made with guile; but just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we speak, not to please men, but to please God who tests our hearts" (1 Thessalonians 2:3,4). Paul charges Timothy: "O Timothy, guard what has been entrusted to you" (1 Timothy 6:20). "Follow the pattern of the sound words which you have heard from me, in the faith and love which are in Christ Jesus; guard the truth that has been entrusted to you by the Holy Spirit who dwells within us" (2 Timothy 1:13,14). "And what you have heard from me before many witnesses entrust to faithful men who will be able to teach others also" (2 Timothy 2:2).

An evangelist must keep both himself and his doctrine pure: "Take heed to yourself and to your teaching; hold to that, for by so doing you will save both yourself and your hearers" (1 Timothy 4:16). "Show yourself in all respects a model of good deeds, and in your teaching show integrity, gravity, and sound speech that cannot be censured" (Titus 2:7,8).

As a man of God an evangelist must know the Scriptures and use them properly: "Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth" (2 Timothy 2:15). "All scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work" (2 Timothy 3:16,17). An evangelist must "teach what befits sound doctrine" (Titus2:1).

Men with the ability to do the work of an evangelist have a sacred trust. They must be good stewards of their gifts: "As each received a gift, employ it for one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace: whoever speaks, as one who utters oracles of God" (1 Peter 4:10,11).

Evangelists have responsibilities both to the world and to the church.

Christ commanded his followers to preach the gospel to the whole world and to teach disciples to observe all that He has commanded. Paul and his fellow evangelists obeyed both aspects of this charge: "When they had preached the gospel to that city and had made many disciples, they returned to Lystra and to Iconium and to Antioch, strengthening the souls of the disciples, exhorting them to continue in the faith" (Acts 14:21,22).

What is an evangelist's responsibility to the world?

1. Evangelists must go with the gospel.

Jesus set the example: "He went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and preaching the gospel of the kingdom" (Matthew 4:23). "He went about among the villages teaching" (Mark 6:6). "He went on through cities and villages, preaching and bringing the good news of the kingdom of God" (Luke 8:1). Once when the people wanted to prevent him from leaving He replied: "I must preach the good news of the kingdom of God to the other cities also; for I was sent for this purpose" (Luke 4:43). Jesus taught as He traveled: "He went on his way through towns and villages, teaching, and journeying toward Jerusalem" (Luke 13:22).

The twelve, when sent to the lost sheep of the house of Israel during the ministry of Christ, also went to all parts of the country. Jesus had told them: "Preach as you go" (Matthew 10:7). "And they departed and went through the villages, preaching the gospel" (Luke 9:6).

Traveling is required because all must hear the message and there is a shortage of workers. Before sending his disciples Jesus told them: "The harvest is plentiful, but the labourers are few; pray therefore the Lord of the harvest to send out labourers into his harvest" (Matthew 9:37,38; Luke 10:2).

The parochial system is foreign to the New Testament. The responsibility of an evangelist does not stop at the edge of the city where he lives. Since all men are to hear the word, evangelists must go from village to village and from city to city -- even from country to country -- preaching the word. There is no other way to get the job done.

The first century response to the great commission is stated quite simply in Mark 16:20 - "And they went forth and preached everywhere." Of Peter and John we read (after they went to Samaria): "Now when they had testified and spoken the word of the Lord, they returned to Jerusalem, preaching the gospel to many villages of the Samaritans" (Acts 8:25). After the baptism of the eunuch we read of Philip: "But Philip was found at Azotus, and passing on he preached the gospel to all the towns till he came to Caesarea" (Acts 8:40).

2. Evangelists preach to all men.

The gospel must be preached throughout the whole world as a testimony to all nations (Matthew 24:14; Mark 13:10). "Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead, and that repentance and forgiveness of sins should be preached in his name to all nations" (Luke 24:47).

New Testament evangelists preached to whole cities. Of Paul and his fellow-workers we read: "When they had preached the gospel to that city and had made many disciples, they returned to Lystra" (Acts 14:21). When Paul preached at Ephesus the whole province of Asia heard the word (Acts 19:20).

3. Evangelists call men to repentance.

An evangelist must expose the unfruitful works of darkness (Ephesians 5:11). John the Baptist reproved King Herod for having married his brother's wife and for all the evil he had done (Luke 3:19). If John had told Herod: "You can keep her if you let me baptize you" -- like certain false teachers among us today -- instead of: "It is not lawful for you to have her" he might have kept his head (Matthew 14:4).

Jesus said: "The world ... hates me because I testify of it that its works are evil" (John 7:7). He warned that our reception would be no better (Matthew 10:22-25).

Felix was terrified when Paul reasoned with him about justice, self-control and future judgment (Acts 24:25).

Because an evangelist calls men to repentance he need not expect to be popular in this world. As Paul wrote: "we speak, not to please men, but to please God" (2 Thessalonians 2:4).

4. An evangelist fulfills his ministry by preaching the word.

Often, the one who sows is not the one who reaps, but each one does his part and all rejoice together. As Jesus told his disciples: "Do you not say, 'There are yet four months, then comes the harvest?' I tell you, lift up your eyes, and see how the fields are already white for harvest. He who reaps receives wages, and gathers fruit for eternal life, so that sower and reaper may rejoice together. For here the saying holds true, 'One sows and another reaps'" (John 4:35-37).

Paul explained: "Christ did not send me to baptize but to preach the gospel" (1 Corinthians 1:17). The results are in God's hands: "I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth. So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth. He who plants and he who waters are equal, and each shall receive his wages according to his labour" (1 Corinthians 3:6-8).

An evangelist goes and preaches good news of salvation to all. He calls men to repentance and leaves the results with God. "Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labour is not in vain" (1 Corinthians 15:58).

What is an evangelist's responsibility to the church?

1. An evangelist is to edify the church.

Along with elders and teachers, evangelists have been provided to build up the body (Ephesians 4:11). They are to teach disciples to observe all that Christ has commanded (Matthew 28:20). Both publicly and privately they are to declare all that is profitable, the whole counsel of God (Acts 20:20,27). As Paul said: "Him we proclaim, warning every man and teaching every man in all wisdom, that we may present every man mature in Christ" (Colossians 1:28). To the Thessalonians he wrote: "We sent Timothy, our brother and God's servant in the gospel of Christ, to establish you in your faith and to exhort you" (1 Thessalonians 3:2). To Timothy Paul wrote: "If you put these instructions before the brethren, you will be a good minister of Christ Jesus, nourished on the words of the faith and of the good doctrine which you have followed" (1 Timothy 4:6).

This responsibility also entails travel. Paul returned to strengthen new congregations: "After spending some time there he departed and went from place to place through the region of Galatia and Phrygia, strengthening all the disciples" (Acts 18:23). [See also Acts 14:22; 15:41.] Titus was to exhort the brethren on Crete, where there were several churches (Titus 1:5,12,13,15).

Evangelists can also edify their brethren by letter. The apostles and elders at Jerusalem wrote a letter to combat false teaching in Antioch and in the provinces of Syria and Cilicia (Acts 15:23,27,30-33). Many of the New Testament books were letters sent to edify churches (1 Corinthians 4:14; Hebrews 13:22; 1 Peter 5:12). Evangelists today can also use the written word for edification.

Edification of the church includes various activities. Paul wrote to Timothy: "Till I come, attend to the public reading of scripture, to preaching, to teaching" (1 Timothy 4:13).

Public scripture reading is an important part of the work of an evangelist, yet how many evangelists today think of this as one of their responsibilities? Of course we read portions of scripture in our sermons, or at least we should. Last summer I heard a well-known preacher in our brotherhood speak for 45 minutes to several thousand people without reading or quoting a single passage of scripture. He did quote eight words from the Bible, which he misapplied. Amazingly enough, one of his points was that we should use the Bible! I am not sure what for, maybe to sit on while we watch television.

When the saints at Rome received Paul's letter do you suppose they said? "This is too long to read at one time. We'll read one paragraph each week."

Which is more important, what the Bible says about man, or what man says about the Bible? The New Testament can be read aloud in about 24 hours. If in one of our meetings each week we would read only a half an hour (five or six chapters) we would read the New Testament each year.

Paul told the Colossians: "And when this letter has been read among you, have it read also in the church of the Laodiceans; and see that you read also the letter from Laodicea" (Colossians 4:16). To the Thessalonians Paul wrote: "I adjure you by the Lord that this letter be read to all the brethren" (1 Thessalonians 5:27).

A special blessing is pronounced over the public reading of the book of Revelation: "Blessed is he who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear, and who keep what is written therein; for the time is near" (Revelation 1:3).

"Till I come, attend to the public reading of scripture, to preaching, to teaching" (1 Timothy 4:13).

The word translated here as 'preaching' actually means 'exhortation.' It can also be translated as 'encouragement.' Teaching involves the impartation of knowledge. Through 'exhortation' brethren are encouraged to put knowledge into practice.

Because we all tend to be forgetful, evangelists also must remind their brethren of things they have heard previously (2 Timothy 2:14; Titus 3:1; 2 Peter 1:12,13; 3:1).

For those whose knowledge is limited the scriptures must be explained. When Philip asked the eunuch: "Do you understand what you are reading?" he replied: "How can I, unless some one guides me?" (Acts 8:30,31). In the synagogue at Thessalonica Paul reasoned from the scriptures and explained that it was necessary for the Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead (Acts 17:2,3). This was difficult for Jews to understand. To them the cross was a stumbling-block.

An evangelist must also reprove and correct. "All scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness" (2 Timothy 3:16). At Ephesus Timothy was to charge certain men not to teach a different doctrine (1 Timothy 1:3). Paul also told him: "As for those who persist in sin, rebuke them in the presence of all, so that the rest my stand in fear" (1 Timothy 5:20). To Titus Paul wrote: "One of themselves, a prophet of their own, said, 'Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, lazy gluttens.' This testimony is true. Therefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith, instead of giving heed to Jewish myths or to commands of men who reject the truth" (Titus 1:12-14). Titus had his work cut out for him. Paul also told him: "Declare these things; exhort and reprove with all authority. Let no one disregard you" (Titus 2:15). I might mention that this is the only passage in which the word 'authority' is used in connection with the work of an evangelist. The Greek word here is not the usual word for 'authority,' however, but means literally 'command.' An evangelist speaks with command -- with authority -- only when he is 'declaring these things,' when he is proclaiming the word of God. His only 'authority' is the word of God. He has no authority of his own.

An evangelist should correct others in humility: "Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Look to yourself, lest you too be tempted" (Galatians 6:1). "The Lord's servant must not be quarrelsome but kindly to every one, an apt teacher, forbearing, correcting his opponents with gentleness. God may perhaps grant that they will repent and come to know the truth" (2 Timothy 2:24,25).

Evangelists edify the church. This includes public reading of scripture, explanation, exhortation, teaching, admonition, reminding, correction, reproof and rebuke.

2. An evangelist is to serve rather than to rule.

An evangelist is not a pastor. The word 'pastor' means 'shepherd.' Elders are to shepherd the flock (1 Peter 5:1,2). An evangelist does not have this responsibility and may not exercise this function.

The pastor system practiced in many denominations is contrary to the New Testament. Most of us can easily see the errors of the pastor system in the denominational world, so we will limit our comments to matters closer to home. People sometimes develop a blind spot which allows them to practice something they condemn in others. Is it possible that some churches of Christ have a pastor system where one man is hired to shepherd the flock, to do the work of the elders, the deacons and just about everyone else, as well? He is not called 'the pastor.' He is called 'the preacher' or 'the minister.' But his function is suspiciously similar to that of a pastor in a denominational church.

In the New Testament we do not read about 'the preacher' of a church. Who was 'the preacher' at Jerusalem? Who was 'the preacher' at Antioch? "Now at Antioch there were prophets and teachers" we read in Acts 13:1 and then five men are listed including Barnabas and Paul. Later we read: "But Paul and Barnabas remained in Antioch, teaching and preaching the word of the Lord, with many others also" (Acts 15:35). In most congregations there are numerous teachers and preachers. They should be recognized as such whether they are supported or not. One man should not be set apart from the other preachers as 'the preacher.'

