|
If by any means I might attain unto the [out-resurrection] resurrection of the dead. (Philippians 3:11) |
|
Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years. (Revelation 20:6) |
|
The word for resurrection in the verse above is "out- resurrection." It is a special term. This is obvious in that the Apostle Paul toward the end of his life would not be striving to attain the general resurrection, for all that are in the graves will come forth in the general resurrection. |
|
It is our opinion that the out-resurrection of Paul and the resurrection of the royal priesthood seen by the Apostle John are one and the same. |
|
If this is true, and there are major Bible types that reinforce the idea of a remnant gaining the victory in advance of Israel, such as the victory won by Gideon's army, then not everyone who calls himself a Christian will be raised from the dead and ascend to meet the Lord when Jesus returns. |
|
The resurrection that will take place when the Lord is revealed from Heaven is for the blessed and holy priesthood. The second death, the Lake of Fire, has no authority over them because they have already overcome sin through the Lord Jesus. The second death has authority over all sin whether or not the sin is in a believer. That authority is not removed until we are set free from sin. |
|
The next coming of Jesus is the Day of Wrath described in the Old Testament and the New. It will not be a pleasant time for anyone, including the saints. It is the day of the Lord's fierce anger. |
|
The only people who will be able to "rest in the day of trouble" are those who have been found worthy of the Kingdom. |
|
The idea of being found worthy of the Kingdom may be a new concept to many although it is found several times in the New Testament. The reason it is a new concept to us is that our preaching of grace is not balanced with the New Testament exhortations to righteous, holy behavior. |
|
Divine grace is not designed to operate in the day of wrath that is coming. Grace operates now as we repent and begin to serve God. The purpose of grace is to deliver us from the obligations of the Law of Moses. |
|
What we have said does not mean we have to strive frantically to be saved in the day of judgment. But it does mean that, like the Apostle Paul, we must lay all else aside if we would win Christ, if we would attain the out-resurrection from the dead. |
|
No books are opened at the first resurrection because the participants already have been judged and found worthy to walk with Christ in the white robe of the priesthood. |
|
The Church will not go to Heaven when the Lord appears. Rather the Church will come to earth when the Lord appears. It will be the coming, not the going, of the Lord. The Lord is coming with thousands of His saints to judge all sin, particularly that found in the members of the churches. |
|
If you expect to find rest and peace when the Lord appears at the head of His army you must serve God today with all your heart. Even the righteous will be saved with difficulty! |
|
You will be in jeopardy in the day of wrath if you do not humble yourself and, with the Lord's help, turn away from your sin! |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. (I Thessalonians 4:17) |
|
Have you ever wondered why Paul said we would meet the Lord in the air? I think that sometimes people have the idea the Lord is going to make a U-turn and carry us to Heaven when He returns. The only problem with that idea is there is no scriptural basis for it. Check it out! |
|
It is the air that is important in the return of the Lord. Notice carefully the following: |
|
Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: (Ephesians 2:2) |
|
"The prince of the power of the air." "The ruler of the kingdom of the air," the NIV has it. |
|
We meet Christ in the air because the purpose of the first resurrection, the resurrection that will take place when the Lord is revealed, is to place God's kings on the thrones in the air that govern the earth. |
|
And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: . . . (Revelation 20:4) |
|
Christians can make every effort imaginable to stem the tide of moral corruption that is coming in. Much good may be done. But the kind of total victory we are looking for is possible only when the rebellious angels are driven from the thrones in the air and righteous kings take their place. |
|
It is then the earth will break forth into singing. It is then the saved nations of the earth will turn their swords and spears into farm equipment and go up to Jerusalem to learn more about God and His commandments. |
|
Because the purpose of the first resurrection is to establish thrones of righteousness, we who hope to attain this resurrection, that is, to the resurrection and ascension that will take place when our Lord returns, must be taught the way of righteousness. If we ourselves are not righteous, holy, and sternly obedient to God, we are still part of the problem. We are in no condition to assume one of the thrones in the air. |
|
It is not too late to learn to behave righteously (although other Christians will call you a Pharisee, a legalist, and God knows what else!). Israel always murders the prophets. |
|
If you depart from sinful behavior you will make yourself a prey of professing Christians. Try it and find out for yourself. |
|
All you have to do to learn to behave righteously is to read the many exhortations to righteous living found in the New Testament. Then go to the Lord each day for help in keeping His Word. |
|
Read the Bible and pray every day. As you do the Holy Spirit will speak to you about one or two of the commandments. The Bible is like the Laver of the Tabernacle of the Congregation. You wash in it. |
|
