Turning Away
(Hebrews 10:26)
For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins. (Hebrews 10:26)
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Turning Away from the Knowledge of Truth
To turn away from the truth leaves no other avenue for mankind to be saved. One cannot approach God EXCEPT through grace and truth IN Jesus Christ. God is NOT man as Adam, and God does NOT answer to man, yet man tries to exert his own will above the will of God. Once anyone hears the truth and has the knowledge of the truth and then they turn away from that truth in unbelief then there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins.
God’s love and mercy are complete in His divine Son, Jesus Christ. To reject God’s Christ, the very center of God’s revelation to man and the very center of the manifestation of the invisible God, is to reject God Himself. In the Bible that we have today, we have a full revelation of the Person of God in Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ is the fullness of truth in the fullness of the Godhead bodily. For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily. (Colossians 2:9) God made the Lord Jesus Christ higher than the heavens. For such an high priest became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens; (Hebrews 7:26).
The cross of the Lord Jesus Christ made life in Christ available to us by belief in Him with all our heart, soul and spirit. The resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ is the proof THAT life exists in the power of His endless life. Who is made, not after the law of a carnal commandment, but after the power of an endless life. (Hebrews 7:16) From the point of our new birth, we die both IN Christ and take life from the resurrected Man at God’s right hand.
God the Father translates us into the kingdom of His dear Son. Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son. (Colossians 1:13) This translation is made possible by the death and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ for He has removed us from the works of darkness and given us new life IN Himself so that we are translated into His kingdom in our new man that which is of the Spirit of God. God the Father has sent the Spirit of His Son into our hearts that we might have the assurance of the grace of God that was SEALED at the cross of Calvary by the Lord Jesus Christ. When the Lord Jesus Christ announced It is finished, He sealed the salvation of all those who have believed and will believe in Him. And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father. (Galatians 4:6) By the Spirit of Christ being in every believer, this gives the Son of God, the Son of man, not only His presence in heaven, but a presence on the earth IN every child of God. In John 3:13, the Lord declared that the Son of man while He was on earth, He still had a presence in heaven. And no man hath ascended up to heaven, but he that came down from heaven, even the Son of man which is in heaven. Now the beloved of the Lord, the Bride of Christ, the garden inclosed, and all those who love the Lord have a presence in heaven while on earth.
If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. (Colossians 3:1) Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. (Colossians 3:2) For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. (Colossians 3:3) When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory. (Colossians 3:4)
A garden inclosed [is] my sister, [my] spouse; a spring shut up, a fountain sealed. (Song of Songs 4:12)
In the revealed truth of the word of God, the very Spirit of Christ in our day is connected to both heaven and the earth. In heaven the Lord is glorified, while on earth, we, the redeemed, are filling up the sufferings of Christ. Who now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh for his body’s sake, which is the church: (Colossians 1:24) Now that we see what we have become in God’s eyes in the Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord instructs us in the wisdom of God to be a light in this world and to walk worthily of our calling into the kingdom of God. That ye would walk worthy of God, who hath called you unto his kingdom and glory. (1st Thessalonians 2:12) Every child of God is given the gift of wisdom. But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption. (1st Corinthians 1:30)
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Turning Away from the Evidence of a Divine Nature
the Gifts of Wisdom, Righteousness, Sanctification and Redemption
These four gifts (wisdom, righteousness, sanctification, redemption) are given to every believer in the Lord Jesus Christ. He has called us out of darkness, and He has fitted us to be lights into this world that we would reflect His life as we walk through this darkness. We have also received the divine nature. Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. (2nd Peter 1:4) The evidence of this divine nature is the earnest of our inheritance in the gift of the Spirit of Christ, and by the presence of the Spirit of Christ within us we have an assurance of the divine nature.
In Chapter 17 of the gospel of John, we have the divine prayer of the Lord Jesus. This is a prayer between the Son of God and God the Father which also, in the divine nature, involves the Spirit of the thrice Holy God. Here the Lord Jesus not only prays for His disciples, but He also prayed for us of this present age. The Lord Jesus also validates what the disciples will teach through their words when He declared, Thy word is truth. This ministry is revealed in John 17:20-22.
Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word; (John 17:20) That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me. (John 17:21) And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one: (John 17:22)
These are the words of the Lord Jesus Christ; they were not given to man to utter, but to Christ. These words came to us by the Spirit of God to show us the uniqueness of our relationship to the Lord of glory, the Lord Jesus Christ. The voice of the Spirit of God is the spoken Word of God. Although it is in pen and ink or printed on a page, it is surrounded by the Living Spirit of God. Every word, every phrase, every verse, every chapter, every book is given by the revelation of God to man. As a whole, not one jot, nor one tittle shall fall to the ground. (Matthew 5:18) Not only the spoken words of the Lord Jesus are of a divine Person, but the written word of God is of that same divine Person in the Spirit of Christ in the hearts of the prophets, in the hearts of the apostles, and in the hearts of all who were responsible for placing the written word of God in the revelation of God to mankind. How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him; (Hebrews 2:3) It is not up to man to validate the word of God. It is man’s responsibility to BELIEVE the word of God. For the word of truth is validated by God and God alone. Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth. (John 17:17) Who is validating the truth here? It is God manifest in the flesh validating and giving His seal of approval to the written word of God.
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Turning Away from the Perfect Body, the Perfect Sacrifice,
and the Perfect Savior IN the Perfect Son
Through faith the heart is open. Faith is a gift of God for not all men have faith or have been given the gift of faith, and without the gift of faith it is impossible to please God. But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. (Hebrews 11:6) This is a MUST, one MUST believe that He is God and God alone for Christ is the fullness of the revealed Godhead: Father, Son and Holy Spirit. For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily. (Colossians 2:9) Christ is the manifest image of the invisible God both in the Old Testament and in the New Testament. Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature: (Colossians 1:15) Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high. (Hebrews 1:3) In the manifestation of the Godhead we see the image of the invisible God, the brightness of His glory, and the express image of His Person, here is the FULLNESS of the Godhead in Jesus Christ.
As the fullness of the Godhead, Christ came forth in the fullness of time to fulfill God’s perfect will which fulfilled ALL righteousness. (Colossians 2:9, Galatians 4:4, Matthew 3:15) All the Old Testament in types and shadows and in the prophetic writings are ALL fulfilled in God’s dear Son, the Lord Jesus Christ. This is what unbelief turns away from: whenever truth is heard it’s not accepted as truth. The words turn away are exact for we see one facing the truth and then they turn away into darkness and there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins. God was not pleased with all the Old Testament sacrifices; they were given only as examples of a PERFECT sacrifice that was yet to come. That perfect sacrifice CAME in a PERFECT body prepared especially to take away the sin of the world.
For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins. (Hebrews 10:4) Wherefore when he cometh into the world, he saith, Sacrifice and offering thou wouldest not, but a body hast thou prepared me: (Hebrews 10:5) In burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin thou hast had no pleasure. (Hebrews 10:6)
He was the PERFECT Lamb slain from the foundation of the world. And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world. (Revelation 13:8) The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world. (John 1:29)
The Lord Jesus Christ was also the PERFECT Savior. In the book of Isaiah, He declared that He alone is Savior. I, [even] I, [am] the LORD; and beside me [there is] no saviour. (Isaiah 43:11)
Tell ye, and bring [them] near; yea, let them take counsel together: who hath declared this from ancient time? [who] hath told it from that time? [have] not I the LORD? and [there is] no God else beside me; a just God and a Saviour; [there is] none beside me. (Isaiah 45:21)
I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture. (John 10:9)
The Lord Jesus Christ is also the PERFECT Sacrifice, and He is the PERFECT Son. As Christ is the same yesterday (back to the beginning of time), He is the same today, and He will be the same forever. He is the manifest image of the invisible God through the revelation of Himself. Christ appeared in the presence of man to represent God, NOT to represent ADAM. His origin was from heaven. His life was of a heavenly Man, and His death was a heavenly sacrifice for the sons of man. By taking the sin of the world upon Himself, Christ sealed the flood gate of God’s grace and truth. He left man without an excuse to be justified before God.
