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MISS INTERPRETATION AND MISS APPLICATION OF SCRIPTURE

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kingdom of heaven

Recognizing the Kingdom of Heaven

By Ken Blue

“I have glorified thee on the earth: I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do.” John 17:4.

This may be one of the greatest chapters in the Bible. It certainly is the greatest of all prayer. It is truly “the Lord’s prayer.” Any pastor looking for a text that affords a great series of sermons, will find a gold mine in John 17.

However, as many attempt to establish a doctrinal point, it is not uncommon for men to go to any passage anywhere in the Bible to search for such a verse. That was vividly demonstrated in a book recently given to me by a fellow pastor. The entire purpose of the book was to establish the perpetuity of the Baptist church. After several chapters, the author used the above verse as proof that Jesus had finished the work His Father gave Him to do. That is, the establishment of the Baptist Church.

Now, you have to be desperate to conclude that this chapter is about the establishing of today’s church. This is a prayer to the Father, stating how the Son had glorified Him by doing His work and will. The work was not “finished,” but the prayer anticipates His work on Calvary.

The Achilles heel of many believers is the belief that Jesus came to Israel to start, and establish the church, which is His body. It is evident from the four gospels, and early Acts period that was not the case. The purpose and ministry of Jesus Christ was not to establish the local church. His purpose was to set up an earthly Kingdom of Heaven, with Jerusalem as its capital.

The church, down through history, has taken the writings of Paul, and read them back into the Kingdom of Heaven ministry. Many of the early church fathers went even further, and have the present church in the Old Testament.  This may be one of the greatest errors of the church. Many, wrongly assume that when the Lord said in Matthew 16:18-19, “18 And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. 19 And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.” Matthew 16:18-19, that He was speaking of the present church. They fail to see that Jesus was speaking of the Kingdom of Heaven, and that Peter and the eleven would preside over it. “And Jesus said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That ye which have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.” Matthew 19:28. This will be the restored church that was in the wilderness. “This is he, that was in the church in the wilderness with the angel which spake to him in the mount Sina, and with our fathers: who received the lively oracles to give unto us:” Acts 7:38.

The book of HEBREWS speaks to this church. “For both he that sanctifieth and they who are sanctified are all of one: for which cause he is not ashamed to call them brethren, 12  Saying, I will declare thy name unto my brethren, in the midst of the church will I sing praise unto thee. 13 And again, I will put my trust in him. And again, Behold I and the children which God hath given me.” Hebrews 2:11-13. The quote is from Psalms 22, and Isaiah 8:18. Look at the context, and you will see that the “church” is the congregation of Jews who will rule, and rejoice in the Kingdom of Heaven.

Yes, the work the Father gave Jesus at His First Advent was finished. However, there is still work to be done, and it will be done at the Second Advent, and the gates of hell will not prevail against it!

“THE BODY” AND “THE BRIDE.” #4

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IS THE CHURCH THE BRIDE OF CHRIST?

brideBy E. A. Rawlence.   (Note: The original article has been edited because of its length. However, the argument and purpose of the author is clear. We do not necessarily condone all the writer says, but it seems to be the best answer to age old question. The publishing of this article does not imply that we agree with any departure from the KJV, should the author do so.)

Now, the “former rain” caused the grain to start its growth, corresponding with the outpouring of the Spirit on the nation at Pentecost, as we have seen, and as Peter was quick to note. The “latter rain” caused the ears to fill and mature for the harvest. So will Israel’s final testimony, when Joel’s prophecy will be fulfilled, cause “the harvest of earth” to ripen (Rev. 14.  15).

Out of this godly remnant we have to seek a company that will answer to the Bride, whilst the residue will answer to the bond-servants who went forth with the message, and the guests will be their Gentile converts. Such a company we find in Revelation 14:4, in the 144,000 which were redeemed from the earth. “These are they which were not defiled with women; for they are virgins. These are they which follow the Lamb whithersoever He goeth. These were redeemed from among men, being the first-fruits unto God and to the Lamb.”   The term, “they are virgins,” is no doubt not literal, but spiritual, indicating that they have not been guilty of spiritual whoredom, and have never given allegiance to the Antichrist. This seems clearly indicated verse 5. Whereas we are expressly told that on mankind “God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe the lie” (2 Thess. 2. 11). The whole relations, as described between these sealed ones and the Lamb are such as would alone answer to the position of husband and wife.

