The Gospel Of The Kingdom Part 3  by Ray Wegner

 

 

 

This section on human nature must be treated cautiously, because although all humans have human nature we are not all the same. We don't all exhibit every trait of human nature herein listed. Yet the Bible teaches that humans are born with a nature that is basically sinful.

 

1. Striving for status in the group
2. Deceitful and lying
3. Uncleanness and impure thoughts
4. Self-preservation
5. Proud
6. Idolatry, worshiping of false gods
7. Envy and covetousness
8. Adultery, fornication, lasciviousness, lust (lustful pleasure)
9. Disobedient to parents
10. Dirty stories, foul talk, coarse jokes, swearing and cursing
11. Vain, vanity
12. Selfish and self-willed
13. Hatred, war, murder, fighting and anger
14. Jealousy
15. Unmerciful
16. Drunkenness
17. Boastful
18. Enmity against God
19. Greed (idol worshiper)
20. Complaints and criticism
21. Spiritism (encouraging the activity of demons)
22. Everyone is wrong except those in your little group
23. Wild parties and banqueting
24. Slander, malice and gossip
25. Rebellious and despising government

 

Good Characteristics of Human Nature

1. Curiosity,

2. Natural eagerness to work

3. Self-sacrifice.

 

Jesus Christ the Link between God and Man.

 

God's Characteristics

• Love
• Truth
• Peace
• Joyful
• Faithful
• Merciful
• Bold
• Self-controlled
• Long-suffering
• Humble and meek
• Gracious
• Kind and good
• Glorious
• All wise and understanding
• Almighty
• I AM THAT I AM
• Potent and Able
• Practical and Realistic
• Creative and Productive
• Immoral
• Spirit
• Gentle
• Temperate
• Giving and Serving
• Holy and Pure

 

There is a natural hostility between mankind and God, because our natures are different.

 

 

Christ has come to make peace between man and God. Christ born of the flesh, but with God as His Father. Through His shed blood we can have peace with God. Christ dying on the cross is God's master plan for salvation.

 

Man is in Bondage to sin and the wages of sin is death.

 

 

 

Romans 6:23 " For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. "

 

 

 

 

Ephesians 2:1-5 " And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins; Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others. But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) "

 

 

 

John 3:1-8 " There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews: The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him. Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born? Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again. The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit. "

 

 

 

Christ came preaching the Gospel of the Kingdom of God

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Galatians 5:18-21 " But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law. Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told [you] in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God. "

 

 

Galatians 5:22-26

 

The New Covenant, which is based upon better promises (Hebrew 9th chapter, note verse 15).

 

Hebrews 9: 1-15 " But Christ being come an high priest of good things to come, by a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this building; Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us. For if the blood of bulls and of goats, and the ashes of an heifer sprinkling the unclean, sanctifieth to the purifying of the flesh: How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God? And for this cause he is the mediator of the new testament, that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first testament, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance. "

 

 

 

1 Peter 2: 9-10 " 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: Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy. "

 

 

The promise is that we can be born into the Kingdom of God. This is now open to all believers of all races and nationalities.

 

 

Galatians 3: 26-29 " For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus. And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise. "

 

Acts 10: 34-35 " Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons: But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him. The word which God sent unto the children of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ: (he is Lord of all:). "

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Galatians 3:26-29 " For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus. And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise. "

 

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Christ defeated sin, death and Satan.

 

Hebrews 2: 14-15 " Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil; And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage. "

 

Romans 6:23 " For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. "

But the final victory over death has not yet happened, for the last enemy that Jesus will destroy is death.

 

1 Corinthians 15:24-26 " Then cometh the end, when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when he shall have put down all rule and all authority and power. For he must reign, till he hath put all enemies under his feet. The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death. "

 

Revelation 20:14 And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire. "

 

Revelation 21:8 " But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death. "

 

 

We are saved through his life.

 

Romans 5:8-11 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him. For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life. "

 

1 Corinthians 15:13-23 " But if there be no resurrection of the dead, then is Christ not risen: And if Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain. Yea, and we are found false witnesses of God; because we have testified of God that he raised up Christ: whom he raised not up, if so be that the dead rise not. For if the dead rise not, then is not Christ raised: And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins. Then they also which are fallen asleep in Christ are perished. If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable. But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept. For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive. But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ's at his coming. "

 

Christ rose from the dead.

