Joined: Mar 2004 Gender: Male Posts: 2,354 Location: Memphis, Tennessee
Monthly Bread (Food 4 Your Soul) « Thread Started on Mar 23, 2004, 5:02pm »
(3/21/04 - 3/27/04)
DANGERS OF HUMANISM
Praise the Lord Jesus,
Humanism as a philosophy is best defined here in the following Scripture...
"Judges 17:6 - In those days there was no king in Israel, but every man did that which was right in his own eyes."
Humanism is defined in the dictionary as thus...
"the doctrine emphasizing a person's capacity for self-realization through reason; rejects religion and the supernatural."
Many humanists have good values and are constantly trying to figure ways to improve the human condition in society. At face value, the Bible is not opposed to such a pursuit.
However, Humanism of the secular nature takes on a wicked path. It seeks to improve man without the need of God and/or the supernatural. It seeks to better man from within man, and not from God, religion, or some other external source.
MORALITY
On the issue of morality is where the Humanist philosophy kicks the hardest against the Scripture. According to Scripture, for example, homosexuality is immoral. It is a sin, and a behavior which is condemned by God. Humanism however, defies the Scripture, and challenges Christianity's definition of 'morality.'
The philosophy of Humanism is simple to understand. Humanism says that right and wrong is determined by the individual. A good example of this is a quote that one humanist said to me in a debate, 'what is right and wrong for you may not be what is right and wrong for me.'
Hence the Scripture, 'every man did that which was right in his own eyes.' This is the heart of Humanist philosophy of the secular nature.
Key in on the wording of the Scripture in Judges 17:6, 'there was no king in Israel.' Thus there was no defining guide to establish the universal 'right,' or the 'right' for everyone. Hence it was up to the individual to decide what was the 'right.' This of course always leads to chaos.
This 'no king' aspect of the Humanist philosophy began to take shape with the developments of several theories in the Biological Sciences. When Charles Darwin published his 'Origin of Species' as the foundation for the theories of evolution, the view was promoted that we were not 'created' by an external intelligent Being (God), but instead we by chance evolved into being. We were not created by a Deity, but instead we evolved from already existent matter (single celled organisms evolved from bacteria, etc).
This 'evolution' theory attempted to disprove the existence of 'God.' Thus, with 'no king' to dictate what was 'right' and 'wrong,' the human family became as those Israelites in the Scripture and 'did that which was right in their own eyes.'
This theory of Humanism began to take shape. No God, therefore no Divine and Universal definition of 'right' and 'wrong.' Therefore, everyone can do whatever they wish, as long is it doesn't 'hurt' other humans.
This theory and philosophy cannot be reconciled with the Bible. Yet there are some 'humanists' and 'evolutionary biologists' who claim to be Christians.
This is an oxymoron, a paradox, a contradiction, and a confusion!
Jesus says in John 14:15, IF YE LOVE ME, KEEP MY COMMANDMENTS. Jesus also says in John 14:6, I am THE WAY, THE TRUTH, AND THE LIFE, NO MAN COMES TO THE FATHER BUT BY ME.
These two Scriptures alone will suffice to prove that Jesus taught against the concepts promoted by the humanists and evolutionary biologists.
The Humanists (religious humanists) might say of religion, all paths can lead to God. Jesus says that ONLY HIS PATH leads to God. Aren't these 'religious' humanists then calling Jesus a liar?
The humanist may say that right and wrong depends on who the person is. The Bible says that God's Word is right, and whatever is opposed to God's 'Right' in His Word, is WRONG.
Right and Wrong are universal. The definition of Truth is Absolute and Universal.
Humanism seeks to make Truth 'relative,' and thus undermines the Word of God, which declares in many places that Truth is absolute, and not 'relative.'
Humanism must be exposed and rejected as some of that philosophy that Paul warned us about in Colossians 2:8. Evolutionary Biology must be exposed and rejected for the atheistic philosophy that it is.
Let us get in God's Word, submit to the King, and do what HE SAYS IS RIGHT. As mankind has proven time and time again, doing that which is 'right' in our own eyes, without guidance from the King, only leads to the destruction of mankind through moral decadence.
I pray that I have granted further understanding as to why Humanism as a secular philosophy is not in agreement with the Bible and Its God, and that all Christians entertaining some humanist thoughts need to take heed. The ultimate extreme of humanism is ATHEISM!
Be warned, and as Paul stated, BEWARE.
In the Service of Jesus the Holy One,
Minister Charles A. Johnson III
Defender of the New Covenant Truth in the Apostolic Doctrine
Let us rise up & fight as one against the enemy. If we can not depend on our brother or sister then who can we depend on besides God. We all need someone to lend on sometimes & to pray with us when we are going through the battle. We are never alone. Lets all stand together & STOMP on the devil.-RB
disciple Guest
Re: Weekly Bread (Food 4 Your Soul) « Reply #2 on Mar 25, 2004, 11:27am »
Greetings in the Name of the Lord Jesus, Bro Charles.
Your post regarding humanism was excellent. I have found that there are three important doctrines of humanism (among others).
1. Atheism 2. Ammorality (no morals) 3. Evolution
Humanism is a belief that when people are free to think for themselves, using reason and knowledge as their tools, they are best able to solve this world's problems. We know that Paul, in I Co., said, "the world by wisdom knew not God."
Many civilizations throughout history have had basic humanistic doctrines; that man can reach God or rule His world by wisdom. The Greeks, for example, thought the pathway to God lay in intellect. In contrast to that, Paul said the cross to them is foolishness. How could a cross and a crucifixion reconcile us to God? But the world's wisdom is foolishness to God!
Based on this, and when we compare that line of thinking to the tower of Babel (Babel meaning confusion) we can see that this is one of the doctrines of the devil that Paul warned Timothy about (I Timothy 4:1).
I feel that at the center and heart of this Satanic doctrine is for man to rule his own world, seperate and apart from God. Eventually, I think this will be the central doctrine that Satan uses to persecute the Church and also to bring in a one world government.
This goal is in direct opposition to God's plan for mankind, as we see Christ ruling the earth in the millenial reign. Man cannot bring peace, only Christ can.
Joined: Mar 2004 Gender: Male Posts: 2,354 Location: Memphis, Tennessee
Re: Weekly Bread (Food 4 Your Soul) « Reply #3 on Mar 29, 2004, 1:22pm »
(3/28/04 - 4/3/04)
THAT I MAY KNOW HIM
Saints of Jesus,
Blessed seed of God's friend Abraham, I pray that this finds you well. Here is a thought.
1 John 2:3 - And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments.
1 John 2:4 - He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.
That was John. Paul said this...
Philippians 3:10 - That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;
Brothers and Sisters, 'knowing him' is realized by keeping his commandments. Thank God that there is a way by which we can know that we 'know him,' if we keep his commandments.
So in knowing that we 'know him' by keeping his commandments, we will face persecutions and sufferings. This is because Paul said this...
2 Timothy 3:12 - Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.
Keeping his commandments means that you are living godly and living godly will cause persecution to come your way. But by this you are growing in your knowledge of him, by partaking in his sufferings, and thus being made conformable unto his death. Concering growing in the knowledge of him, Peter said this...
2 Peter 3:18 - But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.
So I pray that I have not lost anyone here.
We know that we know him by keeping his commandments. Since we keep his commandments, we know him, and will be living godly in Christ Jesus. Because of this godly living, we will suffer persecution. But by suffering this persecution, we are in fellowship with his sufferings, and being conformed unto his death. Thus, we are growing in knowledge of him by enduring this hardness, as a good soldier.
2 Timothy 2:3 - Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.
So Saints, be encouraged, and strengthened to face the fiery trial of our Faith. By this, we are growing in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, being in fellowship with his sufferings, and conformed unto his death. Taking up our cross, and following him. Where did the Lord go?
To be crucified.
Sincerely Yours in the Crucified Father, Jesus Christ,
Joined: Mar 2004 Gender: Male Posts: 2,354 Location: Memphis, Tennessee
Re: Weekly Bread (Food 4 Your Soul) « Reply #4 on Apr 6, 2004, 1:57pm »
(4/4/04 - 4/10/04)
WHAT SEEK YE?
Olive Branches,
Peace upon you princes and princesses, sons and daughters of Jesus our Father.
The King's children are His praise people! His chosen people! We show forth His Light to the world!
We had a blessed time last night celebrating the Lord's Supper, the Passover of Jesus. It was truly a special night indeed. For the first time, we baked one piece of unleavened bread and all took a piece of it. For we are one bread, one Body, and all members in particular. I was blessed by that significance as I pondered the Unity of His Body, and of us, and of the love which we are COMMANDED to have for one another in Christ Jesus.