Actually 'crossroadism' is nothing more than the pastor preacher system gone to seed. Sow the wind and reap the whirlwind. Instead of one man being appointed to shepherd the congregation all by himself, one man is appointed to shepherd the congregation by means of a hierarchy of little shepherds.

Elders should shepherd the flock. The New Testament does not authorize them to hire or appoint someone else to do their work for them. Evangelists should preach the gospel to the lost and edify the church.

An evangelist is not a rabbi. Jesus told his followers: "You are not to be called rabbi, for you have one teacher, and you are all brethren. And call no man your father on earth, for you have one Father, who is in heaven. Neither be called masters, for you have one master, the Christ" (Matthew 23:8-10).

An evangelist has a special responsibility to edify, but he does not have a monopoly on the edification of the church. The concept of mutual ministry is biblical if some prevalent extremes are avoided. "Let us then pursue what makes for peace and for mutual upbuilding" (Romans 14:19). "Let each of us please his neighbour for his good, to edify him" (Romans 15:2). "I myself am satisfied about you, my brethren, that you yourselves are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge, and able to instruct one another" (Romans 15:14). "What then, brethren? When you come together, each one has a hymn, a lesson, a revelation, a tongue, or an interpretation. Let all things be done for edification" (1 Corinthians 14:26). "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, as you teach and admonish one another in all wisdom" (Colossians 3:16). "Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing" (1 Thessalonians 5:11). "And we exhort you, brethren, admonish the idle, encourage the faint-hearted, help the weak, be patient with them all" (1 Thessalonians 5:14). "Exhort one another every day, as long as it is called 'today,' that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin" (Hebrews 3:12). "Let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near" (Hebrews 10:24,25).

Although there is a general sense in which all Christians should become teachers in time (Hebrews 5:12), not all Christians are teachers in the formal sense. Paul asks: "Are all teachers?" (1 Corinthians 12:29) and James warns: "Let not many of you become teachers, my brethren, for you know that we who teach shall be judged with greater strictness" (James 3:1). Paul wrote to Timothy about certain persons who had wandered into vain discussion "desiring to be teachers of the law, without understanding either what they are saying or the things about which they make assertions" (1 Timothy 1:6,7). In mutual ministry according to the scriptures each member serves according to his own ability in building up the body (Ephesians 4:16). Unqualified people should not be allowed to teach and those whose capabilities lie in other areas should not be forced to teach. Men with potential should be trained: "What you have heard from me before many witnesses entrust to faithful men who will be able to teach others also" (2 Timothy 2:2).

The unqualified should refrain from teaching. On the other hand, those who are qualified should teach. They should not be prevented from serving because one man monopolizes the preaching and teaching in the congregation. Some congregations have what they call a 'pulpit minister.' I have also read of congregations looking for a man to 'fill their pulpit.' My imagination tends to get the best of me when I hear such expressions. I see a man chained to a pulpit, as were Bibles in the middle ages. Or I envision an obese man crammed into a pulpit. It takes a big man to fill some pulpits!

Actually it's no joking matter. I have heard various reasons for one man doing all of the preaching, but I have yet to hear a good one or a Biblical one. It tends to the glorification of one man, deprives the congregation of a balanced diet, and deprives other brethren of the opportunity to edify the church. It is wrong for anyone to be the rabbi of a congregation. Jesus has forbidden it.

This does not mean, however, that evangelists may not be associated with one congregation for an extended period of time, as some have taught. Such is contradicted by numerous examples in the N.T. Even Paul who made it a special goal to take the gospel into new areas, spent three years at Ephesus (Acts 20:31).

An evangelist may not exercise authority in the church. Jesus told his disciples: "You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great men exercise authority over them. It shall not be so among you; but whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be your slave" (Matthew 20:25-27). Diotrephes, who loved to have the preeminence (3 John 9), has a long line of successors. "What then is Apollos? What is Paul? Servants through whom you believed, as the Lord assigned to each" (1 Corinthians 3:5). "For though I am free from all men, I have made myself a slave to all, that I might win the more" (1 Corinthians 9:19). "Not that we lord it over your faith; we work with you for your joy" (2 Corinthians 1:24). "For what we preach is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, with ourselves as your servants for Jesus' sake" (2 Corinthians 4:5).

An evangelist is to serve rather than to rule. He is neither a pastor nor a rabbi. He does not exercise authority in the church.

3. An evangelist appoints elders on the basis of Scriptural qualifications.

To Titus Paul wrote: "This is why I left you in Crete, that you might amend what was defective, and appoint elders in every town as I directed you" (Titus 1:5). Paul revisited congregations to appoint elders: "And when they had appointed elders for them in every church, with prayer and fasting, they committed them to the Lord in whom they believed" (Acts 14:23). Paul's statement to Timothy: "Do not be hasty in the laying on of hands" (1 Timothy 5:22) is probably a warning to be cautious in appointing elders. Even in this regard the task of an evangelist does not involve personal authority since the qualifications for elders are carefully detailed in the scriptures (Titus 1:5-9; 1 Timothy 3:1-7).

Some have claimed that an evangelist has the authority of elders until elders are appointed. There is no Biblical basis for this, whatever.

Of the church at Antioch, where no mention is made of elders, we read: "And the disciples determined, every one according to his ability, to send relief to the brethren who lived in Judea; and they did so, sending it to the elders by the hand of Barnabas and Saul" (Acts 11:29,30).

If those who advocate evangelistic authority are correct this passage should have stated that the evangelists Barnabas and Saul determined to send relief to the brethren in Judea, and sent it by the hands of a couple of disciples.

In Acts 15:1-3 we read that Paul, Barnabas and some others were appointed by the brethren at Antioch to go to Jerusalem in connection with the circumcision question. New Testament evangelists were servants of the church, not rulers!

In the absence of elders decisions should be made by the brethren as in these examples. Since women may not exercise authority over men (1 Timothy 2:12) they are excluded from church leadership.

An evangelist is a preacher of the gospel. He calls all men to repentance and proclaims the message of salvation through Christ. He also builds up the church.

"I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus who is to judge the living and the dead, and by his appearing and his kingdom: preach the word, be urgent in season and out of season, convince, rebuke, and exhort, be unfailing in patience and in teaching. For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own likings, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander into myths. As for you, always be steady, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, fulfil your ministry" (2 Timothy 4:1-5).


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Is Cussing A Sin -- Tony Warren, 19:53:25 07/26/06 Wed


s cursing a sin? Is cussing a sin? Is cussing basically the same thing as cursing? These are some of the frequently asked questions that this article will seek to address. Because there are some who believe that because the actual phrase, "Thou shalt Not Cuss," is not found in scripture, this gives them liberty to cuss at will. Nothing could be further from the truth.

First we need to establish that despite claims to the contrary in some quarters, cursing and cussing are virtually the very same act. Even though there are some people who may attempt to differentiate the meaning of the two words, there really is no difference. The "fact" is, the word cuss is simply a colloquialism that is derived from the word curse. In other words, cuss is merely the slang form of the word curse. In it's most basic form, it is the verbal expression of a wish that a person, place, or thing, might suffer some evil, loss or harm. And although it is true that in modern times cursing has come to be used as an expression of disdain, vulgarity, or frustration, it is still typically a form of cursing. Disdain is a form of evil contempt, and vulgarity is a verbal offense. And shortening curses does not change the principle. For example, if someone were to shorten the phrase "God damn it," to simply saying, "Damn it," or even "Damn," that does not change it's basic meaning. Damn is a curse word, so that when we utter this word in frustration, we are pronouncing a curse on whatever or whomever we are frustrated with. And whether we say "damn you," or we merely day "damn," we are still cursing. Whether we say, "go to hell," or simply say "Oh hell," again, we are pronouncing a curse, and are thus cussing. There really is no difference between the two words. And using any other number of these words in a profane or unsavory way falls into this category of cursing.

But the objection remains, "how is cussing sin?" Well, because cursing, or pronouncing evil upon someone or something is "usually" sin. And in the context of the worldly cursing today, it is almost always sin. And a simple examination of the filthy meanings of these words will illustrate this. They are usually words (besides a curse) denoting filth, excrement, animals, sexual innuendo, or are otherwise insulting in some way. When people use these cuss words, they invariably do it to be profane (sin), as a vulgarity (sin), in a vain attempt to gain favor (sin), to placate those giving peer pressure (sin), to express a curse on someone (sin), or in some other negative connotation. What God glorifying way are cuss words used? They are often spoken in a bellicose or pugnacious manner, and this is not what should be coming out of the mouths of Christians. When is cussing ever done in a positive light? These facts in themselves should be proof enough for earnest Christians that this is not good, and that they abstain from this practice.

1st Thessalonians 5:21-22

"Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.
Abstain from all appearance of evil."
And the fact is, a cussing Christian will make the unsaved stand up and take notice "because" they know that it is improper for someone taking the name of Christ to do this. Thus, we also give no appearance of evil, or cause for Christ to be spoken evil of.
And this is not a phenomenon unique to any one place, cussing is a universal activity, so that in every nation and in every tongue, there are cuss/curse words. Whether they are pronouncements of deviant sex, damnation, affliction, or when one is likened unto animals, the words are almost always of a negative or filthy nature. And in any language cussing is offensive to some people, and so should not be something that a Christian should engage in. For anyone to claim that these words can be used today because their meaning is harmless or neutral, is spurious and dishonest. Because as Christians, we should, of the Holy Spirit moving within us, know what is Holy and acceptable speech.

Romans 8:14

"For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God."
Being led of the Spirit is the key phrase. And frankly, I believe that the Spirit leads all "true" Christians so that they will know what is acceptable speech, and what is worldly and unacceptable communication for Christians. But the mouth of the unregenerate speaks willfully (frowardly), because he doesn't have this Spirit, and there is no fear of God, giving wisdom to be reverent.
Proverbs 10:31-31

"The mouth of the just bringeth forth wisdom: but the froward tongue shall be cut out.
The lips of the righteous know what is acceptable: but the mouth of the wicked speaketh frowardness."
Filthy conversation is not a mystery, for what is acceptable for the child of God is known of him. For the truth is that it is the words that proceed from our mouths that reflect the spiritual condition of our hearts. Out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks. So that whatever comes out of the mouth, comes from the heart. And the heart of man is desperately wicked. We know this, and we know what is acceptable language, and what is unchristian and unacceptable language. And often, so does the unsaved, who are often caught off guard by such inappropriate language proceeding out of the mouths of professing Christians.
Matthew 12:35-36

"A good man out of the good treasure of the heart bringeth forth good things: and an evil man out of the evil treasure bringeth forth evil things.
But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment."
Matthew 15:11
"Not that which goeth into the mouth defileth a man; but that which cometh out of the mouth, this defileth a man."
If we are engaging in cussing, swearing, sexual innuendo, or any vulgar or filthy communication, then we should really take a good look at ourselves in the mirror. Because it is evidence that we need to examine ourselves to see what is the true condition of our hearts. Cussing is the filthy language of the world, and the children of God are in this world, but are not "of" this world. They are those chosen of God at enmity with the way of the world. Therefore the faithful Christian should not be using the same filthy communication, but speak as becometh ambassadors of Christ.
Colossians 3:8

"But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth."
When we are born from above we are to abandon the filthy communication of the world. Cursing is sin that doesn't build up others because it is the unholy language of the world. It usually is illustrating the nature of the person who is engaging in it. We are commanded to refrain from using language that is unclean, disgusting and foul. This conversation is often degrading, denigrating and belittling. It proceeds out of the mouth, but it is truly sin from the heart, because it is borne of man's carnality and sinful nature. As Christians born from above a new creation, we should put such communication of the flesh far from us.
Ephesians 4:29-30

"Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.
And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption."
The Holy Spirit directs us to be honest with ourselves about just what is filthy and corrupt communications from our mouth. I don't think that cussing is a gray area in the scriptures, despite what many may say. It really all comes down to Godly control of our language or conversation so that it glorifies Christ.
James 3:5-6

"Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth!
And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell."
What God's word is illustrating here is something that is often missed by Christians. Namely, the power and influence of an unruly and inappropriate tongue. The hypocrisy and self justification of professing Christians in claiming liberty to use foul language and filthy communications, is just another example of the creeping vine of apostasy. Man's beliefs, opinions, and reactions concerning cursing often arise from a misguided sense of liberty, wounded pride or determination to have our own way. It seems that modern Christians give no thought whatsoever to whether or not cursing reflects the "fragrance" of Christ. They are only concerned with their perceived "right" to speak any way that they want, and their self-righteous indignation over someone telling them it is unrighteous. This is a selfish attitude that is rampant in the Church today.
1st Corinthians 10:31-33

"Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.
Give none offence, neither to the Jews, nor to the Gentiles, nor to the church of God:
Even as I please all men in all things, not seeking mine own profit, but the profit of many, that they may be saved."
Christians must watch their language that we give no offense when possible and so that it is always God glorifying. For cussing or swearing is not edifying to the Church, or anyone else, and it does not minister grace unto the hearers (Ephesians 4:29). Therefore, it is "sin" in disobedience to the precepts and principles that God has laid down. Scripture instructs us to be aware of the importance of our speech, that it be as virtuous and holy as we can make it. So does worldly cursing and swearing qualify?
Leviticus 20:7

"Sanctify yourselves therefore, and be ye holy: for I am the LORD your God."
Sanctify ourselves does not mean speak as the world does, it means we are "set apart" a holy people that do not behave as the world does.
Some have made the objection, "but we can use a word like excrement, so why can't we use the other word which conveys the very same thing?" I think that the answer to that question should be obvious to the conscientious Christian. One word is the profane language that the world uses in open contempt and disdain for any authority that disapproves. And the other is a universally acceptable term for waste matter. Again, it really goes to the "heart" of the individual, and why a Christian would want to use that other term. Because clearly, there is no legitimate reason to do so. And it shows more about the rebellious condition of a man's heart, than it does about simple words. Yes, it is true that words themselves aren't the sin, but it is also an inescapable truth that the "normal" use of these cuss words in the world, are a verbal illustration of sin in the one who is using them. For we are "clearly" exhorted to use our speech in a holy way that is profitable, and that glorifies God. I don't think that even the users of such language will attempt to imply or declare that it glorifies God. And of course, that fact alone should be the end of it. But unfortunately it is not, because people are willful sinners, and they want to do whatever their heart desires. And they have a thousand different rationalizations to get around God's laws. I had a theologian plainly tell me cussing is not a sin, but then he added that we should be careful not to be engaging in this practice. But if it's not a sin, why should Christians be careful not to be engaging in it?

Jamess 4:17

"Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin."
It doesn't take a Christian to know that cussing is not a good thing to do. And if it's not good, then makes it bad, which makes it sin. To do good is to refrain from this filthy communication, and to engage in it, is sin.
Most Christians concede that cursing is sin, but asks if milder expressions like "heck" or "darn" are sins? The answer is yes, because they are the same words, disguised to be something else so that we can use these words without guilt. But they are still a curse when used in the "same" worldly fashion. For the meaning and intent is the same, only the letters were changed. It's a matter of the intents of the heart, not the word itself. If we're going to substitute the word "heck" for "hell," and use it in a cursing manner, we might just as well use the word hell itself. Because the intent is the same.

No Christian has yet rationally answered the question of why it is necessary for Christians to say "Heck," "go to blazes," "crap," "darn you," "gosh darn it," "bs," or any of the other silly phrases some people use in place of stronger curses and obscenities. I'm sure there are countless theologians who would say that words like "darn" and "heck" are not sinful because they don't have an obscene or filthy meaning, but they are missing the point entirely. Words aren't sin, the intents of the heart in violation of the laws of God is where the sin lies. i.e., why do Christians "have" to use these replacement words? Obviously they think the actual words should not be said. That's the point that many just don't want to honestly deal with. They are being disingenuous. Why can't a Christian simply say, "That's nonsense," and not use any of the other expletives or substitute terms for offensive language? The answer is, because they willfully want to sound like the world, while still calling themselves, of Christ. Thus, are they not yet carnal?

Romans 8:7

"Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be."
In their carnality, they still have the "nature" of the world and want to speak as it does. Which is brash, profane, prideful, flashy, decadent, vulgar, ostentatious, and arrogant. They want to "fit right in" with the world's conversation, rather than be Christians who are "set apart" from the speech of the world for the service of God. Deny this though they may, this is the "true" nature of the beast.
James 4:4

"Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God."
As the bride of Christ, we cannot serve our husband Christ, and serve the prince of this world as well. We cannot have horns like a lamb, and yet speak like a dragon. It is considered spiritual fornication to go after the ways of the world. We must bridle our tongue, that our language be not of the evil of the world, but of the holiness of Christ.
Psalms 141:3-4

"Set a watch, O LORD, before my mouth; keep the door of my lips.
Incline not my heart to any evil thing, to practise wicked works with men that work iniquity: and let me not eat of their dainties."
In modern society many people, especially teens, cuss because of peer pressure, of ego to attract attention to themselves, or in vain belief that it makes them appear more mature. But surely no Christian can use these reasons for cussing as justification of it? We cannot base Christian behavior or morality on changing culture or society, but on the authority of God's word.
Others may curse out of ignorance, because of their environment, or because of a limited vocabulary where they are unable to effectively articulate their thoughts and perspectives. But again, the countless reasons for cursing do not negate the Christian principles against it. Just as one being raised in an environment of crime may mean that their circumstances had something to do with their criminal activity, but does not justify their being a criminal. Environment doesn't justify sin.

And then there are those who don't think cursing is bad at all anymore. They make the claim that these are "just words," or that they previously had meanings which are no longer applicable. But it is completely irrelevant whether or not cursing has become "acceptable" in today's society. God's word of truth and morality is immutable. Those who use this excuse are deluding themselves, or rationalizing away unchristian conversation and behavior. If words didn't really matter, most certainly God would not call the tongue, "a fire, a world of iniquity that defiles the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature, and it is set on fire of hell." Obviously God understands the power of words, and the differences between those who speak as becometh Christ, and those who speak as becometh the prince of this world. We are created in the image of God, therefore we should speak as becometh Godliness and not worldliness.

James 3:9-13

"Therewith bless we God, even the Father; and therewith curse we men, which are made after the similitude of God.
Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be.
Doth a fountain send forth at the same place sweet water and bitter?
Can the fig tree, my brethren, bear olive berries? either a vine, figs? so can no fountain both yield salt water and fresh.
Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him shew out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom."
Remember the sin of the Apostle Peter? The same mouth that Peter uses to declare of Christ, "Thou art the Christ the Son of the living God," is the same mouth he uses a few weeks later cursing and swearing and telling the lie that, "I know not the man!" A vivid demonstration that, "Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be."
These things should not be so, but they are. When someone is cursing or swearing, is he doing it out of a love of God? No, it is usually to show that they are either angry at something, someone, or are in frustration. So why would any true Christian be arguing that Christians have the liberty to cuss? The whole idea is like a conundrum to me. Because worldly cursing is not in any sense a noble enterprise, so why would a Christian (of all people) come to its defense? That is the question that is esoteric at best, and without rational answer. Christians are not to be as the world is, or to have the same lewd, vulgar, or vile conversation as the world does. As a new creation in Christ our behavior is constrained to be that which is "set apart" and different from that of the world. As servants of God, born of the Spirit in the knowledge of Christ, we should leave vulgar behavior behind in sanctification.

1st Peter 1:14-16

"As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance:
But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation;
Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy."
Cussing is not a sign of holiness or communion with God, but a sign that we are fashioning ourselves according to the former lusts, ignorant of the way of God. It is the behavior that is suitable for our previous nature, not for the child of God who has become knowledgeable, and whose desire is to bridle the tongue and speak as becomes the righteous. A mouth full of cursing is a mouth that has not been bridled.
Psalms 10:7-8

"His mouth is full of cursing and deceit and fraud: under his tongue is mischief and vanity.
He sitteth in the lurking places of the villages: in the secret places doth he murder the innocent: his eyes are privily set against the poor."
When one normally curses people, or curses at people, they are generally emphasizing a point in their conversation denoting evil desire, hatred, anger, or frustration. And this anger and hatred is spiritually akin to murder. Even the senseless or pointless cussing is a testimony to the heart, and therefore, sin.
We're not saying these things because we feel superior, or because we have never cursed, or because we want to look down our noses at others. Christians understand that this does not edify, instruct, or Glorify Christ in any manner. This is the truth of God's Word. I'm sure that before salvation, for many Christians profanity was included in their conversation as well. Even after salvation they may have on occasion slipped and let a word out that does not let Christ's light shine. For no man is perfect, and all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. But that doesn't give us license to continue in sin that grace may abound, or to speak any way we want because of Grace. Our desire as faithful Christians should be to seek holiness and to work according to the moving of the Holy Spirit. And you can be sure that the Holy Spirit isn't moving anyone to use offensive and foul language. So what spirit is? Our life should show forth the way of Christ, where we are not content to wallow in the ways of the world. Let our behavior, right down to our conversation, be that which is pleasing to God in the faith of the gospel.

Philippians 1:27

"Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ: that whether I come and see you, or else be absent, I may hear of your affairs, that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel;"
God has called us to be His witnesses, proclaiming the gospel message to the world, and our behavior should reflect the same holiness we preach. That means our conversation, expressions, lifestyles, discussions, and speech. It should be virtuous as it becomes those who take upon themselves the name of Christ, and who preach the gospel of Christ. Taking the name of the Lord God in vain, cussing, using filthy communications, all these are sins against God. And all true Christians should know "of the Spirit" that worldly cussing does not qualify as Godly behavior. It is a stumbling block to others, and it makes us a part of the same body that we are told to be "set apart" from.
1st Peter 2:9

"But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvelous light:"
Christians are supposed to be set apart from the world and it's behavior, having been called out of the darkness of this world. But in our day, from the language and behavior of some "professing" Christians, it's hard to distinguish between Christian, and those who are still bound in darkness. When a professed Christian curses in his normal language, he disrespects both himself, and his witness for Christ. And don't think that the unsaved of the world do not recognize this hypocrisy either. It is inevitable that the unsaved will no longer think of that person as a true Christian set apart for the service of God, but as a pseudo-christian or hypocrite. He will (and rightly so) conclude that you are not "set apart" from the world. What he sees is that you are not of a different kingdom where you are a pilgrim here and your homeland is heaven. By your actions he sees that you are of the exact same nature, attitude, spirit, and disposition that he is. And the reason for this is simple, and can be explained in the old adage of the world.
"If it walks like a duck, and quacks like a duck, it's probably a duck."

Don't think for a minute that the unsaved can't recognize hypocrisy, because they're experts in indulging in it themselves.

There are even some theologians who (incredibly) think that Christians acting, living, and talking just as the world does, is really a good thing. They postulate that this is how we will win souls to Christ (as if this were possible), and is an example of a Christian like Paul, who became "all things to all people." Nothing could be further from the truth. Paul never acted as the world did in order to win the world. These theologians are deluded by their own hearts, and jaded in their own compromises. A foul mouthed person is not a good representative, nor representation of Christ. He is a mirror representation of the world. Thus his witness to a "new life" is not only weakened, it is effectively destroyed. Christians are to walk circumspectly. God exhorts us to live a distinctly Christian lifestyle, exhibit Godly behavior, and act according to our new life in the Holy Spirit. We may stumble, but we should never fall after the ways of the world fulfilling the lusts of the flesh.