 

1 Corinthians 15:1-8 " Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures: And that he was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve: After that, he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once; of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep. After that, he was seen of James; then of all the apostles. And last of all he was seen of me also, as of one born out of due time. "

Christ is over everyone and everything, except God the Father.

 

1 Corinthians 15:24-28 " Then cometh the end, when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when he shall have put down all rule and all authority and power. For he must reign, till he hath put all enemies under his feet. The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death. For he hath put all things under his feet. But when he saith all things are put under him, it is manifest that he is excepted, which did put all things under him. And when all things shall be subdued unto him, then shall the Son also himself be subject unto him that put all things under him, that God may be all in all. "

 

 

• Justified by his blood (Hebrews 10:1-14)
• Forgiveness of our sins through His blood (Hebrews 9:1-28)
• Christ has purchased the Church with His blood.
• Christ the Lamb of God. We are redeemed by the blood of Christ.
• The Church is to rule with Christ when He returns to reign on the earth.
• We are to have faith in His blood.

 

 

 

Galatians 5:19-21 " Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told [you] in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God. "

 

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. "

 

Justified by his blood. Forgiveness of our sins through His blood.

 

Christ has purchased the Church with His blood.

 

1 Corinthians 7:22-23 " For he that is called in the Lord, being a servant, is the Lord's freeman: likewise also he that is called, being free, is Christ's servant. Ye are bought with a price; be not ye the servants of men. "

 

 

Galatians 3:13 " Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree: "

 

1 Peter 1:18-19 " Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot: "

 

 

1 John 1:1-7 " That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the Word of life; For the life was manifested, and we have seen it, and bear witness, and shew unto you that eternal life, which was with the Father, and was manifested unto us; That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ. And these things write we unto you, that your joy may be full. This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth: But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his

Son cleanseth us from all sin. "

 

Romans 3:24-25 " Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God; "

 

Colossians1:20 " And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven. "

 

 

14b) The Resurrection of Jesus

 

Three days and three nights in the tomb (Matthew 12:38-40) (Jonah 1:17).

 

Not crucified on Friday (please go to the article on the Sabbath).

 

The many eye witnesses (Acts 1:1-12) (1 Corinthians 15:1-8) (John 20:26-31).

 

The disciples were reluctant to believe (Luke 24:1-11 note verse 11) (Mark 16:1-14 note verse 11 & 13).

 

Christ's resurrection was prophesied (Psalms 16:9-10) ( Acts 2:29-36 note verse 31).

 

We also can be raised from the dead ( ! Corinthians 15:51-54) ( 1 Thessalonians 4:15-17) .

 

We are saved through His life (Romans 5:10).

 

The resurrection is vital. It is a necessity (1 Corinthians 15:12-20).

 

It was real and could not have been a fake ( 1 Corinthians 15:1-9).

 

We also can have this hope that we will be raised from the dead when Christ returns (Matthew 24:29-31).

 

Christ is the first born from the dead (1 Corinthians 15:20-23).

 

All other believers remain dead until the resurrection (Acts 2:29-36).

 

We do not go to heaven. Please click on the preceding hyperlink for the proof.

 

We will be born into the Kingdom of God ( Matthew 25:34) (Romans 8:15-19) (Daniel 7:18).

 

Children become like their parents and we will be fully born into Gods Kingdom (Revelation 21:7) (Revelation 21:1-3).

 

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Chapter 15   The Body of Christ

 

Christ was both human and divine (Luke 1:26-38) (John 1:1-14 note verses 1,2,3 and 14) (Galatians 4:1-8 note verse 4) (Isaiah 7:14).

 

Christ died in the flesh on the cross, and lived a sinless life (John 19:28-37 and 38-42) (Hebrews 5:15) (1 Peter 2:21-25).

 

He paid the penalty for our sins, which is death (Romans 6:23).

 

Those who believe in Him can be forgiven of sins and given the gift of eternal life (John 2:14-18) (Matthew 9:1-8) (Romans 5:1-2).