As we poured the Passover wine, I meditated on this New Covenant. For contained in the cup of King Jesus was the wine, a symbol of the blood of which purchased, sanctified, and confirmed the Covenant. It was done and finished because of God's Love, which is unconditional towards us.
Love drove the Father Himself to be born of a virgin as a man, grow as a man, teach us as a man, suffer persecution as a man, weep as a man, cry aloud in pain and agony upon the tree as a man.
As the King of Israel hang there upon the tree, the last gasps of air coming from that body, he uttered...'it is finished.'
The mission was accomplished. The Father left that body and that body was dead, sacrificed for our sins. The perfect atonement was complete. What it was impossible for hundreds of years of animal sacrifices to accomplish, was accomplished in the body of our Lord Jesus, our Passover.
For it was impossible for animal blood to take away sin, but the body of Jesus could and did take it away! GLORY!
Hebrews 10:4 - For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins.
John 1:29 - The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.
The sacrifices under the old law would only roll those sins forward to Calvary. The sins today are rolled backward toward Calvary. You see, Calvary took care of ALL SIN, SIN PAST, SIN THEN PRESENT, AND SIN FUTURE from that point in History! Jesus' Sacrifice is truly 'once for all.' What the shadow could not take away, the reality did take away! GLORY!
All we have to do is believe and repent, be baptized in the Name of Jesus Christ for the remission (removal) of our sins, and receive the gift of the Holy Ghost as in Acts 2:4. We are then grafted into His Olive Tree as believing branches, bearing His fruit of the Spirit.
This leads us into the thought for this week. 'What Seek Ye?'
Matthew 6:33 - But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
The Passover of Jesus last night was a time to focus again and reset the priorities in my life. It is easy for the cares and desires of this life to become 'what we seek first.' If we are not careful, we can make decisions in our lives which cause us to replace 'seeking the kingdom of God and his righteousness' first, with something else. That thing does not have to be sinful, it can be a worthwhile goal which is just our of order in our priority list!
It can be 'seeking a husband or wife,' 'seeking a career, education, money, assets, etc.'
We are not to 'seek these things first,' but seek first what pertains to the Kingdom. All of these other things shall be 'added.'
So let everything 'else' be 'added.' Don't get your priorities mixed up and place God and His Kingdom business on the backburner! Don't be so 'self-ish,' but instead be 'self-less,' as Christ.
So examine yourself right now. Honestly evaluate your Spiritual progression. What are you seeking?
Take this time to focus the fight of faith. Set your priorities RIGHT and then constantly monitor them to see if they are still RIGHT! Set all things in their proper order. Be pleasing to the Lord.
Have a Blessed and Prosperous week.
All Hail Jesus King of the Jews!
Under the Throne of David,
Brother Charles
A New Covenant Defender With A Renewed And More Focused Commitment To The Kingdom!
Joined: Mar 2004 Gender: Female Posts: 683 Location: Waynesboro, MS
Re: Weekly Bread (Food 4 Your Soul) « Reply #5 on Apr 10, 2004, 2:46am »
Praise the King,
Bro.Johnson, this week's bread was tastey as all the ones before it. I feel that the Lord is baking it and you are serving it to us. Keep it up in the name of Jesus!
Joined: Mar 2004 Gender: Male Posts: 2,354 Location: Memphis, Tennessee
Re: Weekly Bread (Food 4 Your Soul) « Reply #6 on Apr 12, 2004, 2:05pm »
(4/11/04 - 4/17/04)
BEHIND THE VEIL
Matthew 21:13 - And said unto them, It is written, My house shall be called the house of prayer; but ye have made it a den of thieves.
Matthew 23:38 - Behold, your house is left unto you desolate.
Matthew 27:51 - And, behold, the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom; and the earth did quake, and the rocks rent;
John 2:19 - Jesus answered and said unto them, Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.
20 - Then said the Jews, Forty and six years was this temple in building, and wilt thou rear it up in three days?
21 - But he spake of the temple of his body.
_____________________________________________
Saints of Jesus,
Dear Olive Branches, blessings upon you who bear the fruit of the Spirit. Open your minds and Bibles as I give unto you some treasures of the Bride.
What did Jesus mean when he told the Jews, 'Behold, your house is left unto you desolate?'
The 'house' here is the Temple in Jerusalem. In almost the same Scriptural context, Jesus refers to the Temple as the 'house' when he drove the moneychangers out with a scourge of small cords.
John 2:13 - And the Jews' passover was at hand, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem.
14 - And found in the temple those that sold oxen and sheep and doves, and the changers of money sitting:
15 - And when he had made a scourge of small cords, he drove them all out of the temple, and the sheep, and the oxen; and poured out the changers' money, and overthrew the tables;
16 - And said unto them that sold doves, Take these things hence; make not my Father's house an house of merchandise.
17 - And his disciples remembered that it was written, The zeal of thine house hath eaten me up.
So it is then clear from the Scriptural context of Matthew 23:38, that the 'house' which was left desolate was the Temple. Now what did this mean? It has to do with the Divine Presence which dwelt in the Temple behind the veil in the Holiest of Holies.
It was into this holy place that the high priest went in alone to atone for the sins of the people once a year on the Day of Atonement.
The Temple on Mount Moriah was replaced by the very Body of the Christ Jesus. This is implied in John 2:19-21 when Jesus told the Jews that if THEY destroy 'this temple,' Jesus says that he will raise it up in three days. The Jews, ignorant of the Christ's words, thought that he was talking about Herod's Temple, but the Scripture said that he spake of the Temple of 'his body.' How could Jesus raise up that Temple, his body, in three days? It was because he had the POWER to do so!
Jesus said this concerning his life...
John 10:18 - No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father.
Jesus had the POWER to raise up that Temple again! That Temple was his very Body! Glory to God!
It was in that Temple, the Body of Jesus, that the Divine Presence now dwelt. For Colossians 2:9 says it best, that 'IN HIM' dwells the fulness of the Godhead BODILY!
When that Temple was 'destroyed' by the Jews, at the Crucifixion, on the third day it was raised again!
However, something happened when that Temple, his Body, was destroyed by the Jews at the crucifixion. The veil of the Temple (the 'house' on Mount Moriah in Jerusalem) was rent in twain, from top to bottom. This leads us to the topic of this e-mail.
What was behind that veil?
Answer: 'NOTHING!' At least nothing of Divine significance!
The Divine Presence was not there! This was because in the Eyes of God, their animal sacrifices had CEASED! Messieh the Prince had caused sacrifice and oblation to cease, as foretold by Daniel the prophet in Daniel 9:27. The Divine Presence no longer took pleasure in the offering up of animal sacrifices, for the FINAL and COMPLETE Sacrifice had now been offered, the very Body of Messieh.
The Temple (Jesus' Body) had been destroyed, sacrificed for the sins of many, and on the third day it was raised again!
The Jews no longer had the Divine Presence behind the veil. This meant that all animal sacrifice from that point onward was VANITY! It accomplished nothing! When Christ said 'it is finished,' IT WAS FINISHED! The Old Covenant had been taken away, that the New Covenant may be established, and the New Covenant was the One which would be Everlasting!
Hebrews 10:9 - Then said he, Lo, I come to do thy will, O God. He taketh away the first, that he may establish the second.
Hebrews 13:20 - Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant,
The Old Covenant and her children, now FOREVER REPLACED by the New Covenant and Her Children (Galatians 4:21-31), was ready to vanish away (Hebrews 8:13)!
However, those Jews who denied that Jesus was the Christ and wanted to continue in slavery under the shadow, kept on trying to keep the Law of Moses as if Jesus had never come. These men and women loved the darkness rather than the light, thinking themselves righteous to stay under that shadow (the Law) rather than come into the Body of Jesus, the Light of the World!
These antichrists (1 John 2:22-24) persecuted the Church. They hatched wicked plots and schemes to try and put a stop to the Jewish Messianic Movement, the Kingdom of God, the Church.
They encouraged men to commit acts of terrorism against the Church. Paul the Apostle was one of these terrorists before His conversion to Christ.
These reprobates and unbelievers put back together the veil which was rent in twain at Christ's Crucifixion. This was their attempt to hide the fact that there was NO DIVINE PRESENCE behind that veil. The antichrist Jewish leadership at that time, sought to keep the people of Israel deceived that the Divine Presence was still behind that veil, accepting the animal sacrifices.
Animal sacrifices continued to be offered by these antichrists decades after the Church began and Christ was crucified. How do you think that God felt about this, seeing that He had already sent the perfect Lamb of God as the Sacrifice? Do you think that God was pleased at the decades of continued animal sacrifices in the Temple on Mount Moriah? Of course not!
