“In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.” This is not the
beginning of time but the beginning of God’s creative work after an eternity
before of planning for an eternity thereafter. Thus, because eternity is at both
ends, we are essentially in the middle and at a most exciting time: God’s ability is
on display as manifested, not only by His creation of the universe in which we
exist, but also by the work that He is performing to rectify man’s dilemma of sin.
Because earth is man’s home, the heavenly bodies in close proximity, i.e. the sun
moon and nearby stars, have an impact upon our physical world, and on
ourselves, especially as we behold such marvelous works. The sun provides heat,
light, and her gravitational pull keeps earth within her influence. Heat enables
life on this planet; light which also enables sight and plant growth. The moon
provides light from its illumination by the sun, and has gravitational pull also,
which provides necessary tidal action upon earth’s bodies of water. All this came
from a wise and powerful Creator that we, earth’s highest and most complex of
the earthly creations, may live and enjoy the benefits.
But, are we to be only recipients? Are we to be only sponges that absorb and
hold? Are we to be indifferent to the One who brought all this into being? Nay.
For the benefits provided, there are also responsibilities to be performed in
return.
In Scripture, the sun has significance in several ways. One significance is that
the sun represents God himself: “For the LORD God is a sun and a shield,” Ps
84:11. Because the literal sun is the center of our planetary system, thus our
“world” in the largest sense, so also is God the center of all of our existence; “in
Him we live and move and have our being,” Acts 17:28. Properly performed, we
revolve around Him, and by doing so, we have life in the fullest sense.
As Jacob interpreted Joseph’s dream, “Shall I and thy mother and thy brethren
indeed come to bow down ourselves to thee to the earth?” he declared the sun
represented himself, the moon as representing Rachel and the eleven stars as
Joseph’s brothers. However, Rachel was already dead. Therefore, for her to bow
to Joseph, who represented Jesus, she would need to be awakened from death.
Thus the dream has fulfillment in the Millennial Kingdom, after Rachel is
awakened.
The sun also represents our Lord Jesus as he arises in the Day of God’s Wrath:
“But unto you (natural Israel) that fear my (Jehovah’s) name shall the Sun of
righteousness arise with deliverance in extremity; and ye shall go forth, and
spread as frisking calves of the stall. And ye (spiritual Israel) shall tread down
the wicked; for they shall be ashes under the soles of your feet in the day that I
shall do, saith the LORD of hosts.” Mal 4:2,3. There is no corner of the earth
that does not experience deliverance from the darkness of night by the light of
the sun when it has risen. Therefore, when Jesus arises, as God’s right hand
agent, there will be deliverance for those that truly fear the name and authority
of Jehovah. Israel shall be delivered from the powers of darkness, and in
particular, from her Arab enemies. Israel, delivered from such aggression, will
indeed go friskily about as do calves that have been released from their stall.
“And ye (the Body members of Christ) shall tread down the wicked, for they shall
be ashes (the remnant of that which is “burned”) under the soles of your feet in
the day (of God’s Wrath) that I shall do (this),” Mal 4:3. Just as Joshua said to
the captains of the army of Israel, “Come near, put your feet upon the necks of
these kings…for thus shall the LORD do to all your (The Christ, Head and Body’s)
enemies against whom ye fight,” Josh 10:24,25, so shall it be done in the end of
this Gospel Age.
The sun also represents the message of truth that is identified with the Gospel
Age. It is that message of truth that we desire to declare unto you.
During the time from creation of man in the Garden of Eden to the anointing of
Jesus with the Holy Spirit, as represented by a dove, that which was known about
God was mostly limited to His work of Creation, promises that God made, and
justice that God declared as manifested by the Law through Moses. After Jesus
began his ministry, man’s perception of God expanded to one that included love
in addition to the justice and power that was previously known. Love, not like
that between the genders, a personal affection; but a love that excels fleshly
interest; a love which seeks benefit for the other without benefit to self. Thus, a
godlike love is one that seeks the welfare of the other without self interest; a
selfless love towards others for their benefit.
The message of truth that Jesus declared was an element of God’s love for
mankind: “The kingdom of heaven is at hand.” At that time Israel was in
anticipation of a mighty deliverer, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, to take them out
of Roman subjection, and here comes Jesus, the Lamb of God, preaching a
message about the heavenly kingdom. To the people of Israel this was wholly
out of line with their expectational views for the work of a Messiah. Yet, here was
the declaration that there would be an associate class from mankind that would
be a part of the heavenly kingdom authority. These would be joint heirs with
Jesus as he ruled over the rest of mankind upon earth during the Millennial Reign,
though this was not so plainly spoken to them as it is now to you.
That simple sentence, “The kingdom of heaven is at hand,” carried tremendous
weight. The kingdom of heaven class was a most necessary feature in God’s plan
to fulfill His promise to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob: “In thy seed, shall all the
families of the earth be blessed,” Gen 12:3; 18:18; 22:17,18; 26:2-5; 28:14.