The Bible is like a mirror. As you read it or hear it preached you will discover where the dirt is. Then the Lord will help you wash your robe in His blood and you can start off fresh. |
|
What you have just read is the true God and eternal life. If anyone tells you that you can be a Christian and not keep Christ's commandments because you are "saved by grace," he is deceived. |
|
Serve the Lord with a pure heart and God will help you in all your ways. If you suffer with Him you will rule with Him over the nations of the earth and bring righteousness, peace, and joy to them, for this is the Kingdom of God. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. (Romans 8:29) |
|
There are two major goals of the Christian salvation. One is to be in the image of Christ. The other is to be in union with God through Christ. |
|
In any system it is important to know the goal. If you don't understand the goal clearly everything else is confused back down the line. If you don't know what your goal is how can you know when you get there or even if you are moving in the right direction? |
|
Perhaps due to the influence of the philosophy of Gnosticism (which maintains that matter is evil and spirit is good) we have changed the Bible goals of image and union to eternal residence in Heaven, in the spirit Paradise. Because we are confused over the goal we have no way of knowing whether or not what we are doing is moving us in the right direction. |
|
When you add to the goal of eternal residence in Heaven the viewing of Christ's blood as our ticket to get there, and Divine grace as an alternative to righteous living, you have a witches brew calculated to destroy the Kingdom of God. |
|
There surely is a Heaven where God and the angels are. But our goal is not to live there eternally but to be in the image of Christ and to be in untroubled union with the Father through Christ. Where do these goals lead us? To fellowship with God and participation in His kingdom purposes. |
|
It is God's plan to set up headquarters on the earth and we wouldn't want to be stuck in Heaven while God is on the earth! |
|
The blood of Christ is not a ticket to Heaven, it is the payment of the mortgage Satan has on us so we can repent of our sins and begin to serve God in righteousness and obedience. |
|
Divine grace is not an alternative to righteous behavior but freedom from the Law of Moses so we can look to the Lord Jesus and serve Him each day without the distraction of the requirements of the Law. |
|
Any fundamental Bible scholar will tell you that what we have just written is true. But evangelicals hold all of these incompatible ideas in their head in compartments. They believe God has predestined us to be in the image of Jesus and yet they also believe we are to spend eternity in the spirit Paradise. |
|
They believe the blood is the full payment of the mortgage so we can serve God in righteousness and yet they also believe the blood is our ticket to Heaven. |
|
They believe that through grace we are free from the Law of Moses so we can be married to Christ and serve Him and yet they view grace as an alternative to righteous living. |
|
They believe Christ will rule on the throne of David in Jerusalem and that we always will be with Him. They believe we will rule the nations as the royal priesthood of God. Then they suppose they are to spend eternity in Heaven in a mansion. |
|
One of these sets of ideas is scriptural. The other is pure tradition with no support in the Scriptures. |
|
It is time now to cast off these traditional myths and go back to the Scriptures. Satan has accomplished his purpose. He has used the myths to keep the Christians from growing in moral character. The believers are silly, ignorant of God and His ways, waiting to be caught up in their carnality to meet the Consuming Fire of Israel. |
|
We Christians absolutely must wake up and quit sinning. The sword of judgment hangs over America. Will you be a light to those around you when chaos stalks our nation? You will if you will use the present hour to come to know the Lord. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. (Philippians 4:8) |
|
Hard to believe the above words were written from jail! |
|
One of the greatest of the problems facing Christians today is that of fretting over the immoral behavior they see in the world. While the believers themselves do things that are immoral, due in large part to the imbalance in the preaching of grace, they have enough sense of right and wrong to be grievously upset over the violence, perversity and moral filthiness increasing on every hand. |
|
The fretting is of Satan. While he may not be able to persuade a believer to abort her child, or live in an unscriptural relationship with another person, or molest a child, Satan can ruin the spiritual life of the person by encouraging him or her to continually curse the darkness. |
|
God has commanded us through the Apostle Paul to think about things that are honest, just, pure, lovely, of good report, and praiseworthy. Thinking about good uplifting things while one is attempting to survive in a moral cesspool, such as America is becoming, is not just a nice thing to do. It is essential to spiritual survival. |
|
The whole earth is filled with the glory of God, as the Scriptures tell us. It is true also that the actions of Satan fill the earth. In any given situation we make the choice. We either choose to see the glory of God or we choose to see the abominations of Satan. |
|
How can one avoid thinking about the abominations of Satan when the newspapers and television harp on these continually? Easy! Quit reading the paper and watching the television. |
|
You can get all the news you need by glancing at the front page of the paper and then driving from your mind whatever troubles you. And, in case you didn't know it, the television news is subtly biased. You are not getting the whole story by any means. The reporters are human and they will color what they say in terms of their own values. |
