One Sunday morning in the early part of 1988, I brought forth this message to the congregation of a Non-Denominational Church that I was joined to before the Church eventually came to an end. I had been a Christian less than 12 years when I brought forth this message. This is the only message that I wanted to hold onto. From time to time, when I go back over this message, it really ministers to my Spirit. That is why that I have held onto it for all these years.
When the Written Word of God truly becomes a treasure in our hearts, the Holy Spirit then begins to reveal more and more "revelation truth" from God's Written Word to us.
I have also put a copy of this article, which is in it's original Word Document format, in the attachment.
The Lord’s Treasure Chest (Early part of 1988)
I am going to be speaking today about a principle that is very dear to my heart and without question, has been a source of unmeasurable dimensions in my Christian life over the years.
It is a principle that I have practiced through thick and thin throughout my almost 12 years as a Christian. I therefore will be speaking with great confidence in regards to this principle.
Much of this message is drawn upon my personal experience.
My first goal in this message is to stir our hearts to action. Notice that I used the word Action. In fact, the theme of the entire Bible is that of action.
How successful we are in life is determined by how far we reach out.
Have you ever really given thought as to why the Holy Spirit is given to us?
Without question, a couple of main functions of the Holy Spirit is to stir to action and to give vision.
Stir to action: John 6:44 – No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent Me draw him.
To give vision: What is vision? Simply put, vision, the kind that brings abundant life to a child of God, is a constant revealing of God to us.
Proverbs 29:18 – Where there is no vision, the people perish. (become unbridled)
I want to emphasize that God’s Word is His gift to us, which the Holy Spirit uses as His most powerful tool to give us vision.
Psalms 119:105 – Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.
The next goal is to take steps (steps of action) that will cause God’s Word to become a lasting joy in our hearts. (Renewing and transforming our minds)
John 17:13 & 14 – That they might have my joy fulfilled in themselves, I have given them thy Word. (For God’s Word to become a lasting joy in our lives, we must first hide His Word in our hearts.)
Psalms 119:11 – Thy Word have I hid in my heart.
When we hide God’s Word in our hearts, it then becomes a treasure to us.
Matthew 6:21 – For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.
If I told each one of you that there is a buried treasure of one million dollars in your backyard, I doubt very seriously if any of you would find it difficult to get motivated to the point that would produce the kind of action that would cause you to go and dig for that buried treasure.
I tell you of a truth, that there is a far greater treasure that is at the fingertips of each and everyone of us.
In fact, this treasure that is at the fingertips of each one of us, is of such great value that Christ shed His Blood in order that we might partake of it’s riches.
Revelation 19:13 – And He was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and His name is called the Word of God.
The more that God’s Word becomes a treasure in our hearts, the more that we come to truly love His Word.
Psalms 119:97 – O how I love thy Word! It is my meditation all the day.
We did not develop a love for our Lord Jesus Christ until we asked Him to come and dwell in our hearts. For us to develop a love for God’s Word, it must continually dwell in our hearts.
Mark 4:19 – And the cares of this world, and the lusts of other things entering in, choke the Word, and it becomes unfruitful.
The Word of God is so vital to our life as a Christian, that we are told in 1st Peter 2:2 that when a person becomes a newborn babe in Christ, that he or she is to desire the sincere milk of the Word. This is how important that God’s Word is to our spiritual development. “I truly believe that the single greatest motivating factor in a Christian’s life is when God’s Word becomes alive in their heart.”
Colossians 3:16 – Let the Word of Christ dwell in you richly.
Luke 24:32 – And they said one to another, did not our heart burn within us, while He talked with us by the way, and while He opened to us the Scriptures?
The prophet Jeremiah experienced the burning heart to such a degree, that he states in the 20th chapter of Jeremiah, “But His Word was in mine heart as a burning fire shut up in my bones.”
Jesus gives the reason for His words producing a burning affect upon the heart when he states in the 6th chapter of John. “The words that I speak unto you, they are Spirit, and they are Life.”
I have noticed that a trademark at the Los Padrinos Juvenile Hall in the city of Downey, is the Word of God being alive in the hearts of those who go to share the Gospel.
Merlin Carothers, a man of God who has a powerful prison ministry, has stated
“that when God’s Word is alive in our hearts, it helps to break the intimidation factor.”
Christian evangelism, in whatever form, when done with a Godly motive, is a by-product of God’s Word being alive in one’s heart.
Again, I repeat Psalms 119:11 – Thy Word have I hid in my heart. (In the movie “The Elephant Man”, he loved the 23rd Psalms.)
In the days which lay just ahead of us, and which we are now entering into, it is going go to be more important than ever that we have hid and are hiding God’s Word in our hearts.
Nobody can take away the Word that is hidden away in our hearts.
In order for the Holy Spirit to extract and reveal to us the many and marvelous Spiritual Treasures in God’s Living Word, we must go beyond just reading His Word, we must go a step further.
And that step further is the step that enables the Holy Spirit to cause God’s Word to become alive to us in a very special way, by opening our Spiritual eyes in a much greater dimension, to see the many marvelous Spiritual Treasures in His Word that were once hidden to our eyes and to our understanding, but now through the unveiling of them, brings a Greater Abundance of Life to us. They are just resting there, waiting to become ALIVE in our hearts.
When there is a buried treasure, one has to dig in order to partake of it’s riches. The same applies to God’s Word.
My definition of digging into God’s Word is to MEDITATE on His Word.
Mediation is the shovel that digs into God’s Word in such a way that we strike it rich in our Spirit.
So, the KEY to God’s Word that will enrich our lives in a number of ways, is to meditate upon His Word.
Psalms 119:97 – O how I love thy Word! It is my meditation all the day.
Psalms 1:2 & 3 – But his delight is in the Word of God: and in his Word doth he meditate day and night. And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season: his leaf also shall not whither: and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.
In my life, I have discovered that Scripture memorization has been and is a very exciting, powerful and rewarding way for me to meditate upon God’s Word.
Let me add by saying that the idea is not to accumulate a lot of verses for the sake of numbers, but to enrich our lives.
When I meditate upon a verse through memorization or through reading His Word, it is God speaking his direct Word to me, and I in return am speaking directly back to God through His Word, which brings about a great rejoicing in my spirit, because the natural result of meditating upon God’s Word stimulates a very deep form of praise in our spirit.
Personally, I hear God’s voice more clearly through His Word, that by any other means.
Only one thing can steal the Word of God out of our hearts or keep it from entering in. Mark 4:19 – And the cares of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of other things entering in, choke the Word, and it becometh unfruitful.
I am ending this article by sharing what JESUS "declares to us" in John 6:44, in which JESUS states that nobody can come to "Him" except the Father draws them to "Him!" It is IMPOSSIBLE for anyone to come to JESUS, and surrender their lives to JESUS, without the working drawing power of the Holy Spirit.
You see, there is no individual that is "so special," that the Lord chooses to draw that individual through the working power of His Holy Spirit to surrender their lives to JESUS, but then sentences another individual to "eternal torment" and "eternal separation" from "Him" who never had the working power of the Holy Spirit drawing them to surrender their lives to JESUS. As I have stated before in this article, "ALL" will come to know the Lord, "each" in their own time according to God's eternal plan for the Ages.