In 70 AD, the anger of God against these wicked men came to a boiling point. Oh yes, the foul stench of burning animal flesh in the Temple was a testimony that Christ's Sacrifice meant nothing to these antichrists! God was now going to give them a taste of this prophecy...
Matthew 22:7 - But when the king heard thereof, he was wroth: and he sent forth his armies, and destroyed those murderers, and burned up their city.
It is written in Jewish history that about a million Jews perished in the 70 AD siege of Jerusalem.
In 70 AD, their city burned. The desolate house, their Temple, was now destroyed in God's Wrath.
From 33AD when Jesus was crucified until 70 AD when the Temple was
destroyed, vain animal sacrifices were offered by antichrist Jews and this did anger God. Every single animal killed during this time was an insult to the Body of Jesus Christ, and the Father who dwelt within Him.
As I stated earlier, 70 AD was only a taste of what is to come. The Western Wall of the Temple still stands upon Mount Moriah today, and on the top of that wall is a Muslim Mosque called the Dome of the Rock. Christ's full prophecy was that there would not be left one stone upon another, which shall not be thrown down.
There is still a judgment to come upon the great whore Jerusalem, Mystery Babylon the Great. With violence she shall be thrown down, for great is the Lord God who judges her! Not one stone shall be left upon another!
Mark 13:2 - And Jesus answering said unto him, Seest thou these great buildings? there shall not be left one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down.
Revelation 18:21 - And a mighty angel took up a stone like a great millstone, and cast it into the sea, saying, Thus with violence shall that great city Babylon be thrown down, and shall be found no more at all.
The Divine Presence will forever dwell in the Body of Jesus. In this time, we the Saints are now the Body of Jesus. The Divine Presence dwells in our bodies, which are the Temple of the Holy Ghost!
And just as the very Body of Jesus, the Temple of God, was given as a Sacrifice, so must our Body Temples be offered as a Sacrifice. A living Sacrifice...
Romans 12:1 - I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.
We are the Body of Jesus! The Divine Presence, the Holy Spirit who is God the Father, dwells in us! We are the Temple of the Holy Ghost! We are they who must take up our cross and follow Him, because our bodies (the Temple of the Holy Ghost) are to be offered a living sacrifice!
Amen to the Truth of God,
Minister Charles A. Johnson III
A Steward of the Mysteries of God (1 Corinthians 4:1)
Joined: Mar 2004 Gender: Male Posts: 2,354 Location: Memphis, Tennessee
Re: Weekly Bread (Food 4 Your Soul) « Reply #7 on Apr 20, 2004, 5:16pm »
(4/18/04 - 4/24/04)
MOSES' VEIL (BEHIND THE VEIL PART 2)
Saints of Jesus,
All hail our great King, the King of Israel. Grace and Shalom upon you, ye servants of His! Here is another treasure of the Bride, a part 2 continuation of last week's weekly bread 'Behind the Veil.'
Read ye the Word of the Lord Jesus...
2 Corinthians (RSV)
6 who has made us competent to be ministers of a new covenant, not in a written code but in the Spirit; for the written code kills, but the Spirit gives life.
7 Now if the dispensation of death, carved in letters on stone, came with such splendor that the Israelites could not look at Moses' face because of its brightness, fading as this was,
8 will not the dispensation of the Spirit be attended with greater splendor?
9 For if there was splendor in the dispensation of condemnation, the dispensation of righteousness must far exceed it in splendor.
10 Indeed, in this case, what once had splendor has come to have no splendor at all, because of the splendor that surpasses it.
11 For if what faded away came with splendor, what is permanent must have much more splendor.
12 Since we have such a hope, we are very bold,
13 not like Moses, who put a veil over his face so that the Israelites might not see the end of the fading splendor.
14 But their minds were hardened; for to this day, when they read the old covenant, that same veil remains unlifted, because only through Christ is it taken away.
15 Yes, to this day whenever Moses is read a veil lies over their minds;
16 but when a man turns to the Lord the veil is removed.
The point of emphasis here in this text is Moses' veil. This text is one of the most powerful texts in the New Testament which proves the Old Covenant was fading away and finally abolished by Jesus at Calvary and now all that remains is the New Covenant which He payed for with His own holy Blood on that day.
What was the reason for Moses' veil? Why did the prophet cover his face? Many believe that it was because the brightness upon him was so illuminated, that the children of Israel could not stand to look at him. Don't stop at the surface! Is that the reason given in verse 13?
No.
What is the reason given in verse 13?
"...Moses, who put a veil over his face so that the Israelites might not see the end of the fading splendor."
Moses put the veil over his face so that the Israelites might not see the end of the fading splendor. The glory of the Law was fading! From the very day that the covenant was made, it was fading. The countdown to the end of the Law began to tick away at the Law's very beginning!
The glory was fading, and eventually faded away completely. Moses put the veil on so that the children of Israel did not see this 'fading glory.'
Moses himself knew that the Law was not an eternal, but temporary, covenant. We see evidence of this in Moses' words here...
Deuteronomy 18
15 "The LORD your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among you, from your brethren--him you shall heed--
16 just as you desired of the LORD your God at Horeb on the day of the assembly, when you said, 'Let me not hear again the voice of the LORD my God, or see this great fire any more, lest I die.'
17 And the LORD said to me, 'They have rightly said all that they have spoken.
18 I will raise up for them a prophet like you from among their brethren; and I will put my words in his mouth, and he shall speak to them all that I command him.
19 And whoever will not give heed to my words which he shall speak in my name, I myself will require it of him.
Question: 'If Moses was going to be the FINAL AUTHORITY in Israel, and the Law of Moses was to be the final Word for Israel, then why was Moses pointing them to a FUTURE PROPHET?'
Answer: 'Moses was not to be the final authority in Israel. The Law of Moses was not to be the final Word for Israel. Moses himself knew that the glory was fading, and he hid his face. Moses was inspired by the Holy Ghost to write about Jesus, the future prophet like unto himself!
Now read Peter and Jesus...
Jesus
John 5:46 - If you believed Moses, you would believe me, for he wrote of me.
Peter (Speaking of Jesus to the unbelieving Jews)
Acts 3
22 Moses said, 'The Lord God will raise up for you a prophet from your brethren as he raised me up. You shall listen to him in whatever he tells you.
23 And it shall be that every soul that does not listen to that prophet shall be destroyed from the people.'
So as you can see, it is evident that Moses knew the glory was fading. He put a veil over his face so that the children of Israel could not look steadfastly to the end of that which is abolished.
Here is the focus verse in the KJV...
2 Corinthians 3:13 - And not as Moses, which put a vail over his face, that the children of Israel could not stedfastly look to the end of that which is abolished:
What was abolished? What had the 'fading glory?' It was the Old Covenant! The Law of Moses!
The trouble comes when this veil remains. Nevertheless, when the unbelieving Jews turn to the Lord Jesus, like about 3,000 of them did on the day of Pentecost, that veil is removed and they see clearly the eternal glory of Jesus Christ and His New Covenant!
How is the veil removed? When they turn to the Lord Jesus. How can they turn to the Lord Jesus? They must believe. How can they believe? By hearing the Gospel preached to them!
Romans 10
14 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?
15 And how can men preach unless they are sent?
The Word of God, the testimony of Jesus, must be preached among the Jews who believe not. They are to come into the Kingdom of God through the New Birth, like Jesus told a teacher of the Jews in John 3:3-5. This is the Church salvation! This is the only way that the veil can be removed.
Therefore, the theory that God is going to 'turn back' to unbelieving Israel AFTER the Church has allegedly been 'raptured' and all the SENT preachers of the Gospel are gone, is false!
They must believe and hear the word of the SENT preachers, according to Romans 10, and Romans 10 was speaking about the Salvation of the unbelieving nation of Israel (Romans 10:1)!
If all of the SENT preachers are allegedly 'raptured' BEFORE the time of great tribulation, then how are the unbelieving Jews to get saved 'another way?'
We who see the Truth about Moses' veil reject the false theories of Dispensationalism and the Pre-Tribulation Rapture theory.
According to the Scriptures, the ONLY WAY for unbelieving Jews to be saved, is to come into the Church of Jesus Christ. Only in turning to the Lord will the veil be taken away. And how can they believe in him without hearing the word of the SENT preachers, according to Romans 10?