Galatians 5:16-17

"This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.
For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would."
If we, as good servants of God, keep our eyes on Christ and live according to our new life in the Spirit, then we will not have this desire to mimic the world's speech. We will be vexed by what our sinful flesh nature prods us to do. The comforting Spirit within us will give us an earnest desire to do the will of God, and God's will never exhorts us to worldly cursing and swearing. That just is not possible. And "that" most profound point should not be treated lightly, being deemed as insignificant. If we are professing to be Christians, and yet we are caught in the "continuing habit" of profane communication in cursing or swearing, we should be on our knees in prayer to God asking for forgiveness and deliverance from this sin.
So what is the solution for those weary of this sin but caught in the habit of worldly language? The way out of this worldly verbal mire starts by recognizing it as sin. And then confessing it as sin, rather than rationalizing and denying that it is really sin. In the Spirit of Christ we pray God for humility, strength and repentance. And in Christ Jesus, where all things are possible, we will find our deliverance. In the love of God for us, we will find the love for Him wherein we receive a changed heart. Where we had a heart where cussing once didn't matter, it will be replaced by an earnest desire to do the things that are pleasing to God, rather than to ourselves. Then will we know true peace with God so that rather than continue fighting Him in worldly fashion of our own will, we will surrender to His will. We won't any longer pretend that we are good people, and that sins are not really sins, we will confess them before God, ask for forgiveness, and move on, knowing they have been washed away.

Ezekiel 36:26-27

"A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh.
And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them."
Let us understand that the Spirit moves us to do Holy things, it does not sit idly within the true believer. Christians will begin to do His will and obey His precepts "not" because they are better than others who are pleased to curse and swear. But because God has instilled in "His people" the divine knowledge of truth, and the earnest desire to do His will. So no longer will saints cuss and swear in ignorance, but the blood of Christ will work in us that our hearts and minds are perfected by His Love.
Matthew 5:48

"Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect."
Will the perfect Christ have a mouth that is full of worldly cussing and swearings and filthy conversations? Does cussing show forth Christ's light and love to others, or would we be totally ashamed to speak this way when standing before Christ. Only the Spirit of God will reveal the truthful answer. Let us therefore be perfect, even as our father in heaven is perfect, and give thanks for His compassion and mercy. Let us thank him for giving us the knowledge that we should turn away from such ungodliness.
I think it's helpful to use this test of Christ's return. Simply ask yourself, "would I be comfortable cussing and swearing when Christ returns?" The honest answer is usually is a good judge of if we "truly" think that something is sin, or if we are just kidding ourselves in self-justification. So let us put off the old man, and worship Him in Spirit and in truth. Let the world see His light in our conversation, and in all our behavior. Not just in our visage, but in our civility, in our recreations, and above all, in the daily witness of our lives. For we must set forth the Glory of God as our chief and principle aim in all things.

May our precious Lord, who is gracious above all, grant that many will come to see the necessity of Holy conversation and Godly behavior. May we understand that God's people must "show" themselves set apart from the world, and not in communion with it. May we be blessed to glorify our God both in communication, and the way we live.

Amen!


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The Doctrine of the Nicolaitans -- I hate the Deeds of the Nicolatians, 23:10:17 07/25/06 Tue


Rev 2:6 But this thou hast, that thou hatest the deeds of the Nicolaitanes, which I also hate.

Rev 2:15 So hast thou also them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitanes, which thing I hate

A topic that many find confusing and fascinating is that of the Nicolaitans. Jesus makes reference to them twice in the book of Revelation. There has been much speculation as to who this group was, their origin, and what they taught. Because there really is so little conclusive evidence as to who this group was (or their founder/s), the focus of this article will be primarily the content of their doctrine. I realize that with so little historical background information, it could prove difficult to be 100 percent dogmatic about this. However, the fact that this group finds themselves mentioned in Holy Scripture gives us motivation to at least know something of their doctrine. Jesus Christ says that he hates their doctrine. I think that we can probably form a very good hypothesis as to what the tenets of their doctrine were by looking at some other clues from the time period. In fact, I would go so far as to say that the doctrine of the Nicolaitans exists still to this day...only under another name (Unconditional Eternal Security).

The early church period was a dynamic time indeed. Some of the apostles were still alive, eyewitnesses to the resurrection of Christ were still alive, and the church was walking in a power that we desparately need in today's world. Despite the enthusiasm and ardent fervor that characterized first century Christianity, there was also a deadly force at work. Any time you see God moving mightily among the church, you will also see Satan plotting a strategy to destroy the church. Many of the attacks on the church came from the outside. Persecution was a normal experience to the early church. It was not uncommon for them to lose their lives (literally) for the sake of the gospel. Jesus and the apostles warned that the followers of Christ would be brought before rulers and authorities and asked to give a testimony. But as always, sometimes the greatest threat to Christians does not come from "without" but from "within." I find it interesting that we first see mention of the Nicolaitans (in the scripture) when Jesus addresses the church at Ephesus. If you will recall, the apostle Paul had addressed the Ephesian elders about the dangers of apostacy and false teachers that they would soon encounter.

Acts 20:29 For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. 20:30 Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them. 20:31 Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears.

Paul knew what was in store for the Ephesian church. It is very evident that he knew a great threat would arise from among them-not from without. This is Satan's great strategy- he would much rather transform himself as "an angel of light" (II Cor 11:14) or a wolf in "sheep's clothing" (Matt 7:15). That way he can come in undetected, and do everything he can to introduce enough leaven to leaven the whole lump (Gal 5:9). We understand from the parable of the wheat and tares, that not everyone who looks the part of a true Christian, is actually about the Father's business. As always, the greatest strategy of the enemy is not a totally outward anti-christ message, but a mixture of truth and error. Just enough truth to make the message seem plausible, but enough leaven to poison all who partake. I mentioned earlier that we don't have a detailed "statement of faith" from the Nicolaitans that we can systematically go through and refute point by point. But we are not totally in the dark either. One of the great tools of biblical interpretation is understanding contextual factors. For this particular study, I'm going to look at some of the other heretical teachings of the day and I think you will begin to see some similar themes.

Rev 2:14 But I have a few things against thee, because thou hast there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balac to cast a stumblingblock before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed unto idols, and to commit fornication

Here in Pergamum, we see the "doctrine of Balaam" strictly condemned by Christ. It is important that we understand what Balaam's "doctrine" was, so that we may steer clear of it today. What the Old Testament alludes to- Jesus makes very plain - the doctrine of Balaam involved idolatry and sexual immorality. I'm not going to post the whole story of Balaam for the sake of time and space. I encourage you to read about him in Numbers chapters 22-24. To make a long story short, Balak hired Balaam (a prophet of sorts who is called a "southsayer" in Joshua 13:22 KJV) to curse Israel. After numerous attempts at bribing him by Balak, Balaam finally comes to the conclusion that he cannot curse what God has blessed (I could really preach here, but I'm going to resist the urge so that we can stay on track). It's going to take more than some verbal curse to make Israel vulnerable to her enemies. So he comes up with a strategy. This strategy is later revealed in Numbers 31:8,16. What becomes obvious is that Balaam's strategy included getting the children of Israel to commit sexual immorality with the Midianite women. In committing this trespass, the men of Israel were also mingling with the pagan gods worshipped by these women. This is a perfect example of religious syncretism. That's a big theological word, but it basically means a "mixture" of different belief systems. What makes it so deadly is that it gives the outward appearance of piety and reverence for God, all the while tolerating the things that He has so clearly designated as an abomination to Him. We must beware of this even today-now more than ever!

The doctrine of Balaam is mentioned elsewhere in the New Testament:

II Peter 2:15 Which have forsaken the right way, and are gone astray, following the way of Balaam the son of Bosor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness

I think it's interesting that Peter uses the term "wages" of unrighteousness which indicates to me that these false teachers are motivated by money and power. In their desire to gain more and more followers, they are willing to compromise the message and "tickle the ears" of the masses.

Jude 1:11 Woe unto them! for they have gone in the way of Cain, and ran greedily after the error of Balaam for reward, and perished in the gainsaying of Core

Again, we see that greed and reward seem to be the motivation at the heart of Balaam's doctrine. Paul warned Timothy that "the love of money is the root of all evil."

Next we come to Thyatira where a similar heresy is taking place:

Revelation 2:20 Notwithstanding I have a few things against thee, because thou sufferest that woman Jezebel, which calleth herself a prophetess, to teach and to seduce my servants to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed unto idols.

Though the names keep changing (Nicolatians, Balaam, Jezebel), the message is basically the same. This teaching offers a Christianity which doesn't demand obedience and loyalty to Jesus Christ alone. This is heresy and God hates it- plain and simple! We can clearly see that the aim of these false teachers is to convince Christians (notice Jesus calls them "my servants" in Revelation 2:20) that sexual immorality, ungodly lifestyles, and idolatry can be practiced without affecting one's standing in Christ. Jesus strongly rebukes that notion by saying that judgement is surely coming to those who practice such works. He calls such teachings the "depths things of Satan." (KJV) I think it would be interesting to see how this is translated in various versions for effect. :

Rev 2:24 Now I say to the rest of you in Thyatira, to you who do not hold to her teaching and have not learned Satan's so-called deep secrets (I will not impose any other burden on you): (NIV)

Rev 2:24 But I say to you, the rest who are in Thyatira, who do not hold this teaching, who have not known the deep things of Satan, as they call them--I place no other burden on you. (NASB)

Rev 2:24 "Now to you I say, and to the rest in Thyatira, as many as do not have this doctrine, who have not known the depths of Satan, as they say, I will put on you no other burden (NKJV)

Notice there is a "secret" involved in this whole process. There is something sinister working behind the scenes. The true author of these doctrines is not part of any modern group or seminary- the author is none other than the devil himself. He is the father of lies and he's been preaching this message ever since the garden of Eden. Remember the "theology" he put forth to Eve in the garden?

Genesis 3:4 And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die:

Isn't this the same message he keeps preaching over and over again-from one generation to the next? Doesn't he always promise "liberty" but never the consequences of sin? His ministers today still proclaim that you can live an immoral lifestyle but as long as you cling to a verbal profession of faith- you have nothing to fear....."ye shall not surely die." We know that the death Adam died was not physical that day....it was spiritual (he physically lived hundreds of years after this- ref: Gen 5:5). So likewise, spiritual death awaits those who follow and teach the doctrines of demons like this one. I also think it's interesting that what was the "deeds" of the Nicolaitans in Rev 2:6 became the "doctrine" of the Nicolaitans in Rev 2:15. The point being that it is important what we believe, because believing and "behaving" are so closely related.

We have a sharp witness from scripture too. Notice in almost every New Testament epistle (whether Pauline, Johannine or otherwise) there are admonitions against sexual immorality and idolatry (which by the way comes in many different forms- in Colossians 3:5 it is linked to covetousness). There are warnings to "be not deceived" and that those "who do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God."

Though we may never know in this life all the facets of Nicolaitan doctrine, we can be sure of several things. They taught contrary to the revealed commands of God- they taught in a Christian setting- God hated their deeds and their doctrine. These reasons alone are enough to consider their error, lest we follow after the same example. May God bless you as you continue to prayerfully study His Word!


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Who are the “NicolaitansE -- Nicol A Tans, 23:05:30 07/25/06 Tue



A mysterious group of wicked religious imposters
were the “Nicolaitans.E Who were they? What did

they teach? Do they still exist today? Why should

they even concern you? In the warnings to the seven

churches of Revelation, we are told to beware of them.

Why are they dangerous and how would you recognize

them, today?



William F. Dankenbring



In Revelation, chapter 2, we read of an enigmatic sect or group called the Nicolaitans who post a great threat to the churches of God. The Messiah, Yeshua, says to the Ephesus church: “But this you have, that you hate the DEEDS of the Nicoaitans, which I also HATEE(Rev.2:6). Notice that they hated and rejected the doctrines, works, and doctrines of the “Nicolaitans.E



The Ephesus church was historically a type or antitype of the first and second century churches of God Eessentially, the first generation of the church and their early descendents. But Christ said, “He that has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to [all] the churchesE(v.7).