 

We must symbolically crucify the carnal nature on the cross with Christ (Galatians 2:20) (Romans 6:6-11 note verse 6).

 

We must have the old carnal mind and nature deadened, and symbolically crucify that nature with Christ. We are to follow the Spirit and not the flesh. (Colossians 2:9-13) (Galatians 5:24)

 

Christ rose in the Spirit and so also we are to live after the Spirit.

 

What is the body of Christ ? Go to

 

We must have the Holy Spirit living in us before being part of the Body of Christ

 

We are to deaden the works of our carnal minds, and forsake being motivated by lust, greed, selfishness and so on (Galatians 5:16-21).

 

Instead we must be motivated and led by the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:22-26).

 

We must no longer be slaves of sin such as greed, selfishness, vanity and so on (John 8:30-36).

 

Instead we have been set free by Christ from bondage to sin. We are free to follow the Spirit and love God and others (Romans 6:12-23).

 

Because of what Christ has done we can be under God's grace, when we accept His sacrifices for our own sins. God has pardoned us and placed our sins on Christ. (Ephesians 2:1-10)

 

Christ toke our sins upon himself and willingly died on the Cross (John 12:27) (Matthew 26:36-46, 53-54) (John 10:7-18 please note verses 17 and 18) (John 2:13-22 note verse 19).

 

Christ is the door which leads us to the Kingdom of God (John 10:7-10).

 

Christ has defeated Satan and is qualified to rule the earth (1 John 3:8) (Matthew 4:1-11) (Hebrews 2:14-18) (John 12:30-33) (Colossians 2:15) (John 16:11).

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1 Corinthians 1:29 "That no flesh should glory in his presence. We are saved through grace and this not of ourselves it is the gift of God. "

 

We are saved through faith. Faith in God and His promises. We are not saved by keeping the Ten Commandments. We are saved through Faith.

• We can't earn our salvation. It is a gift of God. The faith and grace is from God. All we do is to trust God and Christ to save us.

 

 

• repent of our sins (Luke 13:3,5) (Mark 1:14-15) (Matthew 4:17) (Acts 2:37-38)
• repent of following the old carnal mind (Galatians 5:19) (Ephesians 5:1-17)
• symbolically crucify the old carnal nature on the Cross with Christ (Romans 6:6) (Galatians 2:20)
• walk in newness of life (2 Corinthians 5:17)

 

• if we disbelieve Christ we are really calling Him a liar.
• we prove our belief by doing what Christ says.
• believe the Gospel.
• believe that God's word is good - He will do what He has promised.

 

 

• total immersion.
• burial in a watery grave, a cleansing ritual.
• persons doing the baptism do it in the name of Christ.
• the ceremony itself does not save you, but is symbolic of what is going on in the heart - in the spirit.

 

 

• the person doing it is only doing it in the name of Jesus - it is actually Jesus who baptizes you
• only done after a person is thoroughly prepared.
• one baptism.
• a very important step that needs to be taken very seriously.
• we are to count the cost before we start.

 

Receive the Gift of the Holy Spirit

• laying on of hands.
• praying that the Holy Spirit might be given.

• Holy Spirit comes from God.
• a person is now a part of the body of Christ.
• no heavenly signs.
• a person feels clean.
• God is now our Father.

 

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We now have been given the gift of the Holy Spirit.

 

This is an added dimension, something outside of ourselves, which has now been placed in us.

 

We can now have spiritual vision, because the Holy Spirit is within us.

 

We now can really begin to understand the Spiritual and see things from God's point of view, because we now have the mind of Christ.

 

 

God lives in the Tabernacle.

 

A temporary dwelling place.

 

We are just temporary dwelling places for God.

 

We don't have any home in this world.

 

We look for a spiritual home.

 

The Church is now Gods temple.

 

Each individual member.

 

Led by the Spirit of God.

 

God lives in His temple.

 

Christ rose in the Spirit and so also we are to live after the Spirit.

 

We must have the Holy Spirit living in us before we can be a part of the Body of Christ.

 

We are to resist being motivated by our old carnal minds - by lust, greed, selfishness, hatred, and so on. We are to resist the pulls of the old nature.