Therefore, the SENT preachers must of course be here to preach to them, and to baptize them in water in the Name of Jesus Christ, just like in Acts the Second Chapter. Therefore we, Church of God, will be here all the way until the end, unto the coming of the Lord, as it is written in 1 Thessalonians 4:15. There will be those in this Body who will be alive and remaining unto the coming of the Lord, and according to Matthew 24:29-31, the Lord Jesus is coming 'immediately after the tribulation of those days' to gather His Elect. We are His Elect, His ONLY ELECT!
Joined: Mar 2004 Gender: Male Posts: 2,354 Location: Memphis, Tennessee
Re: Weekly Bread (Food 4 Your Soul) « Reply #8 on May 3, 2004, 3:01pm »
(4/25/04 - 5/1/04)
QUOTABLE QUOTES
Saints of Jesus,
Here are some quotable quotes for the weekly bread this week.
Be blessed, Olive Branches, and have a productive work week,
Agape,
Brother Minister CJ
New Covenant Defender ___________________________________________
The opportunity that God sends does not wake up him who is asleep. --Sengalese Proverb
To find the exact answer, one must first ask the exact question. -- S. Tobin Webster
The sins of youth are paid for in old age. --Latin Proverb
Flattery is alright--if you don't inhale. --Adlai Stevenson.
The confession of evil works is the first beginning of good works. --Augustine of Hippo.
Keep praying but be thankful that God's answers are wiser than your prayers --William Culbertson
The most pitiful poverty is that of a man who has more than he needs but feels he doesn't have enough. --Robert C. Savage
Worry is a cycle of inefficient thoughts whirling around a center of fear. --Corrie Ten Boom
It is better to fail in a cause that will ultimately succeed than to succeed in a cause that will ultimately fail. --Peter Marshall
Whatever you love most, be it sports, pleasure, business, or God, that is your god! --Billy Graham
Habit is overcome by habit. --Thomas A. Kempis
If you would not be forgotten as soon as you are dead, either write things worth reading or do things worth writing. --Benjamin Franklin
Belief is a wise wager. Granted that faith cannot be proved, what harm will come to you if you gamble on its truth and it proves false? . . . If you gain, you gain all; if you lose, you lose nothing. Wager, then, without hesitation, that He (God) exists. --Blaise Pascal
Chop your own wood, and it will warm you twice. --Henry Ford's Fireplace Motto
"If you can't explain it to a six year old, you don't understand it yourself." -- Albert Einstein
"Everyone is ignorant, only on different subjects" --Will Rogers
"A critic is someone who knows the way, but can't drive the car." --Anonymous
"Experience is the worst teacher; it gives the test before presenting the lesson." -- Vernon Law
"I count him braver who overcomes his desires than him who overcomes his enemies; for the hardest victory is victory over self." -- Aristotle
"I have yet to meet another human being who is not greater than myself in some way." --Minister Charles A. Johnson III
Joined: Mar 2004 Gender: Male Posts: 2,354 Location: Memphis, Tennessee
Re: Weekly Bread (Food 4 Your Soul) « Reply #9 on May 3, 2004, 3:11pm »
(5/2/04 - 5/8/04)
10 THINGS THAT GOD WON'T ASK
Saints of Jesus,
Here is a quick thought for the weekly bread. God's blessings upon you and have a prosperous work week. Don't forget to make time for Jesus, because he has made all of his time for you!
Amen,
Brother MJ
An Agape Man
TEN THINGS GOD WON'T ASK
1...God won't ask what kind of car you drove; He'll ask how many people you drove who didn't have transportation.
2...God won't ask the square footage of your house; He'll ask how many people you welcomed into your home.
3...God won't ask about the clothes you had in your closet; He'll ask how many you helped to clothe.
4...God won't ask what your highest salary was; He'll ask if you compromised your character to obtain it.
5...God won't ask what your job title was; He'll ask if you performed your job to the best of your ability.
6...God won't ask how many friends you had; He'll ask how many people to whom you were a friend.
7...God won't ask in what neighborhood you lived; He'll ask how you treated your neighbors.
8...God won't ask about the color of your skin; He'll ask about the content of your character.
9...God won't ask why it took you so long to seek Salvation; He'll lovingly take you to your mansion in heaven, and not to the gates of Hell.
10...God won't ask how many people you forwarded this to; He'll ask if you were ashamed to pass it on to your friends.
"When fascism comes to America, it will come wrapped in turbans and burkas and carrying a Quran" - Elder C. A. Johnson III
brorod Guest
Re: Weekly Bread (Food 4 Your Soul) « Reply #10 on May 9, 2004, 8:18pm »
Who is Jesus?
The Lamb of God! Jesus
You will know him by his Love
First and Foremost he is God
Jesus is the Supreme The Alpha and Omega the First and Last the Holy of Holies The Creator of all things For by Him all things were Created Colossians 1:13 thru 20
Jesus! He was born from a mother from a Holy Seed He was Flesh and Blood, A Little Boy He lived his life as each of us He felt Joy, He felt Pain, He felt Motherly Love. He felt the growing pains as a Teen. The Love of a Family. The Growing up the pulling away, the becomeing of a Man.
He had a Destiney he had to Fulfill But first he had a Normal Human Life He played ,Ran, Jumped, Climed He played in the sand just like any Little Boy
As a Man He Fulfilled His destiny As our Ultimate sacrifice He Died He witnessed ,He fed, He nurtured both Physicaly and Spiritualy.
He suffered the Ultimate Pain The Ultimate Death He paid the Ultimate Price He went through ever life battle So we would never have to Walk alone For once and for all Through Him all our Burdens were lifted His love poured out His Cup flowed Upon every Person to live upon this earth He so loveingly created for us. Jesus!
Now He is our Father The Father of Fathers The only Father We each have had a Dad Some Good some Bad But we all have a Father Jesus Our Messiah There is no love like the love of a Father. The Greatest Love one can ever have is to lay down his life for his family. He Did
A Mothers Love is Special. A Mothers love is warm. A Mothers love is kind. A Mothers Love is Calming.
But the Love of the Father Jesus surpases all Love. There is no Love like the Love from our Father Jesus. He was the creator of Love, the creator of all things. The Giver of all things, He holds the power of life and death, Yet he so freely Gives
Like all Fathers He sees our lives like we cannot He see's our capabilities What we were created to be We have been created in His image A glorious Creation with unlimited potential The things we see in our children He sees in Us
Joined: Mar 2004 Gender: Male Posts: 2,354 Location: Memphis, Tennessee
Re: Weekly Bread (Food 4 Your Soul) « Reply #11 on May 10, 2004, 1:21pm »
(5/9/04 - 5/15/04)
THE NEW COVENANT
Praise Jesus the King of Israel,
I was listening to a pre-trib dispensationalist preacher proclaim his version of the 'New Covenant.' His position represents the ultimate extreme of dispensational heresy, which is a denial that the 'New Covenant' of Jeremiah 31:31-34 is with the Church of Jesus Christ. Maybe now some of you can see why I am so against this heresy. I will fight against it with my dying breath. This teaching is so wicked and perverted, that it destroys the entire work of the Cross and the doctrine of the remission of sins for the nation of Israel and for the nations (Gentiles) of the world!
Before I continue, understand that not all dispensationalists believe in this 'extreme' view. Many dispensationalists are 'moderate,' and do in fact accept the truth that the New Covenant of Jeremiah 31:31-34 promised to the house of Israel and the house of Judah is with the Church of Jesus Christ. Even these 'moderates,' though, deny that the Church is the New Covenant Israel of God. However, if these took dispensational teaching to its ultimate conclusion, they would clearly see the error of it and abandon it for the lie that it is. Most of these 'moderate dispensationalists' pick and choose which aspects of dispensationalism that they want to believe. Their mentality is 'eat the fish and spit out the bones.' Little do they understand, that the entire doctrine of dispensationalism is nothing but bones! It is a fish skeleton with no meat!
Here is the premise of this 'hyper-dispensationalist' that I was listening to. He believes and taught that the New Covenant of Jeremiah 31:31-34 is for natural Israel only, that is, Israel according to the flesh. This is because this 'New Covenant' is made with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah. According to Jeremiah 31:34, this New Covenant would be for the remission of the sins of the house of Israel and the house of Judah.
Thinking according to the dispensational theory that the Church is a 'Gentile Bride,' this deceiver reckons that it is impossible for the New Covenant of Jeremiah 31:31-34 to be made with the Church and to be present in the Church. Since this New Covenant is made with the house of Israel and the house of Judah (according to Jeremiah 31:31), this deceiver reckons that it is impossible then for this New Covenant to be made with a 'Gentile Bride,' the Church.