Luke 3:6 tells us that "ALL FLESH SHALL SEE THE SALVATION OF GOD." A better rendering of this Passage of "Scripture" would read: "ALL FLESH SHALL EXPERIENCE AND BECOME PARTAKERS OF GOD'S SALVATION."
Last year, my 39th year as a Christian, was when the Lord began to open up my Spiritual understanding to the "Scriptural truth" that I share in this article.
Also, I was a Christian for 38 years before the Lord began to open up my Spiritual understanding to the "Scriptural truth" that I share in my article "What is the GOOD NEWS" of the Gospel of Christ? (Re-examining the widely held belief of "eternal torment" in "Hellfire")
In fact, it has taken the Lord many years to open up my Spiritual understanding to a number of other "Scriptural truths" in regards to "Tithing" - "The Institutional Church System" - "The Rapture", etc.
Many years ago, I use to be a teacher in a Non-Denominational Church, in which a number of my Spiritual beliefs were much different than they are now. One of the great truths that I have come to realize, is that "THE ROAD THAT LEADS TO SPIRITUAL TRUTH IS NO SMOOTH ROAD!"
I have also put a copy of this article in the attachment, which is in it's original Word Document format.
Not ”ALL” Christians will rule and reign with Christ
Satan has done maybe his most masterful job in “blinding” today’s Church to many Biblical truths. Not only does Satan hate humans because they are made in God’s image, but because Satan lost his position of being the highest ranking angel before he sinned, he cannot stand the thought of Christians ruling and reigning with Christ.
The Church has been “deceived” into believing that all Christians will rule and reign with Christ. However, a closer examination of the “Scriptures” will reveal to us that there will be many Christians who will not rule and reign with Christ.
Satan does not want Christians to know this “little known truth” which has not been understood by the Church today. It is the Christians who have “applied” the “overcoming” Christian principles to their lives who will rule and reign with Christ. Christians who have not “applied” the “overcoming” Christian principles to their lives,“will not qualify” to rule and reign with Christ.
Philippians 3:14 is a MONUMENTAL Passage of “Scripture” for a Christian to understand. After a careful examination of this Passage of “Scripture,” if we are able to come to an understanding of the “profound truth” that is in this Passage of “Scripture,” then it becomes clear as to why this Passage of “Scripture” is of MONUMENTAL importance for a Christian to understand.
The widespread teaching of the Church today, is that all Christians will rule and reign with Christ. However, upon careful examination of the “Scriptures,” the Written Word of God tells us differently.
The Lord through “His” Written Word, is wanting us to understand that Salvation through Grace is “His” free gift to those who accept JESUS as their Lord and Saviour, and to understand that after a person’s Salvation that there is a “prize” that awaits all those who “press toward the mark” for the “prize” of the “high calling” of God for us in Christ Jesus.
The “prize” is that of ruling and reigning with Christ, which can only be obtained through a Christian becoming qualified. (qualified – i.e. having been made fit for a position or purpose) Not all Christians will be qualified to rule and reign with Christ.
In fact, one such example can be found in Revelation 3:16, in which JESUS tells the Laodicean Church that because of it’s “lukewarm condition” that “HE” is going to spew them out of “His” mouth. (i.e. because they were not applying the “overcoming” Christian principles to their lives, they will not rule and reign with “Him”)
NOTE: JESUS was warning those who were in a “lukewarm condition,” that “if they continued” to stay in that condition, “the final results” would be that they will not rule and reign with “Him” when “HE” returns to set up and establish “His” Kingdom here on earth.
When JESUS made the statement, "HE" was addressing Christians. There is no such thing as a lukewarm non-believer. “Only a Believer in Christ can become lukewarm.”
JESUS also gives us several more examples in some of “His” parables, which can be difficult to understand when trying to decipher the true meaning.
Having obtained the free gift of Salvation through Jesus Christ does not in itself “qualify” us to rule and reign with Christ. After the free gift of Salvation, the Lord wants us to have the understanding that there is a “prize” that awaits Christians, but is not automatically awarded to each and every Christian, but is only awarded to those who “press toward the goal” of obtaining that “prize” which the Apostle Paul speaks about. Salvation through Jesus Christ puts us in position to have the opportunity to “qualify” for obtaining the “prize” of ruling and reigning with Christ.
The Apostle Paul tells us in Philippians 3:14 that he was always “pressing toward the mark” for the “prize” of the “high calling” of God in Christ Jesus. The Apostle Paul had already obtained his Salvation through Grace, so this is not the “prize” that he is speaking about. Also, he had already obtained his gifting from God to carry out his earthly ministry, so this is not the “prize” that he is speaking about
The Apostle Paul understood that if a Christian is not careful and not wise to the tactics of the enemy, that he or she can easily “miss the mark” of obtaining the “prize,” which is to rule and reign with Christ. I believe that this was constantly on the Apostle Paul’s mind. The Apostle Paul was so concerned about this, that in the 9th Chapter of 1st Corinthians, he tells us that we are to run the race and finish the race in order to obtain the “prize.” The Apostle Paul states the last thing that he wanted was to become a “castaway” himself. The word “castaway” in the Greek means: unapproved, rejected, disqualified.
Even though the Apostle Paul had obtained his Salvation through Grace, and had obtained a very powerful gifting to carry out his earthly ministry, he recognized that if he did not run the race and finish it, that he would himself be unapproved, rejected, disqualified from obtaining the “prize” of ruling and reigning with Christ.
The Apostle Paul was determined to not allow himself “to lose sight” of “pressing toward the mark” for the “prize” of ruling and reigning with Christ.
JESUS tells us in Revelation 3:21, “To him that overcometh, will I grant to sit with “ME” on my throne.” (i.e. - “HE” will grant the “prize” of ruling & reigning with “Him” to Christians who have “applied” the “overcoming” Christian principles to their lives) When we are able to grasp the revelation of what “pressing toward the mark” for the “prize” of the “high calling” of God in Christ Jesus truly entails, then some of the difficult to understand sayings of JESUS, and the meaning of some of the difficult to understand parables of JESUS will become more clear to our understanding.
A “major blind spot” of today’s Church, has been, and is, it’s lack of understanding of the difference of “entering” the Kingdom of God, and “inheriting” the Kingdom of God. Only those who “inherit” the Kingdom of God, will rule and reign with Christ!
Without a doubt,“a top priority of Satan” is to keep as many Christians as he can from obtaining the “prize” of ruling and reigning with Christ. A main objective of Satan is to “blind” people from their understanding of Biblical truth!
I have decided to take Penny's suggestion of posting my articles in the main body of the comment section. By doing so, more people will read it. In the past, I have been posting my articles in the attachments. I have decided to post them in the main body of the comment section, and also in the attachments. The articles that are posted in the attachments, make for better reading, but in the future, I will post them in both sections. Before, I had "The Bible is for all Eternity," posted in the attachment section. I am now putting it in the main body of the comment section.
………. What is the “GOOD NEWS” of the Gospel of Christ? ..........
(Re-examining the widely held belief of “eternal torment” in “Hellfire”)
I have been somewhat hesitant in writing this article. However, one evening this week, I sat down at my computer and opened up Word Document and keyed in the title of this article. At that point, I stopped. I was unsure if I really wanted to write this article. Within the hour, something took place that confirmed to me that the Lord was letting me know that I was to continue writing this article. The Lord confirmed this to me in such a way that the odds would have been astronomical that it was by chance.