 

Instead we must be motivated and lead by the Holy Spirit.

 

We must no longer be slaves of sin such as greed, lust, hatred, vanity and so on.

 

Instead we have been set free by Christ from bondage to sin. We are free to follow the Spirit and to love God and others.

 

Because of what Christ has done we can be under God's grace, if we accept His sacrifice for our sins. God has pardoned us and placed our sin on Christ.

 

Christ toke our sins upon Himself and willingly died on the Cross.

 

Christ is the door which leads us to the Kingdom of God.

 

Christ has defeated Satan and is qualified to rule the earth.

 

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18A)  After Baptism

 

 

The Church

 

God is our Father. We are joined to Christ. Part of the Body of Christ. A spiritual organism - the church. We are now placed in the Church by Christ. Christ lives in and through us. We now grow in Christ's body. Christ cares for us and feeds us and we must grow spiritually. We are merely babies as yet not fully born, but growing in Christ's body. God teaches us and Christ nurtures us so that we can grow up and become more and more like God.

 

We are now a new creature. Our bodies are dead, because of sin for the wages of sin is death. We symbolically crucified our carnal natures on the cross with Christ. In baptism we symbolize the burial of the old self - the old carnal nature. After baptism and the laying on of hands we have been given the Holy Spirit.

 

We are now begotten children of God. Our bodies will die, but we now have the seed of eternal life, because of the life giving Holy Spirit.

 

Our bodies are of the earth. We naturally are concerned about the things of the earth and our carnal minds think only along those lines. This is only normal. However, we cannot live forever in this state. We get old and die. The body is subject to corruption. It will rot and decay after death.

 

After baptism we are new creatures. All things are new. We walk in newness of life. We walk in the Spirit. We are now spiritual creations. Now our whole perspective and outlook is changed.

 

We no longer have any home in this world. We are God's children and God is a Spirit. Our real home now is in God's Kingdom and we are just strangers and pilgrims on this earth.

 

The carnal nature died symbolically (the human nature does not go away after baptism, but we are to resist its downward pull and work to overcome it with the help of God and the Holy Spirit). We died, our bodies died symbolically with Christ on the cross. We no longer live in the flesh, but in the spirit. No longer led and motivated by the carnal mind but rather led and motivated by God's Holy Spirit.

 

All things are new. Everyone dies, but now we have this hope of the resurrection and the opportunity to live for all eternity in God's Kingdom. It is this hope of the resurrection that keeps us going on. Hope that is seen is not hope, but God has promised to give us eternal life in his Kingdom.

 

Sin lives in our bodies because our old natures are naturally sinful. The body symbolically died on the cross. Now just as Christ rose from the dead and is now Spirit so also we are to come up out of the watery grave and live after the Spirit.

 

Now our guide is the Holy Spirit. We are to follow the lead of the Holy Spirit. Christ is our everything and everyone. We are now joined to Christ. We are no longer subject to the law, but are subject to Christ. We are now free from bondage to sin. We have been set free from death by Christ. We are free, but not free to live as we please. We are free to follow the law of liberty. That law is that we should love God and love our brothers and sisters.

 

The spiritual is now first in our lives. We are now a part of God's Kingdom. We are begotten children of God and God is a Spirit. So we must grow spiritually. We are now translated into the Kingdom of Christ from Satan's Kingdom.

 

We are dead in the flesh, but alive in the Spirit. No longer to be motivated by lust, greed, selfishness and concerned about striving for status and power in the world. These are all concerns of the flesh. We are now Spiritual creations and we are now to be motivated by love toward God and toward others. God is love and we are now to relate to the world in a loving way (the human nature does not go away all at once after baptism, but we are to work with the help of the Holy Spirit to put down the works of the carnal mind and instead follow the lead of God's Spirit).

 

 

 

The newly begotten child of God is going to make a lot of mistakes.

 

We still are going to sin and still have many bad habits.

 

Making mistakes and still sinning does not mean we are not true children of God.

 

Children need to grow up and we are God's children and we need to grow up spiritually, but children stumble and fall and bang their heads and we will do the same. However, our Father in heaven will help us and teach us. Christ will not forsake us and we will begin to grow up spiritually.