I sat there first in disgust and then in horror as this false prophet began a systematic theological campaign to ignorantly destroy the entire Truth of the New Testament. His dispensationalism had turned him into a liar. It had turned his mind to doctrinal perversion. He had deceived himself. He believed that he was so right, when in reality, he was so wrong.
What is the New Covenant Truth?
MY BRIEF REBUTTAL
First it needs to be noted that the Book of Hebrews teaches that the New Covenant of Jeremiah 31:31-34 is with the Church! Oh yes, oh yes! Read the Sacred testimony.
Hebrews 8 (RSV)
6 But as it is, Christ has obtained a ministry which is as much more excellent than the old as the covenant he mediates is better, since it is enacted on better promises.
7 For if that first covenant had been faultless, there would have been no occasion for a second.
8 For he finds fault with them when he says: "The days will come, says the Lord, when I will establish a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah;
9 not like the covenant that I made with their fathers on the day when I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt; for they did not continue in my covenant, and so I paid no heed to them, says the Lord.
10 This is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the Lord: I will put my laws into their minds, and write them on their hearts, and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.
11 And they shall not teach every one his fellow or every one his brother, saying, 'Know the Lord,' for all shall know me, from the least of them to the greatest.
12 For I will be merciful toward their iniquities, and I will remember their sins no more."
13 In speaking of a new covenant he treats the first as obsolete. And what is becoming obsolete and growing old is ready to vanish away.
There you have it. This New Covenant of Jeremiah 31:31-34 was mediated by JESUS CHRIST! The very text of Jeremiah 31:31-34 is quoted by the writer! It is clearly applied to the Church here! When Jesus was named, here is the revelation.
Matthew 1:21 - And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.
Who is HIS PEOPLE but the house of Israel and the house of Judah? He mediated the New Covenant of Jeremiah 31:31-34 to THEM!
In doing so, he made the Old Covenant (the Law of Moses) obsolete. He took away the first, that he may establish the second (Hebrews 10:9)!
Jesus' sacrifice at the Cross confirmed the New Covenant with His believers for the remission of sins. The proof is in the Lord's cup at the Passover.
Matthew 26:28 - For this is my blood of the new testament (covenant), which is shed for many for the remission of sins.
The New Covenant then was made with the house of Israel and the house of Judah. Jesus was the mediator, confirmer, messenger, author and finisher of this New Covenant Faith!
Those Jews who accepted this New Covenant were given power to become the sons of God (John 1:11-13).
This believing Israel was Jesus' Israel, His Body, His Olive Tree, His Kingdom, His Church. This meant that the Church was the New Covenant Israel of God. These were they who were under the New Covenant of Jeremiah 31:31-34, the house of Israel and the house of Judah.
Into this were the Gentiles (nations) grafted in as wild olive branches into this Olive Tree (Romans 11). So the blessings of this New Covenant made with the house of Israel and the house of Judah were extended to the Gentiles (nations). Oh how God so loved the world!
I will end this now, but of course I could go on and on. Dispensationalism is a false doctrine. There is no other hope for natural Israel's salvation, outside of Jesus, the Church, and Acts 2:38, now and forever more.
Except they confess Jesus is Lord and believe in their heart that God has raised him from the dead, they cannot and will not be saved (Romans 10:1, Romans 10:9). If they get past the 'confession' and 'belief in the resurrection of Jesus' part, then they shalt be saved, as they would go on to obey Acts 2:38!
They will go to hell for unbelief (Mark 16:16).
And no God does not have to reserve 'seven years' of tribulation in order to get these unbelieving Jews saved outside of the Church, which by this time has allegedly been taken out of the world. That is another dispensational lie.
The pre-trib doctrine is a false doctrine which comes from dispensationalism, another false doctrine.
Since the New Covenant of Jeremiah 31:31-34 is with the Church of Jesus Christ, then there is not any other covenant with which natural Israel can be saved by! The Church is her only hope, and Peter told them this in Acts 2!
3,000 natural Jews obeyed Acts 2:38 then and several are obeying it even today. Acts 2:38 is the only salvation until the Coming of Jesus, AFTER (POST) the tribulation of those days (Matthew 24:29-31). We, His Only Elect, will be gathered at this post-tribulation coming of Jesus.
Joined: Mar 2004 Gender: Male Posts: 2,354 Location: Memphis, Tennessee
Re: Weekly Bread (Food 4 Your Soul) « Reply #12 on May 25, 2004, 10:57pm »
(5/23/04 - 5/29/04)
CHRISTOLOGY
Dear Olive Branches,
Bless the Name of Jesus. Christology is basically the study of Christ. It is a theological term used to describe the study of His birth, life, message, death, burial, and resurrection. In more pithy terminology, it describes the study of His nature and mission. Here is a bit of what we know about the Christ from reading the Scriptures.
In Jesus, Under the Throne of His Father David, in His Everlasting Kingdom, His Church
(Luke 1:31-33/Matthew 16:16-19),
Brother Charles
New Covenant Defender in Agape __________________________________
THE BODY OF JESUS AS THE TEMPLE OF GOD
Christ is the temple of God the Father. In the Old Testament, King Solomon built God a temple. God came and dwelt in that temple, but that temple wasn't greater than the Spirit that dwelt in it.
That temple wasn't another "person" who was separate and distinct from God the Father, but that temple was just a tabernacle within which the Most High God, the Father, dwelt and interacted and manifested unto His people.
Jesus Himself stated that his body, the Christ, was indeed a temple. (John 2:18-22)
That temple was humanity. It was 100% humanity made of a woman (Galatians 4:4).
Jesus was hungry (Matthew 4:2), Jesus slept (Luke 22:25), and Jesus wept (John 11:35).
Remember that the temple is not greater than God the Father who dwells in it.
That is why you read verses like John 14:28, in which Jesus says, "…My Father is greater than I" and Luke 13:32, which Jesus says that, "…the third day I shall be perfected."
Verses like these indicate that the only element keeping that temple, the Christ, from being one with the Spirit of the Father that dwelt in it was the shortcomings of humanity that the body possessed. Thus there are things that can be said about the body of Jesus, before the crucifixion, that cannot be said about the Father.
Jesus was hungry (Matthew 4:2), Jesus slept (Luke 22:25), and Jesus wept (John 11:35). The Father is none of the above and does none of the above.
That humanity perished on the accursed tree, and post-resurrection, the Christ was raised perfected on the third day, one with the Spirit of the Father that dwelt in it. God the Father had glorified that humanity, and now the glorified body of the Son of God is forevermore the visible image of the invisible God the Father.
God the Father will be on the throne in heaven, in the Body of Jesus, the only visible image of God the Father (Colossians 1:15). Thus you will not see three thrones and three on the thrones, as if to exhibit that God is some trinity or something like that.
You will see one throne, and one on the throne in heaven, and that one is God the Father (invisible) in the person of Jesus Christ (visible).
Hence, you have the declaration of the Apostle Thomas in John 20:28 when addressing the Christ, after the resurrection, "…My Lord and my God!"
After presenting the sacrifice of the Blood for the atonement of the sins of the world at Calvary, that temple (the Christ) became one with the Spirit of the Father that dwelt in it upon resurrection and perfection.
So, in order to understand the revelation of the Christ, we must rightly divide what Jesus said before crucifixion in relation to what he said and what was said about him post-resurrection.
Before crucifixion, Jesus was hungry (Matthew 4:2), Jesus slept (Luke 22:25), and Jesus wept (John 11:35). You'd better believe, post-resurrection, Jesus was and does none of the above. He is not hungry, he doesn't slumber nor sleep, and he does not weep.
That humanity which died has been glorified and is forevermore the visible image of the invisible God the Father.
We have a promise that we too, who are His elect, shall have our bodies changed and fashioned like unto His glorious body (Philippians 3:21).
Receive ye the treasures of the Bride! Love to you and make time for Jesus this work week! Do the work of the Kingdom always!
Joined: Mar 2004 Gender: Male Posts: 2,354 Location: Memphis, Tennessee
Re: Weekly Bread (Food 4 Your Soul) « Reply #13 on May 31, 2004, 3:01pm »
(5/30/04 - 6/5/04)
A DAY OF MEMORIAL
Dear Olive Branches,
Praise the Lord Jesus. Today is known in America as 'Memorial Day.' It is when those who have died defending America, democracy, and capitalism are honored by the nation. It is when those who have died representing American interests in political wars like Korea, Vietnam, and now Iraq, are honored by the nation.
However, it is not my wish to honor them in this message. No this message is not for them, but it is about 'Memorial.' It is about remembering soldiers, just not the soldiers that fight with M-16's and other carnal weapons.