For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness; (Romans 1:18)
Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them. (Romans 1:19)
For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: (Romans 1:20)
Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. (Romans 1:21)
Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, (Romans 1:22)
And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things. (Romans 1:23)
Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves: (Romans 1:24)
Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen. (Romans 1:25)
For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature: (Romans 1:26)
And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet. (Romans 1:27)
And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient; (Romans 1:28)
Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers, (Romans 1:29)
Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, (Romans 1:30)
Without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful: (Romans 1:31)
Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them. (Romans 1:32)
In the Old Testament, many turned away from the truth, and in our age, since the death of the Lord Jesus on the cross, we have those who also have turned away from the truth, and in the future of mankind, we will also have those who will turn away from the truth. God says of all of them that, they are without excuse. (Romans 1:24) God gave them up, and He will continually give up the workers of unrighteousness. For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature. (Romans 1:26) God will hold all of them without excuse. For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse. (Romans 1:20)
In Genesis Chapter 6, verse 5, we first see the vain imagination of evil hearts, And GOD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. Then in Romans Chapter 1 we discover this same evil imagination of the evil thoughts of man that consumed humanity in their lust of the flesh. Then in the destruction of Sodom, they also were given up because of their unrestrained lust of the flesh.
This brings us to our day and age. We should realize that there IS a FINAL CALL to all of mankind that there is a time when God will give them up. Sadly, many have already been given up by God. They have no hope in this present evil world because of unbelief in the Son of God.
Let’s enlarge our field of the understanding of unbelief to those who turn away from the gospel as in Hebrews 10:26, and we see the Spirit being more precise in Hebrews 10:29.
For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins, (Hebrews 10:26)
But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries. (Hebrews 10:27)
He that despised Moses’ law died without mercy under two or three witnesses: (Hebrews 10:28)
Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace? (Hebrews 10:29
Again, the Spirit of God gives us the central theme of grace and truth in the Lord Jesus Christ. According to Hebrews 10:29, Christ is the unmovable center of God’s truth and if you divert from this center then you are brought before God as condemned without hope. Years ago, an old sage told me, “If Christ is the center of God’s love, He also has to be the center of God’s word, and to be the center of our love. When we depart from the center, we depart from the whole.” This has aided me in keeping me on a straight path by keeping Christ not only as the Center of the determinate counsels of the Godhead but also as the center of all divine revelation to man.
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Turning Away from the Center of Truth
Since the amalgamation of the world with the church of the Lord Jesus Christ (from the days of the Nicolaitans and before the age of Constantine) we have had a lukewarm profession of faith without the reality of faith; consequently, the Lord Jesus will spew those of unbelief out of His mouth. The false possessors bring a distaste to the Lord Himself. One should understand the Lord God, Jesus the Christ, is NOT a man as Adam. Christ was A NEW MAN NOT ANOTHER MAN as Adam. Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, [even] the law of commandments [contained] in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, [so] making peace; (Ephesians 2:15)
Christ does not look on the outward appearance, nor the glorified works of man. The Lord looks on the HEART and He KNOWS what is in every person. So where does that leave the true possessor of faith that not only has the knowledge of truth but believes totally in heart, soul and spirit in the word of God. Well . . . each and every child of God has been given an unction in the Spirit not only to discern what is truth, but to try the spirits according to the truth which is in Jesus Christ. God gave Elisha a mentor in Elijah. God gave Timothy a mentor in Paul. The proof of those mentors was companionship in the word of God. Conforming themselves to the very will of God. (In Detroit they have assembly lines and as one car after another comes off of this assembly line, they might be different in color, but they have the same shape, all look the same.) This is what the church has become. It is a work of man. An assembly line of unrighteousness, they all look the same, they might be different in color, but they all follow the same path to destruction. Again, in 1st John we are exhorted to TRY the spirits by the authority of God’s Spirit in the word of God. It is NOT about your church, nor the building, or about Mary, or the preacher, or those who you sit next to, it is ALL about the Center which is Jesus Christ.
When the two disciples met Christ on the Emmaus Road, the conclusion of that day was that they spent time with the Lord and they were in the presence of the Lord and Christ Himself discussed what was pertinent to Him from the books of Moses, from the Psalms, and from the books of the prophets. What He discussed that day with them from the word of God was a Library of Truth concerning Himself. So, how do we try the spirits? We establish that their center must be in Christ, and in the word of God. Never look at material items to determine the truth of God, such as, a bigger building. A newer temple does not determine the work of the Spirit of God. God works in the hearts of man through His Spirit and according to His word.
For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. (Hebrews 4:12) Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do. (Hebrews 4:13)
When Paul communed with Timothy, it was over the word of God for the word of God through the Spirit of Christ is the great spiritual examiner of what is truth IN man. Satan will send many deceivers, for there are many deceivers in this present evil world, and they work in devious ways to take you AWAY from the Center which is Christ. On a centrifugal wheel if you are in the center, you can hold on, but if you move from that center, you will eventually fall off, so also, with the truth of God. God’s word cannot be manipulated. It is TRUTH from above and mankind cannot change THAT truth. This truth and your belief MUST be anchored in the Center which is Christ.
Wherein God, willing more abundantly to shew unto the heirs of promise the immutability of his counsel, confirmed it by an oath: (Hebrews 6:17)
That by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us: (Hebrews 6:18)
Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast, and which entereth into that within the veil; (Hebrews 6:19)
Whither the forerunner is for us entered, even Jesus, made an high priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec. (Hebrews 6:20)
There is much in these four verses. The first thing that we see is that these four verses are full of the determinate counsels of God both SURE and STEADFAST. We see the Lord Jesus is the Center of God’s manifestation, and much more, He is the very ANCHOR of our soul. There is only ONE anchor, ONE center, and we are connected to that Anchor and that Center by a golden chain of God’s righteousness IN Jesus Christ. It is the Spirit of God that connects us to the Man in heaven, the Lord Jesus Christ as a SURE and STEADFAST anchor. Since the professing church (since its infancy) has become inundated with the consuming locusts of Satan, they have devoured the truth and replaced it with doctrines of lies. For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ. (Jude 1:4) Satan can disguise himself with knowledge of the truth, just as he tempted the Lord Jesus in Matthew Chapter 4; however, Satan does not possess the Spirit of truth which EVERY true believer possesses in the Lord Jesus Christ. Mere knowledge will not allow you to hang onto the Center, eventually, knowledge will fade, and you will fall away because of unbelief. In our day and age, entire religions and denominations have fallen away from the truth. Some NEVER KNEW the very Center of God’s will and purpose IN Jesus Christ. These religions and denominations were created by the will of man and for the purpose of man AND Satan to deceive the masses FROM the truth in the word of God and from the Center, Jesus Christ.
What we have today in all forms of religion is centered on and in man, and the things around man. They have a material religion which is idolatry, and NOT scriptural Christianity, which is the body of Christ. Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ. (Colossians 2:8) Colossians 2:8 is NOT a warning to the world, but the Spirit of God is giving every believer a warning against the world and against the religions and philosophies of the world. In Hebrews 10:29, we hear an echo of Hebrews 2:3.
Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace? (Hebrews 10:29)
How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him; (Hebrews 2:3)
First, in Hebrews 2:3, it was the Lord who declared out of His own mouth that He was and is the way, the truth, and the life, and that no man can come to the Father but BY and THROUGH the Lord Jesus. This is an absolute statement. There is NO OTHER WAY. Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. (John 14:6) With the eyes of the Spirit of God, and with the wisdom of the Spirit, He will give you an understanding of the Person of the Lord Jesus from the beginning in Genesis 1:1 to the very end of Revelation 22:21.
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Turning Away from being Joint Heirs with Christ
In Hebrews 1:2. in these last days, we have the voice, the very voice of the Son of God speaking to US with all power for He has been given His total inheritance, He is the Heir and Creator of ALL things. Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds; (Hebrew’s 1:2) Please be patient, for spiritual things need to be contemplated. We need to mull over them, line upon line, and precept upon precept. It is Christ who is the Creator and He has created the very things that make up His Heirship both the things that are SEEN and UNSEEN, in both the NATURAL and the SUPERNATURAL realms.
Before the foundation of the earth and after this world of corruption is gone it will be Christ who will create NEW heavens and a NEW earth where all righteousness will dwell. There will be NO place for darkness, no place for sin, no place for evil, oh, what a wonderful world to come. As He looks forward to THAT completion of His inheritance, we, as children of God, as sons through Jesus Christ, look forward to OUR inheritance which is in the Center . . . . Jesus Christ, and because we are sons, we will dwell WITH the Heir of all things as joint heirs with Him.
And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together. (Romans 8:1)
Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation? (Hebrews 1:14)
That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life. (Titus 3:7)
Hearken, my beloved brethren, Hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him? (James 2:5)
The Heirship of the Lord Jesus Christ is very important not only to OUR future, but to our comprehension of the past. In Psalm 24 we read that the earth is the Lords’ and the fullness thereof. In OUR relationship with the Lord Jesus, we are joint heirs WITH the Lord Jesus. The conclusion and the fullness of this Heirship will be in the new heavens and the new earth which will take place in a far distant future. As the Lord Jesus, at the right hand of God, looks forward to the fulfillment of the fullness of His Heirship, so we, as the sons of God, also look forward to that bright morning when Christ will dissolve the worlds of corruption and create new heavens and a new earth wherein dwells righteousness.
Notice, in Hebrews 1:2 that Christ was MADE HEIR BEFORE He made the worlds, this is very important. Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds. This is one of the things that God foreordained BEFORE the creation, and at THAT time in His foreknowledge He saw those who would be joint heirs with Jesus Christ. (The four verses in Chapter 38 in the book of Job describes a creation period before time, carefully consider verse 7 where the phrase sons of God is the last documentation of this phrase in the Old Testament. This last use of the words sons of God in Job is seen through the eyes of the foreknowledge of God describing these joint heirs with Jesus Christ. Where wast thou when I laid the foundations of the earth? declare, if thou hast understanding. (Job 38:4) Who hath laid the measures thereof, if thou knowest? or who hath stretched the line upon it? (Job 38:5) Whereupon are the foundations thereof fastened? or who laid the corner stone thereof; (Job 38:6) When the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy? Job 38:7)
And, Thou, Lord, in the beginning hast laid the foundation of the earth; and the heavens are the works of thine hands: (Hebrews 1:10)
When the psalmist mediated on the God of creation, his thoughts were too marvelous for him, that God had revealed the wonders of the heavens and the expanse of the earth through both the visible and the invisible realms. So, it is with us today, with those who are the children of God, God gives us thoughts that are above the understanding of mere man, but through the voice of the Spirit of God in our heart, God LIGHTS the path of understanding.
One part of our heirship is that we have been elected by God in the Heirship of Christ. In Romans Chapter 9, God declares His election and the definition of His elect. He reveals His own RIGHT under election, He is able to make out of the same lump of clay of mankind, a vessel of honor and a vessel of dishonor, and He paints a portrait of this election in the two sons of Isaac, Esau and Jacob. God under both His election and Heirship informs us that Esau have I hated, and Jacob have I loved.
As it is written, Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated. (Romans 9:13)
I have loved you, saith the LORD. Yet ye say, Wherein hast thou loved us? Was not Esau Jacob’s brother? saith the LORD: yet I loved Jacob, (Malachi 1:2) And I hated Esau, and laid his mountains and his heritage waste for the dragons of the wilderness. (Malachi 1:3)
In these verses, before these children (Esau and Jacob) did any good or evil, God took out of the SAME lump, a vessel of dishonor, and a vessel unto honor. The two boys came from the same womb, and God through ELECTION determined Esau and Jacob and what they would be, and the results of their lives. Under ELECTION He was to hate Esau and to love Jacob. This had nothing to do with their character for they were STILL IN THE WOMB when God had determined this. Esau became the enemies of God’s people, and although Jacob was a ‘Supplanter’ under the ELECTION of grace, the self-will of Jacob was wrestled out of him, that Jacob would be a vessel of honor, a prince with God called Israel. And he said, Thy name shall be called no more Jacob, but Israel: for as a prince hast thou power with God and with men, and hast prevailed. (Genesis 32:28) God is able of the SAME LUMP in the nation of Israel within that nation. He has had vessels unto honor and vessels of dishonor. This also, is under the ELECTION of God. Not ALL the Israelites of the Old Testament were brought into the grace of God. We see this in their recorded history, and according to the ELECTION of God. Even today, from all those in the nation of Israel, even during this great conflict with the Arabs, we see a war against both Ishmael and Esau; however, in 2023 there is still a remnant according to God’s righteousness and ELECTION. This is also found in the Gentile world. There is an ELECTION of God. He has chosen a people for Himself, the ELECT of God from the foundations of the world.
According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: (Ephesians 1:4)
Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, (Ephesians 15)
To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved. (Ephesians 1:6)
In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace; (Ephesians 1:7)
Wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence; (Ephesians 1:8)
Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself: (Ephesians 1:9)
That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him: (Ephesians 1:10)
In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will: (Ephesians 1:11)
That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ. (Ephesians 1:12)
These verses are part of the divine word of God. We should remember that the written word of God is inseparable from the Living Word who is Jesus Christ. John Chapter 1 boldly proclaimed that Christ is THE WORD of eternity.
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. (John 1:1) The same was in the beginning with God. (John 1:2) All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. (John 1:3) In him was life; and the life was the light of men. (John 1:4)
And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God. (Revelation 19:13)
The world, in which we dwell, was created unto corruption. Many do not realize this. When God creates the new heavens and earth unto righteousness, it will be created to incorruption. In the beginning, God created the heavenS and the earth, then, God created man, and placed man in the garden that God had previously made in a world that was to see corruption under sin and death. When Christ went to the cross, and gave Himself there, He finished the beginning to the end, and from the end back to the beginning. Out of the cross, came a NEW thing. Christ created a new people for Himself, it would be a people under His divine righteousness so the inhabitants of the NEW HEAVENS and the NEW EARTH will have already been created in righteousness to go into a world of righteousness.
But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up. (2nd Peter 3:10)
Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat? (2nd Peter 3:12) Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness. (2nd Peter 3:13)
In the old world of corruption, both the created heavens and the earth came first, and created man came second, and sin and death came third. In the NEW people, those born again by the Spirit of God, they have been made righteous in Christ and they have been PREPARED for new heavens and for a new earth which will be completely inhabited with the righteousness of God. In God’s ELECTION He has ELECTED the children of God, the sons of God, to His own glory, to His own will, to His own purpose even the ONLY Begotten Son, the Lord Jesus, IS CALLED the ELECT of God in Isaiah 42:1 and 1st Peter 2:6. Behold my servant, whom I uphold; mine elect, in whom my soul delighteth; I have put my spirit upon him: he shall bring forth judgment to the Gentiles. (Isaiah 42:1) Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded. (1st Peter 2:6)
The ELECT of God, Jesus Christ, is the corner stone, the very foundation of God’s truth and God’s righteousness under ELECTION. Peter writes that Christ was CHOSEN and PRECIOUS. He is the beloved of the Father in His Sonship, and the display of that love is the very glory of the Lord Jesus Christ. This is why we cannot bring the defilement and sin of Adam into Christ. For Adam was a vessel unto dishonor whereas Christ, in all that He is, is a vessel unto honor as the Divine Son of God. Yet mankind wants to tell God what man feels about election, but what saith the scriptures.