Then, to the Pergamos church, who existed in a succeeding period of the church, Yeshua declares again: “But I have a few things against you, because you have there those who hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balak to put a stumblingblock before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed to idols, and to commit sexual immorality. Thus [i.e. therefore] you also have those who hold the doctrine of the Niicolaitans, which thing I hate. REPENT, or else I will come to you quickly and will fight against them with the sword of My mouthE(vs.14-16).



Doctrine of Balaam


Notice that their teachings are comparable or the same as the doctrine of Balaam, the arch apostate deceiver and prophet who tried to divine magic against Israel when they came out of Egypt. When God would not allow him to place a curse on Israel, he later taught the Midianites and their allies to “seduceEIsrael from their faithfulness to God, by sending their daughters and wives to use their sexual charms on them, and to entice them to commit immorality and the partake of pagan festivities and idolatrous worship, combining paganism with the worship of God Esomething which God abominates and thoroughly detests! The blending of the truth of God with paganism and wicked pagan festivals and practices is an abhorrence to God. It is called religious “syncretism.E



The word “Nicolaitans,Ein Greek, means “followers of Nicolas.E The name “NicolasEmeans “victor of the people.E



Peloubet’s Bible Dictionary says of them, “They seem to have held that it was lawful to eat things sacrificed to idols, and to commit the immoral excesses of the heathen, in opposition to the decree of the Church rendered in Acts 15:20, 29. Mingling themselves in the orgies of idolatrous feasts, they brought the impurities of those feasts into the meetings of the Christian Church. And all this was done, it must be remembered, not simply as an indulgence of appetite, but as a part of a SYSTEM, supported by a “doctrine,Eaccompanied by the boasts of a prophetic illuminationE(p.449).



Early Church Syncretism


The Nicolaitans, therefore, were the early Christian-pagan syncretists, the false teachers that crept into the church, who disguised themselves as followers of Christ Ewho professed to be His ministers and servants Ebut who led the people astray.



Peter wrote of them, saying, “But there were also false prophets among the people [such as Balaam], even as there will be FALSE TEACHERS among you, who will secretly bring in DESTRUCTIVE HERESIES, even denying the Lord who bought them, and bring on themselves swift destruction. And many will follow their destructive ways, because of whom the way of truth will be blasphemedEEby the world around, which will paint all true Christians with the same brush-stroke, as being corrupt, immoral, and evil, because of the shenanigans and wicked works of these “NicolaitansEor false Christians, false teachers who claim to represent Messiah and His truth (II Pet.2:1-2).



Peter goes on, “By covetousness they will exploit you with deceptive wordsE(v.2). He says of them, that they “despise authority. They are presumptuous, self-willed,Eand like brutish beasts “speak evil of the things they do not understandE(verse10, 12). “They are spots and blemishes [in the churches], carousing in their own deceptions while they feast with you . . . They have a heart trained in covetous practices, and are accursed children. They have forsaken the right way and gone astray, FOLLOWING THE WAY OF BALAAM the son of Beor, who loved the wages of unrighteousnessE(verses 13-15).



These are the ‘Nicolaitans.E Halley’s Bible Handbook tells us of them, “Sexual vice was actually a part of heathen worship, and recognized as a proper thing in heathen festivals. Priestesses of Diana and kindred deities were public prostitutes. The thing had been a troublesome question for Gentile churches from the start. . . Meantime great multitudes of heathen had become Christians, and had carried some of their old ideas into their new religion. . . Naturally there were all sorts of attempts to harmonize these heathen practices with the Christian religion. Many professing Christian teachers, claiming inspiration from God, were advocating the right to free participation in heathen immoralities. In Ephesus, the Christian pastors, as a body, excluded such teachers. But in Pergamum and Thyatira, while we are not to think that the main body of pastors held such teachings, yet they tolerated within their ranks those who didE(p.694).



Ancient Pergamos was a city where the worship of Zeus and Asclepios were endemic, whose symbol was a serpent entwined around a rod or staff. It was a city where paganism and politics were closely entwined and allied. Nicolaitan pressures were very strong in this city where pressures to “compromiseEwould have been very heavy.



“Sacrificed to IdolsE


The Nicolaitans seduced God’s people to “eat things sacrificed to idolsEEthat is, participate in heathen, pagan festivals, including sexual immorality Ein other words, to commit spiritual fornication and adultery Ewhich is IDOLATRY! This convergence of Christianity with pagan beliefs and practices was sheer APOSTASY in the eyes of God!



The Interpreter’s Bible Dictionary tells us, “Since the same practice and teaching of immorality and of idolatry appear in the church of Thyatira, the Nicolaitans, though not named, were probably present also in this church (Rev.2:20-25)E(p.547). By the time of the Thyatira church age, the problem had grown into a much greater state or condition, for at that time a woman, “Jezebel,Erepresented the group of apostate heretics and their heresy Ea powerful church in conflict with the true Church, masquerading as the true Church. John wrote, to Thyatira, “Nevertheless I have a few things against you, because YOU ALLOW THAT WOMAN JEZEBEL, who calls herself a prophetess, to teach and seduce my servants to commit sexual immorality and to eat things sacrificed to idolsE(Rev.2:20). God says of that heathen “church,Ewhich inculcated massive pagan practices and festivals into its church calendar, “Indeed I will cast her into a sickbed, and those who commit ADULTERY [idolatry!] with her into GREAT TRIBULATION, unless they repent of their deedsE(v.22).



Down Through Church History


It is clear from the evidence that this heresy, which began as a small group, in the first century, mushroomed and became a strong, dominant CHURCH by the third and fourth centuries, and became the foundation of the Church of Rome and the papacy. It is described in Revelation 17 as a “woman sitting on a scarlet beastEwith the name: “Mystery, Babylon the Great, the Mother of Harlots and of the Abominations of the EarthE(Rev.17:3-5).



By the Middle Ages this church became the great persecuting church and was guilty of spilling massive amounts of the blood of the true saints and servants of God (Rev.17:6).



What was the main crime of this church? Spiritual fornication Eor spiritual adultery! Combining pagan practices and doctrines with the Word of God, or replacing the teachings of God’s Word with corrupt, pagan deceptions and lies, straight from the bowels of Satan the devil!



Says The Interpreter’s Bible Dictionary, “Pagan feasts might thus foster immorality, which is understood literally as licentiousness, or possibly in an allegorical way as unfaithfulness to God. . . . At Thyatira followers of Jezebel claim to know the deep things of Satan. . . . This claim to special knowledge of deep mysteries marks the incipient Gnosticism which flourished a century later (Iren.Her.II.2.2). The Nicolaitans may be taken to be a heretical sect, who retained pagan practices like idolatry [such as image worship, observing pagan holidays like Christmas, Easter, Halloween, etc.] and immorality contrary to the thought and the conduct required in Christian churchesE(p.548).



The early church fathers also spoke of the Nicolaitans. “Tertullian reports the lust and luxury of the Nicolaitans, cites evidence from Revelation, and adds that there was another sort of Nicolaitans, a satanic sect, called the Gaian heresy [worship of Mother Earth, which has reared its ugly head today] . . . Clement of Alexandria knows of followers of Nicolaus, ‘lascivious goats,Ewho perverted his saying that it was necessary to abuse the flesh . . . Clement undertakes to show that Nicolaus [the deacon mentioned in Acts 6:1-6, a faithful servant of God] was a true ascetic and that the later, immoral Nicolaitans were not his followers, though they claimed him as their teacher . . . Later their name flourished as a designation for heretics.E



The “Synagogue of SatanE


When the Nicolaitans become powerful and the apostasy becomes full blown, and matures, then it changes into a whole Church Ebut no longer in any degree or sense a part of God’s true Church but an entirely apostate Church body! When Satan the devil takes over the church body, it becomes literally a “synagogue of SatanE



This was prophesied to happen during the course of history, and a vast parallel church would be formed of people who think they are Christian, but they are far removed from the original true teachings of the apostles during the first century.



John, in the book of Revelation, spoke of it in the message to the Philadelphia church. He wrote, to this faithful and true body of believers, who held fast to the truth, and did not deny His Name, “you have a little strength, have kept My word, and have not denied My name. Indeed [for this reason] I will make those of the SYNAGOGUE OF SATAN, who say they are Jews [spiritual Jews or true Christians] and are NOT but LIE [they are deceived frauds, impostors, phony as a $6 dollar bill] Eindeed I will make them come and worship before your feet, and to know that I have loved you. Because you have kept My command to persevere, I also will keep you from the hour of trial which shall come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earthE(Rev.3:8-10).



Christ warns this church body, the genuine “PhiladelphiaEchurch, called that because God names things according to their dominant characteristics, and this church is characterized by “brotherly love,Efor the Greek word philadelphos literally means “brother love.E He warns it, “Behold, I am coming quickly! HOLD FAST what you have, that no one may take your CROWNE(verse 11).

This church does not slip into the apostasy of the Nicolaitans. In fact, it has conquered them and their full-blown image Ethe “synagogue of SatanEby remaining faithful to God’s Word and doctrine!



But many, not knowing or understanding, fall victim to the “conquerorsEEthe “victors over the people.E Speaking of such religious leaders, Paul declared, “For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into apostles of Christ. And no wonder! For Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also transform themselves into ministers of righteousness, whose end will be according to their worksE(II Cor.11:13-15).



Church history has been replete with such splinter groups, heresies, sects, denominations, cults of all bizarre types and sizes and beliefs. They are all part and parcel of the “great apostasyEthat developed over the centuries from the original church of God.



Paul warned the brethren in Ephesus, “For I know that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock. Also from among yourselves men will rise up, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after themselvesE(Acts 20:29-30).



He was especially concerned about the church in Galatia, and wrote to them, exclaiming, “I marvel that you are turning away so soon from Him who called you in the grace of Christ, to a different gospel, which is not another; but there are some who trouble you and want to PERVERT the gospel of ChristE(Gal.1:6-7).



This was already beginning to occur during the very FIRST generation and Age of the church! The apostasy and heresy has developed and grown massively since that era, with thousands of Octopus-like tentacles reaching throughout the world.



How did it all begin? When did the real apostasy really start?



The Real Nicolas Identified


Who was the original founder of this apostasy? There is no evidence to support the idea that an early deacon in the church named Nicolas was the one who began this heretical movement. The New Testament nowhere says that he later went astray. Rather, he was a man who was chosen for a special task, along with Stephen, one of “seven men of good reputation, full of the Holy Spirit and wisdomE(Acts 6:5).



However, God calls things what they are EHe names people according to their major characteristic. A look at the name “NicholasEwill be helpful. It literally means “victor of the people.E A synonym of “victorEwould be “one who vanquishes an enemy; a conquerorE(The Winston Dictionary).



Who was the great conqueror, who first led the world into APOSTASY?



“Cush began Nimrod; he began to be a mighty one in the earth. He was a might hunter before [or, Hebrew, “against”] the LORDE(Gen.10:8-10). He was the first world despot or tyrant upon the earth after the Flood. Alexander Hislop, in The Two Babylons, tells us, “He [Ninus] was the first who carried on war against his neighbors, and he conquered all nations from Assyria to Libya, as they were yet unacquainted with the arts of warE(p.23, Hislop quoting Justin’s “Trogus PopeiusE. Ninus was Nimrod, the most ancient king of the Assyrians and Babylonians.



Nimrod “began to be mighty upon the earth.E He was a great dictator, autocrat, and ruled with an iron hand. He was very contentious and brooked no insult or disobedience to his iron-fisted rule. He was also the religious leader of the world, leading mankind away from the worship of the true God and into incredible idolatry. He was the founder of the “Babylonians MysteriesE(compare Rev.17:1-5).