That work of calling, developing and ultimately selecting the Body members was
now at hand, it was time to commence that work. That heavenly seed has as
much significance to the blessing of the families of earth as has the literal sun in
providing the necessary elements for life to exist here upon earth. Thus, the
literal sun equates to the Gospel message, for it was by the Gospel message that
the Church was first called into relationship with God as sons, and then developed
into holiness; thus, fit for use to bless others.
As the literal sun provides light, so the Gospel message of truth provides light of
understanding of what God’s character really is; one of love and graciousness, as
well as one of justice and power. As the literal sun provides heat, so also the
message of truth applies heat: there is only one standard that is acceptable to
God, and that standard is righteousness. All other works will be burned up by the
heat of God’s fierce anger and wrath at God’s appropriate time, His Day of Wrath.
As the literal sun provides gravitational pull to keep earth on course, so the light
of truth, the heat of truth and the body of truth has a force that draws individuals
to God and to His Son that they might first learn the way of righteousness, and
then be kept in that way and not wander off into space of self will which leads to
destruction.
God’s truth, the same that Jesus proclaimed, and the same that others
proclaimed through the Gospel Age, and even that which we attempt to proclaim
here, is consistent, reliable, trustworthy for belief, and never failing. Such is the
literal sun in its course: it is always reliably consistent, arising in the east and
setting in the west. It is trustworthy: never do we have to fear that the sun will
burn out, or wander away. The sun never fails to perform God’s bidding, God’s
purpose for it. Likewise, never will we have to fear that God will fail to perform
all of His works; which includes blessing to the righteous and wrath unto the
wicked.
The moon as a heavenly body has no light of its own, but it becomes luminous
from the light of the sun and then the moon shines. Just so is the Law of God
through Moses. The Law is dark, it has no illumination of itself, but when the
light of the Gospel Age sun shines upon it, the Law becomes luminous, revealing
its features that were before hidden and obscure. The sacrifices of burnt offering
are now seen to primarily represent the sacrifice of the Lord Jesus as a perfect
man. The burnt offering sacrifice also represents the ability of the perfected man
in the Kingdom of God upon earth after he is restored back to the original
perfection that Adam once enjoyed, Lev 1; Psa 51:19. The sacrifice of peace
offerings (Lev 7 and 23) is now understood to be primarily that of the Church,
who offers herself as a voluntary and a vow offering unto Jehovah. The sin
offering of Lev 16 is now understood to mean the offering of both Jesus (the
bullock) and the Church (the Lord’s goat) for the purpose of canceling the sin of
humanity. The Day of Atonement is the day for the annual chief sin offering to be
made, and that day represents now, the Gospel Age, wherein the sin offering of
both Jesus and the Church is made. The meal and drink offerings are now
understood also, representing appreciation and comprehension, and all because
the light of truth from the Gospel Age sun has shone upon the Law and has made
it luminous, though not brightly seen by everyone.
The stars of the heaven, lights themselves, though far away, have intrigued men
for centuries. So also the stars of the Gospel Age, the twelve men whom Jesus
chose after prayer and whom he personally tutored (Paul being the replacement
for Judas Iscariot), have intrigued men for centuries. How could twelve men
leave all that they possessed, walk away from earth’s treasures of position,
wealth, power (Matthew and Paul especially) and then risk their lives to preach
and defend a man’s story, and especially so after their mentor died? These men
had the God given light of truth in themselves, for they not only knew truth, they
lived it! Thus, we have today the same stars above us in their written word to
guide us to an accurate understanding of truth just as the star over Bethlehem
led the wise men to Jesus. Truly, all wise men seek Jesus through these twelve
men, for in so doing wisdom is truly attained.
The Law and the prophets foreshadowed events that would occur during the
Gospel Age. One of those foreshadowed events was the death and resurrection
of Jesus. In Lev 23 the sheaf of the firstfruit came into existence when the
harvest of barley started. That first sheaf of barley was reserved by the land
owner, stored up, transported to the priest on the day after the next seventh day
sabbath, and then the priest waved the sheaf as an offering unto God. Simple, is
it not? Yet how few understood the significance during the many centuries that
followed. That sheaf, harvested out of the field, represents Jesus “cut off” from
the world by death, Isa 53:8. He was laid up, in the grave, and then on the day
after the seventh day sabbath he was raised to life, just as the sheaf was raised,
“waved” by the priest. Jesus did not raise himself, but God did, just as the sheaf
did not wave itself, but the priest did. This is one of many things that come out
of the Old Testament storehouse of truth, some old and some new; some well
known and others, as this one, not well known.
That same chapter of Lev 23 continues to tell the story of the beginning of the
Gospel Age Church by means of symbolism. Seven weeks are counted, beginning
from the day the sheaf was waved, and then the next day, the fiftieth, was the
day wherein two wave loaves made with leaven were to be offered, along with
specific animal sacrifices. The symbolic account was fulfilled in the story of the
Day of Pentecost when the Church received the begetting of the same Holy Spirit
that came upon Jesus, only in a different way. The two wave loaves contained
leaven because they represented the two classes of humanity that came out of
sin that would eventually gain life in the spirit world, The Body of Christ, and the
Great Multitude. Members of both of these classes ran for the same prize to be
joint heirs with Jesus. Some obtained the chief prize, the others did not.