● (For the children being not yet born, neither having done any good or evil, that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works, but of him that calleth;) (Romans 9:11)
● Even so then at this present time also there is a remnant according to the election of grace. (Romans 11:5)
● What then? Israel hath not obtained that which he seeketh for; but the election hath obtained it, and the rest were blinded (Romans 11:7)
● As concerning the gospel, they are enemies for your sakes: but as touching the election, they are beloved for the fathers’ sakes. (Romans 11:28)
● Knowing, brethren beloved, your election of God. (1st Thessalonians 1:4)
● Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall: (2nd Peter 1:10)
All these verses return us once more to the Center, which is Christ.
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Turning Away from the Divine Supernatural Son of God
Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace? In Hebrews 10:29, we have a contrast between what man believes and does and what God has provided for man. Now, to hear the gospel, and to understand the wonder, then to discredit the Son of God as a mere man as Adam and in Adam, one is trampling underfoot the Son of God. In this same 10th Chapter of Hebrews, we have the divine Body that was PREPARED before the foundations of the earth for the Lord Jesus Christ. Wherefore when he cometh into the world, he saith, Sacrifice and offering thou wouldest not, but a body hast thou prepared me: (Hebrews 10:5) The proof of this is found in John Chapter 17, verse 5. And now, O Father, glorify thou me with thine own self with the glory which I had with thee before the world was. In Hebrews 10:5 we see the Body that was prepared for Him, and in John 17:5, we see a preexistent glory that the Son of God HAD with the Father BEFORE the world was. This also confirms that it was Christ who spoke the present worlds into existence. He not only HAD a preexistent glory, but a preexistent presence with God the Father. This is the ONE that the world of Adam and man wants to make into a mere man as themselves. As the world says, “You can’t fit a square peg in a round hole.” Christ is unique in His heavenly MANHOOD for He HAD no connection with Adam or Adam’s life. Christ was under God’s ELECTION as a vessel of honor. And of His ELECT He declares, He that honoreth me, I will honor. If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will [my] Father honour. (John 12:26) The divine Body was prepared under God’s righteousness to fulfill ALL righteousness that He (in that divine Body) would take away the sin of the world. To accomplish this, there could be NO defilement IN this Divine Body, both outwardly or inwardly. Adam (mankind) was to be REMOVED from the world and REPLACED by a heavenly Man who would be able to take away sin and call a heavenly people unto Himself to SHARE that Body of righteousness that was prepared before the foundations of the earth.
Through types in the Old Testament, the lamb for the sacrifice had to be spotless without and within. The lamb was also separated from the rest of the herd. The Lamb was set apart by God. For such an high priest became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens; (Hebrews 7:26) This phrase separate from sinners is only used once in the entire Bible, thus, showing that the Lord Jesus Christ had NO connection and NO natural bond with and to Adam. The Holy Spirit of God uses signposts in numbers, in words, and in phrases. When a word is only recorded once in scripture then there is a message in that word. When a phrase is only documented once in scripture there is a particular message in that phrase. Even numbers in scripture build their own text through the message that they transfer from numerical thought to spiritual thought. Numbers have meaning. Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace? According to Hebrews 10:29, the Person of Christ and the purity of Christ is the first thing that mankind attacks . . . he tramples underfoot the Son of God. As the lamb was set apart to be a sacrifice for sin, so also, Christ was set apart to be the sin offering for the whole world. In the economy of Israel, the lamb was set apart so that nothing would defile it, so God, the Father, gave a heavenly Man SET APART, His beloved Son, to be the sacrifice, a propitiation for sin. It is not God has SENT but SET FORTH as a propitiation and offering for sin. Although Christ was SENT into the world, when it came to the offering of sin, He was SET FORTH as The Propitiation or mercy seat in the offering for sin.
Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God; (Romans 3:25) To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus. (Romans 3:26)
The world and religion also attack the blood of Christ . . . and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, (Hebrews 10:29) There is no eternal covenant WITHOUT the blood of Christ. You can take the blood of Adam and all of his descendants, and they could not atone for one sin . . . for ALL have sinned . . . ALL have been defiled . . , and this is why God makes it clear that in the Old Testament and the New Testament that Christ is ONLY begotten of the Father. He proclaimed in Psalm 2:7, speaking of the Son, I will declare the decree: the LORD hath said unto me, Thou art my Son; this day have I begotten thee. (Psalm 2:7) In the book of Hebrews, God reaffirms the ONLY begotten in two different chapters: Chapter 1, verses 4 and 5; Chapter 5, verse 5. And then in the book of Acts He also confirms this fact in Acts 13:33.
Being made so much better than the angels, as he hath by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they. (Hebrews 1:4) For unto which of the angels said he at any time, Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee? And again, I will be to him a Father, and he shall be to me a Son? (Hebrews 1:5)
So also Christ glorified not himself to be made an high priest; but he that said unto him, Thou art my Son, to day have I begotten thee. (Hebrews 5:5)
God hath fulfilled the same unto us their children, in that he hath raised up Jesus again; as it is also written in the second psalm, Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee. (Acts 1:33)
If anyone cannot see the efficacy of the blood of Christ, then they cannot see the complete sacrifice of Christ. How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God? (Hebrews 9:14) In the Old Testament, the Tabernacle and all its articles: the brazen altar, the laver, the table of shewbread, the candlestick, the altar of incense, and before the veil, all the holy place and all the articles in the Holy of Holies had to be sanctified with the blood of the sacrifice. The priesthood, both Aaron and his sons, had to be sanctified by the blood of the sacrifice. So, if Christ is NOT sanctified by His own blood there remaineth NO more sacrifice for sin. (Hebrews 10:26) Those who call the blood of the Lord Jesus Christ an unholy thing deny the covenant of salvation IN Christ Jesus. The outward purity of Christ is seen in His flesh, the inward purity of Christ is seen in His blood. How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God? (Hebrews 9:14) With the purity of the flesh of Jesus Christ we are sanctified in His purity. By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. (Hebrews 10:10) Wherefore Jesus also, that he might sanctify the people with his own blood, suffered without the gate. (Hebrews 13:12)
Even our royal priesthood is sanctified BY His blood as we see in type in Aaron and his sons in Leviticus 8:30, And Moses took of the anointing oil, and of the blood which [was] upon the altar, and sprinkled [it] upon Aaron, [and] upon his garments, and upon his sons, and upon his sons’ garments with him; and sanctified Aaron, [and] his garments, and his sons, and his sons’ garments with him.
