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WHAT IS THE GLORIOUS CHURCH? #2

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Glorious church(In our last blog, we were discussing what the glorious church is not. We continue, and  then will state what is.)

The glorious church does not mix the Kingdom of Heaven gospel with the gospel of grace preached by Paul.

The glorious church is not one that claims it practices Matthew 28:19, 20. All the commissions, including Acts 1:8, are Jewish, and consist of the Kingdom of Heaven ministry. No church today is, or can obey those commissions. That is easy to prove. No church preaches or practices “all things” Jesus taught His disciples.

The glorious church is not one that Jesus built while on earth. That church ceased to exist once Israel was set aside. A new apostle was chosen. A new gospel was revealed. A new mystery was made known. A new set of church epistles were given to Paul, and all this was done, not by Jesus on earth, but as the Lord from heaven. The glorious church is not one that fails to follow the teachings of Christ through Paul.

The glorious church can never be one that can’t rightly divide the Word of God. “ Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” 2 Timothy 2:15.

WHAT IT IS THE GLORIOUS CHURCH?

Since the phrase, “a glorious church,” is found in the context of the mystery, we must be true to the text.

The first thing we notice is that the Lord wants the church to be morally pure, and that comes through the proper application of the Word. Just as a bride is to be pure on her wedding day, the Lord wants His church to be morally clean. The goal is for it to be holy and without blemish. The text is taken from the practical section of Ephesians. Doctrine, does not insure purity of life. There must be correct doctrine, and then correct application. Just as a man is to leave father and mother, and love his wife as his own body, so Christ loves the church, and gave Himself for it.

“This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church.” Ephesians 5:28-32. It was not a mystery that a man and his wife were one body. The mystery was that the church would be one body composed of Jew and Gentile. The church is said to be “bone of his bone, and flesh of His flesh.”  This mystery was unknown from before the foundation of the world, and was unknown until revealed to and through Paul. Most Christians do not understand the literalness of this truth.

There are those who teach that the glorious Church are Baptist churches who follow Baptist polity and doctrine. Anyone can set polity, and doctrines for his own church domination, and then search for a text to prop it up. This is what most dominations do.

One writer cites John 17:4, “I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do.” John 17:4, to mean that Jesus finished the work of building the Baptist Church. This a liberty that not even Joseph Smith would take with the text. The Glorious Church is not a denomination, nor does it exist today. If it does, no one know its name.

In conclusion, the church of which Paul speaks did not start or exist in the four gospels or early Acts. The church of which he speaks was a mystery until revealed from heaven to Paul.

The church in the O. T. and the gospels was the Kingdom of Heaven church, and has no part in the existing church. It is the church that will be completed in the Millennial Kingdom, and the gates of hell will not prevail against it.

The problem is, the brethren cannot rightly divide the Kingdom of Heaven from the Kingdom of God. They can’t discern the difference between the gospel Jesus and His disciples, and the gospel preached by Paul. They don’t know what John’s baptism signified, (I’ve yet to receive an answer to that question.)  and how it differed from Paul’s baptism. They cannot separate the Kingdom gospels from the church epistles, or the Jewish epistles. Neither can they prove from history an unbroken chain of church purity from its beginning until now.

The church will indeed be a glorious church at the glorious appearing of Jesus, for those who have been saved by the glorious gospel. He will change our vile bodies like unto His glorious body. That well be a glorious day when the glorious church gets to glory!  THAT IS WHEN IT WILL BE A GLORIOUS CHURCH!

Sad to say, from the practical aspect, the church is anything but glorious. Most of the brethren place the church today as the Laodicean church. The first half of Ephesians is doctrinal, and explains our glorified position in Him. The second half of the book, admonishes us to live a practical life that brings glory to Him. Only at the rapture, will the church truly be A GLORIOUS CHURCH!