[perfectpullquote align=”right” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””]The term, “they are virgins,” is no doubt not literal, but spiritual, indicating that they have not been guilty of spiritual whoredom, and have never given allegiance to the Antichrist.[/perfectpullquote]

I believe those 144,000 are to be identified with the man-child in Rev. 12, as the travailing woman is obviously Israel under her final great trouble, corresponding to the prophecy in Isa. 66:7, 8, “Before she travailed, she brought forth ; before her pain came, she was delivered of a man-child.”  “Who hath heard such a thing ? Who hath seen such things ? Shall the earth be made to bring forth in one day ? or shall a nation be born at once ? for as soon as Zion travailed, she brought forth her children.”   And it is whilst the nation is in this wilderness condition that the re-marriage is to take  place. “Therefore, behold, I will allure her, and bring her into the wilderness, and speak comfortably unto her. “And I will give her vineyards from thence, and the valley of Achor for a door of hope : and she shall sing there, as in the days of her youth, and as in the day when she came up out of the land of Egypt.  “And it shall be at that day, saith the Lord, that thou shalt call me ISHI, i.e., my Husband; and shalt call me no more Baali (i.e., My Lord). “For I will take away the names of Baalim out of her mouth, and they shall no more be remembered by their name.” Hos. 2:14-17.  

We have yet to ascertain the time of the marriage. This is placed almost beyond dispute from Rev. 19, which clearly shows that it is practically the last event that takes place before the apocalypse of Jesus Christ as “the King of Kings and Lord of lords,” to usher in the Millennium. From this it is clear that if the Bride be the Church, the Church must then go through the whole of tribulation except the final act.  

In conclusion I trust I have shown that there are many difficulties in the way of the Church being the Bride, although on the other hand there are no doubt passages which may seem to indicate that they are the same Bodies, but these are not absolute statements of identity, as in Rev.21. 9. They are only illustrations or comparisons, and are, I believe, open to a reasonable interpretation of the lines which I have indicated, whilst, if I have rightly divided the Word, I venture to think that such an interpretation clears many doubtful points, and opens the way to better understanding of God’s dispensational dealings.

INVITATION GIMMICKS

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Manipulation at the Invitation

By Ken Blue

2 Peter 2:3 “And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not.”

 There is little that is more disgusting than some of the methods used by evangelist and pastors to get people to walk the aisle, or come to “the altar.” Every psychological trick in the bag has been used at invitation time.

I have seen evangelist talk saved people out of their salvation, and make the believer believe they were never saved, in order to get them to walk the aisle again. They are told if they did not say the proper prayer, exercise real faith, did not accept Jesus as Lord of their life, and did not hold their mouth just right, they were not saved.

[pullquote align=”right” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””]If the Spirit of God is working, you don’t need manipulative tactics.[/pullquote]

In order to persuade others to come for greater commitment, a series of questions will be asked. Some of those questions go like this, “How many of you want to grow in your faith, if so, raise your hand?” After the hands are raised, the believer will next be told, if he is sincere, come on down to the altar. Another question might be, “How many are struggling with some sin in your life?” Again, all hands will go up, and again the believer is told that victory is at the altar. “Come, and be delivered.” Of course, nothing works like asking, “How many of you would like God to bless your finances?” All, except those who know what is going on, will raise their hands. You know the next step. “Come to the altar, and ask God to bless your finances.”

Don’t misunderstand me. I believe in preaching for results, but I despise being manipulated, or seeing it pulled on others. During my years in the ministry, I have seen evangelist continue the invitation for thirty to forty minutes. I am convinced that the real motive behind most of this is for the ego of the speaker, and not for the souls of men. If the Spirit of God is working, you don’t need manipulative tactics; if He is not, you aren’t getting spiritual results, no matter how it looks. Don’t resist the Spirit of God, and don’t be made merchandise by egotistical evangelist.