But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light: (1st Peter 2:9) Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy. (1st Peter 2:10)
This could not happen in the flesh of the man Adam. Adam became sin when he committed sin. Christ did not commit sin, but He became sin on the cross when the whole sin of the world was placed upon Him that He should be the Lamb of redemption. Those who believe in Him are sanctified by the purity of His flesh and blood. It is Christ (the heavenly Man) who replaced Adam, the earthly man. Christ has given us a Supernatural Man capable of taking away sin. He became BOTH the goat of sacrifice and the goat that took away the sin of the world into the wilderness of darkness. The fallacy of the early church, even in the days of the apostles, was that Christ CAME the natural way of mankind. Even the Pharisees declared this fallacy, when they said that he was the son of Joseph. God used the vehicle of Mary. He used her womb, the womb of a woman, and man cannot accept the Supernatural working of God that Christ was that holy thing from heaven. His conception was Supernatural by the Holy Ghost. He grew in the womb Supernaturally, His flesh, His bones, His blood was all Supernatural to maintain the purity of the offering for sin. From the books of Exodus and Leviticus we see the purity in ALL of the offerings. Yet God was not satisfied with these offerings. Why? because they were of the earth, earthly, and all that was of the earth was under The Law of Sin and Death. These offerings were just shadows of things to come in the Supernatural Man from heaven, the Lord Jesus Christ. In His Supernatural birth, the heavens proclaimed His birth and His Saviorhood. In His Supernatural walk through His life on earth He was undefiled. As the tempter, Satan, had successfully tempted Adam and Eve; Christ, who was God manifested in the flesh, could NOT be tempted. At the fulfillment of the work that the Father had given Christ to fulfill, all motivated from heaven above, at the end, Christ became the Supernatural sacrifice for sin on the cross of Calvary. And then we have the glory to come in His Supernatural resurrection in the Supernatural power of His endless life. Who is made, not after the law of a carnal commandment, but after the power of an endless life. Now concerning Hebrews 7:16, what does this verse say? The word commandment confuses some, Christ was not made after the carnal commandment. What was that commandment? To go forth and multiply. And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth. (Genesis 1:28) This is the carnal commandment that the Holy Spirit reveals. It was the commandment given to Adam and Eve. Christ was NOT under that carnal commandment. Christ was made after the power of an endless life. The Supernatural life of God was IN Christ reconciling the world unto Himself. To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation. (2nd Corinthians 5:19) In all phases and times of the Godhead Man Jesus Christ, He NEVER departed from His deity as God. He was made sin for us through His own divine power, and He TOOK AWAY our sin through the Body of that power. For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him. (2nd Corinthians 5:21) When He departed from this world on the cross, He commended His Spirit, the Spirit of God, to the Father.
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Turning Away from Eternal Life
The Spirit of an endless life is NOT new to the Prince of Eternity for He possessed that endless life with the Father BEFORE His manifestation upon the earth. He NEVER relinquished that endless life even in the death of His flesh on the cross for God is Spirit, and upon His death, the Lord commended His Spirit to God the Father. No person can understand this transaction. We have to accept it as it is written. And when Jesus had cried with a loud voice, he said, Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit: and having said thus, he gave up the ghost. (Luke 23:46) From the moment that He declared this, He continued His work in the power of His endless life. This included the time period that He was in the tomb. He who ascended above all things, also descended into the darkness.
He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things.) (Ephesians 4:10)
For for this cause was the gospel preached also to them that are dead, that they might be judged according to men in the flesh, but live according to God in the spirit. 1st Peter 4:6)
For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit: (1st Peter 3:18) By which also he went and preached unto the spirits in prison; (1st Peter 3:19)
The question of many, Is there life after death? The answer is, Ask the spirits in prison that are recorded in the word of God. They have awareness of their spirit life in their torment. And yes, they have a remembrance of their past life as we see in the record of Lazarus and the rich man in Luke Chapter 16. This is NOT a parable, but a concise recollection of a factual experience of both Lazarus and the rich man.
There was a certain rich man, which was clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day: (Luke 16:19)
And there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, which was laid at his gate, full of sores, (Luke 16:20)
And desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man’s table: moreover the dogs came and licked his sores. (Luke 16:21)
And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham’s bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried; (Luke 16:22)
And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom. (Luke 16:23)
And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame. (Luke 16:24)
But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented. (Luke 16:25)
And beside all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed: so that they which would pass from hence to you cannot; neither can they pass to us, that would come from thence. (Luke 16:26)
Then he said, I pray thee therefore, father, that thou wouldest send him to my father’s house: (Luke 16:27)
For I have five brethren; that he may testify unto them, lest they also come into this place of torment. (Luke 16:28)
Abraham saith unto him, They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them. (Luke 16:29)
And he said, Nay, father Abraham: but if one went unto them from the dead, they will repent. (Luke 16:30)
And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead. (Luke 16:31)
Why is this event factual? First, it is not declared as a parable; it is a concise record of the Spirit of God, and the conclusion in verse 31 says it all, although one rose from the dead they (mankind) will still NOT believe. This is still a truth today, as the world denies the resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ. The rich men of our age still do not understand the truth because their riches have blinded them with all the material items that their riches have bestowed upon them. These facts of Luke 16 deny the life/death experience: once dead, always dead, you are not coming back. There are so many testimonies given in these last days to those who say that they have passed away and then have come back from the dead. Christ is the only one who has risen from the dead. He is the testimony of His own resurrection, and of His endless life. The world is waiting for the resurrection of the saints, and at the same time we will have the translation of those saints who are alive on earth. What is considered the general resurrection at the great white throne judgment is the last resurrection of the dead without Christ. These are the ones who will be judged and cast into the eternal lake of fire. Today many deny the resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ both verbally and symbolically for some of the man-made religions still have Christ on the cross hanging in anguish of their own souls for they do not believe in the resurrected Christ with an endless life, and they know not the Man in heaven at God’s right hand. This is how they continue to trample Him under foot although the truth has gone out into the whole world. They have turned away from the truth and sadly, even make excuses because they do not believe.
And they all with one consent began to make excuse. The first said unto him, I have bought a piece of ground, and I must needs go and see it: I pray thee have me excused. (Luke 14:18) And another said, I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I go to prove them: I pray thee have me excused. (Luke 14:19) And another said, I have married a wife, and therefore I cannot come. (Luke 14:20) So that servant came, and shewed his lord these things. Then the master of the house being angry said to his servant, Go out quickly into the streets and lanes of the city, and bring in hither the poor, and the maimed, and the halt, and the blind. (Luke 14:21)
For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins, (Hebrews 10:26)
Man sees the Lord Jesus as man WITH deity. God sees His beloved Son as Deity in Man.
The world uses many excuses to turn away from the truth. Although they have been invited to the supper of the Lamb, they make their excuses which becomes their denial of the truth. It is NOT only that we believe in the resurrection of the Lord Jesus but we must LIVE in the power of HIS resurrection which is the power of His endless life. The churchaholics live for church and church alone. They have never embraced the power of an endless life in Jesus Christ. They have communion one with another in their church surroundings, but they do not communicate with heaven and the endless life of Jesus Christ. The child asks, “Who is Jesus Christ?” And the world, and its media answers, “Oh, he was just a man.” The religious world is no better for they have a God that is part man (as sinful Adam) and part God as the Philistine God, Dagon, which was part fish and part man. Man never became God. God manifested Himself as a new man. Today, we see the idolatrous figure of a fish denoting Christianity, we as Christians have no relationship with the fish. Our relationship is with the MAN in heaven, the Lord Jesus Christ. When you go to a multitude of churches, you will find multitudes of Jesus. In our age, the churchaholics have created many different forms of Jesus in their church doctrines. The Lord told us that they would say, He (speaking of Jesus) is here, and another will say, No, He is over there,
Then if any man shall say unto you, Lo, here is Christ, or there; believe it not. (Matthew 24:23)
And then if any man shall say to you, Lo, here is Christ; or, lo, he is there; believe him not: (Matthew 13:21) For false Christs and false prophets shall rise, and shall shew signs and wonders, to seduce, if it were possible, even the elect. (Matthew 13:22)
Although the text in Matthew 24 and in Mark 13 takes place in the early tribulation period: that would be 3 ½ years. 2nd Corinthians Chapter 4 discloses that even in our day they preach another Jesus, and another gospel, and another spirit. At this time, we are on the brink of the translation of the saints. For if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus, whom we have not preached, or if ye receive another spirit, which ye have not received, or another gospel, which ye have not accepted, ye might well bear with him. (2nd Corinthians 11:4) Here are some of the signs of the last days of the Bride of Christ, which is the Church. The days will be as the days of Noah when the whole world was given over to the lust of the flesh, and the perversions of the flesh. Those who declare Christ will be preaching another Jesus, another gospel and another spirit. World governments will be in an uproar of insanity chasing the imaginations of their own corrupt and evil hearts where every problem of mankind can only be solved by war. We live in an age of endless wars. One of the last signs will be a great falling away from the truth: holding in unbelief the knowledge of God and there will be no more sacrifice for sin. Even the translation of the church will not be as the world describes it, or as the church preaches it, yes . . . there will be many who are translated, but in proportion to the world’s population, it will be few who are translated. Then as now, more false prophets will arise saying, ‘We have another Jesus.’ Some will say, ‘We have a better Jesus,’ and on and on until the man of sin is revealed. At the end of his term, we will have the Lord’s return to the earth as lightning out of the east that shineth forth into the west revealing to the whole world the glory of God in the face of the heavenly Man, Jesus Christ. When the apostle Paul was on this earth, he revealed to the Gentile world that there would be workers of the devil come into the church to destroy the testimony and to preach another Jesus.