WHAT APOLLOS DIDN’T KNOW

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QUESTONWHAT APOLLOS DIDN’T KNOW
By Ken Blue

“This man was instructed in the way of the Lord; and being fervent in the spirit, he spake and taught diligently the things of the Lord, knowing only the baptism of John. 26 And he began to speak boldly in the synagogue: whom when Aquila and Priscilla had heard, they took him unto them, and expounded unto him the way of God more perfectly.” Acts 18:25-26.

The dedication of Apollos could not be brought into question. He was eloquent in speech, fervent in spirit and fully committed to the information he had. But, there was a great chasm between what he knew and what he needed to know. The text says Aquila and Priscilla expounded something to him that was more perfect.

Apollos’s ministry consisted exclusively of the ministry of John the Baptist. That is, he was preaching the kingdom of heaven gospel and practicing water baptism for the same reason John had taught and preached it. (“John did baptize in the wilderness, and preach the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins.” Mark 1:4).

Now, what was it Apollos did not know? Keep in mind that Aquila and Priscilla had served with the Apostle Paul and had learned of the dispensation of the gospel of grace from him. They also had a church in their house.

First of all, he didn’t know that the ministry of John and the Twelve was over, and that God was rejecting Israel and cutting them off because of their unbelief. Next, he didn’t know that Paul was God’s new Apostle, and that the dispensation of grace was committed to him. Again, he didn’t know that Jews and Gentiles were being baptized by the Spirit into one body, called the church. This truth was not made known from the foundation of the world. (Ephesians 3:9). Neither did he know the gospel message that had been given exclusively to Paul. (See Galatians 1:11-12). Apollos didn’t know that he could now eat catfish without guilt. Last of all, he didn’t know that the writings of Paul would become the body of doctrine for the new church God was building. Like many today, he needed to learn how to rightly divide the Word of God.

We may thank God for His servants who are gifted and zealous for the Lord. But, zeal without knowledge can be a dangerous thing, and it has done great harm to the church through the centuries. Many today are still laboring under the kingdom of heaven ministry of John the Baptist, and they don’t have a clue as to the more perfect or accurate ministry given to Paul.

PARADISE REGAINED #68

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<- Chapter #67 — Chapter #69  ->

REVELON BOOK

PARADISE REGAINED # 68

The River of the Water of Life

 “And he shewed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb. In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river, was there the tree of life, which bare twelve manner of fruits, and yielded her fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. And there shall be no more curse: but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it; and his servants shall serve him: And they shall see his face; and his name shall be in their foreheads. And there shall be no night there; and they need no candle, neither light of the sun; for the Lord God giveth them light: and they shall reign for ever and ever.”  (Revelation 22:1-5).

Verses 1-5 are chronological and are a continuation of chapter 21 and the description of the New Jerusalem. It is unclear as to the location of the new city. Some think it will be situated on the new earth; others believe it will be suspended in space. One thing is for sure, this city is vastly different from the millennial city.

In chapter 21 John describes the construction and materials of the city. In this chapter, he describes the inside and its provisions. We have seen that the number 12 signifies that the New Jerusalem is the center of the divine government, which will rule the new heavens and the new earth. The light, although literal, speaks of the truth and righteousness in which the nations will walk.

John sees a “pure river” proceeding out of the throne of God and the Lamb. This raises the question as to the extent of this river and its purpose. If is a literal river, is the river confined to the city? Does it dissipate or pool into lakes and seas? Will those who live in the New Jerusalem need this water to survive or is it symbolic?

Dake says there are 12 boulevards matching the 12 gates. Most likely there is one main boulevard that leads to the throne, and it is this street that has the river of life and the tree of life by it. Dr. Ruckman says the tree is not singular but the species, and that many trees grow on either side of the boulevard. These trees produce fruit constantly for the nations dwelling on the new earth.