CATCH ME IF YOU CAN; GET ME TO VISIT YOUR CHURCH

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CHURCH BUILDING GUIDELINES

CHURCH

By Ken Blue

The average church in America and Canada has about 75 in attendance. In some parts of the country, that may be the best anyone could do. However, many are averaging less in greatly populated areas.

I do not believe some pastors are reaching their full potential. They have hit a glass ceiling. Some are stuck in a rut of faulty training about church growth. A few pastors think their church will grow if they preach great sermons. It will not. Others believe if they get many professions of faith the church will grow, again, it will not. Although the above are important, they are only part of the reasons people attend church. You may be able to do better than you are.

One of the problems for pastors is they continue to attend meetings and conferences hosted by those who believe and practice the same things they themselves are doing. You will learn very little about church growth if that is your little world. You should branch out and learn from others who are making things happen. It may surprise you, but lost people do not visit because you are a K.J.V, independent, premillennial, dispensational, Baptist. All those things are good, but they mean nothing to the unsaved.

Here are some reasons the unsaved visit churches:

  1. They are invited by a family member or friend. This is the number one reason.
  2. Your advertisement is interesting and attention getting, and might meet their perceived needs.
  3. They have seen your attractive and interesting web page, face book, or you tube add.
  4. They drive by each day and see your building.
  5. They feel a need in their life.
  6. A recent death in the family.
  7. A recent divorce.
  8. The birth of a child.
  9. They want to know about the future.
  10. They want to know how to be saved.
  11. It is Christmas or Easter time.

Now, the above are some reasons why people visit your church. However, they are not reasons why they will return or stay; that is a different matter altogether. It important for the pastor to know the differences why people visit, why they return, and then set about to improve in each area.

Here are some reasons why people return or stay:

  1. A friend or family member attends the church.
  2. They found it easy to make friends. If a person does not have a friend or a family member in the church, they will not stay.
  3. The members were friendly toward them.
  4. The gospel was presented in such a manner it was easy for them to trust Christ.
  5. It was easy to find a parking place.
  6. Signs clearly directed them where they wanted to go.
  7. Bathrooms and nurseries were easy to find, and were spotless.
  8. They were challenged to attend a membership class.
  9. A follow up letter, visit, or phone call was made.
  10. Programs were available for the whole family, and were top quality.
  11. The personality, character, and aptitude of the pastor was evident.

These are a few reasons people return or stay in your church. Reverse each one, and discover why they never return. If you are going to catch young families for Christ, you must do the right things.

 

 

A CHURCHES GREATEST NEED

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THE CHURCHES NEED FOR MONEY

churches

By Ken Blue

“A feast is made for laughter, and wine maketh merry: but money answereth all things.” Ecclesiastes 10:19.

I ask a pastor recently what he believed the greatest need of churches is, other than prayer and the Word of God. He said, “I can’t speak for others, but I think the greatest need of our church is more income. We are not able to do anything without the means to do it.”

The above verse concerning money is not intended to teach “all things” without exception. We know of many things money will not fix. However, the context and the book of Ecclesiastes, give a hint of what the writer had in mind. There are some things that cannot be fixed or corrected with or without money. We must see the difference and understand the intent of the writer.

Churches must have money to buy property, build buildings, buy supplies, pay the pastor and staff, and to have its various ministries. Someone has accurately said, “You can’t build a church with people who have no money, nor can you build it with the rich, they will not follow.”

There is no secret here. You must increase the income, or decrease the expenses, or you may need to do both. I would suggest that the pastor looks at all necessary operating expense. These are probably fixed and cannot be eliminated. Mortgage and utility payments must be made.

One thing we did at Open Door to get us back in the black was cancel mission conferences and Bible conferences. We saved thousands each year and never had to cut any of our missionaries. Do an inventory and find ways to cut down waste and to eliminate non-essentials. Money is the answer here, and you must have it to move forward. Guest speakers are a blessing, but they do not increase the attendance or the income of our churches. The pastor and the people must and can do this.