Cush and Religious “ChaosE


Says Hislop, “Cush [Nimrod’s father] is generally represented as having been a ringleader in the great apostasyE(p.25). Cush was also known as Hermes [“son of Ham”], or Mercury, and was “the great original prophet of idolatry; for he was recognized by the pagans as the author of their religious rites, and the interpreter of the godsE(ibid., p.25-26). Cush was also known as Bel, “The Confounder,Ewho confounded the truth with his replacement lies and deceptions. He was also called Janus, “the god of gods,Ewho said of himself, “The ancients . . . called me Chaos.E



He was the one who brought “ChaosEinto the world after the Deluge.



Nimrod: The Original “NicolasEand Arch Apostate


Cush’s son Nimrod (or “NinusE “inherited his father’s titles, and was the first king over the Babylonian Empire, which he created by conquest. Nimrod also led the great rebellion against God by building the tower of Babel, in an attempt to unite all mankind under his rulership and in defiance of the ordinances of heaven.



Hislop goes on to say that when the deification of mortals began, “the ‘mighty sonEof Cush was deified, the father, especially considering the part which he seems to have had in concocting the whole idolatrous system, would have to be deified too, and of course, in his character as the Father of the ‘Mighty one,Eand of all the immortals that succeeded him. But, in point of fact, we shall find, in the course of our inquiry, that Nimrod was the actual Father of the gods, as being the first of deified mortalsE(p.32).



Josephus, in Antiquities of the Jews, tells us, “Now it was Nimrod who excited them to such an affront and contempt of God. He was the grandson of Ham, the son of Noah Ea bold man, and of great strength of hand. He persuaded them not to ascribe it to God, as if it was through his means they were happy, but to believe that it was their own courage that procured their happiness. He also gradually changed the government into a tyranny, -- seeing no other way to turn men from the fear of God, but to bring them into a constant dependence upon his powerE(Bk.I, iv, 2).



Nimrod was the first great “victor of [or over] the people.E He was the first “Nicolaus.E He is the one for whom the WHOLE SYSTEM is named! His name is stamped on the forehead of this “Mystery, Babylon,Ereligious system which seeks to bring the whole world into one unified religious system of belief, doctrines, and religious globalization.



To compromise with that entire system or any part of it, God says He HATES EHe is passionately against it Eit is utterly idolatrous, the horrendous religious system inspired and created by Satan the arch-enemy of God Ethe devil who deceives the WHOLE WORLD by masking truth of God and replacing it with his nefarious, devious, enticing doctrines (see Rev.12:9)!



Where Are the Nicolaitans, Today?


The Nicolaitans today comprise all those people who DEPART from the truth of God, and jettison the true teachings and doctrines of the Bible, for the substitute “mushEfrom the churches of “nominal, mainstreamEChristianity, which has over the centuries, plunged back into a religious system originating in ancient Babylon, and from there to Rome, and from there to Protestantism, and the wide-ranging cults, sects, and denominations of our current generation.



The world is full of them! They are everywhere Elike dandelion seeds, wafting on the winds, blown about and scattered all around us. “You will know them by their fruits,Ethe Messiah Yeshua declared (Matt.7:20).



The vast, overwhelming number of churches in the world today would fall into the category of the infamous “NicolaitansE The deception is global. And it is getting much, much worse, and stronger!



The apostle Paul wrote, about the last days, before the coming of Christ, “Let no man deceive you by any means for that Day will not come unless the FALLING AWAY comes first, and the man of SIN [lawlessness] be revealed, the son of perdition [destruction], who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God or that is worshiped [such as Nimrod himself!], so that he sits in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God. . . . For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work; only he who now restrains will do so until He [or “he”] is taken out of the way. And then that lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord will consume with the breath of His mouth and destroy with the brightness of His comingE(II Thess..2:3-8).



An end-time “NicolasEEvictor or tyrant over the people Eis soon to appear on the scene!



The end-time resurrection of this evil apostasy and deception is fast falling into place and coming together before our very eyes, at this moment in history!



False Doctrine - a Mark of the Nicolaitans


What are the identifying “marksEof this vast, deluded apostasy? How do you know that you personally have not to some extent fallen into some form of this adulterated subspecies which broke off from true Christianity?



First, look at their teachings and doctrine. Compare them with the Scriptures very carefully, taking nothing for granted. Believe nobody, but check up on everey7body, and then believe your Bible! The apostle Paul wrote, “PROVE ALL THINGS; HOLD FAST THAT WHICH IS GOODE(I Thess.5:21). Isaiah the prophet wrote, “To the law and to the testimony [the Old Testament and the New Testament Ethe Word of God]! If they do not speak according to THIS WORD, it is because there is NO LIGHT in themE(Isa.8:20).



Paul praised the Bereans because “they received the word in all readiness, and SEARCHED THE SCRIPTURES DAILY to find out whether these things were soE(Acts 17:11). Paul wrote to Timothy, exhorting him (and all of us), “Be diligent to present yourself to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, RIGHTLY DIVIDING the word of truthE(II Tim.2:15).



Nicolaitans are those who have departed from the faith, in some degree or completely. They have been led astray by false teachings and doctrines. Most have rejected the true Sabbath. Most have rejected the TRUE holy days of God, the annual festivals of His Word (Lev.23), and some THINK they observe them, but have been misled, and keep a false “Passover,Ea false “Pentecost,Eand even the wrong days for the other holy days, and reject specific commandments of God when they do so! Most reject the TRUE calendar of God, the New Moons, and the proper calculation of the Hebrew months, and therefore the holy days. Many accept a false, “fixedEJewish calendar when replaced the true calendar in 357-58 A.D. in the time of Hillel II.



And these are only SOME of the false teachings of modern day, end-time “NicolaitanEinfluenced churches which claim to be the true remnants of the Church of God and assure the people that they have the bona fide “TRUTHE



But Yeshua declared, “Thy Word is truth,E(John 17:17), and “The Scripture cannot be brokenE(John 10:35), and asserted also, “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of GodE(Matt.4:4; Luke 4:40.



The Second Fatal Identifying Mark E
False Form of Church Government


The Nicolaitans are also like their original founder, Nimrod the apostate, guilty of not only compromising the truth of God, and adulterating it, and mixing it with PAGAN beliefs and doctrines and practices, but they possess a wicked, deceptive, deceitful form of CHURCH GOVERNMENT. They are often in the form of religious tyrannies, authoritarian, totalitarian, abusive ministers, and very quick to discipline and disfellowship recalcitrant or slow-to-conform members of their churches. They are very intolerant and autocratic Eand rule their congregations like a “godEor a Hitler with a Gestapo-like ministry.



Jeremiah the prophet prophesied of them: E‘WOE to the shepherds who destroy and scatter the sheep of My pasture!E says the LORD. Therefore thus says the LORD God of Israel against the shepherds who feed My people: ‘You have scattered My flock, driven them away, and not attended to them. Behold, I will attend to you for the evil of your doings,Esays the LordE(Jer.23:1-2).



Speaking of the churches of God, and the religious leaders of His people, God says, E‘For both prophet and priest are profane; Yes, in My house I have found their wickedness,Esays the LORD. ‘Therefore their way to them shall be like slippery ways; in the darkness they shall be driven on and fall in them; for I will bring disaster on them, the year of their punishment,Esays the LORD. And I have seen folly in the prophets [ministers, pastors, preachers] of Samaria [the modern United States, Britain and house of “Israel”]; the prophesied by Baal and caused My people Israel to ERRE(Jer.23:11-13).



God is very angry at these end-time preachers, ministers, and their lack of true conversion, humility, fear of God, and arrogance! He thunders, E‘Do not listen to the words of the prophets who prophesy to you. They make you worthless; they speak a vision [or doctrine, teaching] of their own heart, not from the mouth of the LORDE(v.16).



God is going to punish. He declares, “The anger of the LORD will not turn back until He has executed and performed the thoughts of His heart. In the latter days you will understand it perfectlyE(v.20).



Do you understand? Do you fear and tremble before the Word of God? (see Isaiah 66:1-2). Do you humble yourself before His Word?



God goes on in His severe warning: “I have not sent these prophets, yet they ran. I have not spoken to them, yet they prophesied [preached]. But if they had stood in my counsel, and had caused My people to hear My words, then they would have turned them from their evil way and from the evil of their doingsE(vs.21-22).



God would even forgive them, for their preaching in His name, if only they would preach the TRUTH! But they don’t, and they won’t. So God declares, “I have heard what the prophets have said who prophesy LIES in My name, ‘I have dreamed, I have dreamed!E How long will this be in the heart of the prophets who prophesy lies? Indeed, they are prophets of the DECEIT [deception, false teaching, false doctrines] of their OWN heartE(vs.25-26).



God thunders, E‘The prophet who has a dream, let him tell a dream; and he who has My word, let him speak My word faithfully. What is the chaff to the wheat?Esays the LORD. ‘Is not My word like a fire?Esays the LORD, ‘And like a hammer the rock in pieces? Therefore behold, I am against the prophets,Esays the LORD, ‘who STEAL MY WORDS everyone from his neighborE(vs.28-30).



The warnings of Yahveh God are very explicit. He declares, “Behold, I am against those who prophesy false dreams [false ideas, teachings of their own heart Esee verse 26],Esays the LORD, ‘and tell them, and CAUSE MY PEOPLE TO ERR by their LIES and by their RECKLESSNESS. Yet I did not send them or command them; therefore they shall not profit this people at all,Esays the LORDE(Jer.23:32).



And in verse 36 God warns, “For every man’s word will be his oracle [“burden”], for you have PERVERTED the words of the living God, the LORD of hosts, our GodE!



Very serious charges, these are! Don’t you agree?



The LORD Yahveh says He is going to forsake utterly those who pervert His Word, and preach the deceit of their own hearts, make His people to err and go astray by their LIES, and their “RECKLESSNESSEregarding His divine Word, His TRUTH!



Modern-day “NicolaitansEand their followers should get a real “HEADS UPEand WARNING from Jeremiah’s message in chapter 23. He is speaking to THEM!



The Final Mark EAbuse and Cruelty

Ezekiel the prophet was inspired to continue this awesome, power-packed indictment against the shepherds of Israel during the end-time. He wrote, “And the word of the LORD came to me, saying, ‘Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel, prophesy and say to them, “Thus says the Lord GOD to the shepherds: ‘WOE to the shepherds of Israel who feed themselves! Should not the shepherds feed the flocks? You eat the fat and clothe yourselves with the wool; you slaughter the fatlings, but you do not feed the flock. The weak you have not strengthened, nor have you healed those who were sick, nor bound up the broken, nor brought back what was driven away, nor sought what was lost; BUT WITH FORCE AND CRUELTY you have RULED them. So they were scattered because there was no shepherd; and they became food for all the beasts of the field [false churches, religions, and spiritual gurus] where they were scatteredE(Ezek.34:1-5, NKJV).



Notice! These churches, regardless of their posturing and posing, and dubious claims, persecute the flock under them. They mistreat God’s people, cause them to grovel in the dirt before their imagined authority, rule them with CRUELTY and hardness, harshness, and overbearing authority.



They do not love the flock; they are not loving or good shepherds, who would even give their lives for the sheep (see John 10:11). Rather, they are mere ‘hirelings,Ewho have their own agenda, their own motives, for being ministers, teachers, and pastors! The Messiah Yeshua said, “But a hireling, one who does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and FLEES; and the wolf catches the sheep and scatters them. The hireling flees because he is a hireling and does not care about the sheepE(John 10:12-13).



These “hirelingsErule the flock with “forceEand “cruelty.E The Hebrew word for “forceEis #2394, chosqah, meaning “vehemence (usually is a bad sense), force, mightily, repair, sharply.E Gesenius says, “might, violence, very, mightily.E The Hebrew word for “crueltyEis #6531, perek, and means “from an unused root meaning ‘to break apart,Efracture Ei.e. severity Ecruelty, rigorE(Strong’s Concordance). Gesenius states: “oppression, tyranny, from the signification of crushing.E



Do we get the picture? Do you know ANY ministers or churches like that? How does your minister or church handle it when or if members DARE to ask questions concerning doctrines, teachings, beliefs, or Scriptures which seem to conflict with the church’s teachings and doctrines?