 

Babes in Christ

 

Babies need milk and are not ready for strong meat.

 

A baby Christian needs milk and is not ready for strong meat.

 

The spiritual life is still small and weak and there is much carnality still within these newly begotten children.

• the child must grow and if we are not growing spiritually then we are dying.
• there has to be spiritual progress at overcoming these things.
• there is no reverse - we cannot go back at this stage
• if we forsake Christ then we are lost.
• there has to be progress however gradual and slow.

 

Salvation and conversion is a process. It does not happen all at once. Also our understanding of the scriptures is not perfect. So we must have a repentant attitude and be willing to confess error.

 

Some faults are very different to overcome and may be with us for many, many years.

 

Some of them may or perhaps will never be completely overcome in this physical life.

 

It is a lifelong process.

 

 

18C)  Satan and his World

 

 

Christ has won the victory over Satan and overcome the world.

If we are not vigilant Satan can gain foothold by taking advantage of our weaknesses. For example we may get angry easily. So Satan will work at that weak spot and try to get us angry and cause us to sin.

 

God will protect us and not allow temptations to come upon us which are to big for us.

Temptations are opportunities for us to show God how well we are doing. They are opportunities to exercise our faith and so we can grow spiritually by overcoming temptations.

 

It is a matter of our spiritual salvation.

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Having experienced such a dramatic change in one's whole perspective leaves us very vulnerable.

 

A person is going to give it all they have and do everything possible to make sure what they are doing is right. They will pray and study the Bible, because they don't want to make serious mistakes.

 

We must not offend any of these little ones who believe in Christ so that they loose their faith in Christ. Do not offend them.

 

This is the same thing if someone may begin to question whether some newly baptized person is truly converted, this questioning can very easily offend the baby Christian.

 

Circumcision is an example, and how Paul had problems with some who were saying that people had to be circumcised to be saved.

 

 

 

It is up to the Church to judge these matters and to set the doctrine.

 

1 Peter 5:2 " Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind. "

 

The Annual Sabbaths are also for the same purposes.

 

Romans 14:1 "Him that is weak in the faith receive ye, but not to doubtful disputations."

 

Many people do not understand this, and so they should be given time to absorb anything new. Don't try to force things upon such people and declare them lost if they are weak in the faith. This may offend them and even cause them to lose their faith in Christ.

 

 

My example with the Passover may be of use to you here. 

 

 

The Worldwide Church of God used to go through this foot washing ceremony. They taught it was a command. I did not understand this and was very sensitive and felt that if I were to give in and accept that doctrine then I would be compelled to keep this ceremony and all the Holy Days perfectly for the rest of my life. Failure to do so would result in eternal death. So I was offended and was weak.

 

 

Luke 17:1 " Then said he unto the disciples, It is impossible but offences will come: but woe unto him, through whom they come! "

 

 

18 E ) Offending Brethren

 

 

It is a very serious matter if a one brethren causes another brethren to be offended. This means that one brethren may cause another brethren to sin by what he does or says or teaches. One is led into sin by another offending brother or sister.

 

In the Church, if there is a dispute between believers then there should be chosen men from the church to judge these matters. Business deals which go bad. Also moral problems such as someone living common law , or maybe a brother and sister involved in fornication or adultery. If an offended brother complains about such things then what should be done is that a number of people (brethren) should be assembled to act as judges, and they can hear the case and get both sides of the story and judge the case.

 

 

 

 

Interpretation The Jews believe and worship God in a certain way. We are not to go up to them and say " look here you Jews you are doing this all wrong. Your religion is all wrong. " This would offend them.

 

 

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Corinthians 12th Chapter The Body of Christ, which is the Church is made up of many members The body has eyes, nose, feet, hands, arms, legs, and the whole body fits together. All of the parts are necessary and important. Christ works through His Body to get God's Work done.

 

 

There are two kinds of fruits.

 

The job which God gives us in His harvest (teacher, help, healings, supporter, nuts and bolts type of help).

 

 

God wants a profit from His investment. He demands that fruit be borne.

Whatever your spiritual talents are they must be put to use in the Church to bear fruits for God. All jobs are important. Singers, helps, government.