This message is about honoring those who have died for my Nation, the only Nation which has my total allegiance. This Nation is that Holy Nation of 1 Peter 2:9.
This Nation is also a Kingdom, an everlasting Kingdom under the Throne of David (Luke 1:31-33). This Nation is a Kingdom against which the gates of hell shall not prevail (Matthew 16:15-19). It is built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ being the chief cornerstone (Ephesians 2:20).
Only the born again have entered this Kingdom-Nation (John 3:3-5). The King of this Kingdom of God, this Israel of God (Galatians 6:16), is named Jesus Christ!
He is the King of Israel (John 1:49). We are in that Kingdom-Nation, and under the supreme rule and authority of this One Lord (Ephesians 4:5). He is the author and finisher of this Faith (Hebrews 12:2). This Faith and Body of Believers were purchased and confirmed by the New Covenant in Jesus' Blood (Matthew 26:28, Hebrews 8:8-13, Jeremiah 31:31-34).
We are the New Covenant Israel of God. We are the Body of Jesus. We are the House of Jesus (Beth-Jesus!) We are the Bride of Jesus! We love Jesus, proven by us keeping His commandments, especially that 'new commandment' (John 13:34-35, John 14:15)!
Today I will read one of my favorite books, 'Foxe's Book of Martyrs,' and I will reflect upon those brave soldiers who gave their lives for this Kingdom-Nation.
I will look into the Book of Acts, and see them as well.
I will remember Stephen the deacon who was stoned to death by the Jews.
I will remember James Zebedee, who was ordered to be killed by the sword by Herod to please the Jews.
I will remember Bishop Polycarp of Smyrna who was burned at the stake for refusing to deny the Faith. He also refused to compromise with paganism which was infiltrating Christendom, and rejected Easter.
I will remember Peter, who according to history, was crucified upside down.
I will remember Paul, who according to history, was beheaded under Emperor Nero.
I will remember my Modalist, Monarchian, Patripassionist, and Sabellian brothers and sisters who were put to death for refusing to deny the Oneness of God and stood against the Trinitarian corruption.
I will remember Michael Servetus, a Oneness preacher who rejected the Trinity Doctrine, and was ordered to be burned at the stake by Trinitarian preacher John Calvin.
I will remember and never forget. All of those who have died for the Faith.
This is truly how we Christians should invest our thinking on this Memorial Day. We should be remembering our true Christian heroes. Read Hebrews 11:35-38. Remember the fallen heroes of this Holy Kingdom-Nation, the very Body of Jesus.
In Remembrance of our Martyrs, the Real Heroes on this Memorial Day at it pertains to us Christians, amen and amen.
Under David's Throne in Christ Jesus the King,
Brother Charles
An Agape Soldier in the Army of Jesus
Faithful and Dedicated Till My Dying Breath, Serving in the Military of this Holy Kingdom-Nation
Joined: Mar 2004 Gender: Male Posts: 2,354 Location: Memphis, Tennessee
Re: Weekly Bread (Food 4 Your Soul) « Reply #14 on Jun 9, 2004, 7:51am »
(6/6/04 - 6/12/04)
THE RAPTURE OF THE CHURCH
Praise King Jesus,
Love to you Olive Branches. I am often asked concerning my prophecy doctrine, as to why I believe and teach that the Church of Jesus Christ will be here on Earth all the way until the last day.
Here are a few simple and irrefutable points...
1. Jesus taught that we, His Church, would be raised 'at the last day' (John 6:39, 40, 44, 54).
2. Jesus also taught that His second coming would be 'immediately AFTER' the days of great tribulation (Matthew 24:29-30).
3. Jesus furthermore taught, that at this 'after' (post) tribulation second coming, His elect would be gathered at the great sound of a trumpet (Matthew 24:31).
These are the cold hard facts. Now the truth is that many of our ministers interpret these facts differently. However, that still does not gloss over the fact that there is only one true interpretation! There is only one truth, and all other interpretations which contradict that one truth are false doctrine! Truth is absolute and universal, and the Master taught us all to seek it!
With this truthseeking attitude in mind, let us allow for Jesus to speak about His own second coming and the gathering of His own elect. This way we cannot be confused.
Jesus is coming again 'after' (post) the great tribulation. At this second coming of Jesus, His elect will be gathered. Matthew points out that it will be at the great sound of a trumpet.
So in order for me to prove that the Church is here on the Earth all the way until the end and second coming of Jesus, I must prove that the 'elect' of Jesus mentioned in the above texts as being gathered 'after the tribulation,' is the Church.
Is the Church 'His elect' of Matthew 24:31?
If we are, then rest assured that we are HERE ON EARTH all the way until the end! No 'pre-tribulation' secret snatch after all! As a matter of fact, the 'pre-tribulation' secret coming of Jesus for His elect is not mentioned explicitly in the Scriptures anywhere! It is always theorized when it is preached. Next time you are listening to 'pre-trib' being preached, listen very carefully!
THE PRE-TRIBULATION RAPTURE HERESY
The text mostly used to preach this doctrine is 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18. Now I believe that this text is of course true and literal. However, notice that the 'pre-tribulation' timing of the Rapture is not found written in this text. Where in 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 do you read of this event occuring 'before the great tribulation?' Where is it indicated? Is a 'pre-tribulation indication' even in this Scripture text? Take a few minutes to read over the context slowly right now.
(Pause for allowing you time to read)
What did you notice? Nowhere in the text did it speak of this catching away occuring 'before the tribulation.' So why do preachers preach this text as if it is going to happen 'before the tribulation' when the Scripture text itself gives no indication of a 'pre-tribulation' occurence for this event?
Many are being deceived by their theorizing!
Now there is a timing given for this 'catching away' event. It is found here in 1 Thessalonians 4:15.
1 Thessalonians 4:15 - For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep.
This event takes place 'at the coming of the Lord!' What 'timing' did Jesus give for His own Coming in relationship to the great tribulation? Jesus said that He was coming 'immediately after' (post) the tribulation of those days (Matthew 24:29-31)!
ARE WE 'HIS ELECT' WHO ARE GATHERED AFTER THE TRIBULATION?
The previous question was are we, the Church of Jesus Christ, the 'elect' of Jesus who are gathered at His coming after the tribulation? Why, the answer is 'yes!'
The New Testament bears this out in many places.
I will at this time ask you, dear reader, how many ‘elect(s)’ does God (Jesus) have? The New Testament answer should not surprise you if you are a Christian.
The word ‘elect’ appears twenty-three times in twenty-three verses in the New Testament Sacred Writings (KJV). On every occasion, it is referring to believers in Christ (Christians) as the Elect of God. The word is never used to refer to an unbeliever, liar, or an antichrist. Thus it is never used to refer to an unbelieving Jew (Read also 1 John 2:22-23) or any other unbeliever.
The use of ‘His elect’ in Matthew 24:31 is our focus.
The Scriptures will testify to the Truth, that the Church (The Body of Christ) is ‘His elect.’ I will present a few texts on ‘His elect.’
Colossians 3:12 - Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering;
1 Thessalonians 1:4 - Knowing, brethren beloved, your election of God.
Titus 1:1 - Paul, a servant of God, and an apostle of Jesus Christ, according to the faith of God's elect, and the acknowledging of the truth which is after godliness;
1 Peter 1:2 - Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace unto you, and peace, be multiplied.
Dear readers, only Christians are ‘His Elect.’ How can Jesus Christ have any other Elect, that is not His Bride? Jesus Christ does not have any other ‘elect,’ because whoever has not the Spirit of Christ is none of His.
"But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his."
(Romans 8:9 KJV)
How can people be the elect of Christ, yet being in unbelief of Him and denying that He is the Christ? How can natural Israel, in unbelief of and in denial of Jesus as the Christ, be ‘His elect’ or ‘God’s Chosen People?’ This question points out just one of the major flaws in Dispensational teaching.
The Scripture Romans 8:9 is clear, showing that the Apostle Paul taught whoever did not have the Spirit of Christ was none of His. Therefore, only those who have the Spirit of Christ are His, His elect. This means that only Christians could possibly be ‘His elect’ of Matthew 24:31.
WHAT MANY THINK
Many well meaning precious brothers and sisters believe that Jesus was talking to unbelieving Israel in the text of Matthew 24. These believe according to dispensational theory, and are often quoted as saying 'Jesus was talking to the Jews in that Scripture.' Is this true?
Was Jesus addressing Jewish unbelievers in Matthew 24?
Of course not! Jesus was talking to HIS DISCIPLES, HIS ELECT. The apostles are in the foundation of this Church (Ephesians 2:20). What Jesus spoke to the Apostles, is what later formed the Apostles' Doctrine, which we as Apostolics follow! Or at least, are supposed to follow.