But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ. (2nd Corinthians 11:3)
For if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus, whom we have not preached, or if ye receive another spirit, which ye have not received, or another gospel, which ye have not accepted, ye might well bear with him. (2nd Corinthians 11:4)
For I suppose I was not a whit behind the very chiefest apostles. (2nd Corinthians 11:5)
But though I be rude in speech, yet not in knowledge; but we have been throughly made manifest among you in all things. (2nd Corinthians 11:6)
Have I committed an offence in abasing myself that ye might be exalted, because I have preached to you the gospel of God freely? (2nd Corinthians 11:7)
The apostle Paul through the Spirit of Christ exposed the false preachers and ministers of Satan preaching another Jesus, receiving another spirit, and following another gospel. And listen to what the Lord Jesus said as documented in the gospel of Matthew, Chapter 7, verses 15 – 20.
Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. (Matthew 7:15) Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? (Matthew 7:16) Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. (Matthew 7:17) A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. (Matthew 7:18) Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. (Matthew 7:19) Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them. (Matthew 7:20)
In Matthew 7:15 we find that it is the FIRST time the word beware is recorded in the New Testament. It is very important what comes after the word BEWARE. The Lord Jesus reveals that false prophets will rise. What is the key to a false prophet? They will declare themselves to be prophets, yet they will not possess the true fruits or works of God. They will distort the word of God to bring confusion into minds. They will do all this while at the same time stating that they are sheep of the flock of God. Their inward being is as ravening wolfs, and they will be known by their fruits. This makes this word BEWARE extremely important. The last mention of the word BEWARE is found in Peter’s epistle, and he used this word to warn the ELECT of God of the evil around them. Remember, Lot was a righteous man, but the things of the world and the people of Sodom deceived him so that his righteous soul was vexed.
And delivered just Lot, vexed with the filthy conversation of the wicked: (2nd Peter 2:7) (For that righteous man dwelling among them, in seeing and hearing, vexed his righteous soul from day to day with their unlawful deeds;) (2nd Peter 2:8) The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished: (2nd Peter 2:9)
Lot was NOT cast off by God. God delivered him from the place of his defilement and Peter warned us with the word BEWARE in 2nd Peter 3:17. Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these things before, beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own stedfastness. We will be known according to our works of righteousness. This is a heavenly view and not an earthly view for many times the world rejects the work of the Spirit of Christ. Yet, within the work, the Lord sees the intents of the heart. In Chapter 3 of Peter’s epistle, we have a subtitle by Peter, as the Chapter itself is an epistle within an epistle, and in this Chapter, we have a profound message, unique to this Chapter. It has eighteen verses of truth and every believer in the Lord Jesus Christ needs to hang onto these truths and to grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Beware of dogs, beware of evil workers, beware of the concision. In Philippians 3:2 we have the word BEWARE documented three times, this is a supernatural exhortation. To BEWARE of dogs that bite at your feet or at your walk in Jesus Christ. BEWARE of evil workers with smiling lips and giddy spirits ever learning but never coming to the knowledge of the truth; and BEWARE of the concision. It is not only The Law that binds the soul, but also the doctrines of men that tear apart the truth in their disputations such as telling a child of God that they are free in Christ ONLY if they are bound to church membership, and then you have the deceiver drawing you into the Laws and false doctrines of men and into the rudiments of the world. You will know them by their fruits. Here is an example, preachers accepting bribes to endorse politicians of this evil world using their popularity to gain hidden wealth. Yet, the numb and the dumb of all spiritual intellect see this not.
In the day of the Lord Jesus the Herodians were brethren of the Pharisees. The Herodians were a political group of the religion of Herod as the Pharisees represented themselves as the servants of God, they denied it by their fruits. In the Lord’s day and age was the blending of political religion with the Pharisees’ religion of the Jews. Today, because of man’s popularity, no one will condemn these earthly gold diggers who are heavenly bankrupt. The devil has persuaded them to love riches more than the love of Christ. They receive their wages from the world, they man the pulpits every Sunday, they have full knowledge of the truth of God, but they lack one part, they DO NOT love the Lord God with all their hearts, with all their souls, and with all their might.
To the pretender who has not received the Lord Jesus Christ, who has NOT received the Spirit of Christ, and who has NOT received the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord Jesus Christ is just another man to them, in their minds and hearts they have constructed a vain empty image of the Son of God. They believe not the gospel and the knowledge of the Son of God and because they received not the Lord Jesus Christ, they received a greater condemnation. The gospel of Christ is linked to the manifestation of the Being . . . GOD . . . on earth with the Person of Jesus Christ.
Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds; (Hebrews 1:2) How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him; (Hebrews 1:3)
See that ye refuse not him that speaketh. For if they escaped not who refused him that spake on earth, much more shall not we escape, if we turn away from him that speaketh from heaven: (Hebrews 12:25)
The word gospel is not found in the Old Testament. Yet, its truths are laced through the Psalms and prophets. The word gospel is linked to the New Testament in the generation of Jesus Christ. The word gospel is documented in the New Testament one hundred and one (101) times describing the elements and the truths within the word gospel, and warning of a false gospel.
For if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus, whom we have not preached, or [if] ye receive another spirit, which ye have not received, or another gospel, which ye have not accepted, ye might well bear with [him] (2nd Corinthians 11:4).
I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: (Galatians 1:6)
Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. (Galatians 1:7)
But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. (Galatians 1:8)
As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed. (Galatians 1:9)
For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ. (Galatians 1:10)
But I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man. (Galatians 1:11)
We should be aware of the deceptions of man, for Satan will use men to tempt us and to deceive us to follow their pernicious ways. In the region of Galatia, there were MANY deceivers, but the most trying deception was the Jews bringing the law of bondage into the church of the living God. Paul warned the Galatians to stay separated unto the gospel of Christ, and Paul reaffirmed that he did not receive the gospel from man, but by direct revelation from Christ, which Paul received in the third heaven.