We could continue with explanation (some more, others less) about the temple
that Solomon built and how that temple’s construction foreshadowed the
quarrying and erection of the spiritual temple of Christ; of Elijah who
foreshadowed the true Church during the Gospel Age; of Elisha, who
foreshadowed not only the Little Sister class during the end of this age, but who
also foreshadowed the work of the elders of Hebrews 11, the faith class from an
earlier age; of the judgment of Eli and his sons, how they portrayed the judgment
of the Church; of the first three kings of Israel i.e. Saul, David, Solomon, how
they represented the three classes that result from the Gospel Age call- the
Church, the Great Multitude, and those who go into Second Death. Need we say
more? The Old Testament is loaded with wonderful significance that only the light
of the Gospel Age sun has made luminous.
The next time that you observe the sun rise or the sun set, remember that the
God of all the Universe has used that same heavenly body to illustrate the light of
truth that came forth during the Gospel Age, first through Jesus, and then
through his chosen twelve. Consider also that the moon, when you see its wane
after its fullness, portrays the waning of the nation of Israel after Jesus was
crucified, for they, Israel, had the light of life before them, and they rejected him.
Another element of truth that came with the Gospel Age message is the doctrine
of the ransom. Many speak forth that word without understanding it at all.
Ransom means a price to correspond. It is simple. Use today is common when a
person is kidnapped. The ransom price declared is, in the minds of the
kidnappers, an equivalent value for the life of the person they hold. So much
money equals the captive person’s release. How difficult is it to see that when
Jesus died as a ransom for Adam, that Jesus was no more, neither any less than
what Adam was when he was created? Adam was made flesh, out of the dust of
the ground, and into that lifeless body “God breathed into his nostrils the breathe
of life,” and what happened? Did Adam acquire a soul as a person acquires a
birthday present when it is handed to him? No, not at all. The Divine record
states that Adam became a living soul, a living being, a living entity. Thus the
body of flesh, plus (addition, +) the breath of life, equals (=) the living being, the
living soul. Therefore, Adam did not acquire a soul; he was not given one as if he
had received a gift: he became a living soul. There is a vast difference from
being a pig and having one! Not that Adam was a pig, but the illustration
pointedly brings the lesson home.
(The ransom sacrifice of Jesus releases man from the grave, but it does nothing
to restore him from the sin that caused him to go there. The work of restoring
mankind out of sin, after they have been released from death, is the work of
Jesus and his Body members. This work, called restitution in Scripture, Acts
3:19-21, is made possible because of the sin offering that Jesus and his body
members offered in the Gospel Age. Their voluntary offering of themselves
prepared them to be the world’s Mediator during the Kingdom, while Jesus’ sin
offering also prepared him to be the Church’s Advocate during the Gospel Age.)
This element of doctrine, given in Gen 2, is so important, that without correctly
understanding the nature of man, who he was, and what he was not, the rest of
the testimony of Scriptures can not be correctly understood, “rightly divided.”
Through the years as we held discussion with others on the Scriptures, their
misunderstanding of doctrines later introduced in Scripture always pointed back
to their incorrect understanding of the fact that Adam was a soul, (was, because
he is now dead) and NOT that Adam acquired one! This is Life 101. Without
correctly understanding this fundamental doctrine, Life 201, 301, etc. are all
misconstrued.
Now, with fundamental Life 101 in place, we can continue.
In Life 201, the Divine record states that when various ones died, they slept with
their fathers. This simply means that a person died and rested in oblivion, the
state of death, as was the case of that person’s forefathers who died before they
did. This concept is rendered also as, (Abraham) “was gathered to his people.”
See 1 Kgs 11:43; Gen 25:7,8.
These people are dead, have no thoughts, have no feelings, have no more
anything that a living person has, either of the personal senses nor of personal
wealth. See Eccl 9:5,6; Job 14:21. These dead ones do not exist in any way nor
degree, except, that God has a record of them (Ecc 3:21 the spirit of man going
upward), and that the future resurrection from the dead will bring them forth.
These will not return with the exact same molecular pieces that they once were
(1 Cor 15:35-38), but their new, earthly body will be a re-creation of who they
were (although in a better condition), with all of the thoughts and memories that
were inside their brain before they died. If the memories and experiences of their
former life were not re-established in their new bodies, then what good would all
their prior experiences be to them? Without such, their awakening from death
would be essentially the same as a newborn child, whose mind is relatively blank
of information, but whose “genetic bags” are loaded with the propensities of sin
handed down from previous generations. Of what value to these would be the
permission of sin if they could not remember it?
Therefore, because of the simple truths that mankind are souls, and do not have
one; and that when a person dies, they cease completely from existence with no
further cognizance nor participation in affairs on the earth’s surface, Ecc 9:6; for
them to have any life thereafter requires Divine intervention based upon
righteousness. Because Adam’s penalty was death without any release from it,
for Adam and for any of his offspring, who also share his penalty, to come forth
from death, from the grave, there must be a substitute to take Adam’s place in
that penalty. The reason why all of humanity can be traced to Adam, even Eve,
is so that one redeemer could die for Adam, and those who are under Adam’s
death sentence, even Eve, can come forth from death. This is the wisdom and
economy of God in action. One perfect man plunged the whole race into sin
because of his disobedience, and by God’s arrangement, one man of equal status,
that of perfection, can redeem Adam out of death and thereby release Adam’s
offspring, the race of humanity, from that penalty.