|
It is no easy matter in these days to think continually about lovely, joyous, peaceful things. We have to guard our mind continually and make ourselves concentrate on thoughts that lift us toward the Lord. As we do this we draw into the Presence of the Lord. This pleases Him and brings peace to us. |
|
Perhaps there are believers whom the Lord has called to wrestle against the evil forces in our nations. The very few whom I have met do not seem to carry with them the Presence of the Lord. They scorn those who wait on the Lord as being lazy, cowardly, unwilling to stir themselves to try to stop the moral filth being practiced. It is not that we are lazy or cowardly. We are seeking to find the mind of the Lord. |
|
When we do hear from the Lord it is never about attempting to use fleshly means to correct the wickedness in the world. Rather the Lord speaks to us either about cleaning up our own act or bringing the Word and Presence of God to other people. |
|
This is not to say that God does not charge some people to go out and correct the social situation. |
|
My fear is that those who are attempting to force the unsaved to behave righteously will not only fail but will bring persecution on the rest of us who are looking to the Lord for wisdom in what to do. |
|
I think the Catholics say it is better to light one candle than to curse the darkness. I agree. Let each of us be a candle by serving the Lord and keeping His commandments. Others will see our good works and glorify God. |
|
Maybe in the present hour we are to be a witness rather than a commando! |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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: (Revelation 22:3) |
|
The significance of Revelation 22:3 cannot possibly be overestimated, for it tells of the coming of the Throne of God to the earth. |
|
The concept of God being in Heaven, and of people praying to God in Heaven in order to receive relief on the earth, is one of the basic understandings of devout people. |
|
But the Scriptures teach clearly that God's intention is to transfer His throne from Heaven to earth. When that takes place, mankind no longer will look to God in Heaven but to God in the earth, to God in the new Jerusalem. The new Jerusalem is the Bride of the Lamb, the Body of Christ. |
|
At that time they shall call Jerusalem the throne of the Lord; and all the nations shall be gathered unto it, to the name of the Lord, to Jerusalem: neither shall they walk any more after the imagination of their evil heart. (Jeremiah 3:17) |
|
"They shall call Jerusalem the throne of the Lord"! |
|
If it were not that the Father, Christ, and the Bride are to be one in Spirit and Being, the concept of Jerusalem being the throne of God would be blasphemous. God never will give His glory to another. But God indeed shall give His glory to the new Jerusalem, the Bride of the Lamb, and place His throne in her, because she has been made one in Christ in God. |
|
The concept of Jerusalem becoming the place of God's throne is one of the major issues of the Scriptures. The creating of the house, the tabernacle, of God, is the goal of God's efforts. God will find His rest in the temple He is creating. |
|
The Kingdom of God, the spiritual fulfillment of the feast of Tabernacles of the Jews, is God abiding forever in Christ in the Bride of the Lamb. The very throne of the almighty God is to be located eternally in her. |
|
The Father and the Son will make their abode in the faithful disciple, in fulfillment of the old covenant feast of Tabernacles. This is the supreme goal of the Christian redemption, the rest of God of which the Scriptures speak. |
|
Even more marvelous is the fact that the transfer of the location of the Divine throne has begun and will increase in glory throughout the coming darkness. The spiritual experience portrayed by the Old Testament feast of Tabernacles is God's answer to the incredible pressures of the closing days of the present age. |
|
Adam and Eve did not pray to God in Heaven. God was on the earth. Then God withdrew to the spirit realm becoming invisible to us. God became invisible to mankind because of sin, not because God desires to remain invisible to His children. |
|
The fact that God was on the earth in the beginning does not mean His throne was on the earth. Yet it was true that when Adam and Eve communicated with God, they did so to a Person who was living among them. |
|
God returned to earth in the Presence of Jesus of Nazareth. But we know that the throne of God remained in Heaven (although it was also in the heart of the Lord Jesus) because Jesus prayed to God in Heaven. |
|
God will return to earth again in Christ—Head and Body. This time He will remain forever. God intends to dwell on the earth in the midst of His children. He will do so by dwelling in the Church, the new Jerusalem, the Bride of the Lamb—in the people whom He has chosen for His eternal dwelling place. This is the Kingdom of God and the spiritual fulfillment of the Old Testament feast of Tabernacles. (from A Study Guide for the Book of First Corinthians) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, which is new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God: and I will write upon him my new name. (Revelation 3:12) |
|
The name of the Father is written on the conqueror. The name of the holy city, Jerusalem, is written on the conqueror. Also, the new name of Christ is written on him. |
|
What is the new name of Christ Jesus? We do not know. We do know, however, that as we grow in the Lord He becomes to us all we need and desire. |
|
When we begin as a Christian our understanding of Christ is that He is the Son of God and also the unblemished Lamb who was offered for our sin and who rose again from the dead by the power of the Spirit of God. |