It has been a few weeks since I wrote this article. I have decided to share what took place on the evening of 05/14/2014.
As I explained in the above paragraph, on 05/14/2014, I sat down at my computer and opened up Word Document and keyed in the title “What is the “GOOD NEWS” of the Gospel of Christ?” At that point, I stopped. I was unsure if I really wanted to write this article. I then went into the bedroom and began watching TV. Sometime within that hour, as I was clicking onto different channels, I clicked onto one of the Christian TV stations. At that “exact second,” the words “what is the Good News?” came forth from a Pastor’s mouth. Those were the very 1st words spoken at the “exact second” that I tuned in to that TV station. Those are the exact 1st five words in the title of my article. At that point, I thought to myself, “WOW, WOW, WOW, okay Lord, I will write the article.”
I have timed a number of times of how many seconds it takes to say “what is the Good News?” It takes 2 seconds. If I had just been 2 seconds later in clicking onto that TV station, I would have missed hearing those words. If I had been even 2 seconds earlier in clicking onto that TV station, I probably would have heard a couple of words spoken by that Pastor before he spoke the words “what is the Good News?”
I tuned in at the “exact second” that the words “what is the Good News?” came forth from this Pastor’s mouth.
The odds are astronomical that it would be by chance for the order of events to take place in the way in which they did that evening. That evening, the Lord was confirming to me to write this article. The Lord did this in such a way, that I was in total amazement at what transpired that evening. 6 weeks later, I am still amazed!
I was a Christian for 38 years before the Lord opened up my Spiritual understanding to see more clearly some Biblical truths that I had not properly understood in regards to the finished work of Christ on the Cross.
It is very likely that most Christians, including myself, have at some point and time in their innermost being have thought to themselves, “Is God, who created the human race for the purpose of having eternal fellowship with “Him,” really going to sentence the majority of the human race to suffer “eternal torment” in “Hellfire?” Well, I guess so, because that is what the Bible says!” Well, let us examine the “Scriptures” in the Bible very carefully and see if we are really being told that there really is going to be “eternal torment” in “Hellfire.”
In the 2nd chapter of Luke we are told that there were some shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night, when suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared to them and said to them:“Fear not: for, behold, I bring you “Good News” of great joy, which is for (ALL) people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David, a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.”
There is a widespread belief in the Church today that the smaller portion of the human race will be saved and inherit eternal life with Christ, while the larger portion of the human race will be “condemned” to “eternal torment” and “eternal separation from God.”
If that is indeed the case, it is beyond all comprehension to me as to why the proclamation was made that the birth of Christ the Saviour is “Good News” of great joy for (ALL) people, if still even after the birth of Christ the Saviour and “His” sacrificial death on the Cross for the human race, that the larger portion of the human race is still going to be “condemned” to “eternal torment” and “eternal separation from God.” Does that sound like“Good News” for (ALL) people?
We need to examine much more carefully what the Written Word of God “declares” concerning the “Good News” of the Gospel of Christ and the finished work of Christ on the Cross. After all, there is “NOTHING MORE IMPORTANT” than “our eternal destination!”
The Church today claims to be proclaiming the ”Good News” of the Gospel of Christ, and yet, the most important part of the message of the “Good News” of the Gospel of Christ “is not being proclaimed today” by the Church, because today’s Church has not understood how PROFOUND the finished work of Christ on the Cross really is.
It seems that God had fellowship with Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden quite frequently, maybe even on a daily basis before they sinned.“EACH” and “EVERY” human being has been created for the purpose of having fellowship with God for all eternity. This “has always” been the plan of God from even before the creation of all things. “His” plan “cannot be changed,” because God “PRE-DETERMINED” our fellowship with “Him” for all eternity from before the creation of all things. God “Himself” tells us that it “cannot be changed,” because “HE” tells us in Malachi 3:6 – “I am the Lord, I change not;”
It is IMPOSSIBLE for God’s “PRE-DETERMINED” plan for the entire human race to fail. “To attribute failure to God” is of the “highest insult” to our Creator!
We are told in 2 Peter 3:9 that the Lord is not willing that any should perish. In the Greek translation, the word “willing” means “intend.” (i.e. - The Lord “does not intend” for any to perish.) What a HUGE difference this makes in giving us a proper understanding of the actual meaning of this Passage of “Scripture.”
Lamentations 3:31 – “For the Lord will not cast off forever.” (i.e. reject, forsake, abandon) This verse is very clear in communicating to us God’s promise that NO ONE will be separated from “Him” for all eternity.
The Bible reveals to us the Father’s heart. The Cross reveals to us the Father’s “indescribable love” for us, “His” creation.
God did not create the human race, to then only wind up rejecting and abandoning the majority of the human race to total abandonment from “Him” for all eternity.
Philippians 2:10-11 is one of the most “PROFOUND” Passages of “Scripture” in the Bible. “That at the name of JESUS every knee will bow, of things in heaven, and things on earth, and things under the earth: And that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”
There is absolutely nowhere in this Passage of “Scripture” that states or even suggests that every knee will be “FORCED” to bow the knee to the name of JESUS. In all religions, bowing the knee is a“voluntary” form of worship. As explained in the next several paragraphs, we will come to understand more clearly that Philippians 2:10-11 is revealing to us that bowing the knee and confessing that Jesus Christ is Lord, is not going to be forced upon (ALL), but that (ALL) will do so willingly. Throughout the Bible, we find that the “Scriptures” clearly state that GOD “only accepts a willing heart.”
A word study of “confess” (ἐξομολογήσεται) in the Greek language (in light of the way that this same verb is used in other New Testament “Scriptures”) reveals that this verb in the context of this Passage of “Scripture” is rendered “to thank.” That meaning growing out of the sense of open, joyful acknowledgement. The sense here is that of frank, open confession.
An individual cannot praise and joyously proclaim that Jesus Christ is Lord, “if one is being forced to do so,” Especially, if that individual knows that “eternal damnation” and “eternal separation from God” awaits them. It is just that simple!
The traditional teaching on this Passage of “Scripture” has been that even the enemies of the Cross will be forced to bow their knee and confess that Jesus Christ is Lord. This train of thought is in complete “contradiction” to the Written Word of God, because the Bible from Genesis to Revelation “clearly teaches” that the Lord “only accepts” praise and worship “from a willing heart.” “Forced praise and worship” DOES NOT bring Glory to God.
In Philippians 2:10-11, God “IS NOT” proclaiming that all those who have not known Jesus Christ as their Lord and Saviour, “are going to be forced” to bow their knee and confess that Jesus Christ is Lord.
“ON THE CONTRARY,” God is proclaiming to us an “astonishing” & “profound” revelation, that because of the finished work of Christ on the Cross, that (ALL) will come to know Jesus Christ in such a way that (ALL) “will willingly” (not be forced) acknowledge openly with praise, and proclaim joyously that Jesus Christ is Lord.
The “true meaning” of Philippians 2:10-11 has been “greatly overlooked” by the Church today!