It should be clearly perceived that since Adam was not spirit, neither was his
substitute, Jesus. The doctrine of the ransom clearly establishes the fact that
Jesus is an exact equivalent for Adam, flesh for flesh, perfection in Jesus for the
perfection that Adam once held. Therefore, Jesus was not a “god-man” that died,
but 100% human flesh, though not Adam’s son, but Eve’s son. Did not God say
to the serpent, Satan, “And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and
between thy seed and her seed; it (Jesus, as the main character) shall bruise thy
head, and thou shalt bruise his heel,” Gen 3:15? The “Man” Christ Jesus died as
the substitute for Adam; nothing more, nothing less. Life 201 is also
fundamental, but oh so necessary to understand.
Now that Adam is dead and the whole race dead in sin accordingly, Life 301 is
next. God has been working through His plan to righteously bring Adam and all
his race back into harmony with Him, as many as are willing. One of God’s key
features in the creation of man is that he has free choice. He can choose.
However, God has stipulations. If one wants to inhabit eternity with God, then
righteousness is the basis for that existence to continue. If one wants to do their
own thing, they can: God does not stop them from making that decision.
However, because God will only allow righteousness to exist long term, those who
choose to not obey, who choose to not conform willingly, are not permitted to
continue in life. They are cut off in death forever. God has choices also!
Many have been taught that this choice is made in the here and now by
everyone. However, God has much wiser plans than that.
Life 401 is the doctrine of the permission of sin. This doctrine is so foreign to
most, that most have never even heard of it, though they have lived under it all
their life. In brief, man’s best educator is first hand experience. God knew this,
and so God utilized this for everyone’s benefit. By letting sin occur and run its
course, within boundaries set by God, everyone has the opportunity to see first
hand the effects, the sorrow, the pain, the death that sin brought to all. This sin
experience will bring a total collapse to the whole social fabric that man has
woven for his existence, again, within God’s boundaries.
The current attempt of the House of Representatives (who certainly do not
represent our views!), to install gay/lesbian rights and to destroy all effects of
Christianity and Judaism from society, is a near final stage of this sin experience.
Yes, this is wickedness that is perpetrated by wicked people, but God is allowing
it to occur so that all of mankind will learn by experience where disobedience to
God’s righteous Laws will end. Before this order completely passes away, many
of the wicked will come to terms that God exists, will be calling upon Him, will
realize that the house they built failed, and all of the wicked will perish in death
just as did those outside the ark in Noah’s day. Noah told them the flood was
coming. Their response (paraphrased): “Yeah, sure, Noah. You must be eating
some of that loco weed!” But when the flood waters began, who was right? Who
found out that their house was perishing? Who drowned while pleading to God
for mercy? But alas, it was too late! So likewise, the wicked today will not heed
the words of the righteous as they proclaim that God is, that God has rules, that
God requires all men to repent of their wickedness. Those who fail to heed will
perish in death (but will be awakened in the Millennial Kingdom later when it is
their time for probation, John 5:28,29). All of mankind will come to terms that
they can not rule themselves, Jer 10:23, and that they can not enjoy life to the
full having witnessed that everything that they built came to a disastrous end.
Why? Because God was not the focal point, the Sun, in their life. See Deu 8:3;
Mat 4:4.
Will any pass through this Day of Wrath? Yes, a few will live through it, but only
those who have an abiding faith in Jesus, the Ark of God, as did Noah’s family live
as they trusted in that ark from God to deliver them through the flood.
Only after this present order comes to a complete and disastrous end will
mankind be ready for the next phase, a kingdom of righteousness here on earth
that is not administered by fallen men, but by a righteous God through His Son,
our Lord Jesus, along with Jesus’ Bride. See Isa 9:6; Dan 7:13,14; Mat 6:9,10;
Luke 19:11,12,15; Mat 19:28.
Thus, the permission of sin is for a very wise purpose. Mankind will experience
sin first, followed by an experience of learning how to live righteously (in that
Kingdom unrighteous behavior will not be permitted to be expressed) and then
they can make an informed choice. Do I want to live in harmony with God’s
righteous Law and reap the manifold blessings of harmony with God, true life,
true peace, true security, and true harmony with everyone and everything on the
planet; or do I want to continue in my self centered way of me first and to ___
with everyone else!? Only after the bulk of humanity experiences both can they
really make an informed decision. Those who choose the way of righteousness,
and steadfastly abide in it, will have everlasting life here on earth as mortal
beings. Those who choose to not conform willingly to righteousness have made
an informed choice of being punished with a death from which no future recovery
will ever be offered. That everlasting death is termed Second Death in the
Scriptures. Again, death is the cessation of life, wherein no cognizance exists.
We provided a very fundamental sketch of the above; basic, yet correct.