 

Matthew 7:6

• you can tell a false prophet by the fruits of their lives.
• a good tree cannot produce evil fruit
• an evil tree cannot produce good fruit
• there has to be good works.

 

 

Those who are unfruitful will be punished by being destroyed in the Lake of Fire and be put to death forever. They will never live again.

 

 

 

 

We are to be doers of the word and not hearers only.

 

God the Father is the greatest, because no one serves and loves more than Him.

 

 

Christ has qualified to be our Savior, the head of the Church and to rule with all power, because no one served more than him.

 

 

• the fruits we bear for God and in our personal life.
• how much we have overcome and grown spiritually.
• what do we have to work with ?
• to whom much is given much is asked (some have more ability and talents and have had the breaks in life and so more is required from them in terms of work in this life).
• some haven't been given much, but it is the quality of the works not the quantity.

 

• whomever humbles himself as a little child shall be great in the Kingdom of God.
• whosoever is faithful in that which is least is also faithful in much, and he that is unjust in the least is also unjust in much.

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The trying of our faith worketh patience (James 1:3).

 

God is going to bring about situations in our life where our faith in Him to provide for us, and care for us will be tested. God will test our faith in Him to deliver us out of our problems or give us what we need.

 

 

 

Jeremiah 9:7 God will melt them and try them.

 

Little tests will come up in our ordinary life. Maybe the fellow at the gas station gives us a ten in change instead of a one and this is a test. Will we will be honest and return the money, or pocket the money and keep our mouth shut.

 

Daniel 11:35  Many who are God's servants and who understand God will fall and this will be so that they will be purged of their sins.

God is our Father and He is going to punish and correct His children. You can count on this if you are a true child of God. This is done to purge out our sins and help us overcome our many serious spiritual faults.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The signs of the times which would precede the Second Coming of Jesus Christ.

A time of world trouble so great that if God would not intervene then no flesh would be saved alive (only in our day and age has this become a possibility, because of nuclear weapons).

 

 

World war, global famines and pestilence, population growth, environmental deterioration, food shortage, drought, and the possibilities of disease epidemics (aids).

 

This will be Satan's wrath on the earth, because he knows his time is just about finished. An act of destruction unprecedented in human history with the one behind this Satan who will work through his instruments.

 

There will be a Temple rebuilt in Jerusalem ( prophecy )

 

• exactly what is it ?
• a number used for buying and selling
• true Christians will not take it and so this is why many will be betrayed and hate one another.
• the technology for such a thing may already exist and this was never possible before and so this is just another proof that we are living in the end times.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Woman is symbolic and refers to a church- the notorious prostitute worships false gods and false Christ's and because of this idolatry of the women the people are not able to see the true God. They are drunk or in a state of disorientation and confusion.

The kingdoms of this world have been taught by this woman to worship idols and false gods. They believe that this is the proper way to worship God. This idolatry (or unfaithfulness to God and Christ) reflects itself in the politics that the Kings or governors, presidents, Parliaments implement in their countries. It reflects itself in the laws passed - the approach toward business - the educational systems. So the nations or kingdoms of the world are building their countries on the foundation of idolatry or false gods which this prostitute is responsible for, because she does not worship the true God.

 

Revelation 17:3 - the beast here is the Holy Roman Empire.

 

Revelation 17:4 (clothes worn) This prostitute does not wear clean, white linen but rather bright clothing and jewelry which is simply a reflection of the fact that she is involved in idolatry and not joined to Christ. If she would be worshipping God then she would be clothed in clean, white linen.

 

The true Church is the woman who is faithful to Christ and drinks wine on the Passover, which is a yearly remembrance of the blood of Christ which was shed on the Passover. (1 Corinthians 11:25-26)

 

 

 

 

 

 

This will probably be just be sincere effort on the part of man to come up with a more efficient means of buying and selling, but it will get out of hand.

 

 

Revelation 13:3

 

Revelation 17:15

Revelation 17:18

 

 

8 " He was alive but isn't now. And yet, soon he will come up out of the bottomless pit and go to eternal destruction; and the people of earth, whose names have not been written in the Book of Life before the world began, will be dumbfounded at his appearance after being dead.