There can be little doubt that after the Millennial Kingdom reign of Christ and “His” Saints on earth, that Christ is going to give all enemies of the Cross, and “each” and “every person” who did not have the Gospel of Christ presented to them, a PROFOUND revelation of what “HE” did for them on the Cross which was done out of “His” indescribable love for them.
When the Bible speaks of “Hellfire,” it is just simply a “metaphorical expression.” “Hellfire” is not going to “produce physical suffering to the lost” (lost – those without Christ). Rather, the lost are going to experience a Spiritual suffering, which will indeed be agonizing, because of the refining FIRE of God’s Spirit. Malachi 3:2 – “The Lord is like a refiner’s fire.”
The “completion” of this mighty work of God is going to produce a PROFOUND revelation of what Christ did for them on the Cross. The results of this revelation to them will probably burn in them to such a degree, that it will probably produce an agony in them beyond comprehension, which will cause them to fall down to their knees, and with great joy and praise from the innermost part of their being, “proclaim openly” that Jesus Christ is Lord.
We are given another “PROFOUND” Passage of “Scripture” in Luke 3:6, which states: “AND ALL FLESH SHALL SEE THE SALVATION OF GOD.” The King James translation has every word in this Passage of “Scripture” in capital letters. This apparently is for the purpose of wanting the readers to take special notice of this Passage of “Scripture,” because it is proclaiming something that is quite PROFOUND.
A word study of “see” in the Greek language “reveals” that one of the definitions of “see” can mean “to experience; to become a partaker of.” Because of the way that this Passage of “Scripture” was constructed, it is very reasonable to believe that this is the true meaning of “see” in this Passage of “Scripture.”
A better rendering of this Passage of “Scripture” would read: “AND ALL FLESH SHALL EXPERIENCE AND BECOME PARTAKERS OF GOD’S SALVATION.”
NOTE: At some point and time in the future, the above Passage of “Scripture” will be fulfilled. This will all be worked out in God’s ETERNAL plan for man.
The “GOOD NEWS” of the Gospel of Christ is the “RECONCILIATION” of (ALL) things back to God through the finished work of Christ on the Cross.
Colossians 1:20 – And God was pleased for Christ to make peace by sacrificing “His” blood on the Cross, so that all beings in heaven and on earth would be brought back to God.
Colossians 1:26 – This is the “mystery” which has been hidden from ages past and from generations, but now has been revealed to “His” Saints.
I Corinthians 15:22 tells us “For as in Adam (ALL) die, even so in Christ shall (ALL) be made alive.” Once again, take special note that (ALL) shall be made alive in Christ. What is important to understand is that God has a purpose and plan for (ALL). At the 2nd coming of Christ, the Millennium Kingdom Age of Christ will begin in which “He” and the Saints who have overcome (overcoming Saints – 2nd & 3rd Chapters of Revelation) will rule and reign here on earth.
At some point and time after the 1000 year rule and reign of Christ and the Saints here on earth, “everyone else” through the “refining fire” of God’s Spirit, will be reconciled back to God because of the finished work of Christ on the Cross. This was the plan of God from the very beginning of creation. This is what the”GOOD NEWS” of the gospel of Christ is all about.
I Corinthians 15:26 tells us “The last enemy to be destroyed is death.” (i.e.- the last enemy to be destroyed is separation from God.) (ALL) will be “reconciled” back to God. Yes, even the fallen angels. God did not create multitude upon multitude of angels and then think to “Himself,” “I did not use good judgment in my creation of angels, because a large number of them have rebelled against ME.”
Also, God did not create man in “His” own image and then think to “Himself,” “Once again, I did not use good judgment when I created the human race, because the human race has rebelled against me to the point that I have no choice but to “condemn” the majority of the human race to “everlasting torment” and “everlasting separation” from ME.”
God already knew before “HE” created the human race, that multitudes of people would die without being presented with the Gospel of Christ, therefore, missing out on the opportunity to make Christ their Lord and Saviour. Also, God already knew that the majority of the human race would become enemies of the Cross. Are we to believe that God would still have made the decision to create the human race, if “HE” already knew that the majority of the human race would be “condemned” to suffer “everlasting torment” and “everlasting separation” from “Him?” I THINK NOT !!!
Are we to believe that God who created us to bring Glory to “Him,” is such a failure that “HE” is left with no choice but to “condemn” the majority of the human race to “everlasting torment” and “everlasting separation” from “Him,” which will not only bring NO Glory to “Him,” but to the contrary, will only highlight “His” failure in “His” original purpose for creating us? I THINK NOT !!!
Also, I would like to address the issue of “annihilation.” There are those who do not agree with the common belief of unsaved people eventually burning in “Hellfire” for all eternity, or experiencing some other type of “eternal torment,” but their belief is that unsaved people will eventually be “annihilated” and exist no more.
This belief cannot be correct, because we are told in Ecclesiastes 3:11 – “He” has made everything beautiful in it’s time. “He” also has planted “eternity” in men’s hearts and minds.” (a divinely planted sense of a purpose working through the ages). God created us as “eternal beings.” Our eternal Spirit “CANNOT be destroyed.” Remember, God made us after “His” own image!
THE PROFOUND FINISHED WORK OF CHRIST ON THE CROSS HAS NOT BEEN PROPERLY UNDERSTOOD BY TODAY’S CHURCH!
God from the very beginning had a plan and purpose for all creation. “HE” already knew how things would turn out. “HE” made no mistakes. In past ages, God’s plan and purposes were unfolding and being worked out. In this present age, God’s plan and purposes are unfolding and being worked out. In future ages, God’s plan and purposes will continue to unfold and be worked out.
There are multitude upon multitude of families who have prayed for the salvation of their loved ones, only to see them die without knowing Christ as their Lord and Saviour.
Even though they will not take part in the 1st Resurrection and rule and reign with Christ and the Saints during the Millennial Kingdom Age, we can take great comfort in knowing that “at some point and time” after the Millennial Kingdom Age reign of Christ and the Saints, that “EVERY SINGLE ONE OF THEM” will live for all eternity under the perfect conditions of the New Heavens and New Earth.
This is what the “GOOD NEWS” of the Gospel of Christ is all about, the “RECONCILIATION” of (ALL) back to God, through the finished work of Christ on the Cross.
The finished work of Christ on the Cross “made provision” for the “REDEMPTION” of (ALL), “WITHOUT EXCEPTION.”
The very last words of JESUS on the Cross before “His” last breath were, “IT IS FINISHED!” Those 3 words will “ECHO” into ALL ETERNITY. Those 3 words PROCLAIMED the final destination of (ALL) being “RECONCILED” back to God. From even before the creation of all things, the “RECONCILIATION” of (ALL) back to God through the “SHED BLOOD” of Christ on the Cross “has always” been our Creator’s plan.
In John 12:32, JESUS “declares to us” that “HE” will draw (ALL) people unto “Himself” (Note: “each in their own time”)
We are told in Colossians 1:16 that all things created in heaven, and on earth, visible and invisible, were created for God’s Glory. This is why that it is “IMPOSSIBLE” for any part of God’s creation “to remain” in “an inglorious condition” for “ALL OF ETERNITY.” In due time, in the Ages to come, (ALL) of God’s creation will bring Glory to God as was pre-ordained by God before the creation of all things.
The Bible “message” SCREAMS OUT God’s plan of “ETERNAL SALVATION” FOR (ALL); NOTE: each in their own time!