True Ministers

A true minister of God will handle questions in a gentle, loving, patient manner. As Timothy was told by the apostle Paul, “Do not rebuke an older man, but exhort him as a father, younger men as brothers, younger women as sisters, with all purityE(I Tim.5:1).



Paul declared, “And a servant of the Lord must not quarrel but be gentle to all, able to teach, patient, in humility correcting those who are in opposition, if God perchance will grant them repentance, so that they may know the truth, and that they may come to their senses and escape the snare of the devil, having been taken captive by him to do his willEto stir up strife and cause confusion in the flock, and to destroy all he can, for he is the “great destroyerE(II Tim..3:24-26).



Peter tells the true servants of God, the true ministry, “Shepherd the flock of God which is among you, serving as overseers, not by compulsion but willingly, not for dishonest gain but eagerly; nor as being lords over those entrusted to you, but being EXAMPLES to the flockE(I Pet.5:1-3).



And to the church members, God says, “Remember those who rule [lead] over you, who have spoken the word of God to you, whose faith follow, considering the outcome of their conduct. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. Do not be carried about with various and strange doctrines. For it is good that the heart be established with grace, not with foods which have not profited those who have been occupied with themE(Hebrews 13:7-9).



Paul adds, “Obey those who rule [lead] over you, and be submissive, for they watch out for your souls, as those who must give account. Let them do so with joy and not with grief, for that would be unprofitable to youE(verse 17).



And to the Thessalonians, Paul wrote, “And we urge your, brethren, to recognize those who labor among you, and are over you in the Lord and admonish [“instruct or warn”] you, and to esteem them very highly in love for their work’s sake. Be at peace among yourselvesE(I Thess.5:12-13).



Warning for the End Time


The problems with false teachings, false doctrines, and the spirit of Nicolaitan ministers and teachers, was foretold to become very serious and extreme in the “end of days.E The apostle Paul warned, “Now the Spirit expressly [explicitly] says that in the LATTER TIMES some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons, speaking lies in hypocrisy, having their own conscience seared with a hot ironE(I Tim.4:1-2).



In his second letter to Timothy, Paul issued the same warning, only more explicit He wrote, “But know this, that in the LAST DAYS perilous times will come: For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a FORM of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away! For of this sort are those who creep into households and make captives of gullible women loaded down with sins, led away by various lusts, always learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the TRUTH. Now as Jannes and Jambres resisted Moses, so do these also resist the truthE(II Tim.3:1-8).



The Nicolaitan condition is like a spiritual cancer, that spreads and poisons cells and creates tumors and metastasizes until it spreads its lethal cargo throughout the whole body. If it is not purged, it leads ultimately to death.



Therefore, God tells His true ministers, and servants, to be on their guard. “Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with al longsuffering and teaching. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fablesE(II Tim.4:2-4).



Each one of us is responsible for our own salvation. We dare not trust any man to do our work, study, prayer, or research for us Ewe must work out our own salvation, “with fear and tremblingE(Phil.2:12-13). Paul also declared, “that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plottingE(Eph.4:14).



Salvation is serious business! The spirit of Nicolaus/Nimrod and religious deception is alive and well, and thriving in this end-time generation.



For more information on this and related subjects, write for our articles: “The End-Time Apostasy,E“The Great Apostasy,E“Crisis in the Church of God,E“Where Did the Church Go Wrong?E “Back to Babylon,E“How Have the Mighty Fallen!E “The Son of Perdition,E“How Should God’s Ministers Be Ordained?E “The Plain Truth about Church Government,E“Church Authority EThe Truth about Totalitarianism,E“How To Study the Bible,E“What Is MosesESeat?E “Anointing and the Laying on of Hands,EProphetic Errors of Herbert Armstrong,E“Which Church Is God’s True Church?E E0 Differences Ea Statement of BeliefsE



Now that you know what the “NicolaitansEare, what are you going to do about it?


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Interesting facts about Revelation. -- U K NOW IT, 22:57:54 07/25/06 Tue


Armageddon: In the battle of Armageddon the nations of the earth are gathered for battle and surround the camp of God's people but there is no actual battle because fire came down from heaven and devoured them. See Rev 20:8-9 compare with Rev 16:16 and 19:19-20.

Last book in the Bible: Revelation is the last book in the bible and probably the last to be written. It also uses vivid imagery to describe the final state of the overcomers and the cowardly. It also describes the final end of Satan in the lake of fire, and a new earth and a new heaven where there will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain.

Apocalypse: The book is sometimes call the Apocalypse after its Greek first word apokalupsis (reveal, disclosure, unveil). It is frequently miss-named "Revelations" (plural), but it is the "revelation of Jesus Christ" (singular not pleural) Rev 1:1.

Antichrist: The word 'Antichrist' never occurs in Revelation, it is only found within John's epistles, 1 John 2:18, 2:22, 4:3 and 2 John 1:7.

Deity of Christ: Revelation contains one of the clearest evidences of the deity of Christ in Rev 22:13 "I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End."

Erasmus: When Erasmus was compiling his Greek New Testament which would later be the basis for the KJ translation he was missing the last six verses of Revelation in the Greek and so he used the Latin Vulgate and translated those verses into the Greek. He made a few mistakes such as using "book of life" instead of "tree of life" in Rev 22:19. This mistake still occurs in the KJV today.

Divine Authorship: It contains the most explicit claim of divine authorship of any book in the bible

(Rev 1:1-2 NIV) The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show his servants what must soon take place. He made it known by sending his angel to his servant John, {2} who testifies to everything he saw--that is, the word of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ.

Blessing: It promises a blessing to those who read or hear the words of the prophecy and take to heart what is written within it (Rev 1:3). People are sometimes afraid to study or comment on it because of the warning in Rev 22:18-19, which warns about adding or taking away from the words of the book. However this is most likely to be a warning about tampering with the word of God. Since there is a blessing for those who read or hear and take to heart its message we should certainly not be afraid to study it and find out what God is saying to us through it.

The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse: The four Horsemen of the Apocalypse appear with the opening of the first four seals described in Rev 6:1-8. As each seal is opened a different coloured horse and its rider is seen by John.

Nicolatians: The word Nicolatians, meaning follower of Nicolaus, which in the Greek comes from the two Greek words nikos (conquer) and laos (people) in other words conquer the people. The word Baalam is a Hebrew word meaning not of the people or destroy the people. In other words Nicolatians and Balaam mean the same thing in Greek and Hebrew. They represent false prophets who infiltrate the church to destroy the people of God through idolatry and sexual immorality.

What is the mark of the beast? Revelation says it is " the name of the beast or the number of his name." The number of the beast is 666, which has tantalised people for ages. Most likely it is a gematria, and the most likely candidate is Nero. It marks a man as an idolater because he worships the beast rather than God. Rev 14:9, 14:11, 19:20, 20:4 one message of Revelation is to worship God (Rev 14:7). The beast represents the state (emperor or Antichrist) and we must not put the state before God. We pay taxes to Caesar and give worship to God (Mat 22:21) because taxes belong to Caesar and worship belongs to God. When Caesar demands worship he takes what belongs to God alone, and he becomes the beast, as only God is to be worshipped as the Creator and supreme Lord. I do not think it is a computer chip. For more details see:- The mark of the beast and 666

Popular expressions originating in the Apocalypse and the bible

pearly gates (Rev 21:21)
Streets paved with gold (Rev 21:21)
four corners of the earth, (Rev 7:1)
the writing is on the wall (Dan 5:5 )
straight and narrow. (Mat 7:14)
Powers that be (KJV Rom 13:1)
do not cast pearls before swine (Mat 7:6)
fire and brimstone (Luke 17:29 also Rev 14:10, 20:10, 21:8) see The Phrase Finder for more
Revelation sometimes interprets its own symbology

We should get the idea that Revelation is a symbolic book because there are certain symbols that are explained within Revelation itself. There are at least eleven verses where Revelation explains its own symbology. Indeed Jesus himself explains the first unknown symbol.

Rev 1:20 The mystery of the seven stars that you saw in my right hand and of the seven golden lampstands is this: The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches, and the seven lampstands are the seven churches.

Other verses where Revelation gives its own interpretation are listed below:

Rev 5:6 Then I saw a Lamb, looking as if it had been slain, standing in the centre of the throne, encircled by the four living creatures and the elders. He had seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God sent out into all the earth.

Rev 5:8 And when he had taken it, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb. Each one had a harp and they were holding golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints.

Rev 12:9 The great dragon was hurled down--that ancient serpent called the devil, or Satan, who leads the whole world astray. He was hurled to the earth, and his angels with him.

Rev 4:5 From the throne came flashes of lightning, rumblings and peals of thunder. Before the throne, seven lamps were blazing. These are the seven spirits of God.

Rev 17:9-10 "This calls for a mind with wisdom. The seven heads are seven hills on which the woman sits. 10 They are also seven kings. Five have fallen, one is, the other has not yet come; but when he does come, he must remain for a little while.

17:11 The beast who once was, and now is not, is an eighth king. He belongs to the seven and is going to his destruction.
17:12 "The ten horns you saw are ten kings who have not yet received a kingdom, but who for one hour will receive authority as kings along with the beast.
17:15 "The waters you saw, where the prostitute sits, are peoples, multitudes, nations and languages.
17:18 The woman you saw is the great city that rules over the kings of the earth."
Rev 19:8 Fine linen, bright and clean, was given her to wear." (Fine linen stands for the righteous acts of the saints.)
Beatitudes: If you look carefully at the beatitudes (Mat 5:3-12) they all find their fulfillment in Revelation chapters 21 and 22.

Mat 5:3-12 Rev 21-22
{Mat 5:3} "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Rev 21:1 Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea.
{4} Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. Rev 21:4 He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away."
{5} Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. Rev 21:1 Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea.
{6} Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. (Rev 21:26-27 NIV) The glory and honor of the nations will be brought into it. {27} Nothing impure will ever enter it, nor will anyone who does what is shameful or deceitful, but only those whose names are written in the Lamb's book of life.
{7} Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. {8} Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. Rev 22:4 They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads.
{9} Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God. Rev 21:7 He who overcomes will inherit all this, and I will be his God and he will be my son.
{10} Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Rev 21:1 Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea.
{11} "Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. {12} Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you. (all of Rev 21-22 cf. 2:8).
Rev 22:12 "Behold, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to everyone according to what he has done.

Who are the two witnesses described in Rev 11:3-12? I believe that they represent the church witnessing in the power of the Holy Spirit.

i. The church received power to witness at Pentecost, see verse 3 'I will give power to my two witnesses and they will prophecy...' cf. Acts 1:8 and 2:18.

ii. Two is the number to establish a witness, testimony (Deu 17:6, John 8:17, 2 Cor 13:1), for example our Lord sent his disciple out in twos, Mark 6:7.

iii. They are described as 'the two olive trees and the two lampstands that stand before the Lord of the earth' 11:4. We have already seen that the church is symbolised by lampstands in 1:20. The olive trees represent the power of the Holy Spirit with which the witnesses had received (Acts 1:5, 1:8, 2:17).

iv. They prophecy for the same period (1,260 days) as the worshippers, temple of God and holy city is trampled on by the Gentiles (42 months). These three designations are all indicative of the church.

v. They rise from the dead and are raptured as is the church (11:11-12).

vi. 11:7 indicates that '...the beast that comes up from the Abyss will attack them, and overpower and kill them' i.e. the two witnesses this parallels the warning in 13:7 that the beast 'was given power to make war against the saints and to conquer them' see also the warning in 13:10. If the two events are indeed parallel then the two witnesses are the saints.