(grin)
Jesus' Matthew 24 discourse is written and spoken to us, His Church. We are to watch and pray as the signs of His Coming approach.
Jesus gave us the signs so that we will not be caught unawares. Paul expounded on this further.
1 Thessalonians 5
1 But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you.
2 For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night.
3 For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape.
4 But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief.
5 Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness.
6 Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober.
Did you just read that? Paul taught us that 'that day' should not overtake us as a thief, because we watch and know the signs that Jesus taught us!
How could Jesus have been talking to anyone else in Matthew 24, besides His elect, His Church?
He talked to the Apostles, and all of that word was for us!
He taught the Apostles how to pray, and don't we recite the Lord's prayer?
He taught the Apostles how to observe the Lord's Supper, and don't we do that?
He taught the Apostles to pray in His Name, and don't we do that?
Why then when we get to Jesus teaching the Apostles about His own Second Coming, do many of us deny that this in Matthew 24 is directly for us, and we say it is for the 'Jews' or the 'Unbelieving Jews?'
This is what dispensationalism and the pre-tribulation rapture heresy has done to the minds of Apostolics and others, that we would actually deny that certain teachings of Jesus were not for us, the Church, but were in fact for others who are not the Church!
Lord heal our minds from dispensational doctrinal sickness! Lord give us mercy and grace to put this grevious error away from among us! Lord give power and boldness to your ministers and prophets to proclaim the Truth and expose the error!
I for one will believe and teach it just like Jesus and Paul did. Understanding Bible prophecy is not difficult when you take the Scripture for what it says and don't theorize any pre-conceived ideas into it. I pray that this has touched someone to embrace the Post-Tribulation Rapture Truth as Jesus taught it and as Paul taught it.
With Agape,
Minister Charles A. Johnson III
A New Covenant Apostolic Messianic Defender
Soldier for Truth in the Military of Jesus Messieh
Joined: Mar 2004 Gender: Male Posts: 2,354 Location: Memphis, Tennessee
Re: Weekly Bread (Food 4 Your Soul) « Reply #15 on Jun 24, 2004, 12:15pm »
(6/13/04 - 6/19/04)
THE DEVIL'S STRATEGY
“A more certain way to attack religion is by favor, by the comforts of life, by the hope of wealth; not by what reminds one of it, but by what makes one forget it; not by what makes one indignant, but by what makes men lukewarm, when other passions act on our souls, and those which religion inspires are silent. In the matter of changing religion, State favors are stronger than penalties.”
The Spirit of the Laws, Baron de Montesquieu (1748)
Joined: Mar 2004 Gender: Male Posts: 2,354 Location: Memphis, Tennessee
Re: Weekly Bread (Food 4 Your Soul) « Reply #16 on Jun 24, 2004, 12:16pm »
(6/20/04 - 6/26/04)
2 THESSALONIANS 2 AND THE 'RESTRAINER'
Praise Jesus the King of Israel (John 1:49),
Brothers and Sisters, Shalom (peace) and Agape (love) to you in the Holy Saving Name of Jesus. I have been asked by some of you to briefly exegete 2 Thessalonians 2:6-7. In this exegesis, I have also been asked by some of you to offer rebuttal to the pre-trib argument upon this text. I will endeavor to do so, however, this is no small or brief topic.
In order to correctly exegete or interpret 2 Thessalonians 2:6-7 and the 'restrainer,' we must first have a clear understanding of the first three verses.
As you all know, I am not a pre-trib. I do not believe that the Church will be taken out of the world before the time of great tribulation that Jesus spoke of. I believe that the Church will be here on Earth during this time, protected through it, like Israel was in Egypt during the plagues when the wrath of God was poured out upon the heathen in ancient times.
Though we will be persecuted by antichrists during that time, we will not receive of the wrath of God. We are not appointed to the wrath of God, but we must and shall endure persecution and tribulation (1 Thessalonians 5:9, II Timothy 2:12, Matthew 24:13, Acts 14:22, Revelation 7:14, Revelation 13:7) for the Name and Testimony of Jesus, just like the Church in the book of Acts did.
So the first Church in the Book of Acts is not only our example in Doctrine as Apostolics, but also in enduring persecution and tribulation for the Name and Testimony of Jesus!
We will be kept through that time from the wrath of God, though. The wrath of God always falls on the unrighteous, never the righteous. We can observe Israel in Egypt during the plagues, Noah's flood, and several other evidences for this concept.
Jesus Himself prayed that we should not be taken out of the world, but that we should be kept from the evil!
John 17:15 - I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil.
On the contrary to the pre-trib theory, I believe that we will be gathered unto our Lord Jesus as Jesus Himself predicted, at His Second Coming and immediately after the great tribulation. It is at this time that we, Jesus' Elect, will be gathered at the great sound of a trumpet. Read about this in Matthew 24:29-31. This passage of Scripture is exactly what I believe and teach, word for word.
This message however is about 2 Thessalonians 2 and the 'restrainer,' but first we must understand about the 'timing' of our gathering in the first three verses of this chapter.
Paul taught that Jesus would not come, and we would not be gathered together to Him, EXCEPT a falling away first occur and the man of sin, the son of perdition, be revealed. Read it for yourself in II Thessalonians 2:1-3!
This coming of the Lord and our gathering together to Him is referred to as the ‘Day of Christ’ by the Apostle Paul in II Thessalonians 2:2. Paul goes on to teach that ‘that day’ shall not come, EXCEPT there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition.
Matthew 24:29-31 and II Thessalonians 2:1-3 are key texts about the ‘timing’ of the coming of the Lord and the gathering together of His Church unto Him. Both Jesus and Paul warn us not to be deceived about this ‘timing.’ False teachers were going about the Church, teaching that ‘that day’ was ‘at hand.’ Paul considered that false doctrine.
Things had to happen in this world before ‘that day’ would occur. Paul named two of these things, a falling away and the revealing of the man of sin.
Therefore the pre-trib idea what we will be gathered 'any moment now,' is false. The time is not yet 'at hand.' Paul taught about this in 2 Thessalonians 2:1-3. Two things MUST HAPPEN BEFORE we are gathered, the falling away and revealing of the man of sin. Now on to the questioned text.
Joined: Mar 2004 Gender: Male Posts: 2,354 Location: Memphis, Tennessee
Re: Weekly Bread (Food 4 Your Soul) « Reply #17 on Jun 24, 2004, 12:17pm »
(CONTINUED)
THE PRE-TRIB ARGUMENT ON 'THE RESTRAINER'
Here is the text 2 Thessalonians 2:5-8 in the RSV.
5 Do you not remember that when I was still with you I told you this?
6 And you know what is restraining him now so that he may be revealed in his time.
7 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.
8 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.
We can understand from this several points...
1. When Paul was with the Thessalonians, he told them about this subject that he is writing about.
2. Paul says that they know 'what' is restraining or 'holding back' the revealing of the man of sin.
3. 'He' who restrains will do so until 'he' is out of the way.
4. After 'He' is 'out of the way,' then the man of sin will be revealed.
5. At the Lord's coming, the lawless one ('the man of sin' in KJV) will be destroyed.
So now who is this 'he?' Who is this 'restrainer?'
Most pre-tribs teach it either of two ways. Some say that this 'he' is the church, and that the church must be taken out of the way BEFORE the man of sin can be revealed, hence they think that they have proven their pre-trib theory from this text.
Some say that this 'he' is the Holy Spirit, and that the Holy Spirit must be taken out of the world BEFORE the man of sin can be revealed. Since the Holy Spirit is in the church, then the church must be taken out of the world before the man of sin can be revealed. Hence these also think that they have proven their pre-trib theory from this text.
Interesting that even with these two arguments, it is still not an EXPLICIT pre-trib rapture in the text. This teaching of a 'pre-trib' timing for the rapture is not EXPLICIT in any text of the Scripture. It must always be theorized. I am not necessarily against all implication doctrine, but by all means, even implication doctrine must have support somewhere in the Scripture!
Are any of the two above arguments true? Well, the first three verses of 2 Thessalonians 2 make it impossible for the 'restrainer' to be the Church. Why do I believe this?
Paul makes it clear that this chapter concerns 'the coming of the Lord and our gathering together unto him.' We are of course gathered together unto Him at His coming, at the great sound of a trumpet, as His elect (Matthew 24:29-31). In Matthew Jesus says that this 'gathering of His elect' happens 'immediately AFTER (not before) the tribulation' of those days at His coming.