NOTE: The New Testament was written in the ordinary language of the common people of its day which included “idioms” that were used in their everyday language. (“idiom” – a figure of speech) In fact, every language has its own “idioms,” which really makes a HUGE DIFFERENCE when trying to come to a correct understanding of a particular Passage of “Scripture” in the Bible which contains an “idiom.”
It is important for us to know that JESUS used “idioms” in “His” teachings, which were understood by the people during that period of time.
I have decided to take Penny's suggestion of posting my articles in the main body of the comment section. By doing so, more people will read it. In the past, I have been posting my articles in the attachments. I have decided to post them in the main body of the comment section, and also in the attachments. The articles that are posted in the attachments, make for better reading, but in the future, I will post them in both sections. Before, I had "About the Rapture" posted in the attachment section. I am now putting it in the main body of the comment section.
About the “RAPTURE”
In the Book of Daniel there is a Passage of “Scripture” which upon careful examination will give the reader a good understanding that a Pre-Tribulation Rapture of the Saints (a catching away) “does not take place.”
Since the Bible devotes a great deal of attention to the End-Times, it is pretty clear that this is of “GREAT IMPORTANCE” to the Lord, because “HE” wants End-Times Christians to be fully aware of what awaits them, which will help prepare them for the “GREAT DECEPTION” and the “FIERY TRIAL” which is to come. So, understanding that there is NO “Pre-Tribulation Rapture” is of MONUMENTAL IMPORTANCE to End-Times Christians!
Daniel 7:21 - I beheld, and the same “horn” made war with the Saints, and prevailed against them:
Daniel 7:22 - Until the Ancient of days came, and judgment was given to the Saints of the Most High; and the time came that the Saints possessed the kingdom.
We are clearly told in this Passage of “Scripture” that “War” is made with the Saints “until” Christ comes back, at which time judgment is then given to the Saints and then they will possess the Kingdom.
There has been much confusion and different viewpoints in the Church about when is “THE RAPTURE” (the catching away) going to take place.
Daniel 7:21 does not tell us that “War” is made with those who become Saints “after” “THE RAPTURE” (the catching away) of earlier Saints (Pre-Tribulation Saints). This verse and the following verse, just simply tells us that “War” will be made with the Saints “until” the return of Christ.
I want to strongly re-empathize the point that WE ARE NOT BEING TOLD in verse 21 that the “horn” makes “War” with those who become Saints “after” “THE RAPTURE” (the catching away) of “earlier” Saints. If that were the case, because of how MONUMENTAL this event is going to be, the Lord would have clearly stated this, so that there would be no room for confusion. In fact, if there is to be a Pre-Tribulation “Rapture,” I find it to be a GREAT MYSTERY as to why the Lord would not have given us at least 1 Passage of “Scripture” that is worded in such a way as to clearly state that the “antichrist” makes “War” with those who become Saints “after” the “CATCHING AWAY” of “earlier” Saints.
From the Book of Genesis to the Book of Revelation, we find no such Passage of “Scripture” that states this. God is not the author of confusion!
I have decided to take Penny's suggestion of posting my articles in the main body of the comment section. By doing so, more people will read it. In the past, I have been posting my articles in the attachments. I have decided to post them in the main body of the comment section, and also in the attachments. The articles that are posted in the attachments, make for better reading, but in the future, I will post them in both sections. Before, I had "Giftings in the Church" posted in the attachment section. I am now putting it in the main body of the comment section.
Giftings in the Church
We in the Church need to come to a good understanding about “Spiritual Giftings” that Christ has distributed to the Church. Quite often Christians are so impressed by how much they see the Lord working in another Christian’s “Spiritual gifting” and “calling” (especially those in Leadership positions) that they assume that the individual must have a close relationship with the Lord. The truth is that a Christian’s “gifting” and “calling” from the Lord “does not reflect or represent the closeness of one’s relationship with the Lord.”
It is just simply a “gifting” from the Lord. It is not something that is earned as a result of having a close walk with the Lord. It is up to that person on how they handle their gifting and calling, and on how much they are willing to obey the Lord as the Lord deals with that person on “His” will for their lives.
Regardless of that person’s “Spiritual condition” in the Lord, that person retains his “gifting” and “calling” from the Lord. Romans 11:29 – For the gifts and calling of God “are without repentance.” In this verse, the Greek definition for “repentance” is irrevocable; not possible to revoke.
In Romans 11:29 the Lord has decreed that “HE” will not and cannot reverse “His” “gifts” and “calling” that “HE” has given and placed upon an individual in the Church. Also, a person’s “Spiritual gifting” should never be used as a Spiritual “measuring rod” for determining that person’s “Spiritual knowledge” and “understanding” of the “Scriptures.” This is the reason why that we are strongly urged to follow the example of the Bereans, who searched the “Scriptures” daily, whether those things that they were being taught were so. (Acts 17:11)
I have decided to take Penny's suggestion of posting my articles in the main body of the comment section. By doing so, more people will read it. In the past, I have been posting my articles in the attachments. I have decided to post them in the main body of the comment section, and also in the attachments. The articles that are posted in the attachments, make for better reading, but in the future, I will post them in both sections. Before, I had "Understanding about "Not Forsaking" the Assembling of Ourselves Together" posted in the attachment section. I am now putting it in the main body of the comment section.
Understanding about “Not Forsaking” the Assembling of Ourselves Together
Hebrews 10:25 is an often quoted verse, but an often misunderstood verse. This verse speaks of not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together. The meaning of this verse is that Christians should assemble themselves together “for the purpose” of “FELLOWSHIPPING” IN THE LORD. In fact, the Apostle Paul tells us in 1st Corinthians 14:26 what should take place when Christians assemble themselves together.
In our 4 walled Churches in America, 1st Corinthians 14:26 “is not taking place.” What is taking place in our Churches is that we go to Church and sing a few songs - maybe shake somebody’s hand - say a prayer - listen to the Pastor’s Sermon, and then leave and go on our merry little way. This is really little more than a social gathering that is taking place.
For the most part in our Church settings there is really very little (if any) interaction between Christians “fellowshipping” with each other concerning the things of the Lord. Therefore, Hebrews 10:25 “is not being practiced” in our Churches according to the real meaning of this verse.
There was a Christian lady who lived next door to my wife and myself. She moved away. A few weeks later, she stopped by the mail boxes to pick up some mail. It just so happened that I also was picking up my mail at the same time. She told me that she was out of work. She said that with all the extra time that she now had, that she was now spending a great deal more time “feeding” upon God’s Written Word. She said that she could tell that she was really growing in the Lord. It was clear to see that she was quite excited about her growth in the Lord, because she was bubbling over with excitement. She said that she went to Church with excitement.
I would like to “emphasize” very strongly that she went to Church with excitement because of her “fellowship” with the Lord “which” came from her hunger to “feed” and “meditate” upon “His” Written Word. She was not going to Church to get her Spirit excited, her Spirit was already excited before she ever arrived at the Church.
Somewhere in our conversation, I shared with her my experience of getting together with Christians on a number of occasions after a Church Service to go out and eat and fellowship. (this was a non-denominational Church that I became deeply rooted in for many years after my conversion. The Church eventually came to an end) I shared with her that the majority of the time when we did this, that the conversations often consisted of many different topics, but very little conversation about the things of the Lord. She thought about my comment for a few seconds, then she said “You know, that is a very good observation.” So, here was a Christian lady, who after thinking about it, had observed the very same thing in her own Church.