Who are the 144,000 described in Rev 7:4 ? I believe that they represent the church.

i. They are described as the servants of our God in verse 3, a term that refers to the church, and is used more than 11 times in Revelation, see 1:1, 1:6, 5:10, 6:11, 7:15, 19:2, 19:5, 19:10, 22:3, 22:6, 22:9. The book of Revelation was written to God's servants (1:1, 22:6).

ii. The NT Church is called the Israel of God (Gal 6:16). Both Jews and Gentiles are members of Christ's body and share the same promises, the church is Abraham's offspring (Eph 3:6, Gal 3:6-9, 28-29). See also James 1:1.

iii. Judah is the firstborn instead of Reuben. Jesus is the firstborn of the dead (Col 1:15 ) and he is descended from Judah (Heb 7:14). Note while Jesus was on earth he went through the initiation rights of both Jews (circumcision) and Christians (baptism). Judah offered himself as a substitute for his brother Benjamin (Gen 44:33) and is therefore a type of Christ.

iv. Levi the tribe of priests is included in the census, they are normally excluded from a census (Num 1:47), the saints are described as priests in 1:6, 5:10 and 20:6.

v. Joseph, who is a type of Christ is included (instead of Ephraim), there is nothing wrong spoken about him, see verse eight for more detail.

vi. Dan and Ephraim who went off into idolatry are excluded, they are replaced by Levi and Joseph, there are no idolaters in the church, 21:8, 22:15. Irenaeus thinks that the antichrist will come from Dan and quotes, Jer 8:16.

vii. Those in an OT census are ransomed people (cf. Exo 30:12).

viii. The number 144 (12*12 i.e. OT * NT) and 12,000 occur again in the description of the New Jerusalem, Rev 21:12-17, which is clearly both OT (twelve tribes and 12 gates) and NT church (twelve apostles and 12 foundations). This could also be a description of the Jewish and Gentile church, but the emphasis is that it is the complete church.

ix. The 144,000 are found again in 14:1 where they have the name of the Lamb and the Father written on their foreheads. In the description of the new Jerusalem, 22:3-4, we also find God's servants with his name on their foreheads. The 144,000 in 14:1-5 are described as followers of the Lamb, they sing a new song, they are pure and blameless, they are redeemed from the earth.

x. Milligan points out that if the seal is the antithesis of the mark of the beast which is on all his followers then the seal of God will be on all His followers and not just a part.

xi. God is sealing all of his people against the coming trumpets not just a part just as all God's people escaped the plagues on the Egyptians. All those who put the blood of the lamb on the door posts and lintels escaped from the destroying angel.


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The Adoption of Sons -- David Weber, 01:24:20 07/25/06 Tue

I feel the need to express a few things today; some things that are foundational to our understanding of "sonship," as many Christians are not very familiar with the true meaning of "sonship" or "the adoption of sons" or "the placement of sons" as those things are revealed to us in scripture.

It is no wonder that a dark veil has been pulled over the understanding of most Christians regarding "sonship," for the revelation of sonship is something that the devil ferociously withstands, and that because the Christian progression from spiritual children to spiritual sons means the enemy's very undoing.

"For the anxious longing of the creature waits eagerly for the revealing of the sons of God. For the creation was subject to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself also will be set free from its slavery to corruption into the freedom of the glory of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation groans and suffers the pains of childbirth until now. And not only this, but also we ourselves, having the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting eagerly for our adoption as sons..." (Romans 8:19-23)

Beloved, even a brief glimpse into this passage of scripture from Romans should reveal to us that the "adoption of sons" or the unveiling of the Son in fullness in a company of sons is something which yet lies ahead for the body of Christ. We, who have received a measure of the Spirit now wait ...GROANINGLY WAIT! for our adoption as sons. We were foreordained unto adoption as sons, but the actual adoption is something for which we are now waiting. Thus, this "adoption" is not simply the matter of our coming into the family of God through regeneration of our spirit, but rather, it is something which is the end result of God's fiery dealings with us unto the full and complete surrender of our souls!

There have been vast amounts of erroneous teaching about "adoption" and "sonship" in the body of Christ, and that mostly because men have looked at biblical adoption through the eyes of modern western culture. But beloved, the traditional Hebrew view of "the adoption of a son" has absolutely nothing to do with the placement of an orphan into a foster home, rather, it has to do with a young man coming into a place of maturity whereby the full authority and resources of his father are bestowed upon him.

With this in mind, can you not see why the devil would do everything in his power to blind the children of God to the message of their full inheritance and adoption as sons? When MATURE sons of God are made manifest beloved (the man-child of Revelation 12), the enemy will lose his place, he will lose his kingdom, he will lose his title, he will even lose his evil grip on creation! He loses everything!

"Now the salvation, and the power, and the kingdom of our God and the authority of His Christ has come, for the accuser of the brethren has been thrown down..." (Revelation 12:10)

Dear ones, the catching up of the manchild of Revelation 12 to the throne of God is none other than the sons of God coming into their place of full authority and power in the kingdom; that which the devil has feared the most, and that for which all of creation has been groaning like a woman in the travail of childbirth. The devil has fought hard to keep the light of the inheritance in Christ from Christian believers ... but beloved ... it is now time for us to rise and shine for our light has come! It is time for us to know by the spirit of wisdom and revelation the hope of our calling; which is the full riches and power and authority of our Father bestowed upon us, and that for the purpose of setting all of His creation free from its slavery to corruption and death so that even it (creation itself) might come into the freedom of the glory of the children of God come into their inheritance as sons! Oh glory!

With these things in mind and heart, let me share with you something about the true scriptural meaning of "adoption" and "sonship" as it applies to the above quoted verse from Romans 8 (our inheritance), and as it can be seen in the life and development of the average Hebrew boy ... and even Jesus Himself!

The original Greek word translated as "revealing" in Romans 8:19 is the word "apokalupsis," which simply means "disclosure." In other places throughout the New Testament, it is also translated as "appearing," "coming," "enlighten," and "revelation." The definition assigned to its root word is, "to take off the cover." Therefore, when we come across this word "apokalupsis" in Scripture, it has to do with the exposing of something that has been hidden from view, or bringing into light that which has been kept in obscurity. In this passage of scripture it should be pretty clear that what has been hidden and held in obscurity is ... the sons of God! Certainly even the understanding of sonship has been hidden from many Christians up until now, but thank God, we are coming into a day of a great unveiling of God's inheritance in the saints.

As the above passage of scripture about the sons of God appears to us in English, "sons" could be taken in several different ways, but in the original language, Paul was very careful in his choice of words. For the word "sons" Paul very carefully chose the word "huios" rather than the word "teknion" (which means infant) or "teknon" (which speaks of a child or a youth) because he was not referring to mere children. "Huios" specifically speaks of matured, fully developed sons, or those who have come of age into full maturity. Of the three words, "huios" is the only word that the Holy Spirit inspired Paul to use when he spoke of those to be manifested as sons of God in Romans 8, and it is also the only word that the Holy Spirit inspired the beloved John to use when he referred to the manchild in Revelation chapter 12. Is that possibly because those are one and the same? I think so.

With this understanding somewhat established, we should be able to see that the manifestation of the sons of God is not merely the unveiling or revelation of God's children, since that manifestation has been occurring for the past two thousand years, but it is a revelation of those children coming into their full maturity in Christ, when they will come of full age (spiritually speaking) and be presented by the Father as full grown "sons" (huios) of the Kingdom.

According to John's Gospel, those who receive the Christ are given the power to become the children (teknon) of God, and that through the regeneration of their spirit. But what Paul then reveals in Romans is that from these children will come forth "mature sons;" the manifestation of which all of creation has been anxiously awaiting. Take a look again at verse 21 from Romans, but this time from the J.B.Phillips translation;

"And the hope is that in the end the whole of created life will be rescued from the tyranny of change and decay, and have its share in that magnificent liberty WHICH CAN ONLY BELONG TO THE CHILDREN OF GOD!"

Beloved, this means that the "sons of God" can only come forth from the "children of God," or in other words, the "manchild" can only come forth from the "woman" (she who is made up of "sun clad" believers, but is yet to come to full maturity in Christ for she is still in a sense, a spiritual "child," not having put the self-life fully to death). The manifestation of the sons of God will not be the disclosure of God's offspring in the infant stage (teknion) or the adolescent stage (teknon)... No, it shall be a manifestation of those who have come to the full stature of Christ; nothing less than Christ's own perfection (that's maturity)! Oh, may the spirit of wisdom and revelation open the eyes of your understanding to this wonderful truth!

This article is getting a little bit long, and I want to try to wrap it up, but I would like to take a quick look at the life of Jesus as it is revealed to us in the Gospels because in His life we can see a pattern which reveals the three stages of spiritual growth in a believer ... from infancy (teknion) ... to puberty (teknon) ... to maturity (huios). This is revealed in Jesus' manger birth and circumcision on the eighth day, to His appearing in the temple at age 12, to His adoption ceremony and His Father's proclamation of His Sonship at the Jordan at age 30 ("30" is the biblical number for "maturity").

The pattern shown to us in the life of Jesus, is also revealed to us in the life of the average Israelite male (which I mentioned earlier). Jesus then spiritually amplifies for us that pattern with His life.

In the life of the average Hebrew boy there were three major events which drew broad public attention to him. The first of these events was his "Circumcision," which occurred when he was an infant, at eight days old. This was the moment that he was marked as a "covenant man" in Israel, and was celebrated throughout the community.

The second major event was his "Bar-Mitzvah," which took place as he was about to enter into puberty. The word Bar-Mitzvah actually means "a son accountable," and this signified the time, not only when he was held accountable for keeping the Commandments of God, but also when he was to become an apprentice under his father in the family business. This, too, was celebrated as a very special event in the life of the child, just as it is today.

The third event was what was known as the "Huiothesia," or the (young man's) "adoption ceremony." The word "Huiothesia" means "Son Placement," and indicates the time when a male child reached what was considered to be the age of maturity (somewhere around 30). At this time, the father of the young man would place his hand on the head of his son and openly proclaim, "This is my beloved son in whom I am well pleased! I bestow upon him now all of my riches and power and authority (through power of attorney) so that he might act on my behalf in all of my affairs."

Beloved friends, can you see that the three experiences that are described in the life of an Israelite male, and the three stages shown to us in the life of Jesus, are to be spiritually discerned so that we may understand God's enduring process for our own spiritual growth into sons? Can you now understand why Jesus would say to Mary and Joseph at age 12, "Know ye not that I must be about My Father's business?" Can you see that He was proclaiming His just then entered apprenticeship under the Father? At that point Jesus was just entering an 18 year stage of "learning the family business" so to speak. His Sonship ceremony at the Jordan which would "fulfill all righteousness" and launch His glorious Sonship ministry would not be performed until He reached the full stage of "maturity." The Holy Spirit's descent like a dove upon Jesus was in essence the hand of the Father coming upon the Son to proclaim His Sonship ministry! The Father said, "This is My Beloved Son in Whom I AM well pleased!" Many of us have not understood the full ramifications of those words, or that ceremony, until now. But there is now a great light of revelation being shed upon such things in this day.

Why?

Because the time for our adoption as "sons" is drawing nigh beloved. Our Father is preparing to bestow the riches and the power and the glory of His Kingdom upon a people, and that without measure! But He won't give that power to spiritual infants! No, He won't. Nor will He give it to spiritual children... But the Father is waiting (as is all of creation) to bring forth sons. This is the precious fruit of the earth for which the Husbandman has been patiently waiting.

Oh yeah ... one last thing.

Growth from spiritual childhood to that of a son comes only one way beloved... lots and lots of chastening, suffering, trials, and tribulation. Hardly the escape "rapture" folks ... sorry.

May the Lord give us the grace to endure the trials and the chastening that we must suffer unto sonship, and that, so that He may have that company of sons upon whom He can place the great authority and power that is needed to rule and reign with Him in the Kingdom of God.


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Father God, we count this day -a day or restoration, a day where the shackles of religion has been destroyed, a day where the blind can now see, a day that the deaf can now hear, and a day where the lost can be found dwelling in your presence and doing their part in the will of God. May each participant in this forum be enlightened in you. It is so... so shall it be....
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