Life 402 is an expansion of the above. While the permission of sin is going on,
God has been working behind the scenes with different groups of people. The
first group are the righteous men of Abel, Enoch, Noah, Shem, Abraham, Isaac
and Jacob, as individuals, along with the descendants of Jacob (Israel) who are
termed “the children of Israel.” This continued group includes Moses, Aaron,
Rahab, Samson, David, etc., down to and including John the Baptist. These are
the ones that Paul wrote about in Hebrews 11, the faith class. These individuals
stood out from the rest of their peers because of their faith in Jehovah, and their
faith in the promises that He made. Of this group, some lived in the first world,
prior to the flood (2 Pet 3:5,6), but most lived after it, in the second world,
termed in Scripture, “this present evil world,” Gal 1:4; 2 Pet 3:7. Most of these
men and women also lived under the Law of Moses, which was God’s Law from Mt
Sinai. John the Baptist is the last one of this class, Mat 11:11.
These men and woman were groomed by God for a work they would perform in
the Millennial Kingdom, the third world arrangement, wherein dwells
righteousness, 2 Pet 3:13. These will be the new heads of State here on earth
that will administer the righteous Law of God as handed down from The Christ,
the spiritual rulers over this Kingdom, Mat 8:11; Psa 45:16. These men and
women were tested for their fidelity to righteousness, often under adverse
circumstances, Heb 11:35-38, and will be actually made perfect when they are
resurrected with perfected bodies, Heb 11:39,40. They already had perfected
intentions. They just awaited their time in death to stand in their “lot” at the end
of the days after their resurrection, Dan 12:13; Psa 45:16.
Life 501 begins a new chapter regarding the work that God is doing behind the
scenes. As the first group came to completion with John the Baptist, the second
group was already underway. This work started with our Lord Jesus that he
might be perfected under adverse experiences, Heb 5:7-9. That work expanded
to include the followers of Jesus, of whom twelve were appointed Apostles, Mark
3:13-19; Luke 6:12-16. This overall group of Jesus’ followers differed from the
first group in several ways. First, they were not groomed directly by Jehovah, but
by Jesus and through the twelve Jesus chose. Secondly, the first group had
promise of an earthly life, whereas the second group was called to be joint heirs
with Jesus with a heavenly inheritance as their reward. The second group would
constitute the stars of heaven class that God promised to Abraham regarding his
seed, Gen 22:17,18. A third distinction between the first group and the second
one is that although various ones of the first group wrote as they were moved by
the Holy Spirit of God, none of the first group were begotten to a spirit life as are
all of the second group. Again, the first group has an earthly inheritance,
whereas the second group was called to a heavenly inheritance.
This second group, begotten of the Holy Spirit of God, are not considered
servants as were the first group, Heb 3:4,5, but rather, are considered as of the
house of Christ Jesus as a son (or daughter), Heb 3:6. As sons, we have honors
that the servant class did not have, such as understanding of important parts of
prophecy that are applicable to the Gospel Age and beyond. Those Old
Testament men who wrote as moved by the Spirit, understood, if at all, only in a
hazy, vague way, whereas we, as sons, have a much, much clearer and focused
view of what was meant, but by no means of all of the Old Testament, but of
certain parts.
Life 502 continues with the true Church of the living God, which is the Body of
Christ. These will have a two part function after their glorification to the Divine
nature. Their first work will be their association with Jesus as the seven last
plagues are poured out (Rev 16), followed by complete destruction of this present
evil world. Their first work continues as joint participators with Jesus as He
administers righteousness in the Millennial Kingdom over all of earth’s
inhabitants. Once that work is finished (1 Cor 15:24-28), and God has tested
humanity one last time by releasing Satan from the abyss (Rev 20:2,3,7,8), the
Ages that follow will be the workshop wherein The Christ, Head and Body, as the
active agent of God, will continue the work of Creation in and among the balance
of the universe. This will be the second function of the Body class, to participate
in all that Jesus performs on behalf of His Father, and as a treasured companion
by The Lamb (Jesus is the Lamb of God, John 1:29) during all of it. To think that
God will not continue Creation, is to think that God has no plans! You may
twiddle your thumbs, but God will not twiddle His.
Life 601 is prophecy which relates to the end of this Gospel Age. God’s Day of
Wrath began when the Feast of Weeks was observed on May 29,30, 2020. As
astounding as that statement may be to some, we have sound Scriptural basis for
that conclusion and subsequent declaration. God’s wrath will affect all of
humanity that are alive now, some more, others less, Isa 13:9-13. Each will reap
as they have sown, Gal 6:7,8. Those who have sown much wickedness (House of
Representatives, Gay/Lesbian Lobbyists, etc.) will reap much in consequence,
whereas others will still have their share to “digest,” only not as much, nor as
distasteful as what others will “eat.” The best advice that we can give you today
is similar to what Daniel said to King Nebuchadnezzar, “Wherefore O King
(person), let my counsel be acceptable unto thee, and break off thy sins by
righteousness, and thine iniquities by showing mercy to the poor; if it may be a
lengthening (mitigating) of thy tranquility (punishment).” See Daniel 4:27 and
context. In other words, “Repent in sincerity followed by appropriate action to
manifest that repentance.” Do not wait!