What the Church in America passes off for "Fellowshipping" in the Lord, "is little more that socializing." Hebrews 10:25 IS NOT talking about Christians assembling themselves together to socialize. It is for the purpose of “FELLOWSHIPPING” IN THE LORD. In other words, it is for the purpose of Christians interacting with each about the things of the Lord.
I have decided to take Penny's suggestion of posting my articles in the main body of the comment section. By doing so, more people will read it. In the past, I have been posting my articles in the attachments. I have decided to post them in the main body of the comment section, and also in the attachments. The articles that are posted in the attachments, make for better reading, but in the future, I will post them in both sections. Before, I had "Re-examining the Institutional Church's Doctrine of Tithing" posted in the attachment section. I am now putting it in the main body of the comment section.
Re-examining the Institutional Church’s “Doctrine of Tithing”
To find out the Biblical Truth about tithing, simply go to the internet and key in any one of the titles listed below: Having a good Biblical understanding about the tithe in relationship to the Church is of “GREAT” importance to the Body of Christ. By understanding that the New Testament Church is not required to tithe, and is not “Scriptural,” it then becomes quite clear that the Institutional Church “System” is not a God ordained system, but a man-made system.
The tithe – is it still applicable today? – Lee Underwood (Below are some excerpts from this article)
In these last days, many traditions of the Christian Institutional Church are being revealed to be nothing more than just that: man-made customs. So, in regards to these tithes, are they Biblical or are they just tradition also? Did Yahweh actually command that they be collected for use by a local assembly for its daily operating expenses? The only way to understand any of this is to take a look at “Scripture” and discern what it says regarding this practice. “Scripturally,” we can see that the tithe was never meant to support pastors, elders, boards of directors, traveling ministers, local assembly buildings, or other things of the sort.
The Origin of the “Christian” Tithe
The first person to mention paying for the full-time support of certain members of local congregations is Cyprian (200-258 CE). The idea did not go over real big at the time. Congregation leaders were given salaries when Constantine came into office, 200 years after the beginning of the Christian religion. Tithing did not become a commonly accepted practice until the eighth century – 700 years after the beginning of Christianity. By the eleventh century it had become a legal requirement in order to fund the State-run church.
The tithe – Vision Of The Church (Below are some excerpts from this article)
"THE TITHE" SAYS THAT ONE PERSON HAS THE RULE OVER OTHERS WITHIN THE CHURCH. THE TITHE LIMITS MINISTRY. THE TITHE UNDOES SPIRIT-LEAD GIVING AND GIVING TO THE POOR WITHIN THE CHURCH. THE TITHE, BIBLICALLY, WAS THE AMOUNT OF THE SIN OFFERING THAT GOD COMMANDED ISRAEL TO MAKE IN THE OLD COVENANT. BIBLICALLY A TITHE WAS ONLY PAID TO THE HIGH PRIEST OF JERUSALEM, AND ALWAYS CONSISTED OF ANIMALS OR GRAIN (BREAD AND MEAT)--THE SIN OFFERING. THE CHURCH IN THE BIBLE DID NOT PAY TITHE. HEBREWS 10:18 SAYS IN THE NEW COVENANT THERE IS NO MORE SIN OFFERING -- JESUS IS OUR SIN OFFERING. HE OFFERED HIS BODY--AS MEAT AND BREAD--THE TITHE.
The Opposite System.....In the Bible, the money was NOT given to leadership to build and operate a church building. It was Spirit-lead giving--to the poor in the church--so that no one had lack. All the houses of God were cared for, they did not exalt one man's house over another. No "Office" of priest--No tithe.....In the Bible only a priest collected a tithe. The “Old Covenant” had a specific priesthood--this priesthood is specifically done away with in the “New Covenant” and we are all made priests unto God--therefore there is no Christian who has the Biblical right to collect a tithe.
Exposing the tithe lie – Jack Helser (Below are some excerpts from this article)
Burdening the Body of Christ with the Tithe requires several twists and re-interpretations of “Scripture.”
1) The tithe must be imported from the OT law of Moses to the new covenant of grace by Christ’s blood.
2) The tithe must be re-defined from "flocks, herds, fruit and grain" to "money" and often "time".
3) The storehouse must be re-defined from the temple in Jerusalem to the local church building.
4) The Body of Christ must buy into the ordained clergy as the new priesthood, thereby replacing the Levite priesthood as the rightful recipient of the tithe.
5) The Body of Christ must forfeit their own priesthood and buy into the notion that they are the "laity".
I have decided to take Penny's suggestion of posting my articles in the main body of the comment section. By doing so, more people will read it. In the past, I have been posting my articles in the attachments. I have decided to post them in the main body of the comment section, and also in the attachments. The articles that are posted in the attachments, make for better reading, but in the future, I will post them in both sections. Before, I had "The Royal Priesthood of the Believer in Christ" posted in the attachment section. I am now putting it in the main body of the comment section.
The “Royal Priesthood” of the Believer in Christ
Today’s Church (at least here in America) is not functioning in the Biblical “Pattern” of the Early Church. In 1st Corinthians 14:26, the Apostle Paul addresses the issue of “what should take place” when Christians meet together in the name of our Lord & Saviour, Jesus Christ. 1st Corinthians 14:26 - “My Brethren, when you meet together, EVERY ONE of you have something to help the other. One has a song, One has something to teach, One has something to share which God has shown to him, One has something in a tongue, One can tell the meaning of a tongue. Do all these things to help one another.”
The Apostle Paul makes it quite clear “that each” Christian is to have the “opportunity” of being able “to participate and share” when we meet together in the name of Jesus Christ. This is how the Body of Christ is Built Up. 1st Corinthians 14:26 clearly gives us the “PATTERN” by which the Church is to “put into action” in order that the “ROYAL PRIESTHOOD” of Believers in Christ can be “Spiritually built up.” This is part of the HERITAGE of Christians as the “ROYAL PRIESTHOOD” of Believers in Christ!
The Church “Pattern” that we have today “DOES NOT ALLOW” for 1st Corinthians 14:26 to take place in our Churches. 1st Corinthians 14:26 shows us clearly that “The Lord never intended” for just 1 individual, or 2, or 3 individuals to have CENTER-STAGE in the Church, week after week, month after month, year after year.
It is evident that the Body of Christ at large does not have much of an understanding of how Apostles, Prophets, Teachers, Shepherds, etc. “are to function” in the Church. The Christian individuals whom the Lord has chosen for these positions are to function in the Church in such a way that all or most of the attention is not constantly focused on them. The very opposite is taking place today in our Churches.
Because of the MAINSTREAM Church “Pattern” that is functioning in our Churches today, Christian individuals who hold these positions are functioning in such a way, that it “promotes” a great deal of attention to be focused on them, week after week, month after month, year after year.