It is not expedient for me doubtless to glory. I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord. (2nd Corinthians 12:1) I knew a man in Christ above fourteen years ago, (whether in the body, I cannot tell; or whether out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;) such an one caught up to the third heaven. (2nd Corinthians 12:2)
This explains Paul’s journey into Arabia in Galatians 1:17, Neither went I up to Jerusalem to them which were apostles before me; but I went into Arabia, and returned again unto Damascus. And what is in Arabia? The holy mount of God, mount Sinai. Which things are an allegory: for these are the two covenants; the one from the mount Sinai, which gendereth to bondage, which is Agar. (Galatians 4:24) For this Agar is mount Sinai in Arabia, and answereth to Jerusalem which now is, and is in bondage with her children. (Galatians 4:25
Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace? (Hebrews 10:29)
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Turning Away . . . Almost Persuaded
In Galatians Chapter 1, the first five verses are the introduction of Paul to be an apostle not by man, but by Jesus Christ and God the Father. It would be good for everyone proclaiming that they are servants of God that they remember or have lived the Damascus Road experience with the Spirit of God. If anyone else BUT Christ has called you to serve then you are NOT serving Christ. If you HAVE to be ordained by man to serve God then you are not ordained by heaven. Every time that a servant of God speaks or writes it should be words from above and the voice from the Lord Jesus. Paul also informs us in Galatians Chapter 1 that the gospel that he received was NOT of man. He received the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ through direct revelation from Christ Himself not only through the third heaven experience, but He also received further revelations from the Lord.
Christ is MORE than a possessor of truth He is the ROOT of all truth.
Many dispute that Paul wrote or was given the words of the book of Hebrews by the Spirit of God, and yet, the book of Hebrews could only be written by a man who had a heavenly experience, and none of the other apostles understood the things of the Old Testament: the sacrifices, the priesthood, and the covenants of God as well as Paul. Paul answered to the Lord Jesus DIRECTLY in his heavenly experience. Paul SAW the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ while in the third heaven. The amount of truth that came from the apostle Paul by the Spirit of Christ is only because he had direct communication with the Lord Jesus Christ. This man Paul ascended into the third heaven. No one in all of scripture experienced what Paul experienced. Not only did he ascend, but then Christ sent him back into the present evil world to be an ambassador of the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ. Those who deny the whole life experience of the apostle Paul do not understand the heavenly minded man. Even in our day and age the Lord Jesus Himself selects His servants based on His will and His purpose. There is nothing impossible with God. As Paul reveals in 2nd Corinthians Chapter 12, absolutely nothing is impossible nor is there anything too difficult for the Almighty God. Jesus answered and said unto them, Ye do err, not knowing the scriptures, nor the power of God. (Matthew 22:29) For with God nothing shall be impossible. (Luke 1:37) Here is the unbelief of man: they will not believe in the power of God, or the impossibilities that God possesses in Jesus Christ. Man has a handicap. Man looks at God through the eyes of man’s world. They cannot lift themselves into the heavens and see the Supernatural Man with the power of an endless life. God NEVER needs the approval of man. However, man NEEDS the approval of God. As we see in Hebrews 11:6, But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. Man sees the Lord Jesus as man WITH deity. God sees His beloved Son as Deity in Man. The difference being that the fullness of God was IN Christ reconciling the world unto Himself. God DID the reconciliation, NOT man. God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit were ALL in the manifestation of God IN Jesus Christ, who is the image of the invisible God, who is the FULLNESS of the Godhead bodily, the Body that was prepared IN heaven to be the manifest image of God. Christ is the brightness of God’s glory and the express image, the bodily image, and revelation of God Himself, Emmanuel, God with us, to deliver man from sin and death and the works of the devil. When it comes to the sheep of His pasture, we might at one time had been estranged from Him, but He was NEVER estranged from us. He knew our name, and we were given to Him by the Father from before the foundations of the earth, God through ELECTION had chosen us to be His own. John Chapter 10 verifies our relationship with Him for He knew our name that was written in His book, the book of life BEFORE the world was. As the children of Israel were safe under the blood of the pascal lamb, so we are safe and secure under the blood of God’s dear Son. We are sheltered from the angel of death, for as Lazarus fell asleep, we will be carried by the angels into the bosom of the Father. This authority comes from the Man in heaven, Jesus Christ with ALL power AND authority, and He maintains and holds and has ordained ALL the knowledge of the truth and wisdom of God. He is MORE than a possessor of truth He is the ROOT of all truth. When one possesses the truth, He possesses Jesus Christ. This is the difference between life and death for the child of God has eternal life.
Believest thou this? Agrippa had full knowledge of the truth. King Agrippa, believest thou the prophets? I know that thou believest. (Acts 26:27) Then Agrippa said unto Paul, Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian. (Acts 26:28) And Paul said, I would to God, that not only thou, but also all that hear me this day, were both almost, and altogether such as I am, except these bonds. (Acts 26:29)
Agrippa in these verses had full knowledge of the prophets. Agrippa and the multitude surrounding Paul ALL heard the truth of the gospel of Christ. Yet not one voice of conversion was recorded, even Agrippa with the knowledge of the prophets could NOT give his heart to the Lord Jesus. Neither do we see any who came forward and cried out for salvation. When you read Acts 26 you have to remember the words in Matthew 22:14, For many are called, but few [are] chosen. How many times have these words of Agrippa echoed throughout the history of man, Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian. The gospel of truth was rejected by all at this scene of Paul with king Agrippa . . . knowing the truth, hearing the truth, yet all TURNED AWAY from the truth.
While it is said, To day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts, as in the provocation. (Hebrews 3:15) For some, when they had heard, did provoke: howbeit not all that came out of Egypt by Moses. (Hebrews 3:16) But with whom was he grieved forty years? was it not with them that had sinned, whose carcases fell in the wilderness? (Hebrews 3:17) And to whom sware he that they should not enter into his rest, but to them that believed not? (Hebrews 3:18) So we see that they could not enter in because of unbelief. (Hebrews 3:19)
King Agrippa used the word persuaded, sadly the power of persuasion is not all that is required of the Lord. We see the power of persuasion in our day to another Jesus, to another spirit, and to another gospel. The Holy Spirit that descended from on high MUST give life by the new birth. It is a process of the Spirit of God travailing over the souls of man that a man must be born again. Man is taken from the womb of sin to eternal life in Jesus Christ.
A wonderful example of this spiritual process is the physical process life/death/resurrection process of the butterfly. The worm or the caterpillar must enter into a cacoon of death before the worm can be changed. Two things must happen. First, the worm MUST die. Secondly, as the worm passes from life to death, it waits its glorification as a butterfly. In the worm’s death, it receives a complete new life in the power of its resurrection to come. This is the earnest of the Spirit of Christ that we receive at our new birth, for we have passed from death to life in Jesus Christ. The old man Adam is gone forever, and we have new life in Jesus Christ. Although our flesh must enter into the cacoon of a natural death, we will be raised from that cacoon into a glorified life with Christ. And this all begins with the process of our death in Christ Jesus. We are crucified with Him, so that when He comes forth in His glory, we shall be glorified with Him. In our present condition we live in a dying body of flesh, this is the early stage of our metamorphosis and will not be completed unto the Lord calls us from the grave, or the translation of our body that will be changed in a twinkling of an eye when Christ calls all His saints home at the end of the Church age.
In our present condition, we, as Job, wait for our change, waiting to fly away into the Lord’s presence. Although we have been freed from Egypt and from Pharaoh and we have passed through the Red Sea, we are now in our wilderness experience with many temptations and pit falls of the flesh. As Moses presented the word of God to the children of Israel as a mediator between God and man, so we have by the authority of Jesus Christ, or Mediator, a library of knowledge in ONE BOOK, the ONLY BOOK, the KJB, which is the everlasting word of God. This book has been created by the Spirit of God to lead the children of God into all truth, and to preserve them in the wilderness until they pass over Jordan into their heavenly rest. This book has been given to show us the difference between the glory of God and the golden calves of this life, and to uncover the Nadab’s, the Abihu’s, the Kohathites and the Balaams of this world. When the serpent comes to destroy us, the cross of the Lord Jesus Christ is always before us. We are always dying in the Lord, yet living for Him in the power of His endless life. As we see our Father’s home on the distant shore, we wait to pass over Jordan to enter into the land where there is neither sin nor death, only the glory of the Lord and the glory of the Lamb that is the Light thereof. We now possess the Spirit of Christ within. We have a taste of the heavenlies in our Savior Jesus Christ for Christ is in us and this is the hope of future glory. It is through faith that we believe in the Son of God and it is through faith that we live in His grace.