Life 701 centers around Israel, not only as a people, but also as a nation. The
promises of God to Abraham that through his seed all the families of the earth
would be blessed, center chiefly in Jesus, Gal 3:16, and in the Church, his Body,
Gal 3:29. However, in a secondary application, the earthly descendants of
Abraham through Isaac and Jacob, the twelve tribes of Israel, are also key
elements in the blessing of mankind.
During God’s Day of Wrath, Joel 2:32 tells us (in context of verse 31), “And it
shall come to pass, whosoever shall call upon the name of the LORD shall be
delivered: for in mount Zion (Mt Hermon, Deu 4:48) and in Jerusalem shall be
deliverance, as the LORD hath said, and in the remnant (the Church, the Body of
Christ) whom the LORD shall call.” “Shall call” denotes future from Joel’s day and
such was it fulfilled when the Day of Pentecost, A.D. 33 witnessed the general call
unto Israel to come into the Body of Christ. Thus Israel will perform a vital role
of deliverance of those who have faith in God and in Jesus to deliver them
through God’s Day of Wrath.
After that Day of Wrath is over, “This shall be the covenant that I will make with
the house of Israel; After those days (referring both to the days wherein the
Church was called, developed and chosen as the Bride of Christ; and also the Day
of God’s Wrath), saith the LORD, I will put my law in their inwards parts, and
write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people,” Jer
31:33. This is the New Covenant that Jeremiah wrote about in 31:31-34. To say
that Israel has been sidelined, as the false church has been taught and has
promulgated in her teachings, is to not be able to read!
God speaks thus, “Thus saith the LORD of hosts; I was jealous for Zion with great
jealousy, and I was jealous for her with great fury (the Day of God’s Wrath).
Thus saith the LORD; I am returned unto Zion, and will dwell in the midst of
Jerusalem: and Jerusalem shall be called A city of truth; and the mountain of the
LORD of hosts, The holy mountain,” Zech 8:2,3.
God also stated, “And many people shall go and say, Come ye, and let us go up
to the mountain (Mt. Hermon) of the LORD, to the house (temple) of the God of
Jacob; and he (Jacob) will teach us (mankind) of his (God’s) ways, and we will
walk in his (God’s) paths: for out of Zion (representing The Christ, the spiritual
ruler) shall go forth the law (of God), and the word (the explanation and practical
“how to”) of the LORD from Jerusalem,” Isa 2:3. See also Micah 4:2.
God has declared even further, “Thus saith the Lord of hosts; yet that there shall
come people, and the inhabitants of many cities: and the inhabitants of one shall
go to another, saying, Let us go speedily to pray before the LORD, and to seek
the LORD of hosts: I will go also. Yea, many people and strong nations shall
come to seek the LORD of hosts in Jerusalem, and to pray before the LORD. Thus
saith the LORD of hosts; In those days, that ten men shall take hold out of all
languages of the nations, even shall take hold of the skirt of him that is a
Jehudite (H3064- Jehudite or descendant of Judah), saying, We will go with you:
for we have heard that God is with you,” Zec 8:20-23.
And, “And it shall come to pass every one that is left of all nations which came
against Jerusalem, shall even go up from year to year to worship the King, the
LORD of hosts, and to keep the feast of tabernacles. And it shall be, whoso will
not come up of all the families of the earth unto Jerusalem to worship the King,
the LORD of hosts, even upon them shall be no rain,” Zec 14:16,17.
Therefore, Israel as a nation will perform key roles in the rehabilitation and
blessing of all the families of the earth under 1) the rule of Zion, The Christ, Head
and Body; and under 2) the princes of Hebrews 11, the faithful men and woman
of old. Israel will occupy the third place in dispensing the blessings of God to all
of the willing of mankind.
Life 801 is again prophetic, and again deals with the end of the Gospel Age. This
course, however, has to do with the Book of Revelation and its secrets. At this
time, the secrets of Revelation that are pertinent to the end of the Gospel Age are
known and understood, but they can not be revealed to you at this time, because
the right time has not yet come. What we can say is this: the upcoming
experiences for mankind will differ from what they have thus far experienced, will
be more intense, will be dreadful, and will require steadfast faith in God and in
Jesus to possibly get through that trouble.
Life 802 is not offered as a course, for by the time Life 801 ends, this present evil
order will have been destroyed, and so will most all of the inhabitants upon the
earth. See Luke 19:27 and Isa 24:4-6 if you do not believe the preceding
phrase. Why offer a course when so few will be around to express interest in it?
Life 901 is in a new world. Just as Noah and his family stepped out of the ark
after their former world was destroyed; so will the remaining few of mankind step
out of the ash heap of this present evil order into a new world. This new order
will be the Millennial Kingdom administered by Jesus and his Bride. New rulers,
new laws, new benefits, with no more beastly governments over them, nor any
roaring lion (Satan) seeking whom he may devour, will be the fact of life, Isa
35:9; 1 Pet 5:8. Obedience to The Christ will be the Law, and corrective
punishment for any attempt to do wrong will be swift and expedient. This is
God’s Kingdom, not Satan’s! The dead of mankind will progressively return to
life, having been raised out of death, John 5:28,29. Then their true resurrection
to life, by a process of education, example and corrective punishment, will occur.