This is the result of the Body of Christ not recognizing and implementing the ROLE of the “ROYAL PRIESTHOOD” of “EACH” and “EVERY” Believer in Christ. The “teachings” of JESUS and the Apostles “DO NOT” support or promote “this type” of Church “System.” The typical Church “System” that we have today is ROBBING the Body of Christ of the “RICH VIBRANT LIFE” that the Lord intended for “EACH” and “EVERY” Christian to experience when we meet together in the name of our Lord & Saviour, Jesus Christ. In fact, the type of “System” that is in place today DEFEATS “the very purpose” of the “ROYAL PRIESTHOOD” of the Believer in Christ. The INPUT of “EACH” and “EVERY” single Believer in Christ as part of the “ROYAL PRIESTHOOD” is “VITAL” to the very HEALTH of the Body of Christ.
We have “become so steeped” in the present day Church “Pattern” that is functioning today, that we think that this is the way that it is meant to be. We think that this is the way that it has always been, and yet 1st Corinthians 14:26 tells us differently! The Institutional Church “System” has “in effect” Institutionalized the ROLE of the Holy Spirit!
A serious Bible “study” will reveal that the doctrine of tithing that is widely taught in our Churches today, IS NOT VALID for the New Testament Church. It is very unfortunate that this type of teaching has been responsible for putting so many Christians under “unnecessary” bondage and “unnecessary” hardships.
The question then becomes “How can the Institutional Church “System” survive without tithes?” Well, IT CAN’T. This further proves the point that today’s Institutional Church “System” is not functioning in the Early Church “Pattern” that the Lord intended for “His” Church. This further validates the point that the Church needs to recognize that each Believer in Christ is part of the “ROYAL PRIESTHOOD” and “provide the setting” for the function of the “ROYAL PRIESTHOOD” of the Believer in Christ to take place when they meet together, as described in 1st Corinthians 14:26. The Institutional Church “System” does not provide this type of setting!
Christians have been “BLINDED” by the Institutional Church “System” to such a degree that they do not understand their ROLE in the “ROYAL PRIESTHOOD” of Believers in Christ, and of how “VITAL” their ROLE is to the HEALTH of the Body of Christ!
I have decided to take Penny's suggestion of posting my articles in the main body of the comment section. By doing so, more people will read it. In the past, I have been posting my articles in the attachments. I have decided to post them in the main body of the comment section, and also in the attachments. The articles that are posted in the attachments, make for better reading, but in the future, I will post them in both sections. Before, I had "Deceiving Spirits know the Bible" posted in the attachment section. I am now putting it in the main body of the comment section.
“Deceiving Spirits” know the Bible
Sadly, “Deceiving Spirits” have more knowledge of God’s Written Word than many Christians. Many years ago, I purchased a book in which a Pastor was visited a number of times by “Angelic Spirits.” This Pastor was convinced that these were “Angelic visitations” sent from the Lord. I have studied the book carefully and it is clear that these visitations were from “Deceiving Spirits” who had transformed themselves into “Angels of Light.” They gave much Biblical truth and insight into the “Scriptures,” but I found quite a number of instances in the book in which their actions and what they said were clearly in “direct contradiction” to the Written Word of God. These “Deceiving Spirits” stated much truth about God’s Written Word, but then at certain points in their conversation with this Pastor, they would mix in error, which can easily catch one off guard “and seem to be truth.” This is one of many reasons why that it is VITAL for Christians to SEARCH THE “SCRIPTURES” FAITHFULLY.
What I found amazing is that one of the Angels said “some people have taken their eyes off JESUS and started looking to Teachers. Some of these Teachers dissect and categorize the Bible until it loses it’s LIFE.” This “Angel of Darkness” said “FEED ON THE WORD.” He repeated “FEED ON THE WORD! Don’t settle for the Dissected Word torn into little bits and analyzed by sections. KEEP IT THE LIVING WORD!”
“AMAZING!” Even the “Angels of Darkness” understand how VITAL the LIFE GIVING SUBSTANCE of God’s Written Word is to the Believer in Christ.
Last year, I read an article in which someone who claims to be an Apostle, had a vision. There is no question in my mind that this individual had a real vision, but it was not a vision from the Lord. It was a vision from a “Deceiving Spirit” posing as an “Angel of Light.” Upon careful examination, it becomes apparent that this was not a vision from The Lord, because some things in this vision “were in direct contradiction to the Written Word of God.” Also, this individual who claims to be an Apostle has some “false teaching” which makes him a good candidate for receiving “Deceptive” “Visions” and “Dreams” from “Deceiving Spirits.”
This individual saw in the vision that on the ground in front of him, lay a Large Bible. He was amazed that it seemed that none of the Christians seemed to notice it as “THEY WALKED OVER IT.” Other Christians even “STEPPED ON IT.” Every time that a Christian would start to look at the Bible, they would instead “BE DISTRACTED.” They were continually “BEING DIVERTED” “to other things.”
We can see from this vision, which was from a “Deceptive Spirit,” that “Deceptive Spirits” take notice and are very aware of how many Christians “NEGLECT” “reading” and “meditating” upon God’s Written Word. This makes the task of “Deceptive Spirits” much easier. After all, the top priority of the “Kingdom of Darkness,” IS TO DECEIVE!
I have decided to take Penny's suggestion of posting my articles in the main body of the comment section. By doing so, more people will read it. In the past, I have been posting my articles in the attachments. I have decided to post them in the main body of the comment section, and also in the attachments. The articles that are posted in the attahments, make for better reading, but in the future, I will post them in both sections. Before, I had "The Bible is for all Eternity," posted in the attachment section. I am now putting it in the main body of the comment section.
The Bible is for all “Eternity”
I will start out by bringing our attention to God’s “ETERNAL PURPOSE” for creating us. From I Peter 1:20, it becomes clear that God’s plan from the very beginning of creation was to bring forth a people who would become JOINT-HEIRS with CHRIST, who will “rule” and “reign” with CHRIST forever. This has only been made possible by the Sacrificial death of CHRIST on the CROSS for us and by “His” Resurrection.
When it comes time for the Lord to distribute the rewards to each Saint, it will be rewards of “Authority.” Have you ever thought about what exactly it is that the Saints will be ruling and reigning over? It is clear from“Scripture” that the unbelievers who survive the Great Tribulation Period will be allowed to enter into the Millennium Kingdom Age of Christ on Earth, in which they will continue to bear children and populate the earth.
There are estimates that 80 Billion people to several hundred Billion people could be born during this period of time. The Age that will follow the Millennium Kingdom Age will be the New Earth Age. It is unclear from “Scripture” if people will continue to be born in the New Earth Age.
Recently, through the use of the South Pole Telescope there has been a discovery of a cluster of Galaxies that has been calculated (up to our present date of 2011) to have an estimated 3,200 Trillion Suns. Also, there has been another discovery recently of an estimated 80 Billion Planets in our Galaxy (The Milky Way). Through the use of the Hubble Telescope, there is now believed to be more than 170 Billion Galaxies in our Universe. (WOW!) There is certain to be many more Galaxies in our Universe, because these estimates come only from the observable Universe. In fact, it is estimated that only 4 percent of our Universe has been observed. We now know that our Universe is continually expanding and that it is now expanding at an accelerated rate of speed.
God did not create all that “HE” has created just because “HE” got bored and had nothing else better to do. All that God does and has done “is for a specific purpose.” God has “a specific purpose” for the vastness of outer space and all that it contains.