Although we live where our Lord has been rejected and is still being rejected every day, I will suffer that same rejection in the life of Christ which I now live through His eternal life. I live in that same rejection for I live in Christ Jesus. My home, my country, my city is where Christ is and not in the present evil world. I wander as a stranger in a foreign land, yet I am on a set course directed by God my Savior to lead me safely home by His eternal promise that where I am, there ye may be also. (John 14:3)
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Turning Away from the Law of Faith
In this present evil world, there is a doctrine contrived by Satan and delivered by the children of the devil. This doctrine is NOT of God and cannot be found in the word of God. It is the doctrine of FALLING FROM GRACE, which is impossible. This is the devil’s way to establish a corrupt church of his own with no divine life within. This doctrine disputes the gospel and takes away eternal life. It offers life, but the pursers are always chasing eternal life without success for the Spirit of God is not in them while they believe this doctrine of falling from grace. They are unable to believe that eternal life is FREELY given to ALL of His children through faith IN Jesus Christ. Those who preach this erroneous gospel of being saved and then not saved have no hope in the cross of the Lord Jesus Christ.
In order to FALL AWAY from salvation after being saved many things must be removed. The cross must be removed to remove eternal life. The Spirit of Christ must be removed from the heart. Your name and place in heaven must be removed. The word of promise, the promises of God must be removed. And because the child of God is translated into the kingdom of God’s dear Son, those who follow this false doctrine of falling away, the kingdom of God’s Son, and the kingdom of God must no longer exist. The words of the Lord Jesus Christ, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee would have to be removed. Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. (Hebrews 13:5) The reason that many believe this false doctrine of falling away from grace is because sin reigns in them and not the Spirit of God. Being born again by the Spirit of God would also have to be removed which would be impossible for it is a spiritual birth from heaven and NOT of this world. Heaven controls our life, and NOT the rudiments of this present evil world. Also, although I have died in Christ, according to this false doctrine, I now would have to be placed back in Adam to die and to go to hell. This also is impossible . . . for it is impossible for God to lie. For He has redeemed us through His truth to an inseparable life in Jesus Christ. The very thought of being separated from Christ when after being a part of His body is ludicrous and insane. The devil has blinded these foolish preachers; however, this evil doctrine explains why we have so many religionists and churchaholics that were NEVER born again.
They are reformists ever reforming the old man Adam, and their reformist doctrine has sent a multitude to hell waiting for the great white throne judgment and the lake of fire separated forever from any opportunity of salvation through Jesus Christ. This reformist doctrine is just another doctrine formed by man’s religion as the false teaching of purgatory. One thing that you will find in the religion of man, their religion cannot accept NEW LIFE in Jesus Christ for they continually live in a life of death under sin and have no hope in this world without Jesus Christ.
All religions of man are marked with death. The difference between religions of man and faith in the Lord Jesus is that I, as a believer, am attached to the Son of God in heaven through His Spirit, I have been brought into the unbreakable Law of Faith.
Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God; (Romans 3:25) To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus. (Romans 3:26) Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? of works? Nay: but by the law of faith. (Romans 3:27) Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law. (Romans 3:28)
Through this Law of Faith, I am brought into the Spirit of Life in Christ Jesus that has freed me from the Law of Sin and Death that was first given to Adam. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death. (Romans 8:2) The Law of Faith is under the sovereign power of the Almighty God. He gives the gift of faith for scripture informs us that all men do not have faith, for faith is a gift of God. For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: (Ephesians 2:8) And that we may be delivered from unreasonable and wicked men: for all men have not faith. (2nd Thessalonians 3:2) One should realize that grace is the fruit of faith for faith is imparted as a gift from God. In the ungodly world, all men do not have faith, and the evidence today is that few men have faith. Although many are called, few are chosen. The Law of Faith is realized by those who believe in the Lord Jesus Christ. But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. (Hebrews 11:6)
In Chapter 11 of the book of Hebrews, the first two examples of faith cover a huge time span: Abel and Enoch. Abel was a man of faith taken by death. Enoch, a man of faith, was translated; thus, disclosing the resurrection of the dead in Christ and the translation of the saints in the call of the Lord when He will descend in the clouds and call up His beloved Bride to be with Him in the clouds. Faith comes from the Possessor of faith, Jesus Christ, who is also the Author of faith. Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. (Hebrews 12:2)
The scriptures and the Spirit of God are extremely particular in His gift of faith. Through faith we are given life, and this faith is OF and IN the Son of God for I live my new life by the faith of the Son of God. I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me. (Galatians 2:20) Now faith leads to an endless life as we have seen in Romans 8:2 and has delivered me from the Law of Sin and Death for the Law of Faith becomes the Law of Life in the Spirit of Christ.
In Galatians 2:20 we have a paradox. I have to die in Christ, being crucified with Him, before I can live through faith the life that is in Jesus Christ. It is also the Law of Faith that connects me to the power of His endless life. Who is made, not after the law of a carnal commandment, but after the power of an endless life. (Hebrews 7:16) I am born again, not through blood, nor of the will of the flesh, or by the will of man but through the life of Christ through His Spirit which is a Supernatural work of God. But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: (John 1:12) Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. (John 1:13) The marvel of this miracle of a new birth in Christ Jesus is the fullness of God’s love and we have this love IN His Son because the Father has bestowed this love upon us, the sons of God.
Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not. (1st John 3:1) Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. (1st John 3:2) And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure. (1st John 3:3)
There is no faith in a man when turning from the truth and knowledge of Jesus Christ and there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins. There are tares and wheat in this world that will be harvested in the end. The tares will be burned, and the wheat will be gathered into the barns of the Father. It is the devil who has sown his seeds, the tares, and there is God who has sown His seeds, the wheat. This is the continual battle between good and evil. The souls who have no faith and believe a lie perish into everlasting condemnation and judgment because they believe not the hour of their visitation when they heard the truth of the grace of God and turned away.
Strive to enter in at the strait gate: for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able. (Luke 13:24)
When once the master of the house is risen up, and hath shut to the door, and ye begin to stand without, and to knock at the door, saying, Lord, Lord, open unto us; and he shall answer and say unto you, I know you not whence ye are: (Luke 13:25)
Then shall ye begin to say, We have eaten and drunk in thy presence, and thou hast taught in our streets. (Luke 13:26)
But he shall say, I tell you, I know you not whence ye are; depart from me, all ye workers of iniquity. (Luke 13:27)
There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth, when ye shall see Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, and all the prophets, in the kingdom of God, and you yourselves thrust out. (Luke 13:28)
And they shall come from the east, and from the west, and from the north, and from the south, and shall sit down in the kingdom of God. (Luke 13:29)
And, behold, there are last which shall be first, and there are first which shall be last. (Luke 13:30)
Amen and Selah.
A sobering thought . . . This could be your final call . . . do not turn away from the knowledge of the truth.
For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins. (Hebrews 10:26)
© Copyright – Michael Haigh
Published on December 27, 2023 @ 1:52 PM (EST).
Article may be used, but not for gain. Freely ye have received, freely give.
All Scripture references are from the King James Bible. (KJB)