This event is called the 'day of Christ' in 2 Thessalonians 2:2, and it is said to 'NOT' be 'at hand.'
False teachers were going around troubling the Saints, saying that this 'day' was 'at hand,' or could happen at any moment now.
2 Thesslonians 2 (KJV)
2 That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand.
Paul said in verse 3 to not let any man deceive them by any means, because 'that day' shall NOT come, EXCEPT a falling away occur first, and the man of sin be revealed.
Did you read that?
This means that 'our gathering together unto Him' (the Rapture) does not happen until the falling away comes first, and the man of sin be revealed. So the man of sin will be revealed BEFORE the Church is gathered! Get that point, the Church will be here on Earth when the man of sin is revealed! There goes the pre-trib secret fly away theory!
Now the restrainer is said to be 'out of the way' BEFORE the man of sin can even be revealed! Since the restrainer will be out of the way BEFORE the man of sin can be revealed, and the Church is not gathered until AFTER the man of sin is revealed, the restrainer cannot be the Church!
Did you follow me there?
Jesus also prayed that we should not be taken out of the world! This prayer of Jesus is the direct opposite of the pre-trib theory!
John 17:15 - I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil.
So this text 2 Thessalonians 2:6-7 does not prove a pre-trib rapture. In fact, 2 Thessalonians 2:1-3 contradicts a pre-trib rapture!
Is the restrainer then the Holy Spirit? Will the Holy Spirit be taken out of the world?
God is omnipresent, everywhere at once. God is the Holy Spirit, for He is Holy, and He is Spirit. It is impossible for the Holy Spirit to be taken out of the world.
Now what about the manifestation of the Holy Spirit in Acts 2:4? How will God 'deal' with anyone, unbelieving Jew or not, during the tribulation if the Spirit baptism is not in the world?
If no one can be filled with the Holy Ghost during the tribulation, how will God save unbelieving Jews? Let the pre-tribs take a stab at that question, since they say that the overall purpose of the 'great tribulation' is for God to deal with His 'chosen people' the unbelieving Jews!
The promise was to Israel for ALL GENERATIONS! For as many as the Lord God of Israel shall call! Read that in Acts 2:39. God has no other way for Jews to be saved, outside of the New Covenant, the New Birth, and the baptism of the Holy Spirit (Matthew 3:11, Acts 2:39, Jeremiah 31:31-34)!
This Salvation, New Covenant, New Birth, and Baptism of the Holy Spirit, is ALL IN THE CHURCH!
Any other salvation for unbelieving Jews after the Church has allegedly been 'secretly raptured' is simply another gospel and a false doctrine. Any preacher preaching that God has some other way to save unbelieving Jews outside of coming into the Church of Jesus Christ, is simply a false teacher!
I wonder if such a preacher preaching that there will be another gospel or salvation for unbelieving Jews during the 'great tribulation,' other than Acts 2:38 and coming into the Church, is even saved!
Joined: Mar 2004 Gender: Male Posts: 2,354 Location: Memphis, Tennessee
Re: Weekly Bread (Food 4 Your Soul) « Reply #18 on Jun 24, 2004, 12:18pm »
(CONTINUED)
REBUTTAL TO ARGUMENT #1
Is the 'restrainer' the Church? Hmmm, now where in the Bible is the Church of Jesus Christ referred to as a 'He?' The restrainer is referred to as a 'He.' The Church, is the Bride/Wife of Jesus, and is thus a 'She!' Oh yes, 'She' is a 'She!'
I am not a male chauvinist. I have no problem admitting the Truth that I am in the Church, and I am in a 'SHE!' It is truly a beautiful revelation!
Ephesians 5
30 For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones.
Read this Ephesians 5:30 and pay attention to the 'marriage context.'
So the Church is not a 'he,' but a 'she!' Thus the Church cannot be the 'he,' the 'restrainer' of 2 Thessalonians 2:6-7. Furthermore Paul taught that the Church would not be gathered until the man of sin was revealed FIRST. How can the Church be restraining the revealing of the man of sin, when the man of sin must be revealed FIRST before the Church is even gathered?
The issue of gender usage (the Church is a 'she,' not a 'he') and the timing of the Church's gathering in verses 1-3 in relationship to the revealing of the man of sin or lawless one, makes it IMPOSSIBLE for the Church to be the 'restrainer.'
REBUTTAL TO ARGUMENT #2
Is the Holy Spirit the 'restrainer?' Must the Holy Spirit manifestation of God be removed from the Earth in order for the man of sin or lawless one to be revealed?
Will there be an end to Spirit Baptism before the end of the world? The pre-tribs say yes! They believe that Spirit Baptism, the promise to Israel (Acts 1:4-5, Acts 2:39), will end after the Church is 'raptured before the great tribulation,' thus there will be no Church and no Spirit Baptism during the 'great tribulation.' This argument was refuted earlier.
There is just no other Salvation other than belief, repentance, water baptism in the Name of Jesus Christ, and being baptized with the Holy Spirit. That means then (beginning in Acts 2), now, and until the end of time as we know it! Jesus is the SAME yesterday, today, and forever (Heb. 13:8)! Acts 2:38 is the plan of Salvation for the human family, and that includes unbelieving Jews!
Jesus' purpose in Coming to Israel was to baptize them with the Holy Spirit (Matthew 3:11). Jesus baptized Israel with the Holy Spirit in Acts 2. Peter said that this promise was unto them, their children, and as many of them as the Lord God of Israel would call (Acts 2:39).
How will unbelieving Jews (or unbelieving Gentiles for that matter!) be saved during or after the great tribulation, without the Holy Ghost? Romans 8:9 is clear on this one! It is impossible!
The Holy Ghost then is not the 'restrainer.' It will not be taken out of the world. If you believe that Spirit Baptism will end before the great tribulation, then how will unbelieving Jews or anyone else be saved? How else will God 'deal' with them?
This theory does not stand the test of the Scriptures.
WHO OR WHAT THEN IS THE 'RESTRAINER?'
Well, the honest and truthful answer is, the Scripture just is not that clear. Paul said that he told them about this when he was with them in Thessalonica (verse 5). We don't have any documentation about the content of Paul's teaching on that particular issue. Paul also said that 'they know' what restrains the revealing of the man of sin or lawless one (verse 6).
So they in the Church at Thessalonica knew, and Paul knew, and Paul told them. Specifically what it is, we today do not know 100%.
Since the context clearly indicates that the man of sin or lawless one must be revealed 'in his time,' it is clear that 'his time' has and had not yet come (verse 6). So maybe his 'time restraint' will be taken out of the way, and when it is his time, then he will be revealed. That is just my guess, I did not want to debunk the opinions of others and not give my own. However, that is just my opinion, NOT MY DOCTRINE! Anything and all things that I teach for doctrine must have solid Bible support!
(grin)
However, it is clear that exactly 'what' or 'who' the 'restrainer' is, is not explicitly presented in the Scriptures. Hence to have a doctrine on it is difficult. Whether it is the 'time restraint' or some angelic power, or something else, I don't know and I am not 100% certain.
However, I can be 110% certain that the 'restrainer' is NOT THE CHURCH and it is NOT THE HOLY GHOST BAPTISM! I have offered the proof on that.
God bless the Truthseekers, we shall find the absolute Truth!
![[Home]](http://s2.images.proboards.com/menu/home.gif "[Home]")
![[New Topics]](http://s2.images.proboards.com/menu/topics.png "[New Topics]")
![[Help]](http://s2.images.proboards.com/menu/help.gif "[Help]")
![[Search]](http://s2.images.proboards.com/menu/search.gif "[Search]")
![[Login]](http://s2.images.proboards.com/menu/login.gif "[Login]")
![[Register]](http://s2.images.proboards.com/menu/register.gif "[Register]")
![[Search This Thread]](http://s2.images.proboards.com/search2.gif "[Search This Thread]")
![[Send Topic To Friend]](http://s2.images.proboards.com/buttons/sendtopic.gif "[Send Topic To Friend]")
![[Print]](http://s2.images.proboards.com/buttons/print.gif "[Print]")
Author
![[avatar]](http://www.apostolicolivetree.com/images/thumcharles.jpg "[avatar]")
![[homepage]](http://s2.images.proboards.com/buttons/www_sm.gif "[homepage]")
Logged![[avatar]](http://s2.images.proboards.com/avatars/bunny.gif "[avatar]")
![[msn]](http://s2.images.proboards.com/msn.gif "[msn]")
![[avatar]](http://i956.photobucket.com/albums/ae41/twill1025/100_0353.jpg "[avatar]")
![[yim]](http://s2.images.proboards.com/yim.gif "[yim]")