If new generations of people are going to continue to be born in the New Earth Age that follows the Millennium Kingdom Age, then the earth will soon reach it’s limit as to how many people it can support. Maybe this is why God created such a vastness of outer space that is incomprehensible to the human mind. There is little doubt that each new generation of people that will be born in the Age or Ages to come, will be taught about the “INCOMPREHENSIBLE SACRIFICE” of CHRIST on the CROSS, and it’s RELATIONSHIP TO THEM.
For all of eternity nothing will ever SURPASS or EQUAL the MAGNITUDE of what CHRIST did on the CROSS. All of creation revolves around CHRIST and “His” “INCOMPREHENSIBLE SACRIFICE” on the CROSS.
I believe that when it becomes time for the Saints to rule and reign with CHRIST, that the authority given to the Saints will be far beyond what we could ever have imagined. The Bible makes it clear that there will be different degrees of “authority” for each Saint. I have put together this document for the purpose of addressing this very issue. It is my strong belief that the Saints will rule and reign from the “Authority” of God’s Written Word. On several occasions JESUS referred to the Written Word of God by declaring “IT IS WRITTEN.” By declaring those words, JESUS was declaring the “AUTHORITY” of the Written Word of God.
Even Satan understands the “AUTHORITY” of the Written Word of God, because in the 4th Chapter of Matthew, Satan “declares” to JESUS, “IT IS WRITTEN.” We are told in the Book of Psalms that God’s Word is ETERNAL. We are told in 1st Peter that God’s Word will REMAIN FOREVER. Also, JESUS declared, “My Words shall NEVER pass away.”
For all eternity, the Bible will NEVER become outdated. There will never come a time in eternity when the Lord decides to put the Bible away in some majestic bookcase to be remembered as an ancient piece of history. The average Christian in America does not really appreciate the priceless treasure (The Bible) that they have in their possession. The Lord chose “His” Written Word as “His” GREATEST MEANS to REVEAL HIMSELF “to us.”
If we as Christians profess to have a hunger for God, but do not have a hunger for “His” Written Word in which the Lord reveals “Himself” to us through the work of the Holy Spirit, then something is amiss. We need to take a much closer look at where our true desires lie. In the Book of Hosea, the Lord tells the nation of Israel, “I have written to you the Great things of My Word, but they have been counted as a strange thing to you.” Tragically, these same words hold true for many Christians today, especially in America.
All that I have shared so far, has been for the purpose of leading up to my main point, which is: The ones of us (Born-Again Believers in Christ) who have been fortunate enough to have free and unhindered access to God’s Written Word, if we place “SUCH LITTLE VALUE” on feeding upon God’s Written Word which “HE” has given to us as “His” main source for revealing “Himself” to us, then when it comes time to rule and reign with Christ, just how much “Authority” can we really expect to receive?
We must not forget that the authority that we will rule and reign with, will not be for only 1000 years, or 10,000 years, or 100,000 years, or a million years, or a billion years, or a trillion years, or untrigintillion years (untrigintillion has 123 zeroes after the 1). Even untrigintillion years is just a drop in the bucket compared to ETERNITY. We become so concerned with the cares of this world that we seem to give little thought to, and lose sight of what the Lord is trying to PREPARE US FOR in “His” grand scheme of ETERNITY.
Of course feeding upon God’s Written Word is only part of the equation. How much we allow God’s Word to transform our lives through the work of the Holy Spirit is another large part of the equation.
In a recent Gallup Poll, 41% of Americans who call themselves Born-again Christians said they “rarely read” or “never read” the Bible. 12% say they “read” the Bible monthly. 10% say they “read” the Bible less than monthly. Another statistical research showed that less than 10% of professing Christians have ever “read” the entire Bible. If these studies are even close to being accurate, it is a startling revelation of the “TRUE CONDITION” of the Church today in America!
( REVELATION 22:12 – “BEHOLD, I come quickly; and MY REWARD is with ME.”)
I have decided to follow up on Penny's suggestion of posting my articles in the main body of the comment section. By doing so, more people will read it. In the past, I have been posting my articles in the attachments. I have decided to post them in the main body of the comment section and also in the attachments. The articles that are posted in the attachments, make for better reading, but in the future, I will post them in both sections. Before, I had "Christians Suffering from Malnutrition" in the attachment section. I am now putting it in the main comment section. Below, is a Word that the Lord put into my Spirit in 2008.
Christians Suffering from "Malnutrition"
05/30/08 - The Burden of the Lord. I, the Lord God am Deeply Grieved at the Famine that I see MY people going through in the land. A Famine that has been caused by MY people not coming to MY Supper Table and Feasting on MY Word. It is a Grievous Famine. MY people are Suffering from Malnutrition to the point that their rib cages can be seen. Do not I say in MY Word, Desire the sincere milk of the Word, that you may grow? The Shepherds in the land have been leading MY people to Feast at their Supper Table, and not leading MY people to Feast at the Supper Table of the Lord. This has brought Great Famine to MY people. I will bring forth Shepherds who will lead my people to My Supper Table.
Now to share with you the understanding that I believe the Lord has given me in my Spirit concerning this Word. The Lord in this Word is not speaking about the many False Teachers and the many False Prophets that we have today. The Lord is speaking about genuine Christian Leaders who are guilty of wanting to be the main source to whom Christians come to for their feeding. This WIDESPREAD condition in the Church today has actually produced MALNUTRITION rather than GROWTH for many Christians, because too many Christians have depended too much upon receiving their feeding from Christian Leaders. This has led to many Christians NEGLECTING coming to the Lord's Supper Table (Which the Lord has referred to in this Word as HIS Written Word) and allowing the Holy Spirit to feed them through God's Written Word.
I feel that this Word is mainly directed at the Church in America, because of the religious freedom that we have here, and because of the great abundance of Bibles that we have access to in this country.
06/13/08 - I, the Lord God, would say to MY people, that there are many Leaders, but few Shepherds.
09/03/08 - I, the Lord God, would say to MY people, that if you want to know MY Heartbeat, Feast on MY Word.
Thank you Penny for your help. It is appreciated.
Blessings!
Thank you penny for your suggestion. There are a couple of reasons why that I post my articles in an attachment. Some of my articles are fairly lengthy. Also, I have literally spent hundreds of hours of going over and over my articles to make them as desirable reading as possible to the eyes, and to make a number of very important points in the articles stand out as much as possible. This is the reason why that I leave them in the original Word document form, and put them in the attachments.
If a reader is not interested enough to open up the attachment which contains the article and read it, then I seriously doubt if the article would have much of an impact upon them anyway. In fact, recently, the Lord has been speaking to my heart, that I am not to concern myself with how many people approve of my articles, but that the articles are for those who have hearing ears. Even if the articles only minister to 1 out of a 1,000, the Lord is only concerned with me being obedient to the writing ministry that He has assigned me to.
Yesterday, an individual responded to my articles "The Bible is for all "Eternity" & the article "Deceiving Spirits know the Bible." The individual explained to me that they had been neglecting reading the Bible lately. The individual said that the articles has inspired and motivated them to get back to reading the Bible faithfully. That was a blessing to me for that person to share that with me. Even though those articles may have only had an impact upon 1 individual, "MISSION ACCOMPLISHED."
Once again, thank you penny for trying to help me, in case I needed it.