Thus the willing, by their co-operative effort and by the leading of The Christ, will
be incrementally brought unto perfection of being, mentally, morally and
physically. At the end of the road of that education, no one will be unclean. For
none can get to the end and still be unclean. Those who persist in their
uncleanness, will be removed from that “highway,” before that highway condition
ends. See Isa 35; 65:20, John 10:16.
We have looked briefly at the doctrine (teaching) of creation. There is the
doctrine of justification (justified: a standing of righteousness, whether actual or
imputed.) Abraham was righteous by his faith, but it was reckoned (imputed) to
him and it was only a justification unto friendship with God, not unto life. See
Gen 15:6; Rom 4:9; 2 Chr 20:6,7; Jas 2:23. The true Christian is justified by
his/her faith in the redemptive sacrifice of Jesus for the sins of the world, yet that
justification is only reckoned or imputed during the Gospel Age. If it were an
actual justification, then these individuals would be perfect. See Rom 5:1,9; 8:1;
John 1:29.
Sanctification (to be set apart for holy purposes), another doctrine, teaches us of
the processes whereby one can be holy. This setting apart is connected with the
begetting of the Spirit. One is begotten to the Divine Nature that they may run
the race (as Paul illustrated it) to be a joint heir with Jesus, 1 Cor 9:24-27; Phil
3:13,14; Rom 8:16,17. That race can only be run by those who qualify as
entrants, and by their participation in the work that Jesus performs upon them.
We encourage all to read the document, What is a Christian? that they may learn
who qualifies as race participants in the High Calling. The cleansing work that
Jesus renders is spoken of in Eph 5:26- “That he (Jesus) might sanctify and
cleanse it (the Church, from the preceding verse) with the washing of water by
the word.” Verse 27 tells us why that washing is necessary- “That he (Jesus)
might present it to himself a glorious Church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any
such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.” Thus for one to be
sanctified, means a very thorough and deep cleansing. Not just the outside, but
the heart and the thought patterns as well are cleansed of all unrighteousness.
This doctrine of sanctification relates chiefly to the Gospel Age, wherein fallen,
sinful men and women learn how to become holy that they may be a part of the
Body of Christ. A chief text is 1 Thes 4:3- “For this is the will of God, even your
sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication.” There are many texts in
the New Testament that tell one what to do, and what to not do so that they may
become sanctified, set apart.
Glorification is another doctrine. Psa 82: 6,7 relate here: “I have said, Ye are
gods (mighty ones); and all of you are children of the Most High. (Only Spirit
begotten ones are children of the Most High during the Gospel Age. All others are
Scripturally termed “children of disobedience” from Eph 2:2, and 5:6.) But ye
shall die like men, and fall like one of the princes.” These saints, called to be
such during this Age, die as do other men, by old age, by heart attack, stroke,
accidents, etc. They also either die like Adam, who disobeyed, or they die like
Jesus, as a willing sacrifice embodied in the language, “Not my will, but Thine be
done.”
Thus, for these individuals to die like other men, the prevailing view of an
instantaneous whisking away into heaven (called “the rapture,” when “Jesus
comes”) can not be a proper interpretation of Scripture. It is a contortion of the
chariot ride that took Elijah up from earth, which was symbolic of Divine
intervention during the whirlwind of trouble that will occur in God’s Day of Wrath.
Elijah was taken up on a specific day that Elisha also knew about. We read, “And
the sons of the prophets that were at Bethel came forth to Elisha, and said unto
him, Knowest thou that the LORD will take away thy master from thy head
today? And he said, Yea, I know; hold ye your peace,” 2 Kgs 2:3. Thus, Divine
power will be utilized that the very last one(s) of the Body members will die, not
because God kills them, but because God makes sure that others kill them (or
that they die naturally, as did David, who also represents this group, 1 Kgs
2:1,10) on the very day that the seventh and last trumpet sounds. That day, in
Scripture record, is not far away (from today, June 30, 2020), it is portrayed in
Israel’s Feast system, and it will be in harmony with the Divine record given to us
in Revelation. Yes, we have tantalized you. Though you may not now know
when that day is, we know which day it is.
The purpose for and time of the first advent of Jesus, as well as the purpose for
and time of the second advent of Jesus are also doctrines of teaching from the
Scriptures. The first advent was for the purpose of the call and development of
The Christ, Head and Body, for it would take two days, a thousand years for each
day, for the Body to be completed, Lev 7:16-18. The second advent is for the
purpose of finishing the selection process, Luke 19:12-26; 12:37; destroying the
present arrangement, Rev 19:17-21; 2 Pet 3:10; 2 The 1:6-10; (These texts are
all symbolic, and must be properly interpreted) and for instituting the Millennial
reign of Jesus, which is God’s Kingdom here on earth.