 

 

 

15 " The oceans, lakes and rivers that the woman is sitting on represents masses of people of every race and nation. 

 

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Revelation 11 : 1 " Measure the temple of God, including the inner court where the alter stands, and to count the number of worshipers." 

Temple - is symbolic of the Church. Measure the temple - find out how many are in the true Church - Philadelphia Era.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The people will think that it was the two witnesses who were bringing the plagues upon the earth. They will think that they were the cause of the problem and fail to realize that it is God who is really bringing the plagues.

 

 

 

Revelation 11:13 " The same hour there will be a terrible earthquake that levels a tenth of the city, leaving 7, 000 dead. Then everyone left will, in their terror, give glory to the God of heaven. "

 

 

 

 

This is just prior to the second coming of Christ.

 

 

 

 

Malachi 4 : 5-6 " See I will send you another prophet like Elijah before the coming of the great and dreadful judgment day of God. His preaching will bring fathers and children together again, to be of one mind and heart, for they will know that if they do not repent, I will come and utterly destroy their land. "

 

Matthew 24 : 14 " And the Good News about the Kingdom will be preached throughout the whole world, so that all nations will hear it, and then, finally, the end will come."

The Gospel will be preached and published as a witness by the Two Witnesses mentioned in the book of Revelation. This is how God is going to get His message to the whole world. These witnesses will probably not be associated with any particular sect of Christianity and they will probably not be supported by any group, but this is in no way certain.

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The Philadelphia Era of the Church is promised a place of safety from the Great Tribulation because they are faithful (Revelation 3:10).

Into the wilderness into a place prepared for her from the face of Satan, 3 ½ years (Revelation 12:13-16).

This is a place on earth and has nothing to do with any rapture (Revelation 12:13-14, 16).

There is no spiritual evidence to suggest that we will be raptured to heaven (no man is ascended into heaven, except Christ - we will resurrected or changed at Christ's return). (John 1:18 and 3:13 and 5:37) (Proverbs 30:4) (1 Corinthians 15:51-52) (1 John 4:12)

 

The mark of the beast - people will be required to worship the image or be killed (Revelation Chapter 13).

 

The place of safety is on the earth and in a wilderness area (Revelation 12:14-16).

Satan persecutes the true Church Philadelphia Era (Revelation 12:13).

 

 

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Satan is put away and Christ and the saints Rule the earth for 1,000 years (Revelation 20:4-6).

 

 

 

 

After the 1,000 years - in the Judgment Period Satan loosed for a time and will go out and deceive the nations once again. Satan and his demon followers, plus those people who are in rebellion against God will make war once again (Revelation 20:7-9).

 

After the Great White Throne Judgment Period in finished the earth will be dissolved into a burning mass, something like the sun perhaps.

 

3:10-13 " But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up. Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness, Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat? Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness. "

This earth will be dissolved and the heavens also into fire.

 

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Isaiah 51:6

The earth shall wax old like a garment.

 

Revelation 21:1,5

 

 

 

 

Hebrews 2:6-8   Those of us who are born into Gods Kingdom will inherit all things. We will inherit the new heavens and earth. The creation will be subject to us.

 

 

 

 

 

We will have shown God that we will obey Him and be subject to Him, and so we will have overcome and passed the tests and trials of our faith.

 

 

 

Ephesians 2:6-7

• In ages to come we might always see how great God is and how kind he has been to us through Jesus Christ.

• We shall live on age after age forever and ever.

We shall be delivered from bondage into the glorious liberty of the Children of God.

For Gods plan for the new heavens and new earth, he needs to have His children there, before it can go forward.

 

 

 

 

A city - a 1,500 mile cube.  The throne of God will be on the new earth.

 

 

 

 

 

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Readers are encouraged to point out biblical errors in all of my material and writings on spiritual matters. If you can find scriptural errors in my teachings - teachings that cannot be backed up by hard, concrete biblical doctrine - then I will gladly accept the constructive criticism and make the changes needed. So please go ahead and point out my mistakes, but your criticism must not be based on mere opinion, but must be able to be proved from the Bible.

 

 

 

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