If those living on the new earth are in natural bodies, like those of Adam and Eve prior to the fall, these trees may provide for their eternal life in their natural bodies. We should keep in mind that the Garden of Eden also contained the tree of the knowledge of good and evil and the tree of life. The first pair needed to eat of the tree of life to maintain their natural lives. Instead, they chose to believe Satan’s lie and ate of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. It was necessary for God to station a Cherub by the entrance of the garden to ensure that no one ate of the tree of life after the fall, lest they live forever in a sinful state. God deemed a natural death and resurrection superior to the alternative.

We must not think of sickness and disease being present in the new eternal state. However, those in natural bodies would become older and weaker and eventually die if they did not eat of the tree of life. The “healing” was for the preservation of eternal life. It is uncertain if one is required to eat of the tree continuously or if one partaking will give eternal life. Some commentators think it will be necessary for individuals to go up each year on their birthday.

Again, if literal, the trees yield their fruit each month. Therefore, there will be days, months and years on the New Earth. This will require the sun and the moon for those seasons.

The curse will be removed and will never return. Those in the city will have unbroken fellowship with God as Adam and Eve had prior to the fall. They shall see His face and will walk with Him in perfect fellowship.

“And he said unto me, These sayings are faithful and true: and the Lord God of the holy prophets sent his angel to shew unto his servants the things which must shortly be done. Behold, I come quickly: blessed is he that keepeth the sayings of the prophecy of this book. And I John saw these things, and heard them. And when I had heard and seen, I fell down to worship before the feet of the angel which shewed me these things. Then saith he unto me, See thou do it not: for I am thy fellowservant, and of thy brethren the prophets, and of them which keep the sayings of this book: worship God.”  (Revelation 22:6-9).

The attention shifts from the New Jerusalem back to John and the angel. John is reassured that what he had seen and heard was indeed from God, and that they were about to take place. Those who hear and keep the saying of the letters to the churches will be blessed and enter into the joys described in the book (Revelation 1:3). We should add that John had seen the completed revelation before he wrote any part of the book.

When John hears these things, he does a strange thing. He falls down to worship at the feet of the angel. John is rebuked and told that the angel was only a servant of God. Notice that the angel directs John’s allegiance to the Scriptures and the worship of God. This is good advice for all people at all times.

 “And he saith unto me, Seal not the sayings of the prophecy of this book: for the time is at hand. He that is unjust, let him be unjust still: and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still: and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still: and he that is holy, let him be holy still. And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last. Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.  For without are dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie.”  (Revelation 22:10-15).

[pullquote align=”right” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””]If you have not come to Jesus Christ for eternal life, will you ask Him to save you now and receive the gift of eternal life? The invitation is “come.” [/pullquote]

The above passage confirms that the city is occupied by the Jews, or is open to them. Those have a right to enter the city who have observed the commandments. Also, the “dogs” is a reference to Gentiles.

Daniel, when shown the vision, was instructed to seal it up for the time of its fulfillment was in the distant future. However, that time in the Revelation had come and would be fulfilled at the Second Advent. Those, in the Tribulation, will receive their reward according to the state they are in at Christ’s return. As the tree falls, it will lie.

The wicked will be judged at the White Throne Judgment and will be cast into the lake of fire. Only those nations who obey God in the Millennium will have access to the tree of life on the new earth. Others will have been destroyed.

 “I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star. And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely. For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book: And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.”  (Revelation 22:16-19).  

We noted in chapter 1:13 that Jesus walked in the midst of the seven churches. He was with them in all their suffering and tribulation. Now, at the conclusion of the Revelation, He reassures them. He is the promised seed of David. He is the Bright and Morning Star that brings light and life to the earth.  All are invited to come and kiss the Son and drink deeply of the eternal life that is only in Him. It is free to all!

Once again, we are reminded of the certainty of the prophecies. Those who reject its teachings and warnings will be judged accordingly. These words are directed specifically to those who will be on earth at the time of these events.