Other doctrines are included in the various time frames in which God performs
His phases of His plan. The first time frame was from Adam’s creation unto and
including the flood. This is referred to in Scripture as “whereby the world that
then was, being overflowed with water, perished,” 2 Pet 3:6. After the flood, the
next world arrangement is referred to as, “but the heavens and the earth, which
are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day
of judgment and perdition (destruction) of ungodly men,” 2 Pet 3:7. This
destruction Peter continues to speak about, saying, “looking for and hasting unto
the coming of the day (of wrath) of God, wherein the heavens (religious order)
being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat,” 2
Pet 3:12. The next world, after this present evil world (Gal 1:4) wherein we now
live, will have “new heavens and a new earth (religious and social order), wherein
dwells righteousness,” 2 Pet 3:13.
Thus, the Apostle Peter describes all three major time frames in a very few
sentences. Yet, those three frames are when all Scripture takes place, and when
rightly divided, each text of Scripture has its appropriate place. Some texts have
more than one application of time, such as in Jer 51 when God spoke to Jeremiah
about Babylon. There, at that time, the words had a literal application to literal
Babylon, a country and city of the same name. Those words, not all, but some,
also have application to another entity at this time, which is spoken of in Rev 17
and 18, as Babylon the Great, the Mother of Harlots. The present day application
of God’s words to Jeremiah in Jer 51 apply to a religious system, which is the
Roman Catholic Church.
Another aspect, which we referred to before, is that of the flood of Noah’s day.
That flood was literal upon the earth at that time. That flood also has prophetic
application to our day, because Jesus said it would: “As it was in the days of
Noah, so shall it be also in the days of the Son of Man,” Luke 17:26. Many have
tied verse 27 with verse 26, but verse 26 has significance independent of verse
27. Thus, the literal days of the era of the flood, as to when events occurred,
have a corresponding application to our day, though in an expanded time frame.
The doctrine of the resurrection has two parts. The first part applies to those of
the first resurrection to a spirit nature life (the stars of heaven, Gen 22:17),
whereas the second part applies to the vast majority of mankind later when they
are returned from death, awakened, to live here upon earth (the sands upon the
seashore, Gen 22:17; also known as the “other sheep” of John 10:16). After
their awakening, they have a major tutelage program to go through if they want
to live everlastingly here upon earth. God will not tolerate any more disobedience
after this present permission of sin is over. Thus, those who follow Satan’s
prompting, a deception perpetrated through slander, after he is released from the
abyss, Rev 20:7-10, will perish in Second Death as will Satan. There will be no
more blemished characters in all of God’s holy domain!
There are many more doctrinal teachings of Scripture. We have highlighted
several.
Now we return to the third paragraph of this document: “But, are we to be only
recipients? Are we to be only sponges that absorb and hold? Are we to be
indifferent to the One who brought all this into being? Nay. For the benefits
provided, there are also responsibilities to be performed in return.” How would
you answer those questions? We have received bountifully of the God of heaven.
Mankind travels and vacations all over the world to see its beauty. We eat from a
very wide array of culinary dishes that come from the plants and animals that
God created. We breathe the air, walk upon the soil, swim in, and drink of the
waters that He made. What do we have that has not been given unto us by God?
Do you have strength? Today, maybe, but not in the tomorrow of old age! Did
you create the food you eat for strength out of nothing? Do you have great
intellect? Did you select all the factors to bring that together before you were
born? No you did not. Those factors that led to your intellect (if you can really
call it such) were entirely out of your control. In fact those genetic factors came
from your forebears of several generations prior.
Everything that we own, every physical and mental function that we perform,
every object that we behold or handle, etc. all came from God, directly or
indirectly, the Creator of Heaven, of earth and of all therein. Thus, you as well as
ourselves, have no right to boast, have no independence of existence, and have a
responsibility to render thankfulness, gratitude to our Creator.
There is even more. Chief among the responsibilities we are to perform for the
benefits provided, is that of obedience. God’s command to Israel is as applicable
to all Gentiles now as it was to them, when Moses wrote, “Hear O Israel: The
LORD our God is one Lord: and thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thine
heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might,” Deu 6:4,5. Jesus added to
this as the second great commandment, “Thou shalt love thy neighbor as
thyself,” Mark 12:31. Loving God with our whole being can not be performed
outside of keeping His commandments. Thus, obedience is required.
One might say, “I am not an Israeli, therefore, I do not have to obey God’s
commandments.” We have addressed this line of reasoning in our treatise
entitled, To the Peoples of All Nations Everywhere:, (S1) and therein pointed out
that all of mankind are under God’s Law, because they all came under Adam’s
curse. Furthermore, a vast majority of the population come under the Mosiac
Law simply because they, as males, were circumcised, and as such, their
offspring come under that Law as well.
Our concluding statements are ever so simple: Fellow man, bow down to Jehovah
and worship Him alongside us, with thankfulness and in obedience to His Law, for
we both owe it to our God! Lastly, the greatest amount of blessing comes to
those who revolve around Jehovah as their Light, their Savior in the largest
sense, and as their GOD. If you want true and lasting blessings, then revolve
around Jehovah, God Almighty.
To read the treatises above mentioned, please see:
theclarksvilletimes@blogspot.com .
Copyright © G. Kuehmichel, June 24,25,30, Sept 2,5,7,9, 2020. All rights reserved.