|
As we move ahead on our journey we discover that Christ is our peace, our healing, our wisdom, our strength, our joy, our sanctification, and everything else of lasting value. Gradually He grows in our vision until He becomes larger than the galaxies of the universe. We see that the creation is upheld by the Word of His power. |
|
Still Christ grows in our consciousness. |
|
We are beginning to understand that the Church, the Body of Christ, is the universal expression of Christ Jesus; that the two thousand years of the Christian Era, during which Christ is being formed in the believers, have been for the purpose of magnifying the death and resurrection of the Christ in the members of His Body. |
|
Finally we realize that Christ "filleth all in all." He has grown in us and our vision has been enlarged until He who at one time was seen by us as the gentle Teacher of Nazareth has become all that is worthwhile in the universe. |
|
We know now that God intends for the whole creation to become a reflection of the image and glory of the Lord Jesus Christ and that we all shall live and move and have our being in His will and Life. |
|
In Christ Jesus dwells all the fullness of the Godhead in bodily form. He is the visible Revelation of the invisible God and—wonder of wonders—we are being created in Him as part of that revelation! |
|
We are being created a part of His appearing, His forthshining. Christ will return not only with us but also in us. In that Day we shall resemble Christ Jesus, and yet be ourselves. Our personality will be in union with His in such a manner that we will appear as Him and as ourselves—neither personality being confused as to identity. |
|
To be married to the Lamb requires that we lose the right to be ourselves. Our uniqueness is enhanced, but we always and forever will be an integral part of Christ. |
|
He is willing to give up His right to be an individual so you may become part of Him. Are you willing to give up your right to be an individual so He may become part of you? |
|
You are getting the better part of the deal! (from The Conqueror) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest. (Joshua 1:9) |
|
The Christian fulfillment of Canaan of the Old Testament land of promise is "all things," especially the entire material creation. The Kingdom of God is the rule of God in Christ in the saints over all the works of God's hands. |
|
Before God permitted Joshua to go across Jordan, God spoke to him concerning the need for courage and for adhering strictly to the written Word of God. |
|
Joshua had served under Moses for many years. Unlike Saul at a later date, Joshua was not plucked suddenly from the ranks of Israel and placed over the Lord's people. He had served his apprenticeship. The Lord was satisfied that Joshua was ready to lead Israel. |
|
The Lord needs people who are prepared to take the Kingdom. |
|
The creation of God is in terrible bondage today. Only the Church, the Body of Christ, has the authority to release the creation. Christ remains seated at the right hand of God while His possession, the nations and the farthest reaches of the earth, agonizes in spiritual chains. |
|
The blood of Jesus has purchased redemption for every human being who is willing to accept it. Satan and his demons have no authority over any individual who chooses to call on the name of Jesus. |
|
The full price of redemption has been paid for two thousand years. Yet the earth gropes in spiritual blindness. What, then, is delaying the release of the material creation? |
|
The reason the earth remains in darkness is that the members of the Body of Christ are immature in the things of God. They have not had created in them the conquering personality. They speak of going to their eternal home in Heaven, not realizing God has given the world to them. They are not soldiers, they are sheep. We are living in an hour when Christ will convert His sheep into soldiers. |
|
To be a member of the Lord's army, of the Body of Christ, requires more than a uniform. To be a coheir of Christ Jesus requires more than a title. |
|
A license to practice medicine is much more than a uniform or a title. It is a testimony to the fact that the doctor has spent many years in rigorous training and now is able, through education and experience, to prescribe and treat various sicknesses and disorders. |
|
When God testifies we are a coheir of Christ Jesus He is not giving to us "by grace" a uniform or a title. He is declaring that we shall be prepared by Himself, through education, experience, and the transformation of what we are, to rule the nations of the earth. |
|
Many Christian people are saints in name only—by "uniform" and "title" only. The conquering personality has not been formed in them as yet. |
|
Christ Jesus will not lead an army of believers who are warriors by title only. He will come against the rulers of the world at the head of an army of saints in whom the conquering personality has been formed. |
|
No human being can become a warrior, a saint, a "mighty man of valor," by imputation (ascribed mightiness). |
|
If going to Heaven to live forever were our goal it might be enough for us to make our statement of belief in Jesus. Because our goal is to be in union with God through the Lord Jesus, to be in union with one another, to fill the universe with the image of Jesus, and to rule all the works of God's hands, it is not sufficient that we make our statement of belief in Christ Jesus. We also must follow the Holy Spirit every day of our life as He creates in us the conquering personality. |
|
Do you want the real thing so you can help turn this mess around? (from The Conquering Personality) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