 “He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.”  Revelation 22:20-21

Once the events in this book commence, they will move in rapid succession. The Tribulation will last only seven short years. The Second Advent of Jesus will close it and begin the Kingdom of Heaven on earth. That will be followed by a new heaven and a new earth, which will be totally righteous and without sin.

Mankind has been returned to the exact condition planned in the beginning. He has learned that without total obedience to God he is hopeless and helpless. Men and angels will praise and serve Him forever for His wisdom, power, love, mercy, and salvation! If you have not come to Jesus Christ for eternal life, will you ask Him to save you now and receive the gift of eternal life? The invitation is “come.”  Paradise has been regained!

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. #1

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Understanding the Body and Bride of Christ

new jerusalem

By 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 an 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.)

The words “body” and “bride” are figurative of one and the same, or two different spiritual groups. I believe practicing right divisions will solve the problem. An understanding between Israel, the gentiles, and the church of God will, hopefully, clear up the matter.

God created the nation of Israel to be the custodians of the Truth, and the means through which He would establish His kingdom from heaven upon the earth. He would do this through Jesus Christ. “For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. 7 Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.” Isaiah 9:6-7. Daniel explains it like this…  “And in the days of these kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed: and the kingdom shall not be left to other people, but it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand for ever. 45 Forasmuch as thou sawest that the stone was cut out of the mountain without hands, and that it brake in pieces the iron, the brass, the clay, the silver, and the gold; the great God hath made known to the king what shall come to pass hereafter: and the dream is certain, and the interpretation thereof sure.” Daniel 2:44-45. This kingdom of heaven will be set up on earth, and will never be destroyed.  John the Baptist and Jesus preached that that kingdom was at hand.”

The Pharisees saw this as a threat to their control and position, and they sought to kill Him.

After Matthew 13, most of our Lord’s public preaching was in parables. His stated purpose for this was to hide from the religious leaders the mysteries of the kingdom. However, He would explain their meaning to His disciples. It is abundantly clear from Matt. 12 that the kingdom He spoke of was an earthly kingdom. Satan destroyed the original kingdom of heaven on earth, and he would do all within his power to defile the efforts to reestablish it on earth. This is illustrated repeatedly in the eight parables in Matthew 13.  The kingdom in heaven is perfect, and God is in complete control. That is one reason Israel was instructed to pray, “Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.”

Although the King and the kingdom were rejected, and He was crucified, the offer was re-offered to the children of Israel after His resurrection. It is noteworthy that the first recorded question in Acts 1:6 is, “When they therefore were come together, they asked of him, saying, Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel?” Acts 1:6. Peter preached to Jews only and said, “Ye are the children of the prophets, and of the covenant which God made with our fathers, saying unto Abraham, And in thy seed shall all the kindreds of the earth be blessed. Unto you first God, having raised up His Son Jesus, sent Him to bless you, in turning away every one of you from his iniquities” Three thousand  Jews, out of every nation were converted. God had His band of missionaries, out of every language, prepared to take the gospel of the kingdom to every nation. However, it was not to be so. Wherever they went with the kingdom message, the Jews in leadership opposed it, and murdered the messengers.

Israel was guilty of three great offences: 1. Spiritual whoredom, which led to their divorce as the wife of Jehovah: “And I saw, when for all the causes whereby backsliding Israel committed adultery, I had put her away, and given her a bill of divorce ; yet her treacherous sister Judah feared not, but went and played the harlot also” (Jer. 3:8). “Plead with your mother, plead : for she is not My wife, neither am I her husband : let her, therefore, put away her whoredoms out of her sight, and her adulteries from between her breasts” (Hos. 2:2).

2, They “killed the Lord Jesus and their own prophets” (1 Thess. 2:15).

3. “ they persecuted us ; and they please not God, and are contrary to all men : forbidding us to speak to the Gentiles that they might be saved, to fill up their sin alway : for the wrath is come upon them to the uttermost” (1 Thess. 2:15, 16).

(Lord willing, we will post part 2 in a few days)